PAGE 4
Kaieteur News
Thursday October 26, 2017
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
THE NATION’S WELL-BEING Successive governments, including the present administration, have not been able to connect with the day-today activities of the average person in the country. It is either a case of neglect or being insensitive to the plight of the ordinary man in the street. Most governments have always strived to achieve the best for their people, but in the case of this government, the reality does not bear out this fact. Many have complained that since taking office, several members of the cabinet are aloof, arrogant and seem not to care about the well-being of the masses. Others believe that the government’s focus on the economy is the reason that it has missed that very important indicator of growth. The well-being of people is perhaps the most important aspect of any type of growth in the country. It goes beyond the traditional indicator of gross domestic product (GDP) which focuses only on the economic rate of the country. Measuring the GDP of a country is done through the usual economic indicators that tell us whether the economy is growing or not. However, while there is a measurement for the economy, unfortunately, there is none to measure the welfare of the people. GDP was not designed to be an overall measure of the well-being of people, so it is inadequate in that respect. However, there is a Human Development Index (HDI) that measures things such as life expectancy, education and standard of living, but is very seldom used in developing countries. Here in Guyana, many are prosperous and have lavish lifestyles. Studies have shown that the well-being of people is based on an assessment of the quality of life and not mere financial wealth or income. For example, a poor person who is without resources but is healthy may have an enhanced quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the well-being of people is constantly developing. It is based on an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and their goals, expectations and concerns. It can be affected by the person’s physical health, psychological state, personal beliefs, social relationships and his/her affiliations to their environment. That said, the well-being of the people is critical to the growth and development of Guyana, and promoting it should be one of the government’s main priorities. In essence, it should be pursued as a national goal. The well-being of the people coincides with their true happiness. While happiness often refers to how people are feeling from moment to moment, it does not always reveal the truth about how they evaluate their lives, or about how they function in society. Well-being is a much broader concept that includes not only the happiness of the people, but also other things, such as how satisfied they are with their lives; having a sense of control over their lives, and having a sense of purpose to live and contribute to society in whatever way they can. It comprises objective descriptions and subjective evaluations of physical, material, social, and emotional wellbeing, as well as the extent of personal development and purposeful activity. It is true that the well-being of people increases production, promotes goodwill in society and contributes to several important factors, such as peace, civility and respect for the rule of law. It is also true that a happy, satisfied and engaged people are more sociable, active, altruistic, generous, tolerant, productive, creative, healthy, and often live longer. A national policy should be established to help improve the well-being of every citizen, especially the poor in the country by promoting a better life for all, and shaping a flourishing society where all citizens are respected.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email
MAYOR HAMILTON GREEN IS AS TOUGH AS THEY COME DEAR EDITOR, Every sportsman, athlete, leader or politician must know his/her ability and when is time to leave the scene. If they do not, then their judgment is poor. However, I would like to comment on and commend one of our elderly politicians, who, in my view had a great and successful career. For more than 15 years, the PPP/C Government led by Bharat Jagdeo have criticised, frustrated, and demoralised the Mayor. In fact, they have done everything on earth to discredit Mayor Hamilton Green, but they had failed. They had even lambasted the City Council for being incompetent and inefficient. The propaganda aimed at Mayor Green and the City Council by the PPP was evil and was uncalled for. The good news is that Mayor Green had survived the ridicule and spiteful attacks levelled against him by a vicious PPP regime. Shortly after the recent change of Government, the Mayor and City Council that
the PPP withheld funds from, were demonstrating that they can make life for the city dwellers, a very refreshing experience once again. Drains, canals, and waterways which were once buried under several feet of garbage are now being cleared after being ignored for more than a decade and a half by the former administration. Members of the City Council have restored dignity and respect to our departed loved ones with a massive clean-up campaign of that small Bourda Cemetery and the larger Le Repentir Cemetery. Named after Joseph Bourda, the Bourda Cemetery was a jungle in the heart of the city, equidistant between the parliament and the Office of the President. It is now being cleared of the bushes and is on its way to be rehabilitated. It is the oldest plantation cemetery in the city where slaves were buried, and may be considered a national monument. La Repentir Cemetery could have been the home for
Tarzan, Jane and their elephants and the residents of Pradoville (one) or Pradoville (Two) would have been absolutely unconcerned. At long last, it is now being cleaned and the final resting place of our relatives and friends can be treasured. The Merriman’s Mall and other recreation parks which had been a dumping ground for all kinds of household appliances and car parts; are now being restored. Not to mention the Botanical Gardens and a number of heritage buildings. The undertaking of these massive projects by the City Council will transform Georgetown from the garbage city it now is back to the Garden City it once was. Despite the withholding of money from the city and the vindictiveness and the political narrow mindedness displayed by the PPP/C for the period that M a y o r Hamilton Green served, he demonstrated his leadership skills to be filled with resilience, discipline and maturity. Jagdeo and the PPP were sadly mistaken that they
could have succeeded in damaging the political career of Mayor Hamilton Green. Mayor Green has been through the grind and has proven that he will not be defeated in this lifetime. Mayor Greene has out fought Jagdeo, Ganga, Whittaker and Sooba. He is indeed a solid old man. We applaud the City Council, the APNU+AFC government and the citizens who have and continue to sacrifice their time and effort to make Georgetown livable again. With each Local Government elections, we are likely to have a change of elected officials, but as a people, we must publicly thank this resilient politician and commend him for his courage and strength that he demonstrated during his political career. He has shown all Guyanese how not to buckle under pressure but to strive with it. He has done his job and has served the nation well, now it is up to us to follow in his footsteps. Aubrey Retemyer
Are we seeing history repeating itself with Burnham and D’Aguiar? DEAR EDITOR, I beg to differ with the views expressed by Adam Harris with respect to the decision of President Granger to select the 84-year-old James Patterson as head of The Guyana Elections Commission. Harris seems intent to just belittle the performance of the
previous commissioners rather than deal with issue of the president not finding anyone “fit and proper” in three lists submitted by the opposition leader. I am not going to spend time discussing the merits and demerits of the claims made by Harris with respect to the previous chairmen of the com-
mission. However, I must point out to Harris that it is not a matter of Jagdeo taking his “bat and ball” and going home. Yes, Harris, the game must go on but the rules must be adhered to. If not, the fielding side (opposition) must be entitled to review(s) (to use another cricketing metaphor.). If not
then the result will be compromised and highly questionable. I ask of Harris to stop being a defender of the government and just be realistic. Please call a spade a spade. On the same issue of GECOM’s chairmanship, I find Freddie Kissoon did an excellent article on the decision of the president to select Patterson. Continued on page 6
Cultural barbarians are in charge of the city DEAR EDITOR, As someone who is an avid hobbyist in gardening, landscaping and horticulture, I always cringe when I see what the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown are doing to the grassed areas in our capital city. I have observed over the last two years that they have been weeding the parapets and other green spaces all the way down to the dirt. In fact, rather than mowing and manicuring these spaces, they have instead been weeding so deep that when they are finished there is no grass left, but rather just
the bare brown dirt as they uproot all of the grass that was there. When grass is repeatedly cut too short or scalped, it will seriously deplete the grass’s energy reserves, weakening and killing the grass, and leaving the area vulnerable to weed invasion So upset I was about this asinine act, that I visited the City Engineer’s Department to enquire whether there was no one there cultured or sophisticated enough to appreciate, why Georgetown was given the name the ‘Garden City’. Only to be told that it is not their workers carrying out
such barbaric acts, but rather a special contractor who had no experience in lawn care, landscaping nor horticulture, but whose only experience was as a loan shark and food seller around the markets. What in fact happens when this contractor uproots the perfect Bahia and Bermuda lawn grass that was planted many decades ago with an eye for beauty and an appreciation for the maintenance of grassed areas, is that they are compromising the integrity of these areas which become vulnerable to erosion as the roots and grass are no longer there to hold the soil together.
And worse, these special lawn grasses are now being replaced by wild Nutsedge or Nutgrass. How pathetic! When the Cultural Barbarians at City Hall, whose only motivation, is making money, are finished with Georgetown, it can never again be the ‘Garden City’. The irony of this all is that these persons are insincerely and continuously mouthing off and sloganeering about making Georgetown a ‘Green City’ whilst they diligently work at totally destroying our eco systems. Who is going to stop this march of folly? Riley Matthews
Thursday October 26, 2017
Why haven’t the police arrested these City Hall officials? DEAR EDITOR, In case anyone hasn’t noticed, there is a new dramatic series underway at City Hall, their version of ‘Sex and the City’ one which may be deserving of an Academy Award. At the very least, awards should be given out to the ‘King’ as the Best Actor in a Leading Role, to the Queen of the City as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role, to the former Deputy Mayor as the Best Director, to the Head of the Constabulary as the Best Producer of a Sex Comedy, and to the sex offending Lance Corporal for providing the Best Live Action for Short Film. The administrators of the Georgetown City Council must be creating a headache for the organisers of ‘No Big Ting’, ‘Stretched Out Magazine’ and The Link Show’ as they have to be deluged with material from the Council and would be hard pressed to leave space in their programmes for other topical issues.
How and why the police have not marched in and arrested the Mayor, Town Clerk, Legal Affairs Committee and indeed all of the Councillors is beyond me. Do they have some type of immunity from prosecution for covering up the carnal culture at City Hall? City Hall is a rogue organisation that is answerable to no one, makes up and lives by its own rules, and could not care less about public opinion. Children ought not to go anywhere close to City Hall or any other municipal location, as they would be doing so at their own risk and are unlikely to get justice from the administrators of the City Council should anything happen to them. Let us hope that this year, no children’s Christmas parties are held by the Council, as I will have to send my children with the same number of bodyguards that the King and Queen use to take with them around the City. Sean Levius
Chief Justice did not define what “fit and proper” means DEAR EDITOR, The President’s unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson was undoubtedly undemocratic based solely on the principle of democracy. But the fact that he could have done so, arguably, on constitutional grounds should send shock waves to every Guyanese concerned about the state of their democracy. There is nothing in the Chief Justice issued ruling, regarding who is ‘fit and proper’ and who is deemed ‘unacceptable’, to safeguard against a President’s sole discretion to appoint a GECOM chairperson. We cry that he is required to provide reasons for dismissing candidates, but this alone does not secure democracy. Furthermore, there are no pronouncements in the ruling on whether the President’s arbitrary and subjective reasoning is to be considered either democratic or undemocratic. The task of the Chief Justice was to provide an interpretation of the Constitution in accordance with the methodologies of law, what the Constitution provides and what is known about the Article being disputed (its history, context, intent and justification).
Arguments were presented on both sides in the room. It was up to the Chief Justice to deliberate in her professional capacity to deliver an interpretation guided by reason. But what about normative questions? For instance, should the President be considered fit and proper to make an impartial ‘objective’ decision in appointing someone who is to be impartial and fair? Who is to address this? The People? The politicians? Legal practitioners? I think it involves everyone. But first, we need to understand the very basis on which society is founded on and governed by — its notions, suppositions, and justifications. It is our civic duty to educate ourselves and to educate others on the function(s) of democracy and its institutions. A nation premised on ‘unity and progress’ must demonstrate a willingness to be enlightened together. For only an enlightened populace can encourage and demand better politics. We do not need to rely on political parties to deliver this onto us. We, the people, are our own liberators. Ferlin Pedro
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
The President did not conform to the Chief Justice’s ruling DEAR EDITOR, As expected the highly controversial appointment of Justice Patterson as the GEOCOM’s Chairman has been delivered into the realm of our legal system to once again rule on a matter which had already been fairly and justly pronounced upon by the learned Chief Justice (Ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire with regards to the interpretation of Article 161(2) of the Constitution. If the President had acted in accordance with this ruling, then the necessity for this second court ruling would not have arisen. This time, the Chief Justice will be asked to rescind the appointment of the Chairman on grounds of it being unconstitutional. The injunction is also seeking to direct the President to choose a Chairman from the eighteen names submitted to him. I have already dealt with the literal interpretation of Article 161(2) which identified four categories of nominees: a currently sitting judge, a former judge, a person eligible
to be a judge and any other fit and proper person. This Article further states, that a list of six names must be submitted to the President by the Leader of the Opposition, and he, the President must choose one as the Chairman who is acceptable to him. If the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit such a list then the President can unilaterally appoint the Chairman. Even if we take the textualist and strict construction approach, the originalist approach or the contextualist approach and scrutinise the intent of the framers, it will be concluded that the Chief Justice interpretation of this Article is legally correct. However, what is important to note is that the Chief Justice accepted this interpretation but went further and submitted, obiter dicta, that even though the President is not obligated to give reasons, he should have given reasons for the rejection of the three (3) lists comprising 18 names. This is where the Chief Justice’s ingenuity is at its best.
In the case of Unity Versus Dow, it was remarked that the courts ‘must breathe life into the Constitution to assure its healthy growth of the State through it’. It is further stated that, ‘it is the primary duty of judges to make the Constitution grow and develop in order to meet the just demands and aspirations of an ever developing society which is part of the wider society governed by acceptable standards of human dignity’. If Article 161(2) is allowed to remain static, then it will never be able to grow and ‘meet the just demands and aspirations’ of the Guyanese people. However, we have a situation where instead of progressing Article 161(2) is deliberately placed in a retrogressive mode. This Article must be made to exist in harmony with Article 9 which says that sovereignty belongs to the people and Article 11 which made it a legal obligation to adhere to the consultative and participative process. The consultative process in Article 161 cannot be dispensed with. Therefore, if the President
had given reasons for his rejection then this would have allowed this democratic process to grow and develop. This would have made the consultative and participative process easier for both the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition and would have given life to Article 161. By not permitting this to happen the President did not ‘avert’ a constitutional crisis’ but actually courted one since what he had done was not only unconstitutional but a retrogression of the democratic process outlined in the constitution itself and incorporated in Article 161. The Preamble and the national objectives and directions of our nation as enshrined in our constitution were literally thrown aside. In conclusion, when the Constitution is interpreted as whole the great wisdom in the Chief Justice’s ruling will become more compelling and will afford us another reason to contemplate and conclude that the President has erred. Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor –Region 6
The opportunistic silence of the environmental activists DEAR EDITOR, Norway is correct in rejecting the request for the release of the US$80 million to support this so-called “Green State Plan” as is being pushed by President Granger as an alternative to the implementable Low-Carbon Development Strategy which has now been parked. Norway is correct in rejecting this appeal for the release of this money because if the government spokesperson on all matters does not understand what is clean and unclean energy then we got a problem. Mr. Harmon was quoted in the local press on October 1, 2017, as saying that “natural gas is clean energy”. Has the Granger regime gone bonkers? Natural gas is unclean energy and this is not a matter of an opinion, this has been scientifically proven? Natural gas is mostly made of methane, which is around 70% of a greenhouse gas as compared to carbon dioxide. Does Mr. Harmon think he is speaking to a packed room of political sycophants in Congress Place? It is insane to make such a ludicrous statement that “natural gas is clean energy” and expect the Norwegians to
bite. Quite rightly in more diplomatic words, they told him to “haul his behind”. Let us think about this. What is the degree that Mr. Harmon possesses vs. the person across the table from Norway? We have an ordinary lawyer who before his elevation to one of the highest position in government was not the best read in the law locally and was hustling on South Road defending a traffic law violator here and a “fowl” thief there and so forth. You get the picture. Harmon’s Norwegian counterpart across the table might have been pouched from one of the best Environmental Schools in Europe and has researched this topic for years. Can you imagine Mr. Harmon telling these people
that natural gas is clean? What a joke! Mr. Harmon has reduced Guyana to a laughing stock. This situation reminds me of the now-deposed Gambian despot Yahya Jammeh, who claimed that he had a homeopathic cure for HIVAIDS, but what the scientist proved is that this man was more of a con-artist compared to Haiti’s very own Papa Doc Duvalier. Get real Mr. Harmon and stop embarrassing our country! For the record, we must reject this ludicrous statement attributed to Minister
Joe Harmon that was published in the local media and captioned as “Natural gas flares up as a hurdle in tapping Norway’s US$80 million”. There is no flare up; it is well-schooled people rejecting an asinine position from a very unschooled person in the field of climate change. But what is of importance, all of a sudden, environmental advocates like Racquel Thomas and Janet Bulkan have gone dead silent. Is there some form of hypocrisy at play here? Ryan Basdeo
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Life sentence for rape of a three year old justified DEAR EDITOR, I wish to comment briefly on an article that I read recently headlined, ‘Corentyne labourer gets life sentence for raping three-year-old’. Justice Jo Ann Barlow, in her brilliance, has pleased my heart for a number of reasons. The judge was bold, fair and just by giving the accused, Yoganand Ramnarine, a life imprisonment sentence for the crime of statutory rape! There is a common view that perpetrators of such a heinous sexual crime should be given harsher penalties by the Court not only to punish the offenders, but to also serve as a deterrent as reports on statutory rape have increased. Justice Barlow has successfully managed to reflect societal views, punish the offender accordingly within the ambits of the law, and, as I am confident that time will reveal if precedence is followed, deter others from attempting like crimes. The honourable judge is quoted in the aforementioned news article as stating that part of the offender’s sentencing is to receive counselling and that he be exposed to learning facilities in an effort to reintegrate him into society, should be he eligible for parole after serving 25 years
of his total life imprisonment sentence. This, I strongly believe, should be the thinking of all judges and magistrates when sentencing offenders. The goal must not be to only punish the offenders and ensure that justice is served, but to ensure through the power of the Court, that the offenders are in positions to be reintegrated into society after serving their sentences by instructing mandatory counselling for offenders and exposing them to skills training and/ or distant educational programmes. This refreshing style of sentencing comes at a time when Guyanese are outraged by several reports in the media of our nation’s children being raped and sodomised, and in young Leonard Archibald’s case even murdered, by persons in positions of trust. Thus, I am hopeful that pattern is taken, and precedent followed when sentencing of other offenders of statutory rape is considered. Justice Barlow, you have brilliantly set a new standard for sentencing, one that goes beyond the traditions of mere crime and punishment. I commend you! Cynthia Rutherford President Youths for Change, AFC
The Annual Phillip Vanderhyden Aid Walk is no more DEAR EDITOR, This year will mark thirty years since AIDS was first detected in Guyana and indeed the country has made many strides in reducing the spread of this virus in all the Regions. But alas, this is a sad note on this milestone and that is for the first time in over twenty years, the Annual Phillip Vanderhyden AIDS Walk will not take place on the last Sunday in October. At the beginning of the heavily funded AIDS Campaign, there were over thirty Non Governmental Organisations which were directly involved in the “AIDS Fight” and Lifeline Counselling Services was one such Organisation which also hosted the Annual AIDS Walk in October.
Unfortunately, the NGO has little or no presence in the Guyana Civil Society landscape and hence NO AIDS Walk. This is disgraceful and totally unacceptable. Where are the founders of this Organisation? Some moved onto greater fields and no doubt turn their ungrateful back on an institution which was a bedrock of the HIV Fight. Shame! On October 28, there will be no AIDS Walk and a Community marginalised by AIDS are related stigma and discrimination, will continue to live in despair as to “who will be there for them”? Thank you LIFELINE for your fight over the years. Hope you can make a great rebound soon. Brian Singh
Thursday October 26, 2017
I have questions on the competence of this veterinarian DEAR EDITOR, I took my pet to the GSPCA located at Robb St. and Orange Walk, Bourda for some basic check up and treatment because he was behaving unusual and had runny eyes. When I entered the compound, a woman by the name of Amrita said that my dog has to be looked at by the vet. I was thinking that they were going to refer me to a vet somewhere in Georgetown because I didn’t know one was working there. A few minutes later, I was called into the office and I saw a woman who spoke to me in broken English. She started asking me some questions which I answered but she could not understand clearly what I was saying so she asked a technician to explain what I was saying. Soon after she
gave my dog three injections, two sets of tablets and told me to follow the instructions on the package of the tablets which I did. However, around 5:30pm my dog started to vomit, I went back to the clinic where I met an elderly woman and she told that the clinic is closed and she gave me a piece of paper with names and contact numbers of three veterinarians. I called the numbers but only one answered and said his clinic is closed so I decided to call a friend because my dog was getting worse. My friend gave me a number for a veterinarian that looks after her dogs. That veterinarian came and said my dog had an allergic reaction to the injections and he treated the dog which subsequently recovered after a few days. While I explaining to the
veterinarian about what transpired he said that he was not aware of any veterinarian who is practising at the GSPCA that I should find out the name of the individual and do some research on her. Her name is (name offered) and she is not on the list of registered Veterinarians and technicians who are allowed to practise in Guyana. This is alarming to know that the GSPCA would allow an unregistered veterinarian to practise in our country that nearly killed my dog. Mr. Editor, with that being said, I would like ask a few questions: 1. Does Guyana have laws to protect us from these kinds of people entering our country and taking our money and not delivering proper services? 2. Is this person really a veterinarian? 3. How long has she been in Guyana and who
authorised her work at the GSPCA? 4. Is she registered to practise in Guyana? 5. Does she have a work permit and the necessary documents to reside in Guyana? 6. Can someone just come to Guyana and engage in medical practice? 7. If this person has no documents, then why is she not apprehended by the police? 8. Why is the GSPCA allowing such persons to work at their clinic knowing that it is illegal? 9. Is the GSPCA above the law? If the GSPCA knows that this veterinarian has no registration and is breaking the law; then all the members of the management should be taken before the court and charged, then ask to resign because they are condoning lawlessness. Debra Charles
Jagdeo’s reign was terrible but Granger President Granger needs to should have done better be reminded that in rejecting DEAR EDITOR, This opportunity is taken to call on society to focus attention to Article 161 (2) of the Guyana Constitution that attends to the matter of the appointment of GECOM chairman and the ruling handed down by acting Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire on this matter. Of particular concern is the statement of Anil Nandlall “that Mr. Justice Patterson cannot be independent or appear to be independent or impartial” given that among other things he was a pall bearer at Desmond Hoyte’s funeral, is a member of a PNC facebook group, worked with the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo Government, etc. Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution protects the right to freedom of association and the ridiculousness of Nandlall’s claim, when he should know better, is dem-
onstrating that at this moment in our history while the handling of the issue may give raise to justifiable concern, the raw naked opportunistic and destructive politics seeping in to the matter could be of disserve to the nation. Handling this issue from the latter approach has the potential of creating fear and whipping up unease in the society at a level where it is undeserving. On the lists that were submitted by the Leader of the Opposition are persons who served under the APNU+AFC, PPP/C and other administrations. In the area of allegiance, names were also submitted where some loyalty, politics and racial divisiveness have been publicly demonstrated over the years and well known. Given Nandlall’s expressed concerns their names should have been exempted from the lists and they
would not have met the criteria for selection. Their ineligibility would be much stronger than Patterson yet the Leader of the Opposition found them worthy to be placed on the lists for consideration and appointment. This is a small society where persons are likely to interact at various levels and would likely have encountered each other in their life’s journey. At the rate the discussions and qualifying conditions for appointment as GECOM Chairman are going nobody would be able to serve their country. Both sides, opposition and government, risk eliminating qualified, and competent people from serving, are going down this path. We are a nation of a small population and a smaller number of top professionals. Whereas Nandlall has taken the issue to the ridiculous
the eighteen (18) names of leaders, at various level of society, submitted for his selection, all of whom were deemed not fit and proper, further serves to marginalize our limited human resources from public service, for among these persons could have been found one fitting to serve. Exercising the option permitted in the Constitution to select without consensus that is so crucial at this point in our society, given the people’s mandate to the APNU+AFC to pursue such a path after the spiteful, destructive, exclusionary politics of Bharrat Jagdeo, the environment has been created for mistrust and opportunistic politics. This would take us further back into ethnic cleavages and political encampment and those who stand to suffer are the masses. Lincoln Lewis
Are we seeing history repeating itself with Burnham... From page 4 Kissoon puts forward four points to Prime Minister Nagamootoo, in which he identifies the flaws of the president’s decision. I wish Harris was as thorough as this. Among the points Kissoon made were
two excellent ones: The president identified age as a criterion in the identification of public office holders. Yet, as Kissoon pointed out, this criterion was not adhered to by the president in the selection of Patterson. The removal of Justices Cecil Kennard and
Prem Persaud due to age comes to mind. The most important point, in my estimation, that Kissoon makes is the last one where he wonders why Nagamootoo and the AFC by extension, and the wider public, were not consulted in this very important decision making process if the president found the names in the three lists not to be” fit and proper”. The president just made a unilateral decision and that is that. One wonders if the AFC has any voice in decision
making of the coalition Government? Are we seeing history repeating itself with Burnham and D’Aguiar? I wonder. Mahindra Persaud Nassau, Bahamas. Editor’s note: I did not belittle the performances of the previous commissioners, he documented their performances. I also noted that President Granger was not confined to taking a name from the lists. He also had the option of personal choice.
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 07
Chris Ram follows Joe Singh C
h a r t e r e d accountant and p o l i t i c a l commentator, Christopher Ram disclosed yesterday that he has tendered his resignation as leader of Guyana's negotiating team for the establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School. Ram's decision follows that of Major General Joe Singh (Ret'd), who tendered his resignation on Monday from all government-related posts, including adviser to President David Granger. Both Ram and Singh were among the 18 names submitted by Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, to President David Granger, for the post of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Ram stated that he informed Attorney General Basil Williams yesterday of his withdrawal from the negotiating team for the
…walks off Govt. job establishment of the JOF Haynes Law School. “If the truth be told, Mr. Williams has been so impressed with my contribution that he asked for my CV to recommend me for a National Award. I declined, saying my service was for country, for neither award nor reward,” Ram said in a statement. Ram was deemed not 'fit and proper' for the GECOM Chairmanship, as President Granger selected retired Justice James Patterson for the post. Ram has since come out as a fierce critic of the President's decision. “Given that the Constitution deems me a fit and proper person makes President Granger's assessment of me of no import. Indeed, I am fortified
in my conviction that his decision is entirely wrong and unconstitutional,” Ram said. He noted that while he remains committed to serving the country, he made the clear distinction between Guyana and the Government. Ram maintained his strong position on the President's decision. He noted that the blatant disregard by the Granger administration for the constitution, the courts, the principles of good governance, and for social cohesion, is a matter which should be of grave concern to all Guyanese who claim respect and love for the country. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said
he cannot speculate as to why Ram and Singh resigned. “These are people… respectable people, qualified people who served our country well. Then you have these minions every day engaged in running you down, disparaging your character, and then you have to sit across them at the same table to talk about the good of country… then I am sure it must affect people and influence their decisions. I can't say precisely why they resigned, but I am sure that has something to do with it,' Jagdeo stated. He said when people put their names up and they are vilified, they are not thickskinned like politicians. Jagdeo claims that many
Chartered Accountant and political commentator, Christopher Ram people were worried about being treated this way; hence, they turned down offers to be considered for the post of GECOM Chairman. He assumed this
was the case with former speaker, Ralph Ramkarran, Timothy Jonas, retired Justice Desiree Bernard and former Justice Claudette Singh, SC.
CARICOM-Mexico summit opens against background of effects of climate change BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) – The fourth Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-Mexico Summit began here yesterday with the Caribbean underscoring the importance of the relationship it shares with its Central American partner for nearly half a century. CARICOM Chairman and Grenada's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said that the region was looking forward to deepening that relationship given the changing global environment and the impact the recent hurricanes were having on the socioeconomic development of the Caribbean. He said, CARICOM like Mexico, which suffered two earthquakes resulting in the deaths of several people, were not immune from natural disasters adding that “climate change is real. “All scientific evidence points to an increase in frequency of these monstrous storms. This is a new normal for climate events …in our Caribbean area. “The Caribbean has been designated the most disaster prone region in the world. This poses a serious and recurrent threat year after year. It is our reality today not some far away possibilities and therefore it requires urgent and effective
action,” Mitchell told the opening ceremony. He said that CARICOM and the United Nations would be co-hosting a high level donor conference on November 21 in New York to assist the countries ravaged by the hurricanes, followed by a retreat in Grenada, December 4-6, with the international private sector co-hosted by the businessman Richard Branson. “We would welcome the participation of Mexico, “Mitchell said, adding that “CARICOM greatly values the close and friendly relationship that we have forged with Mexico. “Your country was the first to form a joint commission with the Community signed in Kingston Jamaica on the 30th July 1974 (and) since then we have built a solid relationship in cultural, political and economic realms,” he said, adding that Mexico has demonstrated its commitment to the sustainable development of the Caribbean region. “We look forward to exploring options …to make us more economically resilient,” Mitchell said. A government statement issued here ahead of the summit noted that the leaders would “consider the state of play of the dynamic relationship between
CARICOM and Mexico which includes the CARICOM-Mexico programme of technical cooperation, infrastructural development in the region funded through the Mesoamerica Project, Agriculture, and Trade and Investment. “Also on the agenda is cooperation in the multilateral fora which spans
areas of mutual concern such as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and NonCommunicable Diseases,” the statement noted. It said that in addition to the Summit's “confirmation and consolidation” of the strong relationship between the two sides, the inclusion of disaster management and
recovery on the agenda is of particular relevance to CARICOM following the devastation caused to several Caribbean islands by Hurricanes Irma and Maria when they passed through the Lesser Antilles last month killing scores of people and causing billions of dollars in damage. In his address, the host Prime Minister Dean Barrow
noted that both Mexico and Belize face territorial challenges to their borders and the closeness of the two countries gives rise to many challenges. “Every day we face specific threats to our security and our peaceful way of life from organised and trans border crime and every day we face obstacles (continued on page 11)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Thursday October 26, 2017
GCCI consultations on Petroleum Commission Bill…
Advisors flag Minister's uncapped powers By Kiana Wilburg
L
ike most pieces of legislation in draft mode, the Petroleum Commission Bill has its fair share of flaws. But the most disturbing of them for anti-corruption advocates and advisors, pertains to the uncapped authority given to the Natural Resources Minister. Not only will the Minister have the power to select the members of the Petroleum Commission, but he can also select and appoint the members of the Board, along with its secretary. In fact, the Minister can even disrupt the work of the Commission as he pleases. These very concerns were raised yesterday at the Duke Lodge Hotel during a consultation on oil and gas development and the Petroleum Commission Bill. The event was hosted by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The speakers included former Minister of Energy for Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine; former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran and GCCI President, Deodat
Indar. In his presentation, Ramnarine noted that the Petroleum Commission is tasked with monitoring and regulating the efficient and environmentally responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana. He said that some of its main functions include; approving proposed e x p l o r a t i o n a c t i v i t y, carrying out estimation of reserves, promoting local content, overseeing third party access to infrastructure and providing information to tax authorities. The former Energy Minister then brought to the audience's attention, the control the Minister has over the appointment of staff for the Petroleum Commission. He noted that the Commission will have a Board of Directors (BOD) that is expected to govern or supervise the Commission. But all of the Board members would be appointed by the Minister. According to the draft legislation, the Chairperson shall be appointed by the Minister while the Deputy Chairperson may also be appointed by the Minister. He noted that in the case of
the chairperson, this is definite, while in the appointment of the deputy, it is optional for the Minister. The Board is also directed by the Minister. Ramnarine also pointed out the fact that the Board would have a life of one year and the Minister has the power to terminate it at anytime. The Minister can also perform the functions of the BOD if one is not appointed. He can even assume the Chairmanship in the absence of a Chairman. Also worrying to Ramnarine is the fact that the Minister would have the authority to appoint a C h a i r m a n , t h e Commissioner, eight other directors, and the secretary to the board. On the bright side, the former Energy Minister said that the draft legislation calls for the Board of the Directors to include one person from the parliamentary opposition and one from civil society or academia. Former Speaker of the House, Ralph Ramkarran agreed with Ramnarine's points. He surmised that the legislation essentially gives the Minister “a heavy hand” in the staffing and operation
From left: Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran, Former Minister of Energy for Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine, and GCCI President, Deodat Indar of the Commission, when in fact he is only supposed to have “a light touch.” Ramkarran said, “One can understand that the government wants control. I am not quarrelling with this…but it is not normal for Ministers to be approving the secretaries of boards.”
The Attorney-at-Law asserted that what he also found peculiar is that the fact that the draft legislation speaks nothing of the size or the number of persons who would make up the Petroleum Commission. It is only specific that eight persons would make up the
Hassan back at work as Rice Board chief after freed from fraud charge
E
mbattled chief of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan, has resumed his duties this week, days after being freed of fraud charges. Government officials confirmed that Hassan turned up for duties on Tuesday at his Cowan Street, Kingston office, taking over from Allison Peters, his deputy, who had headed the Board in his absence. Hassan would be the first officer under investigation stemming from a number of forensic audit reports, to be allowed to return to work. Several other officials who are under investigations in other state agencies were not allowed to return to work, with contracts expiring and not being renewed. Hassan's contract reportedly has quite a few months to go. He proceeded on leave last November after charges were laid. GRDB is the regulatory
Back at work: General Manager of GRDB, Nizam Hassan body for the rice industry, handling billions of dollars annually. Last week, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan dismissed the matter against Hassan and his co-accused Felecia De SouzaMadramootoo. They were charged with conspiring with others to approve payments for low-standard
works on the Guyana Marketing Corporation building on Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown. The Chief Magistrate in coming to her decision said that she was dismissing the matter on the grounds that most of the evidence of the prosecution's 27 witnesses was discredited, since the individuals were found to be lying under oath. They gave contradicting evidence in the trial, she said. The magistrate said there were several instances when the matter had to be adjourned and arrest warrants had to be issued for some of the witnesses to attend court. Magistrate McLennan added that Police P r o s e c u t o r, I n s p e c t o r Neville Jeffers, failed to prove a case against the defendants. Hassan, 50, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara a n d D e S o u z a -
Madramootoo, 34, of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara were represented throughout the trial by Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman and Marcel Bobb. It had been alleged that between October 28, 2010 and April 25, 2012, Hassan and De Souza-Madramootoo, conspired with each other to continuously approve payments which were made to contractor of Constantine Engineering and Construction Services Limited, Trinidad and Tobago, for works that were incompetently and incorrectly done with inferior materials to rehabilitate the GMC building, knowing that such works should not have been approved. Charges were recommended against Hassan and De SouzaMadramootoo after SOCU completed its report into the investigations of the multimillion-dollar construction of the GMC
office building. A forensic audit report submitted in April 2016 by auditor, Saykar Boodhoo, had flagged the construction, citing several worrying things at GMC, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. The forensic audit report was sent to Cabinet where it was decided that the findings of the report were serious enough to warrant a deeper investigation into0 not only the construction of the building, but also into the handling of hundreds of millions of dollars of fertilizer. It is unclear whether the Director of Public Prosecutions is appealing the Hassan case. However, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is reportedly proceeding full speed ahead on the fertilizer investigation. Whether this will affect Hassan is unclear at this time.
Board. As it relates to recommendations, Ramnarine suggested that the term of the board be longer than one year. He and Ramkarran agreed that it is the Board which should appoint the Commissioner as well as its secretary. In r e l a t i o n t o t h e l a t e r, Ramnarine noted, however, that the secretary should be an attorney with at least 15 years at the bar. T h e f o r m e r e n e rg y Minister agreed that there should be a Board member from the Opposition, but he or she should be appointed by the Minister, based on the written advice of the Opposition Leader. He said, “I would suggest that the Board have a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency. This is what obtains in the Ghana Commission. The Board should include the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys. Significantly, decisions should not be made only by simple majority.” Ramnarine continued, “Major decisions should require special majority or should require unanimous vote. Further, the Commission should be self funding; any surplus funds should be deposited into the Consolidated Fund.” The former Energy Minister added, “The Parliament should establish a Joint Select Committee on Oil and Gas. And (continued on page 11)
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
These legal hurdles have to be resolved in our courts
Anil Nandlall and Chris Ram are correct in their interpretation of the double negative “not unacceptable” contained in Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana. If it was the intention of the framers of the Constitution that the choice of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission must be someone who is acceptable to the President, they would have simply said that the President must choose someone who is ‘acceptable’ to him from the list chosen by the Leader of the Opposition. The framers of the Constitution, however, have used the double negative. They have said that the President has to choose someone who is “not
unacceptable”. In other words, from the list, he has to pick someone who is “not unacceptable” to him, not someone who is perfectly acceptable to him or his preferred choice. He is required to choose someone he can live with. That person may not be his ideal candidate, but once he can live with the choice, he can choose that person. The President rejected three lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. The court has held that it is the names on the list which must be found ‘not unacceptable’ and not the list itself. Therefore, as long as there is a name on the list which is “not unacceptable” to the President, he has to choose that name.
He cannot keep asking for names, which is what he has been doing, until someone acceptable to him is found. The Constitution does not require him to find someone who is acceptable to him. It requires him to choose some who is “not unacceptable” to him. The source of the President’s confusion is his understanding or lack of understanding of what the double negative, “not unacceptable” means. The interpretation of “not unacceptable” will be the critical hurdle that the defenders of President Granger will face in any legal challenge to his appointment of a Chairperson of GECOM. If the President’s legal team cannot surmount the
interpretation of the double negative, its case will be doomed. The President has a right to appoint, but the Constitution guides him on who should be appointed. The right to appoint must therefore not be confused with who to appoint. Under the Carter formula, the person appointed has to come from the list provided by the Leader of the Opposition. It was the President who initiated the process of inviting the Leader of the Opposition to submit names. The President, therefore, is the one who invoked the Carter formula. Once he is locked into that process, then the only way that he can unilaterally appoint someone of his choice is if no list was
Prison officer nabbed with smart phones, ganja in sting operation
Police and prison officials have thwarted what appears to be a massive smuggling racket at the Mazaruni Prison. A release stated that a 27-year-old prison officer was arrested at around 09.00 hrs yesterday in the prison's bachelor's quarters. At the time, he was in possession of nine new cell phones with chargers, a SIM and a memory card, and 403 grammes of cannabis sativa. The items were in a haversack on the rank's bed. He was reportedly nabbed during a sting operation. Last August, a Chief Prison Officer was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a quantity of marijuana to an inmate in the Timehri Prisons. The drug was concealed among the prisoner's meals.
The seized smart phones The accused rank is in his fifties and has some 20 years
service. Police are still seeking legal advice on the matter.
Dem boys seh...
Find somebody fuh Jagdeo Yesterday Jagdeo had another press conference. He does always talk sh** at dem press conference. Yesterday he talk li’l mo sh**. He even cuss and byuse like dem whores. Just after de press conference one out of de three reporters who been to de conference, seh how he go down in de gutter. But dem boys seh he never come out from de gutter in de fuss place. He style and attitude over de years mek people believe he born in a gutter. Dem boys seh that is a reason why he can’t get a wife because no woman, not even a whore,
want a man who come from de gutter. He behaving like Donald Trump because he think he rich like Trump. But dem boys seh Trump wuk fuh some of he own; Jagdeo hustle all wha he got. But dem boys seh Trump got a wife and nuff children. And he does still watch other women. Jagdeo got no wife, no pickney and when he see any woman he does cut up he eye pun she and ready fuh byuse down. Jagdeo and de Clown Clerk got de same attitude. Dem boys ain’t certain if dem
does do de same thing together. Jagdeo does defend people like Kwame. De Clown Clerk try to do de same thing wid de constable that get plug by a little boy. Fuh weeks he keep defending de constable. When de police come in he run fuh cover and knock off de constable. Then dem got de Ram who knockoff heself. He ram heself into Joe Singh truck mek people talking how he is a copycat. But dem boys seh he better careful wha he copying. Talk half and watch more reporters boycott Jagdeo.
submitted. The second hurdle that the defenders of the President will face is answering the question as to how and under what conditions can the President exit the Carter formula, and choose whomever he pleases. These legal hurdles have to resolved in our courts. They are likely to be only resolved after the matter has been ventilated at Guyana’s highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice. A long legal battle lies ahead. Many lawyers will be looking to align themselves with either side. It is cases like these which can make an ordinary lawyer become a legal luminary. You win a case like this and you go down in Caribbean constitutional history. The opposition is expected to assemble a formidable legal line-up. The opposition has the chance to form a broad pro-Constitution alliance with civil society, including the Guyana Bar Association, the Association of Women Lawyers, the Private Sector Commission, the Central Berbice Chamber of Commerce, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana and the Guyana Human Rights Association. It has been said that the PPPC can fight this battle alone and win. But why fight it alone when the opportunity exists to bring together prodemocracy and proConstitutional forces in the
PAGE 9
country on an issue which has grave implications for Guyana? Why make this a PPPC vs. the President issue when it can become a prodemocracy issue? The PPPC held a seminar recently which was streamed live around the world. It was seen by viewers in New York. The line-up of speakers was disappointing. The two main speakers were two former Attorneys General, Bernard De Santos and Anil Nandlall. The other speakers included former president and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar and present General Secretary Clement Rohee. Apart from De Santos, all the other panelists are members of the PPP. This is an example of the myopic thinking which has traditionally strangulated the PPPC. Here was a golden opportunity to go beyond partisan considerations and broaden participation to persons from civil society, including those who are up in arms with the decision of the President. If the PPPC cannot change its ways, if it does not appreciate the importance of building non-partisan alliances, it will never win another election in the country. It may win the case against the President, but lose the larger battle for the votes of the majority of Guyanese.
PAGE 10
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
I guess they think of poor people the way the Nazis did We ordinary folks would never understand what goes through the minds of humans who possess power. How can you in one swoop demolish the houses of very poor citizens; people who are at the lowest rung of the economic ladder? How can you give them one week to move? What exasperates me about this government is the way they see the poor in this country. It may be an exaggeration, but they probably perceive them the way the Nazis did – an embarrassment to the country. Why did the Housing Ministry demolish those squatters’ dwellings? I think it goes back to the Golden Jubilee Independence celebration, when central
government needed the parade to move off from Stabroek Square. The nation thought it was the usual City Council cruelty that became more pronounced under Royston King. The justification for moving over one hundred Stabroek Square vendors was the usual – City Council needs to beautify Georgetown. The nation found out the truth when one last wagon was standing – a photography shop. The Town Clerk wrote the owner requesting him to move, because the government wanted to have the Golden Jubilee float parade move off from Stabroek Square. It was through that letter, Guyanese knew why the City Council bulldozed those vendors.
If there was any reason to withhold your endorsement of the APNU+AFC coalition in 2020, it was the sly and subtle salary increase in July retroactive to June, when the APNU+AFC came to power in 2015. But if you were still wavering, then that eviction to make way for a float parade while the government had constructed D’Urban Park, should have influenced your decision. Now we have the demolition of the squatters’ houses in Sophia. What I find unconscionable is that the APNU+AFC regime with its counterpart in the Georgetown municipality, has this contempt for the lesser endowed classes, while at the same time in comparison with other countries in this part of the world, Guyana is very underdeveloped. So why doesn’t the APNU+AFC regime demolish its own government, seeing that it
hates to see poor people? Does it hate to see poor governments? A business icon, a few years back, referred to Guyana as ‘piss poor’. Since then, we got a new government, but I would like to think that we are still piss poor. Did you see the bond to store evidence that was donated by Canada to Guyana? It is actually a container, not a constructed entity erected with building materials. It is a small container with a zinc roof. Please don’t take my word for it. See it for yourself through a Google search. I am not joking when I say that from the photograph I saw, the thing looked like a huge dog kennel. After this little thing, came the donation of 200 bicycles by the US Embassy to the Guyana Police Force. So we are indeed piss poor (I went to a GRA vehicle auction and
didn’t see any car fit to bargain for, but when the police put those bicycles on auction, I am buying one to replace my bike that I use in the National Park). But despite government’s lack of
Frederick Kissoon finance and resources, the state goes about evicting vendors and breaking up the modest dwellings of squatters. So there you have it; another reason (demolition exercise in Sophia) to ask if the APNU+AFC coalition will get your embrace in 2020. But I had decided before the salary increase in June 2015, and before the large scale removal of vendors for the
Golden Jubilee, not to campaign anymore for the coalition in 2020. The reason was the humongous extension of the barriers around Parliament Building when the House is in session. In 2012, as separate entities, APNU and the AFC used their majority to pass a motion to do away with the metal prison that enveloped Parliament. When it got into power, APNU and the AFC not only retained the barriers, but extended them to streets beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. Do you know that the cordon now extends to Princes and Lombard Streets? The dilemma people like me face is that we do not want to see the PPP back in power, even if they have new leadership and the dinosaurs are shipped out to sea. If there isn’t a third party, I may not go to the polling booth. Outside of that, I may do what the gentleman did during the Russian Revolution; he was enjoying his water in his bath tub while the revolutionary forces were in the streets. He told his wife; “they will win with or without me.”
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Thursday October 26, 2017
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
Thursday October 26, 2017
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Many of T&T’s rich not paying fair share of taxes - Finance Min. Allyson West
Preparing for CARICOMMexico summit
Barbados Foreign Affairs Minister Maxine McClean chairing meeting Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson during the sitting of Senate Tuesday. Photo by: COURTESY OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENT Trinidad Guardian - There are many economic actors in the society who are earning a good living and are clearly avoiding their fair share of taxes while benefiting from services provided by the State, says Minister in the Ministry of Finance Allyson West. West made the statement while piloting the 2018 Budget in the Senate Tuesday — her maiden Budget delivery. She said there is serious concern regarding the equity in the administration of the taxes. “We have wage earners who are relentlessly taxed by the week or the month; who may be living from pay cheque to pay cheque, while a wide range of persons making quite a good living aren’t bearing their share of tax.” “This is regressive and repressive. It’s in this context, that Government has looked at good practice options to
address tax administration,” West added. She said the T&T Revenue Authority is expected to begin operations in 2018. West said the difference between the taxes that should be collected and the taxes that are collected in T&T is between $12 billion and $15 billion, according to a recent study by University of the West Indies economists. The study also showed a Corporation Tax gap estimated to be between TT$5.1 and TT$6.6 billion and the VAT gap between TT$1.9 and TT$2.4 billion. She said the total revenue collected by Government in 2017 was $10 billion less than budgeted. “It’s for this reason that a significant component of our fiscal policy will be to address tax administration.” Case studies by reputable international institutions indicate a well–structured Rev-
enue Authority not only facilitates coordination and collaboration between main tax collection offices, “but also allows for the recruitment, assessment and proper reward of specialised staff which is not always possible in the traditional public service,” she said. On property tax, West added, “The time has come when property owners must begin to contribute a share of these benefits to assist in financing T&T’s development and providing funds for the servicing of the communities in which their properties are located.| “It isn’t Government’s intention to introduce taxes which place too heavy a burden on the population, which is why the Property Tax Act introduces rates of tax lower than those under the Land and Building Taxes Act and the Municipal Corporations Act.”
Human rights watchdog dismisses government’s reason for not attending IACHR hearing KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Local human rights lobby group, Jamaicas for Justice (JFJ), has brushed aside the reasons given by the Andrew Holness led administration for not attending a hearing held in Uruguay by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to examine the alleged unlawful detention of persons by the Jamaican police. The hearing – ‘Reports of Extrajudicial Executions and Excessive Use of Preventive Detention against Afrodescendants in Jamaica’ was held in Montevideo, Uruguay, earlier this week According to the president of the Commission, Francisco Eguiguren, the govern-
ment had problems with the heading for the hearing stains that it objected to the term “Afro”, arguing that the majority of Jamaicans are of African decent and it was not credible to claim that they were facing discrimination on that basis. However, the JFJ labelled the excuses as a “cop out”. “I question whether or not this is a real substantive excuse or more so one to avoid the scrutiny,” said JFJ Director, Rodje Malcolm, in an interview with Radio Jamaica. The Jamaican government also pulled out at the late minute, saying it did not have a diplomatic representative in Uruguay. Meanwhile, Caribbean Researcher at Amnesty Inter-
national, Louise Tillotson, said Jamaica’s absence was unfortunate and the issues raised by the State is a continuation of excuses to not appear. The hearing in Uruguay was attended by the JFJ and Mercia Frazer, the mother Mario Deane, a young man who died after being severely beaten while in police custody in 2013. Frazer, who represented families who suffered a similar fate, told the IACHR, that since the death of her son, her family has been intimidated by the police. The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (“OAS”) that promotes and protects human rights in the American hemisphere.
BELMOPAN, Belize - CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) foreign ministers were meeting here yesterday with their counterpart from Mexico ahead of the Fourth CARICOM-Mexico summit that opens here later. The foreign affairs ministers meeting is being chaired by Barbados Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Maxine McClean
and the Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), and the Mexican diplomat, Luis Alfonso de Alba, the Under-Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean. No details of their meeting have been released here, but a government statement noted that the summit, which is expected to last six hours is being attended by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Caribbean border control officers conclude three week workshop
Participants to CRFM border control exercise BELMOPAN, Belize CMC – The Belize-based Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) says it has completed a three-week training course in fisheries prosecution and interdiction allowing for border control officials from six Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to be better able to enforce the laws under the Fisheries Acts, Fisheries Regulations and supporting administrative policies. It said that the exercise was organized by the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) in collaboration with the CRFM Secretariat, the Barbados government, the British Royal Navy’s Fisheries Protection Squadron and was funded
by the European Union through its 10th European Development Fund (EDF) project. The course was attended by Coast Guard officials from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Kitts-Nevis. “The aim of the course was to heighten the awareness and enhance the skills and competencies of authorized officers who have border security responsibilities for enforcing the laws under the Fisheries Acts, Fisheries Regulations and supporting administrative policies,” the CRFM said in a statement. It said that the officers, who have border security re-
sponsibilities are now more knowledgeable about the correct procedures to follow while enforcing the laws under their Fisheries Acts and Regulations. “They are also better able to prepare for trial proceedings where offences are committed in violation of the Fisheries Laws and where illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing has been perpetrated. “IUU fishing is a major concern for CARICOM states, as it undermines efforts to conserve and sustainably manage the region’s fisheries resources and jeopardizes food security, livelihoods, and foreign exchange earnings from fisheries,” the statement noted.
PAGE 22
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Chainsaw operator gets 22 yrs for killing drinking buddy
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.
Pharmacy for sale 4 Stalls Bourda Market .Tel #6034017
INNOVATIVEMARKETING& PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Internationally experienced examiner inhandwriting & Question documents. Specialized: Wills, Deeds, Identify theft etc. Call /whatsapp :416-827-5239. Email:k02g099@hotmail.com INSTALLATIONS,REPAIRS AND PARTS FOR AC, F R I D G E , WA S H I N G MACHINE, STOVE ETC: CALL NICK 627-3206, 6301600 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Landscaping, flower plants for sale treating& trimming. Cut down trees & treating the land.Call:627-5969 Are you looking for(2) bilinguals with excellent communication skills to work permanently with your company? Call: 693-825/6679057
Laptop &Desktop Computers from $49,000. 1300 TVL -8 Channel DVR with 8 Cameras complete$69,000.FutureTech: 231-2206, 660-2010
VACANCY
WANTED
Experience accounts clerk between the age 23-50 years. Apply at Alabama Trading.65-66 Robb street bourda.
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
Cook/ baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must have experience. Call:618-2020 Experience Bartenders Call :225-8572.Between 7am To 9am E x p e r i e n c e d salesman,generaldomestic,porter. Apply with hand written application & recommendation @ Keyfood, McDoom Village. Experience sales girl. Apply in person to Alabama Trading. 65-66 Robb streetbourda. Captains valid certificate of competence as Master of Power Driven Vessel.Call:226-1100,2265380
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:656-0087,6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FORAIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Meadow Bank, long term rental. Fully furnished 3 bedrooms apartment, parking, cameras etc- Call: 671-4221 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D$1200US. Call 647-1773 Apartment for rent , 7-8 Plantain Walk,West Bank Demerara. Call:264-2639
LAND FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud& N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman& Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages)
Farm(East Bank)New Scheme $3.5m, ParfaiteHarmonie (upfront)$1.5m,Uivlugt $3.5m(high income).Tel:6511969/667-1960 House lots available @ B/ burg W.C.D & Schoonord on western side of Harbour bridge. Financing available- contact#6500402/603-1402 MASSAGE The Gents spa .Let us release your stress with our lovely masseuse. Call for appointments (592)644-8018
1 Block of Virgin Land to rent for mining in the Cuyuni Mining District. Contact #6719478 1 Bedroom apartment with toilet & bath inside at Diamond New housing scheme EBD. Tel:216-0644/668-8403
Live in waitress to work in a bar.Call:604-6606/692-4649 Wanted to buy one house & land on the East Bank or East Coast between $10 to $12 million cash.Call:6811312 Cashier, pump attendant to work in mahadia.Call:6446366/699-9458
A remorseful 24-year-old Morris Fredericks was sentenced to serve the next Taxi Service 225-5075/ 226- 22 years in jail after pleading 1200.Hire Care Drivers guilty to killing a man by chopping him to the neck— Wanted severing his jugular vein. Fredericks, of Kokerite Landing, Barima River, was initially charged with the capital offence of murder. He however pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. On November 29, 2011 at Kokerite Landing, Region One, Fredericks killed 33-yearold Allister Crighton. Crighton and Fredericks SALON were friends. On the day in - Make-up Courses with question, they were at a shop Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. in the area consuming “high -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 - wine” when an argument Technician Course: $35,000. broke out between them. Fredericks left the scene and Call: 647-1773/660-5257 went home where he retrieved a cutlass. He sneaked up on TOLET Crighton and dealt him a fatal 2 Bedroom upper flat newly shop to the neck. renovated atPhoenix Park The custodial sentence W.B.D for $45,000 per was handed down yesterday month. Contact:614-1723 by Justice Simone Morris1 Business space, located @ Ramlall at the High Court in 177 Charlotte & Alexander Georgetown. Justice MorrisStreet Lacytown. Call : 644- Ramlall started the base 3555 or 689-3462. Serious en- sentence at 40 years but deducted 18 years — 13 years quiries only. for the early guilty plea and five years for the time Fredericks spent on remand pending trial. A probation report highlighted that Fredericks had an unstable upbringing FOR SALE One apple i-pad for sale.Only one month old next to brand new.Excellent condition contact:654-1159 Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:672-2566/265-3231
Upper flat and bottom flat.Phone:670-6997. 26 Hill Street Albouystown
EDUCATION Day Care and Pre-K classes available in Diamond Call Canadian School 2166921,216-6922 Phonics, Reading &Writing lessons.Kindergarten, grade 1-2. Full time students accepted in January term. Enroll now.Call:677-0296
FOR SALE Aluminum windows & doors at the best prices. Chenfeng Aluminum @ Lot 11 Public road Eccles, EBD- Call: 6968688, 682-8378
MURDERED: Allister Crighton
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
First Aid/CPR Classes on Saturdays. Contact St. John AMBULANCE Brigade Telephone:225-9082
JAILED: Morris Fredericks as a result of his mother constantly changing partners. The probation report pointed out that he never met his biological father and was raised by his stepfather. According to the probation report, Fredericks dropped out of school at 11 years old after falling from a tree and injuring one of his eyes. He began working at age 14 as a chainsaw operator to support himself. The probation officer highlighted that although Fredericks has no academic qualification, he always managed to keep himself gainfully employed. However, the probation report stated that although Fredericks was described by persons in his community as a willing and friendly individual, he gravitated to bad friends and alcohol. State Prosecutors Seeta Bissundial and Narissa Leander asked for the maximum penalty to be imposed on the killer. According to Prosecutor Leander, Frederick’s troubled upbringing is no excuse for his thoughtless action which resulted in the death of Crighton. In a plea of mitigation, Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay asked the court to consider his client’s early guilty plea, his age, the time he spent on remand pending trial and his remorsefulness. Fredericks told the court, “I am sorry for the wrong I have done. I beg the court to have mercy upon me.” Having considered the findings of the probation report, the plea of mitigation on behalf of counsel and Fredericks, Justice MorrisRamlall imposed the custodial sentence and told Fredericks that he will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years.
PAGE 24
Kaieteur News
Fats Domino: Rock and roll legend dies aged 89
Fats Domino (BBC) Fats Domino, one of the most influential rock and roll performers of the 1950s and 60s, has died aged 89. The American rock and roll artist was best known for his songs Ain’t That A Shame and Blueberry Hill. The New Orleans singer sold more than 65 million records, outselling every 1950s rock and roll act except Elvis Presley. His million-selling debut single, The Fat Man, is credited by some as the first ever rock and roll record. An official from New Orleans coroner’s office confirmed the death, which was earlier announced by Domino’s daughter to a local television station. Fats Domino - whose real name was Antoine Domino Jr - was one of the first rhythm and blues artists to gain popularity with a white audience and his music was most prolific in the 1950s. Domino had a string of number ones and more than 30 top 40 hits. His music is also credited as a key influence on artists during the 1960s and 70s. Elvis Presley referred to Fats Domino as “the real king of rock n roll” and Paul McCartney reportedly wrote the Beatles song Lady Ma-
donna in emulation of his style. In 1986 he was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but by his later life Domino would no longer leave his Louisiana hometown - not even to accept the award. New Orleans-born musician and actor Harry Connick Jr is among those who have paid tribute to Domino on Twitter, saying he had “helped pave the way for New Orleans piano players”. Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr was born in New Orleans on 26 Feb 1928, the son of a violinist. His parents were of Creole origin, and French Creole was spoken in the family. He was musically inclined from an early age and learned piano from his brother in law, the jazz banjo player, Harrison Verrett. He was given his nickname by bandleader Bill Diamond for whom he was playing piano in honky-tonks as a teenager. He said the youngster’s technique reminded him of two other great piano players, Fats Waller and Fats Pichon. Domino left school at the age of 14 to work in a bedspring factory by day, and play in bars by night. He was soon accompanying such
New Orleans luminaries as Professor Longhair and Amos Milburn. In the mid-1940s, he joined trumpeter Dave Bartholomew’s band, and the two co-wrote Domino’s first hit The Fat Man. Suddenly, the New Orleans sound became popular nationwide. In an interview with the BBC in 1973, Domino spoke about his early life. He said: “I was 17 when I made my first record in 1949. I never thought about being professional. I used to work in a lumberyard and that’s where I first heard a number on a jukebox and I liked it. It was a piano number. It was called ‘Swanee River Boogie’ by Albert Ammonds.” Despite both musical heavyweights coming from New Orleans, Fats Domino said he only met Louis Armstrong twice in his life. He told the BBC in a later interview: “I liked the way he was singing ‘Blueberry Hill’. See, a lot of people think I wrote ‘Blueberry Hill’ but I didn’t. “That number was wrote in 1927 and I recorded that song in 1957. We just put a different background and I just sing it the way it would fit me and it came out great for me.”
Japanese police arrest 74-year-old ninja thief suspect (BBC) Japanese police say they have finally caught a prolific thief who dressed as a ninja to carry out raids and were surprised to find he was 74. After his usually covered face was caught on a security camera this year, he was put under surveillance which led to his arrest in July. Police now believe he is the so-called “Ninja of Heisei”, thought to have carried out more than 250 breakins. He has been charged with
thefts worth 30m yen ($260,000; £200,000). Police had been baffled by a series of burglaries over eight years carried out by a suspect wearing black, assuming they had been carried out by someone younger. Investigators observed the suspect, who they say seemed little different from most elderly man, during the day. But they say he then went into an abandoned building and changed clothes before
waiting until it got dark to steal. “He was dressed all in black just like a ninja,” a senior official in the western Japanese city of Osaka said. Police said the thief displayed great physical ability, running effortlessly on top of walls instead of taking the streets. After his arrest, the man was quoted as saying: “If I were younger, I wouldn’t have been caught. I’ll quit now as I’m 74 and old enough.”
Thursday October 26, 2017
A Reuters journalist bought human body parts TOWNSEND, Tennessee (Reuters) – Cody Saunders was born in 1992 with failing kidneys and a hole in his heart. When he died on his 24th birthday, he had endured 66 surgeries and more than 1,700 rounds of dialysis, his parents said. Some days, he hid the pain in upbeat selfies on Facebook. Other days, he shared an excruciating reality, posing in a hospital bed with bandages strapped across his scarred chest. On his Facebook profile, Cody wrote that he was looking for a girlfriend who will accept “me for me.” “Y am I ugly,” he posted on Christmas Day 2015. Cody lived with his parents in an aged motor home at an East Tennessee campground. When he was well enough, he worked on a farm with his father, feeding cattle, putting up hay, hauling molasses in a dump truck from one barn to another. The month after Cody died, Restore Life sold part of the young man’s body: his cervical spine. The transac-
tion required just a few email exchanges and $300, plus shipping. Whether Restore Life vetted the buyer is unclear. But if workers there had verified their customer’s identity, they would have learned he was a reporter from Reuters. The news agency was seeking to determine how easy it might be to buy human body parts and whether those parts would be useful for medical research. In addition to the spine, Reuters later purchased two human heads from Restore Life, each priced at $300. The transactions demonstrate the startling ease with which human body parts may be bought and sold in the United States. Neither the sales nor the shipments violated any laws, say lawyers, professors and Government officials who follow the issue closely. Although it’s illegal to sell organs used for transplants, it’s perfectly legal in most states to sell body parts that were donated for research or education. Buying wine over the Internet is arguably more
tightly controlled, generally requiring at minimum proof of age. To comply with legal, ethical and safety considerations before the purchases, Reuters consulted with Angela McArthur, who directs the body donation program at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She took immediate custody of the spine and heads for Reuters, inspecting and storing them at the medical school. McArthur said she was troubled by how easily the body parts were acquired and by the failure of Restore Life to perform proper due diligence. On August 2, 2016, Cody died after a heart attack on his way home from dialysis. Too poor to bury or cremate him, Cody’s parents donated their son’s body to an organization called Restore Life USA. The facility sells donated bodies – in whole or by part – to researchers, universities, medical training facilities and others. “I couldn’t afford nothin’ else,” father Richard explained.
Millions of Thais bid King Bhumibol Adulyadej a final farewell
Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) Draped in plastic sheets to keep off the rain, Thais slept in the streets of Bangkok Wednesday to reserve a place to witness the funeral parade for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled the country for 70 years. The five-day ceremony for the world’s longest-reigning monarch begins late Wednesday, but crowds are expected to peak Thursday as the king’s body is moved to the Royal Crematorium, a three-tier, 50-meter (165-foot) high golden funeral pyre. Bhumibol died aged 88 on October 13, 2016. Also known as Rama IX — a reference to his lineage stretching from Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty — the King
commanded great love and respect within Thailand. His funeral will be attended by dignitaries and royal families from 42 countries including US Defense Secretary James Mattis, Britain’s Duke of York Prince Andrew, Japan’s Prince Akishino and royalty from Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Sweden. A budget of three billion Thai baht ($90 million) has been allocated for the funeral, and Thursday has been declared a public holiday to allow Thais the opportunity to pay their final respects. The nation’s police force — some 230,000 officers — will on duty to contain the crowds. The former king was immensely popular during his
reign, with his portrait being hung, adorned with marigolds, everywhere from Bangkok office lobbies to the poorest of rural homes. Built to resemble the sacred center of the Hindu universe, Mount Meru, the centerpiece of the funeral is an ornate funeral pyre called the Royal Crematorium which has been erected in central Bangkok, next to the Grand Palace. More than 500 statues, on which sculptors have been working daily for almost a year, have been created for ceremonies around the country; some of these statues will adorn the intricate tower. While Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, many elements of the funeral draw on Hindu traditions.
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
Opposition party to meet next week to discuss claim by opposition legislator
Kamla Persad-Bissessar PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The main opposition United National Congress (UNC) says it will meet on Tuesday to discuss a letter of complaint from opposition legislator Ganga Singh who is claiming that the National Executive acted ultra vires of party’s constitution when it announced plans to hold early elections for the post of political leader. UNC and Opposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar , who has indicated that she is seeking an early vote of confidence from party supporters one year ahead of the schedule date for the
election of the party leader, has dismissed Singh’s concerns, telling reporters “I think Ganga Singh may want to get himself a good lawyer. “We are acting within the provisions of the constitution. The election will be a valid one when held. Ganga needs a better lawyer than he is,” she said, adding “it is ludicrous, it is a totally ludicrous kind of argument that is being put forward.” In a statement last week, the UNC said that Persad Bissessar had “taken the decision to seek a fresh mandate from the party members as the Party prepares for a General Election” that is not due until
2020. The party said that it will hold internal elections on November 26 and that internal elections are held every two years for all members of the executive except the political leader, which is held every three years. It said that 18 of the party’s 20 elected posts would be contested, including the position of Political Leader. “The United National Congress remains committed to its democratic founding principles and we remain a people’s organization. We will continue to pursue a people’s agenda with a commitment to social justice as a guiding principle to national development,” the party said. But Singh is quoted in the yesterday’s edition of the Trinidad Guardian newspaper as saying that the UNC’s constitution has clear timelines for the terms of office of the political leader and the national executive. “Unless you change the constitution you have to do your duty for the extent of your term. Any attempt to limit that must be in accordance with the constitution,” he said. (PNM).
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Thursday October 26, 2017
Law firm fears breach of wealthy clients’ data HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC – A Bermuda-based international law firm says it fears a data breach could result in confidential details of wealthy clients being made public. Appleby, which advises clients and provides legal advice in a number of offshore jurisdictions, confirmed in a statement that a data-security incident resulted in some information being “compromised”. An article in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, headlined “Super-rich hacked in Bermuda data leak”, claimed the firm was warning some clients that sensitive information may have been accessed in the security breach. Appleby, which has 10 offices around the world, including n the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, said it had received inquiries from the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and
other media organisations. “These inquiries have arisen from documents that journalists claim to have seen and involve allegations made against our business and the business conducted by some of our clients,” Appleby said in a statement. “We take any allegation of wrongdoing, implicit or otherwise, extremely seriously,” it said, adding that it was unequivocally committed to the highest standards of client service and confidentiality. “Appleby has thoroughly and vigorously investigated the allegations and we are satisfied that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing, either on the part of ourselves or our clients. We refute any allegations which may suggest otherwise. “We are a law firm which advises clients on legitimate and lawful ways to conduct their business. We do not tolerate illegal behaviour.”
Thursday October 26, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 29
PAGE 30
Kaieteur News
Thursday October 26, 2017
PM silent on date for new army
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - CMC – Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant has shied away from confirming whether or not Haiti’s new army will be officially commissioned on November 18, promising however that it will not be one aimed at tormenting the population. “It will be an army at the service of the population and not a tormenting army,” he told reporters, adding that the army in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country had never been disbanded. Lafontant said that the 1987 Constitution stipulates that “the country has two security forces: the Armed Forces of Haiti and the National Police,” adding “there has never been a dissolution of the Armed Forces of Haiti
(FAD’H) but only an administrative measure of demobilization of this military force,” without providing other details, claiming national security concerns. There is mounting speculation here that the former armed forces of Haiti could be officially re-mobilized on November 18, coinciding with the 214th anniversary of the battle of Vertières. Prime Minister Lafontant, who did not want to confirm this date, told reporters only that the time is coming and that the remobilization of the FAD’H “is an act of justice for our ancestors and our heroes of independence and will allow us to repatriate our national sovereignty”. He said that after the launch of the recruitment process initiated by Defence
Minister Hervé Denis, last July, 2,350 young people including 350 girls, had been registered and that the final steps in remobilizing the army will be undertaken in a transparent manner. He reiterated that the new army will have another mission and another direction than that of the past. Haiti’s army was disbanded in 1995 by former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide following the military coup. However in recent months, there have been calls for the establishment of an army following the decision of the United Nations to end its operations here this month. The UN mission in Haiti has been in place following a second coup against Aristide that took place in 2004.
Washington (AFP) - The Organization of American States has declared Venezuela’s recent gubernatorial elections to be illegitimate, citing a series of irregularities including the lack of independent poll observers. The opposition Democratic Union Roundtable (MUD) coalition was routed
in the October 15 vote by President Nicolas Maduro’s socialists, who won in 18 of Venezuela’s 23 states. The opposition had portrayed the vote as a referendum on the unpopular Maduro after months of deadly street protests earlier this year failed to unseat him. The election lacked “nu-
merous guarantees for the results to be recognized as legitimate,” said the 11-page OAS report posted in Spanish on the group’s website on Tuesday. The OAS document noted among other things the “systematic” violation of constitutional rights and the difficulties the opposition had to compete on an equal footing with pro-government candidates. Pro-government candidates won handily despite pre-vote opinion polls that showed the opposition ahead in as many as 18 Venezuelan states. The vote “was clearly plagued with irregularities that restricted the political rights of citizens,” so the results published by the National Election Council did not reflect “the will of the Venezuelan people.” The election underscores the importance of impartial international election observers, the OAS said.
OAS says Venezuela vote was illegitimate
Thursday October 26, 2017
Hope surges towards top-20 in latest rankings LONDON, CMC – In-form Shai Hope continued his surge in the International Cricket Council batting rankings, jumping another seven places to move even closer to the top-20 in the world. The 23-year-old was installed 24 th in the latest rankings released yesterday, following his good form in the opening Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo which saw him garner scores of 90 not out and 44. Hope has enjoyed a rich vein of form ever since his breakthrough hundred in the second Test against Headingley last August, scoring 490 runs at an average of 122. That form has seen the
elegant right-hander make massive strides especially since starting the three-Test tour of England 99th in the batting rankings. Hope can now break into the top-20 in the rankings with another strong performance in the second Test against Zimbabwe starting Sunday, as he is only eight points behind 20th-ranked Usman Khawaja of Australia. Hope’s teammate, Roston Chase, also enjoyed progress, rising four places to 37th, following scores of 31 and 95 at in the opening Test. However, there was bad news for Jermaine Blackwood who plunged nine spots to 51st following his twin failure and for wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich who slipped eight
places to fall to 100th. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who scored 86 in the second innings in Bulawayo, is the highest ranked West Indies batsman and the only one in the top20 at 18th. Meanwhile, legspinner Devendra Bishoo leapt seven places to become the highest-ranked Caribbean side bowler at a career-best 21st in the rankings. The 31-year-old collected a nine-wicket match haul against Zimbabwe on Tuesday to bowl West Indies to 117-run win on the fourth day of the first Test. He surpassed fast bowler Shannon Gabriel who slid four places to 25th, and is now on the cusp of entering the top20.
Thursday October 26, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 A long-awaited romantic encounter may be canceled or prove less rewarding than you'd hoped. Doubts about the future of this relationship could come up. Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 A visitor to your home might bring unreliable information. Don't take at face value whatever this person says. Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 A passionate letter or phone call could come from a close friend or romantic partner. The person may be confused and rather emotionally tormented. Be kind! Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 You could have an artistic talent that you haven't yet tapped. Today events might occur that cause you to want to try. Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Family members may want to make changes in your home, such as remodeling, redecorating, or refurnishing, but there could be disagreements about the changes needed. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 Miscommunication with a romantic partner could have you either writing or reading love poetry or a story of some kind.
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 A close friend or group with which you're associated could have money troubles. You might be asked to help, but be careful. Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 You like people but sometimes you can be very critical. Today you may have a hard time integrating yourself into a group. Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Confusion about metaphysical or spiritual matters could have you seeking clarity through research. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 A new sort of bond may form with someone you consider a friend. Perhaps you discover a mutual interest or suddenly see your friend in a new light. Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 Something important to you is changing. You're beginning to doubt whether there's a future in it or not. It may be a career or a romantic relationship. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 Vague physical discomfort could have you feeling out of sorts. Most likely you aren't really ill. You're tired and stressed, but you can make it through the day.
Dominant Wozniacki swats aside Halep in Singapore SINGAPORE (Reuters) Caroline Wozniacki produced an almost perfect display to dismantle world number one Simona Halep 6-0, 6-2 at the WTA Finals yesterday, the Dane recording her second dominant victory in as many matches. Wozniacki had marked her fifth appearance at the season-ending tournament with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina on Monday and Romania’s Halep appeared equally as powerless against the 27year-old former number one. The Dane is now virtually assured of a semi-finals berth after losing just four games in two matches, while Halep lives to fight another day after her opening straight sets victory over Caroline Garcia gives her a 1-1 record in the Red Group. Wozniacki has been the form player on the WTA Tour this season, winning 58 matches, reaching seven finals and claiming one tournament victory in Tokyo last month, and she has retained that consistency in both her wins in Singapore. The rankings show Halep as the world leader and Wozniacki in sixth but the Romanian was utterly outclassed in the opener as her opponent raced through it in 23 minutes without dropping a game, on the back of a 94 percent first serve success rate. “I think I played really well today and stayed aggressive throughout. I didn’t expect to be leading by that much in the first set and I started to think ‘what’s happening? Am I really playing that well?” Wozniacki said in a courtside interview. Halep had been as much a spectator as the stunned crowd packed into the Singapore Indoor Stadium and although she tried to rouse herself after getting to 30-30 in the first game of the second set, Wozniacki held firm for a 1-0 lead. The Dane, who was painting the corners on both her backhand and forehand sides, had won 17 games in a row across her last two matches before Halep finally got on the scoreboard after 34 minutes when she held to love. The respite was fleeting, however, as Wozniacki continued to punish Halep’s scrappy forehand to break once more for a 3-1 lead and an ace snuffed out the only break point the Dane would face all match as she moved within two games of victory. Another poor forehand error handed Wozniacki a
Caroline Wozniacki. (Getty Images AsiaPac) match point after a little more than an hour, which she duly converted with a forehand winner to cap an incredible display. “I just stayed positive, took the ball early and went for my shots,” the Dane added. “It’s a great court for me as I was putting spin on
the ball to get in position for my shots and wait for the right opportunities to hit my winners.” Frenchwoman Garcia and Svitolina were next on court with both debutants searching for a first win at the tournament after straight-set losses in their openers.