Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IS ASTONISHING
DEAR EDITOR, Of recent I wanted to treat myself to a morning breakfast at a popular eating house in the city. To indulge in this, I had to join a line with just four or five persons. The man in front of me ordered his breakfast and I ordered mine at the same time, there were two attendants. The first attendant when taking the order of my neighbour, proceeded to place his breakfast in a box; immediately this customer told her ‘I am using it here’. There was an immediate breakdown in communication and relation between the customer and the attendant. The attendant froze in an instant, as if something terrible had happened, so for a moment she practically refused to accommodate the customer with a plate; but began to argue with the customer. I thought at that moment it was none of my business, but I could not constrain myself, so I butted in on the side of the customer and the organisation hoping to strike a balance. At this point I was about to have my breakfast when the second attendant asked the question, “Use or take away?” I said use! I then strongly suggested to the attendant to satisfy the need of her customer as she did not ask whether it was a take away meal or use on site. I went on to remind her that the company she represents is customer-oriented and customer satisfaction was its core value. At least that is what I thought. On the contrary that was not the case. As I soon found out. The gentleman next in line saw what was playing
out and advised me that, that is the way the attendants behave and no amount of talking could change her attitude because he eats there often. Now, I got the shock of my life, when I saw the manager and took the opportunity to highlight the issue with him, hoping he will be discreet and do something to bring some balance in the issue. His response was distasteful and despicable, but it soon dawned on me that some people will continue to think and behave disdainfully and go against their mission statement. The other at 07.23hrs, driving in the rain, on the East Bank Demerara Public road at the junction of Eccles and Bagotstown towards the city; there ahead of me is a young mother without an umbrella carrying two children one in her arms, the other walking and trying to cross the road from the eastern carriageway with moving cars. None of the drivers thought of stopping for a moment to allow her and her children to cross. I counted no less than five cars. I stopped.
It grieved me that we have become a people that will justify ourselves in our own ways without thinking of the simplest of needs or consideration for others. I heard of a family that produced five boys; four of the boys came up to be academics’ in their own ways, the last son was a failure. The father of the young man always found him in a nearby mechanic shop where he spent his time when he should be in class. One day the father in frustration took him out of school and marched him straight to the dirty greasy, oily, messy mechanic shop and told the old mechanic please let him stay and learn whatever he can right there. Years went by and the four brothers were now married and migrated; the father was now old and could not work. He lived in a rented apartment all his life. On day his mechanic son told him, Daddy I am buying a house for you, so you will not pay rent. The rest of the story is history. Apostle Vanrick Beresford Senior Pastor/author
A CORRECTION IS NEEDED
DEAR SIR, I am respectfully requesting a retraction / correction of part of your article printed in your papers on November 19, 2013 - captioned ‘Distraught brother calls on police to investigate death of burnt sibling’. In the final paragraph of your article, the words ‘the police are dragging their feet’ should actually read ‘the Mahdia police ranks are dragging their feet. This is very important as other police ranks outside of Mahdia have been very helpful to me in this matter. A correction in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Andre Britton
GT&T IS NOT WHAT IT PROMISES TO BE
DEAR EDITOR, If GT&T is not interested in maintaining its services to customers in Mabaruma, then please pack your traps and leave. For the longest time now, we have had to be paying bills for services that are not provided. The landline phones are now museum pieces but the bills keep coming and like the dutiful customers, we pay. Our calls to the GTT representative at Mabaruma go unheeded. We keep asking about our service and we get no answers. The GT&T Technician is more into his personal trucking business than responding to our many queries about our landlines which have been out of order for a considerable length of time (months into years).
He is a lucky GTT employee – it seems the job to manage the Exchange at Mabaruma was bequeathed to him by his late father and the Corporation complied with the last Will and Testament. He does his own thing and is so unapproachable that one wonders if he even knows that GT&T promises to get ‘better all the time’. Checking with the Head Office in Georgetown is of no use either. We still want to use our landlines and so we ask GT&T to look into this matter urgently! We do not think that the intention of spending millions to put up the exchange is for it to become a ‘blue’ elephant. Give us a technician who delivers a service we know GTT can offer. GT&T customers of Mabaruma
A LAWYER OF DISREPUTE DEAR EDITOR, There is currently a dispute between family members over property, of course. One party is represented by a senior counsel who had been involved at a high level in the political arena. The other party is represented by a counsel who is very active in politics and holds a senior post in one of the political parties. One of the parties thought it a good idea to know about how much money the other side has. That person tried but could not find out, so his lawyer, the political one, wrote to the bank of the other side and told the bank that that person is his client. The bank must have believed him and issued a bank statement for the person. The person found out and went to the bank and raised hell. The Bank
apologized and then wrote a letter to the lawyer recalling the bank statement it had issued. As a matter of fact the information supplied in the statement was wrong because the person who issued the letter was not a person authorised by the Bank to do so. Many persons are aware of the scam performed by this lawyer but nothing seems to be done about it. It will be interesting to know what the Attorney General; Mr. McKay, Mr. Andrew Pollard, Mr Chriswtopher Ram and Mr Anand Goolsarran think about this. The Bar Association should make a statement and demand the suspension of the lawyer and get him off the job as a lawyer. Harry Doobay Lusignan
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
‘Recall and revoke Telcor’s licence’ - APNU ...Bibi Shadick says company increased Directors
APNU’s Joseph Harmon
GNBA’s Chairperson, Bibi Shadick
“As long as the facts are correct, then the licence issued to Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc, must be immediately recalled and revoked.” This is the opinion of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Executive Member, Joseph Harmon, who insists that the law must be applied fairly and to all and sundry. He was at the time responding to the fact that despite a pronouncement by Chairperson of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) Bibi Shadick, that for a company to qualify for the issuance of a radio licence, it must at least, be more than 50 per cent owned by a Guyanese. Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc, is owned 100 per cent by a US citizen, Ruth Baljit, who happens to be the sister of Government
Minister, Robert Persaud. The company also has as a Director, Minister Persaud’s wife, Kamini Persaud, the niece of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. It was Jagdeo who approved Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc for the issuance of a radio licence. That company was issued five frequencies but Ms Shadick reported on October 1 that the company had only taken up three. Shadick in November last year, called in all operators and told them that they would have to re-apply for licences, be they for radio or TV. She informed the operators that they would have to ensure that their companies are incorporated, thus making them shareholding companies with a minimum of two directors.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop
Minister Robert Persaud
Robert Persaud’s sister Ruth Baljit
This posed a problem for at least one operator who had applied and had as a partner, a Guyanese who was a US citizen, and was listed as the 50 per cent owner of the company. According to Michael Bess, owner of Atlantic Cable Network (ACN), he had in the past worked w i t h a Guyanese associate, who later migrated to the US and subsequently gained US citizenship. Bess said that he had set up a company and named his associate, who by this time re-migrated to Guyana, as 50 per cent owner of that company. He said that Shadick objected, and on those grounds the company was refused a licence. Shadick did not comment on this issue. The same, however, did not seem to apply to Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc which is owned 100 per cent by an American citizen.
According to Harmon, it is precisely incidents such as these that have prompted APNU to move to amend the Broadcast Act. Shadick, however, yesterday claimed that there has since been a change in the number of directors of the company; that there are now five directors on the company, four of whom are resident Guyanese. This, she said, means that 80 per cent of the directors who would have voting rights for the company would be resident Guyanese. She also said that regardless of the fact that Ms Baljit might have been an American citizen, she was a Guyanese and “never stopped being one”. The change in the number of directors that Shadick spoke of was not evident when Kaieteur News examined the information in the file for Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc. Ms Shadick
had said that she had called on all the companies to put themselves in order. That call prompted Telcor to incorporate five directors, one of whom is Randy Depoo, who eventually uplifted the licence. Harmon said that the administration has been operating in an arbitrary manner and this has to change. He said that APNU will be looking to change the manner with which licences are handed out, as well as how the board is constituted. No one should get preferential treatment, according to Harmon, as he stressed that the law must be applied equally to all. Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc was incorporated by Attorney-atLaw, Jaya Manickchand, in 2009. The company was incorporated with 500,000 shares and each annual return filed lists Baljit, a US citizen, as the sole shareholder. This means that the company Telcor and Cultural Broadcasting Inc. is on paper, owned exclusively by a US Citizen. Kaieteur News understands, too, that the company was struck off the Registrar’s Companies List for failing to file annual returns. It was restored to the Companies List in October, days before Jagdeo would
have approved it for five radio frequencies. Dharamchand Depoo, the Company Secretary uplifted the licence for Baljit who lives in the United States. Several independent media entities including Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, CNS 6, WRHM 7, RBS 13, Capitol News, HBTV 9 and GWTV 2 were all bypassed for frequencies despite their applications being made as long as a decade before Jagdeo said that he liberalized radio. Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, his close friend and his party’s newspaper, the Mirror, were each awarded five frequencies. Jagdeo approved frequencies to a number of others, but only allowed them one frequency each, limiting them in their coverage. On October 1, last, Shadick announced the award of licences to six entities. She said that STVS, the4 Learning Channel. MTV (Ch 69) RBS 13, NCN and TTV Bartica refused to be regularized and remained illegal. They had until October 31 to be regularized. There was no application from Stabroek News, Capitol News, and Mark Benschop. She also said that there are 29 applications for radio, television and cable. These will be considered by year end.
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Guyanese beheads Bicycle bandit nabbed, beaten by Sophia residents countryman in Venezuela The suspect hiding his face yesterday at the hospital.
A bicycle bandit yesterday received a “good thrashing” from residents of ‘C’ Field Sophia after he grabbed a woman’s laptop and attempted to escape. Up to press time, he was at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) receiving treatment for the wounds
he sustained from the “thrashing.” According to reports, a young woman was walking on Dennis Street, Sophia when the man and an accomplice, on bicycle, stopped in front of the woman and demanded her laptop which she had in her hand.
The men also collected her cellular phone and attempted to escape, but persons who witnessed what had transpired followed them and eventually caught one of the assailants. His accomplice managed to escape. The robber was beaten and then handed over to the police. At the hospital, the man identified himself as Mark Williams to this newspaper. “Is dem people in Sophia beat me,” he said while hiding his face. When asked what he did to be beaten, he said, “I did a minor offence.” He however denied stealing a laptop from the woman.
Two years after completing a 20-year sentence for killing another man, Mabaruma resident Ivelaw Baird called Junior could soon find himself back in the Camp Street Prison after he turned himself in to local police, a day after allegedly beheading one of his countrymen in Venezuela. Reports reaching this newspaper stated that Baird killed Gordon McLennon of Sugar Hill, North West District, following a misunderstanding at a place called Polvo de Oro (Powder Gold) in the Spanish-speaking neighbouring country. Polvo de Oro is a gold-rich area located in Venezuela near the Guyana border where a number of Guyanese flock to make a living. Details are sketchy, but the incident reportedly occurred on Sunday. McLennon’s body has since been brought back to Guyana. A source in the Mabaruma area told Kaieteur News that the former prisoner related to a relative that McLennon had threatened to kill him. “He claimed that de man threaten fuh shoot he, so he kill he first. In dat area is
the fastest gun does survive,” the source said. He added that he is not surprised by Baird’s claims, since McLennon has been known to have a history of threatening persons. Baird was convicted several years ago for the murder of a woman in the North West District. That incident saw Baird attacking the woman with the intention of raping her at gunpoint. At the time the woman was walking with her brother, who valiantly tried to protect his sister. Baird shot them both, but the woman succumbed to her injury. Baird was also fingered in the murder of a Brazilian woman after a pair of slippers reportedly belonging to him was found in the camp where the woman was killed. The source at Mabaruma said that several murders involving Guyanese occur at the mining location, but they go unreported since it is not in Guyana’s jurisdiction. Almost two months ago, Guyanese Orlando Fitzpatrick and his son Jesse were shot dead by Venezuelan soldiers under controversial circumstances.
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Kaieteur News
CARICOM threatens Dominican Republic with trade sanctions The region has ceased considering the Dominican Republic’s application for membership in light of a controversial court ruling of that country which retroactively strips tens of thousands of Dominicans, mostly of Haitian descent, of citizenship rendering them stateless and with no recourse to appeal. During a special meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in
- suspends membership application Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, yesterday, a harsh statement threatened possible trade sanctions against the country. The Dominican Republic is an island of the Greater Antilles that is also shared by Haiti. Both by area and population, the Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation with 48,445 square kilometres, and an estimated 10 million
persons. Several weeks ago, the country’s Constitutional Court ruled that the children of undocumented migrants who have been in the Dominican Republic, and registered as Dominicanos as far back as 1929, cannot have Dominicanos nationality as their parents are considered to be “in transit.” CARICOM had joined (Continued on page 12)
Male sex worker faces court for allegedly robbing ‘dissatisfied’ cop Akeem ‘Angel’ Nichols yesterday appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to a robbery charge pressed against him by a Police Sergeant. The 19-year-old male sex worker refuted the allegation which claimed that on November 23, at Carmichael Street, he was armed with an ‘ice picker’ and robbed Sergeant Naresh Changa of $2,500. Police Prosecutor Lance Corporal Renetta Bentham relayed to the court that on that date, at about 23:20hrs, Changa was walking along Quamina between Carmichael and Main Streets when he was confronted by ‘Angel’ and two other males who were armed with ‘ice pickers.’ She stated that they threatened to stab Sergeant Changa and then relieved him of his cash. The court heard that the matter was then reported to the Brickdam Police Station and a patrol was sent for the sex worker. ‘Angel’ was subsequently arrested and charged.
However, Attorney at Law Paul Fung-aFat who represented the accused stated that his client was approached by an intoxicated Changa who tendered $2,500 in exchange for a sexual encounter with ‘Angel.’ The lawyer, who made an application for bail, told the court that Sergeant Changa did not “enjoy himself” and as a result informed the defendant that he would ensure he is charged for robbery. Fung-a-Fat told the court that his client’s service fees are usually a nonrefundable $8000. Prosecutor Bentham objected to bail on account of the serious nature and prevalence of the offence, the fact that a weapon was used in the commission of the crime, as well as the penalty attached to such an offence. Bentham opined that if granted bail, ‘Angel’ may not return to court to face the charge. Nevertheless, bail was granted to the tune of $100,000. Nichols is expected to make his next court appearance for statements on December 5.
Wednesday November 27, 2013
COPS SHOOT ROBBERY SUSPECT - was charged in Fort Island heist Lloyd Johnson, one of the accused in a 2005 robbery spree at Fort Island, was shot last evening at around 20:30 hrs during a confrontation with police at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. Johnson, called ‘Belly’ is employed as a taxi driver. Kaieteur News understands that he was going to his brother ’s residence at Liliendaal, when he was shot at least four times. While details of the story remain sketchy, Clive Greaves, a relative of the injured man, told this newspaper that Johnson sustained injuries to his arms and abdomen. “He just come home from wuk. I went on de verandah. He walk up de road and next
thing I hear like four shots and see a set a people come out pon de road. Dem seh that is me brother-in-law get shoot…” Johnson was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. However, Kaieteur News also received reports that Johnson was wounded during a robbery attempt and that he had shot at police ranks. This publication was also told that the injured man’s brother was also taken into police custody following the shooting. Johnson was charged in connection with a $17.2 M payroll heist from GuySuCo. He was also charged, along with three others, for the
Lloyd Johnson December 2005 Fort Island, Essequibo River armed robberies when over $10 million of booty was carted off.
Beepats’ employee on remand for embezzlement, falsification Nine indictable charges were yesterday read to 26year-old Jason De Florimonte following claims made by his ex-employer which alleged that he embezzled over $1.4M and falsified documents. It is alleged that while under the employ of Beepats Hardware and Haberdashery Store, De Florimonte between the period of October 1 to 31, allegedly embezzled the total sum of $1,404,621.80. The seven counts of Embezzlement by Clerk/ Servant charges read to him, alleged that the sum was taken into his possession for/in the name of/on the account of the said company, his former employee. The two counts of Falsification of Accounts by Office, particularly contend that between August 1 and October 31, De Florimonte, who was a clerk/servant of the store, with intent to defraud, made or concurred in the making of two false invoices on behalf of the company. One invoice purported to
show that during the month of August, Treasure Parks had ordered a quantity of goods valued at $25,940 whereas the payable sum was $25,940. The second invoice, however, was made in the sum of $52,046 whereas the payable sum was $370,000. Representing the accused was Defence Attorney James Bond who told the court that his client resides at 131 Pike Street, Kitty, with his reputed wife and two minor children. Bond conveyed that during October, whilst on duty, robbers relieved the defendant of $1.2M and in the process he received injuries. Bond explained that clerks like his client are not given weapons, but they transport haversacks which contain money of their employers everywhere. The lawyer told the court that his client reported the robbery, but his employer believed he had set up the robbery and the police detained him for over 72 hours. He said that his client has
an invoice receipt book which has the amount paid and the amount owed, and shows that some of the sum owed is still collectable. Bond made an application for bail and stated that his client is not a flight risk since he has been reporting to the police and further told the court that he was arrested on one of his report days and charged with these offences. However, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Vishnu Hunt objected to bail on account of the amount of money which is “in excess of $1.4M.” He said that the matter is still indictable and if granted bail he may not return to court. The Prosecution said that the accused indeed reported an alleged robbery, but investigations have revealed that to be untrue. He also told the court that advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutor’s Chambers. Magistrate Latchman thereafter refused the clerk bail and the matter will be called again on December 4 for report and fixtures.
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Time to consider ending the relationship with USAID This week’s decision of the government to withdraw from a governance project with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is not at all surprising, considering the allegations that have surrounded USAID within Latin America. Indeed it is surprising that it took so long for the government of Guyana to recognize the overt and covert political meddling that USAID does in this part of the world. Guyana should have been very circumspect about the activities of USAID, given the fact that earlier this year Bolivia expelled USAID from its country, accusing the organization of seeking to destabilize the government. Wikileaks has also published cables that have implicated USAID in schemes to undermine governments in Latin America. For example, cables just released suggest that USAID was working hand in glove with the American embassy to undermine the Hugo Chavez administration. And another Wikileaks release has exposed USAID’s funding for a group which is viciously opposed to the Cuban government. These recent releases come against the background
of previous concerns about the operations of USAID. These concerns were so serious that the regional integration movement, the Political Council of the Bolivarian Alliance for Latin America (ALBA), was forced last year to issue a resolution condemning what it described as open interference in the internal politics of the country under the guise of economic and humanitarian assistance. ALBA pointed an accusatory finger at USAID for financing nongovernmental organizations and projects which are aimed at destabilizing governments. It called on its members to expel USAID representatives from their countries. Guyana did not heed this advice and instead went ahead with a governance project with USAID. It should have been forewarned that the lexicon of “democracybuilding” and support for “good governance” are often used by western organizations to interfere in a country’s internal affairs, in pursuit of the political interests of foreign governments. Guyana’s decision to pullout of a USAIDsponsored governance project is not seemingly linked to government’s concerns
about the political character of USAID’s projects. The government of Guyana has fallen short of accusing USAID of meddling. Instead, it seems that the government felt insulted that USAID was designing a project without any satisfactory input from the government itself. But the government of Guyana should have expected such a development and should have insisted on developing its own concept paper for the governance structure, and asking USAID to decide whether it would finance a project intended to give effect to the recommendations in that concept paper. Unfortunately, because of the absence of proper planning, what happens is that foreign organizations prepare their own concept papers which are then used to develop the project. These concept papers or studies are usually supposed to reflect the concerns and interests of the host governments, but those familiar with how organizations such as USAID work will know that they usually try to get their way. A few years ago, the same disrespect and contempt was shown for Guyana when the British were developing a project for the security sector.
Dem boys seh
DE RADIO LICENCE GOT CONFUSION
Radio, television, and cable deh in Guyana fuh knock dog. Jagdeo give way a whole set, but only to he friends, because he know that de thing to do is to mek sure that once he open he mouth de whole country gun hear. He give couple people one, one station, but that is fuh help certain people spread joy fuh de few who living fuh party. Is pure music. And Jagdeo know, because he was de one who select dem. And he know wha he was doing when he ask de lawyer woman to set up a commission fuh give out licence. Hen See Hen did not qualify fuh a licence, but nobody didn’t care ‘bout that. De whole country know that nobody can shut down Hen See Hen. Nobody coulda shut down Rob de Earth station. Jagdeo give he five, but Rob de Earth tell de lawyer lady that he gun only use up three. But although he did only want to keep three, he refuse to give back de two. Dem boys seh that he planning fuh sell dem. But de radio story is more than people believe and is now people understand de lie
dem tell. When dem boys ask Bharrat why he had to give five frequency, he reply that de five was to help dem expand dem signal. Some was fuh broadcast as repeater station. Lo and behold Bharrat best friend, Barbie, set up all of dem to broadcast in Georgetown and dem got de place hot. And de man selling ads pun all. Wha dem boys seh is that de more station you got is de more advertisement you can get. But dem got some who frighten fuh talk. One of dem tell dem boys that if he open he mouth dem gun tek back dem licence. Another one claim that he didn’t pay duty suh if he only seh anything
bout de radio, is tax in he tail. One thing is certain, though, all who keeping quiet gun live to regret. Even Donald gun regret wha’ happen wid de radio and is not dem boys seh suh. Talk half and keep a close eye pun de radio scene.
The government baulked at the proposal, and in the end, abandoned the initiative. There seems little for Guyana to gain from USAID. If an analysis is done of USAID’s projects in Guyana, it would reveal interesting details as to where the bulk of the financing went. USAID feathers the nests of its consultants, and it is American firms who benefit from the procurement of goods and services. It is time that Guyana takes a serious look at organizations such as USAID. It is also about time that we refuse to accept
assistance from foreign bodies for the improvement of governance structures in Guyana. These organizations have their own agenda and seek to impose these on the Guyanese people. Guyana needs to move away from the mendicancy and high dependency on foreign grant assistance. It needs to finance the reform of its own structures, because in the end, this will be cheaper and more effective. The present impasse that has been reached will require diplomatic intervention to resolve. But in resolving this problem, foreign
organizations need to be reminded that Guyana has a sovereign government, and that these organizations cannot design projects that do not meet the approval of the government. Guyana has a right, as other countries in Latin America have done, in deciding that it will not allow such behaviour. It is time to consider ending Guyana’s engagement with USAID.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Time for an Israeli Embassy in Guyana The presentation of the credentials of the Israeli Ambassador to CARICOM on November 5 went uncommented. But the event should provide us with an opportunity to discuss the question of an Israeli embassy in this country. I would like to think that other CARICOM nations should pursue such a possibility. A number of years ago, I made an identical suggestion during the Jagdeo presidency. I am renewing that call now. If Mr. Ramotar is not going to pursue historic changes to
Guyana’s social and political landscape then he can still leave a legacy by emulating the foreign policy boldness of former President, Forbes Burnham. In the heat of the Cold War, Burnham suggested a CARICOM initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1974. Times have changed profoundly since 1974. Israel in 2013 is not what Cuba was in 1974. Guyana, too, has changed profoundly since 1974. Israel now has diplomatic relations with
CARICOM as a bloc. It would be a logical extension of that opening for individual countries to exchange ambassadors. This is an occasion waiting for Mr. Ramotar to at least sign his name in the history books. In inviting Israel to have am embassy in Guyana (I don’t think Israel would hesitate if asked), Mr. Ramotar would want to look at the positives and negatives. The immediate question is if Guyana stands to lose from aid and trade from those countries that would
oppose such an initiative. But who are the countries that would frown upon such a policy position? Surely, it cannot be Arab countries. Many of them have diplomatic relations with Israel, and several of them who don’t have such ties, do have Israeli trade representatives in their capitals. The opposition may come from Muslim organizations in Guyana itself. That would be interesting, in that there could only be one explanation – the Palestinian conflict. But why
can’t Guyana maintain support for a Palestinian state while treating Israel as an important nation that Guyana as a poor, developing country can benefit from? The two are not mutually exclusive. After the collapse of the Cold War, the international relations of the world were turned upside down. In a world where economics have replaced geopolitics, it makes absolutely no sense for nations to continue to inhabit an old world that is long gone. The main countries through which Guyana receives its sustenance have very close diplomatic ties with Israel. There is no need to mention our Western allies; that all Guyanese know. China and Israel have a productive engagement. The trade between the two is a growing one. Here is the irony. If Guyana could depend on China for trade and aid and China has an Israeli embassy, what reason should poor Guyana give to refuse to accommodate the Israelis? Here is some interesting information on Israel’s diplomatic contacts as sourced from Wikipedia. The Jewish state has seventy resident missions, twentytwo consulates and five special missions. One hundred and fifty-nine states recognize Israel including all, I repeat, all the major developed nations in the world. Interestingly, all the countries in the Third World with which Guyana has friendly ties, have diplomatic relations with Israel, except Cuba. Two of these countries
Frederick Kissoon need to be mentioned here, India and South Africa. When you go through the list for Africa and South America, a Guyanese cannot help ask the question, “Why not here too?” On the positive side, Israel is no poor Third World land. The World Bank classifies it as a developed country, though if you rank it with developed nations, it would be lower down the ladder at number 43. It is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of advanced European economies, plus South Korea and Mexico. One of its main contributions to Guyana could be in the area of aquaculture, a sector that Israel has excelled in. Unlike 1974 when President Burnham, out of fear of reprisals in the Cold War climate sought a CARICOM umbrella for his Cuba initiative, Mr. Ramotar is not under such pressure. I don’t believe there is an Arab or Muslim country that would denounce Guyana if this country invites an Israeli embassy. But if Mr. Ramotar is unsure, he can copy Mr. Burnham and seek a CARICOM consensus for his move. But surely the era of the Cold War and Israel’s ostracization are dead and gone. We live in a world that bears no resemblance to that epoch. I don’t know who advises President Ramotar on foreign policy, but a historical opportunity awaits him.
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Queens Atlantic reduces bid by $46M for OP warehouse rental services Queens Atlantic Investment Inc (QAII) after being the previous lone bidder for the provision of warehouse services for Office of the President placed a lower bid yesterday after the project was retendered under the procurement of warehouse rental services within the same sector. The bids were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) Ministry of Finance, Main Street. QAII initially placed a $59.7M bid which was opened on September 24, 2013 at the NPTAB for the provision of warehouse services. However, it was retendered yesterday and a sum of $13.7M was placed by QAII.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works received bids for the rehabilitation/construction of miscellaneous roads, Cane Grove Main Access, Mahaica, Region Four.
Still in the sector, bids were opened for the rehabilitation/ construction of miscellaneous roads, Meerzorg to Moorfarm, Wakenaam, Region Three.
Under the Guyana Improving Teachers Education Project (GITEP) the Ministry of Education received bids for the purchasing of ICT equipment. The bids were divided into two lots.
The Education Ministry also received a lone bid for the purchasing of books for libraries at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and University of Guyana.
A financial proposal for the Agricultural Sector Development Unit (ASDU) was opened for the consultancy services for engineering designs and supervision of works. The bid was divided into four lots and only one company qualified to submit a bid.
Bids were also opened under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the construction of the Hog Island Police Outpost, Region Three.
The Tourism Ministry received bids for the construction of a birding trail at Fort Island, Essequibo River.
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development received tenders for the rehabilitation of main access road continuation and Ducktown Access Hague, West Coast Demerara, Region Three.
The Ministry of Health received bids for the procurement of Breast Milk Substitute.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
NCN under fire after Manager’s Elderly man missing for three months money goes missing The reported theft of cash and gold from a senior manager of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN), has Parliament’s largest Opposition faction raising questions. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) yesterday wanted to know why Raymond Azeez, the entity’s Marketing Manager, kept personal property at NCN instead of his home. “APNU is of the view that if the property involved in the theft belonged to the state NCN, then Raymond Azeez should not have had it in his drawer. APNU asserts that if this was the personal property of Mr. Raymond Azeez he should have had it at his home, or somewhere other than his place of employment.” On Monday, Azeez discovered that gold and cash, said to be around $900,000, went missing from his office. A number of staffers, including cleaners, were reportedly being questioned by police. “APNU feels strongly that the perpetrator of this crime (if found) should be
NCN’s Marketing Manager, Raymond Azeez duly charged and prosecuted according to the law.” The 26-seat coalition was, however, highly critical of NCN and the Government over its systems. It pointed out that following a report of misappropriation of funds involving a talent show being hosted by a major telephone company last year, a special audit found the need for the entire system of NCN to be revamped. The then Chief Executive Officer resigned while the Production Manager was suspended after he
reportedly deposited over $3M to his personal account. “The attitude of the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic Government to due regulatory and accounting procedures has created a condition where personnel at that entity - NCN, feel empowered to break the law and not be penalized,” APNU said yesterday. The faction said that while the special report recommended an audit of the entire system of accounting of assets of that government agency, to date no action has been taken on this. Earlier this year, to protest bias by NCN and unhappiness over the state of the management there, APNU said it voted down a budgeted subvention of $81M for NCN “and yet the government went ahead and spent that money.” “It is APNU’s firm belief, that in this type of environment where employees see high ranking government officials behaving in such a manner, with no respect for the law, they feel justified in acting in a similar manner.” While this newspaper was unable to make contact with current CEO, Michael Gordon, for a comment, media reports said that Azeez was saving the cash and gold to buy a car and that it went missing in the month of November.
The children of Lourick Raguhbeer, 76, of Hill Foot, Versailles, Soesdyke/Linden Highway are currently searching for the elderly man who left his home more than three months ago but never returned. According to information received, on the morning of September 24 last, at about 09:30 hours, the man informed his daughter, Dolly Raghubeer, that he was planning to pay a visit to relatives in Essequibo. Dolly, who lives near to her father ’s residence, explained that he had gone over to her house for a meal and had said that in case she noticed he was absent later in the day, know that he had gone on the trip. The woman said that she did not think it strange, as her father was in the habit of regularly visiting relatives in Essequibo. What was unusual, however, was the
fact that after two weeks, the elderly man did not return home. Kaieteur News was told that the man had never spent in excess of four days on such visits. As more time elapsed and the man had not been seen, his children opted to contact the relatives in Adventure, Essequibo, hoping to find out the reason for the lengthy visit. They found out, however, that he had not gone there, but visited relatives on the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam instead. According to information received, the man spent three days in Wakenaam and the hosts of his visit there were of the opinion that he had returned home. He has not been seen or heard from since. Raghubeer ’s children informed that they made searches to various geriatric homes, hospitals, other
Missing: Lourick Raguhbeer places that he frequented, but to no avail. A missing report was also lodged at the Kuru Kururu Police Station. The relatives are now requesting that anyone with information that would lead to identifying the whereabouts of Lourick Raguhbeer contact them on telephone numbers 688-5744, 695-4501, 678-6326, 677-5695 or the nearest Police Station.
CARICOM threatens Dominican... (From page 8) growing calls for the country to reverse the recent ruling of its Constitutional Court on the issue of nationality. Haitians and Dominicanos have been crossing borders, mixing and marrying. Condemning the ruling, CARICOM said that it is “abhorrent and discriminatory”. “It is especially repugnant that the ruling ignores the 2005 judgment made by the InterAmerican Court on Human Rights (IACHR) that the Dominican Republic adapt its immigration laws and practices in accordance with the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights.” The ruling also violates the Dominican Republic’s international human rights obligations, CARICOM said yesterday.
“Furthermore, the ruling has created an environment where, with the abrogation of rights that flow from citizenship, arbitrariness can flourish as illustrated by recent media reports of the forced deportation to Haiti of persons claiming to be Dominican and with no linguistic or familial ties to that country.” CARICOM called on the Government of the Dominican Republic to take the necessary political, legislative, judicial and administrative steps urgently to redress the grave humanitarian situation created by the ruling. It also called for international pressure to be brought to bear. It welcomed the intervention by Venezuela and insisted that the grave humanitarian implications of
the court ruling cannot see business as usual. “In that regard, the Community, at this time, will suspend consideration of the request by the Dominican Republic for membership of the Caribbean Community. Furthermore, the Community will review its relationship with the Dominican Republic in other fora including that of CARIFORUM, CELAC and the OAS. It cannot be business as usual.” The regional body, comprising of 15 nations and its dependents, said the door is not closed to and it still remains prepared to engage the Dominican Republic, but the government must show good faith by taking immediate, credible steps as part of an overall plan to resolve the nationality and attendant issues in the shortest possible time.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Port Kaituma small miners demonstrate for land ownership - Minister promises action in three weeks By Zena Henry Within three weeks’ time, small miners of Port Kaituma are expected to receive possibly new and alternate blocks of land to ply their trade after demonstrating against raids and the destruction of their equipment by authorities. The miners expressed their frustration, while claiming that they are being sidelined to accommodate larger companies and operators. The miners admitted to Kaieteur News that while some persons are operating illegally, it is as a result of the government’s failure to provide means for the small operators. Others say that while they would have received land, it is not in close proximity, while there are no access roads to the far-reaching lots. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, has however given his word that these small miners will be taken care of within three weeks’ time, once they provide the relevant information. To those not satisfied with the land received, Persaud said that the only way to address the issue is to swap the unwanted land for another plot. He explained that the land would have been provided by
Minister Persaud (at left) speaks with some of the miners a lottery system along with the information about the area. The miners said that areas were identified but not specific locations, hence some of the properties received cannot be located on the map. During the one-on-one with the miners, Persaud promised that the issue would be reviewed and the miners would receive their land, licences etc. once the requisite information is submitted. Persaud mentioned that the area received close to 65 prospecting licences, 430
medium scale prospecting permits, 30 mining permits and 63 special mining permits. He said that the government is in the process of processing over 123 blocks of land to small miners through the lottery process. He spoke extensively on the issue of illegal mining and stressed the Ministry’s nontolerance of the act. He told the miners that they should get up a list of the troubled miners with their information and submit it through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) with a copy to the Natural Resource Ministry.
He continued that at least three weeks would be needed for the information to be checked out and the lands investigated before any changes are made.
It was mentioned also that the criteria for land was also relaxed since applicants can receive prospecting licences without the need to have a dredge. Sub- zoning in the mining districts are also being promoted, the operators were told. “The intention of the lottery is to provide lands to the small miners, but if you are able to say we have this, and we investigate and determine that the land is really far out, and there is alternative land available, then we can consider that,” Persaud said. “I want when you go to sleep at night, it is clear in your mind that what you’re doing is legal and that you don’t have to grease anybody’s hand to survive the next day. To live in that condition is not good for you and your family. I don’t want miners, small or large, having to go through that. We have
come far with mining, it will call for some sacrifices, but it’s time we do it right, that is why we had the lottery involving small miners, but if you think the land is too far, then after the relevant documentation we will do it.” The small miners had greeted the Minister with banners and placards during a demonstration at the Port Kaituma Airstrip last week. Members of the Small Miners Association and the Women Miners Organisation said they were facing difficulty as the businesses of food providers, shopkeepers and connecting trades were being disrupted because of the clampdown on the small miners who were being “sidelined.” The Minister assured that even if he could not make the upcoming return trip to the area, a team would return to deliver the hopefully good news to the small-time mining operat-ors.
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WANTED Contract cars- Contact City Taxi Service- 660-1100 / 2267150 Experienced driver & dispatcher @ Princess hotel – Tel:265-7075; 265-7076; 616-5419 Seeking employment of a excavator / Dozer operator in interior? 5yrs experience – Tel:652-9180; 696-3367 2 Chainsaw operators – Tel:677-2281 Husband / wife live in caretaking duties. Drivers: Car/Van licensed 30-45yrs. Live in domestic – Tel:2271830; 613-3091 One general worker – Tel:225-6337 Handyboys to work – 16yrs and over. Live-in accommodation and meal free! Telephone:228-5655; 628-1756
Kaieteur News
TO LET Furnished 2-bedrooms top flat & 2 bedroom bottom flat apartment for overseas guests @ Bent St, Wortmanville - Phone: 2222778/ 640-4130/ 226-3309 Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: As low as $5000 per nightCall: 668-0306/602-8769/ 694-7817 Short term rental (fully furnished 2 bedroom apartments - Tel: 222-7891; 609-9202. Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6797139 House to rent in Friendship EBD – Tel:266-0163 Kingston - 2 office spaces available for immediate rental – Tel:226-1308 or 6471481
Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call:612-1607 Office Clerk: CXC English/ Mathematics- Call:225-0188/ 225-6070 Space for gym in Georgetown or immediate environment – Tel: 615-5315, 647-4587.
VEHICLE FOR SALE Dump Canters, Long & Short Canters, Pitbull & RZ minibuses, Sienta, Voxy, Liteace Tel: 259-3178; 650-5657 17ft fiberglass boat with 175 Yamaha Seadoo jet ski - Tel: 651-8870
ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2003/2004. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL: 2317284/ 622-3823 Must See!!! 2002&2003 Premio - $2.5M, 2001 Carina 212 - $2.1M. All cars fully loaded & clean. Tel: 226-5473 Mitsubishi Galant Car, fully loaded – Tel: 227-7544; 6122542, 614-6011. 1.5 & 2 Tonne open back canter, power gate $2.4M, unregistered - Tel: 617-2891
2008 Fielder – $2.7M, Premio$2.5M, Spacio $2.1M, Unregistered – Tel: 617-2891 1 - 5L Diesel Toyota Hilux, ready for the interior, in excellent condition – Tel:667-2703 or 662-5570
One domestic, live in & live out babysitter from 12pm8pm- Call:225-4492
1 Toyota 212, 1-Toyota AT212, 1- 91 Corrola, 1 Corrola Axio 4WD (new model) never registered call: 259-0836, 621-7838
Need 1 Plot of land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292
1 Toyota Allion – PNN 736 Series – Tel: 225-0709; 6828876
Person to slaughter and clean pigs at new Hope, E.B.D. call: 266-2711,6094594 1 Live-in maid to work in Diamond – Tel:664-5199 Labourers for wood concession. Accommodation Provided, $5,000 per day Tel: 618-0487 Salesgirls & porters: Apply with written application @ Best Buy Food Supplies: Lot 1E Middleton & Dennis Street Campbleville One experienced Nail technician, specialized nail art design, air brush and hair extension – Tel:231-6000 Driver wanted urgently for ice-cream van between ages 40-45yrs – Tel:218-3021 1 land to buy in Linden – Tel: 697-0054; 686-2201. Preferably Amelia’s Ward Scrap metal – Tel:658-9045; 658-9044 Chain saw operator with own saw – Tel: 618-0487. Barbers – Tel:683-1534; 6094983
WANTED Looking for 1 female to work in the interior in a shop – Tel:664-5199 Experienced Roti/Puri cooks, curry cooks, pastry makers, cleaners & handyboys – Apply @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce Street. Dishwasher, kitchen assistant – Apply @ Shanta’s 225 Camp St, New Market. One live in attractive waitress 18-25yrs Boarding & lodging free – Salary $50,000 – Tel:6105043 Female workers for a Window Factory, at Eccles Preferable age –25 years. Please call Mr. Beepat – Cell #600-5253. 1 Cosmetologist and maid required for a solon – Contact: 223-5451; 227-4799 CLEANINGLADY, MATURE & REFERENCES REQUIRED – TEL:231-8529 TRUCK DRIVER & SALESMAN WITH REFFERENCEAND POLICE CLEARANCE – TEL:2318529
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, Nissan Tittan, Ford F150 Parts in a hurry! - Tel:226-5473 PPP 3361 Runx – Tel:6414684 ($2,350,000)
2 - 2007 Toyota Avensis - Tel: 698-0674
2005 Tacoma 1995 V6 4x4 Tacoma – Tel: 651-8870
EDUCATIONAL Accounts, Business, I.T classes for students, school dropouts, adults – Tel:2314750; 646-2569
Wednesday November 27, 2013
We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Corrola Axio -$2,850,000 , Spacio PRR Series -$2.1M, CRV PJJ - $1.7M – Tel: 697-0294 1 Toyota Caldina & Fielder Wagon, IST, NZE Corolla, Fun Cargo, AT212, AT192, Hilux pick up 4x4- Tel: 6445096, 697-1453 1 Suzuki 600 GS X – R , 1 Toyota RAW- 4 & CERESTel: 644-5096, 697-1453
PROPERTY FOR SALE
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & cheap RZ buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 1- F150 6CYL, fully loaded $3M Negotiable – Tel:6895254; 256-0504
FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
One Whirlpool Chest freezer (New) – Price: $135,000 – Tel:601-3140, 2292179; 622-8564
Live and pluck chicken - Tel: 220-9203; 650-4421
VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/592-684-9203
NISSAN WINGROAD PRR SERIES - TEL: 695-4785
Property for sale- Call:6275416
1-320 Cl excavator excellent condition – Tel:699-3992
Durban Backlands: Squatting houses. Selling price $1M – Tel:231-2199; 618-7483
1 New ASCO automatic change over switch, 200 amps Tel: 694-7817; 612-1351
House & Land for sale W.C.B - Contact:698-3703; 689-2973 Prime 2- storey concrete building dimensions 80x23, 6 bedrooms, 2 master bedrooms @ Leonora opposite to Primary School – Tel:652-0709; 268-3572
5 Head & 7 Head Moulders, 150Kw Genset, CC Saw, Resaw – Tel:626-0024; 6165595; 665-3676
WHOLESALE PLUCK CHICKEN AND PARTS – TEL:676-0931
LAND FOR SALE House lot for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour bridge in Harbourville contact # 6500402 Promising Gold and Diamond mining lands in various areas – Tel:6993992 10 Acres land at Long Creek - Tel: 699-3723 Parafaite Harmonie & Schonard - $2.2M & $2.6M – Tel:675-7292
One pools table - Tel: 686-7180 Houses @ Mon-Repos $23,000,000/$20,000,000, Diamond -$34,000,000, Ogle$65,000,000, East Ruimveldt - $10,000,000 – Contact:2238479; 647-3768 or www.spaceseek.gy
1 Complete 6" dredge, 1 – 6" Lavadore – Tel:677-2281 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Searay boat fiberglass white leather interior, inboard engine with trailer. Price U S $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 . Email:lpersaud2002@ gmail.com- Tel: 1 2014483565 (overseas) 1 New Model Tacoma, 1 12" Aluminum Boat, 1 14" Aluminum Boat. Contact:220-1981; 690-1945 Rosetta stone language software – Tel:695-7595
Closing Down Sale! Imported antique furniture, bed sets & centre table & consoles – Tel:622-3587
Lumber for sale hard wood 140 per Bm, greenheart 220 per Bm – Tel:680-3154
1 Raum PMM - $1.4M, 2006 Hyundai Tuscon Jeep $2.9M, negotiable – Tel:6716051 Hi / low HID kits (crystal lights) cheapest in GT – Call: 601-4640; 216-3214
150cc Dirt Bike for parts – Tel:695-7595
Ducks & Pigs – Tel:688-7291 One pure bred female Rottweiler pup - Call: 2206879 Live/pluck chicken call:6504421, 220-9203 Curtains and carpet for sale - Call: 219-3732 after 6PM
270 Amps, portable welders - Telephone: 611-5114
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call:672-2566
Stereo set (LG speakers)- Tel: 227-8519
Original Games- Call:6722566
Heavy duty concrete drill, Air less paint sprayer (for houses), Industrial vacuum cleaners (wet & dry)- Tel: 227-8519
Fluffy Dachshund pups – Tel: 642-6664
F150, Chevy Cargo Van, Suzuki Sports, Tundra- Tel: 227-8519
FOR SALE
Potting soil, top soil and quality cow mould - Call: 656-1326; 678-0058
Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831
RABBITS @ $2000 EACH TELEPHONE:600-0814
2004 Unregistered Toyota Sienta with mags, PD, fog lamps – Tel:617-5536 One 1995 Toyota Tacoma stick gear 4 wheel drive 3 RZ engine. Price:$1,650,000 negotiable -625-2516
FOR SALE
1 Nissan Canter, need repair - Tel: 228-5655;628-1756 Dog Food! 13lbs &50lbs bags wholesale & retail – Tel: 222-7891; 609-9202
Pure bred german shepherd pups & 1 female Rottweiler (5months old) – Contact:2202277; 220-8904; 626-0910
350 Diesel (fully loaded, excellent)- Tel: 227-8519 One 6" dredge and 200 acres of mining land (Turtle creek area) Tel:641-8005; 602-7168
One 8000 Ford Tractor one Ford 450 2005 towing truck contact:694-5599; 689-1864
Cheapest iphones!!! – Tel:626-2771
Three foot KU off set satellite dishes – Price $22,000 – Tel:683-7167, 609-7363 AZ – Evoxl satellite receiver boxes FTA, Price: $22,000 – Tel:683-7167; 609-7363
Cheapest Online Vehicles!!! – Tel:626-2771 One Toyota Tacoma 3400cc PJJ series - $2,000,000 – Contact:223-8479; 647-3768 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Bangladesh nationals refused bail for forging documents Two Bangladesh nationals were remanded to prison after they appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to face forgery charges. It is alleged that on November 24, 31-year-old Noor Nabi Babloo at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, with the intent to defraud, conspired with person(s) unknown and presented a forged Identification Card (ID) to an Immigration Officer in favour of Emily Babloo #243567432 to say the same was granted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It was further alleged that Babloo between October 4 and November 24, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, conspired with person(s) unknown to forge the said ID card. It is alleged that between the same period, at
Georgetown, with intent to defraud, 31-year-old Mohammed Hussain conspired with person(s) unknown to forge a Guyana ID card 243547329 in favour of Michael Singh, to say the same was granted to him by GECOM. It was further alleged that Hussain on November 24, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, with the intent to defraud, he uttered to an Immigration Officer same to be his. Representing the duo was Attorney at Law Paul Funga-Fat who told the court that both men work at a Variety Store on Regent Street and have been living in Guyana for the past two years at Lot 17A Barclay Street, Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara. Fung-a-Fat made an application for “high” bail and said that the men have applied at the Ministry of Home Affairs for work permits and
are waiting for processing to be completed. The lawyer stated that his clients are trying to find a better life in Guyana and would be willing to lodge their passports and report to the authorities everyday while they wait. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, however, objected to bail and stated that the accused are immediate flight risks since they are not Guyanese nationals. Jones stated that they have failed to provide a proper place of work as there are many stores on Regent Street. The Prosecution told the court that “They’re trying to find a better life, but they forged an ID card.” Magistrate McLennan highlighted that the court must know the immigration status of the Bangladesh nationals and denied bail. The men were remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance on Friday.
(From page 22) SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 6471773 Professional & affordable salon service: Hair care, nail & skin care – Contact Amrita: 680-2609 FOR SALE / FOR RENT American pool table – Tel: 277-0578
SERVICES
VACANCY
Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. BUDRAM’S LANDSCAPING SERVICES - Call: 6561326; 678-0058
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call: 691-0894/6842838
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call: 657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 Massage therapy service call:674-8147
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:225-9032,647-2943 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING F O R O N LY $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 CALL: 694-9843/2272766
PENPAL Businessman in Trinidad seeks Guyanese woman for friendship & marriage between ages 30-40; email:ramphal mahadeo@ live.com – Tel:0011-868-7243155; 0011-868-4681075
Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 Children’s Party Service: Let’s make it fun – Call:6471773 Do you live out of town and need a care giver for your child? – Tel:694-0689 Masons Seeks daily or Job work – Tel:619-3296 Thinking of starting a business and need a business plan? Tel:231-4750; 646-2569
FOR RENT
FOR HIRE
Furnished top flat house, Queenstown, generator, A/ C, Grille & parking -Tel:2271218 or kpthomas7@gmail. com
Enclose truck secure your goods – Tel:694-5460; 2665771 – Perfect for moving.
Ground Floor Office space, Queenstown, generator, A/ C, grille & parking - Tel:2271218 or kpthomas7@gmail.com
One mature pharmacy Technician/Assistant. Must Have at least 5 years working experienced – Tel:661-3124; 675-8790 Vacancy exists for experienced cashier & salesgirls. Apply in person @ Fabric World, 140 Regent & Light Street. An Industrial Electrician with qualification & Experienced. Apply to Technical Services Inc 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles, E.B.D. Office worker needed. Must be computer literate, good at customer care and have pleasant personality – Tel:642-2028 Salesman for Cooking Gas in Georgetown store, physically fit, completed high school. 676-6700. Experience cashiers & Salespersons needed to work in supermarket/cosmetics department @ East Coast, age 25-50yrs, call: 220-2128 / 6421141 Cashier at Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm)Call:265-7305
CAR RENTAL
Furnished apartments $70,000 monthly - Tel: 687-3017
LEARN TO DRIVE
2 flat new building (down town) suitable for business or offices- Tel: 227-8519
B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield streer Lodgecall: 225-0150,229-7258, 680-6826
Rooms – Call:225-9223
Wanted Security ages 35-55. Address application to Manager Herdmanston Lodge, 65 Anira Street , Queenstown
Property rentals at different price- Tel: 231-2199, 618-7483
Ultravoilet Driving School Tel: 226-0765; 602-2583 (Gwenette)
Executive Houses & apartments. Contact:2238479; 647-3768; www.spaceseek.gy
Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per dayCall: 668-0306 / 694-7817/ 225-6337 Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131 A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com Premio, Vitz call:679-7139
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
UG looking to start strategic collaboration with Renal Centre “The University alone cannot do everything; the Government alone cannot do everything. So when we see the private sector and NGOs (Non Governmental Organisations) doing something like this that is very beneficial to the country, we have to show a lot of support for it,” declared Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, last Monday. He was at the time speaking of the work of the Doobay Renal/Medical Centre, situated at 8-9 Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, during a courtesy call there. According to the Vice Chancellor, the University is in fact very willing to look at the training programme being undertaken at the facility with a view of incorporating them
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into the programmes offered at UG. This, Professor Opadeyi said, could see the students at the Doobay Centre being able to use their certificates to enter UG to undertake degree programmes.
Added to this, he spoke of the possibility of sending students of the tertiary institution to complete internship programmes at the Doobay Centre, even as he insisted that “we are in full support of this venture.” The Doobay Centre, as part of its third anniversary observance September last, opened a medical school offering programmes in four areas: – Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Assistant, Laboratory Technician Assistant and Phlebotomy. The facility also has a staff of professional nurses who attend to the more than 40 patients who require hemodialysis due to renal failure. According to the Vice Chancellor, he is closely looking at the system of dialysis and the quality of
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UG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jacob Opadeyi
patient care at the facility, even as he emphasised that “the skill of knowing how to manage patients is very important.” Moreover, he noted that the University is prepared to collaborate with the Renal Centre to have students utilise the equipment there in order to learn needful medical skills. Further, the Vice Chancellor assured that the proposed collaboration is not expected to create additional cost to students opting to engage in an internship programme at the Centre. “Students can spend up to three weeks to learn this and learn that...they come and we agree with that and when they are finished with that they present a report of what they have learnt, and if possible, (we) give them
credit for that additional knowledge. This is something we are working on with the private sector,” Professor Opadeyi said. He pointed out though that students’ reports must be corroborated by the officials of the Renal Centre before they are awarded with credit. Professor Opadeyi during an interview with this publication earlier this year had disclosed that moves were being made to reach out to the private sector in an attempt to help reduce its expenditure. The Vice Chancellor had previously spoken of the possible increase of tuition fees, but had alluded to the possibility of the private sector furnishing some students with scholarships to evade the potential increase. A Special Audit
conducted within the Bursary had in fact warranted the termination of the contracts of the Chief Accountant and the Bursar, and recommendations were made for measures to be put in place to improve the University’s financial operation. But, according to Professor Opadeyi, the support of organisations within the private and other sectors cannot be understated. Moreover, he emphasised that since the population is supporting them, they should also endeavour to give back. However, he did assert that the support the University can gain from the private sector, and other organisations could be in varying forms and not merely financial.
Monday November 27, 2013 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Today it's a great day to have a good time while you're getting things done. If you add some flirtation and some flattery to critical conversations, you will be amazed at the results. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Right now your charms are absolutely intoxicating to every single person you encounter! Folks will be eager to hang out with you, so just to soak up some of the sunshine you are emitting every time you smile. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): It's time for a little maintenance work with your relationships. Today, make sure you've answered all their emails and confirmed all your upcoming social plans. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Put as much energy into communication today as you possibly can, because connecting with others is more important than it has ever been before. You don't have to have deep philosophical conversations to make an impact, though. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): While working in a partnership today, do not be surprised if your teammate acts more thrifty and conservatively than usual. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): If you spend your morning getting the rest of your day organized, you'll be amazed at how much free time you'll end up with! ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct.
22): Your mantra for today should be 'Keep it Simple'! If you are faced with too many details to contend with, you might get too overwhelmed, which could set you down a very grumpy path for the rest of this fun-filled day. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Your reputation is great right now, but you still have to protect it, and make sure it doesn't get any kind of black mark on it today. Be mindful of who you are associating with right now, because you could be blamed for their actions if you don't work hard to create a line of separation in the eyes of others. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): If your projects are going well, then don't rush ahead with a new project! Take time to enjoy the successes you are having right now. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Every invitation you get is not necessarily one you should accept -before you say 'yes' to any of them today, wait a while. Find out who else is going. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Make sure you cover the small details, today, because they are most likely to cause the biggest problems. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): It's important to consider the source when you get information, today. You can't be too critical right now -- even what the big boss tells you should be doublechecked.
Wednesday November 27, 2013
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BASDEO PANDAY Jamaica wants talks to settle immigration issue with Trinidad and Tobago RETURN? PORT OFSPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Even though he insists that he has no desire to return to “electoral politics” former prime minister Basdeo Panday is seeking election as chairman of the ruling United National Congress (UNC). He is also calling for a change in the leadership style of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who defeated him in 2010 for the top post of party he founded. “I have said that I have no wish to return to electoral politics but I have been inundated with so many calls from people weeping over the fact that the UNC, which we took some 23 years to build, has all but been destroyed. “It has lost its moorings, it no longer struggles for the things which we created it and they have asked whether I would be willing to seek office in order to return it to its pristine days,” said Panday, 80, who served as head of government from 1995 to 2001. Panday told radio listeners that he was being asked to seek the chairmanship
Basdeo Panday of the party when it holds internal elections next year. “If that be their wish, so be it,” he said, noting however, he was prepared to do so “providing that I will be assured that the elections will be free and fair”. He said that in 2010 he had indicated that the “elections were stolen and if they control the electoral machinery they will still the elections, I know that and I have no intention of taking part in an election, the results of which are known before the votes are cast”.
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica has requested talks at the foreign minister level with Trinidad and Tobago in a bid to deal with an immigration issue that has so far resulted in a number of nationals being refused entry into Port of Spain. Foreign Affairs Minister, A.J. Nicholson, said he had invited his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Winston Dookeran, for a visit before yearend to discuss the situation. In a statement, Nicholson said “the number of Jamaicans being returned from Trinidad and Tobago had generated considerable public outrage and had the potential to undermine confidence and diminish goodwill on the part of many Jamaicans towards Trinidad and Tobago and the wider regional integration movement. “I believe that our personal intervention and collaboration can go a far way in bringing this issue to a speedy and successful conclusion,” Nicholson said,
adding “this is of the utmost importance as a regional integration movement which does and is perceived as protecting and advancing the interests of all sides is vital to the progress of our regional enterprise.” Media reports had indicated that the 13 Jamaicans were denied entry into Port of Spain on Tuesday last week and deported to their homeland the following day after being detained. The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “has been advised by the Chief Immigration Officer and has contacted Her Excellency Sharon Saunders, High Commissioner for Jamaica who has been provided with information regarding the matter”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs here has since issued a warning to Jamaicans travelling to Trinidad and Tobago saying it was also “concerned at this development and continues to interface with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago on the matter
particularly in light of the Shanique Myrie ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice”. The CCJ earlier this year ruled that Barbados had breached the right of Myrie when she sought entry into the country in 2011, but stopped short of awarding the one million Barbados dollars in compensation she had sought. Myrie, 25, had been granted leave by the CCJ to file the action, alleged that when she travelled to Barbados on March 14, 2011 she was discriminated against because of her nationality, subjected to a body cavity search, detained overnight in a cell and deported to Jamaica the following day. Myrie also claimed that she was subjected to derogatory remarks by a Barbadian Immigration officer and asked the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to CARICOM citizens moving around the region. Jamaica said it was urging
A.J. Nicholson nationals who believe their rights under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) regime have been breached, to make a report to the nearest Jamaican High Commission or the Ministry. The government said that to date only a few Jamaicans have filed reports in relation to the recent incidents in Trinidad and Tobago and implored citizens, whenever they are detained or refused entry to a country, to immediately lodge a written report with the Immigration Authorities processing them or with the Ministry on their return to Jamaica.
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Wednesday November 27, 2013
Ruling party wins Honduran presidential race T E G U C I G A L PA , Honduras (AP) — Honduran voters have given the ruling National Party four more years in the presidency even though crime worsened and poverty and unemployment increased in this poor nation under outgoing President Porfirio Lobo. Juan Orlando Hernandez, 45, the party’s candidate who campaigned on a law-andorder platform, has all but won the hotly contested presidential race, electoral authorities said late Monday in declaring his lead “irreversible.” Even before the announcement, his main competitor, Xiomara Castro, had challenged the official returns and claimed victory for herself. Her husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted in a 2009 coup, said earlier they wouldn’t accept the results, but the campaign hasn’t spoken since the court all but declared Hernandez the winner. Both the streets and the campaigns remained quiet yesterday, as Hernandez issued a press release naming
his transition team. With about 68 percent of the votes counted from Sunday’s election, Hernandez had 34 percent to 29 percent for Castro in an eightcandidate field. “It’s not the final result, but it’s an irreversible trend,” tribunal spokeswoman Lourdes Rosales said. Hernandez and Castro had entered the election neckand-neck in opinion polls, and there were fears a disputed vote could bring protests and more instability. International observers, including U.S. Ambassador Lisa Kubiske, had congratulated Hondurans on a peaceful vote with high turnout and said the vote and the count appeared to transparent. Election observers for both the European Union and Organization of American States issued statements yesterday confirming the findings. Hernandez will likely face a divided Congress, whose 128 members were also elected Sunday. As a result, the political situation is unlikely to change dramatically in this failing
National Party presidential candidate Juan Orlando Hernandez (right) and his wife Ana Garcia. state of 8.5 million people, which is home to the world’s highest homicide rate. It has been a focal point for U.S. drug enforcement efforts as the transit point for much of the South American cocaine heading to the U.S. More than half of the country lives in poverty, and the number working for less
Trinidad’s Foreign Affairs Minister warns of economic fall out if boycott materializes RJR - Winston Dookeran, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, is warning of serious economic fallout for Trinidad and Jamaica if the threat of a boycott of products from the twin-island republic materialises. Mr. Dookeran is contending that a boycott would not make economic sense, and instead punish workers in both countries. The boycott has been building steam since last week’s deportation of 13 Jamaicans from Trinidad. It has been reported that they did not meet immigration requirements to enter the country. But many locals are adamant that Trinidad was wrong to order their deportation, based on the provisions of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Speaking on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines, on Monday, Mr. Dookeran outlined the repercussions of a boycott of Trinidadian products: “The truth is that both countries will lose if there’s any containment of trade because out of trade comes employment opportunities in Jamaica and they too will be put at risk. And of course, it will mean a trade issue between Trinidad and Tobago which also affects us.
Winston Dookeran I don’t hope that will reach that point at all because both countries will suffer as a result and we are willing to cooperate fully,” said Mr. Dookeran. Mr. Dookeran is scheduled to meet with AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Senator on the matter. Meanwhile, Arnaldo Brown, Junior Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade has revealed that the Ministry is still gathering information about the 13 persons who were deported. As a result, a position has not yet been taken by the Ministry. Mr. Brown who was speaking Monday on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines, added
that the next step is to establish whether the 13 were denied entry according to the treaty, and if a breach is identified, diplomatic channels will be used to deal with the issue. And the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is exploring the possibility of working more closely with immigration officials in Trinidad and Tobago to get information on Jamaicans who are deported. It is believed that more accurate documentation is needed so that the cases can be properly investigated. Mr. Brown stated that the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will soon be in discussions to arrange for data to be gathered. He expects that a system will be designed and implemented by early next year. “Well, it is both a process and a decision to be taken because we have to have the discussion with the immigration official. Because what obtains now is that when persons are returned there are not necessarily any extensive recordings of the reasons for why they were returned. I suspect as quickly as we can we’ll have it in place. I think thinks are planned with PICA as we speak and those may take place before the end of the year,” said Mr. Brown.
than the minimum wage of $350 a month has grown from 28 percent in 2008 to 43 percent today. Castro’s candidacy was viewed as an attempt by Zelaya to make a comeback after his term was cut short by a coup that continues to contribute to Honduras’ politically instability. After the electoral court’s declaration, neither Castro nor Zelaya had immediate comment, and the streets were calm. Castro, 54, led the race for months, portraying herself as the candidate for change and promising constitutional
reform that would make the country more equitable. In the closing weeks, however, Hernandez, 45, wiped out her lead as he promised to do “whatever I have to” in fighting crime in a country where much of the cities are controlled by gangs and the outlying remote areas are held by drug runners. As president of Congress, Hernandez pushed through legislation creating a military police force to patrol the most difficult areas of the major cities instead of the National Police, a force penetrated by corruption and often accused
of extrajudicial killings. Hernandez, a lawyer and reserve army lieutenant who studied law at New York University, was first elected to congress in 1997 and became the body’s president in 2010. Opponents accuse him of using the position to consolidate his power over other branches, including the judiciary. He said that Honduras needs an anti-drug strategy with the U.S. that is more effective. “For them it’s a problem of public health, but for us it’s a problem of blood and death,” he said during the campaign “We expect that the stage that’s about to begin will be more effective than the one in the past.” Zelaya, a wealthy rancher, was deposed by his own Liberal party after he aligned himself with the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He was taken out of the country at gunpoint as he was attempting to hold a referendum on whether to rewrite the constitution, something Honduras’ Supreme Court called illegal. The National Party won regularly scheduled elections later that year, but Lobo’s tenure as president was seen as weak because he failed to bring change in a divided country. He accused his opponents several times of trying to oust him as well.
Kidnapping, extortion in high-risk areas...
Suruj wants protection for local contractors Trinidad Guardian - Works and Infrastructure minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan says he has asked for state protection for contractors and workers working on projects in high-risk areas. This is because he had been told contractors were facing violent attacks, kidnapping and acts of extortion. Rambachan made the disclosure Monday as he announced that he has approached National Security Minister Gary Griffith on the issue in a bid “to utilise the security services to ensure that work continues.” He was speaking with reporters during a tour of the $28 million Calcutta Bridge project being built at Calcutta No 1, Couva. Rambachan said the ministry had to abandon projects in certain parts of Belmont in the last fiscal year because of violent attacks. “We were paving roads in another area and a contractor had to pay $30,000 to get back his equipment. In another area, I think it was River Estate, I think two contractor employees were kidnapped and he had to pay $64,000 to get back the employees,” he added. Rambachan pointed to another project in Marabella where the construction of a pavilion was disrupted because contractors were being intimidated with threats of violence. He said in that project some residents who were considered “bad boys”
come out regularly with cutlasses and ran the contractors out of the area when they went to the construction site. “We cannot have this kind of lawlessness prevailing where we are doing jobs to benefit the rest of the population. It is a kind of lawlessness that has to be stopped and Minister Griffith has promised that he is going to be intervening in this regard,” Rambachan said. The minister also said a project in Windsor Park, California, was also proving to be a little problematic for the ministry, as residents of the area had shutdown the project several times. He said the residents were preventing the ministry from dismantling the bridge in the area although arrangements have been made for a bypass while the bridge was being reconstructed. “We are going to be using security in the coming weeks to ensure the work there can continue,” Rambachan said. He said he embarked on yesterday’s tour at the Calcutta bridge site after residents complained about delay in the project. Rambachan, together with Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh, met with project director Mahadeo Jagdeo and Trintoplan Consultants Ltd engineer Adesh Surjunath, who told them the bridge would be delayed by two months.
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Simpson Miller urges world leaders to At least 10 Haitians die, 110 saved focus on ‘middle-income’ countries from capsized ship in Bahamas
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left) in light conversation with Jamaica’s Ambassador to Belgium, Vilma McNeish (centre); and Minister with responsibility for Sport, Natalie Neita Headley at the forum today. – Contributed Jamaica Gleaner - Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has called for more attention to be paid to what she called unique challenges facing middle-income developing countries and small island developing states such as Jamaica. She made the appeal while addressing yesterday’s session of the European Development Days forum in Brussels, Belgium. She pointed out that middle income countries are home to the majority of the
world’s poor and there is need to accelerate the development of these nations. Simpson Miller urged world leaders to quickly establish a clear roadmap for agreeing on a sustainable development framework beyond the 2015 Millennium Development Goals target date. The Prime Minister noted that when world leaders adopted the landmark United Nations Millennium Declaration 13 years ago, in which nation states agreed to
eight development goals to be achieved by 2015, the deadline seemed a far way off. However, she pointed out that while remarkable progress has been made in achieving some targets of the MDGs, it has been uneven. She said more needs to be done to reduce and eradicate inequity, inequality and exclusion. Simpson Miller is the only Caribbean leader selected for participation and has joined leaders from across the world as well as top EU officials.
(Reuters) - At least 10 Haitian migrants were killed and 110 were rescued after clinging to the hull and mast of an overloaded wooden sloop that capsized in the Bahamas, U.S. and Bahamian officials said yesterday. Rescuers were still searching for potential survivors from the 40-foot (12-meter), sail-powered coastal freighter that ran aground and capsized near Staniel Cay in the central Bahamas on Monday night, officials said. It was unclear how many people had been aboard the ship and how many had died. The U.S. Coast Guard said 30 migrants were reported to have died and 110 had been rescued. A Royal Bahamas Defence Force spokesman, Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux, said that 10 passengers were confirmed dead, but confirmed that 110 had been rescued. Thirteen severely dehydrated survivors were hoisted aboard a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and taken to Staniel Cay for treatment, U.S.
and Bahamian officials said. Crews in U.S. Coast Guard planes and helicopters dropped 10 quick-inflating life rafts into the water to help keep the other survivors afloat until a Royal Bahamas Defence Force patrol boat could take them aboard, said Petty Officer Mark Barney, a Coast Guard spokesman in Miami. “They drop it right next to them and they can swim over. Once they’re out of the water they have a better chance of surviving,” Barney said. “There’s just so many people in the water.” Coast Guard photos from the scene showed the vessel tilted almost completely over on its side, with passengers tightly packed and holding on. Some sat on the gunnels and others climbed the mast. Bad weather and rough seas were hampering rescue
efforts, Deleveaux said. Winds were up to 30 miles per hour (48 kph) with waves up to 5 feet (1.5 meters), the Coast Guard said. The cause of the accident was unknown and will be investigated by Bahamian authorities, Barney said. Migrants from Haiti, Cuba and other Caribbean countries frequently sail through the Bahamas in an attempt to reach the United States, often in overloaded and unseaworthy vessels. Miami is more than 600 miles (965 km) from Haiti’s northern coast, where such voyages frequently begin. The U.S. Coast Guard said it has interdicted 346 Haitian migrants at sea in the past two months. The total for the whole year ended September 30 was 508, the smallest number from Haiti in 15 years.
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Wednesday November 27, 2013
India state examines snooping Battle lines drawn as Scotland allegation against PM candidate Modi unveils independent future
NEW DELHI (Reuters) A state governed by Indian opposition candidate for prime minister Narendra Modi has launched an investigation into allegations he ordered invasive surveillance of an architect, in a case his opponents say shows a tendency to abuse power. Modi has topped several recent opinion polls ahead of general elections in six months, but the allegations could tarnish his carefully crafted image as a probusiness and graft-free administrator. Two Indian investigative websites - Cobrapost and Gulail - said earlier this month that they had access to 267 audio recordings that had been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. They said the recordings contain telephone conversations from 2009 in which Modi’s former junior home minister Amit Shah orders a police officer to track the woman. It was unclear why the woman was being followed. “A commission has been formed to find out the truth in
Narendra Modi connection to these allegations,” said Gujarat state cabinet minister Nitin Patel. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed the charges as part of “dirty tricks” in the lead-up to the elections. His campaign has focused on beating corruption, following a series of graft scandals concerning the ruling Congress party, and reviving India’s economy, which has slumped to its lowest growth in a decade. But his critics see an authoritarian and a divisive
figure who failed to stop riots in Gujarat in 2002, in which more than 1,000 people were killed, most of them Muslims. A Supreme Court inquiry found no evidence to prosecute him. The Congress said an investigation by the Gujarat government in the latest case could not be fair and has instead been demanding an investigation by a Supreme Court judge into what the local media has called “snoopgate”. In the phone recordings, the person alleged to be home minister Shah asks the surveillance to be carried out for his “saheb” - the respectful Hindi word for boss - when giving orders to police officer G L Singhal, who secretly recorded the conversations. Modi is not named. The woman was tailed as she visited shopping malls, ice-cream parlors, hospitals and airports, according to the websites’ expose. Senior members of India’s ruling Congress party dismissed the panel as a whitewash that could prevent a proper investigation taking place.
(Reuters) - The Scottish government unveiled its long-awaited vision for independence yesterday, promising Scots they could forge their own prosperity but keep the pound and the queen if they vote next year to end a 306-year-old union with England. With separatists lagging in opinion polls, First Minister Alex Salmond said an independent Scotland would take charge of its own finances, raising taxes and spending revenues from North Sea oil and gas reserves as it sees fit. Launching a 670-page blueprint for independence, he said the country would also run its own defence force, expelling nuclear submarines from Scotland, while a new publicly funded broadcaster would form a joint venture on content with the BBC. But it would also seek to preserve major bonds with the United Kingdom, including the British pound and the monarchy, and remain a member of the European Union and NATO.
First Minister Alex Salmond “We know we have the people, the skills and resources to make Scotland a more successful country,” Salmond told a news conference at the Glasgow Science Centre on the bank of the River Clyde, once home to a booming shipbuilding industry. “Scotland’s future in now in Scotland’s hands.” The “landmark paper” was released 10 months before the single vote on independence for Scotland’s
five million people, and after a weekend opinion poll suggested the gap in support between the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps is narrowing. The poll for the Sunday Times newspaper showed 38 percent of Scots backed quitting the UK, with 47 percent opposing it and 15 percent undecided. With so many Scots yet to make up their minds, pro-union leaders have warned against complacency. The weighty prospectus immediately came under fire for being big on political promises but short on detail, with important elements needing approval from outside Scotland and no alternatives given for if Scotland did not get its own way. Salmond, feisty leader of the Scottish National Party, which dominates the devolved Scottish parliament, has put economic gains at the heart of his case for independence - to start on March 24, 2016, the anniversary of the 1707 Act of Union.
U.S. says may pull out all troops as Afghan leader holds up deal KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign a security deal with the United States, the White House said, opening up the prospect of a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from the strife-torn nation next year. Karzai told U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice in Kabul on Monday that the United States must put an immediate end to military raids on Afghan homes and demonstrate its commitment to peace talks before he would sign a bilateral security pact, Karzai’s spokesman said. The White House said Karzai had outlined new conditions in the meeting with Rice and “indicated he is not prepared to sign the promptly”. “Without a prompt signature, the U.S. would have no choice but to initiate planning for a post-2014 future in which there would be no U.S. or NATO troop presence in Afghanistan,” a White House statement quoted Rice as saying. The complete withdrawal, called the “zero option”, would be similar to the pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq two years ago. On Sunday, an assembly of Afghan elders, known as the Loya Jirga, endorsed the
Susan Rice security pact, but Karzai suggested he might not sign it until after national elections next spring. The impasse strengthens questions about whether any U.S. and NATO troops will remain after the end of next year in Afghanistan, which faces a still-potent insurgency waged by Taliban militants and is still training its own military. Karzai’s defiance has surprised the many who had attended the Loya Jirga, which he had proclaimed would have the final word on the security deal. A senior politician in Kabul said it appeared that Karzai’s reluctance to let the deal go through stemmed from his eagerness to keep his
hands on the levers of power in the run-up to a presidential election in April, when he is due to stand down. “He is now in confrontation with his own nation as well as the United States,” said the politician, who asked not to be named. He added that the president’s demand for no U.S. meddling in the coming election suggested that Karzai could be looking to ensure he has room to influence the outcome himself. U.S. and other foreign troops have been in Afghanistan since the ousting of the Taliban regime by U.S.backed Afghan forces in late 2001. Just over two years ago, U.S. President Barack Obama pulled the plug on talks with Iraq about keeping a residual American force there after that war. In October 2011, when he announced that decision, there were more than 40,000 troops in the country. By the end of the year, they had all been withdrawn. In Afghanistan, there are still 47,000 American forces. The United States has been in discussions with Afghan officials about keeping a small residual force of about 8,000 troops there after it winds down operations next year.
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Students join protests in Kiev over EU deal KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Several thousand Ukrainian students ditched classes yesterday and joined protests in the center of Kiev against the government’s abrupt move to freeze integration with the West and tilt toward Moscow. Kiev announced last week that it was halting preparations for the signing of a political and trade agreement with the European Union, after Russia imposed trade restrictions and threatened more to come. Up to 3,000 students from Kiev universities walked out of lecture halls and marched through Kiev to join several thousand other protesters on two central squares, calling on President Viktor Yanukovych to change his mind and sign the agreement with the EU at a summit on Friday. As Kiev intensified talks with Brussels in recent months, Russia restricted imports of Ukrainian steel, chocolates and other products, which Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said reduced this year’s exports by $6.5 billion. Still, Azarov described
Opposition activists attend a protest in front of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers offices in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. AP Photo Ukrainian-Russian relations as “absolutely normal,” and instead blamed Kiev’s turnaround on Brussels, saying it refused to provide financial aid to the struggling Ukrainian economy. “Let us say this straight away: The European Union provided no help for us here, other than general declarations,” Azarov told foreign reporters. “We
received no concrete help.” Azarov called for trilateral talks with Russia, Ukraine and the EU and said the issue of Ukraine’s integration with the 28-member bloc can be taken up again at a summit next spring, but added that Kiev was now focusing on restoring ties with Russia. In Brussels, officials said they were ready to continue negotiations with Ukraine in
the coming months. Yanukovych is still planning to attend the EU summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, according to his website. Ukraine’s decision was seen as a big victory for Russia, which does not want to lose its big Slavic neighbor — which had long been part of the Russian and Soviet empires — to the West. In a sign of rapprochement,
Russia announced on Tuesday that it would lift its ban on Ukrainian chocolates, which it deemed unsafe just a few months ago. But Russian President Vladimir Putin squashed claims by the Ukrainian government that Russia was now willing to renegotiate the contract for natural gas supplies. Ukraine has complained for years that the
price it pays for Russian gas is unfairly high. About 7,000 activists rallied in Kiev’s two central squares in an echo of the 2004 Orange Revolution, which overturned a rigged election and brought a pro-Western government to power. They waved EU flags and warmed themselves around bonfires. “We feel ourselves to be part of Europe and now the authorities want to take this identity away from us,” said Yehor Mnishek, a student from Kiev. “It’s like cutting off someone’s arm or head.” More rallies were planned in the run-up to the summit and over the weekend. While the protests have been largely peaceful, there have been several scuffles between radical activists and riot police in which tear gas was used. Azarov said that police will treat protesters with respect, but will not allow provocations. “The more the Kremlin pressures and threatens Ukraine, the stronger Ukrainians’ pro-European sentiment becomes,” said political analyst Vadim Karasyov.
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BERLUSCONI BREAKS WITH GOVERNMENT AHEAD OF ITALY SENATE SHOWDOWN ROME (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right party declared yesterday it would vote against Italy’s 2014 budget, confirming its break with the ruling coalition a day before the Senate moves to expel the media tycoon over a tax fraud conviction. Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s government has called a confidence vote to speed up the budget which parliament must pass before the end of the year and is expected to have the numbers to win even without Berlusconi’s support. But the confirmation that the biggest party on the center-right was withdrawing its support from the unwieldy coalition of left and right formed after last February’s deadlocked election underlined the political instability facing the euro zone’s third biggest economy. “From today we are in opposition and the grand coalition is over,” said Renato Brunetta, lower house leader of Berlusconi’s center-right party, now rebranded under
its original name Forza Italia. Around 60 center-right lawmakers have split away from Forza Italia and pledged their support for the government, meaning that Letta should easily have the majority he needs to survive and keep approval of the budget on track. A further showdown awaits on Wednesday when the Senate is due to vote to strip Berlusconi of his seat in the upper house after he was convicted in August of being at the center of a vast tax fraud conspiracy at his Mediaset television empire. With both the center-left Democratic Party and the antiestablishment 5-Star Movement voting against Berlusconi, an expulsion appears certain with a protracted bout of parliamentary guerrilla warfare likely to follow. Speaking at a joint news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the northern eastern city of Trieste, Letta said that Italy, still stuck in its worst postwar
recession, desperately needed stability to reform its stagnant economy. “For us to get back to growth, Italy needs to avoid chaos and that’s what I’ve been working for the past seven months and it’s what I’m working for now,” Letta said. Confidence votes, which limit the scope for timeconsuming amendments, are regularly called to speed legislation and Tuesday’s Senate vote on the first reading of the budget will not be final approval. The vote is expected to take place around midnight but officials said it could be pushed back until this morning if there were further delays. With the European Central Bank guaranteeing market stability, Italy has not seen the kind of turbulence it went through at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in 2011, but the prospect of disruption has caused alarm outside Italy. European Commission
Silvio Berlusconi President Jose Manuel Barroso, a leading member of
the center-right European People’s Party, called Berlusconi in a vain lastminute bid to try to prevent a break with Letta’s government, Forza Italia lawmakers said. The government has packed a series of measures into a so-called maxiamendment on which it has called the confidence vote but officials were still working on details of the package with only hours to go before the vote. The budget, the object of intense negotiations between coalition partners, includes some tax cuts on labor costs but the European
Commission has warned it might not achieve debt reduction targets. If ejected from parliament, Berlusconi will lose immunity from arrest and from being wiretapped by investigators as he faces at least two other criminal probes and appeals a conviction for paying for sex with an underage prostitute. However, his lawyers dismissed any suggestion that he risked arrest after his expulsion. “We believe this a completely unrealistic hypothesis,” Franco Coppi, one of his legal team, told reporters in Rome.
Referendum on Egypt’s constitution seen in December CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt will hold a referendum on an amended constitution in December, the group drafting it said on Tuesday, an important step in an armybacked roadmap meant to lead to elections. Hours before the timing of the referendum was announced, protesters took to the streets in defiance of a law passed on Sunday requiring police approval for gatherings of more than 10 people. Police detained 28 people, the Interior Ministry said. Egypt’s democratic credentials have been called into question since the military toppled the country’s first freely elected president, Islamist Mohamed Mursi, in July, following mass protests against his rule. A committee of 50 members, with few Islamists, began work in September on amending the constitution that was approved in a referendum last year after being drafted by an Islamistdominated assembly. “The referendum will be held before the end of (December),” Mohamed Salmawy, spokesman of the constituent assembly, said. That contradicts comments made by Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi who said on Sunday the referendum would be held in the second half of January. The new constitution will guarantee the right to protest and ensure that demonstrations can be held if protesters notify authorities, rather than wait to be granted permission, Salmawy said, in an apparent effort to ease tension over a new law restricting demonstrations.
Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who ousted Mursi, has promised the roadmap will lead to free and fair elections. But the plan has not stabilized Egypt, where protests and attacks by Islamist militants based in the unruly Sinai Peninsula have hammered investment and tourism. Egypt has stumbled on its path to democracy since a popular uprising ousted autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, with the army ousting Mursi and security forces mounting one of the fiercest crackdowns on Islamists in decades. Hundreds have been killed and the Brotherhood’s leadership has been arrested. Khaled Dawoud, a prominent liberal political figure, criticized the government. “They are making more enemies than friends especially among the young revolutionary Egyptian people who have been in the streets for the past three years,” he said. Underscoring differences over the new law, ten members of the body have suspended their work in protest against the detentions, MENA reported. Beblawi promised to follow the results of the prosecutor’s investigations into the detentions, according to an emailed statement from the cabinet. Human rights groups have condemned the law as a major blow to freedom in Egypt, the most populous Arab state and a U.S. ally that has experienced near relentless upheaval since autocratic ruler Hosni Mubarak was toppled by a revolt in 2011.
“(The) new protest law gives security forces free rein,” Amnesty International said. Skirmishes broke out between security forces and protesters in downtown Cairo and police fired teargas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrations. They were marking the death of a liberal activist killed in clashes with police two years ago and expressed anger against the protest law. Hundreds assembled at the Press Syndicate and parliament. “Down, down with military rule,” they chanted. In Cairo, female students at Al-Azhar University for Islamic learning, which follows the government line, stormed into a dean’s office and destroyed her desk. The United States, which has partially frozen aid to Egypt, on Monday expressed concern over the new law and said it agreed with groups that argued it did not meet international standards and hampered the country’s move toward democracy. A security official said Tuesday’s crowd had not obtained permission to protest and had ignored warnings to disperse. The army-backed government has said it is not against peaceful protests but wants to restore order in the streets. It has also complained that protests often disrupt traffic. Some Egyptians cheered police as they broke up protests on Tuesday. “We are implementing the new protest law that requires protesters to seek permission from the Interior Ministry three days before the protest,” a police official said.
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Thai protesters step up campaign to oust government (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters surrounded Thailand’s Interior Ministry and forced the evacuation of four others yesterday, intensifying their campaign to bring down the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The protesters defied a tough security law imposed late on Monday, after they had stormed two other ministries, to control demonstrations against Yingluck and her billionaire brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Suthep Thaugsuban, the protest leader and a former deputy prime minister under the previous government, urged supporters to mount more blockades of government buildings today, not only in Bangkok but across the country. “Go to every ministry and make sure they are all surrounded, so they can no longer work for the Thaksin regime,” Suthep told tens of
thousands of flag-waving protesters in a late night speech at the Finance Ministry they have occupied. As crowds swelled on the streets, Yingluck and her ruling Puea Thai Party were locked in a two-day confidence debate in parliament where they hold a commanding majority. The opposition has accused them of corruption and trying to pass laws to whitewash Thaksin of a graft conviction. Civil servants fled as groups of demonstrators surrounded the interior, agriculture, tourism and transport ministries in blockades that have plunged Thailand into its deepest political uncertainty since it was convulsed by the bloodiest unrest in a generation in 2010. “Getting rid of the Thaksin regime is not easy,” Suthep told Reuters in an interview earlier. The demonstration “might be longer” than the three days
originally planned, he said. Thaksin is a former telecommunications tycoon who is hugely popular with poor urban and rural voters who have put him, or his party, into power in every election since 2001. He was ousted in a 2006 military coup that was largely welcomed by Bangkok’s middle class. He has hovered ghost-like over Thai politics since fleeing the country in 2008, accused of undermining the powerful monarchy, breaching conflict-of-interest laws and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison. Though Yingluck, who opponents accuse of being a puppet for her brother, is expected to prevail in Thursday’s confidence vote, it is unlikely to defuse a crisis fuelled by anger over the electoral and legislative power the Shinawatra family has long held, and is accused of abusing. Thaksin remains a
Russia says EU criticism over Ukraine shift inappropriate MOSCOW (Reuters) President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman hit back at the European Union yesterday, saying it was wrong to criticize Russia over Ukraine’s decision to back away from a trade deal with the EU and draw closer to Moscow. “In this case it is inappropriate to speak of any kind of pressure,” Interfax news agency quoted Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, as saying in Russia’s first public response to a strongly worded statement from EU leaders on Monday. The remarks reflected tension between Russia and the EU over the shift by Ukraine, which abruptly halted preparations to sign up
Vladimir Putin for the trade pact with the EU at a summit in Vilnius on Friday and said it would cultivate closer trade ties with Moscow.
Ukraine’s decision followed months of Russian warnings that Moscow could impose punitive trade measures on its neighbor and hints that it could cut natural gas shipments. In a statement on Monday, the EU’s two most senior officials said they “strongly disapprove of the Russian position and actions in this respect.” Peskov said Putin had repeatedly stated Russia’s position that it would welcome any decision by Ukraine, Interfax reported. Russia wants Ukraine to bring into a Customs Union with other former Soviet republics. Moscow has also accused the EU of putting pressure on Kiev.
Syria polio cases spread to Damascus and Aleppo: WHO BEIRUT (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said yesterday that additional polio cases had been confirmed in two new areas of Syria, including near Damascus and in the northern city of Aleppo near Turkey. “In addition to 15 polio cases in Deir alZor province, Syria, two additional cases have been confirmed, one each in rural Damascus and Aleppo,” the organization said on its Twitter account. The incurable virus was confirmed this month in 13 children who became paralyzed. The WHO says polio is expected to spread after a drop in vaccination rates due to the war. WHO spokeswoman Sona Bari said the
virus had reached Aleppo, once Syria’s most populous city where forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad are fighting rebels trying to end four decades of family rule. Polio is endemic in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria despite a 25-year-old campaign to eradicate the disease, which can paralyze a child within hours. This is Syria’s first polio outbreak since 1999. More than 20 million children are to be vaccinated in Syria and neighboring countries over the next six months, United Nations agencies say. Syria’s immunization rates have plummeted from more than 90 percent before the conflict to around 68 percent.
populist hero for many but is reviled by much of the Bangkok elite of generals, royal advisers, middle-class bureaucrats and business leaders who all largely back the opposition Democrat Party. It is uncertain how long the confrontation will go on. Yingluck might, analysts say, seek to bolster her legitimacy by calling an election she would likely win, as Thaksin has done before, but that could be risky. “She would first need to be absolutely sure there were no undemocratic forces preparing to fill the power vacuum that would be created,” said Kan Yuenyong, director of the Siam Intelligence Unit thinktank. “Right now, it’s brinkmanship. The other side knows an election would only create another Thaksin government.” After forcing their way inside the Finance Ministry on Monday and bursting through the gates of the Foreign Ministry compound, 3,000 protesters circled the Interior Ministry, some wearing plastic bags to protect them from torrential rain. They pushed up against the compound gates, some peering over a metal fence topped with razor wire and urged dozens of security
guards to let them in. The crowd at the ministry dispersed by nightfall and returned to their main protest site in Bangkok’s historic heart. Staff were ordered to leave five ministries in all and protesters led a march towards the heavily barricaded Government House, Yingluck’s offices. After a 15-minute standoff with police, they withdrew. The uncertainty is driving foreign investors out of Thai financial markets, making the baht the second-worst performing emerging Asian currency in November having lost 2.7 percent this month. Thai stocks have retreated about 6 percent. “Every time you think that Thailand is moving along, the government’s ability to govern breaks down. We have gone through this many times since 2006,” said JP Morgan analyst Matt Hildebrandt. A court issued a warrant yesterday for the arrest of Suthep in connection with the raid on the Finance Ministry. Together with former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, he has been charged with murder for allowing troops to open fire in 2010 protests by Thaksin’s supporters. A year later, their Democrat Party was routed in
an election that swept Yingluck to power. The confrontation is a reminder of the turmoil that has overshadowed Thailand for much of the last decade. On one side is Thaksin, a former policeman who redrew the political map by courting rural voters to gain an unassailable mandate that he then used to advance the interests of major companies, including his own. On the other is the elite and establishment, threatened by his rise. Thaksin’s opponents include unions and academics who saw him as a corrupt rights abuser, and the urban middleclass who resented their taxes being used as his political war chest. It is a confusing picture characterised variously as a class war, a rural-urban split, a clash between ancient and modern or a showdown between royalists and republicans. Many antigovernment protesters draw a distinction between themselves and the poor who are fiercely loyal to Thaksin. “We are rich and our children are educated in Bangkok,” said Nonthapan Suwananon, an antigovernment protestor who manages an office. “They are poor, uneducated and have been bought out by Thaksin and his lot.”
Kenya’s President Kenyatta must attend trial
The Hague (AFP) - The International Criminal Court yesterday reversed a ruling that allowed Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta to attend only parts of his trial, saying the African leader “as a general rule must be present” in court. “Any future requests to be excused from attending parts of his trial will be considered on a case-by-case basis,” The Hague-based ICC said in a statement. Kenyatta’s trial on charges of masterminding some of the 2007-8 postelection violence in Kenya that left over 1,000 people dead and several hundred thousand displaced, is set to start on February 5. Judges on October 18 partially excused Kenyatta in order for him to deal with the aftermath of a Nairobi mall siege in September in which at least 67 people died. Two weeks later, the court postponed the trial’s start date after Kenyatta’s lawyers said the attack on the
Uhuru Kenyatta upmarket Westgate mall — claimed by Somalia’s AlQaeda-linked Shebab insurgents — triggered a “national and international crisis.” Kenyatta, who was elected president in March,
has long said that the trial in the Netherlands would hamper his running of the country. Prosecutors however argued Kenyatta’s situation was the same as that of fellow accused and Kenya’s Vice President William Ruto, who was instructed last month to be present at his own trial. Both Kenyatta and Ruto face crimes against humanity charges in separate trials. They were political opponents at the time of the post-poll violence that shattered the east African country’s image as a beacon of stability in the region. Ruto went on trial in September, becoming the highest-ranking serving official to do so before the ICC. Both men have pledged full cooperation with the court.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Wednesday November 27, 2013
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
AJAX END BARCELONA RUN TO STAY IN CONTENTION Reuters - Ajax Amsterdam kept themselves in contention for progress to the next round of the Champions League after becoming the first side to beat Barcelona this season with a 2-1 triumph in their Group H match yesterday. Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen scored to give Ajax a surprise halftime lead but straight after the break defender Joel Veltman was red carded for a tackle on Neymar and Xavi pulled a goal back from the penalty spot. Injury-plagued Barcelona applied pressure in search of an equalizer but Ajax held out to thunderous applause from a capacity Amsterdam Arena. Ajax stay third in the group, one point behind AC Milan, who they must now beat away on December 11 if they are to advance. Group leaders Barcelona, without the injured Lionel Messi, are two points clear and not yet sure of top place though they were already through to the knockout phase before Tuesday’s game. Serero ghosted in late for the first goal in the 19th minute, applying the decisive touch to a strong cross from the right from fullback Ricardo van Rhijn, who just five minutes earlier had made a goal-saving tackle on Neymar. The South African international’s first Champions League goal precipitated a period of sustained pressure from the young Dutch side, culminating in a second goal three minutes from halftime. A poor clearance from
Arsenal win but last 16 spot still not certain; Chelsea through despite loss to Basel
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere (right) celebrates with team mate Mesut Ozil after scoring a goal against Olympique Marseille. Javier Mascherano saw Ajax set up a chance for Viktor Fischer, whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, only for Hoesen to pick up the rebound, go round Carles Puyol and score with the help of a deflection off Gerard Pique. But the comfortable cushion deflated just two minutes after the break when Van Rhijn’s poor back pass set Neymar away and Veltman tripped him on the edge of the area, conceding a penalty and getting himself sent off. Xavi converted the spot kick to send Ajax into
defensive mode as they tigerishly held on for the valuable three points, keeping Neymar at bay and ensuring the Brazilian has yet to open his Champions League goal scoring account. It was Barcelona’s first defeat under new coach Gerardo Martino and ended hopes of a record-equaling longest unbeaten start to a season. They last lost at home to Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions league semi-final. Jack Wilshere scored twice, the first after 30 seconds, as Group F leaders Arsenal beat Olympique
Marseille 2-0 on Tuesday but have yet to secure a Champions League last 16 place. Arsenal, with four wins in five matches, head the group with 12 points followed by Borussia Dortmund, whose 31 win over Napoli leaves both sides on nine. Marseille have none after five straight defeats. Arsenal’s last match on Dec 11 is away to Napoli while Dortmund visit Marseille meaning Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli could all finish with 12 points in which case results between the three would decide who advances to the last 16. As long as Arsenal do not lose by three goals or more they will qualify for the knockout rounds for the 14th successive season, but it means Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to take a strong team to Napoli next month. Chelsea qualified for the Champions League knockout stages despite suffering a late defeat in Basel. Mohamed Salah’s goal three minutes from time earned victory for the Swiss side but Schalke’s goalless draw with Steaua Bucharest means the Blues cannot slip to third in Group E. They will be disappointed by their display in Switzerland as they did not register a shot on target. Petr Cech made several saves before Salah steered in to seal the win.
BLATTER: My audience with the Pope was extremely significant Following his private audience with Pope Francis, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter answered the questions of journalists from around the world at the Rome office of the Associazione Stampa Estera in Italia (Foreign Press Association in Italy). Blatter began by reporting on his meeting with the Holy Father, while the FIFA President’s answers on several issues are summarised below. On the Papal audience: “We have been in contact with the Vatican since the Papal election in March. In our exchange of letters, we asked the Holy Father to grant us an audience at his convenience. I had butterflies in my stomach before the
audience. It was a fascinating moment – one of the best moments of my life.” “It was a meeting between two people who love football. We discussed football, of course, but we also spoke about many other issues. Above all, though, we spoke the language of football. For example, I told the Holy Father about my trip to Iran. For his part, the Pope emphasises the significance of football. He asked me personally to give hope to the poor through football. He also requested that we use our footballing efforts to promote, intensify and continue to strive for world peace.” “We greeted each other like two footballers before a game, with what is known as
the “Handshake of Peace”. It was the Pope’s wish that we greet each other this way. In football, this type of greeting should continue to be a sign of peace in the future, but above all, a message of peace to the world.” “The man who stood in front of me is not only the most senior Catholic on earth but also exudes incredible serenity and dignity. It was a very special meeting for me. I will remember it fondly forever.” On Qatar: “We have sent a clear message to the Emir of Qatar regarding working conditions in his country. We are in constant contact with all the parties involved. However, let me make one thing clear: we only ever talk about Qatar.
Some of the companies responsible for the construction work there come from Europe, and they must be held to account in the same way.” On racism in football: “I have continuously stressed that racism and discrimination have no place in football, and we are fighting it with all the resources at our disposal. FIFA will continue to intensify its efforts. Our primary task is to protect football, and we will do that with all our might.” On kick-off times at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™: “We will address this issue at a meeting timed to coincide with the World Cup group draw at the start of December.” (fifa.com)
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GDF to host Floodlight Rugby tonight Rugby is on a roll with the Guyana Defense Force set to host their first ever floodlight Rugby tourney at the Camp Ayanganna Ground this evening. The Army side is currently red hot having captured all the three Sevens Championships played this year. They defeated University of Guyana Wolves and Hornets Rugby Football Club respectively with Caribs failing to make any of the finals. The women’s National Ruggers will also be on show as the Guyana Rugby Football Union continues to push for the development of Female rugby. Admission is free and spectators are asked to use the Eastern entrance to the venue. Scrum down time is 17:50hrs.
Barbados name 36 for Super50
Thirty-six players have been invited to trials by the Barbados selectors in preparation for the WICB Regional Super50 tournament which will be contested in Trinidad & Tobago from January 30 – February 16, 2014. Squad: *denotes players who are unavailable at this time. Anthony Alleyne, Sulieman Benn, *Tino Best, Derick Bishop, Rashidi Boucher, Carlos Brathwaite, *Kraigg Brathwaite, *Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, *Fidel Edwards, *Kirk Edwards, Justin Greaves, Jamar Griffith, *Ryan Hinds, Jason Holder, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, *Jerome Jones, Kyle Mayers, Ashley Nurse, Omar Phillips, Raymon Reifer, *Kemar Roach, Dawayne Sealy, Javon Searles, Shadd Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Craig St. Hill, Kevin Stoute, Diego Stuart, Jomel Warrican, Marlon Welcome-Goodman, Kenroy Williams. (bcacricket.org)
Eleven foreign teams... From page 38 medalists Magnolias of Trinidad with their super-star striker Stacey Sui-Butt return with a vengeance to improve on their second place finish. The inaugural victors have a good crop of young players who are sure to make them genuine contenders for the crown once again. Three time festival champions and local top side GCC has entered their strongest side to date in this year’s festival. The team features a number of players who have trained on the Guyana national squad over the past few years including national sweeper Ulrica Sutherland and dynamic striker Gabriella Xavier. Moving up from the junior ranks is the skilful Aliyah Gordon who will complete a potent GCC attack. Malvern Hockey Club of Trinidad has also worn the festival crown in the past and will produce one of the more experienced sides this year, while the rebuilding Hikers will look to establish a name for themselves. The Carib veterans Challenge will feature the largest collection of teams with eight sides vying for the top honours. Local sides GCC, Hikers and Old Old Fort feature among the most consistent sides, but former champs Fatima along with Malvern, Carib, TT Defence Force and TT Police forge a strong Trinidadian challenge. Defending champs the Hikers will be strengthened this year by the inclusion of Jerazeno ‘Skillaxe’ Bell, but is anticipated to have their hands full from their opponents. The tournament ends on Sunday, December 2nd.
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PG II officially bounces off this weekend The Colts Basketball Club will host the second edition of the Phillip George Legacy competition, dubbed PGII, beginning Friday night on the Burnham Basketball Court and continuing until mid-December at the same venue for Division I and III Clubs. “The Colts Basketball Club wish to make public, the commemoration of our founder and father’s legacy basketball tournament,” a release said yesterday; “this is a follow up to our first edition; it maintains our commitment to basketball,” it continued. When he was contacted, President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Michael Singh said that the club is committed to the icon, Phillip George in an effort to continue to revitalise basketball in Georgetown and by extension, Guyana. “The GABA is still in repair mode that means that we have lots of work to do, and we are doing that work for the sport,” Singh, who came to office this year and immediately piled up grassroots programmes, continued. This year will feature eight Division I Clubs along with 12 Division III teams, playing in groups before progressing to the semi-final stage. Both divisions have a total of 15
Wednesday November 27, 2013
GT&T/Hand-in-Hand co-sponsors GCB’s Inter-County cricket
- Prelim challenge on tonight games to determine a champion. December 15 is set as the tournament’s conclusion date. Meanwhile, two teams, namely Buxton Heat and Knights have challenged Plaisance Guardians and Panthers, for their spots in the tournament among the eight Division I clubs; the preliminary games will be played today on the Burnham Court. Singh informed that the GABA has put in place two novelty challenges: a ThreePoint Shootout and a Skills Challenge to determine the best long-range shooter and fastest player over the court with a basketball, respectively. Singh said that the Shootout will give the winner the opportunity to be named the best three-point shooter in Georgetown. In addition, both winners of the novelty events will receive $20,000 and a pair of sneakers. The winner of the PGII Division I competition will pocket $100,000 while the second place club gets $50,000. The Division III winner will get $35,000 with $15,000 allotted for the second place club. Phillip George’s daughter, Philemeena George will donate the MVP Trophy the Division III and son Rashleigh George will donate
a trophy to the Most Discipline team in the tournament. There will also be a MVP trophy for the Division I competition. The sponsors of the competition include: The Original Palm Court, Banks DIH Limited, Agri Parts, The Hallmark Store, Chetsons, Lorenzo Alphonso, WR Rambaran Transport, Imon Communications, The Trophy Stall, Charles Ramson Jr., Starr Party Rentals, Ronald Thorne, Hinds and Statia Financial, Paladin Security, Giftland OfficeMax, Sanjeev Datadin and Demtoco – for cleaning the Burnham Court environs. George, who was at the time of his death, Head Coach of the Bounty Colts Club, is credited with leading several junior national teams to overseas competitions. In addition, he piloted the careers of notable Guyanese players, Lorenzo Withrite and Andrew Ifill. George, who was also known as ‘One Foot’, ‘Coach Man’ and most recently ‘Mr. Fundamental’ passed away on December 20, 2011; he was 63 yearsold. The renowned local Basketball Coach was one of the most consistent visitors of the Burnham Basketball Court. (Edison Jefford)
Norman Singh Memorial 2nd Div. 20-Over Tourney
D’EDWARD AND BATH ADVANCE TO FINAL D’Edward and Bath both won their latest games in the Inaugural 2013 Norman Singh Memorial Second Division 20-Over Cricket Competition to earn their places in the final. D’Edward defeated Hopetown United in their semi-final encounter, while Bath upset Cotton Tree Die Hard in a third round match which resulted in them earning a bye through to the final. In the semi-final played at the D’Edward ground, the home team got the better of Hopetown United by six wickets. Hopetown United, won the toss and choose to take first strike, had a good start with their opening batsman Derick Cadogan putting on 25 for the first wicket with Ruel Edwards (10) and 60 for the second wicket with Berbice wicketkeeper-batsman Kwesi Mentore to be 85 for 1 in 12 overs at one stage. But after that the D’Edward bowlers led by off spinners, Brian Roopnarine and Devendra Lalsa, slowed up the proceeding and even though Cadogan went on to make 52 (3x4,1 x6) and Mentore 20, Hopetown eventually only managed 116 in 19 overs. Roopnarine took 4 wickets with Lalsa and medium pacer Christian France 2 each.
D’Edward in their turn at the crease had little trouble in reaching 120 for 4 in 18 overs thanks mainly to former Berbice all-rounder Eon Abel who made 37 and Devendra Lalsa 30. In the third round match played at Bath, the home team upset Cotton Tree Die Hard by 3 runs in a close encounter. The match was reduced to 12 overs-a-side due to the late arrival of the Cotton Tree team. Bath won the toss and made first use of the pitch to race to 125 for 4 in their 12 overs with Shawn Kadim leading the way with 63 not out (6x6, 3x4), Chaitram Dhanpersaud 31 and Jailall Chandylall 25. Bowling for Cotton Tree Die Hard, Roshan Gafoor, Pooran Persaud and Nashad Gafoor took one wicket each. They in their turn at the crease made a spirited effort to reach the target and fell three short at 122 for 4 in their 12 overs with Gafoor top scoring with 35 and Persaud 24. Bowling for Bath, Daniel Adjodia and Vinod Ramjattan took two wickets each. D’Edward and Bath will now meet in the final on Sunday, 1st December 2013 at Bath. Representatives of the sponsors and the Berbice Cricket Board are expected to be on hand.
Hand-in-Hand’s Marketing Coordinator Andrea Jodhan-Khan hands over the cheque to GCB’s Marketing Manager Raj Singh as GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie shares the moment. The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Hand-in-Hand Mutual Group of Companies, have thrown their support behind the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior four-day Inter County tournament, scheduled to commence tomorrow with two matches. Speaking at the launching of the tournament yesterday at GT&T’s head office on Brickdam, GCB Marketing Manager Raj Singh thanked the company for their support stating that after several years of not having a sponsor, the GCB is thrilled to have GT&T as a co-sponsor in 2013. He noted that the four-day game is the foundation of Test cricket and no doubt needs urgent attention in the West Indies. “Guyana has produced world class cricketers and it is the GCB’s aim to continue this trend. But for lengthy competitions to be of high standard, the GCB needs help from business entities. Hence, we are grateful that GT&T saw the
need to get involved”, he added. Singh said he hopes that this year’s competition will better promote and enhance the talent of the young cricketers in Guyana. “We at the GCB expect that this competition will build on their mental capabilities and develop their other traits of discipline and team work. We also hope that at the end of the tournament the sponsor will be satisfied with its level and intensity,” he stated. Director of Sales and Marketing and Public Relations of GT & T Roma Narayan Singh said the entity is proud to be part of the tournament. Meanwhile, Hand-inHand, who sponsored the Demerara second division competition for 26 consecutive years until 2010, had their launching later in the afternoon at the Boardroom of their Head Office on Avenue of the Republic.
Singh expressed gratitude to Hand-in-Hand, adding that the Company is Guyana’s oldest insurer having been established since 1865. “We are extremely proud to welcome Hand-in-Hand to our list of growing sponsors this year,” Singh said. Andrea Jodhan-Khan, Marketing coordinator of Hand-in-Hand disclosed that her Company has been in existence for 147 years and has always supported sports, especially cricket. “We have worked along with the Berbice Cricket Board and the Demerara Cricket Board in the past and at one time had the longest running second division tournament in Demerara. We are delighted to assist in the development of Guyana’s top cricketers,” Jodhan-Khan said. The competition will see four teams battling for supremacy. Demerara will face President’s XI at Enmore and Essequibo will take on Berbice at Demerara Cricket Club in the first round.
Magnus Carlsen dethrones Viswanathan... From page 39 Norwegian wasn’t even born when Anand became India’s first grandmaster in 1988 and was just 10 when Anand won the first of his five world titles in 2000. A grandmaster since he was 13, Carlsen now has the highest rating in the history of the game, breaking chess great Garry Kasparov’s record this year. He became the world’s number one at age 19, the youngest player ever to do so. Kasparov, who coached Carlsen for a while, described him as “a type of Harry Potter” destined “to leave a deep mark” on the game. A household name in India, Anand is widely credited with firing up the nation’s passion for chess more than two decades ago. Friday’s result was a disappointment for the 43-year-old, who had been the undisputed world champion since 2007.
“This year, I’ve had a lot of problems with mistakes creeping into my game,” Anand said at the post-match news conference. “(Losing) the fifth game was a heavy blow,” he said, adding that it was time for him “to take stock”. The 2013 championship, played on a glass-encased, soundproof stage at five-star hotel in Chennai, drew unprecedented media interest, despite reams of newsprint and TV coverage devoted to Sachin Tendulkar’s swansong series happening concurrently in cricket-crazy India. More than 100 million TV viewers in India and Norway watched the chess championship broadcast, organisers said on the championship website. This year, the chess title comes with a cash prize of $1.5 million for Carlsen while Anand will receive around $1 million. (Reuters)
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Sunburst/LABA Secondary Schools B’ball
Continental Group of Companies pleased to give back – Percival Boyce Jr. The Continental Group of Companies has once again fulfilled its corporate responsibility of promoting youth development through sports. Through its Sunburst brand, the company has partnered with the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) to sponsor the Linden Secondary Schools Under-17 Championship which the company says will help lay a solid foundation for the sport in the Bauxite Mining Community. At the opening ceremony on Monday afternoon last at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court, Corporate Secretary of Continental Group of Companies, Mr. Percival Boyce Jr., while representing his company said, “The management and staff of Continental Group of Companies have welcomed the invitation to support the youths of Linden/Wismar Communities and extend every best wish for a successful championship and may the best team win.” Braving the intermittent showers at the main basketball facility in Linden, Boyce who was accompanied by two Marketing Executives also noted that his company has always been involved in promoting sports in Linden
saying their last sponsorship was with football and they are pleased to be proud sponsor of the Under 17 Schoolboys Championship. The avid sports enthusiast recalled that the Continental Group has been serving the Linden/ Wismar Markets over a decade now and as a good corporate citizen, “we continue to be pleased to give back to the Community with our focus on the youths in healthy sporting activities.” Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon praised the effort by the Continental Group of Companies as he remembered the involvement of them in football while also applauding the efforts of the LABA in promoting the game among schools. Solomon called for more support by the business community for the promotion of sports and challenged Continental Group of Companies to pour more into such promotions by heightening their display of products to the community through this medium of sponsorship. Malcolm James who represented the participating schools thanked Continental Group of Companies for their involvement in spreading the game among the youths and
noted the effort being made by the LABA in ensuring that the game is played at the various levels in the schools. James posited that this is a step in the right direction and encouraged that the association to continue to focus on young players as he tasked all participating schools to play to their best as well as display good sportsmanship by being punctual and observing the rules of the game. Following the march past of the six participating schools, there was the handing over of the trophies, replicas and medals from the sponsors to the association. On court action was set to bounce off yesterday afternoon with two matches. Originally, the competition should have get underway on Monday but that was curtailed as a result of rain. New Silvercity Secondary were down to play Harmony while Mackenzie High took on Linden Foundation Secondary. Today, Mackenzie High will be in action again, this time against Harmony in opening play with the feature clash featuring Linden Foundation Secondary and Wisburg. Double header matches will continue tomorrow and Friday at the same venue.
WIBC considers cutting CCC from regional competitions ST.JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is considering removing Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) from its regional tournaments next year. CEO Michael Muirhead says while no decision has yet been taken CCC is likely to be excluded from WICB tournaments including the Regional Super 50 to be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in January and the Regional Four-day tournament. “It (the decision) is not finalised and nothing is cast in stone but it is certainly trending that way,” said Muirhead. “It is a decision we (the WICB) will make next week.” Decision on CCC’s future is expected to be taken at the WICB’s Board meeting on December 7. Muirhead said the discussions will also center on measures to encourage territories to contract the
players from the current CCC squad. “We are going to be encouraging the territories. We want the best players to be playing regardless of what teams they are with,” said Muirhead. “So we want to encourage other teams to invite many of the CCC players to be part of their team and drafted into their teams and we’ll be looking at ways to motivate them (the six territorial teams) to do that”. Last year, CCC received a $US50,000 grant from the WICB, similar to the amount normally awarded to the six territorial boards on an annual basis. Muirhead has listed commercial reasons among factors that may lead to the withdrawal of the CCC. “The decision may come because of commercial reasons, and we (the WICB) want to take a different slant in our cricket,” Muirhead said, “but there are certainly many other reasons.”
Michael Muirhead
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U-19s to play Sagicor HPC Bridgetown, Barbados – The West Indies Under-19 Team will face the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre in two 50over matches before departing for their tour of Bangladesh. The matches will be played on Tomorrow and Friday at the 3Ws Oval at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. First ball is 9 am (8 am Jamaica Time). The West Indies Under19s will then depart on Saturday evening for their
tour of Bangladesh which will feature seven 50-over matches against the Bangladesh Under-19s. Both teams are using the series as preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be played in United Arad Emirates in February, 2014. “We are happy to be able to play these matches before we head off to what we expect will be a tough series in Bangladesh, but one which we believe we can win,” said Head Coach Roddy Estwick. “We want our players to get a ‘feel’ and before we
head off. All 15 players will get an opportunity so no one will be left out. We will look to continue the work we started when we played against Bangladesh in Guyana last month.” Estwick added: “We have to get better at rotating the strike, creating singles, hitting the gaps and looking to bat out the 50 overs. These are the main areas of concern and we want to make sure we get better in this department.” The West Indies Under-19s leave Bangladesh on December 21.
Fixtures for Bangladesh tour Monday, 2nd: Arrive in Dhaka Thursday, 5th: warm-up match – ZACS, Chittagong Saturday, 7th: 1st ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – ZACS, Chittagong Monday, 9th: 2nd ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – ZACS, Chittagong Thursday, 12th: 3rd ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – ZACS, Chittagong Friday, 13th: 4th ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – KSOAS, Fatullah Monday, 16th: 5th ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – KSOAS, Fatullah Wednesday, 18th: 6th ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – Sher-e-Bangla, Mirpur Friday, 20th: 7th ODI vs Bangladesh Under-19 – Sher-e-Bangla, Mirpur Saturday, 21st: depart Dhakas VENUES: ZACS – Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong KSOAS – Khan Shaheeb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah SBNCS – Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka FULL SQUAD - Ramaal Lewis (Jamaica) – Captain, Jeremy Solozano (T&T) – Vice Captain, Fabien Allen (Jamaica), Tagenarine Chanderpaul (Guyana), Bryan Charles (T&T), Tristan Coleman (Jamaica), Jonathan Drakes (Barbados), Shimron Hetmyre (Guyana), Jerome Jones (Barbados), Ray Jordan (Windwards), Brandon King (Jamaica), Preston McSween (Windwards), Marquino Mindley (Jamaica), Gudakesh Motie (Guyana), Nicholas Pooran (T&T). TEAM MANAGEMENT - Altamont Solomon (Manager), Roddy Estwick (Coach), Robert Samuels (Assistant Coach), Dwain Gill (Analyst), Janel Springer (Physiotherapist), Ronald Rogers (Fitness Trainer). (WICB Media Release)
Pacquiao borrows money to help typhoon victims after bank accounts are frozen Manny Pacquiao has had his bank accounts frozen, forcing him to borrow money to fulfill his pledge to help victims of the typhoon which ravaged the Philippines. The eight-division world champion won his first fight in two years on Sunday when he outpointed Brandon Rios in Macau. He returned to his homeland a hero but has had to borrow One Million pesos (£14,000) to help those affected by the disaster which has killed more than 5,200 people. The Philippine Revenue
Authorities claim Pacquiao did not pay tax on the money earned from his victories over Oscar De Lay Hoya and Ricky Hatton in 2008 and 2009 respectively. But the 34-year-old insists a treaty ensures he does not have be taxed twice. Pacquiao, who earned a minimum of purse of $18M for fighting Rios, said afterwards: ‘Recovering from the
knockout and giving a good show like the young Manny Pacquiao is what I was trying to show tonight. ‘I’m very careful. I learned in the last fight that if the knockout comes, it will come but I was very careful. ‘He’s one of the toughest opponents in my career. He took a lot of punches but he was still standing.’ (mailonline)
PAID VOLUNTARY... From page 36 I have often been told that quality comes with a price; oats sold before it is eaten by the horse will obviously fetch a handsome price. However, if you are satisfied with oats that the animal would have chewed on, processed through its intestines and then deposited through the other end, well, that product can be had for free. President Ninvalle can now decide which of the group of oats to feed his officials; he should strive to enhance the fortunes of his officiating staff. The domino effect might just surprise him!
Manny Pacquiao
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday November 27, 2013
Albion whip Young Warriors by 113 runs to claim Elizabeth Styles Under-19 title By Samuel Whyte Albion Community Centre showed their all-round ability as they whipped Young Warriors Cricket Club by 113 runs in the final to cart off the inaugural Elizabeth Styles Under-19 -50-Over Cricket Competition which was played last Saturday at the Cumberland Ground in Canje. Their march to victory was first lead by former Berbice under-19 all-rounder Veerapen Permaul who scored a well-crafted 64 (6x4) batting at no3, that guided them to a workable 183 all out before their all-spin attack, led by West Indies Under-19 left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, wrecked the Young Warriors batting to continue their good showing in the Berbice Cricket Board 2013 cricket season. Albion CC were asked to take first strike after losing the toss and began their innings with former Guyana Under-19 batsman Kandasammy Surujnarine and Berbice Under-17 batsman Balchand Baldeo. They were in early trouble
The winning Albion team poses with their winnings along with the sponsors and representatives of the BCB. when the inform Surujnarine was dismissed for 5 with the score on 8. Permaul came in and he and Baldeo steadied things with a 48-run partnership in 7.3 overs before Baldeo was caught for 39 with the score on 54 for 2. Berbice Under-19 allrounder Sharaz Ramcharran
(16) then joined Permaul as they posted a valuable 25 for the 3rd wicket. Permaul continued to bat sensibly as he then put on 24 for the 4th with David Latchaya (11) and 27 for the 5th wicket with Motie with the score on 134. The Warriors then fought
back to take three quick wickets with former Guyana under-19 off spinning allrounder Linden Austin picking up two to reduce them to 134 for 7 after 29.5 overs. But with Permaul still there another crucial 34 were added with Avinash Wajib (14). Permaul eventually went
PAID VOLUNTARY SERVICES!!! By Michael Benjamin The recent achievement of four of our boxers, Travis Fraser, Tefon Greene, Michael April and Joel Williamson at the inaugural South American Youth Games in Lima, Peru (three bronze and one silver medal) has prompted President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, to host a press conference at his Main Street office and issue a call for broad based support to complement the work of his executive and the boxers in their bid to make the transition onto the international platform and improve the quality of their respective performances. However, even as Mr. Ninvalle’s pleas resonate, there is much work to be done in his organization to enhance his charges’ fortune and might just do the trick in encouraging the broad based support he so desperately seeks. Even though the team that attended the Peru held South American Youth Games returned laden with medals, those boxers must not be allowed to rest on their laurels and preen their feathers especially since those accolades were more fortuitous than meritorious. One wonders aloud, also, about the criteria for international representation; it seems as though it is based on the capability of the boxer/s to acquire the requisite funding and not necessarily a realistic chance of winning medals. There has been so much focus on the failures of the boxers that the work of the executive body has been ignored. Recently, however, there has been enough evidence that the laxity might very well have its genesis at the head thus affecting the lower tier. Maybe, the GBA executives do find the time to huddle and devise strategies to better the fortunes of their charges but elect to take a humble stance and not to blow their trumpets. If that is so, it has to be the most well kept secret since there is no evidence to strengthen this view. The thing is, Mr. Ninvalle needs to revisit his administrative strategies and restructure his ploys which might just be the answer to the flagging fortunes of his charges. A case in point might have raised its head in the just concluded DDL Under-16 championships at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG). Activities lasted for two days and were supposed to get
underway at 10:00hrs on both days. Yet at 12:00hrs, the orgasnizers were still awaiting the arrival of the ring officials (only referee, Romona Agard, Mr. Poole and the ringside nurse was at the venue). At 12:00hrs, Mr. Poole decided to have lunch after which the boxers were required to enter the ring for their respective bouts. Any nutrition or fitness guru could explain the detriment of such a decision. Eventually, the officials straggled in and the bouts were conducted. Mr. Ninvalle did not attend the fights and arrived for the prize giving ceremony and the photo ops. Whether he was informed of the earlier transgressions of the referees and judges is another matter. Word is out that these officials are suggesting that they receive a stipend for their services and when one examines the issue in its totality, this might not be an unfair request. The question of acquisition of such funding is another matter altogether and maybe the time is ripe to start ventilating ways and means of facilitating this initiative. Maybe, Mr. Ninvalle could influence members of the business community to broaden the sponsorship package to include a small stipend for the hard working officials. The GBA President has bemoaned the absence of adequate corporate support. He said that he is confident that such support could make the difference for his charges but Mr. Ninvalle must now think outside of the box. There have been notable changes to the point where amateur boxers in some parts of the world are receiving cash for their bouts. The ruling body, IABA, has recently dispatched a circular to its affiliates indicating its intention to incorporate professional boxers into the Olympics. Yes, the ploy has instigated court action from among the bigwigs in the boxing fraternity but the mere thought has highlighted that in this new dispensation there is need for new and effective strategies. It must be noted that while the referees and judges are providing voluntary services, they are still obligated to maintain a high level of discipline. Corruption has not yet visited the fraternity but the sacrifices made by the officials must not be ignored. The opportunity cost of giving voluntary service must also be taken into consideration. Continued on page 35
for 64, being removed by Berbice all-rounder Suresh Dhanai with the score on 181 for 9 in 42.1 overs. Albion eventually fell for 183 in 45 overs. Bowling for the Warriors, Austin was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 13 from 9 overs; he was supported by Dhanai and off spinning all-rounder Kevin Ramdeen with 2 for 35 and 39 respectively. When Young Warriors began their response, they sensed their chances with West Indies Under-19 batsman Shimron Hetmyer, former Guyana U-19 batsman Austin and former Guyana youth batsman Ramdeen being depended upon to take them home on the small ground. However things started badly for the home team with Hetmyer being dismissed in the second over by off spinner Baldeo for 1 at 5 for 1, nixing the anticipated Hetmyer-Motie battle. Baldeo continue to make inroads with another wicket to leave them at 8 for 2. Motie then joined the fray to remove Royden Phil for 7 at 25 for 3 as the Warriors continued to surrender meekly as their plans failed miserable, failing to cope with the spin. Things then spiraled into despair for the Warriors as they lost their way and were soon 41 for 5 and then 62 for 7 and with t h e l a s t t h r e e wickets tumbling at the same score they surrendered at 70 all out in 29 overs, being soundly beaten by 113 runs, with only Austin (12) and Ramdeen (11) reaching double figures. Bowling for Albion, Motie 3 for 12 and leg spinner Wajib 3 for 15, with support from off spinners Latchaya 2 for 4 and
Baldeo 2 for 14 were the destroyers. Permaul was named man-of-the-match. Speaking at the presentation ceremony immediately after the game, sponsor’s representative of Elizabeth Styles a US-based cosmetics company, was former Guyana Cricket Board Vice President, Mr. Bissoondyal Singh, who said the company, is very pleased with the manner in which the competition was organised by the BCB. He added that the work of the BCB must be admired. After learning that several semi-finals and finals were playing simultaneously over the weekend, Mr. Singh called on other cricket boards in Guyana and the Caribbean to take a page out of the BCB book. He mentioned that Elizabeth Styles was so impressed with the competition that they have decided to sponsor two competitions in 2014, with the U-19 and another being on the cards. He also made a commitment to assist the BCB with the funding for a comprehensive coaching programme next year. First Vice President of the BCB, Anil Beharry, in response, thanked Mr. Singh and Elizabeth Styles for their faith in Berbice cricket. He also thanked the media and all the teams that participated, and congratulated Albion for winning the tournament. The winning team was presented with the Elizabeth Styles trophy and other prizes by Mr Bissoondyal Singh. The runner up and other outstanding performers were also rewarded. The teams and officials were also presented with products of the company.