Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 02, 2015

APNU-AFC’s economic plan…

All agents of financial lawlessness in NICIL, GRA, GFC, GGMC etc. will be dealt with - APNU-AFC By: Kiana Wilburg While it gears to launch its election campaign on Wednesday in preparation for the May 11 polls, A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) disclosed that it is practically in the final stages of preparing its joint economic plan for the nation. According to its crafters, the plan includes cleansing certain state agencies of certain impediments that lead to financial lawlessness and restructuring its management team as a means to improving transparency and financial probity. Some of these agencies are NICIL, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest). A P N U ’s S h a d o w Minister of Finance Carl Greenidge in a recent

…so that the much needed transparency and accountability can be returned ensure that its arrangements are determined by internationally acceptable criteria rather than on “ n a t i o n a l i t y, e t h n i c i t y idiosyncrasies of Ministers, the President or, on underthe-counter arrangements that currently prevail.” He emphasized that it is important for certain agents of financial lawlessness to be removed so that the “much needed transparency and accountability can be returned.” The same he said also applies to the regulative agencies such as the Bank of Guyana and the Financial Intelligence Unit, which are required to oversee areas where IT and technological changes are rapid and pose challenges as regards criminal intrusion into business activities. Greenidge said that the programme of the coalition will be informed by a desire to see transparency and fairness in decision-making so that decisions are predictable and rational and implemented against a level playing field for all. He stressed that Guyanese will be given first priority where priority is warranted. Its economic programme for the country he said, also takes note of Guyana’s regional integration priorities. Greenidge said that special treatment can be expected where firms bring special technologies; impart needed skills to Guyanese labour and where foreign enterprises are prepared to undertake investment in priority areas where technical and or financial risk is so high as to normally

APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge interview with this publication explained some of the details of the APNUAFC programme for improved governance as it relates to economic development, financial legislation and taxation reform. As for the workings of GO-Invest, NICIL, GRA and GFC, the opposition member said that an APNUAFC government would

discourage major investment. The Shadow Minister of Finance also stated that economic development initiatives have been agreed in broad terms, but the details submitted by the two Parties have to be hammered out into a timetable and priorities. He said, too, that the framework within which economic development is to take place has to be improved and this means law and order will have to be restored in the economic arena. He said that this is imperative “so that sanctity of contracts can be restored, and ensure that the predatory behavior of individuals can be stopped.” He asserted that the APNU-AFC partnership, once it assumes office, plans to establish and nurture a vibrant, flexible, modern economy which is based on high level of skills with matching incomes.

Greenidge said that the most urgent programmes will be aimed at the vulnerable members of the community, namely - the young unemployed and unskilled particularly young females, the old and the destitute. The former Finance Minister said that to be meaningful, that programme will need to be closely tied to training and the development of marketable skills and important workplace behaviour. The other element of that programme, he said, will address the plight of pensioners of all types and see the design of a system which would bring pensions closer to the national minimum wage. Greenidge expressed that urgent attention would be paid to the resuscitation of the sugar industry which will be based on the recommendations of a (Continued on page 9)

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Elections debates…

President ‘ready to rumble’ but… By Abena Rockcliffe Incumbent President, Donald Ramotar is saying that he is up to the challenge of debating his polices on a public platform in the run-up to general elections slated for May 11. However, the President will not take part in the debate unless it is organized by his campaign team. This, the President said, is because he has a bad taste left in his mouth from the last debate held during the 2011 elections. That debate was held at the University of Guyana. During a recent interview with Kaieteur News, Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger had alluded to those very debates. He had said that the debates were organized and all three parties— the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and APNU—agreed to go through with it. “But by the second round, President Ramotar disappeared and it was only me and (AFC Leader and 2011 Presidential Candidate) Mr. (Khemraj) Ramjattan,” said Granger. O n S a t u r d a y, t h e President in an interview said that his no show at that debate was due to the fact that it was horribly organized. He explained that the fact that he could not hear himself during the debates coupled with other glitches caused him to abort the schedule. But even with that said, Ramotar noted that he is not remotely opposed to having debates. However, he sought to make it clear that the final decision has to be made by his campaign team. President Ramotar directed Kaieteur News to speak to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Frank Anthony for his take on the matter as he forms part of the committee. But persistent efforts to contact the Minister proved futile. The President assured however that “once it is properly organized, I am willing to take part.” Public debates give politicians an opportunity to confront and logically address the real issues affecting a country. Even though it has not

PPP wants GECOM to launch “aggressive” voters’ education programme h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party (PPP) is urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence an “aggressive” voters’ education programme. The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee said that GECOM “must” do this to sensitize voters about Election Day procedures as well as the rights of voters at polling places. Rohee said, “Voters must be aware of what to expect from GECOM polling day staff, for instance, stamping of the Ballot with the official stamp. One can recall the Herstelling fiasco in the 2011 Elections where 19 ballots papers were given to 19 individual voters without the Presiding or Assistant Presiding officer stamping them; this rendered the ballots rejected thus denying the democratic rights of 19 hardworking Guyanese.” Rohee added that the PPP has noted “with concern,” the continuous extension to GECOM’s vacancy notice for polling day staff.

T

Opposition Leader, David Granger been very popular in elections in Guyana, it is being hoped that General and Regional Elections slated for May, 11, 2015 will attract such activities. This will allow Guyanese the opportunity to see representatives from each of the three main political forces in Guyana on a platform defending their records, policies and putting forward a logistical plan to move Guyana forward. Moses Nagamootoo of the AFC, which recently joined forces with APNU, had told Kaieteur News that his party is eagerly hoping to debate the incumbent PPP. He said that the AFC and APNU were hoping that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would put out a schedule of debates “and once that happens, we are ready for them, any time any place.” However, when contacted yesterday, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud said that GECOM’s mandate does not allow it to organize debates as that is strictly political. A P N U - A F C Presidential candidate, David Granger told Kaieteur News that he would not give up an opportunity to debate the PPP. He said, “I am fully prepared to go public to put forward the good plans this alliance has in store for Guyanese”. The politician told this publication that it’s now up to President Ramotar to decide whether or not he is willing to face the music and “explain the damage he and his predecessor, (Former President Bharrat Jagdeo) i n f l i c t e d o n Guyana…Ramotar has to know if he is willing to appear publicly to defend the policies he implemented over his three-year tenure as President of Guyana.” The PPP has also

President Donald Ramotar committed to public debates. At a recent press conference, the party’s General Secretary Clement Rohee said that the PPP is ready for any debate and would be willing to publicly defend the party’s record in administrative office. Guyana has been changing quite a few things on the political scene to match-up with the policies of certain developed countries. For instance, there have been amendments to the constitution which bars a President from holding office for more than two terms. That was patterned from the United States of America (USA). Debates are big as well in the USA whenever there are elections. During Presidential elections in the United States, it has become customary for the main candidates (almost always the candidates of the two largest parties, currently the Democratic Party and the Republican Party) to engage in debates. The topics discussed are often the most controversial issues of the time, and arguably elections have been nearly decided by these debates. Candidate debates are not constitutionally mandated, but it is now considered a de facto election process. The debates are targeted mainly at undecided voters; those who tend not to be partial to any political ideology or party.

He urged qualified and competent persons desirous of safeguarding Guyana’s democracy to apply for the post “so that suitably qualified persons are recruited to work on polling day.” Rohee also reiterated his Party’s call on GECOM to have public vetting of persons employed or who have applied to be employed to work on Election Day. This call has been made and remade several months. Rohee told the media, on Tuesday last, that public vetting will “justify the transparency of the process and enhance the confidence of the electorate in GECOM’s ability to deliver a free and fair election on May 11. Guyanese must demand public knowledge of all polling day staff since this

should be of no secret to the populace.” The General Secretary said that GECOM must ensure that all polling places are checked and verified as quickly as possible and residents are made aware of these locations. “Again, the PPP is wary of GECOM’s last minute changes to the location of polling stations, which add to the frustration of voters. GECOM had agreed to minimize changes,” said Rohee. Rohee added that the PPP is seriously concerned over the use of Information Clerks at polling places with more than one polling station. This, he said, is due to the “bitter experiences of the 2011 elections and the confusion and frustration created by these information clerks, whether deliberate or not.

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If The Opposition Alliance A model citizen killed... Campaign on these Issues they will win the Elections DEAR EDITOR, The combined APNU/ AFC collation has a golden opportunity to be victorious at the upcoming May 11th elections if they focus on these burning issues that most of the Guyanese population want to see addressed. Firstly, Vat must be reduced to 8 percent or lower and the purchase tax on imported vehicles must be removed because the duty on vehicles is already very high. This will allow the average and middle class worker to purchase a new vehicle which currently is enjoyed only by those “Fat Cats” and “Cronies” who get duty free concessions. It will also mean that low income workers might now be able to fulfill their dreams of purchasing a reconditioned vehicle. The Berbice Bridge toll must be reduced immediately and a promise to investigate where the money came from to build those big structures now overtaking Georgetown, many of them unoccupied with a “For Sale” and “Rental Sign” boldly displayed. The Nandlall Scandal and The Government Ministers illegal spending must be highlighted and Guyana Police Force must be purged of those senior Officers who support torture and show no respect for the law abiding citizens. The man in charge of NICIL should have a very wide door at Brickdam waiting to accommodate him after that entity is properly audited. Michael Anthony From page 4 use curse words. His closest visitation with anger, which I can recollect was when someone fouled him on the basketball court and he suffered some nasty bruises; he asked the fella, ‘Boi how yuh gon play meh suh?...yuh gaffo be careful’. And he came off the basketball court. He was no doubt upset but not even remotely interested in venting beyond those few words. Trevor was an excellent basketball player. His general response to attempts to grind his emotions would be just a ‘steups’ and he would move on. I have never seen Trevor in a fight or heard of him being in one. I have never seen him disrespect anyone or heard anyone recount that he has. He epitomised humility. Only two nights ago, a very sweet lady, who remembered me from my days working on the East Bank bus park, sent me a Facebook message notifying me that she read about my success and was very proud. I extended my gratitude and assured her that I was humbled by her kind words. I ventured to tell her that my story is not unique; that there are an abundance of determination stories out there. The single difference is that mine was publicised. And that I see mine only as representing theirs. Trevor’s story is one such story. He moved from Houston Community High School to Central High School. I remember our days traveling to school when he would disembark at Houston and I would proceed to Georgetown to attend school at Central. From Central he went on to The Government Technical Institute where I attended also. We both obtained our Diplomas in Land Surveying from there. And if I recall correctly, we both did Civil Engineering as well. He then attended the University of Guyana where he obtained his Engineering Degree. I am not sure if he had started his Masters Programme but he did indicate that was his next step. His progress is the product of sheer determination and a demonstration of strength of character. I think what touches us most about his death is the manner in which he died. He did not deserve to die like that. He was not the type of person to rub anyone the wrong way. And I can say matter-offactly that he was not the type of person who would have compromised his integrity and honesty while in employ at GGMC...or anywhere. Any vendetta against him could only be the product of his foiling someone’s dishonesty or corrupt practices by insisting on the preservation of his own dignity. Mark Chatarpal urged me not to lapse into grief and stay there, but rather to find a tangible way of celebrating his life; maybe a foundation or scholarship programme in his honour. It is hard not to grieve the loss of such a wonderful human being. Nevertheless, I see the wisdom in Mark’s suggestion. I cannot discourage his family and friends from treating with his passing in any way they must. All I can suggest is that we preserve him in a tangible way when our grief subsides. He would say to me every so often, ‘Ronald boi I know was you coming up de road deh. Boi I could pick you out from anywhere how you does walk.’ Then he would top it off with his infectuous laughter. My brother, you will be dearly missed by everyone who knows you. I have no doubt about that. You have definitely gone too soon and in a manner not befitting of someone who has lived life the way you have. INews has published an article suggesting that Trevor’s death is somehow tied to the execution of two persons not so long ago. The article claims that he was on the police radar, the implication being that he had criminal ties. My response to INews, the police source/s which presumably informed Inews, any other media entity or private individual who labour under this impression is as follows: I pre-empted the media’s attempts to smear the character of Trevor Abrams. I cannot blame them entirely because they are most likely acting on information they received from whatever source. I wish to caution the media, however, not to report such representations as fact. Talk to the people who know Abrams. The police could not have had Abrams on their radar for any criminal involvement. This has to be a gross misrepresentation of fact. My standing in Abrams’ defence is by no means the traditional ‘he was a good boy’ rhetoric when someone is killed by the police or executed by unidentified assailants. I am prepared to risk my own image in the preservation of Abrams’ image. He simply was not the person this report is colouring him as. I invite all of you who know Trevor to speak out against such non-sense. He was not stained while he lived and we shall not sit by idly and watch him stained in death. Love you Bro. Ronald J. Daniels

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

Now it is time to sell the idea to the two ethnic communities DEAR EDITOR, Although I remain skeptical about the coalition strategy, I do welcome the compact between the two parties as a reflection of a hitherto elusive political maturity on the part of the leaderships of the APNU and the AFC. The leaderships of the APNU and the AFC should be commended for this brave step, in particular the AFC for conceding the top spot. It clearly took a lot of give and take to arrive at the pact. From the attempt of the PCD in the run- up to the 1992 elections to the formation of the APNU prior to the 2011 election, the formation of a broad anti-incumbent pact had proved elusive. The breakthrough this time around seems to have been driven by a combination of intense pressure from the followers of the opposition parties, some degree of enlightened leadership, the absolute inflexibility of the current PPP and the prospect its consequent vulnerability within its traditional constituency. In our ethnic circumstances, the pact represents the fairest allocation of leadership responsibility that could be arrived at. The AFC has been allotted more than its electoral strength from the last election. This would offset the fact that it did not get the symbolic leader slot which it went into the negotiations thinking was crucial to both the success of the coalition and its own ability to convince its mainly Indian Guyanese supporters of its correctness. The APNU, on the other hand, got the top leadership spot, which some of us felt is critical for mobilizing a large turn out to the polls by the African Guyanese electorate. Now it is time to sell the idea to the two ethnic communities. From my rough calculations, the coalition would have to garner approximately 40,000-60,000 more votes than it got at the last election in order to win a plurality this time around. This is assuming that the PPP’s share of the votes remains the same or declines. I think the bulk of the coalition’s additional votes would have to come from the African Guyanese community, which means getting more voters to the poll. This is a challenge, but with Granger at the helm and a healing of the leadership wounds in PNC-APNU leadership, it is doable. The big challenge for the coalition would be to convince the Indian Guyanese supporters of the AFC and another 10,000 disaffected PPP voters. This would have to be done in the face of an unprecedented PPP race-baiting campaign. The Granger-led coalition ironically robs the PPP of a toe-to-toe slug out with an erstwhile comrade, which it relished. Nevertheless, the coalition, in particular the AFC component, would still be up against the powerful message of “the traitor sleeping with the historical enemy.” In the final analysis, the coalition is both a breakthrough and a gamble. A breakthrough because it puts before the electorate a clear choice between the discredited PPP and a united opposition; something we have never had. The symbolism of jointness is powerful in circumstances where ethnic communities feel a common sense of victimhood. The usual stubborn ethnic barriers tend to be relaxed. But do both ethnic communities feel the same sense of victimhood and abuse by the PPP? This is where the coalition becomes a gamble. We are not sure whether a large enough portion of the Continued on page 7

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Political parties must state their plans for Guyana’s environmental health - ECHO While political parties are vying for the Presidency at the upcoming General Elections and are busy promising change and continued progress, the directors of the Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) has made it clear that they are yet to hear any talk of developing and maintaining the country’s environmental health. The issue of environmental health and sustainability is a serious one and the situation has deteriorated over the years. It is believed that the country’s environmental health level fluctuates immensely, but the environmental group urges that a clear cut remedy has to be put in place to ensure and maintain this vital state asset. It is also believed that an audit of the country’s extractive sector is necessary to update the country’s material wealth and examine the very possible damage that

Guyana accuses Venezuela of attempting to stymie development

...suggests audit of extractive sector electorate for the way it manages the environment and its resources. This is particularly important to developing and poor countries, including Guyana which is home to a significant percentage of the world’s Bottom Billon.” ECHO’s Executive Director, Royston King suggested that for Guyana, the natural environment and its abundant resources are critical to its development and progress. However, there must be a good balance between development and the environment; there must be sustainable development. He posited that, “it therefore behoves political parties to set out in a clear and unambiguous way, in their manifestos, informational materials and on their various political platforms, plans for the preservation and protection of the health of the (Continued on page 18)

ECHO Director Royston King has been done. ECHO is encouraging, “all political parties to set out a logical and reasonable road map for environmental health in their campaigns in the lead up to General and Regional Elections for May 2015.” In a true democracy, ECHO posited, “governments must be accountable to the

Over the years, the Venezuelan government has not only claimed the land west of the Essequibo River as its own but also offshore areas Tensions between Guyana and its neighbouring country of Venezuela have reached a new level following objections by the Spanishspeaking country to Exxon Mobil’s offshore oil exploration in local waters. Venezuela’s objection has since seen the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writing to a number of organisations, informing them about “this recent action by Venezuela”. An issue first arose when Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez communicated with the Country Manager of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited and indicated an objection to the dispatch of an oil rig to an offshore area known as Stabroek Block. Permission for oil exploration had been given via a concession granted by the Government of Guyana. In response, the Guyana Foreign Affairs Ministry dispatched a Note Verbale to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and accused the country of engaging in actions which stymied the development of Guyana. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela desist from taking any actions that could only result in the stymieing of the development of Guyana and its people and that would be in contravention of international law,” the Guyana ministry said. However, the war of words did not stop there and the Ministry also said it wrote to the United Nations General Secretary, the Commonwealth, CARICOM, UNASUR, and the Organisation of American States. An Exxon Mobil rig known as the Deep Water Champion departed on February 19 from Louisiana, USA and is scheduled to arrive at the offshore location to commence drilling in midMarch. Reports also indicated that Exxon Mobil had acquired two helicopters to help carry out its work. The oil and gas company has reportedly invested hundreds of millions of American dollars for drilling in the Stabroek Block. This latest battle between Guyana and Venezuela has seemingly surfaced over more border contentions. The proposed oil exploration area known as the Stabroek Block is just offshore of an area Venezuela claims as its own. However, Guyana is maintaining that the area covered does not belong to its neighbouring country. In October 2013, a vessel

Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez was seized in the Roraima Block by Venezuelan authorities. The vessel, MV Teknik Perdana, was conducting a 2D Marine Seismic Survey for Texasbased Anadarko Petroleum Corporation when it was detained. The US-based company had been awarded a concession from Guyana to conduct its seismic study. The vessel’s 36-man crew, including five Americans and workers from Russia, Indonesia and Brazil, were subsequently released after a week. However, those exploration plans have since been suspended with no real word coming from the Venezuelan government on a way forward.

ECHO wants logical road map to protect Guyana’s natural environment

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‘I am not afraid’:

Russians march in memory of murdered Putin critic

People hold posters during a march to commemorate Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov yesterday. Credit: REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Russians marched through central Moscow yesterday, carrying banners declaring “I am not afraid” and chanting “Russia without Putin” in memory of murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov. Families, the old and young walked slowly, with many holding portraits of the opposition politician and former deputy prime minister who was shot dead while walking home from a nearby restaurant on Friday night. The authorities have suggested the opposition itself may have been behind his shooting in an attempt to create a martyr and unite the fractured movement. His supporters have blamed the authorities. “If we can stop the campaign of hate that’s being directed at the opposition, then we have a chance to change Russia. If not, then we face the prospect of mass civil conflict,” Gennady Gudkov, an opposition leader, told Reuters. “The authorities are corrupt and don’t allow any threats to them to emerge. Boris was uncomfortable for them.” His murder has divided opinion in a country where for years after the Soviet Union collapsed many yearned for the stability later brought by former KGB agent Vladimir Putin. A small but active opposition now says Putin’s rule has become an autocracy that flaunts international norms after Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula last year, fanned nationalism over the separatist war in eastern Ukraine and clamped down on dissent. “(Nemtsov) was harmful to the authorities, but the authorities themselves are criminal. The authorities have trampled on all international rights, seized Crimea, started war with Ukraine,” said Yuri Voinov, an elderly physicist. Police said 21,000 people attended the march. The organisers put the numbers at tens of thousands, but attendance appeared smaller than the 50,000 people the opposition had hoped for. Reuters reporters at the march estimated the numbers in the tens of thousands. People walked in the rain within view of the Kremlin’s red walls and past the spot, now covered in flowers, where Nemtsov was shot dead. Some carried large banners carrying Nemtsov’s face reading “Heroes Never Die”, the same slogan used in Ukraine to celebrate more than 100 people killed in protests that overthrew Moscowleaning President Viktor Yanukovich a year ago. Putin has vowed to pursue those who killed Nemtsov, calling the murder a “provocation”.

Letters... Where your views make the news From page 5 Indian Guyanese electorate feel sufficiently abused and victimized to lead them to cast their votes for a coalition led by an African Guyanese leader who comes from the PNC. If they do, then a new history would be made. If they do not, then, at worst, the PPP could well be returned as a majority party and at best retains the plurality. It is not a foregone conclusion. Finally, the coalition may be guided by the theory that African Guyanese are so battered by the PPP they would be automatically fired up to go to the poll in huge numbers. But a battered c o m m unity could also become a cynical community that turns its back on the electoral solution. From my own reading of the African G u y a n e s e c o m m u n i t y, there is both enthusiasm and cynicism. The coalition, especially Granger and the APNU, would have a lot of convincing to do among their traditional constituency that they are worthy of another round of confidence in view of what many African

Now it is time to sell the idea...

Guyanese perceive as a mishandling of the partial gift they got at the last election. It would take a united front of all sections of the African Guyanese leadership to convince that community that this time around it would be different. Both ethnic communities would be gauging each other. Hence, the coalition is challenged to show swift momentum in both communities. I have not even dealt with the Amerindian vote here. The challenging work begins now. David Hinds

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Police recover stolen tractor and other items from Berbice robbery The police in Berbice on Saturday travelled more than 18 miles through rough terrain into the backlands of N o . 7 5 Vi l l a g e , U p p e r Corentyne and recovered a number of items including a tractor that were stolen during a robbery at a ranch owned by a rice and cattle farmer a few days before. But while the police were able to recover the items, they are still working on capturing the bandits who they believe are known characters. According to information, watchman Rabindranauth Rajnauth called “Bolo” 45 of No.72 Village was alone at the ranch owned by his relative Parsram Rajnauth, 65, of Lot 2 2 N o . 7 2 Vi l l a g e , Corentyne, Berbice, which is situated in the back dam. This newspaper learnt that around 17:00 hrs on Friday last, Rajnauth was preparing to close up the camp for the day when he was attacked by two men. One was armed with a long gun while the other had a short gun. The bandits tied up the watchman and made off with a number of items including a Massey Ferguson Tractor, chainsaw, motor blow brush cutter, DVR and cell phone. The watchman was eventually able to free himself and made his way to another camp located some distance away, where he reported the matter and sought help. His boss was contacted and along with others they traveled to the area. A search was launched but nothing was found. The police were contacted and they went to the remote area, arriving there at around 11:00 hrs and immediately went to work. They combed the area and found tractor tracks which pointed in the direction of the bandits’ escape. More searches in the remote areas eventually led them to the tractors and other items that were stashed in the, bushy, swampy areas. The items were collected and taken to the Springlands Police Station where they were lodged. A check of the DVR showed that the bandits are known and have been on the police’s radar for a while.

Execution of GGMC officer...

Cops question deportee, wife over getaway car

The impounded car Police yesterday continued to question a deportee and his wife, after finding a car believed to have been used by the killers of Mining engineer Trevor Abrams at their home. The vehicle, a grey Toyota AT 212, with licence plates PLL 5966, was found on Saturday at the couple’s Covent Gardens, East Bank Demerara residence. Kaieteur News understands that the deportee has told investigators that someone had rented the car and that the individual left it at the couple’s residence. Crime scene ranks have made a thorough check of the vehicle, which has been impounded at the Grove/Diamond Police Station. A police official said that investigators are still seeking a motive for the execution-style attack, even as they attempt to enhance a CCTV image of the gunmen shooting at Abrams’ car. On Friday last, Abrams, 32, of Lot 131 Samatta Point, East Bank Demerara, was driving north along the East Bank Demerara Public Road near Little Diamond when two gunmen emerged from

Executed: Trevor Abrams another car and shot him several times. The attack occurred at around 11.00 hrs.

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Freddie kissoon column

Ramkarran needs to enter the spacecraft I have heard many informed citizens, including media colleagues say that should Ralph Ramkarran enter the opposition campaign, he would help because he is one of the longserving stalwarts of the PPP that the over-50 Indian citizens would know and respect. I think his presence will pose a problem for the PPP. It is not how many votes he will bring. His presence can only have a positive impact and the APNU-AFC campaign has no reason to refuse anyone who will bring some portion of support. My advice to Mr. Ramkarran is that he should make that historical journey. To be pointedly frank, I cannot see a long political career for Mr. Ramkarran, given his age and the particular contours of Guyanese politics. You have to be steeped in overwhelming sentiments to think that the future of politics lie with people like Ralph Ramkarran, David Granger and Moses Nagmootoo. It doesn’t matter how much we support them, time moves on, people age with time. In 2020, the date of the next election, all three men will have advanced into their early seventies. By that time younger minds would have emerged in the PNC and the AFC and stake a claim to leadership. It is the same with the PPP. Roger Luncheon, Gail Teixeira, Clement Rohee, Donald Ramotar, Komal Chand, Harry Persaud Nokta are deep in the twilight of their career. By 2020, young professionals will make serious claim to be leader of the PPP. I know a well known lawyer who said he will not reject the offer to lead the PPP in the future. It is against this b a c k g r o u n d t h a t M r. Ramkarran should make his decision. It is up to him to determine how he wants to end his long, long career in politics. I feel an elegant way would be to endorse and participate in that historic coalition whose primary goal is to exorcize the monster of race from the body of the Guyanese nation. I have long urged both Ramkarran and Henry Jeffery to inform the Guyanese people about the recalcitrant and unforgiving deformations that they encountered in the PPP that have brought the PPP to this ignominious state that it is presently in. An analyst’s competence has to be questioned if he/she cannot see that the adoption of Elizabeth Harper as the Prime Ministerial candidate was a most shameless admission by the PPP that it has become horribly besmirched and that it lacks redeemable figures. The PPP contenders for that slot were many. The list included Manickchand, Robert Persaud, Frank Anthony, Robeson Benn, Pauline Sukhai, Caroline Birkett, Jennifer Webster, Jennifer Westford, Juan Edghill and Clement Rohee among others. Why was a Public Servant chosen that had a completely apolitical slate and was in fact not known for being in the news or among the people? The PPP needed such a person because the PPP felt that Harper would not be vulnerable to attack on the platform and people want to vote for clean candidates. It i s h e r e w h e r e M r. Ramkarran’s willingness to write about his experience in the PPP becomes so valuable. His revelation that Roger Luncheon wanted to be the PPP’s presidential candidate in the 1997 general election will be a goldmine for Analysts and Historians. It indicates the nature of the PPP leadership since it was born more than sixty years ago. That leadership was

Frederick Kissoon driven by power pursuits and not the fundamental reorganization of postcolonial Guyana. As I stated above, I have long called on Ramkarran and Jeffrey to elaborate on the destructive forces inside the PPP that have dissolved the moral redemption of the PPP. We should not be glad but be elated that we are seeing historical details from the pen of Mr. Ramkarran. What interpretation can the analyst put to Luncheon’s bid to be the PPP’s presidential candidate in 1997? It vividly demonstrates that the PPP leadership viewed Indian constituencies in Pavlovian terms. Luncheon didn’t reflect on the race divide that underscores electoral competition. For him, the Indians would not have been voting for a Blackman but the PPP and once the PPP owned Indian people they would voted for the PPP no matter who headed the party. That thinking has not left the PPP. But time and demographics have caught up with the PPP. The Harper choice has rendered the 1997 interpretation of Roger Luncheon of Guyanese politics obsolete. In 1997 Roger Luncheon could have told his party leaders he wanted to become the PPP’s presidential candidate. And he would have told them that he knew he could win because Indians will always vote for the PPP. Would Luncheon say the same thing in 2015? The Harper inclusion is the answer.

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Community Policing Organisation celebrates 39th anniversary The Ministry of Home Affairs’ Community Policing Organisation of Guyana (CPOG) is celebrating its 39th anniversary, under the theme “Community Policing Supporting the Fight against Domestic Violence, Suicide and Promoting Road Safety.” Speaking at a press conference on Friday last at the ministry’s Boardroom, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that over the past 39 years, CPGs have successfully been providing voluntary service to the people of Guyana. He added that the celebrations, which began today, will conclude with a fun day in Essequibo, on March 29, 2015, as Essequibo has been the chosen district for the main a c t i v i t i e s . H o w e v e r, activities are planned for all 15 community policing divisions. He further pointed out that it was the vision of Henry Fraser, the late Commissioner of Police, to establish community policing in Guyana, and Minister Rohee noted that this has relevance today, as it did 39 years ago. During the period 20132014, the CPGs conducted allocated to CPOG for capital works, and $113,900,000 as current expenditures. This money was expended on motor vehicles boats, outboard engines, motor cycles, grass cutters, sports equipment, equipment for disaster preparedness training, uniforms, searchlights, VHF radio equipment, life jackets, ATVs, bicycles, laminating machines, spot lights, photocopying machines, cameras, and continuous training and awards. Over the years, the CPG members were exposed to training to fight crimes in various areas. These include policing, administration, domestic violence, Trafficking in Persons (TIP), interpersonal violence, fire fighting, road safety, first aid, suicide awareness and communication and disaster preparedness. The Minister expressed gratitude to the groups and encouraged them to continue the good work in the years ahead. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CPOG wished to thank the Government of Guyana, for all the support rendered throughout the years. (GINA)

A section of the Community Policing Groups Reps at the press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

8,527 vehicular patrols, 4,838 motor cycle patrols, 8,344 bicycle patrols, 19,994 foot patrols 1,078 boat patrols and 381 ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) patrols. This resulted in 920 arrests, ranging from murders to domestic violence. These patrols were also able to reduce electricity thefts and vandalism of fibre optic cables in their various divisions. In 2014 there was a 23% increase in the membership of CPGs. The year also saw

the provision of additional uniforms, vehicles and equipment to all the groups. An award scheme for liaison officers, members of the business community, contributing to the sustenance of the various groups, and outstanding community policing groups and members was also introduced in 2014, along with training programmes for liaison officers. Minister Rohee also acknowledged that community policing in Guyana commenced in the

year 1976 with the objective “To harness the energies of willing members of communities across Guyana, in support of the work of the police, to achieve a crime-free society, and to be responsive, together with the police, to the needs of the communities in respect of the necessity to maintain law and order.” In this regard, CPGs were established in all the police divisions in Guyana, with the aim of crime prevention at the community

level and the protection of public property. This was later expanded to embrace the development of youth, health consciousness, road safety, and environmental enhancement, along with any other activity of benefit to the community. The Minister also noted that the current membership of CPOG consists of 270 groups, with a total of 5,201 members, with the largest group coming out of ‘B’ Division. Over the past six years, a total of $518, 723,000 was

Corentyne residents taking government to task over substandard work Residents of some villages on the Corentyne are upset with the substandard work being done by contractors in Berbice, citing government’s rush to do as much work as possible before the upcoming May 11th General Elections. The residents are even more upset with a response given by the Regional Administration of Region Six to a previous article published by the Kaieteur News, in which they had condemned the volume of substandard work being done. The Regional Administration had disputed the claim by residents and defended a number of works done in the county. Residents recently showed the media substandard work done on a number of streets in the Hampshire area. They stated that the “Right now people house full with dust. The contractor does send someone steady to sweep off the dust from the street. You know wha them call them thing this? Election road! But we too smart fuh them thing that now. Them can’t fool we so steady.” The residents used their feet to show the amount of dust on top of what was supposed to be asphalt. The residents also showed what appears to be cow hole on the asphalt. One woman stated, “When dem dog pee (urine) on it, the whole thing ah loose up and the pee (urine) ah soak through.” One engineer who inspected the work stated that apart from the substandard quality of work done by the contractor, the mixture of the asphalt was very poor. He said that the supplier should be brought to books. The street, he opined, would not last for more than four months and with heavy rain and traffic, it will break up even faster. He is asking for an investigation to be done. The residents need answers and want the Regional Administration and the relevant government ministries to take immediate corrective action to remedy the situation.

This photo shows holes developing in the road which was recently done by a contractor. streets were supposed to be done with Asphalt, but the material that was used was not asphalt and if it was, it was a very poor quality. “The people really licking up,” one resident stated. “I never know asphalt does fly and spring dust when it done, if you see dust when vehicle pass,” the man said.

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 02, 2015

GINA spends $250M to fund newspaper in NY G o v e r n m e n t Information Agency (GINA) launched a New York edition newspaper late last year under questionable circumstances. This has the Opposition APNU-AFC calling for a full investigation into the publication. According to Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, his party has discovered another clear indication of how the ruling party continues to misuse public funds without oversight of the National Assembly. The situation, he complained, is also creating an uneven playing field for the Opposition as the Government has access to millions of dollars in state resources which are being used indiscriminately for the upcoming May 11 Elections. “We are condemning this newspaper “The Guyanese” which is being printed in New York. We are being told that GINA used, without Parliament’s approval, $250M to establish this publication. They are not carrying news. The paper is carrying propaganda from the ruling party. “How fair is it that we are asking ordinary taxpayers to foot a newspaper that does not even represent them or paint the true picture of what goes on in Guyana?” Ramjattan said that his party, during recent trips by officials to New York, has been attempting to find out the details. “We have now gotten information that it is a

- McCoy, Subhan fingered in questionable deal with printery

Kwame McCoy printery out of New York.” The official, whose party recently announced that it will be partnering with A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) for the May 11 Elections, is convinced that there is massive corruption involved also in the printing. “We are being told that GINA is spending US$10,000 per fortnight to print 5,000 copies of a 32page newspaper which is then given away free of cost. This is way too expensive when you compare what the other printers are charging. The publication, given its size and colour, could cost far less than US$2,000. So where is the rest of the money? Who is pocketing the rest?” According to Ramjattan, the person who has been supplying his party with the details is scared to come forward.

GINA’s Head, Neaz Subhan “My understanding is that it is GINA’s Editor Shanta Goberdhan, Neaz Subhan the head, and Kwame McCoy from the Office of the President, who are disbursing the payments from Guyana.” “I want to tell you that as soon as we win the Elections on May 11, this will be one of the first things we will investigate. You just cannot spend taxpayers’ monies to fund a newspaper and it (is) only carrying Government propaganda,” Ramjattan said. He believed that the $250M pumped into the newspaper launching was also a way to channel monies from public funds to elections coffers of the People’s Progressive Party. “They are probably gonna send it back to Guyana as part of the arrangement for the elections funding for the PPP.”

The fortnightly 32-pages newspaper which was launched under questionable circumstances last October. Ramjattan believes also that the Government deliberately timed the launching of the newspaper in October because Parliament was in recess and elections were imminent with its dissolution. “We are convinced that this is a massive piece of corruption. The long arm of the law will be very evident after elections. We are also not unaware of the auditor’s report of the National Communications Network, which is owned by Government and which pointed to significant fraud. “President Donald Ramotar has refused to release the details. This newspaper deal stinks to high heavens.” GINA’s head, Subhan, on Saturday, refused to release details of the newspaper. He would only say that the money is coming from GINA’s budget. He did not want to discuss details of the printing but did confirm that the newspaper was started back in October and about 5,000 copies are being printed every fortnight. The newspaper is prepared in Guyana, using materials from GINA with a point person collecting and distributing it in New York.

Vreed-en-Hoop roadside vendors return Just over a week after employees from the M i n i s t r y o f Wo r k s demolished vendors’ stalls at the Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD) junction, the vendors have set up shop again. This is to the dismay of parishioners of the St. Swithin’s Anglican Church, and disapproval of Minister of Works, Robeson Benn. In a letter to the Chairman of the Best/Klein P o u d e r o y e n Neighbourhood Democratic Council at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, the church representatives highlighted the many disadvantages they face because of conditions created by the vendors. In the letter, parishioners explained in detail the “unpleasant, dangerous and unhealthy” conditions that the church is forced to put up with. A m o n g s t t h e inconvenient conditions mentioned, was the fact that the position of the vendors’ stalls inhibits the safe entering, and exiting of the church. This is so because there is no longer a clear path at the entrance of the church. They went as far as to say that they foresee serious injury to church members, and damage to vehicles as an inevitable result of their entrance being blocked off. T h e c h u r c h representatives claimed that the church authority placed two poles at the side of the church gate in order to bring some order to the situation. Their original purpose was that of directing churchgoers to the entrance of the church, since it cannot easily be seen because of the stalls in front of it. However, the vendors decided to convert the poles to support for their stalls. On Saturday, Works Minister Robeson Benn said that the local authority will have to get involved, and he maintained that the stalls will have to be removed. The Minister added that Parishioners had complained and the area was cleared, but now things have gone from bad to worse. A few years ago, the vendors’ stalls were dismantled, and sometime after, in more recent years, drains were recreated. But the drains are now clogged with garbage. Church members have complained about the garbage, which builds up in the drains because of the vendors’ total disregard for cleanliness. They also complained of garbage that is being disposed of along the church fence and the stench that emanates from it. Benn explained that the local authority stood up and watched as vendors rebuilt stalls, after they were torn down back in 2010. He c o n d e m n e d t h e reconstruction of the stalls, since it is unlawful for the vendors to set up shop there. The vendors told Kaieteur News that this is their only source of income and they will continue to sell until they are moved to another location. One vendor, who identified herself as Samantha, said that Minister Benn had promised to meet with them since last Wednesday, but they have not seen or heard anything from him. “Right now, we just selling and keeping our eyes open for when they come to break our stalls down again,” the woman said. The vendors claimed that President Ramotar and the Minister promised them faithfully, that they would be able to sell there until given notice to move, and that arrangements would be made for a market place to be set up for them. They contend that only a few persons were causing problems to the church, but all the vendors were forced to pay for that.

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 13

CIOG commissions computer centre in N/A The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on Saturday commissioned a Computer Centre at the New Amsterdam Mulsim Youth Organisation (NAMYO) building at Pitt Street. It was just one of several other commissionings of computer and sewing centres, done by the CIOG over the weekend across Guyana to boost its empowerment drive of the people. Recognizing that the population does not possess the skills to compete in the work environment and the need to enhance their capacity, and break the cycle of poverty, the CIOG has once again partnered with Asad Al Sanad Trust in the construction of five Computer and Sewing Machines Centres across Guyana. On Saturday last, a Sewing Centre was opened at the Diamond/Grove Masjid, while Computer Centres were constructed and handed over the weekend at Aurora Masjid, Essequibo; Blairmont, West Bank Berbice. Also yesterday, other sewing centres were opened at the Blairmont Masjid. Those commissioning do not include another computer centre commissioned a few days ago at Meten-meer- Zorg Islamic Academy, West Coast Demerara. Sheikh Moen-ul-Hack, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education of CIOG, praised the initiative of their Islamic brother in Kuwait. Shiekh Moen alluded to the numerous education training the CIOG is actively engaged in across Guyana. Speaking yesterday, he noted that for over 30 years, the group has been involved in providing assistance and working with sponsors as well as Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the Government, to uplift the standards of Guyanese, thus helping to break the cycle of poverty. The Islamic scholar underscored the importance of young people becoming qualified and possessing essential IT skills. “Staying abreast with the t e c h n o l o g y

Youths actively engaged on the computers after the commissioning. available…every young and adult Guyanese must now become computer literate,” he said. Parents too, he said, must know about the computer to be better able to monitor their children in its use, “because while the technology has benefits, it also has harms, too, because your children can start to access pornographic sites.” The centre, he mentioned, is opened to members of the public, irrespective or religious beliefs. “CIOG is pleased today to be a part of the development of our peoples and facilitate this donation, all the way from Kuwait.” Past President of the CIOG in Berbice, Mr. Faizal M. Jaffarally, commended the CIOG for opening the centre, since it complements the national IT programme by the Government of Guyana. “ Also attending yesterday’s commissioning were several members of the Central Jama Masjid in New Amsterdam.

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 02, 2015

When patriotism and art meet hair… By Nicholas Peters February 23rd was the day when thousands of Guyanese marched out to view all the captivating floats at the grand procession from Parade Ground to the National Park. However, while the floats did enthrall spectators, there were some outside the parade route who managed to steal attention from the bands. Of these persons was Kristy McPherson, whose Guyana flag hairstyle made it onto a lot of cameras on, and after, Republic Day. McPherson is a 33 yearold mother of three and a hair/nail stylist with a passion for creativity. While artists are conventionally known for using the normal paintbrush and blank canvas to express their work, McPherson shows that those are not the only forms of art. For the 33 year-old, art takes form within hair, nails and cosmetic utensils. For over 10 years, McPherson has spent long nights and early mornings refining her skill with countless clients and even using her own scalp. Every year, at special events like Mashramani and Easter, McPherson designs her hair in extravagant styles, impressing everyone who beholds her work. It is a yearly tradition that the hairstylist keeps up but she makes it clear that one doesn’t need a special occasion to look and feel special. This year McPherson styled her hair as the Golden A r r o w h e a d , t o commemorate our 45th Republic Day celebration. Her hair was cut in a Mohawk fashion, with all five colours of the national flag emanating from her forehead. The hairdresser was a walking exhibition of patriotism and artistry, garnering the attention of passersby where ever she was on the Mashramani Day parade. “Everywhere I went on Mash Day people would ask me to take a picture with them,” related McPherson. “One man even stopped taking a picture of his friends to take a set of shots of me when I was passing him.” And, according to McPherson, she loved every minute of it. For the mother of three, the attention she garnered was the highlight of her holiday, with even her children begging her to visit their school to show it off. To have her intricate work admired by hundreds of people proved to McPherson that she had indeed topped (Continued on page 18)

Some of Kristy McPherson’s work

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 15

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING t is said that today is God’s gift to man. That is why we call it the present. It is argued that the best gift or present for anyone is a watch, and for families an alarm clock, because there is no time like the present and no present like the time. There are some people who would disagree from time to time and try other objects to express their guilt, joy, pleasure, support, solidarity, sorrow, surprise, sympathy, relief, remorse, thanks and all the other emotions that prompt gift-giving. Many prefer the hard cash. John D. Rockefeller (Senior), the American oil magnate who established the famous Rockefeller charitable foundations, once found out that his family had ordered an electric chair as his surprise birthday present to enable him to get around his estate more easily, “If it’s all the same to you,” said the multi-millionaire, “I’d rather have the money.” The French actor, Paul Meurisse, renowned for his taciturnity, once saw a sign in the shop window of a

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florist which read, “SAY IT WITH FLOWERS.” He went in and asked the attendant for a rose. “Just one,” he insisted, “to be delivered to this address with my card.” The girl picked out a delicate red rose and asked, “Is there any message?” Meurisse took the flower and plucked out all but two of the petals, “There you are,” he said, handing back the mutilated flower. “And even then, I wonder if I haven’t said too much.” I wondered what to say, without saying too much, when I thought of returning a Christmas gift to someone. It is not like going to the store and saying that the item does not work. When I once tried returning an item to a store, saying to the female clerk it was not working and wanted to return it, she told me bluntly, “I have a husband like that but his mother wouldn’t take him back.” I also had to consider the “cattle-boil” conundrum. When I was growing up, we believed that if you gave something to someone and

took it back, you would get a “cattle-boil” or huge swelling, generally around your eye. Is there the reverse of a “cattle-boil” for receiving a gift and then returning it to the giver? Not a “boil-cattle” but some other worse disaster? Arturo Toscanini, the famous Italian conductor, got a cake every Christmas from Puccini, the composer. One year, even though they had quarreled and were not on speaking terms, Toscanini still received his cake. However, the next day he received a telegram from Puccini which read, “Cake sent by mistake.” Toscanini replied, “Cake eaten by mistake.” My wanting to send back the gift was no mistake. The reason had to do with the expectations of the person who sent it and the possibility of my being compromised. It was not like the comb given to the bald-headed man. He could not part with it. I could, particularly since it was given by someone who has turned out to be among the lowest of the low. “Instead of

sending it back,” I told my wife, “maybe I could send him a crunch bird.” “What’s a crunch bird?” she asked. So I told her the story. A woman went into a pet shop and saw the ugliest bird she had ever seen in her lifeshort, squat, with dumpy little wings, a dirty grey colour, and the biggest, sharpest and most fearsome beak. “ W h a t ’s t h a t u g l y creature?” she asked the pet shop owner. “Madam,” he replied, “that’s a crunch bird.” “ Ye a h , r i g h t , ” s h e replied. “But what does the bird do?” The man said solemnly, “Madam, it is the most destructive creature known to man.” The woman was extremely sceptical, “Why that little thing? Surely you jest.” The man was adamant, “Madam. I repeat that the creature is extremely dangerous. Let m e g i v e y o u a demonstration.” He then looked at the crunch bird and commanded, “Crunch bird, my table.” The crunch bird waddled up to the table and started to

eat it, “Crunch, crunch, crunch…” The woman was stunned, “That’s impossible. A bird eating a table?” The man said, “Madam, it is not impossible. Let me give you another demonstration.” He looked at the bird and ordered, “Crunch bird, my chair.” The bird’s eye gleamed in delight as it attacked the chair, “Crunch, crunch, crunch.” The woman was totally impressed. “I want to buy the crunch bird. How much do you want for him?” she asked impatiently. The pet shop owner was mystified, “Madam, that bird has only one purpose in life, destruction. Why would you want such a creature?” The woman exclaimed with malicious relish, “My husband is a very, very coarse, jealous and suspicious man who doubts everything. He questions how much I spend on food, on clothes, where I go, who I talk to. So I will buy the

crunch bird, put it in the house where he could see it, and wait for him to ask me what it is. I would then tell him, ‘It is a crunch bird.’ Knowing him, the first thing he would say, is, ‘Crunch bird my butt!’” My wife laughed but reminded me that, unfortunately, the crunch bird does not exist. I thought for a while and then jokingly proposed that we send back the gift with a nice little message. It would say simply, “Thank you for your very thoughtful gesture. Unfortunately, we have no place for it. I am sure, however, that you have an appropriate and adequate location up which to shove it.” * Tony Deyal was last seen explaining that presents are superfluous at weddings since they come with their own gifts- showers for the bride and curtains for the groom.

Three execution-style killings and the stillunsolved strangling of two elderly women are among some 21 murders that have occurred in the first two months of this year. Twelve of the killings occurred in January, while statistics compiled by Kaieteur News indicated that nine more occurred last month. These statistics indicate that of the 21 killings, three were “crimes of passion,” 10 were due to disputes, three were execution-style killings, one was a sex-crime and four are still undetermined. Four of the victims were shot, nine stabbed, two strangled, two beaten to death and two succumbed from burns. Five women have been slain so far. Still baffling police is the execution-style killing of Patricia Sanasie, 43, wife of auto dealer, Deokaran Sanasie. She was gunned down on January 12 outside her Lot 129 Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara home. The shooting came almost a year after her husband survived a similar attempt on his life. That execution-style

At least 21 murders in two months - five women among victims

Executed: Trevor Abrams killing was followed by a similar murder on February 18. Airmax Vulcanizing Tyre Shop owner Randolph Singh was sitting with two employees opposite his South Road premises when a gunman walked up to the trio and riddled the businessman. One of his employees was shot in the e l b o w. T h e g u n m a n reportedly escaped on a motorcycle. At present, police are working round-the clock to s o l v e l a s t F r i d a y ’s execution-style killing of 32-year-old Trevor Abrams. He was ambushed in broad daylight by two gunmen on the East Bank Demerara Public Road, in the vicinity of Little Diamond. Abrams’ murder

Executed: Randolph Singh occurred just 11 days after an almost similar, brazen killing on the East Bank of Demerara. Ex-policeman Beepat Taijram had stopped his minibus at Grove, East Bank Demerara, when two passengers held him at gunpoint and demanded his gold chain. When he resisted, one of the men shot the 32-yearold. When Taijram fled from his bus, the other gunman shot him in the back. The gunmen escaped with the slain man’s chain. His killers are still at large. Police had initially said that they were treating the attack as a robbery, but now appear to be looking at other motives, due to the victim’s unsavoury past. Taijram was dismissed from the Force on

Executed: Patricia Sanasie corruption charges and was also in court on an unlicensed weapon charge. He was also arrested in Berbice as an armed robbery suspect. The murders of two elderly women within an 11day span are among the New Year’s most heinous killings. On February 9, the nude body of 67-year-old Ramdai Mohabir, called ‘Aunty Elsie’, was found in her Lot 6 6 5 To p o , A l b i o n , Corentyne, Berbice. A postmortem revealed that the victim, who had lived alone, was raped and strangled. On February 20, Suroogpattie Ramlakan, 73,

Beepat Taijram called Auntie Carmen, of R i c h m o n d Vi l l a g e , Essequibo was found lying on the floor of her twobedroom home. Her night dress was pulled above her knees and her neck bore lacerations. A post mortem revealed that she was struck on the head and strangled. But the postmortem also showed that Ramlakan’s killer had inflicted injuries on the pensioner to apparently trick investigators into believing that she was raped. Police have questioned several people, including the slain woman’s close family members, but are still to

Ramdai Mohabir make a breakthrough. And police still don’t know who shot 43-year-old Richard Remington in the head and left him in a clump of bushes in the C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Cholmondeley Hill area at Wismar last month. Remmington’s bloated body was found on February 12, a few days after residents reported hearing gunshots. Police subsequently revealed that Remmington was a suspect in several armed robberies and burglaries. These included the chopping of a woman at Mahdia and a brutal attack on a Kara Kara family.

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 17

South road execution…

Investigation appears to be at a standstill It is almost three weeks since owner of Airmax Vulcanizing Shop, Randolph Singh was executed and the investigation into his death appears to be going nowhere. Singh was shot dead two Wednesday nights ago while standing outside of his vulcanizing shop on South Road, between Cummings and Light Streets, with two of his workers. Singh died on the spot while one of his employees, Debert Mohamed was struck by a stray bullet in the process. He was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and sent away. Kaieteur News was told that investigators have worked on a number of leads but none of them has been motive for the shooting but came up empty handed. There are reports that investigators have viewed surveillance footage around the business place but failed to identify the shooter. T h e w o u n d e d Mohamed’s mother, who asked that her name be withheld, had said that her son informed her that he and his employer were sitting in front of the premises when the incident occurred. “He said that they were sitting and a boy walked past them and asked, ‘y’all alright’ and dem say ‘yes’, then he (shooter) took two steps forward and turn back and pull out a gun. My son said he run, and his boss run behind him,” the woman explained. She continued, “The gunman opened fire at the boss man, and because my son was in front of him running, that is how he get shoot.” A c c o r d i n g t o Mohamed’s mother, her son had no idea that his employer was killed; he thought that the businessman had been wounded. “He said that the shooter only wanted the boss man,” the woman related. Eyewitnesses say that the gunman was not masked but he reportedly wore a hat that covered most of his face. No one could say how the perpetrator managed to escape from the scene, as everyone ran for shelter. Kaieteur News was unable to make contact with the dead man’s relatives. According to one neighbour, Singh only returned to Guyana from the United States two weeks ago to monitor his business. Kaieteur News was told that every night around the time when the incident occurred, Singh would make monetary collections from his businesses. The tyre shop is a 24-hour establishment.

Dead: Randolph Singh able to definitively point to who was responsible for Singh’s death. According to a senior police source, ranks have questioned a number of his employees in an effort to obtain information which can indicate a possible

Monday March 02, 2015 ARIES (March 21 April 19): Your impulsive attraction to the unknown builds throughout the day, so it's best to remind yourself of what you have instead of coveting what you don't. ***************** TAURUS (April 20 May 20): Your sense of instability might provoke you to rigidly cling to the status quo. However, resisting change can lead to dissatisfaction. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 June 20): The logistics of stabilizing your finances may become more complex as the days go by, leaving you feeling somewhat rattled. ***************** CANCER (June 21 July 22): You might feel as if this person is trying to manipulate you, but don't let yourself get pulled into emotional struggles that are not yours. **************** LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): A casual discussion may turn into an unnecessary argument today unless you make a conscious effort to be more flexible when defending your opinions. *************** VIRGO (Aug. 23 Sept. 22): Although your logical mind is still your best friend, there's no need to analyze how you could improve the events of the day. LIBRA (Sept. 23 Oct. 22): You have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish today, but your words might not accurately communicate your intentions. **************** SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Your future seems so bright when you think about all the possibilities ahead, but you might not have the necessary discipline now to realize your goals. ***************** S A G I T TA R I U S (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): It's all too easy to get annoyed with someone close to you today, especially if he or she can't comprehend the larger scheme of things. .***************** CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): This is a great time to take a leap of faith and trust your feelings, even if they seem erratic to everyone else. ***************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You may find yourself at odds with a c l o s e f r i e n d n o w, especially if he or she is pushing you to do something that just doesn't hold your interest. ***************** PISCES (Feb. 19 March 20): Something that touches your core is arousing your intellect and your gut reaction doesn't fit into the current set of circumstances.

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Monday March 02, 2015

Teen gunned down by Political parties must state their... fellow gang member - killing believed linked to channa bomb attack in Bagotstown A 19-year-old suspected bandit was gunned down at around 21.00 hrs yesterday in a shop in Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara, allegedly by a member of his own gang who afterwards fled the scene on a bicycle. Ryan Sooklall, called ‘Plyboard,’ of Providence, East Bank Demerara, was shot at least three times in the back and was pronounced dead on arrival at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital. His killer, who is said to be from Bagotstown, also on the East Bank Demerara, was still at large at press time. Police believe that Sooklall signed his own death warrant after he hurled two ‘channa bombs’ and fired over 20 shots at the Norton Street, Bagotstown home of the suspect, who is a fellow gang member. That incident occurred at around 02.00 hrs yesterday and was reported at the Providence Police Station. Investigators are convinced that he was killed in retaliation. The shop where Sooklall was slain is said to be a popular meeting place for both killer and victim. However, it is unclear what led to the falling out between the two former friends. According to eyewitnesses, Sooklall and about 10 other youths were at the Lot 69 Parker Street, Providence shop when the killer struck. One of the residents told Kaieteur News that the youths were “just liming” in the yard when the suspect, known as “Lapsy,” rode up on a bicycle and “spray who he had to spray.” “Everyone just scatter. He (Ryan) then run to the back of the yard and then I run inside. I see when he (killer) ride off on de bicycle and then my cousin run to the back where Ryan collapsed. I run to the station to make the report and when I came back, they said that the family done carry he at the hospital,” the eyewitness stated. One of Sooklall’s friends related that he could not fathom why “Lapsy” would shoot “Plyboard.” He insisted that Sooklall was humble, peaceful and always wanted to help others in the neighbourhood. Another resident who grew up with the slain teenager described him as a very quiet person as well. “I don’t understand what happen tonight. This is really sad. ‘Plyboard’ never use to trouble anybody. He was a loving person. If you didn’t have money to cook you could turn to that child and he was always generous. But I know the killer. He used to (From page 6) natural environment and its ecosystems.” These he said, should include; “good environmental stewardship of our natural assets- fish, animals, forests, mineral resources and human resources; people’s right to a clean and healthy environment where air and water are not compromised; using our natural resources wisely; harnessing renewable energies of the sun, the wind and water; protecting the health of our vast forests; effective and efficient solid waste management; protecting the health of coral reefs and ecosystems.” Political parties, the Director charged, should set out ethical frameworks and standards for corporations to advance their interests without compromising the benefits of the country’s resources for future generations. “For we, in this period of our history, have no more right to enjoy these assets than future generations of our nation. For example, logging companies and their allies should not be at liberty to cut our forest without leaving an equivalent asset for future generations.” King said that ECHO also believes that there is an urgent need for a natural environmental audit, particularly in the resourceextraction sector, to protect and preserve our environment and to push our nation steadily along the path of sustainable development. ECHO has been in the forefront of advocating for environmental health and transparency within the extractive sector. The environmental organisation believes that in some cases, ample steps were not taken to safeguard environmental health and the assets of the country’s extractive sector. They had protested the office of the Natural Resource Ministry when it was reported that the government had granted a Chinese company rights to conduct work that seemed t o h a r m t h e c o u n t r y ’s forestry industry. They had spoken out against the possible

DEAD: Ryan Sooklall be with my sister. What he did was wicked because ‘Plyboard’ was nothing but a good friend to him.” This newspaper understands that Sooklall was the manager at one of his father’s three lucrative businesses. One family member said that the death of the 19-yearold comes as a shock to the family and has left them with many unanswered questions. He said that the father and other relatives went to the hospital where they found out that the teen was dead. The body was then taken to Lyken Funeral Parlour. The slain teen’s father said that he had “something special” planned for his son’s twentieth birthday which would have been on April 20.

licensing of the Chinese also wanting to engage in the countries fishing industry when it was reported that deals granted to them would be better than arrangements made with local operators. ECHO had also address the issue of harmful chemicals being used within the country to conduct certain works being executed by the state. They noted too that there needed greater accountability and transparency within the extractive sector. Given Guyana’s vast environmental wealth, much of which is still underdeveloped, ECHO had even called for the establishment of an environmental court to properly address environmental crimes that might accompany the extractive sector’s growth. Reports of illegal logging, wanton land distributions, among other acts against the environment, were justification enough to warrant the establishment of the environmental court, King pointed out.

Anti-corruption advocate alleges... From page 16 It was there that he was forced to access his account and delete the video. He said all the while the female police rank said that, “I am evil and they should beat me. I should’ve drank the poison and die.” They then forced him to make a video apologizing and they later uploaded it. He said when he returned to the station to uplift his items, he found that a large amount of his videos were deleted. Bailey claimed that at no point was the businessman investigated. He said “The folks behind Real Guyana will continue doing its work without fear or favour…Not only did the mechanic turn up at the cameraman’s house to threaten him but the police helped, then ransacked the house looking for guns, ammunition and drugs...not the mechanic’s property, the cameraman’s property.” “We fear the death of this country and what will happen to it if such levels of corruption and nepotism go unchecked. We fear that far more than personal injury. All CCTV and camera footage of the event have been retrieved, compiled and uploaded,” he said. The Real Guyana YouTube and Facebook pages have dozens of videos through which it exposes the state of affairs as a part of a corruption watch. The video at the center of this controversy can be found on this YouTube address: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7jg-AJsaED4. In this video the young men can be seen rolling the ‘spliff,’ wiping the vehicle and heading back into the shop.

Neil Marks replaces... From page 16 executive member, Nazeema Raghubir declared that the executive is as strong as its membership. She said that training is an essential aspect of the association and many of the journalists are not attending GPA-organised programmes, which would benefit their respective media houses. Newly elected President of the GPA, Neil Marks said that the association is one of voluntary service and many challenges will have to be faced and overcome. Marks noted that he has served as Secretary of the Association for a number of years, and is committed to the carrying out the responsibilities of President. “I have worked in the print and broadcast media in Guyana for the past 17 years, and I believe my experience and training over the years will serve to dictate the direction of the Association over the next two years, at the least, particularly along the lines of training and professional development of media workers in Guyana.” The new GPA President’s immediate goals are: (1) Seeking funding for the establishment of a functioning Secretariat of the GPA to execute its functions. (2) Establishing a verifiable register of all practicing media workers in Guyana. (3) Hold bi-monthly meetings of the Association to address the needs and concerns of media workers. (4) Promote the development of print and broadcast journalism by organizing quarterly training programmes, conferences and other activities in various areas. (5) Organise an annual Awards/Appreciation Ceremony on World Press Freedom Day and finally, to promote immediate responses to occasions when freedom of the press and freedom of journalists come under question. “I am aware that this will call for hard work, and that is why my number one priority would be to push for the establishment of an executive secretariat to oversee the implementation of various initiatives. Because the Executive of the GPA consists of practicing media workers, implementation of various initiatives has often times not been as efficient as we would have liked,” Marks underscored.

When patriotism and art meets... (From page 14) her previous incarnations. It was also a testament to the high esteem Guyanese admire hard work and innovation. This stylist credits her creative spirit to her mother, Debra Allen, a fashion designer who always encouraged her daughter to be brave and to always challenge her creative intuition. Allen wasn’t a hairdresser – rather, her field of design focused on clothing – but McPherson related that she was still allowed to help out with her mom’s creations. It was the combination of encouragement and vision that propelled McPherson to try her hand at hair and nail design. In 2004, McPherson began a course at a design school which helped her to hone her skills in cosmetic design and work as a professional. She quickly caught onto Cosmetology, but it was more than styling hair for McPherson, it was about creativity. As she later travelled to other Caribbean countries, her eyes were opened to the dimensions the realm of cosmetology offered. From elaborate braids to vibrant dyes, it was clear to this local stylist that hair could be pushed to the next level of innovation. On her part she has experimented with peacock themed dyeing to intricate spirals for nails, which she found paid off. McPherson would have many of her creations featured at fashion expos and would continue to receive requests for her groundbreaking skills. The works of this hairstylist have even allowed her to contest at cosmetic competitions. “I like challenging myself,” said McPherson, “it always keeps me on my feet.” However, while the stylist loves to showcase, she also wishes more persons would be part of the cosmetic expression. She believes that no one should hold back and hide the skills they possess in this field, since she knows that the inventive hands are out there. “If you have a passion for something just go for it,” related McPherson, saying that she would love for more stylists to take part in cosmetic competitions locally and redefine artistry in Guyana. She will next be contesting in a hair/ nail stylist competition at the Marriott Hotel in July, and is looking forward to the phenomenal hair and nail styles that will change how Guyana views cosmetics.

(From page 19)

PROPERTY FOR SALE 6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms house and land at Mon Repos (Martyrsville) $13M negotiable – Call: 629-5300 Corner lot with building foundation at Sec ‘A’ Block ‘X’ Diamond E.B.D- Tel: 2335106; 609-3701 1 Flat concrete house @ Kururu Kururu Linden Soesdyke Highway, size 38X20, land 100X200 – $8M negotiable-Tel: 592-661-6073; 694-1090

Monday March 02, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 19

SALON Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Sale! Sale! 2004 Toyota Premo: TV, CD, DVD, fully loaded, unregistered - $2.2M. Call: 642-7295 Pure bred pit bull pups – Tel: 661-1601

WANTED 1 Mechanic to work in the interior; must know about Cummings & Perkins Engine. Tel: 691-6260 One female dispatcher at Classic Ride Taxi Service at 18 Nandy Park, E.B.D- Call: 233-5227 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer,fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, Call: 225-9032,6472943 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE – Call: 260-4762.

VEHICLE FOR SALE Ducklings: French Mascouie- 1 Tacoma GTT 269 with extra$600 each – Tel:671-2474 cab, mag rim, crash bar- Call: 216-2465, 687-6083, 678-5438 One 12ft aluminum fishing boat asking $320,000- Call: Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price 672-9640 negotiable. – Call: 620-1026 One Honda 4 stroke 15HP outboard motor asking We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & $250,000- Call: 672-9640 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One 2004 NZE $1.750M, One 2001 Stick Shift, Carina 212 $1.9M – Call:616-5974 or 6188703 Canter: Short Based - $2.2M, Voxy $1.7M, Spacio $2.1M, (all never registered) – Call: 617-2891 Toyota Vigo smart cab for sale - $3.3M negotiable; Spacio$1.550M – Call: 668-4553 Toyota Mark 11 GX90$1.1M, Ford F150 - $1.2M, good condition – Call: 6106066 2005 F350 Ford, door ½, fully loaded 4X4, diesel, automatic, leather interior, 35" tyres & rims; excellent condition – Tel: 610-5370 1 Toyota Vigo, manual transmission – Tel: 6005759 Toyota AT212, AT192, Raum, Premio,Tundra, AE100 Sprinter, Vitz, RZ Bus, EP71 & 825 Starlet, Honda 600RR – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453

FOR SALE

Brand New, Power fist, 6,500 watts gasoline generator (on wheels) 110/240 volts AC/DC – Contact: 617-2205; 681-1032 3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333 Sawmill: Timber Harvester, 30th 25th fully hydraulic, electric motor- Tel: 261-2553 Plants: Palms, hanging baskets, peace lilies, ferns, various Sizes. Tel:227-1157; 624-0495 @ D’Aguiar Park. AMERICAN BULLY PUPS GOTTILINE REMYLINE – CALL: 220-7933; 6674845; 610-0068 1.60 everude engine, caterpillar skidder spare parts, modulim truck spare parts, 75 Yamaha spare partsTel:672-9272; 261-6634 1 Play station 3 game system with 9 games, 1 asus laptop 500 GB memory – Tel: 6708662 Lady Driven Toyota Rav4 PRR – Call Selvin at 622-0137 Pure bred German shepherds – Tel:612-6672; 697-1141 1-XR-650L Motor Cycle, excellent condition- Tel:2271014; 678-5499 White & Brown eggs, ducklings also – Tel:6887291; 652-6425 One Milwaukee M12 drill driver combo, asking $35,000Call: 672-9640 One miller Bluestar 6000 welder generator asking $250,000- Call: 672-9640 Green Heart Piles, Green Heart Logs, Wamara Logs, also rare old coins – Tel: 639-3450 Large China Cabinets $80g, whirlpool heavy duty washing machine $120g 3pcs sofa set -$150g – Call: 6813660 1 Music system, 80 mercury engine, 40 Tohatsu Engine, Hilux extra cab fiber glass cover – Tel:672-9272; 2616634 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 2 Digital stereo surround sound system AM & FM, receiver techniques & Kenwood good as new – Tel: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464 PROPERTY FOR SALE Public Road Grove corner property $25M Negotiable Call: 613-5645 Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land space- Call: 679-3913 FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUA TION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 2-Bedroom upper flat @ 5 Wallers Delight, W.C.D – Tel:674-4929; 662-0187 Apartments for rental @ Nandy Park E.B.D – Tel:2275194; 624-5194 1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 Container Bar 160 Vryheid Lust E.C.D, for bar or any other kind of business – Tel:220-4372 or 690-3129 Wash bay and snackette at Lot 15 Good Hope E.B.E – Tel: 663-2882 Five bedrooms house @ 107 Lamaha Gardens & large parking, AC rooms, hot & cold, purified water system – Call: 661-8908; 335-3590 Unfurnished 3 bedrooms & 1 bedroom apartments in Granville Park E.C.D. Free water & parking – Call: 6813660 Two bedroom apartment in Timeheri – Tel:658-4754 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, , JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 1 Bedroom apartment 25FTX22FT preferably working couple / single working person with no children, price $30,000 –Call: 657-8335

Bartender for more information call: 691-6348; 227-8542 TO LET Fully Furnished vacation General Kitchen Helper – Call home with all amenities- Call Sabrina at 223-9725 (5pm-8pm) during working hours – Call: One Poultry farm to rent 227-1218 preferably W.C.D – Tel: 616Spacious 3 bedrooms 1422 upstairs with inside toilet and LABOURERS & FORKLIFT bath - $50,000 monthly – Call: OPERATORS/HELPER 629-5300 MUST BE HARDWORKING Rooms for rent to working AND ABLE TO WORK persons, for more info call: FLXIBLE HOURS. CALL: 231-8344 622-7611 Rooms & Apartment in Alberttown & Eccles – Call: 225-3234 1 Male & female to work in the Interior to look after layer birds – Tel: 691-6260 Lorry driver to work labour lorry at L.B.I Estate, East Coast Demerara- Call: 2285655; 628-1756 Handyman, care for dogs and yard – Call: 227-2027 V ACANCY Work from home: Earn $5,000 to $20,000 daily, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday - Call: 233-6517/ 638-0595 or www.jobfairworldwide.com RA Soda Factory: Bond Clerk, Accountant, Drivers – Call:330-2399, 330-2772, 6235920 Administration officer CXC subjects or above experience would be priority – Contact number: 668-7104 Alice Zhang, attractive salary. One male (only) shop attendant & one stall for sale @ Stabroek Market, prime location – Tel:679-1151; 225-7794 Experienced drivers with minibus and hire car licence – Call: 645-0025 Honest, reliable, live in domestic – Call: 646-1758 between 9:00am to 3:00pm Experienced dispatcher, taxi & bus drivers @ Princess Hotel Providence- Call: 6165419/265-7076

1 Diesel mechanic to work in Female accounts & sales clerk the interior (backdam), also for porters, Apply in experienced in repairing person @ Alabama Trading Perkins, MWN, Duetz & lister engines – Contact: 661-4265 Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Marketing Assistant, age 21- Contract Cars & Drivers Call: 35yrs: sound education, 227-1720, 227-1721 or 660computer skills, experienced 6102 in a marketing environment – Live in driver with wife, live Call: 227-3801; 694-3103; 665- in domestic, high rates, light 4790 duties – Tel: 227-1830 FACTORY STAFF, GTI / SALESGIRLS: MATURE GITC Male /Female WITH EXPERIENCED IN A graduates preferred. HARDWARE STORE, CANTER DRIVERS, MONDAY – SATURDAY MARKETINGASSISTANT, 8AM-5PM. RUIMVELDT Drivers Licence required , INDUSTRIALESTATE. TEL: GUARDS. Tel: 266 4427 231-8529 Bag packer/ porter- apply One cleaner – Call: 225-3234 with written application & FOR SALE/RENTAL passport size picture to Survival @ 173 Sheriff St.- American pool table – Tel: Call:227-5286/9. 277-0578

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807

LAND FOR SALE Land @ William Street Kitty; size: 38FT wide by 116FT length, reasonable price – Tel: 664-0829 One residential land at Herstellling Plot ‘B’ E.B.D $4.5M Tel: 661-0618; 6013469; 600-1062 Measuring 90’X165’ facing Atlantic Ocean, approximately half mile from Sheriff Street on High Way. Contact Shiv: 600-6681 Land @ William Street Kitty; Size: 79FT wide by 116FT length, price $60M Negotiable - Tel: 664-0829 Continued on page 18

DRESSMAKING Designing & Sewing classes, ladies wear, curtains etc. (CanadianTrained Tutor), Schoon-Ord, W.B.D- Tel:6262629, 676-6312

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 02, 2015

THIRD LIST THREAT …Gary Griffith, ILP, MSJ, JTUM hoping for new alliance Trinidad Guardian - An umbrella body as a political vehicle—and possibly another party—which Gary and Nicole Dyer-Griffith are building with Jack Warner’s ILP, the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), and other small groups held its first meeting Saturday. But former COP leader, Winston Dookeran, has hesitated regarding any talks with the entity. The development towards yet another political alternative came three weeks after Griffith was axed from the PP Cabinet—and former attorney general Anand Ramlogan resigned— because of Police Complaints Authority Director David West’s witness-tampering allegations against Ramlogan. Griffith has given police a statement corroborating West’s allegations. Griffith said two initial meetings towards forming the umbrella body were held recently. But the entity’s first official meeting was held yesterday with ten people including Warner. The meeting followed resignations from the COP by Griffith’s wife, Nicole DyerGriffith, last week Sunday, several Diego Martin COP officials and businessmen Joe Pires and Conrad Aleong. The latter two were among those who pioneered the COP. Aleong was also involved in the now-defunct Citizens Alliance with Wendell Mottley (now Unit Trust chairman). Griffith said, “The two larger parties will require this third force to win and form government. Due to the loss of confidence with the COP there are 200,000 marginal (floating) voters. We’ll galvanise them under this Asked if the group included PNMites from Arima who were fragmented over the rejection of Penny Beckles-Robinson as PNM candidate in the next general election, he also said, “Not yet.” On whether the new force would seek to link with the PNM, Griffith said the PNM had signalled during the term that it was not averse to linking with other parties. He said the perception had been that third forces should automatically join with the UNC, but, he said, the UNC treated them with disrespect “like COP’s.” He said he didn’t know the impact of the vehicle on the PNM, but felt both the PNM and UNC wanted Warner’s support. He said the 200,000 floating voters were largely middle class, but also included PNM and UNC “grassroots.” Griffith said: “ILP got more Local Government votes than COP. While ILP now may not be as strong as it was, it had grassroots support from all sides. An amalgam of all our groups, possibly even COP, will be the foundation of a formidable third force.” Griffith said planning continues this week with “other affiliates.” Griffith suggested Dookeran’s view be sought on the umbrella body. But Dookeran, when contacted on whether he would join the group was briefly silent, before saying, “I don’t know about that at all...” UNC deputy leader Suruj Rambachan said, “We wish them well. The public is much more intelligent than to throw away their votes and cause the PNM to slip into office, knowing the PP has delivered on its performance promises.” Dookeran on Thursday said he felt “reconceptualisation “ is needed and dialogue with the COP and Dyer-Griffith was positive. That was in response to her statement that she said she wanted to talk to him about his 2014 book, where Dookeran said the “political crisis is here, in 2014 and fragmented society wanted the highest ground of noble purpose.” Dookeran noted calls for new approach to politics and government” and this requiring a new initiative and reconceptualisation of political strategy. Dookeran is having a minor eye operation and is going to a Caricom meeting in Berlin next week. Former COP chairman Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan said she heard about the Griffith group, but declined comment.

Belize, Trinidad consent to receive onsite Anti-Corruption Mechanism visits Antigua Observer – (CMC) - The Organization of American States (OAS) says the governments of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay have given their consent to receive on site visits as part of the Fifth Round of the Mechanism for Follow-up on the Implementation of the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption (MESICIC). The OAS said the five countries notified the MESICIC Technical Secretariat of their decisions in accordance with the Methodology for Conducting On-site Visits. It said the five countries also consented to and received on-site visits during the Fourth Round of Review. For the Fifth Round, which begins in March, the OAS said the MESICIC Committee of Experts will review the implementation of the provisions in Article III, paragraphs 3 and 12 of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption which refer to the “needed instruction to government personnel and the study of preventive measures that take into a c c o u n t the relationship between equitable compensation and probity in public service”. The OAS said the Committee will analyze the follow-up on the recommendations formulated to the States Parties in the Second Round on topics such as public procurement, hiring of public servants, whistleblower protection and the criminalization of acts of corruption under the Convention. The OAS said the “affirmative answers” from the five countries join those previously expressed by Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, México, Panamá, Peru and Uruguay.

Gary Griffith umbrella body and let the two major parties, who have 250,000 voters each, know they cannot win without our backing. This is to ensure there’s no repeat of 2010. “Marginal voters have no intention to support a Sat Maharaj-type Government— according to his recent comments—in which marginal voters are viewed as a nuisance and irrelevant.” In yesterday’s TG political column, Warner confirmed he and Griffith had continued speaking after Griffith took over Warner ’s National Security portfolio in 2013 and he intended now to speak to both Griffiths. Warner hinted another coalition would arise “at the appropriate time. Asked if Warner was coordinating the effort, Griffith said Warner was just one of several involved. Griffith said the core group included “major activists and people, including Fixin’ T&T.” He said the ten at yesterday’s meeting represented various groups and that the group had the backing of business people. He referred the Sunday Guardian to MSJ’s David Abdulah, but Abdulah did not answer his cellphone. Asked if OWTU leader Ancel Roget, who belongs to the JTUM, was on board, Griffith said, “Not yet.”

Cuba and US to expand technical meetings in coming weeks WASHINGTON, USA — Cuba and the United States will hold workshops on new topics of common interest such as telecommunications, marine protected areas and human rights, the head of the Cuban delegation to the Cuba-US talks, Josefina Vidal, said at a press conference in Washington. After the second round of talks to address the process of restoration of diplomatic relations, Vidal said the two governments have had in recent years bilateral meetings to discuss topics such as mail, migration, among others, but in the coming weeks the range of these issues will be expanded. She said that it is possible to have technical meetings with the US, regardless of parallel process to restore diplomatic relations. Vidal also said that progress has been achieved in the latest round of talks between Cuba and the US on Friday. “We managed to outline the positions of both countries on the issues that are necessary to discuss in this process. I’m optimistic that in the coming weeks we can see results on these issues, which will enable us to move towards the restoration of relations and opening of embassies,” she said. “We attended this meeting in a constructive spirit, and I can say that the meeting was conducted in a respectful and professional climate,” Vidal said. Cuba reiterated on Friday the importance of resolving its ongoing concerns in order to create the right context to restore diplomatic relations. The Cuban delegation

Josefina Vidal addressed the issue of the exclusion of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of international terrorism, and the provision of financial services to the island’s US Interests Section in Washington, which for more than a year has lacked such framework for its operations. The US delegation said it is working on both issues.

CARICOM committee to tackle ‘bad banking image’ Trinidad Express – CMC - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders have agreed to establish a committee of finance ministers to work with the Caribbean Association of Banks to develop a plan to deal with the region being unjustly labelled as a highrisk area for financial services. “Because in many cases our indigenous banks cannot provide a high level of reward, correspondent banks are closing their relationships with them because of the claim that the Caribbean is a high risk area for financial services. “Unless this situation is addressed with urgency, the indigenous banks in each of our countries will be adversely affected in their operations,” CARICOM chairman and The Bahamas Prime Minist e r P e r r y Christie said following the two-day inter-sessional summit that ended on Friday. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who described the banking situation as ‘this very vexing issue” noted that “corresponding banks in the United States as well as Europe have continued to implement a policy to sever corresponding relationships with several banks within the region”. He said the Caribbean Association of Banks had assets in excess of US$30 billion and members are a “very important part of the region’s system so that if they are unable to settle their transactions in the US, in Canada and Britain, clearly it has serious implications for the payment system within the Caribbean region and certainly for the economies of our respective countries.

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Modi passes budget test Bangladesh rallies for free speech despite lack of reform dazzle after U.S. blogger’s murder NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) - India’s reformminded prime minister, Narendra Modi, appears to have passed a major test with a budget that pleased economists and investors with pledges to spend more on modernising India’s ageing roads and railways while keeping borrowing in check. The budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday loosened the reins on public spending to drive growth, but promised lower-than-expected borrowing despite raising the fiscal deficit target. While it was short on the “big bang” reform measures that free-market champions have been calling for since Modi took office with a strong mandate last year, the budget won plaudits for moves to cut corporate tax and make India more competitive. That should help temper bond traders’ concerns of a glut of government debt and avoid a big sell-off when markets open today. “Despite the higher fiscal deficit; the market borrowing number is below market expectations,” said Arvind The budget had been billed in advance as “make or break” for Modi’s efforts to bring new vigour Asia’s third largest economy. India, a major energy importer, is seeking to take advantage of swooning oil prices to mount a dash for growth that would see it eclipse rival China as a motor of the global economy. Some have questioned Jaitley’s arithmetic, warning it could come undone if oil prices rise and that his budget included optimistic targets for revenues from partial privatisations and other nontax receipts. “We notice a 400 billion rupees ($6.5 billon) swing in ‘other receipts’ which is helping fund the extra fiscal deficit. Whether that ‘other’ materializes is up to question but as for now the lower budgeted borrowing should keep bond markets happy,” said Chari. Other critics say Jaitley should have made a bolder statement to reduce India’s expensive food and fertilizer subsidies, a move the government may have felt was more difficult politically after defeat in a state election made Modi look less invincible.

Narendra Modi Chari, head of fixed income and alternatives at Quantum Advisors in Mumbai. Stocks, which some investors say are over-valued and risked a 6-8 percent crash if the budget disappointed, ended up nearly 1 percent on the NSE market, which opened in a special session during the budget speech. “We think the budget is positive for growth and the (Indian rupee),” HSBC Global Research said in a note to investors, who will now be focusing keenly on Modi’s ability to deliver on his programme.

Bangladeshi social activists participate in a rally to protest against the killing of Avijit Roy, a prominent Bangladeshi-American blogger in Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday. DHAKA (Reuters) Bangladeshis gathered yesterday to pay tribute to an American blogger and critic of religious extremism who was hacked to death in Dhaka, in the latest of a series of attacks on writers in the predominantly Muslim nation. Avijit Roy, an engineer of Bangladeshi origin, was killed by machete-wielding assailants on Thursday while returning from a book fair. His wife and fellow blogger Rafida Ahmed suffered head injuries and lost a finger. She remains in hospital in a serious condition. The attack came amid a crackdown on hardline Islamist groups, which have increased activities in recent years to turn the secular South Asian nation of 160 million people into a Shariabased country. Mourners gathered with flowers yesterday to pay their respects to Avijit, who was in his native city on a visit from the United States. Students, professors and writers were among those laying flowers on Avijit’s coffin, placed in the grounds of Dhaka University. “Free thinking in Bangladesh is becoming a great danger, all the free thinkers are at great risk,” writer Shahriar Kabir said. “We want to know why the government failed to ensure the safety of him, despite knowing that he had been facing threats from the Islamist radicals.” No arrests have been made. A demonstration was also held at the spot where Avijit was killed. Protesters chanted slogans demanding the “immediate arrest and quick trial of the perpetrators”.

North Korea, angered by drills, fires short-range missiles off coast SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired two short-range missiles off its east coast today, a South Korean military official said, a move seen as a protest against annual military exercises between South Korea and the United States that were due to start hours later. The missiles hit the sea early this morning after traveling for about 490 km (305 miles), the official said. The firing came on the day when the U.S.-South Korean military exercises were scheduled to begin. The secretive North denounces the drills as a preparation for war. Pyongyang has escalated its rhetoric against the drills, with a spokesman for its army general staff saying Washington and Seoul “should be dealt with only by merciless strikes”. North Korea frequently tests short-range missiles off its coast as part of military drills. The United Nations has imposed sanctions banning North Korea from launching longer-range ballistic missiles but not short-range missiles.

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‘Jihadi John’ part of network linked to CCTV shows British schoolgirls in Istanbul failed London bombers - court papers on way to Syria – media (Reuters) - Security footage appears to show three British schoolgirls, believed to be on their way to join Islamic State militants, waiting for hours at a bus station in Turkey before travelling to a city near the Syrian border, media reported yesterday.British police and the girls’ families have issued urgent appeals for their daughters to return home after they flew to Istanbul from London on Feb. 17. Friends Amira Abase, 15, Shamima Begum, 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, are thought to have since entered Syria, British police have said. European governments have called on Turkey to stem the flow of foreign fighters to Syria, and British Prime Minister David Cameron has urged social media firms to do more to deal with online extremism, saying the girls appeared to have been radicalised “in their bedrooms.” The CCTV pictures, dated Feb. 17 and Feb. 18, are from Bayrampasa bus station on the European side of Istanbul, which the girls reached by metro from the airport, Milliyet newspaper said, citing police sources. They say the girls spent 18 hours at Bayrampasa before boarding a bus to travel to Sanlifurfa, 50 km (30 miles) from the Syrian border region controlled by Islamic State militants. Turkish police are trying to identify people seen in the footage helping the girls with their luggage at the bus station. Turkey has complained that Britain was late in notifying it about the girls’ arrival, a charge London rejects. British police said yesterday that about 60 young women and girls were now believed to have travelled to Syria from Britain, including about 22 in the last year. “When I say young, all but four of those 22 were aged 20 or younger,” Helen Ball, deputy assistant commissioner of London’s Metropolitan Police, told BBC TV. “The last five who have travelled were aged 15 and 16, so this is a growing problem and it is one of real concern.” British security agencies estimate that about 600 British Muslims have travelled to the region to join the conflict, some with Islamic State, the extremist Sunni Muslim group that controls a swathe of territory in Syria and Iraq. (Reuters) - Islamist militant Mohammed Emwazi, identified as ‘Jihadi John’, was a member of a network in contact with one of the men convicted of trying to bomb the British capital’s underground railway in 2005, according to the government. The man dubbed by British media “Jihadi John” has fronted Islamic State videos from Syria that showed either the killing or bodies of victims including British, U.S. and Japanese citizens and Syrian soldiers. U.S. security sources last week identified the man, who appeared clad in black and brandishing a knife, as Mohammed Emwazi. The British government’s view is set out in court papers, reviewed by Reuters and publicly available on the Internet, which refer to 2011 and 2013 British legal hearings concerning two of Emwazi’s London associates, known only as Iranian-born “CE” and Ethiopian-born “J1.” The court papers reported in the Observer and Sunday Telegraph newspapers, offer a fleeting glimpse of Emwazi’s life in London before he left for Syria. They show that Emwazi was known to Britain’s security services as early as

Mohammed Emwazi, identified as ‘Jihadi John’ 2011 and that they believed he was part of a group involved in procuring funds and equipment “for terrorism-related purposes” in Somalia. They show that authorities thought Emwazi was part of a network that numbered at least 12 people. One of the same network’s members, “J1”, spoke on the phone with Hussain Osman, one of the men convicted in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to blow up the London underground in 2005, on the day of the failed attack itself, the papers show. British Islamists killed 52 people in an attack on London’s transport network on July 7, 2005. Another group of Islamists — of which Osman was one — tried and failed to pull off a second attack two weeks later. Osman, who like “J1” was also born in Ethiopia, was convicted by a London court of conspiracy to murder in 2007 and sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison. The same documents show that “J1”, Emwazi’s associate, was stopped by police in Scotland in 2004 with three others wearing plastic gloves. The men said they were on their way to an area where the authorities said an extremist training camp was being held.The camp’s organiser, a man identified in court papers only as Hamid, was subsequently convicted of soliciting to murder and of providing terrorism training. Four of the men involved in the failed London bombings had attended a

similar camp organised by Hamid earlier that same year, the court papers said. The 2011 court papers pertained to a case between the British government and “CE” over the authorities’ decision to relocate him outside London as a preventative measure. The 2013 papers referred to an immigration appeal case between the British government and “J1.” The legal documents came to public attention as a political row over the way Britain handles militants broke out with the opposition Labour Party accusing Prime Minister David Cameron’s government of “tying the hands” of security services with insufficiently robust legislation. Separately, a dispute flared between Cameron’s Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats — their junior coalition partners — over what guidance should be given to universities to prevent militant preachers spreading their message. The Liberal Democrats said they wanted to ensure that only people known to be inciting violence, rather than advocating Islamic caliphates, were prevented from debating.

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Digicel/Bounty Farm Handicap Squash tourney

Lucas Jonas & Jason Khalil take top honors By Sean Devers The Digicel/Bounty Farm Ltd Handicap Squash tournament climaxed yesterday at the Georgetown Club’s Squash Court with high standard displays which saw national Men’s senior player Jason Khalil emerging victorious against National Under-19 Boys Champions Nyron Joseph in a riveting final in the Open Category while 12-year-old Lucas Jonas whipped his nine yearold sibling Etham, to capture the crown in the junior division. Jason Gomes +4 beat Kamir Khan +7 15–11, 15–13 to win the Category ‘A’ Plate final while Alex Cheeks, who produced a solid exhibition of squash throughout the tournament, defeated Joe Mekdeci 15–11, 15–12 in the Open plate final. The Open final entertained the spectators which included several parents and family members with pulsating Squash and lasted for more than an hour and when the dust had finally settled 20 year-old Jason Khalil -24 had defeated 18 year-old Nyron Joseph -16 by two games to one. Because of the handicaps the match started at -8 to zero and Jason was quickly into his stride, easily overcoming the handicap and evened the scores at 5-5. The rallies were long and hard and Jason seemed to relax when he caught up Nyron. Things became close as first Jason won a point then Nyron even things. Nyron took a 13-9 lead and looked well set to win the first game but Jason held his nerve and won the next six points to win the first game 15-13. After the first-game win Jason, who will represent Guyana at the Pan American Games in Canada in July, appeared complacent and was never into the second game allowing Nyron to score ten points before Jason reached to zero with Nyron winning the second game easily 15-4. The third game was brutal as both players were retrieving shots that seemed impossible. Jason reached to zero with Nyron at five points and even though Nyron won the next three points to go to eight he seemed to be getting tired and started making errors. Jason capitalized and maintained the pressure to win the next six points, getting to six before Nyron went to nine and even though Nyron won two other points Jason eventually won the game 15-11 and the match. This was a great test for Nyron, a member of the CASA junior defending Champions Guyana which will aim to take their 11th consecutive championship in July in Barbados. Guyana are Boys, Girls and Overall champions and the girls team will travel directly from Barbados to Egypt where they will compete in the Women’s World Junior Team Championships. In the category ‘A’ final Lucas Jonas -3 faced off with his brother Ethan Jonas -1 and in the first game Lucas won the first eight points before Ethan captured his first point. However, Ethan could get no further than seven as Lucas won the first game 15-7. The second game was no different to the first as again Lucas won the first eight points before Ethan secured his first point and even though Ethan got closer in this game he lost it 15-9. There was no play off for third place in the Open category as Raphael De Groot unfortunately had to leave town so he defaulted both his semi-final match against Joseph the previous evening and the third place match against Nicholas Narain yesterday. In the category ‘A’ third place playoff Michael Alphonso -1 played Demetrius DeAbeu -1. Demetrius won a close first game 15-13 but Michael bounced back to take the second game 15-10 and then comfortably won the third game 15-6. In the quarter finals on Saturday evening Joseph beat female national player Ash l e y K h a l i l , f o r m e r National Champion Regan Pollard lost to national player Nicholas Narain, Jason Khalil opposed national Under-17 champion Ben Mekdeci who won in straight sets 15-7, 15-6. The most entertaining of the quarter final matches was between Raphael de Groot and John Maikoo with de Groot eventually prevailing. In Category ‘A’ quarter final play, Lucas Jonas beat Kirsten Gomes, Michael Alphonso defeated James Mekdeci, Liam Carpenter proved to be no match for Ethan Jonas and Demetrius De Abreu was victorious against Madison Fernandes. The tournament attracted 60 players. Overall Results: Open Category Final Jason Ray Khalil -24 defeated Nyron Joseph -16, 15-13, 4-15, 15-11. Third place - Nicholas Narain won by walkover from Raphael De Groot. Open Category Plate Final - Alexander Cheeks +7 beat Joe Mekdeci 0, 15-11, 1512. Third place - Tiffany Soloman got a walkover from Stephen Fernandes. Category ‘A’ Final - Lucas Jonas -3 beat Ethan Jonas -1, 15-7, 15-9. Third Place - Michael Alphonso -1 beat Demetrius De Abreu -1, 13-15, 15-10, 156. Category ‘A’ Plate Final - Jason Gomes +4 beat Kamir Khan +7, 15-11, 15-13. Third place - Paige Fernandes +10 defeated Chad De Abreu +11, 15-9, 157. The presentation of prizes was done by Stephen Fernandes and Dr Peter De Groot representatives of the sponsors Bounty Farm Ltd.

ICC World Cup

Pakistan beat Zimbabwe to keep hopes alive Former champions Pakistan survived a scare to pull off a dramatic 20-run victory over Zimbabwe and record their first win at the 2015 World Cup. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq’s stubborn 73 and a fiery half-century from pace bowler Wahab Riaz helped the 1992 winners recover from 4-2 to reach 235-7. Brendan Taylor’s 50 looked to have put Zimbabwe on course for a famous win. But Mohammad Irfan, with career-best one-day international figures of 4-30, and Riaz (4-45) won it for Pakistan. Riaz became the first Pakistani to score a fifty and take four wickets in the same World Cup match - and only the eighth cricketer to achieve the feat. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan were rocking at 1-1 and 4-2 as Tendai Chatara claimed the wickets of openers Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad. But skipper Misbah played a vital innings, steadying the ship as wickets regularly fell around him - including two in one over when Williams dismissed Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi in the space of three balls. Afridi, celebrating his 35th birthday, went for a duck. Only a late flurry from Riaz - his 54 coming from 55 balls - injected some urgency into the Pakistan innings and gave them a meaningful total to defend. Zimbabwe lost Sikander Raza and Chamu Chibhabha cheaply - Irfan taking both - but Taylor’s half-century and Sean Williams’ 33 from 32 balls took them to 128-3 and appeared to put them on course for victory. However, Riaz repeated his batting heroics with the ball, sharing eight wickets with fellow left-arm paceman Irfan as Zimbabwe crumbled. Injured captain Elton Chigumbura, who was helped off the field with a suspected quadricep tear while fielding, tried valiantly to steer Zimbabwe to victory but was last man out for a run-a-ball 35. Pakistan 235-7 (50 overs): Misbah-ul-Haq 73, Riaz 54 not out, Chatara 3-35. Zimbabwe 215-9 (49.5 overs): Taylor 50, Irfan 4-30, Riaz 4-45. Pakistan won by 20 runs. (BBCsport)

England thrash by Sri Lanka England slipped to a third crushing defeat in four World Cup games as Sri Lanka comfortably chased 310 to win by nine wickets in Wellington. Lahiru Thirimanne hit an unbeaten 139 and Kumar Sangakkara 117 not out to seal victory with 16 balls to spare. Earlier, Joe Root made 121 as England accelerated late on to post 309-6. But Sri Lanka showed that to be nowhere near enough and England will almost certainly be eliminated if they lose either of their final two games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan. If opening defeats by Australia and New Zealand and victory over Scotland were expected, then this fixture was supposed to be the best indicator of England’s chances of progressing far into the World Cup. As it turned out, a third one-sided reverse at the hands of Test opposition leaves England clinging to their hopes of reaching the last eight. Indeed, if Bangladesh beat Scotland on Thursday, then England will go out if they lose either of their remaining group games. While their previous game in Wellington, an eight-wicket thrashing by New Zealand, was humiliating for its rapid nature, this latest loss was perhaps more dispiriting. England 309-6 (50 overs): Root 121, Bell 49. Sri Lanka 312-1 (47.2 overs): Thirimanne 139*, Sangakkara 117*. Sri Lanka won by nine wickets. (BBCsport)