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Kaieteur News
Thursday November 16, 2017
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
Stalking is not yet a worry Stalking is not an innocent past time; it is a dangerous form of sexual harassment. This was made clear yet again when a stalker burnt to death an engineer in Chennai after pursuing her against her wishes for nearly a month. The unemployed man attacked the victim, her mother and sister, an assault that led to Induja’s death. While strong anti-stalking laws in the Indian Penal Code make following, making contact with, trying to foster an interaction or monitoring the movements of a woman a punishable offence, these have not helped women as much as they should have. Unfortunately, a first-time stalking offence is bailable; subsequent offences are deemed non-bailable. Though there has been a 50 percent rise in stalking over the last three years, the conviction rate is very low. But the truth is that stalking contains within it the seeds of a bigger and more violent crime which can take the form of acid attacks or murder. Some blame for this must go to mainstream cinema, especially from the south. In these movies, stalking is seen as part of the process of courtship. The notion is that the woman, after initially rebuffing the man, will yield in the end. Many men do not think that forcing their unwanted attentions on a woman is wrong. The police, too, must share the blame. Popular culture and social mores have conditioned them in such a manner that they do not take seriously allegations of stalking. The stalker is often emboldened by this and rejection tends to result in violent responses as seen in Chennai. Targets are picked for their vulnerability and on the assumption that the woman in question is unlikely to come forward and report the harassment. According to the law, a single incident of stalking can result in the offender being charged. But this has not proven to be deterrent enough. In the first six months of this year alone, 259 cases of stalking were registered in Delhi. Stalking is traumatic to the victim even if she is not physically harmed. It often prevents women going to college or work. The police must speed up filing charges and the offence be made non-bailable in the first instance. Once out, after a first transgression, stalkers have been known to intensify their efforts at harassment. And popular culture must stop portraying what is a crime against women as being nothing more than a harmless rite of romance. In Guyana, stalking is not as rampant. At least, the public is not aware of such drastic cases. Perhaps with the society being so small, one needs not stalk a woman or vice versa. The small society also reduces the extent of isolation that is common in large societies. There is always someone who is ready to rush to the aid of a victim if he or she feels threatened. The courts are also quick to grant restraining orders although these have proved ineffective against some men. A man stalked his wife dressed in female garb to douse her with a corrosive substance. He has been charged. He is just one. But what does the law do in cases of the breach of the restraining order? More often than not, the police fail to respond in a timely manner, thus choose instead to let the victim survive as best she could. If ever there is an arrest, the stalker would get no more than two or three weeks in jail. What happens in the international world soon influences Guyana. Without a doubt stalking would be another crime in Guyana. Perhaps, this needs not be. It certainly is not prevalent in our corner of the Caribbean.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email
There is nothing but a parasite mentality city government has placement of the present city ensconced at City Hall Their failed them. They have failed government. DEAR EDITOR, The time has long past for APNU+AFC to harness the runaway monster that keeps making Guyana’s capital city a disgrace. True, the M&CC of Georgetown has been bad for more than fifty years. But I doubt that any of the M&CCs has been as repulsive as the present M&CC. Even as I write this note, the employees of the M&CC of Georgetown are begging for their wages, often waiting on bailouts before they receive their wages. In the meantime, garbage is mounting, because the M&CC is unable and unwilling to pay contractors. Yet with the rapidly collapsing city infrastructure and services, with employees begging at their doors, the Mayor, her City Clerk, a senior councilor and her chief engineer went on a lengthy joyride in China. They traveled first class, enjoyed the high life in China,
while the lowly employees go hungry. Incidentally the Mayor, her city clerk and chief engineer never told anyone at the city council that they were going to China. The Deputy Mayor was told just before the globetrotters left that he was going to be in charge, but he was only told that the mayor would be out of town. He was not told that those four individuals were going to be at the opposite end of the world. But while this was a secret to most Guyanese, it was not a secret to at least four high ranking government officials. It was just a secret to the Deputy Mayor, the majority of councilors, the citizens of Georgetown, the Guyanese people. They sneaked out like thieves in the night, except the sneaking out was facilitated by APNU+AFC. The citizens of Georgetown deserve better.
them for more than 50 years. In all that time, the city government has been under the iron-fisted control of the People’s National Congress. During the PPP tenure, there was often a desire to intervene and impose an interim city government. Indeed, for a short period in the early 1990s, the Cheddi Jagan-led PPP government terminated the then city government and replaced it with an interim government, with Dr. James Rose as the Mayor. That interim government has a track record of achievement that is far superior to for any Georgetown city government since the 1960s. Bharat Jagdeo, as President, on more than one occasion floated the idea of an interim government to stop the destruction under the Hamilton Green-led PNC City Government, but the then Robert Corbin-led PNC rejected the efforts. I am certain that the PPP will not now object to the re-
Even as the citizens of Georgetown objected to the imposition of a draconian parking meter system, Mayor Chase-Green, her City Clerk and the PNC right hand man, the man who dictates what happens, Oscar Clarke, went to Mexico to be wined and dined by the Parking Meter contractor. Even as Georgetown was suffocating in garbage and drowning in floods, the Mayor, her Clerk and the hand-picked PNC Councilors were on international escapades. They have a real love affair with these big international trips, while Georgetown is taken over by garbage. The time has come for the M&CC to provide an account for 2015, 2016 and 2017 for all international trips, exactly what the costs were, who paid, and how much of the total costs for international travels have come out of the coffers of the City. It is time we have Continued on page 6
Changing attitudes: Guyana Zoo or Wildlife Sanctuary? DEAR EDITOR, Approximately three years ago I was given a donation to help animals. The decision was made to repaint the Spider Monkey cage with forest scenes, replicating the home they once lived in. This was funded by Pritipaul Investments, dentist Dr. Theodora and Bumper to Bumper who donated the paint. In addition, a mural of the eight primates in Guyana was painted by Colin Nedd on the outside wall of the monkey building. After three years I am pleased to say that all the paintings remain in good condition and seemed to have made improved life of the spi-
der monkeys. In addition, the mural of the eight primates is being used as a training tool by groups of students led by their teachers. Two weeks ago it was brought to my attention that some of the ropes in the monkey enclosure needed replacing. This led to a donation from Kevin Granger. To add a little colour and stimulate activities in their cage, we bought bright green ropes, three red buoys and other miscellaneous items. It is a joy to see kids watching the monkeys swinging and having fun with their new toys. Two years ago I had the privilege of observing two
wild capuchins living in the vacant lot behind my house. One day I gave them two half coconut shells which they loved. They would use their sharp finger nails and teeth to scrape out the thick jelly. This kept them busy while adding to their diet. As a result I began picking up coconut shells from a local vendor and carrying them to the Zoo. The monkeys really get excited when they see me pass the bucket of coconut shells to the cage attendant. Over the past few months several wild monkeys have been rescued and released on Zoo Island where they can be observed (by visitors) carry-
ing out their daily activities. To my way of thinking this is what the Zoo should be: a sanctuary for Guyana’s wildlife where our animals can be observed in an almost free environment. These and other such activities can be implemented at relatively low costs. All it takes is people with good ideas, some free time, commitment and good coordination by government decision makers. In closing I would like to thank, Prince Dryden, supervisor of the Guyana Zoo, Zoo employees, and management of the National Parks Commission for helping to improve conditions for our wildlife. Syeada Manbodh
Public relations never win people over to political positions DEAR EDITOR, This is a response to a query from Brother Tacuma Ogunseye (Guyana Chronicle November 14, 2017) about a reference to him in my column in the November 12, 2017 edition of the Guyana Chronicle. I made the point that had the Coalition countered or preempted the PPP’s narrative about the selection of the GECOM chair with one of its own, the debate would have been less one-sided. I then repeated an old criticism that the Coalition and its government tend to rely on Public Relations rather than
Political Narratives—public relations never win people over to political positions. Finally, I wondered where the likes of Aubrey Norton, Gary Best and Tacuma Ogunseye were before the President made his decision. When I read the brilliant interventions by Gary Best and Aubrey Norton on the GECOM matter and listened to Brother Tacuma on Walter Rodney Groundings, I wondered why the Coalition has not yet assembled its political brains in a structured manner to counter the PPP’s narratives.
The point I am making is that the Coalition has within its ranks people like the three brothers I identified and others who know the issues, understand politics and political polemics, and could contend with the PPP’s propaganda any day. Why aren’t APNU, the WPA, the AFC and the PNC out there every week sensibly standing up to Jagdeo in the media? They have all become media-shy and this failure allows Jagdeo and the PPP to control the weekly news cycle and determine the content and tenor of the general political
debate and discourse. The government is always on the defensive, always responding rather than dictating the debate. It is downright stupid and will cost them dearly in the long run. Let me end with this— there is a reason why Jagdeo cusses out Eric Phillips, Lincoln Lewis, Freddie Kissoon and one or two others every opportunity he gets. Those persons hit the PPP where it hurts. They don’t do PR; they give them the real thing. But they are not government spokespersons. David Hinds
Thursday November 16, 2017
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The LEAD project was really a subterfuge! The Police and local reps have DEAR EDITOR, on the PPP/C to get them out the government was booted at the eastern end of Dennis turned a blind eye In a previous letter to you of the way. Meantime, the out of office. Street. When open, the OpDEAR EDITOR, One of the things that remain a mind-boggling nightmare for most civil Guyanese is the frequent, unconstrained, unbridled level of lawlessness in this country. There is flagrant disregard for law and order by some individuals who seem to thrive on chaos and confusion. When such individuals are allowed to perpetuate their lawlessness within earshot or stone’s throw of institutions that represent law and order, or are seemingly ignored by those who should maintain law and order, it clearly reveals the great mess we find ourselves in as a nation. The Turkeyen Police Station, on the easternmost boundary of Georgetown, sits about 100 feet from the junction of upper Dennis Street, D-Field Road and University of Guyana access road in South Turkeyen. That junction sees the convergence of motorists primarily from southern and eastern Georgetown, and is an active bypass for some East Coast
motorists heading into the city or unto the East Bank. It also routes persons to the nearby Forensic Laboratory, UG, CPCE, CARICOM Secretariat and the Giftland Mall. However, there are no traffic lights at that junction. There is invariably no (Traffic) Police presence too, particularly at peak hours. Route 48 Minibuses plying the D-Field Sophia/ Cummings Lodge communities make that junction a playfield for their competitive hounding of passengers. They routinely stop directly at, on, and around the junction, often creating traffic chaos. Those chaotic minibuses are complimented by the double-parking and obstructive taxis from a nearby Taxi base and wash bay located on Dennis Street, two buildings west of the junction. All of this is taking place daily within 100 feet of the Turkeyen Police Station. That junction is made popular too by the famous “Red Shop”. The Red Shop sits directly on the junction
erator of that Red Shop places seats and tables on the roadway to accommodate patrons, adding to the congestion and chaos, particularly on weekends. Again, all of this takes place within 100 feet of the Turkeyen Police Station, where any Police Rank can stand at its gate and shout to the Operator of the Red Shop to order some beverages or meals. This is just one of the places in Georgetown Guyana, two years after its citizens elected new National and Local representatives, where chaos continues. Perhaps those representatives should consider taking tours of that section of the city at varying hours to observe for themselves the realities on the ground. I trust too, that anticipated changes within the Guyana Police Force will result in the type of capacity building, awareness, and action on their part to tackle the abovementioned public disorder and traffic situation. Orette Cutting
Bringing back “co-operatives” DEAR EDITOR, Two happenings have prompted this brief correspondence on what could now be considered a relatively quaint issue, once of national significance - the Cooperative Movement. First, I was approached to consider ideas to promote interest in and indeed the rejuvenation of Co-operative Societies throughout Guyana. (Poor me, I had the feeling that “Co-ops” hardly still existed in our society. Despite the fact that our Republic is still officially “the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”) Secondly, I’ve just read a piece on “The Socialist Revolution” penned by a former Speaker of our Parliament who was also a former top PPP
player who would be President. I must note too that the same introductory section to our Constitution which describes the country’s official title also reminds that Guyana is a “… democratic sovereign State in the course of transition from Capitalism to Socialism.” Of course it is quite understandable if most of our Guyanese citizens today wouldn’t grasp the “Capitalism-to-Socialism” Constitutional aspiration. Personally, I am of the view that whilst Socialism as a socio-economic ideal is not completely deceased, the overwhelming principles and behaviours of Capitalism (in terms of the production of assets, markets wealth etc.)
prevail. But why do I link any consideration of the Co-operative Movement to or with Socialism? Perhaps because various socio-economic systems set out to achieve very similar objectives – like creating and distributing wealth equitably, after the elimination of exploitation and poverty. Alas how the best of intentions fall woefully short. Co-ops ,however, are managed by the small members who are all owners of the business enterprises. The State of Israel utilised the Co-op Society system to kick-start economic development and I once visited a giant Agricultural Co-op in faraway Uzbekistan. Our own early Co-op Continued on page 6
I highlighted the objective of certain members of The Developed World where the governance of this country is concerned. Theirs is the policy that The PPP Party is not good for Guyana hence, they should not govern here. That message is very clear, and you cannot convince anyone to the contrary. That is their ultimate goal. But like I said, this duplicity and vile cunning takes place in various ways, The LEAD Project is one such venture. So let us delve into the course of events. You would recall that prior to the LEAD Project, that Superpower carried out a blistering campaign against the elected government, which stated in all certainty that the economy’s success was largely due to the government’s involvement in the drugs and narcotics trade. This Propaganda news spread like wildfire. Because to ever entertain the thought that a backward South American Republic like Guyana could ever make its way out of rank poverty into a success story was mind boggling to those in The Developed World. How could that be? That was the million dollar question! Their claim is success could never have been credited through legal means. For them success had to have come through the drugs trade. Hence this story hit the headlines like no other. Tales of Wikileaks and other high profile revelations were all thrown in this sordid scheme to show that the government was indeed actively involved in the underworld. So, enough dirt was dug
then Opposition PNC, could not wait to get into power to incarcerate those guilty state officials. The PPP/C had not a ghost of a chance. But there was one major hurdle to surmount and that was, the messenger, as well as that drugs message, woefully lack credibility, and nothing by way of government officials and drug a link could ever be confirmed. So, the only other alternative was to resort to the age-old First World Trick, let us lecture them on the rudiments of good governance. Let us “teach these natives” how to do it, let us teach them how to govern themselves in a democratic environment. So, that ushered in the LEAD Project. This immediately found disfavour with the PPP/C Government because there was not much consultation, if any, to iron out the finer details of their programme. This was a highhanded approach by a superpower on a fledgling democracy without any just cause, this was downright bullyism! And to add insult to injury, that Superpower never wanted the PPP/C to question or to ever address the ultimate aims, goals or objectives behind this so-called kind gesture of “good governance” scheme. What that superpower hoped to achieve at the end of the day is still a mystery. As a consequence the government was stuck in a shutdown and total shutout with the external bullies. That showdown only ended when
Another sore point was that there was no need for LEAD, Guyana was on a peaceful, progressive trajectory - our country has seen real growth continuously - so what’s the charge? Once again, Guyana was on the developmental road and taking its rightful place in the sisterhood of Caribbean developers. To achieve continuous growth in a Guyanese democratic environment is a phenomenal task. So what was the problem? The answer comes back: there was none! In short, all the actions of the First World, levelled against the PPP/C, all boil down to one common fact: get the elected government out and install one that the Superpower can control. The LEAD project was really a subterfuge! Ironically, whatever became of the LEAD Project? Is it still en vogue? Are they still blazing that “good governance” ideal? If not, why not? If they are not, then it is a sad day for Guyana. Dear First World, we desperately need your good governance strategy, especially in the light of such foolishness when our country’s graduates are being admonished to get into the plantain chip and black pudding business. Pathetic! If this is not poor, horrible, governance then what is? In my next letter, I shall give an in-depth analysis of the topic “The fear of Jagdeo.” I promise some delightful reading. Neil Adams
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Sexual harassment will abate if silence we no longer tolerate DEAR EDITOR, While the tsunami of revelation of sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviours swirls around Hollywood, it is worth mentioning that content unavoidably reflects the culture that creates it. Silence further serves as complicity to the sordidity. Suddenly and without warning the floodgates of Hollywood have been thrown wide open, and pouring out (even from between the cracks) like molten lava have been accusations and revelations of predatory sexual behavior. Name after name has been followed by shame after blame as the list grows with each beat of a female’s heart or unrequited male alarm charm. Even the accusations levelled against Bill Cosby or Bill O’Reilly failed and paled in comparison to how the recent downfall of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis CK, and many other lesser well-knowns have jolted cranial recesses and aroused repressed sexual feelings from both males and females alike. Never on record have so many become so questionably emboldened! Underlying the accusations is the revelation of culture of abuse in Hollywood that has the whole world reacting with equal shock and awe as when George W. Bush announced his threat against Iraq in 2003. One is left to wonder if this same awe-stricken world has ever stopped to consider or forgotten what Hollywood away from its seeming glitter and glamour signifies or has always stood for. The term “casting couch”
that referred to female actors who secured their breaks in the business by sleeping and keeping with influential men was not just a hastily-contrived term, but instead a legend and lore that has long saturated the industry. In sexually correct terms: No Sleeping! No Keeping! Sexism is endemic to any profession, so Hollywood can claim no monopoly on same. Keeping it real, from time immemorial Hollywood has been an environment that was founded on objectifying the human form and predominated by males with power, wealth and needy sexual desires. In addition, it has been the long-held assumption that any young female endeavouring to make it big in Hollywood, will need to withstand an onslaught of suggestive comments, ogling, propositions, inappropriate gestures or even worse. So what’s new now? Some have seen their name in the bright light, simply by playing their cards right. For the decades that American movies have been the mass medium, Hollywood has condoned the trafficking in imagery that sexualizes women to a gratuitous and sometimes degrading degree. The practice and the values that inform and reinforce them are reflected in the movies themselves, the same movies that have been and are still being viewed by the now awe- shocked world. In the case of movies that do not explicitly advertise women as objects of male desire, nevertheless audiences have to endure a steady diet of unbridled potency, wishfulfillment fantasies of male desire that would be comical if they did not have such per-
verted, outrageous parallels in the real world. Multiplicities of succinctly unanswered questions lie amidst these raging allegations, responses to which from hereon will certainly change the face of malefemale interaction, especially where there is a confluence of influence and affluence. With total abhorrence for the reprehensible acts committed and genuine respect for both the males and females who have come forward to speak out, nevertheless there is another facet that needs to be equally addressed if future recurrence/continuation is to be averted. Young females especially need to be equipped with honed moral and ethical standards, and to report without delay any signs or gestures of inappropriate play. When his hands start to prowl do not hesitate to call Foul. Sexual harassment will abate if silence we no longer tolerate. Yvonne Sam
Bringing back “co-operatives” From page 5 Movement boasted numerous success stories, especially in land development, consumer enterprises and thrift societies. This prompted Forbes Burnham to insert “Co-operative” in the country’s official name and to declare that, along with the government and the private sectors, Coops would be the third vehicle to travel the road of national economic development. I wonder: did Co-ops die with Forbes Burnham? Not really, but it seems that “the small man” has turned to IPED, the Small Business Bureau and other facilities to develop small businesses. There is nothing to prevent Co-operative Societies, well organised and managed, to utilise those facilities as well. Fifty – two years ago as a young teacher in training it was compulsory for me to do a “Course in Co-operation”. Perhaps elements of such a programme should be brought back. A.A.Fenty
Thursday November 16, 2017
GPL - a study in high cost inefficiencies DEAR EDITOR, A few days ago the Private Sector Commission made a pronouncement on GPL that almost every Guyanese will agree with. The commission said that, “GPL simply has neither the management nor the capacity to deliver a reliable power supply to the country and the government has consistently failed to address this issue”. The PSC cited that, “GPL is owned and operated by the government.” This is essentially wrong. I would like to see people or organizations writing or talking about stateowned corporations use the term “State owned, government managed”. Governments don’t own anything. They are just a bunch of individuals whom we voted for to administer the apparatus called the state. Sadly! Our constitution is so enshrined that successive governments have superimposed themselves on the state apparatus. Successive governments since the Hoyte era somehow connotes the right to sell state assets as if it was willed to them by their parents - leaving the masses (real owners) without a say. In subjection, we give it up to them in deeds (writings). Back to the point. The PSC correctly stated that GPL “subjected the entire country to a series of unannounced and frequently prolonged power outages, “within recent months” and that no credible explanation from the company’s management or board was given for these failures. Having a monopoly on the supply of power. GPL’s public relations is virtually nonexistent. You can complain, but you can’t switch from GPL! Earlier this year, cabinet gave no objection to a con-
troversial contract for a Chinese company (CMC) that had a bid of over 1 billion dollars above the engineer’s estimate to supply a large quantity of smart meters and rehabilitate some distribution lines for GPL. By the end of May 2017 the deadline for samples of the smart meters to be supplied had gone and not a single meter was submitted to GNBS for testing. One could safely assume that neither sample nor stock has arrived to this date. As long as I can remember, GPL has always had a shortage of meters. Or, could it be that the metering section of GPL is constantly hoarding stocks to collect illicit payment from customers who are seeking to get service from GPL? It is difficult to comprehend a large power company always running out of equipment (meters) acquiring new customers. The said company is complaining of suffering a hefty 33% loss of power generated due to theft by consumers. You don’t have to be an economist or a business wizard to figure that in the 21st century power is considered a necessity and if you make it difficult for consumers to get the service legally by the constant unavailability of meters, they are most likely to steal it. Could it be that management sees that the company is struggling to maintain the present level of generation and is not interested in more customers - since more customers would require increase power generation? I know a young man who went to Georgetown to attend UG. He got an apartment to rent. However, the meter was repossessed by GPL because of nonpayment by the former occupant about a year ago. The guy was given an old
bill and permission to have the account traced and pay the outstanding debt plus reconnection at GPL, so as to have the service reconnected. He was told that he has to get the “wiring” certified and reapply, since the meter was removed a long time ago. When he did apply, he was told that he might get a meter in six months because they don’t have meters. Poor guy! I can imagine him living in that apartment and doing his assignments with a lantern. In any business, the marketing department should be proactive - customers should not be left out in the rain for long periods after doing their part to access a service. Why can’t the management of GPL ensure that there is an adequate amount of meters available at all times for prospective customers? GPL has a seemingly endless number of directors and managers. It’s hard to imagine what they talk about at their meetings while a customer has to wait six months to a year for a meter. The managers and directors of GPL remind me of an incident about fifteen years ago. A wanted man escaped from three policemen by swimming out to sea at high tide. As we stood beside the police looking at the swimmer, one of my friends offered some advice to the police on how they could catch the man. One of the police replied, “boy if we catch tha man or we na catch tha man we gon still get we pay”. I reckon that if no meter is available to any customer for the next five years - the directors and managers will continue to receive their pay - so will the staff of the metering department. Concerned citizen
There is nothing but a parasite mentality... From page 4 an account of the cost of maintaining the Mayor, the City Councilors and the Town Clerk. Does anyone know what the Mayor’s salary and benefits are? Does anyone know what the salary and benefits of the Town Clerk are? The citizens will be shocked to find out the cost of supporting a royalty
lifestyle for their Mayor and her small group of favored personnel. The PPP government had to step in many times to rescue an inept PNC council under Hamilton Green. Billions were repeatedly poured into the city to bail them out, while they were protected by the PNC-led Opposition in Parliament and their threat to violently oppose any effort to remove
them. Since May 2015, APNU+AFC has protected the city government and has stood strong and unapologetically with them. There is nothing but a parasite mentality ensconced at City Hall in Georgetown. The time has come for APNU+AFC to act on behalf of the citizens of Georgetown and our country. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
Thursday November 16, 2017
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US$500M rice proceeds probe…
SOCU, GBTI continue battle over transaction documents The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the police is continuing to battle the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry in court over documents requested for a major investigation. Yesterday, lawyers for both parties ended up once again before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire in a closely-watched case. One of the bank’s lawyers, Ralph Ramkarran, SC, afterwards told Kaieteur News that the bank has now submitted over 12,000 documents and based on his information that was what was ordered by the court. However, SOCU which is represented by the Attorney General Chambers, is disputing it has received everything. Ramkarran said that it was agreed during the proceedings yesterday that the bank would examine its records to verify if this is true. The matter has been adjourned to December 11. According to the lawyer, another source of contention during the court session yesterday was the certification of documents. SOCU is unhappy with the certification which in effect speaks to whether documents are true copies of bank documents. The police unit is claiming that the current certification would not be able to stand up to scrutiny in court. Lawyers will now have to present arguments, Ramkarran said. On October 20, last, the High Court granted the bank time to search for transaction documents relating to the
Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The privately-controlled bank was battling SOCU over the release of information pertaining to bank accounts of the Rice Board. A number of other banks reportedly complied but there was a problem with GBTI, according to SOCU. Initially the bank was concerned with the privacy of accounts but changed its mind…in this case the account belonged to a stateowned company, GBTI, that is being investigated. However, the bank is insisting that it complied. Last month, it was over 9,000 documents or copies of that were handed over. SOCU says it had requested the information since February but delays it believed were deliberate in nature, caused it to approach the courts, both the Magistrate’s Court and the High Court, for orders to force GBTI to comply. The police unit, which focuses on financial crimes, filed contempt charges last month against eight officials, including the entire board of directors and the current chief, claiming that the bank did not comply, despite being granted extensions. Seven of the directors and the bank’s chief later appeared in court and were read the charges before being released on self-bail. Yesterday, accompanying state lawyers was SOCU’s head, Assistant Commissioner, Sydney James. For the bank, the lawyers were Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran and
Stephen Fraser. It will be recalled that on August 29, the CJ granted Production Orders asking GBTI to submit a number of documents within seven days. Among other things, SOCU wanted to know details of transaction relating to the GRDB foreign accounts, over a number of years. Last month, Ramkarran said that the bank faced challenges as it receives thousands of documents per day- so it is “appreciated” that some of these can’t be found. He said that the bank cannot account for about 150 documents that SOCU is asking for. However, 9000plus documents were supplied. He said that the bank asked for more time to find the missing documents. Several former GRDB officials, including board members and Opposition Parliamentarians, have been charged with fraud crimes involving millions of dollars. SOCU’s battles have embroiled the Director of Public Prosecutions who was accused of causing delays in the charges. The DPP chambers last month questioned the investigative capacity of the police. However, the administration defended SOCU’s work, saying that it has released resources and training, both local and overseas to the unit. The lawyer for the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, happens to be Senior Counsel Robin Stoby, the current Chairman of the Board of Directors for GBTI, raising the spectre of a possible conflict of interest situation. SOCU is tracking down
Dem boys seh...
De Town Clown cut loose de Clown Clerk Jagdeo promise nuff fireworks when Friday come. Dem will be debating de budget fuh all dem constitutional agencies. Dem is de agencies like Parliament, GECOM, and dem commission. All of dem got dem separate budget. Dem don’t have to depend pun de government to give dem money during de year. Dem independent. When Jagdeo behave bad in parliament de odda day and people talk he feel nice. He planning to behave bad again when he go in parliament. He don’t know that life is about 3 EX+EX+EX. De odda day when he been in
parliament was EXperience. Today is EXperiment and tomorrow, Friday, is Expectation. De nation expect him to use his EXperience in his EXperiment to achieve his EXpectation. Dem boys seh if he don’t understand those three words, it simple. He gun find himself behind bars. De Speaker tell dem boys suh. Donald Dumb tell dem boys he gun laugh till he belly go down. Yesterday, de Mare who is also de Town Clown, use her EXperience to EXperiment pun de Clown Clerk to reach her EXpectation. Somebody whisper in she ears that trouble deh round
de corner fuh all of dem suh she decide to cut loose. In de meeting she tell de Clown Clerk how he mislead she. But dem boys believe she had to be a clown to tek advice from de original clown. Is one thing dem boys happy about at de Sh**ty Hall is de corporal who see and talk about a li’l boy who plug de big man get back he wuk. And is only because ministah Bullkak intervene. He demand that de corporal who talk got to get a hearing because de Town Clown nevah use she EXperience to allow de people to explain demself. Talk half and keep an eye pun de speaker and Soulja Bai.
GBTI’s lawyers in discussions while SOCU officials and lawyers enter the Chief Justice offices yesterday
US$500M that GRDB handled as far back as 2010. Those monies represented transfers from the Ministry of Finance to pay rice farmers and millers who participated in a lucrative ricefor-oil deal with neighbouring Venezuela. Farmers and millers, up to 2015, would supply rice,
through GRDB. Under the deal, Guyana received oil, at concessional rates and conditions…Guyana would pay part of the money upfront and the rest over a number of years. The delayed oil money was what the Ministry of Finance paid over to the GRDB to pay rice farmers and
millers. SOCU is reportedly contending that GRDB used those monies to grant illegal loans to some rice millers and even organisations close to the former ruling party. GRDB is being investigated, also, about a number of transfers overseas to a number of banks.
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Thursday November 16, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Gambit: Jagdeo’s survival game When the PPP lost the election, Jagdeo (long before 2015 was seen as the main decision-maker in the PPP leadership), embraced the stratagem of shouting ‘rigging’. He didn’t get consensus in the PPP. Some important figures like Robert Persaud and Dr. Vindya Persaud urged conceding defeat. The PPP did, then Jagdeo ousted Clement Rohee as the PPP General-Secretary and secured the office of Leader of the Opposition. Jagdeo was still in command of the
PPP. But the bricks on his fortress walls were showing patent signs of brittleness. Two considerations cast a long shadow in the post 2015 PPP. One was the role of the ABC countries in the election scenario – the campaign and the actual election. The general view in the country was that the ABC countries did not want to see a Jagdeoite PPP back in power. It was a haunting melody for Jagdeo. His ambitious rivals in the PPP had a prized possession to use against him- the PPP
must get back into power and once there is Jagdeo, the mood of the ABC countries will remain permanent. Using that factor, Jagdeo was vulnerable since the new dispensation began in May 2015. The second consideration was whether Jagdeo could ever get 51 percent of the ballots for a PPP victory. Those in the PPP who nurture the thought of the presidential candidacy could argue that in a campaign marked by one of the most violent, racist advocacies in election history, Jagdeo did not carry the PPP over the finishing line. The natural conclusion is that he will always alienate some percentage of Indians and Africans that need to take the PPP over the 51 percent. Jagdeo’s career was under the microscope in the PPP. Then came what all humans know- life throws up the unexpected. Steve Surajballi resigned as GECOM chairman. A very cunning
Jagdeo saw the birth of a circumstance that if manipulated and exploited deftly could rebirth his domination of the PPP. He did exactly just that through a gambit. From the time Surajbally walked away, Jagdeo started the gambit. Unfortunately, an inexperienced President became Jagdeo’s trump card. The first GECOM list was one in a series of charades in which Granger could not win. Put as a totally unacceptable list and he has to choose one and when he does, we get our man as the Chairman; if he refuses he will appear to our supporters and undecided voters as the usual barefaced PNC leader. The second list and the third one were all part of the gambit. Once Granger picks from the list we win. If he doesn’t, we still win because he will pick his own man and we will cry election rigging. This is what Granger did. He picked someone and in doing so two conspicuous miscalculations showed their unpleasant presence. Having elevated age as a consideration of service that allows for opportunity for younger people, Granger
took someone 84 years old. The AFC didn’t help by informing the nation that the AFC was not consulted. Bharrat Jagdeo’s gambit was successful. What has played out since then has catapulted Jagdeo back onto the PPP’s throne. PPP supporters and East Indians are falling for the cry that election rigging is on the cards for 2020. PPP supporters and undecided voters are hearing the constant refrain that the PNC will never change and Granger is doing what the PNC has always done – seek power domination. It is a very naïve person who believes that the GECOM imbroglio has not made those two propaganda set pieces effective among Indians and PPP constituencies. Against such a backdrop, it is inconceivable that the ones who have their eyes set on 2020 will challenge Jagdeo’s leadership. They simply will not get support from PPP areas all over Guyana, and from the leadership and total membership of the PPP. If Jagdeo should bring up the timing of the PPP congress,
Frederick Kissoon there is not even one voice that would faintly whisper about leadership changes for the 2020 poll. Jagdeo will have one essential response to anyone from inside the PPP or the diaspora who wants to see him out of the leadership for the 2020 election campaign. He will tell even the underage PPP fanatic that the country is in crisis, that the PNC has been exposed, now is the time to go on the offensive and all these circumstances were created by his strategizing. God help the challenger(s) that will seek to argue against that. Jagdeo still remains king of the PPP. History is funny. Burnham’s unpopular missteps kept Jagan’s career alive. Granger is moving in the same direction and Jagdeo is elated.
Thursday November 16, 2017
China withdraws PM’s invitation to attend ‘high level’ meeting – replaces it with state visit next year
Ambassador Song Yumin PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Chinese officials have withdrawn the invitation to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to attend a ‘high-level meeting’ in China this year. A statement from the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs says that instead, Rowley has been invited to visit China on a State Visit next year. Last week, it was announced that the prime minister would attend the highlevel meeting and then pro-
Dr Keith Rowley
ceed immediately on a state visit. However, the statement issued Tuesday, indicates that the Chinese Ambassador has instead shifted the state visit to next year and this will replace the invitation for the high-level meeting. The statement noted that on Tuesday, the Chinese Ambassador to the twin island republic, Ambassador Song Yumin paid a visit to Stuart Young at the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and officially dis-
cussed the importance to the development of the relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago. “This invitation replaces the invitation of the HighLevel meetings mentioned above, in order to strengthen bilateral activities and relations.” The release said that the Chinese have now rescheduled the Prime Minister’s visit and are now working with Trinidad and Tobago to plan an Official Visit to China next year.
Vasant pulls out: Says Kamla getting unfair advantage Trinidad Express - United National Congress (UNC) leadership contender, Vasant Bharath has pulled the plug on his bid. Bharath made the surprise announcement early yesterday at the Grand Marquis Conference Centre, Chaguanas. Bharath said that the decision to withdraw was made only just before the media conference began. However, he described a series of illegalities throughout the internal election process. He said current party leader, Kamla PersadBissessar has illegally used the party’s Monday Night Forum to launch her candidacy and is using the party membership information to benefit her campaign, leaving any other contender at a disadvantage. He said since November 1, he requested information on the current members list and was told that the revised list would be made available on November 22, four days before the election.
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Kaieteur News
Bharath said he was told that the list will not provide any contact information. “What are we to do with a list comprising 100,000 names four days before the election with no contact information. How are we expected to canvass 100,000 people in four days without contact information,” he said. “Since the announcement of the UNC internal elections, I have penned two letters to the general secretary of the UNC where certain requests were made of the party secretariat for information. Such information would have provided, in our opinion, minimum standards of fairness, accountability, transparency and integrity in the election process,” Bharath said. He said his team, RECONNECT, sought information on the membership voting list relevant information on the voting list. “A response was finally forthcoming from the chairman of the elections management committee some eight days after my first letter. The
matters raised in my earlier correspondence was not adequately addressed in our opinion. In fact the response was dismissive and cursory,” he said. He said the elections management committee told him that its role was to ensure and that integrity and fairness on the part of the membership in the conduct of the election. “How can anyone be confident that the elections management committee will accomplish this when it has raised absolutely no objection to the candidate Mrs Bissessar use of the Monday Night Forum to launch her campaign, to seek endorsement from other speakers and to also attack another political contender,” Bharath said. Bharath, former government minister Stephen Cadiz and attorney Larry Lalla attended the media conference in support of Bharath. The preliminary list of voter registration closes today and slates are expected to be named later today as well.
Chase fund has invested $3.3 billion in health sector
Consultant and Head of the Anaesthetics Department, Mandeville Regional Hospital, Dr Leighton Wynter (second left), explains how the new anaesthetic machine works to (from left) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mandeville Hospital, Alwyn Miller; Chairman, Southern Regional Health Authority, Wayne Chen; and CEO of the CHASE Fund, William ‘Billy’ Heaven. MANCHESTER, Jamaica (JIS) — The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund has invested $3.3 billion in the development of the health sector over its 15 years of existence. Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, William ‘Billy’ Heaven, said the funds have been spent on the construction and upgrading of health facilities, promoting a healthy lifestyle, training of personnel, research, and cancer treatment, among other areas. He said the fund has established guidelines for assistance, with consideration given to how many people will benefit from the project, how the project will increase access to and impact the delivery of healthcare, how the project will improve the efficiency of the health system, how it will reduce patient wait time, and affordability of the ser-
vice to the end user. He informed that overall, the fund has provided $17 billion for projects in the areas of early-childhood education, arts and culture, health and sports. Heaven was speaking during a ceremony for the official handover of a new $4-million anaesthetic machine at Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester yesterday. CHASE provided $2.2 million towards the acquisition of the state-of-the-artequipment, with the remainder of the funds coming from the Rotary Club of Mandeville and students of the Church Teachers’ College, which contributed the $100,000 raised from its annual 5K run/walk. Heaven said the fund has spent some $82 million at the Mandeville Regional Hospital to date. Chairman of the Southern
Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Wayne Chen, said the anaesthetic machine will make a “significant difference”.,p> The piece of equipment is expected to increase the number of surgeries performed at the hospital annually from 4,000 to 8,000. Chen commended the various partners for their support to the hospital. “I urge you to continue to give and do what you can. Your contribution is very much appreciated,” he noted. Also present at the handover were Chief Executive Officer, Mandeville Regional Hospital, Alwyn Miller; consultant and head of the anaesthetics department at the hospital, Dr Leighton Wynter; Rotary D i s t r i c t G o v e r n o r, D r Patrick Adizua; students from the Church Teachers’ College and members of the Rotary Club of Mandeville.
IDB Group, UK approve £177m for sustainable infrastructure in the Caribbean BONN - CMC – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, principally through its private-sector arm IDB Invest and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of the United Kingdom (BEIS) will be partnering to create the UK Sustainable Infrastructure Programme (SIP) to assist Latin American and Caribbean countries. The announcement was made during a joint side event in the context of the COP23 climate conference being held here. The IDB said BEIS is expected to make an initial contribution of about £177 million to the programme, which constitutes the largest part-
nership effort of the IDB Group and the Government of the UK in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB said SIP will support IDB Group efforts to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development in the region by “catalyzing private sector investment for the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement.”“Infrastructure is crucial to economic growth and development, but there is an infrastructure investment gap in the region that needs to be closed,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “We welcome this partnership as an excellent example of how to mobilize re-
Luis Alberto Moreno sources to finance infrastructure that is sustainable, low carbon and climate resilient.”
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Thursday November 16, 2017
Kaieteur News
Starr Computer helping to advance technological revolution WANTED FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PASSPORT, PERMANENT & VISITOR VISA APPLICATION, PROFESSIONAL IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT – SABITA IMMIGRATION SERVICES. CALL: 613-3920/625-3767.
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1. Cat 320 BL Excavator, 1. Cat 215 B Excavator, 1. Cat 428 Back- Hoe, 1. Leyland Daft Truck, 1. 8CU.YD. Mack Cement Mixer Truck. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 683-7225 1. Double Steel Wheeled Road Roller, 1. 9-Wheeled Pneumatic Roller, 1. 450GLNS. Bitumen Spray Kettle, 1. Honda 450 ATV Bike. Contact: 275-0367, 275-0538/ 6837225 1 Mitsubishi canter, long base good condition. Contact# 698-8820.
Weeding, cleaning, trimming, cutting down of trees especially coconut trees. Call: Lewis 697-3852
Parika Backdam. 9 acres of land with concrete building. Call Vish Realty: 612-7377
Cheapest airfares. Contact V or Amenia at Somwaru Travels. 35 North Road. 2277841/227-7845/616-2727 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 I N S TA L L AT I O N S , REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, FRIDGE, WASHING MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 630-1600
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EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 First Aid/CPR courses on Saturdays St John’s. Call 225-9082 or visit 110 Cowan street, Kingston. PEN PAL Overseas male seeks female. Age 29-32. Call or text 6643119
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;6045198 Household furniture, appliances, wares, great deals on beds, chairs, cabinets, iron bunk-beds. 218-1376. TOLET 3 bedroom apartment, Free wifi, Fully tiled, Bathtub, Spacious kitchen and living area. #641-3318 Furnished one and two bedroom apartment in Nandy Park.Parking available. Call 619-4824(for further information)
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 3 bedroom apartment in Diamond 3rd Avenue. Tel# 666-6503, 684-7599,695-7427 Rooms in Alberttown- Call: 225-9223 Self contained rooms in South Riumveldt Park at $32,000 monthly Contact no: 660-9007 One bedroom apartment for working couple $30,000 monthly. Light and water included. Call:638-8858 Two bedroom bottom flat, fully grilled. $50,000 per month. Call :687-3017
Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast. Tel: 642-1252 Waitress for bar. Tel#612-2522 One experienced cook, ages 20-45 to work in snackette & bar. Call:663-7741/ 223-5798 Live-in Waitress $20,000 weekly. #610-5043 One live-in General Domestic. Must know to cook Indian dishes. Call: 223-1332 Carpenters to work in Linden. 602-9469 Hire Car Drivers. Call: 225-9223 Truck Drivers. Applicants must work in Georgetown, experience in high & low range is an asset. Tel#227-1717. 6x6 logging trucks for hire. Logging truck drivers with experience. Contact #656-8754
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6560 0 8 7 , 6 4 3 - 5 1 2 2 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) LAND FOR SALE Eccles (Corner lot) $7M & 5M Parafaite Harmonie (High and low income) $2M & $1.4M Farm $3M Herstelling $3.5M Tel#611-7223/667-1960 PROPERTY FOR SALE Concrete house situated in 3rd Avenue, Diamond. House 47x34, Land 110x64. $38Million negotiable. Contact Mr Kitt 626-9797
Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, Able-bodied. KeyFood McDoom Village.
VACANCY Deskstaff Age 25-40. Tel# 225-0198 or visit South Road, Lacytown. Confidential Cabs. Vacancy exist for one experienced dispatcher. Tel#231-5784 6951961.
Guyana, through its public security forces, has been battling to control the prevalence of criminal activities. But the possibility of this situation becoming even more daunting is not unlikely. This was the observation of President of Starr Computer, Mike Mohan. Yesterday, he speculated that “as we move into the oil period, crime is going to go up but we can fight crime by having better security surveillance.” Starr Computer - a local Tech Giant – has been offering a wide variety of technologies to, among other things, enhance security capabilities in Guyana. Mohan is however convinced that “if duties [taxes] can be reduced, not eliminated, [on such technological devices] people will be able to afford them. Government has to make some money [so the duties can’t be eliminated] but once duties are reduced, people can work along with the security department of the government to be able to share their information [to help boost security capabilities].” Starr Computer has on a number of occasions made mention of a move in this direction. Mohan quipped, “We don’t like people thinking that we are doing it for our purpose but it is one of those initiatives that we would certainly like to discuss [with Government]. “Once this is done, Government can generate more money and can make policing more efficient by partnering with the private sector...” Mohan said that there are certain technologies that are
We need you, males 18-30 years to work in Garden Maintenance, Georgetown. Tel:648-1821. Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 Account support specialist, Customer service representative, Office clerk with driver’s license. Apply to Zip Logistics @ hr@ziplogistics.com
VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 1-Twinsteer Double Axle DAF and 4 Flatbed Leyland DAF, 1-620-240 DAF engine. Excellent condition. Owner migrating 649-8449,228-5655
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Fielder wagon and 19 seater pitbull. Never worked passenger. Both excellent condition. Tel: 664-0802
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Mr. Mike Mohan - President, Starr Computer needful and could be especially successful if government subsidies are forthcoming. “We need for Government to be more involved. If Government gets involved, we can create a lot more efficiency,” Mohan said. The Starr Computer President’s remarks were forthcoming following a seminar on the Fourth Industrial Revolution held at the 59 Brickdam, Georgetown head office, yesterday. The Fourth Industrial Revolution speaks to the fusion of technologies and Mohan sought to highlight that “technology is changing the way we live, learn and work today.” He said that over the past 250 years, there has been a migration from the First to Fourth Industrial Revolution with the latter still being in progress. “Today, we live in a digital and networked age. Innovation cycles are shorter and constant disruption is a permanent feature of everyday life,” Mohan noted. But according to him, “the fusion of technologies and the age of robotisation are now taking place and early adapters will be the winners of tomorrow.” The First Industrial Revolution gave rise to the age of mechanisation, the Second Industrial Revolution focused on the age of mass production and the Third Industrial Revolution was the age of automation. Starr Computer, along with other technology oriented companies, played an important role with the development of the Third Industrial Revolution here in Guyana. But according to Mohan, “The whole world is now moving rapidly into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This is the most exciting time in history for the good of all mankind...this is the age for the fusion of technologies.” He explained that the new age is one that fuses a wide Continued on page 23
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Thursday November 16, 2017
Kaieteur News
Zimbabwe’s army seizes power, Mugabe confined but “safe” HARARE (Reuters) Zimbabwe’s military seized power yesterday saying it was holding President Robert Mugabe and his family safe while targeting “criminals” in the entourage of the man who has ruled the nation since independence 37 years ago. Soldiers seized the state broadcaster and a general appeared on television to announce the takeover. Armored vehicles blocked roads to the main government offices, parliament and the courts in central Harare, while taxis ferried commuters to work nearby. The atmosphere in the capital remained calm. In his first contact with the outside world since the takeover, Mugabe spoke by telephone to the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and told him he was confined to his home but fine, the South African presidency said in a statement. It was not clear whether the apparent military coup would bring a formal end to the 93-year-old Mugabe’s rule; the main goal of the generals appeared to be preventing Mugabe’s wife Grace, 41 years his junior, from suc-
ceeding him. But whether or not he goes, it may mark the end of the country’s dominance by Mugabe, the last of Africa’s state founders still in power from the era of the struggle against colonialism, and one of the continent’s most polarizing figures. Mugabe, still seen by many Africans as a liberation hero, is reviled in the West as a despot whose disastrous handling of the economy and willingness to resort to violence to maintain power destroyed one of Africa’s most promising states. He plunged Zimbabwe into a fresh political crisis last week by firing his vice president and presumed successor. The generals believed that move was aimed at clearing a path for Grace Mugabe to take over and announced on Monday they were prepared to “step in” if purges of their allies did not end. “We are only targeting criminals around him (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice,” Major General SB Moyo, Chief of Staff Logistics, said on tele-
vision. “As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.” United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres, the African Union and Western countries and called for calm. “We cannot tell how developments in Zimbabwe will play out in the days ahead and we do not know whether this marks the downfall of Mugabe or not,” British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told parliament. “We will do all we can, with our international partners, to ensure this provides a genuine opportunity for all Zimbabweans to decide their future.” Finance Minister Ignatius Chombo, a leading member of the ruling party’s ‘G40’ faction, led by Grace Mugabe, had been detained by the military, a government source said. By yesterday afternoon it was business as usual in Harare’s suburbs while there was less traffic than normal in the city centre. Soldiers continued to man armored cars but had relaxed searches on vehicles on some checkpoints. Residents spoke in
Lebanon accuses Saudi Arabia of holding its PM hostage BEIRUT (Reuters) France said yesterday that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who Lebanon’s president says is being held hostage by Saudi Arabia, will visit France with his family in coming days. Hariri travelled to Riyadh on Nov. 3 before abruptly resigning in a televised statement a day later. He has stayed in Riyadh and top Lebanese officials and senior politicians close to Hariri have told Reuters he was forced to quit. Hariri and Saudi Arabia have both denied he is being held in Riyadh or was coerced to resign. Hariri has said he will return to Lebanon in the next few days to formally submit his resignation. The crisis has thrust Lebanon onto the frontline of a Middle East contest for power pitting a Saudi-led bloc against Iran and its allies, including the Lebanese Shi‘ite group Hezbollah. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement that he had invited Hariri to France after speaking to him and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The invitation is to visit
Military vehicles and soldiers patrol the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, yesterday. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo awe of events that had previously seemed unthinkable. “I don’t support the army but I am happy to see Mugabe gone, maybe this country can start to develop again,” said Rumbi Katepfu, preparing to shut her mobile phone shop early in downtown Harare. “I did not think this would ever happen... We used to think Mugabe and Grace were invincible.” As evening fell there were fewer people on the streets than usual, including vendors who usually trade their wares after dusk. On the road leading to parliament, opposite a Catholic cathedral, soldiers sat on a bench puffing cigarettes. Nearby, in a park, a lone couple shared a chocolate bar, seemingly unconcerned by the presence of the troops.
“What’s there to fear? This is a free country,” said Nathan Mpariwa, stroking the hand of his partner. Mugabe supporters seemed disinclined to fight to defend him. Tinashe Murisi, washing a car emblazoned with a picture of Mugabe in the poor township of Mbare a few minutes from the city centre, said: “All I need is peace in the country and the rest we don’t have to get involved in that what does not concern us.” Whatever the final outcome, the events could signal a once-in-a-generation change for the southern African nation, once a regional bread-basket, reduced to destitution by an economic crisis Mugabe’s opponents have long blamed on him. Even many of Mugabe’s most loyal supporters had
come to oppose the rise of his wife, who courted the powerful youth wing of the ruling party but alienated the military, led by Mugabe’s former guerrilla comrades from the 1970s independence struggle. “This is a correction of a state that was careening off the cliff,” Chris Mutsvangwa, the leader of the liberation war veterans, told Reuters. “It’s the end of a very painful and sad chapter in the history of a young nation, in which a dictator, as he became old, surrendered his court to a gang of thieves around his wife.” The opposition Movement for Democratic Change called for a peaceful return to constitutional democracy, adding it hoped the military intervention would lead to the “establishment of a stable, democratic and progressive
U.N. Security Council to vote Thursday on Syria toxic gas inquiry
Lebanese PM Saad al-Hariri for a few days and is not an offer of political exile, Macron said, speaking in Germany. “We will not accept (Hariri) remaining a hostage whose reason for detention we do not know,” Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in a statement. Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, the head of Aoun’s political party, said the situation was “not normal” but that Beirut wanted “good relations” with Riyadh. Aoun has said he will not accept Hariri’s resignation until he returns to Lebanon to formally tender it and explain his reasons, which Hariri has said he will do in the com-
ing days. Saudi Arabia has long been considered Hariri’s main external supporter. Aoun is a political ally of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a powerful Shi‘ite Muslim group with close ties to Iran. Lebanon’s coalition government was formed last year through a political deal that made Aoun president, Hariri prime minister, and included members of Hezbollah in the cabinet. Saudi Arabia last week accused Lebanon of having declared war on it because of Hezbollah’s role in other Arab countries. It regards Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council will vote today on a U.S. bid to renew an international inquiry into who is to blame for chemical weapons attacks in Syria, diplomats said, a move that could trigger Russia’s 10th veto to block action on Syria. The mandate for the joint inquiry by the U.N. and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which found the Syrian government used the banned nerve agent sarin in an April 4 attack, expires at midnight today. “The United States hopes the Security Council will stand united in the face of chemical weapons use against civilians and extend the work of this critical group,” the U.S. mission to the United Nations said in a statement yesterday. “Not doing so would only give consent to such atroci-
ties while tragically failing the Syrian people who have suffered from these despicable acts,” it said. While Russia agreed to the 2015 creation of the inquiry, known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), it has consistently questioned its findings, which also concluded that the Syrian government used chlorine as a weapon several times. Moscow vetoed an initial U.S. bid on Oct. 24 to renew the inquiry, saying it wanted to wait for the release two days later of the latest JIM report that blamed a sarin gas attack on the Syrian government. Russia has since proposed a rival draft resolution to renew the JIM and correct its “systemic errors.” A spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations said on Monday that Russia has refused to engage in negotiations on the U.S. draft resolution. Diplomats said the
United States had amended its draft in a bid to win Russian support. It was not immediately clear how Russia would vote on the U.S. draft and if Moscow would put its own draft text to a vote. Diplomats said the Russian draft resolution had little support among the 15-member council. British U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft warned yesterday that if the inquiry ended: “The only victors would be people who want to use chemical weapons in Syria, which is the (Syrian President Bashar) al-Assad regime plus Daesh (Islamic State).” “Everyone in the Security Council would be shooting ourselves in the foot if we allowed that to happen,” he said. The Russian mission to the United Nations was not immediately available for comment on the impending council vote.
Thursday November 16, 2017
Seniors to get pensions boost HAMILTON, Bermuda – CMC - Over 12-thousands senior citizens in Bermuda are set to receive a pension’s boost after parliamentarians approved a rate increase in time for the Christmas holidays. Both sides of the House of Assembly supported the Contributory Pension (Amendment of Benefits and Contributions) Order 2017 brought by Junior Finance Minister Wayne Furbert, who said the legislation f u l f i l l e d a Progressive Labour Party (PLP) platform pledge to institute annual cost-of-living increases for seniors. A 1.7 per cent increase for August 2017 will be retroactive, with a windfall in December’s pensions. A 4.3 per cent rise for pensions is set for August 2018. The former One Bermuda Alliance administration, ousted in July’s general election, introduced a five per
cent increase for seniors last year — the first rise since 2011 when the PLP was previously in power. Shadow Finance Minister Jeanne Atherden gave her backing to the move but said the island might consider raising the retirement age from 65 given the increase in life expectancy. That suggestion was supported by PLP MP Derrick Burgess, who said: “We must raise the retirement age for seniors. You will find in Bermuda today many seniors who are walking the streets with nothing for them to do and nobody to hire them, because they are over 65.” Grant Gibbons, the Shadow Minister of Economic Development, agreed that it would be “useful to look at” raising the retirement age to 67. However, he added that some might take a “dim view” if they had to wait longer to claim their benefits.
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Thursday November 16, 2017
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Argentina football official commits suicide over FIFA trial claims NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A former Argentine football official has reportedly committed suicide after he was accused of bribetaking in testimony to a trial of top former FIFA figures in New York. Jorge Delhon threw himself under a train in a Buenos Aires suburb on Tuesday, Argentine newspapers Clarin and La Nacion reported on their websites. A sports marketing executive, Alejandro Burzaco, had testified in the trial Tuesday that Delhon and another man, Pablo Paladino, took millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for rights to broadcast football games. Burzaco, the first witness in the trial, painted a damning picture of corruption in South American soccer, saying millions of dollars in bribes were paid for TV rights to major
tournaments. Burzaco, the former chairman of an Argentine sports marketing company, pleaded guilty in November 2015 to racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies and agreed to pay US$21.6 million in restitution. In US federal court, he detailed how his Torneos y Competencias SA company paid bribes to South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) executives for more than a decade to secure television rights to major tournaments. Payments were sent by wire transfer to Swiss bank accounts or passed on as cash “in bags or envelopes,” Burzaco added. Fox Pan American Sports, part of 21st Century Fox, Brazil’s TV Globo, Argentine group Full Play and Spain’s MediaPro were among those
who paid — all partners of Torneos y Competencias. Fox Sports’ parent company, 21st Century Fox, did not immediately respond to a request to comment. The FIFA corruption trial began Monday, two and a half years after the United States unveiled the largest graft scandal in the history of world soccer. Three South American defendants are in the dock, charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies. They are Jose Maria Marin, ex-head of Brazil’s Football Confederation, former FIFA vice president Juan Angel Napout, who was elected president of CONMEBOL in 2014, and Manuel Burga, who led soccer in Peru until 2014. Burzaco said he bribed all three defendants, alleging
Thursday November 16, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 Take a more adaptable approach. Go with the flow and let things merge on the foundation that has already been established. You're holding on tightly to a security blanket. Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 Things are moving in opposite directions, yet you can relate and benefit from all of them. There's nothing wrong with keeping your options open. Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Words may hold charged energy, so be careful what you say and how you say it. The mood today requires that people have space to express themselves. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 Either way you choose, you have strength to work with, so stop agonizing over your decision. People will be like putty in your hands. Your calm, diplomatic approach calms even the most heated dispute. Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Don't immediately react by putting up your defenses. You'll do much better if you step back and analyze the situation before concluding what's right or wrong. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 You may feel like your battery has run out of juice today. You may ask yourself if what you're doing is worth it. Don't despair. A friend will be along soon who can help give you a jumpstart.
Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 Reevaluate just what it is that you're working for. If it's fun and relaxation you're after, maybe you're passing it by without even realizing it. The fun you seek is there in front of you. Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 There's power when you discover how to be part of two opposing teams. At first it may seem like treason to be part of one as you help the other. Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 You have a flexible nature. Other people may be just as malleable as you, but now is your chance to take the lead. You're at the starting line waiting for the race to start. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 Your power to transform your life is potent. There are many options available to you even though it may not seem like it. Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 It may seem like everything is moving counter to your trajectory. While you want to move south, the wind blows west. This doesn't mean you should give up on your goal. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Strong forces may make it hard for you to be confident today. You're so intent on maintaining your freedom that you refuse to yield when you should.
that Marin received payments of US$300,000, going up to US$450,000 a year. The trial is due to last five to six weeks, and prosecutors are expected to present hundreds of thousands of pages of evidence and dozens of witnesses. If convicted by a jury, they risk up to 20 years behind bars for the most serious offenses. But much of Burzaco’s most damning testimony implicated men not on trial in New York, including ex-South American soccer boss Nicolas Leoz, and his deputies Julio Grondona and Ricardo Teixeira. The three of them would have received around US$600,000 a year in bribes, he said. Grondona died in 2014 and while Leoz is under house arrest in Paraguay, his lawyers have so far frustrated all attempts to extradite him. Leoz, Grondona, a former FIFA finance chief and Argentine Football Association president, and Teixeira, former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, were given “presidential treatment,” he said. They were whisked around by private jet, with “three or four Mercedes” parked on the tarmac ready
Australia qualify for the World Cup, leaving one slot unclaimed The Washington Post Thirty-one down, one to go. Australia secured passage to the 2018 World Cup yesterday by thumping Honduras, 3-1, in Sydney to win the two-leg intercontinental playoff by the same aggregate margin. Mile Jedinak, a 33-yearold midfielder from Aston Villa, scored three goals in the second half, including two penalty kicks, before Honduras claimed a late goal as the Aussies qualified for the fourth consecutive cycle. Honduras had finished fourth in CONCACAF’s hexagonal, one slot ahead of the United States. So CONCACAF will send three teams to Russia next summer: Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama. The Asian confederation will boast five: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The final World Cup berth was to be settled last night as Peru welcomed New Zealand to Lima following a 0-0 draw in Wellington last week.
and waiting on arrival at CONMEBOL headquarters. “They had presidential or diplomatic or royal treatment,” Burzaco testified. “Like a special dignitary, there were no customs, no immigration.” He also told how they were paid for their votes on the executive committee for choosing hosts of the World Cup. When Leoz failed to vote for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup at FIFA headquarters in December 2010, Teixeira and Grondona rounded on him, Burzaco testified. “They shook him up. They asked: ‘What are you doing? Are you the one not voting for Qatar?’” he quoted
them as saying. A month later, Grondona received US$1 million from Teixeira for voting for Qatar, Burzaco said. The defendants are just three of the 42 officials and marketing executives, not to mention three companies, indicted in an exhaustive 236page complaint detailing 92 separate crimes and 15 corruption schemes to the tune of US$200 million. Defence lawyers admit widespread corruption at FIFA, but say there is no evidence that their clients were involved, and will seek to discredit government witnesses who are likely to include those who cut plea bargain deals in the case.