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Friday September 06, 2013

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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

Industrial Agriculture Earlier this week, Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, clarified the situation about Ansa McAl and its reported intent to “abandon” its touted US$300 million ethanol-from-sugar-cane complex to utilise 40,000 hectares of land in the Canje Basin. Ansa McAl cited “unsuitable soils” in addition to “excessive rainfall”. We are not so sure what the company meant, since in the modern world, soils of any type can be modified to suit any crop that can be grown under the ambient climatic conditions. As far as “excessive rainfall”, this can be addressed by the construction of appropriate drainage canals. The investment announced by Ansa McAl some years ago was in line with the rise of “Industrial Agriculture” ever since the “Green Revolution” kicked off in the 1960s. That revolution was intended to address the food crisis that seemed imminent with the dramatic increases in population in the developing world. From that time, new advancements in agricultural technologies yielded stronger, more disease-resistant crops - and not only in food crops. Today, with the fuel crisis seen as imminent with the depletion of the hydrocarbon reserves, much of the new focus in industrial agriculture is to create alternative fuel supplies. This is what Ansa McAl was shooting for with its ethanol plant. In announcing that the Ministry was working with the Ministry of Natural Resources to find an alternative site for the company, the Minister also mentioned that there were three other companies that had been given permission to utilise plots of 12,000 hectares each for industrial agriculture for maize, sugar cane, palm oil and soya. Only the last one is a food product - and even with that, its waste product can be used to generate energy. Today, the term “industrial” farming in society refers to the integration of genetic modification and synthetic fertilizers with conventional farming technologies. It is a bit ironic that the wheel has come full circle, since the cultivation of sugar cane in the West Indies, beginning in the sixteenth century, was the first industrial-scale production of an agricultural crop. In fact its methods of cultivation and processing fed back into the “home countries” to initiate and sustain the Industrial Revolution that has transformed the world. And this highlights the anomaly in Ansa McAl’s reasons for abandoning the Canje Basin. Historically, the sugar industry in Guyana demonstrated that different soils could be treated to bring their yields exponentially. For instance, acid pegasse solids are routinely neutralised by the addition of lime (calcium oxide). In fact, the logic of Industrial Agriculture inevitably leads to mono cropping (beginning with sugar) which sooner or later demands specialised treatment of any soils that will soon be exhausted. As one expert noted, with industrial agriculture, “imperatives to diversity disappear and monocultures are rewarded by economies of scale. In turn, lack of rotations and diversification take away key self-regulating mechanisms, turning monocultures into highly vulnerable agro-ecosystems, dependent on high chemical inputs. The technologies allowing the shift toward monoculture were mechanisation, the improvement of crop varieties, and the development of agrochemicals to fertilize crops and control weeds and pests.” As far as the rainfall is concerned, any investor in Industrial Agriculture in Guyana will have to address the question of adequate water supply. If there is excess rainfall as claimed in the Canje Basin, the problem can be solved through drainage. In the intermediate and interior savannahs, the challenge will be to secure adequate water to irrigate the crop throughout the year. On the coastland, the sugar

Friday August 30, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Ms. Broomes’ predicament may have been avoided if police were involved in this operation DEAR EDITOR, I have noticed with much interest the current situation involving Simona Broomes, the current head of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation. It is no secret that Ms. Broomes has been recognized for her work by the US, regarding her role in rescuing victims of human trafficking. It is now known that she has been accused of stealing a gold chain during one of her exercises, by someone alleged of being a human trafficker. Sometime had elapsed after the exercise led by Ms. Broomes. She has been detained, in a high profile

manner, with the matter in the public domain now. The entire episode has raised some interesting questions. The powers to arrest lie in the bosom of the police and certain other agencies, like CANU. I am not aware of any nongovernmental organizations that have been given the powers to do so. I am not sure the law allows it. Any excursions into the mining communities, especially in light of the many illegal activities being reported, would surely have to involve some thinking that includes security. Surely if the organization led by Ms Broomes had been

entering mining areas, it would take the necessary precaution like having the police and security personnel present. I am very much aware the mining areas fall under the purview of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Surely the accusation could have been avoided had Ms Broomes taken the necessary steps to ensure her security and that she is operating in the ambit of the law. Further, it must be pointed out that while at times we feel frustrated at the pace of how the bureaucracy works, for the good of the country, we cannot take matters into our own hands.

Ms. Broomes’ organization is a good move forward. It should be open to other players who are interested in helping but we first have to enquire whether the entire operations of the women miners association may have been legal from the first instance. H o w w e r e o ff i c e r s elected? Does the body possess a constitution? What are its mandates? Is it registered? How does the Guyana Constitution accommodate or treat organizations like the Guyana Women Miners Organisation? I would love tohearfromthe organization or Ms. Broomes. Cobeer Persaud

I stand in solidarity with the UG unions over the unfortunate dismissal of the Chief Accountant DEAR EDITOR, With reference to the immediate dismissal of UG’s Bursar and Chief Accountant, the Secretary of UGSS made a comment which can be read online (http://www.ugnow.gy/2013 /09/04/ugs-council-firesbursar-and-chiefaccountant-all-options-onthe-table-ug-unions/). The Secretary stated that Natural justice is important and the persons fired should have been allowed to present themselves before the relevant committee to answer to the charges laid

before them. He further stated that he was not sure if there are any charges known to Seeram and Bentinck or if they had committed any crime. Editor, I wish to ask the Secretary of UGSS one very simple question; was Ganesh Mahipaul charged with any crime and if so was he allowed to present himself before the relevant authorities to answer to the charge/s laid before him? The answer is NO!!! This double standard is highly unacceptable and speaks volume of what were really the intentions of

UGSS. Notwithstanding the above, I stand in solidarity with the UG unions over the unfortunate dismissal of the Chief Accountant. Mrs. Bentick was recently appointed to that prestigious position and I know for a fact that she has been constantly venting her frustration with regards to the manner in which the bursary was carrying out its functions. This extra-ordinary lady has always, for the years I have known her, acted with professionalism. She had UG at heart and kept it floating.

Editor, what I believe the Council should have done and can still do, is carry out an investigation so as to ascertain why is it that the bursary was functioning with so much malpractices. This investigation I am certain will reveal that all bursary staff were not allowed to effectively perform their duties since they were constantly disturbed by a dictatorial supervisor. John Seeram’s dismissal should have happened yesteryears and not yesterday. Former UGSS President.

Duties and Taxes are calculated based on Standard Procedures DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me space to respond to a letter published in the Friday August 30, 2013 edition of the Stabroek News under the caption, ‘Protracted process, high charges to retrieve package at GPO.’ The writer claimed that the cost paid to clear a package was high. The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) in a subsequent response to the letter established that it charges a handling fee of five

hundred dollars ($500) for all packages. The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to point out that the customs duties and other taxes are imposed on the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) of the items imported and is calculated on a compound basic. The rates of duties and taxes are listed in the Customs Tariff (Chapter 82:01), the Excise Tax Act No. 11 of 2005, and the Value Added Tax Act (VAT) Act No. 10 of 2005 Act.

planters were able to solve the problem through the intricate network of conservancies linked by drainage and irrigation canals to kokers to the Ocean. All of this means a very large up-front investment that is standard with every Industrial Agricultural project, which it appears that Ansa McAl is not prepared to make. The government should not waste any more time with them. There should be due diligences conducted on the other investors to ascertain whether they are able, and then willing, to make such investments.

In relation to the package in question, it must be noted that there was no CP72 Form (declaration from the exporter) attached to the package; hence, the Customs Officer examined and valued the items based on the description, and affixed the CIF using the identical goods method of valuation. The items were valued at four thousand Guyana dollars ($4000) and calculated at a rate twenty percent (20%) duty and sixteen percent (16%) VAT A further break down of this amount is as follows: Customs Duty $800 VAT $768 Total Duty and Taxes $1,568. W h e n t h e G P O C ’s handling fee of five hundred dollars ($500) was added to the total duty and taxes, the amount payable equaled two thousand and sixty eight

dollars ($2,068). In the missive the writer also claimed that the package was opened by a Customs Officer. It must be noted that, at the GOPC, packages are never opened by Customs Officers. It is the function of the staff of the Guyana Post Office Corporation to do so. At no point during the inspection did the writer query the cost or the procedure. Had this been done an explanation would have been provided. The Guyana Revenue Authority appreciates the opportunity to provide clarity to this matter. Additionally, persons who have queries can call our Tax Hotline on 227-6060 extensions 1201 – 1204. Khurshid Sattaur Commissioner-General Guyana Revenue Authority

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

Biases for or against the project Those leaders and their duplicity should be contained within open minds DEAR EDITOR, The letter published in the 5 September edition of your newspaper, signed by Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh, purports to be a response to one written by myself, but touches very briefly on the only two issues I raised. Instead it embarks on a furious fantasy of wild assertions that only a lunatic could infer from my previous letter. I must therefore conclude that they are responding to something other than my letter, and are once again seeking to mislead your readers with their broad, baseless and incorrect statements. I am not sufficiently in tune with the logic of Rose and Singh to offer suitable responses to all they have written. However, on the issue of Amaila, it is my personal belief that the

aborted Project lies somewhere between the terrible disaster portrayed by its opponents and the wonderful solution described by its proponents. Just where can only be determined by a careful examination of the facts and a clear understanding of all the assumptions and projections on which the project was based. Biases for or against the project are to be expected but should be contained within open minds if any useful engagement on the matter is to be had and sensible decisions reached. If Rose and Singh think it is useful to continue this discussion along the lines of their latest effort then I wish them luck. I will not be engaging them further. Dominic Gaskin

My brother did not deserve to die this way

DEAR EDITOR, On September 7, 2009 my brother Motie L Singh was brutally and senselessly murder while in Guyana for the funeral of his older brother. Motie was stabbed 21 times and left on a street corner in Windsor Forest to die. Five people were arrested for this crime and four years later one has subsequently died in prison and the other four are still languishing in prison. His wife Jaitoon Singh is currently living in the USA collecting SSI benefits from my deceased brother and enjoying her life while my

brother is dead. Where is the justice? My brother was a good human being and did not deserve to die this way. He went out of his way to help anyone who needed help. He married this woman just so she can get her green card to have a better life for herself and her children and that was the thanks he got for being a decent law abiding Guyanese who was also a citizen of the

United States. Why has this case not even been called up in the High Court? Four long years have passed we the family is still suffering the loss and we will continue to suffer. The people in the justice system need to wake up and do the job they are being paid to do Thank You – Concerned and grieving sisterSavitri Singh

DEAR EDITOR, A worrying trend persists among the leaders of the Alliance for Change (AFC) who continue to misuse their position and parliamentary privilege for personal/selfish gains. The recent revelation of Mr. Nigel Hughes and his wife, Cathy’s, employment with Sithe Global, the company contracted to build the Amaila hydro project, is testimony to the unprofessional conduct of the AFC leaders. These leaders tend to target national projects for attacks/criticisms as a way of forcing investors of these projects to hire them and thereafter cancel their attacks/ criticism. We have seen time and time again, AFC leaders utilizing the extortion approach. We must be

reminded that extortion is a form of bribery, an act of obtaining money or other favours by the abuse of one’s office or authority. We may all recall the vehement attacks by the AFC leadership against Fip Motilall who was contracted to build the road into Amaila. After Mr. Motielall ended up hiring AFC Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes, those attacks/ criticisms vanished. Since then we have not heard anything negative from the AFC camp against Mr. Motilall. The Leader of that party, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, seemed to have been performing a lobbyist role, misusing his parliamentary privilege when he launched an offensive against the specialty hospital because

his client, Fedders’ Lloyd, did not win the bid for the construction of that facility. If his client had won the bid, the AFC would have abandoned its offensive against the project. Similarly, the attacks/ criticisms against the Marriott Hotel project by the AFC are aimed at protecting the interests of its financier, the owner of the Pegasus Hotel, in an attempt to shield him from further competition in the hotel sector. There are many other stories bringing into question the credibility and integrity of those associated with the AFC. The employ of such clever ‘hustler’ tactics from among those in the leadership of this small political party, is appalling at the least. Kwame Mc Coy

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Businesses list 20 biggest hurdles Economic findings in feasibility facing Guyana’s development study on Amaila unreliable The private sector has listed 20 main barriers that are stagnating the business environment, including security and tax reforms and the holding of local government elections. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has since prepared a “Competitiveness Manifesto” which it hopes will spur remedial action. The advocacy body, comprising over 100 top businesses, met earlier this week with A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), the largest Opposition bloc in the National Assembly. According to APNU, Leader of the Opposition, (R’td.) David Granger and Policy Adviser, Lance Carberry met with the GCCI’s President, Clinton Urling; Immediate Past President, Komal Ramnauth, Executive Director, Bonita Lowden, and the Marketing and Communications Officer, Roderick Bascom, on the issue. “The purpose of the meeting was to enable the GCCI to make a presentation of their Competitiveness Manifesto which identifies their Top 20 Barriers to Guyana’s Competitiveness and provides An Agenda for Action,” APNU explained yesterday. “The meeting enabled the elaboration of the concerns of the GCCI and for the issues identified to be commented on and clarified. It was agreed that the APNU Shadow Cabinet would review the document and, at a mutually convenient time, there would

- tax and security reforms, transparency a must be a follow-up meeting with the Executives of the GCCI.” According to the document, the building of a more productive and an internationally competitive economy represents an unprecedented collective project that involves virtually every network and stakeholder group in the country. This includes involvement of not only businesses but Parliamentarians, the education sector, all levels of Government and citizens. “The challenges of achieving and sustaining significantly higher economic growth, of reducing poverty, of creating good jobs for our labour force, of building strong businesses and a healthy private sector must be met initially by working through and resolving the issues associated with numerous current barriers to Guyana’s capacity and capabilities for global economic competitiveness,” Urling said in the manifesto. GCCI listed political stability, use of alternative energy to reduce power costs and the transformation of the University of Guyana as some of the actions that needs to be taken to make the country more competitive. Regarding UG, GCCI believes that the institution should be managed in a profession manner free from political and partisan

interference. GCCI is also recommending the establishing of a development bank which will see reduced interest rates and the fostering of an environment that will cater for more financing to small businesses. “We need a development bank, preferably structured in the public/private partnership model that offers longer term lending, lower interest rates and economically feasible collateral requirements.” GCCI is also calling for more transparency and accountability in the management of the public and private sectors, noting that it should be one of the highest priorities for the country’s leaders as there would be the building of a climate of trust. “That trust is achieved in the public sector by providing accurate and complete information on expenditures, projects and other transactions.” The business body also called for the enactment of the Public Procurement Commission and the addressing of the skills problem facing Guyana. The ease of opening a business, along with a reduction of the red tape and the opening up of the economy for new telecommunication companies, should also be explored as part of the plan to improve the country’s competitiveness, GCCI urged. Policy makers will also have to find ways to improve Guyana’s attractiveness to investments along with the strengthening of the commercial court.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

The many discrepancies unearthed since the completion of Argentinabased Mercados Energéticos Consultores’ evaluation of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric, has rendered its economic and financial results unreliable. This is according to former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Ramon Gaskin, who in his analysis of the 2010 report, pointed to the fact that at the time the company operated on the basis that the hydro plant would have been 154MW instead of 165 MW. He said, too, that in the study conducted by the company, it operated on the basis that GPL would own 142MW of installed capacity as opposed to 163.9MW. The company, in undertaking the feasibility study of Amaila for GPL, was also working with distribution losses by the power company of approximately 30 per cent as against total system losses of 34.3 per cent at the time. As it relates to the demand for electricity, the company assumed that at least 60 per cent of electricity

- Gaskin supplied by self-generators would be reverted to the national grid in the first year of Amaila becoming operational. The study had also assumed that by the second year, the remaining 40 per cent would be back on the national grid. Gaskin pointed out also that the report assumed that Linden would also be placed on the grid in the first year of the operations of the Amaila Hydro Plant. He said that the company had projected demand for electricity in 2011 to be 619 GigaWatt hours (GWh) and sales at 436 GWh. According to Gaskin, the actual demand in 2011 turned out to be 653 GWh and sales 430 GWh. At that time, too, the actual system losses stood at 32 per cent as compared to the estimate in the feasibility study of 27.4 per cent. He also pointed out that the report had projected system losses for 2013 to be 20.8 per cent when in fact system losses in 2013 stand at around 31.2 per cent.

Ramon Gaskin According to Gaskin, the reason to compare the consultants’ projections with known data is merely to show the difficulty of estimates. “So far we have listed most of the problems encountered by Mercados in arriving at reasonable, believable economic and financial results.” He said that in its cost– benefits analysis of Amaila, Mercados placed payments to Amaila by GPL at US$105M when the latest figure now stands at US$122M.

US$5.3M project to improve drainage capacity in farming communities The Public Works Ministry is expected to complete constructing 20 drainage structures designed to withstand current and projected rainfall intensity for the next 50 years in several communities by October month-end. This was explained by Sunil Ganesh, Bridges Engineer of the Public Works Ministry, during an interview with this publication. He said that even with climate change, engineers could predict the pattern of rainfall based on analysis over the past 10 years. Ganesh noted that the US$5.3M project is expected to improve drainage for farming communities located on the West Coast Berbice and East

Bank Demerara. According to Ganesh, in July 2012, the project to rehabilitate two bridges on the East Bank Demerara at Coverden and Timehri and 18 on the West Coast Berbice commenced. The contracts were awarded to Kares Engineering and V. Dalip Enterprise. He said that Kares Engineering is tasked with reconstructing the bridge at Coverden, rehabilitating the structure at Timehri, one at Carlton Hall, and seven between Belladrum and Cotton Tree, to a tune of US$2.6M. The structure at Coverden, which has been under construction for several months, has been reopened to traffic but remains incomplete. The contractor has to erect the head and wing walls on both sides of the structure. In addition, the contractor has to carry out rehabilitative works at Timehri, which

include repairs to the head and wing walls to prevent the road from being eroded. He said that a revetment has to be erected to prevent erosion of the roadway. Meanwhile, V. Dalip Enterprise was contracted to rehabilitate bridges between Bath Settlement and Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, to the tune of US$2.7M. He noted that several of these bridges have been completed and works are being done to ensure the project concludes by the October deadline. This project is Lot B of the Inter-American Development Bank-funded Transport Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme. Lot A was executed between 2009 and 2013 and saw the enhancement of 25 structures between Timehri and Rosignol. Lot One of this infrastructural project started in 2003, with 83 bridges between Timehri and Rosignol being constructed.

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Brazil halts preparations for Rousseff US trip Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff halted preparations for a Washington visit yesterday amid an escalating row over alleged US spying on Latin American leaders. And, as Brazil showed its displeasure, Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto urged US President Barack Obama to investigate into a report that the National Security Agency (NSA) spied on him. “I received from President Obama a commitment that this investigation will take place,” Pena Nieto told Russia’s RT television on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in Russia. Obama, Pena Nieto, Rousseff were all attending the meeting in Saint Petersburg. Rousseff, who is scheduled to make a state visit to Washington on October 23, has also sought a formal US explanation for a report that her communications were spied on by the NSA. Rousseff “wants a retraction by the government of the United States,” a spokeswoman for her said in Brasilia. The spokeswoman said a trip to Washington Saturday by a Brazilian delegation to prepare for the upcoming visit “was cancelled.” A Brazilian foreign ministry spokesman told AFP “the technical mission was postponed” and added that “the expectation is it will take place” later. “We are waiting for a formal explanation from the US

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) welcomes his Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff at the start of the G20 summit yesterday. (AFP Photo government,” he said. He said it has not been provided so far. Asked whether Rousseff would meet with Obama on the sidelines of the G20, the presidential spokeswoman said: “There is still nothing planned but she still has until tomorrow.” US national security spokesman Ben Rhodes told reporters in St Petersburg that the White House had not been informed of any delay to planning for Rousseff’s visit Washington and planned talks with Obama. “I’m not aware of that. I know that they are seeing each other. I think they’re seating next to each other at the G20 sessions actually, so I’m sure they’ll have an

opportunity to talk,” he said. “I addressed this earlier today, in terms of our commitment to work with them, to understand their concern around the NSA issue, that’s what we’ll continue to do.” The October 23 visit would be Rousseff’s first to Washington, and the first state visit by a foreign leader this year. US journalist Glenn Greenwald, who obtained files on US electronic surveillance The NSA program allegedly allowed agents to access the entire communications network of the president and her staff, including telephone, Internet and social network exchanges, the Rio-based journalist said.

UK firms to help with new CL pact Trinidad Express - The State has enlisted United Kingdom firms to assist in its decision on the revised CL Financial (CLF) draft agreement, Minister of Finance Larry Howai said Wednesday. Speaking with reporters

following the National Enterprises Ltd (NEL) luncheon in celebration of the company’s $4 billion shareholder dividend payout in 14 years Wednesday, Howai said the draft agreement was being worked on. Cabinet last month did not

approve a draft agreement that is supposed to replace the current shareholders’ agreement which will allow it to manage CL Financial assets. The current agreement was extended by one month. That extension ended yesterday. The new agreement was supposed to be approved by Cabinet in time for last month’s annual general meeting of CLF. “We are being told that there aren’t any real issues and so on but I haven’t received the formal document in hand yet. I know they were actually working on it when I left the office so this will be an extension (on the deadline). “The UK firm of international attorneys — Freshfields — as well as a UK investment adviser has been hired as an international adviser to assist with the CL matter.

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Those ozone-depleting substances The right things can be done in the wrong way. And when this happens it can defect from the good intentions. Just recently the government took a decision to ensure compliance with its international obligations with respect to the phasing out of ozone- depleting substances in Guyana. Unfortunately, this decision is being presented to the public as if there is a ban in place, when in fact all that exists at present are restrictions, aimed at transiting out of the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The latter is not considered as ozonedepleting, but a decision was taken at the Rio + 20 summit to restrict their use, because they are considered as a greenhouse gas whose reduction in consumption

can appreciably decrease overall greenhouse gases in the environment. Under international treaties, countries in fact have until 2030 to phase out the consumption of CFCs. This phasing out is usually done through import restrictions. Thus, it is the governments who are required to take steps to progressively phase out the importation and use of CFCs. This is usually done through the allocation of quotas to persons and businesses that import such substances for use locally. While the decision of the government of Guyana to sound a warning to importers of CFCs and HFCs is therefore commendable, it was disingenuous to announce that stern measures will be taken against persons who import equipment that do not comply with the new

requirements. What are these new requirements and how known are they? It is the Ministry of Agriculture that is responsible for approving of the importation of CFCs and HFCs, and there are quotas in place for the companies that import such gases and materials. How does equipment such as air conditioners that use these gases become affected? These air conditioners have to be gassed up separately. The gas is imported separate from the unit. Why all the talk therefore about restrictions on the use of the air conditioners that use CFCs and HFCs? The threat therefore about seizing equipment is worrying. After all the country has another seventeen years before it totally phases CFCs and HFCs. It is important that the government clarifies these

PANCAP appoints new Director According to a release from the CARICOM Secretariat, Dereck Anthony Springer has been appointed Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP). Springer, a public health practitioner, behavioural scientist and strategic manager brings to the position 20 years of experience in the health sector, focusing on HIV and mental health. His extensive experience in policy, management and programme implementation at the national and regional levels has been facilitated by his work with civil society, government, regional and international technical assistance agencies. Prior to this appointment, Springer served as Strategy and Resourcing Officer, in the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat, providing broad-based leadership to PANCAP’s resource mobilization and strategic planning platform. He also had responsibility for the management of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit’s component of the Global Fund Round 9 Grant. Springer previously served as a regional consultant in several health and development programmes, and as the National Coordinator of Voluntary Counselling and Testing for the Ministry of Health Guyana and as UNAIDS’ Focal Point in Guyana. He was also the Senior Advisor at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global AIDS Program. Springer, who began his

Dereck Springer public health career as a Volunteer Counsellor at the Genito-Urinary Medicine Clinic, Guyana, has a deep understanding of, and sensitivity to the current issues that PANCAP is grappling with and is deeply committed to a Partnership which translates evidence to real change for people on the ground. Asked about his immediate priority, the Director said it was providing leadership to create a supporting environment for eliminating stigma and discrimination and building consensus around the principles of human rights by promoting the roadmap of the PANCAP Justice for all programme. He said he looks forward to providing the dynamic and effective leadership required for reengineering PANCAP and retooling the PANCAP Coordinating Unit to be responsive to the changing global HIV landscape within the milieu of health and development. He plans to utilize

persuasive public health and economic evidence to make a case for prioritizing HIV and obtaining the commitment required for country ownership and shared responsibility, key elements for sustaining the Region’s response towards an AIDSfree generation. Springer called on the wider Partnership to join him and the PANCAP Executive Board in their resolve to deliver on the Caribbean region’s commitments to achieve the targets of the 2010 PANCAP Tenth AGM Resolution and the 2011 UN High Level Meeting, including stopping new HIV infections, keeping people alive, stopping stigma and discrimination and widening the scope of the response. Springer, who succeeds Ms. Juliette BynoeSutherland, reaffirmed his commitment to a broad-based consultative process in concluding the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2014-2018, which will guide the Partnership’s response and his work. He applauded the involvement in and strong support of all partners, including donors and regional agencies for this inclusive process. In addition to a Master of Public Health degree that Springer earned from the University of Nottingham, England, he also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Drug and Alcohol Policy and Intervention from the University of London, England. PANCAP was set up by regional governments in 2001 to coordinate the Caribbean response to HIV and AIDS.

rules and regulations which it intends to have enforced, because legitimate businesses may find themselves victims of overenthusiastic government enforcement agencies who may be inclined to seize all manner of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment under the pretext that these are in violation of Guyana’s obligations, under treaties which may nor may not have been incorporated under municipal law. On this particular score, the government needs to clarify what are Guyana’s treaty obligations with respect to HFCs that are not considered as ozonedepleting. What is needed is a transparent approach to this issue in which the government firstly outlines its treaty obligations, and secondly which of those obligations have been incorporated into municipal law and thus are covered by local legislation and regulations. Thirdly, the government should indicate the range of equipment that is not supposed to be imported and the legal and policy justification for such

restrictions. This is very important, since the restrictions of HFCs and CFCs can become a pretext for powerful companies, especially those who are part of a new economic class, whose sales are being threatened by small scale importers of air conditioners and refrigerators, to shut out these small importers. Guyana’s obligations to phase out the use of CFCs and HFCs must not become a ruse to grant a monopoly to some of the large importers of air conditioners and refrigeration equipment. There is no international ban on the use of HFCs and CFCs. There are global commitments to phase out the use of CFCs. This should not be used to try to prevent private persons from importing their own air

conditioners, more so since the equipment concerned does not come with ozonedepleting gases. These gases are imported separately and have to be injected into the units. While the government has a duty to control the importation of these substances, they must be careful that they do not overstep their mark or do not allow the restrictions in place to be used for the benefit of big businesses. If anything, it is these big businesses which need to be monitored.

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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

A story in 2013 that Guyanese do not know about I am not going to name the company, its territorial origin, and the kind of work it does in Guyana. I am not going to name the individual and the professional training. I have been requested not to mention these details. He is male and East Indian. He is someone I know very well because he was a student of mine at UG and someone with immense talent. I believe these people are Guyana’s future and we should be grateful that they choose to stay in Guyana. Last year, a foreign company setting up office here identified this person to be its CEO. At the time, the foreign company had not been given all the necessary legal papers to set up its offices, but that was just a matter of time. This young man was employed as the

potential CEO and sent to Europe for training Then something happened. While arrangements were being made for final location in Guyana, the company was told that the government would not grant it a licence to operate if the identified CEO was allowed to continue. Guyanese will not believe the reason the Government acted this way. This young professional has no connection or affiliation with any opposition party, any protest group, or any antigovernment organization. His crime, one assumes, was the civil society organization that he belonged to. That well known organization, though in way no politically-oriented, has had cause since its formation to cite examples of

unacceptable behaviour originating within the Government. A few public statements did come from the pen of this person. The foreign company was told in no uncertain terms that it will not get a licence because the intended CEO is unacceptable to the Government because he is anti-government. I know this person very well. He is not engaged in anti-State activities. I can attest to that. Many prominent Guyanese know this young man and they know it is not true. The private media also knows this person because of the civil society organization with which he associated. In writing this column, I appealed to this gentleman to go public with what the Guyana Government did to

him. But he refused and I was only permitted to offer the sparse details that are herein contained in the article. Some people are like this. There are billions of different expressions of human nature. Not everyone wants to go public with the things the Guyana Government has done to them. They do not want to invite further vilification. They are afraid of nasty repercussions. They think of the implications for their family. There are quiet humans in this world that just move on with their lives. I will continue to request of him that we offer the public more details of how undemocratic is the PPP leadership, the very leadership that many of us thought in the seventies and eighties was better than the PNC Government.

Non-assent to Local Govt. Bills could go ‘all the way to CCJ’ Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, David Granger has responded to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Clement Rohee, who

had said they should take their grouse over the nonassent to the local Government legislation to court. Granger yesterday said

that the opposition will be taking the matter to court and they are prepared to take the matter all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The Opposition Leader was at the time speaking to media operatives at his Hadfield Street office, where he said too that the process for the assent of Bills had to be further clarified. He was responding to the uncertainty surrounding whether Bills approved by Parliament have to be dealt with by the President within 21 days after he receives it or when it was approved. Granger was adamant it has to be that the matter be dealt with at least 21 days after it has been approved and cannot be a case where the Bills can be allowed to rest for months at the Attorney General’s Office before it reaches the President. He further said that the Attorney General has no power to change not even a ‘comma’ in the Bills that have already been approved in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary, yesterday denied that there were any stalling tactics being employed by the administration on the Bills related to the hosting of local government elections. He said that the process involved, includes having the Bills reviewed by the

Chief Parliamentary Counsel at the Minister of Legal Affairs. Dr Luncheon said that this is done to ensure that what is submitted to the President for his approval, is what was actually agreed to in the National Assembly. Asked about whether the President would in fact assent to the Bills when they arrive on his desk, Dr Luncheon drew reference to a statement by the substantive Minister, Ganga Persaud, who two weeks ago said that they would be. Granger had r e c e n t l y also disclosed his intention to convene with the Speaker of the National Assembly with the purpose o f d i s c u s s i n g the way forward with regards to the Opposition-proposed Bills that have not been able to secure the President’s approval. Nineteen years after the last Local Government Elections were held in Guyana, the National Assembly on August 7 approved legislation to pave the way for a fresh round of elections. The House approved the Fiscal Transfers Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill and the Local Government Commission Bill. This was after a 12-year period of attempting to reform the process.

Guyanese have now lived to regret those moments of misplaced admiration. The story of this young man should be made public so the people of Berbice and Essequibo could be graphically shown who they voted for and should honestly face up to the fact that the PPP that they have chosen in five successive elections is far more undemocratic that when the PNC ruled. I find it hurtful that we cannot go to PPP constituencies and describe this story for them. Human beings are fundamentally decent people and I don’t believe the people of Berbice and Essequibo would take kindly to what the PPP did to this man who also has a family. This was just a horrible case of spite. This was just a terrible example of vindictiveness. This nationalistic Guyanese was denied employment simply because he belonged to a civil society organization the PPP cabal is hostile to. This government is one of

Frederick Kissoon the world’s most intolerant regimes and every Guyanese should internalize the lessons of this act of victimization. Just think of the poison the PPP leaders harbour for overt, energetic anti-government activists if they can show this kind of hostility to a professional who has no political past and is not engaged in opposition politics. What is frightening is that the situation is getting totally out of control. Guyanese did not know of this inhuman violation, but they know of the horror that visited Simona Broomes, one of Guyana’s leading human rights activists operating in the area of stopping trafficking in humans. Just months ago, Broomes was honoured by the US Government. But the PPP Government wanted to silence her. A terrible political storm is coming.

Dem boys seh...

Dem boys still like de Donald Nuff people getting shoot. In fact, de word is that when you interfere wid people wife you does get shoot up. A man get eleven bullet in he chest de other day. At first when people hear bout de shooting dem claim how was some execution fuh bad business. In fact, was killing fuh good business because, according to dem boys, de girl who get shoot was in de middle, because she love dem both and use to get away from one fuh meet de other. De only thing is one did love she more than de other one, but he gun wasn’t wukking. Well dem boys want to know wha happen to dem man who does go wid other people husband. One of dem seh that going wid other people husband better than going wid people wife because nobody ain’t pelting shots. Some of dem in Government and some of dem name start wid Bee like Kwame, and Donald starting to put down he foot. One man seh that Donald stomping he foot, but it look like he can’t stomp hard. He ain’t got de shoes to match de foot, therefore whenever he stomp nobody ain’t hearing nutten. But fuh he effort, people already suspect that dem got change in de air. He get vex de other day when people blame he and he know that he didn’t do it, suh he seh that whenever he got to get blame he gun get blame fuh something. When Kwame report how Ralph tek people money, Donald get blame and he move Kwame out of de public eye. He stop Jagdeo from trying to get more involved in de Amaila project when de project was already dead. He seh that he gun stop Brazzy, Ash Knee, Rob Earth, Irfaat, and dem other Bees from thiefing taxpayers’ money. He seh it go on long enough and he did praying fuh leh de Congress come and done. He seh that he put hand, plus he mouth pun Jagdeo who did want tek over de Pee Pee Pee headquarters. Dem boys seh that Jagdeo get a taste of he own medicine. Donald nominate Clement knowing the Jagdeo did dying fuh de position. Talk half and chalk up one fuh de Donald.

Friday September 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Hughes retains AFC Chairmanship - Calls for constitutional change to avoid another Amaila saga The Alliance For Change (AFC) yesterday came out in full force to announce the party’s continuance of Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes as its chairman. Yesterday marked the first instance where Hughes appeared on an AFC panel since the publication of him being affiliated with Amaila Hydro Inc., through his portfolio as Company Secretary, a position which he retains. The panel consisted of nine AFC members. Despite the fact that Hughes reportedly shared, with the party, information as to his affiliation with Amaila Hydro Inc, the AFC never informed the public of same. Hence, the publication of this fact resulted in both Hughes’s decision to tender his resignation as party chairman and widespread gossip and deliberations about AFC’s sincerity. Ramjattan yesterday told the media that his party recently had a National Executive meeting where members deliberated on issues surrounding the offer of resignation from Hughes. According to Ramjattan, at that meeting, the National Executive unanimously agreed that it will not accept Hughes’s resignation as Chairman. Consequent upon that agreement, Hughes withdrew his offer to resign and thus remains the Chairman. As Hughes addressed the media, he said that after a period of widespread consultation with the elders of his community - the wider Guyanese community, colleagues, the Caribbean and the Diaspora about his resignation - he was urged to reconsider his decision. Hughes claimed that he also solicited opinion from the man in the street on several occasions and the responses pushed for him to withdraw the resignation. The Attorney-at-law noted that he remains committed to the people of Guyana and the development of Guyana, in which all can equally participate in the decision-making process. Hughes claimed that his resignation was driven by the fact that he didn’t want to become a source of distraction to all the work that the AFC has done in relation to Amaila. However, he proceeded to offer his “sincere apology to the several members of the public and supporters of the AFC who were disappointed by the fact that this information had not been

shared with them before.” TRUTH OF THE MATTER Even as Hughes apologized, the lawyer offered the related sequence of events. Hughes said that in 2009 his firm, more specifically himself, was retained to represent Sithe Global, as the American company indicated that it was interested in entering into an agreement with the government with the purpose of setting up a Hydro Plant at Amaila Falls. Hughes said that it is a requirement of the government of Guyana that for any foreign investor to incorporate and establish a company in the country, “it is a perquisite of any investment agreement.” The Attorney said that since the company had no immediate intention of establishing a physical office in Guyana, he was asked to act in the position as Secretary. Hughes disclosed that discussions thereafter in relation to the Amaila Falls hydro power project, were conducted between Sithe Global, the China Development Bank, the InterAmerican Development Bank and the government of Guyana. “I was not party to those discussions, I was not invited to offer advice on those discussions; my role of company secretary was literally for the purpose of ensuring that the company complied with its legal regulation and I was indeed retained by Sithe and Amaila to provide legal advice on a range of matters.” Hughes further emphasized that as the project plans developed, discussions continued between Sithe and the aforementioned partners… not Amaila Hydro Inc.

The AFC panel at yesterday’s press conference He said that in 2012, he became Chairman of the AFC “and shortly after, the issue of Amaila became an issue, and I disclosed that I was the lawyer for Amaila and Sithe, and asked to be recused on deliberation on that matter.” Hughes specified that the privilege is with the client, not the lawyer, and unless the client permits the release of information on the nature of his engagement or the fact that he represents them, he could not do so. Hughes told the media that he deeply regrets the fact that the public was not made aware of his affiliation, but asked to be forgiven on the call of professionalism. WAY FORWARD The lawyer admitted that it was a difficult period for the AFC but said that, “As we move forward, now the country should start to discuss the issue of hydro power and how we can go about finding consensus and finding the best and brightest available.” Hughes said that many lessons have been learnt from the entire saga, and one is that “the present arrangement allows the executive to enter into an agreement of this magnitude and significance to national development, without consultation at the initial stages with stakeholders of the communities” including members of the opposition and the business community. Hughes said that he hopes this model is no longer

accepted. He added: “It is clear that major international investors are weary about investing in major projects in Guyana which involves their money… unless there is total consensus on the project, which means that for the project to be successful from

the inception all principal stakeholders, whether in or out of parliament, ought to be part of the process. More importantly, what is demonstrated again is that a constitutional agreement which facilitated initial engagement on this project back in 2009 during the

previous administration, without any consultation with other principal stakeholders in the country, cannot continue. Guyana continues to have constitutional agreements that rest all the executive power in the hands of a government, which may or may not be a minority.”

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Kaieteur News

Eccles execution-style murder…

Shot woman ‘screamed out shooter’s name’ The woman at the centre of the affair that caused Kurt David’s death reportedly screamed out the shooter’s name when he opened fire. Police have confirmed that they have received reports that this same woman was struck in the foot by a stray bullet during last Tuesday night’s deadly confrontation between David and his alleged killer. However, any hopes of matching the warhead to those recovered from David have been thwarted by the fact that the bullet passed through the injured woman’s limb. Police believe that the killer is a Water Street, Georgetown, store owner, who has disappeared since David was slain. Providing similar information as the police, close associates of 31-yearold David told Kaieteur News that the popular motorcycle dealer was having an affair with a woman whose husband is a city store owner. David and his killer were said to be close friends. Associates of the slain man

have provided Kaieteur News with photographs of the alleged killer with David. However, the friendship reportedly soured after the businessman received reports about the affair between David and his spouse. It is alleged that the suspect sent threats to David last Saturday after being told that the Eccles, East Bank Demerara resident had kissed his wife in a popular night club. According to sources, the suspect was further infuriated on Tuesday after seeing a text message that David had sent to his wife. It is alleged that at around 21:00 hrs on Tuesday, the businessman, reportedly accompanied by his wife, drove to David’s Seventh Street, Eccles home. He reportedly blew his horn, and David, who had just had a bath, came outside and went to the car. The two men reportedly had a brief confrontation before the businessman opened fire. Sources said that the shooter’s wife screamed out “— (name given) you can’t do that.”

After the first bullets hit David, the Eccles resident reportedly attempted to run back inside his house, but collapsed after more bullets struck him in the back. There are reports that the suspect then stood over David and pumped several more bullets into the fallen man. During the shooting, one of the bullets struck his female companion in the foot. Meanwhile, the woman who police believe was at the scene of the shooting remained under guard at a private hospital. Kaieteur News understands that the woman is claiming that she suffered the wound during a robbery around the same time that David was shot. However that robbery was not reported to the police who only learnt about the woman’s shooting by chance. There are also reports that the woman was shot when a relative’s gun went off accidentally. That relative has not yet been located. A police source said that the woman is not cooperating fully with investigators.

Friday September 06, 2013

AFC discloses its code of conduct “We have taken a hit,” were the words used by Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan as he reflected on the impact that recent issues surrounding the Amaila Falls had on his party. Ramjattan made the admission at a press conference held yesterday where the AFC made public its penned code of conduct to be observed by its leaders. The decision to establish a code of conduct came about after the “Nigel Hughes saga”. Hughes was exposed of being the secretary of Amaila Hydro Inc., the company set up as a special purpose vehicle for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project. That exposure was coupled with the fact that Cathy Hughes was also retained as Sithe Global’s Public Relations Consultant. Many responded to the “shocking” news through letters published in the local newspapers as well as through social media including facebook. Hughes tendered his resignation, which was refused and now the party is ready to move forward, even stronger. Yesterday Ramjattan said that Hughes is a “champion AFC leader” and that the party is ready to move on with him retaining his position as chairman.

However, Ramjattan also said that in view of public perception about conflict of interest, “we deliberated on a code of conduct and a draft has been accomplished.” The following is the AFC’s code of conduct; “A conflict of interest may arise where an elected member of the Management Committee and/or the National Executive Committee (MC/NEC) of the Alliance for Change (hereinafter referred to as “an AFC leader”) has a private material interest that can be affected by the outcome of deliberations in which this leader is participating. An AFC leader who is a member of the National Assembly, Regional Democratic Council or Neighbourhood Democratic Council shall additionally be guided by and subjected to rules on conflict of interest in his/her respective body. An AFC leader is at liberty to offer unlimited professional services in pursuit of his/her constitutional right to work and shall not be required to violate confidentiality with legitimate clients. An AFC leader has a duty to disclose before the decision-making body of which he/she is a member any private material interests in matters being deliberated by either or both of these bodies. It shall be an agenda

requirement of MC/NEC meetings for an AFC leader to voluntarily make periodic disclosure(s) of a private material interest in any matter being deliberated. Either of these decisionmaking bodies shall determine, in the absence of the AFC leader in question, whether the nature of the disclosure constitutes a conflict of interest situation over a matter being discussed. Where it is determined that a conflict of interest exists, the member in question shall recuse him/herself and not participate in deliberations on the particular matter in which he/she has disclosed a material interest. The leadership body may invite an AFC leader who has made disclosure of a material interest to offer technical or specialized opinions on a matter being deliberated, but that leader shall not exercise a vote or otherwise decide on the matter. Confidentiality or third-party interest, and shall be made only with the consent of the said leader. An AFC leader who knowingly withholds or fails to make timely disclosure of a private material interest in a matter being deliberated before a decision-making body of which he/she is a member, shall be subject to disciplinary processes under party rules.”

Suriname arrests four Guyanese for piracy, murder Suriname authorities have arrested four suspected pirates from Guyana who allegedly robbed five fishermen last November, forcing them to jump overboard. Two of the fishermen were reportedly killed, Suriname news said yesterday. However, the reports would only give the names of the suspected pirates as BM, DV, MR and DP.

They are accused of robbing five fishermen off the coast of Coronie on November 12. It was reported that the men were in a boat when they came under attack. They were ordered to jump overboard. Only three made it to shore. It was unclear if the dead fishermen were Guyanese as details were not immediately available. A number of Guyanese are in Suriname jails

for deadly pirate attacks, including Kevin “Long Hair” Narine, said to be one of Guyana’s most dangerous high seas robbers. Fishermen, from both countries, have long been complaining of piracy in which their catch, bait, and even boats and engines are stolen. The two countries have established a joint team to tackle the problem.

Suspect in Rachpaul murder released Police have released Ryan Kissoon, called ‘Dahl Belly’, who they have said was the prime suspect in the August 2011 murder of elderly drug store owner Harold Rachpaul. Kissoon was released on $50,000 bail after being questioned at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. He has been ordered to return to

Eve Leary today. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect was arrested on Monday at Fort Wellington, Berbice, while travelling on a truck. However, detectives have apparently found no evidence to link him to the 2011 murder. Harold Rachpaul, 84, was

found bound and strangled in his apartment, located behind the Robb Street, Lacytown drug store he had operated for close to 50 years. Police had received reports that Kissoon, who worked as a security guard at a nearby business premises, was seen leaving the yard on the night that Rachpaul was believed to have been slain. However, Kissoon had insisted that he was innocent, although he admitted that he was previously remanded on charges of armed robbery.

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Termination of UG officers could attract court action - Senior official

Possible court action looms if the Council of the University of Guyana fails to reverse its decision to terminate the services of two senior officials – Bursar John Seeram and Chief Accountant Hazel Bentinck. At least this is according to a senior official close to the operation of the tertiary institution who informed this publication that the move by the Council was not only illadvised but also represents a malicious act. “Members of the University community are very much concerned about the manner in which the senior employees were sacked and it was something that was certainly not expected,” said the official who requested anonymity. According to the official, the two officers were terminated on the basis of the findings detailed in a draft Report following an audit carried out by the University of the West Indies (UWI) of the Bursary of the local university. The audit was warranted following the discovery of a number of issues that were uncovered which were highlighted after the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor, Professor

Jacob Opadeyi, earlier this year. The official noted that while the draft report of the audit showed no evidence of fraud on the part of the two officials, there were certain instances of mismanagement. The mismanagement, the official said, included instances when the Bursar, on his own accord, decided to pay workers using monies from various sources that were not intended for that purpose. “For example, if money was there for Summer School, he would use that to pay salaries although it was not for that...while in accounting principles that is wrong, the fact remains that he only used what he had,” the official said. The actions of the Bursar were also found to be a cause for concern as it relates to the non-payments of employees’ NIS and other necessary deductions. Although the actions were not correct, they were however justifiable, since according to the official, “the University did not have enough money...There was no fraud! What is there to steal?” The Chief Accountant, on the other hand, was only in March appointed to that

position while the issues within the Bursary were found to have been carried out over a prolonged period. However, the issue of even greater concern, according to the official, is that after the submission of the draft audit report the two officers, two weeks ahead of the Council meeting which decided their fates, had each submitted written responses to the allegations levelled against them. The responses, this publication understands, were presented to the Vice Chancellor who reportedly failed to furnish this information to the Council. “The VC did not make the Council aware of the responses from these two people...So Council made a major decision to fire them without listening or hearing their part of the story.” The workers’ unions, according to the official, are insisting that “due process was not followed.” Moreover, the Unions have plans apace to petition the Council to change its decision. And should this not be the way forward “the

matter will end up in court because sacking of these people is unfair. You can’t sack people based on a draft report...” According to the official the draft report is one that was subject to thorough scrutiny which, together with the consideration of the officers’ responses, could have resulted in possible changes before the submission of a final report. A statement from the unions outlined that the report from the UWI auditors was submitted to Council, which identified numerous systemic failures and deficiencies. However, it was noted that the report also noted that no malfeasance was detected. “It was therefore astounding to the Union Rep. on Council that the VC recommended, and the Council accepted by majority vote, that the Bursar and Chief Accountant be fired,” added the statement. The statement also highlighted that the Chief Accountant was only recently appointed to that position, had no authority,

and had complained extensively about such matters to successive Vice Chancellors even as it was noted that the responses of the two employees were not laid before the Council. “The tendency of the UG Council to fire staff without a proper hearing (if any) and redress is continuing. Unless we stand up, who will be next?” the statement highlighted. This decision, it was noted too, follows a previous decision to dismiss a lecturer who was accused of sexual misconduct, but was not

found guilty by a court of law or the University. The lecturer was nonetheless fired for accepting payment for extra lessons, although there was no complaint to that effect and no regulation that forbids such activity. However, the statement underscored that “the Unions are in no way sanctioning wrongdoing by any individual that might harm the University. We are however insisting that in every instance due process be followed before any decision is taken to terminate an employee’s services.”

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Friday September 06, 2013

Guyana looking to expand diabetes fight In light of the fact that the health sector’s efforts to combat diabetes has realised notable successes, including a 50 per cent reduction in amputations, diligent moves are being made to expand related services. At least this is according to the Health Ministry’s Coordinator of Chronic Diseases, Dr Karen GordonBoyle. However, facilitating the expansion plans will not only require funding, but careful planning. As such, a meeting held at Project Dawn, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, yesterday saw the gathering of stakeholders to help plot the way forward. Among the stakeholders in attendance were officials from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, persons trained specially in Diabetic Management, Community-based individuals, doctors, nurses, statisticians, surveillance officers, planners and economists. It is expected that funding will be garnered through the World Diabetes Foundation. Moreover, the preparation of a proposal is currently in the making, according to Dr Gordon-Boyle. Already a draft report has been crafted and was the subject of discussion

The diabetes stakeholders meeting in session yesterday yesterday. “Today (yesterday) is a review of the draft proposal document that deals with the various components,” said the Chronic Diseases Coordinator, who disclosed that the local Health Sector is working in collaboration with two Canadian-based entities – the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre at the University of Toronto and Orbis International. “We are reviewing, critiquing and editing the draft...We are asking questions and making sure that everybody is on board; that they agree with it, so that

we can finalise it and submit it,” Dr Gordon-Boyle said of the draft proposal. She disclosed too that the final document will be ably crafted by a Pan American Health Organisation-sponsored Consultant. The proposed expansion of the diabetes-combating programme will represent a third phase of local efforts undertaken in collaboration with the Canadian entities. Phases one and two, through which sterling advances were made in the fight against diabetes, had in fact attracted an award from the Journal of Wound Care earlier this year,

according to Dr GordonBoyle. Moreover, the draft for the proposed expansion will entail efforts to further address diabetic conditions that affect the eyes and pregnancy, and there will be moves to facilitate public health expansion of the diabetic foot projects possibly into Regions Seven, Eight, Nine and One. Although there are currently seven diabetic foot centres catering to the population, most of the cases are seen at the GPHC. In addition, in the quest to expand the diabetic

programme, Dr Gordon-Boyle said that moves will also be made to train ophthalmologists to treat diabetic retinopathy and optometrists to diagnose such cases so that more persons will be able to have their eyes checked. Currently there are three or four trained ophthalmologists in the public health sector and there will be moves to train nurses, medexes and other health officials to manage diabetes, even as efforts are made to integrate it with the management of hypertension and high lipids.

Added to training of needful medical experts, the Chronic Diseases Coordinator said that “we would like to look at diabetes in pregnancy and being able to diagnose it early and manage them.” According to Dr GordonBoyle, one of the big challenges that has been realised is that 50 per cent of people who have diabetes are “totally clueless. They don’t know that they have it and by the time they do go to the hospital it is usually when they have some kind of complication and by then they have had it for years.” But the key to preventing amputations and other complications, such as those with the eyes, is early detection and managing, Dr Gordon-Boyle asserted. And the primary means to detect the condition early is to ensure that screening and testing is done in a timely manner. “The screening has been happening quite a bit already, but we have been doing screening of the general population...Anybody who comes just does a screening, but we now want to try doing screening using a risk assessment; so we are going to be screening persons who are at high risk versus just anybody,” said Dr GordonBoyle. Added to this, she said that moves are being made by the Health Ministry to introduce a new tool called the ‘Indian Diabetic Risk Score’ and doctors will be specially trained to utilise this so that more individuals can be targeted for training. “Screening the persons that need to be screened is what we have to do, because we have limited resources...You have to be wise where you allocate and use them,” Dr Gordon-Boyle stated. She explained, too, that another main area to be addressed is that of governance, whereby there is a strong system to support the expansion. As such, she noted that efforts will be made to target particularly high-risk patients using the four parameters of age, weight, physical activities, and a history of family diabetes. The total score that any one patient can have is 100, but those with scores of over 60 will be considered high-risk and in need of testing. The diabetes expansion proposal in its completed form is expected to be submitted by January to the World Diabetes Foundation, and it is the expectation of the Chronic Diseases Coordinator that funding will be made available soon after.

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Intelligence gathering could help combat - Human Services Minister human trafficking More emphasis needs to be placed on intelligence gathering on the ground to effectively combat Trafficking In Persons (TIP) since traffickers use innovative methods to lure their victims, says Jennifer Webster, Minister of Human Services and Social Security. She was at the time addressing participants, including Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, members of the diplomatic community and representatives of Government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations, at the opening session of a three-day Training of Trainers Workshop, on Wednesday, at the International Conference Centre, Pattensen, East Coast Demerara. According to Webster, participants must see themselves as the “ears and eyes on the ground” as combined efforts are made to prevent persons in communities are not lured by traffickers. She said TIP is committed especially to women and children and is a threat to human rights, dignity and development. Webster said Government would spear no effort in ensuring that reports of TIP are investigated and the

Participants of the TIP Training of Trainers’ Workshop perpetrators are brought to justice. She asserted that for 2013 there have been six reports of human trafficking with three convictions. According to the Minister, the Ministry intends to erect a shelter specifically to house TIP victims, thus providing accommodation for victims and their families. The victims would be exposed to life skills training opportunities to empower them and help improve their quality of lives. This development was being requested several

years ago, but the authorities then had always maintained that there were not sufficient cases of human trafficking that required the erection of a shelter specifically for TIP victims. However, since the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization began operations in 2012 the organization has rescued several women and children from the ‘flesh trade’ in Guyana’s “gold bush”. The organization had been very vocal about poor treatment of victims and signaled their

own intentions of building a shelter. Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who delivered the feature address, shared Government’s methodology of quiet, patient, consistent and persistent work on the ground to successfully fight TIP. He emphasized that the issuance of numerous press statements, interviews or shouting from the rooftops, do not help to successfully fight TIP. He said Government’s tactic allows more efficiency

GGDMA believes Simona Broomes innocent The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) has come out in support of Simona Broomes, President of Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO) and demands that the police investigate the assault and theft allegations against her professionally. President of GGDMA, Patrick Harding, who has been observing exchanges in the media from different sections of society, yesterday weighed in on the matter which has Broomes’s character at stake. Two Mondays ago, Broomes, who has been rescuing women and children from the sex trade, in Guyana’s interior, was detained at police headquarters in relation to assault and robbery allegations leveled by a businesswoman who had been charged with human trafficking. Broomes was released on $10,000 bail and is expected to return to Eve Leary today. According to Harding, GGDMA believes that Broomes is innocent of the assault and theft allegations.

GGDMA President, Patrick Harding He said Broomes and the GWMO have been doing a tremendous job in rescuing

TIP victims, especially women and children, from mining areas. He said there are presently elements who conduct illegal activities, such as TIP and child labour, as well as illegal mining, and Broomes has been very vocal against them. He added that during a recent meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell, a promise was made to GGDMA members that all efforts would be made to ensure ranks of the Guyana Police Force execute their duties professionally. However, miners are also expected to conduct themselves as law-abiding citizens.

Harding also referred to interactions with President Donald Ramotar at the opening of Mining Week, where Ramotar sent a strong message that Government does not condone human trafficking. And GGDMA is prepared to support the President’s call to rid the sector of bad elements. On a relatively different note, Harding said that GGDMA is working towards having another recordbreaking year. He is proud that thus far 320,000 ounces of gold have been declared, as the small and medium scale miners are well on their way of achieving their target.

in tackling TIP and maintains the privacy of victims, who should be protected at all cost. He added that victims should not be given the type of exposure they are currently given in the media. “Who we should name and shame, are the traffickers…but please, not the victims or suspected victims or the alleged victims…The traffickers are the ones we need to target and bring to justice. And, that is the way Government had been going about its business insofar as TIP is concerned and trying to identify where it exists… who is involved in rings or not, and who are the victims,” he said. According to the Minister, sometimes it is appears that Government is in competition with some NonGovernmental Organizations, but that is not the case. He said Government is willing to work with anyone prepared to achieve the objective of rooting out TIP.

Rohee related that the participation of the international donor community at the workshop is a manifestation of Government’s desire to partner with the international community to fight this transnational crime. “You mean to say we can unite at the international level and disunite at the national level…I don’t think this is good for our country”, he stated. The Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO), a Non-Government Organization, has been at the forefront rescuing women and children from sexual slavery in interior. The GWMO was recognized by representatives of US Embassy Georgetown and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their efforts in combating TIP. Khadija Musa, UNDP Resident Representative, said the GWMO has been doing an exceptional job in recognizing TIP victims in mining areas. As such, the UNDP supports the organization and is committed completely to work on this issue. According to Human Services Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Patrick Findlay, as part of the Ministry’s support to organizations like Help and Shelter that assist with fighting TIP, it would be presenting a small grant to GWMO. He said that this would help them in their outreaches. Other organizations would also benefit from grants donated by the UNDP to assist in this fight at the conclusion of the workshop today.

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OP driver remanded on illegal Brassington’s many contentious roles make him inappropriate for Amaila firearm and ammo charge Kenard Jubar, a driver attached to the Office of the President, was yesterday remanded to prison after he was brought before Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. The court heard that on September 3 at John Street, Brickdam, Georgetown, the defendant who resides at 27 Norton Street, Georgetown, had in his possession, four live rounds and one 9mm Pistol without being the holder of a valid licence. The accused pleaded not guilty. Police Prosecutor Bharat

Mangru objected to bail as he told the court that the defendant was found with the said firearm and ammunition on his person. Mangru said that on the day in question, police were on mobile patrol when they noticed the defendant riding a motorcycle (CG 8212) without a helmet. He was subsequently stopped and a search was conducted where the discovery was then made. Jubar was then arrested and after investigations were carried out, the charge then was instituted. To strengthen his reasons for objecting to bail, the prosecutor added that the

offence is one that is prevalent and is also serious when the nature of the crime is taken into consideration. More importantly, he said, “no special reasons were presented to the court to justify the defendant’s request for bail.” Chief Magistrate Beharry refused bail. The defendant then informed the court that he was unsure as to why his lawyer, Kim Kyte-John, was unable to appear in his defence. His matter was transferred to the court of Magistrate Judy Latchman where he was told to return on September 18 for the commencement of his trial. Witnesses were also ordered to be summoned for the said date. An orange cloth was then placed over Jubar’s face by a worried relative before he was taken to the holding cell.

A Partnership for National Unity leader, David Granger, said that the Opposition does not believe Winston Brassington is an appropriate manager for the development of hydro power in Guyana given his involvement in numerous contentious projects. Granger cited the Marriott Hotel under construction in Kingston, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), his handling of the affairs of the Guyana Power and Light as well as the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Granger also said that the administration is devoid of a comprehensive development plan for the nation. He said that at present the administration is pursuing a number of projects that the nation has not asked for, leading the opposition to believe the President to be a puppet with someone else pulling the strings behind the

- Granger scenes. The opposition leader reiterated that this is among the many reasons why the opposition was pushing for comprehensive package to be taken to the Parliament and it must contain all aspects of the project including the financial architecture, the plant, the transmission and the management of GPL, as well as the tariff that consumers will have to pay. Granger recalled that during the 1970s when the People’s National Congress (PNC) had attempted to develop hydro power in Upper Mazaruni, it had created a separate ‘Authority’ to pursue the project. Similarly, he said that the opposition had been urging government to create a ‘Potaro Basin Development Authority’ to pursue the Amaila Project. “Literally a corporation

Winston Brassington has to be created,” said Granger. This body, he said, would then have to be staffed with the requisite managers and experts such as environmentalists, “people who can provide the type of service to make such a corporation work...I do not know why we didn’t go that way but the ad hockery is what is responsible for some of the suspicion because everything seems to be just word of mouth.” Granger concluded that “if we had this document before the National Assembly I think we would not have been going through this agony at present…I don’t know the reason why it wasn’t presented in that form.” Granger also emphasised that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at the end of the day is a bank interested in its returns. He was at the time responding to the fact that the IDB was asking for a higher rate of return than that of the Chinese Exim Bank for its investment in the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project. An application was made to the IDB for US$100M to be invested in the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project and it had been asking for a 9.5 per cent rate of return while the Chinese Exim Bank had requested 8.5 per cent for its US$500M. Granger said that in the confidential briefings that the party would have had with the President and Winston Brassington on the project, there was no mention of the rate of return for the IDB. The Opposition leader further criticized the administration for not having a dedicated managerial infrastructure dedicated to the development of hydro power in Guyana.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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US prosecutors accuse Guyanese man of raping, killing adoptive mother

Accused: Gerard Lopes Murdered: Natalie Belmonte Florida (NBC Miami) - A two-year-old murder mystery in South Florida is headed to trial on Monday. Gerard Lopes is accused of murdering his adoptive mother, 43-year-old Natalie Belmonte, who was originally from Guyana, in July 2011. On Wednesday, a motion in limiting hearing was held in which state prosecutors asked that DNA proving motive for murder be admissible. The state claims Lopes' semen was found in Belmonte and that he raped and killed his mother. The autopsy showed the semen matched Lopes' DNA, but Lopes' attorneys argue it's not relevant because the sexual relationship was consensual. Belmonte adopted Gerard, her first cousin, in 2000 from their native country, Guyana, when he was 10. The state alleges the sexual assault is motive for the murder. It called a DNA expert to the stand, Dr. Martin Tracey, who testified the level of integrity of the DNA found shows the semen was deposited at the time of the murder. "We know from other kinds of studies that I'm

familiar with and teach at the university, the survival time for semen is about 3 to 5 days,� Tracey said. Police said security video from a neighbour's house shows Belmonte, who reportedly hails from a prominent Guyanese family in Kingston, Georgetown, and Lopes leaving in the same car and stopping at a Walgreens before heading to a party. The car returns with both individuals around 2:48 a.m. A short time later, Lopes is seen dragging a bag across the driveway and loading bags into the trunk. Belmonte's body would be found three days later near their Pembroke Pines home. Lopes has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. During the motion in limiting hearing, prosecutors called Belmonte's sister Michaela Teixeira to the stand and asked point blank about the possibility of a consensual sexual relationship. "There's absolutely no way she had consensual sexual relationship with her son,� she said. To give the statement punch, prosecutors detailed a normal, loving mother-son relationship showing Teixeira letters between the (continued on page 24)

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Clothes vendor stabbed to death A dispute outside of a city night club early Wednesday morning ended fatally for a father of one who was stabbed a number of times to his abdomen. The victim was identified a s 2 3 y e a r- o l d J a m a l Fernandes, of 14 West La Penitence Housing Scheme. According to an eyewitness, at around 04:00 hrs on Wednesday, Fernandes was leaving the club on North Road in the company of two women when a taxi driver pulled up and made remarks to one of the women. The eyewitness said that Fernandes became annoyed and the men exchanged words outside of the bar, but the driver left the location. The source said that after stopping at a nearby traffic light the taxi driver then saw Fernandes again proceeding towards Camp Street along North Road, where another argument ensued. The eyewitness told this publication that during the argument the taxi driver then exited his car, pulled out a knife, and began stabbing Fernandes in his abdomen. “At first I thought he was cuffing up the man, but then I saw a set of blood start gushing out his belly and I realized that he get stab up, so I ran to his rescue,” the eyewitness said. The source added that the aggressor then attempted to

Dead: Jamal Fernandes make good his escape in his car when a man shot at his tyre, but this did not stop him from escaping. The eyewitness said that the assailant then went to the Brickdam Police station and told ranks that he was attacked by four men during a robbery. He was then spotted by another eyewitness who was making a report about the stabbing. “He been in the station and I overheard him telling the police that he got robbed, so I stopped him and told them that he lied and explained what really happened,” the eyewitness said. The source said that the man was then handcuffed and taken into police custody. The taxi driver sustained no major injury.

US prosecutors accuse ... From page 18 two, birthday and Mother's Day cards. Teixeira read from a card – one that if Lopes is proven guilty – could serve as an eerie message from the grave. "Gerry I'm very proud of the man that you are becoming. Always remember the choices you make today determine the outcome of your future,” she said, reading from the card. At the hearing Broward Circuit Judge Matthew Destry ordered two prerequisites. If the state can establish a sexual relationship has serious negative consequences on Lopes, and secondly that the semen was deposited at or near the time of death, he'll admit the evidence. He also warned that if the state presents the argument into opening statements, but fails to prove relevance, he'll grant a mistrial.

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Granger blasts President’s claims on Amerindian development Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), David Granger, on Wednesday slammed President Donald Ramotar’s recent utterances on Amerindian development as wildly uninformed and dangerous. Ramotar during the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month had declared that “only under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) administration did Amerindians experience development.” He claimed, also, that education and health services “disappeared or, at best, stagnated after 1964.” According to Granger, the President further claimed that Amerindian development only resumed “in 1992, with the return of democracy to Guyana and the PPP/C Party to the administration.” Granger yesterday, during an emergency press engagement to respond to the Ramotar assertions, told media operatives that when he learnt of the president’s allegations against the then PNC administration, he was “dismayed at the President’s

- dismayed at “total ignorance and lack of objectivity”

PNC Leader David Granger total ignorance and lack of objectivity.” According to Granger, the improvement in public services to the indigenous communities and the progress made in hinterland development are a matter of incontrovertible historical record. He said that the party wanted to remind the ruling administration that the desire to reclaim their ancestral lands has always been the chief desire of all of the indigenous nations. Granger insisted that nothing was done in this

regard by the 1957 to 1964 PPP administration. He said that it was the PNC that established the ‘Amerindian Lands Commission’ in September 1967, under the chairmanship of Mr. P A Forte. This Commission, he said, began the task of demarcating and facilitating Indigenous land rights, “a process which the PPP is still to complete.” According to Granger, the PNC had also appointed Philip Duncan, a member of the Wapichan nation, first, as Parliamentary Secretary and, later as Minister, for Amerindian Affairs. He said too that it was the PNC that initiated the ‘Toshaos’ Conference in February 1969 and allowed for four days of consultation in Georgetown. “That Conference provided 170 indigenous leaders with their first and best opportunity until then to

discuss the problems affecting their widelydispersed communities with the central government…It was the first Government effort aimed at formulating a far-reaching programme for indigenous peoples’ development which was subsequently put into effect.” Granger in defending the PNC government said that it was that administration that initiated a progressive education policy for the indigenous people which differed from that of the previous PPP administration. He said that this initiative was based on the idea of “taking secondary education to the indigenous people, rather than forcing them to leave their families and communities to study on the coastland.” Granger pointed out that the PNC began by constructing secondary schools at St Ignatius in the

Rupununi and Hosororo in the Barima-Waini Regions. The Opposition Leader was adamant that it was the PNC administration that expanded primary education by building schools in the Aranaputa Valley and Monkey Mountain, partly through self-help. He said that 11 new governmentaided, all-age schools were built at Konashen, Maruranau, St Ignatius, Sand Creek, Toka and Yakarinta in the Rupununi; Kamarang in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region; Baramita, Matthew’s Ridge, Port Kaituma, Kwebanna, and Waramuri in the Barima-Waini and Orealla in the East Berbice-Corentyne Regions. According to Granger, there were 92 primary schools in indigenous communities by 1968, a great improvement from what the PPP bequeathed in 1964. He said that the hinterland scholarships policy was also expanded. “Five-year scholarships which funded tuition, allowances to buy books and clothing and return passages

President Donald Ramotar to their homes during the Christmas and August holidays – were provided for selected students.” Granger said too that a hostel was constructed by the PNC administration on Princes Street and, “most spectacularly, the Umana Yana was erected on High Street, Georgetown.” The PNC, he said, cannot be truthfully accused of neglect, “it rejects the claim that the development of hinterland and indigenous peoples stagnated between 1964 and 1992 as malicious.”

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Friday September 06, 2013

MORGAN HERITAGE to share stage with R&B Legend

R KELLY

Jamaican Reggae group, Morgan Heritage, will be performing live at the Guyana National Stadium come October 19 when R&B Legend R. Kelly will be headlining the 'Night of Legends' Concert. This was disclosed at a press conference held at Water Crest Hotel Wednesday. In attendance were Director of McNeal Enterprise Odinga Lumumba, Hits and Jams (HJ) officials Rawle Ferguson and Kerwin Bollers.

Director of McNeal Enterpris e Odinga Lumumba said R. Kelly is set to arrive in Guyana on October 18 for the concert the following day. He explained that a new agreement has been signed and R. Kelly will be doing several radio and television announcements and releases to confirm his arrival. The artist also apologized on his facebook account saying “To all my fans in Guyana, I apologize for having to reschedule my show but I will be there on October 19th to give you a performance worth waiting for. Thank you for your patience and understanding. I love you all and can't

wait to see you!” Lumumba also confirmed that Jamaican Reggae group, Morgan Heritage will also be performing at the show, while negotiations are still pending with one other major player who will be performing at the event. “Until we have a contractual agreement we will not reveal that information.” Tickets are still valid but refunds are available to interested parties. “Technically and legally we made a decision to reimburse people, because of persons whom might have visited the country to see the show and other factors. However, that was started Tuesday and will continue, but if it gets too complex we will stop it and people will use their tickets to come to the show.” He explained that for different reasons people would want a refund, but people have to be orderly and honest since there has been occasions where persons have been dishonest in their claims. Morgan Heritage was formed in 1994

by the five children of reggae artist Denroy Morgan, namely Peter "Peetah" Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy "Gramps" Morgan, Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan and Memo "Mr. Mojo". Some of their biggest hits are 'Tell me how come', 'Don't Haffi Dread', 'She's still loving me', 'Down by the River', 'A man is still a Man', 'Nothing to smile about', 'The Return' and 'I'm coming Home'. Morgan Heritage, although creating a strong presence in the entertainment industry for almost two decades, supersedes many talents currently gracing Reggae Music. There is no comparison to this group's outstanding stage performance and star quality presence they seamlessly aerate to the world. The Jamzone Summer Break 2013 International Concert which was scheduled for August 24 with headlining act, R&B legend R. Kelly, was postponed to October 19, 2013! This delay is due to the artiste falling ill following a recent tour in South Africa.

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Daring fun Gymkhana 2013

on agenda at

t Eve Leary will come alive on he Police Sports Club ground a action returns with Sunday at 11:00hrs as massive efer the more outdoor and Gymkhana 2013. Those who pr t it event. Action after action is wha daring kind of fun will love this entails. g stunt displays by ranks of the There will be a number of excitin Guyana Police Force. e taking motorcycle stunts, Polic Patrons can expect to see breath , nch ra B d nte Mou ice Pol the by Canine Section in action, displays s. ong other thrilling activitie gymnastics, and tug-of-war am a Police Gymkhana has become the , Since it was revived in 2008 lic. pub the of ion t t for a large sec feature of fun and entertainmen , ortunity to display skills, which p op an e c For It gives the Police ary ess c ne the of e m o s ect j pro besides the entertaining feature, st crime. gain a t igh f s ice' pol e h t in s element nity for closer interaction ortu p op The event also provides an lic. between the police and the pub re be the traditional trampoline the will y onl not , For the children y ed the opportunity to enjoy man activity, they will also be provid aint balling. unusual and fun activities like p sic as patrons indulge themselves u m ly e Hype will be created by liv in cocktails from the bar. eed not worry about the cost of This is one event that patrons n olutely free. tickets, since admission is abs

T

Previous scenes of Gymkhana events

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Friday September 06, 2013

GFW partners with EPA to raise environmental awareness Models pose while GFW, EPA officials sit at the centre table.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered with the Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) in observance of Water Week, which spans from September 1st- 6th, 2013. This is in keeping with the United Nations declaration of 2013, being the International Year of water Cooperation. This was disclosed at a press conference held Wednesday last at the EPA, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown. At the event, six models displayed apparel representing various environmental styles. In attendance were Creative Director of GFW, Richard Young; Director of Education, Information and Training Division of EPA Sharifa Razac; Project coordinator of pick it up Guyana, Clint Baboolall and Chief Executive Officer of GFW Sonia Noel. For 2013, the GFW's theme is inspired by the sustainable properties of water, in declaring that water is essential to the existence of all living creatures. According to Sonia Noel, “there is no life without water and no fashion without life, so we must give life to fashion by brining fashion to life.” She explained that over the years GFW has aligned itself with various causes and the organization has partnered with the EPA and Ministry of Environment and Natural

Resources for the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation. Noel said that there have been prizewinning challenges posed within the creative arts which climax on Sunday 8th September, at the Botanical Gardens. A high-point of the activities is a motorcade set for Friday 6th September at 4pm, kicking off from Water Chris on Quamina and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown. “Most of the designers of fashion week were challenged to come up with their interpretation of water and what it means to us and its importance, not in a costume form but in clothing.” She noted. “They don't just present an outfit it has to have a story.” She continued: “The motorcade this Friday will have models with placards, and designers will have floats depicting their various concepts of what their interpretation is and why GFW is aligned with this important cause.” Noting that there are plans to video the activities which will be edited and sent to the United Nations, Noel said this will portray the meaning and value of the event. Project coordinator of pick it up Guyana, Clint Baboolall thanked GFW for incorporating the themes into their fashion event. He said these events will be used to raise

awareness in promoting sound sanitation practices that impact water quality. “We want to raise awareness with the participants of the event and hopefully spark a commitment of sanitation practices in their lives and moreso in their communities and we encourage the public to come out for this event. Hopefully participants and the general public will leave with a commitment with sound environmental practices and a deeper creation for the creative arts and fashion in Guyana.” Baboolall explained. Director of Education, Information and Training Division of EPA Sharifa Razac said the EPA has the responsibility for the quality of surface water which includes rivers, trenches and canals. “At the end of the various sessions planned, we are hoping to have more designers, people in the arts to come on board and incorporate environmental themes into their work.” Razac said. Creative Director of GFW, Richard Young said fashion has become, not just the making of apparel, but is an art form for people to channel ideologies and philosophies. “People are fascinated by the visual feast that fashion creates, and we need to use this to grab people's attention to talk about other issues.” Young said sustainable development

is a path that GFW is always promoting and as such this needs the diversification of the economy, and it means nontraditional ways of contributing to the GDP. “We are very happy to incorporate water, we got poets to write about the relationships of water and other elements and life, so it not just about crystal clear liquid that runs, but what it brings to mind is also important,” Young emphasized. As a climax of Water Week 2013, Guyana Fashion Week (GFW) will kick off a grand showroom sale at its headquaters, 176 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown. "Fashion flowing like water" is a sale of apparel by GFW designers. Over 20 local designers will carry their lines at reduced prices from September 7th to 21st. “Fashion flowing like water” is one of the GFW activities to foster commerce among the local designer fraternity. It's not only about art, it's about business. The GFW 6 designers will be available to interact with the public and have discussions on options and ideas. Their pieces will also be sold at a special cost price, as an exclusive offer to the patrons attending the event. Veteran Model and young designer, Meleesa Payne mentioned that this is an amazing opportunity for those fashionistas who are interested in young talent.

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21 days left for

Sami Yusuf concert King of Islamic Pop, Sami Yusuf

The much anticipated Sami Yusuf concert is just 21 days away. Fans and those wanting to get a feel of Yusuf's talent are advised to start searching for the perfect outfit; whether by going shopping, or hunting their wardrobes. The concert is booked for September 28 at the Guyana National Stadium, and a sold out crowd is very much anticipated by organizers- Inspire Inc. in collaboration with the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) and the Muslim Youth League of Guyana. Tickets are already available at West Demerara and Georgetown as follows: CIOG Office Woolford Ave,Thomas Lands; Gulzar Namdar--76,Meten Meer Zorg West; Ashraf Allie-Parika Outfall, WCD; Imran Hussain (Wolf-Furniture Store) -Leonora Public Road; Roy Hussain Discount Store - Vreed En

Hoop stelling; Tickets will be distributed across the country within this week the following locations: East Coast Demerara; Imran Khan & Daughters Hardware StoreMon Repos; Z.Mohamed and Son Trading - Felicity, ECD; Curies General Store - 8 Dundee M/Cony, ECD; Berbice; Imran & Son/Imran & Daughter (Rose Hall town); A. Ally & Sons (New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Grove); Madina Store, 6 D Bush Lot-West Coast Berbice; Prices are as follows: General Admission Adult - $2,500; General Admission Child - $1,500; Gold Adult - $5,000 and Gold Child - $3,500. Who is Sami Yusuf? To those in the Middle East, England, and North America, he needs no introduction. Sami Yusuf, a 32-year old British Singer, Songwriter, is well known for

Jamzone Summer Break…

Kids Zone

a welcomed new addition

D

ora, Diego, Princess Tiana, Barney, Minnie the Mouse and many more animated friends returned to the Jamzone Summer Break Kids Zone this year to sing and dance but this was not the only attraction kids who attended got the opportunity to enjoy. With new exciting games and fun activities such as the dunk tank, the orb/zorbing ball (also known as the 'roll-inside ball') the bungee trampoline and the raging bull, the National Park was filled with excitement as kids of all ages cheerfully made their way around trying their best not to miss a minute of the fun. From the 30-Foot slider to the merry-go-round and many bouncy castles, children had a thrilling day, not forgetting to mention the

countless games including the balloon burst, spin the wheel, rabbit in the hole and the basket toss. Kids also enjoyed getting their faces creatively decorated with face paint before posing for photo opportunities with the stilt walker and their favourite cartoon characters. As the afternoon got cooler, the stage show begun. Starring were young children who enjoyed the spotlight, frolicking in merriment as they sang and danced to their own musical numbers. They were joined by the many cartoon characters, however, Princess Tiana headlined the play as she led the kids to save the kingdom through a song of love. As the kids enjoyed the many activities, parents indulged in delicious hot dogs and other mouthwatering snacks and drinks.

making and promoting devotional songs in many languages, especially English. He is best known for the singles “AlMu'Allim”, “Mother”, Asma Allah”, “Ya Mustafa” and “Allahu”, and has been named Islam's Biggest Rock Star by the Time Magazine, as well as the King of Islamic Pop by Aljazeera. Yusuf produced his fourth and latest album “Salaam” in 2012, which continues to spread love, peace, and unity. He has a huge audience with a large and young fan base, and has sold over 15 million albums worldwide. He has inspired many by his spiritual and meaningful lyrics and his interpretation of the current state of the world. This will be Sami Yusuf's first visit to Guyana. He has performed in numerous countries across the world, including: the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Bosnia, Turkey and the MENA region. He will be accompanied to the land of many waters by a 50-member cast, inclusive of musicians from all across the world including Barbados. Like the 'Fulfillment' concert, this event is expected to feature clean and family oriented and religiously linked entertainment. Sami Yusuf's concert is definitely one not to miss. If you have never heard of

his music, “google” might be useful in that regard, and who knows, by the time Yusuf touches down in Guyana he might have a large fan base here. Yog Mahadeo of Inspire Inc. said that following the 'Fulfillment' gospel concert featuring the sensational CeCe Winans, he received about three messages on facebook, from persons asking for Sami Yusuf to come to Guyana. Not knowing anything about the artiste, Mahadeo said that he resorted to “google” and was amazed by the voice and songs of the King of Islamic Pop, but also the overall character of Yusuf, a man who is very involved in charity. It was noted that the announcement of Sami Yusuf's coming Guyana has received an overwhelming response from especially foreigners. It was noted that since he has followers from all over the world, him coming here would only seek to further promote Guyana. Mahadeo said that groups from across the Caribbean and beyond are planning to come for the event. He noted that an online teaser has attracted a significant amount of views accompanied by positive comments. In order to also promote local talents, the show will also see local performances. It was noted that the event is designed in such a way, that persons of all races and religious backgrounds can enjoy themselves.

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FOR RENT 30 Acres of land for farming or lumber yard or to do business at long creekCall:223-8229/672-5985 1 B a r b e r, S a l o n c h a i r n a i l station $5,000. LG space for office etc. $2,500- Call: 602-7960 Store front for rent or unit at 12 North Road- Call:680-1198

Pure bred American Akita puppies for sale $200,000Call:639-8924 or 227-4674

6 Weeks course starting September 16th: facial, pedicure, manicure, basic make-up. Certificate @ the end of course- Call:6188536/696-2295 Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138,652-5800 specialized in everything for women & children

One flock of black belly sheep with flock RamCall:617-6348 Bagotville, W.B.D large land $6.5M- Call:223-1719/6000036 Game centre equipment for sale/ rent. Soesdyke Linden Highway- Call:600-0036

The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979

Excellent Gold land priced to sell owner leaving country, lucrative investmentCall:682-0365/614-1669

NOTICE

Video recording Spy Pen $6,500- Call:671-6177 30KVA Waker Neuson super silent generator on wheels, 2012. 5630 Skid steer BobcatCall:662-7388

Two Tundra, F150 truck, Suzuki sports car and one Chevrolet cargo van (2500cc)- Call: 227-8519/ 616-5784 (1) JL150T-3 motorcycle new, recently crashed- Call:2232812/661-1717/645-6413

TOUR Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of fun- Call: 6440185/ 639-2663/ 227-8290/ 665-5171 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School @First Federation Building- Call:225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

LAND FOR SALE Wa i a k a b r a , Linden Highway: 1,409’ x 403’ or 13.73 acres. Concrete house thereon. West of Highway- Call:619-4152 House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond EBD & drafting of house plans call: 223-0733, 223-0730, 692-8513 41 Acres at Silver Hill/ Moblissa Linden Highway $18M Neg- Call:223-7181/ 627-4900 At Parfaite Hamonie Call:660-0251 100’x120’ land on E.C.D @ Bachelor’s Aventure $7.5M negotiable- Call:680-5944 One land for sale at Parfaite Harmonie price: $800,000Call:662-9785

Leyland DAF 150-45 21ft tray length. GNN seriesCall:673-9996/255-0618 (first owner)

Parfaite Harmony: $700,000, $1M, $1.2M, $1.6M- Call:6757292

New RX8 (red) rotary 7 speed engine: new rims, tyres, music (kickers), lambo doors- Call:627-8786

Land for sale @ 14th Avenue first corner Diamond new scheme- Call:610-0901/6805112

1 Hilux pickup solid DEF, 2 ton winch, crash bar etc. Call:644-5096/697-1453

Business land for sale Soesdyke Linden HighwayPlease Call:678-7355

2006 BMW 320i unregistered- Call:660-6799

400 acres land for sale in the Demerara River; suitable for agricultural- Call:622-7881/ 658-1426

2008 Toyota Premio- call: 615-4114 2- 2007 Toyota AvensisCall:698-0674

2369.664 Sq/ft of land @ Victoria village, E.C.DCall:225-2626/225-3068

Female driven Honda CRV 2003: Leather seats, Tv/Nav Immaculate condition $3.1M - Call:622-4107

Bel-Air $28M, Cummings & Robb $75M, Bredia & Durban Streets $37M- Call:600-0036

A.V.S Auto Sale: 2009 Ford F150 newly registered $6.6M negotiable, like brand newCall:688-9078/227-3728 Toyota Spacio PMM series: Music, rims etc. excellent condition- Call:604-0000 Tractor from Canada: 285MF $2.5M, 265MF $2M, 165MF $1.8M, 135MF $1.3M, Ford Ranger pickup $1.5MCall:682-5230/628-9596

Large land Robb & Cummings St.- Call:600-0036

MAKE-UP For any occasion amazing transformations. Lowest prices. Appointments Call:647-1773 URGENTLY REQUIRED removal of 3 stands at the GCC Ground, BourdaCall:226-3130 for more information

MASSAGE

Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203

Original Games for PS3Call:625-6070

One Mitsubishi Canter; late GPP series – Call:662-8743

15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594

Pluck chicken- Call:676-0931/ 686-7180 Playstation2 systems + 8 games + Hacked memory card $40,000- Call:644-6012

1 RX8 Mazda: A/C, stick gear, wheel, lights, fog lamps, fully powered, PPP series, low mileage- Call:653-2477

1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615

Honda welder 270 amp with 15,000 watts generator, 1 Mig Welder & 02 Tundra- Call: 220-4495/ 611-5114

Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick)

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

Friday September 06, 2013

First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307 1 Toyota- AT212, AT192, Ceres, EP71 Starlet, Tundra, E24 Nissan van- Call: 6445096/697-1453 One L-Touring $1.1M & o n e G - To u r i n g Wa g o n $1M. One Hire & one private. Excellent conditionCall:622-7831/613-4383

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Premio PRR series $2.2M- Call:642-3185 1 Toyota Marino: A/C, music, mag rims, alarm, press start etc. $650,000 negotiableCall:622-4700/223-6490 1 Toyota single cab Diff pickup complete engine overhaul & re-sprayed (2) months ago. Price $2.5M- Call: 624-8175 One Mitsubishi canter. Latest series, 15ft trayCall:254-0247/613-2150 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979

TO LET Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 2271218 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6797139 1 two bedrooms apartment at Samantha Point, Grove $40,000- Call:613-7596 Diamond $35,000, Paradise $40,000, Kingston US$900, Kitty$65,000- Call Diana @227-2256/626-9382 House to rent- Call:683-5591 3 Furnished apartments located in Industry, E.C.DCall:222-6001 Short term apartment available- Call:687-3017 Apartment/houses for rent from US$400 and commercial rentals. Phone: 621-6888, 652-4492 2 Bedrooms bottom flat in Nandy Park- Call:610-4436 Two bedrooms bottom flatCall:265-4867 Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 Two bedrooms furnished apartment- Call:665-2548

EDUCATIONAL Lessons Classes: Phonics, Reading (A Beka System), Language & Mathematics (4-12 years) @ 197 Roxanne Burnham Gardens- Call: 6194355/218-2076 Institute of Academic Supremacy: Form 1-5 CXC adults/ lesson classes. CXC Maths, Engilsh, HSB & Business- Call:690-5008 I.A.E (Camp street): Forms 15, lessons & adult CXC classes: Maths, English, Business & ScienceCall:223-0604/683-5742 Wr i t i n g C X C M a t h s / English, Business subjects, Social-St/HSB, Biology. Jan/June, 2014. Forms 1-2 inclusive- Call Mr. Lee 231-2076 (Continued on page 33)

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Largest volcano on earth lurks beneath Pacific Ocean Yahoo - The world’s largest volcano lurks beneath the Pacific Ocean, researchers announced yesterday in the journal Nature Geoscience. Called the Tamu Massif, the enormous mound dwarfs the previous record holder, Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, and is only 25 percent smaller than Olympus Mons on Mars, the biggest volcano in Earth’s solar system, said William Sager, lead study author and a geologist at the University of Houston. “We think this is a class of volcano that hasn’t been recognized before,” Sager said. “The slopes are very shallow. If you were standing on this thing, you would have a difficult time telling which way was downhill.” Tamu is 400 miles (650 kilometers) wide but only about 2.5 miles (4 km) tall. It erupted for a few million years during the early Cretaceous period, about 144 million years ago, and has been extinct since then, the researchers report. Like other massive

volcanoes, Tamu Massif seems to have a central cone that spewed lava down its broad, gentle slopes. The evidence comes from seismic surveys and lava samples painstakingly collected over several years of surveys by research ships. The seismic waves show lava flows dipping away from the summit of the volcano. There appears to be a series of calderas at the summit, similar in shape to the elongated and merged craters atop Mauna Loa, Sager said. Until now, geologists thought Tamu Massif was simply part of an oceanic plateau called Shatsky Rise in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Tamu Massif’s new status as a single volcano could help constrain models of how oceanic plateaus form, Sager said. “For anyone who wants to explain oceanic plateaus, we have new constraints,” he told LiveScience. “They have to be able to explain this volcano forming in one spot and deliver this kind of magma supply in a short time.” Sager said other, bigger volcanoes could be awaiting discovery at other oceanic plateaus, such as Ontong Java Plateau, located north of the Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. “Structures that are under the ocean are really hard to study,” he said.

Friday September 06, 2013

Obama declares Syria a national security threat WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time in more than two years of a bloody civil war, President Barack Obama has declared Syria a national security threat that must be answered with a military strike — and in doing so he is warning Americans as much about the leaders of Iran and North Korea as about Bashar Assad. America’s credibility with those countries will be an immediate casualty if it stands down now on Syria, administration officials say in making their case for U.S. missile strikes. Following an Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack outside Damascus, the White House declared Syria’s 2-year civil war a top risk to American interests. If the U.S. fails to respond, officials said this week, it could encourage other hostile governments to use or develop weapons of mass destruction without fear of being punished. It’s a connection that’s not immediately clear to many Americans — especially after the White House refused to send military support earlier in the Syrian war. The recent chemical weapons attack killed 1,429 people, U.S. intelligence officials say. Other estimates are somewhat lower. The wider war has killed more than 100,000. In House and Senate hearings this week designed to seek congressional approval to strike Assad ‘s government — probably with cruise missiles but not with ground troops — top administration officials pleaded with skeptical lawmakers to consider the risks of doing nothing. “Iran is hoping you look the other way,” Secretary of State John Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations

Committee. “Our inaction would surely give them a permission slip for them to at least misinterpret our intention, if not to put it to the test. Hezbollah is hoping that isolationism will prevail. North Korea is hoping that ambivalence carries the day.” “They are all listening for our silence,” Kerry said. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel raised the possibility that Assad’s chemical weapons stockpile, considered one of the world’s largest, could be seized by his allies, including the Lebanonbased militant group Hezbollah. “We cannot afford for Hezbollah or any terrorist groups determined to strike the United States to have incentives to acquire or use these chemical weapons,” Hagel told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Vali Nasr, a former senior official in Obama’s State Department, said Syria’s spiraling death toll, the rise of fighters in Syria associated with al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, and pressure on neighboring nations from a flood of refugees have already threatened U.S. security interests for years.

“For a very long time we reduced Syria to just a humanitarian tragedy that, as bad as it was, was not a sufficient cause for American involvement,” said Nasr, now dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. “That meant we ignored all the other ways in which Syria was a national security threat. And for two years we tried to minimize the impact of Syria, and now all of a sudden the administration finds itself in the position of having to give sufficient urgency to Syria to justify action.” Over the past two years, the White House has mightily resisted intervening in Syria’s civil war with U.S. military force. A year ago, Obama signaled the one “red line” exception would be the use of chemical weapons. At the same time, the U.S. has used a heavy hand in years of negotiations with Iran as world powers try to persuade Tehran to significantly scale back its nuclear program, and seek to prevent its ability to build a bomb. And Washington has repeatedly and sternly warned North Korea against launching underground

nuclear tests and missiles that have rattled its regional neighbors and raised concerns that Pyongyang is building a nuclear-tipped rocket that can reach the United States. “Iran and North Korea are carefully watching our next move,” Rep. Ileana RosLehtinen, R-Fla., said during the House hearing Wednesday. “A refusal to act in Syria after the president has set such a clear red line will be seen as a green light by the Iranian regime, who will see that we don’t have the will to back up our words.” The administration’s credibility was already at risk, however, after its muted response to a series of smallscale chemical weapons attacks this spring in Syria that killed a few dozen people. As a result of those attacks, Obama pledged in June to increase aid to certain vetted rebel groups fighting Assad in a package that officials said included some weapons. But the aid did not start flowing until very recently and, overall, fell far short of being seen as a decisive or forceful action to punish Assad for the attacks. Kerry on Wednesday said the scope of the August attacks — and strong intelligence indicating that Assad’s government was to blame — convinced Obama that his red line had been crossed. Before now, “the president didn’t want to rush into something,” Kerry said. The administration is alone in claiming such a high death toll, citing intelligence reports but refusing to be more specific. The Britainbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which collects information from a network of anti-regime activists in Syria, said over the weekend that it has been compiling a list of the names of the dead and that its toll reached 502. Obama, in Russia yesterday for a world leaders’ economic summit, has insisted that his red line merely mirrors that of an international treaty banning the use of chemicals weapons. The treaty has been signed by more than 180 countries, including Iran and Russia — two of Assad’s key supporters. Still, recent polls indicate meager support among Americans for using military force in Syria, and many lawmakers, including Obama’s fellow Democrats, remain unconvinced.

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National Youth Conference emphasises crucial link between health and education (From page 30)

CAR RENTAL

PROPERTY FOR SALE

WANTED

A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807

‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28M- Call:2278409/660-4764

Live in domestic & waitress, living accommodation free, salary $50,000 monthlyCall:610-5043

Premio, vitz call: 679-7139

Property for sale in Enterprise E. C. Demerara - Call: 6275416/611-7437

A section of the youthful gathering In light of the fact that the youth population has been identified as a main target in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Ministry of Health through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) on Tuesday commenced a two-day National Youth Conference at the East Coast Demerara, Grand Coastal Inn. And according to the NAPS Programme Manager, Dr Shanti Singh, the conference comes on the backdrop of the HiVision 2020, Guyana’s HIV Strategic Plan, in which youths have been defined as a targeted population for action. This, she said, is quite similar to the regional recognition made by Ministers of Health and Youth at a special session last year. Moreover, Dr Singh noted that “these two days of addressing health are important as we will chart the course and define the road map, and identify the best suited interventions that would positively impact the health of our young people and indeed the health of our nation.” This move, she pointed out, is even demonstrated by the World Bank in its ecological model on youth development. And since health issues affecting youths are numerous, the conference was designed to serve as a forum to highlight several concerns which will help to formulate intense discussion and create a network of youths. This anticipated network, Dr Singh noted, would have health on its agenda, which ultimately incorporates HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and other social issues that indirectly affect the health of youths. Moreover, the conference is expected to define key priority areas for action as it relates to the health of youths for the next three years. And in order to guide the discussions, with a view of realising methods of

interventions, Dr Singh disclosed that some very specific social determinants of health were expected to be discussed at the forum. These are defined by the World Health Organisation as the conditions in which people are born, grow, work and age. As such, Dr Singh added that the social determinants of health are the circumstances in which people live, that is, their economic, political, social, environmental and cultural conditions which, by extension, will affect the health of young people. She said that education is also a major factor since there is clear evidence linking the educational involvement and attainment in early life with later health outcomes. Studies, Dr Singh observed, have demonstrated that completion of secondary school provides greater benefits for “adolescents’ improving health and wellbeing, improving (youths) capacity and motivating them to prevent pregnancy; empowering them to take responsibility for their own lives and for improving the lives of others.” It is also recognised, Dr Singh said, that education improves survival of children even as she noted that countries with a greater proportion of their young people in education had lower male and female mortality as well as lower male injury mortality and lower female non-communicable diseases mortality. Dr Singh disclosed too that higher education participation was also associated with lower HIV prevalence. And since there is emerging evidence that connections with schools protect against a wide range of health risk behaviour, the forum, Dr Singh said, was also designed to consider programmes that improve the secondary school

environment and connectedness as the most promising large scale interventions for improving health outcomes in adolescents and young people. “I look forward to the commitment of the teachers, the Ministry of Education and all involved in the education sector to ensure that we improve the health outcome among our young people,” Dr Singh asserted. Moreover, the conference, held under the theme “Health Priorities for Youth” was premised on the need to address the sexual and reproductive health of youths, even as it amplified the importance of access to information and treatment surrounding sexually transmitted infections. It was also intended to foster a mindset among youths to delay the onset of their first sexual encounter even as they gain a better understanding of cervical cancer prevention and treatment and the creation of safe spaces for youths. The two-day conference, which culminated Wednesday, was characterised by interactive sessions surrounding the findings of research, young key affected populations and their vulnerabilities to HIV; the status of youths as it relates to HIV/AIDS/STIs, the status of girls as it relates to Teenage Pregnancy, vulnerability among the male youth population, among other issues. The youth conference was supported by the United Nations Agency for International Develop (USAID) which was represented by its Country Coordinator Dr Roberto Campos. The forum also saw representation from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the person of Permanent S e c r e t a r y, Alfred King, and members of the Red Ribbon and other youth groups.

VACANCY Vacancy exists for driver, carpenter and porter. Apply at Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry Stelling Vacancy exists for Experienced Accounts Clerk. Apply at Alabama Trading G/ Town Ferry Stelling Stabroek 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call:663-1751/6842838 2 Receptionists, 1 Salesgirl & 1 Cashier. 4 CXC subjects required for cashier: Apply with application @ 27 Norton & Creen streetsCall:225-5501 One operator to work at Ice factory in Meadow Bank. Training provided- Call:6429191 1 Maid – must be good in Indian cooking & experienced in housekeeping – Call:223-5451/227-4799 Cool Square Inn lot 30 Daisy street West Ruimveldt for security/ handyman, apply in person- Call:225-7407 Night Dispatcher for a Foreign Trucking Company: UG Graduate, 7 days a week 12 midnight to 8am. $120,000 monthly- Contact:673-5475/ 624-0001 Industrial Electrician, Welders, Fabricators, Skilled Machinist & Trainees: Technical Services Inc. 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D (1) Male Accounts Clerk. Experience in preparing VAT, NIS & P.A.Y.E, must be computer literate- Call:6144358 for more info Cleaner/Janitor @ Shakoor’s Seafood- Call:233-2546 Secretary, written application @ Shakoor’s Seafood 80 Industrial Site Eccles, E.B.D Sales Clerk, written application @ Perfume Dazzle 137 Regent Street

2 storey concrete 3 bedrooms at Somerset Court- Call:2657223/662-4540 West Ruimveldt $5M, Eccles $6M-$60M, Diamond $35M, Section ‘K’ $40M- Call Diana @227-2256/626-9382 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 One two storey concrete building & land 48 x 500ft @ La Jalousie public road, W.C.D- Call:269-0778 serious inquires 1 Large 5 bedrooms house with Business @ DiamondCall:627-3902 Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 bedrooms, front and rear verandah. Concrete fenced large lot- call:2252626/ 225-3068 Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 storeys, 4 bedrooms- 2 masters. Concrete fenced large lotcall:225-2626/ 225-3068 Haslington, E.C.D: Building ‘A’, concrete/ timber modern 2 storeys, 7 bedrooms, grilled & fenced. Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- call:2252626/ 225-3068 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table - Call: 277-0578

Dish washer, apply to Shanta’s 225 Camp and New market street Georgetown CONTRACT CARS @ CITY TAXI SERVICE CALL: 660-1100 Wanted Cleaner to work in Tuschen. Twelve thousand dollars per week ($12,000)Call:684-8231/629-4236 Boys to work in kitchen, puri cooks, pastry makers & servers @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant 5 Commerce Street, G/Town One experienced person to look after layer birds in the Interior- Contact:666-6836 1 Cleaner must know to cook to work in snackette, age 2035- Call:647-7432/223-5798 Counter help @ Fast Food restaurant- Call:223-1719 Cleaner- Call:225-3234 Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & driversCall:613-0419/600-4066 Spaces to rent in La Grange, Vreed-En-Hoop, Tuschen & Diamond (for lessons). Preferably by main roadCall:684-7403 Tutor needed at E.B.DCall:657-8732 Drivers & porters for canter truck must be between 45yrs and older. Wages $25,000 per week- Call:684-8231 Workers for land dredgeCall:694-2310 Live in attractive waitress, boarding and lodging free $50,000 monthly- Call:6105043 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 Security Guard With Police Clearance For Night, Truck Driver And Sales Person With CarCall:231-8529

WANTED Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 Counter clerk- Call:629-4946 1 General domestic. Must be able to prepare vegetarian meals. Apply @ Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry stelling Stabroek

Workers wanted for wash bay, male & female- Call:6694676 Skilled carpenters. Must be able to work with limited supervision- Call:602-9469/ 615-7526 One live in domestic to work in Mahicony River. Serious inquiry- Call:225-6571

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Friday September 06, 2013

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World leaders pressure Obama over Syria at G20 summit ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama faced growing pressure from world leaders yesterday not to launch military strikes in Syria at a summit on the global economy that was hijacked by the conflict. The Group of 20 (G20) developed and developing economies met in St. Petersburg to try and forge a united front on how to revive economic growth, but failed to heal divisions over a U.S. plan to wind down a program to stimulate the world economy. The club that accounts for two thirds of the world’s population and 90 percent of its output looked as divided over therapy for the economy as it is over possible military action following a chemical weapons attack in Syria. Obama arrived in Russia’s former imperial capital with a showdown looming at a dinner hosted by President Vladimir Putin, with a debate on Syria the main course on the menu. Obama wore a stiff smile as he approached Putin and grasped his hand. Putin also wore a businesslike expression and it was only when they turned to pose for photographers that Obama broke into a broader grin. There was no clutching of arms or hugs. The first round at the summit went to Putin, as China, the European Union, the BRICS emerging economies and Pope Francis - in a letter - warned of the dangers of military intervention without the approval of the U.N. Security Council. “Military action would have a negative impact on the global economy, especially on the oil price - it will cause a hike in the oil price,” Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao said. The BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - echoed that remark, and the Pope, who leads the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, urged the G20 leaders to “lay aside the futile pursuit of a military solution”. European Union leaders described the August 21 attack near Damascus, which killed up to 1,400 people, as

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, (R) and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinpin meet at the G29 summit yesterday. “abhorrent” but said: “There is no military solution to the Syrian conflict.” Obama is unlikely to be deterred. He said before talks with Japan’s prime minister on the sidelines of the summit that the use of chemical arms in Syria was “not only a tragedy but also a violation of international law that must be addressed.” Aides said he would set out his views at the leaders’ dinner and hoped to build support for military action, although aides acknowledge a consensus might be hard to find. “We would not anticipate every member of the G20 agreeing about the way forward in Syria, particularly given the Russian position over many, many months now in terms of resisting efforts to hold the Assad regime accountable,” said White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes. Putin was isolated on Syria at a Group of Eight meeting in June, the last big summit of world powers, but could now turn the tables on Obama, who recently likened him to a “bored kid in the back of the classroom” who slouches at meetings. Only France, which has already said it is preparing to join U.S. military action, rallied

loudly behind Obama. “We are convinced that if there is no punishment for Mr. Assad, there will be no negotiation,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said before leaving for St. Petersburg. With backing by Beijing and Moscow unlikely at the U.N. Security Council, where both have veto powers,

Obama is seeking the approval of the U.S. Congress instead. Putin says rebel forces may have carried out the poison gas attack and that any military strike without Security Council approval would violate international law, a view now being supported increasingly openly by others - including countries that have usually

disagreed with Moscow on Syria. United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon and U.N. special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi are also in St. Petersburg to push for diplomacy rather than military options, and support efforts to organize an international peace conference on Syria. Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, portrayed the “camp of supporters of a strike on Syria” as divided, and said: “It is impossible to say that very many states support the idea of a military operation.” Peskov also reiterated that the United States had failed to produce convincing proof that Assad, who is backed by Russian arms, and his forces had resorted to chemical warfare. German Chancellor Angela Merkel saw no chance of agreement between Putin and Obama on Syria. U.S.-Russian

ties have long been strained by political differences but went into freefall when Russia harbored Edward Snowden, a former spy agency contractor who leaked details of U.S. intelligence programs. Any G20 decision on Syria would not be binding but Putin would like to see a consensus to avert military action in what would be a significant - but unlikely personal triumph. The G20 achieved unprecedented cooperation between developed and emerging nations to stave off economic collapse during the 2009 financial crisis, but the harmony has now gone. Member states are at odds as the U.S. recovery gains pace, Europe lags, and developing economies worry about the impact of U.S. plans to stop a bond-buying program that has helped kickstart the U.S. economy.

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Friday September 06, 2013

Roads in sugar dependent communities to be rehabilitated KINGSTON, Jamaica – CMC - Eight contracts totaling just over J$404 million (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) have been signed for the rehabilitation of more than 44 kilometres of cane roads in seven sugar-dependent communities across the island. The road works, which will be undertaken in the central parishes of St. Catherine and Clarendon, the western parish of Westmoreland, the northern parish of Trelawny and the eastern parish of St. Thomas come under the Cane Roads Rehabilitation Project in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The contracts were

Roger Clarke signed by Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, Members of Parliament and contractors earlier this week.

Among the agreements signed, are two contracts with a combined value of $J160.7 million for the rehabilitation of six cane roads in St. Catherine. According to Clarke, the road works will improve the efficiency of cane harvesting operations in the sugar sector and reduce the significant post-harvest losses, which are estimated at three per cent of national cane production. He said the projects are slated for completion before December this year and urged the contractors to stick to the budget and timetable. The Minister also implored all sugar stakeholders to seize the opportunity to increase production..

Most Caribbean people living longer, except young men - report WASHINGTON – CMC A new World Bank report states that with the exception of young men, most people in the Caribbean and Latin America are living much longer than they did 40 years ago. The report, “The Global Burden of Disease: Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy,” released on Wednesday by the World Bank and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), also says the mortality rate in the region has dropped by at least 80 per cent for children four-yearsold or younger and by more than 50 per cent for women

between the ages of 20 and 44. For men between the ages of 15 and 19, however, the mortality rate has increased by one per cent, largely due to deaths from road injuries and rising violence. It also highlights the fact that the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) faces increasing threats from chronic disease, violence and road traffic injuries. In the region, health loss from heart disease grew by 36 per cent between 1990 and 2010, while interpersonal violence, depression and low back pain grew by 35, 40 and 57 per cent, respectively.

The report is based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 (GBD 2010), a collaborative effort of researchers from 50 countries around the world led by IHME at the University of Washington and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The report finds that, similar to global trends, communicable, maternal, nutritional, and newborn diseases are becoming less important in LAC as noncommunicable diseases kill more people prematurely and cause increasing disability.

Political sparks fly after Venezuela blackout CARACAS (Reuters) One of the worst power outages in Venezuelan history has given a jolt to President Nicolas Maduro’s government and revived opposition accusations that its socialist policies and incompetence are wrecking the country. Even though Venezuela’s 29 million people have endured sporadic blackouts since 2009, there was widespread shock at the extent of this week’s outage across two-thirds of the nation. In the capital Caracas, which the government strenuously shields from rationing, the power went off throughout Tuesday afternoon, causing chaos on the streets. “This isn’t the Third World, it’s the Fifth World!” griped student Marilyn Morales, 26, recounting how first she was trapped in

underground transport, then had to lend a doctor her iPhone to use as a torch during an appointment in a dark clinic. Some Venezuelans in the provinces watched the pain in Caracas with a measure of schadenfreude, saying it was about time the privileged residents of the capital, known as “caraquenos,” saw what they endured regularly. Maduro, a 50-year-old former bus driver who narrowly won a presidential election this year after the death of his mentor and former leader Hugo Chavez, accused the opposition of deliberately sabotaging the grid to discredit him. “Everything seems to indicate that the extreme right wing has revived its plan for an ‘electricity coup,’” he said, announcing a new Chavezstyle initiative, Mission Electricity, to guard and

Nicolas Maduro improve the grid. “I urge the electricity workers and people to help in the fight to protect the system from sabotage.” Maduro has not yet provided concrete evidence of sabotage, and troops have been guarding important installations since similar accusations in the past.

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National Badminton Team for CAREBACO Games in Puerto Rico The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is set to attending the Caribbean International Junior Championships (CAREBACO) which will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico September 8-15, 2013. Last year at this Championship in Dominican Republic the Guyanese Players brought home two Gold, one Silver and six Bronze medals and in the last four years,

Guyana has been turning in sterling performances, medaling each year. The Team will be competing in the Seniors Open, Juniors Under-11, 13, 15, 17 & 19 events. Preparations have gone well with the team for the past month and a half and it is anticipated that the Guyanese will once again, do well. At the Suriname International Championships held inApril this year, the National

Junior players brought home 1Gold, 1-Silver and 4-Bronze medals. The team members for CAREBACO 2013 are: Nicholas Ali (Captain), Narayan Ramdhani (Vice Captain), Noel Shewjattan, Jonathan Mangra, Hemraj Beharry, Nadine Jairam, Meshonn Persaud, Abosaide Cadogan and Priyanna Ramdhani. Gokarn Ramdhani is the Manager/Coach.

Friday September 06, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Is it time to take a more drastic approach to solving a problem, Aries? If you've made several attempts to resolve your trouble to no avail, it might be something to consider. As long as drastic doesn't equate with destructive, you may find it works to try something more aggressive. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): Tap into your creativity to unblock your emotions today, Taurus. This can be a more powerful tool than you realize. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 JUN 20): You may need to deal with disapproval today, Gemini. This will likely come from someone you see as a superior or authority figure, perhaps a parent or teacher. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Taking time alone is essential for everyone, Cancer, but recognize when you're isolating yourself to the point where it's unhealthy. If you ask why you're taking this time and answer because you're avoiding something or someone, you need to reconsider. Things will only build and get worse under these conditions. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Watch out for the greeneyed monster today, Leo. It can rear up before you even say the word "jealousy" if you're not on your guard. Many situations that cause this feeling are born of insecurity. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may feel insecure about your appearance today, Virgo. This can be a vicious cycle, and the end result is almost always negative. Rather than picking yourself to pieces, find ways to accept your looks.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Jealousy might rear its head today, Libra. The key to coping with it is to understand why you feel insecure. If you're jealous of a partner, why is this? *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Arts and crafts may hold your interest today, Scorpio. Even if you lean more toward sports, an artistic streak likely runs pretty strong in you. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Getting along with others may prove challenging today, Sagittarius. The planetary aspects can have you isolating yourself. You might feel impatient and easily annoyed. If this is so, stay solo if you can. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19):Don't be surprised if you're a little weepy today, Capricorn. The day's planetary influences could enhance your sensitivity to everything, including your feelings. Let yourself cry if you need to - it can be cleansing. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Obsessive thinking may be something you need to look at today, Aquarius. Common areas for such behaviors are in the pursuit of money, power, success, and romance. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20):Don't act impulsively today, Pisces. It can be easy to confuse this with spontaneity, but one has more thought in it than the other. Look before you leap! Think everything through from decisions to projects to contracts. for hurt by being gullible.

Friday September 06, 2013

Ruthless Nadal loses just four games in swatting Robredo aside to set up... the fact that he has always been a fantastically skilled tennis player. Firstly, the long break he took was of sufficient length to allow some regeneration of his knees, which he does not even bother taping any more. Secondly, the hiatus in his career is likely to have only sharpened his competitive appetite for the game. It may be a case of only coming to truly appreciate something you have got when you come close to losing it. But when he tentatively returned at the ATP outpost of Vina del Mar in Chile seven months ago, nobody in tennis could have predicted that he would achieve what he has. The biggest surprise is that

he has romped through this American hardcourt swing, dismissing all-comers in Montreal and Cincinnati and now where it matters most. Were he to go all the way and take a second title here, he would earn $3.6million — the winner’s purse and a bonus from the ‘US Open Series’. Before he can start thinking of that he has to deal with Richard Gasquet. ‘If I don’t play a great match against Richard, I will be watching the final on TV,’ said Nadal. Gasquet has long been the owner of a mercurial talent but struggled with being marked out for great things. Like Nadal, he has been around for so long it is hard to believe he is only 27 but

now, ranked No 9, he looks to be finally developing the stamina to go with his sublime hand-skills. The women’s semi-finals take place with Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka strongly favoured. Williams may be given her first serious challenge by fifth seed Li Na while Azarenka is strongly fancied to overcome Flavia Pennetta.

Race walkers gear up... From page 45 athletes wee tutored in the intricacies of the sport while facilitators briefed them on historical aspects race walking. They were also tutored in nutritional food values while exposed to historical aspects of Guyana. Officials intimated that they were especially pleased by the turnout as well as the enthusiasm exhibited by the participants. They are beseeching additional corporate support to continue with developmental works.

Friday September 06, 2013

Kaieteur News

Eleven national cricketers honoured by RHTY&SC The Patron Ms. Beverley Harper and Management of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) on Tuesday evening last honoured eleven of their cricketers who represented Guyana over the past two months. They represented Guyana at the Under-17 and 19 male, Under-19 female and senior levels and those players are Shawn Pereira, Askay Homraj, Daniel Lewis, Brandon Prashad, Phaffiana Millington, Erica Lashley, Shabika Gadjabee, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry and Trishanie Cort. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster described the awardees as true representatives of the Club and congratulated them for being selected to represent Guyana. Special congratulations were offered to the talented Askay Homraj who scored a century against the Windward Islands and Shawn Pereira and Phaffiana Millington who captained the national Under-19 teams. Foster complimented the players for their discipline and for representing the Club’s motto, “In Pursuit of Excellence” with honour. He advised them to remain dedicated and focused. The veteran cricket administrator informed the cricketers that they have a duty as national players to be positive role models to their fellow club members and challenged

The eleven players pose with RHTY&SC Vice President, Renwick Batson standing at centre. them to be active in the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Anti-drugs and Proeducation Programmes. On behalf of the Club, Patron Beverley Harper and President Keith Foster, the Secretary/CEO wished the awardees continued successes in their careers. Vice President Renwick Batson hailed the contribution of the Club’s official sponsors whose financial input allows the development of new and exciting talent at the RHTY&SC. Special mention was made of Farfan & Mendes Ltd, Bakewell, Pepsi (DDL), Western Union, E-

Networks, Metro Office Equipment & Supplies and Gizmos & Gadgets. Batson, who also serves as the club’s coach noted that the entity, since its formation in 1990 has produced a total of thirty-five national players and ninety for Berbice at all levels in its short history. Each of the honoured players was presented with a special Ansa McAl hamper. National Youth player Brandon Prashad and Phaffiana Millington spoke on behalf of the awardees, expressing gratitude to the RHTY&SC and Ansa McAl for honouring them. Sixteen-year-old Prashad

said that playing for Guyana was a dream come true for him as he strived to fulfill his ambition of playing at the highest level. He expressed thanks to the Management of the Club for investing heavily in the development of young cricketers. Millington who performed well for both the national female Under-19 and Senior teams noted that being a member of the RHTY&SC was a special privilege as it treats its membership with respect and honour and most importantly, teach each member to become the best they can be.

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Michael Schumacher ‘pretty happy’ if Sebastian Vettel breaks records Michael Schumacher says he would be “pretty happy” if Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel went on to break his world records of wins and world titles. Schumacher quit F1 with seven titles and 91 wins. Vettel is on course to win a fourth consecutive championship this year and has 31 wins at the age of 26. He said: “A friend of mine achieving it, it stays ‘in the family’.” The 44-year-old said: “I always thought records were there to be broken,” adding he believed his would be. “I didn’t have statistics in my mind when I was racing,” Schumacher said. “It was always a consequence - a nice consequence. I enjoyed it but it wasn’t the reason I was racing,” said Schumacher, who was speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC F1’s Lee McKenzie, which will be broadcast in the BBC One qualifying show on Saturday at 12:10 BST. “There is no reason the limits I set will be different because the environment changes. We had 16 races; now there are 20 races. So it is easier to win more races in a season. People arrive [in F1] a lot younger so they have a longer time they can spend in F1.” He added that, as a result of this, records set in different eras are not necessarily comparable. “It was different with [Juan Manuel] Fangio and myself. You cannot compare his five with the seven I achieved. “I always made it clear that those achievements of Fangio are so unique, so

special, because if you look at the cars, I have the greatest respect for what those guys are doing. “I feel a bit guilty to have broken those records because I don’t think I broke them. I just set my own benchmarks and they did theirs.” Schumacher quit F1 for a second time at the end of last season after Mercedes signed Lewis Hamilton to replace him. The German made a comeback in 2010 after three years in retirement with the aim of winning the championship again, but managed only one podium finish in three years. But although Mercedes have won three races this season, Schumacher said there was no element of frustration or regret that he was not still driving. “I’m not missing being involved in the machinery of the competition of a full season of F1,” he said. “I wouldn’t have had the energy for further years. I just was empty at the end. I have no regrets. “People asked me whether I’m still good enough to be in F1 - whether I am as good as I used to be is another question, who can answer that? “People probably now understand a little bit more what was my quality and what I have been capable of. “The difference was I had a three-year break and I wasn’t that young coming back. But by the end of the three years my level was pretty much acceptable. “People were expecting from a seven-time world champion more results than we were able to deliver.

USA roll as Mexico face Azteca stress There are just four rounds to go in CONCACAF’s qualifying Hexagonal for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and there’s all to play for. Leaders USA will want to increase their gap at the top with a positive result in Costa Rica, while struggling Mexico face an absolute must-win at home against Honduras, and Jamaica try to stave off elimination with a new man at the helm.

The big game MexicoHonduras A home game at the Azteca is normally cause for cockiness in the Mexican camp. But this is no normal qualifying campaign. While a recent friendly win over Côte d’Ivoire is cause for cautious optimism, home fans in Mexico City have yet to see their side produce anything

approaching their best football in the qualifying

Hexagonal. El Tri are third in the sixteam field, with just eight points from six games. An even more troubling statistic is the fact that these Mexicans, FIFA World Cup participants on 14 occasions, have picked up only three points from three draws at the Azteca, a ground where they are historically dominant. Despite star names in the side like Gio Dos Santos, Jesus Corona, Chicharito Hernandez and Andres Guardado, Mexico will take to the Azteca pitch with doubts radiating from the stands. It’s make-or-break time for coach Jose Manuel Chepo de la Torre. And Honduras, who are just one point behind their hosts in fourth, are desperate to take advantage of the slightly poisoned atmosphere and join USA, Costa Rica and

Jamaica in taking points off Mexico at the Azteca. Although Luis Fernando Suarez’s Hondurans, who are looking to qualify for their second straight FIFA World Cup finals, have yet to pick up a point on the road in “The Hex”, confidence is justifiably high. Oscar Boniek Garcia of MLS side Houston Dynamo causes headaches up the flank and could well tip the balance for the Catrachos. He was influential in the 2-2 draw the Hondurans pulled off against Mexico in San Pedro Sula in March. ”We have become more confident now; we are ready,” the winger told FIFA.com. OTHERACTION While Mexico stutter and sputter, their arch-rivals and northern neighbours USA are oozing sunshine and confidence ahead of their trip

to Costa Rica. The Americans, recently crowned CONCACAF Gold Cup champions, are in the midst of an unprecedented winning streak and sit comfortably in first place in the Hexagonal with 13 points. Even so, a game on the road in Costa Rica is a tough test for Jurgen Klinsmann. The Ticos have revenge on their minds after barely losing the first meeting with the States in blizzard-like conditions in March. Costa Rica, who sit in second place just two points off the Americans’ pace, have reinvented themselves as a sturdy defensive side in recent years. They’ve conceded only three goals so far, but they will have a torrid time trying to keep out a USA in attacking mood and looking for their first win in San Jose in qualifying history. Jozy

Altidore, currently in the form of his life with six goals in his last four games for the national team, is a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury with club side Sunderland. Even so, captain Clint Dempsey, the speedy Eddie Johnson, and recentlyreturned c reator Landon Donovan offer the Americans plenty of options in attack. Gold Cup runners-up Panama host Jamaica in a clash of the bottom two. Neither side can afford to slip up. Panama, on six points, are in decidedly better shape than Jamaica, who have only two, but the only remaining Caribbean participants arrive in Panama City with a new coach: German veteran Winfried Schaefer. ”We cannot lose this game,” he told FIFA.com after taking the reins of a Reggae Boyz side that

have scored only once in six games. “This is make or break if we want to reach Brazil.” WHATTHEY’RE SAYING “Mexico is going to the reach the World Cup. It is our obligation as a team and a nation and we are going to fulfil it.” Mexico coach Chepo de la Torre, one day after a meeting of football authorities convened to decide his future. It will take results rather rhetoric, however, to sway frustrated fans. THE NUMBER 12 – The number of consecutive wins USA have managed in an extremely productive period under coach Klinsmann. It is the longest current winning streak in international football, and only three games shy of Spain’s world record set in 2009.

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Friday September 06, 2013

Younis defies buoyant Zimbabwe All through this Test match, there’s been a wait for Zimbabwe’s inexperienced team to falter. Sure they bowled well when the pitch was fresh in the first session of the game, but could they do it when the track eased up? They did. Sure they bowled well on the first day, but could their brittle batting stand up to Pakistan’s highly rated bowling? They did. The third day was supposed to be the best day for batting in Harare; would their new-look bowling be able to do the job? They certainly started well, bagging three early wickets to consolidate on the 78-run advantage they had after the first innings, causing plenty of excitement over the possibility of Zimbabwe’s first Test win over a top eight side in 12 years. Then they came up against the seasoned firefighters, Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, who with some old-fashioned Test batting helped Pakistan erase the deficit. There has been a clamour in Pakistan for inducting more youngsters in the team, but it was Pakistan’s two oldest batsmen who revived the side from a precarious 23 for 3 with a 116-run partnership. Both Younis and Misbah were content with preserving their wicket, not searching for quick runs. They were happy to leave everything they

Younis Khan could and put away the flashy shots - the reversesweep was brought only to counter a 7-2 leg-side field when offspinner Prosper Utseya was operating round the wicket. The pair neutralised Zimbabwe’s limited attack for more than three hours and though they were plenty of half-chances - stumping appeals, inside-edges and bottom edges - the wicket proved elusive. Younis ended the day unbeaten on 76, a significant

innings for a man who had only one 50-plus score in his past 10 Test innings, and was phased out of the ODI side earlier this year. He has made his name as a man who scores when the team is down, a reputation he underlined with another combative innings. Though the favourite adjective to describe Pakistan cricket is ‘mercurial’, there is one near certainty when they play - a Misbah half-century. In 10 of his past 13 international innings, he has passed 50, almost all of them after the top order has combusted. On none of those occasions has he gone on to a hundred, and he didn’t today either. Zimbabwe would have been downcast if Pakistan had gone to stumps with only three wickets down. Instead, soon after Misbah reached his fifty, he pushed a catch to cover. Zimbabwe knew just how big a moment it was. The bowler Shingi Masakadza set off on a celebratory run, before pumping his arms and screaming at the skies. In contrast, Misbah was on one knee, bat on the floor with his arms covering his face. Younis and Shafiq safely negotiated the final 11 overs of the day, taking the lead to 90 and ensuring two specialist batsmen were still in the middle. The rescue operation was needed after some good work from Zimbabwe’s bowlers. As

Vuelta a Espana 2013: Philippe Gilbert wins stage 12 World champion Philippe Gilbert won stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana in a sprint finish, while Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali retained the overall lead. Gilbert, riding for BMC, attacked in the last 250m to beat Team Sky’s Edvald

Boasson Hagen to victory. The Belgian recorded a time of four hours, three minutes and 44 seconds. Astana’s Nibali, 28, who took the race lead on Wednesday, finished in the bunch to maintain his 31-second lead

over Ireland’s Nicolas Roche. Friday’s (today) 13th stage remains in the northeastern region of Catalonia for a second straight flat stage before the race heads back into the mountains for three stages in the Pyrenees.

in the first innings, they produced the early breakthroughs not with magic deliveries but by sticking to the basics of line and length. The sixth over of the innings, bowled by Tinashe Panyangara, which produced the wicket of Khurram Manzoor showcased their method of operation pitching the ball up and constantly attacking the stumps, making the batsman play. With several deliveries swerving away in the over, Manzoor decided to shoulder arms to one, which turned out to be a straight ball that thudded onto his pads. It looked a touch high but the umpire thought otherwise, and for the second time in the game, Manzoor’s innings

ended early through a tough decision. Azhar Ali, who played a vital role in rescuing Pakistan after their top-order failed in the first innings, couldn’t do the job this time, as the accurate Panyangara had him trapped lbw for a duck. Neither of the opening bowlers provided any cheap runs, and Panyangara’s figures read 7-4-6-2 at one stage. Mohammad Hafeez has had a forgettable 2013 in Tests, and could have added a golden duck to his string of low scores this year, but his first-ball edge landed short of slips. He didn’t last too long anyway, falling tamely after driving a low catch to short cover. His dismissal for 16 left

him with a paltry 64 runs in eight innings this year. That strikes only buoyed a resolute Zimbabwe, whose lower order had hung around for more than an hour in the morning session to fatten what had been a slender overnight lead. Saeed Ajmal’s variations proved too much for them, though, and he wiped out the final three wickets to end up with a seven-for, the second of his career. His threat looms large over Zimbabwe over the next two days as well. Scores to date: Pakistan 249 and 168 for 4 (Younis 76*, Misbah 52) lead Zimbabwe 327 (Waller 70, Chigumbura 69, Raza 60, Ajmal 7-95) by 90 runs. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GFA and US Soccer Federation signs MOU Grenada Football Association (GFA) and the US Soccer Federation have signed a three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week. The U.S. Soccer Federation shall offer technical and material assistance to the Grenada Football Association in the development and training of coaches, referees, administrators and players. The MOU in part reads Grenada Football Association recognizes the financial, technical strength, quality and resource capacities of US Soccer and seeks guidance from U.S. Soccer in order to prepare its youth male and female teams for future FIFA World Cup tournaments. General Secretary of the GFA, Christopher Cudjoe expressed delight over such a historic agreement and praised the efforts of GFA President Cheney Joseph for making this agreement a reality. “What President Joseph has done is to continue with his vision for the overall development of the game on the island, and we must pay respect for his continued leadership in forging progress for the association” Cudjoe stated. Through this memorandum, both the Grenada Football Association and US Soccer to will seek to: - Raise the standard of football within

Cheney Joseph

CONCACAF - Develop cooperation for training of coaches, players, referees and administrators Promote the importance of cooperation, club development and competitions within CONCACAF Promote the importance of cultural and educational exchange between Grenada and the United States - Utilize football as the catalyst to promote health, wellness, and physical activity as a way of life within CONCACAF The goal of this memorandum is to work together to promote the game of football between

the people of Grenada and the United States of America. Both parties shall remain committed to cooperate in the field of youth development, and also use foo t b a l l a s a means to impart essential life skills onto coaches and ultimately girls and boys. The agreement was signed by GFA’s President Cheney Joseph and General Secretary Christopher Cudjoe and signing on behalf of US Soccer Federation were President Sunil Golati and Chief Administrative Officer, Brian Remedi. The agreement takes effect from September 30th this year and will run for the next three years.

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Reigning US Open champion Murray eliminated by Wawrinka for the second time in four years Andy Murray’s US Open title defence came to an end in the quarter-finals with a straight-sets defeat by Stanislas Wawrinka. The Scot usually manages to raise his game when he needs to, but that was certainly not the case on Thursday as he crashed out 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Wawrinka played an inspired match to hand Murray his worst grand slam defeat since losing to the Swiss in the third round in New York three years ago. The statistics told the story of how outplayed Murray had been - the third seed not creating a single break point and winning just 54 per cent of points on his first serve. Wawrinka moves through to a first grand slam semi-final, which is likely to be a rematch with Novak Djokovic, who he pushed to 12-10 in the fifth set at the Australian Open this year. Murray had not been entirely convincing in his first four matches, while Wawrinka went into the clash full of confidence after knocking out Tomas Berdych. The Swiss is back in the top 10 for the first time in four years and playing the best tennis of his career. Murray had won eight of their previous 13 matches, but Wawrinka is a player who has given him consistent trouble. The Scot has started

Mixed emotions: Andy Murray (left) looks dejected as Stanislas Wawrinka celebrates. matches particularly nervously this tournament, but he looked a little more relaxed here in front of the watching Sir Sean Connery. Wawrinka was the aggressor, though, his one-handed backhand working well, and he gave Murray a tough game

before he eventually held for 2-2. The Swiss had the embarrassment of beginning the seventh game with an air shot, but generally he was holding serve relatively comfortably. And it was Wawrinka who had the first chance when Murray netted a

forehand to give up a set point at 4-5. He saved that one with a big serve but he was far from out of trouble. Murray saved four more set points but on the six chance he hit a forehand long and earned a code violation for smashing his racket on the court. It was the second

Ruthless Nadal loses just four games in swatting Robredo aside to set up Gasquet semi-final When Rafael Nadal made his comeback in February there was little surprise that he quickly started making inroads on the South American clay-court circuit. As for hard courts, the speculation was that he might choose not to play on them at all in order to try and protect his troublesome knees. Now he finds himself in the semi-finals of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, the high temple of the concrete surface that has caused his body so many problems. Not only that, but the surface on which he has traditionally struggled the most has actually brought him an even higher rate of success this season than his beloved clay. His superiority on Wednesday night against compatriot Tommy Robredo was the latest annihilation to take place in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nadal conceded only four games against Robredo in his 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 victory. While he lost twice

Rafael Nadal

on the clay, the Spaniard has now amassed a 20-0 record on hard courts this year, including three Masters titles, as part of his overall 583 match tally. Quietly he is amassing one of the great seasons of

modern times. He has not dropped his serve in 67 games in this tournament and is on a run of 82 overall without being broken. The only set he gave away here was in a tiebreak to German Phillip Kohlschreiber.

All this from a player who had to sit out the tour from Wimbledon last summer until after January’s Australian Open to recover from tendinitis in the knee. He has even added a Davis Cup appearance for Spain next week to his schedule. How is he doing it? Unlike when he won the title here in 2010, it is not partly due to discovering extra miles per hour on his serve. There is no doubt, however, that he is playing more aggressively and his judgment about when to come in to the net and use his much under-rated volley is as good as ever. In terms of physical issues, he says he is sticking to his normal practice routines. Indeed he seemed irritated when asked whether he was reducing his training to manage his body — as he let slip he was doing at the Italian Open back in May. There are two perfectly innocent explanations for his extraordinary surge in form this season, beyond (Continued on page 32)

successive match in which he had dropped the opening set, but Wawrinka is a much tougher customer than Denis Istomin. The 28-year-old was in a new position of being the last Swiss player left in the tournament following Roger Federer’s demise, and he was relishing it. Murray was in trouble again at the start of the second set as he let a 40-0 lead slip but he saved a break point with a second-serve ace. It was slightly ironic given Wawrinka had been all over the Scot’s second serve, which was often below 80 miles per hour.

Murray has cut an unhappy figure on court most of the tournament and it was no different on Thursday, the defending champion searching desperately for his best form. He has not served particularly well in any of his matches, and Wawrinka kept the pressure on. Murray cracked again in the sixth game, three errors giving his opponent the chance to nail a backhand down the line and move to 42. The British No 1 at least made Wawrinka serve out the set and the Swiss looked a little nervy, but he clinched it when the third seed put a return wide. Murray has come back from two sets to love down seven times in his career, but this never looked like being an eighth. Wawrinka had got better and better, allowing Murray very few free points on his serve and having an answer for everything off the ground. The Scot was certainly not helping himself with some very poor errors, and it was more of the same in the third game of the third set as a double fault handed Wawrinka another break. It really was crisis point for Murray, and try as hard as he might he just could not find the level of tennis he needed. He made twice as many unforced errors as winners, and it was virtually curtains when Wawrinka drilled another forehand winner to break again for 5-2. That left the ninth seed serving for the match, and a smash brought up a first match point, which he took when Murray netted a forehand after two hours and 15 minutes. (Mail Online)

Tennis-Mirnyi closing in on U.S. Open mixed doubles hat-trick New York (Reuters) - Belarus veteran Max Mirnyi will attempt to win his third U.S. Open mixed doubles title 15years after his first at Flushing Meadows on Friday (today). Mirnyi and Czech Andrea Hlavackova will meet American Abigail Spears and Mexican Santiago Gonzalez on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The seventh-seeded Mirnyi and Hlavackova reached the final by defeating Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Kristina Mladenovic of France and Daniel Nestor of Canada 7-5 6-7 12-10. The 36-year-old Mirnyi is chasing the 10th major doubles title of his career. He partnered with Serena Williams to win the U.S. Open mixed doubles crown in 1998 and was triumphant again in 2007 with Victoria Azarenka. Mirnyi’s impressive resume also includes an mixed doubles Olympic gold medal he won with Azarenka in London last year. Spears and Gonzalez defeated fifth seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain and Bruno Soares of Brazil 6-3, 6-1. Spears, 32, will contest her first grand slam final in 63 attempts.

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Kaieteur News

NCN U-15 Inter Zone – Berbice

Joshua Gobin’s 5-21 captures championship for Lower Corentyne Lower Corentyne are this year ’s National C o m m u n i c a t i o n Network(NCN) Under-15 Inter Zone cricket champions by virtue of taking first innings honours from defending champions East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje in the drawn final played recently at Albion. Reduced from 55 to 35 overs as a consequence of the elements from above, East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje won the toss and took first strike. Having to contend with some tight and accurate bowling, the opening batsmen Kevin Sinclair and Malcolm Mickle only managed to put on 20 runs in 18 overs before they fell in quick succession; Sinclair for 7 and Mickle for 12, 22-2. Isaiah Lewis 17 and Andre Seetal 7, put on 17 for the third wicket, thereafter, it was quickly downhill as offspinner Joshua Gobin and left arm spinner Joshua Harrichan ripped through the rest of the batting to bowl out East Bank/New Amsterdam for 84 in 35 of their allotted overs. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Joshua Gobin took 5 for 21 from 6 overs and Harrichan 4 for 31 from 11. When Lower Corentyne responded, they benefitted from an opening stand of 73 between Adrian Sukhwa and Junior Sinclair that set the foundation for overhauling their opposition’s first innings total, they reached 118 for 5 in their 35 overs at the close of play. Left arm spinner Steffon Anderson ended with 3 for 27 from 12 overs. At the presentation ceremony, Member of

Mr. Faizal Jafferally MP hands over the winning trophy to Captain Joshua Harrichan. Parliament Mr. Faizal Jafferally who also has responsibility for NCN in Berbice congratulated Lower Corentyne for winning the competition. He went on to say that NCN was pleased to play a role in cricket development in the Ancient County while praising the Berbice Cricket Board for the way they are administering the sport noting that it was the main reason that NCN came on board. The MP pointed out that the Government has young people at heart and that was why they were further investing in Berbice cricket with the impending installation of lights at the Albion Community Centre Ground. He disclosed that the lights were already acquired and that the contract for the laying of the foundation was already out. Jafferally further stated that the government has invested in fifteen grounds

across Berbice last year and has plans to do thirty more this year. He took the opportunity to exhort the youngsters to ensure that they focus on their education by staying in school so that they can properly represent their county, Guyana and the West Indies with confidence in themselves. Mr. F. Jafferally presented the winning trophy to Joshua Harrichan, the captain of the Lower Corentyne team while members of both teams were each presented with educational materials. Meanwhile, West Berbice defeated Upper Corentyne on first innings in their drawn play-off at No. 73 to take the third place. Scores, West Berbice 179 all out; Rameshwar Somwaru 37, Kishan Arjune 31, Sachin Veerasammy 22; Nicholas Seenarine 5 for 45, Totaram Parasram 2 for 14. Upper Corentyne 120, Abdur 42, Tamesh Baichan 21, Curt Shiwtahal 3 for 18 and Kris Ramnarine 3 for 21.

Batsmen did not apply themselves in Regional U-19 tourneys–coach Amsterdam Coach of the Guyana team which took part in the recently concluded Regional Under-19 3-day and 50-overs tournaments, Adrian Amsterdam, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the lack of application by the batsmen caused Guyana both tournaments. Amsterdam, said he expected a lot more from the batsmen. “Our batting was below par, we were in a situation to win all of our games but the batsmen threw their wickets away. This was our strength, but it did not come on as expected”, he added. Amsterdam however credited Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Askhay Homraj and Romario Shepherd for their efforts. “Chanderpaul held the batting together, Homraj played some important knocks, both of them got centuries, Shepherd was excellent with both bat and ball, these are players we can look forward to in the future”, stated Amsterdam. “Most of our young batsmen play too

many Twenty20 games and as a result they find it hard to focus for longer periods. They tried to play too many shots early in their innings and that were their downfall”. When quizzed about the team’s bowling, Amsterdam informed that he was pleased with the bowlers. “We managed to restrict the opposition, apart from Jamaica no other team managed over 200 runs against us. Gudakesh Motie Kanhai took the most wickets in the three day format”, Amsterdam lamented. Guyana won two three day matches and drew one which was against Jamaica where they got first innings points and triumphed in three games in the 50-overs. They ended in the third and fourth positions in the 3-day and 50-overs respectively and Amsterdam said that teams should be selected early to give the players much time to prepare. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Friday September 06, 2013

GOA top brass interfaces with 1 SAYG athletes and parents

GOA President K. A. Juman Yassin at the head table flanked by Secretary Hector Edwards (right) and Dr. Karen Pilgrim during yesterday’s briefing with the athletes, parents and coaches. President and Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association, K. A Juman Yassin and Hector Edwards along with Chef-de-Mission (Dr. Karen Pilgrim) of the Guyana contingent to the inaugural South American Youth Games yesterday met with the athletes, coaches and parents to brief them on what is expected of them as members of the team for the Games in Lima, Peru. The Guyana contingentwhich will participate in seven (7) disciplines and numbering 30, will leave these shores on September 17 for Peru. President Ya s s i n guided the attendees through the document and ensured that all present understood the requirements and what is expected of them as ambassadors of their country. The presence of the

parents was a welcome initiative so that they too will understand the nature of the activity and what was required. They were told that no association/federation or athletes was required to pay any monies, all expenses would be undertaken by the GOA and the organizers of the event. Each athlete and official will receive a stipend while in Peru. At these inaugural games there will be some 213 events (Men’s 109; Women’s 91; Mixed 13) with fourteen countries participating including Guyana. The others are Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, E c u a d o r, Panama, P a r a g u a y, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela and hosts, Peru. The Guyanese athletes will be seeking glory in

Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Swimming, Table Tennis and Weightlifting. Also present at yesterday’s briefing were the heads of the various associations/fede rations whose athletes will fly the Golden Arrowhead. The South-American Youth Games is part of the South A m e r i c a n S p o r t s O r g a n i s a t i o n (ODESUR) strategic planning, and seeks the development of sports throughout the region. The initiative is a l i g n ed to the Youth Olympic Games and follows the same sche d u l e o f sports, age range and philosophy towards the strengthening of sport practice and the encouragement of culture and the promotion of ethics and education of the youth.

Windies, India tour dates released Mumbai, India - West Indies will travel to India in November for two Tests and three one-day internationals, the WICB confirmed on Tuesday night. The BCCI confirmed on Thursday that the tour would be between October 31 and November 27, including a three-day warm-up game. The dates and venues will be announced shortly. The second Test is set to be Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th. The Tests are expected to be played in Mumbai and Kolkata, with Te n d u l k a r ’s h o m e t o w n Mumbai hosting his 200th, an unprecedented number of Tests in a career - with 198, Tendulkar is already 30 matches ahead of the No. 2s, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.

Reportedly, though, Kolkata has requested it host the landmark Test. The series me a n s I n d i a ’s m u c h anticipated tour to South Africa will have to be trimmed. It was due to begin with a tour game on November 18, but if India are to fit in five matches against West Indies after the Australia ODIs that end on November 2, it is unlikely that the matches in South Africa could begin before November 30. That tour was originally scheduled to include two T20s, seven ODIs and t h r e e Te s t s , e n d i n g o n January 19. Now, though, apart from beginning later, it will also have to finish earlier as the itinerary for I n d i a ’s t o u r o f N e w

Zealand begins with an ODI on January 19. West Indies last toured India in NovemberDecember 2011. Back then, they lost a three-match Test series 2-0 - the drawn third match was the dramatic Mumbai Test that ended with the scores level - and five-match ODI series 4-1. The teams last met when India travelled to the Caribbean in June this year for an ODI tri-series also involving Sri Lanka, which India won. Following the India tour, West Indies have a full tour of New Zealand scheduled. They will play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s in New Zealand, between December 3 and January 15. (Cricinfo)