Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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PPP disowns links to Roger Khan, criminals Even as the incumbent People’s Progressive Party (PPP) condemns the Opposition for its purported “link to the underworld,” and criminal elements of Suriname, it is still to be determined whether the government will review its present relationship with Suriname. Just about two weeks ago, a delegation from Guyana— including the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, the Commissioner of Police (ag), Leroy Brumell, and the then Chief-of-Staff Gary Best, travelled to Suriname to strengthen bilateral ties on security issues. Upon return, the many benefits of the visit were valued enough that a press conference was held in its honour. It was noted that the trip was not one in isolation but was one in many that came as a result of a long standing project called the JagdeoBouterse initiative Then came the more recent events that unfolded. A Dutch newspaper published that Suriname’s

President, Desi Bouterse, (while an opposition Member of Parliament) was allegedly in close contact with convicted Guyanese drug baron, Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan. According to the Dutch publication, a diplomatic message to the US State Department released by W i k i l e a k s accuses Bouterse’s son, Dino, of being involved in weapons smuggling between Guyana and Suriname. The Diplomatic note states that young Bouterse had travelled with a sports team to Buxton and it was believed that weapons were taken to the Guyanese village of Buxton at that time. PPP at a press conference yesterday sought to link PNC, the main political party in the APNU coalition to criminal elements during the 2002-2006 crime wave. The PPP yesterday distanced itself from criminal elements while maintaining that there is a direct link between the Opposition and criminal gangs and activities.

Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan PPP Central Committee Member and Attorney General Anil Nandlall during the party’s weekly press conference yesterday said that his party “maintains resolutely that there is a connection between criminals and politicians….political leaders in the opposition.” “We already know of the historical connections between main political actors in the oppositions and their links with the criminal

Female UG lecturers robbed at gunpoint near campus - appeal for tighter security in area Two University of Guyana (UG) lecturers were the victims of a brazen gunpoint robbery around noon yesterday, just a few meters from the university campus. Melna Castro, a Panamanian who lectures in Spanish, and Susy Lewis, a Nicaragua national who is a lecturer attached to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, were held at gunpoint while sitting in a restaurant on University of Guyana Road, Turkeyen. Mrs. Lewis has been living in Guyana for the past 20 years. She has Guyanese citizenship and is the wife of Mr. Lawrence Lewis, the former dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. Mrs. Lewis told Kaieteur News that she was sitting in the Spicy Dish Restaurant, located near the second gate of the Cyril Potter College of

Education (CPCE), with Melna Castro, who was waiting for her husband. The lecturer recalled that they had purchased some channa and fruit juices when a man entered the restaurant and bought a bottle of water. Mrs. Lewis said that the man then walked up to them, pulled out a handgun, and ordered them to hand over their bags. “I looked at the gun, I looked at his face…my friend start to scream,” she said. “I pulled my bag and he pointed the gun at me.” She said that the robber then snatched their handbags and ran outside. Mrs. Lewis said that the bandit joined a waiting motorcyclist and the two men escaped in the direction of Sophia. The lecturer said that she lost her credit cards, national identification card, office keys and $8,000 in local

currency. Mrs. Castro’s stolen valuables included her cell phone and house and car keys. Mrs. Lewis said that they made a report at the Turkeyen Police Station and she also notified her bank about the stolen credit cards. In light of the brazen attack, Mrs. Lewis expressed concern that both UG and CPCE staffers and students were vulnerable to similar robberies, particularly at night. “We need more security in the area. It’s not so much what you lose, but the fact that at 12:30 (in the day) someone can point a gun at you.” A senior university official also expressed the need for police patrols near the campus, since students have been robbed while traversing the area during the evenings.

underworld.” Nandlall went as far to point to the funeral of criminal mastermind Linden London aka “Blackie” which was taken over by the PNC, resulting in the draping of his coffin with the national flag. H e s a i d , h o w e v e r, whether these revelations would affect the current g o od relations the two countries share in border security and trade among others, will need to be discussed at the Governmental level. Confronted with the “fact” that Roger Khan stated that he worked with the PPP, Nandlall said he don’t know about that. Further asked to defend testimonies during Khan’s trials that noted his links to the PPP, Nandlall went mum.

When questioned whether it was fair to associate the political opposition alone with criminal elements, when the PPP itself was linked, the Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee said, “We have no historical link with criminal enterprises,” adding that “the PPP supporters are mostly the victims of the onslaught.” Rohee called on the Opposition to move away from its approach of placing blame on the PPP whenever evidence is provided that links the opposition with criminals. “The PPP has a clean track record… I would dismiss out of hand any attempt to associate the PPP with any criminal activity” he said. He concluded that

attempts to associate the PPP with criminal elements are only speculations. But there was shard evidence that former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj was identified as leader of the criminal gang, the Phantom, responsible for the death of hundreds of people. Gajraj’s phone records revealed his direct contact with criminal elements. He was recorded as providing a known gunman a weapon’s upgrade even after that gunman had killed a vendor over $20. The evidence was so overwhelming that the United States and Canada revoked visas to Gajraj and his wife. The revocation now means that Gajraj, who is now Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, must travel the long way to reach his destination.

BBCI income tax exemption absurd - Ram Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, in his weekly column has said that it’s ridiculous and absurd, that the financial statements of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) actually claim that it is exempt from, “income, corporation, property and withholding taxes.” Ram in his column this week sought to highlight the many irregularities of the Berbice Bridge Company. According to Ram, the company in its report filed this past week has ignored the question of taxes. He said that it is not clear whether the corporation tax exemption, on which the company is relying, is by virtue of the Berbice River Bridge Act or whether it is the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act, which requires a tax exemption letter from the Minister of Finance. The Berbice Bridge Act does provide for “corporation tax, income tax and withholding tax” exemptions for the duration of the Concession Agreement Ram explained that the Financial Administration and Audit Act, provides that tax remissions, waivers and concessions are only valid, if expressly provided for in a Tax Act or any subsidiary

Christopher Ram legislation. According to Ram, the Bridge Act is not a tax Act and it seems that concessions purported to be granted under that Act are invalid. Ram suggests that the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act “seems hardly any more helpful.” He said that the act sets specific criteria which any successful applicant must satisfy, including activities that “demonstrably create new employment in

infrastructure development.” Ram explained that the bridge, socially and economically beneficial as it is, cannot be said to have demonstrably created new employment. “If anything, it has displaced employment,” Ram stated. He said that while it can also be argued that the construction of the Bridge was infrastructure development but its operation is not. “The concession under the Berbice Bridge Act violates the Fiscal Administration and Audit Act and in any case does not exempt the company from Property Tax.” In respect of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act, the Bridge activity does not seem to satisfy the criteria for the exemptions. “Maybe Mr. Brassington and NICIL will engineer an amendment to the Act to accommodate BBCI, just as the Government did when it recognised that the Ramroop group was granted tax concessions which were unlawful.”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

An overdose of confidentiality The issue of confidentiality seems to be overused in Guyana to the extent that once a Government official does not wish to comment on an issue that individual cites confidentiality. Recently, the nation has been fed a daily diet of confidentiality. The work on the Marriott is just the latest to attract the issue of confidentiality. What the nation finds repugnant is that the person representing the people’s interest, in this case Winston Brassington, feels that he does not have the right to tell them how he is spending their money. This is the case when reporters asked him the other day to name the investor. Anyone investing in a project would readily indicate not only his interest in the project but how much he proposes to spend. If the investor is a shareholder company then it would be duty bound to inform its shareholders. In every corner of the world companies announce their plans to invest. Daily we are fed a dose of companies pursuing mergers. The media would report of the size of the merger right down to the last penny. If the merger fails it is not because of lack of information. The stocks rise or fall depending on the nature of the merger or takeover. There is no secrecy or confidentiality, even in societies where many companies may be chasing after the same entity. There is no issue of confidentiality. Indeed, a public company entering into an agreement or a deal would need to inform its shareholders. We have all read of big companies losing their bosses because of bad deals. Even if the deal is pursued in secret, when the details emerge, the fallout would be greater. That is why when Brassington talks about confidentiality people know that he is being less than honest. On one occasion he claimed that the company was cognizant of the scrutiny that the opposition parties bring to bear on contracts and agreements and that the company wished for everything to be secret until the deal has been signed. That is rank dishonesty. We still remember the occasion when a company out of Grenada reported that it was dealing with the Guyana Government for the construction of the Marriott hotel. It was the Guyana Government that lost its cool. In fact, it became so angry that the Grenada company told the local press that it would no longer be speaking about its involvement, that all communication would come from the Guyana Government. Why would the government be angry at disclosures of an interested party? Certainly Brassington could not claim that the confidentiality clause was in effect because the other party was prepared to talk. When Guyana signed the agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, again the company released the information and again Brassington was angry. As could be expected the company said that it would no longer be providing information to the local media. There must be something wrong with Brassington insisting on confidentiality. He is spending the people’s money and the least he could do is to tell them what he is doing but like a king unto himself, he says that he has no right to talk to the people about their own money which is being spent on projects. Perhaps if he had been more open the nation would have seen some of the horrid agreements he signed for the Amaila Falls project. Some of them are so bizarre that people are now wondering whether there was not a move to give away chunks of the country. There is supposed to be an agreement in the works for a private sector share in the Marriott. Brassington says that the talks are confidential because someone could hijack the project. One would expect that if the Guyana Government is talking to someone then out of decency it would see the talks through to completion. If the information gets out the only fear is that someone would tell the investor to desist from dealing with Guyana. And Brassington cannot say that this is not a real fear.

I know who I am. Adam Harris can decide who he wants to be DEAR EDITOR, Character assassination as an alternative to professional journalism has become the stock in trade of Adam Harris, so I should have expected nothing less in his response to my letter which sought only to differ with him on a matter of his unprofessional conduct as a journalist. Adam in his response, however, reveals himself. For him and, indeed, the newspaper which pays him, to be its Editor in Chief, defines everything and every issue, whether of national consequence or not, in political terms. It’s either proPPP Government or anti-PPP Government, pro-Opposition or anti-Opposition. He labels me ‘political grasshopper’ for professionally consulting with a Government agency on behalf of a national development project embraced by a PPP Government when as a politician I was a critic of the PPP Government. I ended my political career in 1981 when I resigned from the PNC Cabinet. I much later worked as a professional head with the Hoyte administration as Chairman of the Guyana Public Communications Agency (GPCA). I established my own Public Communications Consulting Company in 1992. I am not and have not been a

member of a political party for over 32 years. I hold no allegiance nor profess any. I work as a professional. In fact, as a board member of the Private Sector Commission, I have spoken out publicly in criticism of the Government’s failure to appoint the Public Procurement Commission, the Integrity Commission, the appointment of an Ombudsman and on other matters of transparency and good governance and I have been critical of the opposition in delaying the money laundering legislation. I am paid and earn my living as a public communications consultant both in and out of Guyana and I have never once represented a professional conflict of interest. For me it matters not whether the product, company or issue I am engaged to represent happens to be supported by one or the other of our political parties in or out of office. I am governed by only one rule. It is that I believe in the merits of the subject I am engaged to represent and, if it is a national issue, I believe it to be good for Guyana. I tell every client that concealing the truth is not an option, that misrepresenting the facts is also not an option. My job is to help the client provide as much information to the public as possible in a

coherent, convincing, understandable and transparent manner. Yes, I am paid for my services, so, too, is Mr. Harris. I do, however, work for and seek to advance many national causes without monetary award which I believe to be in the interest of our country, regardless of which political party is the beneficiary. Adam Harris, on the other hand is bound, as a journalist to respect and adhere to an established Code of Conduct which requires of him to report in a fair, balanced, unbiased and truthful manner. But sadly, in my opinion, so long as he reports everything and on every issue in black and white political terms, he betrays all pretense as a professional journalist. Adam, incidentally, complains that at the press conference I defined him as a Kaieteur News reporter while claiming that he was there as Editor-in-Chief of Prime News. I wonder if he recognizes the conflict of interest he represents by being neither ‘fish nor fowl’. I recognize Prime News as a wholly independent news organisation from Kaieteur News, but at the Press Conference, Adam sought to represent the interests of Kaieteur News. As for being ‘God’ when serving as a moderator, Adam knows that that is nonsense. If a news organization packs

a press conference with its representatives, it leaves the moderator little option but to continuously recognize them at the expense of others, or, be accused, as I was, by the Kaieteur News, of limiting their questions. Adam has also become the master of invention. He says I left the room to remind Stabroek News, who were not present prior to the Press Conference starting, about the Press Conference and then invents that Stabroek News told me ‘something dirty’ because no reporter turned up. In fact I did not speak with Stabroek News but spoke with the person who organized the press Conference. In responding to me, Adam, sadly has chosen to descend into the gutter. Exactly as I accused him, he uses ‘dem boys seh’ to indulge in what is supposed to be satire to libel me. He has the gall to publish that the Government has given me a new 4x4. My Company, in fact, purchased a new pickup, not a 4x4, well before my services were engaged for the Marriott project and my fee amounts to a fraction of the price of the pickup. As I first observed, the Press Conference on the Marriott is being broadcast unedited in full. I leave the public to judge the merits or (Continuedon page 27)

Justice Bernard’s decisions and speeches will be publicized DEAR EDITOR, I n t e r n a t i o n a l presentations, speeches and important court decisions made by outgoing Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Judge Desiree Bernard, will be soon made available for the general public. This was disclosed to me by the Guyana-born jurist in an exclusive interview from her Port of Spain home. She indicated to me that she is now in the process of compiling her work for the past 49 years since she became a legal practitioner and started to make presentations to organizations and groups. Justice Bernard has a very distinguished legal career and had many firsts — the first female judge in Guyana, first female appellate court judge, first female Chief Justice and Chancellor and first female head of the judiciary in the region as well as the first and so far only female to sit on the highest court of the land

(CCJ). She also held memberships in various regional and international organisations, having been the founding secretary of the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA), first President of the Organization of Commonwealth Bar Association (OCCBA), member and Chair of the Caribbean Steering Committee for Women’s Affairs. Internationally, she served as both rapporteur and Chair of the United Nations on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the International Association of Women Judges and as Vice President of the International Federation of Women lawyers. “Never in my wildest dream did I see that I would be a judge in the highest court of the land,” Justice Bernard indicated and said that her work as a trial judge, appellate court judge, chief justice,

chancellor and a CCJ judge, has been very interesting. “Each aspect is different and telling and I enjoyed all.” She said that the most difficult was when she served as Chief Justice because of the volume of work, not only as a sitting judge but in administration, to supervise magistrates, judges, as well as prepare schedules. She added that “my job as a judge of the CCJ is very rewarding — we dealt with varying cases. It was rewarding intellectually since there were some interesting cases; some were brain teasers. She pointed out that since the CCJ is the final court, the judges had to be extremely thorough in their research in compiling their decisions/opinions. “The CCJ is playing an important role in carving Caribbean jurisprudence.” She pointed out that although only three countries, Guyana, Barbados and Belize, have abolished

appeals to the Privy Council and accepted the CCJ as the final court, the judges are still very busy because they determine cases in their original jurisdiction. She is optimistic that other countries will soon come on board and join the CCJ in its appellate jurisdiction. The bespectacled jurist is a strong advocate against violence involving women and penned several papers on gender and legal issues such as “The Domestic Application of International Human Rights Norms as it affects Women, “Judicial Activism in promoting the Human Rights of Women and Confronting Gender-Based Violence in the Caribbean”. On her retirement from the CCJ, on March 2, Justice Bernard will take up an appointment as a member of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) as a member of the Tribunal. Oscar Ramjeet

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

An election with fewer voters than Listen carefully, ballots is fraudulent and manipulated Mr. Gill. Listen!

DEAR EDITOR, I am going to make this simple for Vishnu Bisram: how in heaven’s name is an election with 1,097 voters and 1,599 ballots democratic and electorally fair and just? How is this a free and fair election? How is creating a voter list moments before an election with 1097 voters and 1599 ballots a free and fair election? When the PNC did exactly this from 1964 to 1992, Vishnu Bisram fought them. When, as he claims, regimes did this in Zimbabwe, Haiti, Trinidad, Central America, Philippines, etc., he fought them. Yet, when the PPP’s 2013 congress election Presiding Officer himself announced to Demerara Waves there were 1097 voters and 1599 ballots at its 2013 internal party congress, Vishnu Bisram adamantly maintains “I have no evidence that there was fraud at the PPP August 2013 Congress...” 1599 ballots for 1097 voters is universally accepted as electoral fraud, because it assaults the fundamental democratic principle of one voter one ballot. No law, rule or policy could counter this

fundamental truth. Creating a voter list just before an election where there are more ballots than voters strongly suggests electoral manipulation. Bisram’s hypocrisy on this issue convinces me that he was never fighting for democracy in Guyana but for the PPP to return to power. Bisram tells us that “Evidence of fraud at PNC Congress was public knowledge” yet there was no fraud or manipulation with 1097 voters and 1599 ballots in the PPP congress elections. For Bisram’s information, I did acknowledge the democratic failures of the PNC and AFC when I said this “Bisram would not admit to the very evident shenanigans of the PPP 2013 congress elections, but readily tarred and feathered the AFC and PNC for their democratic failures.” (see my letter titled “The PPP continues to fall since 2011”, KN, Sept 16, 2013). Bisram most deceitfully states about me “He is okay with rigging in the PNC and manipulation of voting within the AFC but is against manipulation of voting at PPP

Congress.” This is a callous lie and ludicrous falsity against me. So is his accusation that I suggest it is fine for the AFC to wait a few years before opening its election to the full membership. I recommend Bisram reads this letter I wrote in Stabroek News “Elites control Guyana’s two major parties” (SN, August 28, 2012). I said this in that letter “The AFC will head down that same road if it does not change its ways.” Bisram should also read my letter titled “These budget cuts will likely be reversed and we’ll be back to square one” (KN, May 3, 2012) in which I stated “Frankly, Guyanese people are wasting their time voting for the PPP, PNC/APNU and the AFC. They are all the same.... APNU is one of the laziest political parties ever constituted. The AFC tried, but its leadership is a liability.” I refer Bisram to yet another letter I wrote titled “Institutional building must start from the bottom up” (SN, March 2, 2011) in which I said the following “Dr Khemraj

waxes supreme on the institutional building capacity of the AFC and I don’t doubt him, but why is it that the PNC conducted the nation’s first partially open primary process to elect its presidential candidate while the AFC used a milder version of the PPP’s draconian process? Wasn’t the AFC supposed to be the PNC in this regard? Doesn’t institutional building start with the institution that wants to commit the institutional building? Frankly, if an open primary (partial even) was conducted, the AFC would have gained a large number of fence-sitting votes. I can’t trust men who talk a good talk, because it is men who talk a good talk who talked us into this corner. Is talking of true democracy enough when actions can speak much louder? The AFC will have its congress to ratify Mr Ramjattan and Ms Holder. Why not call a congress in the first place and let Ramjattan and Holder get picked by the wider membership rather than by a small committee which may be (Continued on page 27)

DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Harry Gill is wrong on his views about Mr. David Granger (KN/23/9/2013: “Granger has accomplished nothing for those who voted for him”) I am forced to ask if Mr. Gill voted for Mr. Granger because if he did, then he has a legitimate right to voice his concerns. If he did not, then he has some other interest. I suspect that that interest is to find the opposition leader wanting and to dissuade and discourage multitudes of people from supporting him. It will not work, because everyone knows that Mr. Gill unashamedly supports the government. Therefore, his views will always be seen in that context and the sincerity will remain in question. Be that as it may, I wish to make two points: First, Mr. David Granger has demonstrated nothing but astute leadership, deep intellect, and sheer determination in the face of the daunting challenges posed by the PPP/C Government against his efforts to represent all Guyanese. He has stood up to the PPP and

many of them are coming in line with a culture that is characterized by transparency and accountability. He has consistently been exposing the lies of the PPP/ C Government in and out of parliament. I appreciate the fact that this might count for nothing for Mr. Gill, but for the hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who are suffering it means a lot; the difference between slums and mansions, vulnerable communities and gated communities, crime and career. Second, Mr. Granger has always demonstrated his willingness for compromise to push the concept of governance. Recall his call for a tripartite committee to look at the national budget. The rest is history. And what about Mr. Gill’s call on the PPP/C to compromise? The PPP/C is a minority government behaving as a majority government. More people in this country voted for the combined opposition than the PPP/C government. Yet, the wishes of the majority (Continued on page 27)

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Kaieteur News

NICIL vs Guyana Stores …

Court hears about letter of guarantee written by Brassington Head of NICIL, Winston Brassington, was again called to testify in the High Court yesterday when the legal issue between Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments (NICIL), continued. NICIL and the Government of Guyana are suing the Guyana Stores Limited (GSL) majority shareholder, Royal Investments Inc, to recoup monies claimed following the privatization of the company. NICIL/the Privatisation Unit moved upon claims that GSL failed to pay an outstanding balance of US$2 million of the purchase price of US$6 million for the acquisition of GSL. The matter was subsequently called up before the High Court in the latter part of 2010. According to NICIL, under the terms of the privatization agreement, the balance was due by September 2002; however, Royal Investments Inc, (GSL) which acquired 70 per cent of the company shares in the sale, failed to make this payment. In June 2004, NICIL, the government holding company, initiated legal action against Royal Investments Inc for the recovery of the US$2 million plus interest. Attorney at law Rafeek Khan who is representing NICIL and the government yesterday questioned Brassington on a letter dated May 3, 1999 which was written by the witness. The Attorney enquired from the witness if he remembered that letter and he answered in the positive. Mr. Khan then asked Brassington if he recalled stating in that letter that he was guaranteeing that at the date of closure, the defendant

would get $200M in Net Current Assets and $400M in Inventory. Brassington said he recalled doing that. He was then asked why it was necessary for NICIL to give the guarantee. According to Brassington, Guyana Stores Limited as a Company was continuing to do business for the period leading up to the privatization of the Company and the Net Current Assets would be constantly changing. He explained that the changing levels could have become a source of dispute when dealing with the sale of shares. Brassington further told the court that Guyana Stores was also going through the sale of certain properties that would have affected its financial position so therefore, the letter of 3rd May, 1999 was to set a predetermined level of the assets. The witness was then asked about how the figures $200M in Net Current Assets and $400M in Inventory were arrived at. Brassington told the court that the Inventory level was fixed at a level roughly equivalent at what the GSL inventory would have been and the Net Current Assets was set at a number that would give a net positive working capital. The lawyer then referred to a letter dated 3rd October, 2000 in which it was stated that NICIL and the defendant, represented by Mr. Tony Yassin, had agreed to have an audit of Net Current Assets and Inventory by an independent Auditor as at September 30, 2000. According to Brassington the date when the Audit was carried out was 30th September, 2000 and the date of closure was 4th October, 2000. Brassington was asked whether he knew that the audit was carried out by Nizam Ally &

Company. The lawyer also asked Mr. Brassington if he knew Mr. Verasammy. Brassington, in reply, said “yes” to both questions. A copy of the report was given to Mr. Brassington so that he could verify them and he affirmed that it was a true copy. Khan noted that the Audit Report had found that the Net Current Assets was $10.8M and the Inventory was $385,945. Khan pointed out to Brassington that those figures were less than the figures guaranteed in the letter of 3rd May, 1999 and he agreed. Khan then asked Brassington if there was any provision in the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement which would address that issue. In reply, Brassington said that there was a clause in the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement which addressed that issue. Khan noted that the Promissory Note was executed for $292.0M and questioned Brassington if any adjustment was made to the Promissory Note. According to Brassington, the adjustments were made both to the Net Current Assets and the Inventory. Khan then enquired from Brassington if the adjustment was made in relation to the Audit Report. According to the witness the Promissory Note was reduced from $292.0M to less than $100.0M. The lawyer further asked Brassington if as a consequence of the adjustment, he would say that the guarantee in respect to the letter dated 3rd October, 1999 was met. Brassington said that by reducing the Promissory Note to less than $100.0M, it meant that the Net Current Assets had increased by the reduced amount to $200M effective 4th October, 2000. He also told the court that the Agreement provided for fifty percent difference of the Audited value ($385.0M) and the agreed value of $400.0M. Counsel for the defendant, Senior Counsel Rex McKay and Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo said that they need some time to look at the evidence given before any cross-examination is done. The matter was set for Monday, September 30, 2013 for continuation.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

PPP blame opposition calls for sensible for crime -political practices The political ‘blame game’ was yesterday played again as the incumbent People’s Progressive Party (PPP) took another swipe at the Opposition for the spate of crimes that currently bedevils the nation. Just last week, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) came out blaming the opposition for the present crime situation. Then the Alliance for Change (AFC) blamed the PPP for the issue. Not surprisingly, soon after came A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) with a bold statement blaming the PPP for the crime situation. Yesterday’s proceedings at the PPP press conference held at Freedom House, was just another broadside. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, also a Party Executive Committee Member, blamed the opposition for the crime situation and called on the combined body to remove its mask of deception and reveal the real motives behind its so called support for crime. Nandlall in a broad assertion, dubbed both the AFC and APNU criminal parties. He said, “In the war against crime, there are but only two sides. You either

PPP’s, Anil Nandlall stand on the side of the law and the law abiding, or you stand on the side of crime and the criminals. The opposition parties have repeatedly chosen the side of the crime and the criminals. We say that this must end now!” As he went on to single out the respective wrongs of the two political parties, Nandlall first dealt with the AFC. The politician said, “Only last week, we heard the AFC restate their bizarre and illogical position, that they will not support any Bill or proposal brought by Minister Clement Rohee to the

National Assembly, irrespective of how beneficial it is to Guyana, its people and the security sector, on the basis that they, the AFC, have no confidence in the Minister.” Nandlall opined that such a position is “not only illogical, irresponsible and immature, but it demonstrates clearly, once again, that the opposition is no longer using Parliament to advance the welfare of Guyana and its people but is using it as a forum to settle personal grudges and to orchestrate agendas of vendetta, even if it is to the detriment of all Guyanese, including their own supporters.” “No matter how effective a particular Bill may be in combatting crime, no matter how potent a crime fighting policy may be, the opposition would reject it because Clement Rohee is the Home Affairs Minister! How political leaders can reduce the nation’s security and the safety of the Guyanese people to such childish games is, indeed, incomprehensible. “Is it against this backdrop, that one must view Mr. Ramjattan’s statement (continued on page 23)

Failure to report child abuse could see prosecution - Greene Failure on the part of a professional to report an instance of child abuse could trigger legal action. This notion was recently amplified by Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann Greene, when she delivered her presentation at a forum intended to highlight the importance of the media in child protection. Speaking at the Middle and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown, Bistro Restaurant on Friday, Greene noted that based on the Child Protection Act, there is need for mandatory reporting. All professionals aware of a child being abused must inform the relevant authorities. These professionals, according to

Ms. Ann Greene Greene, could include teachers, doctors, nurses,

lawyers and even social workers who were made aware of abuse cases. She disclosed that “if you know of a child being abused and don’t tell, you could be sanctioned...you are liable, you could appear before a Magistrate and you could be fined.” And according to Greene, the Child Protection Agency is ready and will press charges against such an individual even as she assured that “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” And members of the public, according to her, are not exempted from the reporting mandate. She noted that the Child (continued on page 24)

Tuesday September 24, 2013

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Tuesday September 24, 2013

TSU rank shot dead A Tactical Services Unit police constable was gunned down at around 21:00 hrs last night, after he stepped out of his North Sophia home to speak to a man who claimed he was there to see someone. Michael Cumberbatch, 29, of Lot 111 North Sophia, was reportedly shot twice at close range near his front door. He succumbed despite efforts to rush him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Kaieteur News understands that police have detained three North Sophia

- THREE DETAINED residents in connection with the policeman’s death. A source said that one of the suspects is a close friend of the alleged gunman. This suspect’s son is also in custody. Detectives believe that the gunman called out the fictitious name in an attempt to lure Cumberbatch out of his house. Relatives said that Cumberbatch, a father of two, was in his home when a man entered the yard, knocked at

the front door, and began calling for ‘Quacy.’ Cumberbatch’s wife reportedly told the visitor that ‘Quacy’ did not live there. However, the visitor reportedly refused to leave the yard, and this prompted the policeman to come outside. According to reports, Cumberbatch told the visitor “you ain’t hear no Quacy living here?” and ordered the man out of the yard. The visitor reportedly responded by shooting Cumberbatch twice, before fleeing on foot. Residents reportedly assisted Cumberbatch’s wife in taking him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he died shortly after. Jacqueline Cumberbatch, the slain policeman’s mother, was unable to say if her son had a dispute with anyone. But she alleged that a man fitting the killer’s description was seen in the area several times during the day and that the individual had been asking residents about the whereabouts of ‘Quacy.’

She told Kaieteur News that a female relative and a male companion had lived at the family’s house, but moved out some time ago. She was unable to say whether the male companion was the individual that the gunman was looking for. Last night’s executionstyle killing comes in the wake of similar murders this month. On September 3, Kirk Davis, 31, was riddled with bullets outside his Eccles, East Bank Demerara residents during a confrontation with another man. That suspect has reportedly fled to Suriname. On September 9, Sheldon Cheddie, 37, a former disc jockey, was shot dead as he sat with friends outside the Turning Point snackette at Tucville Housing Scheme. A suspect was apprehended and has been charged. The very next day, Zulficar ‘Vicky’ Namdar, 27, was shot dead when gunmen invaded his family’s MetenMeer-Zorg, West Bank Demerara residence. One of the suspects was killed during a shootout with police and several suspects have been charged.

Portia warns child molesters KINGSTON, St. Vincent, CMC – The Jamaica government is contemplating stronger measures to deal with child molesters in the wake of several criminal attacks on children. “I say to those of you who believe that you can just be worthless and prey on the little children, stop it (because) I have spoken to the minister of justice that we should craft legislation so that DNA can prove a rape or molestation so that no one can go free when they molest our children,” Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller told delegates attending the ruling People’s National Party’s (PNP) 75th annual conference on Sunday. “We cannot allow our children to be abused and at times murdered by these cruel, evil and wicked people,” she told the delegates, making reference to the recent case of a 15year-old girl, who was raped and then viciously chopped by her father. Prime Minister Simpson

Miller said the incident had brought tears to the eyes of the women in her Cabinet. “I want to appeal to those possessing evil, brutish minds; take your eyes of those little girls, those children,” she said, appealing to parents to stay close to their children. “How can anyone look at a child and hurt that child? Prime Minister Simpson Miller asked, noting that gone are the days when communities would seek to look out for the well-being of children. “I want to appeal to communities to look out for the children... as a child growing up I was protected by the adults and a child [older] was protective of me, so let us protect the future of our country.” Failure to report child abuse can result in person being charged and face a fine of J$500,000 (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) or six months in prison as stipulated by the Child Care and Protection Act.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 9

GUYANA MAY SOON BE UP FOR SALE If Bernie Madoff and Allen Stanford had in their corner some of the con artists that operate from some government offices in Guyana, they would have got off scot free with their Ponzi schemes. Once you run Ponzi schemes, such as what Madoff and Stanford did, eventually you will be discovered because those schemes amount to taking money from one investor to pay to another in a situation where all investors will have to be paid. Eventually, there will be cash flow problems and the bubble will burst. This is what happened to Madoff and Stanford, except that it was the financial crisis that dried up their ability to circulate their clients’ investments. The con artists in Guyana could have shown Madoff and Stanford a better way: how to take money from the government and hand it to private individuals and companies. And get away with it. Imagine a s i t u a t i o n where you put the most money into a company and then reserve for yourself a minority place on the Board of Directors. Imagine that you get together with some

chaps and decide to build a structure. You put up 90 per cent of the total investment and the other chaps chip in with 10 per cent and then you turn around and tell the other fellas not to worry about paying you any dividends which is worth some $100M a year. This is like you asking these fellas to rob you. How else does one explain the decision of NICIL to waive the payment of $100 in dividends each year. And to add insult to injury, you put up 90 per cent of the funds and those with the 10 per cent dominate the representation on the Board, which means you have no influence at that level. No wonder when the AFC approached the government during the Budget negotiations to reduce the tolls for crossing the Bridge, the government said it could not because the Bridge is a private company. It is a private company because the government has placed control into the hands of its friends even though taxpayers put up 90 per cent of the total investment. And then on top of that they have waived the dividends that is due to the people of this country. This is the same ploy that

Dem boys seh ...

Stupidness tekking over Is de time when stupidness does tek place. A big man sit down wid he friends drinking and he mek people believe in de saying that some people death does call dem. This man, Ron, who does mek people laugh, pick up a motorbike and go for a spin. Well dem boys seh that he head still spinning. He ride into a car and he in such a bad state that it hard fuh people believe that a man can be suh cruel to heself. Is de same cruelty lef a policeman dead. No matter what a man do dem boys dem does always tell demself that is only one life a man got and that dem got a healthy respect fuh life. This same policeman walking and a man come from behind and shoot he because of some story or because somebody pay he. Nuff people crying. Sometimes dem boys does feel that dem living in a strange place because not so long ago people use to live in peace and harmony. Nowadays if a man driving too slow is a big minibus deh blowing behind he fuh get he out of de way. Then de same minibus gun end up in a post or in some truck but certainly in a crash because he hurry. Things reach de stage wheh people wondering if goat bite Guyana. One man feel that is de corruption mek people ain’t got regard fuh nutten. Another one feel that is de sinning that tekking place. When people who got to lead doing wrang things and tekking advantage pun people bad things does happen in de country. Dem boys seh that de sad part is that dem who doing de bad things still lef in place to do more bad things and dem safe because Brazzy is a confidential person. Talk half and don’t get tie up wid de madness.

is being planned for the Marriot Hotel. The government is asking for a company which is putting in only 13 per cent of the total investment into the company but is granting to that company a 67 per cent shareholding. And for lending three billion dollars for the construction of the hotel, the taxpayers get no interest. They are not likely to get any dividends either and in fact the hotel will be snatched from right under their noses since when it does run bankrupt, it is the syndicated investors and a single private investor that will have to be first paid. Since there will be nothing left to pay back the people of Guyana, it means that these private investors will walk away with the hotel

while the Guyanese people hold useless paper. This is what publicprivate partnerships (PPP) have become. They have become vehicles for transferring wealth from the people of Guyana to the friends of the government. Public private partnerships have now become the norm to rip off the people of this country. The private sector of Guyana supported the construction of the Marriot Hotel. Are they now in agreement with the model that is being implemented, one in which a minority foreign investor will virtually take control of national assets and effectively reduce NICIL’s substantive investments( through loans and equity) to a useless piece of stock?

The private sector now knows that the government is waiving its dividends payable by the Berbice River Bridge in order that private investors who have contributed only 10 per cent of the total cost of the bridge can reap m i l l i o n s e a c h y e ar. Do they still support this model? This is the same model that will be used for Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. The government will match the investment of the private equity partners but have a minority shareholding, which means that in effect whatever d e cisions the private investors want will be carried and there is nothing that the government can do about it. This is just like handing the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric

Project to the private investors in the same way as the Berbice River Bridge has been forfeited and in the same way as the taxpayers monies in the propose Marriot will be used to hand the hotel to some small investor. What next? Who knows? By next year, this public private partnership (PPP) may extend to the whole country and Guyanese stand to revert back to being colonized people, not by the British, but by a band of carpetbaggers who may end up buying out the whole country.

GEA begs Parliament for G$58M bailout, boasts US$350M revenue in other forum - Anand Goolsaran As an agent of the state, it is inappropriate for the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) to treat revenue belonging to the state, as its own revenue. This is the contention of former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, who in his recent writings on accountability, said that while in the GEA Financial Statements the US$350M in fuel transactions is represented as revenue; this is not reflected in the National Estimates (Budget). According to 2012 National Estimates, presented to the Parliament by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the revenue for GEA is $40M with its expenditure standing at $99.3M, hence the need for a $58.6M subsidy to meet its shortfall. “The estimates therefore did not recognize the US$350M worth of fuel transactions under the

Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran PetroCaribe agreement.” According to the PetroCaribe Agreement between Guyana and Venezuela, GEA has been designated the buyer for the various types of fuel

GEA Boss, Mahender Sharma purchased from that country. “As a result of this arrangement, GEA has presumably decided to treat the proceeds of the sale of petroleum products to oil companies as its revenue while payments to Venezuela

and to the government of Guyana, representing the cost of the products, are shown as office and administrative expenses,” said Goolsarran. The former auditor general said, too, that although GEA accounts have been audited up to 2012, the annual reports and audited accounts for the years 2010 to 2012 are yet to be tabled in the National Assembly. “It is refreshing to learn that the Prime Minister has acknowledged this tardiness and has given the undertaking that this would be done as soon as possible.” It was first reported by financial analyst, Christopher Ram, that with poor accounting practices and no word on who sits on its Board of Directors, the GEA headed by Mahender Sharma, was last year responsible for a whopping US$350M of the nation’s (continued on page 10)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Fire ravages Double ‘R’ Businessman shot by robbers Hardware Store at Rosignol

A fire of still unknown origin on Sunday destroyed the Double ‘R’ Hardware Store at Rosignol Public Road, West Bank Berbice, leaving the owners with millions of dollars in losses. The fire which started around 16: 20 hrs quickly engulfed the twostorey building. The fire started in the bottom flat of the building and quickly spread to the top flat which was used as storage bond and partial living quarters, according to residents. Owner of the business Ramdial ‘Double R’ Ramotar

of Bath Settlement where he operates his main branch spoke briefly to this newspaper via telephone. He stated that he was at home when he got the call that his Rosignol store was on fire. He cannot say much. He estimates his losses as over $50M. That branch was established about five years ago following demands from the residents in that area. When Kaieteur News visited the scene on Monday evening, workers were in the process of salvaging whatever they could from the

destroyed building. Manager of the store, Jainarine Rakesh Etwaroo, was among those in the process of clearing the building. Two trucks were being loaded with materials to be taken to the main branch. However, Kaieteur News understands that the business place like all the other branches would open half day on Sunday and that was the case. A beer garden next door was saved, but suffered slight damage as fire fighters had to climb to the top of his building to properly fight the fire. The nearby Shariff Service Station was for some time under threat. Owner of the gas station, Mohamed “NanKoo” Shariff was thankful that no damage (continued on page 11)

Roopnarine Seejatan Two armed robbers on a motorcycle brazenly attacked a Mahaica businessman at Flour Mill Street, Agricola, while he was on his way to deliver a quantity of garbage bags to Puran Brothers yesterday at approximately 2pm. Roopnarine Seejatan, 56, of Lot 15 Bygeval, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was

shot on his right leg during the incident. While the details regarding what was stolen from the victim remains unclear, Kaieteur News understands that the man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. His wife was subsequently informed by a friend that her husband was

injured and she hurried to the hospital. The woman explained, “When I come to the hospital I didn’t get to see him. I thank God that he is alive and he was not shot to a more critical place, like his head. I am not aware of what really took place but I am waiting.” Meanwhile, the robbers are still on the run.

GEA begs Parliament for ... From page 9 transactions. Ram had also stated that while the GEA came into existence in late 1997 and commenced operations in 1998, it was more than 12 years before any

accounts were tabled in the National Assembly. “This is no inconsequential oversight,” said Ram, who indicated that the GEA by its own calculation is responsible for

a sector which in 2011 was the equivalent of 25 per cent of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ram pointed out that it is the GEA that has been assigned responsibility for the contractual arrangements with Venezuela to supply Guyana with crude oil, refined oil products and Liquid Propane Gas (LPG). “In 2012 the payments for fuel purchased under the arrangements amounted to close to US$350M.” According to Ram, the records indicate that audited financial statements and not annual reports were tabled in the National Assembly for years up to 2009. He said that according to the 2012 activities, the audits for the years 2010 and 2011 have been completed, but these have not been tabled. The analyst said, “The financial statements are a real cause for concern. You would think that an entity that handles such sums will not only have a good accountant but also be subjected to a decent quality audit…It appears that both of these are missing.” He said, too, that the accounts bear no signature of any director and for each year from 1998 to 2009, one of the signatories on the balance sheet is Mahender Sharma.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Barbados Top Cop sent packing UG gets books on Optometry following wiretapping charges While Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee speaks about further usage of wiretapping, Barbados Commissioner of Police, Darwin Dottin, is halfway out of a job as allegations swirl of police snooping on private phone calls. Since June, Barbados’ Police Service Commission (PSC), the island’s governing body for police, sent the Commissioner on preretirement leave in what it described as ‘public interest’. He then challenged the decision in court, but a judge in an interim ruling last week said that she cannot order his re-instatement. Dottin’s pre-retirement leave is up. He was forced to hand over keys to his office, and he hangs by a thread to his former job because Justice Margaret Reifer also ruled that the PSC must not appoint a new police boss while the court challenge continues. Since 2010 a suspended policeman had alleged wiretapping of phones of senior officials in Barbados as high as assistants to Prime

Ministers. The PSC commissioned an investigation and received a report which was lodged with the Supreme Court, with names of persons who were the phone bugging targets. The full contents of the reports are yet to be publicly revealed, but accusing fingers have been pointed at sections of the police force, who are said to have broken the Telecommunications Act, under direction from higher up. “The information provides irrefutable evidence of illegal phone tapping,” PSC has stated of the report, noting that it was illegal because persons spied on were not known for illegal activity. The Guyana Government in 2008 government rushed a Bill through parliament to facilitate phone tapping, despite vociferous objections from the Opposition. Officials have since said it is being used in pursuit of criminals. In echoes of the contention by Guyana’s Opposition that wiretapping

will be used to meet political ends, the Barbados PSC declared the wiretapping of two years back and beyond might have been used for narrow political purposes. The difference between Guyana and Barbados, in the circumstances, appears to be the willingness of whistleblowers to come forward on that Caribbean island and testify before a legally constituted body, while there continues to be mere rumours here. One police officer testified during the PSC enquiry that he was involved in the wiretapping and alleged that phones of security liaisons of former Prime Minister Owen Arthur and current Prime Minister Freundel Stuart had been tapped, along with those of magistrates, senior police officers and members of the PSC itself. Now the PSC’s effective dismissal of Dottin in June appears to stem from this violation of the right to privacy of Barbadian citizens.

Fire ravages Double ‘R’ Hardware ... From page 10 was done to his gas station. The man told Kaieteur News by telephone that he was at home when he received a number of calls about the fire and that his gas station was under threat. He immediately hurried to the scene. Upon arrival he saw the raging fire and the large crowd and became worried. However, upon getting closer his fears were quickly dispelled as he noticed the fire fighters had contained the fire to the store. Residents were high in praise for the fire fighters, but blasted the government for not having working fire hydrants in place. One resident nearby who was observing the salvage work being done by the workers and residents,

recounted to Kaieteur News that a fire tender (Land Rover) from the nearby Blairmont Sugar Estate arrived on the scene within 20 minutes and managed to contain the blaze. Two other fire tenders arrived, one from Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, a few miles away while another raced to the scene from New Amsterdam over the Berbice Bridge on the eastern side. The residents said that water was a problem. They said that if there was adequate water, less damage would have been done. The little water that was in a nearby trench was quickly used up. There are no working fire hydrants in the wellpopulated area which has a number of businesses located in the area. The few

fire hydrants are dysfunctional. They were damaged by some uninterested contractors who did road and other works in the area. Residents had to open a nearby sluice and allow the river water to flow in so as to allow the firemen to access water. The business stocked a large quantity of almost every type of material including hardware items-- cement, paint, steel rods, fridges, freezers gas stoves and a host of other building materials, household appliances and even eatables. During the fire loud explosions were heard apparently from paint cans, gas bottles and other combustible items. Investigations are continuing.

The Optometry Programme at the University of Guyana is set to benefit from a quantity of books from the Nova Southeastern University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. The endowment include textbooks about eye examination, contact lenses, low vision, clinical practices in optometry, anatomy, physiology, lasers, primary eye care, eye diseases and clinical ophthalmology. The donation was arranged by Dr. Michele Ming, President of the Caribbean Association of Optometrists (CARIOA), and the Guyana Association of Optometrists (GAO) and Professor. Janet Leasher Lecturer and Director of Community Outreach at Nova Southeastern University. Mings Products and Services shipped the books from Florida to Georgetown, at no cost to the University. Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, in receiving

Vice Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi accepts the donation from Dr. Michele Ming. the books, expressed his deep gratitude to Professor Leasher and her colleagues for what he described as a

“valuable contribution to the development of our programme and our students at the University of Guyana.”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

On Thursday afternoon, after a date was set for the resumption of the Bharrat Jagdeo- Frederick Kissoon libel case, I stopped by Khemraj Ramjattan’s car to chat about all types of topics in Guyana including family – my daughter and Khemraj’s son went to the same high school and sat in the same class. I asked Khemraj what will become of Guyana if the PPP wins a majority in the 2016 election? Khemraj intoned that if it is a legitimate process then how do you respond? Before I could reply, a gentleman came up to ask a question, and one thing led

to another and I didn’t get to express my fears about the 2016 general election. There are two large trepidations I have about the next national poll one of course being scarier than the other. I will start with the second one and leave the first one for another column. In the first one, I will argue that if the PPP wins a majority, there will be incredible hubris and hauteur and the opposition will be completely ignored. Let’s look at the second one. From the time the PPP declared shortly after the 2011 election that PPP supporters were prevented from voting

in Georgetown by opposition elements, the PPP had given away its strategy for confronting its minority status in the legislature – use the race card. Then came the horrible Chronicle editorial for which there was no apology from the PPP leadership. That commentary argued that African youths have been socialized to hate Guyanese Indians. Strangely, the PNC, AFC, ACDA, human rights groups, the churches and UG academics did not mount an energetic campaign against this vicious dogma. Sometimes you wonder if

the PPP ever thinks about the danger it creates in Guyana when it mounts its racist bandwagon. If African youths have been socialized to hate Indians, then how come after twenty-one years of PPP domination of Guyana we haven’t seen this hate and anti-Indian attitude from African police and African soldiers? But let’s move on. Then came the milking of the Agricola violence last year. The PPP’s race baiters were in full battle dress. A deadly instrument in instigating race hate was used by PPP parliamentarians and the state

media – Indian girls were molested on the highway during the confusion. If you want to see ethnic riots get out of hand just take your loudspeaker and announce to the village that girls have been sexually molested. One PPP parliamentarian said just that in Parliament. As recent as last week, racist interpretations were put to the spate of robberies in the countryside (see my last Sunday column). The second of the two fears I have about 2016 is that the PPP will go to extreme lengths to use racial hysteria to either win the election or win the plurality. My prediction is that there will be no re-thinking, no reflection on the inherent danger, no pause. The PPP election bandwagon will be to engender as much ethnic panic as is politically possible. All the signals are there. If between the beginning of 2012 and the advanced stage of 2013, a period we call “peace time” when elections are still far off, there have been ugly episodes of racist pandering, does anyone think the PPP will slow down as we come to late 2015 when the election season begins to take shape?

Frederick Kissoon What can be done? Both opposition party and civil society have to confront this ghost. But more importantly the business community will have to be made to understand that an investment climate is never secure when a society lives with the sword of Damocles over its head. I read where a columnist who has no interest in politics wrote that a Guyanese who wants to return home asked him what the fault lines are in Guyana, and he said he had to confess to her that the ethnic divide is something to be aware of. The real, real danger with ethnic pandering in multiracial societies is that racial violence is not something politicians, no matter how popular they are, could contain. Once word spread, all hell breaks loose as the world saw in Gujarat, India years ago. Race anger has the negative value of just getting out of hand. For this reason, I argued last Sunday that it was irresponsible for certain individuals and organizations to cite race as a factor in the recent spate of robberies. Suppose there was retaliation? I believe all Guyanese should speak out before 2016 comes.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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GPL head office hit by blackout Former Speaker urges an end to jury trials

GPL Main Street Office Ruckus ensued, yesterday, as the Main Street office of the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, (GPL) was plunged into darkness for several hours. Customers visiting the company began to complain, after GPL met with an extended power failure. Kaieteur News understands that scores of persons visiting the GPL office, yesterday, to conduct business, were unable to do so, given “the blackout”. This newspaper learnt of the situation after a frustrated costumer contacted the publication via telephone. “What is most inexcusable is that in situations like these, Guyana’s main source of electrical energy does not have a backup generator,” the angry customer speculated. When, Kaieteur News visited the GPL’s Main Street office, it was still in darkness. A few persons were standing in the yard, while a handful of GPL employees chose to sit in the security hut, in wait of

the return of power supply. This newspaper was told that while many customers went away as they were told that business could not be transacted in a dark building, some persons left the premises out of frustration. “Imagine I come here fuh pay me light bill and do me business and GPL ain’t got light. De cashier cyan see fuh do nothing. I deh here since morning. “Dem had a long long line in deh. We had to come outside and wait cause nobody can’t see fuh do nothing I got fuh do my business cause GPL dem does always ready fuh yuh.” Several essential corporate entities, including the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC) experienced the power outage as well. Several sections of the city were without power for a lengthy period. This newspaper subsequently learnt that the source of the power cut to be the “collapse” of two main utility poles situated along,

Lamaha Street, Georgetown. When this newspaper visited Lamaha Street, workers were attempting to restore the fallen poles, which were dangerously leaning on electrical wires. Kaieteur News learnt that a bulldozer clearing in a nearby field “uprooted the two lamp posts.” “In order that we rectify the problem, we had to turn off the main causing a disruption of service,” one worker explained. To acquire further clarification, into the issue, this newspaper contacted GPL’s public relations office. When asked whether GPL business office has alternative power source (backup generator) in case of emergencies, a representative of the company, could not comment but promised to return a call with the necessary information. However, when this never materialized, Kaieteur News again contacted the lighting authority, this time all calls went unanswered.

Workers attempting to restore the plummeted poles on Lamaha Street yesterday

Prominent lawyer and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, believes that the time may be right for the jury trials to be abolished in Guyana. According to Ramkarran in his weekly online column posted on his website, conversationtree.gy, the idea is to reduce possibilities of guilty persons escaping justice. Headlined “The Jury System Has Failed Guyana”, Ramkarran said that since last year he had argued for the abolition of jury trials because convictions are rarely obtained from juries even in the most glaring cases. Back then, the lawyer said, the Attorney General and several criminal lawyers disagreed with his suggestion. “I believe that on the scale of things, trial by jury is not an issue of paramount concern to most people. But crime is escalating and juries have continued to free the most violent criminals in the face of compelling evidence. I have not kept any figures and no statistics are published but I would not be surprised if less than five persons have been convicted in the last twenty trials. And it is not all because of faulty police investigations or incompetent prosecution.” Ramkarran, who is a senior partner in Cameron and Shepherd law firm, said that

on September 16, one of the Caribbean’s leading jurists, Chief Justice Ivor Archie of Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the opening address of the 2013/2014 Law Term. In the presence of leaders and senior legal luminaries, he said that the issue arose because there was concern that the quality of justice received was questionable. The Chief Justice pointed out that there is no constitutional right in Trinidad and Tobago to trial by jury, which also applies in Guyana. However, the argument in support of jury trials is that ‘juries are more in touch with life on the ground and that somehow translates into a truer verdict.’ “Another compelling argument advanced by Chief Justice Archie is that due to the secrecy of the deliberations of juries, the determination of guilt or innocence is neither transparent nor accountable. He suggests that this violates the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability in the dispensation of justice. He noted that a Magistrate or Judge has to give reasons for decisions while juries do not.” Ramkarran argued that trial by jury existed in various forms since Greek times and was officially protected by the

Ralph Ramkarran Magna Carta in 1215. It is considered in some jurisdictions, particularly common law jurisdictions like Guyana, to provide the ultimate safeguard against authoritarianism and the abuse of state power. “However, some common law jurisdictions such as India, Pakistan, Singapore and others have abolished trial by jury. In the case of India it was because of the divided nature of the society which resulted in jury decisions being made on the basis of prejudicial factors instead of the facts of the case.” Ramkarran said that many developed countries have (continued on page 24)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Still no breakthrough in Diamond businesswoman murder Police are still to make a breakthrough in the murder of Diamond, East Bank Demerara business woman Sirmattie Ramnaress, who was found dead in her house on August 31 last. So far, investigators have been unable to identify a suspect, although they have interviewed several persons, including Ramnaress’ reputed husband Collin Bailey, a Sergeant of the Guyana Police Force. Detectives have taken DNA samples from Bailey and some of the dead woman’s close associates, in the hope of finding the perpetrators behind what they believe were her wellplanned murder. Crime Scene ranks also took DNA samples from a few beverage bottles that were on a table in the slain woman’s Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara house. A source said that the beverage in one unopened bottle was still cold when the detectives visited the scene after the murdered woman was found. While this may be one key link to the identity of the killer(s), it will take some time before the results are obtained. “Normally these results take a long time, but we are going ahead with some other evidence that we have

gathered so far,” a senior police official told Kaieteur News last evening. Investigators had also collected fingerprints from the dead woman’s car which was discovered abandoned on the East Coast of Demerara, hours after her body was found. Although the woman’s house was fitted with a high level security system, including surveillance cameras, detectives are still unable to ascertain what transpired between the hours that Ramnaress was last seen alive and when her body was discovered. From the evidence, the killer(s) was smart enough to remove the entire device that stored footage from the cameras. While investigators found signs of forced entry at the woman’s house, they still suspect that the perpetrator(s) was known to her. “Whoever did it, tried to destroy all the evidence by trying to burn the place down,” the source stated. It was the smoke from the attempted fire that alerted persons to the house. The dead woman’s reputed husband who was initially under suspicion is back at his job and continues to maintain his innocence. He had urged

investigators to try and obtain a back-up of the camera footage from the surveillance cameras, but so far they have been unable to do so. The source said that investigators are not focusing on one individual and suggested that the identity of the woman’s killers may come as a surprise to some if the case is solved. A senior police official had expressed optimism earlier that investigators were making progress. However, it’s been close to a month and investigators are no closer to solving the puzzle than they were two weeks ago. Meanwhile, investigators in the same division are still awaiting the surrender of

Sirmattie Ramnaress Kirk Davis

Rondy Jagdeo Rondy Jagdeo, the suspect in the murder of Eccles biker Kirk Davis, who was recently spotted in neighbouring Suriname.

Davis was riddled with 16 bullets, four days after the Diamond murder, sending tremors through the minds of city residents who still fear that a crime wave is in progress. Police are also pinning their hopes that law

enforcement officials in Suriname will apprehend the suspect should he refuse to surrender. Commissioner of Police (ag), Leroy Brumell had disclosed almost two weeks ago that his Force is actively soliciting the help of (continued on page 24)

“University of Guyana downgraded to High School of Arts and Sciences” - Union President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) Dr. Patsy Francis has objected to the proposals forwarded by newly placed Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi in his quest to realise “value for money.” The union president has argued that, “Professor Opadeyi has failed to lay

before Council a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the University,” while opining that the tertiary institution is being downgraded to a “High School of Arts and Science.” Professor Opadeyi told media operatives last week that to realise value for money, a move to have lecturers work more hours, is under consideration by the UG Administration. Professor Opadeyi is of the view that “you cannot have a full-time lecturer teaching one course in a semester and get 12 months’ salary…” He said that other workers across the country are required to work a certain amount of hours per week, and the University will be looking to ensure that lecturers are assigned

teaching duties of at least 18 hours per week. The Professor had further disclosed that the greatest expenditure of the University is salaries and entitlement, with salaries accounting for a monthly expenditure of $120M; an amount he said is always increasing although the productivity is not. Professor Opadeyi stated further that the contractual obligations of lecturers stipulate that they work at least 360 hours in a single year but according to him, “...we interpret that at most (360 hours).” He disclosed further that moves are being made to realise a quality assurance system to see all programmes having a second examiner, even as all third and fourth year programmes will have an external examiner.

Professor Opadeyi had noted however, that efforts will have to be made to address the poor level of staff salary and compensation. “We cannot run a quality University using salaries that are not conducive to decent living.” He spoke also about moves to facilitate the upgrade of the University’s infrastructure. Francis says however, that Professor Opadeyi would have met on his commencement at the UG, “a highly qualified and mobilized staff struggling to improve the quality of their output, 5000 young Guyanese and others pursuing various programmes at UG and 1000 more waiting to enter.” She said, “Some of the programmes are already accredited, while an architectural plan for the new and emerging university was produced by the department of Architecture and a quality assurance plan and programme with staff from every section trained in its delivery with a set up cost of $G8M.” She continued that a $US 10M dollar loan and other systems are already in place to facilitate the retrofitting of the science departments. The delivery of a final document costing $US250, 000 to enhance the regulatory framework for the improvement of operations at the University of Guyana was already in place, plus a loan agency providing funding for students. Additionally Francis said the budget submissions for 2011 included additional new (continued on page 23)

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Unlicensed driver charge against Burke dismissed at DA’s request …cops under probe A Brooklyn judge on Friday dismissed a criminal summons issued to President of the New York-based Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), Rickford Burke, for allegedly driving with a suspended license in Brooklyn on January 15, 2013. When the case was called on September 20, prosecutors representing Kings County District Attorney (DA) Charles Hynes told Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Geraldine Pickett, “The People are seeking to dismiss this case in the interest of justice.” Pickett then immediately tossed out the case. Burke’s Attorney, Mark Pollard, in January told the court that Burke is the victim of identity theft, and that he was unaware that his license was suspended, as the violations which brought about the suspension were committed by unknown individuals driving in his name. He said Burke cannot be held liable. Prosecutors then asked Judge Sharon Hudson to adjourn the case to allow them to investigate the matter further. Burke has been the victim of identity theft since 1999, when his wallet and identification documents were stolen in a robbery incident. During the ordeal he was also shot and injured. The perpetrator, who attempted to steal Burke’s vehicle, was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison. Since then several credit cards were fraudulently opened in Burke’s name and unknown individuals racked up numerous violations while driving under his name, causing the suspension unbeknownst to him. Officers from NYPD’s Brooklyn North Task Force approached Burke on the night of January 15, 2013 after he exited his parked Range Rover. They ran his information in their computer and informed him that his license was suspended. He was later taken to Brooklyn’s 75th Precinct and issued a criminal summons for “unlicensed driver.” An eight-month investigation by the DA’s office confirmed that an individual was convicted in 2000 for attempting to steal Burke’s vehicle, stealing his wallet and identification documents, armed robbery and causing psychical injury with a firearm. The investigation also verified that Burke, over a number of

years, made several police reports about someone using his identity. Prosecutors also substantiated that the violations on Burke’s driving record were indeed a result of identity theft. Pollard in a statement Friday said, “I thank the district attorney’s office for having the wisdom and judgment to dismiss the charge against Mr. Burke who clearly was the victim of years of identity theft.” For his part, Burke said that he was always confident that the case would be dismissed. “I’m a law abiding citizen. I never received a moving violation in nineteen years of living in the US. Now that the case and investigations are complete, I will ask the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to accelerate the process to sanitize my record.” In a turn of events, the officers involved in the matter are themselves now facing criminal investigation. Burke had accused the officers of misconduct. He maintained that he was not driving at the time and therefore should not have been charged. The officers also allegedly tampered with evidence. New York’s Civilian Complaints Review Board, which probes police misconduct, investigating, Burke’s complaint against the officers

last month referred that matter to NYPD’s Internal Affairs for criminal investigation. Burke slapped a $120 million defamation lawsuit against several Guyanese state and private media houses aligned with Guyana’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, as well as Kwame McCoy - public relations liaison to Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar. The defendants fabricated and published or broadcast a false, slanderous

story claiming that Burke was arrested for stealing someone’s identity to purchase his Range Rover. The State-owned Chronicle newspaper and NCN Television apologized and retracted the false story after Burke launched his legal onslaught, which is being prosecuted by Attorney at Law Nigel Hughes, who rejected the apologies and proceeded with the lawsuits. The case is currently being heard in Guyana’s Supreme Court.

Burke, in a statement Friday, ripped the Guyana Chronicle claiming that the editors of the State-owned newspaper “are cesspool political operatives who were not interested in reporting the truth but intended to engage in malicious slander to defame and sully his good name. He noted that “although the Chronicle claims to have apologized and retracted this false story, it has, from January 30, 2013 to now, continuously publish this said false article on its website

guyanachronicleonline.com, in open contempt and defiance of the instructions from my Attorney, Mr. Nigel Hughes. This has caused irreparable harm to my character and professional reputation. I have lost important consultation contracts as a result. Consequently I have directed my Attorney to seek substantial compensation for each day that this false, slanderous article has been published.”

Supenaam Ferry Stelling, yesterday for Supenaam to Parika were forced to wait an extra two hours. The news caused some to

disembark and to use the faster mode of transportation, the speed boat. Some were refunded. The Kanawan was originally

scheduled to depart Supenaam at 5:00 hours. No proper explanation was given to passengers for the two-hour delay.

Essequibo ferry delayed for two hours

A number of passengers, who attempted to board the Chinese “Kanawan”, which was scheduled to depart the

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Firearms (Amendment) Bill…

“Best way to fight poverty is AG must be more intellectual to increase the capacity of a nation” President Ramotar in responses - AFC Alliance For Change (AFC) leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has said that his party will re-table the Firearms (Amendment) Bill as a private members Bill coming from the AFC. The joint opposition voted against the Bill last March. It had been piloted by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, against whom the Opposition had passed a motion of noconfidence, last year. Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, is contending that the crime situation is linked to the failure of the government side to pass the Firearms (Amendment) Bill which was voted down by the opposition last March. “That Attorney General must understand that he must be more intellectual in his responses to what is causing the crime situation. We do not believe that the objection to this Bill had anything to do with the increase in crime,” Ramjattan emphasized. “However, as promised,

we are going to retable the both Bills and we will have them up for the approval of the National Assembly as a private members’ Bill coming from the AFC.” He said what the AG has been speaking about recently must be cause for concern. “We in the AFC would wish to tell him that as AG he must speak as AG for the whole country and not just as counsel for the PPP or any cabal of the PPP, since it will take Guyana no place. Note must be given to the root causes of crime and Guyana must professionalize the police force.” Ramjattan noted that if the logic of the AG is correct then after the Bills are passed in the National Assembly then there should be a reduction in crime. The combined opposition used its one-seat majority in the National Assembly on March 14, 2013 to vote against legislation brought by the government which if passed would have seen tougher penalties for gunrunners.

By Latoya Giles

AFC’s Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan Minister Rohee had proposed in the legislation several amendments to the substantive Firearms Act which were long overdue and had become necessary, given the spike in gun-trafficking and gun-related crimes. He had said that the government was particularly concerned about the impact that trafficking and the importation of guns were having on the socioeconomic fabric of society, as well as the safety and security of citizens.

President Donald Ramotar on Thursday last, while addressing the 11th European Development Fund Caribbean Regional Programming Seminar, told participants that the best way to fight poverty was to increase the capacity of a nation. President Ramotar said that while the European Union and the Caribbean have differences, they still have the majority on ‘common positions’. According to the President, Europe has made an important contribution to the region. It’s not just a relationship regarding economic issues but a mutually beneficial relationship according to him. Ramotar also made specific mention of the support which has been given to Guyana, especially as it relates to the country’s sea defence and conservation of coastland programmes.

Robb and Wellington Streets fatal accident…

Drunk driver kills father of two The dead man’s parents yesterday

Dead: Joel Baynes Even as the police are trying to implement more stringent laws for road users and those driving under the influence of alcohol, a taxi driver has become the latest road fatality following an accident early yesterday at the intersection of Robb and Wellington Streets, in the vicinity of C.N. Sharma television station. Dead is Joel Baynes, 34, of Lot 73 Section ‘C’ Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara. Baynes, a father of two has been working as a taxi driver for the past 11 years. He was attached to the Sheriff Taxi service. According to reports, the father of two was heading east along Robb Street when

a car PNN 1530, heading south on Wellington Street collided with Baynes’ taxi, HB 9018 around 01:00 am yesterday. The driver of the privately owned car reportedly drove away after the collision, leaving the badly wounded man in the wrecked car. Luckily, one of his colleagues who happened to be passing at the said time took him to the hospital where he later succumbed. A police source informed this publication that the driver walked into the police station around 07:00am yesterday with his relatives. The driver reportedly told investigators that he drove away from the scene because

he had his female associate in his car and had to rush her to the hospital since she suffered injuries as a result of the accident. He is currently in police custody at the station. Yesterday, when Kaieteur News visited the dead man’s parents’ home, his mother, Phyllis Baynes was inconsolable. She cried every time someone mentioned her dead son’s name. “He driving for so long and he never kill anyone. How can someone kill my son? Only yesterday (Sunday) he drive me to the airport to collect my baby granddaughter and he stop at a shop and tell me he will buy

whatever I want,” the elderly woman said in tears. His father, Franklin, a pastor said that he was at home sleeping when he received a call from the man’s wife, informing him that he had met with an accident. “She called me and tell me someone called and told her that Joel was involved in an accident and that he was at the hospital. After she hang up, the same person that call her, called me and said that he was in an accident and that he died and I shouldn’t bring his wife,” the older Baynes stressed. Joel Baynes leaves to mourn his wife, children, parents and siblings.

The President also praised the EDF’s support for the local sugar industry, which is a significant economic and employment force in Guyana. Ramotar also recommended that the EU look at new approaches of multi-country programming in agriculture, with the aim of reducing the region’s food import bill. The President also urged European Union (EU) officials to undertake a reappraisal of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to determine whether any tangible benefits have accrued to the signatory nations since it took effect five years ago. European Union Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs in his remarks noted that although EU remains committed to strong ties with the Caribbean, the region has to do better on project implementation. He also pointed to the need for the highest standards of accountability and transparency. The Commissioner also voiced his concerns on security, saying that it was a prerequisite for social and economic progress. The Commissioner announced that EU plans to boost cooperation with Haiti and unveiled a 1 billion Euro grant under the new funding programme. Commissioner Piebalgs said that there is need to deliver value for money and to think outside the box. He explained that the EU has been striving to do just that, setting up new mechanisms for blending loans and grants. He said that via the

President Donald Ramotar Caribbean Investment Facility, the EU can work with investment banks and gather sufficient resources for largerscale infrastructure projects. He noted that several Caribbean countries have a limited population adding that these projects can be particularly effective when pursued at regional levels. Commissioner Piebalgs pointed out that this is especially true for the energy sector, where the new CARICOM energy policy provides a solid basis for joint actions in the years ahead. And in addition to ‘blending’, he said that they must be open and ready to identify other innovative mechanisms to finance investments. “In times of financial crisis and budgetary constraints, it is even more important to ensure the highest possible level of accountability and transparency,” the Commissioner posited.

La Parfaite Harmonie teen missing Worried relatives of a 14-year-old girl are pleading with members of the public to assist them in finding their daughter, Judy Ann Singh of Lot 345 Recth-Door-Zee, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that the teen left her residence last Sunday around 1:00 hrs and was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt and denim jeans. Anyone with information regarding the teen’s whereabouts is kindly asked to contact her relatives on #666-4939 and #6029064/2275537.

Judy Ann Singh

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Police hunt five pirates Guyana’s blacklisting a ... non compliance with anti money in Pomeroon certainty laundering legislation to blame - AG

Police have begun a hunt for five heavily armed men who were dressed in military outfits and wearing bulletproof vests. The unknown men had carried out a series of robberies at sea, including one on five fishermen w h o m t h e y abandoned and tied to their 2,500lb seine, at sea, three miles outside the mouth of Moruka Saturday night Satyanand Persaud, the owner of “Sunny”, the vessel that was attacked Saturday, relating the incident as told to him by his five workers who are currently resting at home after the horrifying incident, said that

after his workers were rescued by Coast Guards he learnt that his boat “Sunny” and the 48 horsepower Yamaha engine were carted away by the heavily armed men. He said that the attackers had first fired warning shots at his me n , b e f o r e ordering them to remove the attached engine from the boat. But Persaud’s workers encountered difficulty removing the engine, which was securely attached to the boat. This led to the pirated taking boat and engine. After carrying out the act, Persaud said, the armed men proceeded to tie his workers to his 2,500lb seine which was

at the time set in the sea. Police at the Charity outpost were informed and the ranks found a boat which was allegedly used to carry out the piracy act, moored at the Charity wharf. Persaud said his boat is almost one and a half years old and it cost almost 2.5M dollars. At the time of the attack it had a large quantity of fish. The owner of the boat believed to have been used to carry out the act was questioned by both the police and Coast Guards. The man, who claim that he is from Moruka, Region One said his engine was stolen by robbers at sea.

Decision likely today in 800-acre West Bank Demerara property dispute A Supreme Court judge will determine the necessity of an injunction today after a bitter 800-acre land dispute over a West Bank Demerara property landed a family and a mining company before the courts. The family has argued that the property which the number one defendant; RMC SILICA Company Ltd. is “illegally” mining on, is family property which was passed down from generations. The family members brought the matter to the High Court claiming that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) was refusing to get involved in the issue and thus took that entity to court too. The government agency was named the number two defendant in the court case. The plaintiffs, Milton, Dotil, Desmond and Lloyd Major, with relatives Cleo Roberts, Philomena Daniels, Evelyn Fields and Claudette Drayton, say that they are being bullied out of the land at 13-16 Sand Hills Vreed-en-Rust. They claim that they are the heirs to the property and picketed the GGMC in early July of this year, calling for the Commissioner (acting)

Rickford Vieira to look into their dilemma. The family is being represented by Attorneys-atlaw Raphael Trotman and Dexter Todd. The lawyers had applied for an interlocutory injunction to stop the mining company from entering upon the parcels of land and to cease all the work on the said property. The injunction was granted by Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious. The family said that the land had been in their family’s possession from 1926, but for the last 20 years, the owner of the mining company has “imposed” himself on the property and is conducting sand mining. They said the businessman had also approached the High Court preventing the family from going on to the said land. The family thus filed a counterclaim preventing any mining to be done in the area. GGMC was involved in the court matter the plaintiffs said, because the GGMC was refusing to issue the businessman with a cease work order. The plaintiffs said that on the first encounter with the mining company, the family

property was in the process of being handed over from parents to children. The handover was in the court since 1993, but the property was officially handed over on July 16, last year. They continued that the mining company went further to present the family with documentation stating that he had permission to mine in the area, which was identified by the company as state land. The family said that the land title they presented as proof of ownership was rejected by the mining company and disregarded as being fake. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment had however issued a cease work order following the GGMC protest. Minister Robert Persaud said that it was investigating the sand mining activities on a private property in Sand Hills, Demerara River following objections brought to the Ministry by residents. The GGMC was thus ordered by the Minister to issue a Cease Work Order to all parties. As it was noted that the matter was before the court, the Minister had the cease work order enforced until the court matter was resolved.

While A Partnership for National Union (APNU) Leader has maintained that it is concerned with the quality of the Bill produced and not the time frame in which it has to be tabled, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs said that it makes no sense having the “best Bill” when the country will be blacklisted. The AG was speaking at a press conference held by the People’s Progressive Party at their Freedom House, Robb Street headquarters. Last week, the APNU Leader, commenting on the belated enactment of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act, had stated that the party is not bound by “bogus deadlines”. He said that in order to produce the “best” Act, the party is taking its time. “We are not going to be rushed into making another bad Act. We have too many already”. Then there was the

APNU Leader, David Granger passing of the August 26 deadline at which time a complete report on Guyana fulfilling the obligation of enacting of the Bill was to be submitted to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). According to the AG, however, this means that Guyana has violated every time frame prescribed by the

CFATF to complete the Bill’s enactment. He said that as a result of the non support of the joint Opposition, with regard to the passing of the bill, it is “stuck in a Select Committee”. Currently, he said, the country stands most likely to be placed on the list of non compliant jurisdictions. “It takes a country approximately five to seven years to be taken off such a list,” the AG identified. He said that should that occur at the next meeting of the CFATF, scheduled to be held in the Bahamas in November, the consequence will strike Guyana’s commercial sector, with its image as an investment and tourist destination being hit. “In the end, every single Guyanese would be affected,” he stated. Stating the fact that the Opposition has refused to assent to the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2012 for the reason that they “have no (continued on page 23)

Autopsies performed on Berbice murder victims

Post-mortems were performed yesterday at the New Amsterdam Hospital on the two recent Berbice murder victims. The pathologist, Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan, reported that 54-year-old Ravindranauth ‘Parbattie Bucket’ Chan died of a fractured skull and broken jaw. The badly beaten body of Chan was discovered around 20:00 hrs by his relatives and police at an abandoned house at Lancaster Public Road, Corentyne on Thursday. Chan and another man, Totaram ‘Ramesh’ Edwards, 49, popularly called ‘Rasta man’, were staying at a house in which they were believed to have engaged in a heated quarrel that grew into a physical confrontation. Edwards remains in police custody at the Whim lockups assisting with investigations. He is expected to be charged with murder later this week. Yadram ‘Muff’ Jaggai, 36, of Rambharose Street, Number 48 Village, Corentyne died of shock and hemorrhage, internal bleeding and a fractured skull. Jaggai’s bloody corpse was discovered in his home just after 16:30 hrs on Saturday. The man’s reputed wife, his landlord, and police turned up and found a pool of blood in the kitchen and the body lying in the lower flat.

Dead men: (L) Yadram ‘Muff’ Jaggai and ‘Parbattie Bucket’ Chan The impression was that the victim had crawled some distance before he died. Additionally, cops recovered an ice- pick from the crime scene. Three of the man’s friends have been arrested and are in police custody. Hemawattie Balkisoon, Jaggai’s reputed wife, who resided some distance away at Lot 19 Public Road, Number 45 Village, stated that she received a telephone call on Saturday afternoon and left the home immediately for Number 48 Village. “Me and the landlord [of the building] go in and me see his body. Blood was in the bottom house and I see blood in the whole kitchen, bottom

flat—all over.” She added that her husband’s body was lying on its back, face up and [he] had on a pair of jeans. “The place was very dark; I couldn’t see any cuts on his body or injuries. The place had no electricity.” The man’s bloody corpse was then lifted out on a stretcher and taken to the Skeldon Hospital mortuary. Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, one of the sisters of the deceased, Babita, stated that the relatives are rushing to bury the body which was found in a decomposed state. “Like he died since Thursday night or so…his body was decomposing!”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

PROPERTY FOR SALE

FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

House size 32’x24’ unfinished, land 80’x40’. Location Lusignan- Price $10M neg- Call:617-5714

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $18,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

One Toyota Regious, Price $1.6M- Call:262-0218/6410748

1 Nissan X-Trail, year 2006. Price negotiable. Excellent condition- Contact Vishaul @ 612-6867

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 Newly painted 6 bedrooms house, garage & concrete fence $15.5M neg- Call:6195332/604-4174 Better Hope $15M, West Bank $8.5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, Robb street (2 buildings) $125M- Call Diana @626-9382/227-2256 One Charlestown property with business potential- Call: 673-5882 Two storey wooden & concrete building. Located at Duke street, KingstonCall:227-2157 One 2 storey building with 8ft drive way with two apartments bottom flat in Kitty- Contact Ameer 6955815

Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Large copier machine for multiple printing on large scale- Call:600-0036/223-1719 One minelab GPX 5000 gold detector, going cheap. Call:677-9230/693-0675 Pure Rottweiler Call:650-8496

pups-

Pitbull pups fully vaccinatedCall Johnny:628-9884 Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call:656-1326/6780058 4 German shepherd pups. Mother ’s black, father’s white. They are six weeks old- Call:677-4364 1 German Roller & 1 Hauler Truck (Low bed)Contact:681-2995 Mix bred puppies for saleContact:253-3114 or 692-0126 Video recording spy pen $6,500- Call:671-6177 Premium and slightly damaged corrugated zinc sheet- Call Tel: 226-7054 GPS system Map (76)Call:600-0036/223-1719 Ice machine, smoothie machine & small fridgesCall:231-0655/683-8734

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

One Mitsubishi Canter GNN 4613 series. Also household articles- Call: 698-8100/ 266-5191 Just arrived: Spring Filled Mattress from the US, Queen Size & King size etc. Call:624-6471 Pitbull pups for sale- call:2239497 Generators, refrigerators, TVs, amplifiers, tools & DVD players- Call:261-2988

FOR SALE Wages Envelopes, order by call $7 each- Call:671-0601 Diving Suits- Call:265-3449/ 613-5158 Honda CBR 600RR F4I, CE. Asking $800,000 negCall:647-6506 or 660-0444 One stall (3 in 1) at La Penitence market. Also 1 glass cooler 110 volts & one 125cc Jailing ScooterCall:695-5815 Claims Gold land @ Ekeruku- Call:600-0036/2231719 Daily Pork wholesaleCall:266-2711/609-4594

Games for sale: X-box & Play Station. Large land @ Bagotville, W.B.D $6.5MCall:600-0036/223-1719 Energy saver bulbs - Call: 680-6374 WHOLEPLUCKCHICKENCall:676-0931/686-7180 Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203 15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594

Shop your vehicle online and save more than buying it there. Duty free letter accepted - Call:663-0584 Corolla Axio - TV/ DVD $2.875 - Call: 697-0294 2006 UNREGISTERED PREMIO FULLY LOADED $2.8M. 2003 UNREGISTERED SPACIO BODY KIT, FULLY LOADED $2.25MCALL:642-7295/617-2891 1 -2004 Madza RX-8 6 speed needs an engine, 1 -2004 new model Noah. Both never registered- Call:664-3755 1 Mazda Axela late PPP series- Call:664-3755 Toyota Sprinter AE110. Top condition $1.1M negotiableCall:611-3210 or 690-9168 New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234 New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234 1 RZ Toyota Hiace minibus, working condition- Call:6625614 1 Hilux pick up Solid DEF $1.7M, 1-D4D Hilux pick up, 2007 year model $3.5MCall:644-5096/697-1453 1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615 1- AA60 Carina- Call:6895254/643-0332 Norpan Auto: Premio, Raum, Fielder Wagon, Alex & Vitz. Some credit availableCall:269-0432/686-0323

Toyota AT192, AT212, AT170, Ceres, EP71 Starlet, G-Touring wagon, Tundra, Tacoma- Call:644-5096/6971453 Nissan Frontier: Automatic, extra cab, four wheel drive, GPP series. Owner leaving country. $2.6M negotiableCall:602-1271 1 RX8 Mazda: A/C, stick gear, wheel, lights, fog lamps, fully powered, PPP series, low mileage- Call:653-2477 Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108 Unregistered Toyota Tundra 4x4 and Toyota mini buses now in stock- Call:674-5911 or 647-7676 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979 First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307 110 Corolla, Vitz- Call:6797139 1 Leyland DAF GNN 2131 Call:259-1370/650-3447 1 Toyota Verossa: HID, leather seats & mags. PPP series- Call:618-7618 1- 1RZ minibus BNN 3760 automatic $2.1M neg. excellent working conditionCall:628-0310 New model 212, AC, alarm & 15" rims. Excellent conditionCall:667-9013 One Mitsubishi canter. Latest series, 15ft tray- Call: 254-0247/613-2150

1 Spacio ‘P’ series. 1 owner, excellent condition, Price reasonable & 1 AT212 PLL 3937 $1.150 neg.- Call:6520709/268-3572

1 Toyota Marino: AC, mags, CD player & alarm $725,000. 1 Toyota Tundra V6 engine & 20" mags $3.1M negCall:619-1047

Sand truck for sale- Call:6861616 or 255-0690

Nissan X-Trail, PLL series, one owner. Going cheapCall: 269-0432/686-0323

NZE, HC series, 1yr old. Chrome mirrors, wood finish, rims, CD player & alarm. Price $1.8M- Call Shahab 613-5484 ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2002/2003, AXIO 2008. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL:2317284/622-3823 Cheapest- Premio, Spacio, Hilux, Stick Gear Buses- Call: 616-7635

1 Honda ATV 450 bikeCall:626-3817

1 Jailing Scooter CF74 first owner- Call:2683468/ 666-7908

Samson Nuts & Bolts for sale, pick-up winches 135,000 lbs- 6.1 Ton-12V- Call:2580559

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

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WANTED One male cook to work in Interior- Call:666-6836 Contract vehicles with experience hire car and mini bus drivers- Call:645-0025 Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & drivers- Call: 613-0419. Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 2 Carpenters & 2 masonry ($6000 per day). 2 LabourersCall the office from Mon-Fri (7am-4pm) 265-3586 Live in attractive waitress, must have secondary education (18-25 years). Boarding & lodging free, $50,000 monthly- Call:6103974 Boys to learn mechanical trade, attractive salary. Preferably from the W.C.D and W.B.D- Call:697-3756/ 616-6007 General workers @ Secret Villa, Land of Canaan. Eight hours shift- Call:2665243/266-5245

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First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per day- Call:668-0306/6947817/225-6337 Fab’s Rental: Cars to RentCall:671-6051/609-6890 (Continued on page 23)

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

“University of Guyana downgraded to High... From page 14 activities totaling $39.3M. This included the establishment of a Quality Assurance Unit at $8.8M, strengthening of software services at $10M, licenced Software Programs at $11.4M,

Awards for Excellence at $1.7 M, extension of medical services after 16:30 hours at $2.4 M and additions of security consultancy at $5 M. “We therefore strongly urge Professor Opadeyi to put an end to piecemeal

PPP blame... From page 6 that he will bring back the Firearms Bill to the National Assembly. It is obvious that they recognize the importance of this Bill. Yet they rejected it! Why? Because they did not like the Minister who tabled it. The citizens of this country were, therefore, denied the protection of this law, the law enforcement agencies of the land were denied the use of this law as a crime fighting measure, because of the opposition’s capricious and whimsical dislike of the Minister who tabled it. “ Nandlall also linked the People’s National Congress (PNC) to several criminal acts

that occurred in the past. PNC is the main player in what we now know as APNU. Nandlall used that to justify APNU’s non support towards certain key Bills to address crime. The politician suggested that APNU is protecting the criminals. Nandlall made a call for “Guyanese to rise up and say to the Opposition, loud and clear, that the one seat majority, which they hold in the National Assembly, is held at the people’s pleasure and must be at all times be used for and in the best interest of all Guyanese and not at the fancy and caprice of personal likes and dislikes of the opposition.”

Guyana’s blacklisting... From page 21 confidence” in the current Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, the AG questions the reason for the non assent to the Anti Money Laundering bill, since it “has nothing to do with Minister Rohee.” “Is it that they have a vested interest in protecting money launderers and terrorists, or that they simply want Guyana to be blacklisted so that our business sector, our economy and our people will suffer. It must be one of

the two or both.” He further noted that the Opposition members “do not attend the meetings of the Special Committee,” the body tasked with fine tuning the bill before it is presented to the National Assembly. As of now, according to Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira at last week’s post Cabinet press briefing, the Special Select Committee will be expected to present a new report before the body meets again in November.

approaches and table for discussion a holistic plan for the reform of the university. To desist from tarnishing the university and its staff by issuing unwarranted and unfounded public statements, to help to revoke the powers of the UG Council to fire staff without due cause or process and desist from doing same, to support the implementation of effective financial management and oversight (no one, including the VC, is actually opposing this objective; ideas on mechanisms may however vary).” The union further urged Professor Opadeyi, “to avoid all actions that lead to division, suspicion, conflict and duress among staff and to urgently address the issues of salaries and other conditions of work for staff.” Francis pointed out that, “Professor Opdeyi said during his public presentation before landing the job ‘that he is the man for the Job.’ He claimed that he had the ability to create new products (programmes), attract new money and transform the ailing UG into a 21st century university. He has not delivered. ‘Show us the money’ if you can. Of 56 universities including UWI, no lecturer teaches 12 hours a week as is done by UG lecturers. This policy is grounded in scholarship and public service. High schools in Guyana carry the hours proposed by Professor Opadeyi. Maybe we should pay each of 5 top lecturers $US2200 a month to improve UG. We’d say that’s value for money.” (From page 22)

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Page 23

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TOUR

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

MP barred from Parika school meeting - parents vow more protests today Students protesting yesterday at the Parika-Salem Primary School.

MP Jaipaul listening to the complaints of a very vocal parent.

Protesting parents of a Region Three school walked out of a meeting yesterday after Minister of Education officials refused to allow a Member of Parliament (MP) to hear complaints. The parents had earlier blocked the gates of the Parika-Salem Primary School to protest the overcrowding and other conditions that operate at the school. Jaipaul Sharma, an MP for A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) was at the school. After the arrival of the area’s Regional Education Officer at the school, a meeting was scheduled with the parents. However, the parents were not too happy

after it was learnt that MP Sharma was not going to be allowed in to the meeting. Sharma is also co-host of the Justice For All Program on CNS 6. His father, well-known television personality, C.N. Sharma was also there with his cameras. Regional Education Officer (ag) Penelope McIntosh declined to comment on the decision to exclude Sharma from the meeting, remaining silent to questions posed. However, a colleague of McIntosh said it was protocol that no media allowed in meetings with parents. Asked about the MP’s presence, he had no comments.

The parents immediately said that no meetings will be held without their “representative”, he MP, being present. The meeting was abandoned and protest actions are expected to continue today. Earlier, before 08:00hrs, parents locked the gates leaving teachers and students out of the school. They only opened it after the rains came. But the protest was taken into the compound where students up to Grade Six bore placards and chanted for a new building. According to Alethea Baird, President of the school’s Parent/Teacher

Association (PTA), the conditions of the primary school have been raised several times with Region Three education officials. That department falls under the Ministry of Local Government and not the Ministry of Education. Among some of the complaints raised were overcrowding of classrooms, the state of classrooms, the poor conditions of sanitary facilities and the compound, among other things. Regarding the overcrowding, the parents said that learning conditions have worsened in recent times. Despite objections, a decision was taken to build a secondary school right in the same compound. The classrooms of that new school remained largely

Failure to report child abuse could see ... From page 6 Protection Agency is on a mission to raise awareness about mandatory reporting of child abuse with a view to saving more abused children in the society. The Child Care Agency is also relying heavily on its “Tell Campaign” which was launched and introduced in classrooms across the country with a view to enlightening children about their rights. The campaign, according to Greene, is also designed to empower children to protect themselves from various forms of abuse. “It is so difficult for children to tell about abuse because (they) are telling of persons that they trust and love; the one who is the abuser and it is difficult...a lot of children suffer in silence; they take responsibility (for the situation)...” disclosed Greene. And so in light of the fact that children cannot easily explain their dilemma, the ‘Tell Campaign’ was formulated, and has been yielding

success, according to the Child Care Director. “Every time the teachers do this in the classroom, a child tells of abuse even through drawings; some children can’t talk but they can draw...” Greene disclosed. The notion of c h i l d protection translates to the implementation of a multiplicity of factors which obviously must include children growing up in an environment that is free from harm, abuse and exploitation. Greene has underscored that building an environment suitable for children’s upbringing is one which requires Government to put safeguard measures in place such as policies laws and procedures. And there have been several laws enacted here in Guyana between 2009 and 2011 in this regard, as well as the implementation of the Child Protection Agency, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

According to Greene, “Guyana is a good place when it comes to laws for children...I have travelled around the Caribbean and we (Guyana) have real good laws; we have all the laws, we have the establishment of the Child Care Agency and we have child protection officers throughout the Regions.” Greene in her informed articulation to the media on Friday outlined that the creation of an ideal

environment for children, where they are safe, requires the support of all. In fact she insisted that “children can only be safe if families, communities and professionals work together.” And certainly there is a role for the media, Greene added. “We have recognised that we cannot do it alone, we must embrace NGOs (NonGovernmental Organisations) and civil societies to come on board,” said the Child Care Director.

Still no breakthrough in Diamond businesswoman ... From page 14 Surinamese counterparts to “bring justice and closure to one of the 92 murder cases that occurred this year”. Brumell at a press conference to brief the nation on his recent trip to Suriname with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and other leading security officials, said that the Guyana police force had provided information on the suspect to their

counterparts in the neighbouring Dutchspeaking Republic. The suspect’s girlfriend, who was reportedly wounded during the inc i d e n t , although she claimed that she was shot during a r o b b e r y, w a s b r i e f l y detained by police after her discharge from hospital. H o w e v e r she has reportedly declined to give a statement to the police.

empty, according to the parents. “We have parents complaining of their children being beaten by the bigger children from the secondary school. We have the headmistress forced to put up plastic to cover her windows to stop the rain. We have a compound that is slush when the rain falls. We have people entering the classrooms after hours because of holes in the walls,” Baird said. The washrooms of the teachers were constantly flooded and the classrooms remained extremely hot because of how they were built. “For over 20 years now, nothing has been done to the school. They call this the cowboy school. Our children can do much better. In some classrooms, we have children sitting while the bat droppings fall. We need attention to these.” There were also numerous complaints about the regional education department which parents say continues to turn a blind eye to the school situation. According to Member of Parliament Sharma, he is unclear what “protocols”

would cause him not to hear what parents are complaining about. “They say there are protocols. Obviously I will have to find out. Further, we have received complaints about schools especially in the West Demerara area. We are worried. This area is home to thousands of Guyanese. If the conditions are not right, it will affect students. The parents are rightfully worried. They want to know something.” The MP also said he has received complaints about other schools in the West Demerara area. He proposes to visit them. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education said, that the Minister was highly interested in complaints to which regional education officials were not paying attention. The Parika protests would follow a similar one that took place a week ago at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, another West Bank Demerara facility. Parents protested the conditions there too. That school was badly burnt in March but no repairs were done. The Ministry has since announced that $14M has been released to conduct repairs at that school.

Former Speaker urges an end to jury trials From page 13 developed fair judicial systems, including Germany and Italy, where decisions in criminal trials are made by tribunals consisting of a few judges and some citizens sitting together and making decisions on the guilt or innocence of the accused and passing sentence. “Even though in many countries trial by jury has been abolished or does not exist, there is some form of layperson input in determining guilt or innocence of accused persons because the decision-making panels comprise a number of such laypersons.”

He said that in recent years the rate of conviction in jury trials in Guyana has declined considerably even taking into account investigatory deficiencies and prosecutorial lapses. Also, many convictions are overturned on appeal because of inadequate summing up by judges to juries. “At the end of every criminal case tried in the High Court the Judge is required to assess the evidence and instruct the jury on the law. The number of appeals which have been upheld for this reason is extremely high.”

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

A most revealing table DEAR EDITOR, On Sunday last, Kaieteur News presented to this nation a most revealing table on three major projects. Editor, you must be congratulated for the way you have shown this nation exactly how Bharrat Jagdeo and Winston Brassington have been taking our hard earned tax-paying dollars and designing elaborate schemes to

enrich their circle of friends. Please, you have run the Marriott Puzzle and connected the dots on the Berbice Bridge and had it printed for a week at a time. Editor, for those that would have missed it, please re-print that chart that so clearly tells this nation what these people have been doing with our money. Asante Byron

I know who I am. Adam... From page 4 otherwise of Guyana having a Marriott Hotel. I saw many years ago when Trinidad & Tobago had no tourist what the Hilton Hotel, financed by the Government did for country’s economic and tourism

development. Now, much more recently, the Hyatt Regency, again financed by the government, is doing both in terms of advancing tourism and business development. We see it also in Barbados, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. We

will see the same in Guyana. I know who I am. Adam Harris can decide who he wants to be, a politician posing as a journalist or a professional working as a journalist. I will have nothing more to say on this matter. Kit Nascimento

Listen carefully, Mr. Gill... From page 5 are relegated to the last part of the PPP/C’s agenda. Mr. Gill should ask the Government questions like: What is the position with the Local Government Bills? What is the position of the Procurement Commission? What about the Office of

Ombudsman? It pains me to see people like Mr. Gill going to the trouble to make public comments, in the press, in a one-sided manner without thinking that readers are not stupid and that they are seeing through all the cover, Mr. Gill and others like him are

attempting to spread on the shameful acts of a regime that has diverted from a righteousness path. Remember the words of Bob Marley: “There’s a natural mystic blowing through the air.” Listen carefully, Mr. Gill. Listen! Aubrey James

An election with fewer... From page 5 stacked with those who are uncritical? Until significant institutional reform commences at the stage of political parties and how power is obtained at that level, I cannot trust those entities. Even the PNC which made history with its presidential selection process had flaws in its process, namely it was not wide enough and Mr Corbin remains a thorn in terms of the issue of who becomes the Opposition Leader.” I called for open primaries in March 2011, Bisram is

calling for them now. Clearly, in his mind and based on his twisted logic, Bisram has

more democratic credentials than Maxwell. M. Maxwell

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Page 28

Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Trini Scholar killed in Kenyan mall terrorist attack (Trinidad Express) Trinidad national Ravindra Ramrattan was among several people killed in a terrorist attack and siege at a Kenyan shopping mall that entered its third day yesterday. Ramrattan, who was awarded the President’s medal gold in 2002, was living and working in Nairobi, Kenya, since September 2011. He was employed as a research economist. It was reported that several people were killed and many others held hostage in an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi where al-Qaedalinked militants attacked. The Red Cross in Kenya said the death toll in the attack at Narobi’s Westgate Shopping Mall was at least 68. The Kenya Defence Forces posted on its Twitter account Sunday night that “most of the hostages have been rescued’’ and that four security forces had taken control of “most parts of the building.’’ Ramrattan, of Monroe Road, Cunupia, attended Presentation College, Chaguanas. He attained distinctions in mathematics, chemistry, physics and general paper at the Advanced Level examinations and was named President’s gold medal winner. Teachers and pupils were informed of his passing yesterday morning.

Principal Gary Ribiero said, “This (yesterday) morning we told the pupils at assembly and we had a moment of silence in his memory. At 11am, we are having a function for all scholarship winners and we will have a moment of silence for him. His photograph was placed on the corridor for all to see him. The pupils and teachers were saddened by his death. The school flag is at half-mast,” he said. A Facebook page was created in memory of Ravindra Ramrattan Sunday night. An invitation was extended to Ramrattan’s friends and relatives to attend a service at the Buddhist Temple in Nairobi. The Facebook post states, “Please join us this evening at the Buddhist Temple in Nairobi, starting at 5pm, to remember him and his incredible presence in our lives. Feel free to invite all those whose lives have been touched by him and who may want to attend.” At the family home yesterday, Ramrattan’s parents Bisnath and Parbatie Ramrattan said they had few details on the events leading to the death of their son. They first knew something was wrong with Ramrattan’s friends called on Saturday to tell of the attack at the mall. The friends said they were able to escape along with hundreds of other

shoppers, but could not find Ramrattan. The parents said they received another telephone call on Sunday night to say that Ramrattan had been killed in the mall. The parents, business owners said they were making arrangement to bring their son’s body home. According to a Reuters report yesterday “Thick smoke poured from the besieged Nairobi mall where Kenyan officials said their forces were closing in on Islamists holding hostages on Monday, three days after a raid by Somalia’s al Shabaab killed at least 62 people. It remained unclear how many gunmen and hostages were still cornered in the Westgate shopping center, two hours after a series of loud explosions and gunfire were followed by a plume of black smoke, that grew in volume from one part of the complex. Kenya’s interior minister told a news conference that the militants - all men, though some wore women’s clothing during the assault - had set a fire with mattresses in a supermarket on the mall’s lower floors. Two “terrorists” had been killed yesterday, he added. Another assailant had died on Saturday. The gunmen came from “all over the world”, Kenya’s military chief said, adding: “We are fighting global terrorism here.”

EX-CJS SUPPORT CALL TO ABOLISH TRIAL BY JURY Two former chief justices, Michael de la Bastide and Satnarine Sharma, have come out in support of the abolition of jury trials as suggested by Chief Justice Ivor Archie at the opening of the 2013-2014 law term last Monday. In his address Archie advocated the abolition of jury trials for all criminal offences as opposed to just for serious crimes, and further opined that jury trials were too expensive and inefficient. He said the removal of jury trials would improve the criminal justice system. De la Bastide, told the Sunday Express last week: “I think the CJ made a very strong case and the points he advanced have a lot of merit.” Sharma pointed out: “I see nothing objectionable with the suggestion.” But even as the issue has found favour in some quarters, there are others, like criminal attorney Daniel Khan who has already adopted the position that should trial by jury be abolished, he will withdraw from all cases at the High Court in protest. Khan, in an interview with Sunday Express, said he represents 35 accused in the High Court—25, of whom are murder accused. “I will withdraw from all matters in protest and deliberately try and frustrate the system,”

Khan said. Khan said the jury trial was T&T’s landmark against arbitrary executive power “and the proposed bill seeks to threaten this”. But he added that such moves must be resisted “as it saps and undermines this sacred right by introducing new and arbitrary methods of trial”. “Jury trials are considered to be part and parcel of a democratic society and the act seeks to curtail the people’s participation in the administration of the criminal justice system,” Khan said. Admitting there was no expressed constitutional right of an accused to have a trial by jury, Khan said it could be argued that as a matter of settled practice such a right “exists by virtue of the constitutional right to due process”. Citing the example of police misconduct, Khan said judges may not know the reality of police brutality and police conspiracies which are issues that often arise in many criminal cases. “The common man is more aware of these occurrences and better equipped to resolve issues involving the creditability of police officers,” he said. “I am of the opinion that the individual biases of a particular juror are dismissed by their collective deliberation in the jury room,” he added.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Kenya says all hostages freed in al Shabaab mall siege (Reuters) - Kenya said its security forces had taken control of the Nairobi shopping mall where Islamist fighters killed at least 62 people, and that police were doing a final sweep of shops early today (Tuesday) after the last of the hostages had been rescued. There was an eerie silence outside the mall after a day in which gunfire and explosions were heard in the Westgate mall. A trickle of survivors escaped the building throughout the day yesterday, but the fate of people listed as missing was unclear. Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which began at lunchtime on Saturday. Kenyan officials say there were 10 to 15 attackers. President Barack Obama offered U.S. support, saying he believed Kenya - the scene of one of al Qaeda’s first major attacks, in 1998, and a neighbor of chaotic Somalia would continue to be a regional pillar of stability. Kenyan security forces believed the end was in sight for the siege at the upmarket shopping mall in the capital, saying its forces were “in control” as the ordeal entered its fourth day. A government official said there was no resistance from the attackers late last night after a barrage of gunfire and blasts throughout the day, but that the security forces were cautious in case some attackers were hiding in the building. “Our forces are combing the mall floor by floor looking for anyone left behind. We believe all hostages have been released,” the Ministry of Interior said on Twitter. The siege has followed a pattern of bursts of gunfire and activity followed by long lulls. Patronized by well-to-do Kenyans and expatriates, Westgate mall epitomized the African consumer bonanza that is drawing foreign investment - from West and East - to one of the world’s fastest growing regions. Al Qaeda killed more than 200 people when it bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998. When fighters from its Somali ideological counterpart stormed the mall on Saturday, they hit a highprofile symbol of Kenya’s economic power. Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, said the United States stood with Kenyans against “this terrible outrage”. “We will provide them with whatever law enforcement support that is

necessary. And we are confident that Kenya will continue to be a pillar of stability in eastern Africa,” he said in New York. Kenya has sent troops to Somalia as part of an African Union force trying to stabilize the country, which was long without a functioning government, and push back al Shabaab. It has also suffered internal instability. President Uhuru Kenyatta, who lost a nephew in the weekend bloodbath, faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in coordinating violence after disputed elections in 2007. He denies the charges. Kenyatta has dismissed a demand that he pull Kenyan forces out of Somalia, saying he would not relent in a “war on terror”. British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he believed six Britons had died in the attack. Other known foreign victims are from China, Ghana, France, the Netherlands and Canada. Kenyan officials said the total death toll was at least 62. FOREIGN FIGHTERS Kenya believes there are also foreigners among the attackers, with military chief Julius Karangi saying they came from all over the world. “We are fighting global terrorism here,” he said, without giving their nationalities. U.S. authorities are urgently looking into information given by the Kenyan government that residents of Western countries, including the United States, may have been among the attackers, U.S. security sources said. White House deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said he had no direct information that Americans had participated in the attack, but expressed U.S. worries. “We do monitor very carefully and have for some time been concerned about efforts by al Shabaab to recruit Americans or U.S. persons to come to Somalia,” Rhodes told reporters travelling with Obama to the United Nations in New York. Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said the militants had set fire to mattresses in a supermarket on the mall’s lower floors and his ministry later said the blaze was under control. Two attackers were killed on Monday, taking the total of dead militants so far to three, he told a news conference. Speculation rose about the identity of the attackers. Ole Lenku said they were all men but that some had

A police officer walks towards the edge of a security perimeter put into place a distance from the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi, in the early hours of the morning during a standoff operation between Kenyan security forces and gunmen inside the building today. (REUTERS/Siegfried Modola) dressed as women. Despite his comments, one intelligence officer and two soldiers told Reuters that one of the dead militants was a white woman. This is likely to fuel speculation that she is the wanted widow of one of

the suicide bombers who together killed more than 50 people on London’s transport system in 2005. Called the “white widow” by the British press, Samantha Lewthwaite is wanted in connection with an

alleged plot to attack hotels and restaurants in Kenya. Asked if the dead woman was Lewthwaite, the intelligence officer said: “We don’t know.” A spokesman for al Shabaab warned they would kill hostages if Kenyan troops

tried to storm their positions. “The mujahideen will kill the hostages if the enemies use force,” Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said in an online audio statement. From Mali to Algeria, Nigeria to Kenya, violent Islamist groups - tapping into local poverty, conflict, inequality or exclusion but espousing a similar antiWestern, anti-Christian creed - are striking at state authority and international interests, both economic and political. John Campbell, a former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, said he believed insurgents such as those who rebelled in Mali last year, the Nigerian Boko Haram Islamist sect and the Nairobi mall raiders were also partly motivated by anger with what he called “pervasive malgovernance” in Africa. “This is undoubtedly anti-Western and antiChristian but it also taps into a lot of deep popular anger against the political economy in which they find themselves, in which a very small group of people are basically raking off the wealth,” he said.

Egyptian court bans Muslim Brotherhood (Reuters) - An Egyptian court yesterday banned deposed President Mohamed Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood and ordered its funds seized - a crippling strike in the campaign to crush the Islamist movement. The case was brought by a lawyer from the leftist Tagammu party on the grounds of protecting Egyptians from violence. It was not stated if he was acting at the instigation of the army-backed government, which is mounting one of the fiercest crackdowns against the group in decades. “The court bans the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood organization and its non-governmental organization and all the activities that it participates in and any organization derived from it,” presiding Judge Mohammed al-Sayed said in a ruling. He also ordered the government to seize the Brotherhood’s funds and administer its frozen assets. The ruling did not specifically mention the Brotherhood’s political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party. But the state news agency quoted Freedom and Justice Party spokesman Hamza Zawbaa as saying the party rejected the ruling and would appeal. “What is happening to

the Brotherhood translates to a return of the police state after having removed it through the January 25 revolution,” he said, describing the revolt that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011. In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said it was unclear how the decision would be implemented and the Obama administration was seeking more information. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki reiterated that the United States wanted to see an inclusive political process involving all Egyptians and leading to a return to democratic, civilian rule. “All parties should avoid steps that would undermine this process,” she said. The Brotherhood has seen hundreds of its members killed and thousands arrested since the army overthrew Mursi in July. The ruling may force the Brotherhood to go underground, especially as public support for it has dropped. The court’s decision also raises the possibility that some Brotherhood members will lose faith in peaceful resistance and take up arms against the government. Mohamed Beshr, a senior Brotherhood official, said the

ruling would not impede the search for a political solution to Egypt’s crisis. “We want a state based on laws and institutions and we seek judicial independence far from politics. But what took place in today’s ruling is against what we seek,” he told the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice online portal. The authorities, meanwhile, kept up the pressure on the Brotherhood, arresting Ahmed Fahmy, the former head of the upper house of parliament under Mursi, according to state-run Al-Ahram newspaper. The Brotherhood emerged from the shadows to win parliamentary and presidential elections after

Mubarak was overthrown. But many Egyptians became disillusioned with Mursi after he gave himself sweeping powers and mismanaged the economy, taking to the streets in protest and prompting the army move. Following Mursi’s overthrow, the Brotherhood organized rallies demanding his reinstatement, bringing on the fiercest campaign against it by security forces in decades. The government accuses the Brotherhood of inciting violence and terrorism and has put forward its own plan for new elections. Egypt’s state and private media now portray the Brotherhood as a terrorist group and an enemy of the state.

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Tuesday September 24, 2013

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Winston Stoby seek more Powerlifting glory today Winston Stoby lifts today at 5:00pm at the 2013 World Masters Championships which commences today in Orlando Florida at the Hyatt hotel. Stoby departed Guyana yesterday as the defending World Champion in the Masters M2 74kg Category and World record holder in

the deadlift 272.5kg. He is expected to better his personal record with a 277kg attempt achieved at the Local Masters championships in June earlier this year. Youngest lifter, Greg Page of the USA, starts as favorite. Due to inadequate funds the Federation was unable to

have a manager/coach accompany him. Despite this set back the Australian team has agreed to assist Stoby as a fellow commonwealth lifter and will be in his corner when he lifts. The GAPLF wishes Stoby all the best and hopes he will be successful in defense of his crown.

Winston Stoby

Haley slams 188 for Bush...

Tuesday September 24, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): A partner’s suggestions could trigger off a whole set of new ideas. These could involve changes to your surroundings such as a house move or a home improvement project. ************************************ TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): A sense of drive and vitality gives you a new lease of life. You attack all projects and chores with both a fresh outlook and a speed which is out of the ordinary. ************************************ GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Good results come through putting your creative imagination to work even in the most mundane of areas. You have some good ideas and your inventive mind will help solve your own and other people’s problems. ************************************ CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Do you feel as if life is uninspiring, not enough goes on and people around you aren’t getting along? Do you crave more excitement? ************************************ LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Events and conversations influence the more impressionable side of your nature. On the plus side, this should lead you to taking full advantage of new opportunities as they come your way. ************************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Finances could take a turn for the better and good news is likely to concern your future income.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): A need to branch out in new directions may mystify someone you live with. They might wonder why you’re spending so little time at home. SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Professional commitments conflict with your responsibilities to your home and family. You need to take stock of the situation and rearrange your priorities. ************************************ SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Time spent with others could alert you to new goings on in your area. New friends will be the result. ************************************ CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): You are about to see the end of one or two incidents you’ve been concerned with. These may connect your career, a probationary time, enterprise scheme or apprenticeship. ************************************ AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Your intuition is working overtime; you can almost sense what people are thinking. Because you anticipate what others are going to do, it will seem as if you’re steps ahead of them. ************************************ PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): You are standing at a crossroads and you don’t know which way to turn. You would like to wait for the direction to become apparent but it is time to make a choice and go one way.

From page 34 23, Ravindra Somwaru 2 for 21, Anesh Deonarine 2 for 22. At Bush Lot Farm on the Corentyne, Kennard’s Memorial beat Kildonan by 6 wickets. Kildonan 166 in 29.4 Overs with Aubrey Collins 59, Clifford Mc Kenzie 31, Karamchand Ramnarine 4 for 15, Satesh Mangru 2 for 15. Kennard’s Memorial 168 for 4 in 27.1 Overs with Doodnauth Ramnarine 50 N.O; Kamadevin Permaula 45, Godfrey Mendonca 2 for 18. At Wironi in the Berbice River, Wironi Conquerors beat fort Nassau by 65 runs. Wironi Conquerors 100 in 20.4 Overs with John Sinclair 37, Stevenson Grimmond 4 for 20, Richard Harris 3 for 31, Phillip Grimmond 2 for 30. Fort Nassau 35 in 13.3 Overs with John Sinclair 4 for 10, Kurt Sinclair 3 for 15. At Shieldstown, Shieldstown beat Blairmont Community Centre A by 50 runs. Shieldstown 156 in 35 Overs with Zulfikar Bux 37, Andrew Joynauth 33, Ryan Sutherland 2 for 18. Blairmont Community Centre A 106 in 28 Overs with Kumar Bridgelall 3 for 27, Altaf Khan 2 for 5, Mark Anthony 2 for 20.

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Kaieteur News

Courts Inc. Junior Tennis Tournament...

Top juniors cruise into finals The top juniors in the boys and girls 18’s division showed the benefits of playing at a higher level consistently when they cruised into the respective finals of the Courts-sponsored Junior Tennis Tournament which continued on Sunday, at the Racquet Centre. Gavin Lewis and Daniel Lopes will contest the Boys final, while new kid on the block Afruica Gentle and Nicola Ramdyhan will square off for the Girls title. Top seed Gavin Lewis showed no mercy when he dished out a 6-1, 6-0 hammering on little know Keshon Beaton who has been gaining valuable experience by competing on the regional circuit. Beaton was no match for his opponent’s speed, serving skill and powerful ground strokes, all of which is a critical combination to compete on the higher stage, while Lopes was equally dismissive of Craig Campbell, winning 6-1, 6-0.Campbell who is known to most on the circuit for creating the unexpected upset was put to the sword by the ever consistent Lopes. The match up was predicted to be one of an exciting encounter, but Lopes broke his opponent very early and never looked back and he quickly wrapped up both sets and the match. Meanwhile, the girls’ final

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Mackeson/TGH Pacesetters Inter-Ward Basketball C/ships

Albouystown, Wortmanville set up gruelling final By Edison Jefford

Gavin Lewis

Daniel Lopes

Afruica Gentle

Nicola Ramdyhan

is set after the top two seeded players booked their spot in contrasting styles. Twelve years old Gentle has been creating a buzz on the regional circuit and she showed little mercy in her clash against Johanna Ramsammy, beating

her 6-0, 6-0. Ramdyhan on the other hand did not break a sweat as she gained a walk over from Diana Bharat. The finals of the 18’s division are slated for this weekend, at the same venue.

Basketball pundits and enthusiasts could not have predicted a better Inter-Ward Basketball final than Albouystown/Charlestown taking on Wortmanville/ Werk-En-Rust in what is expected to be a gruelling physical showdown for the 2013 title beginning Friday. Both teams have similar ‘hard nose’ (rough) backgrounds from South Georgetown, and reached the final after wins Sunday night in the penultimate round of the competition. In the first game, defending champs, Albouystown/Charlestown beat Alberttown/Bourda 6249 to return to familiar territory. Collis ‘Forty’ Pluck, who had a massive quarterfinal game, continued to be the main man for his team with 21 points and five rebounds while Joel Ifill scored 12 points and collected a mammoth 22 rebounds, which was the most in the tournament to-date. Forward, Yannick December scored 12 points for Alberttown/Bourda that had upset Melanie to reach the semi-finals. Kevin ‘Micey’ Cumberbatch and Olatunde Griffith scored 11 points apiece to support December, who had also led his team against Melanie.

Badminton take centre stage for first time today Swimming, cycling also on

last Wednesday and would have played warm up matches against opponents from Columbia, Argentina, Venezuela and Ecuador. On the cycling circuit, Crystal Lambert and Shaquel Agard will contest the Time Trials while swimmers, Omar Adams, Hannibal Gaskin and Onika George will also be in action. Table Tennis will come into focus tomorrow, the Technical Meeting is set for today.

In the featured game of the Mackeson-sponsored Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters Inter-Ward Championships Sunday night, Wortmanville/WerkEn-Rust ensured that they will play the indomitable Albouystown in the best-ofthree final after a close 80-78 win against the offensive Plaisance/Vryheid’s Lust in the other semi-final. Guard/forward, Michael Turner had a massive game for Wortmanville with 28 points and eight rebounds, while Joslyn Crawford and Randy Richardson had 16 points apiece, grabbing eight and 14 points respectively; Naylon Loncke scored 10 points as well. For Plaisance/Vryheid’s Lust, guard, Ron Campbell had a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Ryan Gullen and Shelroy Thomas had 14 points each, with Gullen grabbing 18 rebounds and blocking six shots; Enoch Mathews had 11 points. As expected, Plaisance rushed the ball up the court in the first quarter with Mathews landing the jumpers and finishing inside plays; Nikkoloi Smith drove the ball inside for a 15-7 lead midway through the period, but Turner landed a huge threepointer to cut lead. Thomas then finished an up-and-under layup for a 1913 Plaisance lead with two minutes to play in the initial period of the game, which Plaisance controlled until the closing minutes of the final quarter. Smith landed a huge three-pointer that maintained a 22-13 lead, but the quick 7-0 run from Wortmanville hauled them to within two points as the quarter ended 23-22 in favour of Plaisance. The East Coast basedPlaisance ran a man-to-man defensive system early in the second quarter that forced

three turnovers from Wortmanville. Thomas extended their lead with a huge top-of-the-key threepointer for a 10-point (34-24) lead five minutes before halftime. Wortmanville’s Loncke and Shawn Gillis and Plaisance’s Stephan Gillis exchanged missiles in the closing minutes before halftime from three-point range, but Plaisance still managed to come out with 4439 points’ lead midway through the deciding game. Both teams exchanged offence in the third period with Wortmanville hauling to within one point of Plaisance (51-52), but Thomas and Campbell led Plaisance to a 60-53 lead with three minutes to play in the penultimate quarter that ended 66-59 in favour of Plaisance. However, after losing the three quarters before, Wortmanville literally went to the streets for Plaisance in a gritty and tough display of basketball that obviously slowed the momentum of Plaisance, who struggled against Wortmanville’s physicality. Consecutive inside plays from Wortmanville through put-backs from Richardson gave them their first lead of the game at 71-70; Turner finished an And1 play for a further 74-70 lead. However, Thomas drilled a big threepointer to level the scores at 75 and set up a final two minutes of very entertaining basketball. The scores remained locked at 76 then Loncke and Richardson went to work inside again to give Wortmanville the win. The nippy Plaisance unit that had scored in excess of 100 points twice in the tournament were visibly dumbfounded after Wortmanville snatched victory from them with a physical display of basketball that was foreign to them.

Heavy rain forces abandonment of both games Champions League T20 2013...

Gokarn Ramdhani flanked by Ambika Ramraj (right) and Narayan Ramdhani Guyana’s Badminton players at the 1st South American Youth Games, Ambika Ramraj and Narayan Ramdhani will take to the courts for the first time today when they open their quest for glory at the Instalociones de Badminton del Club Regatas. Both players have been

drawn in Group B of the singles; Ramraj will come up against the number two seed - Daniela Macian of Peru and Santusha Ramzan of Suriname and only needs win to advance to the quarterfinal round. Ramdhani will come up against Soren Opti of

Suriname and Lizana Bastian of Chile and like Ramraj, only needs a win to advance. However, both players will be seeking to take care of both opponents in their groups. The duo has been hard at training under Coach Gokarn Ramdhani ever since arriving

ESPNcricinfo - Heavy rain in Ahmedabad washed out both games on day three of the Champions League T20. Lions captain Alviro Peterson had just enough time to win the toss and elect to bowl against Perth Scorchers before the persistent deluge arrived to wipe out any chance of play. Ground staff covered the square immediately after the toss, but the fourth match of the Champions League T20 was called off around 90 minutes after that, with the ground

having taken on a great deal of water. The rain, though, refused to let up, and resulted in the calling off of the next game about half an hour before its scheduled start. The four teams - Otago Volts and Mumbai Indians were to play the second game - took two points each. Mumbai now have just two points from their first two games after they lost their opener to Rajasthan Royals. This was the first match for Lions, Otago and Scorchers.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 33

FOO, CHATTERGOON, MOTIE help Albion batter Young Warriors to take Berbice Bridge one day title By Samuel Whyte A masterful display of power hitting and batsman ship by the Albion Cricket club pair of accomplished national players, in West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon and the pugnacious all-rounder Jonathan Foo, led Albion to 308 to record a demoralising 123 runs victory over Young Warriors in the final of the Inaugural Berbice Bridge Company First Division 50over knockout cricket competition played on Sunday at the Cumberland Ground East Canje Berbice for teams in the Ancient county. Winning the toss and electing to take first strike on the small ground in front an appreciative crowd, Albion were on 34 for 2 in the ninth over before Foo joined opener Chattergoon to begin the (demolition job) Foo and Chattergoon show. Foo, the right handed allrounder, was back to his brutal best as he clobbered the bowling to all parts of the small ground in galloping to a quick fire145, which included five massive sixes and fourteen scorching boundaries. The left handed Chattergoon used his experienced and played the supporting role as he

The winning Albion team display their trophy. compiled a brilliant 102, blasting two sixes and seven scintillating fours in the interim. They blasted 217 in just 201 deliveries in their third wicket partnership batting from the ninth over to 42nd over. Young Warriors tried six bowlers before young left arm spinner Karanchand Ramnarine had Chattergoon caught behind at 251. It was a gem to watch as the two entertained the crowd as the runs flowed freely. Their display was not only entertaining, but was a good warm up and an ominous warning to their

opponents in the ongoing Inter County competition. The partnership was so dominant that only Balchand Baldeo with 10 reached double figures as Albion galloped to 308 all out in 49 overs. Bowling for Young Warriors Ramnarine had figures of five for 48, while medium pacer Suresh Dhanai and off spinner Linden Austin took two wickets each. The home team began their chase after the mammoth target in earnest with the young and enterprising West Indies U-19 selectee Shimron Hetmyer giving them a brisk

and encouraging start with four meaty sixes and three spanking fours in an entertaining 45 before he fell with the score on 46. He tried the aerial route too often and once he went Young Warriors struggled. They could not keep up with the scoring rate, with Ishwar Singh 35(1x6, 2x4), Dhanai 26 not out (3x6, 1x4), Sean Hetmyer, who tried to hold the innings together with 28(1x4), Veteran Anil Beharry batting at number 11with 16(2x6) and Mortimer Fraser with 11(1x4) gave the home crowd something to shout

about as their team fell for 185 off 37.5 overs to lose by the wide margin of 123 runs. Bowling for the visitors West Indies U-19 selectee, left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie Kanhai was in mesmerizing form with the ball, snaring 6 for 27 from 10 overs, while Baldeo picked up two and there were one apiece for captain Devendra Bishoo, Foo and Sharaz Ramcharran. At the presentation ceremony that followed, BBCI representative Amaranth Singh in brief remarks thanked the BCB for organising a wonderful competition. He

said that the company was very pleased with how the competition was organised and the mileage they got. He stated that his principals will definitely continue with their partnership in the future. He also congratulated the winning Albion team and thanked all the teams that took part in the competition. Captain of the winning Albion team Devendra Bishoo congratulated all of his team mates and said that the club is in the habit of winning, noting that when the competition started that was their focus. Executive member of the Berbice Cricket Board, Carl Moore, in remarks congratulated the winning Albion team and thanked the BBCI for coming on board and showing fate with the BCB in sponsoring the competition. He said that the competition was a success and allowed the board to showcase the talent of Berbice cricketers despite the poor weather which affected the competition that started in April. Albion received $80,000 and the winning BBCI trophy, while Young Warriors collected $40,000 for their effort. Man of the match Foo pocketed $10,000 for his outstanding performance.

PETRA ORG ANISA TION/COURTS PEE WEE SCHOOLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT ORGANISA ANISATION/COURTS

Beginners Coaching Workshop concludes The Petra Organisation / Courts Pee Wee-organised 2day Beginners Coaching Workshop came to a successful conclusion on Sunday, at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. The Workshop, which was facilitated by the Guyana Football Coaches Association, saw some fifteen of the twenty-four schools slated to participate in the upcoming competition present at the Workshop which had as resource personnel Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Wayne Dover and junior national team Head Coach Gilbert Sampson among others. According to Co-Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca, the Workshop was organised to improve the knowledge and technical skills of teachers of the schools to participate in the tournament that kicks off on September 28, at the Thirst Park ground. Mendonca said that it is also in keeping with

Participants (with certificates) seen with Workshop facilitators and GFF Vice-President Ivan Persaud (3rd right sitting) shortly before the Workshop concluded on Sunday. its aim to foster the development of the game and among the topics that were discussed during the Workshop were the role of the coaches and age related exercise, Environment Health and Safety, Practical Warm Up, Practical Fun Games,

Nutrition and Hydration, Injury prevention and Treatment and Technical Development. The participants were presented with certificates of attendance. Courts (Guyana) Inc. has also increased the size of the sponsorship which has now risen to in excess of

$3.3million with the top four teams expected to receive trophies and gifts, while all the participating schools will also benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The twenty-four schools confirmed to compete in the tournament are: defending

champions Marian Academy, St. Agnes, West Ruimveldt, St. Margaret’s, St. Sidwell’s, Tucville, South Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Ketley, St. Gabriel’s, F.E. Pollard, Enterprise, St. Pius, Sophia, Success, Redeemer, New Guyana, Stella Maris, St.

Winefride’s, Winfer Gardens, J.E. Burnham, East Ruimveldt, Green Acres and St. Angela’s. Also, present at the closing ceremony was Guyana Football Federation Vice-President Technical and Tactical Development Ivan Persaud.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

MYO are Raf’s variety store Inter- Jamaat 10\10 softball champs

Members of the victorious MYO team display their prizes along side representative of the sponsor. CIOG ‘s Shaykh-Moeen-Ul-Haq is standing extreme left, sponsor Fazal Rafeek is standing fourth from left and MYO President Azad Ibrahim is standing on Rafeek’s left. By Zaheer Mohamed Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) were crowned champions of the third annual MYO\Raf ’s Variety store nationwide InterJamaat 10\10 softball competition last Sunday. Playing at the MYO ground in Woolford Avenue, the host defeated Farm B by 8 wickets in the final which was contested in front of a fair size crowd that included proprietor of Raf’s variety store Fazal Rafeek. Farm B took first strike and managed 103-6 off their allocation of 10 overs despite some tidy bowling from the home team. Yunus Yusuf top scored with 39 (2x4, 2x6) and Budhan Baksh made 17 (2x4,1x6). Salim Mohamed and Safraz Esau claimed 1 wicket each. Richard Latiff then entertained the fans with some lusty hitting from the onset smashing four fours and a similar number of sixes as he laid the foundation for an MYO victory before he was dismissed for 45. Safraz

Esau supported Latiff with a robust unbeaten 44 (2x4, 5x6) as MYO won the game in 8.2 overs for the loss of 2 wickets ending on 106. Adventure of Essequibo won the third place play off beating Fyrish of Berbice by 53 runs. Fazeer Khan slammed 107 (2x4, 14x6,), while Shaz Grovesnor chipped in with 43 (2x4, 4x6) to guide Adventure who batted first to 173-2 in 10 overs. Fyrish threatened briefly in reply but were restricted to 120-4 in 10 overs. Jason Mohamed made 59 (3x4, 5x6). MYO and Farm B won their respective semi final matches played earlier. MYO got the better of Fyrish by 53 runs. MYO batted first and posted 155 without loss in 10 overs. Chein Gittens led with 81 (2x4, 8x6) and Latiff supported with 32 (1x4, 3x6). Fyrish replied with 102-3 in 10 overs. Jason Mohamed scored 54 (2x4,6x6) and Shazeer Rangasammy 21 (1x6); Salim Mohamed took 215. Farm B got the better of Adventure by 9 wickets.

DCB T/20 SLATED FOR OCTOBER 25 The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) T/20 Competition is slated to bowl off on October 25, 2013 with eight teams from across Demerara. The format will see two teams from each area (Georgetown, EBD, ECD and WBD) with each team playing each other once in the Preliminary Round. Then the top four teams will battle in the semis with the winners contesting the final. Matches will be played every Friday at

13:00 hours for eight weeks. The DCB is calling on all interested players to prepare themselves for the matches and make contact with the following persons from the various areas: Georgetown: Nazimul Drepaul – 615 8683 East Bank Demerara: Johnny Azeez – 649 0243 East Coast Demerara: Colin Europe – 611 6675 West Bank Demerara: Lalta Digamber – 623 9694

Adventure mustered 124-5 in 10 overs batting first with Fazeer Khan top scoring with 86 (1x4, 11x6) and Abdool Salim 24 (2x6); Ricky Sargeant claimed 2-8. Farm B then romped to victory in 8.4 overs losing 1 wicket in the process. Omesh Narine was their leading batsman with 55 (3x4,5x6) while Sargeant made 36 (1x4,4x6). Meanwhile Adventure scraped past Wakenaam in the last quarter final game. Both teams were tied in the first game as well as in the first super over after which Adventure prevailed in the second super over. Adventure took first turn at the crease and scored 146-5 in 10 overs. Fazeer Khan made 43 (5x4, 3x6) and Shaz Grovesnor contributed 31 (1x6,3x4); Ejaz Mohamed captured 2-30 and Zameer Zaman 2-34. Wakenaam replied with 146-5 in 10 overs. Zaman belted 78 (3x4,9x6), Kemo Paul 33 (2x6,3x4) and Derwin Daniels 22. Munir Amin had 2-34. In the first super over Wakenaam scored 14-1 and Adventure responded with 14-1. Adventure then earned the right to play in the semi final by winning the second super over. Wakenaam batted first and scored 09 and Adventure replied with 10. MYO received a trophy and $300,000 while each player was given medals; Farm B took home a trophy and $200,000, each player also received medals. Third place Adventure grab a trophy and $100,000 and Fyrish a trophy and $50,000. Esau was given the man of the match award. MYO were also rewarded for scoring the highest score in

the competition 211 vs LBI. Also receiving prizes were Shazeer Rengasammy of Fyrish for the best bowling figures 4-11, Gittens of MYO the individual score with 102, Fazeer Bacchus of Fyrish most wickets (8), Gittens the competition leading batsman with 223 runs, Salim Mohamed 1-11 the best figures in the final and Latiff (MYO) for scoring the most runs in the final. Speaking at the presentation ceremony Imran Ally (one of the organisers) said the aim of the competition was to achieve a high level of discipline and brotherhood through sports which was accomplished. He informed that twenty percent of the cash prizes received by the teams will go towards the maintenance of their respective Masjids. He thanked president of MYO Azad Ibrahim, Fazeer Khan of Essequibo Coast, Asif Ahmad of Wakenaam, Shameer Khan of Berbice, Imtiaz Pooran of East Bank Demerara, the participating teams, the media and sponsor Fazal Rafeek. Director of Education and Dawah of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) Shaykh-Moeen-UlHaq congratulated the players and said he is happy to see that the competition attracted teams from all three counties stating that discipline is being tested when under pressure. Fazal Rafeek who sponsor the competition in memory of the late Mrs. Hajin Zaleena Rafeek staetd he is happy to sponsor the tournament once again and wants to see more Masjids taking part in future competitions.

NBS 2nd Division 40-Over B’ce Cricket...

Haley slams 188 for Bush Lot Challengers, Khan takes 7-11 After a nearly five month suspension because of rain, the 2013 New Building Society Second Division 40 Over Cricket Competition organised by the Berbice Cricket Board for teams in the Ancient County resumed last Sunday with rescheduled matches. There were two outstanding performances that were the best in the competitions so far. Bush Lot challengers opening batsman Troy Haley blasted 188 for his team against Bush Lot United New Generation. His knock which included 21 fours and 5 sixes Challengers post a daunting 330 for 4 in their allotted 30 Overs. The New Generation team was then bowled out for 65 in reply to lose by 265 runs. After No. 70 M.Y.O posted 168 against No. 69 Vikings, the 47 year old offspinner Mahmood Khan took 7 for 11 from 5.1 overs to restrict Vikings to 53 all out in 16.1 Overs. Former Guyana T/20 batting star, Imran Khan slammed 93 (11 fours and 4 sixes) and Yourdhan Gurdayal hit 82 (11 fours and 3 sixes), the two of them featuring in a 150 run 2nd wicket partnership to steer Chesney to 286 for 8 in their allotted 35 Overs against Albion Travellers who could only reply with 170 with Brian Algu

scoring 50. Other batsmen scoring half centuries were Aubrey Collins of Kildonan and Doodnauth Ramnarine of Kennard’s Memorial. In scores from the matches played: At Bush Lot, West Coast, Berbice, Bush Lot Challengers beat Bush Lot United New Generation by 265 runs. Bush Lot Challengers 330 for 4 in 30 Overs with Troy Haley 188, Brandon Balkissoon 38, Lakan Saywack 2 for 38. Bush Lot United New Generation 65 in 19.3 Overs with Fazul Hera 3 for 6, Asgar Mathabeek 2 for 4, Joel Dilchand 2 for 12. At No. 69, No. 70 M.Y.O beat No. 69 Vikings by 115 runs. No. 70 M.Y.O. - 168 in34.3 Overs with Alim Khan 35, Abdul Ghanie 26. No. 69 Vikings 53 in 16.1 Overs with Mahmood Khan 7 for 11, Tameshwar Mathura 2 for 9. At Chesney, Chesney beat Albion Travellers by 116 runs. Chesney 286 for 8 in 35 Overs with Imran Khan 93, Yourdhan Gurdayal 82, Zameer Khan 41, Satesh Heeralall 3 for 36, Bhupendra Matadin 3 for 41. Albion Travellers 170 for 9 in 35 Overs with Brian Algu 50, Chemendra Goberdhan 37, Reyaz Ramcharran 4 for (Continued on page 31)

GSCL\DIGIMAX TOURNEY...

Hardyal grabs 4 for 6 as Regal beat LBI by 10 wkts Mahendra Hardyal grabbed 4 wickets for 6 runs as Regal defeated La Bonne Intention (LBI) Maters by 10 wickets when action in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc)\ Digimax competition continued yesterday at GNIC ground with one match. Playing in the over 35 category LBI Masters were routed for 49 in 10 overs with Kumar Looknauth scoring 13 while extras contributed 19. Saheed Mohamed and Mahase Chunilall supported Hardyal with 2-2 and 2-9 respectively. Regal scored 50 without loss in 3.1 overs in reply.

Mahendra Hardyal Their chase was spearheaded by Mohamed who blasted 28 while Eric Thomas supported with 15.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

South African, Danie Venter is new World Boxing Federation cruiserweight king Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) heavyweight champion, Barbadian, Shawn KOS SHAWN COX ‘The Sniper’ Cox, suffered another setback to his career when he was knocked out in the IN FIRST STANZA first round by South African, Danie Venter, when they faced off for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight belt at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday evening last. Reports of the fight state that Venter put on a fantastic performance, destroying the dangerous Barbadian, minutes into the first round. The report continued that the bell had barely sounded when the South African rushed out and delivered several crunching blows, one of which sent the CABOFE champion crashing to the canvass. Cox rose before the mandatory count had expired but the South African followed up and finished the fight with some ferocious punching. Venter has been boxing professionally for ten years after representing his country in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This is his first major title and he has improved his ledger to 18-6 (13). Cox fought Russian pugilist, Denis Levedev, for the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight title at the Crocus City Hall, Myakinino, Russia just over a years ago

Shawn Cox

and was also knocked out in round two. He won CABOFE heavyweight championship after stopping former WBC cruiserweight champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite. Cox’s record has since dipped to 17-3 (16). The card was a WBF Championship tripleheader dubbed, ‘No Guts, No Glory,’ promoted by Real Steel Promotions, headed by former world-class Super Middleweight fighter, Andre Thysse.

Universal DVD First Division T/20 B’ce Cricket...

WILBURG BLASTS 92, BRIDGELALL GRABS 6-11 The 2013 Universal DVD First Division T/ 20 Cricket Competition in Berbice continued on Sunday with three more rescheduled matches. The batting performance of the tournament so far was registered by Police middle order batsmen Philbert Wilburg, who blasted 92 (4 fours and 11 sixes) of just 60 balls to almost singlehandedly take Police to a 4 wicket victory over D’Edward, who when they batted first made a decent 120 for 6 in their 15 overs with Jaipaul Heeralall top scoring with 37. Wilburg’s knock was the highest score in the Competition so far. D’Edward however had an improvement in their fortunes in their second match of the day when they defeated Port Mourant Karibee Rice by 4 wickets. They were able to skittle out Port Mourant for a paltry 59 thanks mainly to outstanding bowling from medium pacer Heeralall Bridgelall, who took 6 for 11 from 3.3 Overs. D’Edward eventually won by 4 wickets. In scores from the matches played: At D’Edward, Police beat D’Edward by 4 wickets. In the match which was reduced to 15 Overs-a-side due to a late start, D’Edward winning the toss and batting first made 120

for 6 in 15 Overs with Jaipaul Heeralall 37, Sam Ramanand 35, Andel Doris 3 for 13 from 3 Overs, Rocky Hutson 2 for 11 from 3 Overs. Police 122 for 6 in 13.1 Overs with Philbert Wilburg 92, Devendra Lalsa 2 for 37 from 3 Overs. At D’Edward, D’Edward beat Port Mourant Karibee Rice by 4 wickets. Port Mourant Karibee Rice sent in to take first strike, 59 all out in 15.2 Overs with Joshua Ramsammy 22, Heeralall Bridgelall 6 for 11 from 3.3 Overs, Devendra Lalsa 2 for 6 from 2 Overs. D’Edward 60 for 6 from12.1 Overs with Eon Abel 24, Gregory Crandon 3 for 17 from 4 Overs Yudendra Harrinarine 2 for 16 from 4 Overs. At Edinburgh, Skeldon Community Centre beat Edinburgh by 1 wicket. Edinburgh losing the toss and sent in to take first strike 107 for 6 in 20 Overs with Denny David 20, Deonarine Seepersaud 20, raid Ali 19, Sean Baksh 18, Victor Pedro 2 for 24 from 4 Overs. Skeldon Community Centre 108 for 9 in 20 Overs with Viendra Gooniah 40 (1 four) Charles France 25, Jerome Andrews 3 for 10 from 4 Overs. Shafeek Khan 2 for 14 from 4 Overs, Denny David 2 for 20 from 4 Overs. THE POINTS STANDINGA FTER THEWEEKEND MATCHES:

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Brain Street U-15 cricket...

GNIC advance to final with win over GYO GNIC defeated GYO Sunday in the semi-final of the Brain Street 50-over under-15 cricket competition at the GYO ground to set up a Final against DCC. This was the first time ever that GNIC were participating at the under-15 level which made the victory sweeter. GNIC were spearheaded to 185 in 46.5 overs with Andrew Clifford leading the way with 49 and Stephon Campbell contributed 38 and national under-15 batsman Bhaskar Yadram getting 18. Afzal Raoman picked up 3-12 and Satanand Ram Kumar supported with 2-34 for the home team who fell for 149 in 41.1 overs despite an 82-run first wicket stand between Shrichand Gangaram who top scored with 46 and Prackesh Debidyal who made 24. However the off-spin pair of Joshua Persaud and Dwayne Dick conspired to orchestrate a collapse

Joshua Persaud (left) and Dwayne Dick shared seven wickets between them for GNIC Sunday. sending back the next four bastmen for duck as GYO lost their way completley. Rahoman chipped in with 25, while Ramkumar with 13

was the only other GYO batsman to reach double figures as five batsmen in all failed to score on the small ground. (Sean Devers)

GYO’s Prackesh Debidyal lofts Andrew Clifford back over his head at GYO.

LABA/TROPHY STALL REGULATION B/BALL C/SHIP..

Johnson fires in 21 as Flames beat Pistons 70-63, Bulls, Jets also win Block 22 flames were quarterbacked by Aubrey Johnson, who scored 16 of his game high 21 points in the fourth quarter, to lead them past Wismar Pistons, while Amelia’s Ward Jets romped past Retrieve Raiders 70-63 as Half Mile Bulls nipped the Bankers Trust Falcons 48-45 in the latest round of matches in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association/ Trophy Stall Regulation Basketball Championship continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court over the weekend. The Flames were held without any points in the third quarter after the Pistons had taken the initiative 14-12 at the end of the first quarter and at half time were leading 24-21. However, after being outscored 8-0 in the pivotal third quarter, the Flames responded with a 29-13 run to win as Johnson took control of things offensively. Johnson’s 21 points was supported by C. Johnson, who had nine and Kerwin Williams eight. Mark Louis led the scoring for the

Pistons with 14 points and Dwight Coopered added 13 for the losers. The Jets were ahead at the end of the first quarter 15-9, at half time 34-23 and the third quarter coasting at 52-39 before cruising to the 70-63 eventual score. They were led by the front court presence of Allister Webster with 16 pints, Shane with 15 and Joel eight. Sheldron Noel was the bright spot for the Raiders with 15 points as Neil Marks had nine and Dauwin Lovell got eight. On Friday night, the scores were level at 10 at the end of the first quarter, Bulls were up by ten at half time 25-15 before the scores were again knotted at 36 before the Bulls came away to win 58-45 Terron Welch got the leading score for the Bulls with 15 points and Michael Turner added 14 for the winners, while Lawrence DaCosta had 11 and Dale Sauers nine for the losers. Two more matches are slated for tomorrow night as the Bulls play Jets in the first game and Falcons and Raiders clash in the second.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday September 24, 2013

PEPSI 50-OVER INTER-COUNTY CRICKET:

Leon Moore goes down to Puerto Rican opponent for double titles

Demerara, B’ce clash in 2nd round fixture By Sean Devers

On a high after their 120run victory against Essequibo, defending champs Demerara will start as favorites in their second Pepsi Inter-County 50-over cricket fixture against Berbice which bowls off at the GCC ground Bourda today from 09:15 hrs. Skipper Chris Barnwell led the Demerara charge with a pugnacious 101, while Trevon Griffith (48), Zaheer Mohamed (49) and Rajendra Chandrika (39) supported with the bat on a slow track as the home team reached 322-8 against Essequibo to take two bonus points for scoring over 300 runs. Steven Jacobs, Robin Bacchus, Derwin Christian and Andrew Lyght Jr, who could come into the side today, are expected to offer support to the others with the bat for Demerara. Left-arm pacer Andre Stoll and Paul Wintz should share the new ball, while Barnwell will offer fast bowling back up. Spinners Jacobs, Mohamed, Griffith and legspinner Amir Khan should do the bulk of the bowling in what should be sweltering heat. Former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon has been named Berbice Captain with former West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo his deputy. Also in the Berbice squad are the two recent West Indies Under-19 selectees, Shimron Hetmyer and Gudakesh Motie, who are scheduled to join a W.I.C.B camp on Wednesday. Even without Narsingh Deonarine, Assad Fudadin and Veerasammy Permaul who are unavailable due to West Indies ‘A’ team duties,

Chris Barnwell

Steven Jacobs

Sewnarine Chattergoon

Devendra Bishoo

the Berbice batting is strong with Chattergoon and Anthony Bramble expected to open. Shimron Hetmyer, Jonathan Foo, Anthony D’Anrade, Devon Clements, Eon Hooper, Rajiv Ivan, Bishoo and Joemal La Fleur could lend support to their Skipper on what should be a fast outfield. Keon Joseph is genuinely quick while Bishoo, Clements, Ivan and Motie are the main spinners in the Berbice line-up. Demerara Squad: Christopher Barnwell (Captain), Steven Jacobs (Vice Captain), Trevon Griffith, Robin Bacchus, Andrew Light Jr., Rajendra Chandrika,

Shemroy Barrington, Derwin Christian, Zaheer Mohamed, Amir Khan, Andre Stoll, Paul Wintz, Kelon Carmichael, Shaquille Williams, (Coach) Orin Bailey, (Manager) Robert Adonis Berbice squad: Sewnarine Chattergoon (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Devendra Bishoo (Vice Captain), Kandasammy Surujnarine, Jonathan Foo, Rajiv Ivan, Anthony Bramble (Wicket keeper), Anthony D’Andrade, Devon Clements, Joemal La Fleur, Romario Shepherd, Keon Joseph, Eon Hooper, Gudakesh Motie, (Manager) Albert Smith (Coach) Hubern Evan

Puerto Rican pugilist, Rafael ‘Dynamite’ Vazquez launched a two fisted assault on Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore in the 9th of their 12 round double title affair and forced referee Shada Murdaugh to institute an eight count and eventually waved the fight off when the two pugilists squared off at the Resorts World Casino, Queens, New York, for the USA New York State and the WBA Fedelatin super bantamweight titles, Saturday 21 last. Moore entered the ring with an impressive 30-2 record with 24 wins coming by way of knockout. He was the former Guyanese Bantamweight champion, WBC Caribbean Bantamweight champion, NABA Bantamweight champion, WBC Caribbean Super Bantamweight champion and the PABA Super Bantamweight champion. He became a professional fighter in 2001 and sports a win over former world champion Mauricio Pastrana. He has won 12 straight bouts with the latest being a 2nd round stoppage over Errol Trotman on July 5th in Georgetown, Guyana. His record has now dipped to 30 (24) -3-0. Vazquez of Howard Beach, Queens, is a relatively young professional and has

got their goal from Glenn Henry. In an earlier game at the same venue, NA United defeated HFC 1-0 through a Gladwyn Grant goal. The tournament was expected to continue Sunday. The Hope Football Club, which is an arm of the Hope Memorial Foundation, was founded by overseas-based Guyanese Kevin Henry. Henry is a U.S Army Soldier who hails from New Amsterdam. The winner of the tournament will receive

$60,000 worth of football equipment, second-placed team will receive $40,000 worth of football equipment, while the team placing third will collect some $20,000 worth of football equipment. There are also individual prizes for the best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder, best forward and highest goal scorer. The teams that were expected to participate were Hope Football Club A and B, New Amsterdam United Football Club, Cougars

improved his record to 9-1 with 7 knockouts. He became a professional fighter in 2010 after an impressive amateur career and won his first eight fights before suffering his lone defeat, a split decision

to Jhovanny Collado on September 22, 2012. Kaieteur sport attempted to speak with Moore to ascertain his intentions after the loss but those efforts proved futile.

GCA\Banks Malta U-13 tourney...

TSC, GYO march into final Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) have booked their places in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)\Banks Malta Supreme U-13 25 overs competition after gaining victories in their respective semifinal matches last Saturday. At GYO TSC defeated

Hope Football Club/Metro Inaugural U-20 football tournament resumes in Berbice Play in the Hope Football Club (HFC), which is teaming up with the Metro Office Supplies for the inaugural Under-20 football competition for teams in Berbice, has resumed after a while with a few matches at various venues. Results of the latest round played at the Scott Church Ground - New Amsterdam United defeated Cougars Football Club (CFC) 2-1. NA United got their goals off the boots of Jomaul Butts and Gladwin Grant, while Cougars

Vazquez was all business at the pre-fight face off and maintained that demeanor right up to the stoppage to take the double title

Football Club, Corriverton Lynx Football Club, Rosignol United Football Club, Hopetown Football Club, Monedderlust Football and Paradise Football Club. However Corriverton Links and Hope Town have not played a game so far and have pulled out of the competition. This is the second tournament organised by the Organization. The first was the inaugural Hope Memorial Inter School Football Tournament (HMFT) which was played last year. (Samuel Whyte)

Everest Cricket Club by 121 runs in the first semi final at 09:30 hrs. Everest batted first and scored 310 in 25 overs but suffered 12 dismissals in the process which reduced them to 190. Joshua Persaud was their best batsman with 23 while Damien Persaud made 13 and Mahendra Khemraj 10. Toney Adjodha, Inderjeet Nanan, Joel Spooner and Jalen Chancellor picked up 2 wickets each for TSC who replied with 351 for 4 in 25 overs, ending on 311. Adrian Hinds made 12 and Fazal Dyal 11. Sachin Persaud, Sachin Ramroop, Nicholas Sattaur and Damien Persaud had 1 each. At 13:30 hrs at the said venue, GYO overcame Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) by 93 runs in the second semi. GYO took first strike and mustered 319 in 25 overs but lost 4 wickets which lessened them to 279. Chandra Mohan top scored with 23 while Robin Williams supported with 17 and Danesh Ally 11; Jospice

Chandra Mohan Jones took 2-4. DCC responded with 326 enduring 14 dismissals in their 25 overs, finishing on 186 with Alphius Bookie scoring 20 and Ashmead Nedd 17. Elnathan Suknandan did most of the damage with the ball picking up 6-6 while Varun Jaikeshan claimed 3-10. The final is expected to be played on Saturday at a venue to be announced.

Tuesday September 24, 2013

1st South American Youth Games Lima, Peru

Kaieteur News

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Three boxers lose semi-final bouts, cyclists called out of Mountain Bike CC race

By Franklin Wilson in Peru Joel Williamson (56kg), Michael April (49kg) and Tefon Greene who campaigned in the 64kg category all lost their semifinal bouts on day three of the inaugural South American Youth Games (1SAYG) here in Peru. Stepano Husbands and Alonzo Ambrose tried their best in the Mountain Bike Cross Country race on what has been described by many as a track for elite riders, their best was not enough though and they were called out of the event after two (2) and (1) lap respectively. Based on the usual rules of boxing, once you reach the semifinals, you are assured of bronze medals but that will be confirmed in a subsequent story. The other boxer on the Guyana team, Travis Fraser drew a bye to the final in the 69kg class and will be in action tomorrow. April had won his first fight against W. Choque of Bolivia with Williamson and Greene drawing bye’s to the semis. Williamson, a South Paw fighter, lost his bid to make the finals as they decided that his

opponent, C. Borden of Argentina was the winner of their 56kg battle. The Guyanese looked good in the opening stanza, using his jab to good effect whilst moving to the left of his opponent. But like his two other colleagues, as the contest matured, their condition was tested and they did not pass with flying colours. Greene, give up the decision to Venezuela’s A. Zarraga in their 64kg contest. Both pugilists were not afraid to exchange punches as they used the ring to good effect seeking to gain the advantage. Greene looked good in the first two rounds of the three round bout, but faded in the critical third round which made the difference on the judges’ score cards at the end of the fight. April, who lost to I. Fernandez of Ecuador, looked good early in the piece but as the bout progressed, he got slow in letting his fists fly while Fernandez was quicker in the exchanges. C o a c h , Wi n c e l T h o m a s commenting on the three loses said that the decisions against Greene and Williamson were a bit harsh. He said he felt that they had done

Stepano Husbands enough to progress but was nonetheless happy with the way they handled themselves giving the challenge of fighting in a much different climate. “The coldness was always going to be a major factor here but I think we have done the best we could have in the circumstances. These guys are a talented bunch and

as long as they continue to get consistent exposure I am sure they will do us proud as a nation.” Up at the cycling, one race official said that the decision which also saw riders from Columbia (John Rodriguez), Uruguay (Anthony Castro & Juan Garcia), Paraguay (Eduardo Meza) and Argentina’s Eugene Dirksz all being withdrawn; was due to the fact that these riders were more than 80% behind the eventual winner, Columbia’s Brandon Rivera. Rivera covered the very challenging and mountainous course four times clocking 48 Minutes 12 Seconds. Chile’s Pedro Burns (50:05) and Nicholas Delich (52:38) took the second and third places. A number of riders fell during the course of the race on another cold and breezy day. Along certain parts of the course which was steep, many riders struggled to conquer it on their wheels; they had to revert to pushing their machines up to the top then continue. Some fell along the way, including Ambrose, but picked themselves up and continued. Husbands and Ambrose related

their experiences which were good despite not being familiar with a course of this nature. Many of the other riders also spoke of the challenging nature of the track, eighteen riders competed. The female riders traversed the course twice, and of the 15 starters, three (3) were withdrawn while an equal amount did not finish. Crossing the finish line in triumph was Fiorella Bosch of Argentina in 31 Minutes. Jessika Riascos of Columbia was second three minutes behind the winner with Ana Paula Casetta of Brazil next in 34 Minutes 14 Seconds. C y c l i n g C o a c h Wi l l i a m Howard said he was satisfied with the determination and grit shown by his athletes despite this being their first experience. “You know, it would have been nice to be up there in the top bracket like the others but we are not at all exposed to this kind of riding so the experience was great for these guys. They have made lots of friends and who knows where this exposure can lead them in the future. They have fell in love with the track and will be back to train on it for a few more days.”

Guyana stickwomen suffer second loss

The Guyana national hockey team seen shortly before the start of their opening game against Canada at the Pan Am Cup in Argentina.

G

uyana’s stickwomen despite a more spirited performance suffered their second consecutive loss when they were edged 1-0 by Caribbean counterpart Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, at the fourth Pan Am Cup in Mendoza, Argentina. The Guyanese who had lost 8-0 to Canada in their opening game was unfortunate not to share the points with the Trinidadians due to an own goal that came in the 4th minute of play which gave the Trinis three valuable points and places them third in Pool A behind Argentina and Canada. Trinidad and Tobago managed to rebound after suffering a 12-0 defeat to the hands of the Argentines in their opening clash. Meanwhile, in a report on the

Guyanese opening fixture it stated that the Guyana ladies competition endured a tough debut match. On a freezing cold evening, with temperatures hovering around 0 cc and strong gusts of winds, the Guyanese ladies braved the unfamiliar conditions to face the tough opposition of Canada here at the newly opened Mendocino Hockey Stadium. The Canadians ranked 23rd in the world would have been confident in knowing that in a recent warm up tour to Canada, the 58th ranked Guyanese had difficulty managing their Provincial teams. Canada piled the pressure onto the Guyanese deep defense from the opening whistle making it difficult for Guyana to outlet the ball comfortably from the back.

The strategy worked for Canada as the Guyanese struggled to find composure and suffered an opening goal when striker Hannah Haughn scored her team’s first goal with a powerful reverse stick strike five minutes into the match. With the pressure producing several counterattacks for Canada, Guyanese sweeper Ulrica Sutherland and goalkeeper Alysa Xavier were called upon several times to rescue the team with some brilliant individual tackles and goalkeeping respectively. Canada continued the pressure as the half wore on by scoring three more field goals through a tip in from Thea Culley, a kind rebound finish by Abigail Raye and a swift strike by Jessica Barnett. Guyana looked a more

organized unit in the second half, but still had difficulty penetrating a cohesive and well-rehearsed Canadian defense. Midfielders Marzana Fiedtkou and Leigh Sandison were steady in the midfield, but the Canadians were able to reduce their passing options and smother Guyana’s attacks quickly. While the field goal opportunities for the Canadians in the second half did not come quite as easily, they still managed to score four more goals in the second half with two being field goals and two by way of penalty corners. Thea Culley managed to put her name on the score sheet once more in the second half haul while teammates Caashia Carrington, Brienne Stairs and Stephanie Norlander completed the list of scorers with one each.

According to Coach Philip Fernandes, while the result was disappointing, the team took away a lot of positives from the match. Fernandes indicated that the last time Guyana played against Canada in International competition was in the 2012 World League where Canada won 10 – 0. The coach indicated that the team was incrementally better against opposition who has better facilities and resources which in itself is a success. He went on to mention that while he was hoping for a closer score line, it was unrealistic to reverse such a great disparity in one year under the given conditions of the two countries. In the other pool, the USA defeated Mexico by 6-0, while Chile and Uruguay played to a 0-0 draw.

t r o Sp

1ST SOUTH AMERICAN YOUTH GAMES – LIMA, PERU

Brandon Rivera of Argentina, winner of the male Mountain Bike race

Tefon Greene (right) lands a solid left punch on the button against A. Zarraga of Venezuela.

THREE BOXERS LOSE SEMI-FINAL BOUTS, cyclists called out of Mountain Bike CC race

Michael April (left) is tagged coming forward against I. Fernandez of Ecuador

Fiorella Bosch of Argentina, winner of the female Mountain Bike race

Pepsi 50-over Inter-County cricket:

Demerara, B’ce clash in 2 round fixture

nd

Foo, Chattergoon, Motie help Albion batter Young Warriors to take B’ce Bridge one day title

Albouystown, Wortmanville set up gruelling final

BEATEN! Wortmanville/ Werk-En-Rust forward, Michael Turner beats two Plaisance/ Vryheid’s Lust defenders for an easy right hand layup.

Mackeson/TGH Pacesetters Inter-Ward Basketball C/ships

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