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AIETEUR
p. Five years later... 15 Tuesday Edition
Guyana moves NEWS to review oil laws without policy for guidance
May 12, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 19
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Observers blocked from receiving statement of recount after first week p. 3
Media left out in the cold
T
he members of the media covering the elections recount were left to brave the elements yesterday as strong winds and rain beat into the makeshift media centre set up on the lawns at the entrance to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Even as the country battles COVID-19, these reporters and
Fire razes several buildings in Bartica p. 13
cameramen could not practice social distancing, as they were forced to huddle together to prevent themselves getting soaked. With the May/June rainy season setting in, these operatives will have to cope not just the rain itself but possible damage to their equipment, as well as water seeping into the electrical charging ports exposing them to the possibility of electrocution.
Coalition refuses to call GECOM to revise 25-day p. elections 'not credible'p.7 3
recount timeline today
- despite detailed claims of 'flaws' in the process Commissioner Aurora Alexander says...
AG’s Chambers had advised GECOM againstp. initial Caricom recount 16
slows operations pending EPA approval, p. warns of downsizing 2
- Sector union says retrenchment part of a disturbing trend
Pres. Granger gave order to block Carter Center
p. 8
- Foreign Ministry letter
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Aurora slows operations pending EPA approval, warns of downsizing - Sector union says retrenchment part of a disturbing trend
J
ust two weeks after announcing a partial acquisition deal with Silvercorp Metals Inc, Aurora Gold Mine (AGM), a Canadian majorityowned large-scale gold mining operation in Guyana, has notified workers of an operational slowdown as well as pending retrenchments. In a letter to workers yesterday, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alan Pangbourne said that its transition to underground mining would not take place without an interruption in the Aurora, Cuyuni, Region 7 operations mine site. The company is the country's largest gold mining operations but has come under flak for not only shareholders' troubles but its generous tax concessions, among other things. It began full commercial operations in 2016. The CEO said that the reduction of the workforce will affect both locals and expatriates. He gave a range of reasons for the actions taken including “financial conditions, COVID-19
issues, travel restrictions, and pending approval from the EPA on the company's Revised Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) permit for underground mining.” He said that the reduction in workforce is expected to take place between mid-May 2020 and end of June 2020. “…the company will,” wrote Pangbourne, “follow the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act and will make those positions which are no longer needed redundant. Those of you affected will be paid their statutory notice period and severance entitlements in keeping with the Act. This will include recognition of your years of service with AGM, as applicable. We will ensure that each of you will be treated in a respectful and thoughtful manner. We will communicate with you again later this week to advise you of the timing and positions impacted.” The National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG) (continued on page 10)
Aurora Gold Mines
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 12, 2020
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GECOM to revise 25 day recount - 261 ballot boxes completed timeline today at the end of Day 6 T
he Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) will be meeting today to deliberate on several issues emerging from the ongoing national elections recount, including a revision of the 25-day timeline for completion. It has been six days since the recount commenced and representatives from the opposition People's Progressive Party (PPP) along with the newer political parties have complained that the Commission may not be able to achieve that 25-day deadline set. Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Commission, Yolanda Ward had stated that the Commission after having
GECOM PRO, Yolanda Ward a gauge of the first week of the recount would deliberate on whether the timeline would be extended. This meeting will happen tomorrow and Ward told the press that the public should
have definitive word on whether this will be done. At the end of day six, GECOM has counted 261 of the total 2,339 ballot boxes during the national recount exercise, currently ongoing
daily at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara. Ward, said to the press last evening that for day, 15 boxes were counted from Region One, 11 from Region Two, 15 from Region Three and 12 from Region Four, the region with the most controversial election results. She went on to say t h a t y e s t e r d a y, 2 4 7 Statements of Recount (SORs) from the General Elections were tabulated along with 235 from the Regional Elections. In a release sent out last evening, the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), appealed for the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (ret'd) Claudette
Singh, Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, and the Deputy CEO, Roxanne Myers to give daily updates to the press and to defend the integrity of the elections. Since the recount process has commenced, none of those officials have given direct updates to the media. Meanwhile, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) stated in a release yesterday that during the tabulation, the Observation Reports with unverified allegations and objections are being broadcast publicly without GECOM conducting any investigation as to whether the objections were factual or lawful and without comment from GECOM as to their accuracy or
truthfulness. Against this backdrop the PSC said, “It is our considered view that it is extremely dangerous to be publicizing unproven allegations for public consumption. We consider it most unfortunate that the Observation Reports are being used to disseminate unverified information in this manner and urge that you instruct that the Observation Reports not be broadcast unless or until its contents are verified.” The Commission made a decision that GECOM staffers must ensure that the language used to document allegations in the Observation Report make it clear that those allegations have not been authenticated.
Observers blocked from receiving statement of recount after first week By Shikema Dey
T
he Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) has halted a practice it had taken up, to give Statements of Recount
(SOR) to all local and international observers participating in the national recount at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. S i n c e t h e commencement of the recount process on May 6, all
observers and party agents along with the CARICOM scrutinising team were handed signed copies of the SORs. H o w e v e r, G E C O M backpedaled on this decision y e s t e r d a y, e x c l u d i n g
A Poem for All World Leaders ...
The Creator is in command So suddenly we realize The Creator is in command New York, the “city that never sleeps” is now asleep, all quiet Paris, the “center of romance”, lives in echoes Rome, the “eternal city”, is deserted Disney is out of magic London is caged in silence, the Queen speaks to her people from a hidden room Mecca is empty! Nobody to ‘stone the devil’ The great wall of China is no longer a fortress The powerful nations of the world are speechless The developed countries of the world are suddenly on their knees. Churches, Synagogues, Temples, Mosques, are silent. Theaters, movie halls, great parks, monuments, stadiums, beaches, are now filled with unfilled spaces. The busiest places at present were hitherto the most dreaded: hospitals and cemeteries. The famous sports leagues the fashion shows, exotic weddings, festivals...all lost to memory. Celebrities have run out of celebrations. Our titles, status and privileged positions
are stale With all our boastful ‘citizenships’ we cannot step out of our houses With all our savings in gold and cash, we can only buy food to eat and toilet paper to take care of the waste. We usually went to watch animals in cages, now animals roam our empty streets, watching us in our ‘cages’ With our expensive clothes and shoes, our house clothes and pajamas are the latest fashion. AND despite all these ‘oddities’ ...the world still goes on; the sun still shines; the birds still sing; our God is still on His Throne. When this long night finally gets over and a new day sets in, let us not forget the lesson of the long night - that the only essential is LIFE, the rest are but dispensable prefixes and suffixes LET’S LIVE LIFE, WITH A PURPOSE AND TO THE FULLEST: TO BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE, AND TO PLEASE GOD - OUR CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND SAVIOUR. THIS WORLD IS NOT A PERMANENT DWELLING PLACE... ALL IS VANITY LET US ALL PRAY AND HEAL
observers from being given copies. When the question of the discontinuing of the practice was put to GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander during a briefing at the recount site yesterday, he offered that it is not provided in the order for the recount for GECOM to give the documents to the observers. The order states that the result of the general and regional recount of each ballot box shall be recorded as provided for on a
statement of recount upon the completion of the recount of each box. Further, the order outlines that the statements of recount shall be signed by the person conducting the recount and by the representative of each contesting party present, in the presence of the CARICOM Scrutinising Team, representatives of political parties that contested the said elections, International and Local Observers accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission, and advisors to the Guyana Elections Commission. Asked why it was being
done in the first place, Alexander said that it was an error. He noted that while it was brought to the attention of the Commission, it was the Secretariat who advised that it be corrected. Alexander also pointed out that it is not the standard operating procedure for observers participating in Guyana's elections or anywhere else, after he had been asked why GECOM would not let them have the statements anyway. The CARICOM team however, will continue to receive the statements, since they are scrutineers, not observers.
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Political party financing - bargains with the devil In this most incredible and most disturbing of elections seasons, what is slowly making their way to the surfaces of public awareness are some of the things long suspected and which have long troubled. They are of private investments into the heart of the political process that leave with premonitions of what could turn out to be most unfavourable to the welfare of this nation. It is of men and practices in the netherworld of Guyanese politics that point to how far things have progressed and how deeply they have reached. How far is too far and how deep is too deep is the question. The first thing to be recognised and be put on the table is that, with regard to national elections currently, there are few, if any, restraining legal provisions and requirements as to financing and involvement. Local elections territory is, at present, a wide-open frontier to be mapped out, dived into, and exploited with hopes and dreams of reaping the richest rewards in due course. It must be remembered that, historically wide-open frontiers, are only conquered by the brave of heart, the sharpest of insights, the most ruthless of hustlers and opportunists and other assorted calculating strategists. A series of timely and relevant questions should enlighten. First, who has what it takes to participate with financial muscle and on a sustained basis? Some expansion should be helpful re muscle: it is who has the deep pockets, as in the hundreds of millions that could be thrown about without a care in the world? Third and staying a tad longer with muscle and money, in times of elections in this country, with this one taking the icing, there is total disregard of concerns as to the source of those funds. That is, from where did such currency originate? And once that is traceable, a still unlikely event here due to lack of interest and a lack of will, could those sources of elections invested wealth stand up to any robust muster, be such of the local variety or of the much more stringent international flavour? In view of the realities of slowed economic environment and very thin profit margins, some of the cash that is carted about and handed over to political parties in this country is nothing less than eye-opening and mindboggling. Any reasonably accurate measurement of elections financing monies ends up in one realm only, which is in the staggering nine-digit column. And that is on the low conservative side. The reality of hundreds of millions, maybe as much as, in aggregate, more than a few billions in private elections financing, begs this first question of how so much when business margins are so slim, as attested to by one businessperson after another? The next question that comes automatically in this warped domestic terrain is: with so much given so freely, what is expected? This much can be said with a good degree of accuracy: it has to be that much is expected, since nothing is free, and not with the numbers as they have played out. As the brutal elections and political fights continue unceasingly, watching citizens should be concerned as to the implications of such generosity by Guyanese operators to the two Guyanese political powers. We here at this publication are concerned. At this time, all the attention, time, and energies are focused almost exclusively on elections processes and probable (hopedfor) elections outcomes. There is little by way of regulations and all those other components of governance that were long denounced, and long afflicted us so heavily. To revisit well-traveled ground, this means lands and licences and illegitimate practices by both those coming to seek favours, along with those in a position to grant them or influence the granting of them. When so much money of dubious origins are donated to grasping politicians, under the perfect cover of elections supports, there is sure to be those, who would come looking to reap returns on their timely and calculated investments of cash, company equipment, and time of highflying donors, who trumpet democracy. Time will confirm whether it is really democracy, or only the perpetuation of criminality. Political bargains are being made with the devil.
A democratic and credible election is the only win-win situation DEAR EDITOR, The national recount is proving to be a huge embarassment not only to the APNU-AFC but the GECOM Secretariat. The near match between the Statements of Recount (SORs) and the Statements of Poll (SOPs) in possession of the PPP and released to the public is now posing some serious credibility issues for GECOM particularly with respect to Region Four. My sense is that as the recount progresses the disparaties will become even more apparent which will
serve to substantiate the position taken by the PPP that it won the elections by a comfortable majority. There is a way out of the dilemma. President Granger could suggest to GECOM that the process of the recount be halted and restricted only to District Four which inevitably will substantiate a PPP/C victory. Resorting to ‘redherrings’ and other forms of frivolous and largely unsubstantiated objections will not materially change the outcome of the elections except for casting an element of ‘doubt’ over the
integrity of the elections which incidentally President Granger has already pronounced as being fair and credible. This is unlikely to change the narrative of a flawed declaration of the Region Four results by the Returning Officer. And while there is no such thing as an entirely flawless elections, the important and critical factor is whether such flaws, real or imagined, are enough to materially change the outcome of the elections. The APNU-AFC and President Granger stands to
gain from accepting the results of the elections and conceding that it lost the elections. The winners in the end will be the people of Guyana.The country will continue along a democratic trajectory which will earn the full respect of the local and international community. This elections transcends the confines of party politics. It is about the future of Guyana. A democratic and credible election is the only win-win situation which should be accepted and embraced by all. Hydar Ally
Sanctions are for terminal cases DEAR EDITOR, It has eased into the Guyanese background currently. But the international community keeps repeating the echoes that started from right here in Guyana, and from the lips of so-called concerned Guyanese patriots. I speak of those calls, no matter how well-positioned then, or how muted now, that were for sanctions. I disagree with those calls. I disagree strenuously and sharply with any calls for sanctions. This is regardless of the political group, or commercial sector, or civic entity, or professional body from which such calls originate. I abhor them and call them for what they are treasonous. No one can look at themselves in the mirror, or fellow citizens in the face, and say that they are about national selfdetermination, when they find psychic satisfaction in resorting to reaching for and encouraging the pain of international sanctions upon their own country, on the peoples with whom they share birthright and space. None can make such a call, or be part of such thinking, and from the side of their mouth and with a straight face persuade me (or should be able to do so to anyone else) that they are about l o v e o f c o u n t r y, t h i s country or the very people to whom they appeal for votes and say that they are about them. Those who urge international agencies and influential overseas governments to apply the pressures of sanctions cannot say that they are about healthy and constructive governance of all citizens and then turn around and invite the levying of sanctions; and,
similarly, there is none around who should be allowed to get away with pretending at interest in and prioritising the welfare of voters (citizens) and then turn around and betray them by appealing to the international community for sanctions. Because it is those same hapless citizens, those working-class inhabitants of this battered land, who will be pierced some more, and made to feel the worst impacts from any sanctions meted out. Some reality checks should help. First, those leading the charge for sanctions would be able to access high-priced goods and manage. They will do more than manage; they will prosper. Second, the misery of the poor and deprived bottom feeders would intensify. Third, we will be prime targets for international scavengers to disembowel us (having first de-brained us) and excise our vitals, inclusive of that oil, while we are prostrate. And last, there is no way that calls for and any application of sanctions would not exacerbate already simmering racial hatreds. In my book, any calls from anyone at any time for sanctions of any kind is guilty of more than betrayal. Such are treasonous. That is the ignominy that should be heaped upon their tarnished heads; it is deserving, even if only in the mere insinuating. The problem is that the fires have been lit and they are not easily extinguishable. F u r t h e r, k n o w i n g h o w these things (and parties) operate, I believe that insistent stoking is going on behind the scenes with American movers and shakers on their home
ground. Using a nearby context, I point to a recent nearparallel development in Trinidad and Tobago’s , which tells me that I am in illustrious company. Prime Minister Keith Rowley denounced his Opposition counterpart, Mrs. Kamla P r a s a d - B i s s e s a r, a s “ a traitor” for calling for sanctions. And that call and their rift cannot be sourced to the overheated cauldron, or life and death struggle, that is of razorsharp national elections, like here in Guyana. Instead of degrading to the route of sanctions, I am all for investing the thinking, the energies, and the visions towards local solutions for local problems. I admit that Guyana’s problems are near insoluble and barb-wired; but I also insist that we-leaders, supporters, and larger society-have not tried hard enough, with genuine commitment, and with the required sufficiency of spirit, that gives us a chance to get somewhere. Instead of reasoning, there is cursing and backstabbing and undermining by both sides. It is when the racist fundamentalists from both sides shrink from including Indians and Blacks in their
trusted inner councils. Not the public tokens, but on the real inside of the parties’ apparatus to figure out a way to govern cleanly and constructively, on how to give hope to the broad diversity of Guyanese. Instead, party fanatics dictate the racist strategies and programmes that dominate, be they elections cheating or calling for sanctions. Sanctions are neither about national selfdetermination nor of national self-governance. Whatever happened to our pride? Our sense of decency? Our prizing of honour? I say let us be man enough to do our own dirty jobs, be patriotic enough to roll up our sleeves and make the sacrifices need to be made to get where we wish to go. Rather than waste energy in inciting outside forces to punish this nation (that what it is, no matter how targeted), let us commit towards a way that rid of racial and pointless elections and seek the different ground that possibly lifts us all up. Sanctions are for terminal cases. Guyana is not one; not yet. Again, let us look internally for solutions and not recruit outsiders to fight our battles for us. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Shouldn’t the call have been...? DEAR EDITOR, Now joining the call for shared governance is one of the minor parties which couldn’t stay the course and has been noticeably silent and off the political radar since March 2 and all the ensuing drama. As the caller said the results of the election are
known, then shouldn’t the call have been (a) the recount exercise be discontinued? (b) the true and proper declaration of results be made? (c) the loser concede? and (d) the winner take the oath of office? Those should have been the call, shouldn’t it? Shamshun Mohamed
Tuesday May 12, 2020
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Kaieteur News
My disenchantment and disappointment with the Coalition has taken Relations. leaders do not come to their issues. Unlike some of his universalist notions of me to another place International Again, Freddie’s difference conclusions of what is other friends, I have refrained fairness and justice born in DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon has included me in a list of persons he deems to have committed the cardinal sin of refusing to characterise the current impasse as an open and close case of rigged elections. He suggests that Guyana will not see us the same way again. Freddie is entitled to his opinions. I do not always share them. But he is not entitled to create his context and fit other people neatly into them. He, Freddie, and others have relied on PPP’s evidence and those of some observer missions to arrive at their conclusions of massively rigged elections. I have listened to the PPP’s evidence and arrived at a conclusion that the elections are disputed. Freddie has looked at what has transpired since March 2 and concluded that the impasse is about electoral integrity—he has narrowed it down to Mingo’s tabulation and PNC’s rigging. I have looked at what has happened
since March 2 and concluded that there is a convergence of factors and forces, including the one cited by Freddie, which are deeply rooted in Guyana’s historical evolution at work. Freddie focuses on the narrow manifestation of the problem. I focus on the broader and deeper manifestations. Freddie takes me to task for accusing the Western countries of taking a side in what I see as a dispute between two parties representing the interests of two competing ethnic groups. He conveniently omits my conclusion that the Western countries have always taken sides in Guyana. What is different this time around is their pointedly overt expression of their preference. Of course, I do not buy the narrative of defence of electoral integrity; that is a mask for defence of their larger economic and political interests. It always was and always will be. That is the nature of North-South
Prepare or fail DEAR EDITOR, “Because of the role that the U.S. dollar plays in global financial markets, strains in dollar funding markets overseas can disrupt financial conditions in the United States. To address severe strains in global short-term dollar funding markets, the Federal Reserve established temporary central bank liquidity swap lines (also referred to as reciprocal currency arrangements) with a number of foreign central banks” (Fed website). This swap line is with 15 countries with large US assets. There is no Caricom country in these elite countries and the rest of the world is de facto under US sanctions because trade and tourism and other service with the US is anemic or has completely stopped so other countries earning US dollars will be extremely difficult. What is Guyana and Caricom doing about their inevitable shortage of foreign exchange which could lead to possible food shortage, unemployment and eventually crushing of our economy? The US is using swap line as a geopolitical sword. JP Morgan says that it will take US 10 to 12 years for US employment to return to preCovid shutdown level. In seven weeks 33.5 million apply for unemployment. The unemployment level is far worse because many have not applied because of crashing website or slow processing and the millions
that are ineligible for unemployment benefits and estimated millions of undocumented immigrant. Fifty-two percent of small business survey says they will have to close permanently. This is indicative of a depression. Looking at history, every, about 75 years, a new global monetary system is implemented. The last reset was the 1944 Bretton Wood agreement which made the US dollar the world reserve currency. During a depression or reset four solutions are implemented: 1) printing of money (inflationary), 2) cutting spending (deflationary), 3) debt r e s t r u c t u r i n g (deflationary), 4) redistribution of wealth (deflationary). Humanity have learned from dealing with a disintegrating monetary system so we can innovate and improve. This financial crisis will likely increase self reliance by many countries because of the collapse of the supply chain. For some, the Covid19 crisis is the first anthropocene- the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. There will be many in the future; whether pandemic or climate change triggered disasters. Prepare or fail. Yours truly, Brian E. Plummer
with me has to do with context. He fits the actions of the Western representatives into his minimalist characterisation of the impasse. I see their actions in the context of the maximalist reading of the impasse. Regarding what he sees as my omission of some CARICOM leaders’ pronouncements on the situation, we again come at it from different places. Freddie lumps all the pronouncements on the impasse together—those from the Western leaders, CARICOM leaders, the PPP, and other local forces. I see it differently. Their rhetoric may be the same or similar, but their motivations and interests diverge. CARICOM
happening in Guyana from a history of coloniality and hegemony. I am sorry Freddie, I thought that was so basic that it was not even worth mentioning. It is true that CARICOM’s intervention in Guyana from the Hoyte Mustique meeting, through the Cummingsburg and St. Lucia accords to the present is worth studying to unearth its own dynamics. But to fold together their attitudes with those of the Western countries is a bit of a stretch. Let me close with three things. It is public knowledge that Freddie is my close friend. Our friendship is based partly in a mutual respect for our common agreements and disagreements on political
from getting into public brawls with him and I do not intend to start now. But I am saddened that given his keen sense of African Guyanese history and cultural reflexes that he would attempt to trivialise the Black reaction to the perception that the descendants of their former enslavers and colonisers are currently talking down to them. That should not be dismissed lightly. It is part of our problem in Guyana—we do not put ourselves enough in the place of the opposite ethnicity to get a sense of their fears and their feelings. Second, some activists can afford to reduce politics and society to abstractions, slogans and so-called
the belly of unfairness, injustice, and superiority. Some of us, hardened by a history inhumanity and the struggle to reclaim humanity, cannot help being concrete and always imagining what tomorrow would be like. We have a history of crossing rivers and oceans “to reach in the West Indies” in chains as the Mighty Sparrow reminds. We know chains when we see, hear feel, and smell them. As Bob Marley chanted, “No chains around my feet/but I am not free.” Do not lecture to us about race and freedom! Third, I find Freddie’s repeated attacks on Eusi Kwayana most distasteful. It is rooted in his (Continued on page 6)
A conflict of interest DEAR EDITOR, Why is U.S Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D) stating the US has no business intervening in Guyana’s current political crisis and election recounts? The basis for his argument relies on the presumption and widely held belief that the US’s own political and election systems are corrupted. Hence, they (the US) should get their own “affairs” fixed before intervening in the matters of other nations. While Congressman Jeffries make some valid arguments, he seems to either forget or ignore a few things: It was this same Congressman who requested back in 2015 that the conduct of Guyana’s President (PPP Administration) be carefully examined. His request was submitted to then Secretary of State, John Kerry. It is blatantly disgusting that another highly respected political figure that represents democracy would publicly contradict himself as evidenced by his own past actions. Congressman Jeffries has illustrated his political bias and contradictions in a few
additional ways. In his statements issued, he attacks Trump’s administration for being involved in Guyana’s affairs but fails to condone the actions of Guyana’s government. The same government accused by several other nations and international observers of electoral fraud and of using the Guyana Police Force as a tool of intimidation to strip concerned disagreeing figures and citizens of their “civilian rights.” The same congressman attended the “victory” rally for the current administration’s win in 2015 as a special guest. The same administration (APNU+AFC) accused of electoral fraud. Clearly, he had no problem being involved in Guyana’s political affairs. In support of his premises, Congressman Jeffries goes on to accuse the US of defining how Guyana conduct it’s elections. The US never directed how to conduct a recount but rather called for a recount. The method of recount and policies thereof were agreed upon by all political parties
I salute the executive of Giftland Mall DEAR EDITOR, I salute the executive of the Giftland Mall for availing their facilities to the media persons who meet at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to update the Guyanese public on the elections recount. It is a wanton shame that the GECOM operatives did not consider accommodating the media. And it is even more despicable to learn that the APNU/AFC has virtually
taken over the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, and showing hostility to media operatives who attempted to make use of the centre. Are there any decent voices left in the APNU/AFC not to condemn such imbecility? Thank you, Roy Beepat and other executives of Giftland Mall. Yours truly, Dr. Devanand Bhagwan
and the Guyana Election Commission. Political figures are elected to pursue democracy, justice and due process of law. It’s frustrating that Congressman Jeffries chooses to deviate from this basic principle through his public bias. It would seem that by accusing the US government of electoral/ political corruption and by using same as means to exclude them from being involved in foreign matters, he would draw attention from his own bias and incite support for APNU/AFC. While the United States does not have a “perfect” political system nor government, one cannot contest that had it not been for pressures from the international community including foreign dignitaries and observers, it is highly likely the current government would have continue its reign based on flawed electoral results. Moreover, the US consistently and without delay, has always been a leader in providing funding to Guyana. In support of this contention, I draw attention
to the Covid-19 funding supplied to target the current pandemic in Guyana. To argue that one government should refrain from executing neutrality and fairness in a country based on that government’s own history is not only a grossly defective argument but its also dangerous to democracy and international relationships. Not to mention, a value that contradicts the principles upon which this Congressman was elected on. Congressman Jeffries is a disappointment to the international justice system. His actions have contradicted his statements while predicated on the belief that his hidden agenda will not be called in question if he diverts attention on the current political climate in the US. This Congressman who had no problem being involved in Guyana’s affairs. Credibility and impartiality wise Congressman, you’re damaged and based on your past, you seem to have created a conflict of interest for your own self. SayyadAdam
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Banking: Online and Customer Distancing DEAR EDITOR, I remember well, when in the late 1980s, ensconced on the St. Augustine Campus as Consultant to the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), of Trinidad and Tobago, the branch of the bank situated there, apart from being open during hours amenable to the schedule of the University students and lecturers, arranged for special attention to be given to senior citizens, amongst the other customers. Following the numbering system to which there were clear directions, there was also special seating accommodation, along which each prospective customer
moved until accessing a specially appointed attendant. But even if in such comfortable circumstances one had to wait longer than expected, there was the thoughtful availability of coffee to soothe anxiety. The comparable experience in Kingston, Jamaica, was even more elaborate – for a larger population of course; with the bank’s senior customers being provided every kind of business service required. And in addition to the well o rg a n i s e d h o s p i t a l i t y, there was the offer to each of a choice of free tickets t o attend current theatre performances.
One does not immediately recall experiences of a similar level of banking hospitality in our hometown. Indeed, in more recent years the technology about which the system boasts has, more rapidly than gradually, over-ridden the adult humanity with which earlier generations used to be treated. Now, irrespective of age or generation, one is identified as just a ‘customer’ – in f u n d a m e n t a l disacknowledgement of the individual persona; so that somewhat self-consciously, there is a hesitant, deferential reservation displayed on the older side of the counter – whether a debit or credit
transaction, it is a deficit relationship nonetheless. For the young, inexperienced recruits, of which incidentally there is an understandably high turnover, having been inducted primarily into the technology’s ‘artificial intelligence’, concentrate more attention to an automatic process of institutional alignment, than on analysis of the individual’s problem, or the latter’s perception of one. But who could have predicted that the foregoing uniformity, would be but precursor to today’s pandemic developments: Business hours, limited as they were, have been further curtailed
A recount is necessary to resolve whatever question exists DEAR EDITOR, The National Recount exercise allows for this nation to resolve whatever question exists about the election process in a peaceful manner. This is necessary in order for a peaceful outcome. The Order gazetted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on 4th May, 2020 to realise this exercise must be executed to the letter. Refer to https:// www.gecom.org.gy/assets/ docs/Press_Releases/2020/ Gazetted_Order_Recount_5May2020.pdf Any deviation from the Order could not only create legal challenges but chaos in the process and undermine the confidence the electorate vests in GECOM to bring closure to the 2020 General and Regional Elections. It has not escaped attention efforts on the part of persons to seek to deviate from the Order. The Commission, in part or whole, cannot be caught seeking to compromise the process, irrespective of what may likely to be revealed now or in future. The same goes
for the Secretariat. Observing from a distance it is not lost on me efforts by political forces, notably Anil Nandlall, wanting to dictate the direction GECOM should or should not go in spite of an existing legal document that guides the present operation. Further, his insistence that the recount must only be about the ballot and not all the Order provides for should not be condoned. The Commission headed by Justice Claudette Singh and Secretariat by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield must stand firm. For singularly and together they will be held accountable by the people for ensuring strict compliance to the Order. It cannot be over emphasised that for democracy to stand GECOM cannot fail. Friday evening when one watched Commissioner Sase Gunraj’s uncalled for behaviour and disrespect to the media corps when a member dared ask a question pertaining to the Order and
whether compliance is being observed is troubling. What is the reason for him being this belligerent? Is it to give the impression that he is victim, fighting, angry, desperate or is part of an intimidatory tactic of anyone who dares to question? Is he saying, don’t ask any question, don’t challenge the accuracy of anything he says because he is the commissioner and lawyer and whatever he says should be accepted as gospel and reported as such? The media have a right to question particularly when they have access to information (as per gazetted order) and are being told something different. Their role is to bring us the information as the process unfolds, to interview persons and ask questions consistent with the events at hand. As society’s watchdog, they must continue to discharge their duties fearlessly. These workers must continue to seek truth from members of the commission and secretariat, and all who present
themselves to be interviewed. GECOM doesn’t work for the political parties. GECOM works for all of us and we must all ensure the agency does what’s right by us. GECOM must remain an independent arbiter on behalf of the people and ensure the completion of the present exercise consistent with the Order. As an aside, it is noticed some persons while being interviewed are displaying disregard for COVID-19 safety precautions by removing their masks or not properly wearing them (covering the nose and mouth). They ought to know better. In this environment and risk associated with spread of this deadly virus, this is not the time for vanity. It is also disrespecting to self and others to remove your mask for you not only heighten the chance of contracting and spreading the virus but putting at risk the lives of those who are obeying the safety precautions. Lincoln Lewis
A game of ‘willful ignorance’ DEAR EDITOR, Once again, APNU/AFC representatives are engaging in a game of ‘willful ignorance’; last year May, it was the majority of 65, presently there is a daily dose of ‘migrant’ votes. APNU/ AFC agents are currently objecting to names on the Official List of Electors to have negative ‘observations’ noted for every ballot box examined. On Christmas Eve 2018, Nigel Hughes posited that 34 constituted a majority and not 33 as previously accepted by mathematicians; after that day, it would seem that the
APNU/AFC leaders discarded their pride. Is it that none of these ‘leaders’ has ever worked in the trenches of activism as a polling agent? For their ignorance, so well feigned, appears all too real. Anyone who has worked in a polling station will know that ‘dead’ people cannot vote. There is a Folio with detailed information on each person on the OLE including a picture. Should someone get past this hurdle, there is the inked finger riddle; if Tom votes for the deceased Jack, Tom’s finger is inked during the process, who then votes for Tom? One man, one vote,
why waste it impersonating a dead Jack and thereby risking imprisonment when you can cast your legitimate vote? APNU/AFC logic defies me so often that I have given up on attempting a deciphering of the code. Migrants come back home to vote, that is a fact and well within Guyana’s laws, should Ramlall be in New York and cousin Seelall chooses to vote for him, see the inked finger riddle above. A polling day is usually 16-18 hours and people get sloppy with counting which typically begins 14 hours after the day began, the same happens
during the packing of the box with counterfoils, stamps, votes, signs and used OLE’s after the period of concentration for counting ballots ends. Polling stations are manned by humans and voting is not yet electronic, until such time, a signature may be absent from a form, there may be uncrossed T’s and un-dotted I’s, but the ballots are usually counted and stored as sacred. The recount procedures allowed for by the Representation of the People’s Act have proved adequate as it has already (Continued on page 16)
Physical connection has been boastfully transitioned to ‘Online’ communication, regardless of the social and/or mental ingenuousness of a variety of customers Meanwhile many customers, employees of other organisations, rue the value of lost productive time from their own workstations, and of the cumulative effect on the productivity of their respective institutions. The self-employed are perhaps even more disadvantaged. Little or no allowance is made for parents disconnected from children, now domesticated from their schools, nor for the urgency of their being reconnected. Critically, there is little or no sign of leadership ‘walking the floor’ to assess the related inconveniences of the ‘virtual lockout’, and to provide considerate options for assuaging the dislocations of the so-called ‘customer service’, or, for that matter, evaluating how substantive are the deliverables from such a
service in these pandemic times. There is little or no anticipation for ‘Dear Customer’ to register, and have answered, the complaint of having to abandon, after three consecutive days, a queue so publicly constipated. Fortunately, for all the parties there has been minimal inclement weather, from which anyhow no retreat has been catered. However, this is not to say that inclement situations do not occur ‘Online’, but may have to be explained to needy customers while, they are actually standing ‘In Line’. Why is it that, looking through their masks, the evidence appears to suggest that the management system may just be ‘Off Line’ – ignoring the queues whose ‘commercial distancing’ may not be compliant with accepted ‘social distancing’? How next will we be queued when the climate changes? E.B. John
The seriousness of this matter DEAR EDITOR, The war against the Covid-19 virus is being fought by awareness and counter-measures. This has decreased the fatalities in many countries where the guidelines are followed. We are vigilant in recognising its symptoms for the preservation of our lives by publicising the outbreaks. But what have we done when we ”Hear Auntie Beth a halla”? Does our silence during her years of being abused make us complicit when the animal in the guise of a man eventually murders her — our sisters, mothers and daughters? We should be haunted by the number of times these women died and the daily humiliation they suffered and endured to hold on to the sacred life that was
granted to them. This is especially troubling after the many reports of women brutally murdered over the last few months. The woman who cooks, cleans, cares for our children and comforts us should not be abused if life does not go our way. She has nothing to do with our team’s or political party’s loss. And drunkenness, frustration or anger is not and will never be a reason or excuse to abuse her or anyone. If we are truly men, we must respect, protect and be kind to our women at all times. Above all, we, in our silence, may be enabling the abusers and murderers of our women. The seriousness of this matter should not be blunted by a flippant anecdote. Sincerely, Stanley Niamatali
My disenchantment... From page 5 disproportionate personal attacks on the WPA and its leaders. But while I agree that Kwayana like all public leaders must be open to criticism, I find the nature o f F r e d d i e ’s c o n s t a n t attacks on Kwayana to be much more that critique and criticism. It is b e g i n n i n g to have the distinct feel of a project aimed at diminishing him. I do not intend to be quiet on this
score for much longer. Finally, Freddie’s disenchantment and disappointment with the Coalition has taken him to a certain place. My disenchantment and disappointment with the same coalition has taken me to another place. Our difference is the context we use to analyse what is happening and ultimately locate our conclusions. David Hinds
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 12, 2020
PAGE 07
Coalition refuses to call elections - despite detailed claims 'not credible' of 'flaws' in the process A
PNU+AFC floor supervisor, Leonard Craig yesterday stated that the Coalition is not going to label the election as “not credible”, despite “countless 'anomalies' and 'discrepancies” which they claim to have observed on election day over two months ago. When questioned about why his party was heavily advocating for the incumbent President Granger to be sworn in for a second term, despite these anomalies the APNU+ AFC witnessed, Craig responded, “We are not saying that it was not credible. Another reason for raising these things is that even if they do not impact the overall results of the elections, it provides both lawmakers and GECOM evidence of what are possible infractions on Election Day and we can go to parliament and change some of those laws and GECOM can adjust its
administrative procedures on that day.” Craig went on to say, “Even though you raise anomalies on Election Day, you allow GECOM to make a declaration and then you go to an election petition. First time in the history of Guyana, you have an election being disrupted by all these processes.” Meanwhile oppositionnominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, who also spoke to the press, was keen to highlight that the Coalition had not brought forth any evidence of these claims. Gunraj stated that, “I ought not to walk into a polling station and claim that someone has died and that becomes the fact without challenge. In our discussions with the Commission, we decided that these statements must be considered as an allegation. I don't even think that they have a place now… Doing that denigrates the process that they (the coalition) heralded as being free, fair, credible and
transparent on March 2.” On Sunday evening, APNU+AFC released a statement to the press in which they stated that they were seeing a “clear emerging pattern of PPP contamination of the March 2 Elections.” In that statement, it claimed that it had uncovered “patterns of irregularities” such as “countless” instances of dead persons being recorded as voting exclusively in PPP strongholds; instances of persons who have migrated from Guyana and who were not in Guyana on Election Day being recorded as voting; situations where persons who did not uplift their ID cards from GECOM for many years and being recorded as voting in PPP stronghold areas but with no corresponding Oaths of Identity being found in the ballot boxes; instances of unsigned Oaths of Identity in PPP stronghold areas; instances of votes for other parties being recorded for
PPP will have to provide adequate grounds for Myers' - ANUG removal from recount agent
P
arty agent for A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Kian Jabour has called on the Opposition People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) to provide adequate evidence for the removal of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers from the national elections recount process. The Opposition in a statement on Sunday had stated that Myers “has been trying to stymie the recount process and undermine its transparency. The latest evidence of her collusion with the governing Coalition, according to the party, was her decision to revoke the use of cell phones from party representatives participating in the recount.” Jabour told the press outside of the recount site that the party must present the grounds on which they are requesting her removal. “If you guys have a particular claim about a certain person,” Jabour said, “you have to have proof that that person, and in this case,
ANUG Agent, Kian Jabour
DCEO Roxanne Myers
the DCEO, if you say that she did something wrong or is currently doing something wrong then you have to lay it out in writing and show that you have proof that she is somehow interfering with the process.” Asked whether his party has any issues with the conduct of the DCEO at any point of the recount process, Jabour answered in the negative stating that, “we
haven't had issues with her other than a few miscommunication issues.” “Those issues were resolved very quickly by the commission so for me to ask for somebody to be removed all together from this process right now, I need to see a little more evidence before I will ask GECOM or criticize their progress in any way, shape or form,” the ANUG agent said.
the PPP; missing poll books and occasions of ballots casted for the APNU+AFC Coalition deemed as spoilt. The Coalition, in the statement, called on the diplomatic community, particularly the United States, Canada, European Union and Britain to revoke the visas of persons involved in what it claimed to be attempted electoral fraud. It should be noted that the Coalition had also written to the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Ret'd Justice Claudette Singh, to address what they termed as issues regarding the credibility of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. However, instead of meeting with the party, the GECOM Chair has asked
Agent of APNU + AFC, Leonard Craig Opposition- nominated Commissioner, Sase Gunraj them to submit a list of their concerns. According to GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, those
concerns will be addressed at a later Commission meeting and the response conveyed to the Coalition. She noted that if the party is not satisfied with the response they received from the Chair, she would make time and engage them in a meeting.
Two months after Elections Day, Guyana still to declare a winner
G
uyana is one of five countries that have held its General Elections within the past few months but it is the only country that has not yet declared credible results. Togo, Taiwan, Vanuatu and Artsakh have all managed to complete their electoral process in less a week. Even more astounding, the number of Guyanese voters who turned up to cast their ballots is just a fraction of the millions who voted in Taiwan and Togo. Togo, a West African country whose population surpasses seven million, held its elections on the 23rd of February earlier this year. According to an Aljazeera report, polls were opened from 7:00HRS that morning and closed at approximately 17:00 HRS in the evening. Immediately after the closing of polls, the Constitutional Court of Togo issued a statement claiming that out of 3,738,786 registered voters, 3,449,000 had cast ballots. They had also informed the Togolese People that the official declaration of results would be made in a matter of days. Six days later on March 4, as promised the c o u r t d e c l a r e d To g o ' s election results and announced President Faure Gnassingbé of the Union for the Republic Party (URP),winner. Despite protest actions by opposing
… Other countries have done so in less than a week parties questioning the credibility of the declared results, order was restored quickly and the reelected president was sworn into office. The Taiwan Electoral Commission had also prioritized its duty to declare its country's election results in a fast and convenient manner to avoid unrest. In a matter of just only four hours after 19,311,000 Taiwanese had completed casting their ballots on January 11, 2020, a winner was declared. Vanuatu and Artsahk whose population closely mimics that of Guyana also followed suit and made sure that credible elections results were delivered shortly after polls were closed. Vanuatu a small country comprising of 80 islands in the South Pacific Ocean held its General Elections on the 19 and 20 of March, 2020. The electoral process saw 145,064 of the country's 278,959 registered casting their ballots in the two days timeframe. According to the Vanuatu Electoral Office report, the counting of the ballots were completed in a matter of four days and the Leaders Party of Vanuatu were declared victors. Artsahk another relatively small republic in
Eastern Europe, with a population of only a 150,000 people, also held its election in the month of March. March 31 saw 104,886 voters heading to the country's polling stations to cast their ballots. After three days of waiting, the Artsahk Elections Commission declared results and proclaimed the Free Motherland Party winners. Without another day wasted, the presidential candidate, Arayik Harutyunyan, was sworn in to office. Despite a relatively smooth voting day process on March 2, Guyana has since been involved in a protracted post-electoral battle beginning with controversial declarations of Region Four results made by returning officer, Clairmont Mingo and culminating in a recount process, starting last week, that is now projected to extend beyond the original 25 days allotted.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Pres. Granger gave order to block Carter Center - Foreign Ministry letter F
ollowing a week of shifting narratives regarding responsibility for approval of the Carter Center observer team to monitor the elections recount process, there is now evidence that refusal of that approval came via the Office of the President. In a letter addressed to US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, Minister of Foreign A ff a i r s , D r. K a r e n Cummings writing on behalf of the President, explained that the decision to oppose the team's reentry into Guyana is premised on Government's measures to protect its citizens from the spread of the COVID -19 disease. The correspondence dated May 6, 2020 was a direct response to a May 4 letter written to the President by Ambassador Lynch appealing directly to Mr. Granger, after the national COVID- 19 Task Force failed to respond to a previous request. I n t h e l e t t e r , D r.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings Cummings explained that while the President agreed that a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would function within the framework of the Constitution, and under the aegis of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the request for reentry by the international observers does not hold the same weight. Rather, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that given the prevailing
President David Granger circumstances regarding the COVID-19 disease, Guyana's public health situation takes priority. She said, “The public health situation in Guyana has changed drastically since the Regional and General elections held on March 2, as you are aware. The Government published an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette on 16th March and promulgated COVID -19 emergency measures on 3rd April which included the
Head of Carter Centre Mission Jason Carter imposition of curfew and states inter alia.” C i t i n g t h e o r d e r, Cummings continued, “The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F. Correia International Airports shall remain closed to all international flights expect for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuels only and special authorised flights. The Government of Guyana requests that its measures to protect its
citizens from the disease are respected.” Cummings' letter contradicts comments made by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Joseph Harmon who claimed that the Carter Center was denied the approval when they informed government 'last minute' that observers would be aboard the flight. Harmon had debunked claims by Minister of Public S e c u r i t y, K h e m r a j Ramjattan who told reporters on May 8 that the President is directly responsible for approving the team's visit. According to Harmon, “First of all, when the application was made, the application was made for an aircraft to come and then at the last minute, we were advised that the Carter Center team will be on the aircraft.” He claimed a request was made by the US Embassy and the Carter Center for a flight on May 4, to transport U.S. citizens and legal
permanent residents from Guyana to America. “The aircraft to pick up people in Guyana, it came with a crew not passengers and the crew had to satisfy our COVID requirements once it arrived here. It was not a matter of picking up people who are here. The plane was chartered to pick US citizens here, which are my understanding. What we said to the Carter Center is that we are in a COVID environment and that we could not basically allow for an aircraft to come here which did not qualify under the conditions for the COVID arrangements.” He had pointed out that the observer mission can reapply to enter Guyana but their application must “go through the right process.” This position is at odds not only with the definitive position taken in the Foreign Ministry letter, but with the fact that a British Airways flight had been given permission to bring Exxon workers into Guyana less than a week prior.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 12, 2020
PAGE 09
DEMOCRACY IS NOT FOR CHEATS R
obert Stigwood, the famous Australian theatre and movie producer, rolled off a series of hits during his career. He also had his share of flops but will always be remembered for his production of Jesus Christ Super Star, Grease and Saturday Night Fever. The latter movie had a very ordinary storyline but went on to become a huge commercial success. It was primarily responsible for launching John Travolta into a superstar. Saturday Night Fever was an attempt to examine American suburban culture and its characters who were trying to become successful. The suburban culture, however was riddled with moral corruption, as shown in one of the earlier scene in which the paint store, for which the central character works, fleeces an old lady by selling her a marked-up tin of paint bought from another store. The central character Tony Manero (played by
Travolta) eventually became dismayed by the system and its contradictions. One of the memorable scenes from that 1977 movie was during the disco competition. Tony Manero knew that he had lost the competition and so when he was handed the trophy, he promptly took it and gave it to the couple whom he felt had won. There is a moral behind that scene. It is about a man who desires a real triumph in life, not the fleeting success and recognition which comes every Saturday night. And that scene in the movie where Manero refuses to accept a rigged result, goes to the very heart of the movie. Honourable men and women do not cheat. Nor do they accept rigged results. You do not become aloof and say it was the judges who said that I won. Honesty and integrity are the hallmarks of honour. And honour is about knowing you lost and refusing to claim or accept a
Dem boys seh...
Coalition frikken de jumbies
D
em boys de like Soulja Bai. Dem also believed he is not a vindictive fella. Dem never think for a moment dat he gat bad mind or intentions. Dem boys used to blame dem scamps dat surround he and who sign contracts behind he back and who trying fuh outdo Peter Sellers by sellin out state land to dem friends. But Soulja Bai mek dem boys hand fall when dem read dat letter wah de Overseas Minister write on he behalf to de US ambassador. Dem boys know dat yuh does gat to be diplomatic when yuh writing to dem foreigners but dah letter was so diplomatic dat it become problematic. De letter tell de Carter Center dat dem nat allowed to come back because of de health shish-uashun. Dem boys know dat C a r i c o m g e t d i ff e r e n t treatment. And dem boys wan know wheder is different strokes fuh different folks. Somebody tell de HAP-New+Hay-EffSee dat every time Jimmy Carter come to Guyana, guvment does change. He come in 1992 and guvment change.
He come in 2015 and guvment change. De coalition did not want to tek chance and mek it a third time. Dem superstitious. Dem boys wan advise dem don't frikken. Carter come in 2001 and it had no change. De Carter jinx is nah true. De fact is, dem boys know to demself, is dat guvment gon still change when de recount done. De HAP-New+Hay-EffSee playing jumbie politics. Dem claiming how dead people and people who migrate vote. Dem boys wan know how dem know dah. When de ballot box open, dem only reconciling de numbers of people who name tick off with de number of ballots. Nobody nah allowed to check who vote and who nah vote. Dat would be breach of de secrecy of de ballot but HAP-New+Hay-Eff-See gat eagle eye. Dem seeing mo far dan Soulja Bai who is de seefar man. Dem boys still want know if so many jumbies vote, how come de political agents nah see or hear on March 2? Talk half and tell de coalition dat de jumbie story just like post-mortem. It nah bring back de dead.
false victory. If you know that you have lost, you do the honourable thing. You refuse to accept a rigged result. Unfortunately, this honour happens more often in the movies than in real-life politics. Democracy has certain conventions. Those participating in elections under democratic systems are expected to abide by these unwritten rules. In America and Great Britain – among the world's foremost democracies – whenever a party realises that it is losing or has lost an elections, it is normal for the leader of that party to call his opposite's number, the victorious or winning candidate, to congratulate that person. We have never had that culture here. It was only in 1992 that Guyana had a case whereby the loser of an election called and
congratulated the winner. Desmond Hoyte, realising that he could not win the elections, called Cheddi Jagan and congratulated him. He then publicly conceded defeat. It never happened again. It is therefore a fallacy that it is only because of oil that Guyana is in the present predicament where the loser of the elections does not wish to concede. The losers have not publicly conceded since 1992. It has become part of our political sub-culture for elections' losers to refuse to concede. There is a reason why this is so. When you lose an election, especially three elections in a row as Desmond Hoyte did in 1992, 1997 and 2001, there are usually demands within your party for changes in the leadership and for those who were responsible for the
failed campaign to step down and give way to others. When you lose, you have to subject to the will of your party. Some do not wish to face that process. Jeremy Corbyn resigned as leader of the Labour Party after his party's loss in the elections last December. Freundel Stuart of Barbados resigned after his party's massive defeat in the 2018 elections. This is part of the democratic culture, part of the convention, which is expected of honourable politicians. The two main political groupings – the APNU+AFC and the PPPC –know who won the 2020 elections. They have their copies of the statements of polls for each polling station. They would have tabulated these by the day following the elections. They know the final outcome. It takes integrity and
honesty to admit that you have lost an election. And that is what honourable men and women do. Integrity and honesty are required for free and fair elections. Democracy is not for cheats. It is not for the disreputable. Those who do not have the character of honour should not participate in elections. They are an anathema to democracy. Success should come with honour. That much we can take away from Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Hydromet issues coastal flood advisory T h e Hydrometeorological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture has issued flash flood warnings for flood-prone areas along the coast. In an advisory issued yesterday, the Department stated that cloudy to overcast skies are being observed,
with moderate to heavy thundershowers and rain. “These conditions are expected to continue for the next 3-4 hours across coastal Guyana with rainfall intensities being mostly m o d e r a t e t o h e a v y. However, there will be a 'slow gradual improvement
towards the end of the period,'” the release stated. Residents are being advised to remain alert and exercise all precautionary measures as the Department continues to monitor the weather. The Department advised that floods, damage to sea
defence and overtopping should be reported to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on (592) 226-1114, 226-8815, 226-1027 or 2255847, or their 24 Hours National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on (592) 623-1700 and 6007500.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Tuesday May 12, 2020
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Please swear in Granger tomorrow!
I
n my offering yesterday, I remarked about the attitude of ACDA on the current election disaster and will offer my reason why the organization is conspicuously and graphically silent for an organization that is emotionally and ideologically sycophantic in its relationship with the PNC. In that piece yesterday, I looked at one pro-PNC step ACDA made while Mingo's rotten mangoes were included in the shipment to the lunch table of the Guyanese people to be enjoyed as dessert after the main meal. I mentioned ACDA's reverse gear in calling for a recount instead of asserting Mingo's mangoes' were edible. Since then ACDA's behaviour could be described as the
silence of the lamb. Yo u w o u l d h a v e expected ACDA to take the lead in defence of Lowenfield's declaration of March which gave APNU+AFC victory over the other surrogates that are embracing an APNU+AFC victory. So what is the reason? I use singular not plural because there is only one reason. The permanent head of ACDA, Violet Jean Baptiste (“permanent” because Ms. Baptise has been the hegemonic leader of ACDA for more than 32 years) is one of the investors in Guyana Goldfields for over 15 years now and until recently held a major executive position in Guyana Goldfield. When sanctions became a definite option ACDA went in backward overdrive. It supported the recount
avenue and agreed that the recount decision must be accepted. One of the top executives of Guyana Goldfields is the predecessor to current US ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch. Mr. Perry Holloway has joined the gold company as Senior Vice-PresidentStrategy and Corporate Affairs. It is more than likely that Holloway must have information on American disposition to apply sanctions against the illegal APNU+AFC regime. It is more than a possibility that Holloway explained to Baptiste the impact of sanctions on Guyana Goldfields. Baptiste herself must have reflected on the idea that frenetic public support for rigged elections may drag her into the net of visa cancelation. The visa abrogation also takes in family members.
If we take the fear of ACDA as a benchmark then it is likely that sanctions will lead to the physical disintegration of the Granger government and perhaps the PNC and AFC themselves as political parties. For this reason, the opposition parties and independent activists are wrongly strategizing about the directions the fight for free and fair elections should go into. They should not oppose the swearing in of Granger and installation of Cabinet members. Innocent, patriotic business folks will be devastated. Exports will be halted because all bank transactions – both commercial and central- will be grounded. Students will be unable to pay for foreign education. The spin-off will literally crush Guyana. Visa cancellation will visit Cabinet members, GECOM conspirators, the three PNC commissioners, the Police Commissioner for his partisan role so far, the leadership of the Chronicle and NCN and many high profile propagandists. The US warned that sanctions will be put on those “who benefit from fraudulent elections.” That description
will apply to high level state officials. There will be an implosion among the APNU+AFC leadership because family pressure will come into play. Mothers of the offspring of the autocrats will be asking why their young children's future should be curtailed because APNU+AFC's power drunkenness. These children cannot be educated abroad. They cannot visit foreign countries for holidays. They cannot travel for medical treatment. They cannot visit loved ones abroad. The families of the business tycoons who bankroll the PNC and AFC will come into play. Wealthy folks generally live with the government of the day. That is the nature of business. They have permanent interest not permanent friends. No better example is that of Brian Tiwari. Flash back to the era of Jagdeo. Tiwari came in for cruel criticism from the then opposition for what was perceived as being close to the PPP government. Today it is said that Tiwari is a friend of the APNU+AFC government. He has done nothing that is different from millions of investors
Frederick Kissoon worldwide. Questions will obviously be asked by family members. Why sacrifice, they will demand, a life time of investment for a regime that is trying to survive and will not survive and that did not win the election. Finally, the Cabinet will implode. Many of them have foreign bank accounts. Only a fool accepts that the APNU+AFC did not engage in corruption. A businessman over lunch at his home produced documents showing me and David Hinds where a big investor and a Cabinet minister are intertwined. See my column, “David Hinds and I turned a white shade of pale,” of July 22, 2019. The best strategy available to the opposition is a Granger swearing-in. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Aurora slows operations pending... From page 2 blasted the decision and said the government has done little to stop the decline of the mining industry in Guyana. In a scathing release, President of NMWUG, Sherwin Downer complained that, “The mining industry seems to be collapsing – the largest and second largest mining company is becoming history.” Downer took several government
officials to task for what he called inaction in the wake recent retrenchments by other mining companies including Troy Resources in December of last year and Rusal earlier this year. “The last five years of the David Granger incompetent-led administration, Guyanese has with the worst employment termination in history while earning the title as 'anti-working class Coalition Government,” Downer charged.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Ministry records 109 cases of COVID-19 in two months
I
n 61 days, Guyana has recorded 109 positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID19), with ten deaths. These figures were announced yesterday by the Minister of P u b l i c H e a l t h , Vo l d a Lawrence, during her update to the nation. She stated that in the last 24 hours, an additional 16 tests were done, bringing the total number of persons tested to 930 with 821 persons testing negative, and was keen to highlight that 36 persons have since recovered. She went on to say that six persons have developed worsened conditions and are seeking further treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Meanwhile, the numbers of persons housed under institutional isolation continue to rise, as Minister Lawrence reported that there are now 63 in that facility, as one is under quarantine. “Fellow Guyanese, we have constantly been pleading with you to come forward if you have been in contact with a positive case.
We have also listed the areas where confirmed cases have been identified but still there is reluctance for you to disclose your contacts,” the Health Minister stressed. She continued, “We must seriously think about flattening the curve and containing the spread of the virus so that we all can return to normalcy. Therefore, we ask you to put aside fear & stigma and come forward and provide the information so that your loved one, your friend or acquaintance can avoid the risk of contracting this disease and possibly losing their life.” Meanwhile, persons who may be showing signs and symptoms of COVID19 can visit the Ministry of Public Health's mobile testing unit located at the
Merriman's Mall for screening. The unit will be in the area until Friday. Family Medicine Resident, Dr. Keon Harmon, who heads the mobile unit, explained that the screening process is quite simple and it helps to determine those persons who qualify as highrisk. All that is required is a form of identification. First persons will be asked several questions to determine the likelihood of them having been exposed to COVID-19. If they meet the criteria for testing, then staff will take a sample, Dr. Harmon explained These samples will then be sent to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory for testing. Dr. Harmon cautioned that receiving test results will
depend on several factors: “For example, we can test about 50 persons today but that does not necessarily mean that we would have the results by the end of the day. It depends on a number of factors such as the flow of operations on the lab.” He also noted that based on the results, management of the person will be determined by the team. Additionally, the head of the mobile unit said thus far, the majority of visitors were young adults and a few senior citizens. On April 27, the Ministry of Public Health launched its mobile testing unit to assist in reducing the number of persons seeking screening and testing at the Guyana Public Hospital. With some communities on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara and Central Georgetown deemed hotspots Dr. Harmon advised that residents in these areas continue to follow the g u i d e l i n e o f washing/sanitizing their hands, wearing a facemask when going out and practising social distancing.
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Vryheid's Lust woman murdered by son-in-law
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56-year-old woman, Velma Pickering, was left dead after a domestic squabble with her son-in-law turned violent. The incident occurred at around 14:00 hours at the woman's Vryheid's Lust, East Coast Demerara home. Her 28-year-old son-inlaw, who worked as security guard, was reportedly caught by public-spirited persons shortly after fleeing the scene and was handed over to the police. The incident occurred on Monday, May 11, 2020 between 14:00- 14:45h at the victim's residence. Kaieteur News understands that Pickering was reportedly attacked and stabbed multiple times after her attacker accused her of trying to break up his relationship with her daughter. The woman was stabbed with an ice pick ten times before she managed to flee the house and ventured into her neighbour's yard where she collapsed. She was rushed to the
Dead: Velma Pickering GPHC and was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was being sought for unlawful wounding committed on Shamar Roberts, days before at Sideline Dam, Buxton.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Small parties commend GECOM, police for smooth, well-organised recount - Alexander
S
ix small parties that met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday commended the Commission for a smooth, well organised recount process, Commissioner Vincent Alexander told the media yesterday, adding that participants also lauded the role of the Guyana Police Force. “I think it was a rather cordial meeting, and I think there are two important observations to make, coming out of the meeting.
All of those who spoke commended GECOM for its process, the fact that it has a process that's running smooth, and seem to be well organised. All without exception made that observation,” Alexander reported. Party agents have themselves confirmed to reporters that they are comfortable with the way the process is being handled by GECOM, but some are still very concerned about the pace of the recount and would like to see it improve.
Commenting on the work of the Guyana Police Force, he said that they should be applauded for the service being rendered. He mentioned that the previous argument made on the exclusion of the police from the process was an “absurdity” as the Force is executing their job to the best of their ability. A major topic that emerged from the meeting was the “variance in communication.” The party agents relayed to the Commission concerns
Commissioner Vincent Alexander
regarding decisions that are being implemented, citing that these decisions only become known to them when the counting agents show up at their various stations. GECOM officials are being advised prior to the commencement of the counting, the party agents argued; according to A l e x a n d e r, t h e representatives recommended that they also be advised in advance of the decisions so as to not be blindsided. The smaller parties also raised implicit concerns that the claims being revealed in the Observation Reports do not redound to the integrity of GECOM's process. He relayed that they thought it was not in GECOM's interest to embrace an exercise, which questions the credibility of its own process. Further, the parties stated that the matters being brought to their attention by virtue of the recount are matters that are more
pertinent to an elections petition than to a recount. The parties raised other concerns about the importance of the Observation Statements (OR's) and the working hours of the recount. He said that a view was expressed that the observation statements should not be dealt with in the way they are being dealt with. However, Alexander maintained that, “[for] the interest of transparency, you have to go the full haul”. Commissioner Alexander also added that, “the question of why 5 o'clock is the shutdown time for the collection of boxes, and the point was made that in fact, some of the stations worked yesterday beyond 7, a little beyond 7.” He pointed out that no decisions were made on the issues raised at the meeting and that these matters will be reviewed at the Commission's meeting sometime today.
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Commuters appeal for screening at Supenaam Speedboat Terminal I
n the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities on the Essequibo Coast have been taking a number of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents. Among the measures implemented, is the screening at the Supenaam Ferry Terminal. Residents, nevertheless, are still requesting similar measures at the Supenaam Speedboat Terminal, which is located just a stone's throw away from the Ferry Terminal. Supenaam is a key point of entry to the Essequibo Coast from surrounding regions, primarily Regions Three and Four. According to information reaching this newspaper, passengers disembarking the ferries are compelled to undergo a number a steps before they can be cleared. Passengers first undergo a temperature screening in which their temperature is tested by a thermography device. They then proceed to wash and sanitize their hands. All passengers are then obligated to undergo a documentation process. In this process, the passengers' name, age and address are recorded.. At the Supenaam Speedboat Terminal, however, no such system exists. The question of how efficient the region's screening measure is therefore arises. Commuters are appealing to the relevant authorities to implement a similar screening system at the speedboat terminal. “To be honest, I don't really see the point in doing screening at one stelling,” said one resident, “and still you ain't screening the other one. Is like yuh trying to catching fish and the net got a big hole. In the end, yuh ain't gon accomplish anything. How long them ain't set the same system at the speedboat stelling, we ain't got one hundred percent guarantee safety.”
Passengers undergoing screening at the Supenaam Ferry terminal
The speedboat terminal where no screening system exists
Fire razes several buildings in Bartica
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fire of unknown origin razed several buildings in First Avenue Bartica, last night, with damages estimated in the hundreds of millions. The inferno threatened a significant portion of the mining town's central business district and up to midnight last night, about two hours after it first started, firemen were at the scene still struggling to get it under control.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Venezuelan migrants say “they not going anywhere” despite embassy's offer to take them home Venezuelan Migrants receiving hampers from Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix
The Venezuelan embassy in Guyana
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enezuelans living in Guyana have made it clear that they have no intentions of leaving Guyana despite an offer made by the Venezuelan Embassy in Guyana to assist them in
returning home. A few weeks ago the Embassy contacted this media house via WhatsApp, revealing its intention to assist Venezuelans affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Embassy stated that
Chicken thief: Some Diamond, East Bank Demerara residents captured this 10-foot anaconda after hearing noises from a resident's chicken pen. The snake had already swallowed one chicken.
a group of Venezuelans had approached its Thomas Street office requesting assistance to return to Venezuela. It claimed that this group of individuals had related that, because of the enforced COVID-19
measures in Guyana, they were left without means of income and wished to return to their homeland. The statement sent went on to read “As part of our duties with Venezuelan citizens, we have passed on this information to our Government and currently await permission to approach the relevant authorities of Guyana to allow its citizens to return home.” With this information in hand, Kaieteur News took the initiative to venture out and have chat with the migrant population in Guyana. The Gonsalves family residing in John Street, Campbellville told Kaieteur News that they would not like to return home at this “point in time”. Kim Gonsalves who spoke on behalf of her family said that instead of running back home they prefer to migrate to another country “if things get worse in Guyana.” She said that it is indeed true that as a result of the coronavirus restriction measures they have all been sent home from their daily jobs. She is quite grateful that a few of the men “in the house are able to find temporary jobs at least two days per week to support the family with basic food”. This she says would not have been possible in Venezuela. “So what's the sense of returning to country that worse off than Guyana” she added.
Screenshot of statement sent to this Publication Another woman, Ingrid Martinez, who migrated to Guyana two years ago, said she is "not that much excited to return." The woman told this media house that she and her colleagues have been laid off for more than month now. "Food supplies are dwindling and we are forced to eat bare rice but we have hope that things will get
better", said Martinez. She continued that if the lockdown gets extended for a longer period, then she and her colleagues will be left no choice but to return home. It is not their desire to do so, however, since they believe Venezuela is no better. In fact, Martinez said, Guyana is blessed and she has one hundred percent hope that things will get better again.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday May 12, 2020
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Guyana moves to review oil laws without policy for guidance Five Years Later...
By Kiana Wilburg
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he Energy Department is in the process of fine-tuning a contract with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, an American law firm, to review Guyana's law, but this is being done without a petroleum policy for guidance on what Guyana wants to achieve in its oil industry. During a recent webinar on Guyana's petroleum regime, international lawyer, J. Jay Park QC, alluded to the importance of having a petroleum policy first, then moving to write or amend laws. Park said, “...How do we go about a process of regulatory reform? We know that we need to start, at least when I work on a petroleum law, I say to my client, 'Please tell me what's your policy? What is it you want to achieve?' I can express that in the law. (But) we need to begin with Petroleum Policy.” Park. who has 35 years experience in the industry,
International Energy Lawyer, Jay Park QC said that there has been some rudimentary action in this regard with Guyana. The Queen's Counsel said however that it behooves the government to focus on what it wants to achieve, then it can amend the law, followed by writing more detailed regulations. Once that is done, Park said, then the country can move on to creating a better petroleum agreement and go
about further awards on a more competitive basis. The Managing Partner at Park Energy Law said that the principles of such a policy will then be expressed in the laws, regulations and contracts; increase transparency and aid efficiency in petroleum activities and how they should be done; maximize local benefits; include provisions on protecting the environment; and ensure Guyana has a sustainable regime. Park believes these are key features that should be part of the policy, part of the law, and part of the regulations. Further to this, the international lawyer explained that these features are important and desirable in order to avoid the resource curse which is often called the paradox of plenty. This he said, is where many states have lots of oil resources but they fail to prosper. “It is ironic because you don't expect a State with so much resource to end up with a negative economic result.” But there are a number of
Deviant GECOM officials may be blacklisted
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f an official of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is found to be incompetent or deviant, that official may be blacklisted by GECOM according to Vincent Alexander during a press briefing yesterday, on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The Commissioner explained that such a process, “collateral to this exercise called the recount” entertains the question of “how you deal with officers who either prove to be incompetent or who prove to be deviant in their behaviour”. He said that this is a matter that will have to be looked at, after the completion of the recount. GECOM would have to determine who those persons are, and why they behaved in a way that questions their competence or calls their credibility into question. Alexander said that this decision had been made long ago, when Gocool Boodhoo was Chief Elections Officer, “that we should have a pool of election officials to resort to from time to time, as
- Commissioner Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo
elections come along.” “That would have to be activated and applied at this time,” he stated. While he is adamant that this should happen, and said he would advocate for same, Alexander indicated that the decision to undertake such a process would have to be made by the seven-member Commission. Commissioner Sase Gunraj had, before the recount started, advocated for the exclusion of several GECOM officials from the
recount on the grounds that they displayed openly partisan behaviour in favour of the governing Coalition during the Region Four tabulations. His contention is that those persons were a party to electoral fraud. The most contentious figure, Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, was excluded from the recount by the Chair of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh, after calls mounted for his removal.
reasons why oil rich states land in this quandary. According to Park, one of them is being export reliance. In this regard, the lawyer said that the resource gets exported but there is no local use that is made of it or it is not upgraded along the value chain. Park said that the petroleum regime can help to avoid the resource course but there must be careful attention to the features it needs to have. He said that
this is what Guyana should be looking at as it goes through the amendments to its laws. Even as the Energy Department proceeds with the conclusion of the contractual details with the US firm, the entire arrangement has come in for heavy criticism locally and internationally. In fact, the Directors of the World Bank Group have received two letters calling for an investigation into possible conflict of interest.
The letters note that Hunton Andrews Kurth enjoys a 40year relationship with ExxonMobil. There are concerns about what this relation could mean for Guyana which has to use the said laws to regulate ExxonMobil and other oil companies. Energy Department Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe has told Kaieteur News that he is not opposed to the concerns of conflict of interest, and if they do exist, they should be addressed.
GECOM may ask Immigration for report to verify claims of migrant voters - Alexander
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ommissioner V i n c e n t Alexander says that the law allows for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to receive a periodic report from the Chief Immigration Officer with the names of persons who have departed and returned to the country, so that GECOM may determine who is eligible to vote. This was referred to after numerous claims were raised by the governing coalition of discrepancies during the National Recount of votes. One such issue which arose repeatedly is the claim that the names of migrants were ticked off as having voted on Election Day. “GECOM may ask them [immigration] to [provide
the report], but I think GECOM has to resort to what should normally occur and that is the receipt of that report,” Alexander said. “The objection to that exercise which is enshrined in the law suggests that when the Chief Registration Officer gets that information (the Immigration report), he can then determine the instances of people who have not returned, how that is dealt with in relation to the compilation of the register of registrants.” Alexander said, on the outskirts of the National Recount yesterday, that GECOM would have to rely on such a report from Immigration, but it appears as though that required periodic production of the report has not been practiced. Asked why that has not
occurred as it should, he said that though there was a discussion some years ago on the need for a national database that GECOM could rely on, a suggestion made to the then Minister of Home A ff a i r s w a s n o t w e l l received. Fellow commissioner, Sase Gunraj had taken issue with agents of political parties appearing to have access to and flouting the personal immigration records of voters during t h e r e c o u n t p r o cess. Gunraj held that this is a misuse of those persons' records. Alexander held that though it may be a misuse of the persons' records, the possibility of a migrant vote being cast suggests that there may have been a misuse of the person's absence.
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
Commissioner Alexander says...
AG's Chambers had advised GECOM against initial Caricom recount
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Commissioner Vincent Alexander told reporters yesterday that it is his understanding that the CARICOM recount, which was previously aborted, was aborted due to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) receiving legal advice from the Attorney General's Chambers. It is his view that it was not the interim injunctions granted by Justice Franklyn Holder that blocked the recount. The interim injunctions granted by Justice Holder, prompted by the applicant and APNU+AFC candidate Ulita Moore, are documented, though Alexander said yesterday that it is his understanding that they were never granted. After it was brought to his attention that interim injunctions were indeed granted, Alexander said that, as far as he knows, whatever Justice Holder did, did not hold up the GECOM process. “When the CARICOM effort was aborted, most people seem to have forgotten that it was in the first instance on the advice of the Attorney General's Chamber that this thing was aborted,” Alexander said. A March 17 letter from Chief Parliamentary Counsel Charles Fung-a-Fat contains the advice of the AG's Chambers. Fung-a-Fat noted GECOM's intention to activate Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act to remove the difficulties arising with the application of the Representation of the People Act, in its quest to conduct the national recount. In this regard, the argument he proffered is that
the “retrospective” modification of Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act would affect a person's vested rights under the Representation of the People Act. In this regard, the advice held that the order for the recount could not be made. The advice also held that the activation of Article 162 of the Constitution would require GECOM to comply with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Fung-a-Fat stated that the provision allows GECOM to “act administratively through an interpretation of the law as it now stands” and that it does not allow the Commission to modify the law. “That advice suggested,” Alexander said, “that the law did not provide for us to issue the kind of order we had gone to them to consult on,” he said, indicating that it was GECOM that consulted the AG's Chambers. The Court of Appeal had
Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fat indicated that GECOM would not delegate its constitutionally mandated supervisory authority to another body, where the conduct of the electoral process is concerned. And even before the Court made its final orders in that regard, GECOM had gone
ahead with its planning for the current recount, after removing from the discourse any language which suggests that GECOM is abdicating its supervisory power. Commissioner Sase Gunraj had explained, after a Commission meeting, that CARICOM was never meant to supervise the recount, but that the word was very loosely used in the aide memoire governing the recount. “What held up the recount or stopped the recount, for all intents and purposes at the level of GECOM, was the advice we got from the AG's Chambers. Because of that advice, when we went back into the recount mode, we made sure it was no longer a CARICOM supervised recount.” GECOM has since begun that recount, on the legal grounds of Article 162 of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act.
A game of ‘willful ignorance’ From page 6 exposed the fraudulent actions of Clairmont Mingo, Returning Officer for District 4, and provides for charges, prosecution, and imprisonment if found guilty by a court of law. That ‘irregularity’ seems to be overlooked by APNU/AFC as it is never mentioned. In the meanwhile, APNU/ AFC Agents are making objections, which are being marked down earnestly by GECOM staff; in one instance (Box 3038) Ms. Coretta Mc Donald objected to voters’ numbers 273, 275,
277 and 334, when informed that the station only had 257 voters on its OLE, Ms. Mc Donald refused to sign the SOR. These and similar ‘objections’ form the basis for an APNU/AFC statement alleging widespread irregularities. It is an exercise in deception with the sole intention of convincing the persons who voted for APNU/AFC that they were disenfranchised. They believe that people who willingly believed that 33 was not the majority of 65, will believe anything
they are fed. The epigram ’mek yuhself grass and jackass will eat yuh’ springs to mind. On the 11th May 2015, there was an election, five days later, on the 16th, David Granger was sworn as the 9th President of Guyana; his refusal to accept his loss in 2020 has Guyanese pandering to his willful ignorance of the results in a bid for a peaceful transition of administration 70 days later. Respectfully, Robin Singh
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
Tuesday May 12, 2020
It was never his fault – Nico Rosberg reflects on battles with Lewis Hamilton Omnisport - Nico Rosberg says Lewis Hamilton excels in wheel-to-wheel battles in a way that ensures any incidents are “never really his fault” and conceded the breakdown of their friendship was “tough”. Six-time Formula One world champion Hamilton spent four seasons alongside Rosberg after joining Mercedes in 2013. The Briton won world titles in 2014 and 2015 but Rosberg got the better of him in 2016, a year where the teammates’ relationship, which had been growing increasingly tense, broke down completely. Rosberg called time on his career after his world
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Kaieteur News
championship success in a year that included an infamous crash between the two at the Spanish Grand Prix. He praised the ability of Hamilton, who has gone on to add three consecutive drivers’ titles with Valtteri Bottas as his team-mate, when it came to their scraps on the track. “The guy is phenomenal in a wheel-to-wheel battle,” Rosberg said in an interview for Heineken with David Coulthard. “It’s unbelievable how he positions the car so smartly. Whenever I would go up against him, hold my own and fight back, he would always manage to stay in the grey area. “He would be so skilled at
keeping it in the grey area, and never really making it 100 per cent his fault. That was a huge strength of his, one of the huge strengths he has of the many. “Sometimes I would just straightaway jump over the grey area into the black area, which is not allowed.” Rosberg insisted he was not daunted by Hamilton’s arrival as his teammate, having spent three years with Mercedes and won just one race before his old friend’s move from McLaren. “I knew how good Lewis was because I raced him in go-karts for many years and I knew that he was extra special,” added Rosberg. “I was like, okay, done, I’ve conquered the most difficult guy out there
Tuesday May 12, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A group might invite you to participate in a creative project of some kind today. Whatever you do is likely to be stimulating and exciting, even as you all sit at your separate screens around town or around the world. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You might be planning to host a safe social event on the front lawn, across the back fence, or via Zoom. It could have you doing a lot of cleaning. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might want to spend time waving and shouting at friends in your neighborhood. Small purchases might be necessary from essential businesses. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A chance to earn a small amount of money, perhaps by doing a little extra work at home, could come your way today. You could hear about it through a friend or colleague. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Expect a day of intellectual stimulation. Important news may come by phone, necessitating action on your part to bring about a desired end. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your creative talents should be running at an all-time high today, Virgo. You might be offered an opportunity to earn money putting them to use. Your excitement and enthusiasm will ensure that you'll do your very best.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Getting out and doing something physical as a group could seem especially appealing today, although everyone should be masked and at least six feet apart. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) An exciting new project or opportunity could be presented to you today. It could involve a new love or at least a new friend. Something you've been working on for a long time could finally come to fruition. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Contact with friends who live or work far away could bring a string of new opportunities your way. You might also start planning a trip, perhaps to another country or by boat, once it's safe to travel again. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) New investment possibilities could present themselves today, Capricorn. This might involve an investment of time, money, or other resources. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) In safer times, you'd have an opportunity to travel with a partner or colleague, perhaps for business. At least you can make plans today if it's still too soon to make the trip. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) News of a possible raise could come your way today, Pisces, maybe through some enterprise that you've been working on. You're feeling especially energetic.
[Michael Schumacher] and then they say Lewis is incoming. “There wasn’t any negativity in my mind, I was looking forward to the challenge because he was a world champion. I was able to play level field with Lewis all the way through. “In 2013, it was still pretty much easy going because we weren’t fighting for race wins, and we used to be best friends, so that was a decent start. “But then going into 2014, that’s where you noticed because once you are fighting for race wins and championships, there is so much at stake. “Your dream is at stake. Both of us dreamed of winning the world championship with Mercedes. It’s so big. “It’s hard to make compromises, and it’s the friendship that gets compromised, in return for winning races. It just went small step by small step, and it just builds up. It was tough.”
King targeting T20 World... From page 23 heading into it as well. You want to have full confidence.” The CPL is carded for August 19 to September 26 but its staging is in doubt due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic which has halted cricket globally. West Indies are also due to host South Africa and New Zealand between July and August in Tests and limited overs games but both series are also now in jeopardy, and are likely to deprive King of chances to prove his worth. Though away from the field because of the lockdowns across the Caribbean due to the outbreak, King said he was using the time to work on his fitness and improve technical aspects of his batting. “There are challenges because there are things that you cannot do as you used to but I look at it in a positive way – there are also things you might not have had time to do in a normal situation,” he explained. “[Now] you can focus more on bettering yourself, and fitness-wise you can push yourself in workouts a little bit more than you could during competitions. “You have time to recover, you have time to work on some technical stuff – go back to basics in a sense – and get that really sorted out so that when cricket starts back, you can have a better foundation than when you stopped.”
No elite sport in England until at least June 1, says government (Reuters) - Elite sport in England cannot return until at least June 1 and will have to take place without spectators present, a government document containing guidelines on easing lockdown restrictions said yesterday. Most professional sport in England has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. English Premier League clubs were meeting yesterday to discuss Project Restart, which aims for topflight football to resume next month. Cricket and rugby authorities in England have said their sports will not resume until July. The news however, is a blow to British horse racing, which had hoped to resume behind closed doors later this month.
The government guidance concerning the easing of restrictions on elite sport is laid out in “step two” of the document, and will be made no earlier than June 1. Step two includes “permitting cultural and sporting events to take place behind closed doors for broadcast while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact,” the guidelines say. The resumption of elite sport is contingent on the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by the virus and the June 1 date will be delayed if certain conditions are not met. Reopening venues such as sports grounds “may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections”, the document adds.
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I’m right ear waiting - Holyfield would consider trilogy fight with Tyson Omnisport - Boxing’s comeback culture may have reached its nadir after Evander Holyfield indicated he could fight Mike Tyson for a third time. Almost a quarter of a century since part of his ear was bitten off by his American rival, Holyfield said he and fellow old-stager Tyson could get into the ring again for an exhibition fight. Both men have in recent days declared they will pull the boxing gloves on again and fight, with 57-year-old Holyfield and 53-year-old Tyson having spent years in retirement. Four-time world heavyweight champion Holyfield has not fought since May 2011, when he knocked out Brian Nielsen in his 57th professional outing, and he quit in 2014. He intends to return to the ring to raise funds for charity Unite 4 Our Fight, revealing Riddick Bowe would be his preferred opponent. But when asked about the prospect of facing Tyson again, Holyfield told TMZ Sports: “It wouldn’t bother me to do so. I’m always thinking that the person who takes care of themselves well, they’re the ones that tend to last even
Francis Ngannou answers Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s call-out with 20-second KO at UFC 249
Holyfield would consider trilogy fight with Tyson (right). though I’m four years older than him. It would be no problem. “My manager, he had talks and all that, but the fact is with me personally I think that’s for me to ask; the only person I would actually really ask is Riddick Bowe because me and him are buddies.” Bowe, like Tyson and Holyfield, is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and the 52-year-old has not fought since 2008. Holyfield was asked about his relationship with Tyson, more than two decades on from the shameful scenes in Las Vegas that saw Tyson disqualifi e d f r o m
their second world title fight, and said the pair now get along. “I would think so,” he said. ”Life’s about two people really trusting each other and what can we do now.” And Holyfield said the ear injury that Tyson inflicted on him was a reminder less of the bite, but of the $35million he said he received for that 1997 bout at the MGM Grand. The first fight between the two in 1996 saw Holyfield stop Tyson in the penultimate round to win the WBA heavyweight belt, with the 1997 rematch going down as one of sport’s most extraordinary occasions.
GMR&SC mulls endurance meet following curfew The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has indicated that it will be looking to run off round two of the Endurance Championship as soon as the state decide s t h a t t h e country should come out of its partial lockdown. Speaking to head of the club, Rameez Mohamed, yesterday, he shared with Kaieteur Sport that, “Whenever the curfew is lifted, we will be looking to run off an Endurance meet no more than two weeks after.” However, fans will not be permitted to be at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, to witness the three-hour battle amongst the 1500cc to unlimited cc machines because the club is cognisant of the eminent threat of the coronavirus
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Kaieteur News
disease. Mohamed explained that fans should not be discouraged since there will be setting up a professional live-stream feed at the track that will be also be available social media. The sports industry has been hit very hard by the pandemic but some leagues and associations inclusive of Formula 1 along with the German and English football leagues have dates in the near future that they have set for a return to competition behind closed doors, and like them, the GMR&SC is also looking to gradually return to normalcy as well with strict adherence to health officials guidelines. The proposed Endurance meet will not be
short of entertaining for the viewers with the club also sharing with Kaieteur Sport that a five-lap street car shoot-out is also being mooted. So, far, the idea has been greeted by much fanfare by racers and fans alike and the promise of competitive motorsport locally following the last meet; the National Race of Champions, in February is highly anticipated. The first round of the Endurance championship o n J a n u a r y 28th was curtailed after unlimited class driver Ravi Singh narrowly escaped his machine after it caught fire during the latter stages of the race. Luckily, Singh only had to endure minor burns after the incident and has soon recovered. (Calvin Chapman)
Francis Ngannou (R) of Cameroon misses a punch against Jair Rozenstruik of Suriname in their Heavyweight fight during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) Yahoo Sports - Francis Ngannou felt like his fight Saturday on the main card of UFC 249 against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, should have been for the interim h e a v y w e i g h t championship. The UFC disagreed, though UFC president Dana White said the winner would get the first crack at the winner of the rubber match between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier that will be held later this year. Ngannou proved his point in the most emphatic way on Saturday. In a battle of arguably the biggest punchers in the UFC, it was no contest o n S a t u r d a y. N g a n n o u walked through a pair of Rozenstruik kicks, landing
a crushing left hook that put him out and then finished it with a couple of shots on the ground. He needed just 20 seconds to end one of the most hotly anticipated bouts on a stacked card Saturday. Rozenstruik knocked out Alistair Overeem in a dramatic last-second finish in December and called Ngannou out after the fight. Ngannou said when he heard it, he had to do an internet search to learn who Rozenstruik was. No doubt, Rozenstruik regretted that choice on Saturday. “When I heard he called me out, I knew that he didn’t know what he was doing,” Ngannou said in the cage following the bout. “I think he has a lot of potential, but he has to take
a step back and get ready before fighting me.” They were supposed to fight in Columbus, Ohio, at the end of March, but that card was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was put in a prime position on S a t u r d a y ’s c a r d , w h i c h took on added significance since it was the first sporting event in the U.S. since the coronavirus began forcing the shutdown in March. Ngannou, who lost a previous title shot to Miocic, looks primed now. But he said he worked hard on his striking during a nearly four-month camp, when he wasn’t sure what was going to happen. He said he doesn’t know where he fits in, but few would doubt it’s going to take a massive effort to defeat him again.
GBA and Bris O Promotions present hampers The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) in collaboration with Seon Bristol of Bris O Promotions on Saturday last presented 65 hampers to boxers and officials of the association. The hampers were made possible following donations from several
companies and well wishers. The USA based Bristol said that it is the first but not the last time that he will be providing assistance during the “difficult Covid19 period.” He added that there will be further dialogue with the GBA on if and when a similar exercise would be held. “GBA president Steve Ninvalle explained that in such trying times it is only
fitting that the association attempts to minimise the burden of its affiliates. He urged other associations to follow suit as there is present urgent need. Ninvalle added that hampers were delivered to the families of the four boxers stranded in Cuba. Hampers were distributed to boxers, referees, judges and coaches.
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Allow bowlers to ball-tamper, says ex-Australia captain Chappell AFP - Former Australia captain Ian Chappell says some form of ball-tampering could be allowed in cricket, with saliva and sweat considered health risks due to the coronavirus crisis. Bowlers regularly shine one side of the leather-clad ball to make the ball swing sideways in mid-flight and deceive the batsman. But rubbing spit or sweat into the ball’s surface is expressly forbidden under new Australian Institute of Sport guidelines that set out the conditions for the game to resume. Chappell has previously suggested that international captains be asked to come up with a list of natural substances bowlers feel would help them swing the ball. And, writing on the Cricinfo website, he said fans craved a genuine contest between bat and ball. “From this list, the administrators should deem one method to be legal with
all others being punishable as illegal,” he wrote. “With cricket on hold, this is the ideal time to conduct the exercise. Using saliva and perspiration are now seen as a health hazard, so bowlers require something to replace the traditional methods of shining the ball.” Australian ball manufacturer Kookaburra is developing a wax applicator that would allow bowlers to shine the ball. The innovation involves using a sponge to apply small amounts of wax to the ball. Current laws forbid the use of artificial substances to alter the ball, but there is a long history of tampering that goes well beyond bowlers spitting on the ball and rubbing it on their clothing. Test players have been accused of using lozenges, petroleum jelly and resin to shine the ball, and also scuffing it with bottle tops, trouser zippers and grit. The most notorious recent case was in 2018, when
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell. (AFP/File/William West) some Australian players attempted to alter the ball with sandpaper during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town, resulting in lengthy bans for those involved. Chappell also said administrators should make a change to the leg-before-
wicket (LBW) law in favour of bowlers. “The new lbw law should simply say ‘any delivery that strikes the pad without first hitting the bat and, in the umpire’s opinion, would go on to hit the stumps is out regardless of whether or not
Rubbing spit or sweat into the ball is forbidden under new Australian guidelines. (AFP/Oli Scarff) a shot is attempted’,” the former batsman wrote. He added: “These law changes would help redress
any imbalance and make the game, particularly Test cricket, a far more entertaining spectacle.”
Andrea Rinaldi: Atalanta midfielder dies aged 19 after suffering aneurysm
Atalanta midfielder Andrea Rinaldi has died aged 19 after suffering a brain aneurysm. (Atalanta Instagram) BBC Atalanta midfielder Andrea Rinaldi has died aged 19 after suffering a brain aneurysm on Friday while training at home during the coronavirus lockdown. Rinaldi was part of the youth system at Atalanta and had been on loan at Serie D side Legnano this season. “Always available and positive, he knew how to make himself well-liked by everyone,” said an Atalanta statement. Legnano described Rinaldi’s death as “a sudden and shocking tragedy, impossible even to imagine”. Legnano’s statement, which confirmed the cause of death, added: “Andrea fought for three days after the
Atalanta’s Rinaldi scored in the 2017 U17 Serie A final against Inter Milan. (Getty Images) illness that hit him. Unfortunately there was nothing to do.” Italian media reported that Rinaldi died at hospital in Varese yesterday morning.
Rinaldi had been at Serie A side Atalanta since the age of 13, winning the Under-17 league title and Super Cup in 2016. He previously had loans
spells at Imolese and Mezzolara and had made 23 appearances for Legnano this season, scoring one goal. “Just as on the pitch you were always the last to
surrender, this time too you fought with all your might not to fly away too soon,” Atalanta’s statement added. “President Antonio Percassi and the whole
Atalanta family, deeply moved, send their most heartfelt sympathy to Andrea Rinaldi’s family members and AC Legnano for his passing.”
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Tuesday May 12, 2020
‘Premature to get too excited’: Cricket West Indies president on England tour Joe Root and Jason Holder have been involved in discussions about West Indies’ tour. (Getty Images)
Shai Hope walks back after the win. (Getty Images)
ESPNcricinfo - Ricky Skerritt, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has said it is “premature to get too excited” about the conditions under which the England tour would be possible. He also said while talks were ongoing about the possibility of a July start to the three-Test series, there was no “confirmation” yet. Jason Holder’s team were meant to start the Test series on June 4. However in April, the ECB postponed the tour indefinitely after the UK government imposed various restrictions as part of the lockdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. On Monday, releasing a 60-page document titled ‘Covid-19 Recovery Strategy’, the UK government stated that sport behind closed doors was provisionally possible from June 1 as part of that process. The ECB reiterates that international cricket remains its priority in the fastshrinking global cricket window and the best place to play game is in a bio-secure environment, behind closed doors. “It would be premature to start to get too excited as to what the terms and conditions would be,” Skerritt told i955fm, a Trinidad-based radio station, on Thursday from his home in St Kitts and Nevis. “There has been no confirmation of anything. Different ideas have come up based on the medical advice. Both organisations have had medical oriented and cricket technical oriented discussions.” Skerritt said that both boards were “speculating, hoping, imagining, wishing,
praying” that the tour would take place at some point during the England’s cricket summer which is likely to stretch to end of September. “The tour was supposed to take place within the next two weeks, somewhere in June. We keep pushing back the dates….we have a date sometime in July for the proposed tour to begin. The technical people are talking, looking at potential scenarios for travel or hospitality, for practice, for preparation, for getting the players ready to compete at international level and so on. “That is the planning process that is taking place on both sides of the Atlantic, especially at the ECB. It is their home series. And the onus is on them to invite us, which has already been done, and then say when, how, where etc. We are not at that point yet. Both the ECB and CWI had a conference call recently to discuss the viability of going ahead with the Test series. Also present on the call were the key personnel from both team managements, including West Indies captain Jason Holder, Phil Simmons (head coach), former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams (director of cricket) along with CWI chief executive Johnny Grave. Holder had recently told CNC3 TV, a Caribbean television network, that he would not want to be rushed into any decision without having addressed all necessary precautions needed in order to travel to England. “This thing (pandemic) has been really, really serious, as we all know, and
has claimed quite a few lives throughout the world, and that’s the last thing any of us would really want,” Holder said. “I think we’ve got to play the safety card first before we can even think about resuming our normal lives.” Skerritt echoed that sentiment. “Let me just be clear, Cricket West Indies will not be making any decisions that don’t make sense under the circumstances,” he said. “But obviously unless things change dramatically within the next month or two it won’t be normal circumstances, so the circumstances that prevail and the conditions that are placed will be determined if they are mutually suitable. “This will be a win-win tour in terms of the arrangements. Nobody will
be put at a disadvantage. Nobody will be abused. We are trying to put things in place where cricketers can play cricket.” ‘Too early to speak of quarantine’ According to the recovery strategy document released by the UK government, all overseas travelers would need to selfisolate for 14 days upon arrival. ESPNcricinfo understands that CWI has stated to the ECB that its players would need a fourweek period to prepare in England for the series. The CWI was hopeful of their players being allowed the chance to train during the two-week quarantine, although the ECB would need to seek the government’s nod beforehand. Skerritt said West Indies players would need to follow the rules, but he also pointed out it was it was too early to talk about quarantine right now. “This is too early to speak of quarantine and
length of quarantine and so on,” he said. “You can’t go to Britain to play sport or do anything else without complying with whatever the terms, conditions and protocols operate at the time. S i m i l a r l y, C a r i b b e a n cricketers are not going to be able to move around the region, get involved in preparation camps and other things that are necessary before a tour like this without it being cleared with the health authorities. “Cricket West Indies is not in anyway trying to force any unreasonable ideas down anybody’s throat. The cricketers are not going to be jumping into a blind hole, they shouldn’t be jumping into a hole at all.” Skerritt ruled out sending a “weakened” squad to England in case some of the primary Test players were to opt out. If players decided it was “too dangerous” for them after the boards had finalised to go ahead with the series, Skerritt said it was “their prerogative” and the CWI would not “force” them to go on there.
“We are not going to force anybody to go anywhere to play cricket they don’t want to play. Fortunately, we don’t expect that because I don’t see any reason to believe that anybody is going to be less safe in the UK than they’ll be at home under the circumstances.” Both boards will are scheduled to discuss to convene over another call on May 15 to discuss the update scenario. “If this English tour is going to take place, and I think, I’ve to assume all of us prefer it took place, we have to make sure that terms and conditions and the environment for good health, hygiene and safety in the context of Covid-19 prevail in ways that don’t make cricket impossible to be played. “We’re not going to change the rules of cricket. We just need to be able to decide what the environment can be under the circumstances and make sure everybody is clear and aware and in agreement with what is the way forward.”
King targeting T20 World Cup showpiece KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Rookie West Indies white-ball batsman, Brandon King, has set his s i g h t s o n t h i s y e a r ’s Twenty20 World Cup, and is hoping to further impress selectors to ensure he is selected for the showpiece Down Under. The 25-year-old made his international debut last year and has maintained his spot in the side despite failing to register a single half-century in 12 innings across both limited overs formats. But with the T20 World Cup scheduled for October 18 to November 15, King is hoping to make the trip in order to put his talents on show on the global stage.
Brandon King. “It [the World Cup] is the biggest opportunity [to showcase talent] because that’s when you have most people watching. I had that goal from last year, trying to make sure I’m selected in that team, and then I’ll take it from there,” the Jamaican told the Observer newspaper
here. “In terms of what I’ve done, I think there is a lot of room for improvement. It’s a learning process but you try to learn as quickly as possible. “At the end of the day you get picked to perform, so you don’t get endless opportunities to prove yourself. It’s about learning from your mistakes as fast as you can.” King earned a call-up to West Indies colours after dominating in both the fourday and T20 formats last year. He was the leading scorer in the Caribbean Premier League with 496 runs for losing finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors and also plundered 630 runs
for his native Jamaica Scorpions in the domestic first class championship. However, he has struggled at international level, with a highest score of 3 9 i n O n e - D a y Internationals and 43 in T20s, and is targeting another successful CPL in order to remain in the selectors frame. “It’s the nature of sport; current form is very important and I think the selectors will always look to who’s performing [well] closer to the time of a competition,” he pointed out. “From a personal point of view, obviously you want to be in the best form (Continued on page 19)
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What cricket means to West Indians
Sarwan appointed 29th West Indies skipper Daren Ganga speaks during the launch of his DVD on coaching, Port-of-Spain, July 23, 2014 © Daren Ganga Foundation
R
a m n a r e s h Sarwan was appointed the 29th West Indies Test captain and the seventh Guyanese to hold the job when he was named skipper for the tour to England in May 2007. With 65 Tests and 4,268 runs at an average of 38.80, the 26-year-old was taking on what many felt was ‘the poisoned chalice’ of West Indies cricket after past captains such as Lara, Hooper and Chanderpaul had failed in the job since the team began their slump at the International level in 1995. The attitude of the players and the inept way West Indies cricket was being administered were blamed for the team’s poor showing at the International level. The woeful showing at the CWC was especially disappointing for the supporters. Many of Sarwan’s fans felt this was not the best time for him to
take on the burden of captaincy. “When you are not performing everyone questions how you play, your commitment and what you do in your private life and I guess that’s understandable. It hurts when we lose games and maybe everyone should take some of the blame…the players, coaching staff and the administrators,” the new Skipper stated. “This is an important position and I take it very seriously. I feel my biggest challenge is to get the players, coaching staff and the administrators to look in one direction….to work together as one big team for the betterment of the game…..I think that will be a big step in our moving forward as a team and improving the image of West Indies cricket,” Sarwan opined after his appointment. Although he has acted as stand-in skipper during his tenure as Lara’s deputy from
Kevin Pietersen scored a double century against the West Indies.
2003, Sarwan said that being appointed means you need to show more leadership qualities, be an example to the players both on and off the field and lead from the front at all times. “I have been fortunate to have played at youth level with most of the guys which makes it easier now we are on the same Test team. I also have a good relationship with the junior players since the younger guys have seen me play when they were 16 year-olds, they look up to me. This makes it easier for me to help guide them in the right direction,” Sarwan informed. Some worry that the captaincy could affect his batting, while others fear his social activities could affect his captaincy. Sarwan, the leading West Indian batsman in the CWC 2007, felt neither of the two would happen. “Yeah, I know certain things will have to change now that I am captain. I am fully aware of my responsibilities. I will continue to enjoy my cricket and my life, but there is no way that after all this hard work, I will allow my social life to affect the team or my cricket,” he assured. Sarwan felt the responsibility of captaincy could also help with his sometimes impetuous stroke play. “I am confident that the added responsibility will help my batting especially now that Brian is no longer in the team and we all have to step up and play our part,” Sarwan added. The players’ aversion to training has also been blamed as a reason for their demise and the team is presently without a trainer after the last one resigned.
Daren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan run during their mammoth stand © AFP
But Sarwan felt that was also exaggerated. “Some things are made out to be worse than they are. But I do agree there is room for improvement in the area of fitness. As Captain I fully support a properly structured fitness programme and we will have a fitness trainer in time for the England tour. There are so many reasons why we have not performed as we should. I would like the players to be themselves, to be comfortable and we need to fully understand what it means to consistently perform well,” Sarwan stressed. After just a single day’s match practice in England, the first Test began on May 17 and although four batsmen scored centuries as England declared at 553-5 and Kevin Pietersen flayed an impeccable second innings ton, the young, inexperienced West Indies side showed commitment and fight even if they at times lacked consistency. It was heartening to see the team spirit among the side and almost everyone contributed with the bat, even the bowlers, as the West Indies scored 437. Gayle and
Vice-Captain Ganga then saw their team to 89 without loss in their second innings as the rain affected match ended in a draw. It was a good start to their campaign and without Lara, Sarwan appeared to be getting the full support of a united team. This was one aspect that appeared missing during Lara’s tenure as skipper. After a promising start to the tour, the West Indies’ fortunes took a nose dive both on and off the field in the second Test at Headingly. Chanderpaul was ruled out of the game on the morning of the match due to a knee injury, while skipper Sarwan injured his shoulder while chasing a ball on the first day and was unable to take further action in the rain-hit contest. He was eventually ruled out of the entire series and replaced by Marlon Samuels. In the previous meeting at headingly in 2000, the West Indies lost in two days. This was the first time since 1946 that a Test had ended in two days and the visitors eventually lost their first series in England in three decades. In the 2007 series, England piled up 570-7
declared with skipper Michael Vaughan returning to Test cricket for the first time in 18 months with a century. South African born Pietersen hit his first double century; a scintillating 226 as the Caribbean bowlers struggled for consistency. In overcast conditions, l e f t - a r m p a c e r Ry a n Sidebottom rocked the visitors with 4-42 as they fell for 146 with Sarwan being unable to bat. Asked to follow-on, West Indies ended the second day on 222 still 402 runs away from avoiding their second consecutive innings defeat at headingly. Rain, which washed out the entire third day, only prolonged the West Indies defeat as the visitors crashed to their heaviest defeat since 1928 and their biggest against England since 1957. With a day and almost a session to spare, West Indies had lost by an innings and 283 runs with Sidebottom taking another four wickets as only Dwayne Bravo with 52 offering any resistance. The West Indies also lost the next two Tests to lose the series 3-0 as Ganga captained the team in the last two matches. (Sean Devers)
GMR&SC mulls endurance meet following curfew
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GMR&SC has set an endurance meet two weeks after the curfew halts.
General view of a match ball held by Manchester United’s David de Gea during the warm up before the match Manchester United v Watford at Old Trafford. (Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo)
No elite sport in England until at least June 1, says government
GBA and Bris O Promotions present hampers
GBA President Steve Ninvalle (left) along with several officials and boxers after the packaging and distribution exercise of the hampers on Saturday. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.