Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

People’s Parliament ends 24hr occupation of Parliament Square

- commences second phase of operation The People’s Parliament announced that it will be ending its 24hr occupation of Parliament Square- the public park located between High Street and Brickdam.

They have however informed that they are geared for the commencement of the second phase of their operations, which will be expanding and intensifying their efforts in fulfilling the demands of the Guyanese people.

They have opted for a more intense stance in fulfilling the contents of a petition presented to the National Assembly last week and will be using this second phase of their operation to take the nation’s problems to the people.

According to a statement by members, “our transition away from a 24-hour occupation does not mean a lessening of our commitment.

In fact, to the contrary, in this

People’s Parliament

second phase of operations, we will be expanding and intensifying our efforts. We will be shadowing the happenings of the National Assembly and shining the light on topics discussed therein. We will be advocating for action on issues such as those highlighted in the People’s Petition. These are reduction in the VAT, tax reform, a

national living income, local government elections, anticorruption investigations, freedom of information, and the fulfillment of constitutional obligations.”

The People’s Parliament said that its members will be engaging more with the private sector, religious communities, and other civil society elements nationwide.

Members promised to

provide “educational, cultural, and social services to citizens, thus maintaining their commitment to fostering an environment of tolerance and respect, to working for an end to the exploitation of our natural and human resources, and to living in harmony with each other.”

“We remain steadfast to working outside of party politics; all are welcome to

join us, and all, no matter their political party affiliation, if they do not adequately serve the people, will be held accountable.”

The organization which is made up of several miscellaneous social groups has reported that they will be occupying the park at High Street and Brickdam on selected days and times.

The second phase of the

group’s activities comes after a petition was submitted at the re-opening of Parliament last Monday.

About two and a half months ago, the “People’s Parliament” began meeting opposite the Parliament Building during the events that were taking place in Linden. The group had formed itself in solidarity with (Continued on page 15)

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Vilma Tyson, an enterprising and independent woman

By Enid Joaquin ‘Lime, tomato, celery, seasoning’—the lyrics of a popular soca song, written by the talented Michael James and sung by the equally talented George Anthony Abrams, is done to such hypnotic rhythms that both the young and old are tempted to shake a leg, whenever or wherever the song is played.

But little thought is given to the genesis of the lyrics, which captures the sales call of those vending the condiments, and even less to the men and women who toil in the fields, day after day to produce them.

From typewriters and stilettos to spade and long boots, Vilma Tyson, an enterprising and independent woman, is one of those farmer/vendors to whom the song is somewhat of an anthem—albeit with slightly modified lyrics, depending on the particular crops in season.

Sometimes it’s ‘okra, boulanger, pumpkin, plantains- or bora, squash, oranges, bananas!’

However, whatever the sales pitch, to Tyson the goal is always the same- to sell the produce from her West Watooka Farm.

Tyson has had a long love affair with mother earth, because even as a secretary and administrative assistant, wearing stockings and stilettos and clacking away on a typewriter, she was planting and selling vegetables on the side.

This supplemented her income greatly, and certainly put more food in her pot.

Tyson confesses that her love for farming was nurtured during the time she spent working with the late President Forbes Burnham, who mandated that all his staff owned a kitchen garden.

“So I developed an interest in farming, because one of the things we had to do during Burnham time was go to Hope Estate and you also had to go to the cane fields.

“In those days I used to get up early in the mornings, thanks to the daylight saving time,(another Burnham initiative) and tend to my kitchen garden, before I go to work. At the time I was living in South Ruimveldt in Georgetown, and I used to sell some of the things right from that garden. Since then I grew to love farming, and better yet I realized I could make money doing it.

Decades later, Tyson has honed her farming skills to the extent that she presently makes her living from it.

And she has graduated from the kitchen garden in South Ruimveldt, to acres of farmland at West Watooka.

But she can no longer sell her crops to the neighbors, as her new homestead sits among a community of farmers.

She currently sells her produce from the comfort of her “tent-boat”, which she moors at the Adams boat landing at the Mackenzie River Front on most weekdays, but especially on weekends.

A lot of her customers are the people crossing the river with the popular boat service, but other people seek her out from as far as Amelia’s Ward and Coomacka, to purchase

Preparing for her trip to the market

her farm fresh produce.

Tyson seems the typical farmer, with her trade mark head tie and cap, and is only one of two vendors, who sell their produce at the River front, from the confines of a boat.

The boat is fully equipped with outboard engine, which she operates herself, for her market trips.

Tyson said that she was forced to find alternative means to market her produce, after the Town Council mandated that all vendors remove from the Coop Crescent thoroughfare, which she had formerly occupied.

“Boat Vending” thus became the chosen modus operandi for her, after her unsuccessful bid to obtain a stall on the now popular vendors’ wharf, which was the alternative venue for the displaced vendors.

‘I remember seeing persons vending from their boats, while I travelled in the Caribbean, so I thought I would give it a try, and I’ve never regretted my decision”, Tyson declared.

She added that her aim was to make the boat as comfortable as possible, as she was going to spend a lot of time in it. Fitting it with a ‘roof,’ to save her from the elements, suited her purpose perfectly.

Tyson maintains that her present occupation has afforded her a comfortable lifestyle, because even as a single mother, she was able to build her own home- not the typical farmhouse, but a beautiful and modern home.

In reflecting on her younger days Tyson spoke of her ‘office work’, which she used to ‘juggle’ with her academic pursuits that would see her attending the University of Guyana.

Her first place of employment was the Guyana National Service, where she was employed as a secretary.

She would later move on to the Referendum programme in 1981, and then seconded to the office of then President of Guyana, Forbes Burnham.

After her tenure at the Office of the President, Tyson said she moved on to a few Ministries, serving in various capacities.

“But the area that spoke most into my life is when I worked with President Burnham, because when I went there I had my qualifications in shorthand and typing and English, but I was encouraged to attend the Critchlow Labour College, which afforded me the opportunity to attend a commonwealth youth programme, where I spent two years with Malcolm Parris and others, and it was from there that I began to branch out, because they were the people that encouraged me to do

Ms. Tyson at her nursery

anything that I set my heart on, because I was young, and I had ‘to get on stream’, Tyson reflected.

She would later seek and gain employment with the Guyana Electricity Corporation as an Administrative Assistant, and later the Guyana Revenue Authority, from where she retired in 2005.

NOT THE END

When Tyson retired from the GRA in 2005, she did not wring her hands and wonder what she was going to do- she already knew. She had decided that instead of becoming just another stayat-home single mother, she was going to be once more gainfully employed, but this time around she was going to be her own boss. She would launch into farming in a big

way.

Her first move was to join the Region 10 Farmers Association, which afforded opportunities to attend workshops in Grenada and elsewhere.

She noted that, except for two instances where she was granted land clearing assistance from LEAP, she did not seek funding from any (Continued on page 11)

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Kaieteur News

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

Editorial

Deadly Road Use Even though the authorities regularly assure us otherwise, our roads are deadlier than ever. In the first decade of the millennium, according to official statistics, 1,377 persons were killed in fatal road accidents in our country.

By WHO’s calculations, we have a death rate of 20 per 100,000 of population in 2011, which indicates that their figures are slightly higher than the average of the decade.

As of September 13 of this year, 71 persons had already perished in traffic accidents. The high rates of death and disability expose the lack of an organised system of traffic management and safety. The ad hoc approach has not worked and a holistic system must be introduced immediately.

The overall conditions of our chaotic traffic conditions can be gleaned from the US State Department advisory to their citizens on Traffic and Road: “Driving in Guyana can be potentially very hazardous. The rate of traffic accident fatalities in Guyana is higher than in the United States.

Cars, large commercial vehicles, horse drawn carts, bicyclists, motorcycles, free range livestock, stray dogs, pedestrians, aggressive “mini-buses” and sleeping animals all share narrow, poorly maintained roads.

“Aggressive, speeding vehicles on the same roads with slow-moving vehicles makes driving in Guyana especially dangerous. Driving at unsafe speeds, reckless driving, tailgating, quick stops without signalling, passing at intersections, and passing on crowded streets is commonplace. Driving at night poses additional concerns as many roads are not lit, some drivers do not lower high beam lights, livestock sleep on the road and many pedestrians congregate by the roadside. You should exercise caution at all times while driving and avoid driving outside of Georgetown at night when possible.”

We have to address the above hurdles and set goals for traffic deaths that are objective rather than simply comparing it with the previous year’s figures, as is the practice. The WHO uses a statistic that measures road fatalities compared to each 100,000 vehicles in the country.

When measured by this metric, our deaths jump to 210 per 100,000 cars compared to just 15 for the US. No wonder that country calls our conditions ‘hazardous”. But this statistic suggests why efforts to stem the carnage on our roads have to be intensified: we are importing over 10,000 private vehicles annually. When it is considered that our roadstock has significantly increased in the past decade, we can appreciate the pressures on the system.

With the same roads having to accommodate those vehicles, pedestrians, animals and slow moving vehicles, it is a wonder that our fatalities are not higher. Lack of a holistic approach to traffic challenges has seen a spectacular increase in the housing and commercial buildings on the East Bank and East Coast, without any thought as to how the increased traffic will be channelled.

The frantic effort at widening the roads in the last couple years is akin to locking the stable doors after the horse has bolted. And as it bolts, it is killing a whole lot of Guyanese.

The authorities will have to create new roads around these new settlements.

In the near term they will have to vigorously enforce the road regulations especially the speed limits.

Enforcement rests on professionalization of the police traffic department, introduction of traffic courts (evenings) and a rationalisation of the traffic rules to take cognisance of our realities. With our major roads all built through densely populated villages, pedestrians are literally taking their lives into their hands every time they step onto those roads.

Very consistently, pedestrians form the largest category of road fatalities, followed by pedal cyclists. Our roads are just not meant for speeding.

This point, of course, is completely lost on the drivers and operators of mini-buses, which represent the greatest threat to improving our road usage. This area must be regulated much more robustly: operators and drivers of mini-buses must apply for special licences which will not be renewed if they accumulate points for infractions. The law must be amended to preclude private settlements that have now become standard in traffic accidents.

Monday October 29, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

Support our women, not just Chris Brown DEAR EDITOR, The government’s decision to enthusiastically support the planned Chris Brown December concert raises a number of questions, and there are also implications in a wider social context on the efforts to tackle the issue of gender abuse in Guyana.

S4 Foundation believes the issue is not whether Brown performs in Guyana, but whether government support is acceptable. Indeed, the commonness of domestic abuse in our country is acknowledged at the government and stakeholder level, but serious challenges remain at the community level.

Many young men and women in our communities are still unaware that domestic violence in the global context has now been

defined as a serious human rights violation, as opposed to your average “mistake”, and they are also unaware that when a man batters his girlfriend and/or wife, it is not a private matter, but a public one.

As we debate the issues, it is important to note that a coordinated community response strengthened by the involvement of our young people is essential in our fight to tackle gender abuse in Guyana, in addition to the supporting structures which includes temporary safe housing, s u p p ort groups, empowerment counselling, networking with social support services and legal advocacy for survivors.

The Guyana government has increased its efforts in the fight against domestic abuse,

There is a great need for Psychologists in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I am a Psychologist, at the PhD level of Guyanese origin, living in the USA. It has been over nine months now that I have recognised the need for psychologists in Guyana and have offered the Government of Guyana my service for free but they showed no interest.

Although, government knows my pledge and they know of the need for Psychologists in Guyana, they refuse to bring help to the people.

The people of Guyana need to know that

Government is depriving them and putting their own interest above them.

This is the lowest act of humanity and can be a Human Rights Issue. It is very sad. Our people need help and Government is showing no interest.

Government is deceiving the people.

An article in the newspaper needs to address this issue for the sake of the betterment of the people of Guyana. I look forward to working with you on such an article.

Annie Baliram (PhD)

but we are not convinced that these efforts are robust enough, given the continued high number of incidents of domestic abuse and murders.

In addition, funding for domestic violence programmes and awareness campaigns continues to be below what is required to effectively tackle the problem.

Both the government and the concert’s organisers would be aware that the kind of substantial resources which are required to bring Chris Brown here are desperately needed to strengthen the local fight.

Research indicates that at least 16% of couples experience violence in their relationship in a given year.

Local newspaper reports confirm the level of violence that is perpetrated against Guyanese women daily, and these are only the reported cases.

Whether Chris Brown has been counselled, completed community service and has reunited with Rihanna, who suffered a widely-publicised battering at his hands, is not the issue.

The issue is whether this entertainer is a suitable choice at this time for the government’s support in light of recent statistics and continued reports of partner violence.

S4 is also concerned that the debates about the government’s support for this concert have revealed an increasing number of young Guyanese women who have dismissed Rihanna’s abuse. Indeed, this disturbing view is in

line with the feelings of those who believe that she was responsible for the incident, despite the fact that Brown unequivocally denounced his actions in both a statement and a YouTube video. (One poll of young people in the US that was done after the attack found that close to 50% of those surveyed blamed her for it!)

If the debate surrounding Brown’s concert here widens to include discussions on our challenges with domestic violence, and is perhaps informed more by stakeholder analyses of how insufficient resources are impacting on efforts, it might provide a context for why many of us have opposed Brown’s visit here.

Finally, we call on the Guyana government to show responsible leadership in these difficult times, when women across the country are looking for support to engineer their escape from abusive relationships and violence in their homes.

Chris Brown is not the only person who deserves a “second chance.”

Women across the country are looking for support networks and in some cases they are looking for financial support. Support our women, not just Chris Brown.

On behalf of the Sisters of the S4 Foundation Iana Seales Susanna Jamal Karen Abrams Oluatoyin Samantha Alleyne-Williams Stella Ramsaroop

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

The tenuous situation of the Sugar Industry will soon be exposed DEAR EDITOR, Recently, I saw in the media the Minister of Agriculture making a declaration that GuySuco has surpassed its revised [down] target for the year and that there was much to celebrate.

This is the same Minister who failed us in the Health Sector as Minister. A recent example of this incompetence is having been shot in the buttocks 12 days before, a Canadian man suddenly and inexplicably died at the PHG. I will not even go into the circumstances of the unexplained deaths that occur in this country daily during even a simple childbirth at one of the butcher shops the PPP call a hospital.

I remember as Manager of Versailles, our Nurse/Midwife of the estate delivering babies at a nearly 100 per cent successful rate at the homes of the workers.

We have had one of the driest second half of the year periods in recent history with virtually no

rainfall since July. To make a declaration that the industry is turning around is ridiculous and deceitful.

To claim that there has been an improvement in the infrastructure of GuySuCo contributing to this improvement in performance of the industry is premature.

The reality is that Skeldon is producing far below the 100,000 tons a year mark set by the industry since 1998, and the industry, even with this excellent dry weather will not produce 250,000 tons this year when we were told by the 1998 to 2008 GuySuCo strategic plan that the industry would be producing 400,000 tons by 2008.

A few heavy showers, which is the norm in this country, when it comes, will again expose the tenuous situation of the Sugar Industry brought on by incompetence and cronyism in the management of the industry by the PPP. Tony Vieira

There is more to this story than what is at the surface DEAR EDITOR, Within a short space of time a number of men have died under strange circumstances. Mention is made of Ricardo Rodrigues, Vic Puran, Marlon Letlow and the most recent casualty, Canadian Jean Le Blanc.

I have stopped short in considering the above as “deaths due to u n e x p l a i n e d circumstances” because all of the deaths mentioned bear a common thread.

These are deaths that are in one way or another linked to the shady, gory underworld.

Rodrigues is a well known right hand man of Drugs Lord Roger Khan, so was Letlow. In fact, Letlow is known to law enforcement as a cruel and exacting extortionist when it comes to highway r o b b e r y, h a v i n g b e e n implicated in robbery and murder of miners in the interior.

So it behooves us to believe that if the drug empire, to which he was a part didn’t get him, friends of the dead miners could have had him killed in a reprisal ambush. In any case he was a marked man.

Now Le Blanc is what you will call a “rookie tourist” or

so it seems, because he suspiciously happens to stop by at the same water hole as Rodrigues and at the said time the gunmen made their killer raid.

I am inclined to believe that Le Blanc was no hapless tourist touring Guyana and just happen to be in the company of a person of the likes of Rodrigues.

There is more to this story than what is at the surface, especially when you have a background check on him. Information is now surfacing that this man has a checkered career as was sourced in Canada and his visit to Guyana carries an equally bizarre story.

In recent months Guyana has carried out a series of successful drug busts involving “first time tourists” in Guyana.

Le Blanc fits the picture of one such tourist. Sadly he died with a wealth of information. On this note I would urge the Pathologist to carry out a toxicology test of his liver to ascertain the cause of death. Le Blanc was recuperating too nicely to have died so suddenly. One of those many visitor friends of his at the hospital might very well be a person of interest.

Neil Adams

Desmond Trotman and company have a lot to worry and complain about

DEAR SIR, At the time of giving evidence to the Commission of Inquiry on the occurrences in Linden on July 18, 2012, Mr Desmond Trotman, Member of Parliament said that he did not consider blocking the bridge as breaking the law and that “Members of the legislature must understand and emphasize the problems the people are facing” and that he is unapologetic about his utterances.

It is this same Trotman along with Clive Thomas on the Walter Rodney Groundings program, who

chastised PPP Members of Parliament for condemning the beatings and robbing of persons in Agricola.

In fact Clive Thomas and Desmond Thomas agreed that to entertain any conversation on the crimes committed on persons in Agricola is deviation from the main issue of the killing of an Agricola youth and the pressure must be kept on the Government.

It can be argued that if blocking the Linden bridge and creating hardships for thousands of persons who use that bridge to and from

the other regions is not breaking the law, burning school and other buildings is not breaking the law, throwing objects at the police even though they were armed is not breaking the law, then Desmond Trotman and company have a lot to worry and complain about.

On the other hand I am sorry for Desmond Trotman.

Both Vanessa Kissoon and Sharma Solomon said that the people were resting on the bridge.

As such they cannot be labeled protesters.

They were peaceful persons who were using l ogs to cook. They were singing and partying with children. Evidence given is that they were not protesting.

I find it difficult to accept the rationale of Desmond Trotman. If I do then I will have to say unapologetically that those who put in place a pha n t o m S q u a d t h a t worked towards the eradication of the famous jail break and Buxton gangs did understand and emphasize the problems that the people were facing.

Bryan Carr

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

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

Freddie Kissoon replies to M. Maxwell on the nature of the PNC DEAR EDITOR, I do not reply to anonymous writers and I am hoping that M. Maxwell is a real person. I would appreciate it if he can let me know if he is. If I do not hear from him directly (he can get my e-mail address from the KN editors or pen a reply to my enquiry), I will not respond to him in the future.

I am assuming that Maxwell is a male that lives outside of Guyana.

There are three points to note about his long, rambling treatment of my historical analysis of the PNC in last Sunday edition of KN. First, he thinks that the PNC leader Forbes Burnham was power drunk. I have been writing commentaries for more than two decades consisting of thousands of columns.

Surely, Mr. Maxwell cannot miss the plethora of my opinions on the authoritarian instincts of Forbes Burnham.

Mr. Burnham was so dictatorial that he was vindictive to my wife just to get at me. Anyone who thinks he/she can situate Mr. Burnham in the context of respect for rights is a fool.

Burnham had no tolerance for dissenting politics. So on this score, Maxwell should not

fault me.

Secondly, the unchanging nature of the PNC. I can assure Mr. Maxwell, I am under no illusion about the ingrained bad habits of the PNC. I can assure Mr. Maxwell that I am fully aware that the PNC’s collective leadership has terrible negative traits that sadly will never go away. I can tell Mr. Maxwell, I associate with lots of people from both the working class and the middle class, all of whom belong to the communities in this country that the PNC draws its strength from.

Among these people are some of my good friends.

None of them believe the PNC wants to redeem itself. None of them believe the PNC can be trusted to run a government again by itself.

None of them believe the PNC is the future of Guyana.

As a footnote to this second point, I will direct Maxwell to the tone of Carl Greenidge’s letter to me in last Sunday’s KN. You would not expect a PNC leader that has been out of power for twenty years to be using that style of language to an antidictatorship citizen like me.

But this is the PNC. I was totally shocked at

Greenidge’s attitude in his letter that asked for an apology. Let me repeat the apology to him here and now.

Look at the PNC’s leader’s attitude to me and David Hinds.

This is the PNC this country knows for over sixty years. At the first tripartite meeting between President Ramotar’s team, APNU and AFC, my UG contract termination was raised by the AFC, particularly its leader Khemraj Ramjattan and Gerhard Ramsaroop. Ramotar said his government had nothing to do with the contract termination. Gail Teixeira supported her President. Ramjattan and Ramsaroop were not amused.

David Granger, Debra Backer and Rupert Roopnarine stood in cold silence.

Then Ramotar got annoyed and told Ramsaroop that all he is doing is calling Freddie Kissoon’s name.

Roopnarine suddenly found his voice and said to Ramotar, “Six times,” meaning that Ramsaroop called my name six times. This is what happens when one associates with the PNC. This same PNC stood silent and remains reticent on the harassment of David

Hinds. As for Rupert Roopnarine, if he is a Rodneyite then trust me, Hitler was a fanatical admirer of the Jews who loved them dearly.

I live in Guyana and I mix totally with the people that make up the PNC constituencies and I can tell the Guyanese people that it is my opinion that if there is a general election tomorrow, there will be a substantial decrease in PNC votes or

APNU votes or whatever name the PNC wants to call itself. So I want Maxwell to know that my training as both a Historian and Social Scientist will not allow me to gloss over the monstrous faults of the PNC. Where Maxwell and I differ is on the role of the PNC in the sixties.

His treatment of this period is childish, nonsensical, unacademic and lacked any historical treatment.

I honestly don’t want to

dignify Maxwell’s emotional ranting about what occurred in the sixties. But it is foolish to see the sixties as bad guy versus a worst guy. Finally as to the pursuance of racist politics in the fifties and sixties, Maxwell ought to be ashamed of himself that he has read nothing that Kwayana wrote about the PPP’s open embrace of race politics from the fifties onwards.

Frederick Kissoon

DEAR EDITOR, I would like to bring to your attention that there is a fraud at the CIOG. The fraud in itself should be newsworthy as this is a very large non-profit organization in our country. However, what concern me most at this time, is the way the investigations and subsequent actions have been executed, and the information that it has revealed.

The behavior of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) during the period of investigation, and just after, has left much to be desired.

It also exposed the character flaws and incompetence of the main actors.

Upon learning of one

particular action taken, the replacement of the General Manager by a person referred to the police by the Auditor General, I asked by email, copied to stakeholders of the CIOG, the rationale of hiring a character of questionable integrity, especially at a time when a fraud has just been discovered.

Are they trying to set that individual up for a fall? After the fact, they can then claim it was this guy who did it all, just check his records.

My email was belatedly answered by one filled with lies and cover-ups, as an interim investigative report that pre-dates their response, and that I have managed to secure, proves.

The character

assassination also began with terms like “scurrilous” being used to describe my query, and lies being peddled, aimed at hurting my reputation. It may be important to note also, that I have seen a statement that gives credence to my charge of fraud.

What we would like to see happen is the reorganization of the CIOG redounding to the benefit of all mankind in general, and the poor and needy in particular, by: Having the current administration of the CIOG resign en bloc; letting the Imams of this country then select an interim management committee (IMC) consisting of Imams only; having the IMC then revisit the constitution, operating protocols and policies of the CIOG. Resignations of people in charge when fraud is uncovered is nothing new, actually it is the honorable thing to do. Is it too much to expect Muslims to be Honorable?

Mr. Editor, I would not like to take up more space in your newspapers without adequate notice.

So please be advised that I’ll be sending a full exposé, detailing the problems and explaining why I think the solutions proffered above are justified.

Shazadh Khan

Is it too much to expect Muslims to be Honorable?

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine was right DEAR EDITOR, Several months ago, David Ramnarine told the populace that he didn’t get any money from the government to feed his police officers, until after the election. He said that he had to beg strangers for food in order to feed his officers during the election.

Minister Clement Rohee said that he gave Mr Ramnarine the money before the election to feed the officers. Rohee was indirectly calling Ramnarine a liar. Rohee even went so far to get Mr.Ramnarine removed from the “C” Division. And so it went down, Mr. Rohee’s words verses Ramnarine”s words.

Who was right? Who was lying? They both couldn’t be right. At stake, was the creditability of both men.

The Auditor General did an audit and the audit tells us that Ramnarine was right. He did receive the money, but it was after the election, like he said.

Name withheld

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

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N/A Town Day dubbed a success N/A Lions Club hosts 51st Anniversary celebrations

The New Amsterdam Town Day got underway on Saturday and the event was dubbed a grand success by some, although many others felt that it was similar to every other Town Day. On Saturday, there was the street fair and exhibition with Republic Bank, a few photo studios and tons of eateries including NP Fried Chicken from Georgetown being major participants.

Later, the crowds gathered along Main Street where the Berbice Chambers of Commerce erected huge lights around the Pitt Street area, as President of the Chamber Mr. Imran Sacoor related, to enhance security around the area and make patrons of the Town Day feel a bit more comfortable.

The Town Day also had to compete with the Roman Catholic Church fair which is also a grand annual event in the town.

Member of Parliament Faizal M. Jaffarally, Mr. Imran Saccoor and Region Six Chairman, Mr. David Armogan were seen sitting at a corner and meeting with

patrons as they passed by.

No official from the Mayor & Town Council of New Amsterdam was visible.

The crowds moved and congregated along the Matthew Alleyne road (Stelling road) in the late hours of the evening where there was a ‘wash-down’, which lasted until the wee hours of Sunday. On Sunday morning, the town was in an unsightly state with heaps of broken bottles, as is the norm after a big event of this nature.

The Town Week celebrations wrapped up yesterday with a Family Fun Day. President of the N/A Chambers of Commerce stated that the town’s partnership with the private sector has grown over the years.

He underscored the importance of human resources to the society.

The town, he said, must be able to sell and promote itself to widen expansion in commerce.

“N/A must go the extra mile to attract investment in our town”.

The opportunities for tourism, he said, are there, “but we have to continue to look for it”.

He said that the Canje River is a great opportunity for tourism, “but we need persons who can spot the opportunities and take advantage of it”.

Berbice Chambers of Commerce President, Imran Saccoor called for the decentralizing of various services, since Berbicians have to go through and endure lots of wasted hours in the city.

“To transfer a vehicle from one owner to the next, a Berbician must, at least, dedicate two to three days to get that transaction done...we have to leave Berbice on one day, go to the Licence Office, spend the day and go back the next day to get one service completed, whereas in the past, this used to be done in the region”.

He said that these rules are not written in stone but recommended to the Minister of Tourism to communicate to the relevant authorities for changes.

Several persons have come forward to report that they were fleeced by a Corentyne woman charging them US$510 each for a United States Visa. One of the victims told Kaieteur News she paid a woman, whose only name was given as ‘Shelly’, US$510, in June for a US Visa. The victim stated that the woman is in her thirties and is from Number 52 Village on the Corentyne.

The victim, who is from the East Bank of Demerara, said that she heard of the woman’s ‘backdoor’ services from an overseas friend and decided to take up the offer to get a US visa.

None of the scam artist’s victims ever saw her face- to- face; since she would have agents stationed around the country, as far as Linden, to collect the monies on her behalf.

“She has this woman, ‘Barbara’, who is one of her agents on the [Linden] Highway”, related the victim.

When this newspaper contacted ‘Barbara’, she denied being an agent of the said woman; but did not deny knowing the scam artist.

“I can’t give too much information, because I don’t even know the individual’s right name...I don’t know much about the person”. All I know is that I have her cell phone number— the same one you [KN] have and I heard what she was doing, but I don’t really know if she did it to a lot of people”.

When asked how she got to know ‘Shelly’, she stated that

“I have known that person for some time.Afamily member from New York had sent something with me for her and that is how I get to know her”.

According to ‘Barbara’, as recent as June, she “was asked to drop an envelope to her [the scam artist]”. She did not know what was in the envelope and did not want to give the name of the person who asked her to drop the envelope. But the victim wants the law enforcement officials to arrest the woman and deal with her condignly.

“The police at Number 51 Village Police Station know about her. I spoke to an officer and they said that they know she is a ‘scamp’. The victim went on to say that she tried umpteen times to get back her cash from the woman but she

is being avoided. “Everyday she telling us ‘Today [they will get back the money], tomorrow, today, tomorrow...since June month this money pay and I went in the embassy on July 19, 2012 and did not ‘get through’ [was not granted a U.S. Visa]...she [the scam artist] turned off her phone for the whole week”.

“She ripped off a lot more people but they are afraid and embarrassed to come forward.”

“According to the victim, the woman demands US$510 as the main fee for the US Visa plus GY$5,000 transportation charges to go to the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown and takes in the victims’ applications herself. She also charges GY$5,000 for filling the application forms for the victims.

US Visa scam artist on the loose in Berbice

Two more detained in Lima murder probe Police have detained two other suspects in connection with the murder of Lima resident Herman Ramnarine.

According to a senior police officer, the suspects were arrested yesterday after the main suspect indicated that the individuals were also involved in Ramnarine’s murder. The man considered to be the prime suspect was reportedly identified as one of the robbers who entered the couples’ home. Police have indicated that charges are likely within a few days.

However, another man who was detained has been released. Police are hoping to recover the cash and jewellery the killers stole in order to make a stronger case against the suspects. Ramnarine’s bound and gagged body was discovered in the bottom flat of his home last Thursday.

His wife, Haimwantie Ramnarine, was also beaten severely by the unmasked bandits, who escaped with an estimated $250,000, phone cards and jewellery.

Ramnarine died as a result of strangulation.

The Lion’s Club of New Amsterdam held its 51st Charter Night recently at the Lion’s Den, Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam. Several new members received their chevrons and were inducted into the Lion’s Club. Lion’s Clubs International (LCI) is a secular service organization with over 45,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 205 countries around the world and was founded by Melvin Jones in 1917.

Headquartered in Oak Brooke, Illinois, USA, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and global scale.

During the evening’s proceedings, as was the tradition and custom, the members gave three cheers, a toast and three roars for their guest speaker. The guest speaker at the event was University of Guyana Berbice Campus Director, Professor Daizal R. Samad, who expounded on Lions’s main purpose, to serve for the betterment of all.

“It is to lead us all along the path of righteousness and to alleviate want and suffering wherever and in whoever you may find want and suffering. Lions almost by definition are leaders”, he added.

“The Lions have always

Lion President Samuel Singh receiving a token from Lion Leila Clarke-Daniels. provided leadership, and leadership at its best is about service to people. Service to the young, the aged, and all in between. For true fulfillment lies not in gaining but in giving. And the greatest leaders have been those who have bowed the lowest in service. We see this in the Nazarene, in Lord Buddha, in the Mahatma, in Henry David Theroux, in Nelson Mandela, and so on”, stated Samad.

He outlined three qualities of leaders: Intelligence, imagination and integrity and asked the gathering whether there was a person in Guyana,

or even one of our leaders who possessed all of the aforementioned qualities.

Prof. Samad extended an invitation to the Lions for any assistance or help that can be provided by UGBC, and said that any request for assistance will be granted and given.

“Women are involved fully, and the Lions have become more inclusive in many other ways. And therein lies the key to longevity: the willingness and ability to evolve, to stretch the skin to be more accommodative, as in the process of birth”.

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Kaieteur News

Belgrave shooting death…

Police Complaints Chairman may seek ‘more clarity’ on case Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority Cecil Kennard is still perusing a report concerning the death of 21-year-old Dameon Belgrave, who was accidentally killed by police on October 5.

But Mr. Kennard told Kaieteur News yesterday that he may have to send the file back to police for clarity on certain aspects of the case.

“If I am not satisfied…I would have the police conduct further investigations into the matter…if there is anything misunderstood, the file would have to be sent back to the police for clarity, and in this case I think the file would have to go back to the police for clarity on certain issues,” Kennard said.

He added that if all is clear, he will have the file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who would decide whether charges will be recommended for the Police Officers responsible for Belgrave’s death. He however explained that he is seeking to conclude

Dead: Dameon Belgrave checking of the file as fast as possible, but expressed caution in dealing with such a delicate matter.

The Police Complaints Chairman added that he only received the post mortem report last week and was getting around to viewing its contents.

Meanwhile, Belgrave’s mother, Donna Sulker, said that ever since a visit to her home by Police Commissioner Leroy Brummel, who had made certain promises to her, she has heard nothing more

about the matter.

“Certain promises were made and I don’t know what is happening. No one has contacted me or told me anything since the police came to my home.”

Sulker said she too has made no contact with the police since the Commissioner had spoken to her and ensured a thorough investigation into the matter.

The woman said she is trying to cope with the passing of her son, but would like to know what is happening with her son’s case.

Belgrave was slain one day short of his 22nd birthday when police opened fire on a car they were chasing in the vicinity of the White Castle Fish Shop in Hadfield Street.

At the time, the young man was celebrating with friends near the popular hangout spot.

The car that the police were pursuing was being driven by a 15-year-old boy who had taken the vehicle without the owner or his father’s knowledge.

Monday October 29, 2012

Cane-cutter hacks mason to death Police have detained a cane-cutter in connection with the brutal killing of a 31year-old mason from Ithaca, West Bank Berbice.

Brentnol Richard Isaacs, called “Tongey”, of Lot 118 Ithaca West Bank Berbice, was badly chopped while drinking with associates at Zorg-en-Hoop Scheme, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice. He succumbed sometime after midnight yesterday.

According to reports, Isaacs was imbibing with some men at a house at around 21:15 hrs Saturday when an argument broke out between him and the prime suspect, a 20-year-old canecutter known as “Rakesh’.

A brawl ensued and Isaacs was chopped across his chest and left arm.

He was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, before being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital, where he succumbed.

A number of persons including the prime suspect, his reputed wife Haimwattie called “Mala” are in custody.

The police are also

looking for another suspect called “One foot.”

Reports reaching Kaieteur News suggest that the cane-cutter was furious over a relationship between Isaacs and a close female relative of his.

According to his sister, Shonnette Walcott, who is a nurse at the Fort Wellington Hospital, she was at home at around 21:20 hrs when her cousin called and informed her that “Brentnol got chopped across the road”.

By the time she arrived on the scene her cousin and others were lifting the badly wounded man out of the yard into a car. He was taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was seen by a doctor. The woman said she accompanied her brother in the ambulance as he was being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital, where he died sometime after midnight.

She stated that during the journey her brother kept repeating that “is Rakesh do this.”

The woman said that she was told that her brother is a

frequent visitor to the house and he was not imbibing at the time. She said from her understanding it was the suspect that had threatened her brother before. During the melee the man fired a chop at her cousin and told him “You cousin (Isaacs) does— - me mother every night and that is why I (expletive) he up.” Her cousin has since made a report to the police station.

Isaacs is survived by his son, five–year-old Brentnol (Jr), his sister and two brothers.

A team of experts from the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) will be engaging policy-makers and other key players of the broadcasting industry at a public forum to be hosted at t h e R e g e n c y S u i t e s, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, today, to discuss broadcasting-related matters and share experiences among regulatory bodies.

This forum is organised by the Office of the President in context of the implementation of the provisions of the Broadcast

Act and the activities of the governing board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA).

TATT is the sister organisation of Guyana’s spectrum management frequency allocation regulatory body, National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU).

According to a GINA release, The Broadcasting Bill, which was passed into law in July 2011, speaks to a broadcast industry that is plural and open to fair competition. It also provides for the formation of the Guyana

National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA).

The recently constituted body is chaired by former Human Services Minister and Attorney-at-Law, Bibi Shaddick and will include: Margo Boyce, Gerald Gouveia, Major General Rtd. Norman McLean, Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Sherwood Lowe and Charles Ramson Jr. The governing board is statutorily tasked with licencing in the broadcast sector and ensuring compliance among broadcasters with the provisions of the Broadcast Act.

Dead: Brentnol Richard Isaacs

Broadcasting experts to hold public forum today

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Developing countries need to be cut some slack There are two myths about intellectual property rights that must be debunked.

The first is that international copyright laws are accommodating to the interests of developing countries; the second is that these laws actually help to promote the welfare of society.

None of these two premises have ever been satisfactorily established.

Copyright laws are woefully inadequate to the interests of developing country and in fact are heavily biased towards the rich countries.

Secondly, there is no conclusive evidence that such rights actually promote the well- being of society. It can hardly even be established that such protection fosters increased trade or yields substantial gains.

Intellectual property rights in fact can end up creating powerful monopolies and this can actually endanger free competition and thus the well being of society.

Yet those who defend the protection of intellectual property rights continue to insist that without these rights there would be no economic incentive for research and the development of new products, and as such the welfare benefits to society would be limited. Copyright protection, it is argued, rewards those that pursue research by ensuring that the monies spent on research and product- development can be recouped.

In reality, the returns on copyright protection go beyond recouping the investment. The returns from

copyright protection far exceed the cost of their production and are often multiple times the initial investment of developing the work or product. Far from allowing the inventor to recoup the cost of his research, copyright protection actually allows him or her to benefit excessively.

Copyright protection was created to profit the capitalist system and to reject the idea that there is a public interest to research and the production of knowledge. It is an instrument of capitalism and in fact emerged in the wake of the industrial revolution.

Successive revisions of international copyright laws including of the Berne Convention on literary works strengthened the hand of copyright holders and offered

Labour Ministry seeking employment opportunities for applicants The Ministry of Labour is encouraging more business entities to register with the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA.) According to Minister for the sector, Dr Nanda Gopaul the CRMA was successful in finding employment for thousands of Guyanese last year and, the Labour Ministry under whose purview its falls, is hoping to have similar success this year.

“That is working pretty well, that is collaborating with other agencies around the country and, we are sharing information. We have been able to place a few thousands in jobs last year and, this year we are hoping to do the same…we want all the skills we can have to harness the resources of this country,” he noted.

The CRMA made its services available online in 2010 through a public/ private sector modernisation and e-governance programme that allows persons with access to the internet to make submissions if they are seeking employment from anywhere in the country.

In 2011, the Labour Ministry conducted job fairs to take the services of the labour department and the new services of the CRMA

directly to the people. Charity, Region Two; Bartica; Linden and New Amsterdam were beneficiary areas.

The Ministry also catered for those persons who do not have access to the internet as it has partnered with the Regional Administration to provide hard copies of the application forms.

The agency exists with the objective to place individuals seeking jobs in suitable employment and provide career guidance and counseling. It is the Agency’s mandate to fulfill the desire of jobseekers through matching their level of qualification required by Organisations recruiting and arranging interviews to be conducted, registering the unemployed actively seeking employment and making a record of all informed vacancies.

Active jobseekers can log onto the CRMA website (http://www.crma-gy.com/) and register as a member.

Correspondently after registration, an employer can publish information on the website about the vacancy available. This is followed by a telephone contact to certify the details for the vacancy.

Once this information is established, a jobseeker will be selected.

no real concessions to developing countries.

Copyright protection is undeniably biased in favor of rich countries. The provisions in international intellectual copyright relating to developing countries do not offer these countries any meaningful concessions.

Strangely, there has been some attempt recently to suggest that there are provisions within international conventions on copyright protection which developing countries such as Guyana can utilize to safeguard the public interest, say in education where a controversy has erupted over pirated text books. It is a myth that Guyana can resort to some of the international conventions to have a relaxation of copyright regulations or even to have a waiver of such regulations.

It is argued for example that under the Berne Convention there are provisions which allow for developing countries, under certain conditions, to reproduce copyrightprotected works.

The Berne Convention does have a special Annex relating to developing countries but the provisions relating to the use by compulsory licensing of

literary works are so restrictive that no developing country is going to resort to these provisions.

The provisions of the Berne Convention insist that while there is a right by developing countries to employ compulsory licensing to reproduce works, this right can only be exercised in a manner that does not prejudice the legitimate interests of authors. This is another way of saying to developing countries that you can reproduce under highly restrictive conditions but you must pay copyright fees to the author, and you must say what the author or his agents feel is legitimately due to him or her.

Also, the right to reproduce is only permissible for translations and for works which are used for instructional purposes.

Works used for instructional purposes, that is teaching purposes, are quite distinct from materials used for the purposes of study. As such, there is no right to reproduce school books under international copyright laws.

But if for argument sake it is assumed that compulsory right to reproduce text books exists, the Berne Convention

places additional restrictions on when such works can be reproduced under system of compulsory licensing. These time limits have the effect of discouraging any form of reproduction under compulsory licensing because by the time a developing country can do so, the works would be outdated.

In effect the right to reproduce is a three card trick. Guyanese therefore need to disabuse themselves of the idea that there are provisions under international copyright laws and conventions to which Guyana is a signatory and to which we have acceded, that allow for Guyana to seek a waiver or a relaxation on the payment of copyright fees.

The call by the President of Guyana for international copyright laws to be relaxed so as to allow countries to meet their educational targets is therefore one that should be taken seriously because the present international copyright laws do not cut developing countries much slack.

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Amanda Wilson seeks to resurrect slave rebellion leader

By Abena Rockcliffe Amanda Wilson has a dream: to bring suicidal house slave Cuffy to life via the first known locally produced documentary of the 1763 Rebellion.

To this end, Wilson is working on the production of a documentary dubbed “Cuffy: Face of a Rebellion.”

The documentary, which takes the style of a film, is intended to bring Cuffy back to life; to tell the tale of the journey, the life and the mission of the “peerless Guyanese hero” and is expected to be released on 21, February 2013 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Cuffy’s 1763 Berbice revolt.

The UK-based Guyanese told Kaieteur News yesterday that the ‘trailer’ is completed and was shot on location in Canje, Berbice.

Wilson noted, as one of her primary reasons for production, that she finds it disturbing that the average Guyanese student knows about Martin Luther King and his struggle but asked about Cuffy, all they know is about the 1763 monument that has been erected in his memory.

Wilson who disclosed that she has been residing in London for over a decade now said that in the Museums

over there, history is reflected about most of the Caribbean; “the maroons were there symbolic to the Jamaicans but Guyana was unrepresented.”

The woman who studied journalism said that much is needed to be done by Guyanese to inform fellow Guyanese, the Caribbean and the World of “o u r r i c h history.

There is a gap in society when it comes to knowledge of our National Heroes and that Gap needs to be bridged so I am doing my part by highlighting Cuffy.”

Wilson indicated that the said documentary marks the first of a series of documentaries that she plans to produce. She says that the next will feature Victoria, her ancestral village. She expressed that consideration has been given to reenacting the Walter Rodney story.

The patriot also noted that her mother, Evette Wilson, played a very influential role in her understanding the importance of knowing one’s history.

“She taught me that we need to know our people; be affiliated with our history as our past is part of our identity, it doesn’t or shouldn’t define us but it should help shape the persons we become and our

Wilson noted that her documentary will bring out lots of surprising facts that haven’t necessarily been printed in history books “that wasn’t written by the slaves but the Dutch and British.”

In addition, Wilson said that she plans to moderate discussions with fellow citizens on their views on Cuffy “whether or not they see him as a national hero.”

SUPPORT Wilson expressed that her Amada Wilson support, so far, has been appreciation towards our forthcoming from the Private travel.” sector. She said that most Faced with the question financial partners are silent of how informative the film and that she has been will be to persons who may receiving tremendous have gained extensive support from her cast. knowledge on the 1763 The part of Cuffy will be rebellion, Wilson proposed played by Berbician Delroy that “even those who know Brewster. However, Wilson will know more from this indicated that characters to production.” play other major roles have She explained that she not yet been identified. But has been in close she has been in touch with communication with a few the Suriname Embassy that “outstanding” Guyanese has already equipped her with historians and has been names of Suriname nationals listening to numerous in Guyana. conflicting theories; but She admitted that finding thinks her research can bring actors to characterize the arguments to rest. whites has been somewhat of Wilson pointed out that a challenge but she intends “People say he (Cuffy) can’t to contact the names given to be a national hero because her her by the Suriname Embassy killed himself and that he was to ascertain if any of those a house slave who never felt individuals are willing to play the struggle of the other the roles of the Governor and slaves.” lieutenant.

Delroy Brewster characterizing Cuffy “I would like to have about five but I will settle for what I get and make it work because I am sure it will be a good documentary.”

Wilson noted that she has been receiving support from former Commissioner of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) William Woolford. “He encouraged me to come back home and start production.”

“At Green Mango Media,

we believe it is time the Caribbean tells her own stories. We must preserve our history in our own words for future generations and proudly share the achievements of our revolutionary icons with the rest of the world,” said Wilson, the director and producer of the project. I think my heritage is not only from Guyana but the Caribbean..

Cuffy wasn’t Guyanese.”

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Brazil bound aircraft found at illegal airstrip The suspicious landing of an Ecuadorian registered aircraft at an illegal airstrip in Guyana’s interior region is engaging the attention of security and aviation experts.

The 412 twin-engine plane went missing after taking off from the Ogle Airport around midday yesterday on its way to Boa

Vista, Brazil.

Kaieteur News understands that nothing was heard from the pilot who was the only person on board until yesterday when the aircraft was spotted at the unmarked airstrip somewhere between Pirara and Moraikobai.

According to a source,

Vilma Tyson, an...

(From page 3) financial institution, to launch her new farming project, but utilized her personal savings.

Tyson currently has seven and a half acres of land which she cultivates, with every crop imaginable, but cited her greatest challenge, which is labour.

“Because the land is fertile here you can plant anything, but because of the problem with labour there is only so much you can do.

People don’t want to work hard-they want fast money, so there is a problem attracting workers,” she lamented. Despite this however, she continues to persevere, sometimes managing the farm alone.

Another problem is the lack of potable water. She has to pump water from the river for household purposes as well as to water her crops, even though the West Watooka GWI water treatment plant is less than half a mile away. She has to buy drinking water or depend on rain water.

There is also no electricity where Tyson lives.

She has applied to LUSCSL for power for the past twelve years she said, but to date is still without lights.

“Now I would like to go into poultry rearing in a big way, but with no electricity that would be tough-I can’t do it. Right now we have to use generators and battery lamps and that is very costly.

Let them give me electricity and they will see what I can do.”

These challenges would be enough to make other persons less resilient give up, but not Tyson, who has instead worked out strategies to further consolidate her

position. She is in the process of acquiring and planting three thousand cherry plants, which she intends to cultivate on a large scale.

The cherry trees would not require as much labour and man hours as the cash crops, and as such, overtime would yield more profits, she concedes.

Apart from that, her present ‘in nursery crops,’ include three hundred tomato plants and ‘numerous pakchoi and pepper plants.

She also plants red peas, pumpkins and water melons.

More permanent crops include coconuts, citrus, plantains and bananas.

With only two workers to help her, Tyson is currently clearing her fields, and pruning her citrus trees.

Her favorite working times are very early in the mornings, and late in the afternoons.

“Farming does not have to be stressful or tedious, you only have to pace yourself, and avoid working when the sun is too hot’’, she advises.

Tyson has three grown children, two girls and one boy, all of whom have walked in their mother’s footsteps and presently run their own businesses.

Michelle, the eldest is a trader in clothing and other goods in Georgetown, while her younger sister Roshelle rears cattle in Berbice. The youngest is a barber and lives with her at West Watooka.

This proud and independent single parent advises people- especially youths, and single parents like herself, to get into agriculture, as there are opportunities for much growth and self-development in this sector.

authorities were unaware that the plane had not reached its destination and it was only after it was spotted by another pilot flying over the area yesterday that the matter became known.

The pilot, a Brazilian national, whose name was given as Perriea Goncolo, subsequently reported that the aircraft had developed engine problems and he was forced to land at the airstrip.

But by then local security

personnel had begun investigations.

Local aviation expert Captain Gerry Gouviea, yesterday evening confirmed the incident and said that authorities are looking into the matter. According to Captain Gouviea, the plane took off as a legitimate flight from Ogle on a one and a half hour journey to its destined location in Boa Vista.

He however suggested that “something seems to be

wrong.”

“Somebody saw it on the ground, we are investigating,” Gouviea told Kaieteur News.

Police sources informed that they are not treating the incident as a mishap, since vehicles were observed near the aircraft.

“This appeared to be a well planned stop,” the source said, adding that it is hardly likely the pilot would have landed at the unregistered airstrip without

prior information about its whereabouts.

The pilot is reportedly in custody assisting with the investigations.

This is not the first time that an aircraft has been discovered at an i l l e g a l airstrip in Guyana’s interior region.

According to the source, there may be other such airstrips waiting to be discovered in the vast expanse in that region.

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

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Kaieteur News

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Monday October 29, 2012

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

People’s Parliament...

(From page 2) the Lindeners who were protesting the imposition of hiked electricity tariffs.

During the protest three men were killed allegedly by police officers and several dozen persons were injured.

According to the People’s Parliament, they had seen it fit to speak out against police brutally and by extension, the highhandedness of the Government.

The participants in the movement however said that after interacting and conversing with other citizens, they realized that the struggle was more than just the Linden people, but they had discovered that many other factors had been burdening citizens.

A petition with more than 6000 names was presented to the Speaker of the House of Assembly calling for massive reform of major social sectors in the system. That petition is expected to be heard on November 9 when Parliament re-opens.

Prior to this, the People’s Parliament had spoken out on what they described was harassment from Housing Minister Irfaan Ali. Last Tuesday around 04:00 hours, staffers from the Housing Ministry, under police protection, had

destroyed and uprooted items belonging to the organization and its members.

A letter was even presented by the Ministry for the group’s removal from the Square. The group responded that they had the constitutional right of freedom of expression and freedom to assemble.

The People’s Parliament said there is a lot more work to be done, but they are proud of what they have achieved so far.

According to them, “We have connected with one another on deep, fundamental levels- professor to junkie, youth to elder, worker to jobless, African to Indian, gay to straight, and all in between.

We have learnt from one another, challenged and been challenged, and grown in immeasurable ways.”

“An action initiated by a handful of women, has, over the months, captured the imagination of people from near and far, and started to grow into a movement that has the potential to effect substantive social change.”

“We hope, by taking this public stand against repression, it inspired others to publicly stand up for their rights, and to work towards creating a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Page 15

Camping pertinent to scouting

Scouts bow their heads in prayer at the closing ceremony Three-day camping activities celebrating the 103rd Anniversary of the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG) culminated yesterday with Police Berbice combined group of Fort Wellington, Angoy and Adventure copping first place for the Best Camp Gateway.

And, first place was

awarded to the combined group of Brickdam and St. Margaret’s for the Best Campsite Development.

According to Chief Commissioner of SAG, Zaida Jaoquin, camping is a pertinent feature of Scouting as life skills are taught to youths. She explained that construction of gadgets;

cooking; and co-existing with strangers are all life skills.

She said that scouts are exposed to camping and other skills at the group level.

“Whenever groups meet at the national level they know what to do- how to construct tents and keep the environment…there is no garbage scattered on the field

after three days of camping,” Jaoquin said. Twelve groups including Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, St. Augustine (Buxton), Brickdam totalling 194 scouts participated in the event. Over the three days they engaged in various competitions including scavenger hunt, games, and campsite development.

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Students struggling Mystery surrounds Canadian’s death to acquire text books Ricardo Rodrigues execution…

The sudden death of the Canadian Jean La Blanc has raised some amount of suspicion as reports are surfacing about a ‘strange visitor’ giving the patient water mere minutes before he died.

Hospital sources have reported that a ‘dark skin’ man was seen visiting La Blanc shortly before he died.

“This man went at the bed and went gaffing with he and keep asking if he if aint want water and keep insisting that he don’t fatigue heself and he must drink some water,” the source told this publication.

According to reports, shortly after drinking the water La Blanc began vomiting as nurses rushed to his bed side in an attempt to stabilize him. By then, the ‘dark skin’ man had already hurried out of the ward.

Mere minutes later, La Blanc was pronounced dead.

The Canadian was at the time nursing a gunshot

wound to his buttocks.

According to reports the bullet was lodged close to his spine but doctors had said he was out of harm’s way as he was scheduled to return to his homeland on Tuesday.

La Blanc had said that the police had promised to return his passport and some cash which they had lodged shortly after the shooting.

His death has left some hospital staffers in shock, since they had become fond of the Canadian man since his hospitalization on October 15th.

Some hospital sources said he was always in high spirits and appeared to be well on the road to recovery.

Hospital officials who had been ‘taking care’ of La Blanc since he had no relatives here, said that something about h i s d e a t h d o e s n ’ t seem normal. This publication was told that persons visited the injured man earlier in the day he died and he was jovial as

usual.

“We carry water up for he and he drink and he was gaffing with us and he tell we that he going home on Tuesday; we even had he stretching out he hand and foot and exercising on the bed,”.

Further, many have expressed the view that while no one is sure what caused the man’s death the Guyana Police Force should have shown a little more attention to the man.

This publication was told that while a police rank was assigned to guard the Canadian, security was very lax.

“There was nobody constantly at this man’s bedside which should have been the case. This man could have been a possible witness in the execution and could have provided information, but when the police ranks guarding they outside watching TV and walking around. Anybody coulda go in to the man bed,” one hospital source said.

Meanwhile, when contacted yesterday Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital,

Michael Khan said he has not received any suspicious report surrounding the man’s death.

He noted that the hospital is awaiting the post mortem results which are expected sometime later today.

In an earlier interview, La Blanc said he was holidaying in Guyana and ‘was in the wrong place at the wrong time’. He had told this publication that he arrived in Guyana on October 13 and was expected to leave three days later.

On the day of the shooting he said he was in a taxi passing but asked the driver to stop at the spot to drink a few beers. He claimed that several persons had visited him in the hospital and had promised to inform his family about the incident but “I don’t know if anybody did. Nobody has come and told me that they call.”

On October 15, last, Ricardo Rodrigues was killed when gunmen open fired on him while he was sitting at the Pit Stop Bar which is located at the GMR&SC compound, Albert Street. Three other people, including Le Blanc, were shot.

- as legal importers run out of stocks While the legal importers of text books are breathing a sigh of relief that an injunction against piracy has been granted, it has now become a challenge to parents and students to locate the required texts. Checks by Kaieteur News revealed that Austins’s Book Store and other legal importers have run out of books that are required reading for primary and secondary schools.

For instance, Austin’s Book Store has no copies of CXC Chemistry and Writing Summaries for Statistical Reports, which are used by fourth for students.

A staffer was unable to say when a shipment of the books would arrive. “I was somewhat fortunate in that I was able to purchase most of my children’s required text books before the injunction was granted, but now I have three books to purchase and though I am willing to pay the cost for my daughter’s education, no book store seems to have them available,” one parent said yesterday.

Another parent said that

“the government knows the injunction pass yet still they haven’t been making an effort to supply schools with the needed text books. Even if three to four children have to look in one book during class time. At least that will allow the children to move on.”

“If the children don’t have study materials how you expect them to pass? I am a public servant and trust me I know the government can do better.” She too said that she hasn’t been able to purchase required textbooks. “I decide I have to band me belly and buy my children books but I went two three times to Austin’s, only to hear we will get it on such and such a date; when I return is only to be given a next date.”

It has been little over a month since the injunction was granted by Justice Rishi Persaud, at the Supreme Court, prohibiting the publishing and sale of pirated books. Some Government officials had stated that the exorbitant price for an original textbook was a major factor for the printing of the ‘pirated’ copies.

Monday October 29, 2012

My first English Literature book at college was a poetry collection. One of the poems was Matthew Arnold’s “Balder Dead”. We never read or studied the poem but the name by itself was cause for considerable hilarity. In fact, anything to do with baldness was a joke and “rude” jokes about bald men were commonplace, including the nickname given to a former Principal, Brother Macarthan, whose fringed dome invited obscene comments and a nickname of a phallic nature based primarily on its resemblance to the rostral part of the masculine member of the species Gallus domesticus.

For fans of the recent Marvel movie, “The Avengers” I discovered later that Balder, the son of Odin, the Norse God who ruled Asgard, was murdered by his half-brother Loki. While the poem has no information about Balder’s hirsuteness, I marvel at those who shave their heads every day and figure if I had to do that I would be Thor indeed.

From Balder Dead and my youthful vanity to balder dread in my University days where I kept my thinning locks long and compensated with a huge Mexican moustache, and now bald or dead as I race towards my three-score and ten. Even the glut of Halloween horror movies no longer scare me.

The more hair-raising they are the less the effect on me and my scalp.

I can look at Captain Jean Luc-Picard as he commands my attention in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and smile knowingly. Patrick Stewart, the actor who plays Picard, inherited alopecia and had completely lost his hair by the age of 19. When Stewart got the role of Picard, his 15-year-old daughter suggested a new tagline for the show: “To baldly go where no man has gone before.” Now there is a way out. The long and short of it is there is new research which suggests that clinging to the little bits of greying hair and combing it over the big bald spot in the centre might not be the best course. You no longer have to make the hollow boast that “don’t mind there is a hole in the roof, the

Kaieteur News

fire inside still blazes brilliantly.”

It is no Grecian formula that can bankrupt you with implants, weaves, rugs and Rogaine. The findings can be condensed into three words – Shave Your Head.

A rash of newspaper reports gave us the heads-up.

Men with shaved heads are perceived to be more masculine, dominant and, in some cases, to have greater leadership potential than those with longer locks or with thinning hair, according to a recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.

The Wall Street Journal, one of the many newspapers throughout the world which carried the story, used the teaser, “Up for a promotion?

If you’re a man, you might want to get out the clippers” and revealed, “Wharton management lecturer Albert Mannes conducted three experiments to test peoples’ perceptions of men with shaved heads.

In one of the experiments, he showed 344 subjects photos of the same men in two versions: one showing the man with hair and the other showing him with his hair digitally removed, so his head appears shaved. In all three tests, the subjects reported finding the men with shaved heads as more dominant than their hirsute counterparts.

In one test, men with shorn heads were even perceived as an inch taller and about 13 per cent stronger than those with fuller manes. The paper, ‘Shorn Scalps and Perceptions of Male Dominance’ was published online, and will be included in a coming issue of journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.”

The study found that men with thinning hair were viewed as the least attractive and powerful of the bunch, a finding that is consistent with other studies showing that people perceive men with typical male-pattern baldness—which affects roughly 35 million Americans—as older and less attractive. For those men, the solution could be as cheap and simple as a shave.

According to Wharton’s Dr. Mannes—who says he

was inspired to conduct the research after noticing that people treated him more deferentially when he shaved off his own thinning hair— head shavers may seem powerful because the look is associated with hypermasculine images, such as the military, professional athletes and Hollywood action heroes like Bruce Willis.

According the other media reports, another possibility is that men who shave their heads are going against the norm of a society that places so much value on beauty, of which hair is a large part. Dr. Mannes told ABC

News, “It takes a lot of confidence to go the route of baldness, so we think they must be really selfconfident.”

He also pointed out this could be a largely American phenomenon, noting that in England, shaved heads are more closely associated with skinheads and violence. “I’m not recommending that men with thick full heads of hair shave their heads, because even if they gain in terms of dominance, they lose in terms of attractiveness,” Mannes said. “But if you’re balding, you might want to just finish what Mother Nature started

Page 17

and take it all off. You might be surprised by the positive effects.” Carol Keating, a social psychologist, provides some consolation for people like me who suffer from malepattern-baldness. She says that looking older can be helpful in the workplace in the way that older, silverback gorillas are “typically the powerful actors in their social groups” in the wild.

I figure that the way I look now only Diane Fossey would go ape over me so I

might as well throw myself from the Empire State Building. I might be luckier than King Kong. I can either have a close shave and or, as I’m not completely bald, end up with a hairline fracture. *Tony Deyal was last seen asking what’s the difference between a gorilla, an orphan, a prince and Bruce Willis? A gorilla has a hairy parent, an orphan has nary a parent, a prince is an heir apparent, and Willis has no hair apparent.

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Kaieteur News

AG requests $1.3b for settlement…

Cabinet uproar over OPVs Trinidad Guardian Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has gone to Cabinet requesting $1.3 billion for a settlement with respect to the cancellation of the three offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

Meanwhile the arbitration over the OPVs is still ongoing. The Sunday Guardian was informed that on Thursday Ramlogan took a note to Cabinet seeking approval for the money and that the matter was considered.

Sources said during the Cabinet meeting, which was held on Thursday and chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran — in the absence of Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar — the matter was deferred to this week, when a

Anand Ramlogan decision is expected to be made.

When the matter was brought before Cabinet some ministers raised concerns about it, while others openly objected as they questioned why the payment should be

approved, since the arbitration was still in progress.

At least three ministers were reportedly vocal during the meeting, questioning the haste and timing of the request.

The meeting got so heated, sources said, that Dookeran walked out, saying he wanted no part of the decision to make the money available. When contacted, some Cabinet ministers confirmed the decision, but refused to go on record when questions were posed to them.

One irate Cabinet source questioned why the Government would want to pay $1.3 billion in arbitration fees rather than paying $1.5 billion for the three OPVs instead.

Suriname shocked by domestic violence murder de Ware Tijd PARAMARIBO – The police are still investigating the brutal murder of 28-year-old Charlene Mertowirijo by her former partner Rishi G. (37). In the meantime the suspect has been taken to the Nieuwe Haven lock up.

Several eye witnesses were heard Saturday.

Consternation among colleagues at Nils, where the deceased has worked for the past three years, is great, while several eye witnesses are still in shock over the criminal act in broad daylight.

Several people now say there are two sides to the s t o r y, b u t o n e t h i n g i s certain: Charlene and Rishi had a turbulent affair.

Recently the young woman had lodged a complaint against Rishi at the police of

Kwatta. The man had threatened the woman with a gun, which he would later use to kill her.

‘The police didn’t do anything, not even confiscate the weapon, no matter it was legal’ say unnamed sources.

Rishi and Charlene started an affair four years ago, although Rishi had been married for 17 years already back then. When his marriage stranded he started the divorce procedure, which he never completed.

Three weeks ago he returned to his former wife, when Charlene had sold the house he had bought for them to live in.

The affair with Charlene caused tensi o n b e t w e e n Rishi and relatives especially when they found out that he had an

illegitimate child.

One of his relatives had then warned him about the woman. With no relatives for support, Rishi hit the roof when he found out that his partner had started an affair with someone else.

Charlene was wounded in a fight and Rishi swallowed herbicides. While he was in hospital Charlene decided to sell the house.

Anil Raghoebarsing, director of Nils, describes Charlene as a very cheerful person. On the last day of her life she treated her colleagues to roti and phulawri, Indian food.

She had been telling them that she had been craving for roti since last Monday. More than once did she tell her colleagues that she might be killed by her lover.

Monday October 29, 2012

Barbados and IMF boss clash Barbados Nation - Central Bank Governor Dr DeLisle Worrell has gone head-tohead with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) boss, telling her that her agency has been giving “bad advice” to countries like Barbados and, like it or lump it, devaluation is not an option for this country.

A tough-talking Worrell gave IMF managing director Christine Lagarde a blunt assessment of the IMF approach to Barbados and other small economies, saying that its model was simply wrong, at a breakfast meeting with Caribbean delegates attending the recent IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Japan.

A transcript of the meeting, which the SUNDAY SUN accessed, showed a vigorous debate between

Worrell and Lagarde, a former French minister of finance, o v e r t h e m erits of devaluation, and how economic growth could be

achieved.

Barbados’ currency has been pegged to the United States dollar at two to one since 1973.

Jamaica Gleaner - The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States-based National Centre for State Courts (NCSC).

The MOU, which is scheduled to be signed during a special ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago today, forms part of the CCJ’s efforts

to improve the administration of justice in the Caribbean.

In a statement released Saturday, the CCJ said the MOU will facilitate cooperation in a mutual effort to implement justice sector reforms and enhance the administration of justice for the Caribbean region.

It says the agreement will also allow for cooperation

with the NCSC to increase the capacity of the CCJ to design and implement justice reform programmes.

The NCSC has provided technical assistance, training and technology to improve the justice system across the United States and more than 30 countries throughout the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Governor of Barbados’ Central Bank Dr DeLisle Worrell (left) and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde were in a heated exchange at a meeting in Japan. (FP)

CCJ aims to strengthen justice reform in the region

11,000 farmers affected by Hurricane Sandy Jamaica Observer – Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ian Hayles, says early estimates indicate that close to 11,000 farmers across the island have been affected

by Hurricane Sandy, with some 1,500 hectares of crops “totally destroyed”.

“The level of devastation to the agricultural sector is going to take us a little time to get back on our feet,” he said, noting that the

preliminary estimate does not include livestock.

Addressing journalists following a tour of a number of banana farms in St Mary on Friday, the State Minister said preliminary estimates show that the recent passage of Hurricane Sandy has dealt a devastating blow to the country’s agricultural sector, which could amount to more than $1 billion.

He pointed out that early estimates point to over $700

Ian Hayles million worth of damage in the parishes of St Mary, Trelawny, St James, Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester, St Catherine and St Andrew.

A breakdown of the parishes shows significant losses for St Andrew, amounting to some $312 million; followed by St Mary at some $200 million; Trelawny, $32 million; St James, $47 million; Westmoreland, $8 million; St Elizabeth, $4 million; Manchester, $14 million; and St Catherine, $87 million.

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Hurricane’s death toll rises to 65 in Caribbean

People transport their cow that died during the passing of Hurricane Sandy on a wheelbarrow to an area to slaughter it in Port-au-Prince. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — As Americans braced yesterday for Hurricane Sandy, Haiti was still suffering.

Officials raised the stormrelated death toll across the Caribbean to 65, with 51 of those coming in Haiti, which was pelted by three days of constant rains that ended only on Friday.

As the rains stopped and rivers began to recede, authorities were getting a fuller idea of how much damage Sandy brought on Haiti.

Bridges collapsed.

Banana crops were ruined.

Homes were underwater.

Officials said the death toll

might still rise.

“This is a disaster of major proportio n s , ” Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe told The Associated Press.

“The whole south is under water.”

The country’s ramshackle housing and denuded hillsides are especially vulnerable to flooding.

The bulk of the deaths were in the southern part of the country and the area around Port-au-Prince, the capital, which holds most of the 370,000 Haitians who are still living in flimsy shelters as a result of the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Santos Alexis, mayor of the southern city of Leogane,

said yesterday that the rivers were receding and that people were beginning to dry their belongings in the sun.

“Things are back to being a little quiet,” Alexis said by telephone. “We have seen the end.”

Sandy also killed 11 in Cuba, where officials said it destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of houses.

Deaths were also reported in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic said the storm destroyed several bridges and isolated at least 130 communities while damaging an estimated 3,500 homes.

Suriname shocked by domestic violence murder de Ware Tijd PARAMARIBO – The police are still investigating the brutal murder of 28-year-old Charlene Mertowirijo by her former partner Rishi G. (37). In the meantime the suspect has been taken to the Nieuwe Haven lock up.

Several eye witnesses were heard Saturday.

Consternation among colleagues at Nils, where the deceased has worked for the past three years, is great, while several eye witnesses are still in shock over the criminal act in broad daylight.

Several people now say there are two sides to the s t o r y, b u t o n e t h i n g i s certain: Charlene and Rishi had a turbulent affair.

Recently the young woman had lodged a complaint against Rishi at the police of

Kwatta. The man had threatened the woman with a gun, which he would later use to kill her.

‘The police didn’t do anything, not even confiscate the weapon, no matter it was legal’ say unnamed sources.

Rishi and Charlene started an affair four years ago, although Rishi had been married for 17 years already back then. When his marriage stranded he started the divorce procedure, which he never completed.

Three weeks ago he returned to his former wife, when Charlene had sold the house he had bought for them to live in.

The affair with Charlene caused tensi o n b e t w e e n Rishi and relatives especially when they found out that he had an

illegitimate child.

One of his relatives had then warned him about the woman. With no relatives for support, Rishi hit the roof when he found out that his partner had started an affair with someone else.

Charlene was wounded in a fight and Rishi swallowed herbicides. While he was in hospital Charlene decided to sell the house.

Anil Raghoebarsing, director of Nils, describes Charlene as a very cheerful person. On the last day of her life she treated her colleagues to roti and phulawri, Indian food.

She had been telling them that she had been craving for roti since last Monday. More than once did she tell her colleagues that she might be killed by her lover.

Page 19

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Colombia hunting business from Jamaica Jamaica Gleaner - The agency which promotes tourism and investment in Colombia has called on Jamaican businesses to look south as part of their expansionist strategy and take advantage of the large markets to which they can avail themselves if they set up shop in the Latin American country.

Carlos Gonzalez, Proexport Colombia executive director for the Caribbean has also called for a partnership between that entity and Jamaica to promote both countries as destinations of choice.

“We would like to see more products being part of the manufacturing process that exists in Jamaica, and also to offer Colombia,” with 46 million consumers, “as a destination for your products,” said Gonzalez making a pitch for Jamaica’s businesses to take advantage of Colombia’s goods and services.

Gonzalez arrived in Jamaica on Thursday for an investment and tourism seminar that was cancelled due to the passage of Hurricane Sandy.

In an interview with Sunday Business shortly after his arrival, he said the seminar would have been targeted to about 100 business people and government representatives

from the import and export sectors, potential investors and the tourism industry.

Proexport is an economic entity that promotes tourism and investment into Colombia and the export of goods and services, and hence the seminar was expected to address the opportunities provided by Colombia in those areas to the Jamaican business community.

STIMULATE BUSINESSES Gonzalez said his visit is an attempt to stimulate businesses and to better inform them of the prospects, given that Jamaica’s participation in specialised trade shows in Colombia has declined despite invitations over the last nine years.

His intention is to better illustrate why Jamaica should look south, noting, for example, that Colombia has good offers that can compete on better terms “than imports from the Far East because we are closer, production is very flexible, meaning that imports of goods ... doesn’t have to be in large orders, and because of the proximity, we can deliver in a week.”

Gonzalez said businesses importing from the Far East not only have to place large orders, but have to wait 45 to 60 days for the goods to be delivered. He said there was also a big difference in the quality of goods when

compared with those from Colombia.” Logistically speaking, we have direct routes from Colombian ports to Jamaican ports,” he said, noting that 21 shipping routes are navigated weekly 11 of them direct and 10 transit passages to other parts of the Caribbean.

Gonzalez said that in 2011, Colombia exports to the region amounted to US$684 million in manufactured goods and services, of which US$57 million came to Jamaica mainly for the agro-business sector as well as sugar, confectionery, baked products, glass bottles and other containers for the food industry as well as construction material.

He said Jamaica buys eight per cent of Colombia’s exports to the Caribbean, making it the fifth largest commercial partner in the region after the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Curaçao.

“We wanted to inform the business community here that we can offer raw material, semi-finished and finished products that are used and incorporated in the production chain mainly in the food industry,” said the Proexport executive director.

“We can provide preservatives, bottles, plastic, glass, flexible packaging,” he said, adding that “the packaging industry

in Colombia is very well developed, competitive and innovative.”

He also touted the design and high quality of construction products, saying that with the United States as its main trading partner, Colombian manufacturers have to meet the stringent requirements of that very demanding market.

Regarding opportunities for the tourism industry, Gonzalez said that although about 100,000 Colombians choose the Caribbean as a vacation destination, only 11 per cent of WINSTON SILL/ FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER Carlos Gonzalez, executive director Caribbean, Proexport, Colombia speaks during an interview at The Gleaner ’s North Street, Kingston offices on Thursday, October 25. them come to Jamaica despite knowledge of the destination and what he described as the excellent hotel and tourism infrastructure. “I want to take this opportunity to call on the Jamaican (tourism) industry to look more to Colombia and promote Jamaica, this beautiful island, in Colombia,” he said.

Since Colombians no longer need a visa to visit Jamaica, he said, it is an opportune time for the

Jamaican industry to join with Proexport to promote both destinations. “We would like to receive more Jamaicans because only 580 ... visited Colombia last year,” he said.

But there are also opportunities for investors in the hotel and tourism sector, he adds. As a draw to businesses, Colombia is offering exemption from income tax for 30 years for persons investing up to year 2018.

BECOMINGRELEVANT Tax breaks are also offered to investors who hire persons under age 18 or women over 40 who are heads of families.

“We are becoming relevant in the tourism industry because we have been growing at a faster rate than the world average,” said the export promoter.

Quoting statistics for the years 2001-2011, Gonzalez said visitor arrivals to Colombia grew by an average 10.3 per cent while the rest of the world grew on average by 3.4 per cent. Last year Colombia had close to two million visitors, he said.

Colombia is also positioned as a world class healthcare destination, said Gonzalez, stating that 16 of the top 30 hospitals in Latin America are located in that country. He suggested that Jamaicans who go abroad for medical treatment should consider choosing Colombia

Carlos Gonzalez where procedures are high tech, but are less expensive than the United States.

“In terms of investment, I encourage companies to look to Colombia as part of their expansionist strategy because once established in Colombia they can reach not only the 46 million consumers there, but consumers from neighbouring countries because Colombia has signed free trade agreements with Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and the United States,” he said.

According to Gonzalez, “one of the things that make Colombia very attractive for investors in hotels and tourism infrastructure is because (businesses) investing in that sector up to the year 2018 are income tax exempt for 30 years.”

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Berlusconi threat to topple Monti shows party divisions ROME (Reuters) - Former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s threat to bring down Italy’s government underscores deep divisions in his centreright party ahead of next year’s elections and risks rattling markets which see Prime Minister Monti as Italy’s saviour.

Berlusconi made the unexpected threat on Saturday, still fuming from his conviction 24 hours earlier on charges of tax fraud and a jail sentence of four years which he will not have to serve until all appeals are exhausted.

In a hastily called news conference he attacked the magistrates who convicted him as part of a caste of leftist “dictators” a vitriolic charge he has leveled many times before.

But then he trained his sights on Prime Minister Mario Monti’s economic policies.

“We have to recognize the fact that the initiative of this government is a continuation of a spiral of recession for our economy.

Together with my collaborators we will decide in the next few days whether it is better to immediately withdraw our confidence in this government or keep it, given the elections that are scheduled,” he said.

Only three days earlier, when he announced he would not be a candidate for prime minister in next April’s elections, Berlusconi said the Monti government had “done much” and was going “generally” in the right direction.

The Monti government of non-elected technocrats is supported by the centre-left, the centre-right and the centre. It would lose its majority and have to resign if most of Berlusconi’s PDL party withdrew support.

The possibility of a government collapse before elections scheduled for next April spooked financial and political commentators, who worried about market reaction.

“The damage would be enormous,” Stefano Folli, editor of Italy’s leading financial daily, Il Sole 24 Ore. “Damage in terms of political neurosis, international anxiety, threats to the stability law (the annual budget), and a general discrediting.”

attacked Monti for bowing to what he called Germany “hegemony” in European economic matters.

“These are critical weeks for the eurozone and Italy can ill afford further political uncertainty at a time when it’s seeking to differentiate itself favourably from the troubles in Spain,” Spiro said.

The fact that Cicchitto and other PDL leaders did not rush to second Berlusconi’s suggestion of a government collapse spoke volumes about the rifts within

Silvio Berlusconi Monti has pushed through painful tax hikes, spending cuts and a pension overhaul to cut public debt which is running at 126 percent of gross domestic product, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Unemployment in Italy has risen to 10.7 percent, its highest level since monthly records began in 2004, and unions are locked in disputes with companies over plant closures and layoffs Fabrizio Cicchitto, leader of Berlusconi’s PDL party in the lower house of parliament, was cool to the idea of a government crisis, saying instead that the country had to avoid “an explosion” of the spread between German and Italian bonds.

On Friday, Italy’s 10-year bonds were yielding 336 basis points more than debt of similar maturity issued by Germany, widely seen as Europe’s safest. When Monti took over from Berlusconi in November, the spread was about 550, sending borrowing costs soaring to 7.6 percent.

“Italian political risk is rearing its ugly head again,” said Nicholas Spiro, head of Spiro Sovereign Strategy in London.

“Berlusconi knows he can’t return to frontline politics. So instead, he is opportunistically exploiting the chronic political instability in Italy and, more worryingly, the German-led crisis management policies in the eurozone in a bid to shore up the flagging support for his center-right party,” he said.

In his long, rambling news conference on Saturday, Berlusconi, 76,

the party, divided between hard-core Berlusconi supporters and moderates such as party secretary Angelino Alfano.

The divisions meant the PDL would likely not vote as a united bloc in a noconfidence vote.

“I don’t think Berlusconi has the numbers to topple the Monti government but he does have the numbers to make life very difficult for the government,” said Rosy Bindi, president of the center-left Democratic Party

(PD).

Some commentators said that if the Monti government did collapse, elections might be held in February instead of April. Monti has not commented on Berlusconi’s threat.

Berlusconi, whose “bunga bunga” parties with aspiring starlets won worldwide notoriety, has taken a largely backseat role in politics since he was forced to step down, but he remains the dominant figure within the PDL, of which he is president.

Some political commentators said that by threatening Monti, Berlusconi may be trying to patch up relations between the right wing of his party and the Northern League. The League, a former Berlusconi ally, does not support the Monti government.

An important indication of the strength of Italian parties will emerge on Monday, when counting begins on Sunday’s vote in Sicily to elected a new regional government.

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Suicide bomber kills 8, wounds 100 in Nigerian church

The victim of a bomb attack receives medical attention from hospital officials, yesterday. REUTERS/Stringer (NIGERIA - Tags: RELIGION CIVIL UNREST)

KADUNA, Nigeria (Reuters) - A suicide bomber drove a jeep full of explosives into a Catholic church during morning mass in northern Nigeria yesterday, killing at least eight people, wounding more than 100 and triggering reprisal attacks that killed at least two more.

There was no claim of responsibility but Islamist sect Boko Haram has bombed several churches in the past in its fight to create an Islamic state in Nigeria where the 160 million population is evenly split between Christians and Muslims.

The bomber drove the car into the wall of the packed St Rita’s church in the Malali

area of Kaduna, a volatile ethnically and religiously mixed city, witnesses said.

A wall of the church was blasted open and scorched black, with debris lying around.

“The heavy explosion also damaged so many buildings around the area,” said survivor Linus Lighthouse.

A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Yushua Shuaib said eight people had been confirmed killed and more than 100 wounded.

Church attacks often target Nigeria’s middle belt, where its largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet and where sectarian tensions run high.

Kaduna’s mixed population lies along that faultline.

Shortly after the blast, angry Christian youths took to the streets armed with sticks and knives. A Reuters reporter saw two bodies at the roadside lying in pools of blood. “We killed them and we’ll do more,” shouted a youth, with blood on his shirt, before police chased him and others away. Police set up roadblocks and patrols across the town in an effort to prevent the violence spreading.

Police spokesman Aminu Lawal said later the situation

was calm. “All the areas prone to reprisal attacks are under control and getting back to normal,” he said by telephone.

At least 2,800 people have died in fighting since Boko Haram’s insurrection began in 2009, according to Human Rights Watch. Most were Muslims in the northeast of the country, where the sect usually attacks politicians and security forces.

Another witness to the bombing, Daniel Kazah, a member of the Catholic cadets at the church, said he had seen three bodies on the bloodied church floor in the aftermath.

In previous such attacks, bombers have usually failed to enter church buildings and detonated their explosives at entrances or in car parks.

A spokesman for St Gerard’s Catholic hospital, Sunday John, said the hospital was treating 14 wounded. Another hospital, Garkura, had at least 84 victims, a NEMA official said.

Many residents of Kaduna rushed indoors, fearing a resurgence of the sectarian killing that has periodically blighted the city.

A bomb attack in a church in Kaduna state in June triggered a week of tit-for-tat violence that killed at least 90 people.

Governments to debate 50 billion euro cut to EU budget BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union governments will debate a cut of at least 50 billion euros this week as the starting point for negotiations on the bloc’s proposed 1 trillion-euro ($1.3 trillion) long-term budget, a source familiar with the issue said.The cut will be proposed in the latest EU negotiating text on the bloc’s spending plan for 2014-2020, but is unlikely to be deep enough to satisfy Britain, Germany, France and other net budget contributors.

They want strict limits on EU spending to reflect the austerity imposed by national governments to reduce debt, and called for cuts of 100-200 billion euros to the total proposed by the EU’s executive, the European Commission.

The proposal is also likely to anger Poland and other former communist EU countries who are the major beneficiaries of EU funds, and oppose any cuts to the Commission’s blueprint which they argue is vital for their future economic growth. “As I see it now, the reduction from the Commission proposal will be 50 billion euros plus. That will be the basis for negotiations,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The new EU negotiating text will be the first to include firm figures, and marks the start of the decisive phase of talks between governments hoping to reach a deal at a November 22-23 summit of EU leaders. The text will be used as the basis for bilateral talks ahead of the summit between governments and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, who will chair the November talks.

In order to generate the proposed savings, the revised document will specify cuts to all areas of EU spending including agriculture, infrastructure investment and research.

That could create rifts between countries calling for budget cuts, with France keen to exclude farm spending from any reduction, while Britain, Sweden and others want a higher share of EU spending on research and other measures to boost growth.

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Syria air force bombs cities, truce “practically over” AMMAN (Reuters) Syrian jets bombarded Sunni Muslim regions in Damascus and around the country yesterday, activists said, as President Bashar al-Assad kept up air strikes against rebels despite a U.N.brokered truce that now appears to be in tatters.

The Local Coordination Committees activists’ organisation said air raids killed 14 civilians, including women and children, in the town of Bara in the northern province of Idlib, where fighting has continued between Assad’s forces and rebels who have seized large parts of the rugged region.

“The ceasefire is practically over. Damascus has been under brutal air raids since day one and hundreds of people have been arrested,” said veteran opposition campaigner Fawaz Tello, who is well connected with rebels.

Speaking from Berlin, Tello said Sunni districts in the city of Homs, 140 km (90 miles) north of Damascus and surrounding countryside came under Syrian army shelling yesterday.

It was not possible to verify events because of Syrian restrictions on media

access.

Both sides in the 19month-old conflict have violated the ceasefire to mark the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday. Brokered by international peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, the truce supposedly began on Friday, the first day of the four-day holiday.

Syrian authorities blame “terrorists” for breaking the truce and the opposition says a ceasefire is impossible while Assad moves tanks and uses artillery and jets against populated areas.

A statement by the Syrian military said “blatant” rebel violations proved they want to “fragment and destroy Syria”.

“These terrorist groups must be confronted, their remnants chased and an iron fist used to exterminate them and save the homeland from their evil,” the statement said.

Brahimi hopes to end the conflict that has killed at least 32,000 people and further destabilized the Middle East.

It began with a popular revolt in March last year against four decades of authoritarian rule by Assad and his late father, Hafez al-Assad.

The ceasefire won international support,

A boy looks up at a jet fighter after a strike in a residential area in the village of Kafranbel in Idlib October 28, 2012. REUTERS/Giath Taha including from Russia, China and Iran, President Assad’s main foreign allies.

But the truce seems destined to share the fate of failed peace efforts that have preceded it, with dozens of people continuing to be killed daily and international and regional powers at odds while they back different sides. A sectarian divide between Assad’s minority Alawite sect and Syria’s majority Sunnis is also growing, fuelling religious fervor and attracting more foreign jihadists into the country.

In the capital Damascus, activists and residents reported explosions and

smoke rising over the city as Syrian airforce jets bombed the suburbs of Zamalka, Irbin, Harasta and Zamalka.

“I saw one jet flying high, away from the anti-aircraft guns of the rebels, then it swooped and fired rockets,” said one witness, a resident of Damascus who did not want to be named.

Video taken by activists purportedly showed flattened buildings in Irbin, their floors sandwiched and debris filling the streets.

A statement by the Harasta Media Office, an opposition activist group, said aerial and ground bombardments had killed at least 45 people in the district

since Friday.

Electricity, water and communications had been cut and dozens of wounded at the Harasta National Hospital had been moved as the bombardment closed in, the statement said.

Activists also reported fighting in the suburb of Douma to the northeast, where Free Syrian Army fighters have been attacking roadblocks manned by forces loyal to the government.

Two car bombs went off in the Damascus neighborhoods of Sbeineh and Barzeh, which have been active in the revolt, resulting mostly in material damage, activists said.

Assad is a member of the minority Alawite sect, which is distantly related to Shi’ite Islam. It has dominated majority-Sunni Syria since the 1960s, when Alawite officers assumed control of a military junta that had taken power in a coup.

Warplanes also hit towns and villages in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor, the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, where rebels have been trying to press their advantage in rural areas by cutting off supply lines to the major cities, none of

which has fallen completely under opposition control.

Fighting was reported in Aleppo, Syria’s industrial and commercial hub. Rebels attacked road blocks manned

by Assad’s loyalists and a 20year-old girl was killed in army bombardment on Suleiman alHalabi neighbourhood, opposition activists said.

Rebel attempts to portray themselves as a united alternative to Assad suffered a setback when clashes occurred on Saturday between opposition fighters and members of the Syrian branch of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in Ashrafieh. The Kurdish district of Aleppo had up to now stayed out of fighting.

Mouhaimen al-Rumaid, coordinator for the Syrian Rebel Front, said fighting began when PKK fighters helped Assad forces defend a compound in Ashrafieh that came under rebel attack.

Rumaid said scores of people were killed and rebels seized dozens of suspected PKK members.

“The Ashrafieh incident has to be contained because it could extend to other areas in the northeast where the PKK is well organized,” he said.

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Monday October 29, 2012

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Monday October 29, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): A friend who has been all talk and no action has been getting on your nerves for some time now -- it could be time to make a decision about them. You don't need people in your life who disappoint you over and over again. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): If you feel like you are running out of time, then you just might be. Listen to your gut and do what it tells you to do. If you feel like you should be in a hurry, then speed up! ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Sometimes, anger makes a person do silly things -- for example, are you giving the silent treatment to someone you've had a fight with recently? Communication is the only way to resolve the issue, so what you're doing now is only wasting time and feeding the anger. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): One of your personal relationships has been bothering you lately -- harsh words were exchanged, and now you're wishing you could learn to stop staying things before you think them through! ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Instead being annoyed by talkative people today, you will enjoy debating them and learning from what they have to say -- and boy, do they have a lot to say! You're intrigued and entertained by their point of view, and will have a blast seeing how they interpret things through their own special filter. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): On the job, you need to focus more on the decisionmaking process -- and less on the latest juicy gossip that your disgruntled coworkers are spreading around. Get serious. *********************

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): The communication between you and another person is getting very complicated -- texts, emails and even voice messages do a poor job of conveying what you really need to say to them. So it's time for you two to have a oneon-one meeting -- make sure you schedule it today. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Trying to avoid conflict between you and a coworker is easier said than done, but that doesn't mean you should give up and just go for a fight. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Trying to figure out what is motivating other people is a waste of your time, so if you have been wringing your hands over a mysterious situation, stop. If someone isn't going to tell you what you need to know, they aren't going to tell you -- no matter how long you wait or how many hoops you jump through. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Today is a day for gathering information.

Learn more about that new person on the scene. Do an internet search on that place you've always wanted to visit. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): You are especially in tune with other people right now, and could even be able to shock them with your insights. Go ahead -try to guess what number they're thinking, or what they want to eat for lunch.

Go out on a limb with your guesses and you are probably going to get a shocking amount of things right. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): There is an art to playing hard to get. Push it too far, and you will end up missing out on an amazing relationship.

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Vaqueros begin to arrive for Rising Sun One Day Rodeo As more companies come on Board With less than one week away before Rodeo day, some Vaqueros from Hinterland Guyana have started to arrive as preparation continue for the only coastland Rodeo activity that is held in Guyana and set for Sunday November 4 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, Beginning at 11:00hrs.

These Vaqueros along with the some of the Coast land horsemen are expected to be at the venue during the week practicing their stuff for the big day.

With this gearing up to be one of the biggest Rodeos held at the venue so far a number of companies have come on Board for the big day including Banks DIH Limited, Neal and Massy, A H and L Kissoon, Muneshwar Guyana Limited, Inshan Bacchus Construction and

Trucking Company, Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff General Construction Limited, Trucking Company and Farm, Hablaw Meat Centre, Chester Fry of Bush Lot, West Coast, Rising Sun Cattle Ranch are among those on board so far.

The organizers are taking no chances as they prepare the venue for the big day and the anticipated large crowd that is expected to be on hand.

The Rodeo area has been dug up and is presently being prepared with wetting and leveling taking place on a regular basis. The Grand Stand and other Pavilion are also being rehabilitated while the entire arena is being given a face lift.

According to organizer Inshanally Habibulla, there are a number of new events and features this year, but he

does not want to let everything out of the bag too early. Habibulla stated that he is pleased with the way things are going so far.

Among the events listed on the agenda are steer roping, bare back bronco, male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, saddle bronco along with the Rodeo King competition and the popular Tug o War events.

A number of other novelty events are also carded for the days programme included the Beer drinking competition, gyrating on horseback etc.

All of the foreign vaqueros and those travelling from the Hinterland are expected to be in place by Wednesday.

Prizes will include cash incentives and trophies will be presented to outstanding performers. (Samuel Whyte)

Khulna to host 2nd Bangladesh-WI Test

ESPNcricinfo staff - The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna will become the seventh Test venue in the country when it hosts the second Test between Bangladesh and West Indies from November 21. The ground has hosted four ODIs and a single Twenty20 international, the first-ever held in Bangladesh, in 2006.

The break from the Dhaka-Chittagong tradition of the last several years of holding Test matches had come about after the BCB decided to install proper drainage facilities at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Before the second Test, West Indies will open with a three-day tour game at the BKSP ground in Savar from November 8. They play the first Test in Mirpur from November 13, which will be Bangladesh’s first home Test in 2012. The Tests will be followed by five ODIs and a single Twenty20 international.

The visitors will also play a warm-up

one-day game in Khulna on November 27 following which the one-day series begins on November 29. The south-western city will host the second ODI before the tour returns to the capital for the remaining games on December 5, 7 and 8. The Twenty20 game will be held on December 10.

West Indies are set to arrive in Dhaka on November 3.

West Indies in Bangladesh 2012-13 schedule Nov 8-10 - BCB XI v West Indians at BKSP, Savar Nov 13-17 - 1st Test, Mirpur Nov 21-25 - 2nd Test, Khulna Nov 27 - BCB XI vs West Indians, Khulna Nov 29 - 1st ODI, Khulna Dec 1 - 2nd ODI, Khulna Dec 5 - 3rd ODI, Mirpur Dec 7 - 4th ODI, Mirpur Dec 8 - 5th ODI, Mirpur Dec 10 - Only T20I, Mirpur

Page 25

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Digicel/Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle Race

DeNobrega canters to Jnr. & Snr. titles

Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacqueline James presents the winning trophy to Paul DeNobrega in the presence of the other category winners and top performers.

By Franklin Wilson On a windy day, described as one of the toughest for cyclists, the nation’s best riders in the various categories came out in record numbers in support of the inaugural Digicel / Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Cycle Race around the outer circuit of the National Park.

Organised by the Roraima Bikers Club, the race which attracted 70-starters saw the competitors carting off lucrative cash prizes along with trophies that will add flair to their trophy collection.

The constant rush of North/Easterly Atlantic breeze succeeded in separating the boys from the men and when the dust was settled emerging from the heavy winds with the first prize of $100,000 and Pink Digicel Jersey was Team Coco’s Paul DeNobrega, who is also the reigning Junior Caribbean Road Race Champion.

DeNobrega rode a tactical and smart race to stave off the challenge of Continental Club’s Geron Williams ($80,000), USA based Paul Choo-wee-nam ($60,000), Enzo Matthews ($30,000) of Continental Club, Michael Anthony ($20,000) of Team

Coco’s and the reigning Caribbean Juvenile champion with Warren ‘Forty’ McKay ($10,000) of Roraima Bikers Club closing out the top six finishers.

DeNobrega increased his takings for the day and perhaps his most lucrative in terms of prize monies for a single day when he copped the junior first prize of $30,000 and another trophy.

This department saw Team Coco’s making a clean sweep with Michael Anthony pocketing the $20,000 runner-up prize, while Raul Leal was third and was rewarded with $10,000.

The race was virtually decided with regard to the final placing by lap 16 when Walter Grant-Stuart (fell down on lap 18 & exited the race), Matthews, Mc Kay, Williams, Anthony, Raul Leal, Choo-wee-nam and DeNobrega separated themselves from the two other packs.

Trying all they could, the others could not connect with the leaders again. Mc Kay started to cramp up and came in alone for the 6th place.

Matthews ended with 9 of the 25 sprint prizes at stake, one for each lap. DeNobrega

carted off 4 with three each for Anthony and Raynauth Jeffrey. Williams won 2 while there was one each for GrantStuart, Robin Persaud, Mc Kay and Shaquile Agard.

Four cell phones were also up for grabs and those were won by DeNobrega, Persaud, Matthews and Mc Kay who won laps 5, 10, 15 and 20, respectively.

Naiomi Singh (Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club) topped the female department and collected $20,000 with Linden Bauxite Flyers Hazina Barret placing second and received $10,000.

Initially, the veteran category had some mix-up with the placings but that was sorted out with some reshuffling of the said top three riders. Reigning Veteran Road Race champion Junior Niles (Team Coco’s) took the top spot, trophy and $30,000.

Ralph Williams (unattached) crossed the line next with Ian ‘Deaf Boy’ Jackson of Flying Stars Cycle Club third; they received $20,000 and $10,000 respectively along with trophies.

The youngest rider was 12-year-old Tyrique Hall of Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club and he too was rewarded

with $15,000, while the oldest competitor, 70-year-old Maurice Fagundes walked away with the same amount of cash, both completing the event.

Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacquline James in brief remarks before the presentation congratulated all the participants for making the race in its inaugural year a resounding success.

“I must thank you all for making this event in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness remarkable. It was heart-warming to see so many of you come out in support. We hope to make it bigger and better next year.”

Prior to yesterday’s main race, dozens of persons and organizations participated in a One Lap fun race to highlight the same issue of

Breast Cancer. There was an in house competition among the Digicel and emerging as the female winner was Head of Marketing Jacquline James with Sherwin Osborne out pedaling his male counterparts.

The outer circuit of the National Park takes in Carifesta Avenue, Camp Street, Lamaha Street and JB Singh Highway.

I’VE GOT THIS ONE IN THE BAG! Paul DeNobrega crosses the line easily to win yesterday followed by Geron Williams, Paul Choo-wee-nam and Enzo Matthews. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Shawn Corbin parks the ‘Big Truck’; Atwell demotes ‘Prince’ Isidore

By Michael Benjamin After years of dishing out ferocious punches and vicious combinations that toppled mighty foes that eventually earned him the World Boxing Council Cruiserweight title, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite’s attempt to add the World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation ( W B C C A B O F E ) Cruiserweight title to his collection, failed dismally and ‘The Truck’ may now be forced to park following a severe beating at the hands of Shawn Corbin when the two clashed on a card dubbed ‘Redemption,’ staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Saturday evening last.

Clive Atwell was also devastating, demoting Trinidadian, Prince Lee Isidore, to a lower rank on his way to a 12th round stoppage and the acquisition of the lucrative WBC CABOFE Junior Welterweight title, while former local bantamweight champion, Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques turned in a commendable performance to win his six rounds featherweight clash against Rudolph ‘Determine’ Fraser.

Edmond DeClou was also in a no nonsense mood and humiliated Berbician, Kelsey George to take a lopsided majority verdict in their super/ middleweight return duel while veteran female boxer, Sharon Ward employed all the tricks in the book to overcome Kwinda Rogers in their 4 rounds middleweight affair.

While the Braithwaite/ Corbin bout was billed as the feature attraction, the Atwell/Isidore shindig had all the ingredients of a

classic and was by far the more entertaining. The Trinidadian had earlier tipped the scales at 138.4lbs, while Atwell weighed in at 135.6lbs. The weight difference was further highlighted when the two pugilists took to the ring; Isidore sporting bulging, well toned muscles while Atwell, though obviously fit, lacked corresponding muscular contours.

Atwell set the tone from the first gong, delivering pinpoint jabs, finishing off with a mixture of body blows and head shots. The Trinidadian shuffled forward and attempted to control the proceedings with several looping punches but Atwell proved s l i p p e r y, d a n c i n g a n d punching. The pattern continued into the second stanza with Isidore looking to land the big punch while Atwell carefully constructed offence included a sustained body attack interspersed with stiff combinations to the head.

The new WBC CABOFE Junior Welterweight champion upped the tempo in the third frame with a severe two fisted attack that tormented Isidore and left him somewhat dazed.

Still the Trinidadian refused to say die and though many of his punches were either blocked by Atwell or altogether fell short of the mark, he continued to pose an offensive that kept Atwell vigilant and watchful.

Atwell greeted the Trinidadian with a straight right at the start of the fourth round that sent his mouthpiece flying and picked up the pace with a severe body attack that

Prince Lee Isidore is being attended to by Medical Personnel Patricia Chase Green after his severe beating by Clive Atwell. had his opponent from the ‘Land of the Humming Bird’ cringing. The latter pugilist took his punishment like a man and retaliated with several wild swings that kept Atwell at bay but not for long as the persevering Atwell finished the round with a vicious body and head assault.

Isidore resorted to tricks shortly after the start of the fifth round, spitting out his mouth piece to gain some time. The referee frowned on such ploys and issued a warning. Isodore then connected with his first meaningful blow, a clubbing effort to Atwell’s head that forced him back. Atwell quickly reasserted himself and ended the round as the aggressor.

GDF march to early ISAC lead The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) marched to an early lead in the 2012 InterServices Athletic Championships (ISAC) after a commanding performance yesterday morning in the 10km Road Relay that reinitiated one of the most intense battles of local sport.

The soldiers ambushed the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to set their title defence in motion; they lead with 10 points, with the Police on eight points; Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on six points and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) on four points.

The GDF team of Orwin Cornette, Cleveland Forde, Jamaul Chisholm, Tyshon Bentick and Carlissa Atkinson held no hostages

Cleveland Forde on the road, and raced to a commanding win over the Police’s Dennis Horatio, Trevor Scotland, Kevin

Bayley, Edward DaSilva and Tracey Moses.

GDF Coach, Robert Chisholm told Kaieteur Sport that he is optimistic that the force will come away with a commanding victory at the Championships that continue tomorrow and Wednesday with the Heats ahead of Friday’s Grand Finale at Base Camp Ayangana. “We know that we will win easier than last year,” Chisholm said.

The Defence Force had snatched the title out of the cuffs of the police last year with a nail-biting one-point victory. The Police are out to re-arrest the title, but they face an uphill battle against a confident Defence Force unit.

Isidore appeared defeated at the halfway stage of the bout and the pundits had the impression that the end was near.

He sustained a methodical beating as Atwell threw all the punches in the book. To his credit, Isidore took his punishment like a man and though most of his punches proved ineffective, he refused to quit. When the bell sounded to end the sixth round, he returned to his corner on rubbery legs and in a daze.

By now, sections of the crowd began to urge the referee to wave the proceedings off especially since periodical announcements of the score indicated a shutdown for the Guyanese pugilist but neither the referee nor Isidore’s handlers, which included Trinidadian promoter/ manager/trainer, Boxo Potts, saw the need to call a halt.

Isidore lost some steam in the 7th round while Atwell picked up the pace, driving his man back with carefully constructed combinations to the body and head. The Trinidadian was virtually reduced to a punching bag, still his handlers refused to stop the massacre.

The 8th round was a replica of the preceding round when Atwell drove Isidore in the red corner and pounded him with body and head shots. The Trinidadian continued to hang in while his handlers stubbornly refused to throw in the towel. He returned to his corner at the end of round 8 with a beaten look on his face and the small crowd was certain they had seen the last round of the

fight. They were wrong!

Miraculously, the Trinidadian answered the 9th bell and launched an early attack that had Atwell dancing out of range. Despite his pathetic shape, Isidore still looked threatening and Atwell remained watchful as the Trinidadian unleashed several humdingers. Most fell short of the mark as Atwell refused to become complacent and danced out of range.

This was further underlined in the 10th round when Isidore stumbled and wilted yet refused to fall though Atwell threw every punch in the book. Round 11 was a replica of the preceding rounds; a series of combinations to his body and head yet Isidore refused to quit. Atwell drove him from the blue corner to the red, delivering ramrod punches yet the Trinidadian continued to display remarkable resilience.

He entered the fray in the final round with a battered face that underlined the severe punishment to which he was subjected. Atwell then went for broke, lashing out with several vicious punches.

Isidore held on but Atwell was relentless and pummeled his man with v i c i o u s b o d y a nd head punches yet Isidore’s handlers stubbornly refused to offer their fighter any respite.

It was around that time,

with Isidore tottering after several volleys that referee, Eion Jardine, did the right thing and waved the bout off at 30secs of the 12th round. The wisdom of his decision, though several rounds late, was highlighted when the Trinidadian collapsed and vomited in the red corner necessitating the intervention of the ringside physician.

Braithwaite failed to regurgitate the thrilling encounters that led him to the WBC World Cruiserweight title against Vincenzo Cantatore. He spent most of the night going after Corbin who, most times chose to either tie his man up or dance out of range.

Indeed ‘The Truck’ was a shadow of his former self loading up on many occasions while Corbin punched and tied his man up nullifying his power punches.

Fighting out of a southpaw style, Braithwaite did manage to land a few hard punches but Corbin was up to the task and controlled the proceedings. The unanimous verdict rendered by the two of the judges was indicative of Corbin’s dominance.

Harold Laurens of Curacao saw the bout 118-116, the same as Francis Abraham, in favour of Corbin. Andrew Thorne was a little more generous to Braithwaite and scored the bout at a close 114113, also in favour of Corbin.

Marques turned in a great performance but Fraser was also up to the task. The two were evenly matched but Marques might have surprised Fraser when, instead of employing his usual tactic of boxing and dancing around, he took the fight to him and initiated most of the exchanges. All three judges scored in his favour; Bernard DeSantos saw the bout 57-55, while Carlton Hopkinson and Clairmont DeSouza had similar scores of 59-55 for Marques.

Still incensed by Braithwaite’s poor showing in the Shawn Cox bout a few months ago, the patrons stayed away from his clash against Corbin.

They would not feel disappointed judging from the eventual results of the main bout. However, when they would have been told of the Atwell/Isidore showpiece they would rue the lost opportunity to witness a bout that had all the ingredients of a world class affair.

There is only one success to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

Sydney Sixers sizzle to win Champions League T20 Cricinfo The groundsman, the commentators, the general manager who played at the Wanderers on March 12, 2006, all spoke about the resemblance of the pitch to the 438 game, but the way the Lions started it took major rebuilding to go past 38.

Seemingly surprised by Sydney Sixers’ spin with new ball from both ends, the Lions batsmen played some average shots to be reduced to 9 for 4, and the little chance that Jean Symes’ maiden T20 fifty provided them slipped through their palms with the drops of both the Sydney openers.

This was the second Champions League T20 title for a team from New South Wales; current champions Brad Haddin, Steve O’Keefe, Moises Henriques, Steve Smith and Ben Rohrer were

Sydney Sixers celebrate their CLT20 triumph. (AFP) part of the winning NSW squad in 2009 too. Like the previous final, Haddin almost missed this one

When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take threeminute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise.

Take time out to feel the peace of silence.

with an injured thumb, but not only was he spot on with the call at the toss, he spun a rabbit out of his hat after putting Lions in.

Sixers’ three fast bowlers could one day form the Australia Test attack, they have been the talk of the tournament, but they opened with two spinners on a pitch that reminded Stuart Clark of his six-over-54-run nightmare

at the same venue six years ago. Nathan McCullum, who wasn’t called upon to bowl and scored a golden duck in the semi-final, was to perform the opening act of the big night. And it seemed the tournament would get worse for him when Gulam Bodi lofted the third ball of the match over long-on.

Then the leading rungetter of the tournament,

Bodi, didn’t pause for a breath, and top-edged the next ball straight to deep square leg. A little more meat behind the mis-hit, and it might have travelled all the way in the rarefied Highveld air, and McCullum would have been 13 runs down. As it turned out, it was to be the night of the m a n f r o m southern New Zealand p l a y i n g for a southern Australian state.

The rest of the Lions top order then, seemingly overreaching on the flat track, played some ordinary shots.

Quinton de Kock and Neil McKenzie swiped across the l i n e f o r top edges, and continuing with the momentum O’Keefe snared captain Alviro Petersen with one that turned across him.

Symes then put up a lesson for his mates. His hitting through the line and along the ground showed the pitch was flat as expected, and that the shot selection hadn’t been spot on.

After the promotion of Sohail Tanvir flopped to make it 32 for 5, Symes added 41 with the hit-and-miss Thami Tsolekile and 38 with the big-

hitting Dwaine Pretorius.

During the second of those partnerships, Sixers began to make a few mistakes in the field, but Rohrer roared back with a direct hit from point to run Pretorius out. That was Lions’ final slide as they lost their last four wickets for 10.

The injured Haddin came out to open with Michael Lumb, and they were cautious against Sohail Tanvir and Dirk Nannes, reaching only 23 after five overs. At the first sight of spin, Lumb tried to break free, but Bodi dropped him at long-off.

In the next over, it was Haddin’s turn to be dropped,

by Pretorius at deep square leg. There wasn’t to be a third chance. Just to rub it in, though, Lumb overtook the man who dropped him, Bodi, as the leading runscorer of the tournament.

Mitchell Starc led the wickets tally to make it a clean sweep for Sixers.

Scores: Sydney Sixers 124 for 0 (Lumb 82*, Haddin 37*) beat Lions 121 (Symes 51, Hazlewood 3-22, McCullum 3-24) by 10 wickets.

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

GCC take GCA\Queensway 50-over Cup after bad light stops play

The victorious GCC team pose for a photo with their silverware.

Georgetown Cricket Club defeated host Demerara Cricket Club by 18 runs on the calculated run rate method (competition regulations) after bad light stopped play in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association\ Queensway 50 over final which was contested yesterday in front of a large and colourful crowd which included national rifle shooting captain Mahendra Persaud.

Led by a man of the match performance by Leon Johnson, who top scored with 85(6x4, 5x6), the visitors posted a respectable 348 -8 off their allocation of overs after batting first. Jitendra Sookdeo and Robin Bacchus put together 100 for the opening stand before Bacchus was caught off Gajanand Singh for 82 (6x6,

7x4).

Ramnaresh Sarwan then joined Sookdeo and took the score to 192 with sensible batting. Sarwan slammed one four and three sixes in a fine 46 before he was stumped off Singh.

Sookdeo was eventually run out for 74 (1x6, 7x4), while Gavin Singh chipped in with 20 (2x4) as Andre Stoll grabbed 2-69 off 10 overs, while Paul Wintz took 2-59 off 8, and Singh finished with 2-42 from 10.

DCC in reply lost their first wicket at 32 when Andrew Lyght Jnr was caught for 22. Travis Dowlin and Singh posted 66 for the 2nd wicket stand before Dowlin had his wood work disturbed by pacer Robin Bacchus for 35 (4x4,1x6).

Christopher Barnwell then made his way to the middle

Dave Kissoon has resigned as WIPA Director, while Ramnaresh Sarwan has resigned as their Treasurer.

No reasons were given. It is also understood that Mr. Kissoon has withdrawn his services as WIPA attorney, mere weeks before the US$20m lawsuit court case.

A WIPA Press Release stated that it “…wishes to announce the resignation of Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan from its executive.

Mr. Sarwan was a member of WIPA’s Executive from 2008 to the date of his resignation on October 23rd, 2012.”

The release further informed, “At the same time WIPA also announces that

Mr. Dave Kissoon, who joined WIPA as an appointed Director in November 2010, has also tendered his resignation.

WIPA wishes to place on record their sincere thanks to both gentlemen for their contribution to the organization, and to wish them well in all of their future endeavours.”

WIPA CEO, Michael Hall, commenting on the resignations said: “Both Ramnaresh and Dave have in their own ways c o n t r i b u t e d t o W I PA’s p r o g r e s s . We c e r t a i n l y wish Ramnaresh all the v e r y b e s t i n his future cricket career as we are certain that he still has a great deal

Sarwan resigns from WIPA board

and together with Singh added 85 for the 3rd wicket partnership, Singh stroked six fours and one six before he was dismissed for 63.

Barnwell, who despite suffering from cramps during his innings which caused him to retire at one stage, hammered eight fours and three sixes before he was caught at long off for 92.

Wintz 35 (6x4), Derwin Christian 29 (3x6) chipped in handsomely towards the latter part of the innings, but their efforts were not enough to take their team home as they finished on 323-9 off 48 overs when play ended due to bad light. Johnson bagged 466 off 10 overs, while Jason Hade took 3-69 from 9. Bacchus and Gavin Singh had 1 each.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

Ramnaresh Sarwan to contribute to West Indies cricket. We are also grateful for Dave’s service to WIPA in his two years as a Director, and hope that his future career is also highly successful.”

WIPA’s next AGM is scheduled for January 2013, at which time the vacant positions will be filled.

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Kaieteur News

Monday October 29, 2012

GFF/EDFA Under-17 League Final

Golden Grove hammer Ann’s Grove 4-0; Buxton United finish 3rd The East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Under-17 League sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) ended on Friday afternoon at the Buxton Community Centre Ground with Golden Grove easily disposing of Ann’s Grove 4-0 to win the tournament.

In the third place matchup, Buxton United got the better of Melanie Tritons by the odd goal in three.

Golden Grove totally dominated Ann’s Grove in the championship game with Mickel Evans netting a brace to guide them to the title.

Evans broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a well directed free kick that curled into the top end of the nets at the northern goal, seawall end of the Ground.

The strike stood firm by the end of the first half with Ann’s Grove never really threatening to neutralize the advantage. After the resumption, the old order of dominance was restored with Golden Grove now attacking the southern goal.

Phillip Liverpool

increased the advantage in the 51st minute and 9 minutes later, Captain Justin Bristol put the game way beyond the reach of the hapless Ann’s Grove side. The deal was sealed in the 70th minute when Evans completed his double.

In the third place game, Melanie Tritons rushed into the lead in just the 3rd minute against home team Buxton United through an Akeem Smith goal. However, they were not able to sustain that advantage for any length of time as the home team rebounded to draw level in the 15th minute, compliments of a Junior Joseph goal.

Five minutes later, the game was sealed Buxton’s way when Ryon Newton found the back of the nets.

At the presentation ceremony Ryan Singh of Melanie tritons was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament; his club mate Seon Singh ended as the player with the most goals (3).

Buxton United’s Jason Cromwell, the National Under-17 goalkeeper, was voted the best of the

GFF President (ag) Franklin Wilson presents the winning trophy to Golden Grove’s Captain Justin Bristol in the presence of his teammates. competition. Buxton Stars walked away with the Fair Play trophy.

Melanie Tritons for placing fourth received one set of medals, while the top

three teams also collected medals along with trophies.

GFF President (ag) Franklin

Wilson presented the winner’s trophy to Captain of Golden Grove, Justin Bristol.

Monday October 29, 2012

Kaieteur News

Digicel Open Golf Classic

Shaffi produces remarkable final day performance to beat Moore Overseas-based Mo Shaffi produced a remarkable final day performance to relegate first day co-leader Rawle Moore into second place overall and capture the Digicel Open Golf Classic which ended yesterday, at the Lusignan Club.

Shaffi playing with a 20 handicap closed with a net 57 and gross 77 for an overall net of 131 which was enough to demote Moore to the runner-up spot after he finished with a net 71 and a gross 84 playing off a 13 handicap.

His overall net total was 138 over the two days, while Sookram Deosarran ended third with an overall net total of 141 after finishing the day with a net 67 and a gross 72 playing from a 5 handicap.

Rounding out the top five was Canada-based Salim Rashid, who finished fourth with an overall net tally of 143 after closing the day on a net 73 and gross 73 playing off a 5 handicap.

William Walker, who finished fifth recorded an overall net of 144 with a net 71 and gross 78 off a 7

- Sukhram retains Ladies title handicap, being his eventual scores for the final day.

In the Ladies segment, defending champion Christine Sukhram retained the title after closing the day with a net 68 and a gross 78 off an 11 handicap, while nemesis Joann Deo trailed in second with a net 77 and gross 97 playing off a 20 handicap.

In the individual honours, Moore and last year’s champion Roger Rajkumar were the first and second day Nearest to the Pin winners respectively, while Rashid and Deosarran copped the Bets Gross accolades respectively for Day I and 2 correspondingly.

Kishun Bacchus and Shaffi were awarded with the Best Net for the two days respectively, while Rashid and Mohanlall Dinanauth took away the Longest Yards for the two days in that order.

Overall Best Gross went to Deosarran, while the Overall Best Net for Ladies was won by Sukhram.

Meanwhile, Digicel’s

Head of Marketing Jacqueline James speaking shortly before the presentation ceremony thanked the club for being good hosts over the two days and promised to maintain the relationship with the club and more importantly sponsorship of the Classic.

Club President Jerome Khan in his remarks thanked the sponsor, players and groundstaff for making possible a high class tournament over the past two days, adding that from all indications everyone that participated and witnessed the event had a wonderful time.

He disclosed that the Club has embarked on promoting the tournament internationally and was optimistic that more overseas participation will become a reality next year.

He then congratulated the two Red Jacket winners and called on them to enjoy the reign of champions over the next year.

Roach feeling the “vibes” ahead of Bangladesh tour

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Kemar Roach said there was a positive vibe lingering from the West Indies triumph at the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament earlier this month.

The West Indies fast bowler said winning the World T20 was a welcomed boost of confidence for the players and they now hoped to transfer some of that success into others forms of the game, starting with the tour of Bangladesh next month.

“The players are very confident following that [WT20] success,” Roach told WICB Media. “It’s good to be around them right now.

It’s been very inspirational and they are talking stuff that is very useful to me.

“I’m glad to be around them at this time – I’m always glad to be around them – but at this time, it’s even better now we have had that bit of success, so we are looking to go forward now and move on from strength to strength.”

Roach was not a member of the WT20 squad that prevailed over hosts Sri Lanka to win the tournament, the first major title West Indies have won, since they lifted the ICC Champions Trophy eight years ago in England.

He has however, kept himself in shape, playing matches for his club in his native Barbados, helping Maple to reach the Final of the national One-day competition.

“I was inspired by the passing of Barrington Yearwood Sr, one of our club stalwarts and manager of our senior team,” he said. “He was a great guy and we had a lot of fun times with him. We wanted to win the title in honour of his memory, but we were not successful in the Final.

“I’m glad to be involved with the West Indies team again and I am hoping that some

of the work I did for my club I can bring it into my bowling for West Indies on this tour.”

Roach is tied with three other players as the second-most successful bowler in Tests this year. He and South African fast-medium bowler Vernon Philander, along with offspinners Saeed Ajmal of Pakistan and Graeme Swann of England have all snared 39 wickets.

Each of the West Indies fast bowler’s scalps have come at 22.25 runs apiece in the seven Tests that he has played.

Only England fast bowler Stuart Broad with 40 at 27.77 in nine Tests has more wickets than the above quartet.

Roach noted the work of West Indies coach Ottis Gibson in his improvement and was looking forward to reaping more success on the forthcoming tour. “Bangladesh is a tough place to play the game, so we will go there and quickly assess the conditions, and try to adapt as quickly as possible to give it our best shot,” he said.

“The coach has been doing a lot of work with me and we have had a lot of good chats about bowling. The work has paid off. I’ve gotten a lot of wickets, a few Man-of-theMatch and Man-of-the-Series awards. “The ICC [the sport’s World governing body] has me at No.10 in the Test rankings and I am very confident in my game right now. My aim now is to try to become the No.1 bowler in the World in the not-too-distant future.”

West Indies face Bangladesh in two Tests from November 13 to 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in that country’s capital of Dhaka, and from November 21 to 25 at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in the south-western city of Khulna. The Tests will be followed by five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 Internationals.

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