Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 14, 2017

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

A BROKEN PARTY History has shown that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has descended into an abyss of a mere vote-getting machine based on race politics bent on dividing the country. But some of its members believe that the PPP is a brand. Broadly, and properly understood, a brand is what distinguishes a product, service or concept from any other. Branding has become a buzzword and so it has become very fashionable to use it for every conceivable idea, even if that idea is a mere figment of one’s imagination. So only fools would believe that the PPP is a brand. It is not far-fetched to believe that if the leaders of the PPP are asked to define the party brand, there would be different answers that may not even have any bearing on each other. The PPP is distinctive from other political parties in Guyana because it is corrupt and crooked. It does not have a vision and the challenge its members face today is new leadership. The party is at a critical crossroad, it is a broken party, and its members are asking serious questions about its future, its leadership and what role it can exercise in the future governance of the country. The PPP has departed from the values and morals of its founding father. Its supporters have grown wary of its current leader’s inability to steer the party in the right direction by finding solutions to some of the problems facing the country. The party is in a very tight spot. It does not have a unifying theme that defines what it stands for. Its founding father had great moral clarity about the vision and mission of the party and the philosophical underpinnings that were necessary to make them work. He had a set of organizing principles around which he rallied support for the party and by extension the country. He enunciated a vision of an egalitarian and just society that many people bought into. Under its present leader, the PPP has drifted from its founding philosophical principles that had made it an enviable political force in the country to a mere vote-getting machine. It is no longer a vibrant political party and has no centralized message. Although they will not speak publicly about it, many of its supporters have never really trusted their present leader or have truly respected his intellect, but would not speak publicly about it. They wanted an infusion of transformative and visionary leadership but this will not happen with its current leader at the helm. Clearly, the majority of the electorate had rejected the PPP in the last election because of corruption, inept policies and poor leadership. Its leader needs to deal with the still simmering discontent within its senior ranks since losing the last election. But he is sounding more like a man whose greatest obsession is with himself. His obsession and those who are eagerly waiting in the wings to replace the government is only getting the party more deeply ensnared in a thick jungle from which it may not be able to get out. What is critically needed at this juncture in the party is leaders who are honest, sincere, uncorrupt and will put the interest of the people and the country first. While in office, the PPP has become corrupted to the point where governance and policy making were influenced by partisan politics and not by the greater good of the society as a whole. It would definitely help if its leaders could take a deep look at themselves, summon up the honesty and moral courage to admit that they were corrupted, arrogant and contemptuous of the people and that they should begin the task of redefining their vision within the context of the new paradigms of the dynamic political landscape that Guyana is fast becoming. However, a party that lacks vision is hopeless and will surely perish. What its leaders are calling a brand is a broken party that can no longer hold water?

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email

What poor and single parent women want is equity DEAR EDITOR, I think that enough has been said by women in direct response to Minister Keith Scott’s proposal that women security guards who are single mothers be facilitated to stop working at night if they so choose. But the debate should continue in spite of Minister Harmon’s statement that the government has taken no such decision, because it really is about fundamental issues: the lack of access to what the ILO calls “decent work” for thousands upon thousands of poor people in Guyana; the consequent multi-jobbing and “migratoriness” into which many are forced in order to sustain their families; and the particular impact of this kind of “work choice” on children being raised by single mothers and in a few cases, single fathers. The care-giver of the 18 month old whose 18 year old uncle threw her through the window like trash last week, is effectively a single father who does one job in the day and security guard work at night, leaving an 18-month old alone in the care of a ten year old and a 12 year old. But single parents are

mainly women. They are also mainly African-Guyanese although there is a rise in what are called de facto single parent households in other communities. Thus, on the surface, Minister Scott’s proposal sounds like a pro-woman, profamily, and pro-Black initiative. It has even been called “noble”. I’m sure the Minister and those who support his proposal expected it to be opposed only by the employers, certainly not by “feminists”. And now that “feminists’ have joined in criticizing it, albeit with some differences, no doubt some will say that we all lack empathy with the single mothers who are security guards either because of our class, our race, our political party allegiance, or any combination of these. I hope not, because any such allegation will stray us from the crucial questions that need to be addressed. The Scott proposal sought to address an immediate problem in the quickest way possible by reducing night shift work among single mothers in the security guard business. Unfortunately, in this case as in many others, quickest

was synonymous with superficial. If such a proposal were ever to be implemented, many – if not most – single mothers in that business who took the option to stop working as security guards at night would seek some other waged work to do in its place, because women who work as security guards, domestic workers, street vendors and in a host of other jobs seldom do one job alone. Women often to multijobs, but I think that the ones I’ve listed are forced to multijob in a way that is particularly destructive to themselves and their families. They can’t afford not to. In 2012, I wrote a letter to the press in response to an article captioned “Single mother works three jobs to maintain her five children” which praised a 39 year old woman who worked as a security guard, a sweeper/cleaner in a school, and a drainage worker. She also did other work for money which the story mentioned but did not list as jobs: she made and sold pointer brooms, tended and sold plants, and made, bottled and sold pepper sauce. She did some of her work on Sundays and the security guard

work at night. I estimated that if we included housework and childcare she worked about 20 hours a day. Incidentally, she also took classes in the hope of finding better jobs. We have some other evidence of poor women in Guyana multi-jobbing (and by the way, I don’t mean multitasking; all women do that). A few years ago, when Red Thread was campaigning for government to ratify ILO Convention No. 189 which mandates that domestic workers enjoy the same rights as other workers, the group commissioned a small piece of research to develop a profile of domestic workers in Guyana. The domestic workers and cleaners interviewed were, as domestic workers and cleaners are in Guyana, African, Indian and Indigenous. Some were single mothers and some were not. Whoever they were, few did domestic work alone, some moved in and out of domestic work. Some moved up and down between coast and interior and between Guyana and nearby countries in search of better wages. Waged work life is characterized by instability, Continued on page 6

WPO calls for better pay for female security guards DEAR EDITOR, The recent statement by Minister Keith Scott, Minister of Labour regarding his concern for female security guards who work in the night is commendable, however one needs to situate that statement within the reality of Guyana. There are about 55,000 thousand and more female headed households, majority of who do not have the spousal or financial support to take care of themselves and families.

Many of these women are forced to go out and work to take care of their families. In the absence of proper paying jobs, they have to take whatever is available and in Guyana today those are the jobs that are available. Women risk their lives and limb as well as the welfare of their children when they accept these low paying and dangerous jobs. What the Minister needs to do is to enquire from the security guards the salaries which they receive the con-

ditions which they work under and whether their NIS and other benefits are paid. Security companies thrive well, with the upsurge in crime more and more companies and organizations are turning to someone to watch their premises. The government is the biggest employer of security guards and they are hiring companies which hire more female security guards because they are more reliable and they are forced to accept low wages since they do not

have other alternatives. The Hon Minister should urgently investigate the Security firms that provide shoddy conditions to its employees both men and women urgently and if he is so concerned with the plight of women security let him request better conditions starting with transportation and a raise in pay. Match your words with immediate action, Honorary Minister. WPO, women’s arm of the PPP

The Mayor is about to end a vital service to “Georgetowners” DEAR EDITOR, The light at the end of the tunnel of misery, hopelessness and foolishness of the Georgetown Municipality seems to going out, which is very troubling. In the morass of incompetence and venality at City Hall, there was one beacon of light there, and that was the provision of Day Care services by the Council that benefitted hundreds if not thousands of toddlers and children of persons, including single parents, poor mothers and fathers who cannot afford private day care facilities but

who have to go to work, etc. But alas! The provision of the one worthwhile service to the citizens of Georgetown is apparently being withdrawn by this hopeless City Council. One must ask why? Is this service not catered for by the property rates residents have to pay? I would like to demand on behalf of the residents of Charlestown, to which this Day Care Centre is located, and also on behalf of all the other residents of Georgetown who benefit from the day care services, the clinics and the maternal and child

welfare services that are provided by and at the public health facilities located in the various wards of the city, that these services be immediately restored and maintained. The closure of these centers will only spell more financial hardship, more inconvenience and more stress for the citizens of Georgetown. Is this a new trend of Council divesting itself of meaningful services but for which no one gets a kickback, whilst it continues to employ more and more staff members to loiter around all day? Does the Council no

longer have social responsibilities, a moral compass and a concern for the youth of Georgetown? Or is everything at the Council driven dollars and no sense. Will they continue to expend hundreds of millions of dollars each month on foreign travel, on building presidential parks, on contractors who never have to bid for contracts and on having their seniors enjoy a luxurious lifestyle whilst closing down the few worthwhile services it provides? Debra Gibson

Thursday September 14, 2017

Race is to the US what class is to the UK DEAR EDITOR, A recent letter in KN about normalizing the white USA supremacy stance caught my attention. How does one go about doing that, I wondered? American racism is ingrained, has been there from way back. Could a leopard change its spots? I often point out to the British media that racism is to America what ‘class’ is to Britons. It makes their born-andbred whites comfortable. With Brits, it is something to look up to, or look down on. One group aspiring, the other patronising. Unfortunately, the outlook may not alter even when in other countries. A few years ago, off a cruiser, on a day trip to one of the Caribbean islands, I happened to mistakenly enter an unmarked men’s washroom, and when a white American and his Brit companion entered after, the American told the British that he would break my legs, “because she is only a (using the N word. Britons being what they are, the word was already spread, and when I got back to the coach, “silence spoke”, and I could have heard the sound of a dropping pin! Curiously, when holidaying in Europe, usually among educated white Americans, I have never experienced such

prejudice. Perhaps because, I am able to explain European practices they find puzzling, one such being the smallest size bathroom towels. In every American hotel, this normal practice, being used, as I was told, to clean the skin after doing a messy job, such as gardening, to wipe hands. In European hotels this is rare or non-existent. My own feeling is that the system will self-destruct in the long run. Speaking as an observer, the racial loathing is mutual. A few years ago, I met a mature married couple in New York, the husband a black B.G. chap, the wife a white Brit. He took her to meet his B.G. folk in the Harlem area, and she returned to the hotel in central New York a nervous wreck. They never expected such hostility from the neighbourhood. He had to “hustle her away”! On my holidays abroad, Blacks have always questioned my association with whites; white Americans would look and wonder - until Brits explained that we were from “London, England”. I liked a question I once heard “Why can’t humans live like pianos - black and white keys needed to play a tune? I suppose the logical answer is “because we are not pianos”. “Variety is the spice of strife”. Geralda Dennison

The Constabulary ranks are harassing Cuban shoppers DEAR EDITOR, It has been observed that in recent times in downtown Georgetown, some members of the Georgetown City Constabulary have begun a campaign of harassing Cuban shoppers. Now that they can hardly get a dollar out of vendors whom they have harassed for years, due to those vendors saying enough is enough and due to the massive reduction in their profit margins, many wayward constables are now pestering Cubans, demanding to see their passports to determine whether they were legally in Guyana, and if they accidentally drop a small piece of paper or the wrapper of a confectionery item they quickly pounce on them and shake them down. This is in spite of mountains of garbage all around them, created by “Junkies”, but of course “Junkies” have no money to give them a bribe so hardly bother with them. The City Constabulary Department of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown has convinced

itself that is has the same power the national police (GPF) has in the maintenance of law and order in this country, but needs to be told that they have no responsibility, jurisdiction nor authority over immigration in Guyana. Clearly the Georgetown Municipality and their Constables fail to appreciate that the steady flow of nearly 1,000 Cubans coming to Guyana every week to shop mainly clothing is extremely good for our country’s economy at a time when there is much talk about sluggishness and overreliance on gold to prop up revenues. The Cuban shoppers are helping to keep many businesses in Georgetown afloat and therefore if they were to get tired of the harassment by the City Constabulary and stop coming it would leave Georgetown in a pretty bad shape financially. What the Constabulary should be doing instead, is providing protection to the Cubans and other visitors from the roving criminals in our capital. Shanta Singh

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How Wales Estate can achieve agricultural diversification DEAR EDITOR, Here are some convictions vital to any large-scale antipoverty programme in Guyana, in light of the diversification from sugar production at Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara. One -Poverty itself is the problem not the individuals who are poor. They represent immense human capital. TwoThe cause of poverty is not lack of money capital but underutilisation of material and especially human resources. Productive work opportunities outside the rural sector will not be able to absorb more than a fraction of the natural increment in the rural population of working age in the coming decades. Most of these people will have to remain in the rural sector, that is to say agriculture, rural industries, and other rural services. Intensification of agricultural production could absorb some, but for a majority of the present and potential rural

poor, other avenues have to be identified within the rural sector its self. The solution to this problem apparently lies in two concurrent approaches, one relating to promotion of rural industries and the other to integrating this approach within an overall rural development strategy. It has now been widely accepted that traditional crafts , rural industries and the informal sector, with their labour-intensive processes, have better scope for providing work opportunities to large numbers of people, provided they are efficiently organised and supported. The key to development clearly must be in the expansion of participation in productive activity, an objective that depends primarily on the ability of governments to accelerate the commercialization of agriculture and to expand employment through promotion of small- scale industries in both rural and urban areas.

These two sectors- agriculture and small industries provide the greatest potential for achieving equitable growth at this time in Guyana. A Green economy is the ideal solution for Guyana at this stage of historical and social development. Sugar seems to be set for a fall, the dimensions of which we are yet to visualize. The sugar conglomerate can best alleviate its expected demise through the adaptation of human resources to the rescue. Our agricultural communities, who are not always operating in ideal farming conditions, have been displaying tremendous acumen in providing food for local consumption and export. We can do better in many areas, especially in post harvest handling of produce and internal marketing, and other areas of good management in the 21st century. With this human capital available plentiful, we can spread same around to grant

Guysuco a soft landing. We have no heritage industrial system, no major pollution; Guyana is blessed with large acreages of arable land on the Coastline of the country, substantial water supply for irrigation and transport, boundless resources from solar, wind and wave; in addition to traditional hydropower resources. The massive number of unemployed and under-employed citizens of the redundant sugar plantation at Wales, are the other resource we under estimate for their entrepreneurial values and skills. Wales presents a window and particular set of optics to create jobs for the population in light of the need to find work for citizens of the country. In presenting the case of small farmer agriculture, we include the use of family labour in the many aspects of agri-endeavours. Dis-aggregation of land Continued on page 6

Granger is not governing in the interest of all Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, In support of the APNU+AFC Government’s introduction of 14% VAT on water and electricity, President David Granger is noted to have said that it will enforce conservation. Yet, in Linden where some of his supporters reside, President David Granger refuses to raise the price of electricity so that Lindeners can pay their fair share of the electricity bill. Lindeners as we all know, consume more electricity than the average Guyanese. Clearly there is a case whereby enforced conservation of electricity is needed in Linden as opposed to the current squandermania. As well as, President Granger government has sacked thousands of Amerindians and sugar workers (allegedly to end subsidies). Yet, he refuses to end the electricity subsidy in Linden. Such hypocrisy from the APNU+AFC government of President David Granger cannot go unnoticed. If you are going to end subsidy for one, you need to be consistent and end subsidy for all. If you are

going to enforce electricity conservation for one then you need to be consistent and enforce electricity conservation for all. This lack of consistency by the APNU+AFC government of President David Granger brings into sharp focus that President David Granger is not governing Guyana in the interest of all Guyanese but only doing so for his supporters. Since the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger came into power in May 2015, there has been little effort at job creation. What they have done is to sack nearly 2,000 Amerindians, sack thousands of sugar workers (and plan to sack more) allegedly to save money yet they are finding the money (US$12.5m or over GYD2.5Bn) to give to certain villages. It is time for the

APNU+AFC Government to get serious about job creation and not close off opportunities to Guyanese especially in a country of high unemployment. Under the PPP/C Government, Guyanese were getting out of poverty albeit slowly. But progress was being made in this regard. Under the APNU+AFC Government, because of the mass redundancies, Guyanese are being pushed back into poverty.

What has President David Granger, whose Government is anti-poor as can also be attested to by the increase in taxation including VAT on water and electricity, got against poor people earning a living? President David Granger erroneous view is that you can sack people to save money, and to provide services that people will not be able to afford since they do not have a job to pay for these services. Sean Ori

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Thursday September 14, 2017

An indictment of the neo-liberal, capitalist system DEAR EDITOR, I would like to clarify some points raised in Mr. Rudolph Singh’s response to my letter responding to Peeping Tom’s article, titled, “Capitalism cannot exist where there is socialist thinking”. Mr. Singh asked, who is the “we” I speak of. I signed my letter as Leader of Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP), and I refer to the ideas and policies of our organization throughout, so it is very clear who the “we” is. OVP has established the George James Institute for Thought and Action. We hold discussions on these topics fortnightly, attended in large part by young people. The aim is to demystify these ideas. It is in the interest of the oppressors to maintain that subjects such as socialism, neo-liberal capitalism, political economy etc. are too complex for “the people” to understand and that we must therefore leave these issues to “the experts”. We teach that this is false and that all people are ca-

pable of understanding the world around them, and participating in the struggle to find solutions to the problems that confront us. You stated, “Perreira wrote, the socialism we speak of existed prior to European notions of socialism and is rooted in our ancient traditions and cultures. In analyzing this sentence, the socialism referred to, makes socialism multifaceted, meaning that there are different types of socialism.” Of course, there are different models of socialism, Mr. Singh. The Peeper and other detractors of socialism in our midst are determined to misinform by holding up a repressive and bureaucratic model of socialism that emerged out of the European experience, and existed in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. This is a straw man, easy to pull down. The flaws of this model have long been recognized, and it is no longer seen as viable. It is precisely this type of Eurocentric thinking that has us where we are today. As an ethical and social

system, socialism has its genesis, in theory and practice, in African and other Indigenous cultures. Its moral foundation can be located in numerous verses in the Bible and the Quran, as well as in the teachings of Buddha. Socialism did not begin in Europe and did not cease to exist when East-European Communism collapsed. Any political/economic system adopted by a nationstate must emanate from its people’s own culture and historical experience, and cannot be mechanically transposed from one country to another. We invite you to think outside the box, Mr. Singh. OVP is talking about 21st Century Socialism, aka Communitarian Socialism, Democratic Socialism (not Social Democracy) and People’s Socialism, as was practiced in Libya under the leadership of Muammar Qaddafi.

In Antigua, Prime Minister, Gaston Browne is even talking about an “Entrepreneurial Socialism”. This socialist tradition has nothing to do with State ownership and repressive bureaucracies and does not prevent people from owning private property. Privately owned businesses will co-exist with other forms of ownership such as community, co-operative and genuine public ownership. It is this type of socialism that transformed Libya from one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the most prosperous. In Ecuador and Bolivia, communitarian socialism, emerging from their own respective cultures and experience, has already led to remarkable human achievements that were impossible under neo-liberal capitalism. You say that my discourse will alienate the young, but I put it to you Mr.

Singh that the young people of Guyana, across all communities, are tired of having these false narratives and worn out examples thrown in their faces. They are talking about a better future for all and they know in their hearts that neoliberal capitalism cannot deliver the future they want and need. One of the greatest mistakes that our present government continues to make is to underestimate the ability and insight of our youth. You complain that my indictment of capitalism did not satisfy you. Do I need to remind you that it was capitalism that waged genocidal wars against the Indigenous peoples of the Americas; enslaved my African ancestors during the horrific period of chattel slavery and is doing the same today in its neo-liberal incarnation under the guise of wage-slavery and the

Prison Industrial Complex? As indentured servants, your own ancestors were exploited and treated as lesser beings by this barbaric system. In a world where neo-liberal capitalism is the dominant economic system, current global statistics speaks volumes. According to Oxfam, “just eight men own the same wealth as the 3.6 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity and corporate tax dodging costs poor countries at least $100 billion annually. This is enough money to provide education for the 124 million children who are not in school and prevent the deaths of at least six million children.” Is this a sufficient indictment for you, Mr. Singh? Gerald A. Perreira Leader Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

How Wales Estate can achieve agricultural diversification From page 5 and devolution of control of land usage to individual small farmers would be the first wave of change to promote and widen private sector oriented sub-sector of the traditional agricultural population. With proper planning simple post-harvesting processing possibilities are introduced in the form of juices, fruit pulp, dried fruits, dried herbs and spices can be packaged and marketed within local and foreign market places. The creation of market oriented operation in area will naturally attract and create opportunities for people with industrial skills. As these industrial and agricultural skills grow together to expand the economy, they would attract

IT Specialists and Services to help manage storage logistics, water management and marketing activities. With the interlinked and evolving developmental patterns, Wales offers the prospects to becoming a stellar example of how a green economy could be established, and private sector operations enhanced to create the better life for our nation. With the placement of an army of small farmers on the Wales lands, we can ensure the maintenance of the bed and drains, established since enslavement times, and would attest to various agronomic research which suggest that the Wales soil ranging from the aluminium toxic clays to the organic pegasse soil types, clearly showed that

there were benefits from intensive hand work – forking and shovel work – and fertilizer additives. We venture to suggest that small farmers would be more adaptive to the use of organic manure, since many of them would be inclined to keep livestock and practice integrated farming, thus proclaiming organic farming, which is more of a necessity than a food fad. From a crop diversification perspective the Canals Polders adjacent to Wales is known for its fruit, vegetables and ground provision potential and already supplies the local market and exports to a small extent. For national economic consideration, the challenge is to upgrade this potential for

a bigger export market through a combination of a labour intensive and mechanical production initiative. Cut flower is also a potential market, as haliconias, and some lilies grow abundantly on the organic soils in the West Demerara areas. The cultivation of nontraditional fruit such as rambutan, now being grown in Canal 1, suggests that other fruits from climates similar to Guyana’s, could add to our own unique fruits, such as the sapodilla, mammy apple, sour sop and others to be considered as export oriented. Hafiz Rahman Chairman, Management Committee National Farmers Organization

What poor and single parent women want is equity From page 4 insecurity, and poor returns – a work life based on the super-exploitation of women’s labour and often, the neglect of their children. I don’t want to let the security firms off the hook; their salaries and conditions of work are often abysmal. But

the problem is not rooted in the behavior of one industry. It is deeper than that and it demands more thoughtful attention than the Scott proposal gives it. In the 2012 letter, I referred to above, I said that while the 39 year old mother with her multiple jobs deserved praise,

that praise should not prevent us from challenging the underlying problem: national and global neoliberal economic priorities (now criticized by the very IMF which pushed them) that breed i n equality and impose on poor families a choice between being superhuman or being beaten down by inhuman conditions. By inhuman conditions I meant in her case, working 20 hours a day and still not earning enough for a good life. What is the government’s plan (or the opposition’s) for moving Guyana forward into an economy that provides decent work for all who want

it, and in-school and postschool education programmes that encourage the skills needed for decent work and the self-confidence that allows people to see themselves as having the right to decent work? If Ministers could identify so quickly after they were appointed in 2015 that they could not meet their expenses on the salaries that were then in force, what do they think is happening with families whose earnings are a very, very small percentage of theirs? There is much more to be said, beginning with the fact that what women want is not protection as “vulnerable” people but equity. Andaiye

Thursday September 14, 2017

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WHERE DO WE DRAW THE RED LINE? Having a constructive discourse on race is near impossible in Guyana, even at the intellectual level. It is like trying to eat an ice cream cone on the moon. The discourse invariably tends to offend one or both side of the ethnic divide. As such, it inevitably descends into a divisive battle in which each side condemns the other. When criticisms are made about the alleged use of race in politics, those criticisms are turned around and said to be themselves racial in content. So if someone has done something that is considered racial, and you were to say that it is wrong then you can be accused of being racial, and as we have seen, find

yourself in front of the court facing charges of inflaming racial passions. The race card of course can be subtly played. A charge of racism, for example, can be means of mobilizing ethnic support. But what is the charge as merit? What if indeed race is being manipulated, should there not be an examination of the issues? One politician from one political party once accused another political party of having its supporters using racial slurs in its appeal to voters. The politician making the charge found himself being accused of playing the race card without anyone bothering to check whether

the accusation being made was true. The accuser became the accused. Every time there is a charge that the government is practising racial discrimination, the person making the charge is accused to playing the race card. But interestingly when one opposition politician once said that a Head of State had no right to go into a particular village, this was not considered as inflaming racial passions. These double standards are a symptom of the racial polarization with the society. And the racial polarization is what is responsible for the absence of any constructive discourse on race in Guyana. The double standards are

exhibited within the media. There are media personalities who are not going to touch the present controversy which has hit the news. They are not going to touch it because the media is not above what is happening in society. It is not above the polarization of the society. This is the saddest thing about Guyana’s democracy. We have a division also within the media. We live in a country of double standards. People are taking sides and refusing to objectively examine issues which have racial implications. How then can any progress be made in society when this is the sort of reaction which is coming from the public? There is in the public

Jagdeo says Govt. two faced on Non-Disclosure ... From page 7 confidential materials) Not to disclose any such Proprietary Information or any information derived there from to any third person. Not to make any use whatsoever at any time of such Proprietary information except to make the bids to the Client and Not to copy or reverse engineer any such Proprietary Information. The Contractor shall ensure that its employees, agents and sub-contractors to whom Proprietary information is disclosed or who have access to Proprietary [information sign a nondisclosure or similar agreement in content substantially similar to this Agreement, and shall indemnify the Client against the consequences of any failure by such employees, agents or sub-contractors to

adhere to the conditions thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contractor may make disclosures required by law or court order provided the Contractor uses diligent, reasonable efforts to limit disclosure and has allowed the Client to seek a protective order. The failure of either party to enforce its rights under this Agreement at any time for any period shall not be construed as a waiver of such rights. lf any part, term or provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or unenforceable neither the validity, nor enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement shall be affected. Neither Party shall assign or transfer all or any part of its rights under this Agreement without the consent of the

other Party. This Agreement may not be amended for any other reason without the prior written agreement of both Parties. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof. The Public Infrastructure Minister stressed once more that the nondisclosure agreement is in relation to the “prequalification stage” of the project. He said the fact that the Opposition Leader can even begin to insinuate otherwise is not only malicious but clearly speaks of “an envy that is burning deep within.” The Minister said, “This is clearly the actions of a man who is running scared… We are 10 times more transparent about this project than they

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo don’t mean to change and de Chat-3 no different Fuh years dem boys realize and expose that every word come out de mouth of Jagdeo, that scamp, is a lie. He even cultivate this attitude in de people who he surround heself wid. Dem boys now beginning to realize some of Soulja Bai people get de same paint wid Jagdeo brush wheh lying is concern. Yesterday, Jagdeo had a press conference and he lie again. He claim how de govt never put a cent in de Berbice Bridge. When dem boys ask him about de US$8 million he tek from NIS and put in de Bridge he seh NIS money is not govt money—is private money. Dem boys believe that de NIS money belong to ee

mother and father bank account. That is why de ordinary man can’t get ee own NIS money wha he pay all he life. Babbie, he best, friend put money in de Berbice Bridge just like NIS but he drawing down. He getting fat, fat cheques. NIS ain’t getting a cent but Jagdeo tell dem reporter how NIS get money when NIS ain’t get one cent. Dem boys want to know if he mix up de private investors wid NIS. De Chat-3 is a full blown liar like Jagdeo. He lie how Basil de Willie hut he feelings when he call him a thief. He go to court and sue plus get an injunction stopping de Willie from charging he.

Well dem boys hear yesterday de judge, Madame Priya, shie away de injunction to give him a wakeup call. She even tell him to pay costs. De judge realize how conniving he is. He file an injunction without any reason to stop de charge. That injunction get shie out. He file another injunction on de same issue and didn’t mention de fuss injunction. According to judge Priya you can’t file de same injunction two time. You trying to deceive de court. That is wha get she vex and she shie out de injunction, he and he lawyers out de court. Talk half and beware of dem lying lawyers and politicians.

(the PPP) have ever been on all of their projects done in the past 23 years. It is nothing but envy. Also, we are giving an almost US$1M per year subsidiary to the residents of Regions Five and Six because of the Berbice Bridge, so if we have to provide a subsidy to the residents in Region Three for this one, then so be it. That's our responsibility. If the PPP objects to us providing any support, they can oppose the funding when it comes up in parliament” Patterson also noted that all the proposed financing models for the bridge will be examined and the best one in keeping with the administration's vision to develop the nation will be chosen.

domain at present, an issue involving social media comments allegedly made by someone who works with the President of Guyana. The issue has become polarized because it was highlighted on social media by someone who is from the opposition. And so the discussion, if it can be called that, has descended into a debate as to which side is holier. The issue here is not the truthfulness of those charges but the absence of a clearly defined set of standards which should guide conduct in public office. The issue here should not be about bringing anybody down but about raising standards in public life. And once you are a public official, even aspects of your personal life become public business. So what are the standards by which we are going to hold public officials, from whichever side of the political division to which they belong? What are we going to tolerate in terms of conduct on and off the job? This is really the main issue which needs to be discussed in terms of promoting race

relations. Social cohesion has to exist not just among communities; there has to be social cohesion at all levels of society, including within the government and in order to ensure there is such cohesion, then standards as to what constitutes improper conduct must be established, especially when it comes to the issue of race. This is where we have to begin. A debate within the public is not going to solve any problem because that debate will end up being a polarized cuss out between the contesting parties. But if we agree on the standards that would be tolerated and if those standards are breached, within the government, then it matters not who is making the criticism. The breach of the standard should lead to sanctions, regardless of who is involved.

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Thursday September 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Trump, Jagdeo and slime eels Donald Trump is regarded by a growing number of global citizens as someone who is unfit to be the President of the USA, but at home Trump has his supporters. He enjoys substantial numbers of embracers of his ideology even if those admirers come from selected parts of the US. One of the strong points of Trump which will become even firmer now that Mrs. Hilary Clinton has written a book (titled, WHAT HAPPENED) on why she lost the presidential contest is that he has never been associated with the power establishment of Washington, D.C. Anyone who followed Trump’s entry into the

presidential race would know that he beat off senators and governors for the Republican nomination because they had a stain that he didn’t. He was not associated with government at any level in Washington D.C. that worked for him; those who secured the votes for him. Published extracts of Mrs. Clinton’s book acknowledged that Trump appealed to people who wanted new faces. When you talk to a Trump supporter and you ask how that voter could endorse such a person, that supporter will tell you that Mrs. Clinton, this senator, that senator, this governor, that governor have done this and that and Mr. Trump was never part of such things. This was Trump’s

trump card and it worked for him. This was Macron’s major ace in France and it brought him to power. Both Trump and Macron could lose their die hard fanatics if they pursue policies that appear to be establishment trends. But for now, their bandwagoners see them as outsiders who need to go in and change things. We come now to the supporters of Bharrat Jagdeo. I became deeply cynical about the sudden appearance of people who became columnists in PPPrelated newspapers and overnight letter-writers, all in condemnation of the APNU+AFC. This deluge didn’t start last week or last month but

since 2015. I referred to such types as slime eels, likening them to the slime eels which have some peculiar physiological features that remind me of these sudden newcomers who see everything that is wrong with the post 2015 administration. Soon after the government got in there were charges of ethnic discrimination, employment favouritism, wasteful expenditure, wrong policy directions, skullduggery, etc. Those charges in themselves are not unhealthy politics. Strong and enduring critics of the Jagdeo and Ramotar presidencies are currently speaking up against some wrong-doings of the present government. Ardent believers in the PNC and the AFC have identified some unacceptable pathways the APNU+AFC coalition have gone into. The slime eels are really disgusting creatures in that not even half a word against the oceans, mountains and rivers of depravities that characterized the reign of Jagdeo and Ramotar can be seen in their columns and letters.

It clearly shows the disturbing minds that have burst upon the scene. Eric Phillips of ACDA sees this new appearance as dangerous given their state of mind. This is where the

Frederick Kissoon comparison between Trump and Jagdeo comes in and the relevance of the description of slime eels becomes graphic. Trump supporters could easily be understood. Their president never pursued bad policies when he was in the White House because he was never in the White House. Opposition Leader and leader of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, had de jure power for 12 years (August

1999 – November 2011) and de facto power (November 2011- May 2015). You mean to tell me these slime eels, from wherever they crawled out, did not know about the endangerment of Guyana under Jagdeo and Ramotar? Any economics student could see that the use of state money to build a hotel was extreme asininity and extreme destructiveness. Why a poor country would want to take money from the Treasury and invest it in a hotel? Which Third World government as poor as Guyana would want to do that? Not even in countries where tourism is a stupendous income-earner has the state gone in that direction. The pattern has always been minority shareholding by the state. The most modern hotel in Cuba has just gone up with European investors holding majority shares with minority shares for the state. Jagdeo’s Marriott Hotel was not one of, but the most decadent uses of state funds in the history of the CARICOM nations. So you open the papers and you see these slime eels writing about the mistakes of the APNU+AFC Government and reminding us of PNC dictatorship in the seventies and eighties completely obfuscating the winds of change Desmond Hoyte ushered in. But Eric Phillips is on to something. These slime eels do not recognize the assassination of CrumEwing. And do you know why?

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 14, 2017

Thursday September 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

CCRIF to pay US$29.6m to six Irma-affected Caribbean countries

40,000 Venezuelans in T&T? - Dillon responds Trinidad Express - National Security Minister Edmund Dillon says there is no evidence that there are more than 40,000 Venezuelan nationals living in Trinidad and Tobago.

was an estimated 40,000 Venezuelan nationals living in this country both legally and illegally. But she said the majority were illegal migrants. Former director of the UWI Institute of Interna-

Wednesday, Dillon said there was no way to know for certain the number of Venezuelans currently in Trinidad and Tobago. However he said based on information he has received

Houses are seen on September 8, 2017 in Codrington, Antigua and Barbuda, devastated by Hurricane Irma. (Photo: AFP) KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) says it will be making payments of approximately US$29.6 million to six Caribbean governments impacted by Hurricane Irma under their tropical cyclone insurance policies. According to a release from the insurance company yesterday, Hurricane Irma has triggered payments from CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) to the Governments of Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, St Kitts & Nevis, Turks & Caicos Islands, Haiti and The Bahamas on their tropical cyclone (TC) insurance policies that they hold with CCRIF. CCRIF said it is also as-

sessing if any of member countries’ excess rainfall (XSR) policies were triggered by the rains from Hurricane Irma. CCRIF added that countries might possibly receive a second payment under their XSR policies. Preliminary calculations of the payments due (as of September 9) for all six countries are shown below and will be received by the countries within 14 days of the event as mandated by CCRIF’s operational guidelines. Antigua & Barbuda — US$6,794,875 Anguilla — US$6,529,100 St Kitts & Nevis — US$2,294,603 Turks & Caicos Islands — US$13,631,865 Haiti — US$162,000

Caribbean incumbents win NY Democratic Primary elections NEWYORK - CMC – Two popular Caribbean incumbents were victorious in Tuesday’s New York City Democratic Primary elections. Haitian Dr. Mathieu Eugene, who represents the 40th Council District in Brooklyn, and Jumaane Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, representative for the adjacent 45th Council District in Brooklyn, were re-elected in the low-voter turn-out. The winner in the Democratic Primary Elections is usually a shoo-in to win the November general elections in New York, which votes overwhelmingly for the Democratic Party.

With all of the 104 precincts reporting, Eugene, the first Haitian to ever win a seat in the City Council, received 5,414 votes, or 41 per cent. His closest rival was Brian Christopher Cunningham, the son of Jamaican immigrants, who received 3,991 votes, or 30 per cent. Pia Raymond received 2,956 votes, or 22 per cent, and Jennifer Berkley, 822 votes, or six per cent. Williams won the Primary in a landslide with receiving 8,588 votes, or 90 per cent, to his lone challenger, Lou Cespedes, who garnered 904 votes, or 10 per cent when all the voters from the 121 precincts were counted.

The Bahamas — US$234,000 The CCRIF noted that the Irma did not trigger TC policies for Haiti and the Bahamas. However, the company explained, their payments are based on the aggregate deductible cover (ADC). CCRIF said it introduced the ADC as a new policy feature for its members in an effort to help members when modelled losses fall below the attachment point but where there are observed losses on the ground. (Jamaica Observer)

FLASK to June 2016: Nationals of Venezuela, with their luggage in tow, walk along the jetty at the port in Cedros. —Photo: TREVOR WATSON Dillon was responding to comments made by programme coordinator of the Living Water Community’s Ministry For Refugees and Asylum Seekers Rochelle Nakhid. During a stakeholder meeting at the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Tuesday, Nakhid said there

tional Relations, Dr Anthony Gonzales, said this posed a security threat to T&T as migrants could be involved in crimes like drug and weapons trading as well as trafficking. Questioned on the matter following a National Security Symposium at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on

from the immigration department, it is no where near 40,000. He said the Ministry has been monitoring the number of Venezuelans coming into and leaving Trinidad or a number of years and there has been a decrease in arrivals over the past three years.

PAGE 22

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Thursday September 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Court dismisses Anil Nandlall’s application for injunction

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Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry dismissed an injunctive application filed by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall. She also ordered him to pay $30,000 in costs. The judge found that no interim order was made. Nandlall had moved to the court to stop Attorney General Basil Williams from instituting charges against him for the Commonwealth Law Volumes removed from the Office of the Attorney General. Nandlall had gone to the courts, earlier, with an application but the court found that the filing lacked certain supporting documents and dismissed it. Eleven days later Nandlall sought to reintroduce the same application but he did not make mention of the earlier application. He was seeking to mislead the court, lawyer for the Attorney General said. The issue was what Nandlall termed defamatory statements by the Attorney General, Mr Williams, who had announced that he was going to charge Nandlall for stolen law books. By the time Nandlall moved to the courts the second time his application showed that there was no urgency, coming 11 days after the alleged statement. Circumstances had also overtaken the action sought by Nandlall; the charges were already instituted. The court has also stated that there would be a case management conference on October 6, when a determination would be made on whether the substantive matter— the claim of defamation—is to be heard. Attorney at Law Patrice Henry appeared for the Attorney General while Manoj Narayan appeared for Mr Nandlall.

Thursday September 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

$550M cocaine in lumber bust…

Trial of Stephen Vieira, three others delayed again

The Image of GRA is a work in progress

Guyana Revenue Authority The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has noted the September 11, 2017 editorial of the Kaieteur Newspaper captioned ‘GRA’s Image’. Even though most of the editorial has provided a somewhat accurate analysis of the mammoth task the new Commissioner General, Mr. Godfrey Statia is facing in his fight against corruption, some elements of the editorial are subjective and based on the editor’s opinion, GRA said. “It is no secret that the Authority was and is still deeply embedded in a culture of corruption, where allegations of bribery and favouritism are synonymous with the acronym ‘GRA’. “ Mr. Statia made his position clear from “Day 1” and he personally communicated this to the entire Agency. As Head of the Authority, he has worked to put numerous systems in place geared at minimising corruption while

systematically improving efficiency, compliance and revenue collection,” the revenue collection agency noted. The statement added that it would be ludicrous for anyone to assume that a culture that was created and festered for decades could be eradicated overnight. “Yet, it must be conceded that during the last 13 months there have been more corrupt officers disciplined than previously recorded for any previous period.” The allegation, that “several senior officials at the GRA are taking bribes but they are deemed the untouchables” is an acknowledgement that the editor may have in his/her possession information of corrupt practices, GRA contended. The Commissioner General has on numerous occasions requested the general public and all persons in receipt of such information to

share same with the Authority. Such information will be treated with utmost confidence, and upon investigation allow for the termination of the services of such persons and the effective eradication of these practices. “The Commissioner General again call upon all stakeholders to work together to identify officers who are engaging in these unscrupulous practices, thereby allowing for a level playing field for all businesses and taxpayers.” “Taxation is a social contract between the government and its citizens, and all taxpayers should pay their rightful taxes – no more no less. The Authority again calls upon the taxpaying public to cease in such collusion and bring to its attention, those unscrupulous employees and taxpayers engaged in these activities,” GRA noted.

The trial of motorbike racer, Stephen Vieira and three other men including a former customs official has been deferred again. It will resume on November 10 when the accused will appear before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court. Former Customs Officer, Sherwayne De Abreu of 262 Street Eight Section A Liliendaal, Georgetown; Vieira of 37 Middle Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown; businessman, Tazim Gafoor

and his son, Nazim Gafoor, a motor car racer, both of Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara are accused of aiding Hakim Mohamed to traffic 84.986 kilogrammes of cocaine between March 1 and May 2. The men were first charged on May 30. Their trial which was scheduled to commence yesterday has been further adjourned. Nevertheless, Vieira and Nazim Gafoor were each granted $5M bail by Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George.

Kaieteur News understands that the bust was made after CANU officials received a tip off on May 12. When the ranks acted, the boards were being packed onto a truck. The truck driver and porters were arrested but were subsequently released after it was discovered that the vehicle and its workers were hired to transport the timber. The drug agency in a release said that ranks conducted a search at the parapet in front of the premises of Mohamed and searched a truck laden with several pallets of 1×6 dressed lumber boards prepared for export. Several pieces of boards were drilled randomly by the ranks and revealed a whitish substance (cocaine). The lumber was packed at a sawmill located at Lookout, East Bank Essequibo belonging to Narine Lall to be transported to a wharf in Georgetown and then shipped to the United States of America, CANU stated. Canu in a statement said that Vieira is listed on the shipping documents as a representative of the shipper, Lall. An arrest warrant has been issued for Lall According to CANU, Tazim was placed before the court charged for his role in another cocaine matter. The 43-year-old man was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, last year September following the discovery of over nine kilogrammes of cocaine.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 14, 2017

Criminal probe opens into 8 deaths at Florida nursing home after Irma

Florida nursing home after Hurricane Irma

HOLLYWOOD, Fla./ SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Police yesterday opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of eight elderly patients inside a stifling South Florida nursing home that lost power during Hurricane Irma. The overall death toll from the storm climbed to 81 yesterday, with several hard-hit Caribbean islands accounting for more than half the fatali-

ties, and officials continued to assess damage inflicted by the second major hurricane to strike the U.S. mainland this year. Irma killed at least 29 people in Florida, plus seven more in Georgia and South Carolina combined, authorities said. One of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, Irma bore down on the Caribbean with devastating force as it raked the northern shore of Cuba last week before barreling into the Florida Keys island chain on Sund a y, p a c k i n g s u s t a i n e d winds of up to 130 miles per hour (215 km per hour). It then plowed north up the Gulf Coast of the state before dissipating. In addition to severe flooding in areas across Florida and extensive property damage in the Keys, one of the chief hardships facing

Floridians has been widespread power outages that initially left more than half of the state without electricity. Some 4.2 million homes and businesses were still without power yesterday in Florida and neighbouring states, down from a peak outage tally of 7.4 million customers on Monday. The power losses had tragic consequences at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hill, a nursing home in Hollywood, Florida, north of Miami. Three elderly residents were found dead yesterday inside the sweltering facility, which had been left without air conditioning, officials said. Five more patients from the nursing home later died at a nearby hospital, they said. Police said they have opened an investigation into possible criminal negligence.

Juncker - grab Brexit chance to forge a tighter EU STRASBOURG (Reuters) - European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker urged European Union governments yesterday to use economic recovery and Brexit as springboards towards a closer union, built on an expanded euro zone and a pivotal role in world trade. In his annual State of the European Union speech, Juncker sketched out a vision of a post-2019 EU where some 30 countries would be using the euro, with an EU finance minister running key budgets to help states in trouble. Tax and welfare standards would converge and Europe, not the United States, would be the hub of a free-trading world. The EU chief executive stressed his wish to heal divisions between eastern and western states. He sees that as vital to countering a drive, including by founding powers France and Germany, to set up new structures within the bloc that would exclude some poorer,

ex-communist members in the east. “The wind is back in Europe’s sails,” Junker told the European Parliament, citing economic growth and the easing of a succession of crises — Greek debt, refugee inflows, the rise of euroscepticism reflected in Brexit - that seemed to threaten the EU’s survival. “Now we have a window of opportunity, but it will not stay open for ever,” he said, emphasising a need to move on from and even profit from the British vote to leave the bloc in 2019. “We will keep moving on because Brexit isn’t everything, it is not the future of Europe,” he said in a speech that Brexit supporters said showed they were right to take Britain out of a bloc set on creating more powerful, central institutions French, German and eastern European officials made positive comments, but several said Juncker would face stiff opposition.

Thursday September 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

North Korea defiant over U.N. sanctions as Trump says tougher steps needed

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reacts during a celebration for nuclear scientists and engineers who contributed to a hydrogen bomb test. (KCNA) in Pyongyang on September 10, 2017. KCNA via REUTERS SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea displayed trademark defiance yesterday over new United Nations sanctions imposed after its sixth and largest-ever nuclear test, vowing to redouble efforts to fight off what it said was the threat of a U.S. invasion. U.S. President Donald Trump said the sanctions, unanimously agreed on Monday by the 15-member U.N. Security Council, were just a small step toward what is ultimately needed to rein in Pyongyang over its nuclear

and missile programmes. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the resolutions were an infringement on its legitimate right to self-defence and aimed at “completely suffocating its state and people through full-scale economic blockade”. “The DPRK will redouble the efforts to increase its strength to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and right to existence and to preserve peace and security of the region by establishing the practical equilibrium with the U.S.,” it said in

a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is North Korea’s official name. The statement echoed comments on Tuesday by DPRK’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Han Tae Song, who said Pyongyang was “ready to use a form of ultimate means”. “The forthcoming measures ... will make the U.S. suffer the greatest pain it ever experienced in its history,” Han said.

U.S. will not issue some visas in four nations in deportation crackdown WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department yesterday will stop issuing certain kinds of visas to some citizens of Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone because the nations are not taking back their citizens the United States wants to deport.The new policies, laid out in State Department cables reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday and described in a department news briefing, are the latest example of U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to crack down on immigrants who are in the United States illegally. The cables, sent by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to consular officials around the world, said the four countries were “denying or unreasonably delaying” the return of their citizens, and that visa restrictions would be lifted in a country if it accepted its deportees. “The Secretary determines the categories of appli-

cants subject to the visa restrictions, and the categories differ slightly country by country,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in the news briefing on Tuesday. The visa sanctions vary in severity, with Eritrea facing the harshest ones. Any Eritreans who apply in their own country for most U.S. business or tourist visas will be rejected, according to one of the cables. (bit.ly/ 2jnTWo8) In Guinea, the United States will no longer issue a range of tourist, business and student visas to government officials and their immediate family members who apply from inside the country, another cable said. “We are all surprised by the American authorities’ decision but the foreign minister is at this moment working so that the situation returns to normal,” Guinea government spokesman Damantang

Albert Camara told Reuters. “It must be understood that Guinea has never wanted to prevent the repatriation of its nationals who are in conflict with American law.” In Cambodia, the sanction is tailored. Only Foreign Ministry employees at or above the rank of director general, and their families, who apply inside the country will be barred from getting some visas for personal travel, a third cable said. For Sierra Leone, only Foreign Ministry and immigration officials will be denied tourist and business visas at the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, according to a fourth cable. “American citizens have been harmed because foreign governments refuse to take back their citizens,” Thomas Homan, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a Department of Homeland Security statement.

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Thursday September 14, 2017

Brazil’s Lula undergoes new grilling by anti-corruption judge Curitiba (Brazil) (AFP) - Brazil’s once hugely popular president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva underwent a new grilling yesterday by the country’s chief anti-corruption judge, Sergio Moro, in a case that could decide whether Lula can return to power. Lula, a frontrunner in the October 2018 presidential election despite multiple corruption charges, was greeted by several hundred leftist supporters on arrival at the courthouse in the southern city of Curitiba. Demonstrators wearing red shirts crowded around the 71-year-old, shouting encouragement. About 1,500 police officers kept a close watch. Inside, Moro questioned Lula about alleged bribe taking from the scandal-plagued Odebrecht construction giant. Moro is a key figure in the mammoth “Car Wash” antigraft drive which has uncovered systemic bribery by corporations of Brazil’s political class, as well as mass embezzlement from state oil company Petrobras. Lula, arguably Moro’s biggest target, is already a defendant in four other corruption trials. And in July, Moro sentenced Lula to 9.5 years in prison after being convicted in a sixth trial of receiving a seaside apartment from the OAS construction company in return for help obtaining lucrative contracts with Petrobras. The founder of Brazil’s leftist Workers’ Party, Lula is free pending appeal of that sentence and hopes to string out or defeat the other cases so that he can run for a third term next year.

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Jamaica elected to UNWTO executive council CHENGDU, China - CMC – Jamaica has been elected to the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to serve a two-year term alongside Argentina and Uruguay, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism yesterday. It said that the shared arrangement of the four-year membership and will allow the three designated seats for the UNWTO’s Commission of the Americas (CAM), of which Jamaica is a member, to be served by more members of the region. The second half of the four-year term will be served by Honduras, Peru and Brazil, beginning in 2019. “Jamaica stands in solidarity with our colleagues in the region. We are happy that we are able to negotiate within the Commission of the Americas (CAM) and agree to an amicable solution that will allow more countries within the region to participate in this

global decision making body,” the statement quoted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith as saying. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett welcomed the election saying “the confidence placed in Jamaica internationally puts us in a unique position to reap a number of benefits which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the people of Jamaica. “As a result of this, we have been able to form a number of key partnerships, strengthen linkages with other sectors and witness an increase in investments,” said Bartlett. The Executive Council is responsible for the management and implementation of strategic decisions carried out by the UNWTO. By collectively serving on the council, it will allow tourism dependent countries to work together to better advance the development of the region. “This was an objective of

our trip to China and we are happy to have received the support from our fellow states in the Americas. We are confident that with this election, we will be at helm of the decision-making process of the tourism sector for member states within the Americas and, by extension, the rest of the world,” said Griffith. Bartlett, who was unable to attend the meeting due to the unexpected temporary closure at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), joined his delegation in China on Tuesday. The statement said he will use the remainder of his trip to participate in the 22nd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly, while also promoting the ‘UNWTO, Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism’, scheduled for November 27-29 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre Jamaica.

No Sanctions Expected Over Closure Of Airspace – JCAA The Gleaner - While stakeholders in Jamaica’s travel and tourism sectors fume over the limited access to the island’s airspace, officials say there’ll be no fallout at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) over its actions in the matter. Addressing questions at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday morning, aviation adviser to the Minister of Transport, Leroy Lindsay, said it was unlikely that the JCAA would face any penalty for deciding to partially close the country’s airspace. In the meantime, JCAA chairman Phillip Henriques says the agency is about to change over to a new air traffic control system. Henriques explains that aspects of the new TOP SKY system are currently being used as back up while it repairs the old radar communication system that sustained major damage as a result of a lightning strike last Friday. The JCAA chairman explains further that air traffic controllers are currently being trained to use this new system and so are not able to fully utilise its features to perform the full suite of air traffic services that are normally provided to airlines at this time.

Phillip Henriques Consequently, he says the JCAA has had to be relying on a contingency team to provide limited air traffic services, hence the reason for the partial closure of the island’s airspace since Friday. In the meantime, Henriques says the aviation agency is still working on restoring full access to the country’s airspace. He says the aim is to be able to facilitate landing and departure of all flights between today and tomorrow.

World Bank Group Executive Directors To Visit Jamaica The Gleaner - Eleven members of the World Bank Group board of executive directors will pay a two-day visit to Jamaica from today to Saturday. The delegation, representing 98 member countries from the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, will discuss Jamaica’s development priorities, emerging opportunities and challenges.

They will also examine the World Bank’s engagement in support of the country’s efforts to reduce poverty and enhance prosperity, according to a release from the Jamaica Information Service. During the visit, the executives will meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Finance and the Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw and other members of the Cabinet; as well as represen-

tatives from the private sector, civil society and women entrepreneurs. They will also experience, first-hand, some of the work being implemented under World Bank-supported projects on the island. The group is also expected to meet with farmers’ groups and visit greenhouses to see results accomplished under the Rural Economic Development Initiative project.

Thursday September 14, 2017

FIFA boss Infantino accused of opposing... From page 33 a mockery of FIFA’s actions against some associations for political interference. Infantino’s position on Mutko became even clearer when secretary general Fatma Samoura was sent to meet Maduro. ’The secretary general made it clear to me that it was extremely problematic, more than that... She said we needed to find a solution to declare Mr Mutko eligible because otherwise the World Cup would be a disaster and the continued presidency of Mr Infantino would also be in question,’ Maduro said. Maduro stood firm despite Infantino ‘expressing his great concern’ and accusing him of trying to impose rules ‘retrospectively’. In response, Maduro said he was simply implementing rules that had previously been ignored. Maduro described Infantino as a man who he believes started with the intention of tackling an ‘embedded culture’ that is ‘extremely

resistant to independent scrutiny’ but who has chosen ‘to survive politically’. The former Portuguese Minister for Regional Development said this ‘systemic culture’ comes ‘from the ground up’ and there are associations and confederations that do not understand what good governance looks like or why it is even desirable. ‘FIFA is a system of rules without the rule of law,’ he explained. Over more than an hour, Maduro detailed various issues, including how the Asian Football Confederation refused to act on his recommendations to increase female representation and the African Football Confederation ignored his request to give a candidate a fair chance in a FIFA council election. But the session opened with a perfect example of what he said was ‘wrong with FIFA’s governance’. When Maduro was sacked earlier this year, the heads of the ethics investigatory and judicial committees

were also removed - an act that has been widely seen as revenge for them doing their jobs too diligently. DCMS Committee Chairman Damian Collins had hoped to question the former Investigations Chief Cornel Borbely as well, and was asked by Borbely to write to Infantino for permission. That permission was denied and, in a letter from Samoura, Collins was told Borbely could face criminal action if he spoke to the committee. Maduro, on the other hand, said he was more than happy to take advantage of parliamentary privilege, which provides protection from legal action in British courts, to speak freely about FIFA, as there was an obvious ‘public interest’ defence. He also pointed out that Infantino should have passed on Collins’ request to the independent Ethics Committee and not his right-hand woman. FIFA has not responded to a request for comment. (MailOnline)

Thursday September 14, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 Write down any insights you may receive - you may want to make use of them later. A female friend could want to share your experiences.

Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 Treat yourself to something special, whether it be a gourmet meal, a new outfit, or the latest gadget that you have your eye on.

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 You could find that friends or family members misunderstand you today, taking one statement that you make and turning it into a personal attack.

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 Today you could be very empathetic. You could find yourself reading other people like a book! You'll know what someone is feeling or thinking before they even say a word.

Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Take your time, because the more you rush, the more you could forget! If you can pace yourself, you'll be able to focus better. Just handle one thing at a time. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 You may find that you have a very strong physical will at this time. Once you get fired up to go somewhere, there will be very little chance that anyone else can stop you. Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Today is a good follow-through day for you. Normally you are much better at tagging along or simply going with the flow of the situation. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 You may be feeling a bit more in touch with your warrior side than you do with your emotional side today. More than likely, this will set the stage for conflict within your world of hopes and dreams.

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Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your deep inner strength will show through loud and clear, and you have the inner desire to make anything happen that you want. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 At first you may be tempted to look the other way and simply go on as if you didn't notice what is happening right in front of you. Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 You probably aren't going to impress people with your fast talk and quick facts today. More than likely, you will get further if you express the emotions that lie behind your words. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 This is a good day for passionate, enthusiastic speech. You could find yourself engaged in a debate with someone.

Golovkin and Alvarez touchdown ahead of Las Vegas showdown

Both Canelo and Golovkin have left the door open to fighting for a second time in the future. The next installment of what has been a truly manic year for boxing is about to begin as Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez arrive in Las Vegas. The upcoming showdown – on September 16 – will see the pair fight for WBA, WBC and IBF middleweight title belts held by GGG at the T-Mobile Arena, and has been named the ‘Supremacy’, setting the tone before a punch has even been thrown. One third of the belts being contested - Golovkin’s WBC title - is a familiar friend to Canelo, who held it before vacating due to strict deadlines for his clash with GGG, which was originally proposed for May 17. Despite the delay in the bout, the pair have now moved one step closer to the ring after they touched down in Sin City on Tuesday. Golovkin proudly paraded through Vegas with his belts held above his head, while Canelo appeared to be taking in the occasion. The Mexican was pictured posing with his coaching team and trying a pair of sunglasses on for the fans gathering to get a glimpse of the boxing giants. Golovkin, who has eight years on his opponent, boasts an unbeaten record which has seen him only fail to knock out an opponent on four occasions. The Kazakh has already predicted his opponent’s demise. The 35-year-old believes it will only take him one round to silence Alvarez for

good. ‘I need maybe one round. I have a couple of new ideas,’ Golovkin said. ‘Maybe he’s heavier. Maybe he’s slower right now. I know my job, I know my work.’

Canelo, however, is no easy customer having failed to win just two of his staggering 51 professional fights.

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Cristiano Ronaldo bags a brace in routine win for Champions League holders Cristiano Ronaldo took just 12 minutes to mark his return to the Real Madrid side with a goal as the holders made light work of Cypriot champions Apoel in a 3-0 win. Ronaldo was his usual rambunctious self, later raging against the goal-line referee when he correctly adjudged his shot had not crossed the line and smashing in a penalty moments later. Ronaldo’s first goal was made by Gareth Bale, who also played a part in Ronaldo’s second and Sergio Ramos’ spectacular third. When he was taken off with 10 minutes left the overwhelming response was applause. But there were also a few whistles. It wasn’t really the night for any of the home supporters to be unsatisfied. Marco Asensio had ruled himself out before the game with an infected his leg caused by cutting a pimple with a razor. It was the only close shave as Madrid moved to the top of Group H without problems. Isco began the move for the first goal when he cleared a path for himself down the left before finding Bale. He drilled the ball low across the face of the goal to Ronaldo who converted at the back post. Mateo Kovacic was taken off with an abductor injury midway through the first half and Toni Kroos was slow to replace him – still taping up his shin pads as the clock ticked. But Madrid were comfortable, even with a man down. Ramos then upended Igor de Camargo underneath the referee’s but the point he often makes about being shown more leniency by European referees was born out when he was not even spoken to. Bale almost made the second for Ronaldo on the half hour when from Kroos’ pass his volleyed left foot cross ran invitingly infront of the Portuguese on the edge of the six-yard box. Ronaldo failed

Cristiano Ronaldo put Real Madrid ahead in the 12th minute with a clinical strike. to connect and the chance was gone. At the start of the second half Ronaldo was convinced he had scored a second. His shot had come down off the crossbar and he ran to the line referee who pointed at his wristwatch. There had been no bleep to confirm the ball had crossed the line. Replays showed it hadn’t and Ronaldo was denied. But not for long. (MailOnline) Feyenoord 0 Manchester City 4 John Stones scored twice as Manchester City got their Champions League group campaign under way with a commanding win over Dutch side Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Stones registered City’s fastest ever goal in the competition with a header after two minutes as Pep Guardiola’s men made a perfect start. Sergio Aguero doubled the lead after 10 minutes, latching on to Kyle Walker’s cross and volleying into the roof of the net to claim his 23rd goal in 41 Champions League

games for the club. Gabriel Jesus netted on his Champions League debut as City went 3-0 up after 25 minutes, the Brazilian calmly slotting into an empty net after Benjamin Mendy’s shot had been palmed out by Brad Jones. Feyenoord improved after the break but City still had too much for them, Stones adding his second with another header from a corner to wrap up a one-sided win for the Premier League side. In the other game in Group F, Shakhtar Donetsk beat Napoli 2-1 in Ukraine.

Inter-County competition in 2009 and three matches in the 2010 Inter-County T20 competition but failed to make the Guyana Amazon Warriors side which represented the West Indies in the 2010 T20 Champions League in South Africa. His first season in English conditions was in 2013 before playing there again the next year. However, last year, with his ambition being still to represent his County at the se-

Gotze with a swinging arm. The visitors can point an accusing finger at the officials, who ruled out a perfectly good goal from PierreEmerick Aubameyang for

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Borussia Dortmund 1 Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham beat Borussia Dortmund to get their Champions League campaign off to a positive start and end their winless run at Wembley. Kane’s instinct in front of goal was the difference as Spurs were largely forced on the back foot by an impressive German side who dominated territory and possession.

Malteenoes Captain successful... From page 36 points.In 2007 in St. Kitts, Carmichael played three Regional Under-19 games to help Guyana to their twelfth three-day title and four 50over games including the Final at Warner Park when the South Americans were beaten by Jamaica. He made his senior InterCounty debut in the 2008 limited overs tournament for Demerara before representing the Rest team in the 50-over

His first goal - a rising angled finish following a determined run down the left capped a frantic opening 15 minutes in which Son Heungmin’s opener from an angle

It had taken Sevilla just five minutes to take the lead as Wissam Ben Yedder tapped in from close range after home defender Dejan Lovren fell over while trying to clear the ball. Sadio Mane tested visiting goalkeeper Sergio Rico with a low drive as Liverpool looked to get back into the game, and they managed to do so when Roberto Firmino finished off a fine team move from close range. The five-time winners continued to push forward and were rewarded as Mohamed Salah’s strike looped in via a huge deflection off Simon Kjaer, but then Firmino, presented with the chance to give the home side breathing space, struck a penalty against the post. Georginio Wijnaldum came close with a low drive in the second half but the English side were punished for not adding to their advantage when they conceded with 18 minutes remaining. Luis Muriel could have won it for Sevilla in injury time, but shot wide from inside the box, be-

nior 50-over and First-Class levels, he missed the English season. ”I took a break from all the traveling and also wanted to be at home for all the GCB franchise league matches to give myself a chance of staking a claim for national selection,” said Carmichael. He did not gain favor with the National Selectors resulting in his returning to England this year. (Sean Devers)

Harry Kane scores was cancelled out by a superb curling finish from Dortmund’s Andriy Yarmolenko. The England forward’s second was a low finish inside the far post on the hour mark to give his side the edge they needed as they overcame the threat of their dangerous and relentless opponent. owever, the home side ended the game with 10 men as defender Jan Vertonghen was sent off for catching Dortmund substitute Mario

offside. Liverpool 2 Sevilla 2 Liverpool’s first game in the Champions League since 2014 ended in a draw with Sevilla at Anfield. In a repeat of the 2016 Europa League final, which the Spaniards won in Basel, Argentine midfielder Joaquin Correa cut through the Liverpool defence and curled home a cool finish to clinch a point.

fore Reds defender Joe Gomez was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who requested a transfer in the summer, made his first appearance of the season for Liverpool, coming on for Emre Can on 75 minutes. In the other Group F game, Maribor came from behind with five minutes remaining to draw 1-1 against Spartak Moscow. (BBCsport)

Thursday September 14, 2017

LA is officially confirmed as the host of the 2028 Olympic Games

IOC President Thomas Bach (centre) poses with Mayor’s of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti. The International Olympic Committee have formally awarded the 2024 summer Olympic Games to Paris and the 2028 edition to Los Angeles following a vote in the Peruvian capital Lima. Paris, which has hosted two previous Olympics, will stage the event 100 years after its last Games in 1924 while Los Angeles will also organise its third Games after 1932 and 1984. There were no other candidates for either the 2024 or 2028 Games and the votes were a formality. IOC President Thomas Bach said the votes for both cities were ‘unanimous’. The IOC decided in July to award both Games at the same time, following the withdrawal of four of the six cities bidding for the 2024 Olympics, amid concerns about the size, cost and complexity of organising the world’s biggest multi-sports event.

Los Angeles then dropped its bid for the 2024 Olympics, for which it had been campaigning for over two years, in return for receiving the 2028 edition. Paris, with a total Games budget of $8.09 billion, had failed with previous attempts to land the 1992, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. The presence of French President Emmanuel Macron, who also spoke on Wednesday in a video message, at the IOC’s extraordinary session in July in Lausanne was seen as crucial in sealing the deal for the French capital for 2024. The Los Angeles 2028 Games, with a budget of $5.3 billion, will essentially follow the plan they had in place for 2024, including housing athletes at the UCLA campus. It is the first time the IOC has awarded a Games 11 years in advance. The Olympic body, however, was eager to secure the

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future of its prime product even if it meant handing out two editions at the same time after Boston, Budapest, Rome and Hamburg all pulled the plug on their bids midrace, fearing high costs and local opposition. ’Congratulations to Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. This historic double allocation is a ‘win-win-win’ situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC,’ said IOC president Thomas Bach. ’It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary,’ Bach commented. ‘These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history. Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way.’

Hamilton chasing Singapore hat-trick but wary of Ferrari Singapore (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton arrives in Singapore as Formula One leader and the season’s first back-to-back winner, but Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel could dash the Mercedes driver’s hopes of a third win in a row on Sunday. Hamilton led team mate Valtteri Bottas in a dominant one-two at the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago to take his second successive win from a record 69th pole position. Vettel trailed home in third place, more than half a minute behind the Briton, and lost the overall lead he had enjoyed all season with Hamilton now three points clear and seven races remaining. Now Mercedes are braced for a Ferrari backlash at the Marina Bay street circuit. “Singapore will be a different story but it’s better to go there in the lead than behind,” the team’s non-executive chairman Niki Lauda told Reuters after the Monza race. Hamilton also expects a closer battle. ”I think the learning from these two weeks should hopefully put us in a better position for Singapore,” he told reporters. “But I think still Ferrari are going to be quick there. They’re rapid through the medium and low speed sections of the circuits.” The tight twists of the Singapore track, which has the most corners of any circuit on the calendar, should play to Ferrari’s strengths. The Italian team, now 62 points behind Mercedes in the team standings, have been dominant this year at similar venues like Monaco and Hungary, scoring onetwo finishes at both. Hamilton and Mercedes also have a chequered history in Singapore, even if now retired 2016 champion team mate

Nico Rosberg won there last year. The Briton is one of only four drivers to have won the race since it joined the calendar in 2008 but Hamilton has only two wins there to Vettel’s four. The German, the most successful driver around the

master...” Red Bull, who took Vettel to three of his wins, boast the best record of all teams in Singapore and see this year’s race as a real opportunity. “I believe Singapore won’t be our only chance but is one of our best chances of a win in

Lewis Hamilton city-state’s floodlit streets, scored the last of those for Ferrari in 2015, when Mercedes failed to finish on the podium. ”In 2015, Singapore provided us with one of the most painful experiences in recent seasons, so we rolled up the sleeves, learned from it and managed to bounce back with a great win last year,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “But notwithstanding that success, this is a circuit we have found difficult to

the second half of the season,” said Australian Daniel Ricciardo. ”I’ve started second and finished second at this track in the last two years, with fastest lap both times, so my aim this year is definitely to start on pole and try to go one better in the race.” All eyes will also be on McLaren, with a split from engine partner Honda and new relationship with Renault set to be announced imminently.

FIFA boss Infantino accused of opposing plans to block Russia Deputy PM Vitaly Mutko A governance expert fired by FIFA in May has accused the leadership of world football’s governing body of interfering with his work, ignoring rules and removing him in order to stay in power. Speaking to MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Miguel Maduro gave a devastating indictment of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s commitment to reform and said only ‘external pressure’ will force the organisation to change. Appointed as Chairman of FIFA’s Governance Committee in May 2016, the Portuguese academic was replaced, without warning, 11 months later after falling out

with Infantino over several ‘sensitive’ decisions. Foremost among those was Maduro’s refusal to allow Russian deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko to stand for a seat on FIFA’s council because it was a clear breach of the rules against governmental interference in football. Responsible for approving candidates, Maduro had expected Infantino’s support, particularly as the newlyelected president had approached him to help restore FIFA’s reputation following the scandals of the Sepp Blatter era. Maduro told the MPs, however, that when he raised

objections to Mutko’s candidacy, Infantino made his opposition ‘very clear’. According to Maduro, Infantino said blocking Mutko would have a negative impact on the 2018 World Cup in Russia and he believed there was ‘no evidence’ the former Russian sports minister had been involved in the state-sponsored doping programme revealed by a World Anti-Doping Agency investigation last year. For Maduro, the latter was an issue for others to decide - he was blocking Mutko for the simple reason that having a deputy prime minister on the council made Continued on page 31

Russian deputy prime minister Mutko (right) tried to stand for a seat on FIFA’s council

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Guinness Cage / Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship

Ol Skool Ballers and Future Stars to clash in Saturday’s final; Back Circle, Leopold Street for 3rd place Coming into their respective semi-finals encounters, both Ol Skool Ballers and Future Stars made it clear that they are not intimidated by big names and Saturday’s results clearly justified their billing as the two best young teams in the indoor format.

tended their lead when Fabian Crawford goal five minutes from full time gave them the cushion they needed. Again Back Circle would not relent and McLean was in the act once again, netting one minute from the final whistle to put some more in-

ging rights. The two games will be preceded by five exhibition matches among them being a grudge encounter between two Domino teams. The winners will receive $400,000 and the championship trophy, while the runner-

Guinness Cage Semi Final action When the semi-finals of the inaugural Guinness Cage / Three Peat Promotions Indoor Championship was played on Saturday night, at the National Gymnasium, futsal fans got a glimpse of the future kings of the format as Ol Skool Ballers first outlasted the experienced Back Circle in an enthralling slugfest that went right down to the final minute of play. Captain Roy Cassou, who has been one of the most consistent and prolific goal scorers in the futsal format, gave his team the lead in the 10th minute, before Quason McAulay added another two minutes later to send shockwaves through the Back Circle band of supporters. However, Back Circle hit back through Stephon McLean, who netted brace in the game opened his account in the 17th minute to reduce the deficit by one. The young Ballers side went to the half clinging to a slim one-goal advantage and everyone present knew that the Andy Duke-led Back Circle were planning an offensive assault in the final period. They did just that, but time and again the Ballers defensive tenacity repelled every attack, before they ex-

trigue into the electrifying encounter. However, in the end it was a little too late as referee Wayne Griffith’s whistle sounded shortly after to hand Ol Skool Ballers a well deserved spot in the final. The other semi-final between the resurrected Leopold Street and Future Stars lived up to all expectations despite no goals being scored in regulation time, forcing a penalty shootout that the latter won 2-1 to set up a mouth watering showdown against Ol Skool Ballers on Saturday. Tournament leading goal scorer Okanie Fraser was kept at bay all night as the Stars never lost sight of where he was, employing a two-man assignment whenever he had the ball and it worked effectively. The same could be said for Leopold Street’s tactics against the likes of opposing Captain Keiron Solomon and his supporting cast of Jamal Cozier, Akeemo Anthony and Jermaine Junior. They too were held in check, before prevailing in the penalty shootout. It promises to be a sizzling final, while the third place playoff also has some amount of interest in terms of brag-

up, third and fourth placed finishers will collect $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive a gold chain compliment of YK Investments and Pawn Shop and a trophy from Trophy Stall. Among the other sponsors on board are: Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, E-Networks, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall, the Bike Shop and John Fernandes Ltd. Meanwhile, the Organisers continue to extend thanks to the sponsors, fans and ranks of the Guyana Police Force for their support throughout the championship. Action starts at 20:00hrs. The night’s full results: Game-1: Ol Skool Ballers3 vs Back Circle-2. Ol Skool Scorers, Roy Cassou-10th, Quason McAulay-12th, Fabian Crawford-45th. Back Circle Scorer, Stephan McLean-17th and 49th. Game-2: Future Stars-0 vs Leopold Street-0. Future won 2-1 on penalty kicks.

Corona/Petra Invitational Final

Police looking to arrest GFC with a Million at stake

In what is anticipated to be a fierce clash featuring youth versus experience, Georgetown Football Club (GFC) and Police FC will go head to head on Sunday night in the final of the Corona/ Petra Invitational tournament with the winner waltzing away with One Million dollars. The match is set for the Mecca of football in the City; GFC ground which celebrated 115 years of existence last month. The home team will go into the battle as slight favourites after defeating the Lawmen in the round-robin stage of the tournament. However, Police has proven to not make the same mistakes twice after downing Western Tigers in their semifinal encounter, the Tigers had trounced them {Police} 3-0 when they met in round robin play. During a media brief at the GFC pavilion yesterday, Keiron Boston, Manager of Police Football Club expressed delight in the club’s growth during the past four to five years with the most recent triumph being winning the Mayor’s Cup last year. Boston boldly stated, “We (Police) are the superior team

and we will win.” GFC’s Coach, Floyd Cadogan, stated that, “Our team has been preparing for this final, we are ready” and despite Police FC Manager Keiron Boston’s remarks, Cadogan further stated that, “My players believe they are the superior side.” Head Coach of Police, Dwayne Babb, in his remarks noted that the final is expected to be very competitive. Police will be looking to their Captain, the experienced Dwain Jacobs to continue his goal scoring form; he netted the lone and winning goal in the semifinal match that ended Western Tigers quest for top honours. GFC’s African gem, 20 year-old Nigerian Benjamin Opara, is certain to pose an offensive threat to the Police backline. Coach Babb described himself as not being very outspoken but he signaled his intent to adapt because, “I plan having my team feature in much more finals in future.” Jacobs, a former Golden Jaguar and the top goal scorer, twice in the then Kashif and Shanghai tournament, expressed dissatisfac-

tion with losing two games during the round-robin stage of the tournament. The targetman noted: “I don’t like losing period. We will be gunning for the win and we are asking fans to come out in blue to show support and have fun.” The soft spoken Shaquille Bowen, Captain of GFC, modestly stated that although GFC had defeated Police earlier in the competition, his team is not getting over confident. He further explained: “Sunday’s clash will be youth vs. experience with experience likely to win on paper but on the day football has to be played and we will give it our best shot.” GFC which haven’t featured in a senior final for over a decade will pay tribute with a victory in Sunday’s final to their late Coach, Peter Lashley, who was tragically killed in an accident on Valentine’s Day, 2014. The loser of the final will pocket $400,000 while the winner of the third place playoff between Western Tigers and Northern Rangers will be awarded $200,000 and the loser, $100,000.

MSC Open Basketball League

Records tumble as Royals thrash Falcons 206-46; Harold Adams pours in 111 It was total annihilation on Monday night when Harold Adams slammed in a record 111 points to rewrite the record books by achieving the highest individual score in leading Victory Valley Royals past Bankers Trust Falcons 206-46, another record team total. All the action unfolded at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) / Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Open League continued with second round play. On a night when the record books were rewritten, Adams was awesome with his output in an unimaginable ending. The Royals trio of Adams, Chris Williams and Orlando Glasgow were again unstoppable as they led their team to their 7th straight win, bringing over their form from the first round. Adams more than doubled his previous best of 46 points achieved earlier in this tournament while surpassing the 76 points scored by his teammate Chris Williams a few

Chris Williams

Orlando Glasgow

years ago. By the end of the first quarter, Royals were sailing 40-13 against the hapless Falcons which only mustered six points in the second quarter against the rampaging Royals which cantered ahead 83-19 at the half way mark. The point’s fest continued with 66 points being poured in in the third stanza to lead 149-27 eventually closing out a momentous and historic win at 206-46 etching the Royals name in the history books. Glasgow cashed in with 31

points and Chris Williams 22 while past junior national, Marlon Pollydore chipped in with 16. Lawrence Simon and Stephan Duncan each had 13 points for the Falcons. In the other match, LABA champions Retrieve Raiders squeezed past Amelia’s Ward Jets 57-55, Neil Marks leading the winners with 16 points and Duel Montrose, 10. Parrish Cadogan was the leading player for the Jets with the game high 20 while A. Williams contributed 16.

Thursday September 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Ground-breaking Windies Amla, Thisara star in World XI’s last-over win series confirmed: PCB chairman In a nutshell - In a game that far exceeded its predecessor in electricity, intensity, quality and competitiveness, World XI edged Pakistan in a nervewracking contest that went down to the last two balls. Hashim Amla anchored a

Pakistan’s innings centered around another partnership between Babar Azam and Ahmed Shahzad. It wasn’t quite the leviathan of Tuesday, but 59 runs off 45 balls was still a useful contribution that ensured the innings didn’t stutter through

Hashim Amla chase that seemed just out of World XI’s reach with an unbeaten 72 off 55 balls, but it was Thisara Perera, who delivered the knockout blow. Walking in with his side needing 63 off the last five overs, Thisara displayed a level of clinical ruthlessness that Sri Lanka have lacked in recent times. He walloped five sixes in an unbeaten 19-ball 47 to complete the sevenwicket win. He finished with a humungous straight six off the second-last ball to keep the series alive and inflict Pakistan’s first-ever T20I defeat on home soil.

the middle overs. Ben Cutting once more came in for heavy punishment, conceding 52 off his four overs, but a bowling attack noticeably improved by Samuel Badree’s inclusion didn’t quite let Pakistan’s batsmen wreak havoc. In the end they still managed 174, though against the fireworks of Thisara, it was just within World XI’s reach. Where the match was won - Amla was the notable difference for World XI. He took advantage of his start and carried his bat right till the end, unlike in the first T20I

where the visiting team hadn’t mustered up more than a bunch of cameos. Having an anchor allowed the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Faf du Plessis and Thisara enjoy a greater degree of freedom. The men that won it Badree’s inclusion for World XI would’ve been a sight for sore eyes, and he showed why he’s been a successful T20 bowler for franchises around the world. He not only conceded below eight an over but also picked the key wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Babar. It meant Pakistan couldn’t build towards a final push. Morkel’s despair - These aren’t the best conditions for Morne Morkel to bowl in, but you couldn’t fault him for his effort. He mixed up his pace, varied his lengths and bowled to the conditions. He was the pick of the World XI bowlers, conceding just seven runs in his first three overs. He deserved not to have his figures spoilt, but suffered in his final over when Shoaib Malik took him for 13, leaving his end analysis a little more human again. The moment of the match - With 22 required off nine and Pakistan’s death bowlers no slouches, World XI’s hardest work still lay ahead of them. Thisara’s game bordered on the chancy and an opportunity came when he mistimed a slog. Malik closed in at long-off, but couldn’t hold on. Thisara scampered two and smashed a six off the next delivery. That catch could’ve sealed a series win for Pakistan. Where they stand - World XI keep the series alive with this last-gasp win. The decider will also be played in Lahore tomorrow. (ESPNcricinfo)

Thisara Perera’s monster hits powered World XI to a win ©AFP

Pakistan Cricket Team Karachi, Pakistan, CMC – The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed a three-match Twenty20 series against West Indies set for Lahore in late November. The PCB and Cricket West Indies had been in talks over the proposed series but PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the tour had been now finalised and a detailed scheduled would be announced shortly. ”The agreement with the West Indies Cricket Board has been finalised and done and they have confirmed they will come to Lahore in November to play three T20 Internationals,” Sethi said in a television interview here. Cricket West Indies announced last month it was in discussions with the PCB over the staging of the series in Pakistan. However, CWI said the three matches would be “subject to the safe conclusion of

the ICC World XI team’s three-match series in Lahore in September and affirmation of manageable security by the ICC sponsored international security company overseeing the security arrangements of the World XI.” The World XI series against hosts Pakistan started Tuesday and wraps up tomorrow. Sethi said the series against West Indies represented a major breakthrough and would pave the way for the PCB to negotiate with other teams to tour Pakistan. West Indies faced Pakistan in a full series of Tests, ODIs and T20s last year in the United Arab Emirates before hosting the Asian side in the Caribbean earlier this year in a similar series. Sethi said Sri Lanka had also agreed to play a one-off T20 International in Lahore on October 29, though he was still holding out hope for two matches.

West Indies

He also revealed the PCB planned to hold discussions with Cricket South Africa over a short bilateral series in 2018. Once the Windies series comes to fruition, it will mark the first time a leading international side has toured Pakistan since 2009, when militants attacked a bus carrying the Sri Lanka team resulting in injury to several players and the death of several members of the security forces. Minnows Zimbabwe toured two years ago for limited overs matches but the series was not sanctioned by the International Cricket Council. Sethi said the PCB were hopeful of expanding the venues to other cities in the future. ”Right now we are compelled to play only in Lahore but obviously with time we will schedule matches at other Test venues like Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan,” he noted.

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Thursday September 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

Aguilleira hails sacked management Malteenoes Captain team, keen to work with interim unit successful in English Leagues Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – Former West Indies Women’s captain, Merissa Aguilleira, said she was “a bit saddened” by the sacking of the entire management unit following the recent failed Women’s World Cup campaign, but says she is excited by the prospect of working with the new interim management team. Head coach Vasbert Drakes, assistant coaches Ezra Moseley and Stuart Williams along with operations manager Ann Browne-John were all shown the door by

Lanka tour 2015 and he did a good job from start to end so it’s probably a decision that was taken just looking at the future of the women’s team. ”It’s all about us going forward and making sure that we are on top and the CWI probably sees this as a step going forward.” West Indies Women arrived at the World Cup as one of the favourites, having won the T20 World Cup last year and reached the final of the last 50-overs World Cup. But they endured a dismal run of form, losing all their warm-up

Merissa Aguilleira Cricket West Indies, after presiding over a wretched run at the showpiece in England last July. In a complete overhaul, physiotherapist Oba Gulston, fitness coordinator Hector Martinez-Charles, performance advisor Donald La Guerre and analyst Trent Sargeant, were also replaced. ”I was a bit saddened by it. He (Drakes) has been a good coach. He had been with us for a little while now,” Aguilleira, a veteran of the squad with 103 One-Day Internationals and 81 Twenty20 Internationals, told CNC 3 Television here. ”He came in for the Sri

matches before also slipping to defeat in their opening four tournament matches, to suffer early elimination from the semi-finals. Aguilleira said the management team, though, had gelled well with the squad and players had benefitted as a result of their expertise. ”The entire management staff have been really good to us. All the players would’ve definitely learned something from them, from the manager straight back,” she pointed out. ”We even had the assistant batting coach Stuart Williams coming in with us and he did a tremendous job. We

Multi Care Pharmacy backs Stage of Champions 2 Multi Care Pharmacy (MCP) of 30 Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast has supported the ‘Stage of Champions 2’ bodybuilding competition which is set for November 18 at Theatre Guild, Kingston. Chief Executive Officer Sarah Bacchus recently presented a cheque to organiser Videsh Sookram who expressed gratitude to the entity for their support; Bacchus said she is looking forward to a successful competition. Athletes from Guyana, St. Maarten (French and Dutch), Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla, Suriname, Barbados and Curacao will vie for supremacy in the U143 lbs, U154lbs, U164lbs, U176lbs and over 177 lbs categories. The competition also entails Men’s Physique and Bikini segments. Registration will be closed on October 15.

had Ezra Moseley our assistant coach, the trainer Hector, our analyst Trent, the physio Oba and also the manager. ”These people really supported us throughout so we’re a bit saddened by it but at the end of the day it’s all about the development of West Indies cricket and how far we can go.” With a series against touring Sri Lanka Women starting next month, Aguilleira said it was important the side were not distracted by the changes. ”The CWI will have a valid reason for it (the change), I’m not going against it,” the 31year-old stressed. “Certain times you are in a different situation so you don’t know exactly what angle they’re looking from but at the end of the day, as players our main focus is just to focus on our job at hand. ”We have a series coming up against Sri Lanka and obviously we don’t want to focus on the wrong things. We really want to stay focussed on the job at hand because it’s all about making sure that we represent, but we have to make sure that our minds are clear no matter what the situation is.” Head coach Henderson Springer will lead an interim management unit which also includes former Bermuda and West Indies head coach, Gus Logie, as his assistant. And Aguilleira hailed the competence of the incoming personnel, pointing out they were all excellent choices. ”When you think about the head coach which is Mr Henderson Springer. He has been with the Barbados women’s team [and] I’ve done a couple of training [sessions] with him,” the Trinidadian said. ”He’s a great coach, you can’t fault him on that. He’s an excellent coach. I’m really looking forward to working with him. Even Gus Logie … these are coaches that have interacted with women so they understand and we can be a handful when we’re ready but at the end of the day, they understand how to deal with women. ”We’re looking forward to the skills they will be bringing to the table because we definitely need to upgrade ourselves to a different level so it’s all about trying to take as much as possible from these coaches.” Despite the sacking of the management unit, the entire World Cup squad was retained for a training camp starting later this month in Trinidad, from which the sqaud to face Sri Lanka will be selected.

To play for GT at Lusignan tomorrow Former Guyana U-19 allrounder, 29-year-old Kellon Carmichael, has completed a successful third season in the English Leagues playing for Goring Cricket Club in the Sussex Premiere league and

Carmichael took four 5wicket hauls with a best of 625 against Mayfield Cricket Club to finish the season as the leading wicket-taker in the entire Sussex County. The Malteenoes Skipper scored

scoring 278 runs from nine innings including two not outs at an average of 39.71 with two fifties including a highest score of 81 against Aztecs CC. In his10 games for Sabina,

Kellon Carmichael gathers leg-side runs in the English League will represent the Georgetown Franchise in the next round of this year’s GCB/CGI threeday and 50-overs franchise League. Carmichael, who played professionally in Trinidad for Aranguez and more recently for Moosai Sports Club, played 18 games for Goring Cricket Club, one of which was abandoned after 25 overs due to rain, took 55 wickets at an economy rate of 2.9, strike rate of 21.33 and an average of 10.60.

641 runs from 16 innings with two not outs at an average of 45.79 including two centuries and two fifties with a highest score of 177 against Stirlands CC. He was the leading run scorer and ended in the top 10 of the leading run scorers in the Sussex County, Goring ended as League Champions. The committed and hard working Carmichael also made a significant contribution to Sabina CC being crowned League Champions

Carmichael took 30 wickets at an economy rate of 3.77, strike rate of 15.40 and an average of 12.23 with a best of 5-23 against Centurion CC to finish joint highest wicket taker in the league. Carmichael told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that he is eagerly looking forward to taking the field tomorrow at Lusignan for the City Franchise which oppose East Coast and sits in fourth place after two rounds with 19.1 Continued on page 32

Holder laments missed opportunity but buoyant ahead of England meeting Belfast, Ireland, Sep 13, CMC – West Indies captain, Jason Holder, has rued the washed out One-Day International against Ireland, which robbed the Caribbean side of valuable match practice ahead of the upcoming fivematch series against England. A wet outfield caused by heavy overnight rain had initially delayed the toss yesterday at the Civil Service Cricket Club but the rains eventually returned before a scheduled 1:30 pm (8:30 am Eastern Caribbean time) inspection, forcing officials to call off the contest. ”I don’t think it was close to playable. The outfield was pretty saturated,” Holder said in reference to the ground. “The umpires always had a concern about how wet it was and they felt it would have been a lot of slipping and slid-

ing and didn’t want to take the risk. I couldn’t really disagree with them too much but hopefully we can go into England with some confidence.” The fixture was an important one for Ireland who were only recently granted Test status by the International Cricket Council. Much of their recent competition has come against former fellow Associate nations and the fixture against West Indies was an opportunity to put their kills against a full ICC member side. Holder said he was aware of the importance of the fixture to the Irish and hoped the two teams could meet again soon. ”It’s really disappointing. I’ve heard a lot of people say the Irish Cricket Board put a lot of money into this game and it’s really unfortunate

that we weren’t able to put on a show for them but hopefully in the future we can be back here and spread some joy to the Irish people.” West Indies have had no limited overs practice as they prepare to face England in the first ODI at Old Trafford starting next Tuesday. They fly out on Thursday to prepare for the one-off Twenty20 International against England at Chesterle-Street on Saturday and Holder said his squad were looking forward to the next phase of the tour. ”We move on to England now. It’s a quick turnover – we came in yesterday (Tuesday) and we’re flying out tomorrow over to Durham,” he said. “We start the T20 series there – it’s only a one-off T20 and then we’re into the fivematch ODI series.”