Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Connecting cricket with the imperialist past DEAR EDITOR, I note, quite regrettably, that the sole ex-Test Match cricketer on the CARICOM CRICKET COMMITTEE is Deryck Murray. If the entire Anglo-Caribbean – generally – the post-imperialist Caribbean, and CARICOM – specifically – want to forge a West Indies cricket identity away from an horrifically destructive imperialist past, would it not be reasonable to do so by assigning enormous responsibility for forging just such an identity to ex-test match cricketers such as Everton Weekes, Vivian Richards, Garfield Sobers, Lance Gibbs, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Michael Holding, Alvin Kallicharran, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner,
Colin Croft, and Curtly Ambrose! Yet, in early November, 2015, a CARICOM CRICKET COMMITTEE tables a report constructed by four people, only one of whom is an ex-test match cricketer. To this exclusion I say, loudly, boldly, explicitly; shame on you CARICOM! I continue casting my exploratory eyes on the Committee’s claim that cricket is an economic subsector of a multibillion dollar sporting and business industry, an industry which has been transformed and modernised substantially within Australia and Britain. While assuming that there is reason to such a claim I must add: despite the transformation and
modernisation neither has England nor Australian Test Match teams over the last thirty nine years been able to come anywhere close to matching the sterling attainments of West Indies Test Match teams led by Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards who were responsible to Board Presidents administering Caribbean cricket at a time when cricket was not part of the multibillion dollar industry. West Indies’ attainments under Rohan Kanhai, captains, Lloyd, Richards, and Richardson, for well over a decade have not been matched by England and Australia. None of these teams, during the multibillion dollar industrial period, has matched West Indies. Expressed
Let foreigners serve their sentences in their home-country DEAR EDITOR, I reference your report “St. Lucian cocaine mules jailed” of November 20th 2015. Some matters have crossed my mind in situations where the offender is not a Guyanese, but is sentenced to imprisonment in Guyana for fairly lengthy periods. Is it fair to sentence such persons to lengthy time in the Guyana prisons? (noted for their inhospitable and inhuman conditions) Does such sentencing serve any purpose as regards good order and behaviour in the Guyanese society? Does the Government of Guyana liaise with countries of such persons? Are there any mutual exchange prisoner agreements with the countries of such prisoners? What is the purpose of levying fines on persons convicted of drug offences especially when they are not Guyanese nationals? Is such action
sensible? And what happens if the fine is not paid? And why is there no system to reduce the period of incarceration for prisoners who are ‘model prisoners’? I hold no briefs for these two convicted persons but the trial and convictions as well as the sentencing all seem to be draconian in a world where drugs are the norm and ‘muling’ is a daily practice. In this case there are many other matters involved such as the business of one individual, the children and relatives of both individuals and the prison isolations concurrent with inhospitalities. As well, the costs of care and maintenance for such an extended period. Does not look good for a government of and for the people. To my mind official actions should be 1. Temporary jail holding while deportation action is finalized 2. Deportation to their
native land 3. Permanent banning from ever being admitted to Guyana 4. Sending official trial and judgement transcripts to the government of the country of residence of the convicts for them to decide on whatever action they feel necessary 5. Public information release on the actions taken 5. Pursuing a system of mutual prisoner exchange for future application. I see no beneficial purposes to the Guyanese society for holding such foreign convicts in Guyanese prisons. Send them back. Carl Veecock Markham, Ontario
differently, I am stating, explicitly, that, in this grand industrial period with a plethora of computers and other machines used ostensibly to elevate playing standards, neither has Australia nor England reached the standards attained by Lloyd, Richards, Richardson, and their Board bosses, all of whom resided within some of the poorest developing societies. There is, clearly, a diminution in test match cricket standards, in Australia and England. West Indies societies, among the poorest of the poor, are not the technologically advanced, capitalistically prosperous, rich locations inhabited by English and Australian Test Match players and their Board chieftains. Rather interestingly, it is England and Australia, well before the multibillion dollar industrial cricket era that “ruled the cricket world” – to borrow words from Mr. David Rudder – but did so with anachronistic administrative structures. Captains, Bradman, Hammond, Yardley, Morris, Hassett, Brown, Hutton, Johnson, Benaud, May, Dexter, Simpson, Smith, Illingworth, Lawry, and Chappell, were all leading England and Australia test match teams when cricket was not a multibillion dollar industry. Neither did they nor their administrators have any visions about transforming cricket into a multibillion dollar industry. Today, England and Australia, very capitalistically prosperous and rich societies
– rightly or wrongly, fairly or unfairly - are controlled by politicians, economic experts, and corporate titans who do not question the contemporary global socioeconomic inequities rooted in European imperialism which gave birth to the multibillion dollar industrial period noted by the CARICOM CRICKET COMMITTEE. These titans, experts, and politicians are, in fact, some of the staunchest, most assertive and strident supporters of the link between imperialism and the period. To the extent that CARICOM and the CRICKET COMMITTEE representing the regional body are committed to removing inequities and, presumably operate with a mandate from leaders and citizens of independent Caribbean states, for the purpose of constructing modes of socioeconomic organisations different to those imposed by imperialists and their successors, is it not foolhardy for the COMMITTEE to insist upon: reshaping West Indies cricket within the bedrock of a global corporate business world? If there is one matter in the COMMITTEE report with
which I find favour, it is in regard to Board dissolution. Such dissolution would, however, be vacuous and meaningless, if it is not accompanied by moves to infuse, at all levels, delivery of education, a public good, as a significant resource within which links between world cricket and everyday life in the Caribbean are explored rigorously and systematically. I wish to begin closure to my arguments against the CARICOM COMMITTEE by noting: the COMMITTEE states, explicitly, that it has no issue with individual Board officials in leadership roles. Its principal focus is on what it terms a structural issue. From my standpoint, reference to a structural issue is, without doubt, reference to a cultural problem. I cannot identify anything in the report about the significance of Caribbean cultures. Yet, if CARICOM AND the COMMITTEE are supposed to be operating within a postimperialist setting, should such cultures not be paramount to dealing with the structural issue? William Walcott, Ontario, Canada
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur Falls tragedy…
Suicide was planned days before Visitors console the mother of Roshinee Pagwah
Roshinee Pagwah Aliya Bulkan, who plunged off the falls on November 07, 2009.
Laleta Sivanand, who took the deadly jump on September 01, last
Information was still hard to come by yesterday as to why 22 year old Roshinee Pagwah took that deathplunge on Saturday off the Kaieteur Falls. But indications are that she had been planning to take her life at the popular tourist site days before. Pagwah of lot 54 Reliance Abondon, East Canje, Berbice, was a clerk at the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL). She was the only child of her mother, Indira Ramsundar, a housewife, who was still inconsolable yesterday, clutching at her daughter’s photographs and a garment that had belonged to the young woman. Roshinee, who lived with her mother and an aunt, left home around 05:00 hrs for Georgetown, reportedly to follow a friend to clear a barrel. She had promised that she would return home a little after midday. She never indicated that she was going to the Kaieteur Falls. The young lady who was described as very outgoing was a former student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School. She gained employment at the GPL not long after leaving school. According to family and friends, she showed no signed of being depressed. Pagwah’s aunt, Indira Ramsundar said yesterday
that she searched her niece’s room but found no letter or anything that signaled her intent. According to the aunt, Pagwah was always a cheerful person and shared everything with her mother. “We still don’t know what’s going on and what could have caused her to jump. She jumped and her mother is taking it on a lot. She is holding onto her photograph all the time and cry.” But in an Instagram post on Friday, November 20, the young woman posted a photograph of herself with the caption “There is nothing more depressing than having it all & still feeling sad”. She offered no details for her depressed state of mind. Her aunt said that they are unaware of her having a boyfriend and ruled that out as a reason for the young woman taking her life. According to the aunt, Roshinee had not attended work for two weeks prior to the tragedy, since she was reportedly on sick leave. However, Roshinee reportedly went to work on Friday and assisted in paying salaries. She reportedly was in a jolly mood and had some drinks with her colleagues. On her Facebook page, Roshinee’s friends expressed disbelief at how she had met her death. Some of them even suggested that ‘supernatural forces’ were responsible for her plunging over the waterfall. One of her friends said,
“There is something at the falls that is calling these people and that is why they are jumping.” But checks at the tour agency, Roraima Airways, revealed that the young woman may have planned her suicide for days. According to information received, early last week, Roshinee called the travel agency and made a reservation to go to the majestic waterfalls. She then made several
follow-up calls to enquire whether the tour was still on. “We would usually wait and see how many passengers we get before we confirm tours and she (Pagwah) was the first person to make the reservation so we had her on hold while we waited on more passengers
but she kept on calling during the week, asking if the tour was still on,” a source said. This newspaper was told that Roshinee appeared desperate to go to the waterfalls, due to the fact that she called the agency almost every day. Surveillance footage
released from the travel agency showed that the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) employee arrived at the company’s head office in a red car. She then walked into Roraima’s office and paid for the tour after which she (continued on page 9)
GTU to meet with PS today on ‘de-bunching money’ talks The way forward regarding the de-bunching payments owed to public school teachers will continue today when a contingent of Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) members meet with Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Delma Nedd. Last Thursday the GTU was able to discuss a number of its concerns at two “highly appreciated” meetings – one with the PS and another with President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency. “Progressive and satisfying” is how GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte, has described the move by Government to meet with union representatives and discuss its several concerns, including the de-bunching payment.
GTU President, Mark Lyte Frustrated GTU executive members at a press conference last week Tuesday had spoken of the possibility of engaging industrial action to retaliate
the non payment of debunching money to teachers. The former administration, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, in an agreement with the Union, had committed to paying the de-bunching monies to teachers but by the lead up to the May 11, 2015 elections reneged on this promise. The GTU had then initiated work to rule industrial action but had halted it in order to give the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change Government a chance to meet the de-bunching payment demand. At that time Lyte asserted that “It is only fair that we give the new Government a chance. We are hoping to soon have a meeting with the government to state our case and hopefully, it will honour the payment due to teachers.” “So we have decided to suspend the work to rule industrial action until after discussions are held, and then we will decide the way forward,” he informed in May. Commenting on the meetings of last week, Lyte informed this publication that the discussions seem to finally be going in the right direction. This is despite no concrete decision being made as to when the money could be payable to teachers. “There are indications that Government is going to honour the agreement of paying the de-bunching
money and dealing with other outstanding issues. The meetings were s a t i s f a c t o r y. . . e n o u g h progress was made as to the direction that we need to go concerning honouring our concerns,” Lyte told this publication as he added, “This is something that teachers, who have waited too long, should know.” “We have not been told when the payment will be done but I think the meetings were more progressive than all the others we’ve had so far,” said the GTU President. He has premised his belief on the fact that there have already been attempts to chart a plan for payment in terms of calculating how teachers should be paid. The de-bunching notion speaks varied scales of payment for teachers which will ensure that they are paid based on qualifications and years of service. “We have already started to look at how and whatever is needed to be done to resolve this issue...at the other meetings held before there were discussions, we submitted documents and then you didn’t hear anything after that,” said Lyte. “We now have hope that there has even been a decision to meet at another time...I think we are moving a step closer to a resolution; we are happy with the direction we are going with this particular matter,” Lyte confided.
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Another canecutter’s son tops UG
Best graduating student Sasenarine Tomby (centre) with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs. Nagamootoo. Another cane-harvester’s son has excelled at the University of Guyana. This time it’s Sasenarine Tomby. Tomby, whose father is a cane harvester and mother a housewife, obtained a distinction in the Bachelor of Social Science Degree Programme in Public Management. Tomby received the Republic Bank Award for his achievement at the 14th Annual Convocation Exercise of the University Of Guyana Campus at Tain, Corentyne, on Saturday. Some 105 graduated from the Faculty of Social Sciences, 36 from the Faculty of Education and Humanities and 33 from the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The second best graduating student, Padmawattie Jainarain, achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education. Garfield Grant who graduated with a distinction in the Degree of Public Management Course received the award for the graduating student who made the greatest contribution in other
areas of University activities. He copped the Director of UGBC Award. The feature address at the convocation ceremony was delivered by First Vice President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo. The Prime Minister in his speech congratulated the graduates and told them that he was honored to be part of their day. In doing so he mentioned two rules; one, which is never to quit, while the other was to always remember rule one. “I too, like you, have moved up, being elevated six months ago, to the top of the Parliamentary graduation class.”! He told them that success does not come easy and gave a synopsis of his own life growing up in the tiny village of Whim, not too far away, where he sold fish with his mother on a donkey cart, to save for his first term’s fees, which was a princely $18. “Many of us who began from lowly and humble origins and could rise to heights of academic achievements, have made our parents, our villages proud that they could produce persons of worth,
persons of learning, who have overcome difficulties and challenges, and have achieved the status of University Graduates.” He mentioned other Berbicians like UG Chancellor, Professor Nigel Harris who excelled on the world stage. Turning to the achievements of the University he said that “Today we can justifiably be proud that the University of Guyana has produced an Executive President, a Prime Minister, a Vice President and several Ministers, and top echelons of the judiciary, including the learned Chancellor. These posts, in time, will all be available to alumni of the Berbice Campus. He noted that the whole administrative structure of the University must change to be in line with international standards and best practices, including the need for more funding, better qualified lecturers and expanded enrollment. The government, he said, will ensure that UG remains as independent as possible and will Continued on page 12
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Argentine exit polls predict Iran says Washington Post reporter opposition wins presidential election Rezaian sentenced to prison
Mauricio Macri
R e u t e r s - Tw o e x i t p o l l s s h o w e d o p p o s i t i o n challenger Mauricio Macri appeared to have won Argentina’s presidential election yesterday against leftist ruling party candidate Daniel Scioli. L o u d c h e e r s e r u p t e d i n M a c r i ’s c a m p a i g n headquarters where party insiders estimated the centerright mayor of Buenos Aires had won by a margin of 5 to 8 percentage points. If the result is confirmed, it will be the first time in more than a decade that the opposition has wrested the presidency from the populist Peronists. Macri, 56, had gone into the run-off election with a comfortable lead in opinion polls, promising to bring new investment into the ailing economy, tackle crime and fight corruption. A source inside Scioli’s campaign bunker told Reuters their own estimates did not look good for their candidate.
DUBAI (Reuters) - An Iranian court has sentenced Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian to a prison term, the state news agency said yesterday quoting a judiciary spokesman, a case that is a sensitive issue in contentious U.S.-Iranian relations. The length of the prison term was not specified. “Serving a jail term is in Jason Rezaian’s sentence but I cannot give details,” judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei told a weekly news conference in Tehran, according to IRNA. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters he was aware of the IRNA report but
could not independently confirm it. It was not clear why Iran has not given details of the ruling against the 39-yearold Rezaian, who Iranian prosecutors accused of espionage. The foreign editor of the Washington Post, Douglas Jehl, said the newspaper was aware of the reports but had no additional information. Jehl told Reuters Television the reported sentencing might move the case closer to a final resolution in the judiciary, so it can then go to Iranian leaders. “It’s these senior leaders who have the power to pardon, the power to overturn a verdict, the power to make things right,” he said.
Jason Rezaian Ali Rezaian, Jason’s brother, criticized the lack of transparency around the judicial proceedings. “Although we cannot confirm the validity of these reports, we do know that the Iranian judicial process around Jason’s case has been profoundly flawed from the outset,” he said in a statement. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that Rezaian, who is the Washington Post’s Tehran bureau chief and a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen, is being held on “bogus espionage charges,” and also called for his release.
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 9
WHY GUYANA’S ANTI-CRIME STRATEGY WILL FAIL! We can learn a thing or two from the experience of Trinidad and Tobago in fighting crime. It is not however as if we have anything to learn from what that country has done; rather the learning experience is what the failure of security services has done to impact on crime. Crime in Trinidad and Tobago is far worse than in Guyana and has been so for some time. So brazen and powerful is the criminal underworld in that country that it did what many decades ago would have been unthinkable: the criminal underworld gunned down a leading member of the legal fraternity. This has happened more than once in Trinidad and Tobago, the crime capital of the Caribbean.
The lesson of the failure of crime fighting in Trinidad is that here is a country that does not lack the financial resources to fight crime. It has helicopters. At one stage it even had a blimp that saw almost everything that was happening in the country. Trinidad and Tobago has a well-paid, well- equipped and highly-trained police force. All those things however have not helped to reduce crime in that country. The more equipped the police got, the higher was the rate of violent crime. Resources, training and better pay is not the solution to eradicating violent crime, at least not in Trinidad and Tobago. That is the lesson that Guyana should consider as it decides what to do with
its own increasing incidence of violent crime. If increasing law enforcement is not the answer, then what is? The high incidence of gun crime is spawned by the drug trade which has made small guns and big guns more accessible to the criminals. Reducing the drug trade, ridding the society of drug barons may therefore seem as one of the best options for reducing gun and other violent crimes. But even the best resourced law enforcement agencies in the world, such as the NYPD, have not been able to rid their streets of drug trafficking and gun running. This therefore is not a practical solution even though it is something that
every government says that it wants to do. Asking poor countries to take on drug lords is asking them to commit suicide. The Americans do not seem to understand this issue and discredit their own efforts at preventing drugs from entering into their country by offering a pittance to countries in the Caribbean to fight crime. It simply cannot work and will continue to be a failure. If a country with the financial resources at its disposal has been unable to keep the drug trade outside of its borders and to prevent many of its young people from being lured by the attraction of the underworld, then how are poorer countries also in the Caribbean expected to
Suicide was planned days before From page 6 entered the tour bus. Roshinee was a passenger on a Roraima Airways flight that left the Ogle International Airport with eight other persons– four Canadians and four Americans. The 22 year old who celebrated her birthday on the 18th September, reportedly jumped off the 741 foot waterfall sometime around 09:00 hrs. During the trip, Roshnie showed no signs of agitation and was seen taking photographs. It was while the group was getting ready to leave the waterfalls that she turned back and ran towards the waterfalls and plunged. Managing Director of RoraimaAirways, Gerry Gouveia said that this time around the tour guide and people from the Kaieteur National Park were alerted and ran behind Roshinee, but failed to stop her.
The Ministry of Tourism, in a statement, said that while heading back to the aircraft, Pagwah turned and ran towards the falls and jumped into the gorge. The statement added that the tour guides were unsuccessful in intercepting the young woman’s dash. “Reports indicate that revised tour protocols, including two guides per tour, regular head counts and the reporting of unusual behaviour, were in place and observed at the time of the incident,” the release added. Representative of the Office of the Prime Minister Gobin Harbajan and Regional Executive Officer Veerasammy Ramayya and other officials visited the family yesterday. During the visit, the family was able to speak to Minister of Tourism Catherine Hughes by phone who assured that all efforts are being made to locate
and retrieve the body. She stated that all efforts are also being made to have a Psychologist and or a sociologist or Social Worker visit the family as early as possible. Yesterday, a source, who is a part of the team that journeyed to the falls to locate the body, said that immediately after Roshinee plunged off the falls, her body was spotted in the water but then it sank. The Ministry of Tourism in a statement yesterday said that a team from the Guyana Police Force travelled to the falls yesterday as investigations continue into the suicide of the 22-year-old. The release stated that the pool at the bottom of the waterfalls is being monitored for signs of the victim. The operation is being led by Special Forces of the Guyana Defence Force, due to the dangerous and extremely
Dem boys seh...
Jagdeo can help mek Kaieteur safe Whenever somebody jump over Kaieteur Falls de whole country does do in shock. People does end up talking bout it fuh a long time. Now dem boys come up wid a solution. Gerry Gouveia, Bee Kay, Maza and Mike Correia got to mek up dem mind to stand up at de falls just in case anybody else want to jump. Wha dem got to do is wait till de plane fill up at Ogle. De pilot gun then send dem a message and dem gun fly out. But dem mightn’t be enough and that is why Soulja Bai and Moses decide to give Jagdeo and Donald a job. Dem two is de people who does seh that de government
don’t create jobs. Well dem lie. Dem gun get a full time job to stand up at Kaieteur, not de newspaper. De job got perks, nuff free food and dem don’t have to pay to fly to de falls. Jagdeo who like freeness gun enjoy this. Yet dem boys hope that dem strong enough because somebody might run to de end of de falls and if de people who standing up deh not strong then de people who running over gun carry de people wid dem. Of course dem boys don’t mind seeing Jagdeo disappear. Imagine a gyal running to him and he spread he bow foot to catch de woman. Two things can
happen; de woman can either duck through he foot and continue on or she can hug him up and you know de rest. But pun de serious side, all dem people who flying to Kaieteur should give dem passenger a parachute. This chute gun wuk because de ripcord gun be attached to de hut at de top of de falls so when de person jump de parachute gun open. Then dem gun have another rope to pull dem back. Jagdeo can hold that rope and again, in case he not strong enough, you know wha can happen. Talk half and think about mekking de falls safe
rugged terrain below the waterfalls. All tours have been suspended until ranks from the Guyana Police Force locate the body. A little over two months ago, another local visitor to the falls, Laleta Sivanand ended her life at the majestic falls. The circumstances which led to Sivanand jumping over the falls are still unclear.Also, in 2009, 23-year-old Aliya Bulkan also plunged off the falls.
succeed in keeping its young away from crime and in preventing drugs from entering or leaving the country. It is a mission impossible. The countries of the Caribbean such as Guyana however are paying a high price because of violent crime. Its young people are being corrupted by the drug trade and they are being gunned down in drug wars. Also, the drug trade is allowing more guns to be made available in the society which is leading to more robberies and violence. Trinidad and Tobago is no longer a safe place. Guyana, unfortunately, is also not a safe place. The new government has not yet outlined an anti-crime strategy. It also has not produced its own Ant- Narcotics Master Plan. But in devising both of these documents, it must recognize that the traditional approach which has informed the anti-crime strategies of all the governments of the Caribbean has failed. That approach emphasizes training and equipping the protective services. That approach has been a failure and there are no better examples than in Trinidad and Guyana where the governments have pumped increases resources into the police services but with no commensurate reduction in
crime. Guyana has to consider market strategies, rather than security strategies, to bankrupt the drug lords. If you cannot catch them, then bankrupt them. Make the business nonviable. In tomorrow’s column I will discuss how this can be done! At the minimum, Guyana should give serious thought to raising the thresholds for what constitutes trafficking in marijuana. Our jails are being filled up with young men who are caught with small amounts of “weed”. When you are released from jail in the country, no matter what is your crime, you find it hard to secure employment. If they are asked to obtain a police clearance, they cannot do so because they have a criminal record and very few employers are going to give then a second chance. And so many of those who go to jail come out and are forced into a life of crime because nobody wants to employ a jailbird. So, the first step in a new crime strategy is to reduce the size of the potential criminal underworld by denying it recruits from those who have served jail time.
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Republic Bank’s Kitty machine can be a dangerous place I go jogging every morning and my route would be through Kitty. Last Sunday, I had to pass through Pike Street, Kitty. I am talking about 7 am. When I reached Barr Street heading south on Alexander Street, a woman called out from her car. She said from worshipping, she was heading up the East Bank of Demerara where she has to take some money to her sister, a businesswoman. She pointed out that she drove up to Republic Bank’s ATM on Alexander Street between Thomas and Pike Streets. She recalled that as she was about to enter the outlet, three young boys who were standing across the street began to walk over to her. She said she became fearful and went back into the car. That was when she saw me. She wanted me to accompany her back to the ATM. My initial reaction was one of profiling. The police pick on urban African youths in working class and depressed areas. She intoned that the boys were standing on the opposite side of the
road and moved toward her when she came out of the vehicle. With a virtual crime plague that has enveloped the land, I was fearful of going with her but I wanted to see for myself. It was an early Sunday morning and Alexander Street was deserted and so were the neighbouring roadways. I drove in front of her. There the boys were. Three of them and they were directly watching at me as I came out of the car. I went to her, told her I was uncertain of
the situation and my opinion is that we should drive away and use another machine and that would be the end of the story. She agreed. I have no reason to disbelieve her when she said the lads moved toward her. I do not know if these boys wanted to rob her but I do know they were staring at me with unashamed eyes as I pulled up to the machine with her. I would never know but in today’s Guyana, one cannot and should not take chances. A nationally known
politician, Oscar Clark, was robbed. One of the top policemen in the force, maybe he is one of five who sits on top of the hierarchy was robbed. Anyone can get mugged or mauled by robbers at any moment in Guyana. What I do know from what I saw is that the ATM is not in a secure area. Republic Bank’s Kitty ATM was located from the beginning at the extremely busy Guyoil gas station at Alexander Street and Public Road. That place is always
packed and there are always three Guyoil security personnel with guns on the premises. There was no need for an ATM user to be afraid. I don’t what caused Republic Bank to move but that location in terms of security wasn’t just good but almost perfect. The other Republic Bank ATM outlets I know have very serious security protection. One is at the Head Office at New Market and Waterloo Streets. There are always four guards on duty. Next, there is Robb and Camp Streets. They too have about three guards. Thirdly, there is the one at Water and Robb Streets where there are two guards. Republic Bank’s Kitty ATM is now at the entrance of a house on Pike Street. It appears that Republic Bank is renting from the owner. I hope there isn’t a conflict of interest there. But interesting, is the fact that the house owner has placed large concrete slabs on the bridge so you cannot park there to access the machine. You have to park on Pike Street itself.
Frederick Kissoon There is no guard. The place is always lonely, especially when traffic dies down. My honest advice to customers is given what Guyana is going through, try another ATM. My honest advice to Republic Bank is to move it. The location of an ATM in my opinion should be in heavily populated sites or have security protection for users. If you put an ATM where the street has no one in the early morning or after sundown, you are asking for trouble. One of the problems we have in this country is that we cannot determine the statistics on crime because untold numbers do not report them. In my community, a businessman and his wife were robbed at their gate. They did not report it. My neighbour’s store was robbed. She never reported it. Use a secure ATM!
Monday November 23, 2015
On Friday, the Government through the Ministry of Education launched a national consultation process on cultural policy development, spearheaded by Cultural Policy Advisor, Ruel Johnson. Due to Guyana’s cultural changes which often see the departure of creative persons from the country due to the lack of relevant policy, the initiative was seen as a welcome step by many. Working alongside Johnson in an effort to successfully execute the project are, Gem MadhooNascimento, Sonia Noel,
Kaieteur News
Luisa Daggers and Kojo McPherson. Johnson related that the selection of the panel was made based on the experience and expertise of the persons in their various fields. A number of issues were addressed by those on the panel regarding the necessity of the project. Among the issues raised were lack of funding, lack of public space for rehearsal and training and the “disrespectful” way in which the arts are viewed by many. Daggers stated that the absence of an update policy has “failed Guyanese” while McPherson pointed out that while Guyanese can often
Animals on the roads worrying - Traffic Chief
- Stray catchers unit reportedly disbanded The issue of animals roaming the streets is a source of concern for both road users and the Police Traffic Department. However, this publication understands that the unit which was set up to round up stray cattle, and which operated out of the Home Affairs Ministry, has been disbanded. Traffic Chief Dion Moore said that while stray animals are directly and indirectly responsible for accidents, “most don’t carry brands and as such the owners can’t be found.” He said on the East Coast there are a lot of horses and cows traversing the roadways. He also noted that if owners need to transport livestock from one location to another, they must have approved vehicles to do so. “Animal owners need to know that as a rule you should have persons guiding the animals from the front and the rear.” Moore said persons must carry a flag to indicate to road users, especially drivers, that they are clearly about to cross a road. This he said, “Is not being done in most areas but I’m aware that in West Berbice some owners comply but in most cases, animals are left unattended and ever so often this
Traffic Chief Dion Moore is a contributing factor for accidents.” The Traffic Chief said while police are often blamed for animals being on the roadways “Police do not deal with animals, it’s up to the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils who are the governing body to ensure enforcement.” The last road accident which resulted in death involving an animal was at Don Robbin, East Corentyne where a motorcyclist collided with a cow. Impounding of strays was a regular feature during the previous administration. However that unit has apparently been disbanded. (Mondale Smith)
excel and gain recognition abroad, at home, they struggle. “I think of it as a house or dorm or mansion,” said McPherson, “everyone has to build to make it work for the benefit of everyone.” In the current administration’s manifesto which was launched prior to the May 2015 elections, with regards to cultural policy, it had stated that the coalition is, “committed to a cultural policy which takes into account our rich and varied heritage, and which works to employ culture, not as a means of division; but as a catalyst for mutual understanding and social cohesion.” Consultations had begun
previous to the launch in an effort to gather information from those involved in culture and development to see how the cultural heritage framework can be reformed. Also, the meetings were said to help set the agenda on cultural policy in the creative industries. As such, several stakeholders who have broad policy experience and practical experience in the different art forms were being consulted with to address the various issues regarding cultural policy. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, in the year 1999 commented on copyright, citing it as a critical development for the country. To date however, nothing has been done with regards to the
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implementation of copyright laws. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine recently committed to tabling a copyright legislation within the year. According to Johnson, Guyana was said to have been lax in the past with regards to putting together a National Cultural Policy. While there had been one in 1977 funded by UNESCO and coordinated by A.J Seymour and another one seven years ago by the Jagdeo administration, there have been no considerable improvements. Johnson stated that culture plays a critical role in the development of a country. However, when crafting these
developments, one has to take into account, customs, traditions, religious, ethnic, cohesional conflict and the level to which social cohesion exists within the society. Three things are scheduled to be looked at, these are, culture and education, culture and environment and culture and citizenship. Johnson also stated the need for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site in Guyana as this nation has a rich history in which such a thing could thrive. “We will build from the ground up, a creative industry framework for development,” said Johnson.
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Bus driver shot in face in execution attempt Up to late last night doctors at the Georgetown Hospital were battling to save the life of a mini bus driver who was shot at point blank range in the face by a lone gunman in what appears to be an execution attempt. Devon Searles of 73 Hadfield Street received a single gunshot to his left side jaw when the gunman who was sitting behind him in the route 40 mini bus he was driving pointed a .38 revolver at his head and pulled the trigger. Clutching his jaw, Searles hurriedly exited the bus and ran several meters away to avoid being shot again. The bus had stopped near the David and Sherriff Street junction to put off a passenger when the gunman made his move around 18:40 hours. The gunman made no attempt to shoot or rob the conductor of the bus although he was sitting next to him and pointed the gun in his direction after shooting the driver. With the gun pointing to his head, the conductor bolted from the vehicle, leaving behind eight horrified passengers and some shocked onlookers. Speaking to this newspaper, the bus conductor, who did not wish to give his name, recalled that the gunman had joined the bus from the Kitty bus park at the Stabroek Market. According to the conductor, the man sat next to him and rode the bus for the entire round trip from the market to Kitty and back, without he nor the driver thinking anything
Devon Searles
was amiss. “I turn and ask he ‘whappen, you ain’t paying me?’ He give me $120 and say he going up back again,” the conductor said. Even then, Searles nor his conductor suspected anything, since none of them recognized the gunman. When the bus neared the stop light at the David and Sherriff Street corner, a passenger requested to be let off. “When I buss de door and de passengers come out now, all I hear is, pow! When I turn
now, I see de gun in front ah me face and I run,” the bus conductor said. By the time, the wounded Searles also ran out of the bus. “When I run around at de back of de bus, I see de driver jump out same time, me and he cross-cross. But me ain’t know whey he run,” the conductor said. At the time he was not too sure who the gunman’s target was, since out of fear for his life he bolted and did not look back. “While he running I see he (driver) holding he jaw and I suspect that he get knock. Is when I come back to de bus now and I call I hear he deh at de hospital bleeding bad.” He could not say if the driver and the assailant had any previous altercation, since according to him, he only started working with Searles yesterday afternoon. I t i s n o t c l e a r if the shooting had anything to do with Searles’ previous brush with the law. The 32 year old Searles was charged in December 2013 for his alleged involved in the theft of two cars the previous month.
Back then, it was alleged that on November 15 at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, he robbed Sanjay Babulall of two motorcars, an Allion and a Primo, together valued $6.3 million, property of Robena Khan. The Police prosecutor had told the court that on the day in question, two men robbed Babulall of two motorcars at Selena’s Auto sales at Lusignan and during the robbery they made use of personal violence against the victim. The prosecutor stated that the Allion was recovered at Lusignan, and acting on information received, the police arrested Searles, who admitted to taking the Primo to a mechanic. However, Searles’ attorney told the court that at the time of the robbery, her client was working on a minibus and had eyewitnesses to prove such. Searles was remanded to prison but was subsequently granted bail. It is not clear what was the outcome of that matter which was being heard at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.
Another canecutter’s son tops UG From page 7 ensure the autonomy of the University remains as well as provision of grants and replenish the revolving fund for student loan. “As you leave here, you will feel that a burden has come off your shoulders. Your head will feel lighter, from pride, emotions of joy; and you will walk upright in rich self-esteem that you have achieved something you wanted to be.” He told them that the door is always open for them to return for a further
taste of the nectar of knowledge and skills training, to be better prepared for the competitive, and often ‘cruel’, world of work. In parting he told them that “Life is short, live it; Love is rare, grab it; Anger is bad, dump it; Fear is awful, face it; Memory is sweet, cherish it.” In giving his valedictory speechvaledictorian Tomby urged his fellow graduates to stop the brain drain and to stay at home. He urged them to stay and contribute for the betterment of the
country. He reminded them that there is a common trend that runs through all, the desire for a brighter future. “Over the past decades Guyana has been experiencing a serious brain drain. I am taking this opportunity to urge all of you of the UGBC class of 2015 to stay in this beautiful country we call home. Make it your ultimate goal today to aid in the momentum of development and make it your ultimate goal to see it reach the status of a developed country.”
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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MELDA AND THE OBEAH MAN When Calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow, introduced Caribbean people to the female character, Melda, in his 1966 song, “Obeah Wedding”, she was no stranger at all. In fact, wherever in the region we lived, we knew many “Meldas” and, some of us, also knew many “Obeah Men”. We all knew that “Obeah” was illegal and that “police could lock you up for that” but were pragmatic enough to realise that when they sought promotion, the policemen either went themselves or sent their wives and girlfriends to the obeah men (and women) to seek divine intervention. People who wanted someone helped or hurt, families who had court or “neighbor” issues, courted the intercession of God or gods in whatever forms, formats, formulas, apparitions, representations, rituals, “simi-dimi”, bush baths, herbs, silk-cotton trees
and related paraphernalia, including slaughtering white fowl cocks, they were advised to spend their money on. Even the Catholic Church in Trinidad got involved. The Benedictine Monks, high in the foothills of the Northern Range in a monastery at Mount St. Benedict, gave the impression that they could “light a candle” on the heads of their supplicants’ enemies – for a price. Up to today, you can hear people threatening to go to the abbey to get the help of the monks in dealing with their opponents and adversaries. Obeah (like humanity) originated in Africa. Its roots, like all other religions or religious practices, are embedded in our fear of the unknown and the need for help from some power greater than ourselves and more powerful than the forces that oppress us or the fears that beset us. One explanation of the term is that an “Obi” or “Obeah” is a monster in West
African folklore and is supposed to be a huge animal that witches and witch doctors send into villages to kidnap young girls and wear their skins as coats. Now the Obeah practitioners don’t bother with your skin. What they want is their pound or more of flesh. When the Indians came to the Caribbean as indentured immigrants to work the cane fields in place of the freed African slaves, they also brought their religious practices with them. Astrology was a central part of their religion and was hugely important to their lives and livelihoods. Palmistry too, and although it is said that more Hindu priests came off the boats than got on them, these people and the books that some of them brought (the Vedas, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita) were their guides to both the old and new worlds and helped them to deal with the traumas, travails and survival issues they faced.
However, for devout Christians, some of whom see no problems in going to the stores and buying “poison” candles and different kinds of oils and charms for different purposes, or going to the Obeah-men, the Hindu Gods, some of them animals, with many hands, weapons and swastikas are “heathen” practices and the kind of obeah that is anathema. This is what happened over the past few weeks in Antigua and Barbuda, a place that we still think of as home. Media reports state, “Police say they have arrested two Indian nationals ‘for being involved in the practice of Obeah’… Manjunath Govindappa of Prince Klaas Street and Sandeep Gangadharaiah are each accused of professing to tell fortunes by supernatural practices and for publishing pamphlets to promote the superstition of obeah. Attorney General Steadroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin said the two men would be sent out of the
River dredge resumes operation despite ...
The dredge which has reportedly continued its work From page 19 create a National Land Use Policy. In a similar case in 2013 in a landmark court ruling, villagers of Isseneru, a Middle Mazaruni village, lost a case concerning their right to prevent commercial miners from
“invading the grounds of our forefathers.” Justice Diana Insanally had ruled that under the Amerindian Act 2006, the Amerindians, second defendants in the land dispute matter, have no authority or juris-
diction to prevent licensed miners from doing so. The GGMC was also told by the court that it too, under the Act, has no right to prevent or cease mining works without the proper footing. The matter of the Isseneru
community was brought to the attention of the courts in November 2011. This approach stemmed from a Cease Work Order which was passed on miner Joan Chang by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
country. The police said that several pieces of evidential materials, believed to be used in the practicing of obeah, were found at the property and confiscated pending further investigations into the matter. Their arrest followed a public outcry from residents who expressed fears that the presence of a self-proclaimed ‘Indian Astrologer ’ and ‘Priest’ would invite ‘unwanted evil to the country’. The men were deported three days ago. I remember when we started living in Antigua. As usual, wherever we live, we adorn the house, inside and outside, with Christmas lights and many people stopped to look at the display. Then we decided to celebrate the annual Hindu festival of lights (Divali). We saw people cross to the other side of the street and I initially figured they wanted a better view of the spectacle. Then I realized (and confirmed later) that they believed we were “wucking Obeah” and they were staying far. As I told my
wife after the two men were arrested, we were extremely lucky because a police raid would have found “evidential materials” in our statues, artifacts and a few books owned by my 85-year old mother who taught herself Hindi and is an avid reader and devout Hindu. I think the Attorney General (a.k.a. Cutie) was extremely lucky. There is a story that is a real cutie. A man walked into a bar, ordered two beers and then brought out a perfectly formed twelveinch, adult male from his pocket. The little man drank the beer, got another, took peanuts from the bar and the curious bartender asked, “Can he talk as well.” To which the man replied, “Hey Al, tell this guy about the time when we were down in Africa on a safari and you insulted that witch doctor!” *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that the Antigua Observer advertises services from many self-proclaimed psychics. Unlike the Indian men, every medium is still at large.
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Kaieteur News
SALON -Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline. -Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES
WANTED PLANNING AN EVENT? Female domestic to work in BIRTHDAY PARTY, Trinidad, must be educated GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, and know to cook. Between ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL 25-35 years. Call 1868-683 1528 DIAMOND TENTS: 216- Security officers to work shift 1043; 677-6620 8hrs & 12yrs -$3,000 nightly, Visa Application: U.S.A, bouncers -$4,000 nightly, security Canada & UK; Guyana electronic Passport application. Graphics technician. Call: 231-6052 design, Advertisement. Tel: Live in Domestic must know to 626-7040; 265-4535. cook-salary -$70,000-$80,000 PARTY DECORATING: monthly. Call: 610-3974 balloon creation, back drops Baker wanted. Call Seon etc. for weddings, birthdays, Johnson-Call: 689-4339; 227anniversary etc. Make your 4646 event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 Two able body porters to work on truck. Call: 625-2685 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, A/C, WASHING 1 C o o k t o w o r k i n t h e MACHINES, TVS, Interior for Family. Call: MICROWAVES,FREEZERS- 683-2271 CALL: 629-4946 OR 225Wash bay workers – 4822 Contact: 697-9540 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, a i r We buy land in Eccles, c o n d i t i o n e r, w a s h i n g Providence and Parfaite m a c h i n e s , d r y e r s , T V, Harmonie W.B.D – Call: 611microwaves & freezer- 2269 Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Urgently wanted, one sand Landscaping: Palms, largest truck, driver@ 3rd St. varieties of plants, Used in Turkyen, E.C.D –Call: 609every one of our unique 8976; 661-9352 landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ D r i v e r / Te c h n i c i a n : 219-0468 Physically fit, ages 25-30, Permanent & Visitors Visa Valid Car/Van License. Applications, Professional Contact 223-5142, 227-4480 Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com. Call: 225-6496, 662-6045 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES – CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar LCD-Plasma-LED TV repairs etc. Contact Abdul Electronics. Call: 225-0391 Floor sanding & Lacquering House plans, Estimate & painting, boat for Santa Mission Tours –Call: 6504362 Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. FOR SALE/RENT American Pools table-Call: 277-0578
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 Bedrooms at New Amsterdam -$35,000 monthly- Call: 665-3370 Lot 175 Atlantic Gardens E.C.D – 2 Storey Building, 3 bedrooms- $120,000- Call: 687-1050 3 Bedrooms furnished house with access to transportation, negotiable rates. Call: 6149685; 647-5907 2-Furnished one bedroom apartments, 1-one bedroom upper flat apartment. Contact Ryan: 660-6446 Two bedrooms house “A” Field Sophia, fully grilled off Road Parking, CCTV. Call: 693-2237; 219-0211 One self contained room; preferably bachelor-Call: 2234545 One bedroom apartment for couple or single person $35,000 monthly, Rent- water and garbage included- Call: 638-8858
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LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997
LAND FOR SALE Formerly Globe Cinema, corner lot @ Church & Waterloo Street, size 126ftX133ft. Call: 610-2234 Luxury gated community with pool, mall, swipe entry/exit, underground irrigation – Contact: 609-0783 40X80 Land at West Minister Diary W.B.D -$1.5M negotiable –Call: 699-5290 Transported Land @ Richmond Essequibo, next to school, fenced, fruit trees, filled high -$4.5M. Call:6825230; 628-9596 DIAMOND/GROVE HOUSING SCHEME 50X80 –CALL: 676-0931 2369.664 Sq/ft of land @ Victoria village, E.C.D$750,000Call:255-3437;698-3678
VACANCY Popular East Coast Gas Station Day/Night: pump attendants, sales & office assistant. Contact: 658-2013; 695-9880, Strathspey E.C.D. One diesel/mechanic for model M/TM trucks, Caterpillar excavator hydraulic and powertrain, Perkins engines. Contact 2235273/4 Rays One Stop Auto Parts: experienced used parts counter and bond clerk @ 74 Sheriff Street. Call: 225-6356/ 7 One Machinist/ Welder fabricator to operate lathe, milling machine, surface grinder, bandsaw, etc. Contact 223-5273/ One Chef/ Cook contact 2235273/4 Landscape maintenance team seeks, Hardworking, reliable workers, 17-35 ages; on the job, training. Contact: 219-0468/621-2453 Male Delivery Clerk for hardware store @ West Bank Demerara. Call: 2642524 Office Clerk atleast 5 CXC passes: Business, Maths & English. Send application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com One tax consultant clerk; diploma in Accountancy or Equivalent. Send application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com Exist for cooks, cleaners, counter attendants, baker, apply with application & photograph at Hot & Spicy. Call: 226-9000 1 Bond/Delivery Clerk must be between ages of 35-45yrs. Apply @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Experienced Bar/Shop worker for Ekereku, bottom Reg#7, age 17-30yrs, send application & CV to bakshwork@gmail.com One receptionist to work in hotel email rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com One salesgirl contact 2335273/4 One sales representative must be at least 20years old. Contact: 254-1801 One general domestic, must know to cook local foods – Call: 622-4386; 227-8538 Exist for bartender, waitress, security guard –Contact Sheik or Donald on Tel: 2271131 FOR SALE Crazy Deals: Dell/HP desktop & laptop computers from $49,000, free games & educational programs @ FutureTech: 231-2206
Monday November 23, 2015
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Tibetan Terriors (fluffy) pups- Call: 222-7891; 6099202 New: air compressor, 115PSI – 3HP-20 gal tank, Arc Welder, Drill Press 1/3 HP 120V-½” chuck -Call: 223-1217; 6005758; 600-5759; 600-2040 One 928 F Caterpillar Wheel Loader $ 7.1 M, Price Negotiable-Call Us Today 650-0402/260-4988 3 Lots At Blankenburg Behind The Gas Station; $13 M Price Negotiable; Each Lot Size 75x76- Call Us Today 650-0402/260-4988 Rotweiler pups. Tel: 619-6086, 622-6646, 699-7077. Pools-table cloth, balls, pocket, coin-shute, rubber, cue-stick, coin, chalk, spots gully boot, white ball, poolstable locks –Tel: 669-9927 Excellent quality Rottweiler pups. Must See! Hurry and get yours. Limited amount available- Call /Whatsapp: (592) 664-5401 PRADO: TOP CONDITION, SUNROOF, FULLY LOADED, 8 SEATER, FUEL, 2000 MODEL. CALL: 6845868 CRV EXCELLENT CONDITION, 1998CC, ALARM, DVD, MAGRIM, CLEAN ENGINE & BODYCALL: 684-5868 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 1-36ft cabin Cruiser for saleCall: 648-6815; 654-2817 1-Bedford Lorry-Vauxhaul Model 1975, 1-Toyota Hilux Surf model KD- KZN185W. Call: 227-7538/226-8247 between 08:15hrs-17:00hrs Monday-Friday. Used: 3" Lister pump hearguly, air compressor -125 PSI, pressure washer 2200PSI. Call: 223-1217; 600-5758; 6005759; 600-2040 Paper and photocopy machine. Plus Printing Town branch will be closing temporary- Call: 233-2725 1 Pools table in excellent condition. Call: 226-5351 or 697-3621 50lbs Bags, dog food W/Sale & Retail- Call: 222-7891; 6099202 Pools table, generator, flat screen, TV, AC, Stove, Freezer & music set, fridge –Call: 6160398; 676-7643; 687-1757
VEHICLE FOR SALE First Class Auto: 08 Premio, Rush, Bluebird, 06 Premio, Spacio IST, Runx. Call: 6098188; 638-3045 Smart Choice Auto Sales, in stock, Premio, Allion, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, Spacio, Call: 652-3820/ 665-4529 Pearl white reconditioned, Prado Jeep. Call: 624-6702; 624-5838 Star Cars Auto Sales: Premio, Spacio, Runx, IS, Fielder, Bluebird, Axela, Pit-bull, Raum, Benz -Tel: 268-3509; 679-3140 One fully refurbished Toyota Picnic PMM 3349. Call: 2662217; 266-0346 1-Hilux Surfprice $3,000,000M, 1- Bedford Truck. Call: 618-1967; 698-4321 New Model Raum $1,350,000M – Call: 691-1198 Toyota AT212, Raum, Tundra, L-Touring Wagon, EP71 Starlet, Premio, Honda 600RR, Yamaha-R6&R1 Suzuki GSX –Call: 644-5096; 697-1453 VERS: Hyster Forklift (6,000lbs), solid wheel, diesel engine, Toyota Tundra 2005. Call: 223-1217; 600-5758; 6005759; 600-2040 VERS: caterpillar (Bobcat) skid steerer (262B), Toyota Forklift (10,000lbs) solid wheel. Call: 223-1217; 6005758; 600-5759; 600-2040 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Unregistered Fielder Wagon, fully loaded, rims, camera, bodykit, HID, dark interiorCall: 617-5536 Toyota Noah & Voxy, Fully loaded, never registered, ‘G’ Series -$1.7M –Call: 617-2891 Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada: MF165-$1.7M, MF 135 -$1.1M, MF 265 $2.2M, Tundra -$1.9M, Tacoma -$2.3M. Call: 6825230; 628-9596 1 Hilux pick, single cab long bass -$1.2M negotiable – Call: 675-2650 Unregistered Nissan Bluebird 2006 -$2.3M & Toyota Allion 2006 $2.35Neg- Contact: 644-9277 Blow out sale! Cheapest: Super GL automatic and stick gear VVTI buses, Hilux-1RZ engine. Call: 616-7635 Continued on page 23
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
We have to save Guyanese from Americanization DEAR EDITOR, Culture was again at the centre of the 2015 Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) New York annual Symposium held at Empire College in Brooklyn, New York. This community of Guyanese scholars, educators and nationals alike assemble every year in a continuum which demonstrates clearly that culture survives away from its natural habitat. It is ironic that as Guyanese nationals in the Diaspora strive to hold on to that which nourishes and gives us an identity in the world, some Guyanese at home are given to doing the opposite. In recent years, with the advent of television, and I daresay, American television in particular, many Guyanese seem to have clearly lost a sense of self and national pride. This manifests itself in the desire to embrace alien celebrations like Halloween and Thanksgiving, observances and holidays celebrated in America.
Pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, haunted houses and trick-otreating are all alien to Guyanese cultural practices. Thanksgiving, celebrated on every fourth Thursday in November is a day when Americans give thanks for all their blessings while they pay homage to the Pilgrims. The question is, what are Guyanese observing when they choose to adopt these two celebrations? It must also be noted that Canada does celebrate their Thanksgiving holiday on the third Monday in October, albeit with less pomp. It is worth mentioning that some values held by people in the United States are not shared by people in other cultures. Americans revere their individualism which distinguishes them in the world. This is deliberate. Some of those inescapable differences are driving and walking on the right side of the road. Others are prevalent in their spelling and pronunciation and their holidays. Another thing that
struck me is the use of the term “first lady” as it relates to the wife of the Guyanese president. This expression is used exclusively by Americans when they refer to the wife of their president. This was the reality until Guyanese got exposed to American television and adopted the phrase. My colleague and fellow political analyst and journalist Lloyd Braithwaite says this confusion can be traced back to remittances. One argument suggests that Guyanese see their allegiance to America through remittances as the key to their livelihood. Hence, we find the misplaced loyalty. Guyanese need to examine what ideas are now taking over in society and create a philosophy on how to recapture the cultural landscape based on its indigenous practices; food, rituals, beliefs, traditions behaviors; anything by which you can be identified.. This giant amalgamation of
various realms of human existence called Culture extends to the inner-self of a person identifying them as a member of society with these distinct features. This is important because it says who we are in the world; identified by our practicing of a set of values and behaviors indigenous to our culture. In so doing, our communities, and nation gain its character and personality. When a nation starts celebrating Halloween and Thanksgiving, replete with turkey and cranberry sauce, followed by talk of “Black Friday” in relation to the American free market commerce, that nation has lost its way. When folks are invoking phrases like “summer holidays” to replace the traditional “August” holidays and “First Lady” when the wife of a president was simply “Mrs. Granger” or “Jagdeo” the cultural confusion smacks of the simulation of a gigantic fantasy; living in Guyana with
an American mindset as though it is the latest trend. This is nothing more than a descent into cultural appropriation. Just for the record, Guyana does have a “Black Friday” but there is nothing celebratory about the date February 16th 1962. This day was marked by civic unrest, looting and fires leaving the city like a burning cauldron of commercial enterprises. Cultural appropriation is nothing more than adopting or stealing behavior and customs from another culture. Social scientists say this is often done without any real understanding of why. Cultural appropriation is not an acceptable way to honour, respect or appreciate one’s own culture. When people are left to their own devices they will fill a void with anything that dominates their environment. European territories have gone out of their way to limit the amount of American programming that is shown
New angle on the Diwali date debate DEAR EDITOR, It was reported in the Kaieteur Newspaper under the caption “Govt. willfully dividing Hindu community – PPP” (15/11) that the PPP is accusing Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and the Government of “willfully causing division in the Hindu community.” It was further reported that the “Party’s Central Committee resolved that the APNU+AFC government unnecessarily and willfully generated controversy concerning the dates for celebrating the Hindu religious holiday of Diwali.” Let me state that with or without Ramjattan’s intervention, there would have been two dates for Diwali. The controversy did not start with Mr. Ramjattan’s intervention; it began since a year ago; not only about the date for Diwali, but many apparent incorrect
dates on Dharmic Sabha’s Calendar for 2015. The Hindu community was already divided along these lines. It was observed by many leading Pandits not affiliated with Dharmic Sabha that these dates were all strangely one day after the dates in other Calendars – Burning of Holika, Holi, Hanuman Jayanti, Nava Raatree, Janam Ashtmi, Pitri Paksha, Diwali, etc. For instance, the Burning of Holika was listed to take place 41 days from the date of planting, instead of 40 days. Why was Janam Ashtmi, an 8th day celebration, listed for the 9th day (nowmi)? Why was Diwali celebrated on the same date as in India – the 11th November? It was suspected all along that Dharmic Sabha’s Calendar reflected the position of India, which is in a different time-zone from Guyana.
The technical aspect surrounding these dates can best be understood through these analogies. Suppose cricket is being played in India on the 18th November at 10:00AM, India-time. Would you in Guyana put on your TV or Radio at 10:00AM on the 18th? No! The game would be finished by then. You do so at midnight on the 17th, i.e. the moment the game is being played. Again, if the Full Moon is listed for 4:00 AM on the 20th March in India, would you be using 4:00AM on March 20th as the Full Moon time in Guyana? No! You will have to use 6:30PM on the 19th march as being the moment of Full Moon in Guyana. Diwali was celebrated on the evening of the 11th November in India. Would you wait for the evening of the 11th November to celebrate Diwali in Guyana?
Do not sell tickets to single persons for Kaieteur Falls DEAR EDITOR, Yet another suicide at Kaieteur Falls. A very sad situation in Guyana with all these suicides being committed by young people. There needs to be a national discussion on why so much apparent hopelessness among our youth and what can be done to stem this growing phenomenon. While we are all saddened by this senseless taking of one’s life, we must also be concerned about the image being created of our internationally famous tourist attraction- Kaieteur Falls- as a suicide destination for distraught locals. Many might not agree with me but this could have a negative impact on our tourism. Imagine a family with young children
having to experience someone taking their own life by jumping off the Falls. Such an experience could leave scars for life. I would like to recommend for discussion and consideration that airline/excursion tickets to Kaieteur not be sold to a single individual not holding a foreign passport. In short, Guyanese purchasing tickets to visit Kaieteur must be accompanied by at least one, or perhaps two other persons. This is certainly not the solution to the suicide problem in Guyana but may reduce the incidence of such senseless acts at our top tourist attraction.Let it be noted that I said I offer this suggestion for discussion and consideration. Wesley Kirton
No! Diwali time would have long past. But Dharmic Sabha did it. In the spirit of Hindu unity, we compromised by celebrating Phagwah according to Dharmic Sabha’s date, albeit wrongly. We did not make a hue and cry over it. But because of the characteristic uncompromising nature of Dharmic Sabha, we were not prepared this time to observe Diwali on an incorrect date. This is not about politics. These were some of our concerns. No one listened to us. Dharmic Sabha disdainfully dismissed us. If Minister Ramjattan, who happens to be a Hindu, listened to us, is it political? The PPP, while in Office, did not look after the interest of Hindus. During its 23 years in Government, for instance, how many Hindus were appointed Marriage Officers, Justices of the Peace or Commissioners of Oaths to Affidavit? We were told in no uncertain terms that all Pandits would have to become members of Dharmic Sabha before any consideration could be given. That Hindus had to seek the services of Christians and Muslims did not bother them in the least. Whom are they fooling now? Just after three months in office, this Government has appointed 14 Hindu Marriage Officers. It should be noted that Dharmic Sabha was informed early that a petition was made for the date of Diwali to be reviewed. It was given an opportunity, like every other Organization, to present its
case for the 11th. What it did? In its written submission to the Minister, dated September 4, 2015, it admitted that Diwali ended at 2:00PM on the 11th, ‘and therefore, the evening of November 11 was 4 hours after the end of Diwali.’ It defeated its own case. How can they now blame Ramjattan for adjudicating in the manner he did, based on the evidence before him? The petition of 4,000 signatures presented in early November was too little too late. The damage was already done. On the other hand, the other organizations presented strong and compelling evidence to show that Diwali should be celebrated on the 10th. To date, Dharmic Sabha has not been able to refute or prove them wrong. It is Dharmic Sabha and the PPP who have made this issue political “with political motives.” During its Diwali ‘campaign trail’, Dharmic Sabha employed ugly political tactics by telling the people that those who supported the 11thwere supporting the PPP, while those who supported the 10th were APNU. Who, then, made the issue political? Who was sowing the seed of controversy and division? The PPP is advised to stay away from this issue. The Hindus who observed Diwali on the 10th are also PPP supporters. By labeling them as APNU supporters, they run the risk of losing them. For us, this is not about politics. This is a matter to be resolved by Hindu leaders, not politicians. Pandit. R. Balbadar
on their television. This they claim is to preserve their own culture from one that can be so overwhelming. For Guyana, the leadership must find innovative ways to reclaim their population from a dominant media; how they can absorb from outside without having to surrender what is their own; learning to cherish and revere what is their own. M. Angela Massiah, MBA Print/Broadcast Journalist
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Professor Opadeyi improved UG Although his controversial tenure at the University will come to an end early next year, this does not take away from the fact that Professor Jacob Opadeyi is viewed by some as the most engaging Vice Chancellor at the University of Guyana thus far. According to President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS), Joshua Griffith, “we wish to appreciate the work that he has done...he has engaged the most with the Student Body compared to any other administrator. He was willing to meet at anytime and he has always been responsive as an individual to the needs of the Student Body.” Griffith however lamented that not everything that the Vice Chancellor had promised was allowed to be manifested. As such he described as a “sad situation” that Professor Opadeyi will be leaving the tertiary institution. The Nigerian born Professor was a Faculty member at the University of the West Indies before taking up the Vice Chancellor position at UG in 2013. But Professor Opadeyi
- insists UGSS President earlier this year informed that he had no intention of remaining at the University following a no confidence motion initiated by the institution’s unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association and the University of Guyana Workers Union. Both Unions had worked together to emphasise their disappointment in the Vice Chancellor. But according to Griffith, who had led the UGSS on a few occasions into separate protest actions in the quest to have deplorable conditions at the University improved, “We simply did not have a position on the no confidence motion; we were neither for or against it...it really wasn’t our business.” Once Professor Opadeyi’s contract comes to an end in February 2016, the University will be managed by a Management Committee until a new Vice Chancellor is appointed. According to Technical
Adviser to the Minister of Education, Mr VincentAlexander, the appointment of a suitable Vice Chancellor is the sole responsibility of the University’s Council. “...Once they (members of the Council) would have made that decision... there is no question of a Minister or an individual having a choice,” Alexander asserted. He’s disclosed too that Government had no preferred candidate to fill the position of Vice Chancellor when Professor Opadeyi’s contract comes to an end next year. But according to Griffith what is fundament to the Student body is that it is afforded basic respect from the administrators of the University. This basic respect, he intimated, appeared to be one of the pillars that Professor Opadeyi embraced. “If you say you are going to do something then let’s work actively towards getting it done,” said Griffith as he reflected on the Vice Chancellor’s last speech
Monday November 23, 2015 ARIES: (Mar. 21- April 20) Deception is apparent. Exhaustion combined with overindulgence could result in minor health problems. It’s time to consider putting money into long-term investments. TAURUS: (Apr. 21- may 21) Try to understand both sides of the issue before taking sides. Channel your energy into decorating or household chores. Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart. GEMINI : (May 22-June 21) Small business ventures can earn you extra cash. They will jump at the chance to do something without you if it sounds like more fun. Do not invest in joint ventures. CANCER: (June 22-July 22) Be sure to find out all you can before you commit to anything. Attend seminars that will bring you in contact with the right people. You can come up with solutions to the problems responsible for inefficiencies at work. LEO: (July 23-Aug 22) Avoid overloading your plate. Your pursuits may end up being fruitless. Knowledge can be acquired if you listen. VIRGO: (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Opportunities for romance will flourish through travel. Spend time getting into physical activities with your lover. Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue. LIBRA: (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your ability to get the job done will result in added responsibility and possible
promotion. You must not make unnecessary changes today. Don’t blow situations out of proportion. SCORPIO: (Oct. 24 Nov. 22) Keep an open mind when listening to the opinions of others. Look for something entertaining to do. You’ve got that competitive edge. You should be able to make major career gains if you plan your intentions carefully. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) If you’re uncertain of your feelings, keep your opinions to yourself. Residential moves should be considered carefully. Take some time out. CAPRICORN : (Dec 22.Jan. 20) Your position may be in question if you haven’t been pulling your weight. You will upset your partner if you have spent money on things that aren’t necessary. Erratic behavior at home may be hard to handle. AQUARIUS: (Jan. 21 Feb. 19) Romance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. You will easily charm members of the opposite sex. You will do best to entertain those you wish to close deals with. PISCES: (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Someone you live with will be quite unreasonable today. Try to stay calm, and whatever you do, don’t nag. Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don’t push them, instead just continue working on development.
UGSS President, Joshua Griffith at the University’s most recent Annual Business Meeting earlier this month. “It was really heartfelt because he has done a lot for this University, he has
done a lot for the Student body, notwithstanding the controversies we have; the difference that we have...he has inspired us and caused us to push ourselves. Personally he has caused me to go above and beyond in many regards,” shared Griffith. According to him, the Professpr Opadeyi brought to the University a wealth of experience and “he will be missed and he is appreciated for the many positives he has brought, the many different perspectives and the energy...the challenges he faced, brought and overcame at this University.” And Griffith believes that he could relate all too well to the state of affairs faced by Professor Opadeyi when he took over the reins of the University. He disclosed that “We did
not inherit a perfect situation; our Student body was a mess when we inherited it and so we have been trying to bring order to it. Similar things obtained with the administration and we have found that a lot of his (Professor Opadeyi) practices, a lot of his implementations have indeed improved a lot of the management issues on the campus; we can’t deny that.” And the improvements realised under Professor Opadeyi’s tenure, Griffith observed, include: an improved bursary structure, efforts to pay off owed utilities after years of indebtedness, and attempts to make regular NIS contributions on behalf of staffers. “There are a lot of positives that he would have contributed to at the University and we appreciate his service,” stressed Griffith.
Govt. disappointed with returns ... From page 3 be approved. He said, “Given their horrible track record, as the Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, I would deem it unwise to grant them this. They had ten years to get it done. What's their excuse for not getting it done then? “It was clear that it was not priority for them and now they cry financial difficulties. I do not agree with any further pardon because they have shown utter disregard over the years for the country's laws and have benefitted from millions worth in concessions. “I believe, too, that some amount of order needs to be injected into the logging industry. It is time that companies, whether local or foreign, get the message that value added production is important and that the government will no longer compromise on this. “Besides, you cannot have a playing field where one company is making efforts to start, as is the case with Vaitarna and then BaiShanLin is making requests to get started later. It would not send good signals in that area.” “Guyana cannot continue to be giving out hundreds of millions of dollars worth in these tax breaks or concessions and we aren't benefitting from value added operations. If companies make a commitment to do so then the ethical thing to do is to deliver what was promised. If not, their concessions should be taken away,” the Economist had said. BaiShanLin had given conflicting reasons in the past to justify the delay for establishing this wood-processing facility. In 2014, BaiShanLin blamed the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) for
delaying its application for its wood processing factory. In one of its advertisements, the company stated that in 2008, it applied to the “Government of Guyana, through the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and other agencies, to lease lands to set up a factory to process logs and engage in value-added production, such as the making of furniture, craft and hardwood flooring.” It had said then that it was experiencing delays.
Kaieteur News later reported that GO-Invest had no such application. BaiShanLin had nothing to say when this was revealed. This caused many, including the then Opposition, to challenge the former government to make public the investment agreement it signed onto with the Chinese logging company. This was never done. In April, the company then blamed the “hostile” media reports during 2014 for dispiriting financiers.
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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China says won’t cease building on South China Sea isles Reuters - China said yesterday it will continue to build military and civilian facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea and the United States was testing it by sending warships through the area. “Building and maintaining necessary military facilities, this is what is required for China’s national defence and for the protection of those islands and reefs,” Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur. China planned to “expand and upgrade” the civilian facilities on the islands “to better serve commercial ships, fishermen, to help distressed vessels and provide more public services”, Liu said, adding that China rejects the notion that it is militarising the South China Sea. He said China has mostly built civilian facilities. Liu’s comments at the annual East Asia Summit, this year
U.S. President Barack Obama walks behind China’s Premier Li Keqiang as they attend a family photo at the 27th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. REUTERS/JORGE SILV hosted by Kuala Lumpur, were some of the most forceful explanations that China has given regarding its position on the South China Sea. Washington was testing Beijing with its insistence on
“freedom of navigation” patrols in the strategic waterway, Liu said. China, which claims almost the entire energy-rich South China Sea, has been transforming reefs into
artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago and building airfields and other facilities on some of them. That has prompted concerns in Washington and across the region that Beijing is trying to militarise its claims in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, U.S. B52 bombers flew near some of the islands, signalling Washington’s determination to challenge Beijing’s claim. At the end of October, the USS Lassen, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed around one
of them. “This time, in a very high profile manner, the U.S. sent military vessels within 12 nautical miles of China’s islands and reefs,” Liu said. “This has gone beyond the scope of freedom of navigation. It is a political
provocation and the purpose is to test China’s response.” Obama on Saturday called on countries to stop building artificial islands and militarising their claims and said the United States would continue to assert its freedom of navigation rights in the sea.
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Cyprus quizzes group suspected of Islamist link Reuters - Police in Cyprus were questioning six Frenchspeaking men on Sunday amid suspicions three of them had links with Islamist groups, authorities said. The men aged between 25 and 32 arrived in Cyprus on Saturday on a budget flight from Basel in Switzerland. They were detained upon arrival at the country’s Larnaca airport on suspicions about the purpose of their trip, the state Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported. An Interpol alert suggested that three of the men, two of Turkish origin and one of Algerian origin, could be ‘close to Islamic movements’, CNA reported. The individuals said they had planned to holiday in Cyprus. It was likely that they would be sent back to Switzerland on Monday, CNA aid. Other European capitals have stepped up security since 130 people were killed in a wave of attacks in Paris on Nov. 13.
Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Cameron to push for war with case for joining Syria air strikes Reuters - Prime Minister David Cameron will this week set out the case for joining air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria, his finance minister said yesterday, in a bid to persuade a parliament loath to embark on another war in the Middle East. Britain is already bombing IS in Iraq but Cameron has said he believes Britain should be doing more to fight the militants, who claimed responsibility for this month’s attacks in Paris in which 130 people died. France has in the days since stepped up its bombing campaign against the group’s members in Syria, who are also being targeted from the air by a U.S.-led coalition and Russia. Cameron is keen to avoid a repeat of 2013 when he lost a crunch parliamentary vote on air strikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces. “The prime minister will seek support across parliament for strikes against that terrorist organization in
David Cameron Syria. Frankly Britain has never been a country that stands on the sidelines and relies on others to defend us,” finance minister George Osborne told BBC television on Sunday. “The timetable is this: In the coming week the prime minister will come to the House of Commons ... we will make the case as a government, we will allow MPs to digest that response and then we will see where we
stand.” B r i t a i n ’s Sunday newspapers, carrying headlines including “Britain prepares for war”, reported a vote could be held within the next two weeks, with bombing underway by Christmas. Osborne said the Paris attacks were likely changing the views of those previously opposed to British air strikes but said the government would only call a vote when it was confident it could win. Another defeat would be “a publicity coup” for IS and send “a terrible message about Britain’s role in the world”, he said. Cameron has said his bid to join the U.S.-led coalition in Syria was strengthened by Friday’s United Nation Security Council resolution to redouble action against Islamic State there. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to join the U.S.-led Iraq War in 2003, in which 179 British service personnel were killed,
remains a contentious issue in Britain. Some in Cameron’s own Conservative Party are opposed to air strikes, so the British leader will need to persuade some opposition Labour lawmakers to back his call for action. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who opposes air strikes and has said he is not planning to allow his party members to vote with their conscience, on Saturday said his party would consider the proposals put forward by the government. His finance spokesman John McDonnell told the BBC on Sunday the decision should not be made on a party-political lines. “I am hoping that we can act as one, put aside party differences and look at the long term interests o f t h e c o u n t r y, ” s a i d McDonnell, who has previously called for Labour lawmakers to be allowed to vote in favour of strikes if they wished.
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Monday November 23, 2015
Belgium extends top threat alert for Brussels today Reuters - Belgium said it faced a serious and imminent threat of a Paris-style attack, and kept Brussels on maximum alert today as security forces searched for militants thought to be at large in the capital. Prime Minister Charles Michel, speaking after a meeting of security chiefs called to review the threat status, said the capital’s metro, universities and schools would be closed today. For the rest of the country, a threat level of three on a four-tier scale would remain in place, Michel said. Brussels would remain at level four, meaning an attack was imminent, as it has been since Saturday. “What we fear is an attack similar to the one in Paris, with
several individuals who could possibly launch several attacks at the same time in multiple locations,” Michel told a news conference. Possible targets were malls, shopping streets and public transport, Michel said, adding the government would boost police and army presence in the capital beyond already high levels. He said a new evaluation of the situation would be made on Monday afternoon and everything was being done to return the city to normal as quickly as possible. Commuters trying to get to work on Monday are expected to suffer delays as a result of the metro closure, though some companies had already indicated on Sunday they were ready for staff to
Charles Michel work from home. Belgium has been at the heart of investigations into the Paris attacks on Nov. 13 that left 130 people dead after links with Brussels emerged.
German coalition clash escalates as Merkel marks decade in power Reuters - The parties in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government exchanged insults at the weekend in an escalating clash over refugee policy that has left the German leader looking more vulnerable than at any time during her decade in power. Divisions between her conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) over benefits for refugees prompted coalition leaders to cancel a special cabinet meeting planned for today where they had hoped to agree measures to speed up the processing of asylum seekers. But the biggest fight was within Merkel’s own conservative ranks as members of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lined up to condemn their Bavarian sister party for
Angela Merkel humiliating the chancellor at a congress in Munich on Friday evening. With Merkel standing next to him, Horst Seehofer, the leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), openly criticised her for refusing to put a formal cap on the number of refugees entering Germany.
He was cheered loudly by members of his party as Merkel stood fidgeting uncomfortably on the stage. Elmar Brok, a senior member of Merkel’s CDU, denounced Seehofer’s behaviour as “impolite, unseemly and unacceptable” in an interview with the Tagesspiegel newspaper. Other CDU members said the CSU leader had broken a taboo in how the two parties behave with each other. Seehofer refused to back down, telling German television station n-tv that he could not in good conscience tell a “fairy tale of harmony and consensus” when major differences remained. The barbs flew as Merkel marked her 10-year anniversary in office on Sunday.
Main political parties to contest all seats in general election KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - CMC – The ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) and the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) will contest all 15 seats in the December 9 general elections, according to the Electoral Commission. It said that 43 candidates were nominated on Friday to contest the election in which the ULP, headed by Prime Minister
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is seeking an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in office. The NDP which came within one seat of winning the last general election, is headed by Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace. Both the ULP and the NDP are confident of winning the polls. The three–year-old Democratic Republican Party
(DRP) led by former senator Anesia Baptiste had six candidates nominated while there were seven candidates nominated for the SVG Green Party, which is led by Ivan O’Neal. Political observers say the election is expected to be a straight fight between the ULP and the NDP, which had eight and seven seats respectively in the last Parliament.
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Moonilal to stage protest march, Kamla plans to sue The Guardian - The political arena is heating up as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) clash over the legality of the new reduction to the qualifying salary for accessing governmentsubsidised housing. Rowley, speaking at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) key handover at Chaconia Crescent, Diego Martin, Saturday, said the UNC internal election was the reason behind the recent attack on the government changes to the qualifying combined salary for HDC homes from $45,000 to $25,000. “What is the problem? What is the story? Except that someone has a campaign coming in December and looking for something to talk about. I wish them well,” Rowley said. “Let them sue me, I have court clothes,” Rowley said. Rowley is challenging Opposition Leader Kamla
Persad-Bissessar to take him to court if she can find any proof of illegality in the policy changes at the HDC. Rowley was referring to media reports that PersadBissessar had reportedly described the government’s move to reduce the qualifying income for accessing statesubsidised homes from $45,000 to $25,000 as illegal. The media reported PersadBissessar’s argument was that the move discriminated against the thousands of citizens who had already submitted applications for state housing. Rowley said that every HDC house carried a subsidy and it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that the subsidy was utilised by those most in need. “If persons had applied expecting that they will qualify and their income is $35,000, $40,000, that application is no longer applying for something that exists,” he said. However, Rowley said, if a person had already been
allocated a house and was above that new income level, there would be no move to undo that. “Once you are at the applicant stage and the policy changes, you have to adapt to that,” he said. While Rowley did not say how many of the almost 200,000 HDC applicants no longer qualify for state homes, another UNC leader hopeful, former housing minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said the number of affected was as many as 30,000. “As a result of this brutal decision, some 30,000 potential owners have been taken off the HDC, so that the friends, family and supporters of the PNM can benefit. These are the same friends, family and supporters of the PNM who refused to pay rent to the HDC for years, leading to millions of outstanding monies (owed) to the HDC,” Moonilal said. Moonilal held a hasty media conference Saturday to address the changes to the HDC qualifying income policy. “I have already been
Hollande hopes to spur U.S. to do more against Islamic State Reuters - French President Francois Hollande hopes to spur Washington to greater action against Islamic State, but it is unclear to what extent he can overcome the White House’s reluctance to get sucked further into the Syria conflict. U.S. President Barack Obama welcomes Hollande to the White House tomorrow in the shadow of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks claimed by the Islamic State militant group that killed 130 and demonstrated its ability and will to hit the Continent. Within days of the attacks, the United States announced it would share more threat intelligence and operational military information with France, a step which helped France strike Syrian targets in the days after the violence in Paris. Speaking before Hollande’s trip, which will be followed by a visit to Russia later in the week, French officials made no secret of their desire to see the United States do more. “The message that we want to send to the Americans is simply that the crisis is becoming a sort of risk destabilising Europe,” said a senior French official. “The attacks in Paris and the refugee crisis show that we don’t have time.”
Francois Hollande French officials made clear they are not talking about putting Western combat troops on the ground, though they said the possibility of deploying French special operations forces had been discussed. They also stressed that the United States could do more in its bombing campaign against Islamic State targets in Syria. “American power, in theory, would allow the United States to hit much harder,” said a second French official. “Two years of sanctuary for Daesh in Syria is enough,” he added, using an Arabic term for Islamic State. Speaking in Antalya, Turkey last week, Obama made clear his desire to help France but signalled no shift
in strategy. The U.S. strategy, as described by Obama, includes air strikes that began after the militant group seized swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria last year; working with local forces rather than putting large numbers of U.S. troops on the ground; and pursuing a diplomatic solution to end the Syrian civil war. In an Oct. 30 policy shift, the White House announced plans to deploy up to 50 U.S. special operations forces to Syria. “So there will be an intensification of the strategy,” Obama said. “But as I said from the start, it’s going to take time.” One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States and France were already ramping up cooperation and expressed hope that next week’s talks could prompt others in the anti-Islamic State coalition to do more. “This should not just fall to the United States,” this U.S. official said. “Certainly, the U.S. has been in the lead role. But one of the real opportunities in the wake of Paris is for others - European countries, Gulf states, for this coalition as a whole - to do more and for other players to step up and do more of the heavy lifting here.”
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, right, and HDC chairman (designate) Mr Newman George hand over keys to Nathan De Leon and his mother, Glenda De Leon, at the HDC’s ‘Welcome To My House’ ceremony at Chaconia Crescent, Four Roads, Diego Martin. PHOTO: DION ROACH contacted by many persons who were assigned houses based on the legitimate expectation of a $45,000 ceiling income. I have assembled a team of lawyers
who will meet with these affected persons and decide the way forward. But it does not end there. As a mark of protest, I plan to lead a march to the head office of the HDC
and Parliament to raise the issue which is dictatorial in every sense of the word,” he said. Moonilal said, the PNM was victimising middleincome earners.
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Venezuelan oil minister says OPEC cannot allow a price war TEHRAN (Reuters) OPEC cannot allow an oil price war and must take action to stabilise the crude market soon, Venezuelan oil minister Eulogio del Pino said yesterday. “OPEC has to do something very soon ... We don’t agree with the position that says the market some way is going to dictate the price of crude oil. We don’t agree with that position of Saudi Arabia,” del Pino said on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in Tehran. “Iran is announcing its production is going to increase as soon as they lift the sanctions and we need to do something. We (OPEC) cannot allow going into a war of prices. We need to stabilise the market.” When asked how low oil prices could go in 2016 if
Eulogio del Pino OPEC doesn’t change its policy, he said: “Mid-20s.” Del Pino also said Russia will not attend an informal OPEC meeting on Dec. 3. Venezuela had made a proposal in Vienna on Oct. 21 about an equilibrium price that
could stabilise the market, del Pino said, repeating that the equilibrium price where future investments can continue to replace a natural decline in production is at the level of $88. He said low oil prices will affect future oil investments which could mean not meeting future demand growth for oil and that could lead to a spike in prices later. “And ýwe don’t want that kind of cycle of low price and high price, it is not good for consumers or p r o d u c e r s . We n e e d t o send to the market a signal of stabilisation, and that signal of stabilisation is not what we are doing now.... We are destroying the price of crude oil. The speculative market is the one that is controlling the market,” he added.
Monday November 23, 2015
Jamaica to participate in US visa programme WASHINGTON, United States - CMC – The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, have added five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries among others worldwide that are eligible to participate in visa programmes. On Friday, USCIS announced that Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H2B Visa programmes, effective January 18, 2016. Sixty-eight countries globally are eligible to
participate in the visa programme on that effective date. It said H-2A and H-2B Visa programmes allow US employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, respectively. “Typically, USCIS only approves H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programmes,” the statement said. “USCIS, however, may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of
countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States,” it added. USCIS said the DHS reserves the right to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at any time DHS determines that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation. The notice does not affect the status of beneficiaries who currently are in the United States in H-2A or H2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. Each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2016.
Martinique proposes working Colombian government pardons closer with the OECS to improve regional transportation 30 jailed FARC guerrillas
Bogota (AFP) Colombia’s government announced yesterday it is granting pardons to 30 jailed members of the FARC as a confidence-building measure in its peace talks with the leftist guerrilla group. The Colombian presidency said none of those being pardoned were in prison for serious crimes, and added that they will be helped in finding jobs and receiving social support once they leave prison. In the past week, FARC spokesmen have told local media that some 850 jailed members of the guerrilla group have been on a hunger strike
in 13 prisons since November 9 to press for humanitarian releases and improved prison conditions. Besides the pardons, the government said teams of health workers would be checking the physical condition of 106 other imprisoned FARC rebels, and prepare special holding facilities for other FARC inmates with an eye to preparing them for reintegration to civilian life. The measures come as government and rebel negotiators close in on a peace agreement after three years of talks in Havana aimed at ending the 50-year-old
conflict, Latin America’s longest. The sides have said they hope to reach an agreement in less than six months on the remaining issues, including compensation for victims, laying down of arms, and a mechanism for ratifying a comprehensive peace agreement. “As part of the confidence-building gestures between the national government and the FARC, the national government has decided, based on its constitutional and legal authorities, to grant pardons ... to 30 guerrillas,” the presidential statement said.
Dr. Jean Crusol
Dr. Timothy Harris
Daily Observer - Dr. Jean Crusol, President of the Economic Affairs Commission in Martinique
says changes to the legal framework are needed. “Transport, we cannot cooperate if we do not develop
our transport system, maritime transport, air transport and we already have some developments in certain parts of the Caribbean so we have to create the legislative conditions for this system of transport to develop itself. St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris speaking at the close of the OECS Heads of Government Meeting said the state of regional transportation is unacceptable “I think what we have done was to signal where or citizens and residents are. These affairs the continuing inability of LIAT to show the kinds of improvements that we would like to see and the major challenge to the integration process of having an unreliable air transport available to us in air and efficiency in relations to transportation by sea and cargo etc.” Dr Harris meanwhile says study is needed before taxes can be reduced on regional flights. “And so we haven’t taken that off the table as an idea, it is something which of course has to be studied within our various jurisdictions and argument has been made about reducing that and what that can do to the totalities of revenues etc. but it is an issue that requires consideration.” OECS Chairman and Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell says taxes must be reduced at the CARICOM level.
Monday November 23, 2015
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Monday November 23, 2015
ANSA McAL ups offer in bidding war for BHL
Nicholas Mouttet The Gleaner - The Trinidadian conglomerate, ANSA McAL, has increased its offer to shareholders for
control of Barbados’ largest beverage company, Banks Holdings Limited (BHL). In a statement, ANSA McAL, which is in a bidding war with Brazilian conglomerate, Ambev, for control of the company and its brewery, said that it is amending its offer to purchase 100 per cent of the issued common shares in BHL to BDS$7. “This amended offer represents an increase of one dollar over the last offer made by ANSA McAL on November 3, 2015, and BDS$0.80 cents over the current competitor’s offer. ANSA McAL is advising all
registered shareholders of BHL that this offer is valid until December 28, 2015,” it said. Ambev, which owns just over 40 per cent of the publicly traded BHL, recently increased its share offer to BDS$6.20 after initially offering BDS$4 per share. ANSA McAL, through its subsidiary A.M. Caribbean Development Ventures Limited, said all shareholders will receive a hard copy of this new offer through the mail by today, with the company saying that it “is looking forward to a positive response from the BHL shareholders to this new offer”.
Earlier last week, ANSA McAL said it would appeal a ruling by Barbados High Court judge Justice Sir Marston Gibson to lift an injunction that blocked the sale of BHL. “The company will be joined by several other BHL shareholders who intend to bring a class-action suit against BHL with a view to getting the ’10 Put Option’ clause removed from the BHL/SLU agreement,” President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados operations of ANSA McAL, Nicholas Mouttet, said in a statement. The controversial exit
clause outlined in the 2010 agreement has been a major bone of contention. ANSA and disgruntled shareholders argue that it gives SLU Beverages Limited, which is owned by the Brazilian conglomerate, Ambev, an unfair advantage in the bidding process. The agreement stipulates that if any person or group becomes
the direct or indirect ultimate owner of BHL shares, representing more than 25 per cent of the total voting power in the Barbadian company, then SLU has the ability to require BHL to repurchase, at BDS$10 per share, the 13.25 million common shares that were issued to SLU on conversion of the debt in 2010.
Holness says PM worried about new youth voters
Andrew Holness
Portia Simpson Miller
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Andrew Holness, says that the prime minister is worried about the effect several thousand Jamaican youths who registered as voters in September could have on the outcome of the upcoming general election. Holness told a JLP mass rally in Southfield, St Elizabeth on November 19, that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller recognises that she is in trouble with the number of late registrations to make the November voters’ list, and is having a difficulty naming a date for the general election. “She knows she is trouble, struggling to set a date, consulting with the reader man, but she can’t find out what is her faith,” Holness said. “She’s afraid of the young
people who have come out in their numbers to register for the voters’ list, and she is scratching her head trying to figure what dem going do,” he added. “Tonight I ask you to give us the support, give us the commitment, not just of those who are here, but I want you to remember your neighbour, your daughter and your son, who may feel that they don’t need to participate, or they are not participating because they are making a protest against the system. “I say to you tonight that we don’t have the luxury of that protest. I say to you tonight that we are at a critical stage in our development, where you will, as masters of the destiny of this country, have to make that decision to come out and vote for a better quality of life,” he said. (Jamaica Observer)
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Spurs remain unbeaten at home with win over Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) at the AT&T Center. (Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports) Reuters (The Sports Xchange) - Games between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies are usually more grit than gold and the Spurs’ 92-82 victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday
was the latest in that vein of battles not recommended for the faint of heart. Forward Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points and guard Tony Parker had 18, all in the first half, as the San Antonio
remained unbeaten at home. The Spurs (10-3) led just 86-80 in the final minute but got back-to-back running floaters from forward Tim Duncan and a three-point dagger from Leonard with 16
seconds remaining and the shot clock ticking down to clinch their sixth win of the season at the AT&T Center. The victory snapped Memphis’ season-best fourgame winning streak. “Memphis played well in the fourth quarter to bring the lead back to single digits,” Leonard said. “We just kept fighting on the defensive end and made some good plays down the stretch.” The two teams combined for 35 turnovers, 18 for the Spurs. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich refused to use the excuse that the Spurs are still trying to figure out their new lineup and rotation for its ragged, if winning, effort. “No, that was a sign of a team playing poorly,” Popovich deadpanned. Guard Manu Ginobili, back in the lineup after a twogame absence with a sore hip, added 15 points for San Antonio. Duncan scored 10 points, eight in the fourth quarter, and pulled down 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies (7-7) got 16 points from guard Mike Conley. Memphis reserve guard Courtney Lee scored 15 points and reserve forward Matt Barnes had 10 points. “You have to get what you’re trying to get offensively and right now we
Tony Romo’s triumphant return vs. Dolphins... From page 34 what’s been missing, passing for 227 yards and firing two touchdown passes in a 24-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins that snapped Dallas’ seven-game losing streak. And just like that, the Cowboys are officially back
in the NFL’s playoff race, even with a 3-7 record and the slim margin for error that will exist down the stretch. Remember, they play in the NFC East, which means they are a mere two games out of first place. And two divisional foes, the Philadelphia Eagles and
Carter leads B’dos fight... From page 37 as he approached his 14th first-class fifty while the usually elegant Brooks, who got off the mark with an exquisite back foot punch for four, took 58 balls to reach double figures as the pair kept their team in the game. A fluent extra cover drive by Carter off Permaul reached the boundary like a bullet and even the partisan turn out would have enjoyed it as the frustrating partnership continued to build. After Tea the session was interrupted for nine minutes due to Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble leaving the field to use the washroom. Umpires Nandkumar Shivsankar and Jamaican Christopher Taylor allowed the lengthy delay instead of informing the Jaguars Captain that someone in the team do the Keeping duties until Bramble returned. Carter and Brooks seemed
set to bat out the day but Johnson, in a brilliant piece of Captaincy, opted to bring himself into the attack in the closing stages of the day’s play. The 84-run partnership was broken off Johnson’s third ball when Carter pulled a rank long hop and skied it for Assad Fudadin at short leg to hold the catch. It was the type of shot, with two minutes to go and after doing all the hard work that could have caused Carter nightmares last night and again tonight if the Bajans lose by an innings. But as Bajan commentator Andrew Mason likes to say ‘if you feed your faith your doubt will starve to death.’ But with so much time left the Bajans would have to find the faith of Job (from the holy bible) to believe that they could deny the Guyanese celebrating a long awaited win on South American soil.
Washington Redskins, were blown out Sunday. Yes, sometimes it’s better to be more lucky than good. Romo was both in his comeback performance. He was a bit rusty at times, evidenced by his two interceptions. But Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was spotty, too. Tannehill threw the pass that resulted
in the game’s first touchdown, an interception that Dallas linebacker Rolando McClain ran back 12 yards in the second quarter. The early cushion took some of the pressure off Romo, who then led a 93-yard drive that was jump-started by a Miami penalty that wiped out the sack that would have sealed a three-and-out.
Love leads Cavaliers to... From page 35 Yet they were unhappy with various parts of the game. Blatt did not like some of the shot selection in the first half, thought there were too many defensive breakdowns in the second half and thought a lot of bad passes led to silly turnovers. “It was kind of disjointed in terms of how well we played at some moments and then how helter-skelter and off-keel we played at other moments,” Blatt said. “That’s not what we should be. We know better than that, let’s put it that way.” James had 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists while Tristan Thompson grabbed 16 rebounds and matched a careerhigh with five assists. Thompson started at center in place of Timofey Mozgov, who could miss two weeks with a strained right shoulder. Cleveland was also without backup point guard Mo Williams, who has been starting in place of the injured Kyrie Irving. None of that mattered. They shot 48 percent, passed for 27 assists on 41 baskets and led by as many as 26 without James. James did not score until 5:42 remained in the first half, extending the Cavs’ lead to 46-31 on a night he was happy to facilitate despite the team’s rash of injuries. “Tonight was one of those nights where the guys did a great job of carrying me,” James said. “I tried to do other things, rebound the ball at a high level, get guys the ball. They did a great job of executing offensively.”
are a little scattered,” Grizzlies coach David Joerger said. “We could be better, and not turn the basketball over. If we are going to struggle as much as we have offensively this season, we can’t take too many possessions off defensively. Tonight San Antonio had too many times where they just had a straight line (to the basket) — walk in, shoot, layup.” Center Marc Gasol had just eight points and eight rebounds the night after his first triple-double of the season. “We took tougher shots than we should have, but that’s what San Antonio does to you,” Gasol said. “They are a team that you can’t beat with one action. When we have an advantage on a drive or on a pick-and-roll, we need to make the next pass or the right play for the next guy.” Memphis’ bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 38-28, even with injured forward Zach Randolph out with a knee injury. The Spurs led 24-19 after
the first quarter despite outshooting the Grizzlies 45.5 percent to 35 percent from the field and outscoring Memphis 14-4 in the paint. San Antonio turned things up a notch early in the second quarter as guard Patty Mills hit a 3-pointer and Ginobili followed with a three-pointer, a layup off a steal and a free throw to push the Spurs’ advantage to 33-21 with 10:11 left. Parker punished the Grizzlies with 12 points in the second quarter and 18 points in less than 17 minutes of action in the first half as the Spurs built a 16-point lead on the way to a 53-39 advantage at halftime. But Memphis responded, getting within 61-55 with 6:22 left in the third quarter on a layup by Barnes, a jumper by Gasol and then a Barnes dunk off a Gasol assist. San Antonio ran off 13 of the quarter’s final 17 points, with 10 of those points coming from Leonard (six) and Ginobili (four), staking the Spurs to a 74-61 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
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Monday November 23, 2015
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition
Pedro’s long range missile secures Djokovic ends year on high with victory over Federer full points for West Front Road Hubert Pedro’s long range missile after nine minutes of play proved decisive for West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ in their clash against East Front Road as play in the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition continued at Albouystown Tarmac on Saturday night. Played in front of another large turnout, Pedro collected a pass from the left side and weaved his way past one defender, before unleashing a thunderous strike that settled in the back of the goal. Chavez Hescott solitary goal in the second minute was enough to hand Alexander Village a narrow 1-0 win over Castello Housing Scheme in Group-A Team GP Upsetters 2 West Back Road 2 Laing Avenue 2 South Sophia 2 Group-B Team GP Holmes Street-T/bay 2 Stevedore Housing Scheme2 Albousytown-B 2 Festival Warriors 2 Group-C Team GP Channel-9 Warriors 2 Globe Yard 2 Cross Street 2 Old School Ballers 2 Group-D Team GP West Front Road 2 East Front Road 2 Alexander Village 2 Castello Housing Scheme 2 Group-E Team GP Sparta Boss 2 Back Circle 2 Broad Street 2 Gold Star 2 Group-F Team GP Bent Street 2 Shopping Plaza 2 Festival City Street Fighter 2 South Ruimveldt 2 Group-G Team GP Jamoon Drive 2 North East La Penitence 2 Albouystown-A 2 Queen Street Tigerbay 2 Group-H Team GP North Ruimveldt 2 Leopold Street 2 Island All-Stars 2 Young Ballers 2
the game that followed. The night’s full results and the current points standings are seen below: Game-1 Laing Avenue-1 vs South Sophia-1 South Sophia Scorer Dwayne Lowe-17th Laing Avenue Scorer Roy Cassou-19th Game-2 West Back Road-1 vs Upsetters-2 Upsetters Scorers Orlando Ricketts-14th Joshua Britton-15th West Back Road Scorer Josiah Charles-3rd Game-3 West Front Road-1 vs East Front Road-0 Hubert Pedro-9th
Game-4 Castello Housing Scheme-0 vs Alexander Vilage-1 Chavez Hescott-2nd Game-5 Back Circle-1 vs Broad Street Bullies-1 Broad Street Scorer Rocky Gravesande-13th Back Circle Scorer Jermaine Beckles-15th Game-6 Old School Ballers-0 vs Cross Street-0 Game-7 Albouystown-B-0 vs Stevedore Housing Scheme0 Game-8 Albouystown-A-1 vs Queen Street Tigerbay-0 Osafo Peters-18th
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 1 0 1
D 1 0 2 1
GF 2 2 1 1
GA 1 2 1 2
GD +1 0 0 -1
Pts 4 3 2 1
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 0 0 2
D 1 1 2 0
GF 1 1 0 0
GA 0 0 0 2
GD +1 +1 0 -2
Pts 4 4 2 0
W 1 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 1
D 1 2 2 1
GF 4 0 0 0
GA 0 0 0 4
GD +4 0 0 -4
Pts 4 2 2 1
W 2 1 1 0
L 0 1 1 2
D 0 0 0 0
GF 4 2 1 1
GA 1 1 2 4
GD +3 +1 -1 -3
Pts 6 3 3 0
W 2 1 0 0
L 0 0 1 2
D 0 1 1 0
GF 4 3 1 1
GA 0 2 3 4
GD +4 +1 -2 -3
Pts 6 4 1 0
W 1 1 0 0
L 0 1 0 1
D 1 0 2 1
GF 3 3 2 2
GA 2 3 2 3
GD +1 0 0 -1
Pts 4 3 2 1
W 1 1 1 0
L 0 0 1 2
D 1 1 0 0
GF 2 1 2 0
GA 1 0 2 2
GD +1 +1 0 -2
Pts 4 4 3 0
W 2 2 0 0
L 0 0 2 2
D 0 0 0 0
GF 5 2 0 0
GA 0 0 3 4
GD +5 +2 -3 -4
Pts 6 6 0 0
LONDON (Reuters) Novak Djokovic put the finishing touch to a magnificent season by beating Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 to win the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday for the fifth time in his career. The Serbian underlined his complete dominance of men’s tennis with an immaculate display to become the first player in the yearending tournament’s 46-year history to triumph four times in a row. After Federer brought the tournament to a close in anticlimactic fashion with a double-fault, Djokovic wrote “And now for vacation” on the camera lens in Serbian. How he deserves it. The 28-year-old has stomped through the season to leave his rivals trailing in his wake — securing the year-end world number one ranking weeks before the London finale. He won three of the year’s four grand slams, beating the evergreen Federer in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals to take his career haul to 10, and would have celebrated the rarest of ‘calendar year slams’ had it not been for an inspired Stanislas Wawrinka in the French Open final. Not only that but he won six of the year’s Masters Series crowns and ended the year with an 82-6 win loss record — half of those defeats coming against Federer, including in the group stages earlier in the week at the O2 Arena. Federer, whose record 17 grand slams could come under threat from Djokovic, beat the Serb 7-5 6-2 on Tuesday to end his 23-match winning run and also inflict a
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals against Switzerland’s Roger Federer. (Reuters / Suzanne PlunkettLivepic) first indoor loss on Djokovic for three years. With the stakes raised though the 34-year-old made far too many errors on Sunday and Djokovic won with something to spare. Federer’s chances were few and far between. He had the first break point in the second game but fluffed a forehand into the net. In the next game a nearidentical forehand found the net to give Djokovic the break and from there he never looked back. The clinical Djokovic teased Federer into a volley error on set point in the ninth game to move ahead. Federer, bidding for a
record-extending seventh title at the year-ender, was staring at the abyss when he trailed 3-4 0-40 in the second set but escaped with five straight points. Djokovic was unrelenting though and wore the 34-yearold Federer down with one brutal rally two games later, clinching victory on his second match point when Federer’s second serve sailed long. Djokovic has now levelled his head-to-head record with Federer for the first time in his career, at 2222. The previous day he also caught up with Rafael Nadal, beating the Spaniard to even their series at 23-23.
Tony Romo’s triumphant return vs. Dolphins keeps Cowboys’ hopes alive
Cowboys QB Tony Romo is 3-0 in 2015. (Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)
USA TODAY Sports MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tony Romo received quite the welcome from Mother Nature when he took the field Sunday for his first game back after missing nearly two months with a broken collarbone. The skies opened up for a downpour. What a fitting reminder that the Dallas Cowboys’ season has been under water without the star quarterback. By the end of the day at Sun Life Stadium, though, the sun was out — especially on the Cowboys’ hopes for salvaging their season. Romo demonstrated Continued on page 33
Monday November 23, 2015
Kaieteur News
France, Brazil to share intelligence ahead of Rio Games in 2016
A man walks in front of the Olympic Stadium, undergoing renovation to stage athletic competitions during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 9, 2015. (Reuters/Sergio Moraes) BRASILIA (Reuters) France will share counterterrorism intelligence with Brazil ahead of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the foreign ministers of both countries said in a press conference in Brasilia on Sunday. France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, in Brazil to discuss the upcoming U.N. climate summit in Paris later this month, said French intelligence officials could provide Brazil with information about potential threats. “Minister Fabius offered a possible exchange of
information and experiences, which for the Brazilian government is very welcome,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said. Diplomats in Brasilia last week told Reuters that western governments were worried about the safety of their athletes and tourists at the Rio 2016 Games because they believe many Brazilian authorities are complacent, taking too much comfort in the country’s historical standing as a non-aligned, multicultural nation which is free of enemies. Fabius said this month’s killings in Paris could have
happened anywhere in the world, which means any strategy to fight terrorism needs to be international. France remains on a state of emergency following the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. The series of shootings and explosions came as the country prepared for the U.N. Climate Change Conference, also dubbed COP21, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. More than 100 world leaders will discuss plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent global temperatures rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-
industrial levels. None of those heads of state or government has cancelled their presence in the summit, a French source said. Fabius, wrapping up a world tour that included South Africa and India earlier this week, said Brazil is an essential player in the global climate talks. Brazil pledged to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030, although that will include reductions from past efforts against deforestation. “The targets put forward by Brazil are ambitious and exemplary.”
Love leads Cavaliers to win over Hawks Reuters (The Sports Xchange) - When Jared Cunningham threw a bad pass out of bounds, LeBron James had seen enough. He abruptly signaled for a sub, then stormed off the court and sat down on the bench on Saturday while play continued around him. The Cavaliers did not have enough time to get a sub into the game and were whistled for a technical — all while they were ahead by 26 points in the third quarter. Kevin Love scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while James finished two assists shy of a triple-double in Cleveland’s 109-97 victory against the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference finals rematch from last season. Yet James and coach David Blatt still found plenty to be upset about despite a win that was not as close as the final score indicated. “He was frustrated, knew we weren’t playing right and thought we were playing hockey. Hockey sub,” Blatt joked of James’ tantrum. “I understand his frustration but obviously you shouldn’t do that.” James said he apologized to his team mates afterward. “I blew a gasket,” he said. Hawks guard Jeff Teague came off the bench to score
Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports) 13 points, Kyle Korver scored 14 and forward Paul Millsap had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who played most of the night without their coach. Mike Budenholzer was ejected with 6:27 left in the second quarter and the Hawks trailing by 12. Budenholzer stepped out to the three-point line on the court and appeared to bump referee Ben Taylor, prompting the ejection.
Budenholzer looked bewildered by the ejection and did not have many answers afterward, either. “He threw me out and that’s his prerogative,” Budenholzer said. “If there was contact, it was 100 percent unintentional.” Kenny Atkinson took over coaching the Hawks, who have lost four of their last five. “Coach said we had no intensity on the defensive
end and no patience on the offensive end,” ‘HELTER-SKELTER’ Hawks guard Dennis Schroder said. “We’ve got to do better.” The Cavs are a conference-best 10-3, remain unbeaten at home and had little trouble with one of the best teams in the league despite playing without three starters and four of their top eight players overall. Continued on page 33
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Wins for Suriname, T&T in Tradewind Tankers Volleyball tourney Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago recorded victories when the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers international club volleyball tournament continued on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. In the female category, Yelyco of Suriname overcame Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in three straight sets 25-5, 25-8, 25-17 in their opening encounter on Friday before trouncing the said opponents 25-11, 25- 16, 25-5 on Saturday. In the male segment Yelyco got the better of Demerara Volleyball Association 26-24, 26-24, 16-25, 29-27, while Trinidad and Tobago beat Berbice Volleyball Association 25-17, 18-25, 25-21. Demerara VA thumped Berbice VA 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 2522 in their match up, while Yelyco got pass Trinidad and Tobago 25-23, 25-16, 22-25, 29-27.
‘Nationals’ nicely balanced ahead of today’s start Guyana’s most anticipated and biggest junior sports event is set to start today with three different events at three different locations. Swimming will start at 10:00hrs at the National Aquatic Centre, while the 10k road run will start from 06:00hrs from the Earth Station, head to the University of Guyana Road before finishing in front of the Children’s Monument in the National Park. The 40k cycle race will also pedal off today from 10:00hrs in front of Ocean View before turning at Strathspey on the East Coast of Demerara for the finish in front Ocean View Hotel. While an electric buzz is in the air ahead of the event, today will mark the 55th edition of historic championships along with Guyana’s oldest rivalry in North Georgetown (District 11) versus Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani (District 10); the two most successful teams in the history of the championships, District 11 with 14 championships and District 10 with 13. Nevertheless, while both squads are ready for their date with history, they are other strong contenders that can
sway the outcome of the championships. East Coast of Demerara (District 4) can also be considered a strong contender in the championships since they are always in the mix, while sporting a history of seven titles. New Amsterdam (District 15) also could be top contenders with their rich history of talented athletes and while they don’t have a championship to their names, the District always finds away into the upper brass of the competition. Another team that seems to have a realistic shot at the championship is South Georgetown (District 13) but whether their athletes can perform on the day is the big question with a district that has always had great talent but never seems to make an impact on the event. East Georgetown (District 12) seems to be the dark horse in the event due to their talented team in the athletics division whether they can impact the cycling, swimming and teachers championships is left to be seen. With all logistics in place for a great event this year, no clear winner can be pegged to take the title from the onset.
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Kaieteur News
Alvarez beats Cotto to win WBC middleweight title
Canelo Alvarez celebrates after defeating Miguel Cotto in their WBC middleweight title fight at Mandalay Bay Events Center. (Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez beat Miguel Cotto on a unanimous points decision to win the WBC world middleweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday. Alvarez, the pre-fight favourite, lived up to his billing with a powerful display at the Mandalay Bay Events Center as the 25-year-old improved his career record to 46-1-1 (32 KOs). His only loss was to Floyd Mayweather in 2013. All three judges agreed Alvarez had won the contest comfortably, awarding him between nine and 11 of the 12 rounds. “We knew going into this fight that it would be a difficult journey, but I feel that I was the faster and stronger fighter tonight,” Alvarez said. “I wasn’t hurt by his punches. I was fully prepared
for what Cotto was going to do in the ring, whether that was take a defence stance or be the aggressor.” No sooner was the fight over than talk turned to a possible clash with Kazak world champion Gennady Golovkin, the unbeaten WBA, IBF and interim WBC champion, nicknamed GGG. “I have respect for him, but if we do fight it’s going to be at my weight class,” Alvarez said. “I’m the champion, I don’t have to do what he wants.” After a relatively even contest early, Alvarez established his dominance over Cotto with a devastating series of blows in the eighth round. Cotto, who lost for just the fifth time in 45 career fights, was stripped of the WBC
world title earlier in the week after refusing to pay the reported $300,000 sanctioning fee the organisation demanded. Had the Puerto Rican won on Saturday, the title would have remained vacant. “I am not disappointed by the WBC’s decision,” Cotto said before Saturday’s fight. “It was all about money. The fee for this fight was absurd to me. And I prefer to keep the money in my account. “The organisation wants four champions in every division just to earn a percentage from everybody. And then we have to pay for their mistakes. “I don’t need their belt. I have enough belts in my house. And with the money I saved, I can buy any belt I want.”
Bulgaria weightlifters get Rio ban over widespread doping BERLIN (Reuters) Bulgaria’s weightlifters will be absent from next year’s Olympics after the sport’s governing body banned the country’s athletes following a high number of doping cases, it said on Friday. “Due to the special anti-doping policy for Rio 2016, the EB (Executive Board) confirmed that Bulgaria is not eligible to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games,” the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) said. In March, eight male lifters, including three European champions, and three female athletes, tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol at a training camp for the European championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Former European champion Demir Demirev, 2014 European champions Ivan Markov and Ivaylo Filev and female weightlifter Milka Maneva have also been banned for similar offences. Bulgarian weightlifting has suffered repeated embarrassment due to doping cases and the national body was temporarily stripped of its license in 2009. A year earlier, Bulgarian weightlifters first missed the biggest event on their sporting
calendar after the Balkan nation withdrew its team prior to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when 11 members failed doping tests. Bulgaria’s reputation was also tarnished at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where the team were stripped of three gold medals and sent home in shame following positive drugs tests. The IWF also decided to withdraw one of Romania’s quota of lifters for the Games due to multiple positive tests for the country’s athletes during the qualification period, it said. The bans come amid a high-profile doping scandal involving Russian track and field athletes with the country’s federation suspended along with its anti-doping agency and drugs-testing lab. The sanctions are part of a crackdown on drugs cheats in Russia following a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) special commission which exposed widespread statesponsored doping. The report detailed cover-ups, bribes to conceal positive tests, destruction of samples and evidence of state security services colluding with the athletics federation to facilitate cheating.
Monday November 23, 2015
Second Annual Guyana Cup Rematch set for Sunday December 20 at Port Mourant After being successfully staged last year the organizer of the Guyana Cup Rematch horserace meet will be hosting the activity again this year. The event which is set for Sunday 20th December at the Port Mourant Turf Club is organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables which is one of Guyana’s leading horseracing Establishments and Auto dealership in collaboration with the Port Mourant Turf Club. Suitably named Guyana Cup rematch the event is expected to see the top horses that featured in the last Guyana Cup horserace meet earlier during the year. Eight top of the line races are carded for the day with a number of feature events on the programme. There are events for A class horses, one for horses classified E1, 4year-old West Indies, 2-yearold American bred animals, another for three-year-old horses and two events for two year old horses. There are also top class races for horses classified E and lower, G and H1 are also big draw cards along with the J1 and lower race.
Over $10M up for grabs The full list of events are The feature event is for animals classified A1 and lower which has a whopping $1.2M available for the winner from a sumptuous $3M prize package and trophy over 1800M. The event for E1 and 4 year old West Indies and 2year old American bred horses over 1200M with a first prize of $800,000 and trophy. In the Co-feature 1600M event for 3 years old horses, bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies, the organizers have put up $600,000 and trophy for the winner. The Two year old event for West Indies Bred horses has its first prize tagged at $400,000 and trophy over 1500M. The G1 and lower 1200M race fetches the winner $500,000 and trophy. The two year old event for Guyana bred horses has a $300,000 price tag and trophy over 1000M. The H1 and lower 1200M race has a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy. The animal in the J3 and
lower 1200M contest will compete for the winning pocket of $250,000 and trophy. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organizers. Entries are expected to be closed on Saturday 12th December. The organisers have also have put together some interesting incentives for lucky patrons and participants that will be unveiled later. The event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Interested persons can contact Chandu Ramkissoon (624-9063 or 232-0633), Kris Jagdeo (624-6123; 322-0369), Rajendra (Jim –Jo) 618-7278, Ramnauth 337-5311, Romel Jagroop (624-1798) and Sancho 690-0569. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed Jnr. (Samuel Whyte)
Mohammad Amir: Mohammad Hafeez will not play with bowler BBC Sport – Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez has said he will not play in the same team as disgraced ex-teammate Mohammad Amir. Fast bowler Amir, 23, was jailed for his part in a spot-fixing scam during the 2010 Test series in England and banned from cricket for five years. He returned in September and is playing for Chittagong Vikings in Bangladesh. Hafeez refused to play with Amir in the Twenty20 competition, saying: “I can’t share the dressing room with someone who hurt my country’s integrity.” The all-rounder, 35, said he had no “personal issues” with the bowler, who would be eligible for selection for Pakistan’s squad to tour England next summer. He added: “If any other team makes me an offer then I will play the league and I have no problems facing Amir as I have played against him in the domestic matches, but I can’t be in the same team.” Asked what his stance would be if Amir was recalled by Pakistan, Hafeez said: “We will look at it when it happens. It’s premature to say anything now.” Amir, then 18, pleaded guilty to bowling no-balls at
Mohammad Amir Getty Images) pre-arranged times during Pakistan’s fourth Test against England at Lord’s in 2010. He served half of a six-month jail term, while team-mates Mohammad Asif and captain Salman Butt served six and seven months respectively. Hafeez said: “They were just banned and went away from the fields. It was us who had to bear the brunt. “We had to restore Pakistan team’s integrity, restore the confidence of the world. “We had to suffer the taunts of the fans and after
2010 every act, every defeat and every mistake of ours was seen as suspicious, so we overcame that tough time and will not allow it to happen again.” Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he supported Amir’s inclusion in the Bangladesh league. “He has been playing domestic cricket in Pakistan so it’s a tournament where he can share the experience of some of the international players and see where he is at the moment,” said Misbah. Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott said Amir, Asif and Butt should be “given a second chance”. Speaking to pakpassion.net, the 75-yearold said: “Give them a proper chance, get fit, play well and if they are still good enough then give them a chance in the Pakistan team. “Nobody should hold anything against, or favour, any of the three in any way.” Amir claimed 4-30 for Vikings in Dhaka on Sunday in his first match outside Pakistan in five years. The Pakistan Cricket Board told Butt and Asif they must complete a “rehabilitation process” before they will be considered for selection.