Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Time Guyanese vote without race in mind DEAR EDITOR, The recent realities surrounding the matters of the upcoming Local Government Elections are bitter sweet to me. As I watched the myriad of contestants who graced the stages of the Merundoi sponsored debates and as I listen to what was being said, I am both hopeful and disappointed. But disappointed mostly. If there is one thing that shines through among the candidates; it is the lack of administrative and conceptual acumen. It is as if some of those offering themselves to the electorate just woke up one day and decided that they will try-athing. For some it is obvious that they are running simply to pad the votes for the group or party they represent. For example, of the six individuals seeking to represent my district only two showed up for a nationally broadcast debate. The utter disregard and blatant disrespect for the constituents cannot be more

pronounced. The residents of district 8 must have been very disappointed in those seeking to represent them. And I hope that the voters reflect their sentiments at the polls. We have a very broken country and the only persons who don’t seem to understand that are those whose heads are buried in the sand. Hardly anything works efficiently in Guyana. What we need at this time in the City’s administration, are people with ideas and plans on where we go from here. We cannot afford to retrogress! And we should not be reinventing the wheel. All the countries attached to us on this South American continent are way ahead of us developmentally. All the countries, to which we travel for our business or vacation trips, are miles ahead of us administratively. Therefore, all we have to do is piggyback on systems that they have used and are using to stay ahead of the game. We should not be reverting to behaviour and practices of a

past, failed, era. Those of us vying for Councilors’ positions should be revolutionary in our thoughts. Most of us who will grace those hallowed walls of the City Hall after the 18th will be newbies, with the much need fresh-blood and shot-in-the-arm that is pivotal at this time. However, we have got to hit the ground running. The immediate development and sustaining of our constituencies should excite us. The needs of our individual communities should be clear in our minds. We should not be promising to do everything for everyone because we will not be able to deliver and folks will be disappointed. However, there are some much needed things that have to be priority. In Constituency 8, we have some infrastructural problems, especially the sewer system and the drainage; however, at the top of my mind is the huge unemployment crisis among our young Black men, many of whom are involved in the

buying and/or selling of drugs. We also have a troubling lack of after school care programs, which compounds our academic problems and feed children into the drug trade. My role as the representative of the Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust area will be to appeal to my fellow councilors for the immediate institution of the Miscellaneous Powers of Councils clause (Municipal and District Councils Act Article 28:01), which allows for the funding of Educational Institutions, Relief of necessitous persons, Agriculture, arts and craft. (Pt. IX 301 {12-16}). Upon assuming office, I will immediately convene meetings in my constituency for all those who are unemployed and under employed. I will seek consensus from the residents to formulate plans, programs and entrepreneurial endeavors to assist with the alleviation of our unemployment and academic problems. I will suggest that

Forbes Burnham had nothing to do... From page 4 warrior, decided to oppose Burnham at a time when the CIA was waging a very real and threatening campaign to destabilize Burnham’s government and roll back the revolution. It is imperative for us to note that the half of the story that has been left out over the years, as people from both sides rehash and reshape these events, is the role played by the US and it’s Central Intelligence Agency, in the historic events that we continue to ponder in 2016. To fully understand what was, in my opinion the erroneous attempt by the WPA, under Dr Walter Rodney’s leadership, to attempt to destabilize and overthrow the revolutionary and anti-imperialist regime of Forbes Burnham, the question that should be asked is this: At the time, who would have benefitted most from disunity and warfare between two anti-imperialist formations in Guyana, namely the PNC and the WPA? Who would have tried to ratchet up the disunity rather than facilitating unity? Of course, the answer is the imperialists. Back then, as now, the CIA knew how to recruit people from all sides. Some of those who were

recruited were recruited knowingly, while others were not even aware that they were working directly with, or in tandem with the CIA. A number of senior figures in the political and security apparatus of both the PNC and the WPA were, without doubt, utilized by hostile external forces. There are a few well established facts that have emerged over the years, facts that can no longer be denied. Among them are (1) Gregory Smith was not a PNC agent, but rather had close and what seem to be genuine ties to the Rodney brothers; (2) the WPA was amassing weapons in an attempt to overthrow Forbes Burnham’s government, which was also facing a very real threat of destabilization and overthrow from the CIA. There are people right here in Guyana who stored those weapons in their homes. Of course, they will never come forward, because such activity is, under any circumstances, treated as treason. (3) The US government and its agencies were actively involved in a plot to destabilize Burnham’s regime and definitely had a hand in what happened. After all, it was a wonderful opportunity for them, discredit Burnham both at

home and internationally and get rid of Dr Walter Rodney all in one operation. In 1980, the year Dr Walter Rodney was killed, Burnham was mostly preoccupied with the larger threat of US destabilization of Guyana. A seasoned and astute leader, Burnham knew that the homegrown opposition was being fuelled by the imperialists. He knew that the WPA, whose leadership comprised mainly of middle-class academics, would be an easy target for CIA operatives. Being nothing short of a brilliant strategist, he would have certainly known that given the circumstances he found himself in, and the threats he faced from external forces, the very worst thing he could have done, akin to shooting himself in the foot, would have been to order the assassination of a world renowned academic such as Dr Walter Rodney. It is clear that this would have been political suicide. As a political analyst, having studied Amilcar Cabral, Frantz Fanon, and CLR James, Burnham understood the middle-class character and contradictions of the WPA and what he described as their hollow,

revolutionary rhetoric, borne out of their immersion in theoretical analysis and the culture of critique without any revolutionary praxis. This led him to call the WPA the “Worst Possible Alternative” and their leaders “Champagne Socialists”. Many writers, including myself have pointed to the fact that the Black Middle Class, with few exceptions, has consistently been a major obstacle to the progress of African people in the Caribbean. They were the same ones who sat on the sidelines and criticized Burnham’s every attempt, under enormous pressure, to house, feed and clothe the masses of impoverished people of this nation -– African, Indian and Amerindian. They were the very ones who fell prey to the “divide and ruin” psych-ops of the enemy. When mayhem was finally unleashed, and the people poured onto the streets following Dr Walter Rodney’s death, the Worst Possible Alternative (WPA) simply did not then know what to do and the entire exercise fizzled out into the nightmare that it has now become. Gerald A. Perreira Chair Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

all capital works being funded by the M&CC, in my district, be executed - wherever possible - by the residents of my district. This will allow for several community development spin offs. Editor, another thing that disappoints me in my campaigning is the oft repeated remarks from folks who say that they will vote for a party or group, no matter who the local constituency representative is. I am prayerfully hoping that that is not the case in the upcoming LGE. People need to vote for individuals who will best represent their local causes. I have chosen for my logo a white dove, a symbol of peace and hope. I would like to bring folks together in the spirit of social cohesion, for the betterment of my district. Guyanese need to move away from voting party

and race and we need to elect people based on their ideas and the issues they articulate. After 23 years of disenfranchisement, it would be a sad and shameful day if Guyanese vote along party lines or for their friends and family. That will prove unequivocally that we have not grown politically or informatively. I am counting on the constituents of district 8 to exhibit a level of intelligence that transcends petty partisan politics. The Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust area can become a model community for the rest of the country to follow and with the right Councilor, we will be well on our way. Can we do it…? Wendell. P. Jeffrey, Pastor Independent Candidate Wortmanville/Werk-enRust, District #8

PM Nagamootoo’s intentions are good DEAR EDITOR, It is unfortunate that the PM became the victim of the radio licences issue. In my opinion, Dr Hinds’ rage is common to many of us who hoped that this government would make a change, but there are too many short comings. Rage and anger, sometimes blind us to reality. This government is giving ammunition to the PPP. Prime Minister Nagamootoo did not say not to revoke the licences given to Jagdeo’s friends and relatives, but he gave his personal opinion that additional licences should be given. This is not the opinion or a decision from cabinet. In addition, the PM is a lawyer, and maybe in the interim, the licences cannot be legally retrieved/revoked without a cost. I know this PM personally for many years and he faced many harsh and challenging circumstances, but his intension is honest. I am certain, if this PM can jail Jagdeo tomorrow, by due process, he would not forgive him. We (Joe Persuad, then Ramjattan, then Nagamootoo ) are not “Yes men” this is why we were technically kicked by Jagdeo, not the PPP as such. There are many Yes men, because of economical circumstances. The coalition in opposition, complained that the PPP is misusing the government media, and rightly so. This government should now privatize the government media. No democratic government owns media. Or this government wants to repeat all the acts of the PPP? Like awarding contract to the allegedly corrupt airport contractor etc , no tender for the speciality hospital, retain the Jagdeoites in the Ministry of Finance and other departments, people not employed on the basis of qualification and experience to produce good results but to win the voters. The PPP did cosmetic changes to the PNC constitution; is this what this government will do? City Hall spends $2m monthly during PPP and now $3M etc. To the APNU /AFC, I say people are bitter with some of the things you are doing. You are on stage, everyone is watching you. They do not see the crowd. Life is like a sheet of untrodden snow so be careful how you step on it; for every step will show. Joe Persuad (Canada)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Bandit on the run after grabbing $$, jewellery from N/A businessman

The businessman’s car The police SWAT team stationed in Berbice was deployed late last evening to hunt for a lone gunman who had moments earlier robbed a businessman and his wife of an undisclosed sum of money, gold jewellery and

phone cards. Danny Sankar and his wife Babita Sankar, proprietors of E and B General Merchandise and Candy Shop situated at Lot 12/13 Strand, New Amsterdam, may be counting their lucky stars after the unmasked gunman opened fire on them in his robbery bid. The man fired three shots from close range after he became involved in a tussle with a female friend of the proprietor who was at the business premises. Speaking to the media, Babita Sankar stated that they were about to close up the business. She and one of her employees and a female friend were packing up while her

husband had left to collect their car. The woman said her friend noticed someone hiding behind a utility pole and asked who it was. With that, the bandit made a run at them and while spewing expletives, told them to “pass de money and de gold”. He then grabbed a box that contained money and phone cards, but it was pushed away. The bandit and the female friend got into a fierce tussle. He then fired a shot at her which missed, causing the friend to run away. Babita Sankar stated that she then made a grab at the box, at which time the bandit fired a shot in her direction. She retreated and the man grabbed the box and a bag with the money, jewellery and phone cards, and escaped, leaving his haversack, a toque and a pack of cigarettes behind. Danny Sankar stated that he had just left the business place and went for his car which is usually parked about 50 metres away, to take his family home while they closed up the business. He said that as he was in the vehicle he saw his wife’s friend running towards him and screaming when he looked up the road and saw the bandit heading in the opposite direction with a bag in hand. He immediately accelerated the car and

The business place where the robbery took place.

chased after the bandit through the one-way street (Chapel St.). Unaware that it was his place that was robbed. During the chase the bandit fired a shot at his vehicle but missed. He in turn grazed the thief at least four times with his vehicle causing a bend on the bumper. On the last occasion the bag the bandit was carrying with the money burst and some of the cash fell out. As he was about to turn around to tackle the supposedly injured bandit, the thief scaled a fence and disappeared in a yard.

The police were informed and responded in a timely manner with patrols and crime scene detectives. The SWAT team subsequently arrived and joined the hunt. The bandit’s boots were subsequently found in an adjacent yard and a zinc fence was seen sprawled. The man was described as being in his early 20s. He was wearing a blue shirt and black pants. His hair was cut low. When Kaieteur News left the scene the place was

surrounded by police. The SWAT team had taken up strategic positions - some were seen on top of an abandoned cinema. Sankar told the media that it was the fourth time that he has been robbed. The frustrated businessman stated that he has applied three times for a licenced firearm, but on each occasion he has been denied. He has been operating his business on large scale for about 25 years now.

Items that the bandit left behind - a haversack, toque and a pack of cigarettes

79-yr-old ex-cop shoots self in head A 79-year-old ex-police officer who was once attached to the Special Branch fatally shot himself in the head with his licenced firearm, a 12-gauge shotgun. Dead is James Randolph Anderson of Lot 3 Railway Line, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice. Anderson lived at that address with a relative, Connell Stewart. The incident allegedly occurred between 09:00 hrs and 09:30 hrs at his residence. According to information, the elderly man was being taken care of by Stewart since all his relatives live overseas. According to the police,

Stewart left the house earlier and went to the nearby Rosignol market. However before leaving, he was informed by Anderson that he (Anderson) had to go and fix his shotgun. A short while after Stewart left, neighbours heard a loud explosion. Upon returning home, Stewart found Anderson lying on a bed with the left side of his face blown away. The weapon was on the ground. One spent shell and one live round were recovered from the scene. The investigation is continuing.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Ex-con, two others killed Soesdyke remigrant Macedonia returns migrants to Greece, Cyprus objects to EU-Turkey deal

Refugees and migrants cross a river near the Greek-Macedonian border to return to Greece, after an unsuccessful attempt to enter Macedonia, west of the village of Idomeni, Greece, yesterday. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis Reuters - Macedonia trucked about 1,500 migrants and refugees back to Greece after they forced their way across the border on Monday, as European nations continued to pass the buck in a migration crisis that risks tearing the European Union apart. The police action was part of a drive by Western Balkans states to shut down a migration route from Greece to Germany. Nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond used that route over the last year, forming biggest influx of refugees since World War Two. But EU efforts to conclude a deal with Turkey to halt the human tide in return for political and economic rewards hit a setback yesterday. Cyprus, an EU member, vowed to block efforts to speed up Ankara’s EU accession talks unless Turkey meets its obligations to recognise its nationhood. European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair a summit of EU leaders tomorrow and one

with Turkey on Friday, flew on to Ankara to discuss the pact after talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades. “Today we established a catalogue of issues that we need to address together if we are to reach an agreement by Friday,” Tusk said after the talks in Ankara, adding that convincing all 28 EU states to sign on to the agreement was “not an easy task”. Tusk has acknowledged that the tentative deal put together last week by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu raised legal problems and needed to be “rebalanced”. Davutoglu said the aim was to reduce illegal migration and make passage to Europe safe. The European Commission meanwhile postponed proposals to reform the bloc’s asylum system, which puts the onus on the state where migrants first arrive, in an attempt to avoid further controversy before the Turkey deal is done.

Some 43,000 migrants are bottled up in Greece, overstraining the economically shattered country’s capacity to cope, and more continue to cross the Aegean daily from Turkey despite new NATO sea patrols. On Monday, an estimated 1,500 people marched out of a squalid transit camp near the northern Greek town of Idomeni, hiked for hours along muddy paths and forded a rain-swollen river to get around the border fence. Most were picked up by Macedonian security forces, put into trucks and driven back over the border into Greece late Monday or overnight, a Macedonian police official said. “It’s a long way from the camp to the mountains. It took me six hours of walking,” said 60-year-old Mohammad Kattan, who slept rough in the mountains and trekked back on foot. “At my age it was very difficult. I would walk and rest often.

- bank card, vehicle recovered A 28-year-old ex-convict and two others killed 60-yearold remigrant Anthony Breedy, whose bound body was found in his Hill Foot, Soesdyke home on Monday. The killers then made off with Breedy’s Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other valuables. But the ex-convict’s luck ran out yesterday, when police arrested him on the East Coast of Demerara, shortly after he had stashed the stolen vehicle. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum revealed that the suspect was still carrying Mr. Breedy’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card when he was held. The Crime Chief also said that police recovered the victim’s vehicle at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara. The detained man is Paul Goriah, of Timehri Squatting Area. He was recently released from prison following a break and enter and larceny and narcotics conviction. His alleged accomplices, who are still at large, are also from the same Timehri squatting community. Blanhum said that the suspect is cooperating with investigators, while police continue to hunt for the other suspects. The body of the 60-yearold agriculturist was found at around 11:00 hours on Monday in the lower flat of his two-storey house. His limbs were bound and he bore injuries to his head and his home was ransacked. Kaieteur News understands that scratches on the detained ex-convict indicate that the victim put up a desperate fight for his life. At press time, police were planning to have the injuries examined by a physician. From information investigators have gathered, the intruders killed Mr. Breedy last Saturday night. Police said that there was no sign of

DEAD: Anthony Breedy forced entry to the premises. They then took the murdered man’s SUV and other valuables to an area at South Ruimveldt, where they split up the loot. The exconvict, Paul Goriah, reportedly told his accomplices that he would sell the vehicle at Berbice. Unknown to his accomplices, he also stashed the dead man’s ATM card. But the plan reportedly unraveled yesterday after the ex-convict stashed the stolen vehicle. He reportedly then hired a taxi to take him out of the area. However, an argument reportedly broke out between the suspect and the taxi driver when he was unable to pay the fare. The suspect reportedly smashed the rear windscreen of the driver’s car. Police then arrested the suspect and found Mr. Breedy’s bank card on his person.

The slain man’s sister, Yvette Breedy, had told Kaieteur News that she last spoke to him on Saturday. She said that she received a call on Monday from someone who told her that there was a robbery at her brother ’s house and they should check on him. Anthony Breedy lived alone. “Somebody went to see him and saw the house open. When they called they got no response. When they pushed the door and went in, they saw him lying on the floor tied up,” Yvette Breedy told this newspaper. The woman said she is unaware that her brother had any problems with anyone. Anthony Breedy was an agriculturist who returned to Guyana a year ago from Montserrat. He was reportedly farming on the plot of land he acquired in the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Russian warplanes leave Syria, raising U.N. hopes for peace talks Reuters - Russian warplanes flew home from Syria yesterday as Moscow started to withdraw forces that have tipped the war President Bashar al-Assad’s way, and the U.N. envoy said he hoped the move would help peace talks in Geneva. As the first aircraft touched down in Russia, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura called President Vladimir Putin’s surprise move a “significant development” towards resolving a conflict which this week passes its fifth anniversary. Assad’s opponents hope Putin’s announcement on Monday that most Russian forces would be withdrawn signalled a shift in his support. However, its full significance is not yet clear: Russia is keeping an air base and undeclared number of forces in Syria. Russian jets were in action against Islamic State yesterday. Assad also still enjoys military backing from Iran, which has sent forces to Syria along with Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Russia said last month Assad was out of step with

Vladimir Putin its diplomacy, prompting speculation Putin is pushing him to be more flexible at the Geneva talks, where his government has ruled out discussion of the presidency or a negotiated transfer of power. Damascus has dismissed any talk of differences with its ally and says the planned withdrawal was coordinated and the result of army gains on the ground. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, whose government supports the opposition, indicated the gaps in Western

understanding of Putin, saying he had “no insight at all into Russia’s strategy” after a decision that came out of the blue. The West had been equally surprised by Putin’s decision to intervene. “Unfortunately none of us knows what the intent of Mr Putin is when he carries out any action, which is why he is a very difficult partner in any situation like this,” Hammond said. Analysts in Moscow said Putin’s acquisition of a seat at the diplomatic top table may have motivated his move to scale back his costly Syria campaign. Russia appeared to be following through on its pledge, the U.S. White House said, but spokesman Josh Earnest said it was too early to assess the broader implications, adding Moscow did not give the United States direct notice of its withdrawal plan. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed Putin’s announcement and said he planned to visit Moscow next week for what he called the best opportunity in years to end the war.

Turkey arrests three academics on ‘terrorist propaganda’ charges Reuters - Turkish authorities arrested three academics on charges of “terrorist propaganda” yesterday after they publicly read out a declaration reiterating a call to end security operations in the mainly Kurdish southeast. Police also detained a British national at the courthouse that ordered the arrests after finding him with

pamphlets printed by parliament’s Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which has Kurdish roots. The government blames the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for a car bombing in the capital on Sunday that killed 37 people. The PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency, is linked with another bomb attack in

Ankara in February that killed 29. More than 2,000 academics signed a petition in January criticising military action in the southeast, including round-theclock curfews aimed at rooting out PKK m i l i t a n t s who have barricaded themselves in residential areas in southeastern cities.

Dutch parliament votes to ban weapon exports to Saudi Arabia Reuters - The Dutch parliament passed a bill yesterday calling for the government of the Netherlands to halt weapon exports to Saudi Arabia, citing ongoing violations of humanitarian law in

Yemen. The Dutch vote effectively seeks to implement a decision in February by the European Parliament, which called on countries in the European Union to impose an arms embargo against Riyadh. Around 6,000 people have been killed since Saudi-led troops entered the conflict in Yemen last March, almost half of them civilians, according to the United Nations. The Dutch bill cited a U.N. report from Jan. 22 by the Panel of Experts on Yemen and ongoing executions in

Saudi Arabia as reasons for the ban. It asked the government to strictly implement the weapons embargo and not to licence dual-use exports that could be used to violate human rights. Britain and France are the main European suppliers of arms to Saudi Arabia. Germany licensed arms exports of almost $200 million to the Sunni kingdom in the first six months of 2015, the latest economy ministry data available. Dutch figures were not immediately available.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

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INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IS LACKING The signals coming from the government to the investors are worrying. These signals are going to scare away investors and discourage those who have already invested, from expanding their investments in Guyana. There is a lack of investor confidence in the economy. There has not been announced any major investment deal signed by the new government, and we are fasting approaching a year in government. The new government is running on PPP investments, including the just announced deal with India which was signed by Donald Ramotar when he was President. Three developments by the APNU+AFC government have the potential of worsening the lack of investor confidence in the economy. The government needs to be careful that in its attempt to embarrass the PPPC, it doesn’t cut its own nose in the process. The first of these developments concerns suggestions that all the casino licences which were issued under the PPP are going to be reviewed. Once an agreement is legal, then there is no need for any review. What is the basis for the review? If the legality is not in question, then there can be no basis.

It has been suggested that there were no consultations with the residents of the area in which a casino was supposed to be built. But does the law demand such consultations? If the law demands consultations, then it could only mean that it was the government that erred, not the casino owners. The casino owners therefore cannot be penalized. There was also the suggestion that the residents who live near to the site of the proposed casino on Church Street in Georgetown were going to be inconvenienced by the parking of vehicles of patrons. Well, how come no one says anything about the parking inconvenience which takes place every Friday when there are religious prayers at the nearby mosque which is now in a stage of expansion? Were any consultations held before the permission was given to expand the mosque? The implications of any review of casino licences granted are going to affect investors’ confidence. It is saying to investors that any agreement signed by one government can be repudiated by a successor government. This is called political risk, and it is the greatest deterrent to investment in any country.

Major investors are going to shy away from Guyana because of the exposure to political risk. The government has to stop behaving as if governance is child’s play. It is the same thing with broadcast licences. Once these licences were given contrary to law, then they should be rescinded in accordance with the law. The government knows, however, that since these licences are either intangible property or affect tangible property, they simply cannot be rescinded without the risk of a constitutional challenge which can paralyze government’s attempt to grant any broadcast licence at all. As such, the government has to be careful about the signal it is sending to investors by all the talk about reviewing licences. It is either the licences were lawfully issued or not. Even if they were unlawfully given, the owners cannot be penalized because it would be the State, rather than the person holding the licence, who would be culpable for the illegality. Therefore the licence holder will have to be compensated for any licence that is abrogated because of any review. This compensation will bankrupt the government faster than GuySuCo ever can. Finally, there is the issue

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo tell teacha ‘C’ fuh seawall There is a saying that dem boys know a long time and dem use to warn people. Is that same saying mek dem boys keeping far from politicians. The saying is, “Never sleep wid a politician because you never know when you will be screwed.” One man who sleep wid dem politician in such a bad way that doctors can’t find de remedy to treat him. Dem boys hear he drinking all kind of thing every day and nutten seems to be helping him get over that screw. This man building a big hotel and Jagdeo, that scamp, promise him a casino licence. Now Donald Dumb who can’t screw a bulb, screw this man. It look like Moses want screw dem boys wid de radio licence de screw dis man wid de casino licence. Dem boys got a message fuh Moses and Leonard Shadick. If dem think dem gun screw de boys, dem lie. Dem boys know good how fuh handle screwdriver. And dem tighten a lot of stuff. Ask Bobby and Jagdeo and dem other Bees. Dem screw up de country so much that even dem children wha coming out of

school spelling like some of dem politicians. Dem boys ask Rob de Earth to name a word that begin wid L. He seh elephant. Jagdeo is another one. When he was learning de alphabet he use to seh, A fuh Orange, B fuh Babbie and C fuh Seawall. That is how he end up living next to de seawall, he best friend is Babbie, and he like sucking nuff orange. He even employ

C fuh Satar because Satar use to tell him how he is de wisest man in Guyana. He tell Jagdeo a wise man hears one word and understands ten. Jagdeo does hear ten words and understand one. Dem boys seh most of de time he even got problems understanding de same one word—hanesty. Talk half and try fuh understand one word at a time.

Parliament Office secures funding from Canada to boost research unit The Research Unit of the Parliament Office will be further upgraded through a $2.5M donation made by the Canadian High Commission. The money will be used to purchase one flatbed scanner which the Parliament Office says will be of immense benefit to the Research unit. That piece of equipment will be used to help the Office in the realization of its digitisation goal. The Research Unit will also receive five Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets which will provide access for the efficient retrieval, analyzing and storing of data. Additionally, two new headsets will be purchased for the Hansard Department. These will be used for the transcription of verbatim speeches of Sittings of the National Assembly, Meetings of Parliamentary Committees and Sub-Committees. The Parliament office has, over the years, received much needed assistance from the Canadian High Commission. Last year, the High Commission funded a project to have all Sittings of the National Assembly streamed live on the internet.

of the sale of government shares in GT&T by the PPP government. The PNC government when it privatized the telephone company had retained 20% of the shares which allowed the government to have two seats on the Board. It now seems that when the PPP sold these 20% shares, the new owners received only one seat instead of the anticipated two seats. As such, the new owners of the 20% shares are reportedly refusing to pay the balance owed on the purchase price of the shares because of their inability to have the other seat.

The government is justifiably concerned about the outstanding money that is due for the sale of the shares. But the government should also be concerned about the fact that the new shareholder is not being allowed two seats on the Board. The government is opening itself to a breach of contract challenge which can also bankrupt it faster than GuySuCo can. These three cases send a negative signal to foreign investors. While there is not much else to privatize in Guyana, it does send the wrong signal to investors

when a person who secures government shares in the telephone company does not secure at the time the expected number of seats on the Board. The government has to be careful with how it is dealing with these matters. It is one thing to claim that the PPP may have made bad deals. It is another thing to not see the danger in not ensuring that the new shareholders get what may have been promised.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 16, 2016

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Charles Barkley on the stupidity of poor people’s politics Basketball icon, Charles Barkley, had some interesting words to say about the politics of poor people. He said that “poor people are too stupid to know they’re just chess pieces in a game.” Barkley is a sporting giant who I think doesn’t dabble in American politics, but his statement on the low income groups is so poignantly valid that one hopes his message resonates in Guyana. When I saw a few days ago, photographs of people hugging Bharrat Jagdeo at the PPP Berbice LGE campaign, I thought of

Barkley’s utterance. If you go on to read Barkley’s lamentations on poor people’s attitude to politics, it will make you sad. The core of Barkley’s lament is that the working people must look at the ways politicians use them. Barkley is a huge international star, and even if his words do not influence the labouring classes around the world, it will no doubt find traction with untold numbers. I doubt Barkley is interested in finding out why the poor are so gullible to fall for the machinations and stratagems of politicians. At

the end of his reflection, he became cynical and said that he hopes one day the poor get smart. (source - British Guardian, Tuesday, March 8, 2016). Those who study psychology, political behaviour, sociology and philosophy, will go on seeking the answer as to why the labouring masses are so disappointing in their thinking. Are those Berbicians who hugged Jagdeo, ignorant about his record? If the answer is yes, then surely, before they embraced and kissed him,

they should have checked out his legacy, if any. If they know about his record then why accept him? I was involved in the 2015 election campaign and it took me to Berbice several times. In the PPP 23 years of power I couldn’t see the gains Berbice made under that party. I taught at the Berbice Campus at UG in 2002, and in 2015 the picture of a rundown Berbice was the same. From the time of my 2000 sojourn to the time of my 2015 election campaign, I did not see anything that could have made Berbicians fall in love with Mr. Jagdeo. Of course it is not Berbicians alone who are poor, but they chose not to see that the 23 years of PPP rule did not do anything for them. It is not sugar workers only who cannot connect the disaster of the sugar industry to the PPP’s abysmal failure in economic management. It is not dispossessed East Indians only who will garland PPP politicians and promise to vote for them. African Guyanese remind you of the words of Barkley. African youths from all across this land will flock to hear David Granger, Moses

Nagamootoo and the APNUAFC hierarchy, speak of the need to vote for the APNUAFC slate in the upcoming local government elections. But these very leaders are about to celebrate one year in office and have shown not an ounce of interest in removing a law that carries automatic denial of bail and automatic jail sentence if one is found guilty of possession of 15 grams and more of marijuana. It is interesting to read how Barkley ended his reflection of the sadness of the poor people of America and how blind they are. Here is what he said; “I feel bad for the American people. It’s going to have zero effect on my life who the president is. I’ll be rich either way.” You may not like his ending thought, but he was honest. Of course his cynicism drove him to say that. Put it another way, he was telling you that he should not care about the plight of the poor because they put themselves into that situation, and why should he care about them when they don’t care about themselves; after all, he is rich. The guy is honest and frank and should be appreciated for that.

Frederick Kissoon The results of the local government elections should tell us about the thinking of the sections of Georgetown who are from the lower income groups. Will they vote for brand new faces that have no baggage; who have no stains of corrupt dealings; who have no record of hopeless incompetence? Or will they prove Barkley right by their blindness. In what must be another disgusting moment in modern Guyana, the parties in the central government have put up many jaded, faded mandarins from the City Council from way back in 1994, and are asking Georgetowners to vote for them to keep them in the Council for three more years, apart from the 22 years they already enjoyed. Surely, the masses cannot be such asses.

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CPA to help boost parenting skills with training initiative In order to help boost the parenting skills of parents, the Ministry of Social Protection will on Saturday commence a Special ‘parent-training’ forum. The participants will be father and mothers who comprise the first batch of parents selected for the training, according to Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene. The programme, which will be the first in a series of three-hour programmes to be held for the next six Saturdays, will be convened at the Dolphin Secondary School, Broad Street, Charlestown, opposite the CPA’s head office. This training is slated to be one with a difference, since in addition to group sessions, there are expected to be one-on-one therapy sessions with the participants to assist with personal dysfunctions. This would involve professionals from other service agencies, particularly to assist with mental health screening and incomegenerating activities. Greene disclosed that “a number of families are not enjoying good mental health, meaning that they are experiencing difficulties coping with life stressors and maintaining equilibrium. Consequently, they must be provided with support.” She emphasised too that contrary to what is commonly believed in Guyana, the term ‘mental health’ does not mean “madness”.

The Social Protection Ministry has also built into the training initiative, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) component which will “track the participants for one year,” after the final training session, Greene said. The programme is scheduled to be conducted in all the regions. The M&E of the parents is scheduled to take place every three months and the novelty will be fully funded by the Ministry, Greene said. She said too that Saturday’s programme is part of a wider initiative to raise national consciousness about child abuse and its devastation and destruction to the lives of children. “Child abuse occurs at every stage of a child’s life. Even before birth a child can be mistreated if its mother abuses (narcotic and psychotropic) substances,” Green explained. She said that according to experts, the male sperm can also be affected by (for example) marijuana use, and this can also help shape what happens to a child while still in the womb. As a consequence, the CPA Head said couples will be targeted during the upcoming national awareness programme in collaboration with maternal clinics. She reminded that the early years of a child’s life represent the cornerstone for subsequent development, and pleaded with the nation to understand “how child abuse affects children” and do

CPA Director, Mrs. Ann Greene everything possible to prevent abuse from occurring. “There must be no inactive bystanders,” Greene emphasised. Continuing she said, “We want to remove the notion that child protection is solely a Ministry of Social Protection responsibility.” She described neglect as also “a serious form of abuse” which affects children physically and psychologically. According to Greene, some of the damage suffered by neglected children may even be irreparable. “We also have to stop domestic

violence, because children who witness it may result with a damaged psyche.” She disagreed that the national plan for more awareness and involvement of the populace will somehow violate people’s individual rights; transforming the nation into ‘nosey’ individuals. Under the Child Protection Act “all adults have a legal and moral responsibility to report abuse” Greene said. According to the CPA Head “when it comes to child abuse we all have to be “nosey parkers”. According to her, reporting child abuse is not tantamount to ‘snitching’ and according to the local laws, everyone is “a mandated reporter.” The Ministry hopes to achieve a change in attitude nationwide when it comes to child abuse through the forthcoming initiatives. While Greene’s agency has been on a virtual crusade to save children from abusive environments, it has also faced its fair share of criticisms, with the chief allegation being that it ruins families by taking away the children. But Greene disagreed. “We are not the bad guys, we a r e t h e h e l p e r s . We p r o v i d e support to ensure that children are free from harm and abuse, and we need cooperation.” She lamented that her agency “does not get cooperation” from

many parents. “We don’t come to take away children, this is the last resort, and even when we do this it is temporary, since the goal is to return children to their natural families and to prevent unnecessary separation,” Greene explained. Consequently, the Ministry will be going all out to network with religious institutions, community groupings, stakeholders and civil society bodies nationwide to be involved as ‘watch dogs’ to help stamp out abuse of Guyanese children. Greene is adamant that males must be empowered if lasting success is to be achieved in helping to stamp out domestic violence in families. She reasoned, that since males are socialised to “mask their emotions…it takes an empowered male to let it go. We have to raise men differently. Men don’t have to get the last word in a disagreement. Emotional development is lacking in men. You don’t have to hurt what you love,” she reminded. Green said too that the lack of available role models for young men is another deficiency in the effort of empowering men. The ongoing move to merge the Women’s and Men’s Affairs Bureaus is part of a broader Ministry strategy to achieve parity in empowerment among the genders here, Greene added.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Linden readies to receive TV station within hours

PM Moses Nagamootoo (2nd right) and other officials in Linden. Lindeners during the meeting.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday told a packed stakeholder consultation at Watooka House in Linden that the return of television to the region is not a matter that is of any dispute. He reaffirmed the Coalition Government’s commitment to ensure that it

is done in the shortest possible time. The Prime Minister asserted that all systems are in place to ensure that the television station could be handed over to the community within 24 hours and that “they could be live on air”.

Having responsibility for the information sector and being cognisant of concerns of some stakeholders, the Prime Minister convened a consultation to address these matters. He further advised that he has been informed that the National Communications Network

(NCN) which currently broadcasts on Channel 13, has written to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), relinquishing rights to that frequency, thus allowing for the GNBA to assign it to Region Ten. Prime Minister Nagamootoo was joined by

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Patterson, who is also a Lindener. Participating in the interactive session were Members of Parliament Hon. Jermaine Figueira and Hon. Audwin Rutherford, Regional Chairman Mr. Renis Morian, Vice Chairman Mr. Leroy Adolph, Regional Executive Officer Mr. Gavin Clarke, Linden Municipality Interim Management Committee Chairman Mr. Orin Gordon, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kevin DeJonge, Chairman of Linden Enterprise Network Klensil Grenville, Bauxite Workers Union representative Mr. Leslie Gonsalves, Prime Minister’s Special Representative in Region Ten Vladimir Glasgow, former Members of Parliament Sandra Adams and Vanessa Kissoon, citizens’ representative Mr. Phillip Bynoe, Chairman of the GNBA Leonard Craig and former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon who is also a trustee of the Region Ten Broadcasting Trust, among other trustees of Region Ten Broadcasting Trust. It was agreed by all stakeholders present that they will meet subsequently

to discuss their concerns and chart a mutually agreeable way forward allowing for the television station to return to Region Ten, as was a campaign promise of the Coalition Government - this having been agreed to by the Region Ten Administration and the former government in 2012 following a period of unrest. Minister Patterson, speaking prior to the close of the consultation, thanked Prime Minister Nagamootoo for organising the event and for listening to the concerns of the stakeholders. She remarked that the session was successful and was pleased with the civil interaction among all stakeholders. Minister Patterson also expressed optimism that the stakeholders will be able to resolve all matters in short order, once provided with the requisite documentation for review and perusal. In closing the session, Prime Minister Nagamootoo urged all stakeholders to work towards finding common ground so that the television station can be returned to the community in short order and the matter concluded to the satisfaction of all parties.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Kara Kara toll booth has to be restored! By Enid Joaquin Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, on Monday evening promised Lindeners that the Kara Kara toll booth that was disbanded by the previous administration will be restored. He was at the time addressing a rally at the Linden/ Georgetown bus park. According to Williams, the municipality would have lost over $250 million in revenues, since the toll booth was disbanded. Williams noted that the toll booth was disbanded just before BaiShanLin started trucking lumber and other materials through the mining town. “They never wanted you to strive—they took away all of your financial abilities to spend money to look after

yourselves—you used to take fees from those large trucks, passing through Linden— the heavy lumber trucks and the bauxite container trucks—and you used to get a reasonable income from that as a Town Council. “Thirty-five percent of those revenues constituted your budget in this town of Linden. And this man (Norman) Whittaker… he wake up overnight and he decided he cutting this thing. All of a sudden now, the council had no money to pay increase wages to the workers. As a result, a lot of the workers left the work, and the municipality couldn’t even pay for services. The time has come to put an end to these things.” Williams declared. EMPOWERMENT

- Over $250M in revenue lost since rescinded — Basil Williams Williams promised that under the new system of local governance the people would be empowered. The municipality would have its own bank account and would be allowed to raise its own funds, and would be given subventions by central government. “But most importantly what we have to do is restore that toll booth; we have to put that toll booth back in place!” Williams pointed out that the toll booth started in 1997 -then by laws were signed by Whittaker in 2011. “Then all of a sudden, in 2013, he came and rescind it saying the regulations weren’t gazetted. He was the man to ensure that the regulations were gazetted and he did not, and he used that as an excuse to stop it

The Kara Kara toll booth just at the time that BaiShanLin had entered, so they had method in de madness!” Williams drew attention to the heavy laden trucks that subsequently passed

through the town freely, and the “erstwhile” revenues that were lost as a result. He added that as soon as the LGE is complete the chief parliamentary counsel would be ready to present the

regulations and have them gazetted so that “collections” could be resumed. Williams exhorted Lindeners to go out and vote for the APNU/AFC on Friday March 18.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

Murder of 18-month-old…

Accused blames victim’s mother for child’s death Murder accused Calvin Bailey contended that he is innocent of killing 18-monthold Shaquan Nero, when he was called upon to lead his defence before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a mixed 12-member jury yesterday. According to reports, the cutlass-wielding man chopped the toddler to his throat, during an altercation with his mother Bernadette Nero in April 2007.The infant’s mother had been holding him in her arms during the altercation. Bailey, called ‘Lava’, of Wisroc Housing Scheme; Agricola, East Bank Demerara and Campbellville, Georgetown, had been in hiding following the attack, but was later charged for the murder. State Prosecutors Michael Shahoud and Orinthia Schmidt are presenting the case while the accused is being represented by Attorney Peter Hugh. This is the second trial before a Judge and Jury for the accused. He had faced trials for the offence in 2013 and 2014. Both ended in hung jury verdicts. In his defence, Bailey gave an unsworn statement in which he told the court that it was in fact the child’s mother, who chopped the baby during the altercation. According to Bailey, on the day of the incident, he went to the home of his reputed wife’s aunt in Amelia’s Ward Linden and requested an audience with her, but she refused to speak to him. The accused said that as he stood in the yard, Nero spoke to him from inside the house. She told him that she was leaving him and taking their son to Georgetown with her. He said that he warned the woman that he could not allow her to do so since he shared a special bond with his son and would rock him to sleep every night. Bailey said that as he spoke to the mother, the child began to cry, and after several pleas the woman eventually opened the door and gave him the baby to hold. After a few minutes, the accused told the court that he opted to take the child with him, but the mother attacked him with a knife. The man said that during the altercation, he sustained a stab wound to the elbow and as he turned to fight off the mother, the baby was stabbed with the weapon. Bailey said that the baby

MURDER ACCUSED: Calvin Bailey was taken to the Linden Hospital for treatment, but he was treated for injury at the home of a relative. He said that the mother later contacted him with the news that the baby had succumbed to the injuries, and he told her that he would tell the police that she killed the boy. However the accused claimed that the woman threatened to tell the officers where he planted his weed (marijuana) if he told them that she was the one who chopped their son. Bailey’s testimony came one day after the child’s mother, who currently resides in Barbados, gave an emotional account of the series of events which led to the death of her son. Nero recalled that she was in a relationship with the accused and they shared a home at an area in Wisroc, Linden, where “Rastafarians tabernacle” is. According to her, the relationship was tumultuous and she decided to end it on April 5, 2007. Nero said that on that day, she packed two black bags and left with her baby for her aunt’s residence at Cinderella City, Linden. While at her aunt’s home, the mother related to the court that she heard a knocking on

the door and inquired who was there. She said that she got no answer, but later recognized that it was Bailey after she saw him looking through a window at the house. The woman testified that the accused requested to speak with her and when she refused, he became angry and behaved disorderly in the yard. Bailey, the witness said, told her, “Yuh feel yuh could leff me just like that.” However, she recounted that after things calmed down that evening she left the house to carry her baby to her Uncle Alfred’s home. She told the court that while climbing the stairs, Bailey came up behind her and pulled out a cutlass and started chopping her about her body. “Ah start to scream for Uncle Alfred help me. Somebody help me,” the witness recalled. The woman could not contain her emotions as she related that her attacker advanced towards her continuously firing chops. The blade of the cutlass, she said, cut her about her arms and head. But as she tried desperately to fend off her attacker, Nero said she fell on her back, still holding the baby in her arms. The witness said that the accused fired another chop and it connected to her baby’s throat. She said that blood started to spray all over the landing. Nero told the court that it was at this point that her Uncle Alfred came outside, but Bailey had already jumped off the landing and fled the scene. The mother said that a neighbour assisted with transporting her and the injured baby to the hospital, but the child succumbed while receiving treatment at the Linden Hospital Complex.

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Kaieteur News

SERVICES

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Buying new model non working appliance, refrigerator, stoves, treadmill, washing machine, etc. Call: 661-8802 or whatsapp picture. Two Male general workers to work night shifts. Call: 2181400

Live in waitress must have secondary education, 18Building Construction: 25yrs -$70,000 monthly. Call: house plans & estimates, 610-3974 floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Large quantity of selected 18months old coconut plants Mission –Call: 650-4362 to buy between 2-3ft tall. Call: Repairs & spare, fridge, 231-1408; 642-9191 freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683- Boys to work in the Interior, shop attendants. Call: 6741312, 627-3206 1767 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: A General Manager for operation. 600-4212: We create A/ Diamond works, logos, business Attractive Salary. Call: 223cards, posters, etc, 7165 placements of ads included. Experienced pastry maker, Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD cake decorator, counter and all other electronic servers, cashier, roti/puri equipment. Ordering of cooks, apply at Hacks Halaal, circuit boards. Abdul 5 Commerce St. Electronics. Call: 225-0391 Contract cars & drivers. Call: Repairs at affordable prices: 227-1720, 227-1721 or 660fridge, air conditioner, 6102 washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer- One experienced cook, with knowledge in baking, apply Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 in person @ Bistro, 36 Public Austin Power’s Repairs & Road, La Grange W.B.D-Call: Services: Re-gas, fridge, AC, 678-3400 freezer, stove, house wiring & washers. Call: 685-2588; Commercial spot for rent: salon & barber station. 613-1711 Motorcycle 250 rebel & night EDUCATIONAL hawk, foxtail palm plants for Easter 2016 Offer: Register sale. Call: 680-1198 now – 9 Courses, office 2016, windows 8/10 @ Experienced drivers with Micrograhics, Vreed-en- pleasant personality, able to read & write, apply @ Hack’s Hoop. Call: 264-3057. Halaal 5 Commerce St. with Easter 2016 Offer: Computerize hand-written application. Accounting, 4 courses, One handyman to work in the QuickBooks, Peachtree, POS, Interior, must be 18-25yrs. Excel 2016 -$35,000 @ Call: 680-2702; 661-3328 Micrographics, Vreed-en1 Male cook (baheir) to Hoop. Call: 264-3057. cook in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 One domestic cleaner & must be able to prepare vegetarian meals, apply in person @ Alabama Trading G/Town. Housekeeper to cook for an Indian Family in Turkeyen, 6 LEARN TO DRIVE days @ $15,000 weekly. Police Soman Son & Outar Driving clearance and reference School at Maraj Building- Tel: required. Call: 655-6766 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; Jet & Marack men to work in 689-5997 the Interior. Call: 694-2310 K’s Driving School (Berbice)TAXI SERVICES learn to drive with a professional instructor. Call: GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 615-8536; 649-0979 for more 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) information.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

SALON

PROPERTY FOR SALE

- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Transport property located @ Rosignol W.B.B: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Call: 679-3496; 6026333; 330-2576; 699-4689 (motivated settler)

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

Flat house in Grove, (corner property) 1 Block from main road, price negotiable. Call: 1905-626-2572 Transported property @ Grove $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 3068 Amelia’s Ward Linden: 4 bedrooms, 1 self-containedCall: 640-4731; 641-6450 House & land fully furnished, 3 self contained rooms, 1 master bedroom, alarm systems, 9 cameras, 7 AC units. Call: 628-0016; 667-2536

House for rent, top flat 3 bedrooms, bottom flat, 3 bedrooms @ First Bridge Diamond. Call: 664-1030; 6135212

Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244

One two bedrooms, fully furnished house, Lot 5 Bougainvillea Park, gated community and security guard. Call: 678-1234

Property for sale at Harry’s Avenue, 1 minute drive from Public Road Friendship, E.B.D- Call: 654-5385

4 Bedrooms house in Bel-Air Gardens; all modern conveniences; no agents!Call: 231-7839 during working hours House in Bel-Air Park: 3 bedrooms upstairs/ downstairs, all modern conveniences - $1600US monthly-Call: 231-7839 during working hours Upper flat, 3 bedrooms at Golden Grove Housing Scheme- Call: 625-4195; 6248120 Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993 Top flat for rent @ Diamond, New Scheme. Call: 615-5833 One apartment to rent. Call: 220-3353

Lall & Sons: property in Diamond -$9M, $14M, Grove-$12M, Middle Road $22M. Call: 604-6724 House & land @ Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D -$28M neg. Call: 654-4312; 629-3344, serious inquiries only. Property @ Lot 87 Albert Street- Call: 669- 8701

Lall & Sons: Parfaite Harmonie$1M, $1.3M, $1.6M, Tuschen $3M, Uitvlugt, Providence $9M, Kitty-$19M,Sandpit Yarrowkabra -$90M. Call: 604-6724 Eight (8)Acres farm land at Kuru Kururu with creek passing through-Call: 643-1861 Eccles -$6M, Herstelling $3M, La Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M & $2.6M, Dairy (100ftx50ft) -$3M. Call: 6042207; 611-7223

1 Domestic cleaner, must able to prepare vegetarian meal, apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Industrial sales person needed, must have own vehicle; age: 21-yrs old. Contact: 688-0407; 226-3554 Male security, male desk staff, 30-45yrs old @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 Bulldozer operator, site engineer/technician, experienced Human Resource Personnel. Good salary-Call: 261-2280; 668-7104 Bl a c k H a w k S e c u r i t y Services is ac c e p t i n g applications. Must be able to read & write. Call: 2318232 for appointment, MonFri; 9:00-5:00

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM

Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Reliable Rentals: cars for rent…. Low rates and security deposits, special rates for long term. Call: 2272322; 614-3509 TOURS SURINAME EASTER WEEKEND TOUR TRIP: SHOPPING, FUN, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING DOLPHINS MARCH 23RD -28TH, 2016. CALL: 692-7270; 6655171; 639-2663; 223-0056

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1-4Cylinder, English Perkins with bearing block, already beded, in excellent condition. Call: 698-6796 5 Acre farm at Pearl E.B.D, bearing fruit trees, equipped chicken pens etc, terms of sale negotiable. Call: 6921999 Live and pluck chicken- Call: 220-1043; 621-4304 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231

Live in housekeeper to care for child. Call: 656-1284

Leyland DAF55, Flatbed truck-in, excellent condition. Call to negotiate: 675-4287; 628-0016; 667-2536; 233-2383

Security officers wanted by security company-Contact: 672-1920, between 8:00am5:00pm

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;6045198

DRIVER/Salesman: 3 years driving experience with Van or Lorry. Call: 676- 6700 Nursery teachers with good morals, good speech, and the ability to be a successful fundraiser. Call: 690-9378

Nissan Titan- Call: 696-5135 175 DAF dump truck #GNN 5366- Call: 664-1030; 613-5212 Dachshund puppies; 8 weeks old -$10,000. Call: 2160521; 694-3567 Jet-Ski for sale: 1500cc, super charged. Brand New! Call: 231-7839 during office hours Brand New HP Laptop: AMD Quad Core Processor, 15.6 LED Display, Widows10. Price: $ 120,000-Contact: 6880407- 2263554

CAR RENTAL

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM LAND FOR SALE Land 95X65 in high income gated community -$9.3M negotiable. Call: 609-0783

VACANCY

VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered Bluebird 2006 model, TV, Reverse Camera, Dark interior low mileage -$2.3M. Call: 6553400

Labrottie puppies (jet black) for sale @ $50,000/ each; 5 weeks fully dewormed & vaccinated. Call: 654-7683

Honda CRV (RD5), stick gear, PNN series - $2.1M negotiable. Call: 691-1198 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BRR, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Prado TZ, Automatic diesel, PHH series -$4.5M, fully loaded-Call: 233-2546; 6885554 2001 Toyota Allex, Mileage 77,000km, $1.6M n e g o t i a b l e , first owner (female), in excellent condition. Call: 687-1263

PEN PAL Indian male is seeking female, age 30-33yrs. Write: M.D, 7475 Goreway DR #47 Mississauga on L4T 3T3 Canada.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

EU supports Zika research with Euro 10 million The European Commission yesterday released €10 million for research on the Zika virus, currently affecting large parts of Latin America. The most affected country is Brazil, where the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the recent cluster of severe brain malformations in newborns may be linked to the virus. While the risk of transmission of the Zika virus in the EU is low, there is currently no treatment or vaccine against the virus and diagnostic tests for infections are not widely available. The funding, which comes from the Horizon 2020 EU research and innovation funding programme, will go into projects that will first have to prove the link between the virus and severe brain malformations reported in newborn children. If proven, researchers could then move on to combatting the Zika virus, including developing diagnostics and testing potential treatments or vaccines. Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: ”This funding will enable urgently needed research on the emerging global threat of the Zika virus. This shows once again that we are ready to face new epidemics like Zika with fast and effective research.” Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, added: ”A number of EU citizens have returned from the affected areas with the Zika virus. The Commission is carefully monitoring the situation and, as the summer approaches, is working closely together with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the WHO and Member States to put in place all necessary measures to ensure that the response to the virus is coherent and wellcoordinated.” Celso Pansera, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, said: ”The partnership with the European Union in research on the virus Zika will be very important to help

Brazilian researchers in combating epidemic diseases that affect our country. In addition, the initiative will stimulate research and technology on a global scale for the benefit of the population throughout the world. “ The funding will complement a number of other research initiatives currently funded under Horizon 2020 that can aid in the fight against Zika. One is a €40 million call for research on vaccine development for malaria and neglected infectious diseases, which includes the Zika virus. A further €10 million topic on research infrastructures for the control of vector-borne diseases could go a long way to combatting the mosquitos that spread Zika and a number of other prevalent diseases. Finally, the EU is cofunding research on the prevention of infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean under the ERANET programme. BACKGROUND The Zika virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease similar to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile. Until recently, it wasn’t believed to cause severe symptoms. However, the recent rapid spread of the virus has suggested a link with an upsurge in brain malformations in newborns. Cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome, a form of paralysis, have also recently been reported in adults and it is believed that there may be a link with the virus. This EU-funded research will examine the potential link between the Zika virus and the brain malformations in newborns and other neurological complications observed across Latin

America and French Polynesia. It will fund the development of diagnostics and the testing of potential treatments and vaccines. This research would help public health authorities prevent further spreading and reduce the risks to pregnant women. A total of 41 countries over the past nine months have reported native cases of Zika virus infection. The countries are mainly in Latin America, where the virus had never previously been reported, with Brazil being the most affected country so far. Some Zika cases have been imported to Europe in recent weeks and reports have circulated of sexually transmitted cases of the disease. The Commission has been working on preparedness and coordination of risk management together with Member States and with the support of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) since the outbreak began. The EU Health Security Committee, established under the Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on serious cross-border threats to health is coordinating the exchange of information and coordination of preparedness. ECDC has recommended that pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant should discuss travel plans to affected areas and evaluate the risk with their healthcare providers and consider postponing their travel. Nevertheless, according to the latest assessment by the ECDC, the risk in the EU for transmission of Zika virus infections is currently extremely low.

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THE VOICE OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The value creation opportunity of GuySuCo By Sase Singh INTRODUCTION The sugar belt still has much value creation opportunities left within its jurisdiction, but until the key decision makers get it, we will never be able to make independent and courageous business decisions that can turn around GuySuCo. I thought it was extremely pusillanimous of the Parvatan Commission to recommend the easiest of decisions – privatization and divestment; this is nothing but a cop-out from doing the right thing. The business strategy in the sugar belt should be the advancement of a business solution in a very financially unstable marketplace, but with a mindset that is fully aware that GuySuCo remains one of the principal foreign currency generators for the nation and the largest employer. What the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) did not do is to clearly establish a path of getting the sugar belt back to normal, thus laying the groundwork for future recovery. Recovery in the sugar belt is a real possibility, but it has to be led and professionally managed.

What the CoI did was propose a recommendation that was going to allow private investors to walk in and harvest the wealth of the industry and then exit the theatre leaving thousands of broken lives in their rear view mirror. I am happy that the Granger government has reemphasized its commitment to the industry and debunked these recommendations from the CoI Report. The bottom line remains the high cost per estates. If depreciation is included, the cost for both the Enmore and Skeldon increases significantly because of the hefty depreciation charge for their new packaging plant and sugar mill respectively. Therefore to get a more uniform comparator, we excluded depreciation. These facts illustrate that Wales is the second worst “cost-performing” estate in the industry with one of the oldest factories in the system. It cost an average of US$0.30 per lb to harvest the cane at both Wales and Uitvlugt, the highest in the industry compared to US$0.19 per lb at Albion. On the other hand, if one observes the factory

operations, it cost US$0.09 to grind a pound of sugar at the Wales Factory compared to US$0.11 at the Uitvlugt Factory. This situation was confirmed by evaluating the main productivity indicator for Wales vs. Uitvlugt called TSH (tonnes sugar produced per hectares). In 2014, the TSH was 7.0 tonnes sugar produced from every hectare of cultivated land at Wales compared to 6.3 tonnes at Uitvlugt. There is also a school of thought that the privately cultivated sugarcane at Wales Estate can be transported to Uitvlugt and that this should contribute to less downtime for the Uitvlugt Factory, making it more efficient. I believe this is a false promise and it will contribute to private farmers eventually abandoning this project, to the detriment of Uitvlugt Estate. We have to recognize that at the Albion Factory it cost just US$0.04 to grind the cane to produce a pound of sugar (compared to US$0.11 at Uitvlugt). The game plan to save GuySuCo is clearly – move to the east. In a report submitted to the CDB, GuySuCo stated that over 88 percent of the

lands at Wales are considered as high-grade lands compared to only 47 percent at Uitvlugt. But at Uitvlugt, over 20 percent of the land is laid out in a form that is mechanically friendly while at Wales that percentage is ZERO. This leads one to wonder why no attempt was made at Wales over the years to make the land userfriendlier for mechanical harvesting. Was there a plan all along to close Wales? One can conclude that for decades Wales was deliberately being sidelined. This did not start in 2015 under the Coalition Government; this started since the late 1980’s under the PNC Government, when Booker Tate returned to Guyana under a management contract and the master plan continued for all of the 23 years of the PPP Government. The steam generators at Wales are over 60 years old and are extremely unreliable and obsolete. Wales Factory was identified along with the Factories at Diamond and LBI to have been taken out of service decades ago, but a dangerous game was played with Wales by spending billions on patchwork to keep it barely alive for decades. So when you see politicians talking about some illusionary US$50 million from India to rehabilitate Wales, you wonder for how long

more will a few want to keep the “masses as jackasses” as Alexander Hamilton once said when he was part of the team that framed the US Constitution? That US$50 million was for the entire sugar industry and will serve a more useful purpose on the Berbice estate, because they are better positioned to become more internationally competitive. To save Wales would require an enormous amount of capital expenditure. If those same funds were pumped into Skeldon, the returns for the people in the industry and the nation will be much higher than if it was pumped into Wales. Why are the people not being told of the potential of the Berbice Estates? Why are the people not being told that 90 percent of the lands at Skeldon are high-grade lands with over 60 percent of these lands ready to be mechanically harvested? With some targeted private sector investments into the Skeldon Factory, this estate can become the revenue leader in Guyana. Plus no one is acknowledging that, potentially, sugar can be exported directly from Skeldon to the Caribbean using 4,000 MT ships that will significantly bring down the cost of doing business for this estate. So the choice is clear, Skeldon or Wales. The mathematics clearly

Sase Singh concludes - Skeldon. CONCLUSION However, we twisted and turned this debate, one of the West Demerara Factories had to be mothballed in 2016. The Government of Guyana chose Wales. The focus now has to be on getting the best possible deal for those workers who cannot be absorbed into Enmore or Uitvlugt. Additionally, this Government should offer a package to ask some of these sugar families to permanently relocate to East and West Berbice to work on those estates that will survive irrespective of who is in power. This is done every day in other countries; just ask Joe Biden why his dad moved hundreds of miles to secure a job so that there was enough money in their home? I will start looking at the 2016 Budget more closely now and reconcile it to a national human development plan next. Please feel free to share your views with me at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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Aftermath of ArcelorMittal closure…

More likely to shut doors in recession - PM Trinidad Guardian - Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley believes the closure and retrenchment of 644 workers of ArcelorMittal may not be the only company to go belly up with the country’s recession and economic downturn. “So let us not get carried away with trying to think that this is a one-off situation. Rest assured that company (ArcelorMittal) may not be the only one that is thinking of handling its situation like that,” Rowley said, while speaking on TV6 Morning Edition programme Monday. He said last week a plant was closed down and 60 employees faced the breadline because they were having difficulty getting gas since 2014. The PM did not name the company. Asked if the PNM Government was prepared to deal with a domino effect with other businesses shutting their doors and terminating workers, Rowley said: “At the end of the day businesses do not tell you what goes on in their boardrooms.” On Friday, steel giant ArcelorMittal informed its workers the company would be closing its operation in Trinidad and terminated their employment with immediate effect. The company claimed it was operating while under a $1.3 billion debt. Responding to the closure, Rowley said he did

Dr. Keith Rowley not want to speak much about the issue. “That far-reaching announcement...really, I am sure, was on the cards before. The Government and the people of Trinidad and Tobago have to deal with this thing.” The PM said it did not look good that one day after an Industrial Court ruling in favour of the workers, they were fired. He also defended Minister of Labour Jennifer Baptiste-Primus for failing to meet with officials of the company last Thursday since it was clear certain developments were taking place. “She (Baptiste-Primus) has to be careful...not to have the Minister of Labour replace their (ArcelorMittal) legal requirements in meeting and treating between the company and the union. If

that attempt was being made she had to be careful not to end up in that situation. Remember, the company invited the minister into the process as part of the legal developments. Let us not be too judgmental.” Rowley said the process was not simple. “The calling of the minister into a process like that...there are legal implications...the minister has to be guided by certain things.” Rowley said when the company decided to close its door temporarily last December, they heard that the decision was based on proposed increases in water and electricity rates by the Government. “Even before this happened, certain kinds of conditions existed to allow that steel company to continue in T&T. It’s the largest user of electricity.” Rowley said there were certain considerations and discussions to take place. “It’s a whole complex issue,” he added. The PM said he had to maintain the economy on an even keel to ensure there was no job loss and to preserve sustainability. He said his Government was picking up the pieces left behind by the last administration. “We expect there would be persons who would not be pleased and they would make comments,” he added.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Govt. cannot match salary offered to migrating nurses …working to address shortage The Gleaner - Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says his ministry is moving to address the shortage created by the yearly migration of Jamaican nurses. Tufton says he is aware of the burden that migration places on the health sector and Jamaica may have to turn to other countries to supply the local demand for nurses. Monday president of the NAJ, Janet Farr said the migration of nurses is a threat to the local health sector and called on the government to do more to retain locally trained nurses. However, Tufton says there is very little the government can do to stop the nurses from leaving, especially since the government cannot match the salary packages offered by

other countries. Tufton also said recruitment agencies make it difficult to retain nurses as they offer to pay the debt for specialist nurses who are bonded to Jamaica after completing their studies. Meanwhile, the health ministry says it is expecting 47 health care workers including doctors, dentists and specialist nurses to arrive in the Island in the coming weeks. It says the first batch of 20 is scheduled to arrive on March 21. Tufton is also to continue meeting with key stakeholders this week including the Nurses Association of Jamaica, the Nursing Council, the Cuban Ambassador and the Indian High Commissioner to continue talks regarding the shortage.

Dr. Christopher Tufton In 2014, some 200 specialist nurses migrated to other countries or resigned from the public sector to work in the private sector. The NAJ president says this has increased the workload of the nurses in the public health sector.

Jamaica’s Climate Change efforts get multimillion-dollar boost The Gleaner - Jamaica’s efforts to strengthen resilience against climate change are being assisted through the implementation of an over $800 million project. The $829.3 million Improving Climate Data and Information Management Project is being rolled out by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), with grant support from the World Bank through the Climate Investment Fund. It is one of five projects under Jamaica’s Strategic Programme for Climate Resilience, and aims to improve the quality of data collected and used by public and private sector stakeholders at the local and national levels.

It involves climate resilient planning and hydromet information services development, a climate change public education and awareness campaign, targeting behavioural change; and project management and evaluation. One of the primary beneficiaries is the Meteorological Service, which is slated to receive a new Doppler weather radar at a cost of approximately $487.8 million. The new radar, which is expected to be acquired during the 2016/17 fiscal year, will replace the existing equipment at the Met Cooper’s Hill, St Andrew division, which the agency has utilised for the past 16 years.

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North Korean leader says will soon test nuclear warhead SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would soon test a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, North Korea’s KCNA news agency reported yesterday, in what would be a direct violation of U.N. resolutions that have the backing of Pyongyang’s chief ally, China. Kim made the comments as he supervised what KCNA said was a successful simulated test of atmospheric reentry of a ballistic missile that measured the “thermodynamic structural stability of newly developed heat-resisting materials”. “Declaring that a nuclear warhead explosion test and a test-fire of several kinds of ballistic rockets able to carry nuclear warheads will be conducted in a short time to further enhance the reliance of nuclear attack capability, he (Kim) instructed the relevant section to make prearrangement for them to the last detail,” the agency said. South Korea’s defense ministry said there were no indications of activities at the North’s nuclear test site or its long-range rocket station, but that North Korea continued to maintain readiness to conduct nuclear tests. The North Korean report comes amid heightened tension on the Korean peninsula after the announcement of new U.N. sanctions on North Korea and as South Korean and U.S. troops stage their largest ever annual joint military exercises. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said North Korea would lead itself to self-destruction if it continued its confrontation with the international community. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook condemned the North Korean rhetoric, while questioning Pyongyang’s technological claims. “We have not seen North Korea demonstrate capability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon, and again, put it on a ballistic missile,” he told a news briefing. China, which has been North Korea’s main ally but backed the tougher U.N. sanctions, urged caution and called for all sides to avoid actions that would exacerbate tensions. But in a sign of Beijing’s frustration with Pyongyang, China’s state news agency Xinhua said that the South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers had discussed the sanctions by telephone late

Kim Jong Un on Monday and agreed on the importance of implementing them “in a complete and comprehensive manner”. South Korea’s defense ministry said that despite the KCNA report, it did not believe North Korea had acquired the re-entry technology needed to prevent ballistic missiles burning up when they reenter the earth’s atmosphere. In the apparent re-entry simulation, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party showed pictures of a dome-shaped object placed under what appeared to be a rocket engine being blasted with flaming exhaust. In separate images, Kim observed the object described by KCNA as a warhead tip. North Korea has issued belligerent statements almost daily since coming under a new U.N. sanctions resolution this month after it carried out its fourth nuclear test in January and launched a long-range rocket last month. Nuclear proliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis of the California-based Middlebury In-

stitute of International Studies said it would be a “terrible” worry if North Korea was seeking to emulate U.S. and Chinese tests in 1962 and 1966 respectively that launched ballistic missiles with live warheads. “For now, though, it looks like a nuclear test and several missile tests in close succession,” he said. Kim said last week his country had miniaturized a nuclear warhead. North Korea also claims that its January nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb, although most experts said the blast was too small for it to have been from a full-fledged hydrogen bomb. North Korea rejects criticism of its nuclear and missile programmers, even from China, saying it has a sovereign right to defend itself from threats. The U.N. Security Council resolution sharply expanded existing sanctions by requiring member states to inspect all cargo to and from North Korea and banning North Korea’s trade of coal when it is seen as funding its arms programs.

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CARICOM, Kazakhstan sign Israel seizes large tracts of land in occupied West Bank - Army Radio support grant agreement Reuters - Israel has appropriated large tracts of land in the occupied West Bank near the Dead Sea and the Palestinian city of Jericho, Israeli Army Radio said yesterday. Israel’s Peace Now movement, which tracks and opposes Israeli settlement in territory captured in a 1967 war, said the reported seizure of 579 acres (234 hectares) represented the largest land con-

CARICOM Secretery-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (right) and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Konstantin Zhigalov signing the agreement. GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A US$770,000 grant support package will become available to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states from the Republic of Kazakhstan to strengthen capacity in the areas of climate change and sustainable development. CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to CARICOM, Konstantin Zhigalov signed the agreement of financial support on the side-lines of the Fourth High-Level Donor Forum in Guyana. The agreement formalizes arrangements through the CARICOM Secretariat for

CARICOM member states to benefit from the package. At the regional level, it is intended to support CARICOM as it seeks to position itself on issues related to climate change and sustainable development on the international stage. At the level of member states, the financial support will strengthen the capacities of Ministries of Foreign Affairs to develop national positions on those issues. Member States will also benefit from improved capacity to engage in regional and international discussions related to the UN’s Millennium

government to respond with economic reforms that have been slow to come. The new measures will allow Americans to travel more easily to Cuba independently for educational, cultural and other authorized purposes without having to go in organized group tours, creating new cracks in a longstanding U.S. ban on general tourism to the island. The new rules are the latest in Obama’s efforts to chip away at sanctions against America’s former Cold War foe by using his executive powers to sidestep

stop land confiscations. Most countries view Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal and an obstacle to peace. The U.S. State Department criticized the land seizure, saying ongoing expropriations and settlement expansions were “fundamentally undermining the prospects for a two-state solution.”

Protests against controversial immigration proposals intensify in Bermuda

Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), linking the global development discourse with regional integration efforts. Secretary-General LaRocque, in expressing appreciation, told the Kazakhstan Ambassador that the assistance was timely as capacity-building was often a challenge in achieving desired objectives. The Kazakhstan Ambassador said the agreement represented another “good start” in strengthening the relatively new partnership with CARICOM. (Caribbean360)

U.S. eases Cuba trade and travel rules ahead of Obama visit WA S H I N G T O N / HAVANA (Reuters) - The United States unveiled new measures yesterday to make it far easier for Americans to visit Cuba and eased limits on the use of U.S dollars in trade there as President Barack Obama prepared to make a historic trip to Havana next week. Rolling out some of the most significant changes since Obama announced his opening to Cuba in December 2014, U.S. officials expressed hope that the further relaxation of travel and financial rules would spur the island’s Communist

fiscation in the West Bank in recent years. The group said plans for expanding nearby Jewish settlements and building tourism and other commercial facilities in the area were already on Israel’s d r a w i n g board. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, in a statement, called on the international comm u n i t y t o press Israel to

U.S. lawmakers, who have so far resisted his call to lift Washington’s more than fivedecade-old economic embargo on Cuba. Obama’s critics accuse him of giving up too much in return for too little from Cuban President Raul Castro and of now taking a premature “victory lap.” Since Obama and Castro announced the detente in December 2014, the two countries have restored diplomatic relations and opened embassies in Havana and Washington. The changes announced yesterday allow Cubans to open U.S. bank accounts and authorize those Cubans living in the United States to earn a salary or compensation, which could open the door to American big-league baseball teams signing Cuban players without them having to defect.

Protesters in unity. (Photo: Royal Gazette) HAMILTON, Bermuda – A day after blocking Parliamentarians from entering the House of Assembly to debate controversial immigration amendments Monday, protesters have continued their demonstrations, insisting that government pull back the legislation. The ruling One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) has proposed a Pathways to Status initiative that would allow people working in the British Overseas Territory for at least 15 years to gain permanent residency and then citizenship after being there for 20 years. The Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act 2016, which would facilitate those provisions, was to be debated in Parliament yesterday. However, hundreds of protesters who oppose the legislation and are demanding comprehensive

immigration reform, linked hands in a ring around the building after 9 a.m., creating a human barricade. Speaker of the House Randy Horton said the House would reconvene today. The demonstrators returned again yesterday and said they intend to be back today as well, in greater numbers. Their protest outside Parliament began last Friday as workers joined the cause, answering the call of organizers, the People’s Campaign, to take part in an island-wide strike. The action resulted in ferry and bus services, garbage collection and dock services grinding to a halt. Those services are still affected. Premier Michael Dunkley had criticized the action, although saying the protesters had the freedom to express themselves. In a statement last night, Dunkley said the

administration had put reasonable proposals on the table to end the impasse, but they had not been accepted. “At this point, I can only say that we will continue to work through this challenge to bring about a satisfactory conclusion,” he said, urging all parties to exercise “patience, tolerance and resp e c t ” for one another in the current situation. The Premier stressed that the legislation was not about diminishing birth rights, or cultural identity or the power to vote. “Rather, it is about making sure we work together effectively and inclusively to build a strong economy that can support the Bermudian people going forward,” he said. “Be assured that your Government will continue to reach out in an effort to find a solution that works for all Bermudians.” (Caribbean360)

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RHTYSC, MS and Republic Bank to construct all weather concrete practice pitch T h e C r i c k e t Development programme of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS would receive a major boost when the Club join hands with Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd to construct an all-weather concrete practice pitch for its cricketers. The 6 ‘ x 40 ‘ practise facility would be built on the outer part of the Area ‘H’ Ground and would be outfitted with practise nets to allow the Club’s Coaches to conduct one on one coaching with junior players. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who is spearheading the project, hailed the contribution of Republic Bank who is contributing $150,000 to the project. He expressed gratitude to the bank for its continued cooperation to Guyana’s leading youth and

sports organisation. The cricket membership of the RHTYSC at the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, Under 19 and female levels continues to expand on a daily basis as parents seeks to join their children into Guyana’s most successful youth and sports organisation. Foster explained that afternoon practice sessions are a nightmare as only a fifth of the members are able to practice properly in the three hours sessions which normally starts at 3PM and concludes by 6PM. The concrete pitch would be used by the Under 13 to Under 17 age group and female cricketers mainly, while the Under 19 to seniors would utilise the pitch. With the rainy season also approaching, members would be able to practice,

RHTYSC Asst. Organising Secretary Ravin Kissoonlall receives sponsorship Cheque from Republic Bank RHT Manager Harry Dass Ghaness. unlike in the past. With the numerous promising junior cricketers in the RHTYSC, Foster stated that it was important for them to practice all year to enable them to develop

their skills. These include national and Berbice junior cricketers Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Brandon Prashad, Junior Sinclair, Brandon Corlette, Surendra Budhoo,

Plaffina Millington, Sheeneta Grimmond, Slyus Ty n d a l l , C h a n d e r p a u l Govindan, Shabika Gajnabi and Joshua Gobin. The concrete pitch would be constructed by

members of the Rose Hall Town Farfan and RHT Pepsi under 19 cricket teams a l o n g w i t h t h e Management and staff of the Republic Bank Rose Hall Town Branch.

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IOC re-tests Beijing, London samples ahead of Rio BERLIN (Reuters) Re-testing of hundreds of athletes’ samples collected at the London 2012 and Beijing 2008 Games is underway as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) bids to root out cheats ahead of Rio 2016. Doping has overshadowed the run-up to the Olympics with scandals involving the IAAF, the ruling body of athletics, track and field competitors plus several countries including Russia and Kenya who could be excluded from the Games. “The aim of the (re-testing) programme is to prevent athletes who cheated in London or Beijing, and got away

with it because we didn’t have as advanced methods of analysis as we do now, from competing in Rio de Janeiro,” IOC medical director Richard Budgett told an anti-doping symposium in Lausanne on Tuesday. “The results will come in a number of weeks or months.” Athletics, the showpiece sport of the Olympics, was rocked last year when Russia was suspended from the sport after a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigation uncovered a statesponsored doping programme. Kenya could also be

banned if it does not deliver on promises to WADA. Tennis was dragged through the mud last week when former world number one Maria Sharapova announced she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium. “We are trying passionately to protect those clean athletes who are going to Rio 2016,” Budgett said. “The best way to do that is to catch the cheats and deter the cheats before we get to Rio de Janeiro.” The IOC said it welcomed a new WADA task force that would gather information and intelligence and identify ath-

Wednesday March 16, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Look into attending seminars that can expand your perception. You may find yourself in an emotional fix if you interfere in other people's problems. Depression may result if you don't get to do things your own way.

covered yourself legally and try not to let your temper get out of hand.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Do not blow situations out of proportion. Be prepared to take care of the issues at hand. Your stubborn nature will backfire if you give your mate an ultimatum.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your creative talent will prove to be lucrative if put to proper use. Secret affairs may only cause complications in your life. Too much too fast will be the attitude surrounding your home environment.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You need to do something energetic and different. You may have problems with those you live with. Take the time to do something nice for your friends and relatives. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Take care of the needs of elders in your family. Although upsetting, changes in your domestic situation will be favorable. Don't give your heart too readily. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your involvement with groups will raise your self esteem. You will have additional discipline that will aid you in your objectives. Secret affairs may be tempting. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You should sign up for creative courses. Concentrate on your work. Make sure that you have

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Secret information will be eye opening. Older family members may try to make demands that are impossible for you to handle. Y

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with. This could be a difficult day to deal with coworkers. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals. Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) In-laws or relatives may oppose your personal intentions. Talk to superiors about problems that you feel are getting out of hand PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Romantic encounters will develop through colleagues. Be tactful if you see flaws in someone else's work. Think of changes to your home that will please and add to everyone's comfort.

letes who should be included in registered testing pools, and those that should be tested during the four-week period of Rio 2016. Olympic samples are frozen by the IOC for eight years and re-tested using new methods. It also looks for substances that were not known at the time of competition. Beijing samples were retested a few months after the 2008 Games, yielding five positive tests including Bahrain’s 1500 metres champion Rashid Ramzi. Five athletes were also caught after a similar process was undertaken following the 2004 Athens Olympics. The first Games in South America will be held from Aug. 5-21.

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Rose Hall Town Pepsi advance to Memorex Under-19 two days finals – sixth straight finals for RHTYSC, MS Another cricket team of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS have advanced to a cricket final in the ancient county of Berbice. The Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under19 defeated Young Warriors of Canje at the Cumberland Ground on first innings to advance to the final of the Memorex Under-19 two days tournament. This would be the sixth straight finals for RHTYSC teams since November 2015. The Club has won the Berbice River Bridge 50 overs first division, Tenelec 50 overs first division, Busta 40 overs Champion of Champions and Tenelec Berbice Under-15 Tournament and has also reached the final of the NBS Second Division Tournament which would be played shortly. Batting first after winning the toss, RHT Pepsi were given a slow but solid start of 23 by openers Junior Sinclair and Keith Simpson before Simpson was caught at the wicket off leg spinner David Eastman for 05. National junior players Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson then added 35 for 2nd wicket before Anderson seemed unlucky to be given caught at first slip off Eastman for a solid 20. Former National Under-17 batsman and RHT

Junior Sinclair Pepsi Captain, Brandon Prashad joined forces to ass 141 for the 3rd wicket in 3 hours. Prashad the more attacking of the two struck ten boundaries in a well-played 73 before he threw his wicket away with a wide slog to long on off left arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus at 199 for 3. Williams went on to score a brilliant 103 before he was fifth out, LBW to off spinner Aaron Beharry. Stanislaus with support from Beharry bowled well to restrict RHT Pepsi to 245 all out after they were once comfortable at 199 for 3. Stanislaus claimed five wickets for 51 runs from 22.3 overs, while David Eastman 2 for 94 and Beharry 2 for 17 bowled well for the home team. Needing to score 246 in their first innings to advance to the finals, Young Warriors ended the first day on 44 with-

out loss as openers Alex Algu (20 not out) and Jerome France (16 not out) looked solid. National Under-17 pacer Slyus Tyndall struck the first blow for RHT Pspsi when he removed France early into the second day’s play for 20, beautifully caught by Anderson at first slip. Algu and Stanislaus then added 25 for the 2nd wicket before Algu was dismissed for 39 by left arm spinner Keith Simpson. The home team batted comfortably to reach 178 for 3 before the visitors took the 2nd new ball. Tyndall struck with the first ball when he had Stanislaus brilliantly caught in the gully for 48. Young Warriors then lost wickets regularly and were eventually dismissed for 219 despite a last wicket stand of 18 by J. Frank and D. Eastman. Bowling for RHT Pepsi under-19 team, Sinclair completed a good match with 3 for 40 from 30 overs while Tyndall 20 – 1 – 45 – 2 and Keith Simpson 29 – 12 – 41 – 2 supported well. Off spinner Joshua Gobin took the last wicket to finish the innings and the match was called off with less than an hour remaining. RHT Pepsi would meet the winner of the Tucker Park and Albion Semifinals clash in the finals.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

UN suspends Sharapova as goodwill ambassador (Reuters) Maria Sharapova has been suspended as a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations after the former world number one a d m i t t e d s h e h a d tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at this year’s Australian Open. The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), for which the five-times grand slam winner became a goodwill ambassador in February 2007, suspended the Russian until the outcome of the investigation into her case is known. “In light of Ms Sharapova’s recent announcement, we last week suspended her role as a Goodwill Ambassador and any planned activities while the investigation continues. We wish Ms Sharapova the best,” the UNDP told Reuters

Maria Sharapova (Jayne Kamin-OnceaUSA TODAY Sports) in an emailed statement. Sharapova’s work with the U.N. focused mainly on helping survivors of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, but links

to her profile on the U.N.’s official website (www.un.org) were not working on Tuesday. “The United Nations Development Programme remains grateful to Maria Sharapova for her support of our work, especially around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster recovery,” the statement added. Sharapova, the highestpaid woman in world sport, has been losing sponsors ever since she announced the failed test at a press conference on March 7. Nike, the world’s largest sportswear maker, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and German luxury car maker Porsche have suspended their ties with her. The 28-year-old faces a ban of up to four years pending the outcome of an investigation by the International Tennis Federation.

Mane red card rescinded after Southampton appeal (Reuters) Sadio Mane’s red card for serious foul play in Southampton’s Premier League game against Stoke City on Saturday has been overturned, the Football Association said on Tuesday. Mane was sent off by referee Lee Mason in the dying minutes of the match, which Southampton won 2-1, after clashing with Stoke’s Erik Pieters. Southampton appealed against the decision and an independent commission upheld the challenge, the FA said on its website. The Senegal striker will not now have to serve any

Southampton’s Sadio Mane is shown a red card by referee Lee Mason. (Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff) suspension and is available for Southampton’s next

match, at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Hood, Jazz shoot down Cavaliers Reuters - (The Sports Xchange) - Taking over games is quickly becoming Rodney Hood’s personal trademark. Hood lights a fire under the Utah Jazz offence every time he shoots these days. That was certainly the case in a 94-85 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. The second-year guard rattled off 28 points on 9-of-16 shooting — which included four 3-pointers. Hood provided a huge lift for Utah in the absence of leading scorer Gordon Hayward, who missed the game

due to plantar fasciitis. “My teammates were telling me to be aggressive,” Hood said. “I got going early, and stuff started to open up.” Shelvin Mack added 17 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Derrick Favors chipped in 19 points and Trey Lyles added 12 points for the Jazz (32-35). Utah shot 44.4 percent (12-for-27) from the perimeter to help secure its third consecutive victory and keep pace with Dallas and Houston in the battle for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Tournament’s identity on show today Reigning title holders Chase Academic Foundation must be oozing with confidence ahead of their clash against South Ruimveldt in semi-final action of the Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition which will be played today, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The defending champions buoyancy has stemmed from the fact that their crafty strike duo Kelsey Benjamin and Ryan Hackett has hit scorching form at the right time as the competition nears completion and a return to the final is just one game away. Hackett, who until their quarter-final engagement against North Georgetown was inconsistent, showed how important a player he is to the squad after netting a brace in what could be considered his best performance in the tournament to date and must be feeling positive for today’s fixture. Benjamin on the other hand is clearly the team’s most potent striker, a player whose prolific goal scoring prowess is unmatched at the junior level and his performance will be key to their ambitions of reaching consecutive finals and possibly winning back to back titles. However, it is not to say that they are the only threats on the team, it is a star-studded one and a player such as Sunil Logan, who is also deadly in the penalty area, could use the two in-form players as an inspiration to match their exploits. On the other hand, South Ruimveldt have quietly reached this stage of the competition with few alarms and noise and while they will obviously start as underdogs they could use that tag as motivation to spring a surprise. Just like their opponents, they coasted to a comfortable win against Christ Church and Cecil Jackman, who booted in a double and Leon Charles who netted the other goal proved that they are just as lethal as any combination in the tournament. It promises to be a fascinating matchup and one not to miss. The other semi-final pits former champs Lodge against Queen’s College and this encounter should provide a riveting battle for a final spot. Both teams main characteristic is their inclination to never give up, regardless of the score-line and this trait is something that fans truly appreciate so expect a thriller. They both escaped with penalty shootout wins against Dolphin and Bishop’s High respectively with both goalkeepers expressing their ability between the uprights. Lodge should start as favourites to advance because of their superior experience at this stage, but QC is a very stubborn team that will not lie down and die easily. Lodge’s Shemar Dover has looked in good form and his support will come from the likes of Frank King, Simeon Hackett and Leon Blake, while QC’s pursuit of victory will rest on the performances of Kevin Wills, Michael Hunter and Stephen King. What is certain is that both teams are no strangers to penalty shootouts with both goalkeepers very strong between the uprights so it may be interesting to see what the respective coaching staff opt to do during regulation time. Both games should produce the kind of fireworks that has become the identity of the tournament since its inception so fans are urged, be sure to be there.

The Mavericks and Rockets, both 34-33, are each two games ahead of the Jazz. LeBron James scored 23 points and collected 12 rebounds, notching his 23rd double-double of the season to lead Cleveland. Kyrie Irving chipped in 15 points and Kevin Love added 12 point. Cleveland (47-19) had won three straight and six of seven before falling to the Jazz. The Cavaliers were doomed by poor perimeter shooting, connecting on just 23.8 percent of their 3-pointers, 10 of 42. “We had our chance,” James said. “We definitely settled for the outside shot too much tonight and didn’t get into the paint. They did a great job of capitalizing on our mistakes.” Cleveland appeared primed to run away from the Jazz early in the first quarter, racing out to an 11-4 lead on an alley-oop dunk from James. Utah quickly fought back. Mack drilled a 3-pointer and Rudy Gobert followed with a three-point play to spark a 132 run. Favors and Hood capped the run with another pair of back-to-back baskets to put the Jazz up 19-15. Utah eventually built up a five-point lead in the quarter after Raul Neto drilled a 3pointer to make it 26-21. The Cavs rallied early in the sec-

ond quarter and briefly went ahead 35-34 when Irving drove for a layup. Hood countered with a pair of jumpers to help put the Jazz back up 4035. He was just getting warmed up. Hood tacked on a 3-pointer and fed Mack in the corner for another 3pointer to give Utah a 48-42 lead with 29.9 seconds left before halftime. His third 3pointer pushed the Jazz’s advantage to 53-44 early in the third quarter. “I really think Rodney did what Rodney does,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “I’m not sure he was aware of it. He didn’t hunt shots. He was really aggressive when he had a window.” Utah led 61-52 after Hood’s fourth 3-pointer when the Cavaliers finally mounted a comeback. Cleveland used a 14-3 run — capped by backto-back 3-pointers from Channing Frye and James — to jump back in front 66-64 late in the third quarter. It didn’t last long. Lyles took over in the fourth quarter. He drilled back-to-back 3pointers to put Utah ahead again. It sparked a 16-2 run that helped the Jazz pull. Joe Ingles capped the run with another 3-pointer, giving Utah an 86-73 lead with 4:41 left. Lyles scored 10 points in the quarter before being

Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) is defended by Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) during an NBA game at Sleep Train Arena. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) ejected for committing a flagrant foul against Frye with 3:57 remaining. Frye also was tossed after being assessed his second technical. “Trey Lyles was big — hitting threes, getting to the basket,” Hood said. “He created some separation. We’re a really good defensive team, so we got some stops when we needed them. It was big for us.” Making a fourth-quarter comeback proved impossible for Cleveland because it could not crack Utah’s defense.

The Jazz forced the Cavs to the perimeter, and that doomed Cleveland on a night when shots didn’t fall. It also thwarted the Cavaliers’ chance of going 4-0 on their Western road trip. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, naturally,” Love said. “It’s bittersweet. We wanted to go 4-0, but three out of four on a road trip where we played two back-tobacks is not bad. We seek perfection. We always want to be better.”

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Ramlakhan guides East Coast to easy victory A fine half century from opener Vishwanauth Ramlakhan handed East Coast a comfortable eight-wicket victory over East Bank when the Demerara Cricket Board Inter-Association U19 50-over tournament commenced yesterday. Ramlakhan batted with composure, hitting nine fours in a fluent 55 off 53 balls as East Coast successfully chased 117, ending on 118-2 in 19.4 overs at Enterprise. Ramlakhan added 51 for the first wicket with Bhaskar Yadram to set his team on course before Yadram was removed by seamer Bhojnarine Singh after smashing three fours in 25. Ramlakhan continued to time the ball well and featured a second wicket of 51 with Ramnarine Chatura before he was caught off leg spinner Ershad Ali. Chatura remained unbeaten on 26 while Gavin Boodwah made 13.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kraft Toucan Industries Junior Skill level Squash Tournament underway The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel is holding the Kraft Toucan Industries Junior Skill level tournament its first Junior tournament for 2016 at the Georgetown Club Inc. courts. Matches commenced last evening with opening

matches in three of the nine categories being contested. Forty five players are scheduled to participate with play being in a round robin format. The results from this tournament will be used to select the junior national squad who will commence training in preparation for the defence of the Overall Junior Caribbean

Title. Guyana is the eleven times defending Overall Team champions and the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships will be held in the Cayman Islands from July 15 - 24, 2016. Matches continue daily at the Georgetown Club courts starting at 6.00pm.

England v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai Vishwanauth Ramlakhan

Ershad Ali

Batting first, East Bank never recovered after losing two early wickets and were bowled out in 27.3 overs. Ali was outstanding with the bat cracking eight fours in scoring 59 off 51 balls. He added 23 for the fourth wicket with Quazim Yusuf before Yusuf went for nine. Only opener Mark Ramsammy with 14 reached double figures in an otherwise dismal batting dis-

play. Bhaskar Yadram was the pick of the bowlers with 3-4, while Rajendra Singh claimed 2-13, Pradesh Balkishun 2-18 and Chatura 2-29. The other match which was scheduled for Wales between Georgetown and West Demerara was rained out without a ball being bowled. The competition continues tomorrow. (Zaheer Mohamed)

The battle of reputation versus potential ESPNCRICINFO - Two of the three most recent winners of the World T20 go head to head in a tantalising showdown at the Wankhede, and picking a winner is rather like guessing which side of bed either team plans on getting up. The fact that no side has yet won any of the five tournaments on more than one occasion points to the unknowable nature of the format itself, but in the case of these two teams, the turmoil they have endured in the intervening years has rather precluded any sort of coherent challenge. England have been to the brink and back, their credentials stripped bare in a brace of ignominious campaigns in 2012 and 2014, over which the banishment of Kevin Pietersen loomed uncomfortably large. West Indies, by contrast, would be delighted to have had their own troubles so concentrated on a single character. Contractual disputes have been a constant companion in recent years the squad came close to a full-blown strike on the eve of this competition - and yet, here they are, both sides on the starting line with their engines running and opportunity knocking. Of the two, West Indies look the likeliest to go the distance, simply because of their greater experience, both of Asian conditions and of previous victory in the World T20. Whereas Eoin Morgan is the last man standing from England’s 2010 campaign, no fewer than eight survivors from West Indies’ triumph over Sri Lanka four years ago are back for more. With eight squad members over the age of 30, West Indies are longer in the tooth and in many cases facing the final curtain - a legend though Chris Gayle remains, it is hard to imagine him turning out for the 2020 event at the age of 40 - which merely reinforces that sense of now or never. England, by contrast, are at the start of their own jour-

ney. They’ve had several aborted rebuilds in one-day cricket in recent years, but there’s a strategy and coherence to this particular regeneration that augurs very well for the future. Of their 15, only Liam Plunkett has so far reached the big 3-0. Nine of the squad have yet to turn 26. Morgan spent much of his pre-match press conference playing down his team’s chances and keeping his cards tucked tightly to his chest. Darren Sammy, by contrast, wasn’t afraid to big up his big men, and why would he hide their lights under a bushel given the fear factor they can bring to any contest? Gayle, he declared, is “one of the most destructive T20 batsman”, but it wasn’t anything other than a stone-cold fact. On Wednesday night, under the lights, we shall witness a battle of reputation versus potential. And there can be only one winner. Watch out for Chris Gayle. Who else? Everything about this contest screams for a tour de force from the man who epitomises above all others the hopes, the talents and the frustrations of West Indies cricket in the 21st century. This contest will be Gayle’s first full international appearance since the 50-over World Cup 12 months ago, and his first T20 outing since he spanked South Africa for 90 in 41 balls at Johannesburg in January 2015. But the prodigal son is back for more, and back in a country where his legend precedes him. Gayle has been the heart and soul of the IPL since its inception, and assuming the local population have found a means to secure any tickets, you can be sure who they will be rooting for when the first ball is sent his way. Gayle may be an established local hero but Jos Buttler could yet be the coming man and, if that is the case, then the Wankhede will soon feel like his second home, following his signing for Mumbai Indians in the re-

cent IPL auction. His casual ability to ally supreme power to outlandish shot selection has turned him into the flagbearer for England’s new free-spirited attitude to oneday cricket, and though he was scuppered in the end by Chris Jordan’s yorkers during England’s practice match at the Brabourne on Monday, his 25 from 16 balls while guesting for Mumbai was a hint that he has found his range. “Everyone’s worried by Jos when he gets going,” said Joe Root after that innings. Team news England’s XI is more or less straightforward. Ben Stokes provides the all-round flexibility to factor in four seamers and both spinners, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. With Chris Jordan’s death bowling and outstanding fielding securing him a berth, the only real debate is whether the extra grunt of Liam Plunkett is preferable to the left-arm attack of David Willey. Morgan refused to be drawn, but Willey’s hat-trick at the death in Monday’s warm-up may have tilted the scales in his favour. West Indies have allround options pouring out of their squad, and any batsman from No. 4 to No. 9 could prove to be interchangeable depending on the match situation. The likelihood is that all eight of West Indies’ previous World T20 winners will be given the chance to start the campaign, although with only one spinner likely to make the cut, Samuel Badree could conceivably make way for Sulieman Benn, having failed to play in either of West Indies’ warm-ups. Pitch and conditions The wicket is one of the seamier in the subcontinent, and both teams look set to respond in kind with pace options. A day out from the contest, there was still plenty grass in situ, although the baking 37C degree heat may put paid to some of that by game time.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 57

GSSF meets with Minister Nicolette Henry Some of the newly elected board members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation paid a courtesy call on the Minister Nicolette Henry, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Yo u t h a n d S p o r t l a s t Thursday 10th March, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Main Street. During the visit the President of the G.S.S.F., M s . Vi d u s h i P e r s a u d , S e c r e t a r y M r. S t e v e Ninvalle, Steel Challenge Chairman Dr. Pravesh Harry, Archery Chairman Mr. Nicholas Hing and Internal Auditor Mr. Jagmohan Bassoo discussed with the Honourable Minister Henry their plans for the future and gave an update as to the various shooting disciplines thus far. They reported on affiliations, stating that the G.S.S.F. is affiliated to international bodies such as th e S teel C h a l l e n g e Shooting Association, t h e A m a t e u r Trapshooting Association

Minister Nicolette Henry (3rd left) with some of the Directors of the GSSF Board: From left: Nicholas Hing, Vidushi Persaud, Trevor Bassoo, Steve Ninvalle and Pravesh Harry.

and the World Archery Federation. The Minister expressed her commitment to continue working with the Federation

NZ spin trio hand... (From page 54) coming forward and Ashwin was dragged out of his crease to be stumped. New Zealand trusted in a set of bowlers capable of exploiting a raging turner. Santner, McCullum and Sodhi delivered them a win against the tournament favourites. Scores: New Zealand 126 for 7 (Anderson 34, Bumrah 115, Raina 1-16) beat India 79 (Dhoni 30, Santner 4-11, Sodhi 3-18) by 47 runs.

and posited that she also looks forward to GSSF’s continued involvement in

the NSC 50 Shades of Games. The GSSF recently hosted a Practical Pistol

Match showcasing Practical Shooting and this weekend, will be adding another

discipline to NSC’s 50 Shades of Games when the Federation in collaboration with the National Sports Commission will be hosting an Indoor Target Archery Competition. Minister Henry further indicated she is excited to work with the G.S.S.F. in promoting and developing the various Sport Shooting disciplines especially the potential with Archery going into the hinterland areas of Guyana. The Ministry and the GSSF look forward to working together to build a stronger working relationship to the benefit of all Guyanese as the Federation continues to uphold its recognition as a Sporting body promoting sport, specifically in the field of sport shooting locally, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally. For more info visit the w e b s i t e : www.guyanasportshooting. com

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Wednesday March 16, 2016

India v Bangladesh, Women’s World T20, Group B, Bangalore

India’s record 163 too much for Bangladesh ESPNcricinfo - India Women had played more T20Is in the last three months than Bangladesh Women had managed to play across formats since their World T20 debut in 2014. The end result was a lopsided contest as B a n g l a d e s h ’s l a c k o f experience on the big stage stood brutally exposed. A target of 164 became a gap too far to bridge as India won by 72 runs to get their campaign off to an emphatic start. A ‘no-holds barred’ approach was the hallmark of India’s batting effort as they blasted their way to 163 for 5, comfortably surpassing their previous T20I best of 151, also against Bangladesh at the 2014 edition. Mithali Raj and Vellaswamy Vanitha did the early running, Harmanpreet Kaur gave impetus in the m i d d l e , w h i l e Ve d a Krishnamurthy sustained the surge at the death. In comparison, only Nigar Sultana stood still amid the

rubble for Bangladesh to make 27 not out in an otherwise disappointing batting show. Where Raj was all grace and timing, her younger colleague Vanitha was pure muscle; her strength coming to the fore on the face of some slow, loopy spin as India raised their 50 in the sixth over. Bangladesh’s plans of choking India with their plethora of slow options clearly didn’t work. As the innings progressed, the absence of a Plan B allowed India to continue their jolly ride, with wickets hardly coming as a bother. Vanitha raced away to 38, and a half-century loomed, but she was deceived in flight and bowled by Nahida Akter. Smriti Mandhana erred in judgment to fall soon after as she played all around one that spun back in. India, however, were still handily placed at 63 for 2 in the ninth over. Bangladesh had some breathing space, but it was

Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur speak to the media after India Women’s win, India v Bangladesh, Women’s World T20, Group B, Bangalore, March 15, 2016 ©IDI/Getty Images all too brief as Harmanpreet seamlessly switched gears. By then, Raj was in cruisecontrol and seemed intent on making Bangladesh pay for a reprieve on 28, until she lobbed a gentle chip shot to the cover fielder for 42. Harmanpreet ensured, however, that the positivity of the innings wasn’t lost.

She either used her feet or shuffled across to play the pick-up shot against loopy bowling, hitting three fours and two sixes in her 29-ball 40. Once she fell, Krishnamurthy took over the baton as India blasted 66 off the last six overs. Bangladesh started cautiously, but the dark

clouds that hovered over the stadium perhaps made them edgy as they tried to bring out the big shots, only to tie themselves up in knots against Anuja Patil and Rajeshwari Gayakwad. At 22 for 1 in six overs, the chase was in need of some direction. The growing pressure forced Sanjida

Islam into playing an ungainly slog to midwicket to give India a firm foothold, from where they didn’t look back. With little or no pressure to contend with, India also showed rare glimpses of their magic on the field, something they have not always been known for, as Bangladesh’s innings meandered towards the close. The hosts couldn’t have asked for a better game first up to test all their systems before a pressure clash against Pakistan Women on March 19. Scores: India Women 163 for 5 (Raj 42, Harmanpreet 40) beat Bangladesh Women 91 for 5 (Sultana 27*, Patil 2-16, Poonam 2-17) by 72 runs. In another result: New Zealand Women won their encounter against Sri lanka by 7 wickets (with 25 balls remaining). Scores: Sri Lanka Women 110/8 (20 ov); New Zealand Women 111/3 (15.5/20 ov).

NZ spin trio hand India shock defeat in World T20 ESPNcricinfo - For a long time, this New Zealand team was under the charge of a man who loved a gamble or two. But would even Brendon McCullum have been funky enough to go up to his two best bowlers, Tim Southee and Trent Boult, on the team’s opening match of a World T20 and say, ‘Pick up the bibs, lads. You’re out.’? Kane Williamson did. He saw a dry Nagpur pitch, heard how the ball had turned during the qualifier games at the venue and asked Nathan McCullum, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi to clock in for duty. The first of those three spinners is in the twilight of his career, the other two had played only five matches each. And India had no answers against them. No one expected it to go down like this. MS Dhoni and his men came into the tournament on a sevenmatch winning streak. They were back home now, just as New Zealand were in alien territory. They had not played in the subcontinent for two years, and their batting had all the symptoms of it to put up only 126 for 7. An early wicket was vital

Ish Sodhi got the big wicket of Virat Kohli, India v New Zealand, World T20 2016, Group 2, Nagpur, March 15, 2016 ©Associated Press

and New Zealand looked to a McCullum for the magic touch. Nathan, who will join his little brother in retirement after this tournament, trapped Shikhar Dhawan lbw fifth ball. Minutes later, Rohit Sharma was undone by a superb delivery, this time from Santner. The batsman had trotted down the pitch but made the mistake of closing the face. Normally it wouldn’t have been a fatal one, considering Santner specialises in non-turning darts. But on this pitch he

was given all the help he could ask for. The ball turned square, and bounced so much that the wicketkeeper couldn’t collect it cleanly. But Rohit had lunged so far outside his crease that Luke Ronchi had enough time to recover. India might not have been nervous at this point, but New Zealand began believing. Virat Kohli was the reason why the hosts held hope. For much of his 27 balls, he looked in control of

the situation because he was in control of himself. On a track that was turning square, batsmen needed to play close to the body and trust in proper cricketing shots. He managed it for 26 balls before Ish Sodhi broke down his disciplines. A beautiful legspinner was pitched up for the drive, Kohli went after it and feathered an edge to the wicketkeeper. India were 39 for 5, and definitely nervous now. Not long after, they were left a bit red-faced. “We

lacked a bit of adaptability,” Dhoni admitted. New Zealand couldn’t cope with the ball not coming onto the bat either. They tried to smash their way into supremacy - Martin Guptill hit the first ball of the Super 10s for a straight six and Colin Munro began with a jaw-dropping switch hit but got through to the end of the powerplay with 24 dots and 33 runs on the board. Corey Anderson was their top-scorer with 34 runs, but his 42-ball innings encapsulated New Zealand’s struggle. Should we hit out? Should we hunker down? They did something in between and it wasn’t pretty. Only hindsight proved it was effective. And the fact that Santner, Sodhi and McCullum kept pitching the ball at the stumps and allowed a rank turner to do the rest. After all, only when the batsmen are pushed to play can he give his wicket away. After the first innings, it looked like India should have had plenty of matchwinners. R Ashwin struck in the first over of the match. Jasprit Bumrah, who excels

at the death, came away with 1 for 15. Suresh Raina instigated a superb run out to dismiss Ross Taylor for 10 and had Williamson stumped for 8. That’s New Zealand’s backbone sent packing by the 12th over with the score only on 61. But as willing as Raina the bowler was, Raina the batsman could not handle the fight. He strode in during the third over, offered a tame catch to midwicket and was back in the dressing room before the over was done. Soon after, Yuvraj Singh popped a return catch to McCullum and four of the India’s top five were gone for single-digits. Meanwhile, Santner was bowling like a dream and despite him finishing as the highest-wicket taker on the night, it was Sodhi who extracted the most turn. His legspinners ripped past the outside edge regularly and his control had never looked so good. He finished with 3 for 18 - all of which were characterised by defeating the batsman in flight. Kohli was caught behind, Jadeja closed the face too early after (Continued on page 53)

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Kaieteur News

DCB/RSI Brokers Over40 20/20 Competition...

Mavericks, Lions, Bulls, Bears record wins

Proprietor of RSI Brokers, Rajendra Singh, handing over the man-of-the-match trophy to Sylus Gibson of Georgetown Bears. We s t D e m e r a r a Mavericks, Lower East Bank Lions, Lower East Coast Bulls and Georgetown Bears recorded wins in the third round of the DCB/RSI Brokers Over-40 20/20 Competition across Demerara. Over at Wales ground, Tigers posted 152/6 in their allotted overs with Mustaq Shaw and Deonarine Chatura contributing 38 and 36 respectively, while Sham Persaud was the pick of the bowlers with 2/15. In their reply, Mavericks finished on 156/8 in 19.4 overs. Sham Persaud top-scored with 28 and Ganesh Persaud hit 20. Deonarine Chatura and S e e m a n g a l Ya d r a m accounted for three wickets each. At Everest ground, Lions h e l d o f f We s t C o a s t Demerara Seals for their third consecutive victory. Lions opted to take first strike and finished on 162/9. Nigel Estrado made 33 and Saheed Mohamed and Sahadeo Hardow supported with 31 and 29 respectively. Bowling for Seals Nigel Vieira and Rampersaud Shivpersaud took two wickets each. Seals struggled in their chase and only managed 96/6 in their 20 overs. Rampersaud Shivpersaud top-scored with 26, while Johnny Azeez took 2/10 with his off-spin. Lower East Coast Bulls enjoyed their first victory of the tournament when they defeated Georgetown

Buffaloes at Lusignan ground. Buffaloes batted first and totaled 160/6; Sonaram Sookram and Reginald Rodrigues led the way with 32 and 31 respectively. Mahendra Nauth was the pick of Bulls bowlers with 2/21. Bulls chased the target comfortably, finishing on 163/2 in 16 overs. Arthur Duke slammed and unbeaten 85 after Nirmaldeo Sarwan started the innings with a flying 61. At GCC ground, Georgetown Bears held their nerves and defeated Upper East Bank Colts by three wickets. It was their third consecutive victory. Colts took first strike and made 145/7. Derrick Koulen was the destroyer with the ball with 4/12 and Surendra Hiralall took 2/27. Bears kept loosing wickets regularly in their chase but Sylus Gibson played a good hand to ensure his team didn’t buckle. He made 55; Ron Ramnauth supported with 20. Bowling for East Bank, P. Khan and M. Pooran took two wickets each. The Competition continues with the fourth round this week. Tomorrow, T h u r s d a y, M a r c h 1 7 , Mavericks will go up against Bears at Wales ground and Tigers will clash with Colts at Enterprise ground. On Friday, March 18, Buffaloes will take on Lions at Everest ground and Bulls will battle Seals at Zeeburg ground.

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We must beat Jamaica says Jaguars Captain By Sean Devers in Antigua In association with Care Cottages & Noble House Seafoods An injured Shiv Chanderpaul and Devendra Bishoo added 36 runs in a match saving ninth wicket partnership on Monday in Antigua against the Leewards Hurricanes to help Guyana Jaguars maintain its lead in the penultimate round of the PCL First-Class cricket tournament. Set 240 to avoid an innings defeat the Jaguars were 186-8 when Chanderpaul hobbled to the crease to join Bishoo and 89 minutes later, when the match ended at 18:22hrs with the lights in full effect an injured ‘Tiger’ had battled hard for the wounded Jaguars to ensured they just managed the escape the destruction of the Hurricanes. Earlier, Coach Esuan Crandon had said that Chanderpaul who suffered his injuring would only bat if the team absolutely needed him in the middle. And when the experienced 41-year-old, with his leg heavily strapped, was forced to make his way to bat in a fading light and rain threatening, his team badly needed his presence if they hoped to extend their unbeaten streak to 16 in PCL Cricket. The rest is now his history as the defending Champions who have led the pack from start to finish

Leon Johnson

moved to 130 points. But while the Jaguars were struggling to survive in Antigua, second placed Barbados Pride had proudly demolished T&T’s Red Force to reduce Guyana’s lead to just seven with a final round to play from Friday. “With Barbados only seven points behind now, we obviously have to play to win the next game outright,” Jaguars Skipper Leon Johnson told Kaieteur Sports after the draw. Johnson, looking to join Clive Lloyd and Roger Harper as the Guyanese Captains to win two FirstClass titles and the first to win them in successive

seasons, expressed his hope that the GCB would allow the use of the lights at Providence in the crucial Jamaica game. The 28-year-old Johnson added 98 with Vishaul Singh with a level headed 79 to set up the draw and become the first batsman to reached 700 (714), while Singh, who made 32, is second in the aggregate with 690 runs. Johnson was high in praise of Chanderpaul’s contribution towards the drama filled draw which saw West Indies U-19 pacer Alzarri Joseph bowling a ‘beamer ’ at Bishoo at 18:15hrs. ‘Tiger’ responded

by hitting the last three balls of the final over bowled by the fiery 19-year-old Joseph, for boundaries. “We weren’t at our best in this game, bowling and batting wise. We missed some chances in the field which we paid for, we should have been better in both innings,” said Johnson, the leading batsman and Captain in the tournament. Johnson said the constant interruptions due to rain when the partnership between himself and Singh was building affected his batting somewhat but added that this was no excuse for not carrying on.

t r o Sp England v West Indies, World T20 2016, Group 1, Mumbai

The battle of reputation versus potential

West Indies will have many of the big guns that helped them win the title in 2012 © Getty/ICC

Jos Buttler shapes up to play a lap shot, New Zealand v England, World T20 warm-ups, Mumbai, March 12, 2016 ©Getty Images

Chris Gayle swings his big blade, New Zealand v West Indies, World Cup 2015, 4th quarter-final, Wellington, March 21, 2015 ©AFP

Tournament’s identity on show today

Chase Academic Foundation striker Ryan Hackett (with ball) attempts to dribble past defenders in their quarter-final clash against North Georgetown last Sunday.

NZ spin trio hand India shock defeat in World T20 Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210