Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Handling life defining moments with caution Informing relatives of the death of a loved one is never an easy task. If anything, the officials responsible for this unwelcome duty are expected to display care and sensitivity in very distressing circumstances. However, in the Guyana context no great effort seems to be made by some medical workers and law enforcement personnel to exercise a certain restraint when passing on bad news. Reading or listening to stories of how a mother, wife, husband, father has been notified of the death of a close family member leaves one in a state of amazement as to what training, if any, these people receive. For far too long the Guyanese people have allowed bad standards and unprofessional conduct to become the norm; acceptable even. People working in certain professions must be trained in the art of delivering bad news particularly death notification. Professionals in more than name must seek to acquire the necessary value-added skills to make them more proficient at what they do. Medical and law enforcement personnel must develop their capacity to act appropriately and in keeping with established death notification policy and procedures. It would be interesting to know if these even exist in the local police training manuals. It ought not to stop there because of the way life is evolving. Periodic refresher courses in these important areas should be mandatory if organisations are not to be seen as abjuring roles and functions that are intrinsic to their relevance. For the mother of Benedict Bacchus to have been called by the police and told that her son had been killed in a highway accident, speaks to the level of insensitivity - albeit spawned by ignorance to which family members are subjected from time to time. No thought seems to have been given to the woman’s state of health; whether she is hypertensive, or suffering from a heart condition, just a bald message that she had just lost her son; a moment that will forever be imprinted in her memory. Our professionals must be trained to deliver news which will forever change someone’s life. Therefore, it is imperative that a policy with serious consideration as to who, when, and by what means a death notification should be delivered, should be formulated with due regard to the impact of critical injuries or sudden death on loved ones. Among the factors which may be looked at are: seniority of the notifying officer; who should give releases to the media regarding the identity of the injured or deceased; how notifying officers are expected to conduct themselves; to what death benefits are the survivors entitled (in line-ofduty cases) etc. In as much as care and sensitivity should be exercised when communicating with close relatives, the notifying officer should avoid conveying a false sense of hope in an already hopeless situation. The probability for resentment and irreparable mental anguish is very high in these cases. The quality of the initial contact with a survivor is likely to make a significant impact on the way people process traumatic information and therefore, no effort should be spared to ensuring that everything is gotten just right in terms of roles and responsibilities and the language and tone of the message. Having examined some of the issues surrounding general death notification, it is perhaps appropriate to look at the importance of conveying such sad news to survivors of ranks who die in the line of duty. Every aspect pertinent to the approach employed when dealing with members of the public should apply in circumstances involving serving police ranks. Moreover, policy and procedures must not be only observable in the breach, but practiced giving effective meaning to the concept of a caring administration. It is to be hoped that the chaplaincy training which Guyana Police Force officers participated in recently,

Saturday October 18, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

It is an attack on our dignity to attempt to dispossess us of our birth and ancestral rights DEAR EDITOR, We t h e p e o p l e o f Plaisance have noted that the government has been allocating the resources of our country in a very discriminatory manner. In the process, it has, through the use of the nation’s resources, created a very wealthy and parasitic elite who in their quest to accumulate the nation’s wealth for themselves are plundering the resources of our country and exercising contempt for ordinary people. With total disregard for the people of Plaisance, the Jagdeo government acquired prime lands and allocated it to the ruling elite, their families and friends at below market value. This area is now popularly called Prado Ville 2, having already done

the same thing when Prado Ville 1 was developed. What this means is that the government has taken prime lands from the village while the people in the village are starved of land, much less prime lands. To the government we say let Prado Ville be the last bit of land grabbing in our village. We will stand firm and ensure the backlands of Plaisance stay within the ownership and control of the people of Plaisance. We t h e p e o p l e o f Plaisance are adamant that our backlands will not be taken and given to the land grabbing elite. Our ancestors have laboured and left us that legacy. We will protect and defend that rich legacy. Historically, when you acquired a piece of land in

the village, you also acquired a piece in the backlands for farming purposes. We believe we have a right to those lands and the state should desist from preventing us from utilizing what has been historically ours. The people of Plaisance are not requesting hand outs. We are requesting that the government do what any decent and legitimate government does - provide the necessary infrastructure, especially drainage, irrigation and farm to market roads for the farmlands and road, water and electricity to those lands that we intend to use for housing. It is unfortunate that this government feels that all the prime land must go to their “buddies” and the small man must be at their mercy

whenever they need a piece of land. We say no to this policy of land to the rich and landlessness to the poor. We will ensure we keep our lands. It is an attack on our dignity to attempt to dispossess us of our birth and ancestral rights. We will stand up and never be supine. We find it alarming that rather than provide infrastructure, the government, in a fashion reminiscent of the slave masters, chose to flood the lands. We c a l l o n t h e government to release the water from our lands, remove the blocks they have placed at the mouth of the canals and allow the water to flow. It is irresponsible, spiteful and lawless for government, amidst a (Continued on page 23)

Local govt. elections are needed to reverse the scourge of disdain visited on our communities DEAR EDITOR, The 83 founders of the Village of Victoria must be turning in their graves, now beholden to the state to which their iconic African Settlement Village has been reduced. The situation in Victoria is just but one example of local government dysfunction that exists in communities across the entire country. It clearly points to having the system reinvigorated with new leaders and new policies of governance, to ensuring autonomy of central government and to preventing the bureaucratic stymieing of community development work. One of the first codes of local government in Guyana was accredited to the East Coast Village of Victoria, born in 1845 from the newly freed African slaves’ desires to effectively manage and develop their communities. This was the ultimate premise of local government, upon which they had hoped their village would be assured of prosperity for years to come. The system worked well to drive a thriving, rich and

diverse farming community, lifting the spirits of the former slaves into a new age of good fortune and was later adopted as the model for other villages. This glorious system of self-management has, in recent times, become altered, disregarded and now virtually abandoned. Lack of local government elections has led Victoria, like many other communities across the entire country - including the former Garden City of Georgetown, now fitting to its newest name, “The Garbage City of Georgetown” - to become overwhelmingly unpleasant. A walk through Victoria, Georgetown or many other communities across the country would quickly reveal their unsightly state of disrepair. Deplorable roads and dilapidated bridges along with garbage piles strewn along walkways, at markets, roadsides or in drains as well as poor irrigation are the typical examples of blemishes in our communities. T h e r e a r e 6 5 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 6 municipalities (towns)

would have covered such an important topic of death notification accompanied by relevant role play and settings. As with almost every operational scenario, officers assigned to perform notification duties should be debriefed and as far as practicable, they should be required to relate their experiences while identifying the difficulties and lessons associated with particular experiences. Information communicated about the death of a loved one must be seen for what it is – a life defining moment.

spread across Guyana and local government elections provide a platform for the emergence of genuinely elected leaders in each one. That amounts to 65 democratically elected community leaders and 6 mayors. Unlike the national stage, where leaders are elected based on their g a rg a n t u a n , e x p e n s i v e campaigns, among other unbecoming tactics, one cannot court a grassroots community’s vote unless one is indeed a man or woman of the people. And, what else characterizes true democracy and genuine leadership than when a man or woman of the people is

elected? What then if throughout the country, only genuine local leaders are elected? Perhaps it could mean a list of worthy candidates for our country’s ultimate leadership role as the head of state. One can only hope, but it is clear this is yet another compelling reason local government elections are needed in Guyana. Central government, through the Ministry of Local Government, has interfered in the day-to-day management of the local government bodies by creating “red tape” and circumventing the authority (Continued on page 23)

Biased comments from a GRA auditor DEAR EDITOR, I have been reading with much alarm the exchanges published by Kaieteur News in recent days. Guyana should be worried…very worried. GRA is no ordinary body. It is tasked with the collection of the country’s revenues. I am not much of a Facebook person, but on Tuesday, I was drawn to a comment on Stabroek News’ Facebook page, which had a reporting link on the appearance of Glenn Lall and his wife at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. One of the postings attributed to a Suresh Singh is most unprofessional, ill-

informed and wicked. It smacks of bias and highlights the extent of the GRA targeting Glenn Lall. Suresh Singh, I happen to know, is a GRA Auditor and a qualified member of the Association of Chartered CertifiedAccountants (ACCA). Our public officers are supposed to be impartial. How can our auditors be impartial when they would have already formed an opinion? Mr Khurshid Sattaur has said publicly that he takes a firm stance on the behaviour of his staffers. The auditing bodies that govern the accounting professionals should be paying attention? Kumar Singh

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Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

A vibrant Policing Group This very large investment has set best global practices for an industry that needs an exemplar is crucial in Enmore DEAR EDITOR, I join in expressing kudos to the Police Officer in charge at Bartica for stopping the sale of alcohol to students at school sports. I recall Inspector John Singh doing the same thing on the East Coast last year. However, during last week’s inter-school events at Enmore, children were seen playing chic-chic, and Guinness and beer were consumed openly, even by students. It would be difficult to convince me that teachers were not aware. We are degenerating and sinking rapidly - with the help of some teachers. I also wish to disagree with the Chairman of the Enmore/Hope NDC who told your reporter that crime is not an issue in Enmore. It does not help the situation when we cocoon ourselves in the cloak of denial. Notwithstanding that, myself and a few other executives of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group were booted out of the Group for speaking out against malpractices within the Group, I am very aware of incidents in Enmore of which my good friend, the NDC Chairman, may not be aware. There are records elsewhere which can attest to my intervention in many criminal matters occurring in the Enmore area. Those who are in denial may be advised that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. There are ongoing incidents in Enmore of rapes, robberies, break and enter, narcotics selling and consumption, simple larceny, etc., committed by young men from within and outside of Enmore. The Police cannot prosecute, because victims refuse to give statements. And that is another tragedy. Victims want justice, but they will not stand up and

do the right thing. But can they complain! But back to the topic. Narcotics is consumed by over 30% of the youths in Enmore, some as young as 12 years. Many young married couples use drugs. There are over 12 drug cells in Enmore. Mr Chairman, that is the reality. Being ostrich-like will not make the problem disappear. Instead, it allows it to escalate. And this is where a vibrant Policing Group in Enmore would have played its part. Crime in Enmore was minimal about seven years ago because the Concerned Citizens Group was 300-odd strong and straddled all the “wards” of Enmore. Today, there are no elections, no meetings. Let anyone who wishes to take issue with what I write herein do an honest investigation on the ground instead of listening to the lies of those who have an interest in covering their rears. The truth will be known then. I live in Enmore. I may stay silent some of the time. But I must now speak out, even if it is against those I call my friends. If they wish to take it personally, that’s their tragedy. I would have done my duty. Let them do theirs. Crime is a national issue. I am addressing crimes here, not personalities or friends. I am therefore calling through this letter for a meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group to be convened at the insistence of the Community Policing Secretariat to address the resuscitation of the Group so that the residents in Enmore can once again stand together and defy criminal elements who have put Enmore under siege. The time has come for other residents to speak out for or against the foregoing. Taajnauth Jadunauth

DEAR EDITOR, One of Guyana’s best investments over the last 20 years, both in size and legitimacy, has been anecdotally reviewed by the fictitious non-existing phantom writer, Sultan Mohamed, who pushes, federalism as a means of creating the uneven development of Guyana. As has been his practise, Sultan Mohamed completely misrepresents Guyana’s best and most transparent private sector investment. The misrepresentations are many and sadly expose the writer’s anti-progress diatribes. First, the Sultan misrepresents the financial facts presented by Guyana GoldFields, a listed company on the Toronto Stock Exchange among whose shareholders includes the IFC (the financial arm of the World Bank). A careful study of the financials of the company would reveal that since the company’s inception in 1996 into Guyana it has invested approximately US$192 Million in development and exploration costs in order to get the Aurora Gold Project to Feasibility Study Level. In addition, the capital expenditure in order to achieve commercial production is US$249 Million (of which approximately US$120 Million has already been spent) which produces a grand total of US$441 Million investment from the company since its inception. So far, Guyana Goldfields is yet to sell a single ounce of gold. The Sultan, by confusing the factual numbers stated by the company hides the fact that the people and Government of Guyana will receive US$960 Million dollars over the life of the project, including the highest royalty rate in the world - 8%. If the Sultan would take his time to read the details, he would realize the government

gets approximately half the total revenues from this mine through high royalties, duties, payroll taxes and a whopping 30% taxes on profits. The Sultan also fails to highlight that for every one of the 900 jobs during current construction phase and 40005000 during the production life of the project, 5 additional jobs are created in the economy - the well-known multiplier effect. The Sultan, who has been preaching racial superiority since his return to Guyana, attempts to subtly introduce race in his diatribe. But he betrays his own prejudice when he fails to mention that African and Amerindian Guyanese own less than 5% of the economy and much less of the technical product and services in Guyana. Therefore I am sure that a review of Goldfields procurement would show that over 90% of its goods and services sourced in Guyana are from non-African and Amerindian Guyanese companies. All that the Sultan’s letter highlights is that persons of his ilk have no reason or rhyme in their utterances. The Sultan did not even have the nationalist spirit to indicate this gold investment is the most environmentally safe extractive project in the history of Guyana and one in which the state-of-the-art design features will prevent any Omaiesque cyanide spillover. More so, this project is guided by the Guyana LCDS initiative with minimal deforestation and significant investment cost to ensure the water from the tailing pond can be used for domestic purposes. It seems there is no limit to the distortion and

deception of Sultan Mohamed. As a person who believes in Indian hegemony, the Sultan has exposed how much Guyana still needs to change to bring economic equity to the majority of its people. The government of Canada has ensured best practices in all extractive ventures that are initiated by Canadian companies and, in this particular case, has

supported the government of Guyana with a Mining Kit, support for a Mining School and a portfolio of other financial and operational benefits to our nation. Guyana should be ecstatic about the very large investment that started under President Jagan and which has set best global practices for an industry that needs an exemplar. Hollis Lynch

Biased comments from a GRA auditor DEAR EDITOR, I have been reading with much alarm the exchanges published by Kaieteur News in recent days. Guyana should be worried…very worried. GRA is no ordinary body. It is tasked with the collection of the country’s revenues. I am not much of a Facebook person, but on Tuesday, I was drawn to a comment on Stabroek News’ Facebook page, which had a reporting link on the appearance of Glenn Lall and his wife at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. One of the postings attributed to a Suresh Singh is most unprofessional, illinformed and wicked. It

smacks of bias and highlights the extent of the GRA targeting Glenn Lall. Suresh Singh, I happen to know, is a GRA Auditor and a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Our public officers are supposed to be impartial. How can our auditors be impartial when they would have already formed an opinion? Mr Khurshid Sattaur has said publicly that he takes a firm stance on the behaviour of his staffers. The auditing bodies that govern the accounting professionals should be paying attention? Kumar Singh

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Saturday October 18, 2014

Governance in Guyana lacks vital ingredient - AFC By Abena Rockcliffe Citing the words recently written by the American Secretary for Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, “The essence of good government is trust,” the Alliance For Change (AFC) declared that governance in Guyana is lacking this most vital ingredient. This is the same political party which brought a Motion of No-Confidence against the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), because it viewed Minister of Finance, Dr, Ashni Singh’s actions in spending monies not approved by the National Assembly as criminal, and in total contradiction with the Constitution. AFC, at its most recent press conference, reminded the media about the Surendra saga as it relates to the breach of contract for the Specialty Hospital, and said that the installment of a Public Procurement Commission (PPC) could very well have avoided the problem. President Donald Ramotar had exposed that the

- renews call for Procurement Commission Surendra deal for the Specialty Hospital was tainted by fraud and Attorney General Anil Nandlall promised that legal proceedings are apace to recover almost one billion dollars (US$4.2M) that the impugned company had collected in advance for the project without turning a straw. AFC Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo told the media that “in any other country where accountability is a feature of government, heads would have been

practice has opened the door wide to politicians who use their offices to lobby and to indulge in nepotism.” Nagamootoo said that the answer for such problems has been and remains the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. He claimed, “It must be a high level of distrust to feel that our public servants are unfit to make procurement decisions.” The politician pointed out that the government has so far argued that the opposition is only interested in wresting

Cabinet.” The Member of Parliament said that in calling for the Commission, the AFC is not trying to sabotage governance, but embellish it with the acceptable feature of checks and balances, which is a basic tenet of democracy and a core expectation in all free nations. He asserted that “the selfinsulating arrogance of this government is that it does not trust professionals, and deems them unfit to procure public projects.” Nagamootoo renewed the

“With no Public Procurement Commission Guyana will continue to lose valuable resources on bungled and failed deals and the procurement process will be tainted and paralyzed by political corruption and cronyism” - Nagamootoo rolled, but not in Guyana.” He said that the incident with the specialty hospital and “other failed and corrupted projects, should have sent a signal message that Cabinet ought to keep its hands off the contract process, as this continuing

procurement decisions from the Cabinet. He asserted that what the Cabinet is doing is contrary to law, “and the President is in violation of the Guyana Constitution. The law is what it is, and places this responsibility over procurement outside of

call for the Public Procurement Commission to be established without further delay. He said that until this is done, Guyana will continue to lose valuable resources on bungled and failed deals, and the procurement process will be tainted and paralyzed by

political corruption and cronyism. Recently the government scrapped Surendra’s contract citing fraud, saying that the company submitted forged documents. The Opposition has always been against Surendra getting the contract. AFC leader, Khemraj Ramjattan had told the media that while Fedders Lloyd (a company that bid for the contract) had constructed some 40 specialty hospitals across the world, Surendra Engineering, a spare parts fabricator for the sugar mills of India, had no experience in this regard. The National Assembly denied financing for the Specialty Hospital because of these very reasons. The Indian contractor has however, denied tendering a fake bank guarantee for the Turkeyen specialty hospital. Managing Director, Brijen Parikh, in a statement issued had said that “all such allegations of fraud or financial irregularities are completely baseless and without any merit.” Parikh had said that over the past two years, Surendra

AFC Vice- Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo had been working relentlessly for the progress of the Specialty Hospital Project, and has invested a huge amount of resources in terms of time, money and manpower, and remains committed to seeing the project completely through. The company claims it is owed several million US dollars from the Guyana Government in respect of work done at the site so far.

2011 murder at Mahaica… Wife killer sentenced to death By Rehanna Ramsay Rupert ‘Randolph’ Brown, called “Bird Man” was yesterday sentenced to death for the murder of his reputed wife, Seema Singh. The sentence was handed down by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court in Georgetown. Singh, a thirty-year-old mother of two, was murdered at Helena Number One Village, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on May 29, 2011. According to reports, Singh, who hails from Richmond Village, Essequibo, was stabbed multiple times about her body.

Details of the matter suggested that Brown, who had shared a common-law relationship with the woman, became enraged after she left their Mahaica residence to visit her children in Essequibo. The woman had promised to return within a certain time but when she did not, Brown went in search of her. The man eventually caught up with his wife at a relative’s house in Mahaica, where she had sought refuge. According to reports, Brown, in a fit of rage, stabbed his reputed wife several times about her body. An eyewitness had recounted that the accused only stopped when the woman ceased screaming and was lying on the ground, gasping for breath. Moments after the incident, the injured woman was taken to the Mahaicony

MURDERED: Seema Singh Cottage Hospital but was eventually transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she succumbed. Brown, who was described as a “habitual resident” of the Georgetown Prisons was subsequently arrested and indicted for her murder. The woman’s demise shocked Essequibians,

especially residents of Richmond Village. Grieving relatives had recalled that Singh left the Essequibo Coast months before the incident and had briefly returned to the ‘Cinderella County’ to transact business, relative to the wellbeing of her two children. The trial was conducted before Justice Reynolds and a mixed twelve-member jury. Brown was represented by Attorney-at-Law, Huckumchand Parag while the State’s case was presented by Attorney-atLaw, Teeshana Lake. The State Attorney called a total of seven witnesses to the stand, who gave sworn evidence in the matter. Among the witnesses was Carol Brown, a cousin of the accused, who had reportedly witnessed the stabbing. After hours of deliberation yesterday, the mixed twelve-member panel of jurors returned to the courtroom and announced the verdict; they had found the accused guilty of murder.

Sentenced to death Rupert ‘Randolph,’ Brown called ‘Bird Man’

Gunman nabbed after robbing businessman Quick action by police led to the arrest of one of two gunmen who snatched $2M from a 69-year-old businessman in Regent Street at around 13.00 hrs yesterday. Police said that 69-yearold Deryck Khan of Subryanville made a withdrawal from a city bank, and was about to transact business at a Regent Street store, when a man with a handgun attempted to snatch his money-bag.

A struggle ensued and the robber discharged a shot before relieving the businessman of his bag. He then escaped with an accomplice on a CG motorcycle. Acting on information, police ranks went to East Ruimveldt where they arrested a suspect. The man was positively identified as the robber who had attacked Khan. He is likely to appear in court next Monday. The money was not recovered.

Saturday October 18, 2014

Kaieteur News

Russia and Ukraine reach tentative gas deal in tough Milan talks

(L to R) Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi arrive for a meeting on the sidelines of a Europe-Asia summit (ASEM) in Milan October 17, 2014. CREDIT: REUTERS/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO/POOL (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine made progress yesterday towards resolving a dispute over gas supplies in time for winter, but European leaders said Moscow still had to do much more to prop up a fragile ceasefire and end fighting in eastern Ukraine. The mooted deal could reopen Russian gas to Ukraine cut off since June, and ensure supply to European buyers further west before demand surges in the cold months and stocks run down. It came as something of a surprise after talks in Milan that the Kremlin said were “full of misunderstandings and disagreements”. Russia’s Vladimir Putin told reporters that a deal ensuring gas supplies “at least for the winter” had been reached after a final one-onone meeting with Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko, which followed talks attended by European leaders. “We agreed on all the parameters of this deal,” Putin said, but he urged European countries to help Ukraine meet a debt for gas, which he said stood at $4.5 billion. The agreement followed a hectic series of meetings on the margins of a summit between Asian and European leaders in Milan at which Europeans showed no signs of agreeing to lift sanctions against Moscow imposed over the Ukraine crisis. There was some progress on the issue of monitoring the Ukraine-Russian border and the so-called demarcation line separating pro-Russia militias

and Ukrainian forces. Italy, Ukraine and Russia agreed to join France and Germany in providing surveillance drones for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which is overseeing a ceasefire. However an overall solution to a crisis which has revived memories of the Cold War still appeared remote, with key issues open including the question of local elections in breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. And the meetings demonstrated the bitterness of relations between Putin and European leaders, above all Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I cannot see a breakthrough here at all so far,” said Merkel after one meeting. “We will continue to talk. There was progress on some details, but the main issue is continued violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Kiev and its Western backers accuse Moscow of aiding a separatist revolt in Ukraine by providing troops and arms. Russia denies direct involvement but says it has a right to defend the interests of Russian speakers. Fighting has largely died down under a ceasefire agreed last month, but Western countries say Moscow must take further steps to reassure Kiev if it wants sanctions to be lifted. Even as the fighting has taken place, Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a dispute over prices Kiev should pay for Russian gas. Russia, seeking higher prices

and accusing Kiev of running up debt, cut off supplies to Ukraine in June. This has sparked fears that the Russian gas that transits Ukraine to Europe could also be disrupted when demand goes up this winter. EU officials said the gas talks would continue in Brussels next week. Poroshenko told reporters he hoped the accord reached on Friday could be firmed up in time for the meeting. Underlining the tense situation, artillery fire could be heard in Donetsk, the eastern city that is the main stronghold of pro-Russian separatists fighting for a split from Kiev. GLOOM Alexey Miller, the head of Russian gas giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM), who met the head of Ukrainian energy group Naftogaz earlier in the day, said that for supplies to resume, Ukraine would have to agree to Russia’s conditions. “If these conditions are not agreed, then the present regime will apply,” he said. Clearly sympathetic with Kiev, European leaders lined up to tell Russia to ensure full implementation of the ceasefire deal. Merkel’s position as German leader means she sets the tone of EU relations with Russia and has taken the lead within Europe in trying to persuade Putin to change tack over Ukraine. She had a rocky time in Milan, however, with one German official saying the Russian leader had not displayed a “too constructive mood”.

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Jamaica Govt. confirms it paid $4M for private plane to deport Abu Bakr - Trinidad declines to pay the ‘bill’ Jamaica Gleaner - The Jamaican government is confirming that it paid the $4.03 million (US$36,000) for a private plane to take back Muslim leader, Yasin Abu Bakr, back to Trinidad and Tobago Thursday morning, a day after he was refused entry to Kingston. The National Security Ministry said Abu Bakr, the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen in Trinidad and Tobagoý had initially been placed on a Caribbean Airlines flight on Wednesday afternoon for return to Trinidad. However, a ministry spokesperson in a release a short while ago said, Abu B a k r b e c a m e u n r u l y, refused to take instructions and had to be removed from the flight. The Jamaican government says preliminary discussions were held with the Trinidad and To b a g o High Commissioner to Jamaica, Rev Dr Iva Gloudon r e g a r d i n g A b u B a k r ’s return. “However, under the circumstances, it is the country (in this case Jamaica) which refuses to land a passenger that is required to pay for the return flight,” the spokesperson said. The Government has said it refused landing for Abu Bakr because of national

Yasin Abu Bakr security concerns. The Trinidad and Tobago government says it will not pay the US$36,000 used to hire a private jet to bring the leader of the radical Jamaat al Mulsimeen group, Yasin Abu Bakr, back to the island from Jamaica where he had been denied entry. National Security Minister Gary Griffith, speaking at the end of the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, said that Port of Spain had denied a request from Jamaica for payment of the fees. “I was very clear that Trinidad and Tobago will not bear the costs of that private flight,” Griffith, said, adding that the cost of the flight was US$36,000.

The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in Jamaica in a statement said Bakr “was refused leave to land under Section 4 (1) h of the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) Act”. The section states “The following Commonwealth citizens (not being persons deemed to belong to the Island as defined by sub section (2) of section 2) are prohibited immigrants. (h) any person who, from information or advice which in the opinion of the Minister is reliable information or advice, is deemed by the Minister to be an undesirable inhabitant of or visitor to the island.” The PICA said the decision to refuse leave to land “is in the interest of national security, given the present threat posed to public safety”. Griffith said that notwithstanding the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for free movement of certain categories of Caribbean nationals across the 15-member regional grouping, “it must be clearly understood that matters of national security must take precedence for the safety and security of all”. (CMC)

Ebola surveillance in place, says Ministry of Health Barbados Nation Barbados has not banned t r a v e l t o o r f r o m We s t Africa but the Ministry of Health has recommended that residents defer travel to the region unless absolutely essential until the current Ebola outbreak is brought under control. M e a n w h i l e , surveillance measures are in place at the airport and the seaport. According to the Ministry, all passports are being reviewed to determine the passengers’ travel history within the six weeks prior to travelling to Barbados. In times of high alert, Barbados has established procedures for determining illnesses on board air and sea vessels in advance of arrival. Once it is established that someone has arrived

from a country where the disease is endemic, then specific precautions will be taken, including the administration of a checklist and an assessment by a port health nurse, to determine the level of risk. If the environmental health officers and port health nurses identify a person with symptoms, that person will be placed in the quarantine facility for further assessment. A passenger who is asymptomatic, but has had contact with an Ebola patient or has eaten bush meat, will be placed under active surveillance for a period of 21 days. However, if they have not been in contact with anyone with Ebola, they will be placed under passive surveillance. The Ministry advises the public that the

likelihood of catching the Ebola virus is considered very low unless one has travelled to an infected area and had direct contact with a person with symptoms, or had contact with infected animals or contaminated objects. Over the last two months, the Ministry has trained and sensitised health care workers at the air and sea ports, as well as customs and immigration officers and other personnel, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to protect the public and themselves. Front line workers in both the public and private sectors have also been sensitised about Ebola. The Ministry reiterated that there were currently no cases of Ebola in Barbados. (BGIS)

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THOSE WHO SUPPORT KAIETEUR NEWS ARE NOT FRINGE ELEMENTS A symptom of political disintegration, irreversible political disintegration, is when a regime begins to target the media. There is no need to remind older Guyanese of this fact; they have lived through it in the past and they are witnessing its resurrection. When critics of the government are targeted, it becomes a most dangerous and frightening situation, because this is a reflection of the fear that is gripping the ruling administration and the economic interests that they are seeking to protect. Make no mistake; there are powerful economic interests that are at work in seeking to muzzle Kaieteur News. They are afraid that their perfidious actions will be exposed and that they be unable to continue to have a free licence to plunder the resources of the country. Behind the attacks on Kaieteur News there is a political conspiracy that goes very high within the ruling administration. But the conspirators are serving higher economic interests. The Guyanese people must understand that the attacks on Kaieteur News are missiles aimed at the dreams of every Guyanese. They are an attack not just on the right of citizens to receive information, but also an attack on the dreams of each citizen of this country. Guyana is being pawned out to powerful economic forces and when Kaieteur News exposes these things and opens the eyes of the

public, this is a threat to these powerful forces who wish to take over Guyana and own it as their property. At one time in our country’s history, British Guiana was known as Booker’s Guyana. The sugar moguls were so powerful that they had expanded their empire into commerce and industry. They controlled just not the economic production of the country but its trade and commerce. This is being reinvented in Guyana. The only difference is that it is no longer Booker. It is about another “B” and that B’s cronies who are reaping massive rewards from their access to State funds and patronage. The battle to save Kaieteur News is therefore a battle to save Guyana from being taken over completely by a most powerful economic class. The enemy is formidable. They have limitless resources and they have skillfully manipulated the ruling elite. They will not be easily repelled in their attempt to make Kaieteur News an example. They believe that it

is their duty to make Kaieteur News an example so that no other entity or individual stands up to them and their attempts to dominate Guyana. There is need for a coalition of the brave, those who are willing to stand up and defend the future of this country. If those behind the conspiracy to muzzle Kaieteur News succeed, they will move on to try to muzzle and snuff out the existence of other forces in our society who oppose their skullduggery. This is why Kaieteur News cannot and must not stand alone in this struggle against a most formidable enemy. There is need for a national committee to be forced in defence of Kaieteur News. This committee has to be a coalition of religious bodies, the private sector, trade unions, political parties, civil society organizations, the media and most importantly the ordinary citizen. It was disgusting to read a recent report in a publication describing those ordinary citizens who turned out to show their support for Glenn

Lall as fringe elements of our society. The people can never be the fringe elements of our country, and its shows just how some forces in our society view the people that they can describe them is such dismissive terms. There is need for concerted and coordinated action on all fronts to ensure that those who hatched the conspiracy against Kaieteur News are held accountable for their actions. There is a need to ensure that the political authors of this wicket plot are exposed. There will be actions in defence of democracy

which need to be taken in our courts. There will be a need to internationalize this harassment and threat to muzzle Kaieteur News. There is a need also to ensure that all breaches of the public trust are sealed and that greater professionalism ensues. There is a need to report and follow through on complaints to professional associations. There is need for prayer. There is a need to defend democracy. There is a need to defend the defenceless, because you can bet that other persons will be targeted

in the future. This is why now more than ever there is need for a national committee to be established to defend democracy and freedom, starting with Kaieteur News. There is need for a coalition of the brave and fearless to confront lawfully this tyranny that now faces Guyana. Otherwise it will devour all of us. Sooner rather than later!

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 18, 2014

Govt. needs to aggressively fight violent crimes - APNU By: Kiana Wilburg The apparent lack of aggressive responses compounded with government’s silence on the current surge in violent crimes for the period January to September was highlighted by Opposition Leader, David Granger and his Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Winston Felix yesterday. At A Partnership for National Unity’s weekly presser which was held at the party’s Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Headquarters, Granger told media operatives that his coalition is alarmed at the rising rate of violent

crime, especially armed robbery, murder, suicide, rape, road and river deaths, piracy and other inter-personal violence. His comments came in light of partial statistics released by the Guyana Police Force on violent crime. Though the statistics were incomplete, Granger said that it points to a dangerous deterioration in the state of human safety. As it relates to data on armed robbery, the Opposition Leader said that the police report revealed that there has been an increase of 15 percent in the number of armed robberies involving the

use of firearms and a two percent increase in armed robberies in which instruments other than firearms were used. The rate of robbery under arms increased by 11 percent. With regard to data on murder and suicide, Granger stated that this is not usually made available. He said that former Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, had reported that approximately 180 to 200 people die as a result of suicide every year. Guyana with 26.4 suicides per 100,000 people in 2006, Granger pointed out, is said to have the fourth highest suicide rate in the world. He also noted that data

for rape are not usually made available as well. He mentioned that the US Department of State’s report on Human Rights calculated that during 2012, authorities charged 102 persons for the crime of rape. Only 28 of these, he said, were convicted while 89 persons were charged with statutory rape and four were convicted. As for road fatalities, Granger said that these resulted from road traffic accidents which surged to 100 compared to 75 for the similar period in 2013. The Opposition Leader said too that the Maritime Administration Department

reported 12 deaths and the disappearance of eight persons lost at sea as a result of marine accidents and violent attacks by pirates on fishermen and other marine workers during the first half of 2012. “Violent crime is sucking the oxygen out of our economic development. Guyana is becoming an increasingly dangerous country. The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Caribbean Human Development and the Shift to Better Citizen Security Report 2012, identified Guyana as country affected by high levels of crime that is hindering development,” Granger lamented. He then called on political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations to demand that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C) administration provide greater protection for citizens from violent crime. President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, he said, must explain to the nation exactly how they intend to stop the surge in violent crime. Felix also told the media that the Guyana Police Force needs upgrading, proper resourcing and reforming. He expressed his concern about the absence of certain information being provided on some forms of crime which make Guyana “a scary place to live” and called on journalists to be more searching in their questions and challenge the government for a response on why data on rape and suicide are not put in the public domain. Granger was then asked what his coalition is doing in terms of reaching out to communities such as Albouystown and Tiger Bay where gun crimes are somewhat prevalent. The Opposition leader stated that he has been to 15 communities over the last 28

Opposition Leader, David Granger

APNU’s Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Winston Felix days, during his coalition’s local government outreach programme and has spoken to over 1,200 people in those communities. “We are doing work…and I think that it is effective and we have been doing a lot of work on local government issues and showing the nexus between the rotten local government system and the problems that currently exist in the communities. So yes, we are doing work…But government needs to address the surge in violent crime aggressively,” Granger concluded.

Saturday October 18, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Sugar industry relations at loggerheads over slapping incident The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has expressed dismay over the decision by the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) to head into arbitration over an alleged slapping incident between the estate manager of Skeldon factory and a staffer. GAWU, hinting that there could be repercussions, accused the sugar company of breaching an agreement on the matter by issuing a statement Thursday before the union had a chance to okay it. GuySuCo on Thursday said that it has rejected the recommendation of Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, which entailed an end to the suspension of the worker, Steven Daniel. “The unusual position by the main state-owned Corporation does not set a proper standard for the private sector’s employers towards the Ministry of Labour.” According to GAWU, Daniel was dismissed verbally on the night of September 19, 2014 by Devendra Kumar, Estate Manager of Skeldon Estate after an incident between himself and the worker. Daniel’s dismissal

was confirmed in writing the next day. “The Manager, it was alleged, was highly intoxicated. The incident last September had triggered strikes and wide-spread protests. “The union wishes to emphasize that the manager ought not to personally discipline Daniel since he was a party to the incident. The Industrial Relations Department of GuySuCo, after obtaining objective statements, ought to have made a determination on the incident,” GAWU said in its strongly-worded statement yesterday. The union pointed out that GuySuCo failed for two weeks to provide its response to the Ministry’s recommendation. This was only done after a report on the matter appeared in the media on Tuesday. “The union also notes that at the conciliation meeting chaired by the Chief Labour Officer on October 01, 2014, the GuySuCo team was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rajendra Singh, himself. He and his team had to be aware of the Ministry’s decision – given as a recommendation – that the worker’s suspension be ended and he be immediately reinstated.”

GAWU said it regrets that the CLO will find that the two parties are deadlocked and that arbitration is now necessary when he presides at what is expected to be the final conciliatory meeting on Monday. “Workers would be looking forward to the settlement of the Terms of Reference and the choice of Arbiter at Monday’s meeting. GAWU wishes to reiterate that Daniel was not malingering during the night of September 19, 2014 but was actively engaged in his substantive assignment in transporting cane punts to the mill dock of the factory.” “Neither was Daniel in the company of a group of workers who allegedly were malingering. “It was reported that there was no such gathering. The incident with

GAWU’s President, Komal Chand Daniel occurred while Daniel was on his way to the Mill Dock Bridge at the call of his supervisor. He was approached by the Estate Manager who insinuated a lot of things to Daniel who kept

responding in a calm way.” GAWU said that the Estate Manager, at last, decided to leave Daniel alone and drove away only to reverse his vehicle and alighted, and “according to our report, moved threateningly towards Daniel who used his hands as the Manager reached close to him to bar the expected strike.” GAWU yesterday made it clear also that GuySuCo broke its agreement made in the Terms of Resumption. “…GuySuCo, through its CEO, had insisted that no public statement would be issued separately by either party on the Kumar-Daniel incident or if issued it should have been a joint undertaking. GuySuCo is in breach of its own CEO’s demand and condition and has issued a highly partisan release to the

media. GAWU regrets GuySuCo’s continued callous contempt for its hard working workers and the adherence to established industrial relations norms.” The union said it will endeavour to keep its members in the field and factory at this crucial juncture of the sugar sector’s challenged existence. The strikes by angry workers last month over the incident had forced the shutting down of the Skeldon Factory. This in turn affected the co-generation power facility, leading to widespread outages on the coasts.

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Saturday October 18, 2014

Luncheon made a mistake Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said, that he made a mistake when he said that all the requisite information pertaining to the award for the supply of drugs, had been forwarded from the Office of the President to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and the Ministry of Health. The New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC) has now “legally” been given the go ahead to be the nation’s sole prequalified drug supplier. The New GPC is owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop who happens to be the best friend of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Last week Luncheon was quizzed about claims made by the Ministry of Health and the NPTAB, that they had not been notified about the prequalification award of drugs. Luncheon told reporters who attended his post cabinet weekly press briefing on Thursday, that following a press conference the previous week a review was done. Soon after that review, Luncheon said that it was disclosed that the media reports were correct; that cabinet’s approval was not sent to the Tender Board. He said that oversight was immediately corrected.

- Tender Board and Ministry of Health now notified about drug prequalification “I regret the delay in the submission of the approval to the Tender Board as well as the misinformation that the document had been submitted when it was not,” Luncheon told the media. With the relevant document being transferred to the Tender Board and Ministry of Health, both Ansa McAl and the International Pharmaceutical Agency, can now move forward with their claims of discrimination in the award of the contract. The two bidders have publicly spoken out about the award to New GPC. Trinidadian Conglomerate Ansa McAl has questioned the award. Chief Executive Officer of International Pharmaceutical Corporation (IPA), Lloyd Singh, has moved to the courts for intervention. In his legal challenge to the Tender Board’s decision, he claims that the move by the Ministry was discriminatory of itself, or in its effect and decision. He further argues that the decision by the Ministry was unconstitutional, in that it violated Article 149 and as such, has asked that the court orders the decision that New GPC be the sole prequalified supplier of drugs and medical

supplies, null and void. Singh wants the court to declare that the decision by the NPTAB, that the IPA did not satisfy the requirements, is unreasonable, unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect. According to the court documents filed by IPA, the company is looking to have the court declare that the revised criteria set out by the Ministry, violates the constitution and as such has no legal effect. The New GPC, ever since it was acquired by Ramroop in 1 9 9 9 , h a s b e e n supplying the bulk of the drugs to the Ministry of Health and to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the past 15 years. In defending the decision, Dr. Luncheon had told media operatives that the decision to award the contract to the New GPC was not tantamount to sole sourcing. He said that the Tender Board picked New GPC from among seven companies that applied to be pre-qualified. When asked if the criteria used to pre-qualify a company were not biased in favour of New GPC, Luncheon said, “The criterion is biased in favour of safety.”

Sixth session for Rodney Commission to start on Monday The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry is expected to reconvene on Monday and the wife of the late Guyanese Politician Patricia Rodney, is scheduled to be the first witness. According to Attorney for the Commission Latchmie Rahamat, Mrs. Rodney will be the first of several “powerful” witnesses. Rahamat told Kaieteur News that member of the Working People’s Alliance, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine is another witness expected to give evidence at the Commission. Several other members of the WPA would also testify. The life of the Commission has been extended until January 2015 and a further $60M is being set aside for its tenure. This was disclosed recently even though Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh is yet to actually tell the National Assembly how the $112M which was first allocated was spent. Back in February, President Ramotar had said that the Rodney Commission will not come cheap and that he knew for a fact that the money would be well spent. Ramotar had denied that there was anything sinister in the holding of the Inquiry stating that his government was in fact fulfilling the wishes of Rodney’s wife, Patricia. “This process has started and it was not initiated by me, but by a request by the family, particularly Rodney’s wife, Patricia Rodney,” Ramotar had said. He had said that the Terms of Reference which some parties have been protesting were crafted by Rodney’s family and advisors, along with some technical help from Government. The terms include “examining the facts and

circumstances immediately prior to the time of and subsequent to the death of Dr. Rodney in order to determine as far as possible, who or what was responsible for the explosion resulting in the death of Rodney”. He had said that Commissioners would have to inquire into the cause of the explosion in which Dr. Walter Rodney died; whether it was an act of terrorism and if so, who were the perpetrators. Commissioners would also have to specifically examine the role, if any, in which the late Gregory Smith, a Sergeant of the Guyana Defence Force, played in the death of Rodney and if so, to inquire into who may have counseled, procured, aided and or abetted him to do so, including facilitating his departure from Guyana after Rodney’s death. Since the commencement of the Commission, several issues have been raised by lawyers representing interested parties. Attorney at Law Basil Williams, Selwyn Pieters and Joseph Harmon have all been very vocal on how the Commission was conducting its business. Rodney was a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist and pre-eminent scholar who was killed in an explosion in Guyana in 1980. His brother, Donald Rodney, who was injured in the explosion, said that a sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force named Gregory Smith had given Walter the device that killed him. In a book written by Smith he denied his involvement in Rodney’s death.

Saturday October 18, 2014

Kaieteur News

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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 One 14" Dredge/Draga in working condition – Contact: 694-4828, 663-0742 Just Arrived! A new shipment of combine parts, Italian made - Call: 660-0342, 222-3538, 335-3100,335-3434, 335-4122 Complete sawmill operation with lots of equipment, customers & suppliers and large land space – Contact Swamee: 614-1466; 672-4438 One Massey Ferguson Tractor, plough & cage wheel Call: 269-1106, 667-9049 Pressure Washer & Vacuum (9Gal) Wash, price negotiable – Tel:667-4389, 680-7772 One Canter tray, length: 11ft, Width: 5ft 7", Complete Steel Tray, Price $250,000. Contact F. Ahamad, Tel:256-3156, 670-9063

Kaieteur News

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call :225-9032, 6472943 FOR LOW COST: REPAIRS TO FRIDGE, FREEZER,A/C UNIT, MICROWAVES, TV & WASHING MACHINE CALL: 629-4946 OR 2254822 Hibiscus Jewellery & Pawn Shop, 15-16 American Street, Best price offer, open from 9:00-4:00 – Tel: 225-7252

Two 8ft American pools table – Tel: 639-2821, 693-1432 1000 Lb Nylon Seine + One 15hp Yamaha and flat bottom boat Call: 691-3633, 223-4552 Transformer -25KVA Industrial Single Phase 480/ 240/120V USA- Tel:623-9761

FOR SALE Food warmer 8 trays- Tel: 6616795

Generator: 65 KVA Perkins 4236 Engine – Tel: 623-9761

Barrels with covers- Contact: 665-6169

Two female & 1 male short fluffy dogs- Contact: 6996006

Shimano 7/8 speed rear derailleur $10,000, Shimano hyper- glide 8 speed cassette (11-32 teeth)- $12,000, original XBOX games$2,000- Contact: 642-9901

Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available – Call: 6722566, 265-3232 One stall for sale at The Vendors Mall, StabroekContact:611-8291 Massey Ferguson 390 4X4fully renovated – Call: 6886274, 691-3851, 678-8698 Perkins engines 1000, 1100, 4236 & 6 cylinder complete on bed, 320 BL excavator$14M- Contact:691-2921 Lincoln generator welder$850,000, pallet jacks, fork lift, model M truck- Contact: 691-2921 18" speakers in box, mixers, amplifiers, 15" speakers in box- Contact: 622-4700/ 2236490

Brand new 6500 WATT power fist gasoline generator on wheels- 110-220 voltPrice:$150,000- Contact: 6172205/ 681-1032 Pools table, original, cloth, cue stick, balls, pocket, coinshute, coin, rubber, spring, chalk – Call: 669-9927, 616-1886 Commercial buildings/ houses- Contact: 223-8479/ 647-3768, www.spaceseek.gy FOR HIRE Trucks for interior locationsCall: 662-8884 PEN PAL East Indian male, 47 seeks female friends- Call: 649-4914

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 New unregistered Mazda Axela 2006 Sedan - $2.350M Negotiable (never used in Guyana), very low mileage – Tel: 649-0956 Blue RX8 Sports Car, mint condition, 6 speed manual, low mileage, Tel:681-4208, 220-6262 One Toyota Ax10 - $2.1M Negotiable, One Toyota Spacio $1.8M Negotiable Tel: 678-0109 or 618-2576 1- L Touring Wagon car, Toyota Corolla – Call: 6632882 Toyota RAV4, Fun Cargo, Raum, AT212, AT192, AT170, EP71 Starlet, Tacoma, Vigo, Nissan Titan – Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 Special Sale: New Model Spacio with front & back camera, TV/DVD/CD, body kit, unregistered -$2.1M – Call: 617-2891 Toyota Premio $2.3M, Toyota Voxy - $1.8M, Vehicles fully loaded, never registered – Call: 617-2891 One Unregistered Noah Call:652-0709; 276-0556 One pit bull 19 Seater BNN, Excellent Condition- Call: 652-0709, 276-0556 Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada MF135- $1.2M, MF165 -$1.8M, MF285 $2.4M, Ranger Pickup - $1.5M – Tel: 682-5230; 628-9596 1 Hiace super custom bus BSS Series, with AC, TV, CD, Sunroof, mags, never worked on the road – Tel: 677-8359 One new model Raum PRR – Tel:277-0672, 696-7341 One Toyota Spacio $1.8, one AE 100 Corolla Wagon $750,000- Tel:611-6632/ 6643488 Mitsubishi Hyab canter GPP series- Tel:622-3468 2008 Toyota Rush for saleCall: 642-6079 2010 F150 4WD, excellent condition- $7M- Call: 663-9251 First Class Auto: In stock Premio, Spacio, 212, Sienta, Rush, Fielder, Bluebird- Tel: 609-8188/ 602-6307 1-Dodge Ram 4x4, model 2002, 4 wheel drive $2.6M. 1-F150 model 1999 $2.2MCall: 674-4929 L-Touring wagon, excellent conditions, 15" rims, TV, CD, alarm, $1,200,000 NegotiableContact: 667-9013/ 231-3709 Venus Auto Sales, Raum Body kit- $2.2M, Noah$3.2M/$1.8M, Allion body kit- $2.350M, Spacio$2.350M (rims)- Contact: 624-5617 1 Toyota Rav 4 old model, manual & 1 Toyota 170 Corona both good condition, AC, owner leaving countryContact: 610-0662/ 677-9762

Saturday October 18, 2014

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Mitsubishi canter, GSS 4470- Contact: 684-5928 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allison, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Toyota Hilux, 4X4 single cab, diesel turbo, pick-up registration GRR, no reasonable offer refusedContact: 616-0427/689-3612 Nissan- 200SX sport car, turbo, like new, price to sellContact: 616-0427/ 689-3612 Jailing Scooter 125 CC, silver, like new, 6,000kms, priced to sell- Contact: -616-0427/ 6893612 Toyota Forerunner, 4X4, automatic, power steering, A/ C, bargain price negotiableContact: 616-0427/ 689-3612 Honda CRV, fully loaded, very nice condition, must be seen, give away at $1.3Million- Contact: 6160427/ 689-3612

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807/ 690-6494 PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL-$4,000&UPPERDAYCALL: 643-5122, 219-3900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Top Quality cars for rental, latest series and models, best prices - Call: 692-1051, 6855011

WANTED

SALON

Urgently Wanted! Thirty Five (35) security officers, apply @ Security Alliance, Barrack Street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx).

Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad Call: 647-1773

Cashiers, salesgirl, porters and a domestic maid, Apply to 1E Dennis & Middleton Streets Campbellville Live in maid to work in town Call: 669-6030 One cook to cook in kitchen in the interior – Call:681-6044 Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at Garment Factory Call:222-2541 (Monday – Friday) Experienced hire car & mini bus driver & dispatcher @ Providence – Tel:265-7076, 616-5419 Welder, mechanic, Accounts Clerk, Trainee Machinist, Day Security, apply in person: Technical Service, Lot 18-23 Industrial Estate E.B.D One nail technician (air brush an asset) @ Nalini Beauty Salon, Vreed En Hoop Junction – Call:604-2900, 6581200, 625-3899 We buy land in Parfaite Harmonie, Schoon’Ord, Eccles, Providence, Herstelling and Phoenix Park– Tel: 675-7292 Live in couple, wife: domestic duties, husband driving , Arc/ Acetylene welder, good accommodation and ratesTel:227-1830 1 diesel vehicle to buy $200,000 call:662-8884 Farm worker, carpenter and mason- Call: 265-3586 Experienced log truck driver, log scaler- Call: 683-2575 1 Cleaner to work in snackette & bar , must know to cook, age 20-35yrs – Tel:647-7432, 223-579 Live in waitress 18-25 yrs, salary $50,000-$60,000 monthly, boarding and lodging free- Tel: 610-5040 Labourer / handyman for three half day per week- Call: 226-3736 One person to work on chicken farm- Contact: 6276416 Experienced dispatcher and hire car drivers at Gem’s TaxiContact: 667-9013/ 225-5075

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) AND MORE, SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 Space Designed for barber shop, located on Public Road – Call: 613-0448/6728625 Furnished apartment to rent, perfect for students, single or working couple @ Industry E.C.D – Tel: 2226001; 619-2388; 684-7853 Two bedroom apartment, to rent at Lot 72 West Ruimveldt $40,000 per month - Tel :6927377, 672-7194 Bond located on Broad Street 9000 Sq – Contact: 223-8479, 647-3768 Building on Lombard Street, Three floors high, Contact: 223-8479, 647-3768 Apartment for rent at Lot 37 Independence Street La Grange – Tel: 667-8896 One two bedroom apartment at La Parfaite Harmonie West Bank DemeraraContact: 682-4076/ 645-0489 Four bedroom luxury house, located at Bel Air ParkContact: 223-8479/ 647-3768, www.spaceseek.gy Houses and apartmentsContact: 223-8479/ 647-3768, www.spaceseek.gy One three bedrooms furnished apartments (top flat) Diamond/Grove E.C.D, $90,000 per month – Tel:6975933, 651-6263

LAND FOR SALE One land Located at Cornelia Ida W.C.D, Phone, water & light – Contact: 6520709; 276-0556 Parfaite Harmonie, Phoenix Park $4M, $1.3M (Dairy), Eccles - $4.5M, Providence $4M, Herstelling -$4M, Schoon’Ord - $3.5M – Tel:675-7292

MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499 CATERING Roxy’s Catering: We offer a 10% discount, Holiday Special – Call: 223-0092 or 223-0095, one snackette attendant needed!

Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! 668-4554 (Continued page 23)

Saturday October 18, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Court frees alleged ‘shoot out bandits’ Three men who were allegedly wounded during a robbery attempt on December 9, 2012 at Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, were on Wednesday freed by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus, who ruled that there was insufficient evidence against them. Those freed were Zaheir Abdul, 22, of New Scheme Adelphi, East Canje Berbice; Keshwar Harrinarine, 32, called “Bread,” of Fyrish, Long Dam; Corentyne and Parmanand Joseph 24, a hire car driver of Johns, Corentyne, Berbice. A fourth man, identified as Deodat ‘Pop Corn’ Seecharran of Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, and Adelphi East Canje, Berbice, was slain following another shootout with police. The accused, who were on six charges each, appeared in the Reliance

Magistrate’s court and were represented by Attorney-atLaw Charrandass Persaud. Police had alleged that the men were captured after a foiled robbery attempt on the house situated at Betsy Ground, East Canje. According to police reports, the suspects were involved in a shootout with police, which ended with three of them being wounded and captured in the St Patrick’s burial ground in Plantation, Rosehall Canje. Seecharran was shot to his left buttock; Abdul to his left hip and Harrinarine to his right buttock. Joseph, a driver, was arrested in motor vehicle-HC 1390 in the area. The police recovered a shotgun, pellets, empty casing, boots, caps and jerseys. The court alleged that on Sunday, December 9, at

Rosehall, East Canje, Berbice, the accused shot at police cadet officer Roger Pilgrim with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. They were also charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Police Corporal Randy Hamilton with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. Another charge read that on the same day, the defendants discharged a loaded firearm at Doodnauth Moses with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause him grievous bodily harm. They were also charged with being in possession of a 16-gauge shotgun, three cartridges and a 12-gauge casing without being the holders of firearm licences. The court also alleged that the accused attempted to commit a burglary at the dwelling house of Ragesh

Parsram at Betsy Ground, East Canje Berbice. In his submission, Attorney-at-Law Charrandass Persaud submitted that there was no visual identification of the accused on the charges of attempting to commit a felony, being in possession of firearm, being in possession of ammunition, and discharging a loaded firearm. The attorney also submitted that only one gun was presented to the court; there was no evidence that any of the defendants was using it, and there was no evidence that any gun powder residue was found on the defendants. According to the attorney, no fingerprints were presented to the court. He also contended that the area where the accused were shot is frequented by a number of persons.

Letters... Where your views make the news

It is an attack on our dignity to attempt to... From page 4 Chikungunya outbreak to flood the lands of the people, knowing full well that the stagnant water will breed mosquitoes with the concomitant negative consequences for the health of the people of Plaisance and neighbouring villages. We call on the government to immediately release the water. Failing to do that, we the citizens of Plaisance and Guyana will be forced to conclude that the government is deliberately creating the conditions for an epidemic in the area. It should also be pointed out that the government has destroyed the fruit trees that were in our backlands. It is appalling for a government that claims it wants to promote agriculture to destroy the fruit trees in the village backlands. There should

be compensation for the destruction of the village’s fruit trees. First it was Buxton, now it is Plaisance. Villages need to unite against this agri-terrorism. The government must stop killing out the fruit trees to achieve their narrow political objectives. Let us unite and stop this onslaught on the poor by this uncaring and parasitic ruling elite. Villages must recognize that when injustice is dished out to one village it is injustice to all. It has been more than a year since the government imposed an IMC on the people of Plaisance. Rather than serve the people of Plaisance/ Industry Neighbourhood, the IMC and the Minister of Local Government are witchhunting. We wish to make it clear that only Ms. Debra McDowell will be accepted as

the overseer in the area. We will not tolerate the injustice that the government is seeking to dish out to this public servant who has served with distinction. We the citizens of Plaisance are of the firm view that we will not allow the government-imposed IMC to continue to run roughshod over the village. We call on the government to hold local government elections. Failure to convene local government elections will leave villagers with no alternative but to convene our own local government elections. We believe it is the right of the people to choose by way of elections those who govern them. We wish to place on record our concern about the attitude of one health official at the health centre in Plaisance. For years, all

Guyanese of all ethnic groups in the area have been using that facility without conflict. That must continue. The authorities must warn the particular health official who is failing to be professional that he should desist from doing things that will disrupt the peace, calm and unity which have prevailed over the years. If this divisive approach continues, we will be forced to demand the removal of the said health official. The people of our village turned out in large numbers on Tuesday 14th October 2014 and resolved to continue the struggle for justice. We will pursue that mandate and continue to exercise our legitimate right to protest. The protest will continue until there is justice and fair play. CITIZENS OF PLAISANCE

Local govt. elections are needed to reverse the... From page 4 of the bodies. This has triggered a systematic collapse of many NDCs and municipalities over the years, leading to the imposition of interim management committees that do not represent the people’s interests. Some of the issues affecting these organs include an outdated property valuation, arbitrary laws and regulations, absent laws and regulations, lack of, and delays in resource allocations, delays in required approvals of transactions and short changed rates and taxes on revenue due. The Ministry of Local Government was enshrined with the authority of an oversight body, but has seen fit

to intervene in all matters that should be left to the local democratic organs to resolve. In fact, another reason the organs were established was to ease the strain on central government through the devolution of such powers. But the current regime seems bent on holding onto such powers, even if it means breaching the constitution to do so. This constitutional breach and the unsustainability of the current system are further reasons Guyana needs local government elections. Local government elections are needed because they represent the essence of democracy and comprise the cornerstone of grass roots involvement, in a society that

aspires to have the maximum political involvement of its people. It stimulates more people to become involved in the political process, avoiding apathy because they now have a chance to address specific issues affecting them. As Mayor Hamilton Green once said, “local government is vital to governance because it provides the means for ordinary people to be able to do things for themselves and release their creative energy.” Local government elections are needed in Guyana not only because they are a constitutional requirement overdue for 17 years, but they also are needed to reverse the scourge of disdain visited on our communities, which have

descended into a situation of derelict and disrepair. Mario Joseph Blue CAPS

(From page 22)

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TO LET 1-1 Bedroom apartment at Uitvlugt Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara – Tel: 680-4990 One fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment: TV, Air Conditioned, hot & cold, cable (South), 1 Bedroom apartment @ Bent St. Call: 689-5877 One two bedroom apartment Call: 617-3001 One two bedroom apartment for rent in Diamond New Scheme – Price$40,000, preferable no children – Call: 216-2339, 604-2431

Pharmacy assistants and part time pharmacist to work at Pharma Choice Pharmacy on Durban Street – Call: 6758790, 661-3124 Day guard: apply @ Technical Service Inc, 18-23 Eccles industrial Site. One Accounts Clerk – Call: 614-4358 International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Experienced salesman/ driver needed, basic salary + commission- Contact Vegetarian Gardens: 2277714

Alberttown (new)- $80,000, Bel-Air- US650, Camp StreetUS1300- Contact Diana: 2272256, 626-9382

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – 2770578 One American Slate Pool table – Call:679-8534 Located @ Lot 5 Block ‘K’ Walkers’s Delight W.C.D – 4 bedrooms all self contain. Price $25M/ per month $100,000 – Tel:674-4929/ 662-0187

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Saturday October 18, 2014

President boasts of continued investment in education Government has over time been deliberately lending support to families in hopes that they are in a better position to ensure that their children are properly educated. This has been evident by the provision of hot meals in schools and the provision of uniform vouchers among other notable feats. This level of Government support was particularly emphasised by Head of State, Donald Ramotar, as he addressed a sizeable gathering in Mabaruma, Region One, on Thursday. The occasion was the continued distribution of Government’s “Because we care” cash grant which first commenced in Bartica on Saturday last. But the Grant, according to President Ramotar, is only an addition to what Government has been consistently doing. “We spend billions of dollars every year in order to buy books so that our children can have books to go to school and study from; not like in the past when you couldn’t even have chalk to write on the black board when you had hardly anything,” recounted the Head of State. The cash grant distribution was hosted at the Mabaruma Primary school which President Ramotar described as “practically a new school” and among the tangible contributions Government has been making towards improving the delivery of education. But even as he mentioned the fact that the area has one small secondary school with the capacity to cater to about 100 students; resulting in an

- AS CASH GRANT DISTRIBUTION HITS MABARUMA

President Donald Ramotar, accompanied by his Ministers, greets students as he heads to the Mabaruma Primary school. overcrowding situation, the Head of State made it clear that “we are trying constantly to correct these things. We fundamentally believe that education is extremely important for many, many reasons.” With education in focus, he pointed out that the nation will be better poised to develop a better quality of educated people, and by extension a higher educated workforce. “That, by itself should help us to attract investments and create employment for people, and we will have a better country for that matter,” said the Head of State, as he went on to note that education has the potential to eradicate poverty.

According to him, life lessons have long revealed that the most important factor for a country’s development is its (educated) people rather than its natural resources. “Right in this continent of South America, certain parts of Brazil, certain places in Argentina, poverty is oppressive,” said President Ramotar as he turned his attention to sections of the continent of Africa, though rich in natural resources, are plagued with raging poverty. He however, noted that there are countries like Japan that have no natural resources but yet, have the status of being one of the richest countries of the world simply because they have a

Teenager dies in Enmore accident A student of the Buxton Community High School succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation yesterday afternoon, after he was struck by a vehicle on the Enmore Public Road, while riding home on his bicycle. Dead is 14-year-old Dexter Peters of Paradise, East Coast Demerara. According to his grandmother Verika Peters, Dexter was sent to a nearby shop to buy sugar and although he was reluctant, he followed instructions. She said that her grandson was struck down around 14:30 hours while on his way back. She said that the driver of the vehicle which hit him rushed him to the GPHC, where he was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit and placed on life support. However, the young man passed away a while later. The grieving woman said

Mourning grandmother of Dexter Peters being comforted by her relatives.

the matter is being investigated at the Enmore Police Station. The driver of

the vehicle was subsequently apprehended and is assisting with investigations.

highly educated population. Moreover, President Ramotar insisted that “it is important for our children to be in school and don’t fall for the lure of making a quick dollar and finishing their life as far as their education is concerned.” It is his conviction that education also offers a personal benefit, apart from the fact that people will eventually be able to appreciate other people’s cultures, whereby they can be able to better manage themselves, even health wise. Another reason that Government has been investing substantially in education and the social sectors in general, the President said, is to ensure that there is equal opportunities available to all. “We are a multi-ethnic, multiracial, cultural country but this country belongs to all of us, and if all of us are going to have a share in this country, we must have equal opportunities, and education is one of the best ways to provide and give you the tools to have equal opportunities for everyone within the society,” said the President. And it is expected that through the cash grant of $10,000, which is intended to aid the schooling of each public school child at the levels of nursery, primary and secondary, even the lesser fortunate will be able to rise above poverty by fully embracing education. The arrival of the President to Mabaruma on Thursday in the company of Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, was

section of Region One residents, including children, who lined the entire route from the airstrip to the Mabaruma Primary School. Understandably the venue had a capacity audience that spilled into the school yard. This was in light of the fact, that the cash grant distribution was done in a cluster catering to not only children of the Mabaruma Primary but also those of the Barabina Primary, Mabaruma and Sheba Nurseries and the North West Secondary

School. In addition to several senior education officials, the distribution process was witnessed by Regional Education Officer, Nigel Richards, and Regional Chairman, Paul Pierre. A sum of $12 million was dispersed via the cash grant in Mabaruma bringing the total sum distributed to date to $24 million. Minister Manickchand, in speaking to those gathered to receive their grants, reiterated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has been consistent in its investment in education. She also sought to emphasise that “consistency starts from a belief by the People’s Progressive Party that the only way we can improve your life as individuals; the only way we can improve your community; the only way we can improve this region; the only way we can make our country better; and the only way we can make your children’s lives better; is if we invest in educating them.” The Cash Grant distribution will continue today and tomorrow with distributions at venues in Georgetown and Region Three and Six. President Ramotar will accompany Minster Manickchand to continue distributions at the Uitvlugt Community Centre today, starting at 09:00 hours and at the Berbice High School on Sunday.

Granger dodges commitment... From page 3 it would poison our relationship.” Nagamootoo was then asked whether he expected an immediate response of support for the call for a sitting but to this he said, “Given all that has taken place, I know for sure that there would be no sitting on or before October 24. I expect that we are going to take a joint approach on this matter. Granger is a polite guy. I am looking to see what happens beyond the politeness.”

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman was also contacted yesterday by this publication on the matter. Trotman revealed that he has received some advice from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Issacs on AFC's proposed move and is still studying it. The House Speaker also stated that he believes the will of the people should be put first and it should not be hindered by delays however, it must be done within proper procedures.

High level health team... From page 20 urgent resources and assistance to support the affected countries in intensifying preventive and response activities. In his address to the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Ramotar said “we currently face a stark reminder of how fragile global welfare is in the face of singular threats such as the Ebola epidemic. Make no mistake; this is a global problem that requires an immediate global response

many times over what is currently being done.” According RodriguesBirkett, “in our growing tradition of responding to humanitarian and special causes, and in demonstrating our solidarity with the people of West Africa, the Government of Guyana will make a modest financial contribution of US$50,000 in response to the international appeal for aid, even as we work to prepare our own country to fight this dreaded disease.”

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Petrocaribe coming to Islamic State flying three an end - Expert predicts jets in Syria: monitor Trinidad Guardian There is a prediction that Petrocaribe will be discontinued by the Venezuelan government in the near future. It comes from Prof Anthony Bryan who said the programme has become too costly for a country reeling from political instability and economic challenges. In an interview with the T&T Guardian, Bryan explained t h a t Ve n e z u e l a w a s “ i n serious trouble” and the country was essentially allowing one-third of its total crude production to be sold at discounted rates in Petrocaribe and assistance to Nicaragua and Cuba. ” The loss of revenue for Ve n e z u e l a f r o m t h e s e programmes is about 400,000 barrels a day or US$20 billion a year. When you add to that the US$28 billion that the country allows in terms of petroleum subsidies, you can see the problem. So Venezuela will not cut the domestic subsidies because that will be political suicide so it will have to be a case of easing out Petrocaribe,” he said. In 2005, the Petrocaribe Energy Co-operation Agreement was signed by 14 countries including all CARICOM countries with t h e e x c e p t i o n o f T & T, Barbados and Montserrat. Under the agreement, the countries purchase petroleum and petroleum products from Venezuela

on concessionary terms and the differential between the market and discounted prices are turned into a loan. In addition, the countries can pay for part of their petroleum imports using noncash mechanisms. Bry a n said Jamaica would be particularly vulnerable because the country has used the savings to assist with budgetary support, domestic debt refinancing and infrastructure development. “ As you know, Jamaica is going through a tough economic plan with the IMF and it needs the savings from this programme, so if it is forced to pay external prices, that can seriously hurt the country’s economy,” he said. Bryan, who is professor emeritus at the University of Miami, said he expected the assistance to Cuba and

Nicaragua will be reduced, but will remain in place for ideological reasons, but warned that Haiti was likely to be in the same boat as Jamaica since they did not provide either ideological or strategic reasons for Caracas to continue support. According to the IMF, Venezuela’s economy has been in almost freefall with market distortions that have created m a j o r economic disincentives for investment and production inside the country. This has made Ve n e z u e l a almost entirely dependent on imports for pretty much everything from electronics to food. As a r e s u l t , i n f l a t i on has skyrocketed (56 per cent last year) as the central bank printed more and more b o l i v a r s , Ve n e z u e l a ’s currency, to sustain the exchange rate.

Antigua, Suriname join other Caribbean countries banning nationals from Ebola hit countries ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC - Antigua and Barbuda and Suriname have become the latest Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to issue a ban on travelers from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa. Director of Communications, Maurice Merchant told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that the Gaston Browne-led cabinet agreed to travel restrictions on passengers traveling from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The often deadly disease has been prevalent in West African nations. As part of the restriction, St John’s will discontinue issuing to the three African states hardest hit by the Ebola virus. Passengers who are known to have visited

those countries within the last three weeks will not be allowed entry to the country Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana have effected similar restrictions as the disease, for which there is no cure, spreads to other parts of the world including the United States and Spain. Suriname has also announced that it too had placed a ban on visitors from West Africa. “It concerns people who have spent 21 days or more in Ebola areas and who want to travel to Suriname. They will not be allowed in,” a spokesman for the Ministry of Health Martelise Eersel said. She said it does not matter whether the people hail from West Africa or had visited a country

there, they will not be allowed onto any aircraft heading towards Suriname. “If you’re in the European Union (EU), that is where you will stay,” she said.

(Reuters) - Iraqi pilots who have joined Islamic State in Syria are training members of the group to fly in three captured fighter jets, a group monitoring the war said on Friday, saying it was the first time the militant group had taken to the air. The group, which has seized swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, has been flying the planes over the captured alJarrah military airport east of Aleppo, said Rami Abdulrahman, who runs the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the report and U.S. Central Command said it was not aware of Islamic State flying jets in Syria. U.S-led forces are bombing Islamic State bases in Syria and Iraq. The group has regularly used weaponry captured from the Syrian and Iraqi armies and has overrun several military bases but, if the report is confirmed, this would be the first time it has been able to pilot warplanes. “They have trainers, Iraqi officers who were pilots before for (former Iraqi president) Saddam Hussein,” Abdulrahman said.

“People saw the flights, they went up many times from the airport and they are flying in the skies outside the airport and coming back,” he said, citing witnesses in northern Aleppo province near the base, which is 70 km (45 miles) south of the Turkish border. Witnesses reported the flights were at a low altitude and only lasted five to 10 minutes before landing, the Observatory said. It was not possible to reach the Syrian government for comment and state media did not mention the report. It was not clear whether the jets were equipped with weaponry or whether the pilots could fly longer distances in the planes, which witnesses said appeared to be MiG 21 or MiG 23 models captured from the Syrian military. U.S. MILITARYKEEPING “CLOSE EYE” “We’re not aware of ISIL conducting any flight operations in Syria or elsewhere,” U.S. Central Command spokesman Colonel Patrick Ryder said, using a former name for Islamic State. “We continue to keep a close eye on (Islamic State) activity in Syria and Iraq and

will continue to conduct strikes against their equipment, facilities, fighters and centers of gravity, wherever they may be.” General Lloyd Austin, head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, said he could not confirm that Iraqi pilots had joined Islamic State. “We don’t have any operational reporting of ISIL flying jets in support of ISIL activity on the ground and so I cannot confirm that. And to the degree that pilots may have defected and joined the ranks of ISIL, I don’t have any information on that either,” he told a Pentagon news briefing. Pro-Islamic State Twitter accounts have previously posted pictures of captured jets in other parts of Syria but the aircraft appeared unusable, according to political analysts and diplomats. The countryside east of Aleppo city is one of the main bases of Islamic State in Syria. The al Qaeda offshoot controls up to a third of the territory of Syria, whose civil war pitting various rebel groups against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has raged for more than three years.

Obama names Ebola ‘czar’ as West Africa death toll rises (Reuters) - President Barack Obama appointed a former White House adviser as U.S. Ebola “czar” on Friday as the global death toll from the disease that has ravaged three West African countries rose to more than 4,500. Amid growing concerns about the spread of the virus in the United States, authorities said a Texas health worker, who was not ill but may have had contact with specimens from an Ebola patient, was quarantined on a cruise ship that departed last Sunday from the port of Galveston, Texas. The Carnival Magic, operated by Carnival Corp unit Carnival Cruise Lines, skipped a planned stop in Cozumel, Mexico, because of delays getting permission to dock from Mexican authorities, the cruise line said. The ship was scheduled to return to Galveston on Sunday. A Mexican port authority official said the ship was denied clearance to avoid any possible risk from Ebola. “It is the first time that this has

happened, and it was decided the ship should not dock as a preventative measure against Ebola,” said Erce Barron, port authority director in Quintana Roo. Obama, facing criticism from some lawmakers over his a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s handling of efforts to contain the virus, appointed Ron Klain, a lawyer who previously served as chief of staff to Vice Presidents Joe Biden and Al Gore, to oversee the

U.S. response to the virus. K l a i n ’s a p p o i n t m e n t and the cruise ship incident highlighted anxiety over the threat from Ebola, even though there have been just three cases diagnosed in the country, all in Dallas. They were a Liberian, Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person diagnosed in the United States, and two nurses who were on the team of health workers caring for him up to his death last week.

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New York confident of winning both Sanjay’s Jewelry Classic Golf titles at “Guyana Softball Cup 4” tournament set for tomorrow President of the New York Softball Cricket League, Eric Ferrier, has expressed confidence of winning both titles at the “Guyana Softball Cup 4” tournament starting shortly. In a letter to the President of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, Ferrier said, “We the New York Softball Cricket League salute and extend our heartfelt “Thank You “ for giving us the opportunity to participate once again in your such a wonderful, colorful and competitive competition.” “We have seen highs and lows over the past three Guyana Softball Cups.” Yes,” we

experience the ultimate high when our NYSCL All Stars (Open Category} team was crowned the 2012 champions and “Oh Yes” lows when we did not make the playoffs in other years. We would like to extend good luck to all the participating teams, and “Make No Mistake” NYSCL has high expectations for both of teams to return to New York as Open and Master “Guyana Softball Cup 4” champions. “We are coming to Guyana to play exciting and competitive softball cricket and at the same time to rekindle old acquaintance and to enjoy the great hospitality of our Guyanese brothers and sisters,” Ferrier said.

Saturday October 18, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Feel free to go shopping for yourself, Aries. While you're at it, you might as well pick up some things for others, too. You're apt to be in tune with the pleasant spirit of the people around you. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You're likely to gravitate toward those who can put on a show and carry your imagination to a far-off land today, Taurus. Look for this quality in others instead of turning to the TV to satisfy this need. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Connect with those who carry you upward and encourage your fantasies today instead of those who try to bring you down to reality, Gemini. There's a need for you to shine more brightly than usual, and there's no reason why this wish shouldn't be granted. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're likely now on the brink of completing a major move of some sort. Your first reaction may be to sit in solitary deliberation as you wrestle with the pros and cons of each piece of the situation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is one of those days when you will be walking along and all of a sudden hear a street performer playing music. Suddenly your feet start to move and soon you're dancing. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't take things that don't belong to you, Virgo. Your penetrating eyes are apt to spot things that are easily pocketed, even though you know deep down that those things aren't meant for you to keep.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try not to think too much about what is "supposed" to happen next, Libra. The truth of the matter is that things don't necessarily work out the way they're planned, so don't count on something that has no guarantee of coming to fruition. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Water your plants today and make sure they're getting enough light, Scorpio. If you don't have any plants, take this opportunity to go to the nursery and pick up a couple for your home or office. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You're on a roll today, Sagittarius. Don't let other people's insecurities or shallow understanding about an issue get in the way of your progress. There's a distinct advantage to the way you approach things. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be wondering whose shoulder you should cry on, Capricorn. Usually yours is the shoulder that everyone else likes to use. The collar of your shirt is probably soaking wet by now, thanks to all the tears that have spilled on you. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your coals have been smoldering for a while, and there is a great deal of smoke pouring from your blackened embers, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be wary of big promises today, Pisces. This could be one of those days when people are more likely to take a gamble because they're unrealistic about how things are going to work out. Don't be surprised if the stock market jumps as a result of the dollar signs that people imagine.

Owner of Sanjay’s Jewelry, Mr Sanjay Persaud, has expressed pleasure to sponsor another golf tournament this year at the Lusignan Golf Club billed for tomorrow, Sunday, 19th October, with tee-off at 9:30am. The Classic Golf Tournament promises several interesting prizes. Mr Sanjay Persaud informed, “I am putting up three souvenir gold Golf Clubs for prizes, along with the other activities I normally do for the tournaments.” According to Club President David Mohamad, “We at the Lusignan Golf Club are very appreciative for the support that Sanjay’s Jewelry is giving to the LGC and golfing in Guyana. We would certainly be delighted

if other sponsors – individual or corporate – would support the sport in a similar way.” Mohamed noted that the LGC ground is in great shape, and golfers will find the outfield well cut, further expressing his excitement that following immediately after last Saturday’s Tournament, this Sunday’s Sanjay’s Jewelry Classic will definitely condition the minds and bodies of all the Guyana hopefuls for competition in the 36-hole round Guyana Open Golf Tournament billed for 1st and 2nd November this year – two weekends from this one! The two-day Guyana Open tournament usually attracts players from Canada, the USA, Europe, the

Caribbean and South America. The public is reminded that they are welcome to visit and observe this great game and especially the international Guyana Open competition on the first weekend in November. Sanjay’s Jewelry, which has over 1000 jewelry pieces on display to choose from, offers also a wide variety of watches, colognes and perfumes for men, women and children. In the jewelry section, Sanjay’s has a large array of pieces in 12,14,18 and 22 karat gold as well as a variety of diamonds. Alternatively a customer can simply make an order with their design and Sanjay’s will make it in 24 hours.

Kohli century sets up series... From page 29 risk, and it took an incorrect leg-before decision against Rahane, on 68, to break the partnership. India were 142 for 2 when Rahane went in the 27th over. Kohli and Raina nearly doubled that with a 138-run stand that took 108 balls. West Indies had gone overboard with the short ball; they weren’t going to hold back against Raina. But even he wasn’t troubled with their halfhearted, predictable offerings as he swiped and pulled five sixes on way to 71 off 58. Raina and Kohli collected 52 off the batting Powerplay, and India took 94 off the last ten overs as West Indies, who had been threatening to do so all the time, completely lost it in the field. The dropped chances, overthrows and misfields piled up. Kohli reached his hundred on an overthrow off his 101st delivery, and he and MS Dhoni were both put down in the same over. Kohli ended with 127 off 114. Samuels responded with 112 off 106 and was last man out as the rest crumbled around him, despite the considerable dew soaking the outfield in the cool mountain weather. Samuels was peppered with bouncers, especially by Mohammed Shami, when he came in but he survived and hit back with the odd boundary before taking 47 off the 29 deliveries he faced from Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja went for 2 for 80 from nine overs, while the second left-arm spinner in the XI, Akshar Patel, returned 2 for 26 from ten. Akshar conceded just one boundary from his quota, and broke the 56-run third-wicket stand

between Samuels and Darren Bravo, who fell for a steady 40. Bhuvneshwar Kumar had tied up the top order with prodigious swing under lights. Kieron Pollard, promoted to No. 3, could not put bat to ball, unable to figure out which way it was swinging. When Bhuvneshwar ended Pollard’s crawl on 6 off 31, West Indies

were 27 for 2 in 11 overs. West Indies kept losing wickets, and though Russell powered 46 off 23 at No. 8, they had already slipped too far behind on the asking-rate. Scores: India 330 for 6 (Kohli 127, Raina 71, Rahane 68) beat West Indies 271 (Samuels 112, Bhuvneshwar 2-25, Akshar 2-26) by 59 runs.

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Kaieteur News

BCB pays tribute to fallen hero – Vibert Johashen Former National and Berbice swing bowler Vibert Johashen, who was born on August 17, 1948 in Demerara, passed away recently at age 68. He will be buried today in his adopted county Berbice. Johashen played nine First-Class matches, four of those for Guyana and the other five for Berbice. Up until 1990 all four-day Inter-County finals were afforded First-Class status. Even into his late 40s, Johashen played in Demerara’s second division competition for the Transport Sports Club and provided an education in swing bowling for the youngsters he played with at that level in last 1980s. Yesterday the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) issued a statement on his passing and his contribution to cricket. Below is the full text of the BCB statement: The Berbice Cricket B o a r d , o n b e h a l f of its member clubs and cricket loving Berbicians, wish to express its deepest sorrow at the passing of a cricket stalwart, Vibert Johashen, a pacer who represented Berbice and Guyana at the

first class level. Vibert successfully played for Berbice from 1973 to 1978 and always a thorn in the sides of many established Demerara batsmen opening the bowling at different times with Keith Cameron and Leslaine Lambert. In the Jones Cup final in 1977 at Bourda against Demerara, picked up 2 for 73 in the first innings when Keith Cameron took 7 for 60 and then in the second innings, he snared 5 for 43, including the wickets of Stephen Camacho, Stephen Bamfield and Andrew Lyght to bowl Berbice to a memorable 161 runs victory and the Cup. He also played three four day matches for Guyana in 1977 and 1978 including one against the touring full strength Pakistan team and took 4 for 84 in their first innings including the scalps of the greats Majid Khan, Mudassar Nazar and Wasim Raja. He was also a capable lower order batsman who supported the established batsmen on many occasions. At the first division level, Vibert playe d f o r Dem erara Police and then

remigrating to Berbice, Mental Hospital and Guymine where he gained employment. Although he was a “gentle giant” off the field, a real gentleman, the minute he crossed the boundary, he was a fierce competitor. He was ruthless against his opponents and very uncompromising with his teammates particularly if they missed field or dropped catches off his bowling. There is a famous story about an incident involving the then Police captain, the l a t e Wi l l i a m J e ff r e y, Johashen and former Commissioner of Police Balram Raghubir, who was fielding at the time that is now cricket folklore. Vibert will be fondly remembered for his exploits having made his mark in the annals of Berbice Cricket. Even after his cricketing days, he always showed a keen interest in Berbice Cricket even though he was residing in Demerara. The greatest tribute that can be paid to Vibert Johashen is if the youngsters of today can emulate his commitment and zeal for the game. We will all miss you Vibert.

Saturday October 18, 2014

8th MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Road Race

‘Fishy’ Williams canters to Stage 3 win; Greaves has slim overall lead going into Stage 4 Despite the unfortunate withdrawal of Team Coco’s from this year’s Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports ‘Ride for Life’ 5-Stage cycle road race yesterday, the third stage from Wales, West Bank Demerara to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo saw a blistering performance from Marlon ‘ F i s h y ’ Wi l l i a m s w h o crossed the line unchallenged. The Unattached Williams was the only rider to clock under one hour in the shortest stage of the five. He crossed the line in 59 Minutes 32 Seconds and in the process also won 5 of the sprint prizes to underline his dominance of the stage. Paul De Nobrega (Team Alanis) took the second place in this stage and was timed at 1:00:43; USA based Scott Savory (Lupus Racing Team) was next in 1:01:11 followed by Robin Persaud (Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club) 1:01:18, Geron Wi l l i a m s ( C o n t i n e n t a l Cycle Club) 1:01:19, Alanzo

Greaves (Roraima Bikers Club) 1:01:19 and Shaquelle Agard (Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club) 1:01:40 occupying the other top seven positions. The race started off with 27 starters outside the Wales Police Station with Director of Sport Neil Kumar in attendance. At the Demerara Harbour Bridge seven riders were setting the p a c e , G e r o n Wi l l i a m s , Alanzo Greaves, Marlon Williams, Shaquille Agard, Robin Persaud, Paul DeNobrega and Scott Savory. Agard was eventually dropped as the intensity increased. Marlon Williams powered away from the leaders at Orgenstein on the East Bank of Essequibo to take the stage in fine style. His efforts saw him moving up the ranks to fourth position overall with Alanzo Greaves in command going into today’s fourth stage in the Cinderella County of

Essequibo pedaling off at Supenaam at 07:30hrs proceeding to Charity and back to Suddie for the finish covering 62 miles. The final stage tomorrow will start in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at 08:30hrs and conclude on Carifesta Avenue in the City. Overall Standings after Stages 1, 2 &3 PositionName Overall Time 1st Alanzo Greaves 5:01:13 2nd R o b i n P e r s a u d 5:01:19 3rd Geron Williams 5:01:19 4th Marlon Williams 5:02:45 5th Paul DeNobrega 5:03:59 6th Scott Savory 5:04:29 7th Horace Burrowes 5:05:12 8th Paul Choo-weeNam 5 : 0 5 : 1 2 9th Michael Anthony 5:05:12 1 0 t h S h a quille Agard 5:11:12

WICB statement on West Indies... From page 30 meeting was scheduled prior to any issues being raised with the New MOU/CBA and it was intended to acquaint all the parties of how it would roll out. This was necessary as the WICB did not have an opportunity to so do in the Caribbean due to the logistical challenges of assembling all the players prior to departure for the tour of India (some of the players were already in India participating in the Champions League). The WICB CEO, Mr. Muirhead

and WIPA President/CEO Mr. Hinds had been in negotiations with regard to finding a mutually agreeable position to allow for the full tour to be completed. 9. The WICB further regrets that in his initial communication to the WIPA President and CEO Mr. Hinds, Mr. Bravo chose to use inflammatory language and issue a clear threat to cause injury to West Indies cricket. Specifically Mr. Bravo wrote: “Please note that we are giving you the opportunity to right this

wrong before things deteriorate [sic] to such an extent that West Indies cricket to the wider cricket world looks to fall to its knees again.” 10. The WICB reiterates that as a result of the action taken by the players the Board was forced with no other option but to discontinue the tour. The Board once again apologises unreservedly for the premature end to the tour. Finally, the WICB advises that the West Indies A Team tour of Sri Lanka continues as scheduled.

Saturday October 18, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kohli century sets up series win

Marlon Samuels carves one over the infield. (BCCI)

Virat Kohli defends on the front foot. (BCCI) ESPNcricinfo - Virat Kohli cracked his 20th ODI hundred, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane made fifties as India comfortably downed a seemingly eager-to-leave West Indies in Dharamsala. The news that West Indies’ tour had been cut short due to the players’ payment dispute with their board broke during India’s innings, and the visitors backed that up with shoddy fielding and bowling performances. Marlon Samuels overcame a struggle of a start to make his seventh ODI century, but barring Andre Russell’s belated and brief blitz, the rest of the line-

up sank after India had racked up 330. India took the fivematch series 2-1, with the third ODI washed out by a cyclone and the fifth cancelled by West Indies’ pullout. There was more bounce in the Dharamsala track than on most Indian ODI pitches, but it was useful to the bowling side only when backed by serious pace. West Indies weren’t really willing to bend their backs barring the odd occasion. They were eager to bowl short, though, and continued to do so throughout the innings. And India kept hooking and pulling harmless stomachhigh bouncers to the short

boundaries. As early as the first ball of the second over, Shikhar Dhawan showed there was nothing to worry about the bouncers short on intent as he pulled Jason Holder for four. West Indies refused to learn and Dhawan helped himself to easy boundaries. Ajinkya Rahane was timing the ball superbly at the other end, caressing full deliveries both sides of the wicket. West Indies tried bowling wide with a packed off-side field, but he disturbed those plans by stepping out and going leg side. The stand had grown to 70 in the 12th over when

Carib Beer 1st Div. T20 preliminaries conclude today in Berbice The preliminary stage of the Carib Beer first division T20 cricket competition in Berbice concludes today with the final two Zone C (Corentyne) matches. Defending champion Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets have already earned their places in the last 6 playoffs having both won three matches but will face each

other from 13:30hrs at Rose Hall Town to determine the Zone winner. The other game will see Port Mourant hosting Skeldon Community Centre from 13:30hrs. Meanwhile, West Berbice and D’Edward (Zone A - West Berbice) and Young Warriors and Universal Solutions Bermine (Zone B - East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje) have already advanced.

Russell combined pace with bounce and Dhawan, not for the first time, top-edged an awkward hook to the deep. West Indies had an opportunity to claw back further in Russell’s next over, but Jerome Taylor spilled a simple chance at fine leg off another top-edged hook, reprieving Rahane on 38. Kohli, at No. 4, had made his first fifty across Tests and ODIs since February in the previous game. Back at his usual No. 3 position today, he had his ODI-autopilot mode on from ball one, to which he leaned forward solidly and pushed a single to cover. There was some turn and bounce for the spinners, and Kohli wasn’t going to go after anything unless it was too wide or short. He and Rahane collected 72 at just under five an over without taking any (Continued on page 25)

Andre Russell looks to hit one down the ground. (BCCI)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday October 18, 2014

First time a cricket tour has been abandoned due to Industrial dispute By Sean Devers The West Indies’ tour of India was abandoned yesterday after the fourth ODI due to a dispute over the salary of the players but it is not the first time an international cricket series has come to an unexpected end. However it’s the first time since Test cricket was first played in 1877 that this has happened due to industrial action by the players against their own Board and their bargaining Agent the West Indies Players Association (WIPA). To add to chaos in India, the third ODI at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium was abandoned due to a cyclone which hit Visakhapatnam. The WICB stated last night that as a result of the player’s actions, the Board was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to provide a team for the remaining five matches including the three Tests. The WICB informed that its proposed alternative arrangement of a replacement team was not considered acceptable. The Windies ‘A’ team is presently in Sri Lanka, which is just over an hour’s flight from India. This is not the first time that industrial action has threatened a West Indies tour. In 2001, a bitter row between the WICB, the WIPA, the new sponsors Digicel and past sponsors Cable &Wireless left the region’s game in tatters as seven C&W contracted players were

WICB confirms tour to India called off deemed ineligible by the WICB due to a contract dispute. Shivnarine Chanderpaul became the 6th Guyanese and fourth player of East Indian decent to be appointed captain of the West Indies when a depleted regional side without star batsman Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle took the field to battle South Africa in the 2005 home series. The ongoing contract dispute between the WICB and WIPA resulted in a depleted team, minus all but three of the original players selected to tour Sri Lanka, being selected for that twotest series in 2005. Lara, Sarwan and Gayle were among those who refused to sign their contracts causing the WICB to pick a third string team after some of the senior players in the ‘A’ team which was also in Sri Lanka refused to sign. However, the senior team manager Tony Howard arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of the team and after meeting with the ‘A’ team players got eight of them to join the senior team, resulting in Guyanese Ryan Ramdass playing in his only Test and again the series was saved. In 2009 when Bangladesh toured the West Indies the entire squad withdrew their services on the eve of the first Test but a third string team led by Floyd Reifer was hastily assembled with Guyana’s Travis Dowlin getting his Test debut.

Back in 1978 when Guyanese Sew Shivnarine and Colin Croft made their Test debuts, Desmond Haynes, one of players who signed for the Kerry Packer World series, was dropped by the WIBC for the third test in Guyana. Clive Lloyd resigned the captaincy in protest and the rest of the Packer contracted players decided not to play in solidarity for their skipper. Kallicharran took over as skipper and the series went on. Tours that were

abandoned due to unusual circumstances: West Indies in England 1939 The outbreak of the Second World War meant the last seven matches of the tour were cancelled, with the West Indies’ party boarding a boat in Scotland to sail back to the Caribbean. England in Pakistan 1968/ 69 Political and student unrest dogged the tour throughout but it seemed the series would be played out to a finish when the teams arrived in Karachi for the third

and final Test. However, a riot on the third morning saw the match abandoned and the series tied at 0-0 when England’s Alan Knott was four runs short of what would have been his maiden Test century. India in Pakistan 1984/85 The assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sparked 13 days of national mourning and meant the final three matches were cancelled. Sri Lanka in Pakistan 2008/09 Sri Lanka were travelling in their team bus on the way

to the second Test in Lahore when terrorists opened fire, injuring six members of the tour party. Sri Lanka went home and no major international matches have since taken place in Pakistan because of security fears. West Indies in India 2014 A protracted pay dispute between the West Indies players, WIPA and the WICB led to players announcing the tour’s end after the fourth ODI. Chanderpaul, who is 267 runs short of Brian Lara’s 11,953 Test runs, should be most disappointed about the cancellation of the Test series.

WICB statement on West Indies tour of India St John’s, Antigua – The Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board held an emergency meeting by teleconference today to discuss the developments with regard to the West Indies tour of India. The Board of Directors was briefed of the latest developments and as a result of decisions taken the WICB advises: 1. The WICB clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr. Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies Team Management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India. As a result of this action by the players the WICB was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to

provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches (5th ODI, T20 International, three Test matches). 2. The WICB wishes to further clarify that its proposed alternative arrangement of a replacement West Indies team was not considered acceptable. The WICB is understanding of this position. 3.The WICB unreservedly apologises to West Indian fans and all cricket fans for this most regrettable situation and the premature end to the tour. 4.The WICB unreservedly apologises to the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters and other stakeholders for the premature end to the tour. 5.The WICB thanks the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters, other stakeholders and fans for their patience and

understanding during the first four ODIs. The WICB wishes the BCCI every success with the proposed alternative arrangements and looks forward to the continuation of the strong and longstanding relationship between the two boards. 6.The WICB clarifies further that as a result of postulations by the players, the tour was under a cloud of uncertainty from the inception. The WICB, acting prudently, advised the host board – BCCI – of the developments and remained in constant contact to provide updates as to the threat of possible player action. 7.The WICB will host an emergency Board Meeting on Tuesday October 21st, in Barbados, to conduct a thorough assessment of all the ramifications of the

premature end to the tour and any action which may be necessary ‘therefrom’. The WICB will host a media conference following this meeting. Further details will be provided upon confirmation. 8. The WICB regrets that the delegation which was prescheduled to travel to India to meet with the players on a number of issues will no longer be able to conduct such meeting at which the intention was also to discuss the concerns of the players. The delegation had included WICB Chief Executive Officer Mr. Michael Muirhead, Chairman of the Cricket Committee Mr. Julian Charles and also WIPA President and CEO Mr. Wavell Hinds. The delegation had been scheduled to arrive in India on Monday October 20. This (Continued on page 26)

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 18, 2014

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West Indies pull out of India tour ESPNcricinfo - The West Indies tour to India has been cancelled with the BCCI announcing it had been called off by the WICB and announcing a replacement tour, while the West Indies board in a later statement yesterday evening confirmed the decision. The developments followed a protracted payment structure dispute between the players, the WICB and West Indies Players’ Association. The WICB said it would make a further statement following the conclusion of the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, which India won by 59 runs. At the end of the game, the official broadcaster Star Sports displayed India as the winners of the ODI series by a 2-1 margin, though no trophy was given to MS Dhoni at the presentation ceremony. The WICB has called for a meeting at 3pm Caribbean time to discuss the developments, after which the board will explain its position. Following news of West Indies’ pullout emerged midway through the first innings, the BCCI said it was “shocked and disappointed”

that the decision to abandon the tour had been “taken by the WICB”, and that India would now play five ODIs against Sri Lanka between November 1 and 15, after Sri Lanka Cricket accepted the invitation to fill the void. “They have withdrawn their team and this [development] has come abruptly. We received an email from Richie Richardson, the West Indies team manager, only this [Friday] morning,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told ESPNcricnfo. Patel also said the board was contemplating legal action against the WICB. Shortly after that development, however, the WICB put out a statement saying it had not taken a decision to end the tour. “The West Indies Cricket Board advises, that, contrary to media reports, it has taken no decision to discontinue the ongoing tour to India,” it said. “The WICB will make a further statement following the conclusion of the fourth one-day International which is in progress.” Late in the day, the BCCI issued a second release quoting Richardson’s email

Dwayne Bravo said at the toss that it was “time to make a decision” © BCCI and chronicling the events of the last week to support their position: “Despite agreeing to play the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, regrettably, the current West Indies players have decided that they will not participate any further in this tour and wish to return home after this match. In light of this, I suggest that the entire squad travel to Delhi tomorrow and be booked into a hotel there, until international return flights have been booked. On behalf of the entire squad and

GT Beer/Berbice Cup 2014

High expectations for today’s semis Expectations are extremely high among teams and supporters leading up to today’s semi-final matchups in the GT Beer/Berbice Cup KO football Tournament organized and hosted by Starlight Generation in conjunction with Monedderlust FC. The 2nd annual 8-team competition which kickedoff on October 4th has so far tallied 21 goals from the four first round games and according to widespread optimism among the coaches fans are in for another goalfest tonight at Number Five Village on the West Coast of Berbice. In the opening act set for 18:00hrs, home-side and defending Champion Monedderlust FC will put their title on line against a young and hungry Cougars FC of New Amsterdam. Both sides will be without some players due to injuries and work commitment. Right full-back Clifton Campbell is out for Monedderlust with a groin injury sustained in the

opening game while there are other niggling injuries in the camp. The NA side has lost right back Charles Williams and flank man Ron Wilson due to work and midfielder Roger Crandon is doubtful with an ankle injury. Captain Travis Henry the solid central defender will once again spearhead the Cup holders with national U17 captain, Kevin Layne Jr. at left full-back and Erwin Johnson on the opposite side. Delbert Wilson and Arthur Bailey alongside Leon McDonald will parade the middle with a trio of marksmen up front in Delroy Halley, Eon Abel and former national youth player King Archer. For Cougars the experienced Stefon DeFlorimonte and Adrian Bess will marshal the defence with Reon Emanuel in goal. Tishan Moore and Alvin Reynolds will for the core of the midfield with Sherwin Parris, Conroy Crandon and Albert Anderson in attack.

The all-East Coast affair featuring Victoria Kings and Ann’s Grove in the 2nd semifinal is anticipated to be mouthwatering with bus loads of villagers expected to make the trip to give support on both sides of the pitch. The much accomplished Kings will once again feature a solid mix of experience and youth in their line up with the ever-green, Winston Pompey leading the way. The other players with vast experience are midfielder Aubrey Gibson and defenders Shawn Samuels, Samuel and Dane Johnson. Former national youth player Calvin DeSouza and Devon James will shore up the midfield. Travis Allen, in goal, will l e a d A n n ’s G r o v e ’s challenge with main the support coming from central defenders Cleveland Adams and Antonio Jackson. In the middle will be Kevon Barry, Gavin Rogers and Anthony Barry and up front it will be Mackston Adams, Jamal Blair and Devon Chance.

WICB, I apologise for the inconvenience caused.” West Indies were scheduled to play a fifth ODI, one Twenty20 international and t h r e e Te s t s a f t e r t h e Dharamsala one-dayer. The BCCI’s first release had said, “The WICB’s inability to resolve internal issues with its players and allowing the same to affect an ongoing bilateral series does not reflect well on any of those involved.” They said the withdrawal had “given little thought to the future of the game, the players and the long standing relations between the BCCI and WICB.” “This is a unilateral decision taken by the WICB and its players, in spite of several appeals to the WICB to honour its commitment and complete the series.” T h e B C C I ’s j o i n t secretary Anurag Thakur told PTI the West Indies players were “hell bent not to play” the fourth ODI, and only

agreed to take the field upon his insistence. Before the game, Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies ODI captain, had indicated something serious was brewing when he told television commentator Ian Bishop at the toss: “Time to make a decision.” Bravo was accompanied by his West Indies team-mates, who stood beside him. Tony Irish, the executive chairman of international players’ association FICA, is reported to be working with WICB and WIPA to try and resolve the issue. “FICA is dismayed that the tour has been called off,” he said. “It’s not good for cricket and it’s not good for player relations within cricket.” The reason for the dispute was the memorandum of understanding and the combined bargaining agreement signed between W I PA a n d W I C B i n September. Bravo, acting as the player representative, had

claimed that WIPA president and chief executive Wavell Hinds had kept the players in the dark over the MoU, which he allegedly signed without their consent. On the eve of the first ODI in Kochi, Bravo had warned that if Hinds did not cooperate and respond to the questions raised by the players, a strike or a pullout from the tour could not be ruled out. Though Hinds responded eventually, Bravo continued to insist that he should step down as chief executive and president, and even asked the WICB to not communicate with WIPA till a solution was found. However, WICB president Dave Cameron sent an email to Bravo saying the board would only engage with WIPA, adhering to the MoU signed in September. That development led to the West Indian players taking the extreme step of pulling out of the tour. Former West Indies seamer Michael Holding called the development “ridiculous” and “embarrassing”. “I have never seen anything like this in the past,” Holding told Sky TV. “I can see serious repercussions from this. I think this is a ridiculous decision by the West Indies Cricket Board. They like to hide behind half-truths. “It’s embarrassing for me, as someone who played for West Indies, to see this happening. I was told a director of the WICB did not know about this decision. Let us hope the majority of the board made this decision, otherwise it has been made by very dubious means.”

Kalladeen elected President of East Bank Demerara Cricket Association Anand Kalladeen, former Treasurer of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBCA) was elected to serve as the new President of the EBDCA for the forthcoming year 2014/15 when that entity held its AGM on Tuesday, September 30th 2014 at the Providence Community Centre. Kalladeen replaced Rohan Sarjoo, who served five consecutive years at the helm since the constitution of the EBDCA restricts the President and the Treasurer from holding Office for more than five consecutive years. The following Officers

were elected to serve with him: Vice President- Johnny Azeez, Vice PresidentRohan Sarjoo, SecretaryMohamed Baksh, TreasurerSewnarine Kallicharran, Asst. Secretary- Rakesh Seagoram, Asst. TreasurerEric Sukrah. Committee Members: Alvin Rambaran, Ronald J a i s i n g h , K . B a r k e r, Jermaine Ramroop, Julian Mohabir, Competitions Committee ChairmanRakesh Gangaram, Marketing Manager- Raj Singh, PRO- John Ramsingh The new Executive Committee had its first Statutory Executive meeting

on Thursday, October 2nd at which the following subcommittees were named: 1: Marketing & Fundraising- Raj Singh (Chairman), Rohan Sarjoo, S. Kallicharran, J Azeez 2: Disciplinary- Alvin Rambaran, An and Kalladeen 3: Cricket DevelopmentRohan Sarjoo, Julian Mohabir, Anand Kalladeen & Alvin Rambaran 4: Selection reps to the DCB Senior- J. Azeez: Alternate- K. Barker 5: Junior- Rohan Sarjoo; Alternate- Rakesh Gangaram

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Kaieteur News

BCB/Carib Beer 2014 first division t20 cricket competition in Berbice

Gordon (4 for 19), Clements (55 n.o.) lead Universal Solutions Bermine into playoffs

Saturday October 18, 2014

Soldiers trample Police to reclaim ISAAC title

Young Warriors win zone and also advance

Police’s Winston George with arms outstretched celebrates his 200m victory last evening with three Soldiers chasing him to the finish line. Jeremy Gordon Young Warriors and Universal Solution Bermine both won their final Zone B preliminary matches to end up as winners and runners up respectively of that zone earning the right to advance to the playoffs of the 2014 Carib Beer First Division T20 Cricketer Competition in Berbice. Former Guyana and now Canada pacer Jeremy Gordon on a short visit home, took 4 for 19 from 4 overs for Universal Solutions Bermine to help keep Police down to a manageable 130 for 6 in 30 overs after a threatening opening stand of 81 in 13 overs between Brentnol Woolford (49 with 3 fours) and Albert Sinclair (28). When Bermine replied, the accurate Police bowling attack had them shakily placed at 61 for 4 in the 10th over, but Berbice Senior Allrounder Devon Clements (55 n.o with 3 fours and 1 six) and former Demerara allrounder Damien Vantull (31 n.o.) batted resolutely in the face of determined bowling too see Bermine home in the last over. Young Warriors for their part restricted Edinburg to 110 for 9 in their 20 overs, thanks mainly to pacer Vishal Mohabir picking up 3 for 18 from 4 overs. In reply,

Brentnol Woolford

Lakeraj Sookra Berbice batsman Seon Hetmyer scored 39 and his brother, West Indies Under19 opener Shimron Hetmyer 29 saw Warriors to a 6 wicket victory with 7.1 overs to spare. Summarized scores: At Albion, Universal Solutions Bermine beat Police by 6 wickets. Police choosing to bat first, 130 for 6 in 20 overs with Brentnol Woolford 49 and Albert Sinclair 28. Jeremy Gordon took 4 for 19. Universal Solutions Bermine 132 for 4 in 19.2 overs with Devon Clements 55 n.o and Damien Vantull 31 n.o. Wayne Richards 2 for 24 from 3 overs and Kurt Griffith 2 for 27 from 4 overs. At C u m b e r l a n d , Yo u n g Warriors beat Edinburgh by

Devon Clements 6 wickets. Edinburgh sent in to take first strike, made 110 for 9 off 20 overs with Joseph Gidding 32 and Shawn Baksh 29. Vishal Mohabir 3 for 18, Kevin Ramdeen 2 for 11 and Linden Austin 2 for 15. Young Warriors 115 for 4 in 12.5 overs with Seon Hetmyer 39, Shimron Hetmyer 27 and Vishal Mohabir 25 n.o. Zaheer Hussain took 3 for 26. At D’Edward, West Berbice beat D’Edward by 99 runs. West Berbice choosing to bat made 173 for 7 in 20 overs. Keith Fraser 57, Arthley Bailey 42, Steffon Adams 32. Lakeraj Sookra 5 for 24, Christian France 2 for 19. D’Edward in reply 74 16 overs with Lakeraj Sookra 22. Krishendat Ramoo took 3 for 6 and Steffon Adams 3 for 12. At Blairmont, Bush Lot Rising Star beat Blairmont Community Center by 3 runs. Bush Lot Rising Star sent in 87 for 8 in 20 overs with Keyron Fraser 21. Ravindra Somwaru 3 for 17 from 4 overs, Adim Shoetahal 3 for 9 from 4 overs, Shabbir Baksh 2 for 12 from 4 overs. Blairmont 84 for 7 in 20 overs with Zamin Inshan 21. Akeem Miller 3 for 11 from 4 overs and Ram Sankar 2 for 2 from 1 over.

By Edison Jefford The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) marched to what may be their most convincing victory in the history of the Inter-Services Annual Athletics Championships (ISAAC) competition last night at their Base Camp Ayangana Ground, Thomas Lands. The Soldiers amassed 630 points, never surrendering the lead they held on the first two days of the competition, to reclaim the ISAAC title they last won outright in 2011. There was the historic draw in 2012 while Police won last year at Eve Leary. However, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) could not reproduce their dominance last year, after it garnered 565 points for second. The Guyana Fire Service was third with 92 points, while the City Constabulary finished fourth with 76 points and Guyana Prison Service fifth with 63 points in the competition commonly known as ‘Joint Services’. The Defence Force was off to a blistering start when as this newspaper predicted in its preview, they swept the Men’s 100m with Davin Fraser winning in 10.2 seconds. Akeem Stewart finished second in 10.4

seconds with Rupert Perry (10.5) third. Police got solace from the Women’s event when Onica Fraser blasted 12.0 to win ahead of GDF, Aniqua Prowley, who ran 12.2 seconds after registering 11.9 secs in her heat two days ago to enter as the favorite. Police’s Tiffany Carto ran 12.3 seconds for third place. Police’s Janella Jonas followed her 3000m and 800m wins on the first two days with a win in the 1500m in 4:55.3 to continue the Police chase. Soldiers, Carlissa Atkinson and Alicia Jack placed second and third respectively in the race. The Guyana Defence Force had entered the second day on Wednesday with an eight-point lead, and held on to a one-point lead afterward, heading into yesterday’s final day. They displaced the Police, who are known to have a lead heading into the last day. Ornesto Thomas ran the race of his life in the Men’s 1500m to beat seasoned campaigners, team-mate, Cleveland Forde and Police’s Kevin Bayley. Thomas won in 3:59.9, edging Forde (4:00.9) while Bayley had 4:02.2 for third. The Soldiers continued their all-round dominance

when Neisa Allen sprinted to a career-best 24.2 seconds to win the Women’s 200m ahead of Police Force’s Carto (24.6) and Onica Eastman (24.9) respectively. P o l i c e ’s O l y m p i a n Wi n s t o n G e o rg e t h e n sprinted to the Men’s 200m title in 20.4 seconds ahead of Defence Force’s, Fraser, who ran 20.7 seconds and King 20.9 seconds. George also won the 400m in 48.3 seconds with team-mate, Shawn Semple (48.8) second and Defence Force’s Darren Henry (49.0) third. Police’s Carto won the Women’s 400m in 58.1 seconds ahead of Allen (1:00.3) and Akeila Alves (1:03.7) respectively. The High Jump Men brought to life an event that has been dead for years in Guyana when GDF Tyrone Hamid, a national basketball player known for his remarkable leaping ability, practicing the fosbury flop, thrilled the massive crowd, sailing over the bar at 1.76m to win the event ahead of seasoned team-mate, Leslain Baird (1.74) and Police’s Clarence Greene (1.72) respectively. The Guyana Defence Force won the female and male 4x100m relay while Police won the male 4x400m relay.

Guyana Defence Force’s, Neisa Allen (left) surprises an impressive field with a victory in the 200m Women’s race yesterday.

Kaieteur News

Saturday October 18, 2014

Likely repercussions for refusing to play in India

Page 33

GT Beer/Berbice Cup 2014

Windies players could East Coast Coaches expect face one-year ban from IPL high quality semi-final

The BCCI is seriously contemplating reviewing the We s t I n d i e s p l a y e r s ’ participation in the cash-rich Indian Premier League as the ongoing series ended abruptly on Friday due to visiting team’s payment dispute with their own cricket board. The WICB has however said in a press release saying that contrary to media reports, it has taken no decision to discontinue the tour to India. The WICB informed will make a further statement following the conclusion of the Fourth One Day International which the West Indies lost. But so annoyed are the BCCI officials with the attitude of the Caribbean players that some hard actions can’t be ruled out as far as their playing in IPL is concerned. “The matter is likely to be

raised at IPL governing council meeting where the issue will com e u p f o r s e r i o u s discussions. Some of the members of board’s top brass want to ban the Windies players for at least one season,” a senior BCCI functionary told PTI on Friday. “For the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, IPL has been a primary source of income and the perks that they have got in India for their star status. The love that Indian public bestowed on them is unimaginable and this is pure backstabbing by their players,” the official added. “What BCCI officials are finding it difficult to digest is that even after their assurances to Sanjay Patel, who went to Kochi to persuade them, things have come to such a

pass. How could they backtrack on their promise? This is a matter of principles. If they can give commercial considerations priority then why won’t they be penalised for their uncompromising attitude,” the senior official said. While BCCI will have to take the franchises into consideration as two of the most high-profi l e f r a n c h i s e s Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have highprofile West Indians. Dwayne Bravo and Dwayne Smith are key players of CSK while Kieron Pollard is an influential player in MI ranks. Not to forget Sunil Narine and above everyone else Chris Gayle. A question mark is certainly there on Caribbean players’ participation in IPL-8. (The Hindu)

Sri Lanka to fill West Indies void in India ESPNcricinfo - Sri Lanka have agreed to fill the void that has been created by West Indies abandoning their current tour of India because of a payment structure dispute between the players and the WICB and WIPA. They will play a series of five ODIs in November. “In principle we have agreed to accept India’s invitation to play five one-day internationals,” SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said on Friday. “Initially India wanted us to play a T20 international as well but we decided that with the World Cup only a few months away, playing five ODIs would be beneficial to both teams.” Ranatunga said the five ODIs would be played between November 1 and 15 and that a final itinerary was awaited from

the BCCI. He said the decision to accept India’s invitation was taken after consultation with the Sri Lankan coaching staff and the national selectors. This will be Sri Lanka’s first tour to India in almost five years. The BCCI’s working committee, in consultation with the tour, programme and fixtures committee, will decide the itinerary of the series in Hyderabad on October 21. It remains to be seen if all the five venues that were supposed to host the remaining games in the series against West Indies Kolkata, Cuttack, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad - will be allotted a match each in the alternate series. At the moment, only Kolkata is assured of a match. “It had been decided to award a match to CAB

following their request to host an international match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Eden Gardens, so Kolkata will stage a match,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said. He also confirmed that the annual Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi lecture, which was to be delivered by VVS Laxman in Kolkata on October 20, will be rescheduled and held ahead of the Kolkata ODI. West Indies decided to pull out of their India tour after Friday’s fourth ODI in Dharamsala. The dispute between the players and administration had emerged ahead of the first match of the series and no resolution was found despite several letters being sent back and forth

ECCB cricket continues today & tomorrow Play in the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) 40 Overs U-19 Trophy Competition is scheduled for today from 10:30hrs with the Semi-Finals. Better Hope take on Golden Grove at Better Hope and Ogle face Enterprise at Ogle. In the ECCB second division 40 Overs tournament, the final Semi-final is fixed for tomorrow with Better Hope ‘B’ battling Lusignan ‘B’ at Better Hope with the winner facing off with Enterprise in the Final. The H. Nauth and Sons Engineering Construction T/20 Semi-Finals are also

set for tomorrow at the Strathavon Community Centre Ground with Perseverance playing Golden Grove at 10:00hrs and Strathavon opposing Lusignan ‘A’ at 13:00hrs The Elizabeth Style 40-over Competition is also set for tomorrow at the Helena 1&2 Community Centre Ground where Helena 1& 2 ‘A’ and Helena 1& 2 ‘B’ collide in the Upper East Coast division of the competition. In the Lower East Coast division, Ogle ‘A’ clash with Enterprise ‘A’ at Ogle CommunityCentreGround.

Victoria Kings’ Coach, Mark ‘Sevens’ Critchlow is declaring that his unit will play at a higher level when they clash with Ann’s Grove in the feature game of today’s semi-final meetings in the GT Beer/Berbice Cup KO football Tournament set for the Monedderlust FC ground, Number 5 Village, West Coast Berbice. His counterpart, Garfield Reynolds is also assuring fans that his Ann’s Grove side will be at their best since they are determined to beat the Kings for the very first time in competition. “We have never beaten them and in the recent East Coast league we lost 2-0, but what is most encouraging is the playing surface at Monedderlust. The players relished the field as we scored 5 goals in our last game and this is of course a few hours after beating

Buxton Stars 2-0 in the East Coast league. The mood in the camp is one of great expectations”, Coach Reynolds explained. Another key factor will be crowd support, which Reynolds says is expected to be big, “The entire village is looking forward to the game and there will be bus loads making the trip, so we will not be wanting for support. Training sessions have been going well and the players are highly motivated and hungry for a first win against the Kings. This game is sure to bring out the best in them”, Reynolds claimed. In his usual calm and c o n f i d e n t w a y, C o a c h Critchlow opined that while he takes each opponent seriously he has no doubt that the Kings will be contesting the final. “The game is played on the pitch and although we

have the psychological edge of never losing to Ann’s Grove we have to go out and execute on game night. I have no doubt, based on our preparations, that the guys will continue their winning ways. I guess it has become a habit now. It is the feeling in the camp that we will be playing at a high level and depending on the situation of the game we have two very talented youths to introduce,” Critchlow stated. The all-East Coast match-up is set to kick-off at 20:00hrs following the other semi-final which is an allBerbice affair between Cup holders Monedderlust FC and Cougars FC. All four teams will earn a piece of the prize money worth one million dollars and will be in action on October 25th when the 3rd place play-off and Championship matches will be contested.

Preparations heighten for annual Rising Sun Rodeo on Sunday October 26

Flashback of previous daredevils in action with the uncooperative wild animals. Preparatory works has commenced for the annual grand one day rodeo organized by the Rodeo Committee of the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice. The action this year is set for Sunday 26th October at Arima Park We s t C o a s t B e r b i c e , beginning at 11:00 hrs. With the weather more on the dry side so far this year, more daredevils, skills, thrills and spills are expected to take centre stage, with some 12 events carded. If you enjoy the thrill of vaqueros straddling wild bulls even as those bulls attempt to unseat the riders or maybe you would prefer to see vaqueros attempting to

milk wild cows, whatever your desire, the Rising Sun Turf Club will be the place to be. Among the events listed to be competed in are steer roping, bare back bronco, male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronco, the Rodeo King Competition and the popular Tug of War events. A number of other novelty events are also carded for the days programme. Vaqueros (cowboys) are expected from overseas including Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela to match skills with their Guyanese counterparts. Locals are expected from the Interior locations of

Guyana including Lethem and the Rupununi Savannahs. While closer to home, Cowboys from the West Coast Berbice, the Corentyne and Berbice River will also be in action. According to coordinator Fazal Habibulla a number of new stunts are expected to be performed with the weather being in excellent condition so far. He stated that presently massive renovation is ongoing at the venue and fans will be in for a grand time as the event features the best Vaqueros from this part of the continent on show. Close to $1M will be up for grabs in the one-day event.

t r o Sp 8th MCYS Ride for Life Cycle Road Race

‘Fishy’ Williams canters to Stage 3 win; Greaves has slim overall lead going into Stage 4 Alanzo Greaves - Overall leader going into Stage

Paul De Nobrega, Stage 3, 2nd place.

Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams cruises to the line yesterday.

Soldiers trample Police to reclaim ISAAC title

GDF Chief of Staff, Mark Phillips (centre), pose with the ISAAC title trophy and his team after reclaiming the accolade they last won outright three years ago.

West Indies pull out of India tour Windies players could face one-year ban from IPL

Sri Lanka to fill West Indies void in India Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210