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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Honesty pays, but… Every day it is becoming clearer that the world, particularly the financial sphere, will not be tolerating slipshod systems that encourage wholesale lawlessness, which, in a number of cases, leads to criminal activities and obviously illgotten gains. Tax evasion, money laundering and other such crimes will have no safe haven in the global village. Last Monday, following an extensive, years-long investigation by US law enforcement authorities that to date has produced indictments of eight of its executives, global financial giant Credit Suisse pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist US taxpayers in filing false income tax returns and other documents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and has agreed to pay $2.6 billion, the highest ever penalty in a criminal tax case investigation in the US According to reports, as part of a plea agreement, along with agreements made with state and federal partners, Credit Suisse will pay $1.8 billion to the Department of Justice for the US Treasury, $100 million to the Federal Reserve, and $715 million to the New York State Department of Financial Services. Less than three months ago, Credit Suisse paid approximately $196 million in disgorgement, interest and penalties to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for violating the federal securities laws by providing cross-border brokerage and investment advisory services to US clients without first registering with the SEC. That settlement is reportedly also reflected in the recent plea agreement. US Attorney General Eric Holder firmly asserted that the case “shows that no financial institution, no matter its size or global reach, is above the law. Credit Suisse conspired to help US citizens hide assets in offshore accounts in order to evade paying taxes. When a bank engages in misconduct this brazen, it should expect that the Justice Department will pursue criminal prosecution to the fullest extent possible, as has happened here.” Holder’s deputy James Cole is reported as stating that “Credit Suisse’s guilty plea is just the latest effort by the department to slam the door shut on undeclared bank accounts, phony trusts and other foreign schemes used by US taxpayers to evade taxes. We have taken public actions in the Cayman Islands and several other Caribbean countries. And we are engaged in law enforcement actions around the world that are not yet public.” It was determined that Credit Suisse employed a variety of means to assist US clients in concealing their undeclared accounts, among them: assisting clients in using sham entities to hide undeclared accounts; failing to maintain in the United States records related to the accounts; destroying account records sent to the United States for client review; using Credit Suisse managers and employees as unregistered investment advisors on undeclared accounts; facilitating withdrawals of funds from the undeclared accounts by either providing hand-delivered cash in the United States or using Credit Suisse’s correspondent bank accounts in the United States; structuring transfers of funds to evade currency transaction reporting requirements; and providing offshore credit and debit cards to repatriate funds in the undeclared accounts. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen’s assessment of the case was particularly interesting. “Pursuing international tax evasion is a priority area for IRS Criminal Investigation, and we will continue to follow the money here in the United States and around the world,” he said. “Today’s guilty plea is another important milestone in ongoing law enforcement efforts to investigate the use of offshore accounts to evade taxes. People should no longer feel comfortable hiding their assets and income from the IRS.” In Guyana, there are the powerful among us who are stealing like there is no tomorrow, and carrying on uninhibited money rackets with the knowledge, or more appropriately the belief, that the “outside world” has no
Friday May 23, 2014
Letters... Where your views make the news
Mr. President, this is one of the most odious abuses of power MR. PRESIDENT, Decentralization of power and authority in a nation is as essential to democracy as national elections. The perception of citizens that they are in charge, that they have a say in how their affairs are handled, is enhanced by the existence of local administrative institutions to which they have direct access, that are directly accountable to them, and which they have the power to change periodically through local electoral plebiscites. Such local authoritative and administrative structures, Mr. President, which we refer to as Local Governments, represent an important and vital pillars upon which democracy can be built in a nation. Wi t h o u t t h e m t h e building of democracy in any nation becomes just an elusive concept, a symbolic affectation, and as the brother Robert Nesta Marley describes, “an illusion that is easily pursued, but never
attained”. Every nation can be described as a conglomeration of community interests and concerns, and those interests and concerns are best addressed and administered by democratic institutions that are closest to the people. And Guyana is not an exception. All across the geographical communities that make up our nation there is burgeoning dissatisfaction over the absence of local Government Elections. Citizens in many, maybe most of our local municipalities, are being deprived of one of the most important democratic prerogatives in human societies. That is, to select from within their neighborhood proximities, leaders in whom they have confidence to manage the day to day affairs of their communities, and grant them relief conditioned by the political distance that exists between grass roots communities, and estranged and often non-empathetic officials in central Government. Mr. President, local
interest in their activities. Tax evasion and money laundering schemes abound. These untouchables and others of their ilk have forever thrived due to a lack of systems and the lax attitude in our society. We are beginning to show up on the world’s financial radar, but still there’s clearly no hurry to get things right. A prime example of this is the slothful approach to find common ground and put in place satisfactory anti-money laundering legislation. As a popular American cartoonist once said, “Honesty pays, but it doesn’t seem to pay enough to suit some people”.
Government elections in Guyana are a constitutional prerogative that is long overdue. The main obstacle to the holding of such elections, as we all know, is y o u r P a r t y ’s p o l i t i c a l vacillation on the issue, a product of its uncertainty of how it would fare in such elections, given the wide spread dissatisfaction over its performance at the national level. Rather than yielding to the demands of the public and the constitution,
we have seen, as have occurred in Georgetown, a hubristic and arbitrary imposition of unqualified persons who are affiliated with your Political Party, and who do not have the confidence and approval o f t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y ’s population as expressed by their political representatives, in position to make decisions on their behalf. This amount to one of the most odious abuses of national power and (Continued on page 5)
Study needed on Berbice Bridge tolls DEAR EDITOR, Two things stand out at the heart of the matter in any attempt to revise the Berbice Bridge tolls. The bridge is a public utility funded by public /private capital that serves the masses and secondly it enjoys a monopoly as the only means of crossing the river. Given the very nature of its mode of existence and the concomitant strategic importance the bridge plays in the scheme of our national transportation , the regulating role of the Government can and will be justifiable in recommending a revision of the toll to the Bridge Company. As a norm, throughout the world, public infrastructure projects like
roads and bridges do have low rates of return that is why private capital does not normally invest in them. It was indeed a forward step in Local Private Entities investing in the bridge. They should in return expect a decent profit for their investment. Bearing all these factors in mind I would humbly suggest that the President of our Republic appoint a three member panel of economist from the Government, private sector and University to do acomprehensive financial study of the bridge a n d m a k e t h e i r recommendation as weather the toll can be revised in a phased manner. Reggie Bhagwandin.
Friday May 23, 2014
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
My late wife embodied Freddie, the UGWU never supported us in this struggle these principles DEAR EDITOR, Sometimes we take small things and little acts of kindness for granted, actions which can mean a whole lot to people, especially during times of distress and need. These thoughts dawned upon me as I mourn the passing of my own wife a few days ago. My family and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief and condolence by people from all walks of life, in particular those who knew her both in terms of her professional and personal life. Scores of people turned up at her funeral service which was kept very simple at her own request. Every individual leaves on his or her passing a kind of legacy which may or may not be very well articulated or defined depending on the person’s stature or prominence in society. Great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Cheddi Jagan have left legacies that have impacted on the minds and consciousness of millions of people at a global level. Others, in their own quiet and simple ways have made their contributions at a local or community level but together they have in one way or the other helped to shape the thinking and consciousness of a countless number of people in ways sometimes they themselves may not be aware of. Many are what sociologists refer to as role models of reference groups to which people, in particular young people aspire to be. My wife, the late Bibi Yasmin Ally, was an embodiment of those principles and values. She spent her entire adult life in the teaching profession starting out in her teenage years as a pupil teacher and rising over the years first as a trained teacher, then as a trained graduate teacher reaching the highest rank in the teaching profession as a Trained Graduate Headmistress before being promoted to ranks of the officer corps as District Education Officer. During that period she would have moulded the minds of thousands of children many of whom today have risen to positions of prominence. Yet she always remained a humble and simple person who never looked forward to rewards except that which would come to her as a matter of course. If there is one thing that she valued very highly, it is the enduring values of humility and simplicity. Because of the nature of her
illness, she was aware of the inevitable and started to make preparations for her departure. One such act was to dictate her funeral announcement in which in her usual thoroughness as an experienced teacher she inserted the names of all those who she felt was sufficiently close to her to be highlighted. Those included her husband, her two children and of course her two grandchildren, her relatives and friends. She was careful enough not to mention designations in the death announcement. Consistent with her philosophy of humility, designations were not material enough for public consumption. Her own designation as a former District Education Officer and as Headmistress and teacher of the several schools in which she taught was not something she wanted to put in the public domain. Nor did she wanted to be known as the wife of a Permanent Secretary, or the mother of a son who represented the country at the IDB in Washington or the mother of a daughter who presided over two Magistrate courts at Vigilance and Cove and John on the East Coast of Demerara. She was a believer in the Holy Koran and “instructed” that she be buried according to Muslim rites. She wanted to be buried as soon as possible after death and not to delay her burial by waiting on relatives who reside overseas. Our son who was in Washington at the time barely managed to make it mere hours before her departure to her final resting place at the Ogle cemetery. She placed a very high
premium on public service and never stayed away from work unless it was impossible to so do. She worked up to the last day of her illness and had to be taken home from her office after it became clear to everyone at her workplace that she could not continue any more. It is the small things in life that matters or what someone once referred to as the ‘greatness of small things”. I take this opportunity to convey my thanks to the several persons who attended her funeral service and who expressed words of comfort. I wish in particular to thank His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Mr. Samuel Hinds, former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP General Secretary Mr. Clement Rohee, former Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, the several Government Ministers and Senior Government Officials who showed at the funeral and expressed words of comfort and condolences. My gratitude is extended also to the members of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana, the Imam and members of the Ogle Jamaat, the Doobay Renal Centre, the doctors and staff of the Woodlands and Georgetown Public Hospital for the medical services rendered to her during her period of illness and to the numerous others who assisted in one form or another. Hydar Ally EDITOR’S NOTE: We offer condolences to Mr. Hydar Ally on his loss
DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Freddie Kissoon’s column “Ask Chancellor Carl Singh; ask Attorney Gino Persaud too” published in Kaieteur News, May 22, 2014. I have long been a public admirer of Mr. Kissoon, and his truth, so it was not difficult to agree with the general tenor of his essay on law students’ activism. Suffice to say, and with humility I say that I am a law student. And when Mr. Kissoon’s essay asserts with a generality that as early as 2012, law students were apathetic towards activism, it does not reflect my student activism . The essay, therefore, is at best conjectural. Since I reengaged University life in 2009 as a Communications major and began Law in 2011 there is scarcely a protest, if any, at UG I have not supported physically. As a matter of fact with Mr. Kissoon ouster from the employ of the University in 2012 I was calling around students groups asking and indicating what the response should be and I did in fact participate in the protests to have him and the others reinstated. I do not recount this publicly to compare who has more UG protests stripes under his belt but more so because newspapers serve a function to also chronicle our times and become a repository of history. I would have generations to come an accurate as possible account of the that history. On the pages of that history text let me write this and recount a sad episode of UG’s history as I bore witness
Mr. President, this is one... From page 4 authority, and as in other such manifestations as we have witnessed over the past two decades, proclaims to segments of our communities in no uncertain terms that they have no constitutional or legal rights which your party and Government feel duty bound to recognize and respect. But they do Mr. President, they do have such rights. And the fact that your party and Government, in its actions with respect to Local Government Elections, with respect to the administration of justice in Guyana, with respect to the rights of citizens to due process and the presumption of innocence, equality under the law, and freedom from abuse, torture and extra judicial capital punishment, dis-
play contemptuous intolerance for those noble principles essential to the sustenance of democratic and social equilibrium in a nation, will not diminish the resolve of the people to agitate and struggle for what is a civic entitlement. Frederick Douglass, formerly one of the enslaved in this part of the world stressed that, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance
of those whom they oppress”. And how well we have seen that in operation in Guyana. So we must make this demand from the powers that be. We must courageously demand rights to which we are constitutionally entitled, and do so unwaveringly until they are either heard, or that power is replaced with one that will be compliant with constitutional and legal imperatives. We must resist the tyranny occasioned by an avaricious quest for political hegemony, regardless of which political party is at the helm of Government, not necessarily with blows, but with words and legal actions designed to remove its presence from our lives and that of the generations to follow. Mark A. Benschop
to it. In 2010 when the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS), led by yours truly, called for ‘Civil Disobedience’ across Turkeyen Campus for what we saw as UG administration’s unwillingness to remedy several long standing student concerns. I engaged the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) in the persons on Freddie Kissoon and Bruce Hanes for the Union’s support. It was promised but never delivered. My colleagues locked the administration out of admissions and locked UG main gate at Turkeyen. We were not proud to do those things but ‘we had to do what we had to do’. The Union’s noninvolvement never stopped me from supporting the Union in its causes, especially when it intersected with students’ interests. I fully appreciate the value when Mr. Kissoon rehearses that… “UWI-based countries contribute to the Council, Guyana does not and Guyana does not make a financial stipend to the upkeep of UWI. Secondly, Guyana was guaranteed those twenty-five places when it was a financial contributor to the Council, it withdrew that assistance.” But I would hazard, especially as it concerns the 2014 prospective law graduates, that would not be a good legal argument. In my humble submission Guyana historical contribution to
UWI/CLE has impetus coupled with the fact that the end that was brought to the special arrangement regarding the top twenty-five and entrance examination was (to borrow my favourite word from the Kissoon lexicon) most “egregious”, arbitrary and unreasonable. I have spelt out in previous letters to the editor that I believe when UWI/ HWLS opened and closed applications in January 2014 in the local jurisdiction it signaled by conduct an intention to continue the arrangement. When UG law students applied to the HWLS we had a legitimate expectation cemented by the application process holistically that those applications would be considered on the merit of GPA in the first instance and grades via the Entrance Exam. I would like to proffer here that when UWI/LEC voted in February 2014 to nullify the arrangement soon after they had received our applications to HWLS and application fee, application for Entrance Examination and that examination fee the LEC must have known throughout that process of its intentions to disallow the facilities. It would mean the Council took our monies under a false pretense, and a malicious misrepresentation. That is the immediate situation that requires remedy and more so requires justice. Sherod Duncan
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Friday May 23, 2014
Shoddy work on contracts…
Supervising consultants must be held accountable - Govt.
AFC MP and Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, at the CDB workshop yesterday. At the head table are officials from the Bank and Basic Needs Trust Fund. (GINA photo) Complaints about poor quality State contracts have come under sharp focus with calls made by Government yesterday to make supervising consultants more accountable for shoddy work. But the calls have raised eyebrows from the Opposition which says that the current situation drives home the urgent need for a functioning Public Procurement Commission (PPC), a constitutional body that is empowered to overlook public contracts. The quality of work delivered on State contracts has been a sore point in recent years amidst increasing scrutiny and calls for more transparency. There have also been calls for more emphasis to ensure value for money. It is not unknown of cases where roads crumble just a few weeks after completion.
The $500M ferry stelling at Supenaam, Region Two, which suffered structural problems after a few weeks in operation, is but one glaring example of faulty works. The contractor, BK International, had claimed that designs were flawed. Remedial works were done by Government and later independent investigations blamed all the parties involved for the works, but there were no penalties. While the focus has been on contractors, scant attention has been paid on the role of supervisors, who are mandated to ensure that the works are completed according to the Bills of Quantities; within the time frame and within costs. The supervisors are the ones who prepare the certificate of completion. Under some conditions
from overseas funding agencies, Government is bound to hire private consulting firms to supervise projects. There have been widespread accusations of supervisors - Governmentemployed and private ones taking kickbacks for turning a blind eye on faulty works. The problem, analysts believe, has cost taxpayers billions in the last two decades. Speaking during a procurement workshop yesterday at Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, urged that the participants consider mechanisms that will make the supervising consultancy firms more liable. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through its local funding agency, Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) is hosting the two-day workshop titled “Procurement and Management of Professional Services Workshop for Consultants”. The event is
being conducted by senior CDB officials and targeting representatives of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and a number of consultancy firms. POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY According to the Finance Minister, it is Government that ultimately holds the political responsibility for the contracts. However, Government’s hands are tied. “They pay for contracts when the completion certificates are signed off, which in effect says that works were executed according to the specifications.” While contractors have clauses in their contract which stipulate the withholding of a certain percentage of the monies, retention of monies and a “Defects Liability Period”, there is very little recourse as far as consultants are concerned. The consultants, Dr. Singh stressed, are supposed to be experts who are hired to prepare designs for civil
projects and in certain cases would be responsible for supervising the execution of works. They are essentially the “ears and eyes” for the paymaster - in this case the Government. He made it clear that “it is the supervisors who check to ensure whether the right greenheart is used or two inches of asphalt is used”. Some of the immediate problems seen by Government include variations in the contracts. These variations are not only in the designs but also in the final costs of the projects, which in the majority of cases would rise. While some of the design variations are unavoidable, and can include ground conditions, among other factors, the reality is that there are not any known mechanisms to penalize the consultants, the Finance Minister said. The absence of measures makes it difficult to blacklist consultants and they are time and again allowed to make bids for other contracts. According to Dr. Singh, in cases brought before him for problematic contracts, he has questioned whether there was a supervising consultant involved and whether anything was done about a possible dereliction of duty. He believes that mechanisms must be found to hold responsible the supervisors who “recklessly” prepare their reports that say works are completed to satisfaction, and therefore pave the way for payments to be made. He asserted that improved systems will serve
not only as a penalty but will open the doors for more bidders to participate in the competitive bidding process. UNBELIEVABLE STATEMENTS However, Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, was of the opinion that the Finance Minister’s statements were “unbelievable”. “This particular issue of poor quality work and consultants not doing their work is nothing new. That is why we have been holding out for a PPC to be established at the earliest.” According to Ramjattan, it is a fact that the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly has been discussing overpayments found by State auditors in their work at the various Government agencies. “How can you overpay when you have a supervising engineer who checks off the work? It means that someone was not doing their work. It means that the employer…the Government has not been paying attention to how it spends the people’s monies. It means that perhaps there was corruption involved.” The MP also made it clear that the Finance Minister and Cabinet were fully responsible for poor quality work. “The buck stops with them. Further, you cannot now come and tell the people of Guyana after being in power for over two decades that you are now moving to put systems in place. Why was it not in place before? The Minister should be penalized just for admitting such a deficiency of the system.”
Friday May 23, 2014
By Howard W. French (Taken from the New York Times) NAIROBI, Kenya — For nearly a decade, as China made a historic push for business opportunities and expanded influence in Africa, most of the continent’s leaders were so thrilled at having a deep-pocketed partner willing to make big investments and start huge new projects that they rarely paused to consider whether they were getting a sound deal. China has peppered the continent with newly built stadiums, airports, hospitals, highways and dams, but as Africans are beginning to fully recognize, these projects have also left many countries saddled with heavy debts and other problems, from environmental conflict to labor strife. As a consequence, China’s relationship with the continent is entering a new and much more skeptical phase. The doubts aren’t coming from any soured feelings from African leaders themselves, most of whom still welcome (and profit from) China’s embrace. The new skepticism has even less to do with the hectoring of Western governments, the traditional source of Africa’s foreign aid and investment (and interference). In a 2012 speech in Senegal, Hillary Rodham Clinton, then secretary of state, implicitly warned Africa about China. The continent needs “a model of sustainable partnership that adds value, rather than extracts it,” she
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“The problem (though not limited to China) is relying on shady arrangements made at the very top of the political system, often in the president’s office itself. Contracts are greased with monetary bribes and other enticements like expense-paid shopping trips to China and scholarships there for elite children.” said, adding that unlike other countries, “America will stand up for democracy and universal human rights even when it might be easier to look the other way and keep the resources flowing.” Some Africans found Mrs. Clinton’s remarks patronizing. What’s most remarkable, however, is how passé this now seems, given skepticism about China from Africa’s own increasingly vibrant civil society, which is demanding to know what China’s billions of dollars in infrastructure building, mineral extraction and land acquisition mean for the daily lives and political rights of ordinary Africans. This represents a tricky and unfamiliar challenge for China’s authoritarian system, whose foreign policy has always focused heavily on state-to-state relations. China’s leaders demonstrate little appreciation of the yawning gulfs that separate African people from their rulers, even in newly democratic countries. Beijing is constitutionally uneasy about dealing with independent actors like advocacy groups, labor unions and independent journalists. After a decade of bland talk about “win-win” partnerships, China seems finally aware that it needs to improve both the style and
substance of its push into Africa. Last week, at the start of a four-country African trip, Prime Minister Li Keqiang acknowledged “growing pains” in the relationship, and the need to “assure our African friends in all seriousness that China will never pursue a colonialist path like some countries did, or allow colonialism, which belongs to the past, to reappear in Africa.” This language came in belated response to a sea change that arguably began with an op-ed essay last year in The Financial Times by Lamido Sanusi, who was recently suspended as Nigeria’s central bank governor. He wrote: “In much of Africa, they have set up huge mining operations. They have also built infrastructure. But, with exceptions, they have done so using equipment and labor imported from home, without transferring skills to local communities. So China takes our primary goods and sells us manufactured ones. This was also the essence of colonialism.” Mr. Sanusi’s commentary prompted critical assessments of China’s involvement in countries like Botswana and Namibia, over issues like the takeover of local construction industries, or the proper execution of building projects, working
conditions, and the proliferation of Chinese newcomers - many of them illegal migrants - who have begun to dominate low-level commerce in a number of countries. In Ghana, an estimated 50,000 new migrants, most of whom are said to have hailed from a single county in southern China, showed up recently to conduct environmentally devastating gold mining. This set off a popular outcry that forced the Ghanaian government to respond, resulting in arrests of miners, many of whom are being expelled to China. In Tanzania, labor unions that have historically been close to the ruling party have strongly criticized the government for opening the floodgates to Chinese petty traders. In Senegal, neighborhood associations blocked a giant property deal that would have handed over a prime section of downtown real estate to a Chinese developer with a scant track record. Independent media have played an important role in demanding more scrutiny of government deals with Beijing. A recent op-ed article in one of Kenya’s leading newspapers, The Daily Nation, questioned whether a huge new Chinese investment in a railroad that
would run from the coast all the way to landlocked Uganda and beyond was truly a good deal. The project’s first phase will increase Kenya’s external debt by a third. The writer, David Ndii, noted that Kenya could have sought the financing for a project like this through the World Bank, which would have cost as little as a third of the Chinese commercial loan. But that would have required time-consuming processes, from competitive bidding to rigorous environmental and feasibility studies. Kenya’s Constitution insists on “intergenerational equity,” but also requires that “public money be used in a prudent and responsible manner.” Mr. Ndii asked whether the deal with the Chinese was consistent with either provision. As someone who recently spent a year traveling widely
in Africa to research a book about Beijing’s relations with the continent, I find Mr. Sanusi’s assessment too pessimistic. Yet a dose of caution for Africa, and of public scrutiny about the high-level dealmaking underway, was clearly long overdue. The booming, fastchanging China offers potentially extraordinary upsides to Africa. Without question, the continent is badly in need of more and better infrastructure. Competition among foreign investors holds the prospect of better returns for African states. Immigration, which is the central topic of my own reporting, has begun to create serious tensions between China and its new African partners, but even this is insufficiently recognized for its potential dividends. The spread of trading and business diasporas throughout history, including that of China, have a deep and proven track record for wealth creation, and properly managed, this could prove (Continued on page 31)
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Friday May 23, 2014
Thai army takes power in coup after talks between rivals fail Thai soldiers stand guard during a coup at the Army Club where Thailand’s army chief held a meeting with all rival factions in central Bangkok yesterday. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
BANGKOK (Reuters) Thailand’s army chief, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, seized control of the government in a coup yesterday, two days after declaring martial law, saying the military had to restore order and push through reforms after six months of turmoil. The military declared a 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. curfew, suspended the constitution and detained some politicians. It later summoned former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 22 others, including relatives and ministers in her ousted government. Rival protest camps were ordered to disperse and media censored. There were no reports of violence. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said there was no justification for a coup, which would have “negative implications” for ties. The United States was reviewing its military and other assistance, “consistent with U.S. law”. Thailand is locked in a protracted power struggle between supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and opponents backed by the royalist establishment that has polarized the country and battered its economy. “In order for the situation to return to normal quickly and for society to love and be at peace again ... and to reform the political, economic and social structure, the military needs to take control of power,” Prayuth said in a televised address. The general made his broadcast after a meeting to which he had summoned the rival factions, with the aim of finding a compromise to defuse anti-government protests. But no progress was made and Prayuth wound up the gathering by announcing he was seizing power, according to a participant. The Thai
armed forces have a long history of intervening in politics - there have been 18 previous successful or attempted coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, most recently when Thaksin was deposed in 2006. Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the meeting at Bangkok’s Army Club shortly before the coup announcement and troops took away Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protests. Some political party leaders were also detained, witnesses said. Prayuth, who has for months been trying to keep the army out of the political confrontation, assumed the powers of the prime minister. Soldiers fired shots into the air to disperse thousands of pro-government “red shirt” activists gathered in Bangkok’s western outskirts. The military detained one of the leading activists, a spokesman for the group said, and the protesters later left peacefully, many of them in vehicles provided by the military. The army also ordered television and radio stations to halt programs and broadcast its material, and banned gatherings of more than five people. It said it would block websites that spread false information or incited unrest. The army had declared martial law on Tuesday, saying it was necessary to prevent violence. Twentyeight people have been killed and 700 injured since the antigovernment protests erupted late last year. “Martial law may have been to test the waters; the army gave the opposing camps a chance to negotiate a way out, but I think the endgame was always the military taking over,” said Kan
Yuanyong of the Siam Intelligence Unit think-tank. “The possibility of conflict is now much higher,” he said. “Thaksin will fight b a c k . ” F o r m e r telecommunications tycoon Thaksin has lived in selfimposed exile since 2008 to avoid a jail term for graft, but commands the loyalty of legions of poor voters and exerts a huge influence over politics, most recently through his sister’s government. He was not available for comment but a pro-Thaksin activist in his hometown of Chiang Mai said there was no immediate plan to protest. “As of now we will not head to Bangkok, no plans. We will follow today’s situation closely first,” said Mahawon Kawang. Kerry said he was disappointed and concerned by reports that political leaders had been detained, and called for their release. “This act will have negative implications for the U.S.-Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military,” he said in a statement. The Pentagon said it was reviewing its military assistance and engagements, including an ongoing exercise involving about 700 U.S. Marines and sailors. Under U.S. law, no foreign aid may flow to a country whose duly elected head of government is deposed in a coup, but the language of the law gives the Obama administration some latitude in how to interpret it. There was condemnation from France, the European Union and the United Nations human rights office. Japan said the coup was regrettable and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was “gravely concerned”.
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The motion is more politics than justice Parliamentary motions and resolutions are not binding on the government. Opposition parties the world over know that even where they succeed in having their legislatures pass such motions, there is no guarantee that any demands or calls for action contained in these motions and resolutions will ever be implemented. While the ruling parties and ruling coalitions may ignore them, these motions and resolutions do serve important purposes, the foremost of which is to register displeasure or support for some action. The passage of motions and resolutions is a way in which political parties announce where they stand on certain issues. Parliamentary records are historical records. They are usually kept for posterity and as public records can be used to assess the positions taken by the various political parties within the legislature. Thus, when called to account for the actions they took in relation to a particular matter, political parties have the option of pointing to the positions they adopted on that matter in the legislature. The passage of such motions can also be used to pressure the government to undertake a certain course of
action. Political parties can make demands outside of the legislature, for example, to have commissions of inquiry into torture. And they can buttress their case by having the legislature pass motions to that effect. This strengthens their hands in making demands of the government, because they can gain political capital by accusing the government of ignoring the will of the legislature, as is the now familiar political refrain in Guyana The passage of motions and resolutions are equally a means of gaining political traction. Parties promulgating motions may do so to curry favour with specific interest groups and constituencies. These interests may have even lobbied the political parties to have these motions and resolutions passed. The opposition parties in Guyana succeeded in passing a motion calling on the government to look into the situation as regards former members of the Disciplined Services. Now regardless of its intention, this motion would certainly be pleasing to the large number of exservicemen and exservicewomen. The passage of motions and resolutions are also the means through which parties
represent their own interests within the legislature. Workers’ parties, for example, frequently pass motions and resolutions relating to the conditions of the working class. Motions and resolutions are ways of taking the struggles of workers or businesses to the legislature. Most governments tend to ignore motions and resolutions passed by opposition parties and coalitions. But this does not negate their value. This past week, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change teamed up to pass a motion calling for a Commission of Inquiry into torture by members of the Guyana Police Force. The opposition parties want this inquiry to cover the period 2006 to the present. The government opposed the motion on the grounds that they felt the period covered should date back to Independence. It is obvious why the government wanted a longer time frame. The opposition parties, by limiting the scope of the inquiry to the period when the PPP is in office, can use any adverse findings to indict the PPP regime of human rights violations. This has huge political capital. The period covered by the motion also covers the tenure
Controversial LEAD project…
Govt. withdraws non-approval, negotiations continue Government has withdrawn its non-approval of the USAID democracy project in its entirety in light of ongoing negotiations with the US Embassy. The project remains stalled and a new one may be on the horizon. Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President said Cabinet has affirmed that the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project mutually agreed between Government and USAID presupposes a conclusion of this engagement. In early January, Dr. Luncheon said that the decision by the US Government to proceed with a project that the Guyana Government had already rejected was disrespectful. He said that the four components of the project were analyzed by Cabinet and one contained major activities that captured a relationship between USAID and individual political parties in Guyana. Guyana does not have a public policy by government for the support for political parties,
he added. The LEAD project seeks to enhance the technical capacity and functionality of the legislature through the regular use of consultative practices and mechanisms for legislative drafting, analysis, review, and passage. The programme is expected to further reinforce democratic governance in Guyana by broadening political participation through more representative and competitive multi-party
engagements. This programme will include a particular focus on women and youth. On May 8, US Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt met with Dr. Luncheon at the Office of the President where it was announced that the US Embassy had agreed to immediately put the contentious USAID-backed project on hold in order to facilitate talks with the Guyana Government with a view to coming up with a mutually agreed position.
of the present Home Affairs Minister, who the combined opposition wishes to remove from office. But it dates back as well to that period when another person was Home Affairs Minister. The motion therefore has the potential to sully the record of the government and the present Minister of Home Affairs. You do not need a microscope or telescope to recognize this fact. The motion passed this week also comes against the backdrop of the Rodney Commission of Inquiry, which is likely to expose criminal misconduct and torture of opposition supporters during the rule of the PNC. The combined opposition, by passing this motion this week, may be attempting to balance the historical record by demonstrating that similar atrocities are being committed under the PPPC. The motion therefore seems more about politics than about justice for the alleged victims of torture. This is especially so since
in relation to the recent allegations of torture, criminal charges were filed or recommended against those alleged to have been involved. In fact, in one case the Court awarded substantial exemplary damages. There has been no cover-up of the investigations into torture, even though these investigations have been protracted. Indeed, as this is being written, it is being reported that charges are likely to be proffered in relation to one case in which torture was alleged. But it is not yet certain whether the charges will relate to the alleged act of torture or to police brutality. Why then in the face of these acts of torture being investigated, quite unlike in the past when many were not, would the opposition parties be calling for a commission of inquiry? Are they suggesting that the investigations and criminal charges be halted until the outcome of the
Commission of Inquiry into these acts of torture? After all, what sense does it make to have ongoing criminal investigations into torture and at the same time to have a COI dealing with the same subject matter? The only plausible answer is that the opposition parties are simply playing politics. The government should in turn also play politics and accede to the opposition’s demands for a COI into torture. There is nothing to prevent the government from having an inquiry into torture and extending the scope of the inquiry to cover that notorious period in Guyana’s history when suspects were allegedly placed to sit on ants’ nests.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 23, 2014
== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
What does Ambassador Hardt think of Gail Teixeira? One of the most tragic things about absolute power is how it combines horror and stupidity. Naked power is a horrible thing in that it destroys. But strangely, the process of stupidity inheres in dictatorial power. The possessor of untamed power is so smitten by invincibility that situational sensitivity as a factor in leadership qualities is lost. An authoritarian exerciser of power will say the most stupid thing about the goodness of their rule and governance, totally oblivious to whom that they are speaking, and the situation around them. Unable to comprehend the reality around them, an oligarch believes he/she can mouth off any nonsense which bears no resemblance to the truth and it will be believed. So possessed of absolute power, oligarchs believe that the society will bend to them. Invincibility and stupidity are the chief characteristics of
dictatorship. I believe that when Bharrat Jagdeo asked Roger Luncheon to go to court to prove that I libeled him in one of my columns, Jagdeo believed Luncheon would be accorded such sultanate treatment because the society must bow to the sultan. It turned out different, because invincibility is a mirage that only dictators cannot see. Dictators cannot see anything that is real. Luncheon had the roughest cruise liner voyage he ever undertook. His trip lasted a week. He ended up admitting that at the time of giving evidence there wasn’t an African Guyanese citizen residing in Guyana that had the qualifications to be an ambassador. So rough were the seas that Luncheon’s ship sailed that “The Donald” publicly admitted in his official address to his party congress in August 2013 that Jagdeo’s libel hurt the PPP in the 2011 general elections. Well, with
local government elections around the corner and a general poll too, how is “The Donald” going to cope seeing that the libel trial is still going on? Talking about trials, what is taking place in a New York courtroom in the New GPC libel against Kaieteur News is compulsory reading for social analysts in this country. That case is a graphic example of shattered infallibility. New GPC sued saying that Kaieteur News libeled it, thus hurting its business prospects. The lawyer simply said; well show us how your markets and profits have been affected. The judge agreed. This was a case of transferring invincibility in Guyana to the United States. In this country, hundreds of powerful PPP people and their acolytes will fill up the court registry with libel affidavits. After all, knowing who they are, they will win. Who dare try to insult the sultans of Guyana? The sultans are omnipotent and must get their way. The
sultanate had a rude awakening in a New York court. Let’s put Gail Teixeira in the picture now. Of course, Ms. Teixeira is not the only one given to a denial of reality. All in the PPP sultanate do. “The Donald”, “The Goat Man, and “the Bearded Slow Talker” are the chief exponents. I will leave out the “Swimming Pool Bath Man,” Mr. Neil Kumar, who is so far gone that “The Donald” is damaging his government every day by keeping him. Last week, Ms. Teixeira, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, said that the media’s role is not to be “for or against government.” It was a good thing that the US Ambassador had a strong heart. Reacting to what
Teixeira mouthed off, the Ambassador told his audience he agreed with the lady, but there was a problem with her opinion. The taboo of not being for or against government must also include the state media. Ambassadors are instructed at all times to be cool and to use nice diplomatic language. But surely Brent Hardt must have been lacerated with anger. He has been living here for three years now and has seen the horrible, terrible, depraved and abominable level of sycophancy to which Teixeira and company have dragged down the state media to where they have become footcloths in service of the PPP. Ambassadors are instructed to remain monuments of patience and
Frederick Kissoon try to remain calm in the face of the crazy things the governments do in the countries they serve. But the US Ambassador must have jumped when he saw those words from Teixeira. We will never know what went through his mind because he wouldn’t tell us. But I guess we can imagine. It was Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine of APNU who publicly said on television that in an authoritarian climate like Zimbabwe, state control of the media is far less rigid than what we have in Guyana. Imagine that!
Dem boys seh...
Uncle Adam got an old iron When things look nice in a country people got to talk nice things about it although that is not dem boys job. Dem boys job is to criticize and everybody know criticism does get de best out of anything and everything. Dem boys driving pun de East Bank and dem see how de road look very beautiful. It mek people think dem drinking in a foreign land. Congratulations and best wishes to de people who come up wid that idea. But dem boys got to criticise. One, one of de reflectors deh out of line. De people who put dem down got kok eye or Benn heself was there when dem reflectors was being put down suh wha yuh expect? Certainly you can’t expect straight from Benn. And Ash Knee got to pay fuh that ben up wuk. He tell dem boys that is not that wuk alone he got to pay for. He paying fuh a lot of kok wuk, and that come out of he own mouth yesterday. Now dem boys want ask he why would he pay anybody-contractor and supervisorfor a job that wasn’t well done? He is either a fool or he been getting a kickback on dem projects. Dem boys seh that certainly he don’t sound like a fool.
Dem boys know that if he daady lef he fuh supervise wuk pon dem roof and de wuk ain’t do good because as soon as de rain drizzle de house start fuh leak, he daady gun kill him. He ain’t mekking that mistake. Suh da crap wha he tell de CDB yesterday that dem supervisors on de job incompetent and he still paying dem wid de taxpayers dollars, Donald should got he packing he bag and running not only up de road but out of Guyana. Dem boys want to know why he talking only now when de same thing was going on since he became a Minister. That is more than food for thought. He believe that stupid man live in Guyana and he is de only smart one dem got. Some old people smarter than he. Dem boys seh that de fat crook, Brazzy, got a li’l buddy walking round Alexander Village looking fuh scrap iron to buy. He tun up at Uncle Adam yard and seh, “Uncle you nah got no old iron you want sell?” Uncle Adam look at he and seh give me couple months and come back. Me iron guh dead. Talk half and tell Ash Knee fuh stop mekking people fools.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Education drive being embraced AFC MP alleges “disrespect” to help address renal failure by Welfare Officer at Hostel
Patients undergoing dialysis at the Doobay Centre “If a patient comes to us for dialysis it means that the (health) system has failed,” is the conviction of Cardiovascular Surgeon, Dr Budhendra Doobay, founder and President of the Doobay Dialysis Centre. It is for this reason that the visionary, along with executives of the Annandale, East Coast Demerara, facility, has been working towards ensuring that persons are educated on how to help prevent them from reaching the stage of kidney failure. Although dialysis may become imperative for some persons who suffer from kidney failure, Dr Doobay during an interview with this publication admitted that “dialysis is not a good thing.” He explained that when a patient is on dialysis it affects their blood vessels as well as their heart and often they do not live very long. Dr Doobay explained that when a patient undergoes dialysis their arteries become calcified (like bones) and they even are at risk of losing their limbs or sight. The possibility exists that they may become prone to strokes or even heart attacks. “Depending on what concomitant diseases they have – if they have diabetes, hypertension plus renal diseases – the life expectancy is shorter. A patient with lupus, for example, can go on for a little while, but when you have diabetes and hypertension it really takes a toll on the kidneys,” Dr Doobay observed. Nevertheless he assured that dialysis could considerably help to ensure kidney failure victims live a relatively improved life for at least a period. “I am saying if we can give a patient 10 years of good life we would have done them a great service,” he asserted.
But according to Chief Executive of the Centre, Mr Vickram Oditt, “It is not that we want to have many patients but we want to educate people to look after their kidneys, first and foremost.” Among the causative factors of kidney failure is that of diabetes and hypertension which are very common in these parts. Moreover, Dr Doobay pointed out that aside from offering dialysis, the Centre has been seeking to educate persons so as to stave off, as far as possible, their susceptibility to kidney failure. The education drive is expected to be further boosted when the Centre, with support from McMaster University in Canada, puts in place a ‘Prevention Clinic’. The clinic is expected to be strategically incorporated into the expanded plan for the East Coast facility, scheduled to be completed by 2016. “If your parents have diabetes (for example) you can come to this Centre and we will educate you, even on what to eat, to help ensure that your kidney doesn’t fail,” said Dr Doobay, who is optimistic that even mobile outreaches will soon be streamlined to aid this cause. It is the belief of Oditt that since some people are “very casual” about their kidneys they are therefore not careful with what they eat and drink. In fact he disclosed that although kidney failure is recognised globally as a major cause of death globally it is
not so listed in Guyana. “Recording of deaths on certificates in this country is recorded as organ failure nobody puts kidney failure,” asserted Oddit. According to him, too, when moves were being made to introduce the Centre a few years ago there were no local statistics to adequately represent the state of kidney failure in Guyana. However records for Trinidad, which is believed to have a similar situation as Guyana, revealed that one in every one thousand persons requires dialysis. Moreover, it was deduced that since Guyana may have a population of 700,000 there should be about 700 people on dialysis. This however, is not the situation that obtains here, Oditt noted, even as he speculated that many over the years were not able to access this service because it was seen as too costly. It was for this reason he said that moves were made to offer a subsidized dialysis service to the population. However, if patients are not willing to continue years of dialysis, a successful kidney transplant may very well be their only answer. But according to Oditt, “while transplant is excellent and it needs to be promoted; it needs to be done properly and not as a publicity stunt.” A successful transplant, Dr Doobay said, is dependent on the organ match which could, in some cases, help to prolong the lives of patients for as much as two decades.
Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Eula Marcello has brought to the attention of the media the “disrespectful behaviour” of a Welfare Officer at the Amerindian Hostel who had her escorted off the premises. The AFC wants the staff at the Amerindian Hostel to bear in mind that the facility is there for all Amerindian people and everyone must be treated with courtesy and respect. According to Marcello, that is not what is happening at the moment. Marcello told the media that she went to the Hostel last week to visit a relative who was there with his ailing child. The child, she said, was suffering from a facial tumour which was causing an eye to bulge. She said her relatives were at the Hostel since January, seeking medical attention. The MP said her family member expressed dissatisfaction with the length of time the child was forced to wait for medical attention as the child’s condition was getting worse. She said that during her conversation with the worried father, a female at the Hostel approached her and started to
hurl loud and aggressive remarks. This individual identified herself as a Welfare Officer. At one point, where Marcello called a female colleague to inform her of what was happening, the Welfare Officer reportedly called the guards to escort the MP out of the compound. According to Marcello, even as she was being taken out of the compound the Welfare Officer continued to shout that she had no right being there. Marcello is saying that the administration of the Hostel has to make it policy that “no member of staff should discriminate and abuse Amerindians whenever they visit the Hostel or are forced to reside there for a while.” She said this sort of conduct must be condemned and persons guilty of such behaviour must be disciplined. The MP pointed out that Amerindians are forced to stay at the Hostel because most of them would be seeking services in Georgetown that they cannot access in their villages, such as medical services and they have no relative that they can
AFC MP, Eula Marcello stay at while in Georgetown. She said she was shocked and totally disappointed at the way a staffer at the hostel would treat a Member of Parliament and make her look like a criminal. “I can only assume that the ordinary Amerindians face worse and are made to suffer even more degrading treatment. While Amerindians are brought to Georgetown to join picket lines, little is being done to ensure that they do not receive ill treatment at the hands of the staff and are taken advantage of because of their circumstances.” (Abena Rockcliffe)
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Kaieteur News
Manickchand given three weeks to announce method for $10,000 initiative Education Minister Priya Manickchand has requested three weeks to divulge exactly how the promised $10,000 per child will be distributed and when. Manickchand made the disclosure on Wednesday last in response to a question posed by her shadow counterpart in the National Assembly, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s, Amna Ally. The Minister disclosed that there are 188,000 students in the public school system spread across the country and as such Government was looking to find a mechanism that would see transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the money to parents across the 10 regions. Ally in posing her question to Manickchand in the House drew reference to the 2014 Budget presentation, when Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh proposed that $10,000 would be given to each school child. The Finance Minister
Education Minister Priya Manickchand said during his presentation that in an effort to give additional support to parents of school aged children, “Government will provide a cash grant to the parents of every child attending nursery, primary or secondary school in the public education system in the amount of $10,000 per child for the year 2014.” The APNU Member of Parliament indicated to the
House that she had spoken to the Minister on the telephone and Manickchand had requested a three-week deferral in providing a response to the question, to which Ally acquiesced. Ally told the House that the Minister is “challenged” to provide an answer at present, hence the need for a deferral. Manickchand told the House that she initiated the telephone conversation with Ally. She explained that the challenge faced, relates to the number of students across the country “and for us to reach all efficiently, and in a manner that would be transparent and accountable, we would like some time to examine all the possible facilities that are available to us in government, working with private partners to be able to do this.” Manickchand sought to assure the House that “once we know what would be best, given consultations with the private sector and in conversation with parents, I would be happy to share that immediately.” She said that this information would be shared even if it means before coming back to the House. The Education Minister assured that “we are presently working on ensuring that we provide this benefit.”The $10,000 per school child initiative has been lauded by many in civil society.
Friday May 23, 2014
Luncheon mum on profitability of GT&T shares sale Two years after Government sold its 20 percent shares in Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) it remains tight-lipped about the financial transaction. Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President, yesterday, would not reveal whether Government received the outstanding US$5M from the US$30M deal. He also declined to comment on whether Government’s decision to place the proceeds of the sale in the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL)’s coffers was a profitable one, earning more than the annual US$2.5M in dividends. According to Dr. Luncheon, he would not be specific as to whether all the monies were received but assured that all the proceeds that were earned from the sale of the shares are retained in the coffers of NICIL. The shares were reportedly bought by a HongKong-based company, Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group. Dr. Luncheon said it would be easier to say where Government has the money than to say who bought the shares. However, he believes these disclosures might have been made before. “I think I can ascertain
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who the purchaser of the shares was or is, but you may recall there was some controversy about the uses to which those funds would have been put and my understanding is that they have remained in the coffers of NICIL, unspent and probably uncommitted and remain in the coffers of NICIL,” he said. The controversy, the Cabinet Secretary speaks of, is accusations of Government investing US$20M in the construction of the Marriottbranded hotel in Kingston through NICIL. It is argued that a portion of the US$25M from the shares was used by NICIL in the venture. In November 2012, leader of the Alliance for Change Khemraj Ramjattan accused the government of being secretive despite the hefty sum involved and the importance of the transaction. He had said that the proceeds are reportedly being used to illegally fund the Marriott Hotel in Kingston something that Government would not confirm. “The money should be placed in the Consolidated Fund, the account for all of Government,” the AFC Leader said. Even with this appeal, two years later the money is supposedly still in NICIL’s coffers. “It is not sitting idly gaining no interest,” Dr. Luncheon said. “When a customer puts money in the bank, the bank owners spend that money gaining an interest. That interest allows the bank owner to pay the customer an interest and
Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon make a profit.” According to the Cabinet Secretary, similarly, Government has put the proceeds in NICIL as an investment. He said Government would not have put the proceeds in a noninterest account. The money is in a fixed deposit. From Dr. Luncheon’s explanation it could be deduced that Government placed the proceeds into NICIL giving the holding company money to invest, probably in the hotel or another venture. Essentially, the money or interest earned would be paid to Government and also make a profit for NICIL. The sale of the shares was also looked at as a means by Government to liberalise the telecommunications sector. Ramjattan had said, “While we support liberalization of the telecoms sector and we are also supportive of privatization of certain sectors, the small band of individuals must stop the abuse of state funds.”
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Construction workers need to gear up for safety The Ministry of Labour is stepping up its monitoring of construction sites to ensure workers are properly geared for their challenging work environment. While Labour Officers have the authority to close construction sites as a penalty for unsafe conditions, the current aim is to educate. This was indicated by Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, during an interview with this publication on Wednesday. Dr. Gopaul emphasized that in light of recent accidents and incidents occurring at mostly high-rise building construction sites, Labour Officers during their inspections will be insisting that the new standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts are observed. He reflected that the local construction sector has had a relatively good safety record, but with the changing landscape, employers and employees still must be cognizant and knowledgeable of the Acts. Dr. Gopaul said that the Ministry has forwarded regulations governing the construction sector to the Attorney General’s Chamber for vetting. He explained that the wearing of safety gear such as helmets and boots is a must. In addition, the placement of scaffolding against buildings is also a matter of concern.
– Labour Ministry - Officers could close construction sites
The Ministry of Labour is stepping up its monitoring of construction sites He further noted that the Ministry will be recruiting technical officers with engineering knowledge to inspect construction sites. The Minister said it is important to note that some employees are reluctant to wear safety gear. However, the Ministry believes that the employers should send delinquent employees home because their operations could be stalled. In April last, a labourer fell through an elevator chute of
a three-storey building under construction at Camp and Robb Streets, Georgetown. And recently a man survived a fall from a four-storey building, which is under construction at the corner of East and New Market Streets. When there are accidents or incidents on construction sites, the question of whom should bear the medical expenses and health benefits are asked. In most cases, the labourers are not contributors to the National Insurance
Scheme (NIS) or possess insurance coverage. The Minister said that it is not the owner of the building but the contractor who is responsible for hiring of the labourers. As such, the contractor needs to ensure that his labourers contribute to the NIS.
According to Dr. Gopaul, the Ministry is monitoring this situation and is working in collaboration with the NIS to have contractors contribute to the scheme. However, this is challenging, since labourers usually do not have a stable employer. As such, many contractors
get away from conforming to the law. The Minister said that there needs to be relevant legislation in place to have contractors pay employment benefits for labourers. The financial records of contractors must be audited to ensure that labourers are not treated unfairly.
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Kaieteur News
Ex-wife freed of cop’s murder After almost five years of incarceration, Desiree Jeffers was declared a free woman, after a mixed 12-member jury, found her not guilty of the 2011 murder of Police Detective Igris BobbBlackman. Jeffers, 61, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, embraced her relatives as she left the courtroom of Justice Dawn Gregory, yesterday. She was on trial for the murder, which occurred sometime between January 18 and January 20, 2011. According to reports, the bound body of the Detective Constable Bobb-Blackman was pulled from a septic tank located aback of a property that he had shared with Jeffers, his then reputed wife, two days after he went missing. The gruesome discovery was made by Blackman’s brother Ptolemy, who was part of a search team that was looking for him after he went missing. The victim’s head was badly mutilated with several chop wounds, his hands and feet were bound and the body was wrapped in a coloured carpet. However, while Jeffers denied having any knowledge of how the policeman met his demise, his relatives were convinced that she and several other persons were responsible for his death, since he had recently taken out a protection order against her. The couple was also engaged in the High Court for the division of a $12M
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Desiree Jeffers outside the courtroom yesterday
Dead: Igris Bobb-Blackman property they jointly owned. During the trial, Prosecution witnesses Gail Franker and Claudine BobbBlackman claimed that Jeffers had threatened to harm Blackman on numerous occasions. However in leading her defence, Jeffers denied any knowledge of the murder. “I never threatened anyone or killed BobbBlackman,” she stated. Jeffers told the court that the relationship between her and the policeman ended, after she found out that he was gay and had the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). She said that she was at another residence in Georgetown, when she heard that Bobb- Blackman was missing. Jeffers said that she went to her residence on the West Bank of Demerara, where she later learnt of the policeman’s death. Earlier in the trial, the victim’s brother, Brentnol Bobb-Blackman told the court that he identified the body, which was pulled from the septic tank on January 20, 2011 to be his brother, who was missing for more than 24 hours. He claimed he had reported his brother missing at La Grange Police Station on
January 18, 2011. He also said that he had visited his brother at his Lot 622 La Parfaite Harmonie residence on numerous occasions, for religious functions among other things. Bobb-Blackman told the court that it was as a result of a conversation he had with Gail Franker that he went in search of his brother at the said address. Franker was also in relationship with the policeman. “Myself, Gail Franker, police officers and the accused returned to the house and we checked the yard which included the septic tank, again…I looked into the septic tank and saw a yellow lighter, a bottle of ‘Seven Seas’ tablets, a
notebook and a part of a multicoloured green carpet at the top of the water in the septic tank…Desiree Jeffers was there and she said ‘oh my God, oh my God I know nothing about this.” Subsequent to the Jury’s announcement that they had arrived at a unanimous verdict of not guilty, the relatives of the deceased expressed their discontent at the outcome. “We are not satisfied with the outcome here today but we believe that there is a God and He is just and He always delivers justice.” Jeffers was represented by Attorney Peter Hugh, while the State was represented by Prosecutors Natasha Backer and Mercedes Thompson.
Friday May 23, 2014
OP runs out of money to pay salaries, basic bills The administration says it has run out of money to pay even its most basic bills, as a budget cut last month in Parliament starts to bite deep. Speaking yesterday at his weekly press briefing, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, disclosed that the issue of the budget cuts was raised on Tuesday during the Cabinet of Ministers’ meeting. With payday for May fast approaching, the stark clarity is that there is no money. “The impact, were it to be felt, would essentially see us putting up the ‘for rent’ or ‘for sale’ sign as there is no money in the kitty…Nothing to support even the most routine activities of the Office of the President and the subvention agencies under the Office of the President.” The Opposition during considerations of the 2014 National Budget voted against $37.4B, out of the $220B proposed by the administration. The Opposition was targeting specific agencies, like the Government Information Agency (GINA) and National Communications Network (NCN), and a number of large-scale projects including the US$150M expansion of the Timehri airport and the building of the access roads to the Amaila Falls hydro project. Among the entities affected was the Office of the President of which $1.3B was not approved for the current expenditure of the Administrative Services. According to Luncheon, the impact of the cuts will affect workers at OP and a number of agencies which receives subventions. The Cabinet Secretary said the impact of the cuts has not only threatened the discharge of the
Dr. Roger Luncheon constitutional functions of the President, but livelihoods of many public officers as well. Many of these officers were appointed by the Public Service Commission to pensionable posts. The budget disapproval may even be seen as denial of the workers’ constitutional rights, the official said. “With such a track record, Guyanese must be warned and must be on the alert; the Opposition appears to have little attention, little care for the rights of ordinary Guyanese. They send the most conflicting of messages and conflicting of signals and this is all done as they pursue their narrow, partisan, political interests.” Since 2012, the Opposition questioning Government’s spending and “lack of explanation” for a number of projects, has been cutting the National Budget presented by the Minister of Finance. However, the High Court has ruled that the National Assembly does not have the power to cut the budget but rather can only disapprove it. The Government had restored the billions cut from the budget for the last two years. The administration has not signaled whether it will take up the Opposition’s offer of going back to the National Assembly for some of the monies to be restored.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Fight for Town Clerk...
Sooba, King asked to justify appointments The Court of Appeal will soon be ruling on the High Court ruling of Chief Justice Ian Chang, which says that Carol Sooba is to remain de facto Town Clerk of Georgetown, despite the Local Government Minister having no power to hire her. He also granted a quo warranto in favour of Town Clerk Carol Sooba, effectively removing Royston King as the City Council-appointed Town Clerk. However, another judge, Justice Diana Insanally, has begun hearing a quo warranto in favour of Royston King, thus challenging Carol Sooba’s continued rule as Town Clerk. Nigel Hughes had filed a writ of quo warranto demanding that Sooba show authority for her appointment to the post of Town Clerk (ag). Attorneys representing Sooba are expected to file an affidavit in response to the order that Sooba to explain the basis of her appointment as Town Clerk (Ag) and why she should remain in that position. The hearing of the quo warranto against Sooba is expected to continue on June 2. The quo warranto application to the Chief Justice was made by Attorney Roysdale Forde on Sooba’s behalf. Attorney Adrian Smith and Attorney General Anil Nandlall are also representing Sooba. Attorney Nigel Hughes is representing Royston King who is challenging Sooba’s appointment. Forde’s arguments were grounded on three issues; that should the stay not be granted then there would be interference in the status quo. He said that the High Court has already ruled that Sooba could function as the de facto secretary to the Mayor and City Council. However, by the Councillors voting for King to replace her, Forde said it would interfere with the status quo while the matter is being appealed before the court. The status quo, he urged, has to be preserved in the continuation of Sooba exercising the functions as Town Clerk until the Appeal is concluded. Not granting the stay will also ruin Sooba, Forde contended. He said irreparable harm would be caused and this does not only mean the loss of salary or other monetary benefits but also, not allowing her to function as the Town Clerk adds to her ruination. Sooba should be allowed to function until the
Carol Sooba
Royston King
conclusion of the Appeal, Forde argued. Additionally, Forde charged that should the stay not be granted, then the Appeal itself would also be nugatory (of no value or importance). The lawyer said that the Appeal would be useless and ineffective if the Mayor and Councilors are allowed to push Royston King to act at City secretary, while the appeal is pending and while their actions contradict the April ruling of the High Court. King’s Attorney feels differently. Hughes explained that the interference of the status quo is no ground on which a stay could be granted. He pointed out that on most occasions the status quo is interfered with, for example, cases where persons are rewarded. Hughes went on that while the status quo may be a factor in certain circumstances; it is not a ground on which a stay of execution could be granted. As it relates to irreparable damage, Hughes questioned what is there to affect Sooba, since she will not be out of a job -because she was taken from one post and placed in the other to perform the function of City secretary. Hughes said that Sooba cannot cry personal loss since she has no individual right to the office and will therefore suffer no personal loss. Hughes added, too, that Sooba would not be ruined since she has no right to the office, since she is a de facto Town Clerk and only holds the position by virtue of the Local Government Minister. Hughes also challenged the argument that the decision of the Appeal itself would be nugatory. In another court matter stemming from the Town Clerk fiasco, Attorney Nigel Hughes has asked Chief Justice Chang to recuse himself from the order he granted to stop City Hall from having King replace Sooba as the Town Clerk (ag).
Hughes reminded the CJ that he did not hear the quo warranto matter (a third court case stemming from the Town Clerk fiasco) last week. That quo warranto seeks to directly challenge Sooba’s appointment as Town Clerk de facto. Hughes reminded also that a quo warranto was filed in keeping with the CJ’s April ruling to challenge the appointment. Hughes went on that the quo warranto was filed before Sooba sought the order against the Council, yet the CJ opted to hear Sooba’s matter to the exclusion of Royston King’s. On those grounds along with others made by Hughes, he pointed to what may be a perception and possible conflict within the two matters. He repeated his appeal for the CJ to recuse himself from hearing the order against City Hall. Hughes in that case was representing the City Council; while Attorney Keisha Chase represented Sooba. Chase had no difficulty with the CJ hearing the matter given that the two cases stem from the same matter but involve different parties. The CJ has also argued that the matters speak to different people, despite it stemming from the same matter. He has refused the quo warranto since his ruling is being appealed. In the meantime, the CJ has chosen not to recuse himself from the order and has asked the parties to prepare their affidavit in answer and reply. The matter will be called again on June 5.
Page 15
Tacama shooting…
Shot lieutenant, recruit give different versions of incident Lieutenant Othneil Hope and recruit Vernon Harding have reportedly given conflicting statements about how they both ended up with bullet wounds last Sunday at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama. While the army is still to make an official report on the progress of the investigation, Kaieteur News was told yesterday that both ranks have admitted that the shooting occurred in a barrack-room. Sources have also confirmed that Lieutenant Hope’s handgun caused the injuries to both ranks, but say that all reports suggest that the weapon was discharged accidentally. Kaieteur News was told that Lieutenant Hope is a training officer on the Tacama base. According to an army source, the officer has told investigators that the shooting occurred in the barrack-room. However, according to the source, he has given a “totally different version” of how the incident transpired.
- army source This newspaper has confirmed that Harding, the recruit, alleged that Lieutenant Hope had accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own firearm. “The soldier (Hope) said that he went to the lieutenant’s assistance and the gun went off accidentally and he (Hope) was shot in the arm and abdomen,” the army source said. Army sources said that it is “unusual” for a rank to have a loaded weapon in a barrack-room. At present, Hope is being treated in the Georgetown Hospital’s High Dependency Unit (HDU), while Lieutenant Hope is reportedly being treated at the army’s medical centre at Camp Ayanganna. Harding’s relatives said yesterday that they are still waiting for a comment from the army. His mother, Vanita Harding, had said on Sunday that she overheard ranks at the GPHC saying that Lieutenant Hope was cleaning his firearm and
accidentally shot himself and her son. Harding has a one-yearold daughter and reportedly enlisted in the army last month. In a statement issued on Sunday, the GDF said that approximately 4:30 p.m., two ranks stationed at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama were injured when two rounds were accidentally discharged from a firearm. It stated that the Guyana Defence Force has initiated an investigation and that further details would be released as they are made available. The investigators had still not returned from Tacama up to late yesterday.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 23, 2014
East Bank four-lane road expansion…
GT&T alleges BK Int’l owes $$M in restoration By Latoya Giles The Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) has debunked allegations by contractor BK International that its utility poles and cables are the cause for the delay of the completion of the East Bank four-lane road expansion project. The company says that the claims are “spurious”. According to the telephone company, if the public utility’s infrastructure is likely to affect project works it must be factored into project cost and project timelines from the inception and oversight of the contractors by the Ministry needs to stringent.
- says contractor’s claims are false GT&T maintained that it has an obligation to protect the integrity of the National Communications Infrastructure in the interest of all of its users. The telephone company yesterday issued an official statement on the issue where it chronicled everything that happened between the company, the contractor and the Ministry of Public Works. GT&T said that it was contacted by BK International on July 29th 2011 concerning the relocation of its network plant and facilities (aerial and buried copper and fibre optic
cables, poles and network access cabinets) in the vicinity of the project area. It was explained that on August 2, 2011, engineering representatives from the Phone Company and BK International Inc. along with the Ministry of Public Works/ Works Services Group (MPW/WSG) conducted a joint survey of the project area to identify the locations of GT&T’s facilities. It was noted that consistent with established protocols for the execution of such works, on September 2nd 2011, an invoice for the cost associated with the
required relocation of GT&T’s facilities was released to BK International Inc. and copied to the Ministry of Public Works. “Although the invoiced sum was not paid, BK International Inc. commenced work and GT&T began to experience damage to its network facilities as early as September 28th, 2011,” the telephone company said. GT&T said that subsequently the ministry requested partial rather than complete relocation of their facilities in the project area and the invoice for those works was dispatched to the
Dr. Harding ought to be congratulated for NOC offer - AFC MP Williams Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Trevor Williams said yesterday that former Presidential Candidate Dr. Faith Harding should be congratulated for her initiative and government should take this opportunity to use her. Harding who is a Child Development Psychologist, on Wednesday told Kaieteur News that she is willing to offer her expertise to the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). According to Williams, it is commendable that Harding is offering her services to remedy the situation at the NOC. He said that he trusts that the issue will not die. Williams said further that he had expected a response from Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony. “It has become a normal
feature of not just the Ministry, of course, but other government officials on issues of this nature,” Williams told the media yesterday. He said that the Alliance for Change had made a call a few weeks back for a transparent process of investigation and a turnaround with respect to the reports coming out of the Ministry. “Anthony and his ministry have been given a fair opportunity to respond to this and now he responds in a shutdown mode… and his rejection of very valid criticisms needs to change” Williams said. He opined that the minister ought to speed up process to get the 2012 inquiry report which has been delayed. “It’s not just the APNU and the AFC that’s bothered
about this, but even people out there” Williams noted. “I’m always willing to go and help young people throughout Guyana,” Dr. Harding told Kaieteur News on Wednesday. She said that it was unfortunate for Minister Dr. Frank Anthony to say that the NOC is unable to attract persons to work there. “The ministry could find the money, and it’s no secret that I’m qualified; likewise so many others in Guyana, but no one from the Ministry has ever come forward and asked me,” Harding said. She added that it’s no secret that the institution needs a total revamp. She had said that it is unfortunate that the government has institutions set up, but these aren’t properly set up to deal with issues. Dr. Harding said that the
NOC should have several counsellors or people who can do psychotherapy. It should also have a visiting Psychiatrist. She explained that the institution deals with delinquency and other crimes that have to do with conduct disorder. “These children are put in this institution that is not equipped to handle the psychological problems that they may be facing. It’s rather unfortunate that government, after seeing a rise in crime in teenagers and this “gangster mentality” did not see it necessary to have a whole department of psychology to deal with the illness these children are dealing with. In that institution the children are already incarcerated. In a sense, it’s a detention facility.”
Ministry on January 20th 2012. “A payment of fifty percent of the partial relocation cost was received from the ministry on February 9th 2012 and the partial relocation of our aerial cables was completed on March 7th 2012…however, a considerable amount of our major assets remained to be relocated out of the project area,” the company explained. GT&T said that all the while BK International continued, seemingly in a reckless manner, damaging previously identified facilities seven (7) times in various locations between September 28th 2011 and May 13th 2013. According to GT&T, the damage affected some 1,800 of their residential and business customers and the cumulative restoration cost amounted to G$2.9 million. “Equally important is the fact that this damage compromised critical communications at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and nearby sensitive locations including the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Instructively, although the invoices for this damage were sent to BK International Inc., to date GT&T has received neither acknowledgement nor payment. Being frustrated by the contractor’s reckless working practices and refusal to acknowledge or pay our submitted invoices associated with the multiplicity of damage, and in a required effort to protect the integrity of our network and service to customers, on May 8th 2012 GT&T sought relief in the High Court.” It was noted that the court encouraged the parties to settle the matter, and on May
6th 2014 a settlement was reached. GT&T said that as a result of this settlement, it waived claim to G$20.5 million of outstanding facilities relocation costs. “To date, payment of the amount due as per terms of the settlement remains outstanding,” the phone company stated. GT&T said that an invoice for the cost of relocating its network infrastructure facilities was submitted to the Ministry on May 4th 2012. The company said that although the invoice was not paid it became clear that project works had commenced. GT&T said that more importantly, even though all parties had participated in a survey of the work area and the location of their facilities was marked, it experienced 17 incidents of damage within Lot 3 between April 20th 2013 and January 25th 2014. “This damage affected in excess of 8,000 residential and business customers and the restoration cost amounted to G$4.3M,” GT&T noted. “Again, invoices were sent to the contractor, BK International Inc., and they neither acknowledged nor paid.” The company said the outstanding payment is currently engaging the attention of its lawyers. GT&T in its statement said that it remains committed and ready to cooperate with the ministry and all of its contractors in the interests of national development. However, there needs to be reciprocity. “If works are to proceed in a timely manner, all parties will need to adhere to established procedures and protocols and timelines established in agreements,” the company said.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Youths to design critical climate change proposal By Kiana Wilburg As Guyana hosts the 44th Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), youths will be given an opportunity to not only express their views on climate change, but design a plan that will assist Guyana in the fight against it. The proposal will be presented to officials of the CDB at the end of the threeday workshop which is being held at the Conference hall of the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara. The workshop started on Wednesday last. The CDB will finance the plan designed by the youths. The Caribbean Development Bank is a financial institution which assists Caribbean nations in financing social and economic programmes in its member countries. The workshop falls under the VYBZING Programme and the forum is held under the theme, “Youth Voices for Climate Change.” VYBZING is a CDB youth outreach programme which recognizes that the region’s youth must not only be seen as takers of opportunities created by others, but as critical contributors to the development process of a country. It provides an opportunity for youths to express themselves while serving as a platform to encourage them to take action which will positively affect their future. Yvette Lemonias–Seale, Vice President and Bank Secretary of the CDB at the opening ceremony of the workshop said that in addition to recognizing the important role the Bank plays in financing certain initiatives, she hopes that the forum encourages the participants to be strong advocates in creating awareness on climate change. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony gave the opening remarks for the forum. He quoted from various reports and said, “From the 1800’s to now, carbon dioxide emissions have increased due to industrialization and other activities and as such there is need for a lot more to be done by individual countries to address the problem effectively.” However, with the CDB hosting its annual governor’s board meeting in Guyana, he said that they have recognized the importance of addressing the issue with the implementation of a workshop
which is more than just providing invaluable expertise on the topic. The Minister said that he is pleased to note that the workshop has a practical aspect, where the CDB would be instrumental in funding a project that the participants would have designed. In terms of the role Guyana is playing in the battle against climate change, Dr. Anthony told the gathering that the Government of Norway in partnership with Guyana signed a contract to ensure the preservation of its pristine forest. Guyana, he said, is paid for its eco-services provided for the world. Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in his brief remarks to the attentive audience said that he is pleased that the Bank chose climate change as the topic for this year’s youth forum. The Finance Minister urged the audience to ponder on the devastating effects that the Caribbean Islands as well as Guyana will suffer if or when the sea level rises. “The scary thing is that when the water rises some islands will disappear. We are even in an office on the coastal plain which is below sea level. It is given some level of protection by the seawall which is maintained by the government. Again one or two levels of sea rise, and the entire coastal plain could be wiped out and with the rainfall being so incessant and unpredictable, the coast is always under constant threat,” the Minister said. He reminded of the effects of the 2005 floods which resulted in several areas of the country being swamped for days, thousands of livestock dead and crops destroyed. The damage, Dr. Singh said, amounted to 60 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. “We are one of the largest contributors in the fight against climate change. We serve as an important part of the lungs of the world. This goes to the core of our arguments in support of the Low Carbon Development Project … I urge you to be more responsible custodians of the environment,” Dr. Singh added. The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Neila Bobb-Prescott, Senior Technical Officer and Manager of the Forest and Livelihoods Programme at the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute of Trinidad and Tobago. Bobb-Prescott gave her views on the impact of climate change on Trinidad and (Continued on page 31)
Some of the participants of the VYBZING workshop on climate change
Page 30
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Shameful that Paramakatoi cannot have an operable well - AFC “At a time when the Government is claiming that it is committed to Amerindian development, it is shameful that the village of Paramakatoi cannot have an operable well.” That is the sentiment expressed by Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Trevor Williams as he told the media of his party’s call on the government to “immediately” fix the well at Paramakatoi.
From page 7 true for Africa as well. But because China seems to be in such a hurry, and is so often seen to be looking out for itself, the potential downsides for many Africans have begun more and more to stand out: accelerated environmental destruction via mining and other activities; disregard for labor rights; the hollowing out of local industry; and even the stalling of the continent’s democratization. This isn’t simply a matter of Beijing’s doing business with odious dictators, whether Omar al-Bashir of Sudan or Robert G. Mugabe of Zimbabwe. From Zaire to Equatorial Guinea to Rwanda, the West clearly has its own deep and insufficiently acknowledged history of
Williams said that the AFC learnt that, sometime early in the year, the well was damaged and residents have been strained, ever since, to fetch water on a daily basis. He said that in the case of the school dormitory, “the children there are forced to trudge with five-gallon bottles of water on their shoulders so that the kitchen can have water to use. The children also have to fetch water for the toilets and other
doing much the same. Rather, the problem (though not limited to China) is relying on shady arrangements made at the very top of the political system, often in the president’s office itself. Contracts are greased with monetary bribes and other enticements like expensepaid shopping trips to China and scholarships there for elite children. Adding to the opacity, China typically favors its state-owned companies for African projects and bypasses open, competitive bidding procedures. The best way for the United States and other rich countries that have economic and political interests in Africa to respond is not by warning Africans about the
uses. This is totally unacceptable.” According to Williams, almost two months ago, the Regional Chairman of Region eight Mark Crawford raised the matter with the Guyana Water Incorporated but to date there has been no effort to fix the well. The MP questioned whether this is a demonstration of the Government’s level of commitment to the Amerindian people; he said it
advance of China — but rather, helping to strengthen African civil society and, thereby, governance. Washington should also encourage China and other up-and-coming players in the international economy, from Brazil to Turkey to Vietnam, to abide by higher transparency standards — and to rigorously abide by them, too. In the end, though, what will minimize any downsides of China’s involvement in Africa is the deepening of African democracy. Grassroots activism and vibrant independent media are, everywhere, the ultimate check on corrupt legislators and on foreigners who get lucrative but unsound deals by handing over bags of cash.
Youths to design critical... From page 25 Tobago. She told the participants that as they begin to craft in their minds a plan for climate change, it should be one that is informed on the needs of the country and reflects research. She emphasized the need for the youths to
understand that their voices are powerful and that they bring a much needed experience and innovativeness to such projects as opposed to the old and now dull approaches that have been used for some time. “Your approach is often full of momentum and drive
and creativity. You will meet opposition, but take it in good stride. Always analyze criticisms and use it to strengthen your work. Also equally important is ensuring that you get feedback on the relevance of your work,” the climate change advocate said in concluding.
leaves much to be desired. Williams told the media that his party has often had cause to accuse the government of victimising the people of Region eight for the way they voted at the last elections that gave the AFC the majority in the Region. “This seems to be another such act. The PPPC Government must behave as government for all the people and not just their supporters,” said Williams.
Howard W. French is an associate professor of journalism at Columbia University, a former correspondent for The New York Times and the author, most recently, of “China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa.”
From Page 30
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Friday May 23, 2014
Thirteen Ukrainians dead in preelection clash with pro-Russia rebels (Reuters) - Ukraine said more than a dozen servicemen were killed yesterday in an early morning clash with proRussian separatists, fuelling security concerns ahead of a presidential election on Sunday seen as crucial for its fragile democracy. Kiev’s pro-Western government said its forces had also rebuffed an attempt by the separatists to enter its territory from Russia, and it called for an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Moscow’s role in the violence. The government hopes the election will stabilise Ukraine after mass street protests toppled Moscowbacked president Viktor Yanukovich in February, but the separatists have vowed to prevent the poll going ahead in eastern towns where they have seized control. The United States and European Union say they will impose broad sanctions on Russia if it tries to derail the election, billed as the
country’s most important since the end of communism in 1991. Moscow, which annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula in March after Yanukovich’s fall, denies arming or training the rebels. “The aim (of the separatist fighters) was to attack and seize the town of Volnovakha. Our troops defended the town ... but regrettably, under fire from mortars and grenade launchers and heavy gunfire, our boys were killed,” Interfax news agency quoted acting President Oleksander Turchinov as saying. Turchinov said 13 servicemen had been killed. Authorities in the Donetsk region, where the attack took place, put the death toll at 16, without specifying whether they were all soldiers or also included separatists, and said 32 people were injured. Top Ukrainian security official Andriy Parubiy said he expected more separatist violence in the coming days “because their whole concept
is aimed at disrupting the presidential election”. “I would like to appeal to all citizens of Ukraine, not only to those in the east: on Sunday ... we must all go and vote ... Going to the elections, holding the elections means defeating Putin,” Parubiy told a news conference. Opinion polls suggest confectionery magnate Petro Poroshenko, a former ally of Yanukovich who later joined the protests against him and supports Ukraine’s tilt towards the West, will win the election, possibly in Sunday’s first round. In the eastern region of Luhansk, Ukrainian border guards repelled an incursion by dozens of separatists armed with grenade launchers and rifles, the border service said. Several border guards were injured in the incident. Ukraine’s energy ministry said there had been “attacks by terrorists” on several coal mines in eastern Ukraine, forcing a suspension of production there.
Oleksander Turchinov
Also yesterday, armed representatives of the selfproclaimed ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ abducted the head of an election commission in the city of 1 million people and seized a voters’ register and a stamp, local officials said. Other election commissions in Donetsk have already been forced to quit. A top U.N. human rights official this week expressed concern over reports of abductions and intimidation of election
officials in eastern Ukraine. Interim Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said Kiev was ready to submit evidence of what he called Moscow’s attempts “to escalate the conflict” to an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member. Moscow, for its part, accused Kiev of stepping up military operations in eastern Ukraine and of failing to implement measures aimed at
ending the crisis. NATO says Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops across the border from eastern Ukraine. Yesterday, Moscow announced it had moved some troops and military equipment from the Ukraine border area, but Yatseniuk dismissed it as a “bluff”, and NATO’s top military commander said Russia’s forces in the region remained “very large”.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Vietnam threatens legal action against China MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Vietnam’s prime minister said yesterday for the first time that his country is considering legal action against China over its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, a move that Beijing would likely fiercely oppose. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its own, bringing it into conflict with the far smaller nations of Vietnam, the Philippines and three others that have rival claims. Beijing also has a territorial dispute with Japan over a cluster of islands in the East China Sea. Last year, the Philippines filed a complaint against China before an international tribunal in The Hague to challenge the legality of its claims, antagonizing China. Beijing wants any disputes with countries to be resolved bilaterally even as it continues to engage in what many in the region regard as provocative assertions of its sovereignty in the waters. China raised the stakes in the region earlier this month when it deployed an oil rig in an area claimed by Vietnam, triggering fury in Hanoi, which sent ships to try to disrupt the drilling operation. Street protests morphed into bloody anti-Chinese riots that damaged hundreds of factories. Vietnam had been trying a more low-key approach in its dealings with China, but the oil rig deployment prompted it to toughen its stance. In a written reply to questions sent by The
Nguyen Tan Dung Associated Press, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said, “like all countries, Vietnam is considering various defense options, including legal actions in accordance with the international law.” Dung did not specify what legal actions Hanoi was considering. Two Vietnamese diplomats have previously told The AP that Vietnam might now file its own appeal or join Manila’s legal challenge against China. A senior Philippine government official said Dung and other Vietnamese officials mentioned that plan to their Philippine counterparts in closed-door meetings on Wednesday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. Vietnam has notified the United Nations of China’s actions, Deputy Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh told reporters in Manila. Dung has demanded that China withdraw the rig, but Beijing insists it has done
nothing wrong. At a regular briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei accused Dung of “calling white black in the world community and attacking China in an absurd manner.” “What Vietnam should do is harshly punish the assailants in the smashing, looting, burning and beatings, protect Chinese companies, and stop the harassment of the Chinese drilling rig. Apart from that, they should pay compensation for all the damage,” Hong said. Dung said Vietnamese authorities have contained the rioting, and business in the affected areas is back to normal. When asked if Vietnam would risk going to war in disputed waters, Dung said his country would never venture into that. “Military solution? The answer is no,” Dung said in the email. “Vietnam has endured untold suffering and losses from past invasive wars ... We are never the first to use military means and would never unilaterally start a military confrontation unless we are forced to take selfdefense actions.” Dung used a speech at the opening of the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Manila on Thursday to again criticize China. He warned that an armed conflict in the South China Sea, where a large share of the world’s shipping passes, could be so debilitating “it may even reverse the trend of global economic recovery.”
Russia may build eight nuclear reactors for Iran
MOSCOW (Reuters) Russia plans to sign a contract with Iran this year to build two more nuclear reactors at its Bushehr power plant as part of a broader deal for up to eight reactors in the Islamic state, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters yesterday. It was not immediately clear how this might affect six global powers’ talks with Iran addressing disputed aspects of its nuclear program. Iran has resisted demands for cuts in its uranium enrichment capacity, pointing to plans for a future network of nuclear power stations. Western powers want any lasting agreement with Iran to put to rest suspicions that it could develop nuclear weapons-making ability
Hassan Rouhani through enrichment. Iran denies any such intent. The talks ended last week with little progress; they are to resume in Vienna in June. Russia, one of the six powers, built Iran’s only operating nuclear power reactor, at Bushehr. “Russia
and Iran may sign an intergovernmental agreement this year on building from four to eight nuclear reactors, and, under the deal, the contract for the construction of the first two reactors as additions to Bushehr,” the source said. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom said earlier it was in talks with Iran on the potential construction of more reactors there but revealed no details. Rosatom officials could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday. Longstanding Western fears that the Bushehr project could yield spent fuel of use in nuclear weapons something it denies it is seeking to do - receded after Iran promised to send the material back to Russia.
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Friday May 23, 2014
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Journalist flees country after death threat PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – A senior investigative journalist with the Caribbean Communication Network (CCN) TV6, Mark Bassant, has been forced to flee the country after receiving a number of death threats, head of news at the television station, Dominic Kallipersad has said. Kallipersad told television viewers on Wednesday night that Bassant had received the threats while working on sensitive investigative material and that both National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams had been made aware of the hit on the journalist. The Trinidad Express newspaper, a sister company of the television station, reported that “key underworld criminals” had made the death threat against Bassant. Bassant told the newspaper that on May 7, “I got a call from a very reliable underworld source that certain criminal elements wanted to harm me because of stories I wrote recently that were showing them up. “I made a report on it. The next day I was liaising with certain police officers involved in a specific investigation, only to later learn from other trusted sources that these same officers who I had spoken to earlier were leaking information about me and what I knew to the said individuals who organised for
Mark Bassant
my demise. “I informed a high-ranking intelligence source along with another trusted senior intelligence officer about this development,” Bassant said. “The senior intelligence office later conferred to me in a face-to-face meeting on May 9 that my name was on a hit list together with other persons. In fact, he told me that they had already been given the order to engage the targets, including me, and that the hit against me was starting at TT$20,000 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents),” Bassant explained. The Trinidad Express newspaper said that the intelligence source then advised Bassant to take certain precautionary measures, including having 24-hour security available to him. “Bassant then advised management at CCN about
the developments and they worked together to have Bassant stay at various locations as an insurance for his safety,” the paper reported. Bassant said that “this entire situation has me angry that journalists, who work on behalf of the people, can be threatened like this. “And based on the calibre of people involved, in my opinion it is also a frightening indictment on our lawenforcement agency in this country. “But despite all this, I remain passionate to the cause of uncovering all wrongdoings in this country. I can only wait and see what becomes of this situation because it has a direct bearing on all investigative journalists, not only in this country, but around the world,” Bassant said.
Ex-Guatemalan leader gets nearly six years prison for bribe plea NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo was sentenced to five years, 10 months in prison yesterday after admitting to taking $2.5 million in bribes from Taiwan and laundering funds through U.S. banks. The sentence, delivered by U.S. District Judge Robert Patterson in New York, ensures the fallen leader will remain incarcerated beyond the more than four years his lawyers said he has already served following his arrest in 2010. Portillo, 62, served as president of Guatemala from 2000 to 2004. He was extradited to the United States in May 2013 after a yearslong fight and after Guatemalan courts had cleared him on local embezzlement charges. At a hearing in New York that drew a crowd of Portillo’s political supporters and family, Patterson also ordered him to forfeit $2.5 million. Patterson said Portillo had abused his position in committing his crimes. “The case has importance in how we treat violations of laws against corruption and the impact on this country and in terms of what role we’re going to play,” Patterson said. U.S. authorities initially accused Portillo
of laundering tens of millions of dollars embezzled from the Guatemalan government, including $2.5 million provided by Taiwan’s embassy in Guatemala. In March, Portillo pleaded guilty to a charge of money laundering conspiracy. But he said the $2.5 million was actually a bribe from Taiwan in exchange for Guatemala’s continued diplomatic recognition. China says Taiwan has no right to recognition as it is part of China. The two have been governed separately since the Communists won China’s civil war in 1949. Only 22 countries maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, including the tiny Pacific island states of Nauru and Palau, as well as Vatican City, Paraguay, Panama, Haiti, Nicaragua and Belize. Lawyers for Portillo have in court papers said he was far from the only Guatemalan or Central American leader to receive gifts or bribes from Taiwan. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office said yesterday current Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou rejects “checkbook diplomacy.” Portillo’s lawyers had urged the judge to consider Portillo’s contributions to Guatemala.
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Colombia’s presidential race engulfed by scandal
Colombia’s President and Social Party of National Unity presidential candidate, Juan Manuel Santos waves upon his arrival to a campaign event in Bogota, Colombia. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Accusations of bribes from drug traffickers, spying and email hacking have turned Colombia’s presidential election into an ugly slugfest that has further polarized a country trying to emerge from its violent past. The mudslinging has distracted attention from talks with the country’s main rebel group to end the country’s half-century internal conflict, which had been expected to be a key issue going into Sunday’s election. Much of the blame for the dirty campaigning falls on two former allies whose public feuding has divided Colombia the past four years: President Juan Manuel Santos and his still-powerful predecessor, Alvaro Uribe. Despite presiding over what may be South America’s best-performing economy, Santos is struggling amid relentless attacks by Uribe and his hand-picked heir, former finance chief Oscar Ivan Zuluaga. Polls say the two are running neck and neck, well ahead of three other candidates but with neither likely to garner the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff. Zuluaga’s conservative Democratic Center movement has lambasted Santos for what it calls his softness in 18-month-old negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC. Zuluaga has threatened to end the talks in Cuba if he is elected, saying he will demand the rebels prove their commitment to peace by declaring a permanent cease-fire within a week. But those policy differences have taken a backseat to endless bickering and near-daily bombshells
that have Colombians shaking their heads in disgust. It began with media reports that Santos’ campaign manager, J.J. Rendon, received $12 million from the nation’s biggest drug traffickers to negotiate their surrender. The information was based on three-year-old, leaked testimony to Colombian prosecutors from a drug cartel boss jailed in the U.S. Rendon, a Venezuelan native, quickly resigned after acknowledging that he interceded in the case, although he denied taking any money. Two days later, authorities arrested a computer expert who worked for Zuluaga’s campaign, accusing him of hacking into the emails of FARC negotiators and even Santos. Zuluaga denounced the arrest as a ploy to derail his candidacy. Uribe, without presenting any evidence, then accused Rendon of funneling $2 million from the alleged drugdealer payments to Santos’ 2010 campaign. The waters were muddied even more with the appearance last weekend of a video shot clandestinely from a cellphone in which Zuluaga listens attentively as the suspected hacker outlines a strategy to use intelligence gathered illegally to try to sabotage support for the peace talks. And many Colombians, even those who support Santos, were asking whether the president was playing electoral politics with the peace process when he announced a landmark agreement with the FARC on May 17 to jointly combat illicit drugs. Many observers say
he should have put the talks on hold until elections had passed. Both Zuluaga and Santos “are trying to win at any cost,” said Marta Lucia Ramirez, a former Uribe defense minister and presidential candidate who was a distant third in the latest Invamer-Gallup poll. “That’s what’s causing damage to the country, that’s what destroying Colombians’ trust in their political leaders and institutions.” Vicente Torrijos, a political analyst at Bogota’s Rosario University, said the onslaught of accusations was unlikely to tilt the election’s outcome. “The society is so saturated with scandal that it produces the paradoxical effect of reinforcing voter preferences,” he said. Santos, the scion of one of Colombia’s richest families, inspires little enthusiasm among voters, especially among the poor who have benefited less from the economic boom. And Zuluaga is widely viewed as Uribe’s subordinate. Yet none of their challengers appear to have been able to turn that to their advantage, perhaps because the mainstream media have focused on the two better-funded campaigns. Whoever wins is going to have a tough time soothing the bitterness stirred up by the accusations. Congress is divided and Uribe, who was recently elected to the Senate, has promised to rally opposition against Santos should he win re-election. “The hatred unleashed by the campaign isn’t going to go away easily,” said Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based InterAmerican Dialogue.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 23, 2014
Melanie ‘A’ and BV ‘B’ set up Eastman edges to c/ship honours... mouthwatering finale; BV ‘B’... From page 37 night was the exit of defending champions Plaisance whose lackluster form continued as they fell to BV ‘B’ 1-0 with Erin Fraser’s rasping right-footer untying the two combatants. Last year’s beaten finalist Victoria Church Yard United prevailed 1-0 against Paradise, while in the other quarter-final, Melanie ‘B’ edged Victoria Eagles 1-0. The first and second place finishers will join the winners of the Georgetown and Linden Zones in the national playoffs
which will be played shortly. The winning team will receive $300,000, runners-up$150,000, 3rd place- $100,000 and 4th place- $50,000. Meanwhile, the Organisers have confirmed that the date for the staging of the finals is Sunday and not Saturday as was previously announced. The night’s full results are seen below: Semi-Final 1 - Melanie-‘A’2 vs Victoria Church Yard United-0; Jamal George-3rd and 5th. Semi-Final 2 - BV-B-1 vs Melanie-B-0; Erin Fraser-17th.
Quarterfinal 1 - Victoria Church Yard United - 1 vs Paradise – 0; Keyron Johnson-13th. Quarterfinal 2 - Melanie‘A’-3 vs BV-‘A’-3; Melanie-‘A’ won 3-2 on penalty kicks. Melanie ‘A’ Scorers Shermon Fraser - 11th, Dwight Peters 18th and 20th. BV - ‘A’ Scorers Akin Curry - 3rd, 12th and 17th. Quarterfinal 3 - BV-‘B’-1 vs Plaisance-0; Erin Fraser 19th. Quarterfinal 4 - Melanie‘B’-1 vs Victoria Eagles-0; Ryan Seals – 19th.
Friday May 23, 2014 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) Your generous nature could be taken advantage of. You may not be that popular at home but you should be able to shine at social gatherings. Focus, and concentrate on yourself and your future. TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Health problems may prevail if you haven’t been getting enough rest. You will have a problem sorting out your true feelings when it comes to your relationship. Your communication skills may win you points. GEMINI (MAY 22JUNE 21) Try to be tolerant of the moods of those around you. Do something constructive outside. Take a second look; difficulties with appliances, water, or electricity in your home may be evident. CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) Try not to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Spend time with friends or family. You are in a high cycle where travel, education, and creative endeavors are concerned. LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) You can make money if you are careful not to let it trickle through your fingers. Passion will be your only answer. Don’t let someone take the credit for a job you did. VIRGO (AUG. 23 SEPT. 23) You may be angry if someone tries to take credit for something you did. You can persuade even the toughest opponents to think your way.
LIBRA (SEPT. 24 OCT. 23) Don’t get depressed, get busy. You can accomplish a lot if you’re willing to put in a little extra time. You will learn valuable information if you travel today. Finish up any correspondence by early afternoon. SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) You may exaggerate your emotional situation. Your talent will be recognized. Pursue outdoor activities or any physical exertion. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) You will meet potential new mates through friends or relatives. Secret affairs may be tempting. There are ways of making extra cash if you put your mind to it. CAPRICORN (DEC 22. - JAN. 20) Enjoy the company of relatives today. Don’t waste this exciting day by sitting at home. Get busy making those changes to your home. AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Don’t bend to the pressure. You can get your point across if you don’t beat around the bush. You could make extra cash through creative hobbies. PISCES (FEB. 20MAR. 20) You will enjoy interaction with others today. Jealousy may be a contributing factor to your emotional ups and downs. Opportunities for romance may develop through dealing with groups that have a purpose.
From back page semi final encounter. Davids had earlier defeated Guyanese Dereck Richmond in the said Contender Series. An earlier report out of Jamaica and penned by
Gleaner Writer Leroy Brown, had Eastman as one of the veterans in the Contender line-up and the most experienced boxer in the competition. So far Eastman has been impressive and defeated Der-
ECB charge Vincent... From page 33 Test of 2011 led to three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer - being banned and jailed for their roles in a spot-fixing scam. Meanwhile former Essex paceman Mervyn Westfield was also jailed for his role in spot-fixing, where an incident during the match rather than the result of a game is manipulated for a betting
scam, during a county match that led to a life ban for former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria. However whether Vincent, who is now in Auckland, and Arif, reported to be living in the north of England, will face criminal charges will depend upon whether British prosecutors decide if such action is the best use of taxpayers’ money. (AFP)
rick Spencer in his first fight in the Contender series where he forced the referee to stop the fight in the second round. Hylton had amassed six wins and three losses before losing to the ‘Battersea Bomber.’ Hylton, a good defensive boxer scored an impressive technical-knockout victory over Prince Lee Isidore from Trinidad. The runner up will earn J$500,000 while the boxers finishing in the third and fourth places receive J$250,000 and J$200,000 respectively.
Roberts... From page 39 Persaud that she also brushed aside the field in the Girls 50m Breaststroke stopping the clock at 56.55. Next was Patrice Mahaica in 59.89. In the Boys 13-14 50m Freestyle, Joseph de Nobrega won in a time of 29.41 and was trailed to the finish by Andrew Jordan (32.74) and Dominic Skeete (33.07). Joseph de Nobrega also took the Boys 13-14 100m Freestyle in 1.03.69, Sam Clarke (1.17.40) second and Dominic Skeete (1.18.72) third. And de Nobrega crowned off a fine Meet with victory in the Boys’ 13-14 50m Butterfly in a time of 31.33 followed by Satyanand Ramlagan (41.72) and Sam Clarke (47.03).
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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ECB charge Vincent San Antonio looks unstoppable, destroying and Arif over fixing the Thunder by 35 to take a 2-0 series lead London: The England and Wales Cricket Board have charged Lou Vincent and his former Sussex team-mate Naveed Arif with fixing the outcome of a county match, the governing body announced yesterday. Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, who has already confessed to fixing in several countries, has been charged with a total of 14 offences in relation to two county matches in August 2011 - a Twenty20 match between Sussex and Lancashire and a 40-over game between Sussex and Kent. Arif, a Pakistani, has been charged with six offences in relation to the 40-over game between Sussex and Kent in August 2011. The ECB said both players had been “provisionally suspended from all cricketing activities” organised, authorised or supported by the ECB, the International Cricket Council, other national federations and their constituent members. Chris Watts, the head of the ECB’s anti-corruption unit, said in a board statement: “This has been an extremely complex and lengthy investigation co-ordinated across many jurisdictions around the world. “This matter is now the subject of formal legal proceedings and we will therefore make no further comment other than to reiterate our determination to bring to account the very small minority who seek to corrupt cricket.” If Vincent and Arif are found guilty, it would be the first proven case of the result of a county match being fixed. The Sussex-Kent match was televised live, with a report earlier Thursday in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper saying the fixture had attracted bets totalling more than £12 million ($20m) on one regulated gambling
website alone and millions more on illegal markets in India. It emerged last week, in leaked testimony to an ICC probe, that Vincent told investigators he was approached by his fixer “NG” the day before the match in a hotel in Brighton and that he received £40,000 to throw the game. ECB ‘RE-OPEN’ CASE The Telegraph added there were suspicions at the time the match was corrupt but it was cleared by the ICC’s much-criticised anticorruption and security unit, under fire for its failure to bring to book a major fixer, following an investigation. But the paper added the case was reopened in August 2012 by the ECB’s own unit, led by former Metropolitan Police detective Watts. The 32-year-old Arif was born in Pakistan and qualified as a non-overseas player for Sussex through his wife’s Danish passport. He was released by Sussex in 2012. There is no suggestion any other player from either team was involved in the alleged fix. Sussex were cruising to victory despite Arif’s expensive bowling. He took the new ball but only bowled six overs and conceded 41 runs with two wides, an economy rate of 6.83. In reply, Sussex looked set for a win at 76 for no wicket, chasing a target of 217. But they lost four wickets for seven runs in four overs including that of Vincent who, batting at three, was run out for one off six balls. Arif batted at nine and scored 11 off 29 balls as Sussex were bowled out for 202 to lose by 14 runs. Arif was dropped for the next match against Middlesex and played only three more one day matches for Sussex before being released. The controversial Lord’s (Continued on page 32)
The Spurs and Thunder have been here before. In 2012, San Antonio went up 20 against Oklahoma City by playing a gorgeous brand of offensive basketball, only to see the Thunder roar back to win four straight games and make that year’s NBA Finals. Even with the Spurs going up 2-0 on Wednesday night, downing the Thunder 112-77, Oklahoma City has to feel confident that past is prologue. All the team needs to do is further feature scoring guard James Harden, who has a chance to shoot 60 percent in this series with helpless Spurs defenders clueless as to how to handle his inside/ outside game. Then the Thunder need to let big man Serge Ibaka loose on both ends, allowing him to roam defensively while giving him the confidence to let fly on offense when he sees fit. Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison, who are both only 27 and 31 years of age, can handle things defensively. The Spurs will have to rely on 20-year old Kawhi Leonard’s nervous touch and Danny Green’s sub-average 34 percent shooting from long range, in addition to their aging stars who will have to become too old at some point. So, yeah, we know that the Thunder can’t do this. The team’s big men are older, Ibaka is injured, Harden was traded by the team’s fearful ownership group because of payroll concerns, and the squad just isn’t deep enough to pull off that sort of midseries four-game sweep, as it did when it topped the Spurs 4-2 in 2012. More importantly, though? This isn’t about the Thunder. This is about the San Antonio Spurs, the type of team that pulls off a 112-77 blowout in May’s third week, the sort of outfit that has you wondering if a front court full of Serge Ibakas could have made any difference in this
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, center, of Argentina, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson, left, and Thunder forward Kevin Durant, during the second half of Game 2. series. Oklahoma City’s needed enhanced defensive pressure helped keep things close early in the contest, but all that overplaying and emphasis on crowding the middle did was make Spurs coach Gregg Popovich angry. Midway through a competitive first half, Coach Pop went back to some of his more trusted pet plays, leading the Spurs away from the sort of read-and-react offense that has made things
so fascinating to watch in San Antonio over the past five months. As a result, Danny Green turned into a world-beater. His big men set expert down screens for him, allowing him to dive into the corner, and he responded by nailing 7 of 10 3-pointers. Green is now hitting a white-hot 51 percent from long range during the postseason, and the Thunder acted as if they never saw those sorts of plays being run for Brent Barry in 2006.
That is what’s so astonishing and admirable about this team, because as much as things have changed (the addition of Leonard, who played just under 16 minutes in the blowout; the ascension of Green, Tiago Splitter), this truly is the same cast of characters in both 2006 (the big three) and 2012 (Boris Diaw, Patty Mills), working with a coach who thinks on his feet. Tony Parker (22 points in 28 minutes) doesn’t appear to have lost a step, Manu Ginobili (facilitating as usual, 11 points and four assists in 22 minutes) still looks like he’s in his prime every other game, and while Tim Duncan has slowed, he’ll find other ways. Duncan contributed a double-double (12 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks) in just 28 minutes, but it was his screening, his movement and his presence that made all the difference. This seems like silly, intangible-obsessed fawning, but the Thunder were obviously making a point to crowd the Spurs big man and take him away from the 21point first half he offered in San Antonio’s Game 1 win. As a result, Duncan decided to stick his rear end out and open up shots for his teammates, and Green owes him dinner tonight. This mix of elegance (Game 1) and function (Game 2) can’t help but leave you in awe.
Star Sports Independence 10/10 softball cricket set for Sunday in Berbice Plans are moving ahead for the staging of the Inaugural Star Sports Independence 10/10 Day/ Night softball cricket Festival which is slated for Sunday at the No. 5 Sports Ground, West Coast Berbice. On board are Nand Persaud and Company Limited (the home of Karibee Rice) and Jai Sign’s and
Designs of Georgetown. According to the coordinators, several top teams from across Guyana have already given their commitment to participate. The Festival will be played on a knock-out basis with round arm bowling being the format of the day. There will be over $200,000 in cash and trophies up for grabs and
the competition starts at 09:00hrs. Spectators will benefit from side attractions which are being put in place presently so as to make it a day of grand family entertainment. Supporting the event also are CellPhonix, Blair Computer Solutions, S. Deonarine Real Estate and Valuation Services and Bhagwan’s Optical Services.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 23, 2014
All-round Jordan leads Smith reaches 500 England to welcome win runs but Chennai lose
Mystery dramas are all the rage in England - turn on a television and you can barely get away from them - and as they foundered against the mystery spin of Sri Lanka’s Sachitra Senanayake England proved adept at providing one of their own at The Oval. The best mysteries, though, have an unexpected twist or two and England’s batting adventure in the latter overs certainly provided the potential for one. That shift came from Chris Jordan, who once again possessed an ebullience that has made him one of the most appealing faces in England’s new order. Sixty runs spilled from the last four overs, with Jordan smashing an unbeaten 38 from 13 balls, finishing with a length-ball six over longon against Lasith Malinga and a meaningful tuck of bat under arm, job done. Malinga, so often England’s tormentor, had never conceded as many against them in an ODI: 71 from eight wicketless overs. Three wickets for Senanayake, an offspinner with the additional sleight of hand rarely seen in the English game, took three good wickets after a prolonged rain stoppage to keep England in check. His variations were subtle, but certainly effective as he dismissed Eoin Morgan, Gary Ballance and Ravi Bopara to record 3 for 30, his best return in 30 ODIs. Ballance acquitted himself well at No. 3 with a punchy 64 from 72 balls, surviving the rain interruption midway through his innings. He is not the most elegant batsman in the world, but his impressive first-class form has suggested a good business brain and he exhibited that here. A study of the D/L tables later, Sri Lanka’s requirement was 259 in 39 overs. The pitch at The Oval was a good one and, given a clear evening, Sri Lanka, unbeaten in ODIs this year, were still in the game, but Jordan, in league with Jos Buttler, had transformed the mood. Until the rain came, with England 101 for 2 in the 21st over, Ian Bell had brought tranquillity and a sense of organisation to England’s top order in the first of five ODIs. He did not strain - there were no look-at-me extravagances - but there was a well manufactured half century to observe and, after England’s recent traumas, the calm would have done them no harm at all. England would have been frustrated nonetheless that Bell was dismissed the last ball before rain brought about a lengthy stoppage. Deceived by Angelo Mathews’ slower ball, he helped it to Malinga at short fine leg. If the timing was galling for Bell, so was the fact that he had also survived a Sri Lankan review earlier in Mathews’ over. Mathews’ lbw decision was refused by umpire Rob Bailey, he took advantage of his privileged position
Three wickets and 38 in just 13 balls earned Chris Jordan the Man of the Match award © PA Photos of a captain wondering whether to review a decision off his own bowling, but lost out narrowly on umpire’s call as replays showed the ball just shaving leg stump. Bell’s most authoritative blow was an easeful straight six in Thisara Perera’s first over and once again he was the emollient figure at the heart of this England side: England’s favourite moisturiser to help them through a dry, sore phase in their history. Alastair Cook’s awkward stay ended when he edged a wide one from Nuwan Kulasekera to the wicketkeeper, Kumar Sangakkara. Dinesh Chandimal had conceded the gloves to Sangakkara, but did not concede his place in the batting line-up, being preferred to Kusal Perera. Cook was also dropped on 1 in Kulasekera’s first over, a tough chance to Tillakaratne Dilshan, diving high to his right at backward point. Morgan was promoted to No. 4 after the skies cleared, but he fell third ball to Senanayake, chopping on a ball flicked out of the front of the hand. Ballance holed out at deep midwicket and Ravi Bopara, who was playing despite dislocating a finger just before the toss, fell lbw sweeping. A jaunty contribution from Joe Root, England thought, might bring 225 only for Jordan to make a mockery of that. (ESPNcricinfo)
Ranchi, India – West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith missed out on another halfcentury but eclipsed the 500-run mark here yesterday, as his stellar season in the Indian Premier League continued. He smashed a typically quick-fire 47 at the top of the order but it came in a losing effort as his Chennai Super Kings were out-gunned by the Darren Sammy-led Sunrisers Hyderabad in a exciting showdown at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. Sent in, Chennai rattled up an imposing 185 for three from their 20 overs but then watched as Sunrisers overhauled the total to win by six wickets, with four balls left in the innings. Smith set the tone for the innings, crashing four fours and four sixes off just 28 balls, adding 33 from 21 deliveries with South African Faf du Plessis (19). The big-hitting Barbadian also dominated a 35-run stand for the second wicket with Suresh Raina (4), before falling lbw to legspinner Karn Sharma in the seventh over with the score on 68. Smith now has 501 runs for the IPL campaign, joining Indian Robin Uthappa (572) and Australians Glenn Maxwell (533) and David Warner (524). Captain MS Dhoni then slammed 57 not out from 41 balls and David Hussey, an unbeaten 50 from 33 balls, to climax the innings with a thrilling unbroken 107-run, fourth wicket partnership. In reply, Sunrisers were handed a superb start by Warner who smashed 90 from 45 balls with 12 fours and three sixes. He put on an explosive 116 for the first wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 64.
Dwayne Smith
Warner was bowled by Australian fast bowler John Hastings in the 12th over but Dhawan and Naman Ojha (19) put on a further 52 for the second wicket to keep Sunrisers on course for a remarkable win. With two runs required from the final over, Sammy fell without scoring trying to clear long on with a big hit and being caught inside the ropes. Chennai are second on 16 points, two behind leaders Kings XI Punjab while Sunrisers are fifth on 12 points. (CMC)
President Webb speaks about racism on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Miami - CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, who is Chairman of FIFA¹s AntiRacism and Discrimination Task Force, appeared Tuesday last on the acclaimed HBO program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, addressing FIFA’s strategy and efforts to eradicate racism from football. He discussed the governing body’s responsibility in providing meaningful support for all players around the globe and implementing tougher sanctions to fortify the sport, so that focus can be placed
on the game itself. The Emmy-winning show also featured an interview with United States international striker Jozy Altidore, a member of FIFA’s anti-discrimination body. HBO will re-air the episode on May 23 (12:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m.), May 24 (9:45 a.m., 1:45 a.m.), May 27 (8:15 a.m., 6:00 p.m.), May 29 (3:45 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), June 1 (7:30 a.m.) and June 5 (1:30 a.m.). It will also be broadcasted on HBO2 on May 25 (11:45 a.m., 2:00 a.m.), May 28 (9:30 p.m.), June 4 (7:00 p.m.), June
12 (11:05 a.m.), June 16 (1:40 p.m.) and 21 (5:10 p.m.). Additionally, it can be seen through HBO On Demand®: May 21-June 16. During the 63rd FIFA Congress last year in Mauritius, Member Associations approved the Anti-Racism and Discrimination resolutions proposed by the task force chaired by President Webb. The application of these resolutions in every country where football is played will bring universality to the mechanisms that combat racism and discrimination.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Pernell Schultz rocks the Football gear for Buxton players as Police strengthen relations nets again in TT Pro League
One of the young footballers, Marlon Dey, gleefully accepts one of the balls from Mr. Hack in the presence of Officer Singh, a smiling Sheron Abrams (extreme Left) and other youths of the club. The recent strained relations between the Guyana Police Force and members of the public have caused officials of the former group to evaluate ways of bridging the gap thus fostering improved relations between the two groups. Towards this end, the Police have piloted several initiatives to achieve this objective as witnessed yesterday afternoon when a team of Police officers, headed by Cadet Officer, Mahadeo Singh and joined by businessman, Shahab Hack, trooped to the Buxton Community Centre Ground, ECD where Mr. Hack handed over a set of football gear to the Buxton Stars Football Club (BSFC) in the presence of the youth players of the club. Mr. Hack explained that following discussions, he has decided to partner with the
Guyana Police Force to keep the youths of that East Coast community productively occupied. “This gesture is in support of the vision of the Commissioner of Police who subscribe to the belief that vocational and skills training can be the catalyst to youth development,” explained Mr. Hack. He further hoped that the gesture would strengthen relations between communities and the Guyana Police Force. Officer Singh echoed the sentiments of Mr. Hack saying that he is happy to associate with the projections and initiatives of his Commissioner. He said that he noted that many of the youths were not gainfully occupied, creating the perfect opportunity for criminal activities. The law enforcement officer issued a call to
conscientious businesses to support the idea to enable the police to expand to other communities. Coach and Treasurer of the BSFC, Sheron Abrams, expressed gratitude on behalf of her President, Selwyn Williams and other executives. She said it was a timely gesture and she was confident that the youths of the club and the wider community will benefit. “I wish to join with the donor and members of the Guyana Police Force in appealing to members of the corporate community to support this venture towards the development of our youths,” Among the items donated were footballs, nets and uniforms. Ms. Abrams also disclosed that Mr. Hack had made a similar donation of uniforms and boots.
Golden Jaguar Pernell Schultz has scored again in the TT Pro League. His second goal in two outings as a starter for Caledonia AIA, young Schultz scored in Caledonia’s 2-1 loss to Point Fortin Civic Center on Tuesday night. The diminutive Schultz dribbled two Civic defenders before lashing a powerful shot past Trinidad and Tobago National team goalkeeper Marvin Phillip, which gave Caledonia a temporary 1- nil lead in the 4th minute of the match. He had two other chances saved in the match but his exploits are now attracting the attention of other teams and players. Speaking to Kaieteur Sport on Schultz’ development during his one and a half years in Caledonia AIA, veteran Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Densill Theobald stated. “Pernell is a good technical player and he is developing nicely in the club (Caledonia) and in the TT Pro League. Scoring those two goals in his two starts for the first team is the ideal way to show the Gaffer (Jamaal Shabazz) that he is ready. The 30 year-old Theobald who has played in Scotland, Poland and India has taken Schultz and several other young Caledonia players under his wing and sees room for improvement in the talented young Guyanese striker. “I would like to see Pernell dedicate some time to becoming stronger so that he can better hold off defenders. “His decision making around the box needs to improve I want to see him take responsibility to shoot some more and step up and become a player who can deliver in big games. Pernell has accepted
Pernell Schultz
Densill Theobald
Theobald ‘s challenge and hinted of a new approach going forward. “When I first came to Caledonia I was afraid of weight training. Now I recognize the importance of it and in the offseason I intend to join the gym, stated Schultz. Schultz is due to return to Guyana by the end of the month and he plans to keep active so that he can return
to Caledonia fit for pr season training. “I want to come home and play with my home team Conquerors and keep myself in shape. “I feel good scoring and having my teammates see me as someone who can contribute to the team, rather than just a little kid who the team is trying to help out, he added.
Mike’s Wellman overcome Enmore by nine runs Mike’s Wellman defeated Enmore by nine runs to win the final of the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) 20-over tournament played recently at Demerara Cricket Club. Batting first, Wellman scored 114-4 off their reduced 10 overs with Lloyd Ruplall scoring 33. Enmore replied with 105-3 in 10 overs. Wellman got the better of Floodlight by six wickets in their semi final. Floodlight scored 181-6 off their allotted 20 overs, taking first strike. Wayne Jones fashioned 74
not out and Dharam Persaud made 37. Mike Singh claimed 2-40. Wellman responded with 183-4 in 13 overs. Vivian Samlall stroked 54 and Gred De Franca 30; Jones took 2-26. Enmore hammered Parika Defenders by eight wickets in their semi final match-up. Parika Defenders managed 141-6 in 20 overs, batting first. Mahendra Balgobin scored 53; Jagdesh Persaud captured 3-15. Enmore responded with 142-2 in 16 overs. Eon Abel led with 77 and Persaud contributed 31.
Several teams triumph as action continues countrywide As the action in the Scotiabank/Pepsi School Football Academy continues, several teams continued their good showing after decisive victories over their respective opponents. Over in Linden, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) and Wisburg Secondary School (WSS) kept the flag flying for their region with decisive victories in the boys and girls categories at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Saturday May 17 last. In Georgetown, at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Christ Church Secondary
males registered an upset victory over defending champions, Charlestown Secondary 3-2 in an exciting affair while over at the Esplanade Ground, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary lost to Vryman’s Ervyn Secondary School 3-0 in a male game. Wisburg Secondary girls overcame Mackenzie High School 1- nil off the boot of Kay Holder in the 38th minute while Leon Grenville (39) and Lorenzo Miller (57) ensured victory for MHS. Charlestown opened the scoring with a Jamal Mingo strike in the 17th minute but Wainwright Adonis equalized
School Football Academy in the 25th minute for Christ Church to send the teams in at the half on a 1-1 stalemate. Shamar Carrington then made it 2 - 1 for Christ Church with a 32nd minute strike and though Charlestown tried
gallantly for the equalizer the score line remained the same following near misses. Troy Williams then cemented the victory for Charlestown with a 55th min strike. The action at the Ministry
of Education Ground Saturday May 17 last saw Christ Church Secondary males upset defending champions, Charlestown Secondary 3-2. Last year’s MVP, Omari James, pulled one back for Charlestown in the 60th minute but his effort was rendered as the whistle sounded shortly afterwards. In the other two scheduled games, Lodge Secondary and Queen’s College were gifted walk over victories from Tutorial High and Tucville Secondary respectively. Meanwhile, Linden Coordinator Rollin Tappin thanked all the sponsors, the
parents and the participating Schools on behalf of the GSDF for their support. He also noted that the tournament was well-attended while the players were engaged in exciting affairs. Director of the Foundation, Victor Wright also expressed similar sentiments. Presentation of prizes will be done during the national playoffs scheduled for Georgetown. Wisburg Secondary finished on 11 points while New Silver City amassed 10, Linden Foundation accumulated 9 points with Christianburg Wismar Sec and MHS both in the cellar on 7 points apiece.
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NCN U-15 Tourney... West Berbice, after taking first innings honors, defending champions Lower Corentyne stormed back to edge the former in a thriller, winning the game outright, thus retaining the National Communications Network (NCN) Under-15 Inter Zone cricket tournament. After early morning rain had delayed the start of play by over two hours, West Berbice were sent in to bat in the two-day game which was played according to the Inter County and International Under-15 rules. They managed to reach 111 all out in their allotted 38 overs. Their savior was opening batsman Javed Karim who held the innings together, first with an opening stand of 41 with Chandradat Veerasammy (8); Karim went on to make 59. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, off-spinner Karran Arjpaul took 5-17, off-
Kaieteur News
Friday May 23, 2014
Lower Corentyne edge West Berbice to retain title
Mr. Jafarally of NCN poses with the players of the West Berbice and Lower Corentyne teams following the presentation spinner Ezekiel Kempadoo 323 and left arm spinner Kelvin Umroa 2-4. When Lower Corentyne replied they were limited to 98-9 off their allotted 38 overs; Kelvon Anderson led with 38. Bowling for West Berbice, left arm spinner Kris Ramnarine collected 4-28 and off-spinner Seon Glasgow Jr. 4-24. With 49 overs being the allotment for each team in the second innings, West Berbice
with a lead of 13 runs batted and were bowled out for 107 in 39 overs; Kris Ramanrine top scored with 33 while Javed Karim and Chandradat Veerasammy made 25 each. Doing the damage with the ball for Lower Corentyne was Umroa with 6-s20; Keith Simpson had 2-26. Set 121 to win in a minimum of 49 overs, Lower Corentyne were at one time
well placed at 53-1 but soon slipped to 72-5 before Brandon Corlette (19) and Keith Simpson (25) added a decisive 39 runs for the sixth wicket that was largely responsible for romping to a three wicket win. Umroa was adjudged man-of-the-match for his eight wicket match haul. Lower Corentyne was presented with the NCN trophy and $10,000 while West Berbice received the
second place trophy and $6,000 from the Berbice NCN Coordinator, Mr. Faizal Jaffarally M.P. During the presentation ceremony, Mr. Jaffarally said that NCN was pleased to be associated with this important competition that showcases the best up and coming talent in Berbice. He said that the investment has been worthwhile over the years with many of the top
The People’s Progressive Party is heartened by the passage of the Guyana Cricket Administration Bill which it feels now paves the way for a more organized management of this sport. In a release from the ruling Party yesterday, the PPP said, “Cricket is not just a sport in Guyana, but more of a way of life for all of us regardless of our age, gender or religious belief and as such we must continue to speak with a unified voice, when our way of life is threatened. “We recall that this piece of legislation was crafted after extensive consultations with all stakeholders, and moreso, following recommendations in a ruling made by the Hon. Chief Justice Ian Chang in 2011. This Bill addresses a number of critical issues affecting the sport, including,” the PPP release continued. The release further pointed out – “Making into a legal entity, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) which is to be established as a corporate Body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice Cricket Boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities;” The ruling Party listed four major benefits of the Cricket Bill. 1- Eliminating the issue of phantom voting for the
election of persons for administrative positions and at the same time will give limited power to the Minister of Sport; 2- Created the position of a Cricket Ombudsman, who will be tasked with the responsibility of verifying and registering clubs; he or she will have ample time to verify legitimacy of clubs; 3- Provides for better financial accountability and requires the GCB to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports Commission; 4- As a Party which has always been committed to transparency and accountability, we feel that with greater scrutiny and oversight of financial records of the Guyana Cricket Board, allegations of financial
performers going on to represent Guyana. Jaffarally further expressed satisfaction with the way the Berbice Cricket Board has been administering the sport in Berbice pointing out that they have also been doing a tremendous job. The passing of the Cricket Bill recently in parliament, Jafferally stated, would see a new dispensation to cricket in Guyana where all of the bad practices that had Guyana’s cricket in turmoil being eradicated. He said that all of the cricket boards would in the future be held accountable. He however, expressed disappointment that even though the bill was one that should have cut across all political boundaries because the game was practically Guyana’s national sport the Alliance for Change decided not to support it at a time when Guyanese interest should have come first. He praised the Berbice Cricket Board for their stance in this regard.
Blind cricket fund raising PPP heartened by match set for MSC tomorrow passing of Cricket Bill
All roads lead to the Malteenoes Sports Club ground tomorrow for the Guyana Blind Cricket Association’s organized Celebrity match, “Celebrities verses Blind and Visually Impaired cricketers” and fund raising Fish Fry from 12 noon. The event is aimed at raising funds to send players to Jamaica for the 2014 Regional Blind Cricket tournament from July 17 -25
and tickets for fish and chips cost $1,000.00. The Celebrity X1 will include Linden ‘Jumbe’ Jones, Roger Harper, PS in the Ministry of Culture Youth & Sport Alfred King, Luis Kumar and John Ramsingh from NCN, Adrian Smith & Neil Barry from Malteenoes, Calvin Roberts from GNNL, Sean Devers from Kaieteur News and former West Indies Blind Cricket Coach, Bharat
Mangru. Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and a Development team comprising seven Guyanese and seven players from the Windward Islands will compete in the tournament. The West Indies selectors will pick a Regional squad to travel to South Africa in September after participating in a training camp in Barbados.
No stay of execution granted to GCB Justice Sandra Kurtzious granted an injunction on Tuesday prohibiting the entire Executive of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) from acting in the capacity of
GCB Executives. The Berbice Cricket Board challenged the validity of the elections of the GCB held in January 2013 and observed by the West Indies Cricket Board WICB’s Imran
GCA competitions continue this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) competitions continue this weekend with first and second division games. Play in the Hadi’s World Inc. first division 2-day will see GNIC travelling to Demerara Cricket Club with Javed Persaud and Delvin Austin umpiring. Police will host Transport Sports Club; Horstence Isaacs and Cyril Garnath officiating while Everest will entertain Georgetown Cricket Club under the guidance of
Ryan Banwarie and Shannon Crawford. In the Noble House Sea Foods second division 2-day tournament, Muslim Youth Organisation will host Police with Zaheer Mohamed and Edward Bowen in charge, St. Stanislaus will journey to GNIC under the watchful eyes of Linden Matthews and Randolph Rose and Sophia will play GCC at University of Guyana; Joseph Jeffery and Cyril Goberdhan doing on field duties.
Khan, Paul Slowe and Conde Riley. The Judge also barred all of the defendants from representing Guyana on the WICB. Kaieteur Sport yesterday published that a stay of execution was granted to the defendants to file an appeal. This is erroneous and incorrect because there is no stay of execution and the order took effect from Tuesday when it was entered by Lawyers Rex H. Mc Kay S.C., Fitz L. R. Peters and Sandil S. Kissoon. It is clear that no stay of execution was granted and instead the Hon. Madam Justice Kurtzious further ordered that the matter must take its normal course. When contacted yesterday by Kaieteur Sport, this was confirmed by Roysdale Forde’s office. Forde is the Lawyer representing the GCB in this matter.
impropriety that were made in the past, will be reduced; The PPP also took note of the Alliance for Change’s non-support for this important piece of legislation and reminded Leader Khemraj Ramjattan and his colleagues that history will record them as neglecting efforts to rescue a sport that is dear to all of us. “We are not confused as to the reason why the AFC did not lend support to a law that is geared towards financial accountability. It is the same AFC which is on a public charade about the Procurement Commission to ensure transparency and accountability that decided not to support the Cricket Administration Bill, which seeks to address the very issues in the Guyana Cricket Board,” the PPP release concluded.
Republic Bank U-17 Inter Zone 50-over semis on tomorrow The respective semi finals of the Republic Bank Under-17 Inter Zone 50-over cricket competition are set to be contested tomorrow at the Blairmont Community Centre and No.69 Vikings grounds. Defending champions Lower Corentyne will tackle West Berbice at Blairmont while last year’s finalist, Upper Corentyne will oppose New Amsterdam/Canje at No.69. Both matches are scheduled to start at 9:30hrs.
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
Spads Inc. supports Cleveland Forde
Cleveland Forde collects his air ticket from Danielle Stevenson, Director of Spads Inc. in the presence of Paul Campbell.
G
uyana’s leading middle distance a t h l e t e Cleveland Forde yesterday received an airline ticket to Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o compliments of Spads Inc. at their Thomas Street location as sponsorship for the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) runner to participate in an athletics Meet on that Island on Sunday. This is the third time for the year that Forde will be running in the Twin Island Republic as he is set to compete in the ‘Diego Run for Peace’ half Marathon. This is Forde’s sixth overseas trip for the year. Forde said fellow Guyanese Kelvin Johnson
and Lionel D’Andrade, who both reside in Trinidad, are expected to participate in the event and thanked the Water Filtration Systems Company for their continued support. Director of Spads Inc. Paul Campbell said he was pleased to once again offer the talented athlete sponsorship and added that the company has sponsored Forde several times in the past and was proud of his achievements as he continues to keep Guyana’s flag flying proudly overseas. Forde also thanked CEO of Star Party Rentals, Lennox Cush for his sponsorship and promised to put his best foot forward in Trinidad.
CULT / EBFA U-17 League
C
ompetition in the Cult sponsored East Bank Football Association Under-17 league is set to continue tomorrow at the Grove Playfield with two more matches. Soesdyke Falcons will renew rivalry with home team Grove Hi Tech in the opening game at 14:00hrs with the main event bringing together Diamond United and Kuru Kururu Warriors. Action got underway last Saturday with Timehri Panthers going down to Agricola Red Triangle 0-1 while Herstelling came back to draw with Diamond 1-1.
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 23, 2014
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition...
Melanie ‘A’ and BV ‘B’ set up mouthwatering finale; BV ‘B’ and Melanie ‘B’ play for third
M
e l a n i e Damishana ‘ A’ a n d Beterverwagti ng ‘B’ will contest the final of the East Coast Demerara segment of the Banks DIHsponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition after registering contrasting victories in their semi-final matchups on
Wednesday evening at the Haslington Market Square. In the first semi-final, Melanie ‘A’ who produced a terrific fight back in their quarter-final clash against BV ‘B’ to reach the last four made it to the championship game following two wonderful strikes from Jamal George, while in the second semi-final BV ‘B’
through a solitary goal from Erin Fraser hung on for the win against Melanie ‘B’. Before another capacity crowd, the night which was interrupted by scattered showers saw some riveting encounters, but the highlight must be the quarter-final showdown that featured Melanie ‘A’ and BV ‘A’ which the former won 3-2 on
penalty kicks after storming back from a 3-1 deficit with two minutes left in regulation time to draw the game and send it into a penalty shootout. The architect of their recovery was the indomitable national striker Dwight Peters, who was clearly a cut above the rest of players. He started off things with
Part of the action in one of the semi finals of this year’s East Coast segment of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition. a thumping right-foot shot that eluded the defence in the 18th minute, before returning two minutes later to net the all important goal, this time firing a low left-
footer into the goal, stunning their opponents and causing rapturous celebrations among their supporters. The other highlight of the (Continued on page 38)
Friday May 23, 2014
Kaieteur News
GASA National Long Course Swimming C/ships
Roberts, Hackett, Persaud and de Nobrega shine
O
n S u n d a y afternoon last, Niall Roberts stepped on the block of lane 4 at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast, Demerara in the Boys 18 and Over 50m Butterfly and Freestyle. Roberts was up against Joseph Seguina who is a very strong swimmer with powerful shoulders and strong legs that help him to keep up with the pace of Roberts. The whistle blew and they were both off to a flying start with all the spectators cheering on their athlete of choice. Seguina was into his stroke like a bullet out of the barrel of a gun but Roberts was still under the water fluttering as Seguina headed for home but just before the 15 meter mark, Roberts’ head appeared and it was all over bar the shouting as Roberts moved a body length clear of Seguina which he increased with every stroke but Seguina would not give up as he tried very hard to close the gap to the line as Roberts touched in a time of 26.97, Seguina, two body lengths behind in 29.29. In the Boys 18 and over 50m Freestyle, it was the same script as Roberts was the last to raise his head out of the water but came up ahead of Seguina and new boy Andrew Fowler who was very close behind, but Roberts soon put the race to bed as Seguina tried his utmost to close the gap but had Fowler to contend with as Roberts powered away to finish in a time of 25.53, Seguina in next in 27.66 and Fowler a close third, 28.09;
Niall Roberts long live the King! In the Boys 11-12 50m Breaststroke, Nathon Hackett clocked 40.51 to take the crown from Antonio Hussein 44.38 and Alex Winter with 45.69. Hackett also won the Boys’ 11-12 100m Freestyle in a time of 1.11:28 followed by Antonio Hussein and Nkosi Beaton. Hackett also struck gold in the Boys 11-12 50m Freestyle clocking 30.46. Second was Antonio Hussein 31.12 and Nkosi Beaton 33.02. In the Girls 8 and Under 100m Freestyle, Aleka Persaud destroyed the field in a time of 1.35.19 leaving in her splash, Antonia Dey 1.51.53 and Monique Watson 1.52.53. Persaud also took the girls’ 50m Freestyle in 40.09, second was Patrice Mahaica (48.94) and Antonia Dey 50.00, third. Such was the form of (Continued on page 38)
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Wray & Nephew Welterweight contender boxing series
Eastman edges to c/ship honours; outpoints Kevin ‘Bus Boy’ Hylton Howard ‘The Battersea Bomber’ Eastman, kept his hopes alive for the $2M (Jamaican dollars) first prize and the Wray & Nephew Welterweight contender 2014 title when he
outpointed Kevin ‘Bus Boy’ Hylton at the Chinese Benevolent Association Auditorium, Jamaica Wednesday evening last. The Guyanese pugilist has already captured the
hearts of the Jamaican pundits and is highly favoured to cart off the top honours. His strongest rival is Jamaican, Sakima Mullings, to whom he dropped a points decision
when the two faced off in an earlier edition of Guyana Fight Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall late last year. Kaieteur Sport spoke with former Fecarbox
Howard Eastman (right) and Kevin Hylton champion, Joseph Murray, one of the coaches in the tournament and he said that Eastman is improving with every fight. Murray said that Mullings will square off against Richard Holmes next Wednesday evening and then the winner of the Christopher ‘Shaka’ Henry/Donovan Campbell on June 4. He said that Eastman is scheduled to square off with Tsetsi Davis Davids in a (Continued on page 38)
FIFA World Cup Countdown Tournament starts in:
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