Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

There have been other provocations by...

From page 4 proficient enough in Spanish to act as interpreters. We left Timehri and landed first at Kamarang, from where we flew low over the mountains into Eteringbang. The doors of the Twin Otter aircraft which seated 18, and which appeared to have about 25 of us with kits, were removed for rapid exiting. As soon as the aircraft touched down on the small airstrip, and even before it had completed its taxiing, we began hastily jumping off with our back packs and other military accoutrements, and moving to cover at the river side. The airstrip at Mora landing runs straight to the river, and not knowing what reception was awaiting us, it was brought to quick stop after just about fifty yards of taxiing. Throughout the day more and more soldiers were ferried in from Kamarang, which, because it could accommodate larger aircraft, was serving as the main assembly base for our armed forces. I must say, at the risk of sounding like a bravado, that none of the young men, most of us in our teens or just out of it, evidenced any reluctance to take on the task of defending our territory. Our instructions remained that we should not respond to the cross border firing from the Venezuelans, but that we should be prepared to repel any armed crossing of military personnel unto our territory. At nights we would creep down to the river and fill Jerry cans with water and perform other tasks at the water side that we considered would have had exposed us as targets during the day. After a couple of days had elapsed, myself and Boyer received instructions to fuel up the Police Boat and carry out a riverain patrol of the surrounding area. We did, and the only incident of note was being buzzed by a medium military aircraft

with a glass canopy that allowed us to see the pilots and co-pilot in the San Martin area where the river was quite wide. In the days following we were instructed to accompany Guyana Defence Force Officers Featherstone, Canzius and others whose names I cannot now recall, Assistant Commissioner of Police Glasgow, and also the then Minister of Communication Eugene Correia, on a peaceful exploratory mission across to Ankoko to speak with Venezuelan Military personnel, and attempt to ascertain the reason for the firing across the border. We received a cordial reception from them, were assured that there would be no more firings, but the reasons behind the aggression were never provided or explained. We subsequently retrieved and delivered to the authorities in Georgetown, hundreds of spent lead war heads from the watteled wall that enclosed Eteringbang Police Outpost, the personal cupboards of Policemen based there, and the civilian buildings alongside the river. This represents just one in a vast array of incidents of Venezuelan Military aggression targeted at Guyana from 1966 onward. As an adjunct, let me state that relations between the Guyana and Venezuelan Military and Paramilitary forces at Eteringbang were not always incidented by hostilities. There were extensive periods when we enjoyed cordial relationships, to the point where we would exchange visits to compete in Volleyball, or even hunt iguanas. Those cordial relationships were crucial to the resolution of an issue that cropped up in 1975 when a

platoon of Venezuelan Soldiers crossed the imaginary border line in the Paruima/Great Falls area, and encroached 35 miles into the Territory of Guyana. This ostensibly was in response to rumors that the Guyana Police and Soldiers at Paruima had captured and were holding two missing Venezuelan Soldiers. A contingent of Army and Police Officials, including the then “F” Division Police Commander Balram Raghubir, and GDF Military Intelligence Commander Ulric London, visited Eteringbang with a view to using that cordial relationship to resolve the issue. We were instructed to invite the Venezuelan Military Commander on Ankoko to speak with the officials. He was aware of the situation, and explained that because the border line was not distinctly marked, the Venezuelan Troops could have possible unwittingly crossed into Guyana’s Territory without knowing that fact. After receiving assurances that the missing soldiers were not in our possession or were not seen by any of our forces in the area in question, he promised to advice his superiors accordingly. Later on that evening GDF helicopter reconnaissance observed the soldiers wending their way back to the Venezuela side of the border. Venezuela and Guyana had entered into a Protocol of Peace agreement in June of 1970 in Port of Spain Trinidad, arranged by the good offices of then Prime Minister of Trinidad Eric Williams. The duration for this protocol was 12 years, and it could be renewed by both parties, or ended by one party after the period had elapsed. In the latter part of 1981,

just over six months before the Protocol of Peace was scheduled to expire on June 18 1982, there were articles in several Venezuelan Magazines that identified every Hinterland Police and Army location in Guyana as Cuban military bases that threatened the sovereignty of Venezuela. Of course this was a blatant falsehood, and clearly being used as a pretext to rationalize Venezuela’s armed aggression against Guyana. These magazines did not come to Guyana’s attention until just before the expiration of the Protocol of Peace, and were acquired by Police Staff at Eteringbang, translated and sent to the authorities in Georgetown. The expiration of that peace agreement coincided with the then Falklands War between Great Britain and Argentina, and there was much trepidation at border locations that there would be military hostilities against Guyana by Venezuela in quest of our territory. Fortunately none of the subsequent situations rose to this level. The internal politics of

Venezuela had always been an agency that determined the temperature of our relationship with that country, and that continues up to today. What we have to guard against most ardently, is the possibility that the internal politics of Guyana operate to weaken our abilities to deal with whatever crops up in the ensuing period. Although there might be some confidence that the current Venezuelan Government will abide by the “Good Officer” arrangements put in place to control discussion of the baseless claim on our territory, we would be making a grave error in thinking that the present regime will last forever, and that a change will not produce dangerous repercussions for Guyana. What occurred recently, contrary to the explanation of M r. Luncheon, cannot simply be categorized as “a breach that was corrected after it was pointed out”. That description is more apt in situations in which someone violates a dress code, and after it is pointed out, correcting that

situation. Every soldier in every border location, more so one in which there is a claim being made for territory, would understand that he or she cannot enter into the territory of the neighboring country under arms. If Guyanese soldiers “commit that breach” with respect to the sovereign territory of Venezuela, they would be immediately arrested or maybe worse. I am not arguing that we should go to war over this incident. I am arguing that we should categorize it for what it unequivocally represents, and to display t h e k i n d o f serious objections at the diplomatic level to ensure that our prudence in dealing with such issues is not misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or easy capitulation. Yes we are undermanned, under armed, and as Dave Martin and his band made clear, a peaceful nation not seeking conflict. At the same time we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied and deprived of the rights all nations enjoy as a matter of protocol. Keith (Robin) Williams

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Response to Freddie, Adam and Greenidge DEAR EDITOR, I write to respond to three different pieces all appearing in KN Sep 15. My friend Freddie says he will never live in Norway although he won’t mind if his daughter immigrates and settles there (KN Sep 15). Understandably, many Guyanese parents want their children to migrate even to faraway places like Norway where life is great in terms of standard of living and quality of life. Norway is a lovely place, one of the finest places to live, though very cold in the winter and even cool in the summer. It has a somewhat liberal immigration policy, is very cosmopolitan in the larger cities with many nationalities settling and calling the country home. Freddie will find comfort there although he may find it difficult to publish comments in papers because people have little tolerance for nonsensical writings. There are several Guyanese living in Norway, although, unlike in most of the diaspora, there are no community organizations

of Guyanese. I visited Norway several times and studied its political system (PR – somewhat similar to Guyana) and its politics. Norway undergoes cycles of governance like a normal country, changing parties between right and left in combination with the center or the Green. As opinion polls predicted, a right wing alliance has won the general elections, defeating the center-left, and a racist outfit is part of the new ruling coalition that won last week’s elections. The right wing has won because of its anti-immigrant campaign agenda that found appeal among some voters; many immigrants from Africa and the Islamic countries have found themselves in Norway because of its open borders, creating a backlash that resulted in the right wing victory at the polls. But it will be very difficult for the alliance to push through its anti-immigrant agenda because it is subjected to the EC treaty; racist appeals and policies will be condemned by the

European community. The mass killing, last year, by a crazed gunman was an isolated incident and the light sentence he has received for his notorious criminal act is in keeping with the penal system; judges don’t violate laws or norms. It is a peaceful place. I found Norwegians to be warm and friendly. They are disciplined and hard working and care for their environment. They enjoy about the highest standard of living in the world and can afford to donate lots of money to protect our green forest in Guyana. I agree with Adam Harris that shortages of basic goods seem to be creeping back as a way of life in Guyana. Everywhere I went recently, people complained about shortages of various goods resulting in higher prices. However, rum, junk foods and candies don’t seem to be in short supply. Flour was plentiful for roti, bread and pastries. I was taken aback reading about a shortage of stones Continued on page 29

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Meten-Meer-Zorg murder, Wakenaam robbery…

Suspects confess Some of the suspects in Monday’s movie-style shootout have reportedly confessed to being involved in the robbery at MetenMeer-Zorg in which Zulfikar Namdar was slain, as well as the recent attack at a Wakenaam businessman’s house. But a source said that none of the men admitted to shooting Namdar, and pinned his demise on gang member Kirk Bacchus, who was slain during Monday’s confrontation with police. Up to late yesterday, some eight suspects were in custody. They include a Meten-Meer-Zorg man who is a friend of the Namdar family. He is said to have tipped off the gang that the victims kept large sums of money, including cash for an orphanage, on their premises. The informant was at the grocery when the bandits attacked, and his alleged associates had reportedly even placed him to lie on the ground with other customers. Police sources said that some of the suspects are likely to be charged with murder and armed robbery this week. Also in custody is a speedboat operator from Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, whose vessel was reportedly used by the gang when they struck at the island of Wakenaam. The man’s wife told Kaieteur News that armed police ranks detained them on Monday afternoon at their Zeelugt home. She said they had just come from the Vreeden-Hoop Magistrate’s Court in connection with a traffic offence.

- say friend of murder victim tipped them off about valuables According to the woman, the ranks informed them that they were investigating an armed robbery at Meten-MeerZorg and took them to the Leonora Police Station. She said that several policemen later took her husband back home and searched their premises. She alleged that the ranks eventually said that they had found a small handgun under some boards in their yard. According to the woman, her husband denied having any knowledge about the firearm. The woman, who was subsequently released, said that the police also questioned him about the Wakenaam robbery, and subsequently detained the boat captain and another seaman. She alleged that a group of men had hired her husband’s boat for a Parika to Supenaam journey on the same day of the Wakenaam robbery, and that the captain and a crew member alone took them on the trip. Police are said to be hunting for at least three other men and have sent out a bulletin for one suspect, who is said to be wanted in connection with Zulficar Namdar’s murder. Police were able to dismantle the gang on Monday after receiving word that they were planning a robbery on the West Coast of Demerara. They were also

Businessman accused of assaulting Jerries Manager Businessman John Pyneandy, has been charged for assaulting a Jerries Snackette Manager. Pyneandy, of Water and Barrack Streets, Kingston, pleaded not guilty to the allegations of assault when he faced Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The businessman, who was unrepresented at yesterday’s hearing, is accused of jabbing Jerries manager, Laurence Vieira, several times in his chest with a stick. Details emerging from the matter suggest that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol when he entered Jerries Snackette located on Waterloo Street, South Cummingsburg, and

started to spew derogatory remarks, relating to the owner of the business, Jerry Bacchus. When confronted by workers, the businessman reportedly took a flagstick and poked Vieira in the chest. The matter has been adjourned until September 27. Pyneandy was released on $10,000 bail.

informed that the gang had holed up in a house at Meten-Meer-Zorg. This newspaper was told that the gunmen sought refuge in a two-storey concrete house in Kastev Housing Scheme. The building was still under construction. From the state of an un-flushed toilet in the building, it is believed that the men might have been hiding in the house as early as last Saturday Acting on this information, police staked out the area some hours before dawn on Monday. But Kaieteur News understands that the ranks mistakenly staked out another house close to the hideout. At around 10:00 hrs on Monday, four of the gunmen arrived at the house in two rented cars. They spotted the policemen and immediately opened fire. The gunmen then fled. One of the bandits, later identified as Kirk Bacchus, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara, fled on foot, while another accomplice managed to steal a bicycle. Two plainclothes ranks commandeered a passing taxi and trailed the two suspects, and Bacchus reportedly began firing at the vehicle. He was eventually killed in another section of MetenMeer-Zorg known as Tarla Dam. Police allegedly recovered a 9mm pistol from the slain man and said that ballistic tests revealed that Namdar was shot with the same firearm.

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Minibus/car smash-up leaves conductor dead A 22-year-old Sophia minibus conductor was killed and eleven passengers injured at around 20:00 hrs yesterday after the vehicle in which they were travelling collided with a car at the intersection of Brickdam and Brummel Place. Dead is Gavin Daly, of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara. The minibus driver told reporters that he was heading east along Brickdam at a fast rate when he slammed into a car that was heading south along Brummel Place into

Brickdam. The bus, BPP 9210, then toppled before ending up on its side. Eyewitnesses said that the conductor’s head and upper body were crushed beneath the overturned bus. He died on the spot. Passersby and an ambulance took the injured, who are mainly from Sophia, to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Most of the victims sustained lacerations and none appeared to be seriously injured. Hospital officials identified the injured as

Samantha Darlington and Mijah Gordon, of E Field, Sophia; Monty Semple, of Cummings Park Sophia; Tracy Gibson of Sophia; Colin Cyrus, of Republic Street, Newtown, Sheleza Franklin of Sophia, Neil Grenville, 23 of Rainbow City, Linden; Cordel Harris, of ‘C’ Field Sophia; Devon Abrams; Latoya Rigby of North Ruimveldt and Sheldon Mc Kenzie of Darrel St, South Ruimveldt. There were still being treated at press time.

Police seize two illegal guns in separate city incidents As crime threatens to get out of control, the police appear to be turning up the heat on criminals in the city, confiscating two illegal .38 revolvers in three hours. One of the weapons was recovered during a routine stop and search operation early yesterday morning, while the other was seized following a robbery. Police in a press release stated that at about 22:30 hours on Monday, two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered Kamboat

Restaurant on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, and held up the cashier and several patrons. They took away a cell phone and an undisclosed amount of cash and escaped. However, they did not get very far as a police patrol that was in the vicinity, responded and one of the suspects was arrested in Garnett Street with a .38 revolver. The man is in police custody and charges will be made shortly. Then three hours later, police ranks stopped and searched motor car HB 1140

at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, during which they found a .38 Taurus Revolver with three rounds. Four men who were in the vehicle have been arrested and are in police custody. Again, according to the police, charges will be made shortly.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Leasing of state lands Twelve countries, 14 Chinese now computerised companies for GuyExpo In what is being described as a major improvement, Government has announced that it has computerized its land leasing systems to make it more efficient. In announcing the Lease Approval Management System (LAMS), the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment said that it is one of three outputs that fall under the Development of Land Use Planning Project (DLUPP). The latter is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC). According to the Ministry, the project has been under development for the last 32 months, having commenced in January 2011. To be concluded next month, the process also includes land use planning, land administration, and institutional strengthening. LAMS were developed by the DLUPP and focuses on management of state lands. “The existing system of lease processing was seen as slow and inefficient, and generated numerous customer complaints, hence LAMS was developed to solve this problem. It essentially computerises the existing system, to provide a seamless process from the first letter of interest through to printing of the lease.” With large tracts of lands under state control, there

have been continuous complaints about the system of applications being slow and faulty with openness for corruption. “It is anticipated that this (LAMS) will greatly improve the speed and efficiency of lease processing, always with the caveat of externalities beyond system control,” the Ministry said. The system was designed and conceptualised by Dr. Rajendran Senthil, and was programmed by Ray Sam and Guoyan Rampersaud and headed by Geoffrey King. King noted that a survey made it clear that customers applying for land leases were dissatisfied with the existing system. “It is the first Egovernment system in Guyana and a state-of-the-art project.” Agencies that stand to benefit from this project include the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, while lauding the project, urged for it to be further improved. “I think this is certainly a p o s i t i v e development…through this project I hope we are able to provide a better service to the people of Guyana, and not only a better service, but a more efficient and fairer

service and not a questionable one.” Adding that it is the plan to widen the scope of GL&SC, the official said that it will become imperative for trained staff to manage the process. He also warned that emphasis should be placed on the integrity of the system since it is an aspect that is frequently questioned. “I’m concerned about security and it must be ensured that there is restricted user access and traceability of access.” He was also concerned about integration, creating a link between the GL&SC and the other organisations. The Land Use Planning output focuses on preparation of a National Land Use Plan (NLUP) and three Regional Land Use Plans (RLUPs) for Regions 1, 2 and 10, the Ministry disclosed. “This involved collecting all available data on Guyana’s resources and their use. It was highlighted that most map data needed reformatting to bring all information to a common format.” There were stakeholder consultations in Georgetown and all other Regions for the NLUP, while more detailed consultations took place for the three regional plans. Some thirty two GL&SC staffers have been trained to increase capacity in specific technical areas as part of the programme.

Products on display at a booth during GuyExpo 2012. This year’s GuyExpo, Guyana’s premier trade fair and exposition will see the participation of a whopping 14 Chinese companies. This is according to Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali, who, during a media briefing last evening, defended that the companies will be here especially to buy, and lend technological support, while strengthening

ties with Guyana. GuyExpo 2013 will see the largest international participation, with 12 countries confirmed to attend. Minister Ali made mention of only four entities from India and St. Lucia respectively. He said that to date, 265 exhibitors have already finalized participation, with that number expected to soon go up. Delegations are also expected to come from Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, and the United States of America. The Minister noted that Brazil will also be making a “special investment”, while evaluating further business opportunities. Under the theme ‘Advancing Productivity through Innovation, Modernisation, and Expansion’, the event will kick off on October 3rd and will run through October 6th at the Sophia Exhibition Site. GuyExpo 2013 is being held in collaboration with Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), in commemoration of its 50th Anniversary. With the increase in international participation, there will be an increase in law enforcement presence, and significantly tightened security measures. Johnny Mortley, GuyExpo’s Security and Safety Manager, disclosed that there will be additional entrance and exits, as well as the presence of private security personnel, and medical officials in the case of an emergency. At the beginning of next month, there will also be the

launching of a 68-page magazine, with is intended to further sell GuyExpo. Ticket prices for Adults is $500, with Children $300, and cars $1000. It was noted that a set number of tickets will be printed for each day, and that after those are sold out, patrons will not be allowed inside the venue. As far as entertainment goes, GuyExpo’s Entertainment Manager, Lennox Canterbury, said that emphasis will be placed on local talent. Canterbury said that the issues of music being too loud will also be regularized to go well with both patrons and those living in close proximity to the site. He also disclosed that there will be a ‘kiddies park’ with bouncing castles, face painting, and merry-gorounds. Canterbury noted too that beverage companies, Banks DIH and Ansa McAl, have already sponsored two separate entertainment nights, which are much anticipated by fans of GuyExpo. With close to 200 exhibitors, GuyExpo first started in 1995. Today, it is Guyana’s biggest exposition event, with over 460 businesses exhibiting their products. It became an annual event in 2004, under the Chairmanship of Keith Burrowes, and is now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean. The focus over the years has remained on the development of especially small and medium sized enterprises.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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THE STONE COUNT There are two related issues in the stone controversy. The first is the dispute over whether there is a shortage of stone on the local market; the second is the right of anyone, including the government, to import stone. No company ought to have a monopoly on stone production and sales in Guyana. As far as is known there are two major quarries operating in Guyana and from all accounts these two companies have over the years been able to supply the local demand for stone. Stone does not spoil, so there is no reason why quarries should not have surpluses of stockpiles in case there is an increase in the

demand for local stone. A major infrastructural project, be it private or public, should not lead to a shortage of stone, so long as adequate projections about demand are being made. The government is claiming that at present there is a shortage of stone on the local market and it is threatening to import stone. The government is free to do this, because there are no quota restrictions in place on the importation of stone. In fact, if a private individual feels that by importing stone, he or she can compete with local production, that individual should be free to do so, since such imports will help to avoid a price increase

by local producers. The issue of stone imports should therefore be guided by the market. The government should not be importing stone without paying the requisite tariffs which help to protect the local industry. It is therefore one thing for the government, or any other entity or person for that matter, to import stone. It is another thing for them to be doing so without paying the necessary tariffs. Not paying the import taxes would undermine the local industry, and if this happens, then the matter should engage both the local competitiveness council and its regional counterpart. If the government

Dem boys seh

Development is a big hustle Is who tricking who when dem talk bout development? And when dem talk bout development is who development dem talking bout? Fuh a long time dem boys use to sit down and watch how de development thing was going. And it was easy. A man buy or rent a bulldozer and a hymac then he tender fuh a contract to build road. He ain’t got to know nutten bout road building. Then he tender and one look at he name gun mek he get de contract. The first thing he gun do is apply fuh an advance then he gun scratch de road. After a while de man gun pack up and lef de road. It don’t matter if de road done or not, he gun mek some money and he guh get other contract. Sometimes he gun have to do slapdash wuk which gun bruck up after three weeks. But dem boys seh that de big ones know more about development suh dem does undertake big developmental programmes. That does involve nuff money. Dem ain’t got to do slipshod wuh. All dem got to do is price de project higher than de real price and walk

away wid de extra money. Then dem gun share some money wid de contractor by giving he contract that he can’t fulfill. That is wha happen wid Fip who run away wid some money. But de real big ones don’t have to worry. Special cheque does write out to dem and deposit in special account. De more dem get is de more dem does want. That is why all of a sudden Bharrat set up four big project. He did already set up e Skeldon fuh US$200 million when it look like if is only US$100 million spend pun de factory. To this day it ain’t wukking good. De Marriott was to be a flagship project but because of de hustle it is now a buy as you are project because de government people can’t wait till de hotel done build. De Amaila project money done share out and somebody got to pay back. That’s why Donald trying he best to get de project on stream. He ain’t want shame he comrades. Talk half and don’t talk bout development.

therefore feels that there is an insufficient supply of stone on the local market, it is free to import, but do so within the trade rules of the country, which means that the government should not enjoy any preferences by not having to pay the taxes. The same should apply to any other grouping who wishes to import stone, regardless of whether there is a shortage or not. But is there a shortage of stone on the local market? A shortage of stone would make it possible for the government to activate mechanisms for preferential importation of stone, as was the case many years ago with cement. In that instance, the government allowed the importation of stone by waiving the taxes and a regional cement company protested and took its case all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice, which ruled against Guyana. The country was fortunate to escape serious sanctions for its actions. Guyana must not court a similar situation. If it decides to allow the importation of stone, it should ensure there is no breach of the trade regulations to which Guyana is a signatory. If, on the other hand, it wishes to waive those

rules, then it may first need to establish, unlike what was done in the case of the cement, that there is a shortage of cement. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is mindful of the situation and has therefore asked the government to give one local company the opportunity to show that it can supply the local market. The issue, however, is not just whether the company can supply the market, because this fact does not preclude anyone, including government, from importing stone. The issue is whether there is a shortage that necessitates the preferential importation of stone. It would have been much more advisable if the GCCI could have brokered a compromise solution by asking the government to establish an independent panel comprising persons agreeable both to the local stone producers and to the government, to determine if there is indeed a shortage of stone on the local market and if existing stockpiles can satisfy local demand. There is a dispute at the moment about these issues. The government is saying one thing and a major stone

producer is saying another. To settle this dispute, the facts need to be determined since both sides cannot be right. The way to determine who is right is not by the crossing of words in the media. The way forward is to have a panel agreeable to both sides to investigate and find out the state of stone production and stockpiles in the country. If such a panel finds that there are inadequate supplies, then the government can make out a case to be allowed waivers to the existing trade rules, because of the shortage. There was a time, of course, when stone production could not meet the demand, and stone was controversially imported into this country. The importation of stone is therefore, as the past dictates, not without its risks. If on the other hand there is no shortage, then it means that whoever advised the government was wrong and needs to be corrected. This is the way forward. Simply asking that someone be given the benefit of the doubt will not confirm whether indeed there is a shortage.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Bids submitted for One-Mile Primary School construction Under the Ministry of Education, five bids were opened yesterday by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), for the construction of One-Mile Primary School, Linden. Government released $60 million for the reconstruction of the institution. The school was set ablaze by arsonist(s) last August. It was the largest primary school in Region 10, housing more than 800 students. The bids are as follows:

Still within RDC, Region Two, bids were opened for the upgrading of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast.

Further, bids were opened for the upgrading of Fourth Street, Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

The University of Guyana’s Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) received bids for the painting of fabrication workshop and main stores.

The Office of the Prime Minister Hinterland Electrification Unit received bids for the supply and installation of two solar P.V. systems at Kanubali, Region One.

In addition, the bids were opened for the supply and installation of uninterrupted power supply system. Guyana Office for Investment received bids for the rehabilitation of the roof of the office building. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Region Six, received bids for the rehabilitation/ construction of miscellaneous roads. The bids were divided into five lots.

Under the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme received price proposals for the design of hazardous waste management facility.

For the RDC, Region One, a lone bid was opened for the procurement, supply and delivery of health equipment. The bids were divided into two lots: Lot (1) X-Ray Machine and Lot (2) ECG Machine.

In addition, the RDC at Region Two, received bids for the upgrading of David James Street, Charity, Essequibo Coast.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

An appeal to President Ramotar and Ministers Singh and Manickchand In my long career as a newspaper columnist, I have tried to show and prove how unnecessarily backward and primitive Guyana is. I use the word “unnecessary” because in many instances the areas of backwardness can disappear with just the wave of a pen. I will return to that topic but first, let me point readers to my Friday, August 16, 2013 column. It was captioned, “I appeal to all Guyanese – please stop

this cruelty.” The article was about the incomprehensible cruelty that lies in the law against the use of marijuana. I did the column days after I read that the US AttorneyGeneral had ordered an immediate change to the procedures governing mandatory jail sentences for very small drug offences. I argued that there is a part of Guyana’s anti-narcotics law that defies modern practices in today’s world.

Under the law, a prison sentence can be assigned to an accused found with a smoking utensil, not the drug itself, but the mere smoking utensil. In that very article, I went around the world and showed the many countries that have decriminalized possession of tiny amounts of marijuana. But here in Guyana, you can be jailed for the possession of a smoking instrument. Two weeks ago, a

magistrate jailed a person for such possession. Let’s return to the ease with which this country can dissolve some of its horrible backwardness. We inherited a harmless stipulation from colonial society over a hundred years ago that we still enforce and that affects adversely thousands of poor people. Long ago, your social security benefit document could only be signed by a

Commissioner of Oaths, medical doctor, police officer or secretary to a trade union. I discovered that I wasn’t getting my NIS retirement benefits because a clerk had rejected the signature on my form. He is a lecturer at UG with a doctorate. The NIS apologized and agreed that the range of people who can sign such a document needs to be broadened considerably. It is the same with the UG pension. All that needs to be done is for the NIS and UG to send around a memorandum to its staff informing them that businessmen, lawyers, professionals and other such categories are now permitted to sign. If this old practice by UG, NIS and other institutions is not changed, then a majority of the famous names in law, business etc., and rich people in Guyana, cannot sign these types of forms. I now come to a heartbreaking situation in which I would appeal to President Ramotar, Minister of Finance Ashni Singh, and Education Minister Priya Manickchand. A few UG students told me that they will have to leave UG in the middle of their studies because their guarantors have reached the age of 55. The Ministry of Finance stipulates that a guarantor must not be over fifty years of age. This is simply too incredible to believe. In Forbes Magazine’s list of 100 of the world’s richest persons, almost ninety-five percent of them are over the age of 55. What does age have to do with it? The guarantor must be able to cover the debt in the event that the person does not repay. A bank is concerned with

Frederick Kissoon the financial status of the guarantor, not his/her age. Most of Guyana’s wealthiest citizens are over 55. In the case of one student, his uncle was his guarantor and turned 55 before the new academic year at UG began. It means that the Ministry will not process his loan. I really felt heartbroken when I heard this story. Of course this has nothing to do with UG. This is strictly a situation controlled by the Ministry of Finance. Under the Ministry’s guideline then, President Ramotar will not be able to guarantee a UG student. Surely, this is an unacceptable situation that calls for governmental intervention. How can the Government remain unmoved by the plight of these students? Someone from the Ministry can interview them and ascertain if the over-55 guarantor has collateral to back up his/her guarantee. If this can be verified then surely age becomes irrelevant. One of the reasons I believe these primitive areas of life continue to thrive, is because human rights organizations and opposition parties are so burdened with more pressing and vital issues that they cannot muster the time and energy to confront all the cruel things that the poor and powerless suffer in this country. Once again, I call upon the President and the Finance and Education Ministers not to let these poor students fall by the wayside. Please help them!

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

US jails Colombian who shipped coke to Guyana Washington DC - Jose Maria Corredor-Ibague, aka “Boyaco,” a high-level drug trafficker and supporter of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), has been sentenced in Washington, D.C., to serve 194 months in prison. Corredor-Ibague was the first person in the nation to be indicted under the federal narco-terrorism statute, which became law in March 2006. The sentencing was announced Monday. “Jose Maria Corredor-Ibague was an international drug lord who moved cocaine around the world through a close, criminal partnership with the FARC,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. “This narco-terrorism case was the first of its kind. As this 194-month sentence demonstrates, the Justice Department is firmly committed to working with its counterparts to hold accountable anyone who uses narco-trafficking to support, assist and enable terrorism.” “This defendant led a drug transportation network that distributed thousands of kilograms of cocaine to destinations in the United States and other countries, often acting in concert with the FARC terrorist organization,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “He was a leader of a broader conspiracy that engaged in narco-terrorism, and his apprehension, prosecution and 194-month prison sentence show that law enforcement is committed to combatting drug traffickers and those who provide support to terrorist groups.” Corredor-Ibague, 46, a Colombian National, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler. In addition to his prison term,

JAILED: Jose Maria Corredor-Ibague, aka “Boyaco Corredor-Ibague was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release. Corredor-Ibague was arrested in Colombia on Oct. 15, 2006. He was extradited to the United States in October 2008 and subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine while knowing and intending that the cocaine would be imported into the United States, one count of narco-terrorism and one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. According to court documents, Corredor-Ibague was the leader of an extensive drug manufacturing and transportation network that processed and manufactured cocaine in Colombian

laboratories and used airplanes to fly multi-hundred kilogram loads of cocaine from clandestine airstrips in Colombia to various countries, including Brazil, Guyana, Mexico, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela. From these countries, which were often used as transshipment points, the cocaine was sent to destinations in the United States and Europe. Corredor-Ibague controlled the clandestine airstrips used by his organization and also owned and operated the laboratories used to manufacture and package the cocaine. Corredor-Ibague and his associates also transported cocaine owned by other drug trafficking organizations, including cocaine belonging to the FARC. Corredor-Ibague’s drug trafficking activities were conducted with the protection of the FARC. In particular, the FARC’s “First Front” combat group profited from the activities of Corredor-Ibague and his associates. Corredor-Ibague paid taxes to the FARC using U.S. currency and weapons. Additionally, CorredorIbague provided material support, assistance and resources to the FARC, including assault-type weapons, machine guns, ammunition, uniforms and s o p h i s t i c a t e d

communications equipment. Corredor-Ibague conducted these activities with knowledge that the FARC engaged in terrorist activity and terrorism in Colombia and elsewhere. “This narco-terrorist illegally exported sophisticated US military weapons and communications equipment to support criminal activities

by a designated terrorist organization,” said DCIS Special Agent in Charge Khin. “Joint investigations such as these highlight the success of multi-agency partnerships in protecting A m e r i c a ’s national security interests in this region.” This case was investigated by the DEA, the

ICE-HSI Miami Field Office, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Southeast Field Office and the FBI Miami Field Office. Additionally, the U.S. government expresses its grateful appreciation to the government of Colombia for their assistance and support during the investigation, arrest and extradition. (www.justice.gov)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

800MW Hydro Project at Mazaruni…

Trinidad firm has no agreement to conduct studies An agreement between Government and a Trinidadian firm to conduct studies in Mazaruni, Region Seven, for the construction of a hydro-power dam, expired since 2010, Energy Minister, Sam Hinds said yesterday. As such, the Prime Minister in a statement stressed that there exists no Memorandum of Understanding between the company and Guyana. “ENMAN Services Ltd. had applied for and was granted an MOU in 2001 to conduct studies at the Takwari site, which was amended a few months later, substituting the Turtruba site. That MOU was amended from time to time, eventually expiring by effluxion of time in July 2010 and ENMAN Services Limited was duly informed,” Hinds said in a statement. ENMAN, last year, unveiled an ambitious energy project involving Trinidad and Tobago in which a US$700M submarine power cable will link the two countries, with the intention to sell excess electricity from the twin-island Republic to

Guyana. ENMAN’s President Donald Baldeosingh also announced last September during a visit to this country, that his company has developed a number of “giga” projects that involved Trinidad and Guyana in a major way. At a massive US$4.2B, the projects include an aluminum smelter in Guyana for US$560M; a deepwater port for US$700M; industrial park for US$250M; hydro plant for US$2B and a training institute for US$70M. With debates continuing about the fate of hydro electric projects in Guyana, ENMAN’s proposal for an initial 800 megawatts facility at Turtruba, Mazaruni, Region Seven, may be evoking some interest at the Government level. Last week, Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, disclosed that there was interest in that project in Mazaruni. However, he did not give details. Recently Sithe Global, the US developer and a key partner in the 165 megawatts Amaila Falls hydro-electric

– Prime Minister Hinds facility, slated to be built in Region Eight, pulled out, leaving the project in limbo. This was after the Opposition failed to back Government on key legislation necessary for the hydro project that would have, at initial estimates, cost Guyana upwards of US$900M to construct. Accordi n g to its website, ENMAN was hoping to take some of the excess power from the TGU plant in La Brea, Trinidad, and send it via submarine cable to Guyana, which is currently struggling to meet electricity demands. Later on, the building of the hydro dam in Mazaruni would see power being sent by the same cable back to Trinidad. ENMAN said it has been studying the options for “new” energy for the region for several years. “We concluded that the best opportunity - by far - for deployment of renewable energy on a significant scale and within the medium term is via hydro-electric power

development in Guyana.” Along with its partners, Hardy Stevenson and Associates of Toronto, Canada, ENMAN said it completed a pre-feasibility study on the Turtruba site. “The study concluded that the project is technically feasible and identified further work to get it to a “bankable” state.” With the deep water harbour project in Guyana, the Trinidadian company said that it was looking at the possibilities of tapping into the nearby Brazilian market. Brazil has been eyeing Guyana to reduce its shipping time. The ENMAN Group has described itself as a Trinidadbased grouping of “technology-oriented” companies operating in the Caribbean. ENMAN’s principals include engineer Donald Baldeosingh, former Chairman of the Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, and Eur Ing Aldwyn Lequay, former Deputy Chairman of the Port

ENMAN’s President, Donald Baldeosingh Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Commission. Trinidad and Tobago, ENMAN claims, has more than 500 megawatts of excess power that it could sell for US$0.10 to 0.13, per kilowatt,

far below what GPL is providing power for in Guyana. Each project, ENMAN said, will be financed separately, including possibilities for debt/equity; public-private partnership or supplier financing.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Govt. makes no tangible efforts to fight corruption - TIGI With Government showing no tangible evidence of wanting to fight corruption, Guyana is likely to be rated very low once again on the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). This affirmation was expressed by Anand Goolsarran, President of Transparency International Guyana Inc, who informed that the international body would be having another rating in November. He suspects that Guyana would not improve from its current rating of second from bottom in the Western Hemisphere or Americas. And, if Guyana makes any improvements it would be marginal. According to Goolsarran, if Government had established the Public Procurement Commission, the Integrity Commission, and made the necessary amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Bill, Guyana could have gotten a better rating. However, the absence of these vital anti-corruption mechanisms could deter Guyana from climbing the ladder and moving away from the 27 out of 100 rating which it held for the past five years. He noted that the administration needs to operate at a high degree of transparency, have good government practices and implement laws that could

- Guyana likely to be rated lowly on Corruption Perception Index

Andrew Ayre, British High Commissioner to Guyana

One of the billboards erected by TIGI

TIGI President, Anand Goolsarran minimize the perception of corruption. Measuring actual corruption is extremely difficult, and as such, CPI experts conduct surveys and assess the results. The entire exercise is highly statistical and is done by Transparency International in Berlin, the

parent body for TIGI. Government has been criticized by Opposition Members of Parliament, independent Financial Analysts and several civil society bodies for conducting businesses involving large sums of taxpayers’ money without accountability and transparency. One glaring example is the erection of a Marriottbranded hotel at Kingston. Even without investors and objections from the Opposition, Government

went ahead to commence erection of the US$60M hotel with funding from taxpayers. Now, Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), which is the special purpose

company, established to own and manage the Marriott Hotel is negotiating with a foreign private investor for two-thirds ownership of the

hotel, which is still under construction. TIGI in its effort to educate the populace about (Continued on page 27)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

‘Positive living’ takes centre stage at PLHIV conference Aimed at highlighting ways that Persons Living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) could better take ownership of their own lives, the Ministry of Health through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) yesterday commenced a two-day national PLHIV conference. Under the theme ‘Motivation towards positive living; supporting sustainability’ the conference has attracted participation from at least 50 leaders drawn from peer support groups within Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10. Yesterday the gathering was able to deliberate on the quality of social support services provided through the national HIV care and

treatment programme, to identify the gaps, and to make recommendations on how to improve the programme. Additionally, an important focus is to determine how PLHIV could aid moves to ensure that there is sustainability of the HIV care, treatment and support programmes. Speaking at the opening of the conference which was held at the Regency Suites Hotel, NAPS Programme Manager, Dr Shanti Singh, underscored that the hosting of the conference was premised on the need to focus on positive living as well as the sustainability of the social support services required by PLHIV. According to Dr Singh, moves towards advocacy for PLHIV to take ownership for their own health is in fact an

essential part of the recently launched HIVision 2020 initiative - the health sector’s eight-year strategic plan for fighting HIV. “One of the guiding principles of the HIVision 2020 is the greater involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS, meaning not only more central involvement in decisionmaking at policy and other higher levels, but importantly, more ownership of their health, and therefore, health outcomes.” Dr Singh emphasized that the National HIV programme has achieved a number of milestones and Guyana is now one of 14 countries to have achieved universal access to care and treatment. This, she outlined, was achieved through the multisectoral collaboration and the

commitment of all stakeholders, even as she encouraged all participants “to work together in ensuring that Guyana continues to provide high quality treatment to all persons living with HIV.” The forum also saw the attendance of Ms. Chrystol Albert-Hope, Programme Manager of G-Plus, who in brief remarks acknowledged the tremendous strides made by the National HIV programme over the years. She alluded to the fact that special achievements were the commencement of free anti-retroviral treatment in 2002, the near elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the reduction of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. And according to recently appointed Head of PANCAP, Dereck Springer, Guyana’s HIV fight has a lot to celebrate. “Twenty years ago HIV was seen to be related to dying. Today we are speaking about positive living…Guyana has also gone beyond other Caribbean countries in providing community, home and palliative treatment,” Springer noted. As such, he urged the participants to look at shared responsibility and selfmanagement as moves are made to focus on country

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ownership in light of the decreasing donor funding for HIV. Springer said that the increasing survival of PLHIV has brought with it the additional challenges of aging and the onset of other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. In this regard, he mentioned the crucial role of PANCAP and further pledged its support in working closer with Guyana during his period of leadership. Country Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Roberto Campos, did not fail to amplify that body’s strategy of “zero new infections, zero new HIV-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination.” He noted that the epidemic has over the years changed from one of despair to hope, where HIV is no longer a death sentence. He emphasized too the need for Government and civil society to work together in combating HIV and the need to mobilize resources locally. He also made reference to the central role that PLHIV can play in controlling the epidemic, by adhering to treatment ,thereby reducing the chance of transmission to a mere four per cent. Also present at the opening of the two-day forum was Parliamentary Representative of the Health Ministry, Joseph Hamilton, who observed that everyone has a role to play in controlling HIV. “It is everyone’s business,” Hamilton said, as he disclosed that an essential part of the draft 2013 – 2020 health strategy focuses on the need for greater efficiency

NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh in the health system and the need for greater value for money in light of decreased donor funding. He emphasized that political will exists both at the level of the government and the Health Ministry in addressing HIV in Guyana. Yesterday saw presentations on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence as well as Parenting. There was also a panel discussion on Positive Living. Topics to be delivered today will focus on Sustainability of HIV Care and Treatment Services, and the Support Services available for PLHIV through the Ministry of Housing, Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency, Institute of Private Enterprise Development, Food for the Poor, and NIS. A major expected output of the conference is the development of a road map on how to sustain the support services provided at the government HIV care and treatment sites and by NonGovernmental Organisations.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday September 18, 2013

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Frustrated vendors express multiple concerns at special meeting - City Mayor reiterates call for Market committee Vendors used a special interactive meeting which was called by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday to air concerns which they believe are hampering the development of the city markets and by extension, their businesses. Stallholders and other operators at the city’s two major municipal markets Stabroek and Bourda expressed difficulty with the unavailability of parking, poor toilet facilities, poor lighting, security, flooding and constabulary officers’ involvement in illegal matters, as some of the major issues ailing the system. City Mayor Hamilton Green and his delegation met with the vendors to identify issues affecting them, in an attempt to devise ways of addressing them. Vendors said they are losing business because of the inconvenience the unavailability of parking is posing.

At the Stabroek Market meeting, a vendor said that he took almost an hour to find a parking space, “…and I have a stall here in the market,” the man told the Mayor. He added that persons have to park a far distance away from the market, “and sometimes when you go back, something is missing from your car.” Additionally, persons operating in the Bazaar were concerned and even upset about the unavailability of an offloading area. This was echoed by several vendors who said they face difficulty using the southern end of the market to offload their goods and having to fetch it to the northern end of the market where they operate. “You can’t offload your goods on the road, in front of the Bazaar, ‘cause the police quick to come and arrest you,” a woman stated. The increase of petty thievery was also discussed. One vendor opined that the

A scene at one of the bus parks near the market

Some of the vendors congregate to speak with the Mayor (at centre, backing the camera) and his team constant occurrence is scaring away customers… “persons are afraid of being pick pocketed.” Another concern was the alleged involvement of Constabulary officers in illegal activities. One woman

explained to Mayor Green that she has a problem with another vendor pertaining to their operations which is in close proximity, but can get no redress because she is convinced that constabulary officers have taken money to

look the other way instead of getting to the bottom of the matter. Other vendors cheered in support, while accusing the constabulary officers of collecting bribes and not addressing matters that hamper the smooth running of the facility. As it relates to health, the vendors called for additional toilet facilities to be built,

while requesting that the existing facilities be opened later in the evening to facilitate vendors working after closing hours. One woman explained that people would urinate and defecate around the toilet areas. Another man said, “If KFC is closed or you can’t make it to Demico, you have to do it where you can and (Continued on page 26)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

REO meets Port Kaituma teachers The issues at the Port Kaituma Primary School which forced teachers to stage a sit-in on Monday were reportedly up for discussion yesterday when Regional Education Officer (ag), Nigel Richards, spearheaded a meeting at the Region One School. The move came one day after daunting concerns at the school were highlighted in this publication ranging from insanitary conditions to overcrowded classrooms. But although those concerns were reportedly highlighted yesterday there are reports that some teachers were chastised for sharing details with the media. This publication was however informed of the situation of the school by concerned parents. “They don’t want us to say anything about the issues that we have at this school...There are concerns here and we have to raise the issues so that they can be fixed. I don’t even believe

that the Minister knows what is going on at this school,” a source close to the school disclosed yesterday. Attempts to contact Richards yesterday to learn of the way forward for the school proved futile and Head Mistress of the school, Ms Sharon Murray, was unwilling to comment when contacted. “It is unethical for me as HM to divulge anything about the school; that is for the Region to do,” said Murray. She further disclosed that the HM only has freewill to comment on good performances of the school, even as she went on to highlight that the school ranked third in Region One at the 2013 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The top pupil for the school, who scored 498 marks, was granted placement at President’s College, the Head Mistress related. In fact, she informed that the school’s pass rate for the NGSA result this year was in fact 74 per

- pressing matters gain attention cent - up from 50 per cent last year. “I am not commenting on anything else...the Region has to deal with that, so I am not going to say anything about what is or is not being addressed,” said Murray who did not waver in steadily repeating her “no comment” stance. This publication reported in its most recent Tuesday Edition that crowded classrooms coupled with insanitary conditions, were among the concerns that forced the teachers of the Primary School to stage a sitin. This publication was informed, too, that there were plans to continue the industrial action until the relevant officials take remedial action. In fact it was revealed that the concerns, which have time and again been raised by both teachers

and parents, have not been gaining traction with the Regional Education Department. Reports reaching this newspaper are that the school, with a population of 776 pupils, is grossly understaffed. Moreover, since the commencement of the new school year, teachers have been working with overcrowded classes. Currently the school has a teaching staff of seventeen. It was revealed to this publication that the school has six Grade Two classes, each with at least 25 pupils, and there are only two Grade Two teachers on staff. Added to the concerns that prompted the ire of the teachers, as well as parents, is the situation of unsanitary washrooms, which was

linked to the fact that the school has been without water for some time now. This has reportedly prevented the cleaners from properly carrying out their responsibilities, so much so that “the toilets are nasty to the extent that there are worms in them; the place is in an awful state,” said a parent who told this publication that she along with several parents were required to remove their children from the school environment last Monday. This publication was unable to ascertain whether there was a normal turnout of pupils yesterday. In fact the same parent said that the compound of the school as of Monday was in a deplorable state, complete with flourishing overgrowth and garbage strewn about.

The parent disclosed too that at least three snakes were caught in the school compound Monday morning, a state of affairs that caused several parents to consider keeping their children home until conditions improve. Added to the state of the school, members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) have also highlighted a grouse they have with the Head Mistress with respect to financial accountability in relation to a school library. “She has not showed one single receipt of books that she has bought...we have no idea what has become of the money or what are the plans for the library,” said a PTA member. In fact the matter was raised only last Wednesday when the school held a PTA meeting and according to members of the PTA “she is not addressing pertinent matters.”

Frustrated vendors express...

One of the busy streets around Stabroek Market (From page 25) how you can.” The man said that vendors are left without an option. “The same thing goes for the garbage situation. After certain hours you have nowhere to throw your garbage and if they catch you, you are fined.” A woman suggested that a stand pipe be built in the market, after expressing that it is difficult to get water to the stalls, since there is no running water. Complaints continued with flooding, leaky roofs and poor drainage; vendors said that their goods are being soaked because of leakages. They explained that business gets

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difficult when it rains and their area is easily flooded, preventing customers from accessing their stalls. At Bourda Market there were similar concerns. Those vendors requested that lights be placed at the market’s ‘green’ area which they say is dark at night and prone to criminal activities. Mayor Green told the vendors that “from the Mayor down, the Council has its inadequacies. “We have our shortcomings, but government has not allowed the Council to breathe. We can’t exhale.” Green was explaining that the Council lacked three main components for effective operations; money, manpower and machinery. He also mentioned the ongoing battle between the Council and acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba as an issue affecting Council operations. The vendors were told that their concerns were minor

and could be immediately fixed, but the issues such as difficulty with the government are the genesis of some problems they are facing. Touching on some of the individual concerns, Green stated candidly that there is no plan for Georgetown. He noted that regular assessment of the city and its operations have to be done, but the government ministers responsible, have no city plan for Georgetown. The Mayor however reiterated calls for the vendors to organize themselves into a market committee that could speak on their behalf. He also advised that the committee send a delegation to speak with President Ramotar and the Works Minister to address the issues they face. He stated further that the Council would work closely with the committee to address existing and arising problems facing the vendors.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

GOVT. OFFICIALS MUM ON FLAWED AIRPORT CONTRACT Questions posed to government officials about the administration’s reason behind taking on the burden of cleaning up the contractor’s mess, if any, on the Airport project, remain unanswered. The Guyana Government and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) signed the US$150M contract for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion, a day before the hosting of the General Elections in 2011. It was recently discovered that this contract carries an amended version of the international best practice standard. According to the international standards, “the contractor shall give all notices, pay all taxes, duties and fees, and obtain all permits, licenses and approvals, as required by the Laws in relation to the design, execution and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects and the Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Employer harmless against and from the consequences of any failure to do.” However, for some reason that hasn’t been disclosed. The Guyana government agreed that the word

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

“Contractor” be changed to “Employer” (i.e. government) and conversely where the word employer appears, it is replaced by contractor. The effect of this amendment is to transfer from the contractor to the government, the responsibilities, which the international best practice standard imposes on the contractor. Under the contract inked with the contractor, even where notices and expenses are incurred in remedying defects caused by the contractor, the government is required by contract to deal with this. Asked why the

government of Guyana opted to take on the extra burden of fixing defects in the works being done by Chinese contractors, taking into consideration the large sum that is being paid, two top government officials declined to give answers. Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, who is directly in charge of project, told Kaieteur News, “I will not be speaking to you guys on this matter.” When the question was posed to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall at a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) press conference, he declined response, on the call of

‘Sir’ Chandra on assault, threatening language charges Prominent school principal, Bernard Chandra, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with assault and using threatening language. The ABC Academy Founder/Headmaster allegedly assaulted his wife

Patricia Chandra on September 4, 2013, and threatened to kill her on May 6, 2013. Chandra reportedly tossed a plate of rice on his wife’s head after they had an argument. The court heard that the teacher had also previously threatened to kill his wife. Both matters were reported to

the police; hence Chandra was charged and brought before the court. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The matter which was prosecuted by Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunte is scheduled to be called again on September 30. Chandra was released on $40,000 bail.

Govt. makes no tangible efforts... (From page 15) corruption in Guyana has erected two billboards which tell citizens “You Can Stop Corruption”. One is located near the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the other at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) on Camp Road. The body is hoping to install more billboards across the country in areas such as Berbice, Essequibo and Linden, but is currently limited by the lack of funding. The British and Canadian Governments have helped TIGI with this initiative. According to Andrew Ayre, British High Commissioner to Guyana,

Guyana’s ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index was the primary reason for the British Government supporting TIGI. Ayre said the British Government provided seed funding for the Transparency Institute in 2011 to help it get established. “We fund such initiatives in countries where the risk of corruption is deemed to be high…The o u t c o m e w e hope to achieve is a reduction in the level of corruption which aids development, improves the business environment, and promotes inward investment.”

Last June, the British and Canadian High Commissioners joined other members of the diplomatic community, including US Ambassador to Guyana, D. Brent Hardt at an investment seminar, where Guyana was accused of not doing enough to fight corruption. A regional expert hired to implement a crime and security strategy for Caricom said that there is a perception that corruption is prevalent or endemic in Guyana. Neither Government nor the Opposition had a continuous presence at the seminar which was spearheaded by the diplomatic community.

ignorance. Nandlall said that he could not comment on a single clause in the multimillion dollar contract simply because he hadn’t read it. This is the same contract that Nandlall made several references to during the time of Budget debates. On the very night that the opposition axe fell on the budgetary allocations set aside for the Ministry of Public Works, Nandlall said “Guyana is now faced with possible legal penalties.” He said several of the programmes and projects cut by the political opposition are legally binding, and could attract massive penalties that would have to be paid by government and “ultimately by taxpayers.” It is the same taxpayers will have to pay to fix any defective work done on the project.

Page 27

St. Roses/ St. Agnes “war over space” soon to be over – Education Ministry After much criticism and two picketing exercises by students of St. Agnes Primary School and their parents over the space occupied in the main building of St. Rose’s High School, it appears that a solution is imminent. A statement issued by the Ministry of Education yesterday indicated that an agreement on how the shared space would be utilised was reached by the staff, the Parent Teacher Association and the Board Members of the two schools. The statement said that the matter was discussed “amicably but robustly” by all parties present. The meeting, it said, was held in the Education Ministry’s boardroom, facilitated and chaired by Minister Priya Manickchand, where it was established that the input of all parties must be in the best interest of the children in both schools. It was brought out that while the Government is constructing six new classrooms for St. Agnes Primary School, six of its current classrooms will be housed at St. Angela’s and St. Ambrose Primary Schools temporarily until said construction is completed. It was noted that the Minister used the opportunity to express her disappointment at the “behaviour of some of the adults involved in the matter” and said that she is concerned that the “unwholesome behaviour” could be a bad example to the children. However, she indicated that she is “very pleased that the parties were able to reach an agreement in a civilised fashion”. Following the decisions made, the Executive of the St. Agnes PTA requested that parents attend an emergency meeting today at 16:00 hours.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

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1 -2004 Madza RX-8 6 speed needs an engine, 1 -2004 new model Noah. Both never registered- Call:664-3755

2 Medium scale mining properties in Frenchman (8450 acres) and Mahdia Potaro (79 acres)- Call:2591264 Monogomery Stuart

1 Mazda Axela late PPP seriesCall:664-3755 1 Toyota Marino: AC, mags, CD player & alarm $725,000. 1 Toyota Tundra V6 engine & 20" mags $3.1M negCall:619-1047

Mix bred puppies for saleContact:253-3114 or 692-0126 Video recording spy pen $6,500- Call:671-6177 Pitbull pups for sale- call:2239497 Generators, refrigerators, TVs, amplifiers, tools & DVD players- Call:261-2988 Generac Generator 15000 watts $600,000. Lister 3 cylinder with exhaust & tank $575,000- Call:621-4000 Generator 28KVA diesel silent needs parts sold as is $395,000- Call:621-4000 Chicken Hatchery 26,000 eggs capacity, selling complete with all racks etc$6.8 Neg-Call:621-4000 73" 3D Mitsubishi television in excellent condition $625,000 cash- Call:621-4000 Cam-am style bike 200cc new unregistered $325,000 cashCall:621-4000 TV sale 20"-73", some needs repairs others working. From $25,000 @ Guyana Variety Store 38 Cummings St. Alberttown. Call:225-5239

Sale at Aaliyah’s cheap shop, items as low as $100Call:664-2209 1 Juggler Numark cdn 88 price $70,000- Contact:2740341 or 611-2592 Pure Rottweiler pupsCall:650-8496 Pitbull pups fully vaccinatedCall Johnny:628-9884 One 3 Tons Bedford dump truck, 3 and 4" water pumpCall:270-4485 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call:656-1326/6780058 15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594

PROPERTY FOR SALE ‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28M- Call:2278409/660-4764 Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo CoastCall: 618-2517/ 660-6739 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, g e n e r a t o r, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call: 592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 1 House and land @ lot 69 New Hope, E.B.D- Call:2663643/663-2574 One 3 bedrooms two storey house in Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D- Call:622-1782/6585803 and 264-0042 2 Houses on land on public road @ Parika VillageCall:260-4353/650-3008 Better Hope $15M, West Bank $8.5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, Robb street (2 buildings) $125M- Call Diana @626-9382/227-2256

4 German shepherd pups. Mother’s black, father’s white. They are six weeks old- Call:677-4364 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $45,000 Futuretech call: 2312206 Wine Vessel (Jue) Shang dynasty. Old print, paintings and painting on Bamboos, Qui paintings- Call:623-7029 Air, split, relay and blow valve, clutch cylinder, alternator for Leyland Daf truck- Call:691-1161/2643268 (1) Crown amp Macro-tech 5002VZ. Price negotiableCall: 674-8992/665-1575 Power Mate Generator 5500 KVA- Call:696-3416 Chest draw, bed frame, gas bottles, corner stand & salon items- Call:625-8522

1 Ford Ranger & 1 Honda Civic 2001 model- Call:2250709

WANTED CONTRACT CARS @ CITY TAXI SERVICE CALL: 660-1100

WANTED Contract vehicles with experience hire car and mini bus drivers- Call:645-0025

1 Leyland DAF single axle hauler truck with 40ft Trailer Call: 683-0632

1 person to work in snackette 3pm-9pm between ages 1825- Call:226-2320/ 193 Charlotte street G/Town

(1) JL150T-3 motorcycle new, recently crashed- Call:2232812/661-1717/645-6413

One male cook to work in Interior- Call:666-9836

Male & female to work in Electronic store: Guyana Variety store & Nut Centre 38 Cummings street, Alberttown TV technician must be able to repair projection & regular TVs. Full time/ part time @ Cummings & MiddleCall: 621-4000

Toyota Premio PRR series $2.2M- Call:642-3185

Hilux Surf 4 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $950,000- Call:621-4000

Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108 Unregistered Toyota Tundra 4x4 and Toyota mini buses now in stock- Call:674-5911 or 647-7676

Hilux Surf 2 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $875,000- Call:621-4000

1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979

Mitsubishi 3000GT in excellent condition, CD player, 18" rims and more $1.9M cash - Call:621-4000

First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307

Trident car 250cc, new, power window, CD player $450,000 cash- Call:621-4000 Stretch limousine for sale, seats 10 persons, fully powered, excellent condition $6.9M neg- Call:621-4000

1 Lady-driven Toyota Raum, PLL series, white, CD, mags, no serious offer rejectedCall:216-0044/639-4087

Toyota Camry SV40, crash can be fixed. Sold with documents $375,000- Call: 621-4000 Nissan Maxima fully powered, needs some repairs $500,000- Call:621-4000 MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available - Call:657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499

110 Corolla, Vitz- Call:6797139

1 Toyota Verossa: HID, leather seats & mags. PPP series- Call:618-7618 Green 2008 S350 Ford pickup truck, 6.4 V8 diesel engine. Super duty, asking price $6.8M- Call:614-4201 2 Pitbull buses, 2 Runx, 1 Premio, 1 Allion, 1 Corolla Fielder, 1 new model Raum & 2 Spacio. Never registered- Contact:6096458/623-6070/675-2912 One Mitsubishi canter. Latest series, 15ft tray- Call: 254-0247/613-2150 1 NZE Toyota Corolla PRR 2700, 5 months old, 55KMCall:684-4627 1 Spacio ‘P’ series. 1 owner, excellent condition $2M neg- Call:652-0709

CAR RENTAL Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Premio, vitz call: 679-7139

Used DVD duplicators $50,000, Xbox 360 $70,000 & power tools- Call:621-7497

Wings Car Rental- Call:6431131

WHOLEPLUCKCHICKENCall:676-0931/686-7180 Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203

Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com

Just arrived: Spring Filled Mattress from the US, Queen Size & King size etc. Call:6246471

First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per dayCall:668-0306/694-7817/2256337

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, IST, Runx, FielderCall:652-3820/665-4529 One Toyota IST 2004 model: 16" rims, DVD, HID price $2.3MCall:621-7497/ 623-6600 1 Pearl white Premio: Chrome rims 17 inch, TV, Back-up camera- Call:624-6471

One experienced person to look after layer birds in the Interior- Contact:666-6836 Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & drivers- Call: 613-0419.

1 Domestic (go and come) to clean only- Call:225-5239

Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665

Two wash bay attendants to work- Contact:227-5169

One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936

1 Whole day maid for East Bank area- Call:614-4358

General domestic maid on E.B.D; 1 Handy Man, 1 Small Engine Mechanic 3 yrs experience- call:233-2408 Experienced Roti/Puri cooks, pastry makers, handy boys. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal 5 Commerce Street Attractive live in WaitressCall: 228-5129 One (1) Able bodied ClerkCall: 231-2029/ 616-5954/ 6244953 Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie- Call:675-7292 One mechanic to repair minibus and Solid DEF vehicle to work in InteriorCall:666-9836 One night guard; one cashier; one cook. Attractive salary. Call 223-7165; 2258645; 627-0799 Experienced taxi drivers- Bus drivers. Apply with written application- Call:265-7076/ 616-5419 Bill writers and porters to work in Grocery stall, Stabroek market- Tel:2269800/683-9500 Labourers, apply to: Friendship Slipway & Co. Ltd 7 Friendship E.B.D- Call:2662217 or 266-0311 (7:30am to 4:30pm) Experienced male dispatchercall:686-7862 or 600-1700 (8am-5pm)

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Audi, BNN RZ mini buses, AT170, Marino. Cash or terms- Call: 680-3154

1 maid must be able to cook a variety of healthy dishesCall:668-0306/694-7817

One RZ Minibus BMM series, Price – $ 1.9m Negotiable: Call – 233-3703

One live in & one live out babysitter from 12-8pmCall:225-6070

SERVICES Hell the doctor is back! Have your Gas Stoves repaired and serviced- Call:601-0595/ 220-4073/220-5785 Diabetics- Have your insulin & other medications delivered to your home/ office. Professional advice offered- Call:225-4292/6260872/227-7910 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Profressional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. Budram’s Landscaping ServicesCall:656-1326/678-0058 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:225-9032,647-2943 Computer repairs in HomesCall: 675-7292 Pandit Chrishna Persaud Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits & Marriage Officer- Call:225-6344/6425165 (Continued on page 29)

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Letters... Where your views make the news

Response to Freddie... From page 6 because I saw concrete construction moving apace in every part of the country – a nation on the move, being transformed and modernized in terms of housing. I saw thousands of tons of stones at several quarries and in (or in front of) peoples’ yards and no one complained of availability of stones although they complained about prices going up – presumably because of rising fuel prices. So something could not be right about Minister Robeson Benn’s statement of “stone shortage”. Guyana has a lot of stone. Government should motivate quarry developers to make available more stone to prevent a potential shortage and rising prices because of increasing demand. Government should also provide incentives for the production of livestock and agro products to address shortages. Former Minister Carl Greenidge claims that Ministers are behaving like

they are above the law. Carl knows that is not a new way of behaviour in Guyana. It has been this way ever since May 1966 when the White man handed over power to the locals and it is so in every former colony that is part of the third world. And what happens now, post Jagan, is no different from what happened under Carl’s party (PNC). Has Carl forgotten that Burnham fired judges and replaced officers in the army and police whose loyalty was suspect? The PNC denied the parliamentary pension benefits of Balram Singh Rai and Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye. Some of what is taking place in Guyana is similar in every third world country – politicians are hardly held accountable for their transgressions and failures and giving people fair and true justice. In every third world country, rulers feel they are the new colonialists and that they can exploit, boss around and abuse their subjects and, as Carl notes, the population

GPL could curtail its losses DEAR EDITOR, Reading the reports about GPL and the fight against electricity loss and theft during the past week in KN and SN, I come to the conclusion that the officials are hell bent on trying to make the public believe that electricity theft is the only problem hindering the development of the power company. However,t they fail to admit that mismanagement is one of the main contributing factors for the company’s decline. It would please me a lot to see both KN and SN publish a list of all the organisations/companies in which Winston Brassington is involved. I would and then ask the public if they have any confidence that GPL is getting the service from him that he is being paid for apart from sitting at press conference, doing selective interviews and giving tours to officials. It is no secret that electricity loss is having a heavy impact on GPL. As the company admits, instead of seeing a decline, there is an increase and that clearly states that something is definitely wrong! The truth is that the slothful attitude in

providing electricity to homes and areas cause residents to find other options and as a result, they get accustomed to cheap/free electricity. GPL also refused to provide electricity to certain homes and areas, whilst similar places get. The quick response in disconnecting people for a small amount of money is another ingredient that helps people steal electricity via illegal connection mostly at nights. Because of mismanagement, after investing heavily on numerous types of meters (the latest iTRON), GPL is going to invest on another project Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and installing meters on the power poles. If the company was paying heed to various suggestions, it could have installed meters on the power poles years now instead of investing heavily on different types of meters and not seeing changes. I’ve written about the street lights before, and again I would reiterate that it would be cheaper to purchase street lamps without sensors (that turn on the light when place gets dark) Sahadeo Bates

For the BEST rates, call us on telephones numbers: 226-8210, 225-8452, 225-8458.

allows them to get away with their behaviour. Rulers in virtually every third world country are full of themselves – hubris, arrogance, up there — until they are defeated and brought back to earth. The subjects can barely have a conversation with politicians. But people don’t have a choice, especially in a society like Guyana where people vote to keep out a party that once governed and abused them. The nature of our divided society allows people to tolerate the behaviour of Ministers, officials and their families as being above the law. Some politicians and officials feel they can do virtually anything and get away with their actions. But I do notice that more and more pressure is being applied to politicians to behave themselves. And KN has been exposing a lot of “wayward” behaviour of politicians seeking to “straighten” them out and many are now behaving themselves. And I overheard Ministers, Government officials and ranking PPP-ites telling others that Ministers have alienated themselves from their supporters and need to get back to their base. Vishnu Bisram FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table - Call: 277-0578

TO LET Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenitiesCall during working hours227-1218 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 6797139 120ft×42ft Space suitable for manufacturing or warehousing - Call: 2704485 Guyana Brakes & Clutch Company, 27 Coldingen, E.C.D Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call:609-2466. Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 For immediate rental, one bedroom apartment with all modern amenities $500USD monthly- Call:623-4498 or 649-2251 One- two bedrooms apartment - Call: 653-4074 Hutsonville, E.B.D: Furnished 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms Bungalow with modern convenience US$550 - Call:697-4131 Campbellville $100,000, BelAir $80,000-US$1200, Atlantic Gardens US$900, Lamaha Gardens US$1500Call Diana @626-9382/2272256 One kitchen/ canteen at Secret Villa apartments, Land of Canaan, E.B.D- Call:6680306/689-5838 Newly built apartment @ W.C.D- Call:698-6496

House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond, E.B.D & in Mocha- Call: 223-0733/ 692-8513 House Lot 50’x100’ Tuschen, W.C.D. Near to main road $3.1M (no agents)- Call:609-8132/6728569 Parfaite Harmony $1.1M & $1.2M- Call:675-7292 10 Acres of lease land at Long Creek- Call:699-3723

VACANCY Male bond attendants/ porters & cashiers. Send in application & passport size photograph @ Survival Shopping Complex 173 Sheriff St. Call:227-5286-89 Vacancy for girl to work in bar, age 18-25- Tel:256-4096 One Thread trimmer (factory experienced) & 1 heavy duty sewing girl (machine operator)- Call:627-5378 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistantCall: 663-1751/684-2838 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 One experienced live in or out general domestic (Georgetown) forty five years and over- Call:627-5378 Jump Start your Career!!! Phone: 220-0401-3 or 220-3488 to schedule your Interview Or Email:recruitment_guyana@ qualfon.com Live-in housekeeper 30-45 years. Long term employment. Location: Kuru Kururu- Call:697-8797 Hire Car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi- Call:220-1000 One experienced salesgirl must be computer literate and must have secondary education- Call:627-5378 Experience cleaners- Call:2258572 between 7am- 9am

LAND FOR SALE Double lot in Agricola $8 Million negotiable. Serious enquires only- Call:6687917/629-7460 46 House lots residential area between Charles & Peter Sts. Parika, E.B.ECall:622-6971

(From page 28)

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Facials $2000 done in Pharfaite Harmonie and around GeorgetownCall:661-0143

Land in Yarrowkabra $1.2M 100ft x 200ft. Lot 735 ‘A’- Call Mr.CK 660-0324/657-1665

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School @First Federation Building- Call:225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

To lease with option to buy, 5 acres fruit bearing landsCall:261-2988

B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield streer Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258 ,680-6826

Vacancy exists for carpenters and security. Apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown ferry stelling

EDUCATIONAL I.A.E (Camp street): Forms 1-5, lessons & adult CXC classes: Maths, English, Business & Science- Call :223-0604/ 683-5742 Is your child a slow learner struggling with reading, writing & math/ has a disability? For best resultscall:683-3887 Electronic Course- hands on training. Starting 2nd October. Abdul electronicsCall:226-655/225-0391 Advance Diploma in computer technology: Windows7, Office 2013 6 months course @ MicroGraphics Technology Vreed-En-Hoop- Call:2643057 Kids Computer Courses $4000 monthly @ MicroGraphics Technology Vreed-En-Hoop- Call:2643057 Cheap Online Shopping 3lbs @ MicroGraphics- Call:2643057

FOR RENT Rooms- Call:225-9223 1 Republic Park furnished US$1200. South Road (business) US$200. Lamaha Gardens US$1200 (office space) - Call Vish Realty 612-7372 2 Bedrooms apartment, fully furnished @ 266 Atlantic Gardens- Call:220-3735 Coolers and ScaffoldingCall:657-0424

Car wash attendant needed, within Alberttown/ Cummingsburg area Call:694-4148 or 225-6296 Sales person for Plant Shop 18-25 years. Must have secondary education- Call between 8:00am-4:00pmTel:648-1821

PEN PAL Male Guyanese returns from London & seeking female age 35-48 years for serious relationship- Call:601-5366

TOUR Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of fun- Call: 6440185/ 639-2663/ 227-8290/ 665-5171 KAIETEUR FALLS Day Tour US$150. Manaus-Brazil US$800- Call:231-6663 Heritage Day @ Santa Mission September 21st- Call Joy 218-1285/649-9059/6923114

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Hinterland Regions benefiting from 100,000-Euro business education project Leaders in the indigenous communities of Regions Eight and Nine have been strategically targeted for edification in the area of business education. This move is being driven by an Education for Advancement Project being implemented by Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG), a Non-Governmental Organisation, with funding from the European Union valued at 100,000 Euros. The intent, according to YCG’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson, is one designed to help the leaders, including Toshaos and Village Councillors, to develop understanding and needful aptitude to ensure that they can manage ‘their own communities’ affairs. The leaders of these communities, Nicholson disclosed, are often tasked with the responsibility of looking at different types of contracts that are executed and there have been instances when they did not necessarily have the wherewithal to engage such actions. “We want to make sure that they have those types of things – the skills and the tools – that are required to define projects themselves, since if they don’t have the skills there is a likelihood of poorly defined projects that cannot be properly executed.” The business education advancement venture is one that is also expected to help

YCG Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson reverse the unsophisticated nature of the elections of leaders in the hinterland Regions of the country with a view of not only ensuring that elected leaders are qualified to manage their respective communities, but that they are supported by equally qualified persons. Moreover, it is anticipated that the services delivered to these Regions are of a high standard and that they are also managed at a high and improved standard. The Education for Advancement Project was introduced in the target Regions in January 2011. With EU funding, it was designed to continue for three years, with this year being the final year, whereby participants undergo intense training. A total of 43 residents, including Toshaos and young individuals, with an

interest in leadership at the community level, have been exposed to the innovative project. “What the training has done so far is provide training to these individuals in areas ranging from administrative skills to record keeping, they are even being afforded training in Finance Management which will enable them to improve the way they operate in their communities,” said a vocal Nicholson recently. The strategic project, according to him, was offered in light of the fact that tertiary level education is difficult to come by in the hinterland communities. “So us taking this type of career-type learning to these communities is a real boost to many of the residents there, particularly, the young people, the Toshaos and the Councillors,” Nicholson asserted. The crucial training is undertaken by resource personnel from YCG, and according to Nicholson, the participants are furnished with manuals to aid the training process. Added to this, they are exposed to face-to-face sessions with facilitators who assist them through different modules from which they complete village-based assignments which are critically reviewed with a view to ensuring that the participants are gaining the requisite knowledge.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Cops ‘closing in’ on C’tyne murder suspects Police in Berbice say they are closing in on the suspects who carried out last Sunday’s robbery that resulted in the death of 70-year-old store owner Abdul Majid of Lot 12 ‘A’, Number 70 Village, Corentyne. The police are basing their search on information and descriptions provided by the dead man’s wife, who had seen the men videotaping the premises, before the attack. Mrs. Majid suggested that the men who killed her husband were individuals who had been scouring the area in recent weeks. She told Kaieteur News that she had observed, on several occasions, four men pulling up with a minibus, videotaping the premises. The woman alleged that she had informed ranks at the Springlands Police Station about the suspicious activities, but was told that police needed the licence number of the vehicle; however she was unable to provide this information. According to Mrs. Majid, three of the men visited the shop around 10:30 hrs last Saturday and “bring a couple of rusty bolts and wanted ones just like that. So, when I saw them, I told my husband that they looked like thieves because they came and video

Abdul Majid the place before. Four times they came and were videoing, “she stated. She said that fearing the men, the couple told them that they did not have the items, and the men left. But the men returned the next day with the same request, and this time their intention was clear. “Based on the description that she gave, we have a fair idea of who we are looking for,” a source in the Ancient County told this newspaper. Kaieteur News understands that the police yesterday raided several properties in the Rose Hall area in search of the perpetrators and several persons were picked up.

Earlier yesterday at an identification parade at the Springlands Police Station, Majid’s wife did not pick out anyone from among eight men who were part of the lineup. “All of them looked so ‘frighten, frighten ’… [but] I can’t go pick an innocent person—I feel so confused…,”she told this newspaper. Patrols have also been increased in the Number 62, Corentyne area, which was described as a critical point. Like other parts of the country, Berbice has been experiencing a spike in criminal activity with two robbery/murders occurring within less than a week of each other. Last Tuesday, rice miller Lallpersaud Juggerdeo was shot dead during an invasion of his home at Number Nought Village, Corentyne. Five days later, Majid was found dead in his store minutes after bandits had ransacked his home. A resident of the Corentyne told Kaieteur News yesterday that following the recent crimes, the area has become a virtual ghost town at nights. “As soon as you see five o’clock, people gone in dey house and lock up,” the resident said.

Murder victim’s father praises West Dem. cops - police thank residents for cooperation

In the midst of stinging criticisms for rising crime, the police, through their actions on the West Coast of Demerara that led to the killing of a bandit and the arrests of his fellow gang members, have come in for high praise. Among those giving kudos to the lawmen was Goolzar Namdar, whose son Zulfikar was shot dead when gunmen raided his home last Tuesday. Namdar, who buried his only son last week told Kaieteur News that he is happy with the progress that the police have made in tracking down the alleged killers. “I cannot expect better from them. I am starting to settle my mind,” he said. On Monday, the police shot dead Paradise, East Coast Demerara resident Kirk Bacchus during a shootout that started at Kastev Housing Scheme, MetenMeer-Zorg. Eleven other persons, including a speed boat operator were arrested. Police

Zulfikar Namdar have so far been able to link them to Zulfikar Namdar’s murder and a robbery committed on a Wakenaam businessman a week earlier. Goolzar Namdar stated that although he lost his son, he is comforted by the fact that the police are making headway in solving crime. “If my son should be the one who is sacrificed for others to be a bit more safe

tomorrow, I am happy for that. Because at the end of the day, if we catch some of them (bandits) and if it’s Peter paying for Paul, you know that something is being done,” Namdar said. His wife, although still distraught over the loss of her son, was also appreciative of the work being done by the police. All the residents of the neighbourhood where Monday’s shootout occurred were also high in praise of the ranks, who they said responded promptly and also acted professionally. “The police worked fast; we compliment them for their work,” one woman said. “They didn’t harass anybody, they just told us to lie low.” Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force has expressed its appreciation “to the residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg, without exception” for their cooperation and support during Monday’s operation and the subsequent investigations.

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Marriott Hotel now bordering on illegality - Joe Harmon The terms and conditions of the contract for the Expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are not in the best interest of Guyanese and the recent revelations on the Marriott Hotel suggest that the project borders on illegality. This is the view of Shadow Minister, with responsibility for Public Works, Joseph Harmon, who said on the airport project, the government has to convene a seminar where the administration should provide all of the necessary information to determine a way forward. Harmon is adamant that in its current construct, the Airport Project cannot go ahead. Responding to a recent s t a t e m e n t b y Wo r k s Minister Robeson Benn, that the airport project will go ahead as is, Harmon said that he is not sure if the Minister’s comment was made out of “ignorance” or if he just wants to show that he is aggressive. Harmon told this publication that should there be no information forthcoming on the airport project, he is doubtful that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will be voting in favour of any money to be spent from the coffers on that project. Asked what APNU’s response would be should the administration opt for another

AHI Chairman, Winston Brassington

Financial Analyst, Ramon Gaskin

Works Minister, Robeson Benn

Shadow Minister of Public Works, Joseph Harmon

source of funds such as the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), as is the case with the Marriott Hotel, Harmon said that this will be met with “decisive political action.” He said that there was not much optimism in opting for court action, given, among other factors, the slothfulness of the Judiciary. Only recently this publication reported that the Guyana Government had agreed to pay for any defects incurred by the Chinese in the expansion of the airport. Kaieteur News had also reported that Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) was in the final stages of closing a deal for the two-thirds equity ownership of the Marriott

Hotel. According to Harmon, the position expressed by AHI’s Chairman, Winston Brassington, is perplexing, given that former president Bharrat Jagdeo had confidently reported to the nation that the finances for the project had been secured, but the names of the investors could not be revealed because of confidentiality. Brassington yesterday told this publication that AHI was hoping to have financial closure with the investor before the end of the year. He said that AHI has executed an agreement with the investor and is awaiting financial closure. Meanwhile, Financial Analyst, Ramon Gaskin, in his latest writings on the airport project, said that if pursued in its present form, it is quite likely to end up being “one great disaster burdening the

taxpayers for years to come with a project loan and cost that is not value for money.” According to Gaskin, the CJIA project is a draft of one of the high profile projects conceived by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration.

the Marriott Hotel (Chinese construction with NICIL funds). According to Gaskin, “the common feature of all of these big ticket projects is more about an obsession with legacy building and less with national development or

Instances of these are the National Stadium (Indian construction and financing); Packaging Plant (India, China); International Convention Centre (China); Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Plant (China financing); Specialty Hospital (India) and

raising the quality of life of the ordinary people.” Gaskin said that these projects have nothing to do with permanent job creation, technology transfer, raising incomes or creating the returns or surplus to repay debt.

“They stand as monuments to an increasing rich-poor divide, widening marginalization, neglect of communities, a capital city that stinks and public services that are inadequate and deteriorating…What little good health and education opportunities exist are in the main reserved for those who can afford it.” Gaskin said too that another set of common features of all of these projects: they are secretly done, with no transparency and parliamentary oversight; the tendering process is absent or if done, as in the case of the Specialty Hospital, is attended by allegations of unfairness. “They are all therefore necessarily and severely overpriced…These big ticket projects will not only cause a sharp use in the external debt (or guaranteed debt) but the burdens of repayment will have to be carried by the National Budget, because the projects themselves are not likely to produce the returns to service debt.” Gaskin said too that another common thread, “when we look at all these big ticket deals,” is the Indian and Chinese involvement. According to Gaskin, “both China and India are countries with a lot of corruption, corrupt politicians, corrupt officials and corrupt contractors…It is naïve to believe that when those contractors come into contact with politicians and officials in other countries they will behave like angels…Human nature does not operate like that.”

A watchman was allegedly busted by ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) for selling marijuana while on duty at a Pharmacy. According to the allegations, Rajindra Rowtie, 29, of Lot 188 D’Andrade Street, Newtown, had in his possession in excess of 15 grams of cannabis while on duty at Medicare Pharmacy at Hinck Street, Georgetown, on September, 16, 2013. Rowtie pleaded not guilty to the drug possession

charge when he faced Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. CANU Special Prosecutor Oswald Massiah said the defendant can be classified as a watchman working with Medicare Pharmacy. “On September 16, 2013, CANU ranks, acting upon information, were on a lookout at Hinck Street, Georgetown, when they detected persons going back and forth from a guard hut, where the

defendant was on duty.” Officers closed in on the defendant and conducted a search on the hut. The officers found two calabashes, which contained transparent bags of leaves, seeds and stems, suspected to be cannabis. The ranks later unearthed another Ziploc bag concealed in the calabash. The police later found G$80,000 and US$110 on the defendant’s person after a further search was conducted. The money was confiscated as suspected proceeds from the narcotics sales. Massiah told the court that Rowtie was evasive and non cooperative with the police, when questioned about his whereabouts. “The defendant took ranks to Lot 188 D’Andrade Street, Newtown, as the place where he lives, but his parents told the officers that their son no longer lives

there, he had moved. He resides at an address in South, hence he was held in custody.” Attorney at Law Latchmie Rahamat made an application for bail. She reassured the court that her client has a fixed place of abode at Lot 188 D’andrade Street, Newtown, and is employed as a security guard at Medicare Pharmacy. Rahamat argued that the hut, where the alleged narcotics had been found was accessible and at times occupied by two other security officers, on a shift system. She told the court that her client has had no previous convictions or pending matters. The prosecution however objected to bail on the grounds that Rowtie may flee the jurisdiction if granted pre-trial liberty. The Chief Magistrate remanded the defendant to prison until today.

CJIA terms and conditions not in the best interest of Guyanese

“China and India are countries with a lot of corruption, corrupt politicians, corrupt officials and corrupt contractors…It is naïve to believe that when those contractors come into contact with politicians and officials in other countries they will behave like angels,” – Ramon Gaskin

Watchman accused of selling drugs while on duty at Pharmacy

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Leading U.S. House Democrat sees tough fight over government shutdown WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The secondranking Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives predicted yesterday a tough battle for averting a government shutdown on October 1, saying the atmosphere in Congress is worse than it was in 1995-96 when a similar funding impasse closed federal agencies. “I think we’re going to have a fight,” Representative Steny Hoyer told reporters, adding that 18 years ago there were significantly more moderate Republicans willing to seek compromises with Democrats and still there were shutdowns. Now, Hoyer said, Republicans “terrified of the Tea Party,” are hurting prospects for a deal on government spending. House Republicans backed by the smallerg o v e r n m e n t Te a P a r t y movement want to use the spending bill and

Steny Hoyer upcoming legislation to raise U.S. borrowing authority as battlegrounds for both paring back the size of government and stopping or delaying a new national healthcare law. Unless the Republicancontrolled House, Democratic-controlled Senate and President Barack Obama reach an agreement on funding levels for Congress in the fiscal year starting

October 1, most government activities will grind to a halt for lack of money. For now, leaders have been working on a temporary funding bill to avert government shutdowns and give them more time to figure out a deal for the full fiscal year, which ends September 30, 2014. The budget fight has become more complicated as House Republicans insist on coupling a temporary spending bill with efforts to either repeal or delay “Obamacare,” which aims to expand health coverage to uninsured Americans. House Republican leadership aides say they are still trying to figure out how to get a spending bill passed in coming days given the disagreements within their own party on tactics. Hoyer laid down a tough marker, however, saying that he would vote against a stopgap spending bill - even one

without attacks on Obamacare - if that measure aimed to spend only $988 billion for the full fiscal year. “$1.058 billion I think is the right number,” Hoyer said, explaining that it would fund government at the levels called for in a 2011 budget law, but without the additional across-the-board spending cuts that began earlier this year. Many Republicans want to maintain the tougher deficit-reduction discipline that the automatic spending cuts provide and they argue that Obamacare, over the

long-run, will hurt the economy and add to budget deficits. Hoyer said that a “big, comprehensive” deal is needed to replace those across-the-board cuts that even Republicans like House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers have criticized as “unrealistic and ill-conceived.” A large deal sought by Democrats would have a mix of spend i n g c u t s , t a x increases and reforms to programs like Social Security and Medicare. But it has been elusive and there has been no sign of one

coming together anytime soon. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office yesterday estimated that if the growth in long-term government healthcare and retirement costs are not curbed, U.S. budget deficits will nearly double as a percentage of economic output between 2023 and 2038. Instead of passing a short-term bill to fund the government, one that possibly extends for only several weeks, Hoyer urged settling full-year funding by September 30.

In public shift, Israel calls for Assad’s fall

JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israel wants to see Syrian President Bashar al-Assad toppled, its ambassador to the United States said yesterday, in a shift from its non-committal public stance on its neighbor’s civil war. Even Assad’s defeat by al Qaeda-aligned rebels would be preferable to Damascus’s current alliance with Israel’s arch-foe Iran, Ambassador Michael Oren said in an interview with the Jerusalem Post. His comments marked a move in Israel’s public position on Syria’s two-and1/2-year-old war. Though old enemies, a stable stand-off has endured between the two countries during Assad’s rule and at times Israel had pursued peace talks with him in hope of divorcing Syria from Tehran and Iraniansponsored Hezbollah guerrillas in neighboring Lebanon.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long avoided openly calling for the Syrian president’s fall.

Bashar al-Assad Some Israeli officials now worry that radical Sunni Islamist insurgents fighting Assad will eventually turn their guns on the Jewish state. But with Assad under U.S.-led condemnation for his forces’ alleged chemical attack on a rebel district of Damascus on August 21, Oren said Israel’s message was that he must go. “We always wanted Bashar Assad to go, we always preferred the bad guys who weren’t backed by

Iran to the bad guys who were backed by Iran,” Oren said in the interview, excerpted yesterday before its full publication on Friday. Assad’s overthrow would also weaken the alliance with Iran and Hezbollah, Oren said. “The greatest danger to Israel is by the strategic arc that extends from Tehran, to Damascus to Beirut. And we saw the Assad regime as the keystone in that arc,” he said. Oren said that other antiAssad rebels were less radical than the Islamists. Israel believes around one in 10 Syrian rebels are Sunni militants sworn to its destruction. Assad’s Alawite sect is closer to the rival Shi’ite Islam of Iran and Hezbollah. Oren, a Netanyahu confidant, did not say in the interview whether or how Israel was promoting Assad’s fall. Netanyahu casts Iran’s disputed nuclear drive as the main menace to Israel and world stability. Israel, which is widely assumed to have the region’s sole atomic arsenal, has played down any direct Syrian threat to it but is concerned that a weak Western policy towards Assad could encourage Iran. The Israelis have conferred closely with Washington as it first threatened military reprisals over the Damascus gas attack and then struck a deal with Russia for placing Syria’s chemical weapons under international control. Netanyahu has urged Syria be stripped of such arms, while insisting that his government was not getting involved in Assad’s feud with the rebels.

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Russia says no proof Assad was behind chemical attack MOSCOW (Reuters) Russia and France disagreed radically yesterday over a report by U.N. investigators into a chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of people in Syria, highlighting the problems agreeing on action at the United Nations Security Council. Sitting beside French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at a news conference i n M o s c o w, R u s s i a n Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the report had produced no proof that President Bashar alAssad’s troops carried out the August 21 attack and that Russia still suspected rebels forces were behind it. Fabius took the opposite view, saying the report left no doubt that Assad’s forces were to blame for the attack which Washington says killed more than 1,400 people. The United States has also blamed Syrian government forces. Lavrov acknowledged that the investigators’ report proved that chemical weapons had been used but that “there is no answer to a number of questions we have asked,” including whether the

weapons were produced in a factory or home-made. “We have very serious grounds to believe that this was a provocation,” Lavrov said after talks in Moscow between two countries with veto powers in the U.N. Security Council. He said there had been “many provocations” by the rebels fighting Assad’s government and added: “They were all aimed, over the last two years, at provoking foreign intervention.” Lavrov said the U.N. report should be examined not in isolation but along with evidence from sources such as the Internet and other media, including accounts from “nuns at a nearby convent” and a journalist who had spoken to rebels. “We want the events of August 21 to be investigated dispassionately, objectively and professionally,” he said. After Lavrov spoke, Fabius, whose country has stood with U.S. President Barack Obama in backing military action against Syria, challenged Lavrov’s interpretation by saying the result of the report was clear. “When you look at the

Russian’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (back) and his French counterpart Laurent Fabius attend a news conference in Moscow, yesterday. (REUTERS) amount of sarin gas used, the vectors, the techniques behind such an attack, as well as other aspects, it seems to leave no doubt that the regime is behind it,” Fabius said. Lavrov and Fabius agreed there should be a renewed push for a political solution in Syria. The Russian minister also thanked France for supporting a U.S.-Russian deal which calls for Syria to account fully for its chemical weapons within a week and

Sudan says seeking U.S. visa for wanted President Bashir KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Sudan said yesterday it had applied for a U.S. visa to let its president travel to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, despite international arrest warrants against him over charges of masterminding war crimes in Darfur. Washington earlier said it had received the application, calling the request “deplorable” given Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). A senior State Department official said Bashir would “not receive a warm welcome” if he were to travel to the U.N. meeting. The official said Bashir had applied for a visa to attend the opening of the annual U.N. General Assembly. “I am not going to speak to the specifics of this case, but typically as a host nation the United States is generally obligated to admit foreign nationals, but visas broadly speaking can be restricted,” the official added. A trip to the United States could be risky for Bashir, who has limited his travel mostly to African neighbors and Arab allies since the court ordered member countries in 2009 and 2010 to detain him if he entered their territories. The United States is not a member of the Hague-based ICC so would not be legally bound to hand the president over. But Washington has led calls for Bashir to face international justice over the bloodshed in the now decade-old conflict in the western region of Darfur. The U.S. has also transferred ICC suspects to the court before. When Bosco Ntaganda handed himself in to the U.S. Embassy in the Rwandan capital Kigali in March, officials put the Congolese warlord on a plane to The Hague within days. Officials at the international war crimes

court could not be reached for comment. Sudan dismisses the ICC charges, says reports of mass killings in Darfur have been exaggerated, and refuses to recognize the court which it says is part of a Western plot against it. “The foreign ministry took the necessary measure to obtain a visa for the president of the republic and his delegation,” the Sudanese ministry said in a statement. It said Bashir planned to meet several African leaders on the sideline of the U.N. session in New York, where debates start next week. The ministry dismissed criticism of the application from U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. “The U.S. government is not qualified morally, politically or legally to give any lessons or recommendations respecting international law or human rights,” it said. The U.S. was obliged to grant a visa under the 1947 U.N. Headquarters Agreement establishing the world body’s base in New York, it added. Sudan’s visa request comes at a time of rising African hostility to the ICC due to a perception that prosecutors disproportionately target African leaders, a charge the ICC denies. Mainly non-Arab tribes took up arms in Darfur in 2003 against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, complaining of neglect and discrimination. The conflict has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced about 2 million, according to human rights groups and U.N. officials. Sudan says the numbers are overblown. The ICC issued arrest warrants against Bashir in 2009 and 2010 to face charges of orchestrating war crimes and genocide.

for the removal and destruction of the entire arsenal by mid-2014. But the differences over culpability for the August 21 attack indicated the hurdles faced in translating the chemical weapons agreement into progress towards ending a civil war that has killed more than 100,000 people since March 2011.

Their comments also pointed to likely wrangling in the U.N. Security Council over the mechanism for enforcing the agreement, which Assad has accepted, and disputes over punishment for any violations. Fabius, who went to Moscow to discuss a U.N. resolution that would frame the U.S.-Russian accord, said the agreement was an “important step forward but not the end of the story”. “There is a series of precise mechanisms that have to be placed into a U.N. decision. We spoke about this and it should be dealt with in the coming days. I insisted, like Sergei Lavrov, on the necessity to go quickly,” he said. But Lavrov cautioned that while the Security Council was to adopt a resolution supporting the chemical weapons deal, a separate resolution would be needed to authorize use of force in response to any new attack and after guilt was proven. Along with diplomatic ally

China, Russia has used its veto power three times to block Western-backed Security Council resolutions meant to push Assad out or muscle him into ending a conflict that began with a crackdown on protests. Lavrov said putting too much pressure on Assad would encourage his opponents and hurt the chances for peace. “The more frequently and loudly the declarations come from different capitals that Assad is a criminal, has no place in this world and his place is in court, the more unwilling to compromise the (opposition) coalition becomes,” he said Fabius suggested it was Assad who should be kept in line and that he must keep his promise to abandon chemical arms. “We are not bellicose, but we must remain vigilant because it is vigilance and firmness that enabled Syria to change its position and will ensure tomorrow that its commitments are kept,” he said.

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Western powers press Assad to comply; U.N. confirms sarin used (Reuters) - The United States, Britain and France warned President Bashar alAssad on Monday that there would be consequences if he failed to hand over Syria’s chemical weapons, and said a U.N. report on the August 21 sarin gas attack left little doubt that Assad’s forces were to blame. As expected, a report by U.N. chemical weapons experts did not say who launched the attack on the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Ghouta, which prompted the threat of Western military action. But it did give details of the type of gas and the munitions used, which some experts said indicated government forces were responsible. After a meeting of their foreign ministers in Paris, the three Western permanent members of the United Nations Security Council said they would seek a strong U.N. resolution setting binding deadlines for removing Syria’s chemical weapons, French President Francois Hollande’s office said. This followed a weekend deal negotiated by Russia and the United States on eliminating the arms.

Francois Hollande

Ban Ki-moon

Russia cautioned against imposing tough penalties on the Syrian leader, who is Moscow’s close ally. Russia and Syria say that opposition forces carried out the chemical weapons attack. In Syria, where rebels fear the U.S.-Russia deal gave Assad license to continue his campaign using conventional weapons, fighting was reported on several fronts. Turkey said its warplanes shot down a Syrian helicopter after it violated Turkish airspace. The U.S.-Russia deal reached in Geneva put off the

immediate threat of U.S. air strikes to punish Assad for the August 21 attack, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed at the time that it did not include any automatic use of force in the event of Syria’s failure to comply. U.S. President Barack Obama has said force remains an option if Assad reneges. The U.N. report confirmed “unequivocally and objectively” that chemical weapons were used, according to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “This is a war crime,” Ban

Merkel turns tough on ally in countdown to German vote MAGDEBURG/BERLIN (Reuters) - Angela Merkel warned cheering supporters in the eastern city of Magdeburg yesterday not to split their vote to save her Free Democratic (FDP) coalition partners, in a sign of raw nerves ahead of a tightlycontested German election on Sunday. “We are separate parties with different policies and we have no votes to give away,” she told a rally in an old market square packed with supporters waving “Angie” posters and eating ice in her party’s orange campaign colors. The chancellor is worried her supporters will split their two votes - one for a constituency member of parliament, one for a party list - between her Christian Democrats (CDU) and the FDP as they have in previous votes with her tacit encouragement. If the CDU and FDP do not get enough votes to continue their center-right coalition, Merkel will have to revive the ‘grand coalition’ with the Social Democrats (SPD) that she led from 20052009. Neither partnership is without difficulties. “Merkel has done well in the last years. To be honest it

Angela Merkel would be good to see her rule alone, but realistically I’d much prefer it was with the FDP than the SPD,” said Markus Wylega, a 22-yearold student. “She’s a strong lady - no bad thing.” Free-marketeering and socially libertarian, the small FDP has served in most German governments since 1949, at times with such influence that it was dubbed the tail that wags the dog. But its survival in parliament in Berlin is in doubt after it crashed out of Bavaria’s assembly in an election last Sunday, falling well short of the 5 percent required to win seats. Far from offering their

allies a helping hand, Merkel’s conservatives have stepped up their campaign for both votes, haunted by a shock defeat in a Lower Saxony state election in January, when the FDP successfully siphoned off CDU support. In past polls, a tactical second vote for the FDP has helped it clear the 5 percent hurdle and keep a center-right coalition. Now the CDU is trying to stamp out the practice, not least because it faces another challenge from an anti-euro party, the Alliance for Germany, which could also grab conservative votes. “I’ve never seen coalition partners fight each other for the same voters like this,” said Hans Vorlaender, a political scientist at Dresden University. “It’s an act of desperation for the FDP to beg so openly for CDU votes. The CDU got burned before about vote splitting and has learned its lesson.” Hovering around 5 percent in opinion polls, the liberals made a renewed pitch for second votes this week by saying a vote for the FDP was a vote to keep Merkel. Her tacit support helped the FDP to a record 14.9 percent in the 2009 election.

told the Security Council. “The international community has a responsibility to hold the perpetrators accountable and to ensure that chemical weapons never re-emerge as an instrument of warfare.” Washington says the attack killed more than 1,400 people, including some 400 children. Washington’s ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said the U.N. report made clear that only the Syrian government could have carried it out. Russian U.N. envoy Vitaly Churkin said there was no scientific proof government forces were responsible for the sarin attack. “We need to not jump to any conclusions,” he said. Syria’s U.N. ambassador did not immediately respond to request for comment. The report confirmed that sarin gas was used. The investigators studied five impact sites and were able to determine the likely trajectory of the projectiles at two sites - Moadamiyah and Ein Tarma. Eliot Higgins, who blogs under the name of Brown Moses and has been tracking videos of weapons used in the Syria conflict, wrote that he has not seen the opposition using the munitions identified in the report: a variant of the M14 artillery rocket and a 330 mm calibre artillery rocket. Rebels have seized all kinds of weapons from military depots across the country in the 2 1/2-year civil war. But Amy Smithson, a chemical weapons expert at the Monterey Institute in California, said the attack bore “so many hallmarks of a military trained in chemical

warfare doctrine” and not an untrained force. “Multiple sites, simultaneously targeted. The early morning hours of the attack are when winds are at their lowest and temperatures at their coolest - the very conditions conducive to having toxic gas stay on the target,” she told Reuters. “The Assad government has been in the business of chemical weapons since the 1970s. They are trained in military doctrine. They also have chemical delivery systems that the rebels don’t,” she said. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told a news conference in Paris that the three powers agreed with Russia that Assad must suffer consequences if he fails to comply with U.N. demands. “If Assad fails in time to abide by the terms of this framework, make no mistake, we are all agreed - and that includes Russia - that there will be consequences,” Kerry said. The accord offered the Syrian leader “no lifeline” and he had “lost all legitimacy”, Kerry added. After Hollande met Kerry and British Foreign Secretary William Hague and their French counterpart Laurent Fabius, an aide to Hollande said: “The idea is to stick to a firm line”. “They’ve agreed to seek a strong and robust resolution that sets precise and binding deadlines with a calendar,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Russia accused the Europeans of trying to reinterpret the agreement. In Moscow, Lavrov said any rush to draw up a resolution threatening to

punish Syria in the event of non-compliance showed a “lack of understanding” of the deal. “Our (European) partners want to again unilaterally review what we’ve agreed on with the Americans. That’s not how you do business, and I’m sure that despite these statements that are coming from European capitals, the Americans will, as proper negotiators, strictly stick to what has been agreed on,” he said. Lavrov said it may be time to consider efforts to force the Syrian opposition to attend an international peace conference instead of just urging them to do so. The rebels have said they will not attend talks if the Syrian president is there. Syria’s government at the weekend hailed as a “victory” the Russian-brokered deal. Rebels who have been fighting Assad’s forces since 2011 say it benefited their enemy in the civil war. Assad briefly dispersed his forces to protect them from strikes threatened by the United States in response to the attack. Opposition voices say the chemical weapons deal effectively gives Assad permission to carry on with the conventional war, in which more than 100,000 people have died, according to U.N. figures. Fighting between rebels and government forces ground on from the outskirts of Damascus in the southwest to the central Hama province to Deir al-Zor in the east. Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Turkish warplanes shot down a Syrian helicopter after it violated Turkish airspace.

Pakistan yet to decide details on freeing former Taliban No. 2 (Reuters) - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterated yesterday his country will free former Afghan Taliban No. 2, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, but that details of his release would be determined after he returned to Pakistan later this week. The United States and Afghanistan have long pressed Pakistan to free Baradar and other senior Taliban figures who could be used to tempt moderate Taliban leaders to the negotiating table and transform the insurgency into a political movement. Sharif ’s adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, told Reuters last week Islamabad planned to free Baradar this month.

Nawaz Sharif Sharif, who is on an official visit to Turkey, told reporters he had agreed to release Baradar during a visit by Afghan President Hamid

Karzai to Pakistan last month. He said the government would decide on the “mechanics” of his release after he returned to Pakistan on September 19, but gave no further details. Baradar’s fate is at the heart of Afghanistan’s efforts to kick-start the stalled peace process as most NATO combat troops prepare to pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and anxiety grows over the country’s security. Pakistan has said Baradar would not be handed over to Afghanistan directly as some in Kabul had hoped, and would instead be released into Pakistan. Sources have said he could be sent to another country, possibly Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

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Jamaica to host major Caribbean Recommendations call for new method to elect President in Suriname conference on health financing PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname - CMC - The Committee examining Suriname’s Constitution is recommending that voters will now have to elect the head of state and the deputy president. Committee Chairman Sam Polanen has told the De Ware Tijd newspaper that if the recommendations are approved by Parliament, the electorate will in the near future cast ballot to elect the two top positions in the country. “That would actually be in the spirit of the Constitution that was adapted in 1987 in favour of introducing a presidential system,” said Polanen. Under the present system, voters elect 51 members to the National Assembly, who in turnvote for the president and the deputy. The Committee was established in 2011, shortly after the President Desi Bouterse was sworn into office. Polanen said the recommendations would be

presented to Bouterse in November. After it is presented to the government, the recommendations will go before the National assembly and forming the basis of a referendum. Committee member August Boldewijn said that if approved, the new system was not likely to be introduced in the current government’s term. “This government has less than two years left in its term and there are already quite a few law proposals submitted for discussion at Parliament. I don’t see them putting these aside in favour of a proposal for a new constitution. The question is also whether this government would be able to secure the two thirds majority to push it through,” said Boldewijn. There has been mixed reaction to the recommendation with one government legislator Theodorus Vishnudatt indicating that the new

system would allow provide “for a greater experience of democracy. “Right now it’s possible for the electorate to find a candidate leading the country though he didn’t get the majority of votes. The new system would change that.” But opposition parliamentarian Sheilendra Girjasingh said the recommendation should be thoroughly discussed by the political parties. “Every system has advantages and disadvantages. We have to see if the presidential system would be better than what we have currently,” said Girjasingh. Polanen said one advantage would be that the updated constitution would enable early dismissal of an impeached President. “Our recommendations will make it possible to initiate proceedings against the President if he commits a crime for instance. That is not possible in the existing system,” he said.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica will host the annual Caribbean Conference on Health Financing Initiative in November. Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson, said the November 12-14, conference would provide opportunities for best practices to be garnered, and also help Jamaica to harness crucial information in the quest to finalise a national health financing policy. “This year’s event presents an opportunity for further sharing of information, and at this time where there are global challenges in financing not only healthcare, but most countries’ activities, it is an opportune time for Jamaica to host this event, and to add to our overall strategy of financing our healthcare,” Anderson said. This is the first time Jamaica is hosting the conference. The inaugural conference was held in 2006 in the Turks and Caicos, and

since then, other conferences have been held in Aruba; Trinidad and Tobago; Saint Marten; Belize; Bermuda and Curacao. The annual event arose out of the desire of social security organisations in the Caribbean to enhance their capability and capacity to assume greater roles in the administration of national health financing initiatives, as mandated by most Caribbean governments. “This year’s conference will provide a forum to explore opportunities for collaboration and networking in the area of health financing among Caribbean health and social security organizations.

“Topic for discussions will include policy concerns and best practices in securing added value in healthcare services, health promotion and prevention strategies to manage non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the application of information and communications technology (ICT) tools to modernise healthcare systems,” Anderson added. During the three-day event, individual countries will make presentations on the performance, challenges, and strategies used in the financing of and administration of national healthcare programmes across the Caribbean.

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Venezuelan President says made deliberate verbal gaffe CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s gaffe-prone President Nicolas Maduro says his latest verbal mix-up was a deliberate attempt to outwit opponents who love to portray him as a buffoon and ignore the socialist government’s advances. In the best tradition of global figures from former U.S. President George W. Bush to Britain’s Prince Philip, the 50-year-old Venezuelan leader has been sometimes tripping up during his daily, hours-long speeches. The latest incident was over the weekend, when Maduro told Venezuelans the government was going to give children 35 million “books and pounds” (“libros y libras”) for Monday’s return to school. That prompted jeers on the Internet from critics, casting Maduro’s erroneous offer of millions in British currency to kids as further evidence of incompetence. But the president reappeared hours later in an attempt to have the last laugh. He said the mistake was a deliberate trick so that media usually antagonistic to him would in fact show the clip where he is offering the free school materials. “The right wing is stupid. As they want to censure the historic fact that we are going to give 35 million books to the boys and girls of Venezuela ... I left them a little trap, and some fell for it,” he told supporters. “Some of the most stupid ones put the video on Twitter. Great! Because they show where I say we’re giving away 35 million books. At least people see it. If they hide things due to hatred of the fatherland, I’m obliged to find

Nicolas Maduro other ways.” Maduro, a former bus driver who rose to be vice president under President Hugo Chavez and then won election after the death of his mentor from cancer this year, frequently refers to himself with pride as Venezuela’s first “worker-president.” Supporters say the fact that a man like him - without a university degree and the traditional background of most presidents - can rise to power, shows how Chavez’s 14-year rule transformed Venezuela and gave opportunities to all. Opponents though, among the nearly half of Venezuelans who did not vote for Maduro in April, often portray him as an ignoramus who only won power because he had Chavez’s blessing and has been incapable of creating any identity of his own. Maduro’s most embarrassing mixup was when he was alluding to the biblical miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude. The president spoke of a multiplication of “penises” instead of “fishes”, muddling

the Spanish words “penes” and “peces.” On that occasion last month, Maduro apologized. During his multiple Chavez-style, meandering live appearances on state TV, Maduro has also caused titters by telling a nurse to check his heart with a “telescope” instead of a stethoscope, and muddled up his masculine and feminine endings in Spanish grammar with the word “millions.” Showing a healthy sense of humor, Maduro satirized his own misuse of the Spanish word “millonas”, instead of “millones”, saying he had made a formal request to the Spanish Language Academy for its inclusion as a new term. He has also laughed in public at opponents’ nickname for him, “Maburro” - a wordplay on the Spanish for donkey, “burro.” On Twitter, the president has sometimes misspelled words in messages to his 1.35 million followers. His image was not helped over the weekend when he fell of his bike during a government sports event. State TV cameras kindly panned up, while Maduro picked himself up and carried on. That brought a torrent of mockery from opponents via Twitter. “Who will he blame now? The CIA? (Opposition leader) Capriles? Ha-ha-ha!” wrote one. “God help us. If he can’t ride a bike, how can he manage Venezuela?” asked another. Supporters remained steadfast. “So Nicolas fell off a bike?” said U.S.-Venezuelan lawyer and writer Eva Golinger. “At least he’s a human being. That’s what a people’s president should be.”

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Brazil’s Rousseff calls off state visit to U.S. over spying BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has called off plans for a state visit to Washington in October because of revelations that the United States spied on her personal communications and those of other Brazilians. R o u s s e ff ’s d e c i s i o n , which came despite a 20minute telephone call from President Barack Obama on Monday night in an attempt to salvage the trip, is a big blow to relations between the two biggest economies in the Americas. Both the White House a n d R o u s s e ff ’s o ff i c e billed the decision as a mutually agreed postponement, and said a state visit could take place at an unspecified later date. However, two officials with knowledge of Rousseff ’s decision told Reuters that such a visit was unlikely to happen anytime soon. White House spokesman Jay Carney said the presidents agreed on the phone the disclosures of alleged U.S. intelligence activities could overshadow their meeting so they decided it would be best to postpone. But U.S. moves to address the surveillance complaints may take months. “As the President previously stated, he has directed a broad review of U.S. intelligence posture, but the process will take several months to complete,” Carney said. Ties between Brazil and the United States had been improving steadily since Rousseff took office in 2011

Dilma Rousseff and before the revelations that the U.S. National Security Agency had snooped on emails, text messages and calls between the president and her aides. The spying revelations came from documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. “Illegal surveillance practices intercepting the communication and data of citizens, companies and members of the Brazilian government constitute a serious affront to national sovereignty and individual rights, and are incompatible with democratic cooperation between friendly nations,” the Brazilian government said in a statement. In the absence of explanations and a “commitment to cease such surveillance activities, the conditions are not in place for the visit to go ahead as previously scheduled,” it said. U.S. officials said the NSA surveillance was aimed at tracking suspected terrorist activity and did not pry into personal communications,

Regional leaders meeting in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders met in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday to discuss issues aimed at achieving growth within the 15-member regional grouping. The one-day meeting of the CARICOM Bureau is being attended by Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, his St. Vincent and the Grenadines counterpart, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Haiti’s President Michel Martelly and the host Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar, who is also the CARICOM Chair person. At their last summit here in July, the regional leaders had agreed to establish a committee to consider the economic situation facing member states and the region. The committee has also been given the mandate of advancing a programme for achieving growth and in preparation, the CARICOM Secretariat has compiled a comprehensive programme document for their consideration. Other topics on the meeting’s agenda include transportation in the region and the role of the Bureau in the reform process within the Community. Prime Minister Gonsalves has also written to CARICOM leaders urging that the decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal purposes be discussed at the meeting in Port of Spain.

but Rousseff was not convinced. The trip was expected to be a platform for deals on oil exploration and biofuels technology, and Brazil’s potential purchase of fighter jets from Chicago-based Boeing Co. A defense contract worth more than $4 billion that Boeing is seeking for the sale of 36 F-18 fighter jets to the Brazilian Air Force could be the main victim of the spying affair. Brazilian officials have said Brazil cannot buy such strategic aircraft from a country it cannot trust. The spying revelations sparked a political uproar in Brazil that Rousseff could not ignore. A senior government official told Reuters that Rousseff ’s top advisers, including her mentor and predecessor as president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, encouraged her to scrap the state visit. The issue is not likely to go away soon in a country that has long harbored suspicions that the United States wants to control its rich mineral resources in the Amazon basin and off its Atlantic coast, where Brazil has made the world’s largest oil deep-water discoveries in decades. Brazil’s Congress has opened an investigation and on Tuesday questioned oil industry regulator Magda Chambriard on whether NSA spying could have given U.S. companies the edge in bidding for offshore production rights to be auctioned next month. The committee also wants to send members to Moscow to interview Snowden, who has been granted temporary asylum by Russia. The decision to cancel the visit to Washington will add tensions to the U.S.-Brazilian relations and increase risks for U.S. companies operating in sensitive sectors in Brazil, the Eurasia consultancy in Washington said in a note to clients. This mainly affects the defense, telecom and energy sectors, and Boeing’s chances of securing the jet fighter contract will be “significantly reduced,” Eurasia’s analysts said. “In the energy sector, there will certainly be a political firestorm if an American company wins the (subsalt) bid round in October,” Eurasia said, referring to the deep sea oil deposits that sit beneath a thick layer of salt under the ocean floor.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Businessman donates tennis table to Queen’s College Secondary School

Mr. Persaud is all smiles as his son, Navendra, hands over the tennis table (in background) to Mr. Barnwell in the presence of other children of the school

Wednesday September 18, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Try not to take things too seriously today, Aries. Realize that the best plans are sometimes the ones that were never made in the first place. Keep the lines of communication open and don't discount things that sound off the wall at first. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): This is a tremendous day for you, Taurus. You may find that dreams really can come true. Make sure you stay abreast of communication and periodicals. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 JUN 20): Don't get discouraged if it seems like everyone but you is getting a piece of the pie, Gemini. Your time will come, but it probably won't be today. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 JUL 22): Make some room for long communications with good friends, Cancer. This is an important day to get the word out to people you love. Keep things light and energetic, which you do well anyway. Express your showmanship and make sure your bright presence lights up every room you enter. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You may be the party-pooper today unless you do something to remedy your serious tone, Leo. This is a day for light, social activities and fun-loving times with friends. Don't worry if things don't seem rational. Sometimes it's the unlikeliest route that ends up being the best. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You're the missing piece of the puzzle today, Virgo. As a result, people will look to you for answers. The good news is that you'll have them at the ready. Trust yourself.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): You may run into trouble if you penetrate too deeply today, Libra. Keep things light and energetic if you can. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Give your adventuresome, worldtraveling spirit room to soar, Scorpio. This is a good time to embrace and express your dreams. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Stop planning and start doing. There may be pressure to leave your normal routine and do something on a whim, Sagittarius. Although this may not be your usual way to do things, it certainly isn't a reason not to. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): The answer for you today is "yes." Explore, reach out, and expand your mind to the far corners of your world and beyond, Capricorn. There's no need to be tied down to reality. Don't restrict yourself to linear thinking. Take time out and enjoy the clouds. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Today you should take action in areas where you usually keep quiet, Aquarius. The more you explore your mind, the safer you'll feel in your external reality. Be confident of your dreams. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): There's a light, uplifting flavor to the day, Pisces, which you should latch onto and take charge of. You'll find that there's a rather dreamy yet expansive quality to this energy that encourages you to soar higher and achieve more.

Sports analysts’ advocate that sports is best taught, and the principles best inculcated, when children are at an impressionable age, more so when they are at school. It was with this rationale in mind that businessman, Ramesh Persaud, facilitated the donation of a table tennis table to the Queen’s College Secondary School to aid in the development of those students interested in honing their skills in the sport. Kaieteur Sport was

present yesterday morning when Mr. Persaud handed over the gift to Sports Officer of the institution, Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell in the school’s auditorium. He explained that the gift was purchased by his friend and former member of the school, Mohammed Zabar, who now resides in the United States of America. Mr. Persaud further said that his son, Navendra Persaud, is an excellent racquet wielder whose local exploits are well documented. He said that his son had recently won a silver medal at the 8th Caribbean Regional Pre Cadet Championships staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last August and this feat had inspired Mr. Zabar to make the donation. Mr. Persaud said that he is also grateful to the proprietor of DeSinco, Frank DeAbru, a member of the Board of Directors of the school, who has facilitated the shipping of the tennis table to Guyana. Mr. Barnwell received the gift on behalf of the school in the presence of several of the children and a few teachers. He thanked his benefactor while assuring him that the children will benefit tremendously. Queen’s College has produced quite a few good table tennis players and only yesterday morning another table tennis player from that institution, Shemar Britton, departed Guyana for Peru to participate in the South American Youth championships.

Blyden enjoying successful... From page 45 different from the Caribbean. Sometimes the first session of a game the wicket will be playing one way and in so little time it changes and plays another way because the weather got a lot to do with it,” Blyden explained. “I have Semple working with me in the nets at every practice session, so all the time I’m just looking to improve my cricket and up my level,” Blyden informed. Blyden, who played in Trinidad for Evergreen in the National Championship League after playing for GDF since 2009 when he left Transport Sports Club, has also taken 12 wickets with his leg-spin for the season in Canada.

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Wednesday September 18, 2013

National Hockey ladies depart today for PAHF Cup in Argentina The Guyana National Women’s Hockey team departed today for Mendoza, Argentina to face their toughest opposition yet when they compete in the PAHF Cup, which is a qualifier for the Hockey World Cup scheduled for The Hague, Netherlands in June 2014. The team which is combination of experience and youth has been preparing since early in 2012 for this event and it will be the first time that Guyana has ever appeared in a hockey PAHF Cup. There are a number of firsts for Guyana in this event as it is also the first time a Guyanese hockey team will be competing in Argentina and the first time that the Guyanese women will face Argentina. The Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, the Honourable Luis A. Martino, met with officials of the Guyana Hockey Board to discuss the momentous achievement and promised to begin discussions on further collaboration between the two countries with regard to the development of the sport in Guyana. The Guyana women’s national team travelled a long and arduous road to qualify for the PAHF Cup which features only the top eight teams by qualification in all of the Americas. After returning to international competition following nearly two decades of absence, the Guyana women’s team entered the Central American & Caribbean Games in 2010 ranked at the very bottom of the Pan American rankings. According to head coach and President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), the team

did not qualify for a spot in the competition but only managed to secure a place after Cuba withdrew from the tournament. Fernandes went on to say that the team was able to capitalize on the opportunity through an Olympic Solidarity grant made possible through the Guyana Olympic association which provides funding for national teams of Olympic sports during an Olympic cycle. While the squad does a lot of its own fundraising, Fernandes indicated that it would have been impossible for them to find the required funds to properly prepare and participate in the games which were held in Puerto Rico. After entering the competition as the lowest ranked team, Guyana emerged in 6th place out of 8. Their performance in Puerto Rico permitted Guyana to then enter the PAHF Challenge in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2011 although they would still be ranked below all other participants. The Guyanese ladies were surprise finalists, registering victories against Paraguay and Bermuda, a draw with hosts Brazil and lost only to eventual winners Uruguay. The top two finishers in thePAHFChallengequalifiedforthe prestigious PAHF Cup which is the region’sWorld Cup qualifier. Fromtheirlowlyrankedposition of 18th in the Americas in 2010, Guyana now finds itself among the region’s elite teams as they enter the PAHF Cup seeded the lowest of eight teams. The competition includes world beaters Argentina (ranked 2 in the world), USA (10), Chile (18), Canada (23), Trinidad and Tobago (27), Mexico (30), Uruguay (50) and Guyana (58).

Guyana finds itself in Pool A with pre-tournament favourites Argentina, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. While the team arrives in Mendoza on 19th September, they will find time for some light training on the artificial pitch until their first match against Canada on the 21st. Guyana will then face Trinidad and Tobago the following day, before facing Argentina two days later to complete the pool round. When asked the question of Guyana’s objectives and expectations, Head Coach Fernandes indicated that the top teams in the competition were beyond the reach of the others. In his opinion winning a medal in this competition would not be a realistic objective as there are world class teams in the competition who train twice per day on artificial pitches with a professional coaching staff of several persons. Fernandes opined that the Guyanese team needed to aim toward securing wins against some of their opponents in an effort to continue its upward drive in world hockey and improve its global ranking. “Rome was not built in a day” remarked Fernandes “so we need to improve incrementally, especially given our severe handicap of not having proper hockey facilities here in Guyana”. Fernandes added that the recently installed artificial grass mat at Bourda was of great benefit to the team although he lamented the timing as they were only able to use it for a few weeks. Questioned further as to whether the team should make

Christian eyessenior... From page 46 the DCC ground where the Demerara team were winding down preparations for the Guyana Cricket Board\Pepsi senior 50 over inter county competition. Christian said that he is hoping for a good inter county tournament. “I am looking forward to the competition, I will give it my best shot, the most important thing for me is to get the basics right and I am hoping for a senior team recall”, he added. Christian stated that he is satisfied with his wicket keeping. “I am satisfied with my keeping, but I need to improve with my batting as well as my fitness. I am concentrating really hard in these two areas at the moment and there are signs of improvement”, he argued. He thinks Demerara has a good chance of retain-

ing the 50 over inter county title. Christian recently played in the first division league in Orlando Florida, USA where he scored two centuries and indicated that playing there has helped his batting somewhat. “Playing in the Orlando league has helped my batting, I scored two half centuries since returning home and I will be looking to be positive”, stated Christian who is also looking forward to the 2014 Caribbean Premier League. He made his first class debut against Barbados in 2005 and has so far scored 1459 runs from 51 first class games with a highest score of 113. He also has 237 runs from 29 Twenty\20 matches which included a match winning 40 from 13 balls in the 2010-2011 Caribbean T20 for Guyana against the Combined Campuses and Colleges. In 2011 he was called up to the senior West Indies Twenty\20 team to

tour England. Meanwhile, Demerara coach Orin Bailey in an invited comment said the preparation is going fine, but there is still some work to be done in the bowling department. “The batting looks good, but we need to improve in the bowling department. We will be focusing in this area a bit more,” pointed out Bailey. When quizzed about the fitness level of the players, Bailey said that he is satisfied with some of the players, but more emphasis will be placed in this area is since other players need to catch up. He stated that he is disappointed a manager has not yet been named and informed that Demerara will be looking to play positive cricket. The competition is set to start on Saturday and the final 14 man squad is expected to be named today.

the effort to travel so far for a competition where they are unlikely to be victorious, Fernandes indicated that it would not be wise for the Federation and athletes to set boundaries for themselves. “If persons only competed when they were likely to win, then the Olympics would comprise of a handful of athletes, and no one would ever have a success story of achieving more than they thought possible. These ladies have qualified for the opportunity to share the field with the best in the world. We feel that they deserve the opportunity and we should not place artificial barriers to success based on what we think is

possible,” Fernandes pointed out. The team has managed to fund the expensive trip through their own fund-raising parties and take-away lunches along with support from the Guyana Olympic Association and some private sector companies. The team comprises mostly of players who have been competing for Guyana over the past few years with one new player, 14 year oldAliyah Gordon, who will be the youngest player in the competition. “Aliyah is an exceptional talent” Fernandes noted “She is very quick and skilful and we hope that she performs well. A lot of the team’s success will be placed on the

shoulders of our most experienced player, overseasbased midfielder Leigh Sandison, and the defence of goalkeeper Alysa Xavier and sweeper Ulrica Sutherland.” The full squad of 16 selected are Alysa Xavier, Ulrica Sutherland, Tiffany Solomon, Marisha Rodrigues, Vanessa Pires, Trisha Woodroffe, Marzana Fiedtkou, Leigh Sandison, Ashley DeGroot, Chantelle Fernandes (Captain),GabriellaXavier,Kerensa Fernandes, Samantha Fernandes, Cora Towler, Aliyah Gordon and Janella Munroe. The Manager is Rawl Davson, Coach Philip Fernandes and Assistant Coach Peter DeGroot.

Surajpaul, Parbattie star as Golden Fleece beat Cullen by 130 runs Outstanding all round performances by Vijay Surajpaul and Raj Parbattie guided Golden Fleece to a 130 runs victory over Cullen when the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO) Twenty\20 cricket competition continued on Sunday in South Essequibo. Surajpaul hit five fours and four sixes in a top score of 76 and received valuable support from Raj Parbattie who made 62 (5x4,2x6) as host Golden Fleece rattled up 2068 off their allotted 20 overs,

batting first. C. Persaud took 2-48. Surajpaul then returned to grab 4-12 and Parbattie claimed 2-13 as Cullen were routed for 76 in 15 overs in reply. Persaud was the only batsman that offered resistance with 27. At Pomona, Rising Star overcame El Dorado by 9 wickets. Eldorado took first strike and were skittled for 74 in 18. 1overs. Ryan Mc Kay scored 24; Insaf Latchman grabbed 4-16 and Deoraj Dindyal 3-21. Rising Star replied with 78-1 in 11.1 overs.

Royan Federicks led with an unbeaten 46 (4x4, 3x6) while Kayan Deonesh supported with 18 not out. The competition continues on Sunday with Jaguars playing Aurora in a quarterfinal match at Pomona at 09:30 hrs, the winner will take on Rising Star from 14:00hrs in the one of the semi finals at the said venue. Invaders Masters will battle Zorg in another quarterfinal game at Golden Fleece from 09:30 hrs; the winner will play the host in the next semi final.

‘Ambi’ speaks out on CCC decision Antigua Observer - ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Former West Indies fast bowler Curtly Ambrose has responded for the first time to criticisms over his decision to work with Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC), a first-class cricket team based in Barbados. Ambrose, who said he has enjoyed his stint with CCC, said he has never been asked by Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) to work with the national team in an official capacity despite having stated his desire to do so. “For me, I can’t just walk into a camp and decide to just take over the coaching. I have always said for 13 years since I stopped playing cricket, or even before that, that when I finished, I would really like to get involved with helping Antigua cricketers to get better and nothing was ever done,” Ambrose said. “I used to help out the Antigua & Barbuda national team when Hugh Gore was the manager and John Archibald was the coach. We

Curtly Ambrose used to do a lot of work with the guys and when Winston Benjamin was the coach as well we used to do a lot of work with the guys and then when those guys were no longer the coaches, that was it. I was never asked to help or anything which I found was strange.” The right-arm pacer added that his services were also not sought at the subregional level but said it is time to move on and concentrate on more positive things. “I have been to

Leeward Islands camp here in Antigua; sat there and watched the guys doing their stuff and nobody ever once asked me for an opinion and I am not going to just jump into a man’s camp and then be embarrassed,” Ambrose said. “Two years ago, CCC or Floyd Reifer and Sir Hilary Beckles called me from the CCC and asked me to be part of the CCC set-up because they figured I have a lot to offer which I accepted. From the very day I accepted that job, the whole of Antigua start make noise about ‘oh, he sell out and he gone a CCC’ and I said, ‘but I have been here for 13 years.’” Ambrose was named part of the CCC coaching staff in February 2012. The Antiguan represented the West Indies between 1988 and 2000 and is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game. He played 98 Test matches and took 405 wickets at 20.99 runs apiece. His best bowling figures were eight for 45 against England in Barbados in 1990.

Wednesday September 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Parachutist lands on pitch Bulgarian sprinter Naimova gets life ban for doping at Salisbury football match

Jakub Langowski touches down on the pitch at Salisbury City. (John Rose photo) BBC Sport - A non-league football match in Salisbury was disrupted on Saturday when a parachutist landed on the pitch. The game between Salisbury City and Chester at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium was stopped shortly before the final whistle when the male skydiver landed. The man had been taking part in a charity skydive when he made an emergency landing due to low cloud. Chester player Danny Higginbotham said it was the “most bizarre” thing he had ever seen on a football pitch. Writing on Twitter, the defender for the Conference Premier side said: “Half-way

through the second half, out of nowhere a parachutist landed on the pitch. “No idea where he was supposed to land but he hit the ground hard.” ‘A shock’ Onlooker Joel Holt said when the man landed, there was a “big cheer” from the 900-strong crowd. He said the man then went round high-fiving people in the crowd before being escorted away. Mr Holt described the incident as “a shock”, and “not something you see every day”. A Salisbury City spokesman said the man was an “experienced skydiver” taking part in the South Coast

Skydive in aid of the charity Clic Sargent. He said the man had dived from 15,000ft, but encountered heavy low cloud so missed the airfield and had to make a quick decision to land on the pitch. The spokesman confirmed the man was escorted from the ground carrying his parachute, and was interviewed briefly by the police and a match safety officer before leaving without charge. He said the incident “went down very well” with both sets of fans who “took it in good humour”. The final score of the match was Salisbury 3-1 Chester.

Khan promises to abandon celebrity... From page 44 able to squeeze into trousers with a 30 inch waist. Now I need 32-inchers and some of my favourite skinny jeans have had to go.’ Khan is currently about 10 pounds over the welter limit of 147lbs, which puts him comfortably on track for December 7. But this is a fight he cannot afford to lose. Not after those two shocking defeats by Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia. A couple of less than entirely convincing wins since have edged him back into title contention and he says: ‘I want another belt. I really miss being a world champion.’ The Mayweather connection surprises Khan’s critics but has arisen from the pound-for-pound king demolishing most of his potential challengers... and courtesy of his Golden Boy promoters. Richard Schaefer, chief executive of that company, is intrigued by the notion of Wembley. After masterminding the record-

viewing Mayweather-Alvarez spectacular, he says: ‘It would be exciting to bring 100,000 people to an event in London.’ But he concedes there are financial complications for pay-per-view TV in America. And while Mayweather often talks about fighting in England the reality is he is unlikely to be tempted out of his comfort zone in Las Vegas, which is now his home. Khan says: ‘I will fight anyone, anywhere.’ What he cannot afford to do is lose another big fight at this stage. On that count, he reassures his own anxious fans: ‘You will see a muchimproved Amir Khan in December.’ If we do it will be a result of hard work and dedication in the 11-and-a-half weeks ahead of him... an absolute devotion to the hard old game which his trainer hopes will become permanent. The on-going issue of incomprehensible scoring of fights by some judges has come to a head after one

official saw Floyd Mayweather’s master-class domination of Canelo Alvarez as a draw. This is the same lady who was party to the scandalous robbing of Manny Paquiao after he comprehensively outboxed Tim Bradley. The outrage grows louder with each travesty. This one also followed the mugging-by-scorecard of Raymundo Beltran when he clearly beat Ricky Burns in Glasgow. The events in Las Vegas and Scotland are probably unconnected but the collective damage to boxing cannot be allowed to continue. Heaven only knows what possessed the much- admired Nevada State Athletic Commission to appoint the controversial Mrs C J Ross to another huge fight – but they must not do it again. She has no business being at any ringside. Boxing – and most importantly of all the fighters themselves – needs consistency, not eccentricity.

SOFIA (Reuters) European indoor sprint champion Tezdzhan Naimova has been banned for life after testing positive for the banned steroid drostanolone, the Bulgarian athletics federation said yesterday. Naimova, 26, tested positive at the European indoor championships in Gothenburg last March where she won the 60 meters final in a personal best time of 7.10 seconds. She had already been banned for two years for tampering with her urine in an out-of-competition test in Sofia in 2009. In a statement the Bulgarian federation said Naimova, who won two gold medals at the 2006 world junior championships in Beijing, would be stripped of her title and all her results between March and June would be annulled. Ukrainian Mariya Ryemyen, who came second in Gothenburg, is the new champion wi t h F r a n c e ’s Myriam Soumare taking the silver medal and Bulgarian Ivet Lalova the bronze. Naimova, who was not immediately available for

Winner Tezdzhan Naimova of Bulgaria reacts on the podium during the medal ceremony after the women’s 60m event during the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Gothenburg March 3, 2013. REUTERS/Phil Noble comment when contacted by Reuters, can appeal to the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. Bulgarian athletics has been marred by a series of doping offences in recent years. Sprinter Inna Eftimova,

middle-distance runners Daniela Yordanova, Vanya Stambolova and Teodora Kolarova, high jumper Venelina Veneva and hammer thrower Andrian Andreev have all tested positive for banned substances in the past five years.

Faisalabad v Otago, CLT20 qualifier, Mohali

McCullum powers Otago to win ESPNcricinfo - A menacing opening burst from Otago Volts’ fast bowlers and a well-measured mauling from Brendon McCullum delivered them an eight-wicket victory over Faisalabad Wolves, who failed to compete in any discipline. All four Otago’s quicks bowled out, but none conceded more than 6.5 an over and shared seven wickets between them. Misbah-ul-Haq the batsman might have his reputation embellished, after hitting a 34-ball 46 that ensured that there was a contest, but as a captain he will perhaps attract yet more scrutiny for misreading the Mohali pitch, and handing the opposition a clear advantage by batting first. McCullum’s thoughtfully-constructed 83 not out from 65 made light work of Faisalabad’s 139, and Otago reached their target with 13 balls to spare. James McMillan might not even have played this match, had Jacob Duffy been fit, but his impact on the match was immediate and far reaching. Ammar Mahmood struck the first ball of the match powerfully for four, but could not get McMillan’s first ball further than point, who knelt to take a straightforward catch. That over cost one run and had reaped one wicket, and were it not for an inside

edge off the last ball, McMillan’s second over would have been no less impressive. Otago’s seam collective wasted little of that early momentum, as they rarely veered farfromthestumpsintheearlyovers, and had Faisalabad hobbling at 34 for 3 in the eighth over. With that dismally familiar scoreline beckoning Misbah to the crease, he rolled up his sleeves to launch another dutiful recovery, as he has done for Pakistan so many times in the last year. He found a like-minded partner in Khurram Shehzad, and the pair began reclaiming ground in steady shovelfuls at first, before Misbah felt he had the measure of the pace-friendly Mohali dirt. A legside six off Nathan McCullum in the 12th over foreshadowed the aggression to follow, which would yield Faisalabad their most profitable over of the innings. In the 14th, Misbah walloped two more sixes and a four in the same cow-corner region, off the same bowler, hauling his side’s run rate beyond six for the first time since the first over. Though Khurram had clung on in Misbah’s company to help forge a 61-run stand, he could not match his captain’s attacking competence, and departed for 27 off 36, just as the innings might have moved into a phase of dominance, had he stayed

around. Misbah’s progress slowed, as Otago’s disciplined pace bowlers returned in full force, and he was bowled making room to hit through the offside, off the last ball of the 17th over. McCullum did not allow poor balls to go unpunished early in his innings, but atypically, he did not go looking for trouble either. Neil Broom had departed in the first over, and with a modest score to chase, a return of 16 from his first 20 balls did not seem to irk him. Three Hamish Rutherford sixes saw Otago eclipse the required rate in the Powerplay overs, and McCullum sought nothing more than to maintain that steady momentum for the majority of his innings. Eventually he grew bold, after he and Derek de Boorder had put on more than 50 for the third wicket, and Faisalabad’s efforts sagged as the game slipped from them. Having progressed to 50 at just under run-a-ball, McCullum took them home with a flurry of thumping hits, and secured a fine net-runrate, should it be required further down the line. Scores: Otago Volts 142 for 2 (McCullum 83*, de Boorder 30*) beat Faisalabad Wolves 139 for 8 (Misbah 46, Butler 2-23) by 8 wickets.

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Courts Annual Golf GSCL final postponed Tourney returns - Tees-off on Saturday at LGC Courts, under their theme ‘Bringing Value Home’, continued to add value to local sports when it yesterday officially announced the return of its annual golf tournament, which is part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations of operations in Guyana. The best golfers in Guyana will converge on the Lusignan Golf Course (LGC) on Saturday for the competition that will tee-off at 10am. Courts yesterday handed over the sponsorship cheque for the tournament worth $250,000 to LGC officials. Courts’ Public Relations Officer, Kester Abrams stated that they are proud to be associated with the sport and to be once again hosting the event.

Abrams said that Courts is happy to be on board with a growing sport that has sustained momentum. “We’re excited to be participating in a series of activities throughout Guyana engaging with the Guyanese public, who are our supporters. Golf is a developing sport here, and Courts is pleased to be a part of its growth and development,” Abrams said. The Courts PR Officer said that golf is recognised as international megasport and Courts hope to bring a similar atmosphere to its event. Vice-President of LGC, David Mohammed indicated that all the leading golfers will compete in the tournament. Mohammed said that it is

one of the calendar golf competitions that they look forward to every year. He applauded Courts for their continued support towards the development of the sport and expressed expectation that the support continues in the future. “Courts is doing a good job with this tournament. Their plans are good. Last year the tournament was big, and this year it promises to be even bigger. We have all of the top golfers competing for the coveted Champion Trophy,” the LGC VicePresident said. Dave Mohammed and Joaan Deo are the 2012 male and female champions. Mohammed shot a net 63 from a gross 84 playing off a handicap of 21 while Deo recorded a net 65 from a gross 86 plying off a handicap of 21 last year.

Bridge Company donates to Blairmont Cricket Club The Blairmont Centre Cricket Club, during its 2ND Award C e r e m o n y, benefitted from the donation of a trophy and two hampers by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. BBCI received a letter on September 2, 2013 from the Blairmont Centre Cricket Club requesting a donation for its 2nd Awards Ceremony which included acknowledging senior citizens. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mr. Omadatt Samaroo, the Company was privileged to have the o p p o r t u n i t y to make a donation towards the Blairmont Centre Cricket Club. “The Company decided to come on board mainly due to the fact that main objective of the Awards Ceremony is to honour junior and senior cricketers and senior citizens”, Samaroo stated. (Leon Suseran)

quarterfinalists is known following the first two days of action last w e e k e n d , wherein Regal XI and Trophy Stall (Group A), Speedboat and Recharge (Group B), Wolf Warriors and Invaders (Group C) and defending champions Memorex and Universal DVD Titans of Group D advanced. In S a t u r day’s quarterfinals encounter, Wolf Warriors and Universal DVD Titans will meet in the first match, followed by the

Memorex versus Invaders match up, which precedes the Regal XI versus Recharge encounter, before Trophy Stall and Speedboat culminate the day’s events. For the semifinals, the winner of match number one will oppose the winner of match number four in one encounter whilst the winner of the second and third quarterfinal matches, will collide in the other semifinal. The finals will be broadcasted live via NCN Radio.

Peter Abdool retains Presidential portfolio as GBBC stages successful AGM Peter Abdool has received a resounding vote of confidence and was reinstated as the President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) when officials of that organization convened at the Thomas Road, Thomas lands office of the Civil Defence Commission, Sunday morning last. There were little changes in the executive structure which saw former head of the Mingles band, Michael Fung, being co-opted into the membership and forms a part of the marketing committee. Further, former auditor of the Board, Khalil Ahmed, also assumed a membership portfolio and officials say they will soon name the new auditor. Those retaining their positions are Andrew Thorne

Peter Abdool (vice president), Francis Abraham (secretary), Clairmont DeSouza (treasurer) and Howard Cox (assistant Secretary/ treasurer). The other members

are Eon Jardine, Bernard DeSantos and Trevor Arno. Patricia Green and Max Hanoman have been retained as the nurse and doctor respectively. Meanwhile, in brief comments yesterday, Mr. Abdool conveyed his gratitude to the other members for the faith placed in his leadership ability. He said that he will aspire to endorse their confidence with various initiatives that will improve the fortunes of local pugilists. Mr. Abdool said that officials will soon convene to map out strategies towards the development of the sport. Former secretary of the GBBC, Trevor Arno said that while the Board has no official Marketing Manager, Mr. Fung’s presence could considerably boost that sector.

Australia may seek 2022 Fifa World Cup compensation

Mrs. Bibi F. Alli, Administrative Assistant, BBCI, handing over a Trophy and two Hampers at Blairmont Centre Cricket Club’s 2nd Awards Ceremony

Dhawan leads Sunrisers to comfortable win

ESPNcricinfo - A centurystand between Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel, both of whom scored effortless half-centuries, and a late cameo by Thisara Perera helped Sunrisers Hyderabad cruise to an eight-wicket win over Kandurata Maroons. Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru

Due to the unavailability of the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) ground for this weekend, the Organizing Committee within the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) has pushed back the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of their second 12/12 tournament. These matches will now be played Saturday 28th of September and Sunday 29th September at the Camp Road venue. Already, the

Thirimanne also scored aggressive half-centuries to set up a strong target, but Kandurata’s bowling and fielding crumbled against persistent attack from Sunrisers’ batsmen to be left in a position from where they need to win both their remaining matches. Chasing 169, Dhawan and

Parthiv never let the pressure of the chase build as they kept finding the boundaries from the start of the innings. Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 174 for 2 (Dhawan 71, Patel 52) beat Kandurata Maroons 168 for 3 (Sangakkara 61*, Thirimanne 54, Ishant 2-20) by eight wickets.

BBC Sport - Australia’s soccer chief Frank Lowy says his country’s Football Federation (FFA) may seek compensation if the 2022 World Cup is switched to the winter. Australia was one of four countries that lost out to Qatar, despite spending £25.27m on its bid. Qatar has temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius in June and July, so Fifa is debating holding a winter tournament for the first time. “Australia invested heavily in the World Cup process,” Lowy said. “Since December 2010, Australia has been careful not to let its misgivings about the process be interpreted as sour grapes. “But now, with increasing speculation about a change that will impact on us as one of the bidding nations, and

Frank Lowy (Getty Images)

because our competition will be affected, we have made our position public.” A FFA statement also asked Fifa to look at awarding “just and fair compensation” to those nations that “invested many millions, and national prestige, in bidding for a summer event”. Qatar beat Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to win the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Lowy, the billionaire owner of

the Westfield shopping centre empire, is also urging Fifa’s executive board to not make a quick decision about moving the tournament to a date when the weather will be cooler. He said: “Better to let the independent investigative process run its natural course and then, with those issues settled, make a clear-eyed assessment about rescheduling and its consequences.”

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Kaieteur News

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E-Networks Inc sole authorised entity to broadcast Champions League T20 Local cable provider ENetworks Inc. which recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary and also unveiled three new services (DreamTV, OnFiber and Control 4) as part of its growing stature within the cable industry, yesterday announced that as the authorised local affiliate for ESPN, it is the sole entity responsible for broadcasting the ICC Champions League T20 Tournament. The Champions League T20 is one of the ICC’s flagship events and the qualifying rounds started yesterday with two matches in Mohali, India that was broadcast on ESPN 1and according to Managing Director of the Company Vishok Persaud, Guyanese will be provided with coverage of the tournament in its entirety. He added that the coverage will run from September 17 to October 6 when the final will be played. Caribbean champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel is the region’s representative at the prestigious event.

The tournament fixtures are as follows: Tue Sep 17 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 1st Match, Qualifying Group Faisalabad Wolves v Otago Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Tue Sep 17 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 2nd Match, Qualifying Group Kandurata Maroons v Sunrisers Hyderabad Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Wed Sep 18 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 3rd Match, Qualifying Group Kandurata Maroons v Otago Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Wed Sep 18 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 4th Match, Qualifying Group Faisalabad Wolves v Sunrisers Hyderabad Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali,

Chandigarh Fri Sep 20 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 5th Match, Qualifying Group Faisalabad Wolves v Kandurata Maroons Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Fri Sep 20 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 6th Match, Qualifying Group Otago v Sunrisers Hyderabad Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Sat Sep 21 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 1st Match, Group A Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Sun Sep 22 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 2nd Match, Group B - Brisbane Heat v Trinidad & Tobago JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Sun Sep 22

14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 3rd Match, Group B - Chennai Super Kings v Titans JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Mon Sep 23 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 4th Match, Group A - Lions v Perth Scorchers Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad Mon Sep 23 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 5th Match, Group A - Mumbai Indians v TBC Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad Tue Sep 24 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 6th Match, Group B - Brisbane Heat v Titans Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh Tue Sep 24 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 7th Match, Group B - Trinidad & Tobago v TBC Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali,

Guyana sending seven-member team to Islamic Games

Chandigarh Wed Sep 25 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 8th Match, Group A - Perth Scorchers v TBC Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Wed Sep 25 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 9th Match, Group A - Lions v Rajasthan Royals Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Thu Sep 26 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 10th Match, Group B - Chennai Super Kings v TBC JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Fri Sep 27 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 11th Match, Group A - Lions v Mumbai Indians Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad Sat Sep 28 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 12th Match, Group B - Titans v TBC JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Sat Sep 28 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 13th Match, Group B - Brisbane Heat v Chennai Super Kings JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi Sun Sep 29 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 14th Match, Group A - Lions v TBC Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Sun Sep 29 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 15th

President of the G.O.A, K.A. Juman Yassin (centre) addresses the media yesterday in the presence of Guyana’s ISSF Games Chef-de-Mission, Ramjeet Ramphal (right) and Sebert Blake at G.O.A Headquarters. Guyana will be sending a seven-member team to the Islamic Sports Solidarity Federation (ISSF) Games in Indonesia between September 22 and October 1 with the Guyana Olympic Association (G.O.A) Head highlighting the opportunity for athletes’ exposure. “This is another opportunity to give our athletes some exposure. I am looking forward to lots of

good performances from this team,” G.O.A Head, K.A. Juman Yassin, told the media yesterday at G.O.A Headquarters where the brief press conference was held. According to Yassin, the team will be leaving Guyana today and arriving in Indonesia on Friday to compete in the Games, which starts on Sunday. Ramjeet Ramphal was named as the Chef-de-Mission and Leslie Black named Athletics Coach/

Manager. Yassin said that Guyana is the only member of the Islamic group in this region. “We have been a member for some time now. Don’t ask me how long we have been a member, because I will not a n s w e r y o u , ” Ya s s i n quipped yesterday. The team also include Alika Morgan (1500m, 5 0 0 0 m ) a n d Wi n s t o n George (200m, 400m) from athletics; Kawall Ramkiran

from Taekwondo (Kyorugi Under-58kg); Nathalie Gibson (Kumite Under-68kg) and Patrick Cheeks (Kumite Over-84kg) from Karate. Chef-de-Mission, Ramjeet Ramphal said that he is happy Guyana was getting the opportunity to expose athletes. He said that he believes Guyana has a good team and hope that the country will be returning with lots of medals from the Islamic Games.

Match, Group A Rajasthan Royals v Perth Scorchers Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Mon Sep 30 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 16th Match, Group B - Titans v Trinidad & Tobago Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad Mon Sep 30 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 17th Match, Group B - Brisbane Heat v TBC Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad Tue Oct 1 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 18th Match, Group A Rajasthan Royals v TBC Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Wed Oct 2 10:30 GMT | 16:00 local 05:30 EST 19th Match, Group A - Mumbai Indians v Perth Scorchers Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Wed Oct 2 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 20th Match, Group B - Chennai Super Kings v Trinidad & Tobago Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Fri Oct 4 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 1st SemiFinal - TBC v TBC (A1 v B2) Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Sat Oct 5 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST 2nd SemiFinal - TBC v TBC (A2 v B1) Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi Sun Oct 6 14:30 GMT | 20:00 local 09:30 EST Final TBC v TBC Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Inter Milan forced to close stand at San Siro after racist chanting BBC Sport - Inter Milan have been ordered to play their next home match with one end of San Siro closed as punishment for racist chanting by their fans. A section of Inter supporters targeted two Juventus players with abuse during Saturday’s 1-1 draw. The Italian league also fined Inter 15,000 euro (£12,500). A stand will now be closed for Inter’s next home game against Fiorentina on 26 September, the third time this season a Serie A club has been punished. Lazio were sanctioned for supporters’ actions in the Italian Super Cup against Juventus, while Roma were penalized for racism toward AC Milan players at the end of last season. Fifa ruled in May that teams could be relegated or expelled for serious incidents of racism. Lesser offences will lead to matches being played behind closed doors.

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Carter ton helps West Indies A level series ESPNcricinfo - After being beaten hollow on Sunday, West Indies A made as many as three changes to their lineup. At least two of those turned out to be inspired choices as they squared the series by batting India A out of the game. Jonathan Carter, the Barbados allrounder, played an innings that mirrored Yuvraj Singh’s comeback century for its pace and impact - cautious at the start, ballistic towards the end. With this tour serving as a selection trial for the senior team’s tour in November, Carter may well have pushed his case forward. Carter was an unfamiliar face to the current crop of India A bowlers, who were not part of the squad that toured the Caribbean last year. His stand of 131 with Leon Johnson, another player brought in for this game, defined the game for West Indies, pushing the score to 279, which was beyond India to chase. Carter came in at the fall of the second wicket, and his stint may well have ended on 6, had Yusuf Pathan not put down a regulation chance at slip off Shahbaz Nadeem. Yusuf had it covered but the ball popped out and he failed to take it on the rebound. It was the first example of India’s insipid catching and particularly, the ground fielding. This lapse cost India dear. Carter was slow to begin with, scoring at a strike late

of 50 and thereabouts. Kirk Edwards found his touch with three boundaries through the off side in one over by Vinay Kumar. The reckless dismissals of Edwards and Andre Russell - both coming straight after hitting sixes pegged back West Indies, but when the time came for Carter to take charge, he did it with measured aggression. The tactic of attempting to clear the rope off every ball, as Russell did in his 4-ball stint, wasn’t the way forward. Carter was more selective in his strokeplay. After topedging Vinay down to fine leg, his first convincing boundary came off a sweep off Nadeem. He gained in confidence against the spinners, cutting Yusuf past short third man and pulling when the spinners dropped it short. He was equally comfortable against the pace of Jaydev Unadkat, pulling and whipping him for consecutive boundaries to bring up his fifty. It took 82 balls to get there, and much like Yuvraj’s knock on Sunday, the pace quickened drastically after passing the milestone. What helped Carter progress was the presence of an equally positive Johnson. Johnson too, was let off early - on 7 but to be fair to Robin Uthappa, it was a tough onehanded chance at slip. Carter was determined to make the best use of the batting Powerplay - taken

after 35 overs - carving the ball over extra cover and using his feet against the spinners, one shot nearly cleaning up Pathan and the umpire. Earlier, he survived a run-out chance on 66, when Johnson pushed the ball to cover and sent back Carter who was nearly halfway down the pitch. Unmukt Chand’s throw was wide and Carter was lucky to still be there. Every missed opportunity against Carter came with a price. He lofted Pathan several rows over long-on, lofted Vinay over cover, scythed full tosses from the spinners over deep midwicket. Few of Carter’s slogs looked ungainly. None of the seamers were able to contain him, as he pounced on anything pitched up. The absence of yorkers hurt the Indians, as it did the tourists in the opening game. Carter moved to 99 with a massive six over deep midwicket that nearly landed on the second tier. He reached his century with a single to long-on and in contrast to Yuvraj’s restrained acknowledgement to the crowd, Carter did a leap, roared towards his teammates and was so caught up in the moment that he failed to turn around to look at his partner. Johnson did the honors by jogging across and embracing his partner. Carter was the beneficiary of two misfields at the rope that resulted in boundaries,

reflective of a poor day in the field for India. Carter was eventually lbw playing all around a full delivery from Unadkat for 133. Thanks to his assault, West Indies managed 135 off their last 15 overs. Till this knock, Carter had only one first-class century, but no List A ton to his credit. Did his knock surprise his own team-mates? “Not really,” said his captain Kieran Powell. “Jonathan has generally made starts and we

Daily Mail - Amir Khan has responded to his trainer’s clarion call for intensified commitment to boxing by abandoning the celebrity lifestyle and submitting to the rigours of a three-month training camp. The incentive could hardly be greater. Victory over world welterweight champion Devon Alexander in December would bring with it the possibility of a megamillions super-fight against Floyd Mayweather. There is even an outside chance that the greatest boxer on earth might be tempted onto the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium for an appearance in front of 100,000 of his British fans. With American trainer Virgil Hunter challenging him to emulate Mayweather’s

Members of the Demerara Cricket Club standing on the area where the indoor facility is being built. President Alfred Mentore is fifth from right. one matting) which will be fenced and is estimated to cost G$2.4 to 3 million. The second stage will an upper flat which will be used to host conferences, weddings, work shops etc and is projected to cost G$10M. Mentore indicated that the club had taken this initiative so that the players can keep fit on an off season and it will also help to develop the game. He said

that the West Indies Cricket Board had donated $US5,000 to the project while other members such as Chris Barnwell and Trevon Griffith to name a few has also contributed. He informed that former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and coach of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Roger Harper, who both hail from DCC, has also promised

later said that he had juggled the bowlers a bit differently and varied his field settings, which ultimately played a part. The upper tier of the western stand was packed pleasing for a working day but when Yuvraj and Pathan departed off successive balls, sections of the crowd started filtering out. Scores: West Indies A 279 for 6 (Carter 133, Johnson 39, Vinay 3-56) beat India A 224 (Yuvraj 40, Chand 38, Cummins 4-31) by 55 runs.

Khan promises to abandon celebrity lifestyle in pursuit of Mayweather mega-fight

Indoor facility under construction at DCC

The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), which has produced a number of outstanding international cricketers, is currently constructing an indoor cricket facility next to their main pavilion in Queenstown. According to president of the club, Alfred Mentore the project consists of two phase with the first being three pitches (two concrete and

have always been talking to him about going on to make that big score and today he really played a massive innings for the team, especially the situation he was in. Everyone was expecting that from him, and he delivered.” The chase played out in a very similar manner to the opening game, only this time with the teams reversed. The seamers bowled to a plan of bouncing out the young Indian batsmen and Powell

to assist. Mentore pointed out that the projected is expected to finish with in the next three months and is calling on corporate Guyana to support this venture which will benefit the young cricketers tremendously. He indicated that the club will release a magazine at the opening of the facility to mark their 100 Anniversary which was achieved in 2012.

Amir Khan has promised to ditch his celebrity lifestyle in pursuit of a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr. (RC2) ‘hard work and dedication,’ Khan admits: ‘I looked at my body in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. I looked weak. It had a lot to do with me killing myself to make weight at light-welter but also with my diet regime.’ Hunter sent his strength and conditioning coach to Bolton last month to revise the eating and training habits of Britain’s two-time former world champion. Khan says: ‘I now feel stronger, with more energy.’ He also agreed to travel on to Hunter’s gym near San Francisco immediately at the end of his weekend in Las Vegas watching Mayweather put on a virtuoso performance to rout muchtouted Mexican challenger Canelo Alvarez, instead of returning home for four weeks. Khan’s new wife Faryal has accompanied him on this trip but will stay only briefly in San Francisco before leaving to spend time with family and friends in her native New York. That is where Khan’s fight with Alexander is expected to take place on December 7 but he is turning his back on the glitzy events and celebrity parties which have been a

temptation in England. Hunter runs a no frills gym with few, if any, distractions and has been imploring Khan to spend as much time as possible in that environment. Khan is complying, starting this week, in the knowledge that his career is on a knife-edge. He admits: ‘Going up to welterweight to face a champion like Alexander is a big risk for me. It’s not only the prospect of a Mayweather fight which is on the line, but my career. ‘’I won’t let defeat happen because I know that would leave me with few places to go. But I am confident I will be stronger at the bigger weight and that will enable my speed and movement to prevail.’ Khan reveals that he had been over-doing what he calls ‘the water diet.’ That requires the drinking of 12 litres of water a day. The intention is to drain toxins from the system but Khan says: ‘It was weakening me. I need to build up my size and strength, not water down. ‘I’ve been getting bigger and more muscular and feel much better. I used to (Continued on page 41)