29th June 2013 by Gytimes

Arson cause of D’Urban Street fire

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Issue No. 1814

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, June 29, 2013

KN's Adam Harris, reporter found guilty of contempt of court Firemen get training in first aid See story on page 8

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Education P2 Ministry warns moneysoliciting headteachers

Kaieteur News Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris

See story on page 11

Burglary suspect P8 asks magistrate to shoot him in the head SPR to launch P11 EC03 system at building expo

Firemen about to render assistance to one of their colleagues as part of a demonstration on administering First Aid treatment following the conclusion of a training programme by French Guiana officials on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

Govt slams crimeheavy investment forum

– laments absence of energy See story cost, Internet bandwidth on issues on agenda page 3

Rogue Caribbean lawmen tipping off criminals – IMPACS head

See story on page 7

Baramita gets govt backing P12 on objection to PL in titled areas

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Arson cause of D’Urban Street fire F

ire Chief Marlon Gentle on Friday confirmed that the fire which destroyed Golden Lion Chinese Restaurant and Supreme Snacks Food Court at the corners of Camp and D’Urban streets, Georgetown, more than a week ago was deliberately set. The Guyana Fire Service has now recorded 32 such cases for the year. Gentle stated that the fire service, after reviewing the surveillance footage from nearby buildings, have concluded that the fire was arson and the findings were handed over to the law enforcement officers, who will take the necessary actions. He added that the footage presented clearly indicated when, where and how the fire started. Initially, Gentle told Guyana Times that two sparks were seen in the upper flat of the Chinese restaurant and quickly spread to other parts of the building, and eventually to the nearby food court. He added that from the inception, they have concluded that the fire was not accidental or natural. On the morning of the fire, two

The aftermath of the D’Urban Street fire

loud explosions were reportedly heard followed by a huge ball of fire emanating from the Chinese restaurant. The fire service received the report about 01:50h, resulting in three units being deployed to the scene, along with a tanker. Upon arrival at the scene, there were sounds of explosions and fire was already spreading from the Chinese restaurant to adjacent buildings, thus they concentrated heavily on saving the nearby building. Owner of Supreme Snacks

Food Court, Nigel Ritch and his family, who resided in the upper flat of their business, estimates his losses to be in excess of $10 million. On the other hand, owner of the Chinese Restaurant, Lieng Hong was still counting his losses that could be well over $25 million. He lamented that he recently refurbished his restaurant and claimed that it was his only source of income. However, Gentle disclosed that the Guyana Fire Service has responded to 876 reports of fire for the

Education Ministry warns moneysoliciting headteachers

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

year, compared to 618 for 2012. Out of this, 55 buildings were destroyed, with 11 being severely damaged. In 2012, 44 buildings were destroyed; 12 severely damaged. The fire service has recorded 28 minor damages to buildings for the year, a 50 per cent reduction in the corresponding time for 2012. Further presenting the facts, Gentle highlighted that there have been nine motor vehicles destroyed in various fire around the country. Alarmingly, there has been a 75 per cent increase in arson, with 32 reports in 2013 compared to 24 last year. False alarms continue to be a challenge for the Guyana Fire Service, with 81 of them being recorded so far in 2013, compared to 54 in 2012.

Resources

In light of these statistics, he is calling on the general public, especially mobile users to desist from the habit, noting that when the calls are recorded, the fire engines respond promptly. Not only physical resources are used up, but also manual, and in some cases, they could have been responding to serious calls instead. In addition, the fire chief disclosed that the fire reports ranged from external to internal defaults. External, he explained is more or less fire caused as a result of an electrical malfunction to transformers and lampposts, but with respect to internal fire, he revealed that most of these fires are caused due to misuse or theft of electricity. Meanwhile, the fire chief indicated that the Guyana Fire Service has responded to a high number of outdoor fires, commonly known as “bush fires”, which were purposely set. He is also calling on idle Guyanese to desist from setting alight grass since they can cause damage to infrastructure.

he Education Ministry has upped the ante against schools that demand money from students for a range of schoolbased activities and in some cases debar them from participation if they do not pay the required funds. In a statement on Friday, the ministry asserted that it is a right, that children be given every opportunity to participate in school-based activities, national assessments and regional examinations. “The Ministry of Education would like to take this opportunity to make you aware that measures were put in place to ensure that children are provided with the best learning experience and that efforts are being made to ensure all stakeholders are well informed.”

Complaints

The ministry said it has received numerous complaints from parents regarding the amount of money requested by teachers and parent teacher associations (PTAs) for various schoolbased activities and for various supplies. Specifically, the cost of graduation exercises has been excessive for many pupils and students, the ministry said. It added that parents are being requested from time to time, to supply schools with toilet paper, soap, hand towels, paper for printing exams, among other things. The ministry said it has since issued circulars to all schools via the regional departments of education with specific guidelines. Among these are the guidelines in relation to requesting funds for graduation. The amount of the parental contribution for any graduation exercise should not exceed $3000. Students should be encouraged to wear their respective uniforms to graduation; no student should be required to rent or purchase caps and gowns for graduation — such costs, where nec-

essary, should be borne by the school. In addition, students should not be prevented from school-based graduation activities because of non-payment of fees. In relation to the acquisition of non-budgetary funds and donations, the ministry said no headteacher, member of the staff or the PTA, is authorised to charge parents specific sums for tests or end-of-term examination papers. “Such funds can be raised through various fundraising activities, for example, cake sales, fairs, and so on, but should not be directly solicited from parents,” the ministry stated. Further, the ministry said that no headteacher or member of staff is authorised to request parents to supply schools with toilet tissue, soap and paper for printing.

Donations

“Donations to school, whether cash or kind, must be entirely voluntary, and given without condition. Such donations must be entered in the school’s inventory or stock book, whichever is appropriate as stipulated by financial regulations.” It said that the heads of departments of education must be informed, within seven working days, of the donations received. “The ministry warns that if headteachers are indulging in acts that contravene these guidelines, they will stand before the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Service Commission. Similarly, if education officers condone such illegal behaviour, they too will stand before the Public Service Commission.” The ministry encourages parents and, or community members to call any of the hotline numbers provided below if they have been required to pay more than recommended by the ministry. The hotline numbers are as follows: 223-7891, 623-0550 and 623-4010.

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bridge openings

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, June 29, from 09:30h to 11:00h. The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday, June 29, from 08:50h to 10:20h.

Weather

Countrywide: Thundery showers are expected during the day, with clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. Winds: East north-easterly at 4.02 to 3.12 metres per second. High Tide: 08:59h and 21:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.47 metres and 2.43 metres respectively. Low Tide: 02:30h and 14:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.80 metre respectively.

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Govt slams crime-heavy investment forum – laments absence of energy cost, Internet bandwidth issues on agenda By Vahnu Manikchand

inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh lauded the organisers of the investment forum for their efforts to create the right climate for investment by identifying the challenges and opportunities investors face, but chided them over the conference agenda, which he said did not address some key sectors in Guyana. These he referred to as the main impediments affecting investors – cost of energy and Internet bandwidth. The Guyana Investment Conference was a two-day forum organised by the Canadian High Commission to tackle investment conditions in Guyana. Delivering his feature address at the second day of the seminar held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, the finance minister pointed out that one may be led to believe that the conference was on crime and corruption and not on investment.

Business environment “Whilst crime and corruption are indeed an important aspect of the business environment, they are by no means the only aspect,” he said. The minister noted that these two areas significantly affect the expansion of current investors and the entry of potential ones. He explained that because of the high cost of energy in Guyana, major manufacturing companies have to use funds from their capital investment to sustain the cost of full redundant power. “One cannot run a manufacturing line that would be interrupted as a result of an unreliable power supply. The cost of energy today in Guyana is acknowledged by the private sector as prohibitively high and any investor would say the cost of energy is a major impediment to

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh their entry and expansion in Guyana,” the minister stated. Dr Singh said no space was given to anyone from the energy sector, which is an important aspect of the investment environment, while noting that he is not trying to undermine the security sector. He advised the organisers to cast a wider net and allow discussions in these areas in the follow-up conference.

Many issues In response, the Canada High Commissioner David Devine disclosed that the issue of energy was discussed on the first day of the forum, during which the minister was not present. He noted that the aim was to make the forum as balanced as possible and since there are a range of issues affecting Guyana’s investment market, it was a difficult task. The minister continued that for major investors, the most significant impediment would be the high cost of Internet bandwidth. “They provide business process out-sourcing services to clients around the world and affordable, reliable Internet connectivity is critical to their operations,” he noted.

Dr Singh highlighted that major companies expressed interest in investing in Guyana because of the language, time-zone and the fact that its citizens are reasonably educated and easily trained. He added that if the cost of bandwidth is reduced, job creation will flourish with the magnitude of potential investors available. He said within this sector, the single largest private employer in Guyana is found, “the single international investor who has created the most jobs in Guyana, they know about investment environment, they created two thousand jobs in just a few years”. According to the finance minister, Guyana has made considerable progress in providing a business environment conducive to growth, profitability, job creation, and income generation. He stressed that sophisticated investors, such as the Black Stone Group of Companies have invested in a project to the tune of US$700 million in Guyana, which speaks volumes about investment potential available in Guyana. He also mentioned several Canadian companies which have also invested, mostly in mining, in

Guyana, detailing that at mineral prices’ peak, the market capital of those companies exceeded Cdn$2 billion. Notwithstanding the investments of small, medium, and large local companies, Dr Singh emphasised that these companies too see the benefit of expanding and investing in Guyana. “The fact of the matter is that big and small, foreign and domestic, people are investing in Guyana every day and in significant numbers and with significant values, and are contributing to the growth we would have observed in the economy,” underlined the finance minister, while stating there is much that needs to be done to improve the investment environment in Guyana.

Significant progress “Whilst we have made significant progress in improving all aspects of the business environment, this is much a work in progress and there is indeed much work still to be done to advance the gains that we have made with respect to improving the business environment, including cost of energy, cost of bandwidth, regulatory framework, reducing red tape, eliminating corruption, and improving the crime and security environment,” Dr Singh noted. He further cautioned donors not to be naïve about the reality of the democratic society in which Guyanese live, whereby political parties are competing for space and use social issues like corruption as materials in their political contest. “In the political debate and contest I expect this exchange, it is normal in a political environment, but coming from a regional and international agency, I would urge some caution in perpetuating that which is… gleaned or extracted from the political contest,” the minister noted. (vahnum@guyantimes-

gy.com)

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saturday, june 29, 2013

Views Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

A national policy against sexual harassment in the workplace

hen the commissioner of the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) discloses that the organisation is yet to make progress in securing a national policy against sexual harassment in the workplace, this suggests a disturbing disinterest in the welfare of working Guyanese women, the usual victims of such cases. Sexual harassment, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favours or other such verbal and physical conduct. In the workplace, such activities can make the working environment uncomfortable, discriminatory, and hostile. Yet many women in Guyana go through their careers or work lives enduring sexual harassment, with little hope of an end to their traumatic experiences since education, awareness, and especially policies are glaringly lacking, with little public focus on the practice and even less enforcement, since there is no legal protection against sexual harassment in the workplace. This attitude clearly reflects the general apathy among Guyanese towards abuse against women, particularly illustrated in the daily reports of domestic violence against women that have yet to recede. Additionally, the long-established patriarchal viewpoint seemingly treats sexual harassment against women lightly, with more of the traditional “boys will be boys” justification. Women’s organisations also state that women are reluctant to reveal, much less report, sexual harassment at work because of fear of losing their job or chances of promotion in an environment that sees jobs and the potential for higher earnings scarce to come by. Single mothers, often young and less educated, become prime targets for sexual harassment at their place of employment. Sexual harassment at work can become a form of intimidation that ensures a woman’s unwilling collaboration with the male in authority in a quid pro quo arrangement so that she keeps her job. Workplace harassment can also demoralise a woman and consequently diminish her work performance and eventually force her out of the job and into the unemployment line. None of this is novel news or recent research. Since the middle of the last century, sexual harassment in the workplace has been discussed worldwide. In many countries, laws have long ago been put in place to prevent and reduce such behaviours, yet here in Guyana there appears to be a blind silence to its occurrence, and attitudes that suggest it’s a sudden, new phenomenon today that must be debated and pondered upon. Do we really have to reinvent the wheel before we produce a national policy on sexual harassment in the workplace? Preparing discussions and conducting meetings with officials to talk about sexual harassment in the workplace only serve to slow down introducing important legislation regarding women’s rights at work. There are literally millions of documents defining what sexual harassment is and what sexual harassment in the workplace is. There are also millions of documents that explain why there is a need for sexual harassment policies in a workplace and at a national level. Yet, Guyanese women’s organisations still face an uphill task just trying to get the attention of authorities on the issue, as if trying to shake awake the giant from its stupor. And while Guyana has made some headway in ensuring women are free to pursue an education and get jobs, with Guyanese women coming into the workforce with higher primary or higher education than men, there is little to show it has made any strides in creating a harassment-free environment in the workplace for women. What is the reason for the delay in legislation that will protect working women here in Guyana from sexual harassment in their workplace? Why the foot-dragging in implementing a national discussion and subsequent laws to ensure a Guyanese woman’s right to a positive work environment? It is shocking that the notion of such a bill must be a long time in moving from an idea to a reality. Just as it is shocking that Guyanese women still have to fight for a right most of the world already has.

Mongolia’s President Tsakhia Elbegdorj celebrates his re-election with members of his Cabinet at Sukhbaatar square in downtown Ulan Bator, June 27 (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Investigation of doctor must not be blown out of proportion Dear Editor, Is it a Guyanese thing to have a caring doctor get a little bit rough? I mean he will be strict and will act like a big brother. I do not mind this. I remember I wanted early discharge from a minor operation, and the doctor scolded me really soundly. In many countries, this may come over as abuse. So when I read about a doctor and his patient getting into altercations, I am forced to

really examine the issue closely. Right now, one issue on hand is that a doctor, attached to a government medical facility, slapped a patient. On the one hand, it could be that the doctor lost his cool. You know sometimes we can become over-zealous, especially when we want to do a good and it is being rejected. However, losing one’s cool, especially in the medical field is not an alterna-

tive. Also, if and when it does happen, the practitioner must take a break. Even now, in the U.S., a contracted caregiver physically assaulted and verbally abused children in his care, calling them names. He pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in August. Dealing with difficult patients can become a burden in the life of doctors. Both sides have to take responsibility, rather than attributing any problems encoun-

tered to shortcomings of the patient alone, or the doctor for that matter. It behooves a doctor then to try to prevent such problems. He can reschedule or even ask for a patient to be accompanied by a close friend or relative. I ask for some maturity to prevail in this matter. At all cost, nothing must be blown out of proportion. Yours respectfully, Sandra Bailey

School violence raising its ugly head yet again Dear Editor, I have ‘busted’ my brains trying to find ways to help abate school violence. There is no one solution that may be applied to any school. There are issues of socio-economic status, location, and overall quality of living that must go into decisions on how to deal with a violence problem in any given school. One of the biggest threats in the 1940s across North America was gum chewing. In our part of the world, it was a little noise making in class and a few hand-fights in the school yard. Now I am petrified and with reason too. The sad story now is

that two fourth formers at a school in Berbice got involved in a schoolyard brawl that left one of them nursing injuries to his face. This is not about right and wrong here. I am more concerned about what appears to be a gang connection. I ask that we visit the oldtimers and we will discover that they all had a holy fear for their teachers and other elders. My headmaster even used to discipline boys who never attended school. Back then, corporal punishment was en vogue and no one went mad or walked the streets aimlessly. This new dispensation has removed that element

of fear and with the reduced use of corporal punishment, I am noticing more and more violence and of increasing evil too. Is there a link? I think this deserves an investigation. Guyana should not tolerate student violence and jail time should be considered for violent students. A principal in Barbados flogged a female for being disrespectful to her year teacher and the public supported him even though psychologists called for his head. This same head is now taking in students with a 35 per cent Common Entrance score, but he has already set out the conditions – serious discipline and extra hours of

work in remedial sessions. In Jamaica just a few days ago, it was reported that two high school students were rushed to hospital with stab wounds, the latest in a series of violent attacks among school children that have already claimed the life of one student. So it appears that school violence is spreading and getting worse every day. The talk over all is that parents must set the stage for discipline and that the media will have to cultivate a different climate. Yours faithfully, Xavier Wilson

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Den Amstel flooding Taking care of persons with and the consequences disabilities Dear Editor, It is quite disgusting to read about repeated misdemeanours, especially, when the culpable ones are not being brought into line. Now, the new case is that residents of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara are complaining about their recent plight that was caused by a koker door that malfunctioned. The people were rudely jolted as they woke and waded into about eight inches of floodwater in their yards. The explanation that came to the fore is that there was a problem with one of the pulleys on the village’s koker door and this prevented its proper closure during a pre-dawn high tide. I can feel the people’s frustration. As for me, I am quite livid. You see, I am looking back, and there have been too many of these types of blunders. I recall in February of this year how the Kingston area was flooded, after a kok-

er was left partially open. In March, again this same year, high tides smashed open the said koker door. I mean this is just too much to take. I can put up with some serious cases of natural disasters. However, when human errors contribute to these things, they really get people upset. Look at the terrible repercussions when flooding takes place: damage and loss to crops and animals, spoiling at times of the farmlands, possible disease outbreaks, and many annoying inconveniences. People are simply distraught. We all accept stoically when things just have to be, but when human irresponsibility leads to these kinds of setbacks, there should be some kind of accountability. I also read that a pump that could have helped to alleviate the situation was at another place. I think that this is so pathetic. According to the resi-

dents, the problem with the door is a simple one that could have been fixed easily. I am hoping that some disciplinary measures would be meted out to those who added to whatever problems the high tides would have caused. People have to learn responsibility. It seems like the word has lost relevance and meaning. We know that with climate change being such a topical issue, we should not allow for any kind of joking around. Years ago, a koker or pump attendant used to throw back and sleep his time away. These days, this can never ever be. High tides and plenty of rains can be most untimely. We need to be ever vigilant and be set to respond with professionalism. Yours truly, Resident of Den Amstel Name withheld by request

Community service needs to be employed more

Volunteers doing their part in helping to keep their community clean and litter free

Dear Editor, Penal labour is nothing new. It is really where prisoners perform work, typically manual, for a small fee, or even free. The work may be light or hard, depending on the context of the crime. Forms of sentences which involve penal labour include penal servitude and imprisonment with hard labour. The term may refer to several related situations: labour as a form of punishment; and labour as a form of occupation for convicts. In many countries, public services are increas-

ingly relying on prisoners to deliver cheap labour, and so long as there is no form of exploitation, it is a safe way to rehabilitate inmates. I think also that if just sent to prison, many inmates will degenerate. The work is a form of relaxation and it will keep their minds from wondering off. I think that if inmates have an inclination to read, this should be encouraged too. In fact, Brazil is unto this already. The challenge for many prisoners there is to complete reading assigned books and this helps

to truncate their sentences. We need to be innovative and positive. It makes no sense to just lock people away in a prison. Yours sincerely, Roderick

Dear Editor, It is important that citizens develop an appreciation for circumstances with persons with disabilities. We here in Guyana must now come to fully embrace that facilities for disabled people is the way of the world. In New Zealand, every new building and all major reconstruction ventures are mandated to provide reasonable and adequate access for people with disabilities. In some countries, recreational places have a day set aside, exclusively for people with disabilities. Guyana is on this kind of course and since we have some catching up to do, we have to act aggressively, but we cannot attempt too many things all at once. I can think here of transport for the disabled as these people are very much at the mercy of minibus drivers. It would be a bit easy if special days for them can be arranged. I know of some places that do this, either weekly or monthly. On the specific day, transportation is available for them to go to their designated spots and for their designated pur-

poses. We can start with little things like this. I would expect too that just as we have a line for senior citizens, we would come up with a simple plan to accommodate whatever activity it is that these people are collectively embarking on. People with disabilities have just as much right to enjoy life as anybody else. So we need to address major issues that concern them. That is why I quickly thought of transportation.

Police must be professional at all times Dear Editor, A woman recently made public what transpired between her and a police officer. Her matter is outside of the traffic violation and it reveals a prevailing occurrence in the society. I dare a few to check out this kind of attitude from police officers. They can be in the middle of duties, and they would stop to make passes at females. The next bothersome thing is that they have a way of pulling over drivers and then they take an eternity to attend to them. The message of professionalism must be ingrained in the police force.

I implore the public to continue to expose any kind of nonsensical behaviour from members of the force. The police must be professional at all times. Regards, Yollande Morrison

After all, the word from many quarters is that persons with disabilities, especially the visual impaired, have been mistreated. They are continuously being discriminated against, being ignored too many times on the road. I do not know how some of these drivers and conductors have not come up before the courts. I can hardly wait then for the lot of the disabled to be improved. Yours faithfully, Monty DeAbreu

saturday, june 29, 2013

Page

hy do children need routines and structure? Because routines give them a sense of security and helps them develop self-discipline. Humans are afraid of many things, but “the unknown” edges out everything except death and public speaking for most people. Children’s fear of the unknown includes everything from a suspicious new vegetable to a major change in their life. Unfortunately, children are confronted with change daily. The very definition of growing up is that their own bodies change on them constantly. Babies and toddlers give up pacifiers, bottles, breasts, cribs, their standing as the baby of the house. New teachers and classmates come and go every year. They tackle and learn new skills and information at an astonishing pace, from reading and crossing the street to soccer and riding a bike. Few children live in the same house during their entire childhood; most move several times, often to new cities and certainly to new neighbourhoods and schools. And few of these changes are within the child’s control. Children, like the rest of us, handle change best if it is expected and occurs in the context of a familiar routine. A predictable routine allows children to feel safe, and to develop a sense of mastery in handling their lives. As this sense of mastery is strengthened, they can tackle larger changes: walking to school by

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Foundation themselves, paying for a purchase at the store, going to sleep-away camp. Unpredictable changes – Mom called away on an unexpected business trip, a best friend moving, or more drastic, parents divorcing or a grandparent dying – erode this sense of safety and mastery and leave the child feeling anxious and less able to cope with the vicissitudes of life. While helping children feel safe and ready to take on new challenges and developmental tasks would be reason enough to offer them structure, it has another important developmental role as well. Structure and routines teach children how to constructively control themselves and their environments. Children who come from chaotic homes where belongings aren’t put away never learn that life can run more smoothly if things are organised a little. In homes where there is no set time or space to do homework, chil-

d r e n never learn how t o

sit themselves down to accomplish an unpleasant task. Children who don’t develop basic self-care routines, from grooming to food, may find it hard to take care of themselves as young adults. Structure allows us to internalise constructive habits. Won’t too much structure dull our sense of spontaneity and creativity? Sure, if it’s imposed without sensitivity. There are times when rules are made to be broken, like staying up late to see an eclipse, or leaving the dinner dishes in the sink to play charades. But even the most creative artists start by mastering the conventions of the past, and find the pinnacle of their expression in working within the confines of specific rules. There’s no reason structure has to be oppressive. Think of it as your friend, offering the little routines and traditions that make life both easier and cosier. Not only will your children soak up the security, they’ll

internalise the ability to structure their own lives. Does this mean infants should be put on routines as early as possible? NO! Infants tell us what they need. We feed them when they’re hungry, change them when they’re wet. Over time, they learn the first step of a routine: We sleep at night. But forcing an infant to accommodate to our routine is not responsive parenting. As your infant moves into babyhood, she will establish her own routine, settling into a schedule of sorts. Most babies settle into a fairly predictable pattern. We can help them with this by structuring our day around their needs, so, for instance, we make sure conditions are appropriate for her nap at the time she usually sleeps. Gradually, over time, we can respond to her natural schedule of eating and sleeping by developing a routine that works for her and for the whole family.

Six benefits of using routines with your children

Routines eliminate power struggles because you aren’t bossing them around. This activity (brushing teeth, napping, turning off the TV to come to dinner) is just what we do at this time of day. The parent stops being the bad guy, and nagging is greatly reduced. Routines help children cooperate by

reducing stress and anxiety for everyone. We all know what comes next, we get fair warning for transitions, and no one feels pushed around. Routines help children learn to take charge of their own activities. Over time, children learn to brush their teeth, pack their backpacks, etc. without constant reminders. Children love being in charge of themselves. This feeling increases their sense of mastery and competence. Children who feel more independent and in charge of themselves have less need to rebel and be oppositional. Children learn the concept of “looking forward” to things they enjoy, which is an important part of making a happy accommodation with the demands of a schedule. He may want to go to the playground now, but he can learn that we always go to the playground in the afternoon, and he can look forward to it then. Regular routines help children get on a schedule, so that they fall asleep more easily at night. Schedules help parents maintain consistency in expectations. If everything is a fight, parents end up settling: more TV, skip brushing teeth for tonight, etc. With a routine, parents are more likely to stick to healthy expectations for everyone in the family, because that’s just the way we do things in our household. The result: a family with healthy habits, where everything runs more smoothly! (Aha Parenting)

Dysfunctional families: Recognising and overcoming their effects

hat is a dysfunctional family? Family dysfunction can be any condition that interferes with healthy family functioning. Most families have some periods of time where functioning is impaired by stressful circumstances (death in the family, a parent’s serious illness, etc). Healthy families tend to return to normal functioning after the crisis passes. In dysfunctional families, however, problems tend to be chronic and children do not consistently get their needs met. Negative patterns of parental behaviour tend to be dominant in their children’s lives.

How do healthy families work?

Healthy families are not perfect; they may have yelling, bickering, misunderstanding, tension, hurt, and anger not all the time. In healthy families emotional expression is allowed and accepted. Family members can freely ask for and give attention. Rules tend to be made explicit and remain consistent, but with some flexibility to adapt to individual needs and particular situations. Healthy families allow for individuality; each member is encouraged to pursue his or her own interests, and boundaries between individuals are honoured. Children are consistently treated with respect, and do not fear emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual abuse. Parents can be counted on to provide care for their children. Children are given responsibilities appropriate to their age and are not expected to take on parental responsibilities. Finally, in healthy families everyone makes mistakes; mistakes are allowed. Perfection is unattainable, unrealistic, and potentially dull and sterile. There are many types of dysfunction in families. Some parents under-function, leaving their children to fend for themselves. Other parents over-function, never allowing their children to grow up and be on their own. Others are inconsistent or violate basic boundaries of appropriate behaviour. Below is a brief description of some types of parental dysfunction along with some common problems associated with each.

What goes wrong in dysfunctional families? Deficient parents

Deficient parents hurt their children more by omission than by commission. Frequently, chronic mental illness or a disabling physical illness contributes to parental inadequacy. Children tend to take on adult responsibilities (www.twu.edu)

(TO BE CONTINUED)

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saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Private sector must change Guyana needs strong way it conducts business – Ali national disaster

cting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali has said the private sector must change the way it conducts business if it intends to sustain profits. Ali stated that in the current global environment, the private sector has a vital role in preparing its members to operate in such a world and ensure they are successful in sustaining profits. Minister Ali was addressing the Private Sector Commission at the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM). Ali noted that while the private sector is often described as an instrument of growth, this can only be achieved through the collective pooling of ideas and resources towards a common vision. “And both government and private sector, operating in national framework, must have a common agenda of development, as the overriding factor in determining policies, plans, and programmes.” According to Ali, since his assumption of the commerce minister portfolio, he has been tasked with the mandate of directly engaging the private sector in a way which goes beyond talking and discussions. He noted that during the last year, the ministry has held 16 engagements with private sector groupings, which were not accommodating but frank and open

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali

discussions. He stated that the ideas generated discussion and consensuses were reached. The commerce minister detailed that Guyana has placed very limited emphasis on research and development. However, with new opportunities emerging today and the diversification of the economy, greater emphasis is required in the field in order to facilitate a successful business model. Ali acknowledged government’s important role in reducing bureaucracy, improving efficiency, and creating an enabling, reliable institutional framework through which businesses survive. “This is the reason we jointly discussed various targets in relation to Guyana’s ranking on the ease-of-do-

ing-business survey and we came up with 16 strong recommendations that government and the private sector through the National Competitiveness Strategy Project Steering Committee Unit will be tracking to ensure we continue to improve the business environment at the policy level,” Ali disclosed. He added that there must also be a few changes in terms of the business culture of family-owned businesses that may fail to realise their full potential because of fear of broadening the managerial structure beyond the family circle.

Sustainability

Ali related that the private sector needs to aggressively address this issue by educating members to ensure sustainability, viability, and expansion of their businesses. “The private sector has been playing a great role in the national scheme of things and has clearly outlined this objective. From government’s perspective, we will continue to support and encourage this role not only of debating and confronting national issues in a reactive way but of engaging… proactively in the development of ideas and formulation of policies to guide the country’s future,” the minister said. Ali revealed that the National Competiveness

Council (NCC) was established out of the recognition that the private sector is a key stakeholder in the developmental process. He pointed out that the private sector chairs many of the NCC subcommittees including those on agro-processing and infrastructure. According to Ali, the business community is an important partner in the generation of ideas and pooling of efforts towards a wide-ranging developmental path to aid in the formulation of national policy and work towards a common development agenda, which reflects the aspirations of all people and sectors. Ali said government’s role is based on formulating proactive policies to stimulate the creation of wealth expansion, but all of this must done in an environment that is inclusive, nondiscriminatory and beneficial to every segment of society. He disclosed that the NCC has decided to involve the parliamentary opposition in the planning of the National Economic Forum to be held in August. The forum is expected to discuss every single development issue and through concession, outline Guyana’s priority for the next 10 years. Ali lauded the efforts of the private sector in national development and in ensuring that Guyana’s priority remains paramount.

Rogue Caribbean lawmen tipping off criminals – IMPACS head

aricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) Executive Director, Francis Forbes has revealed that a serious impediment to policing has developed in the region as unscrupulous security personnel intentionally compromise law enforcement efforts by providing information to criminal organisations, and even supply them with protection, service gear, and ammunition. Forbes was delivering remarks as the curtains came down on a two-day investment forum organised by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other partners. He stated that there is always an economic cost to corruption with empirical research indicating that such activity leads to uncertainty in the economy, impeded foreign and domestic investments, a forcing of companies to operate outside the formal sectors. Corruption also hinders the state’s ability to raise revenue which leads to higher taxes being levied on fewer and fewer citizens. Forbes said this in turn reduces the government’s ability to deliver essential goods and services, including the rule of law which then encourages a vicious cycle of increasing under-

IMPACS Executive Director Francis Forbes

ground economic activity. The crime and security expert pointed out that the region has, however, been up to speed reflected in a recent decision by Caricom Heads of Governments to adopt the first Regional Crime and Security Strategy, which was produced by IMPACS with support from communities, police, military, immigration, and customs chiefs. The strategy is intended to significantly improve citizen security by creating a safe, just and free community while improving economic viability of the region. It has 14 strategic goals one of which includes removing the profit factor out of crime and targeting assets of criminals to protect the financial system.

Forbes pointed out that the significant proceeds from the drug trade have placed a whole new dimension on the extent of the problem. “If this continues the future of effective law enforcement, unprejudiced public administration, and even the integrity of the judiciary will be threatened. There is already significant indication of these public agencies being undermined and government officials, including politicians, have come under the radar for being associated with crime syndicates and other white-collar crimes,” the IMPACS Head noted.

Modern technology

He stated that cybercrime is fast becoming endemic with perpetrators exploiting the speed, anonymity, and convenience which modern technology offers to commit a diverse range of criminal activity from the distribution of child pornography and identify theft to attacks on data systems and email scams. In 2008, the cost of cybercrime was estimated at US$8 billion worldwide with corporate espionage and stolen intellectual property belonging to international firms reaching the one trillion U.S. dollar mark. The cybercrime trends

in the region include hacking, credit cards and cheque fraud, telephone fraud, counterfeiting, and identity theft. Pointing to statistics from Jamaica, Forbes noted that in 2011, more than 229 sites were hacked including those of government agencies, tertiary institutions, and private organisations. There has also been a significant increase in electronic fraud, including the use of credit and debit cards to conduct criminal activity. Forbes related that lax law enforcement has, over the years, affected the region’s ability to address problems posed by these threats. The reality of the impact it has on the region is reflected in statistics from the United Nations Human Development Report 2011, which states that the cost of gang-related crime is between 2.8 and four per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It found that the cost of crime in Jamaica was more than J$529 million annually in loss of income and in Trinidad, a one per cent reduction in youth gangs would boost tourism revenue to US$35 million per year. “This incontrovertibly demonstrates the theory which posits that development and security are two sides to the same coin.”

response programme – Red Cross head

IFRC President Tadateru Konoé

nternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) President Tadateru Konoé said small countries need to have on their agenda a national society’s emergency programme for disaster preparedness. According to the top Red Cross official, this will lead to a better understanding of the socioeconomic dynamics of the Caribbean region, and the need of Guyana, in the fulfilment of its humanitarian mandate and development agenda. He made the comments during an interactive session with the media at the end of a two-day trip here on Friday. The IFRC is one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks, which for a number of years has been actively serving the Caribbean region through its regional office located in Port of Spain. The level of cooperation between the IFRC and the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) which is this year celebrating 65 years of service in Guyana has been high, with the former emphasising the need for well coordinated responses in times of challenges. The GRCS raises its own funds to cover the costs for its local programmes and

projects. The national society, although it has increased its resource base, is experiencing a greater need by an increased number of persons and communities seeking assistance. IFRC is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 national societies. It acts before, during, and after disasters, health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and manmade disasters around the world, ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions. Meanwhile, calls were also made for persons not to build in dangerous areas and communities and the need for re-enforcement of building regulations, along with training volunteers in the area of disaster awareness. Americas International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Director Xavier Castellanos said, “We want to move away from only international assistance being given during a disaster. We are seeking to have a national disaster risk reduction programme. . . It is to increase awareness. It has to have different components… focus on a national disaster response teams... at the community level to better enable and to incorporate the elements on disaster preparedness at a national level.” Castellanos noted that the IFRC will continue to help Guyana in times of need.

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saturday, june 29, 2013| guyanatimesGY.com

KN’s Adam Harris, reporter Rape accused freed found guilty of contempt – slapped with fines

Kaieteur News Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris

aieteur News Editorin-Chief Adam Harris and reporter Rehanna Ramsay were on Friday ordered to pay $150,000 and $50,000 respectively as fines after they were found guilty of contempt of court charges. The duo appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in a packed to capacity courtroom in the High Court where his lordship explained that if they failed to pay the fine, they can both be jailed for 14 and seven days respectively. The charge stemmed from a report in the Kaieteur Newspaper involving a voir dire (a trial within a trial)

with respect to a Soesdyke/ Linden murder trial. The article which appeared in a recent edition of the newspaper forced Justice Reynolds to discharge the jury and aborted the trial in the interest of justice. He then summoned Harris and the reporter responsible to attend court to show cause why they should not be cited for contempt. It was reported that Justice Reynolds informed the jury that a piece of reporting in the Kaieteur News contains an inaccurate account of events which transpired in these proceedings. The report was highly prejudicial, and can materially affect the outcome of these proceedings, he reportedly told the jury. Harris and Ramsay were represented by Attorney Khemraj Ramjattan. During the hearing of a voir dire, reportage is not allowed since the jury is absent, and as such, is not privy to such information. The trial involved murder accused Andrew Gomes, who allegedly killed his father on November 27, 2008.

he accused in the Corentyne rape and buggery trial was on Friday set free by a mixed Berbice jury on Friday. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of notguilty after deliberating for 30 minutes on the evidence following guidance by Justice Dawn GregoryBarnes. On trial was 29-yearold Fazil Roy Hussain of Olverston Village, Corentyne. He was accused of committing the two acts on his ex-lover between April 27 and 28, 2009. The state’s case, which was presented by State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar, was that the victim was walking along the road with an aunt when the accused rode up to her on a bicycle carrying a cutlass and demanded that she go with him on his bicycle. He then took her to the Liverpool Community Centre where the acts were committed. The defence, led by Attorney Sasha Roberts, contended that what transpired was consensual sex and not rape. In his evidence, Hussain said he no longer lives with the lady who has

Hysteria… Fazil Roy Hussain

accused him of the act and is now married. When they were living together, he had plans to marry her, but she left for Suriname and was now pursuing him. “I did not accept that proposal [of reigniting the relationship]. She was upset with me for marrying.” Hussain told the court that on the night in question, the VC hailed him when he was riding along the road and told him that she had not had sex for the past three months. “She is the one who suggested that we go to the community centre, because we use to go there before we were living together.” He also told the court that he did not have anal sex with her that night.

Burglary suspect asks magistrate to shoot him in the head

n Friday, a man was sent for a psychological evaluation after

he asked Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to shoot him in his head.

The man, Kareem Stewart, appeared before the chief magistrate after

Eyew tness

he was charged with breaking and entering the house of Somatie Alli on June 27. According to the facts read by Prosecutor Vernetté Pindar, the virtual complainant visited her home at 556 Tuschen Drive and discovered the accused in her yard. After making checks, Alli found that some of the concrete blocks were broken. A report was made and the accused was arrested. The defendant came into the courtroom stating that he was not guilty even before the charges were read to him. He also interrupted the prosecutor several times saying that the facts were lies. He then asked the chief magistrate if she could shoot him in his head, because he did not know what was wrong with him and he would still go to heaven. When asked where he lived, the defendant gave the address of the home he had broken into and asked if he could live in the courtroom after the trial. Stewart said that the house did not belong to the VC and he did not enter the premises illegally since both gates were open. Bail was refused and he is to undergo a psychological evaluation which will last 14 days, but if it is completed before then, he will be remanded to prison. When he was told this, he pointed to several people in the courtroom calling them crosses. Upon leaving the dock, he said “bye-bye” and “I kinda like you” to the chief magistrate.

...and hatred he Muckraker KN outdid itself in its Thursday editorial, “The sudden explosion of money”. It went after those that had what it termed “new money” – the nouveau riche – and contrasted them with the “old” moneyed class. The editor seemed to have forgotten that the publisher of the rag is a card-carrying member of that nouveau riche. He clawed his way out of poverty from Wakenaam ostensibly through selling shallots in Stabroek Market. Is the paper saying its owner is a drug dealer? Is it saying that the paper is simply a cover to launder the drug profits? Are they confirming the report by a U.S. ambassador, in the WikiLeaks cables, that the owner is a kingpin of the backtrack trade? In one particular nasty piece of mud-slinging, the editorial claimed “people who had no money can suddenly buy sporting franchises at tremendous cost”. They could only be talking about the chairman of NEW GPC, which is the only corporation to purchase a CPL franchise up to now. This statement just proves the extent to which hatred can warp the minds of those filled with jealousy and envy. Nietzsche called it “ressentiment” and it rises like bile in those who see others rise in the world while they remain stuck in their miserable existences. For years, the same Muckraker and its owners and its editor-in-chief and its reporters have carried out a vicious vendetta against the owner of NEW GPC – because his company won the bids to supply pharmaceuticals to the health sector. Sadly, we think it all boils down to jealousy. But what is it that caused the editorial writer to gloss over how the “old money” disappeared. It wasn’t “inflation and a downturn” that made them “sell out”. The old New Nation propagandist wants us to forget it was Forbes Burnham’s envy of that class that made him introduce the External Trade Bureau to control all imports. Bookers he nationalised. We wonder what his “boss man” has done with Bookers’ Guyana Stores he bought with the “shallot” money?

...and gold So the price of gold has plunged once again and predictably everyone’s running around like chickens without their heads. What happened to the team that was specially constituted to “monitor” the movement of gold prices? Caught with their pants down? Like we said when the team was formed, if they could tell ahead of time where the price of gold was heading, Guyana could make more money from speculation than mining. Fact of the matter is that as an alternative “store of value” for the world in competition against the U.S. dollar, the “prices” of greenbacks and gold will inevitably be inversely correlated. The announcement by the Federal Reserve that it will slow up on its Quantitative Easing (QE) monetary policy, meant that the dollar would strengthen. While the cheaper dollar made the U.S. more competitive (teeing off Brazil and China) by in effect creating more money and lower interests, it could only go on for so long. Inflation and other dangers lurk. What we have to remember, as a gold producer, is that gold will always be volatile and miners must constantly hedge their bets with investments outside gold during the good times to tide them over the rough patches. ...in the soup kitchen Word is that Clinton Urling’s miffed with our take on the Private Sector Commission (PSC) elections. He claims we insulted the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) by calling it his “bully pulpit”. Hey, look up the term!

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saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Persaud underscores importance of bauxite, forestry to Linden

atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud said the bauxite and forestry industries remain two major sectors in the development of Linden and other areas throughout Region 10, and as such, his ministry will continue to look at ways of improving the two sectors. He made the disclosure during a recent visit to the bauxite mining community following a brief halt in mining operations at Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) after an accident which resulted in the deaths of three of its employees. The minister noted that based on talks he had with BMGGI officials, he was assured that the company will live up to its obligations in supporting the families of those affected by the accident. He also alluded to the fact that the accident had an adverse effect on mining operations, with production being dramatically affected. He stated, however, that the ministry will continue to engage and work with company officials to ensure that production quotas are fulfilled.

Targets

“We are working with the company to ensure that they meet their targets as you know, bauxite production has been increasing across the country, including here at Linden... the target is to have 500,000 tonnes of mass production, the company is looking to take it very close to that point,” he said. Persaud noted that currently there are 680 employees at the company, compared to the starting of the year when there were about 620 employees. He said this shows that the employment strength of the company is increasing, which means more jobs and opportunities are being created, despite certain challenges faced by the natural resources industries worldwide. The minister noted that it is important to look at diversifying the bauxite industry in order to attain development. “The word bauxite has not been a very favourable one (recently); prices have been tumbling for various commodities, including bauxite. This morning I woke up to the

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud news of gold dropping by as much as US$50, but the company has been able to hold its own, to look in terms of how it can be able to retain its market, but also look at new markets in this regard, also looking at a range of products and moving in that direction as we continue to engage the company in looking at diversifying products... “So these plans have been in stream and will continue to be pursued, and we will continue to do close monitoring of the company’s operations in terms of its production target whether it is short term, medium or long term,” he noted. Speaking on forestry development in the community and Region 10, the minister noted that the industry has long been a very dominant one throughout the region, but in the late 1980s it suffered a significant decline in production. The industry, he noted, has since then been focused on creating newer and additional opportunities for persons living within the region.

Forestry

“Region 10 has a high concentration of community forestry organisations... so we wanted to better mobilise the community and to give more persons access to these resources so that they can provide income for themselves and the community as a whole... so there’s been special emphasis in providing more and more forest areas to the community.” He noted that only recently a decision was made to take a concession from a concessionaire so that it could be made available to local groups within whose communities the concession fell. Persaud pointed out that

it is important to note that lands are not given out to individuals without them firstly undergoing a clear and transparent process. “I want to make it clear that whatever allocations are made, it is made within that context, we’ve taken a deliberate approach of focusing on community forestry organisations.” He said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry continues to give support to these local community organisations, while also looking at ways of securing more value added production. Making reference to international companies such as Bai Shan Lin investing in local forestry areas, the minister added that this creates opportunities for community forestry organisations. “At the end of the day the value for your lumber goes up three-fold if you are able to have value added, that is why, as a country we’ve looked at it strategically, rather than just exporting logs, we can export products or even processed lumber.”

Infrastructure

He noted that another important aspect of the forestry industry is infrastructure, since some concessions are 50 to 60, sometimes close to 120, miles away from the point of extraction to immediate markets within the area. He said the ministry has only recently, through the Guyana Forestry Commission, undertaken a massive rehabilitation of the UNAMCO road, which is a vital artery, not only for access to areas within Region 10, but also for loggers, miners, and others who traverse the area to conduct similar activities. He pointed out that the ministry will continue to work with various associations to determine ways of attaining more value added production. “Take for instance, we have provided portable (saw) mills to some of the forestry groups over the years, so it’s an area that we will give tremendous attention because of its importance, like bauxite, it’s also a major employer and a major contributor to the economy as a whole, and it extends right across the region,” he noted.

Da Silva’s opening ophthalmic centre for seniors Tuesday

a Silva’s will next Tuesday introduce the first optical centre in Guyana specialising in vision care for seniors only, the Da Silva’s Seniors Ophthalmic Service. In a release, Da Silva’s said it has a strong commitment to educating and improving the sight of seniors by offering the latest eyewear and ophthalmic techniques. “We offer all types of straight corrective lenses namely: Single visions, Bifocals and Progressives. We have a large extensive line of quality frames and our prices are the best where quality and affordability is never compromised.” According to the eye centre, this is an outstanding opportunity for all seniors who go without spectacles or fail to change their Rx (prescription) regularly.

A senior citizen getting his eye tested

“Providing excellent and affordable eyewear to our seniors at a price that seniors can afford is our way of saying “Thank you, Seniors, for watching over us when we were young, now it is our turn to care lovingly for your eyes.”

ECLAC facilitating electronic access to its studies, statistics

he Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said it has strengthened its electronic dissemination platform to facilitate and extend access by member states and the public to the intellectual assets of the UN regional commission, thereby boosting user feedback and reducing the economic and environmental costs of using paper. Since it was created over 60 years ago, this think tank for economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean has produced a large amount of information and knowledge in many formats, from statistics and positions papers to thematic publications and audiovisual materials, ECLAC said on Friday. The ECLAC publications website currently has over 4000 downloadable digital publications in various formats, as well as an annual digital catalogue of publications and electronic news bulletins. Users can also enjoy the benefits of 120 ebooks in epub and mobi formats free of charge, as well as two mobile apps: “CEPAL Review” and “Annual ECLAC reports”, which are available from GooglePlay and Appstore. These apps have a browser that provides quick and easy access to all parts of these publications. According to the commission, the ECLAC library has over 100,000 volumes and more than 84,000 electronic titles (in excess of 70,000 journals and 12,000 books). The library is also carrying out projects to digitise and

preserve all of the commission’s historic documents from 1948 onwards. The online catalogue can be used to access the complete text of over 15,000 ECLAC documents and publications, while the multisearch function consults more than 40 specialised databases simultaneously. Specific information on Raúl Prebisch – former executive secretary and one of the main founding theorists – can be found on the following website http://prebisch. cepal.org/en. According to the ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena, “ECLAC is committed to development with equality in Latin America and the Caribbean, and an essential part of this task is the wide and free dissemination of studies and statistics produced by the commission to support the design, implementation and assessment of public policies in the region’s countries”.

Access

The ECLAC press centre enables users to access special coverage and factual material on the day-today operations of the commission, including news, press releases, bulletins, speeches, presentations, biographies, videos and photographs. Through the ECLAC Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube accounts, the press centre also provides real-time information on the commission’s activities in Spanish and English. The revamped statistical information website, CEPALSTAT, systematises, disseminates and documents regionally compara-

ble information produced by countries’ official agencies, ECLAC and international agencies, as well as relevant indicators on the region’s economic, social and environmental situation, while facilitating user access through various online apps. ECLAC has also created many observatories to analyse the region’s economic and social situation. The Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean, established at the request of the member states of the commission, monitors gender equality advances in terms of respect for the physical, economic and decision-making autonomy of women, while the Fiscal Observatory of Latin America and the Caribbean (OFILAC) analyses and follows-up the fiscal policy of the region’s countries to promote debate among authorities and experts. The demographic observatory is an annual online publication in Spanish and English that provides population estimates and projections for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Regional Observatory on Broadband regularly produces information on broadband services (particularly penetration, charges and connection speeds). Lastly, the recently created Latin America-Asia Pacific Observatory is a joint initiative from ECLAC, CAFDevelopment Bank of Latin American and ALADI, with a commercial-economic monitor that enables users to search online for the main economic and trade indicators for countries from both regions.

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saturday, june 29, 2013

News

More than $670M in contracts awarded in Berbice T

he Region Six administration in its quest to improve the quality of life of its citizens has awarded several contracts for the development of roads, bridges, sluices, canals and the kitchen of the Black Bush Polder Hospital. The contracts totalling in excess of $60 million were awarded on Friday. In excess of $25 million will be spent in the 52-74 Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) area. Among the contracts are the rehabilitation of the Number 71-72 foot path bridge and the rehabilitation of the double door sluice at Number 35 Village. Some $6.9 million will be spent to excavate the Manerabisi main drainage canal while a further $6 million will be spent to excavate the Excess façade. Meanwhile, a contract to rehabilitate a cross street at Number 65 Village was also signed on Friday. Region Six Chairman David Armogan noted that the administration is placing great emphasis on the quality of work and the timely manner in which it is completed. “This is one of the problems that we have encountered over the years that contractors have taken on the work and it takes them sometime before they start it.” According the chairman, errant contractors will be punished. “Once contractors have done past the stipulated time that the contract

Small days still on dem mind

Contractor Peter Lewis signs one of the contracts at the Number 52-74 NDC office in the presence of regional officials and residents

should have been completed, the liability clause will be applied.” Meanwhile, he noted that the liability period has been extended from three to six months. “In other words, in six months after the job is contracted, if there is any deterioration of defects that show up as a result of sloppy work by the contractor; that contraction will have to carry out corrective works.” To ensure that contractors cannot get away from this clause, a per cent of the contract sum will be withheld by the administration until the liability period expires. The contracts were signed at the Number 52-

74 NDC in the presence of residents, NDC officials and opposition members of the Regional Works Committee. The chairman noted that residents do not have the right to stop a contract if it is observed that the contractor is not working to specifications as stipulated in the contract. “You can report it and then we will come and check it. Remember, we are spending taxpayers’ money and we want to get value for the money. It means that you have to make sure that the dollar is well spent, because we will not be coming back next year to do your street, or your area, we will have to do work in another community.”

Meanwhile, a further seven contracts were signed for work in the Black Bush Polder area. Works there will include the rehabilitation of the Post Office Street, the construction of concrete bridges at Mibikuri and Lesbeholden and the construction of a kitchen at the Black Bush Polder Hospital. A further $2.3 million will be spent to rehabilitate the doctor’s quarters at the same institution. In that community, a contract for $6.7 million was also signed to rehabilitate a road at South Field, Joanna. The chairman also took the opportunity to ask residents to monitor the projects.

n old Guyanese song talk bout how small days does still deh pun people mind, and that small days is a “good, good” time. That song is a nice song and plenty people like it, but while it might be true fuh some people, it ain’t true fuh all people. That is because some people had good small days and some had bad small days. And dem who never had good small days does want to mek up in de days when dem grow up, or tink that dem grow up. So that is why some of dem does end up behaving like nevah see come fuh see when dem grow up. Well, in Guyana it got some people around who never had good small days. That is why now that dem grow up dem still ain’t really grow up. Dem does behave like dem is bad boys and can do any ting, seh any ting, and write any ting bout any body. Some of dem does even run to people in other countries to complain bout other people and bout de guvament. And when dem in Guyana, dem always behaving like a big bully who want to bad talk people and tell dem what to do and what not to do. Dem boys who seh dem is boys tink dem grow up and dem does really want to behave like bad boys and does talk a lot and write a lot bout people who dem ain’t like or who dem jealous of. But life is strange and what does go around does come around. Old people seh yuh must never wish fuh people sum ting that yuh don’t wish fuh yuself. Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, after all, it turn out that dem boys who seh dem is boys play bad boys wid a real bad boy. Now de whole country know who had to kneel down and beg. But one of dem boys seh dem like de kneelin down part!

UN representative in Eastern Decomposed body washes up at Caribbean moves to South East Asia Adventure foreshore

N Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, a national of Jamaica, as the resident coordinator of the United Nations System’s operational activities for development in Malaysia, effective July 1. Gyles-McDonnough also will serve as resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Malaysia, with additional responsibility for the Republic of Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, and will have overall responsibility and team leadership for the coordination of UN development activities in these three countries. Gyles-McDonnough leaves Barbados on June 29 after a successful fiveyear tenure as UN resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative for Barbados and the OECS. During her tenure, she significantly raised the visibility of the development challenges facing small island developing states and mobilised other development

partners to work together with the UN to support Barbados and OECS member states to address the impacts of climate change; make the transition to more sustainable energy future; strengthen capabilities to assess and manage disaster risks and impacts; and improve citizen’s security, well-being and life chances, among other key development areas. Prior to her posting in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, GylesMcDonnough was programme adviser in the Executive Office of UNDP, and regional adviser in Jamaica. She has also served in the United Nations as coordinator for the Grenada Recovery Programme following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and chief – UNDP Caribbean Sub-Regional Resource Facility in Trinidad and Tobago, which she was instrumental in establishing in 1999. Before joining UNDP, Gyles-McDonnough worked with the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington D.C.as member

of Cabinet and adviser to the secretary general. She was legal adviser/alternate representative for the embassy of Jamaica and Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the OAS, and also practised with Winthrop Stimson Putnam and Roberts as an attorney specialising in international trade. GylesMcDonnough began her career in 1990 in Zimbabwe as a law clerk for Harare Legal Projects Centre. Gyles-McDonnough holds an MA in public administration from Harvard University, John F Kennedy School of Government, USA, a juris doctor (with honours in international and foreign law) from Columbia University School of Law, USA, and an bachelor’s in economics with a minor in French from Bryn Mawr College, USA. She will move on to the South East Asia region, initially with her two children, Sydney (age 11) and Liam (age seven). Gyles-McDonnough is married to Ambassador Lorne McDonnough, chief executive officer of the Caricom Development Fund.

he decomposed body of a male was on Wednesday found at the Adventure Foreshore by a passerby who reported the discovery to the Whim Police Station. The man has not been identified, but is said to be in his late 30s, about 5’ 7” tall and brown-skinned. The

body was clad in a pair of blue long jeans. According to information received, the report was made about 17:45h by an anonymous caller. The police upon receiving the report, visited the scene where they saw the body of a male about a mile north in the Corentyne River from the

Adventure Side Line Dam. The body was retrieved, examined and it was observed that it was in an advance stage of decomposition. The body was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination. Police are continuing their investigation.

NA Prison inmate found with marijuana

New Amsterdam prison inmate has again found himself in hot waters on Thursday after a quantity of cannabis sativa was found in his possession. According to information received, about 16:30h on the day in question, prison authority informed the Operation Room via telephone that a quantity of suspected cannabis was found at the New Amsterdam Prison. As a result, police ranks went to the said correctional institution and investigations revealed that convicted prisoner Sunil Tahal called “Coco”, 37, was observed by

a staff walking towards the kitchen, acting in a suspicious manner with a bulky black bag in his right hand. Further information revealed that the instructor followed Tahal and eventually confronted him in the kitchen, with the said bulky black plastic bag in his possession. The bag was taken away and when opened in his presence, two small bulky black plastic bags were found, both bags were opened and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found. The substance was weighed and found to be

229 grams of cannabis. The prisoner is currently serving a three-year sentence for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. He was taken to the administrator and told of the offence. The matter is presently being investigated by the police. The illegal substance is lodged at the Central Police Station at New Amsterdam. However, officials at the institution are also conducting their internal investigations to determine how the illegal substance made its way into the correctional facility.

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saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Firemen get training in first aid

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee with French Guiana fire officials and their local counterparts at the conclusion of a first aid training programme

ome Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has vowed that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) will continue in the path of becoming a Fire and Rescue Service despite the name change legislation being voted down in Parliament. He made the comment at the closing of a training programme on first aid and traffic accident, which benefitted 75 fire service officers. The training was conducted by the French Guiana Fire and Rescue Service. Rohee said, in the transformation of the organisation from simply a fire service to a fire and rescue service, this type of training is vital “We may not have the name Guyana Fire and Rescue Service, so be it, but in actual practice, the fire service will move in the direction of a fire and rescue service, by virtue of training, equipment, orientation and in practice, you will be providing rescue services for the people of Guyana.” He noted that GFS has made tremendous leaps over the years, adding that it has built remarkable capacity and will continue to do so with government’s support,

reminding of the billions of dollars government that has pumped into the fire service operations. Rohee said the government has not only invested in increasing human capacity, but also the number of fire stations and equipment. He was optimistic that the new strategic plan, which is currently being formulated by his ministry, will seek to open new vistas and opportunities for the GFS. Rohee commended the leadership of the fire service for its commitment in working to improve its services, and encouraged the organisation, to forge similar international cooperation, which will in turn benefit the organisation and its staff. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle assured that the training will be used efficiently in the organisation’s fire rescue operation. He noted that since the two fire services established relations, there is no doubt that the partnership has been fruitful. He promised that the two organisations will continue along the path to expand their relations. “After this, it

will be 115 members of the fire service who would have been exposed to this particular training since we started in 2010 and that alone speaks volumes for the contributions on what has been done here and the achievements we have.” Gentle said the GFS, which was established in 1957, was built “to save lives, protect buildings and other property from the destruction of fire, prevention of fires and render humanitarian services”, adding that this capacity has to be maintained and developed. French Police Attache Jean Yves Le-Clech said the GFS is on the right track and reiterated his country’s commitment in forging more partnerships with Guyana. Additionally, Minister Rohee also handed over two water trucks to the fire service; which was set aside from the 2012 budget. From 2006 to now, government has increased the number of operational fire stations from eight to 16 and has resuscitated five auxiliary units in the hinterland. The GFS fleet has also been boosted at all the stations and divisions.

Sami Yusuf to perform live in Guyana

uyanese will be in for a treat when internationally renowned artiste Sami Yusuf performs at the Guyana National Stadium, on September 28. The singer is brought to Guyana through Inspire Inc in collaboration with the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Muslim Youth League of Guyana. Yusuf has a huge fan base and has sold over 15 million albums worldwide. He has inspired many by his spiritual and meaningful lyrics and his interpretation of the current state of the world. He is known for his singles “Al-Mu’Allim”, “Mother”, “Asma Allah”, “Ya Mustafa” and “Allahu”. The 32-year-old was named Islam’s biggest rock star by the Time Magazine and King

Renowned singer Sami Yusuf

of Islamic pop by Aljazeera. Yusuf produced his fourth and latest album “Salaam” in 2012, which continues to spread love, peace and unity. The groups have invited Sami Yusuf to perform in Guyana against the backdrop of their desire to in-

spire the country, especially its young Guyanese, who are the leaders of tomorrow. “We will continue to plan events and activities that will positively impact our nation. As we continue to grow economically, we must also grow morally and spiritually.” said Yog Mahadeo, who is chief executive officer of Inspire Inc. He continued: “This is why this event will promote ‘peace, love and unity’.” This will be Yusuf’s first visit to Guyana. Yusuf has performed in numerous countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Germany, Netherlands, Bosnia, Turkey and the MENA region.

SPR to launch EC03 system at building expo

PR Enterprises will launch its Smart Cool’s EC03 System in the Guyana market during the staging of the country’s fourth International Building Exposition from July 5-7, which is billed for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. According to a release, the SPR said it is aware that Guyana has committed to a low carbon development strategy, and therefore Smartcool’s ECO3 offers an economical and effective tool that can help meet these targets by reducing overall electricity consumption, demand on the grid and greenhouse gas emissions. Smartcool’s ECO3 saves an average 20 per cent kWh on compressor operation in

air conditioning and refrigeration systems. For customers with high electrical rates and high demand for cooling, this can represent a substantial reduction to their utility bills. Guyana is subject to high electrical rates, in the range of $0.27/kWh for residential and $0.35/kWh for commercial customers. With a hot Caribbean climate, the demand for air conditioning is also very high. These factors make Guyana a natural fit for Smartcool’s ECO3 and SPR Enterprises is poised to deliver the product to a market primed for energy efficiency products. Smartcool’s Engineer will be in Guyana from July 2 to 8 to train SPR staff and install the unit for the first batch of customers, as already sever-

al companies that have given their final approval for installing the ECO3 on their air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Customers will be given a full demonstration at building expo using two Ac units with one using the Smartcool ECO3 units and the other without. In May 2013, SPR Enterprises finalised a new distribution agreement with Smartcool Systems Inc for its other energy efficiency retrofit products throughout Guyana, therefore making the company the newest company to join Smartcool’s growing network of independent distribution partners. The SPR also has exclusive distribution agreement for Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

World Bank president on threenation tour to South America

orld Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim will meet Peru’s Ollanta Humala and participate in the signing ceremony of a basic education programme, as part of a three-country visit to South America from June 29-July 7. Kim will also travel to Chile to meet President Sebastian Piñera and to Bolivia, where he is scheduled to sign a quinoa farming agreement with President Evo Morales. In meetings with some of Latin America’s most influential political, civil society and business leaders, Kim will bring to the fore the bank’s renewed commitment to reduce extreme poverty and to include more Latin Americans in the region’s prosperity. In April, the World Bank Group’s governors endorsed the goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity among the bottom 40 per cent of the population in developing countries. The bank will publish annual re-

ports on progress toward the two goals. “As I prepare to travel to Latin America, I see a region that has come a long way from the ‘lost decade’ of the 1980s, and is emerging as a driver of global growth. But we have much more to do, to ensure that Latin America’s people share in their region’s growing prosperity,” Kim said. With Peru as his first scheduled stop on June 29, Kim will review rural projects in the former Inca capital of Cusco, now a vibrant centre for sustainable farming; he will also look at progress made against tuberculosis in vulnerable areas, an undertaking Kim helped to develop during his years heading partners in health in Lima in the early 1990s. The World Bank’s top official will also discuss reducing poverty with students at a town hall meeting in Peru’s Pontificia Universidad Católica. About six million students from 40,000 schools in Peru stand to benefit from

the basic education agreement which looks at improving quality of teaching and transparency in the selection of school principals. In Chile, Kim is scheduled to meet on July 4 with President Sebastian Piñera and members of his cabinet to review the bank’s technical assistance programme there. Kim will then travel to Bolivia on July 6 to meet President Evo Morales and sign a memorandum of understanding supporting the country’s sustainable production of quinoa and other Andean products. “Delivering on the promise of growth will require Latin American policymakers, along with their partners in the development community, including the World Bank, to ensure that economic gains benefit all citizens,” Kim said. Kim said that one of his main messages on the trip will be that the bank’s role is to help governments, include more people in the region’s economic growth.

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saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimeSGY.com

Govt, opposition trade blame over Linden pact By Svetlana Marshall

he National Assembly late Thursday night adopted a motion calling on the government to honour the August 2012 agreement which ended a month of violent protests in Linden over a proposed hike in electricity tariffs. The motion was, however, adopted without the support of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) who chided the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the leaders of Region 10 for dragging their feet on critical components of the agreement. In a united voice, the ruling party parliamentarians said, nearly one year after the agreement was signed, it should not be blamed exclusively for the many hiccups encountered.

Region's economy

On August 21, 2012, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon signed the agreement for the establishment of three committees with the aim of boosting the region’s economy and reviewing the existing provision and consumption of electricity in the mining town, including the history, the costs, the tariff structure, and subsidies. Particulars also include the transfer of state television assets to the region. However, to date, many aspects of the agreement have not been implemented. In the interest of residents of the mining town, APNU parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon moved the motion, lamenting that the promise made must be upheld. “Mr Speaker and Honourable Members, the August 21, 2012 agreement seeks to install a Regional Land Selection Committee; an economic committee to comprehensively examine power generation in the region;

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

APNU parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon

and the return of the television dish and channel that belong to the Linden Community,” Kissoon said as she commenced the debate. The APNU MP told the National Assembly that the committees established to fulfil the objective of the agreement are “unfortunately” dysfunctional, while other aspects have failed to come into fruition. “Be it resolved: that this National Assembly calls on the government of Guyana to immediately adhere to its commitments and obligations under the written agreement... thereby ensuring that the benefits which were to accrue to the residents of Region 10 are realised.”

Technical committee

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira displayed documents as she laid out the facts. In her detailed response, the PPP/C MP alluded to the eight basic areas of the agreement. Referencing clause one, Teixeira said the Donald Ramotar administration has not increased the electricity tariffs for Linden despite a July 1 implementation date as it awaits the findings of the technical committee. In fact, she

highlighted that government has pumped billions of dollars into subsidising the cost of electricity within the mining town. In an effort to determine whether an increase should be imposed or not, the parties had agreed to establish a technical committee, its chairman, Norvan Persaud resigned in October, 2012 due to apparent health implications. Teixeira strongly believes that the opposition’s failure to agree with government on the appointment of a new chairperson is a deliberate act. “The linkage between the findings of the technical team and any increases or no increases of tariffs, so the technical team cannot find a chairperson that we can agree to, then the technical team cannot be set up; therefore, there can be no change or no recommendations, no findings in relations of tariffs for electricity in Linden,” Teixeira explained. The PPP/C spokeswoman noted that the economic committee is functioning. She explained that the members of the committee were appointed in September 2012, while the chairperson was appointed in March 2013. “All these issues of

LEN (Linden Enterprise Network) and LEAP (Linden Economic Advancement Programme) are in the agreement.” Teixeira informed the House that the drainage and irrigation issue in West Watooka, Linden was resolved since December 2012 by the Region 10 Democratic Council in keeping with the August 2012 agreement. “The fifth area was a Region 10 responsibility; to submit projects for consideration... that will bring the fastest benefits for the people of Linden, Region 10. This was not done. Region 10 has not provided that,” the chief whip lamented. However, the work of the Land Selection Committee, which is the responsibility of the council, has recently commenced.

Broadcast application

Another PPP/C MP Bibi Shaddick told the House that the nation must not be fooled into believing that the government has failed to uphold its promise, with regards to the provision of the satellite dish and transmitter to facilitate a regional owned station. Shaddick said that the transmitter and satellite dish have been transferred to the region in keeping with the agreement, but the region has not provided any accommodation for the huge equipment. “I am informed that the dish and transmitter which are not, by any means, the size of a plate or a cup have been transferred to the Regional Democratic Council.” She pointed out that the region has also failed to apply for a broadcasting licence. She explained that on August 28, 2012, the information minister, President Donald Ramotar issued an order enacting the Broadcasting Act of 2011. Subsequently, the National Broadcasting Board, led by Shaddick, was implemented in

September. The PPP/C parliamentarian said that the RDC was advised to establish a company or trust, since the act does not cater for the provision of licence to a region. “I just call to find out: Have we received an application from a company or trust on behalf of Region 10? The answer is no.” Shaddick assured the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman that the application when received by the broadcasting board will be given priority.

Agreement

“I am on record, Mr Speaker that we know about this agreement and that the board agreed unanimously that when the application comes from Region 10, it will be processed as a priority even if we have to hold a special board meeting to do it.” Alliance For Change (AFC) member Trevor Williams informed of his party’s support for the motion. However, Williams said the nation’s leaders must desist from living in the past. He posited that the occurrences of July 2012 when the state and the town clashed, resulting in the deaths of Allan Lewis, Ron Somerset, and Shemroy Bouyea must not happen again. The AFC MP admonished all sides of the House to work collectively for the development of Linden and Guyana by extension. “I would like to call on both parties to get the ball rolling and get their act together.” At the end of the lengthy debate, which also included speeches from Odinga Lumumba, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, Pastor Renis Morian, APNU parliamentarian Basil Williams and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the opposition used its one-seat advantage to adopt the motion. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Baramita gets govt backing on objection to PL in titled areas

conflict within the natural resources sectors which will be unhelpful for the economic development of Guyana.

The consultation was facilitated to ensure the mining sector’s development is

Further, the natural resources and environment minister called on all miners and mining companies to honour their obligations to contribute to social, health and economic development of Amerindian communities. The objective of the consultation was to deal specifically with the issuance of Prospecting Licences (PLs). Villagers and other relevant stakeholders supported the first agreement of four PLs, but disagreed on the proposed application for two others in central Baramita. Acting on consensus, Minister Persaud advised that no further action will be taken in processing the new applications for the two PLs. A PL is granted a threeyear period with rights of renewal of two one-year periods, the Government

ubsequent to representation from residents of Baramita, Region One, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and related agencies held a consultation with the Baramita Village Council, residents, and a UK-based Russian company, which has interest in gold mining within and around Baramita. The team, headed by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud, included representatives from the Amerindian Affairs and Human Services ministries, along with technical officers of the resources and environment sectors. Region One Chairman Paul Pierre, the Baramita Village councillors, led by Toshao Johnny Bradley, and Attorney David James were among the residents’ representatives.

Consultation

Honour obligations

Residents of Baramita, Region One at the meeting with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

done in sync with the rights and expectations of indigenous communities. The minister emphasised on the rights of Amerindians over titled lands, and pointed out that the government is supportive of the development of Guyana’s natural resources, but will not compromise the rights and secu-

rity of Amerindians. Government will not allow foreigners or locals to infringe on the rights of Amerindians, and will not allow respect for Amerindians to be compromised, said Minister Persaud. As such, the government will continue to encourage all miners to respect the rights of

Amerindians and their titled lands be safeguarded from any potential negative environmental impacts. He stated that in the extractive sector, government will not encourage companies and individuals in mining or forestry to violate the rights of Amerindians. This, he pointed out, will cause

Information Agency (GINA) said . The licence is approval for exploration work exclusively, and no mining is allowed within any PL. As such, the acting commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Rickford Vieira, outlined the roles and responsibilities that govern the issuance of a PL, which is meant solely for exploration work. Vieira also outlined the steps necessary to move from a stage of prospecting to actual mining, which requires a mining plan and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Notwithstanding the objective of the meeting and recognising the vulnerability of Amerindian communities, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s Coordinator for Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Tracy Watson explained how to better recognise and deal with matters involving human trafficking and how to report suspected instances of child labour and TIP.

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saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

Caricom heads to focus on transportation at upcoming summit The following is a feature by the Caricom Secretariat on the upcoming summit

Caricom heads of government at one of their recent summits

here is a school of thought that a more positive and apt description of the group of states that form the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is one couched in language that infers connectedness rather than divisiveness by the Caribbean Sea. In other words, the characteristic of being connected by the Caribbean Sea lends to inclusiveness, a feeling of belonging and togetherness that may be the lynchpin for further development of the “community for all’ envisioned by the architects and current torchbearers of Caricom. The deep roots of connection between and among the peoples of the Caribbean long preceded the 40-year-old Caribbean Community. Many of us can trace our heritage to Caribbean territories we do not call `home’. Our ancestors in those days traversed the region by sea, affordability and availability being their primary considerations.

lenges, special focus was placed on transportation issues at a meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) held in May, in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The crescendo of largely negative positions on regional transportation had reached fever pitch on the eve of the Special COTED meeting with frustrations being expressed, particularly in the political and business spheres, in respect of the performance of the region’s air carriers LIAT, Surinam Airways, and Caribbean Airlines (CAL); the unsustainable operations of startup carriers that seek to ply the regional routes; the high fuel and other costs that are transferred to the consumer as reflected in the steadily increasing cost of airline tickets; and the lack of a regional ferry service in the Southern Caribbean as an alternative means of intra-regional travel and shipping.

Efficient transportation

“I think that we have to try and find a solution to the transportation problems that are plaguing us in the community, not only in terms of inter-regional travel, but sometimes through the region. Our tourism depends on it, our trade and services...depend on transportation, so we have to find solutions to our issues,” Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque succinctly told the media. Ministers will recommend the reintroduction of the Single Domestic Space (SDS) that was established for Cricket World Cup in 2007, as one of the measures to provide some relief to those traversing the community. The success of that 2007 initiative was alluded to during the Special COTED, in particular its popularity with the citizens of the community. Among the features of the SDS, which involved the participation of 10 Caricom member states, were freedom of movement for all domestic travellers and a Special Visa stamped at the first port of entry for travel-

There is no doubt that efficient transportation within the region of mainly island states – especially in the context of fulfilling the dream of unfettered movement of people and goods within the Caricom Single Market, and facilitating the growth of tourism that is so germane to the development of the Caribbean – is of critical importance. It is fitting, therefore, that a special session of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom July 4-6 in Trinidad and Tobago will be devoted to transportation matters. But there is the perception that in times past, shipping and travel within the region were far easier and more facilitating than what obtains today, given the vagaries of air and sea transport and border control policies. Today, intra-regional transportation is facing serious challenges to the extent that, in the wake of a series of calls from both the public and privates sectors to address these chal-

Solution

lers from outside the region to allow hassle-free movement among the participating SDS states. Measures to support the initiative included an Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) which provided specific information to the destination point prior to the boarding of passengers. The ministers also agreed to recommend to the heads of government that they support the proposed LIAT application to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the required financing to meet the costs of its re-fleeting exercise. The upgrading of LIAT’s aircraft fleet is necessary to sustain its operation and improve its services. Ministers also recommended that air transport services be included among the group of essential services and the necessary legislation be enacted to give effect to this recommendation. Development of the community’s transport sector has its underpinnings in Chapter Six of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which establishes the goal of the Community Transport Policy as the provision of adequate, safe and internationally competitive transport services for the development of the CSME.

Objective

The objectives to be pursued in this regard are: the organisation of efficient, reliable, affordable transport services throughout the community; the development and expansion of air and maritime transport capabilities in the community; the promotion of cooperative arrangements for the provision of transport services; the development of efficient internationally competitive ancillary transport services; the development of human resources for employment in all areas and at all levels of the transport sector; and the implementation of standards for the development of safe road, riverine, sea and air transport services. As the community moves to

fulfil its transport mandate, the special circumstances of member states, the global environment, and operational and other costs must be carefully considered. Some experts have argued that there is a special developmental role for airlines of developing countries. In this context, the operations of airlines of developing countries should not be assessed solely on financial returns. Account must be taken also of their contribution to the social and economic development of the community they serve and the high risk of leaving that developmental role solely to foreign operators whose main objectives might be to maximise profits. Back in 2011, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had also referred to the development role of transportation:

Challenge

“The challenge for us is that transport is a commercial enterprise, as well as a developmental exercise and not all needed routes are commercially viable. External costs and fuel prices dog our best efforts but efficient transportation by sea and air will remain among our highest priorities in the years ahead,” he had said as he delivered the second David Thompson Memorial Lecture. Notwithstanding the development thrust, transportation is a business in its own right, seeking at least, to break even in its operations. It is affected by the laws of supply and demand and the principles of transport economics. There are certain matters that should be taken into consideration with respect to regional transportation. For example: the fact that the unit operating costs of short sector operations is generally higher, visà-vis, the unit operating cost of long sector operations, an International Air Transport Association (IATA) study has concluded that whilst the average net airfare (that is an airfare less taxes, fees, and charges called “add-ons” collected for other

agencies) is generally lower in the Caribbean region vis-à-vis other comparable geographic regions, the `add-ones’ in the Caribbean region are generally higher than those in the comparable regions. The cost of fuel is generally the highest single component of the operating cost of an airline. Its fluctuation impacts on the level of airfares and consequently the cost of travel. Maintenance is generally the second highest component.

Economic environment

In recognition of the fact that the economic environment is challenging and that the region’s trading patterns are changing as a consequence of the various global, hemispheric, and regional trade agreements concluded by the community, the “big challenge” is to develop a strategy to enhance intra-regional and international connectivity in response to the changing imperatives, one expert said. To this end a comprehensive Regional Transportation Plan is being developed with support from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). In the interim, a recently concluded feasibility study of the establishment of a fast-ferry service in the Southern Caribbean for the carriage of passengers and cargo has been placed on the front-burner of the community. It is one of the matters considered at the Special COTED held in May that will be re-examined by the conference with a view to moving it forward. As Prime Minister Skerrit reminded, the community was “once world renowned for our maritime industries, our schooner building and inter-island shipping”. In encouraging the recreation of a network of state-of-the-art vessels, he reminisced that our seafaring activities promoted a feeling of unity among our peoples, and facilitated businessmen in the expansion of regional trade. Those are the goals to which the community must continue to strive in the realm of transportation.

saturday, June 29, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional Cuba to graduate over Police reverse decision, allow protest march in St Kitts 10,500 doctors this year D C uba will graduate more than 10,500 medical doctors at medical schools in different provinces of the country this year. The head of the teaching process and Registration Department of the Cuban Health Ministry, Doctor Emilio Caballero, said the new professionals include 5683 Cubans and 4843 nationals of 70 countries. The graduation ceremonies will take place July 19 -27. According to Caballero, the countries with the larg-

est number of graduates are Bolivia, with 855; Ecuador, 718; Mexico, 444; Argentina, 387; El Salvador, 386; Guyana, 280; East Timor, 194; Angola, 118, and China with 101 doctors. The total number of graduates from all medical sciences specialties this year will reach 29,712 professionals, with 24,692 being Cuban and 5020 from other nations. Medical sciences include the specialties of medicine, stomatology, nursing, psychology, and health technol-

ogies. Also part of this graduation are bachelors in biological analysis, hygiene and epidemiology; medical radio-physics, nutrition, optometry and optics, rehabilitation, and others. The total number of Cuban medical doctors that have graduated between 1961 and 2012 has now reached over 124,700. This year’s graduation alone is one and a half times larger than the total number of physicians that worked in Cuba in 1959. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

Pregnant teen thankful for second chance at high school education

eventeen-year-old Shantal could hardly hold back her emotions Tuesday as she spoke of the struggles of being pregnant while still a teenager. “Becoming pregnant at this tender age is a terrifying experience. I did not know what to do when I found out. It would have been my final year in high school and I would have been doing my examinations, graduating and making my parents proud. I was so horrified, ashamed and devastated to see that all those things I wanted would not be happening,” a heavily pregnant Shantal told First Lady of Burkina Faso Chantal Compaoré during a tour of the Women’s Centre of Jamica Foundation (WCJF) where the teen is a student. Shantal was one of two students who bravely shared their stories with Compaoré, who is leading a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored knowl-

emonstrators gathering in St Kitts on Wednesday afternoon learned that the police had reversed an earlier decision to deny them permission to march through the streets of Basseterre in protest of the over six-month delay in the tabling of an opposition-filed motion of no-confidence. Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Shawn Richards told WINN FM that he had been contacted by a senior member of the police force on Tuesday evening, who invited him to meet with the commissioner on Wednesday morning. Richards said due to other engagements, he was unable to meet with Commissioner CG Walwyn until Wednesday afternoon. Walwyn, he said, had informed him that the march would be allowed after all. They were granted permission to use loud speakers and noise makers, but they

Marchers at The Circus during the protest march in Basseterre

would not be allowed to march down Church Street where the government headquarters is located. Richards said he was “comfortable” with that compromise as he had already decided to march whether he had permission

or not. Asked what reason the commissioner had given for reversing his earlier decision, Richards said that essentially Walwyn had indicated that “there had been a miscommunication”. (Excerpt

from Caribbean News Now)

Venezuela provides nearly all of Haiti’s investment funds Minister with responsibility for information, Senator Sandrea Falconer (left), interacts with girls at the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF) Trafalgar Road offices, in Kingston, during a study tour of the centre on Tuesday. Others sharing in the moment are (from second left) Burkina Faso’s minister of women promotion and gender, Nestorine Sangare; First Lady of Burkina Faso Chantal Compaoré; translator Marjorie Robotham; and Dr Zoe Simpson, acting executive director of WCJF. (PHOTO: JIS)

edge-sharing mission to Jamaica to learn about the WCJF and its experience in preventing adolescent pregnancies and supporting adolescent mothers. Describing the centre and its counsellors as the “firefighters” who rescued her “from the mental

burning building” she was trapped in, Shantal praised the WCJF for enabling her to still sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations for which she was preparing when she found that she was carrying a child. (Excerpt from

aitian President Michel Martelly said on Tuesday that funds generated by the PetroCaribe agreement account for 94 per cent of Haiti’s public investment funds as he praised the commitment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who visited the Caribbean country to check progress made in projects funded with Venezuelan Petro dollars. As a member of the PetroCaribe agreement, which allows some 20 Latin America and Caribbean

countries to pay upfront only part of the oil bill owed to Venezuela among other benefits, Haiti has been able to save money to invest in ambitious social assistance programmes, the building of social housing, schools, airports and other infrastructure projects. “I would like to say very loudly that PetroCaribe funds represent 94 per cent of our investment funds, which means that the majority of what is being done in Haiti has been realised with PetroCaribe funds,” Martelly told reporters dur-

ing a joint news briefing with Maduro, at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. “Government buildings are being rebuilt, social housing is being built and we are talking about increasing national production, about continuing with the free tuition education programme and alphabetisation,” Martelly said. The PetroCaribe agreement allows member-countries to pay upfront 60 per cent of the fuel bill while the remaining 40 per cent is financed at an interest rate of over per cent, over 25 years.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Caribbean ambassadors to Ancient Wari royal tomb Europe urged to give more recognition to tourism unearthed in Peru Jamaica Observer)

rchaeologists in Peru have unearthed a royal tomb with treasures and mummified women from about 1200 years ago. The discovery north of Lima could shed new light on the Wari empire, which ruled in the Andes before the rise of the better-known Inca civilisation. More than 60 skeletons were inside the tomb, including three Wari queens buried with gold and silver jewellery and brilliantly-painted ceramics. Many mummified bodies were found sitting upright – indicating royalty. The archaeologists say the tomb was found in El Castillo de Huarmey, about 280km (175 miles) north of Lima. “We have found for the first time in Peruvian ar-

Findings at El Castillo de Huarmey have changed archaeologists’ views of women in Wari culture

chaeological history, an imperial tomb of the Wari culture,” co-director of the project Milosz Giersz was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. “The contents of the chamber consisted of 63 human bodies, most of them

women, wrapped in funerary bundles buried in the typical seated position, a native Wari pattern.” Forensic archaeologist Wieslaw Wieckowski saids the way other bodies were positioned indicated human sacrifice. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he head of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) asked the region’s ambassadors to Europe to remember the importance of tourism as a major economic driver and as a potent anti-poverty tool. Speaking to a gathering of Caribbean envoys in Brussels, CTO Chairman Beverly Nicholson-Doty of the United States Virgin Islands lauded their championing of the region “as one of the world’s preferred warm weather destinations and a preferred place to do business and to invest,” but lamented “tourism, in spite of its massive contribution to the GDP of our respective countries and territo-

Beverly Nicholson-Doty

ries, is one of those industries which does not get the priority attention it deserves”. Noting tourism was by far the largest industry in the Caribbean region and

the fastest growing sector in the world, she said, “getting it placed as a priority agenda for our heads of government remains challenging”. Multinational organisations based in Brussels like the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), list as a priority “fighting the scourge of poverty, so allow me to reiterate that tourism is one of the most powerful tools for poverty alleviation”. Pointing out the Caribbean has long been faced with barriers to its traditional exports to Europe, she stated “the great thing about tourism is that the consumer is brought to the producer”. (Caribbean360)

15 Around the World

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, June 29, 2013

Barack Obama in South Africa Clashes break out at protests in northern Egypt amid vigils for Mandela

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

.S. President Barack Obama has landed in South Africa, the second stop in his three-country tour of Africa. Obama said earlier he did not expect to see former President Nelson Mandela, who is critically ill in hospital. Leaving Senegal, he told reporters on board Air Force

One: “I don’t need a photo op.” Meanwhile, Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie MadikizelaMandela said the former leader had made “a great improvement” in recent days, but was “still unwell”. Correspondents say security is tight in the streets near Mediclinic Heart Hospital in the capital,

Pretoria, where the 94-yearold is being treated for a lung infection. Ministers, politicians, Mandela’s physician and family members were among those visiting the ex-leader on Friday, his 21st day in hospital. President Obama’s plane landed at a military airbase near Pretoria on Friday evening. He has meetings scheduled in the capital on Saturday morning. But Obama said earlier he did not expect to see the ailing ex-leader during his visit to South Africa. “I don’t need a photo op,” he said aboard Air Force One after leaving Senegal. “The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned with Nelson Mandela’s condition.” (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Protesters stormed the Alexandria office of the Muslim Brotherhood

upporters and opponents of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi have staged rival rallies across the country but there has been violence in the north. Tension has risen ahead of a mass protest planned by the opposition for Sunday. Thousands of Morsi supporters rallied outside the main mosque in Cairo’s Nasr

district. At least one person was killed in Alexandria as protesters stormed a local Muslim Brotherhood office. Dozens more were injured when anti-Morsi protesters and Islamists clashed in the northern city, the second biggest in Egypt. The office of the Muslim Brotherhood, which backs Morsi, was set ablaze and birdshot was fired. The authorities are re-

ported to have called in riot police and army helicopters to try to quell the violence. A Muslim Brotherhoodfunded TV channel said petrol bombs were thrown in another northern area, Sharqia. At least five people are now reported to have died in northern Egypt in violence linked to the political situation in the past few days.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

NASA telescope to study mysterious part of the sun Indian govt wants judges

ow do the outer reaches of the sun get so hot? That is one of the questions that NASA has set out to answer by launching a new telescope that will stare into a mysterious zone between the sun’s surface and outer atmosphere. Material that travels through the region, known as the solar chromosphere, heats up from about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5500 degrees Celsius) at the sun’s surface to temperatures as high as 3.5 million degrees Fahrenheit (two million degrees celsius) farther out, according to NASA. The agency said its IRIS spacecraft, which reached its

orbit Thursday evening after taking off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, will angle its telescope to study “how solar material moves, gathers energy and heats up” in the chromosphere on its way to the outer atmosphere, the corona. “IRIS will show the solar chromosphere in more detail than has ever been observed before,” Adrian Daw, deputy project scientist, said in a NASA article ahead of the launch. “My opinion is that we are bound to see something we didn’t expect to see.” What causes the corona’s intense heat has been “a scientific mystery for more than 50 years,” ac-

fined for frequent adjournments

NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) is seen with its solar panels open during testing at a Lockheed Martin facility in California

cording to NASA’s Solar System Exploration Unit. Information gathered by previous space missions sug-

gests one source could be a magnetic field covering the sun’s surface, the unit said.

(Excerpt from CNN)

Britain’s queen set for five per cent raise

ritain’s Queen Elizabeth II can expect a sweet five per cent raise next year, thanks in large part to record profits from real estate. The Crown Estate, a public body that manages property for the monarch, posted a record profit of 252.6 million British pounds (US$387.2 million) for the last financial year – up by 5.2 per cent from last year. The good news for the nation is that all the profit from the estate is paid into the public coffers. The queen is then paid a grant each year by the

Queen Elizabeth II

Treasury equal to 15 per cent of the profit from two

years before. That means the mon-

arch, who celebrated 60 years on the throne last year, will receive income of nearly 38 million pounds next year, according to the estate’s annual report, released Thursday. The Crown Estate is owned by the queen as monarch but is not her private property, meaning she has no direct control over it. The total portfolio is now valued at 8.1 billion pounds (nearly US$12.4 billion). The estate’s revenue comes from everything from chic central London stores to offshore wind farms and rural housing developments. (Excerpt from CNN)

Obama pushes gay rights in Africa on Senegal trip

.S. President Barack Obama kicked off a week-long Africa tour with a visit to Senegal on Thursday, where he praised the country’s democratic institutions, but called on Africa to end discrimination against homosexuals.

The visit is the first time Obama has been to Africa since he took office, barring a one-day stopover in Ghana during his first term, and the first African-American U.S. president was feted by flagwaving crowds on Dakar’s streets as he arrived in the

Senegalese capital. But some of Obama’s first remarks after landing in Senegal were more concerned with domestic policy, lauding a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage as a victory for democracy.

The court ruling on Wednesday, announced as Obama flew to Senegal aboard Air Force One, made married gay men and women eligible for federal benefits, striking down part of the 1996 Defence of Marriage Act. (Excerpt from France24)

he government has suggested that higher judiciary impose fines on judges for allowing frequent and too many adjournments, a move which can potentially ensure swift punishment for those guilty of heinous crimes, early release of persons who may be found innocent as well as respite for those who have been embroiled in interminably long litigation over civil disputes. The government has been holding consultations with the Supreme Court to urge the latter to ensure that the amendment made under Section 309 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which capped the adjournments permissible in a case at three, is implemented. It suggested that the higher

judiciary consider imposing fines on judges infringing the three-adjournment ceiling. In fact, in cases of heinous crimes like rape, the amended Section 309 of CrPC lays down a timeframe of two months for the completion of inquiry as well as trial. Sources said the law ministry has held several rounds of consultations with the apex court, and expressed satisfaction with the response it received to the proposal for strict enforcement of Section 309 of CrPC, limiting the number of adjournments before the subordinate judiciary. The apex court too has in a number of recent judgments frowned upon the trend among subordinate judiciary to allow frequent adjournments. (Excerpt from Times of India)

From remote Mauritania, hacker fights for Islam worldwide

n Nouakchott, a dusty city wedged between the Atlantic ocean and western dunes of the Sahara, a young hip-hop fan coordinates a diverse group of hackers targeting websites worldwide in the name of Islam. Logging on to his computer, he greets his Facebook followers with a “good morning all” in English before posting links to 746 websites they have hacked in the last 48 hours along with his digital calling card: a half-skull, half-cyborg Guy Fawkes mask. He calls himself Mauritania Attacker, after the remote Islamic republic

in west Africa from which he leads a youthful group scattered across the Maghreb, south-east Asia and the West. As jihadists battle regional governments from the deserts of southern Algeria to the scrubland of north Nigeria, Mauritania Attacker says the hacking collective which he founded, AnonGhost, is fighting for Islam using peaceful means. “We’re not extremists,” he said, via a Facebook account which a cyber security expert identified as his. “AnonGhost is a team that hacks for a cause. We defend the dignity of Muslims.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

saturday, june 29, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean

Investment in TT grows 38 per cent

hile overall foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Central America and the Caribbean fell by 17 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011, FDI coming into TT grew by 38 per cent over the same period, according to figures from the World Investment Report 2013 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Thursday. Total FDI flowing into TT in 2012 was

US$2.527 billion, the highest since 2008 when RBC of Canada re-acquired RBTT for US$2.2 billion. FDI flows into TT in 2011 totalled US$1.831 billion. It was US$549 million in 2010 and US$709 million in 2009. The pre-crisis annual average for TT was US$884 million between 2005 and 2007. However, TT is not only a destination for FDI. Money from TT was also invested internationally. Total FDI flows from TT to the rest of the

world in 2012 was US$1.332 billion, up from US$1.06 billion in 2011. Interestingly, TT’s pre-crisis annual average for outgoing FDI over the period 2005 to 2007 was US$237. Total FDI to the Latin America and Caribbean in 2012 was US$244 billion, the report said. Flows into Central America and the Caribbean came to US$99 billion, and FDI directed to South America reached US$144 billion. (Trinidad Guardian)

North America No sign of BlackBerry turnaround in results, shares drop

lackBerry offered few signs of a long-promised turnaround on Friday, with an unexpected quarterly operating loss, a dearth of details on sales of its make-or-break new line of devices and no return to profit expected in the current quarter. BlackBerry shares tumbled about 28 per cent in both U.S. and Toronto trading. The Canadian smartphone maker, which has struggled to

compete against Apple Inc’s iPhone, Samsung’s Galaxy phones and other devices powered by Google’s Android operating system, said smartphone sales were up 13 per cent from the previous quarter, a period when buyers waited for the BB10 phones to hit the market. But deliveries are down from a year ago as sales of its older line of BlackBerry devices taper off. “We haven’t received the BlackBerry 10

unit numbers yet, but certainly it doesn’t bode well for the initial BlackBerry 10 launch, particularly the Z10. But even the outlook for a Q2 loss doesn’t bode well for the Q10 either,” said Brian Colello, an analyst with Morningstar. BlackBerry launched two all-new smartphones this year, the touch screen Z10 device, followed by the Q10, which includes the mini keyboard many BlackBerry users still covet. (Reuters)

Europe

“Silk Road” railways link Europe and Asia

n the smoggy cradle of China’s industrial heartland, a heaving freight train gets set to depart along a modern incarnation of the legendary Silk Road trading route. This historic passageway was once worn into a dense chain of dusty trails by caravans of horses and camels carrying merchants and their many wares between continental Asia and Europe. Today it takes the form of a series of transnational rail tracks transporting the latest in electronic products and

computer parts. Starting in the bustling mega city of Chongqing, southwest China, the 11,179-kilometre (6946-mile) network stretches across six countries and vast unpopulated expanses all the way to Duisburg, Germany. “The railway (goes) through Xinjiang, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany and builds a new route for transportation,” explained Dr Mu Huaping of the Chongqing Commission of Economy and Information Technology.

“If (the city) wants to go global, the railway serves an important role,” Mu added. For many companies with factories in fast-growing Chongqing, transferring items via rail to markets in Europe can be easier and quicker than sea freight from one of China’s coastal ports. Mu points out that train journeys take just 16 days, comparing favourably to the more lengthy shipping routes where the costs and time of transporting cargo to the coast must also be added. (CNN)

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana

Fixed as at June 18, 2013 Calculated at 94% purity

Buying

Selling

U.S.

GBP

$310.58

$344.58

Cambio

CAN

$161.50

$181.42

Gross

$260,585

USD

$198.42

$205.58

Net

$242,344

Selling

$268,875

Cur

$1366.75 $202.83

Indicators as on June 27, 2013 Live Spot Gold

Indicators

USD Per Once

Bid/Ask

$1200.080

$1201.80

Low/High

$1196.10

$1239.10

Change

-24.40

-1.99

June 27 USD GBP EUR June 26 USD GBP EUR

London Gold Fix AM 1232.00 806.07 945.51 AM 1229.00 799.97 945.85

Crude Oil Price Silver Platinum

US$ per barrel

Change %

$101.66

+0.12

USD per Ounce

Change %

$18.51

-0.01

$1314.00

+17.00

PM 1232.75 808.94 947.32 PM 1236.25 803.65 948.26

Asia

Samsung rolls out OLED TV as production glitches linger

amsung Electronics Co Ltd launched its first OLED TV, taking the ultra-thin technology into a nascent market despite tenacious production challenges that keep costs high while prevailing LCD screens only get better and cheaper. The world’s biggest TV manufacturer has staked its display future on OLED – organic light emitting diode – technology and its success with smaller screens has bolstered its smartphone market share and earnings. But

big screens are likely to take a much slower road to profits. OLED technology is widely believed to offer the potential for better picture quality than standard liquid crystal display screens, with crisper picture resolution, faster response times and high-contrast images. It also allows for curved televisions, which manufacturers say offer a more immersive experience. But production constraints are a key problem. Samsung is producing OLED screens for TVs from a small

pilot line and some analysts estimate the yield at just 30 per cent – with seven out of 10 screens from the line faulty, largely due to difficulties in spreading organic light emitting materials evenly across large screens. Although many industry experts believe OLED will eventually be the next big thing, they do not think it will manage to do to LCDs what LCDs did to bulky cathode ray tube sets: almost completely replace them in the space of just several years. (Reuters)

Australia

Australian body faults Rolls-Royce over Qantas engine explosion

olls-Royce Plc repeatedly failed to identify a defect that caused one of its engines to explode on a Qantas Airways Ltd aircraft carrying more than 400 people over Indonesia three years ago, an Australian safety regulator found. In its final report on the incident, the Australian Safety Transport Bureau (ASTB) said the company missed multiple opportunities to detect the faulty component which

almost certainly would have caused the Airbus A380 to crash had it not been for the exceptional skill of the pilots. It was the first major safety scare to affect the A380, and led to Qantas suspending its operation of the aircraft for around three weeks. The ASTB report could lead to broader requirements for new aircraft certification around the world. “Those opportunities were missed for a number of reasons, but generally

because of ambiguities within the manufacturer’s procedures and the non-adherence by a number of the manufacturing staff to those procedures,” the report said on Thursday. The four-engined A380 was flying from Singapore to Sydney with 433 passengers and 26 crew on board when one of its engines blew up, spraying the plane with shrapnel and dropping chunks of debris on Indonesia’s Batam island. (Reuters)

Middle East

Mubadala, Taiwan’s Farglory start US$1B UAE project

bu Dhabi investment fund Mubadala has announced that work has started on a US$1 billion residential complex in a venture with Taiwan’s Farglory group. The four-tower complex Maryah Plaza will be built in phases on Al Maryah island, Abu Dhabi’s new financial free zone, with completion set for 2020, Mubadala said in a statement. The planned Maryah complex will provide 500 premium

residences with access to retail, hotels and offices. The first tenants are expected in 2016. This is Farglory’s first expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the statement said, adding that it represents the first foreign investment on the island. Last month Abu Dhabi outlined plans for a full-service financial free zone on Al Maryah island, due for launch in the fourth quarter of this year. The project will also

be connected by climate controlled pedestrian passageways to Sowwah Central, a regional retail destination due for completion in 2016 and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Residences will range from one-bedroom apartments to penthouses while the development will also offer parks and open spaces, art galleries, community centres, and street cafés and restaurants, the statement added. (Arabianbusiness)

Investors' guide What I learnt from Steve Jobs

BY THOMAS MURCKO

ne of the best techniques for success in business and in life is intelligent selection of role models. They can serve as sources of wisdom and inspiration, as bright lights illuminating the path to the person you want to become. In Steve Jobs I found much that was worthy of emulation, so I decided to put together a list of business and life lessons I learned from biographies and interviews of him. Here they are: Be bold. When Steve was just 12, he called the cofounder of electronics giant Hewlett-Packard to get spare parts for a hobby project.

Hewlett was so impressed in that one conversation that he gave Steve a job that summer that started him on his career in technology. Question everything. Always ask, why do we do it that way? Often the answer is just inertia: it’s done that way today because it was done that way yesterday, not because it’s the best way. By questioning the way things were, he became an expert at seeing how things could be better. He envisioned desktop publishing, the networked office, and the pervasive, transformative power of the Internet long before most others. Make your own rules. At college he skipped the re-

quired classes and instead just took whatever interested him. (This included a calligraphy class, which contributed to Apple’s leadership on fonts and desktop publishing.) After a while he decided that school was too expensive for his parents to pay for, so he stopped paying his tuition, but he was so charismatic that the dean allowed him to audit classes and stay in a dorm with friends, effectively going to college for free. Live with intensity. Life is short. Don’t spend it living someone else’s life, and don’t spend it on small matters. If something isn’t worth doing with intensity, then it’s not worth doing at all. (Business

Dictionary)

(to be continued)

Business concept – Fraud

Last: 15024.49

Changes: +114.35

% Change: +0.77

Open: 14921.28

High: 15075.01

Low: 14921.28

% YTD: +14.65

52Wk Hi: 15398.48

52 Wk Lo: 12035.09

(continued

Act or course of deception, an intentional concealment, omission, or perversion of truth, to gain unlawful or unfair advantage, induce another to part with some valuable item or surrender a legal right, or inflict injury in some manner. Wilful fraud is a criminal offence which calls for severe penalties, and its prosecution and punishment (like that of a murder) is not bound by the statute of limitations.

(TO

news

saturday, june 29, 2013 | guyanatimesGY.com

18 graduate from critical care nursing programme

Culture Ministry launches first phase of National Archives Digitisation Project

The graduates of the critical care nursing programme with hospital officials

fter completing a 15-month training course, 18 nurses from hospitals across the country graduated in critical care nursing, a course that was developed to train and certify nurses in this aspect of health care. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, at the ceremony at the Multipurpose Hall of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday, the top three nurses were presented with tokens. They are Melinda Patterson (best student) of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), Nalini Persaud of GPHC, (second best student) while Christabelle Fitzpatrick, the head nurse at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital and Diana Sutton of the GPHC were in the third spot. These graduates are the first batch of nurses to be a

part of the critical care nursing course, which was introduced in 2011. The graduates included seven nurses from the GPHC, two each from the Linden, Suddie and St Joseph’s Mercy hospitals, one from the New Amsterdam Hospital, and three, including the only male that took part in this course, from the WDRH. The course included a pre and post-module examination, and the criteria for successful completion of the programme were 65 per cent and 70 per cent in a written and practical examination, respectively. Critical care nursing mainly focuses on utmost care of seriously ill or unstable patients. Such category of nurses can be found working in environments such as emergency departments and intensive care units (ICUs). The programme was undertaken by the GPHC and the module is one of 11 facilitated by Christy Holshouser,

who assisted in finalising the framework for the delivery of the programme with the support of Elizabeth Farrell, an emergency room nurse, who has also been a nursing educator for over 10 years and is also a member of the Operation New Hope Charitable Foundation. The course was conducted in the form of lectures at Project Dawn, Liliendaal, and the GPHC’s Resource Centre. There were also clinical sessions throughout the training in ICU, High Dependency Unit (HDU), the Caribbean Heart Institute and the Male Medical Ward of the GPHC. With such skills, it is expected that the graduates will be better able to make recommendations to the physicians on the ward and improve their level of participation in the treatment of patients, thus being able to better manage them and provide better care.

Conference provided opportunities for local investors – Canadian ambassador

he two-day Guyana I n v e s t m e n t Conference has provided the ideal scenario for well balanced engagements among government, the diplomatic and business communities and civil society, to highlight opportunities available to local investors, with a view of building on them. This was disclosed by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine, who along with U.S. Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt, sought to enlighten the media about the outcome of the conference, at the Guyana International Conference Centre on Friday. Devine said investment is a complex issue that pose a number of challenges. “If you’re looking at issues such as Trafficking in Persons or bribery and corruption and if you’re looking at relevance of the discussions in governing, its very important that all of the issues be on the table. So you can’t say we’re just going to

Canadian Ambassador David Devine

talk about promotional investment and that’s it. You have to talk about the entire of the event,” he noted. He highlighted issues to be addressed such as investment promotion, protection, capital markets, governance and security, which were all discussed at the two-day investment forum. The topic of anti-money laundering was also highlighted through a case study

by the Trinidad and Tobago National Security Ministry. Devine said the conference brought these and a variety of other issues to the fore, with open and frank views on them. However, he cautioned that the dialogues would only be valuable “if stakeholders take what was discussed and move forward to enhance the investment climate”. Meanwhile, Ambassador Hardt said “It (the conference) has really been a multi-stakeholder exercise, not just diplomatic missions but private sector entities, civil society groups and I think the spirit in which we pursue this and which David has led so wonderfully, has been designed really to promote investment.” He added that their main goal is to figure out how to address hindrances to attracting more businesses here. It was also noted that further follow up conferences will be held to measure progress along the way.

From left, acting Archivist Nadia Gamel-Carter; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony; Netherlands National Archives Director Roelf Hol and UNESCO Secretary General Inge Nathoo at the launch of the first phase of the National Archives Digitisation Project

he Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) on Friday launched the first phase of the National Archives of Guyana’s digitisation project. This venture which is funded by the Guyana government and the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, seeks to increase access to rare resources and enhance capabilities for searching and browsing historical collections. The first phase involved purchasing of microfilm equipment from ICAM, who provided installation and training. The second phase catered for the digitisation of fragile documents, and the third, database of information. The final phase will see the public accessing digitised information. The microfilm/digitisation equipment will be used by the preservation depart-

The microfilm equipment which will be used

ship with UNESCO, the Netherlands and other organisations, which have been assisting the archives through capacity training and workshops, and assistance in obtaining some of the records. The project was conceptualised in four phases, and these require a tremendous amount of work, and, once completed will allow per-

Computer equipment

ment for the creation of the digitisation programme. However, he said that though much more work needs to be done, the ministry has been working over the years to improve the remaining records. Minister Anthony also acknowledged the partner-

sons to access any information digitally. “Eventually we want to make that service online,” he said. Very little emphasis has also been placed on audio and video archives and Minister Anthony said that the ministry will be looking at having that

available soon. Acting Archivist Nadia Gamel-Carter added that the digitisation is a means of creating resources that can be repurposed for unforeseen uses in the future. She emphasised that digital information is intellectually challenging and resource-intensive and its successful implementation requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. GamelCarter said that the economic value of digital information is important to national development, as the disappearance of national heritage will stimulate economic and cultural impoverishment and hamper the creation of new knowledge. UNESCO Secretary General, Inge Nathoo said that the project will target awareness-raising and advocacy investments, as well as capacity building through the development of educational programmes for the enhancement of interdisciplinary research, digitisation and sustainable preservation practices. As a result, Nathoo urged the archivists to continue the work they are doing in terms of maintaining the country’s historical records.

guyanatimesgy.com

Saturday, june 29, 2013

thursDAY, march 11, 2010 | guyanatimesGY.com

archie

By Bernice Bede Osol

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) Be protective of your position, especially when it comes to an important joint endeavour. If there is any trouble, it could be every person for him- or herself.

dilbert

CANCER (June 21July 22) You should be able to weather any financial problems if you’re able to manage your resources prudently. Take care not to buy anything you don’t need, or you’ll go broke very quickly.

AQUARIUS

LEO

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

(July 23Aug. 22)

To negotiate an effective agreement, there must be parity between parties. It won’t stand the test of time if it’s a good deal for you but not for anyone else.

You’re inclined to be too assertive in your demands, so it’s important to use moderation in your tactics. Harshness will be counterproductive.

Calvin and Hobbes PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Don’t delegate important tasks to someone who might not be able to perform up to your expectations. Take the long view, and do things right.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) Organise your time by delegating certain assignments that you’re unable to handle on your own. The more efficient the assistance you can get, the better.

Peanuts

SUDOKU

ARIES

LIBRA

(March 21-April 19)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

In hopes of making a good impression, you could be more generous than you should or need be. It’s plain foolish to think that you can buy your way to popularity.

This is one of those days when you’re likely to fare better doing business with total strangers than you will with your regular sources. Broaden your horizons.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Domestic issues and demands could be much heavier than you’re prepared to handle. Even if you do more than is expected, you’re not likely to satisfy everyone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22) It’s important that you manage things effectively, or you could end up losing ground. When you make any gains, be sure to consolidate your accomplishments.

Friday's solution GEMINI (May 21June 20) It’s best that you don’t discuss your plans before you have a chance to implement them. If you can’t live up to your claims, you’ll end up feeling like a failure.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21) It would smart to walk away from potential complications that could quickly become insurmountable. Solutions are likely to be found through those who oppose you.

news 19

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Exhumations

Local media have reported that the exhumations took place at the behest of Mandla – officially the clan patriarch after the death of his father, Makgatho, in 2005 – and without the consent of other family members including Mandela’s eldest daughter Makaziwe, who wants her father buried in Qunu. Mandela has never given detailed instructions for his burial but his wills have expressed a general desire to be laid to rest in Qunu, 700 km south of Johannesburg, the Mail and Guardian newspaper reported on Friday. The spat between the Makaziwe-led Qunu faction and Mandla, an African National Congress (ANC)

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dispute between factions of Nelson Mandela’s family over where the family grave should be went to court on Friday when his eldest daughter and more than a dozen other relatives sought an injunction against Mandela’s grandson, Mandla. With the 94-year-old in critical condition in hospital, the state broadcaster SABC said a court in Mthatha had ordered Mandla to return the remains of three of Mandela’s children from the village of Mvezo, where the anti-apartheid icon was born and where Mandla is now an influential tribal chief, to Qunu, the village 20 kilometres (13 miles) away where Mandela spent most of his childhood. The three bodies were taken from the Mandela family cemetery in Qunu in the Eastern Cape two years ago and reburied in Mvezo, where Mandla, 39, has built a memorial centre that many have interpreted as an attempt to ensure Mandela’s is buried there.

Nelson Mandela

member of parliament, has been brewing for months. Lawyer Wesley Hayes, representing Makaziwe and 15 other relatives, confirmed to Reuters that papers had been filed in the Mthatha regional court against Mandla but refused to disclose details “because of the sensitivity of the case”. The court was not available to give details of its ruling. However, a legal source who declined to be named said a sheriff had been to Mandla’s house and attached a court order ordering the exhumations to the gate after failing to gain access. Mandla spokesman Freddy Pilusa denied that any order had been received. “He hasn’t been served with any papers so he is not in a position to offer any comment,” Pilusa told Reuters. The grave dispute is one of several fights between factions of the family and South African businesses and politicians over who owns the name and image of one of most respected figures of the 20th century. Makaziwe and another daughter, Zenani, are locked in a legal tussle with George Bizos, the lawyer who defended Mandela at his 196364 treason trial, over control

of revenues from the sale of Mandela hand prints and other branded goods. The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, the official guardian of his name, is also embroiled in a commercial battle over the selling of clothing under its ‘46664’ label, named after the number Mandela was given during his 27 years in prison. Set up in 2002 as an HIV/ AIDS charity, ‘46664’ sells everything from Mandela shirts and wristbands to mobile phone starter packs; all protected by a licence that “guards against the commercialisation of Mr Mandela’s name and image”. The wish to bask in the reflected glory of Madiba, as Mandela is known locally, also creates political tensions. Last year, his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of “shabby treatment” of the family, wheeling them out only “when we have to be used for some agenda”.

Icon

The grave dispute also reflects the pressure on the family as it, and millions of people in South Africa and around the world, prepare to say farewell to a man lauded as an icon of racial reconciliation and triumph over oppression. On Thursday, Makaziwe likened the hordes of foreign media outside the Pretoria hospital to “vultures” circling the carcass of a dead buffalo. The three Mandela children buried in Mvezo are an infant daughter who died in 1948, a son, Thembi, who died in a car crash in 1969, and Makgatho, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 2005. In all, Mandela fathered six children from his three marriages. (Yahoo News)

Senior Vatican cleric arrested in money smuggling case

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Grave dispute divides family as Mandela lies in hospital

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senior Catholic cleric with connections to the Vatican bank was arrested on Friday for plotting to help rich friends smuggle tens of millions of euros in cash into Italy from Switzerland, in the latest blow to the Vatican’s image. Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, 61, who worked as a senior accountant in the Vatican’s financial administration, was arrested along with an Italian secret service agent and a financial intermediary in a tale that reads like a spy novel. It involves police wiretaps, a private plane rented to collect the cash from Locarno, burned cell phones and an allegedly corrupt secret services agent who promised to get the money

past customs. Details of the case against Scarano will come as an acute embarrassment to Pope Francis, who, since his election in March, has pointedly eschewed many of the trappings of office and sought to stress the importance of a simple life of devotion. Only two days ago, the Vatican announced he had set up a commission of inquiry into the Vatican bank, formally known as the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), which has been hit by a number of scandals in the past decades. Scarano, who was arrested in a Rome parish and taken to Rome’s Queen of Heaven jail, had hatched a

plot to bring up to 40 million euros (US$52 million) into Italy for a family of shipbuilders in his hometown of Salerno in southern Italy, magistrate Nello Rossi told reporters. Rossi is already investigating the Vatican bank for money laundering, and the latest arrests stemmed from that. Rossi and fellow magistrate Stefano Pesci said there was no indication so far that the bank was directly involved in the attempt to bring the money into Italy, but that the investigation was continuing and more searches were underway. Scarano is under separate investigation in southern Italy in relation to his accounts in the Vatican bank. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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Saturday, june 29, 2013

Salman Butt admits to Nico Rosberg quickest at spot-fixing for first time Silverstone, Paul Di Resta fourth

anned ex-Pakistan captain Salman Butt has admitted his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal for the first time. Butt 28, Mohammad Amir, 21, and Mohammad Asif, 30, were found guilty of being part of a betting scam in 2011. “I want to apologise to my countrymen and cricket followers all over the world for having done wrong,” he said. “I am sorry for having hurt the sentiments of the Pakistani people and cricket lovers. I am ready to undergo any rehabilitation programme.” Batsman Butt was jailed for 30 months after being found guilty of performing a key role in the scheme in which illegal payments were made to deliberately bowl no-balls during the Lord’s Test against England in August 2010. He is banned for 10 years by the ICC, with five years of that ban suspended. In April, both Butt and Asif lost their appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to have their bans from cricket over-

Salman Butt

turned. After that decision, International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson urged the pair to “start the process of rebuilding their lives and reputations by apologising for their actions”. Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, Butt added he had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief Najam Sethi to lobby the ICC – which is currently sitting for its annual conference in London – to reduce the severity of his ban.

“I request the interim chairman to request the ICC to reduce my and Asif’s bans,” he said. “I have two years’ ban left so if the ICC allows me to play domestic cricket then I will be ready for international matches once my ban ends. “I have enough cricket left in me and when my ban ends I am ready to play for the country again.” During his international career, Butt scored 1889 Test runs in 33 matches at an average of 30.46. (BBC Sport)

Pistorius resumes “low-key” training

ercedes’ Nico Rosberg set the pace from Red Bull’s Mark Webber in Friday practice at the British Grand Prix. Rosberg, who has taken pole position in three of the last four races, was 0.299 seconds ahead of Webber, who is leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season. Webber’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel was third, 0.432secs behind Rosberg, with Force India’s Paul Di Resta and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton next. Title contenders Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen were 10th and 13th. They both looked more competitive on the race-simulation runs later in the session, but the mixed conditions of the day ensured the picture was harder to read than normal. The second session started on a wet track after morning rain rendered the first effectively worthless and the team’s compressed their normal programmes into one 90-minute session. That meant the teams did not complete their normal one-lap qualifying simulation runs on the faster tyre, preferring to focus on ensuring their cars had the best set-up. “Overall we can be pretty happy,” said Vettel. “It was a good day. It was important to get some laps in the dry because we expect it to be dry on Sunday.

Nico Rosberg

“Now we need to look a bit closer at what we did and what the others did, try to improve – we need to improve a little bit here and there – and then we will know a little bit more for tomorrow.” BBC 5 live analyst and former F1 driver Allan McNish said: “It is a familiar picture. The Mercedes are very fast in all conditions and Webber appears to be ahead of Vettel on one-lap pace. “Vettel has been very strong on the longer runs. Alonso has been fast but I need to see a bit more from him. Raikkonen right now is probably the dark horse in that we don’t know if he’s got the pace in qualifying conditions but he looks good in race trim.” Mercedes have suffered from heavy tyre usage in races so far this season but on the evidence of Friday they are in better shape on that

front – with their lap-time averages over their long runs comparable with those of Red Bull and Ferrari. Lotus’s Romain Grosjean appeared to be in the best shape in race trim but that could be the result of a lower fuel load, the sizes of which the teams do not publish. Ferrari suffered a blow when Felipe Massa spun at the exit of Stowe early in the session, damaging the nose of his car and ending his session after less than half an hour. The accident meant the team will not get his data, especially of the race-simulation runs, which could harm their chances of setting up the car in the optimum fashion for the race. The first session was effectively a write-off on a soaking track as only 11 drivers even set a time. Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo was fastest from Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg. (BBC Sport)

Gayle, bowlers give West Indies comfortable..

from back page

Oscar Pistorius

outh African athlete Oscar Pistorius has resumed training, weeks before he is due back in court over the killing of his girlfriend. His family has released footage showing the Olympic runner jogging on a track. A statement on his website said the “low-key routine” was not “a formal return to athletics”, but a way of helping him “process his trauma”. Pistorius denies murdering Reeva Steenkamp, saying he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder. His next hearing is scheduled for August. Pistorius, 26, is a double amputee who won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and also competed at the Olympics.

Mental equilibrium

On Friday, his family released video of him training at the High Performance Centre in the capital, Pretoria. In the video, Pistorius can be seen putting on his prostheses before lightly sprinting on a track. The statement on his website said that his focus “remains entirely on the court case”. “Oscar is not contemplating a formal return to athletics and his training is not aimed at preparing for competition,” the statement read. “His family, and those close to him, have encouraged him to spend a few hours a week on the track to assist him in finding the necessary mental and emotional equilibrium to pro-

cess his trauma and prepare for the trial.” Pistorius’s arrest in February stunned many South Africans who saw him as a national sporting hero after his long legal battle to compete in the Olympics. The athlete shot his 29-year-old girlfriend through the bathroom door of his house in Pretoria on February 14. The prosecution has accused him of premeditated murder, alleging that he killed Steenkamp intentionally after a fight. Pistorius was freed on a bail of one million rand (£74,000; US$110,000). A court in March eased his travel restrictions, allowing him to leave South Africa to compete as long as he complied with certain conditions. (BBC Sport)

But for a fighting halfcentury by Mathews, they could have finished with much less than the eventual score. Jayawardene, opening for only the 26th time in 370 ODI innings, scored an effortless half-century at run-a-ball, finding the boundary with silken drives and precise cuts. He greeted Narine with a reverseswept boundary to bring up his 50, but was out two balls later inside-edging a sharply-turning delivery to his pads, the ball lobbing up for the wicketkeeper for a simple chance. Sangakkara was dismissed soon after, tamely pushing a flighted delivery to cover. The situation was tailormade for the much talkedabout, but yet to fire, young brigade – Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne – to send a message to their detractors. But Mathews, dropped on seven, decided thereafter to curtail his strokemaking while Chandimal and Thirimanne allowed the pressure to build and fell to soft dismissals, reducing the innings to a crawl. Only 15 runs came in the seven overs after the 28th and by the time they were forced to take the bat-

ting Powerplay, Sri Lanka were left with little firepower to take advantage. The Powerplay brought further damage. Ravi Rampaul picked up two quick wickets and Sri Lanka were left trying to use up the full quota of overs rather than going for runs. That shouldn’t take away anything from the way West Indies came back. Dwayne Bravo had elected

to field hoping his fast bowlers would exploit the early moisture in the pitch, but it was Bravo who provided the first strike, getting Upul Tharanga to edge to the keeper. There was no looking back once Narine, who now has 33 wickets from 14 matches at home, was introduced. Gayle then provided the ideal finishing touches.

(Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka innings W Tharanga c †Ramdin b DJ Bravo 25 M Jayawardene c †Ramdin b Na rine 52 K Sangakkara† c Pollard b Nari ne 17 L Chandimal c DJ Bravo b Samuels 21 A Mathews* not out 55 H Thirimanne c Charles b Rampaul 6 K Kulasekara c Pollard b Rampaul 2 A Mendis c Samuels b Narine 5 H Herath c Sammy b Rampaul 4 L Malinga lbw b Narine 8 B Mendis c Charles b DJ Bravo 2 Extras: (b5, lb2, w4) 11 Total: (all out, 48.3 overs) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-85, 3-104, 4-140, 5-151, 6-159, 7-176, 8-190, 9-205, 10-208

Bowling: K Roach 7-1-410, R Rampaul 10-0-38-3, D Sammy 10-0-34-0, DJ Bravo 7.3-0-37-2, S Narine 10-040-4, M Samuels 4-1-11-1 West Indies innings C Gayle c Chandimal b A Mendis 109 J Charles c Jayawardene b Herath 29 DM Bravo run out (Malinga/ Kulasekara) 27 M Samuels not out 15 K Pollard lbw b Kulasekara 0 DJ Bravo* not out 8 Extras: (b4, lb7, w10) 21 Total: (4 wkts, 37.5 overs) 209 Fall of wickets: 1-115, 2-181, 3-190, 4-193 Bowling: L Malinga 7-0-340, K Kulasekara 8-1-39-1, A Mendis 10-0-53-1, A Mathews 5-0-28-0, H Herath 6-0-371, B Mendis 1.5-1-7-0

Saturday , june 29, 2013

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Murray masterclass Caricom 10K for Trinidad sees off Robredo A A

ndy Murray secured his place in the second week of Wimbledon with a comprehensive straight-sets win over Tommy Robredo in round three on Friday. The second seed won 6-2 6-4 7-5 under the Centre Court roof to reach the last 16 without dropping a set. And Laura Robson’s earlier win over Mariana DuqueMarino on the same court means Britain could still have two players in singles action at the start of week two. Robson must return on Saturday to play Marina Erakovic, while Murray can enjoy a weekend off before he comes back on Monday to face Mikhail Youzhny or Viktor Troicki. The 26-year-old is now three wins from a return to the final next Sunday, and in the absence of the beaten Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, is well placed to reach his fourth successive Grand Slam final. “People are putting even more pressure on me because of the nature of how the draw has worked out,” said Murray. “It would be a lot easier if we just concentrated on each match at a time. Upsets are

Andy Murray

never far away and you have to be very focused on your game to avoid that.” Robredo, 31, has battled his way back from 471 in the world last year to his current ranking of 29 after a leg injury, but overcoming the world number two proved a challenge too far. With the roof closed after rain began to fall as the players first made their way to court, Murray cranked up the pressure early on. He grabbed a break in game three with a heavy crosscourt forehand that Robredo

could not handle, and moved 4-1 up when the Spaniard fired a forehand long. The Scot’s double break lasted only a couple of minutes as a sloppy service game followed, but a blistering backhand winner helped him to a third break and the set was his in just over half an hour. Robredo’s Centre Court debut was in danger of being embarrassingly swift when the world number two cracked a backhand past him to break at the start of the second set. The Spaniard managed to

cling on gamely, and Murray showed a rare chink in his armour as he slipped break point down while trying to serve it out, but a huge forehand that sent Robredo tumbling at the baseline saw off the danger. Robredo had come back from two sets down in three successive matches at the French Open earlier this month, and did not crumble this time. It took a Murray backhand volley that landed on the back of the baseline to set up the chance of a decisive break at 5-5, and Robredo netted to effectively end his challenge. Murray saw one match point slip by when Robredo fired a spectacular forehand winner, but moments later the Spaniard failed to repeat the trick and the British number one took his now customary place in week two. “I thought I struck the ball really well from the start of the match,” said Murray. “I had a lot of winners and that was probably the most pleasing part. “The third set was a tough one so I’ve been tested and come through it well. I hope I can keep playing better.” (BBC

Sport)

Brazil protests have not harmed FIFA, says Sepp Blatter

Brazilians are displeased with FIFA

IFA President Sepp Blatter believes football's governing body's reputation has been enhanced by the Confederations Cup, despite the demonstrations that have swept across Brazil. Speaking for the first time since the protests began, Blatter said he had sympathy with people who took to the streets in 100 cities across Brazil. A further protest is expected before Sunday's final between Brazil and Spain at the Maracana in Rio, while there are doubts about whether President Dilma Rousseff will attend the match. "FIFA has come out of this stronger, with our image enhanced. Football has played a positive part here and given emotion," Blatter said.

"When we say football connects people, it connected people in the stadium, perhaps unfortunately it also connected people in the street." Blatter said he had sympathy with the issues being raised by the peaceful protests and he went on to say that he hoped the government would clear up the social unrest before next summer's World Cup. He said: "I can understand this social unrest, absolutely, I can understand it. But on the other hand, football brings at this time to the whole continent, because Brazil is a continent, these emotions and hope that the cabinet can change something. "This is not our problem, it is a political problem, but we hope something will be changed so that by the time

the World Cup begins next summer we can have a platform to deliver it. "We have patience, trust and confidence in the government." FIFA has been criticised in Brazil for making a taxfree profit out of the World Cup and leaving the hosts to make all the investments, something which Blatter challenged. "The aim of FIFA is not to take profit out of the country but to put into the country the necessary help and means to make sure this World Cup is a success," he said. "The World Cup provides practically 90 per cent of the income of FIFA to ensure we can develop the game around the world. Hope is in football. We play football in all perturbed countries, not just where there are belliger-

ent situations like Syria and Afghanistan. "Look at European countries, there is social unrest, in Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, in Turkey, in Greece and football is still played. "I'm sure the World Cup next year will be a success and I trust the organisation and the organisation of the security." Blatter, who left the tournament last week as the protests reached their peak, also hit back at reports which suggested he had fled the country without warning. He insisted he had only been fulfilling a previous commitment to attend the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey. "In no way can it be said I escaped my responsibilities, on the contrary I assumed two responsibilities at the same time," he said. (BBC Sport)

thletes from eight member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will compete at the nineth Annual Caricom 10k Road Race which takes place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday. The race has become the precursor to the annual Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom. The 34th meeting of the conference begins in Port of Spain on Wednesday, July 3 with an opening ceremony at the Diplomatic Centre.

Runners from Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, and host country Trinidad and Tobago will begin their quest for honours opposite Whitehall around the Queen’s Park Savannah. The race ends opposite the Queen’s Royal College also around the Savannah. The winning male athlete will receive the Caricom Chairman’s Trophy while the victorious female runner will receive the Caricom Secretary-General’s Trophy.

Youngsters looking to make their mark in inaugural Limacol... from back page

“I was involved in a car accident; the car was totaled and I received 20 stitches in my face. The doctor said it would take two months to recover but I wanted to play in the regional 20/20 competition which was a month away and I made it. My mum told me then that God has spared my life for a reason because He had something big for me to do.” Jump forward to June 2013 when Hamilton is selected by the Antigua Hawksbills. “This means so much to me and my family; I am now part of the cricket fraternity and the experience will be very good.” His easy manner belies a determination to do well and an excitement about playing in the biggest sporting event to be held in the Caribbean. He hopes to emulate his cricket hero, Australian wicket keeper/batsman Adam Gilchrist whose technique he admires greatly. “Gilchrist keeps it simple. He sticks to the basics and plays hard.” When he is not honing his cricket skills the 22-year -old runs his own business, a car washing company. A clean pair of hands and a mighty heart will surely give the fans something to cheer about. Hamilton will be sharing a dressing room with such luminaries as Marlon Samuels and Ricky Ponting but also another rising star, Rahkeem Cornwall, who at 6ft 7in is the tallest, and at 20years old, the youngest member of the team. When we caught up with Cornwall he was in the middle of a first-class 20/20 tournament in his home country of Antigua and Barbuda. Cornwall caused a major storm early this year when he hit a powerful half centu-

ry against Jamaica in a regional competition, and pundits started predicting that this hard-hitting youngster could go far. Interestingly enough, his entry into cricket came out of sheer curiosity. He says that when he was nine he would watch (former West Indies pace bowler) Kenny Benjamin and a group of youngsters practising at their local club and he wanted to join them. It was not long before he was playing U-13, U-15 and U-19 cricket locally and regionally where Cornwall realised that his main strength is his batting. “My best innings was the half century I scored against Jamaica in a super over. I really enjoyed it. I know that my strength is as atthe-depth batting but I can also bowl off spin.” Playing for the Antigua Hawksbills is a major career leap for this young man. “This means a lot to me especially as I am at the start of my cricket career,” said Cornwall. “It is an amazing opportunity and I will have to make good use of it. I’m excited and want the fans to know that we’re definitely coming to play.” When he is not training or playing for his two local teams – Liberta and Piggotts – or carrying out his regional cricket duties for Antigua or the Leeward Islands teams, he spends his time fishing, another passion of his. “I love fishing. I go every spare moment that I can get away from cricket. Fishing tests your patience and you have to concentrate.” These same skills will serve this powerful batsman well come August 1 when the Antigua Hawksbills take on the Barbados Tridents at Kensington Oval. (CPL)

saturday, june 29, 2013

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GCB commences preliminary preparations for its leg of WI/Pakistan series – Sanasie – Guyana to host first two ODIs By Rajiv Bisnauth

ecretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Anand Sanasie revealed on Friday that the local body has commenced preliminary preparations for hosting its leg of the West Indies/Pakistan matches of the Digicel home series. Guyana will host the first two ODIs on July 14 and 16, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence and, according to Sanasie, Guyana will be prepared and fully ready, despite the limited time available. Also, during the Guyana leg, the visitors will play a 50-over warm-up game against Guyana at the GCC ground on July 11. “We have commenced

Anand Sanasie

preliminary preparations two weeks ago, the GCB has the expertise to organise any tournament at any giving time, so the West Indies/

Pakistan leg here will be no problem for us to organise,” Sanasie said. The GCB secretary indicated that the organising team of the Board will meet with officials early next week to discuss security and other matters that relate to the hosting of an event of this magnitude. According to Sanasie, ticket prices will be finalised over the weekend by the WICB, and is tentatively scheduled to go on sale on Tuesday at the GCB ticket office on Regent Road, Bourda. Tickets will also be available at the stadium on match day. Sanasie also pointed out that entry to the warm-up game is free and spectators will use the Rohan Kanahi

Chris Froome heads British challenge at Tour de France

Chris Froome

he 100th Tour de France starts on Saturday, with Chris Froome favourite to become the second British winner. Sir Bradley Wiggins won the 2012 title but is unfit to race and his team-mate Froome will lead the Team Sky squad. Isle of Man rider Mark Cavendish is aiming to win stage one and wear the race leader's yellow jersey, before chasing a second green points jersey. A mix of 21 flat and mountainous stages will take the 198 riders from Corsica to Paris for Sunday, 21 July's finish. It is unlikely that all 198 riders will complete the three-week race, which covers approximately 2000 miles and - for the first time since the 100th anniversary race in 2003 – will be entirely held within the French borders. Spain's Alberto Contador, 30, who has won the race three times, but had his third victory taken away for a doping offence, is likely to be Froome's main challenger for the overall race win, with 36-year-old Cadel Evans, the first Australian winner in 2011, also expected to figure. Froome, 28, has also identified Spanish duo Alejandro Valverde, 33, and 34-year-

old Joaquim Rodriguez as potential race winners. The last Frenchman to win the race was Bernard Hinault, who won his record-equalling fifth Tour in 1985. Britain's national road race champion Cavendish is among the favourites to win Saturday's sprinter-friendly opening stage on Corsica and should he succeed he would get to wear the yellow jersey for the first time. Cavendish, who became Britain's first winner of the green points jersey in 2011, is also aiming to become only the second man to win that classification in the same year as winning the Giro d'Italia's equivalent. Points are awarded to the top-15 finishers on each stage and at intermediate sprints and the jersey is usually won by a sprinter. The 28-year-old, who has won 23 Tour de France stages, the most of any active rider and fourth on the alltime list, will face competition from Slovakia's Peter Sagan, who won the green jersey in 2012, and German duo Marcel Kittel and Andre Greipel. The race visits the Mediterranean island of Corsica for the first time for three stages and, in his BBC Sport column, Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas has predict-

ed carnage with 22 squads of nine riders battling for space on the narrow, twisty roads. Welshman Thomas, who won Olympic track gold at London 2012, will be one of Froome's main support riders - known as a domestique throughout the Tour and will attempt to keep the Olympic time trial bronze medallist safe from any crashes. The Tour leaves Corsica for the mainland and a 25km team time trial around Nice, before three stages take the race down to the Pyrenees for two days in the mountains that will bring the riders with ambitions of winning the Tour to the fore. A rest day allows the race to move to north-west France for a series of flatter stages and an individual time trial that will end at Mont SaintMichel, before the route dives south, through central France towards the Alps. That is where two of the race's most famous and feared mountain climbs await. To mark the 100th edition of the race, Tour organisers have plotted a route that will see the riders negotiate Alpe d'Huez twice, on the same day, while Bastille Day (14 July) will see the riders tackle the longest stage, which at around 150 miles, finishes atop Mont Ventoux. The mountain in Provence achieved notoriety when Britain's 1965 road race world champion Tom Simpson died on its slopes while racing in the 1967 Tour. The overall winner is usually known before the now-traditional processional final-stage ride into Paris, although the finish on the Champs Elysees will be fiercely contested by the sprinters. Cavendish has won the previous four and is chasing a record fifth successive final-stage victory. (BBC Sport)

Guyana will host two ODIs on July 14 and 16 at the Providence National Stadium, the games mark the return of international cricket to Guyana after more than a year’s absence

pavilion. On the other hand, Sanasie said that he is pleased international cricket has returned to Guyana. “We the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) did our best to ensure that cricket returned to Guyana, it is a relief that the Guyanese public will see international cricket at

home,” the GCB secretary said. Guyana has not hosted international matches in close to two years as a result of the dispute between GCB and Government of Guyana following the body’s controversial elections in 2011. Guyana last hosted an ODI in 2011 between West Indies

and Pakistan. The WI/Pakistan series includes five One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals. The remaining ODIs will be played in St Lucia on July 19, 21 and 24. The two T20Is will be played at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent on July 27 and 28.

Watson denies part in Warner affair

Shane Watson

hane Watson has emphatically denied any part in calling David Warner to account for the night out in Birmingham with other Australian teammates during the Champions Trophy that involved the punching of Joe Root and contributed to the sacking of the coach Mickey Arthur. However Watson stated that the decision of Arthur and the captain Michael Clarke to suspend four players including himself for failing to follow team instructions in India earlier this year had set a "dangerous precedent", and lauded the new coach Darren Lehmann for dissipating the tension that had built up in the team over the past six months, a period in which he admitted to "not having much fun". Reports emerged in the aftermath of Warner's suspension for the Root incident that it was only dealt with formally after Watson had referred to it in conversations with Arthur about disciplinary standards and their consistent application. At the time Watson did not comment publicly on the matter, but in the first days of

Lehmann's new coaching regime he spoke frankly, rejecting all notions he had forced the disciplinary process that had Warner suspended until the first Test against England at Trent Bridge. "Absolutely not," Watson said when asked if he had informed Arthur of events at the Walkabout. "In the end the coaching staff and Mickey and the leadership group found out about Dave's incident off their own bat. It had absolutely nothing to do with me in any way shape or form and I'm not sure why that was brought out in the media because it certainly wasn't the truth. "They obviously found out, there were some people who were in and around the incident at the time who had relayed the information, so it certainly had nothing to do with me. The precedent that was set through Mohali was quite a dangerous precedent, there's no doubt about that. But in the end this is now a new group, a new leadership group, new team dynamics obviously with Darren coming in, so I'm not looking back any more at the things that hap-

pened in the past. "This is a change for all of us which is a very good thing. I'm not looking back at what happened in the last few months, I'm just excited about what we're doing now as a group and what Darren is going to bring to our team." Watson's happiness about Lehmann's arrival is only partly explained by the decision to promote him to open the batting. Arthur's close alliance with the captain Michael Clarke had marginalised Watson somewhat, as injuries and an inconsistent job description contributed to his decline from the personal heights he reached under Ricky Ponting. He was happy to admit that the team would now play more fearlessly under Lehmann, who had already encouraged the members of the Ashes squad to express themselves with the bat. "The way Darren operates is a more light-hearted way," Watson said. "He played the game for the enjoyment and as a coach one of the big things he instils in the group is to make sure we are having fun. There were certainly times after Mohali that I wasn't having that much fun, and that is something Darren has ensured, that things are little bit less tense and more about enjoying the absolute privilege of playing cricket for Australia. "It should be the time of our life, it's a dream come true, and that is something Darren has instilled. Darren's perspective on the game is to go out and back your talent and not worry about failing at all, that's going to be part of the game of cricket. Things in that regard will change because that is how Darren played. He will make sure everyone does that with bat or ball, that people aren't worried about failing, more so about showing how good they are." (Cricinfo)

saturday, june, 29 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

McDonald prepared, but cautious

…as Courts national scrabble championship opens today By Avenash Ramzan

eigning national champion and the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players’ (GASP) number one ranked player, Abigail McDonald, believes she has done all the necessary preparation ahead of today’s start of the Courts’ National Scrabble Championship, but is wary of the challenge her competitors will pose, especially those in the top five. Not much seperates the leading five players heading into the championship with McDonald (1984 points), Leon Belony (1948), James Krakosky (1914), Moen Gafoor (1912) and Fred Collins (1866) leading the latest rankings released by GASP. In an invited comment on the eve of the three-day national championship, McDonald, the two-time defending champion, said while she has indulged in extensive preparation during the past week, she is cognisant of the capabilities of the other top ranked players, and as such, she is not overly confident. She is gearing herself for a tough competition, noting that little has separated the leading candidates in tournaments leading up to this weekend’s “nationalz”. McDonald added, “Moen Gafoor and Fred Collins can upstage anyone on their day, and for me the person to watch would be James Krakowsky, who has made

Leon Belony

James Krakowsky

Fred Collins

Abigail McDonald

Moen Gafoor

significant improvements over the last two years. So while I’m hopeful, I’m also acutely aware that it’s going to take a herculean effort.”

lot of work into it and I’ve never held the national title before so hopefully this year is the year.” From all indications, number three ranked, Krakowsky is entering the tournament with an open mind. Questioned on what he thinks of his chances at the country’s premier scrabble tournament, Krakowsy refrained from making a definitive assertion. “Scrabble is a game where anything could happen. The better players will be able to handle the pressure situation. The experienced, stronger players know how to get out of tough situation and I think that will be key,” he explained. Gafoor, the number four ranked player, is looking to cop his maiden national title this year, but is fully aware that it wouldn’t be an easy task.

“I’ve never been national champion so obviously I would like to win it too. [But] the level of competition is pretty stiff among the top five and it’s not easy to win,” Gafoor reckoned. He added, “I think during in the actual games, whoever seizes the critical moments; who makes less mistakes, I think they are the ones who would come out victorious in the end. For me that’s what makes the difference, apart from your world knowledge, which is important as well. Sometimes the strategy and not making mistakes, that’s crucial to the outcome of the game and the tournament.” Three-time national champion Collins, who is ranked number five heading into the tournament, is looking to make it a fourth title, but is not ruling out the other competitors, especially those in the top five.

“My chances are pretty good, [but] I would not be surprised if the rankings reflect the outcome. It depends on how much skills can be displayed during a particular encounter,” the experienced Collins pointed out.

Karen Bobb Semple, Wazir Dilipchand and Wazim Dilipchand. Action on all three days will commence at 09:00 hours, with an opening ceremony set to get things underway today. A total of seven rounds will be played today, while eight each will be contested on Sunday and Monday. The three-day tournament will end on Monday afternoon when the top two players will be announced. They will then face off in a best-of-five playoff on a date to be announced with the winner earning the right to represent Guyana at the World Scrabble Championships to be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on December 3-8, 2013. Court (Guyana) Inc. has exclusively sponsored this year’s national championship to the tune of $250,000.

Equally cautious

Belony, the number two ranked player, is also the president of GASP. Like McDonald, he is also cautious of the challenge that lies ahead. “I’ve been playing with the top five players consistently over the past two months or so and the level of competition is intense. We recently had a roundrobin with the top four players and we ended on three games apiece, so that in itself shows how competitive we all are,” Belony reasoned. “At this point in time, I don’t think it’s a given that anyone would emerge the champion, but I intend to do my best. I’ve been putting a

Bladen Hall sink LBI 11-0 in Digicel football competition

he third annual Digicel Schools Football championship continued recently with Bladen Hall Multilateral whipping La Bonne Intention (LBI) Secondary 11-0 at the Beterverwagting Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara. Playing in the Region Four zone, the Bladen Hall lads completely outplayed their counterparts, netting goals almost at will. Kevron Durant led the goal-fest with five goals, scoring in the second, 11th, 28th, 51st and 74th minutes. Denzel Junior supported with a double in the 22nd and 41st minutes, while Tyrone Harper (26th), Orin Scottland (59th), Marcus Havercome (76th) and Kevin Trotman (82nd) added a goal apiece. In the Region Five zone, Fort Wellington Secondary disposed of Belladrum Secondary 8-3 at the Number Five ground. Cordel Nicholson and Marlon Hardy led Fort Wellington to victory with

a double each. Nicholson opened the scoring in the eighth minute and added another goal in the 65th, while Hardy scored in the 51st and 73rd minutes. Jason Vassey (21st), Darrell Douglas (43rd), Eron Walcott (45th) and Yonnick Blair (58th) completed the rout, while Ozese Halley (68th and 90th) and Mark Morris (45th) got on the scoresheets for Belladrum. In the Georgetown zone, Marian Academy inflicted a 7-1 drubbing on Central High with Akeem Bynoe blasting in five goals. He found the back of the nets in the eighth, 17th, 35th, 55th and 90th minutes, while Damani Thomas and Diarra Thomas scored in the 23rd and 65th minutes respectively. At the West Demerara Secondary School ground, L’Aventure Secondary edged Zeeburg Secondary 6-5 in action in the Region Three zone of the competition. Kevin Richards netted a helmet-trick in the 31st, 37th,

66th and 87th minutes, with Leon David in the 15th minute and an own goal in the 73rd minute accounted for the other two goals. Scoring for Zeeburg were Paul McPherson in the 45th, 81st and 85th minutes and Steffon Harton (29th) and Carlos Caeser (58th). Stephen Sankar was the star for Chase Academy, who destroyed the Business School 8-1 in the Georgetown zone. Sankar breached the defence of the goalkeeper on five occassions, netting in the 15th, 19th, 21st, 31st and 50th minutes. Ryan Watson (35th), Carl Semple (37th) and David Britton (68th) were the other goalscorers. In other result, Dolphin Secondary, through a Shamar Wilson 56th minute goal, needled South Ruimveldt 1-0. The competition, which started on June 21 with 147 schools from the 10 regions of Guyana, will continue this weekend with several matches across the country. (Avenash Ramzan)

Top field

McDonald is leading a list of 24 players who will be vying for supremacy over the next three days. They are Leon Belony, James Krakowsky, Moen Gafoor, Fred Collins, Colin Chichester, Orlando Michael, Ruby Cummings, Wayne Cave, Devraj Deonarine, Maurice Munro, Julian Skeete, Anand Mohabir, Robert Williams, Grace Hercules, Kampta Ramnarine, Michael Benjamin, Romario Gonsalves, Chetnauth Persaud, Mohanram Ramnarine, Dwain Alberts,

Final rosters for 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup announced

iami, USA – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Friday unveiled the final rosters submitted by the national teams participating in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. This year’s competition for the regional crown promises to be an intense one, with established stars and emerging young players alike highlighting the twelve rosters announced on Friday. In Group A, two-time defending champion Mexico has called in the young Chivas de Guadalajara trio of Marco Fabian, Jorge Enriquez, and Miguel Ponce – all Olympic champions for El Tri. But the champs will have stiff competition in the group from 2011 semi-finalist Panama, led by veteran goalkeeper Jaime Penedo – playing in his fifth Gold Cup –veteran striker Frederic Piquionne, and Canada, which brings a young squad stewarded by the experienced Will Johnson and Julian de Guzman. Group B also promises an intense battle from

wire to wire, as Honduras, featuring emerging starlet Andy Najar, faces Central American rival El Salvador for the first time in Gold Cup play. The Salvadorans will count on the goal scoring prowess of Europebased Rafael Burgos, while Caribbean group rivals Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti bring to the table the striking experience of Kenwyne Jones and the emerging promise of winger Wilde-Donald Guerrier, respectively. Four-time Gold Cup champion the United States heads up a competitive Group C, and the inclusion of the country’s all-time leading goal scorer Landon Donovan proves that Jurgen Klinsmann’s men are going all out for a fifth title. They will have a tough challenge in Costa Rica, currently second in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying largely thanks to goal-scoring form of strikers Jairo Arrieta and Alvaro Saborio, both of whom will turn out for the Ticos in the U.S. this summer. Up-and-coming Cuba, with veteran brothers Jaine and Yoel Colome – both of

Cuban club side La Habana, is included in a Group C field rounded out by debutant Belize, which boasts the region’s World Cup qualifying goal scoring leader in forward Deon McCaulay. The champion of the 2013 Gold Cup will qualify for a playoff match to decide which CONCACAF national team will represent the region in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. The champion of the 2015 Gold Cup will become the second team to qualify for the single-game playoff, scheduled to take place in the second semester of that same year at a site to be determined. In the case that the same nation emerges victorious at both the 2013 and 2015 editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, that team will qualify directly to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Group matches will take place July 7-16 in nine cities across the U.S. with Quarterfinal matches following on July 20 in Atlanta and July 21 in Baltimore. Semi-final matches will be played July 24 in Arlington, Texas, and the championship is set for Soldier Field in Chicago on July 28.

saturday, june 29, 2013

TOP SCORES

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

West Indies 209-4 (Gayle 109) beat Sri Lanka 208 (Mathews 55*, Jayawardene 52, Narine 4-40, Rampaul 3-38) by six wickets

Gayle, bowlers give West Indies comfortable win

Chris Gayle followed his own modus operandi – dead-bats to hittable deliveries, axe-swings against good ones

hris Gayle had failed to leave a mark in cold and wet England, but he probably knows there is only one thing cool in the warmer climes of Jamaica – he himself. And no one at Sabina Park would disagree. After a lean patch in the Champions

INSIDE TODAY'S SPORTS

Trophy where his highest score was 39, Gayle scored his 21st ODI century - his first against Sri Lanka – as West Indies brushed the visitors aside by six wickets and earned a bonus point in the first match of the triseries. Sri Lanka didn’t have a strong total to

Digicel Schools Football Championship…

defend after their batsmen were felled by the spin of Sunil Narine, who picked up four wickets. Angelo Mathews kept his main bowlers on throughout to try and ensnare the big fish, but Gayle kept blocking, blocking, and then powering it over the ropes with metronomic precision. It was a typically ‘measured’ Gayle innings, following its own rhythm, irrespective of the conditions, the pitch, the attack, and the field. He followed his own modus operandi – dead-bats to hittable deliveries, axe-swings against good ones – giving not even an inkling of a chance to the fielding side. Defending a middling total, Sri Lanka knew Gayle was one hurdle they had to get past quickly, but it wasn’t to be. Mathews opened with Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara as expected, but introduced Ajantha Mendis in the fifth over to see if Mendis could do what Narine had done in the first innings. Mathews persisted with fielders in catching positions, however, Gayle was in no hurry. Whenever it seemed a hit was needed, he had one. But despite Gayle hitting three sixes and four fours in the first 10 overs, West Indies

hadn’t run away. Johnson Charles was doing his best to keep Sri Lanka interested with a laboured stay. There couldn’t have been a starker contrast. Charles struggled to read Mendis’ spin and the quicks’ swing, his misery prolonged by first, a dropped catch by Mathews, and then, by the umpire who let him get away against two good lbw appeals. He finally hit his first boundary – a six – off his 45th ball, but from West Indies’ perspective, he helped put up 115 for the opening stand. Darren Bravo joined Gayle and the two put up a quick 66-run stand to bring West Indies within touching distance of the target. The big wicket did come, when Gayle finally top-edged a sweep that was intended for the stands. There was a minor flutter as Sri Lanka picked two more wickets in the next three overs, but it was a case of too little too late. Sri Lanka’s openers had also laid a solid foundation with a half-century stand after being put in, but their lower middle order failed yet again to shore up a faltering innings after Narine dismissed both Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. continued on page 20

Youngsters looking to make their mark in inaugural – Hamilton and Cornwall to suit up for Limacol CPL Antigua Hawksbills

McDonald Paramakatoi looking prepared, to go three for three but W cautious T P23

…as Courts national scrabble championship opens today

he Madhia Community Centre ground will come alive today when Region Eight defending champions Paramakatoi Secondary School take on Madhia Secondary in the regional final of the Digicel Schools Football championship from 16:00h. Paramakatoi, clinching an easy win last year after Madhia Secondary had two players above the age limit of 19, will be looking for a more decisive and clear win this time around. With their smooth style of play that expected to be on display, fluidity in the mid field with precise passing and decision making, Paramakatoi will be looking to undo Madhia. The defending champions also won the previous year in the inaugural tourna-

ment On the other hand, Madhia who are more attacking will be looking to disrupt the passing flow of Paramakatoi with early attacks in order to sway the balance of the game to their favour to suit their up-tempo type of game. While both schools are the only two secondary schools in Region Eight, the matchup is expected to be thrilling when their differing styles clash. It should be a matchup of a high quality that can possibly threaten the rest of teams that will meet at the national level. Meanwhile, a seminar was held on Friday evening where the players of both teams were lectured on life skills and various drug abuse issues. (Treiston Joseph)

hen the Antigua Hawksbills’ legendary coach, Sir Vivian Richards, picked Under-23 rising stars Jahmar Hamilton and Rahkeem Cornwall to bolster his 15 man squad for the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League, the cricket world sat up and took notice. As different as chalk and cheese in approach and looks, these young men do share common goals, a passion for cricket and a desire to give the fans something to cheer for. Anguilla-based wicket keeper Hamilton did not take cricket too seriously until he turned 13, when he tried hard ball cricket and found he loved it. “Soon I was playing for the Anguilla U-13 team in a

Caption: Hamiltonand his regional competition in St. Jahmar ported Hamilton Rahkeem Cornwall Kitts,” recallsandHamilton. mum is a key component “It was my father who en- of this. Hamilton says couraged me to become a his mother named him wicketkeeper. He basical- “Jah” as in Jehovah, God ly said that if I wanted to of strength, to remind him make it in cricket I had to that God is always with become a wicketkeeper. At him. first I was not convinced It was this strength and but my dad said to trust belief that helped him rehim. I did and I have not cover from a horrific car aclooked back since.” cident three years ago, and Faith and family are defy medical expectations. two pillars that have supcontinued on page 21

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29th June 2013

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Published on Jun 29, 2013

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