US links DEA presence to increased narco interception
GPSU wants fired Nursing Director reinstated
Colombia joins protest against Venezuela’s illegal maritime decree
Govt urged to secure spots at Hugh Wooding for Guyanese students
Construction worker killed in Annandale accident Roopnaraine pulls out of Education Ministers confab
monday, june 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Just over six months after the United States Government established a Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) office in Guyana, US Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt has stated that there has been a significant increase in the number of narcotic interceptions.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Hunt pointed out that the DEA is here to lend support to the work already being done by domestic law enforcement entities that have a mission in countering the trafficking of narcotics. These include: the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU); the Police Narcotics Branch, the Customs and Immigration Office and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
The US Chargé d’ Affaires stated that the DEA was basically here on an intelligencesharing/facilitation/ training role with those entities. As a result, he noted that since the DEA enhanced its operations
here, more narcotics interceptions have been recorded in Guyana.
“We have certainly seen a significant uptake in the number of seizures that has happened at the airports and elsewhere in the country of cocaine that has been moving through Guyana. So I think it’s fair to say that the collaboration has already shown results and I anticipate that it will continue to yield additionally seizures,”
the US official outlined.
In addition, Hunt explained that in terms of enhancing the DEA’s presence in Guyana, the administration was in the process of identifying fulltime personnel who will be stationed here on a more permanent basis for longer periods. Currently, the DEA has several shortterm personnel operating in Guyana. They rotate often, so their number varies from day to day. At most, four agents are here at one time and often, just one is here.
“They are in the process of identifying long-term staff. Once those folks are here, I would anticipate the level of training and collaboration will increase under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).
After months of anticipation, the US DEA finally set up an office in Guyana to work along with local agencies in tackling the scourge of drug trafficking. The local office is receiving support from
the DEA office in Trinidad and Tobago, which is the regional office responsible for the southern part of the Caribbean.
In a previous interview with Guyana Times, Hunt stated that there was a regular stream of DEA agents who were coming in Guyana through the Embassy to provide technical support. He explained that they were expected to have agents who would be stationed here longer than their two-year term, but noted that this was dependent on the DEA hiring process, which can be a very lengthy one.
Over the years, there have been calls for a DEA office in Guyana especially with narcotic trafficking on the rise. And in June last, outgoing Ambassador Brent Hart disclosed that the US Congress had approved the establishment of an office locally equipped with agents who would be working along with local narcotics enforcement agencies.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Colleen Hicks, the Director of Nursing of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, who was sacked due to alleged insubordination and other infractions.
The GPSU deemed the act a “breach” of Hicks’ constitutional rights. Hicks, an executive member of the Union herself, was terminated by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Michael Khan last Wednesday because, according to him, she was not performing “on par” and was insubordinate.
Hicks had spent a mere three months of her threeyear contract at the medical facility. The Union on Friday met with media operatives, expressing its dissatisfaction over the manner in which the senior nurse was relieved of her duties. Hicks received a letter from Khan, informing her that her service was no longer needed.
Principal Industrial Relations Officer Patricia Vent said the Union is suspicious of the action and it stands resolutely behind the staff, who it said had served with distinction over the years. “The Union notes with great concern the actions of the Chief Executive Officer on the matter which is in breach of the contract, fundamental rights and not consistent with Industrial Relations Principles and Practices. In addition, the union charged that management failed to follow due process and therefore deem the actions of the CEO null and void”.
On Wednesday, nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital had protested the dismissal of Hicks. Reports suggest that the decision had angered many of the nurses in the compound and they decided to take a stand.
When contacted, the CEO explained that Hicks’ services were terminated at the end of her probation. She had only started working at the hospital in April and Wednesday was to be the last day of her probationary period. Khan stated that when called to accept
the letter of termination, Hicks refused, saying that she could not be fired. Khan maintained that the decision was well within law and within her contract.
The Union said Hicks was issued with a letter by the Director of Human Resources informing her that her contract of employment in the position of Director, Nursing Services with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation concluded on June 15, 2015. The letter also conveyed the terminal benefits consequent to the decision. It said Hicks had entered into a contract on April 7, with the Georgetown Hospital, which is governed by the Corporation’s Board and among the Terms of Engagement approved by the Corporation, Hicks was engaged for employment for three years continuous resident service commencing from March 16, 2015. The GPSU said Hicks served as a Senior Nurse with distinction at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation prior to taking up employment on contract with the United States-United Nations Fund.
Her post as Director Nursing Services covered the responsible for the nursing services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and to advise on the effectiveness and management of nurses services. “In this matter, the Union is suspicious and from all appearances, it stemmed from the filling of the vacancy for the post of Assistant Director, Nursing Services, where three candidates were interviewed and where none were qualified under qualification of the position, it includes experience and academic, you had to have two years experience in senior Nursing Administration while the candidates with academic qualification, they did not have any senior nursing experience and the whole role of the person was to have overall Nursing Supervision.”
The Union said it was advised that at the end of the interviews, the decision was taken to have positions readvertised.
monday, june 22, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 20 – 05:30h-07:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 20 – 06:10h-07:40h and Sunday, June 21 – 06:45h-08:15h
By Bhisham mohamed
Aman who was accused of killing his girlfriend and a delivery man and attempting to murder an ex-Policeman was early Sunday morning executed while he lay in bed with his partner and their 18-month-old son.
Travis Rudder was freed in 2011 for the 2007 killing of his then girlfriend, Donnis King. He lived at Lot 130 Lindley’s Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was also acquitted of manslaughter and armed robbery charges. His 18-month-old son, Travic Rudder, and 31-year-old girlfriend, Mawanza Gill, of Lot 149 Regent Street, Georgetown remain in serious but stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
According to information received, Rudder, Gill and their son were in one of the rooms in the house while his mother and his younger brother were in another when several men with 9mm pistols with extended magazines opened fire through the bedroom window.
Based on reports, Rudder was shot several times while his girlfriend was shot about seven times to her legs and the baby was shot five times – including to his abdomen, hand, ankle and groin. The Police have since recovered a total of 26 9mm warheads at the scene.
When Guyana Times visited the scene later on Sunday morning, the house was locked up with no one
in sight. At the back of the flat concrete house, there was a wheelbarrow which the perpetrators reportedly used to elevate themselves to get access to the window that had several louver panes missing.
A neighbour, Justin Teixeira, who took the injured toddler to the hospital, recalled that about 01:30h that morning he heard a hail of gunfire, which lasted for about 15 minutes. As the place grew quiet, he heard Gill screaming for assistance and that her baby was shot.
White car
The young man noted that as he ran towards the house, he saw a white car driving from the scene with about three occupants. Without hesitation, he ran into the house where he saw Gill in a corner of the room with no sight of the baby, but soon after he realised the baby was under his father who was lying on his back with several gunshot wounds to his chest.
“After I see the baby and he was still moving, I grabbed him, clutched him to my chest and attempt-
ed to run … but the mother begged me to take her as well, but I couldn’t lift her due to her size… and she was shot to her feet, so I think she would survive, but the baby’s guts was coming out which I thought was more serious,” Teixeira stated.
He said he jumped into his car and drove to the
diately rushed him to the Accident and Emergency Unit after which he underwent surgery.
Teixeira was not allowed in the area and was taken to the Police Outpost where he gave a detailed report to the Police. After a while,
Georgetown Public Hospital with the child on his chest.
On his way, he phoned 911, but there was no answer, so he decided to contact Police Headquarters, Eve Leary and related the ordeal, and the person on the other end of the line promised to send ranks and an ambulance to the scene.
At the Hospital compound, he handed the baby over to nurses who imme-
the ambulance arrived with Gill who was also rushed to the theatre.
Rudder’s body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home where it is awaiting a postmortem.
Guyana Times was told that Rudder lived with his mother and siblings, while the mother of his child and baby lived with her relatives on Regent Street.
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
The Canadian-owned First Bauxite just completed its feasibility study for mining bauxite in the Bonsika area, but will build a US$200 million plant in the US to mill the bauxite.
This should be a wake-up call for the new Government to reverse the anti-development reputation it earned because of its obdurate opposition to the previous Administration's efforts to launch several infrastructural projects that would have facilitated business and manufacturing operations.
There were two major obstacles to be overcome if First Bauxite's investment were to be located in Guyana. The first was the tax holidays and other inducements that have long been used to lower the up-front costs to the investor that start-ups demand.
It is interesting that while many Guyanese might consider the US to be a premier investment destination having no need to "sweeten the pot" for investors, this is simply not the case.
First Bauxite specifically highlighted the "Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programmes, competitive infrastructure, energy, labour and market access" offered by the state of Louisiana.
The coalition partners in the new Government, on the other hand, have consistently been critical of the incentives that the previous PPP/C Government extended to Bosai and RUSAL to enter bauxite mining and calcining in the Linden and Kwakwani regions.
First Bauxite might have balked at making such a huge investment in Guyana knowing that the then Opposition at the very best would have been a strident critic of concessions and at worst, if it were to get into government, would have probably rescinded them. These would have been prohibitive risks for the investor.
The other reason for passing on Guyana, of course, would have been the high costs of electricity here – which would have most likely had to be self-generated using imported petroleum products.
And it is this constraint, more than any other to new productive industries, that the then Opposition reinforced when the past Government moved to overcome it years ago with the Amaila Falls Hydro-Electric Project (AFHEP) within the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
AFHEP was designed to generate 165 megawatts (MW) of electricity to satisfy consumer and industrial demand. Presently this is achieved solely from imported oil which consumes scarce foreign reserves.
The utilisation of our renewable water resource to generate electricity would – after the investment was paid off in 20 years – allow these funds to be utilised for social or infrastructural spending.
However, the then Opposition early on dismissed the project as a "pie in the sky" dream of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Yet, it was subsequently revealed, from studies conducted by the World Bank in the 1970s, that it always knew Amaila Falls was a contender for a hydro-electric facility.
Then the Opposition claimed it did not have information on the financial and other contracts. But President Donald Ramotar supplied these immediately upon assuming office.
Even though Guyana is without a sovereign rating after the PNC destruction of the economy, the Government was able to secure the US$840 million financing for the AFHEP.
Guyana was to put in US$100 million (of which US$80 million would come from the Norwegian Fund accessible to Guyana); the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) partner Sithe Global US$152 million; the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$175 million, and China Development Bank (CDB) US$413 million.
The contractor China Rail had already signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with Sithe for US$506 million, when Sithe Global pulled out of the project last August because the "consensus" between the Government and the Opposition it demanded was not reached.
At that time the Opposition was demanding completion of the "due diligence" the IDB was conducting.
During the last budget presentation the then Government revealed that it was close to closing another deal on the AFHEP. We hope that the new Government consummates this expeditiously with the IDB due diligence in hand.
Dear Editor,
The Rachael Dolezal/ NAACP fiasco brings to mind immediately at least one Guyanese poseur who abjures his Indian identity either because of pathology or personal gain.
For those unfamiliar with Rachael Dolezal, she was very recently the head of the Spokane, Washington NAACP who carried herself as black for the last six years, yet according to her birth certificate and parents who raised her, she is white and is simply posing with a “black face”.
Because of her serial obfuscations and obvious manufactured answers to questions about her true identity, she is overwhelmingly viewed as someone who has a deep psychological pathology of identity.
This Dolezal Syndrome (if I may coin a psychological pathology) is alive and well among a few Guyanese East Indians, such as Kaieteur News columnist, Frederick Kissoon.
While I seldom read but
occasionally browse to see what is the latest anti-Indian incongruity or defamation he has dreamt up among his patented inane and picayune ramblings which populate his articles, I did take interest in the several columns (and concurrent letters in other newspapers in order to get the PNC- led APNU+AFC de facto government installed), in which he lambasted a number of Indians who cherish their Indian identity and ancestry.
I even penned a four-page rejoinder to his crude attacks on the venerable Hindu monk, Swami Aksharananda (which the Guyana dailies it was sent to did not publish, but someone published here (http://guyana.hoop.la/ topic/a-hindu-s-view-on-freddi).
Kissoon’s claim that in his psyche he is not East Indian but Guyanese illustrates his Dolezal pathology. He wrote:
“This columnist [Kissoon] wants to be pellucid and use unambiguous grammar; he is saying to people who read his columns and see him in his
social activism that I am first and foremost a Guyanese. I am not an East Indian. If I am seen as an East Indian, and if genetically I am East Indian, then in my psyche I feel as and want to be a Guyanese.”
Not surprisingly, his attempt at unambiguously defining his non-Indian identity only leads to more obfuscation and ambiguity.
His statement can be interpreted as either/both: he is secondarily, Indian or he has fully abjured his Indian identity - unlike the Indians he has insistently berated who have demonstrated by their own examples, the two identities are not mutually exclusive.
Thus, it is the latter interpretation which he wants to communicate by situating the declaration in a separate sentence, without qualification: “I am not an East Indian”.
Likely, also, he was taking out insurance in the event the PPP/C was declared winner and violence against Indians were to erupt - as has happened in the past post-elections - he would be spared.
He must be aware that Eusi Kwayana, in “The Morning After”, cited Ronald Waddell in 2001 urging “Indians who did not support the PPPC” to seek “protection” at the PNC headquarters. Furthermore, while attempting to be “pellucid” with “unambiguous grammar” he ends up referring to himself as “he” and “I” in the same sentence. Clearly, among his several shortcomings, he is grammar-challenged. But, there is more. This (wanna-be ‘urbane’) columnist is human ancestry-challenged. In a simple sentence so he’ll comprehend: there is no such thing as a “genetic East Indian”, just as there is no genetic Chinese, Caucasian, et al (except perhaps Africans belonging to only the earliest haplogroups who never left the continent). Here is more insight into his Dolezal pathology. His recent unscholarly attacks on Swami Aksharanada couldn’t be complete without citing the much derided caste system prevalent in India.
continued on page 5
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) wishes to respond to statements published in the Guyana Times newspaper on June 19, in the letter titled, “GWI should provide information on treatment plants across Guyana” by Royston King.
The company wishes to inform that the investigation into the chlorine gas leak which occurred at the Better Hope Water Treatment Plant on June 13 is currently on-going.
The investigation commenced immediately after the leak was contained. GWI’s Occupational Health and Safety Unit is collaborating with all relevant agencies to provide a thorough investigation into the cause of the chlorine gas leak.
GWI cannot provide a definitive re-
sponse regarding the cause of the chlorine leak at this stage of the investigation. Hence, the company has planned to disseminate a concise statement on the cause of the leak pending the conclusion of the investigation.
In response, to the writer’s questions regarding the use, storage and management of chlorine gas, the company advises that chlorine, used internationally for water purification, is managed by GWI in accordance with the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
GWI adheres to this policy as required by International Chemical Hygiene and Safety Standards.
In addition, GWI adheres to the guidelines for safety, storage and overall management of the chemical as prescribed by the National Pesticides and
Toxic Chemicals Act and the policies outlined by the Chlorine Institute.
All GWI employees involved in the handling of Chlorine Gas are rigorously trained and educated on safety procedures and policies in the event of an emergency.
We thank the writer for his interest and wish to advise that a statement on the completed investigation will be disseminated.
The company wishes to utilize this opportunity to apologize to all residents of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara and to assure that every action is being taken to avoid a recurrence.
Timothy Austin Public Relations Officer
GWI
Dear Editor,
A range of laws and mechanisms are being considered for fast-track implementation to address the manifold forms of corruption.
However, once we get past the initial revulsion at the extent of corruption, addressing its causes starts to look more complex. In particular, the simplistic division of the society into beneficiaries of corruption and the rest of us can be misleading.
While everyone is incensed by corruption, the only common agreement is that it is generated by politics.
Comfortably condemning politics, moreover, is reinforced by a growing realization that the enormous sums lost to the Guyana treasury through corrupt practices were more than adequate to dramatically raise, for example, chronically low standards of health and education. While the extent and gravity of corrupt practices cannot and should not be denied, reducing the problem to one of elected officials alone lets the rest of us off the uncomfortable hook of how much we went along with what we now condemn.
A significant number of the same Guyanese seeing it as a necessary evil have, at one time or another, paid bribes to public officials to obtain house-lots, driving licenses, import licenses, contracts, scholarships, or to avoid duties on imported goods.
On a lesser scale, a larger number of us have taken advantage of influence or well-placed friends to jump the queue, accelerate a process, or avoid some inconvenience in relation to public services.
At another level, tolerance for practices we hardly consider corrupt such as discriminating in favour of friends, family or people of similar ethnic backgrounds, is a real hindrance to rooting out corruption. Such tolerance is justified, by and large, by exaggerating the repressive nature of the government.
Rather than by terror, it is closer to the truth that Guyanese society has become debased due to distraction with trivia, a technique described as follows by Professor Bernard Crick: “If people see themselves purely as consumers they will lose all real control of government.
And, what if the elections were rigged?
Dear Editor,
Anyone with a quarter of a brain can tell you that the May 11 elections was rigged. It’s a no brainer!
PPPC and its supporters picketing in front of GECOM…what will this do? About a month has passed, would one agree that evidence, if any, has all disappeared by now?
I favour the PPPC, but is it worth being a paper tiger? The PPPC seems to think they are still in the 1920s-30s. Has any passive movement benefited the PPPC since 1964?
It’s 2015 and bullies know who to pick on. Cowards are there best targets. And the bullies will not stop burning, looting
and victimizing your party supporters until they ‘man up’.
Cowardice has no place in a country where it has become normal for one party to victimize another party. And if the irregularities are found, what is the former party going to do? Cry to outside forces?
It’s too late. Pity though,
See my rejoinder provided in the aforementioned link. He wrote (my italics): “The PPPC lost by nearly 5000 votes and there were more than 5000 East Indians who were urbane, cultivated and well-mannered to know that such an East Indian Government did not deserve their vote” (June 18: “The middle finger no one wanted to stop”).
Collins Dictionary online defines urbane as: “characterized by elegance or sophistication” and provides the following synonyms: “sophisticated, cultured, polished, civil, mannerly, smooth, elegant, refined, cultivated, cosmopolitan, civilized, courteous, suave, well-bred, debonair, well-mannered”.
In the first place, Kissoon is explicitly saying that East Indians who are not “urbane, cultivated and well-mannered” would not be intellec-
tually equipped to vote correctly.
Kissoon is also saying that only the inelegant, uncultured, unrefined, ill-bred and not suave and debonair East Indians voted for the PPPC. Thus, Kissoon has degraded and demeaned all East Indians who voted for the PPPC! This without any reservation is a human rights affront to Indian supporters of the PPPC.
Furthermore, Kissoon has unconsciously revealed that he subscribes to a classcaste system, the said system which the various fairskinned invader-rulers, including the several Islamic tyrants and the Europeans (for over a millennium until 1947), took to India and superimposed on the four lateral and flexible Hindu Varna system.
If this sounds incredulous, consider that the word
“caste” is derived from the Portuguese word “casta”, meaning “race” or “lineage”. Clearly then, Europe had/ has a caste system based on lineage and birth - as in the Feudal System, which was applied in India and then rigidly codified by the British via the 19th-20th century censuses.
Beyond his declaration of high-caste consciousness, Kissoon has revealed further insights into his Dolezal complex - why he has eschewed his East Indian identity.
In his May 25, 2014 column (“A new book argues for genetic superiority of some races”) he sided with science writer, Nicholas Wade to say that “there are genetic determinants for why one race group is more successful in nation-building, modern in outlook, free-spirited, freedom-loving than other races.”
the PPPC has increased the economy 1000 per cent since being in office, only to have the ungrateful and uneducated who are easily duped turn their backs on you. They want their free ride too, which they accuse you of.
V Apana
And, of course, Indians come out the worst in Kissoon’s estimation. While he cites Africa, China, Mexico and Arab people - in name only - in order to appear unbiased, he has heaped opprobrium on India’s people (East Indians) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wrote: “Half of the population of India does not have indoor toilets and almost half the population engages in open defecation” (BBC online article, March 14, 2012); and “the fact is that more than half of India finds Modi a dangerous man”.
On the matter of toilets, he would be shocked to learn that, worldwide, India has the distinction of having the first flush toilet (3,000 years ago) along with well-engineered hydraulic waste disposal systems.
monday, june 22, 2015|
Scores showed up at the Everest Cricket ground on Carifesta Avenue, on Sunday morning as Guyana joined some 170 other countries in celebrating International Yoga Day. At the Everest Cricket ground, members of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service) spearheaded the celebration as part of their “I love Guyana” project. The event featured many different yoga exercises showcased by a variety of specialists and organisations that all collaborated to make the event a success.
Organisational participation included the Cove and John Hindu College, Akshardhm Ashram, Art
of Living Foundation, Sai Baba Organisation and many others.
The aim of this event was to promote yoga awareness throughout the nation. Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures. It is widely practiced for health and relaxation which originated mainly in India. Yoga is said to be as old as civilisation with evidence of this being seen is sculpture of stones which archeologist dated back over 3000 BC. Yoga has been known to produce many health benefits, such as all-round fitness, stress relief, weight loss, increased energy and much more. Scientific re -
search has shown that yoga helps to stabilise the mind and brings relief to chronic illness, contributing to proper blood circulation and inner peace. This can be practiced by anyone despite of age and gender and can be done at anytime.
Participants exclaimed that the event was an inspiration to their lives. Many quipped that they are now ready to incorporate what they have leant into their daily routines. It was also noted that this activity should take place in schools across the country, so as to ensure a vibrant young population.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh is a voluntary, non-profit, social and cultural organisation. Sangh, as the organisation is popularly known, aims to organise the Hindu community in order to pre-
serve, practice and promote Hindu ideals and values.
HSS conducts structured programmes of regular athletic and academic activities to develop strong character and leadership skills in its members (known as swayamsevaks for men and sevikas for women), emphasising values such as selfdiscipline, self-confidence and a spirit of selfless service (seva) for humanity.
The organisation encourages maintaining Hindu cultural identity in harmony with the larger community.
Sangh is inspired by the idea that the whole world is one family and conducts activities across the United States in order to spread this message widely. Sangh in the United States started in 1989 and today has over 140 weekly meeting centres across the country.
Having a great memory can help your child do better in school and on tests and get better grades. Here are 10 ways that you can use to help your child improve his/her memory, including remembering facts, concepts, ideas, formulas and more:
1. Make certain your child really understands the concept or formula he/she is required to memorise. Understanding a subject means that he/she is halfway to remembering it. Encourage your child to ask questions in class when he/she is unsure of an idea or fact.
2. To remember something such as a name or Maths formula, exactly, word for word, get your child to make a rhyme or song from the information. Because humans are wired to remember music and its associations, setting facts to music can help children remember them.
3. If they aren’t already, help your child become interested in the subject they need to memorise. Check out books, stories, videos, movies or music on the subject. Or visit a museum or gallery. If your child gets interested in the material he/she is learning, he/she will surely remember it more easily.
4. Make sure the first thing that your child studies is the thing(s) he/she wants to remember the longest.
5. Whenever possible, encourage your child to use mental images to help him/her remember information. Suggest that your child close his/her eyes and get a picture in his/her mind of how the information looks in the textbook or notebook. Ask your child to visualise the notes on the page and see key words that he/she has underlined.
6. Have your child make his/ her own examples and illustrations. When your child creates his/her own system for organisation (using specific colours for headers, making numbered lists of facts to be memorised, putting information into charts and graphs, etc) he or she will be more likely to remember the information.
7. Teach your child use a specific picture to represent an idea or concept. Another way is to create a mind map of various ideas and how they relate to one another.
8. Have your child make a list of key words to explain an idea or subject. Then, form associations among the items they need to memorise. The more distinct the associations, the easier they’ll be to remember.
9. Encourage your child to explain the information he/she is memorising to a parent, sibling or friend without referring to notes. Make it a challenge to see how much he/she can remember. Then go back and study the information again and again to memorise it totally.
10. Your child should study notes by reading them through from start to finish, then focusing on the parts that he/she doesn’t know as completely. (oxfordlearning.com)
Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive and renowned economist, Professor Clive Thomas has been appointed Presidential Adviser on sustainable development.
Professor Thomas will assume responsibility for economic matters and the State Asset Recovery Programme, a statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) has said.
Professor Thomas joins former Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best, who was appointed as Adviser on the Environment; Brigadier Edward Collins as Adviser on National Security, and former People’s National Congress (PNC) General Secretary Aubrey Norton as Adviser on Youth Empowerment who were recently appointed by President David Granger.
Thomas is a distinguished Professor of Economics and Director of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Guyana. He has held Visiting Professorships in Africa (University of Dar-es Salaam); Canada (Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Norman Patterson School of International Relations); United States (Leonard O’Connor Professor, Colgate University); and the West Indies (George Beckford Professor in Political Economy). He has authored/co-authored 30 books/research monographs/papers (including: “Guyana: Countering the Risks of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Arms Proliferation” (With Addendum) IDS Working Paper 12/13, December 2013.
He has also published over 154 academic articles and contributions to books/ research monographs, and presented invited papers to a similar number of academic conferences, sym-
posia, and seminars. His major fields of research interests and publications include: Development Economics, with special emphasis on the following areas: growth; trade; finance; agriculture (sugar); environment; natural resources (gold, bauxite, forestry); institutional development and political economy.
Earlier this month, Government had indicated that it would set up a unit to go after missing state assets. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had said that Government was planning to set up a State Asset Recovery Unit that would look into the issue of State assets that have been siphoned off, both locally and abroad, by various people and bodies. He stated that the plan was to link with international agencies in order to establish international best practices, and help for this seems certain in the offing.
Work in progress
Minister Harmon noted that the Unit would be a multi-agency one, independent and free from political intervention. He had alluded to Professor Thomas’ rough calculation that some $300 billion were siphoned off per year, a figure that was upped to $500 billion by a major external financial body. The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had poured cold water on this asser-
tion, saying that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government could provide no sensible explanation of where this money was being sourced from, and how it was siphoned off, by whom and to whom. The PPP/C maintained that the simple fact of the matter was that the APNU+AFC was now caught with a serious problem on its hands. Since it never intended to deliver on any of the promises in its manifesto, it now needed to concoct an explanation as to why it would not be fulfilling those promises. The PPP/C also explained that the plain truth was that the political dishonesty of the APNU+AFC Government was about to be disclosed by its failure to deliver on any of its first 100-day promises. “And the stage is being carefully set for this great betrayal to be perpetrated on the Guyanese people,” the PPP/C noted.
Harmon had said that this kind of recovery attempt was a work in progress that would unfold in weeks to come. The bottom line, the Minister said, is that it must be accepted that people who are culpable where the nation’s assets are concerned “will not get away with it”. He elaborated that when the Recovery Unit is conducting its work, it will do so with various recommendations that will be taken up by the Government. He said too that the Unit will be vested with broad powers and will not be vulnerable to political strictures. In fact, the Minister emphasised that the body will report directly to the National Assembly, and not Ministers per se. Harmon also reminded that Cabinet has approved audits for over 30 entities, and new Finance Minister Winston Jordan was ensuring that monies assigned to the Consolidated Fund are indeed going there.
BY BHISHAM MOHAMED
Two men are now in Police custody after they were nabbed by Police ranks in D Division (West Bank Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo) moments after robbing an overseas-based Guyanese and his family at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD) in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Alex Roberts, 35, of Lot 324 Goed Fortuin, Squatting Area, WBD and his wife arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at about 00:30h and after clearing immigration, the couple left the airport and arrived home at about 02:00h. Reports reaching Guyana Times indicate that Roberts and his wife, were collected at the airport by his brotherin-law and sister-in-law, had and upon their arrival home, he exited the car to open the gate. It was here that he was confronted by three men armed with handguns. The men relived the family of US$140, G$55,000, jewellery, four mobile phones and travel document, along with two bags.
From all indications, it appears that the perpetrators trailed the family from the CJIA, since records at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) proved that Roberts’ vehicle crossed the bridge at 01:47h and the vehicle the perpetrators was travelling in, bearing registration number PSS 9566 crossed at 01:48h. When Guyana Times contacted Roberts on Sunday afternoon, he was on his way to the Leonora Police Station to meet with the Commander. He explained that earlier in the day he was asked to report to the Wales Police Station where he positively identified two of the bandits during an identification parade. The other two – the getaway driver and another bandit – are still at large.
Roberts told this publication that upon reaching home on Sunday morning, he exited the car to open the gate when he was held at gunpoint by three men with guns. They were not wear-
ing masks but had topes over their heads. As they demanded the money and valuables, they gun butted him twice thus causing injuries to his head.
One of them then turned his attention to the occupants of the car and upon seeing his wife, they threatened to shoot her if she did not hand over the jewellery she was wearing. She also received some injuries during a scuffle with the bandit.
During the ordeal, he pleaded with them not to hurt anyone and agreed to cooperate. The men took away the money, jewellery, cellphones and two bags containing travel documents and clothing. Soon after, they jumped into the getaway car and drove off the scene. The traumatised family immediately contacted the Police but they took some time to arrive on the scene. Nevertheless, they managed to activate the emergency response unit and the car was intercepted in Georgetown but with only two occupants. The car was brought to the Wales Police Station where the two occupants, as well as the car were positively identified by Roberts. He thanked the Police for their quick response. However, he claimed that as they travelled from Timehri to the West Bank of Demerara, he did not observer anyone following him and it was quite strange that bandits pulled up seconds after the family arrived home. A Police source told Guyana Times that the
men might have been working in collusion with others who might have contacted them with the vehicle’s number while they waited at the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Investigators are expected to review the surveillance footage from the DHB as they continue their investigations.
He also confirmed that two men were arrested in Georgetown. The men and the car are at the Wales Police Station.
Only Wednesday last, a US-based Guyanese woman who returned to Guyana to visit her family in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara was attacked and robbed at gun point, hours after landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. Seerajie Shivram, 56 years old of Florida, was attacked and robbed by two gunmen as she was making her way into her house at Lot 2 Mon Repos. The woman was relieved of over US$3000, her asthmatic medication, her United States (US) passport, and US identification card and driver’s licence, among other important documents. In addition, Shivram’s sister and brother-in-law who were with her at the time; were also robbed of their valuables, including $25,000. In light of the increasing number of robberies perpetuated on visiting overseas-based Guyanaese, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum explained that there are normally Police roadblocks along the East Bank Corridor from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri to Georgetown, and Police Officers would usually stop suspicious vehicles, make inquiries and take the necessary action if something seems amiss. However, considering the progressive increase of these attacks on travellers, not only US-based Guyanese en route from the airport to their destinations, Blanhum said the Police will definitely have to intensify their work to ensure the country is safer for tourists and returning Guyanese.
Despite initial setbacks, US-based carrier Dynamic Airways has been able to accomplish its goal in establishing itself as the preferred carrier of Guyanese.
According to the company, “we have proven sustainability of air service between the United States and Guyana, as well as progressively increased our customer service levels.”
Since its inauguration, Dynamic International Airways has been able to expand its non-stop service between New York, NY and Georgetown, Guyana. Service started initially two
times per week and have expanded to five times per week this coming high season, while still keeping its pricing low and affordable for Guyanese and members of Guyanese Diaspora in New York.
“Our goal in the first year of service was to establish ourselves as the preferred carrier of Guyanese. We achieved this by maintaining the highest safety records, delivering the most desirable schedule, and reached highest on time performance standards as well as exemplary customer service. Our goal for the immediate future is to build upon that momen-
tum and expand our non-stop JFK to GEO service by operating daily frequency. Most importantly, continue raising the bar in our safety, reli-
coming daily service from Georgetown to New York combined with non-stop service from Georgetown to Toronto, which we intend
ability, and customer service standards,” said Bill Grey, CSO of the company.
“We believe that our
to start in October of this year, will allow us to provide Guyanese with safe, reliable and affordable service
into two of their favorite international destinations. As you probably already know we have directly and indirectly created over 150 new jobs in Guyana with our service to New York by hiring Guyanese based Flight Attendants, local ground handlers, catering providers and we expect a similar positive impact with the launch of our new service to Toronto. Dynamic has proven its intent and dedication to stay, improve and grow international travel to and from Guyana. Expect some amazing surprises for loyal passengers and exciting announcements from Dynamic
in coming days.” Dynamic International Airways is a US Certificated FAR PART 121 AIR CARRIER. The Airline changed ownership and management in 2013 with the goal of providing high quality, affordable, long haul, point-to-point air service. Dynamic Airways, which is headquartered in Greensboro, NC, offers service from airports in New York, Guyana, Florida, Hong Kong, Palau with its fleet of B767 wide body aircrafts. Recently company has added International in its official name as reflection of its transition into long haul carrier.
By Bhisham mohamed
Aconstruction worker has become the latest road fatality after the motorcycle he was riding colliding with a motor car and the man was run over by another vehicle along the Annandale Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday morning at about 03:30h.
Anand Tularam, also known as “Maga”, age 33, of Lot 41 Unity Village, ECD sustained severe injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to information received, the man was heading in an easterly direction along the East Coast highway when he collided with a motor car that was travelling in the opposite direction. He reportedly fell
onto the roadway and was run over by another vehicle which sped away from the scene.
The Police have since arrested the driver of the motor vehicle Tularam crashed into but are still to arrest the driver of the second vehicle which ran over the now dead man’s body while he was on the roadway.
Molly Tularam, sister of the dead man told Guyana Times that her brother worked at the Giftland Office Max Mall at Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, as a construction worker and was on his way home when he met his demise.
The sister explained that since the construction of the Mall at Pattensen began, her brother would return home at unusual hours. “Sometimes he come home like midnight or sometimes like 02:00h… all different hours and he always ride home”, the distraught sister added.
She recalled that on Sunday morning at about 03:30h, the family received a call from the Annandale Police Station requesting their presence. They were also told to walk with her brother’s identification card. As they arrived at the station, they were told that Tularam met in an accident and did not survive. In addition, she noted that they were informed that the accident was more or less a hit and run since the driver who inflicted the injuries to her brother fled the scene.
The sister stated that
when they arrived at the Georgetown Public Hospital, they saw Tularam’s body on a stretcher with his face damaged beyond recognition. She added that based on a tattoo with his name and the clothes he was wearing when he left home on Saturday morning, they were able to positively identify him.
She recalled that her brother, who was in an extremely happy mood that morning, attended to his sickly mother before leaving home on Saturday at about 07:00h.
State of shock
“Right now my mother sit in the hammock and like she lost… calling for my brother all the time because most Sundays he does normally be at home and they would talk… Meh father dead some
years ago”, she told Guyana Times. Tularam man leaves to mourn his mother and four siblings.
His body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination as Police continue their investigations. This is the second fatal accident over the weekend – on Saturday morning, Beau Allison, 27, a Laboratory Technician attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation was killed after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a car along the La Bonne Intention Public Road on the East Coast of Demerara.
The Lot 49 Louisa Row, Georgetown resident died almost immediately while the pillion rider, Akeem Constancelly, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. According to information received, the two men were on their way home from an East Coast village when Allison lost control of the motorcycle and slammed into a motor vehicle. Both men sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where Allison was pronounced dead on arrival and the other was admitted. The driver of the motor vehicle was reportedly taken into Police custody at the Beterverwagting Police Station, where he is assisting with investigations.
The National Ophthalmology Hospital, located in Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is once again set to open its doors to the public.
The hospital was forced to cease operations because of damage caused by a fire approximately one year ago. This situation has now been rectified, and commencing today the facility will recommence its operations, starting with cataract surgeries.
However, despite the recommencement of services to the public, only one
of the theatres will be fully functional, as some lighting issues and a damaged piece of equipment have to be looked at first. Public Health Minister , Dr George Norton, made this disclosure, following a recent visit to and an inspection of the facility.
“Surgeries will begin on Monday, but only one theatre will be working, because one of the bulbs is overused, according to the doctors, and in another, the microscope is on the roof and was damaged by rainfall,” he said. The Minister said he was very surprised
that medical professionals would refuse to work because of something as trivial as a non-working light bulb.
He, however, stressed that the hospital is well-equipped, but needs more human resources. He said that he was surprised to hear of the hours that the doctors ‘put in’ during one week, noting that they work 60 hours, and then are still on call for the weekends. This, he noted, is overwork and can have serious implications on the human body and also hinder the performance of the medical professionals.
In prosecuting criminal cases, evidence collected through suspect means is brusquely rejected via the "fruit of the poisoned tree" doctrine.
Very simply, this asserts that if a tree's poisoned then it doesn't take a genius to figure out the fruit it produces would also be poisoned. And so for evidence from compromised sources.
The law is eminently sensible. Even if the evidence collected is solid, there will always be doubts that since the investigator played fast and loose in the evaluation, his conclusion might be suspect. And you can't convict folks on evidence creating "reasonable doubt" in the minds of the "reasonable man" out there.
And this flew immediately into the mind of your humble Eyewitness when he heard that the Government had hired Christopher Lallbachan Ram and Anand Goolsaran to audit the very Government agencies they'd been accusing for years of being "corrupt".
And these accusations weren't just the usual "ole talk" that gets flung around in rum-shops, these were newspaper columns replete with supposed "facts, figures and dates". Supposedly "authoritative"! These fellas had put their professional reputations on the line in making those allegations.
Does anyone believe they'll now destroy those reputations by admitting they were wrong? Well, Minister Jaipal Sharma says he believes them. Why? Well ...their "professional ethics", of course!!
Like George Washington, they can't tell a lie – much less cherry-pick the findings they'll present. So, for instance, we can expect that Goolsarran, in investigating NICIL – which he's dragged over the coals like he was on his way to Newcastle – will report impartially as to exactly what Moses Nagamootoo did to collect the $7 million on the Berbice Bridge!!
Then Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) –now the guardians of public morality in Guyana – also say they believe Ram and Goolsarran can be Paragons of Platonic Purity.
And like any good rugby player – knowing that offence is the best defence – TIGI admitted that the two auditors were respectively a founding member and immediate past player. But demanded, "So what?"
But hey!! What can you expect from a group who no one knows how they select their office bearers or members? And it's OK for one Executive to actually stage a picket of members of the previous Government who were demanding transparency in the counting of the ballots!
Evidently, like the White Rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland" – which is where Guyana's at with these audits – only TIGI can pronounce on what's "transparent"! So if they say the audits are transparent and 202,000 Guyanese say they aren't, THEY have to be right!
For over three years, when in Opposition, APNU and AFC killed the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill and exposed Guyana to international financial blacklisting.
This slowed down financial transactions with foreign banking institutions – making some of them break relations with local correspondent banks because they didn't need the hassle.
Everyone and their (rich) uncle – from Caricom to the US and Britain – begged the Opposition to relent but to no avail. They wanted to prove to the PPP/C "they were MAN"!
Never mind the fate of poor Guyana. So now that they're in office, guess what's on their legislative agenda for this week? Take a bow, Dear Reader: of course, it's the AML/CFT Bill!!
And though the PPP/C had begged them to place their concerns before the House – and they'd blithely refused – they're now saying that it was the PPP/C's fault for their obduracy.
Talk about taking your doo-doo and rubbing it on someone else's bamsie!!
Colombia’s Foreign Ministry has sent a letter of protest to neighbouring Venezuela after the Government of President Nicolás Maduro decreed maritime borders in a disputed area of the Atlantic Ocean, a Ministry source said on Saturday, according to Reuters.
The illegal decree by Venezuela had also encompassed part of this country’s territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has said that while the issuance of a decree is well within President Maduro’s constitutional right, what is not his right is to utilise the sovereign territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to generate maritime territory to meet Venezuela’s illegal ambitions.
“That is precisely what the decree purports to do in relation to Guyana’s Essequibo. In addition, it mandates and authorises the Venezuelan Navy to secure the area and clearly to prevent any other state from exploiting, without Venezuela’s consent, the resources of the area, an area that now includes a significant portion of Guyana’s maritime space,” Greenidge had said in a statement to Parliament on June 11.
He further described the decree as baseless and a shameless attempt at usurping Guyana’s territory, while denying Guyana her legitimate right to continue the pursuit of existing developmental initiatives.
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Venezuela’s Decree 1787, approved May 26, creates Operating Zones of Integral Maritime and Insular Defence, or Zodimain, and is meant to bolster Venezuela’s national defence system. However, one of the zones includes an area in the Gulf of Venezuela which the two countries both claim.”In the past few hours, Colombia presented a letter
of protest to the Venezuelan Government because of the fixing of maritime borders to strengthen their offensive system,” a spokesman from the Colombian Foreign Ministry told Reuters. The Venezuelan Government was not immediately available for comment. Caracas and Bogota have a long list of diplomatic disputes and temporarily froze trade during the Administration of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. At the beginning of June, Maduro had demanded Colombia explain why ex-Spanish President Felipe Gonzalez travelled from Caracas to Bogota in a Colombian Air Force plane. The Colombian military said the entry of the plane had been authorised. This move by Colombia would help galvanise support for Guyana in the important Union of South American States (UNASUR) bloc, of which Venezuela is a key member. Only on Saturday, former Guyanese Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Duke Pollard, had urged Guyana to remain steadfast in its position that the May 26 Venezuelan decree is “baseless and shameless”. In a letter penned to the Editor, Professor Pollard pointed out that the decree, which is claiming most of Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo Coast, represents the culmination of a series
She only went to the house on Saturday evening so that her son could be with his father on Father’s Day.
This newspaper also understands that Rudder is a known character in the community hence on the night of the shooting, no one rendered assistance. This was not the first time there was an exchange of gunfire at the house. Channa bombs were also lobbed at the man’s Nandy Park home several times.
He was also implicated in the attempted robbery of Neezam Khan of Grove, EBD, which left one man dead and one injured. In November 2007, Rudder and his close associate Sivon Warner, were accused of murdering Demerara Oxygen Company Limited (DOCOL) employee, Ivor
Cordis. Rudder was also accused of attempting to murder ex-Policeman Toney Williams on November 19, 2007. It was also alleged that on May 15 in the same year, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Nicola Barkley of one Motorola cellphone valued $32,000 and $17,000.
Earlier, in March of that year, Rudder allegedly shot his then girlfriend, Donnis King at her parents’ home at Bagotstown, EBD, during an argument. It was reported that the couple had an altercation, during which she expressed a desire to end the relationship. She was shot in the abdomen. After two months in the hospital, King succumbed to her injuries in the High Dependency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea 1982, and most recently, the infamous decree of President Maduro purporting to claim sovereignty over Guyana’s maritime space.
Ignominy
of reprehensible acts that defined the scant respect of Venezuela for international law.
He highlighted several instances of this, such as the neighbouring country’s rejection of the validity of the Arbitral Tribunal 1899 award based on an unsubstantiated allegation of fraud; its failure to abide by the terms of the Geneva Agreement 1966 and the issuance of a decree by President Raúl Leoni egregiously claiming Guyana’s territorial waters; its refusal
“In short, the conduct of Venezuela today avails no plausible expectation of a peaceful settlement of the controversy and Guyana must, unfortunately, resign itself to living with this Amazonian monkey on its back for the rest of its existence. In the meantime, the present Administration must not only continue to protest Venezuela’s illegal occupation of Guyana’s part of Ankoko Island, but must enlist the support of all political groups in Guyana in defence of its national sovereignty over every inch of territory in the words of Dr Cheddi Jagan, and every blade of grass in the words of Mr Forbes Burnham, not to mention the felicitous, resonating incantations of
the Tradewinds,” the former CCJ Judge outlined. According to Pollard, a recipient of the Order of Roraima National Award, while such medium of communication does not allow for an exhaustive examination of the contempt for international law, it does underscore Guyana’s strongest armour in the struggle to secure its territorial sovereignty and political independence as a state and this can be found in its commitment to good governance and reliance on relevant rules of international law. Furthermore, the Guyanese scholar highlighted the strengthening of Guyana’s continental relationships in this battle of sovereignty, specifically UNASUR. He explained that diplomatic and political entanglement with UNASUR may isolate Guyana as it relates to Spanish-speaking, pseudo-imperialist states, which are likely to empathise with Venezuela while oblivious to the legitimacy of Guyana’s sovereignty with respect of to Essequibo.
In the letter, Professor Pollard went on to mention Venezuela’s disfavour at what it called “interference” by the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, in supporting Guyana in the controversy between the two neighbouring countries. “If this allegation is correct, it merely operates to substantiate the contempt or ignorance competent authorities of Venezuela display for the applicable rules of international law. Failure by such authorities to recognise the right of the United Kingdom’s duly appointed representatives to comment on an issue arising from the Geneva Agreement 1966, to which the United Kingdom is a principal party, ranks in ignominy with its refusal to recognise its obligation to abide in good faith with the award of the Arbitral Tribunal 1899, which was established pursuant to the Treaty of Washington between the United Kingdom and Venezuela in 1897.”
Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said he hoped his successor Basil Williams has been making provisions for the continuation of the legal education programme offered to graduates of the University of Guyana (UG) at the Hugh Wooding law School (HWLS), particularly because of the fact that countries across the Caribbean remain up in arms with the courtesies extended to Guyanese students.
The former Minister, who dealt directly with the agreement during his tenure, said Guyana should be aggressively pursuing discussions at every forum since there are many competing interests for legal education in the Caribbean. He was speaking to Journalists late last week where he said that several countries are opposed to the University of Guyana continuing to enjoy automatic entry to the school when institutions within the various territories across the Caribbean are not enjoying such.
The agreement between the University of Guyana and the HWLS allows for the top 25 students of the Legum Baccalaureus/ Bachelor of Law (LLB) programme at Guyana’s university to be given automatic entry into the HWLS located in Trinidad and Tobago to continue their programme.
According to Nandlall, Government is still to ascertain the position regarding the admission of University of Guyana law students to the Trinidad and Tobago based Institution for the 2015-2016 academic year which is scheduled to commence sometime in September later this year.
“I am aware that an arrangement was in place for the continuation of the acceptance of 25 graduates of the law programme from the University of Guyana allowing them automatic en-
try into the Hugh Wooding Law School. As far as I know, that obtained up until I was Attorney General”.
According to Nandlall, that arrangement did not form the subject of any accord. As recent as last month, UG students continued expressing concerns over the future of their studies, as out of the 60 students, a mere 25 is selected by the University’s Administration to go on to the HWLS.
Their fear is compounded by the debacle they had found themselves in early last year, when the Council of Legal Education (CLE) had made a decision that it would not be accepting any more students from Guyana to continue their studies at the HWLS.
HGWL’S principals had begun complaining that the institution was becoming overcrowded since the UWI’s campuses in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica began offering the Law Degree programme.
Guyana’s Government under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration had then intervened and saw the decision taken by the CLE rescinded.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Guyana Times, Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, said he is currently awaiting information from the Council of Legal Education headed by Jamaican Queens Council Jacqueline Samuels Brown, since the file with particulars could not be found after Nandlall left office.
He said too that his last discussion with Nandlall assured him that the programme which provides for 25 students gaining automatic entry into the university would continue.
Williams said that it was strange that the former Minster would be raising these concerns, when he was given every assurance that the arrangement was still in place.
By Gomatie GanGadin
Former Attorney General and Central Committee Member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Anil Nandlall said the party, which is challenging the results of the May 11 General and Regional Elections, has debunked claims made by former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, that the High Court cannot grant a recount to the party.
Speaking to Guyana Times on Sunday afternoon, the PPP/C Central Committee Member said he does not share the view of Ramkarran that the High Court of the Supreme of Judicature, which is constitutionally empowered to hear and determine and election petition, suffers from such a disability. “While I will concede that a recount is not one of the final remedies which the Representation of the People’s Act speaks of, if a Judge is persuaded that a recount of the votes cast will assist the court in determining whether the number of valid votes cast for any list of Candidates differ from the votes upon which seats in the National Assembly were allocated to that list, I know of no principle of law or any statute which would prevent a court from making an order for a recount. In other words, it will have to be an ancillary relief which the court can grant in order to better place the court in a position to make the final order which is nullification of the elections,” Nandlall told this publication.
His comments come on the heels of Ramkarran’s article on his Conversation Tree blog which stated that if a po-
litical party feels aggrieved, it can file an election petition to the High Court under article 163 of the Constitution. This article, he said, provides for claims based on two limbs.
“Firstly, the petitioner can claim that either generally or in a particular place the elections were not lawfully conducted. Secondly, the petitioner can claim that generally or in any particular place, an election has not been lawfully conducted or the result thereof has been, or may have been, affected by any unlawful act or omission. It appears from the PPP/C’s public pronouncements on the conduct of the election that it would have to rely on the second limb.”
Ramkarran said that if an election petition is filed on the basis of the second limb, the Guyana High Court would have jurisdiction to determine the issues only on the basis of the evidence which is presented by the petitioner who has to show by that evidence which is presented that the election result was or may have been affected by the unlawful acts or omissions which are proved. “It is not the function, duty or business of the court to seek out its own evidence to aid the petitioner in proving its case by ordering an opening of the ballot boxes and the counting of the votes.
In any event, the court has no power to do. In other words, the petitioner would not be permitted to present a scintilla of evidence showing suspicious circumstances in relation to a limited number of Statements of Poll and then call on the court to order a recounting of the votes, based on that suspicion, so that it can verify whether or not its suspicions are justi-
fied,” Ramkarran had said.
To this end however, the former Attorney General related that it is not a question of the court aiding the petitioner in presenting evidence but if it is that the evidence of irregularities are in the ballot boxes and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has custody of those ballot boxes, and if a recount of the votes cast is integral in establishing these irregularities then the petitioner is not in a position to present those to the court. If a recount is considered by the court necessary then it is GECOM or some other authority appointed by the court that will have to conduct that recount. He further noted that there is no reason why the High Court is impotent to make such an order if the justice of the case demands it.
“Significantly, the case for a recount is even made stronger in this instance because the Returning Officer of the 10 polling districts did not grant a final general count of the votes cast as is provided for by the Representation of the People’s Act when the request was made by the respective counting agents.
In other words, an impor-
tant statutory safeguard intended to protect the integrity of the results was not observed by the Returning Officers. That neglect of an important statutory duty without more makes the case for a recount even more compelling,” Nandlall further stated.
In responding to Ramkarran’s statements that the Herdmanston Accord of 1998 was drafted for the audit of the votes cast at the 1997 election since it had recognised that the power to audit by way of full or partial recount or otherwise did not exist, Nandlall said that it was not wholly true.
“The contention advanced by Mr Ramkarran that a special statute had to be passed in the Parliament to allow such a recount in 1997 in order for that to have been done as the only way for that objective to be achieved is not a convincing one. A recount could have been achieved simply by the political parties and GECOM agreeing to do a recount or the parties could have agreed to approach the court for an order to be made for such a recount to have taken place,” he posited.
“Instead, the parties chose in that instance to pass a law for that recount to be done. Other methods could have been used to achieve that objective so that the impression conveyed by Mr Ramkarran that the enactment of a special law for a recount as the only method to achieve that objective is a misleading one,” Nandlall added.
The PPP/C since the declaration of election results for 2015, has been registering its concerns over the results of the May 11 polls and has signalled its intentions of filing an election petition in the High Court.
Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton is continuing his assessment of various health facilities in Guyana. On June 19, he visited the Skeldon Hospital, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), which is currently undergoing massive renovation and remodelling.
The Minister was given a complete tour of the institution, along with a briefing on the plans for the new structure. As part of Skeldon Hospital’s remodelling, a new theatre, with a recovery room and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), has been constructed, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
This department is expected to commence operation as soon as it receives a few minor pieces of equipment which are still to be procured.
Meanwhile, a new
Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit was also constructed and the current Unit will be converted into a Diabetic Foot Centre.
In addition, the receptionist area will be used as the specialist clinic room. After his tour of the facility,
the Minister interacted with the staff and listened to their complaints. It was highlighted that there was no functional ambulance stationed at the hospital, which made it very difficult to transfer patients.
Shortage of staff is also
causing some level of frustration among the employees, as there are only five doctors who man the entire hospital, while conducting clinics and running the wards. The same situation obtains with the nurses and midwives, who have to work very long hours.
The decision by the APNU+AFC government to shelve the Specialty Hospital project is bewildering, at the very least.
From any perspective, the termination of the project is a big mistake, shortsighted, tragic and a concrete example of political narrow mindedness.
If APNU+AFC thinks that by shelving the project they are diminishing the positive footprints of the PPP/C, they need to understand that, in fact, Guyana and the Guyanese people are the victims of this narrow-minded action.
This vile act of ending the project exposes APNU+AFC as bitter people who merely are interested in political gamesmanship. Times Notebook urges APNU+AFC to reconsider its decision.
In 2012 and 2013, APNU+AFC enjoyed the majority in the National Assembly. They voted with the PPP/C to initiate the project and to fund it. We have to assume they saw the benefits then.
Without their support in 2012/2013, the project would not have gotten off the ground. They did express reservation, but their reservation had nothing to do with the soundness and the benefits of the project.
Their reservation pertained to the awarding of the contract to Surendra Engineering after a public tender. They attacked the PPP/C Government in public and in Parliament about the process of awarding the contract.
One of their leaders, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, who is now Public Security Minister and a VicePresident, insisted that the contract should have been awarded to one of his clients. At no time did the opposition question the soundness of the project.
The winning firm, in accordance with the public tender, Surendra Engineering, proved they could not deliver on the project and the PPP/C rightfully terminated the contract. APNU+AFC has an opportunity to demonstrate that they can implement a
good project better than the PPP/C and earn the respect of the people.
It is less than two months into its term in government and so far one thing stands out with their governance – shortsighted narrow mindedness. The examples are many, too many for the comfort level of decent Guyanese people and those who genuinely care for our people and country.
The premature termination of the Rodney COI is another prime example of their narrow minded governance. So too is the AML/ CFT Bill. They had proposed a number of amendments as a condition to passing it.
The PPP/C had agreed to their amendments, with the exception of one. The PPP/C had not agreed to their amendment that any Police or Customs officer could seize any amount of money or goods worth more than US$10,000 ($2M) in people’s possession, even in their homes.
The PPP/C had expressed grave reservation that this provision estab-
lished the milieu for serious encroachment and abuse of people’s private possession. Now the Government has announced their intention to pass the Bill, including this provision, one which the PPP/C and the majority of Guyanese people object to.
This is not just a prime example of their narrow mindedness; it is also an example of the propensity for abusing people’s freedom.
In shelving the Specialty Hospital, the only logical reason we could see is that this was a PPP/C project and, therefore, it must be put aside. If the people and the country have to be victimized and punished in the process, then such must be the collateral damage.
The government has a duty to complete the Specialty Hospital. Small, developing countries like Guyana will never be able to afford a hospital that can provide routine high quality tertiary care services such as cancer treatment, heart, brain surgeries, transplants and other interventions unless they think of a feasible
strategy to make such services available.
The PPP/C government created a feasible way to bring such services to our people. It is incumbent on the present administration, therefore, to make reality the dream.
The Specialty Hospital was designed to attract people from other countries to come to Guyana for such services rather than going to distant Asian locations or obtain such services from expensive locations in North America, Europe or even the Caribbean.
While people from outside were expected to pay regular prices for such services, resident Guyanese would be assisted to obtain services at an affordable cost.
The government would have been able to negotiate a discounted price that all Guyanese will benefit from. The government will provide support to those citizens who cannot afford even the discounted prices. In this way all citizens will benefit from the investment to bring a Specialty Hospital to Guyana.
In addition, while the government guaranteed the loan from India’s Exim Bank, the overall cost for the project would have been borne by the operators of the hospital. It is a shameful act of APNU+AFC to terminate the project simply because it was conceived by the PPP/C.
We would think that anything that is good for Guyana would have the support of all politicians, no matter which side they sit in Parliament.
Had they completed the project, APNU+AFC would have superimposed their footprints over those of the PPP/C and all Guyana would have benefitted.
Instead, APNU+AFC has once again recklessly imposed its narrow mindedness on the welfare of the Guyanese people and our country and once again consider the Guyanese people collateraol damage in their game of vindictiveness against the PPP/C.
Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.
Agroup of agencies concerned about the burden of NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) on human and economic development in the Americas has launched a new task force to accelerate multi-sectoral action for prevention and control of NCDs in the Region.
“Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases are the leading killers in the Americas and around the world, and tackling them requires collective efforts and multi-sectoral approaches, such as the alliance we are launching today,” said Dr Carissa F Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).
PAHO/WHO will chair the new Inter-American Task Force on NCDs, working collaboratively with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and other partners including the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Bank. The task force will
support countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with policy advice, technical assistance, resource mobilisation and capacity-building, while also facilitating a common and harmonised approach, optimal use of resources, and networking and information exchange among agencies of the InterAmerican system and partner institutions to ensure maximum impact.
NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. In the Americas, some 4.5 million die each year from NCDs, representing more than 80 per cent of all deaths, of which 36 per cent are premature, that is, occurring in people under age 70. If no action is taken, deaths and disabilities from this silent epidemic are expected to increase, along with the burden they place on health systems and national economies.
“We must act now. NCDs are a burden not only on patients, their families and the health sector, but on societies and economies as a whole. Fighting them requires creating healthsupporting environments through partnerships with
other sectors such as agriculture, education and trade. These are the types of action we will promote jointly with other agencies of the Inter-American system as we work together to save lives,” Dr Etienne said.
Multi-sectoral policies
Most deaths from NCDs are related to common risk factors, principally tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Exposure to these risk factors can be modified through multi-sectoral policies and actions. These include policies for universal health coverage and universal social protection, incentives to increase production and availability of healthy foods, educating children about healthy eating and physical activity, and urban planning that promotes public spaces for recreation and physical activity. They also include legislation and regulations intended to reduce consumption of tobacco, alcohol, salt, sugar and trans fats – measures that are considered NCD “best buys” due to their cost-effectiveness. The global cost of implementing these best buys is estimated at US$11.2 billion, representing an annual
investment of only US$1-$3 per person.
“Our citizens’ health and well-being are at the centre of the OAS’s rights and equity agenda. NonCommunicable Diseases need to be addressed comprehensively. That’s why collaboration across Government, institutions and sectors is key to reducing these diseases,” said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, during the task force’s launch, which took place one day after the close of the 2015 OAS General Assembly.
Representatives of Brazil, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago also participated in the meeting to launch the new task force and presented successful experiences of multi-sectoral work in their countries. In 2011, Heads of State from around the world recognised the role and responsibility of Governments in reducing NCDs through the Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. In 2013, the World Health Assembly endorsed WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which seeks, among other things, a 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from NCDs between 2013 and 2025.
These global commitments were affirmed the same year in the Regional Plan of Action for the Prevention and Control of NCDs approved by the 52nd Directing Council of PAHO/ WHO.
The new alliance will help the countries of the Region mount a comprehensive response to NCDs, one of the major challenges for development in the 21st Century. PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organisation in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.
Efforts by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency among its borrowing member countries have been advanced by the signing of a Contribution Agreement with the European Union-Caribbean Investment Facility (EUCIF), in Brussels, Belgium to support the new Sustainable Energy for the Eastern Caribbean (SEEC) Programme.
The signing took place in Brussels on June 8 at a side event to the second EU-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)/eighth EU- Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Summit held June 9-11 under the theme: “Shaping our common future: working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our citizens”.
The SEEC Programme is a multi-partner loan and grant facility with a total budget of approximately €21.4 million. The EUCIF grant contribution of €4.45 million to the SEEC Programme will provide both technical assistance and investment grants to six beneficiary countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The signing comes against the background of
the CDB making energy security a thematic focus in its current Strategic Plan. This focus is guided by the Energy Sector Policy and Strategy. In 2014, the Bank produced a study: “A New Paradigm for Caribbean Development: Transitioning to a Green Economy”, which examined the merits of transitioning to increased energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.
“The SEEC Programme will allow CDB, in collaboration with its Development Partners, to employ innovative financing methods to advance sustainable energy solutions for six of its borrowing member countries. The programme has the potential to initiate a radical change in the energy landscape for the beneficiaries. It could become a model for the rest of the Caribbean; and the lessons learnt from this Programme can inform the creation of expanded facilities for the benefit of all of the borrowing member countries of CDB,” said CDB President, Dr William Warren Smith.
The EU-CELAC summit brings together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to strengthen relations between both regions. These summits are the main fora for dialogue and cooperation between Europe, and Latin American and Caribbean states.
Amajor human rights group says thousands of Caribbean families in the United States have been torn apart in recent years by detention and deportation for drug offences.
In its latest report, Human Rights Watch said that disproportionately harsh laws and policies relating to drug offences can lead to deportation for lawful permanent Caribbean and other residents and unauthorised immigrants alike.
The 93-page report, “A Price Too high: US Families
torn apart by deportations for drug offences,” documents how the US regularly places legal residents and other immigrants with strong ties to US families into deportation proceedings for drug offences. Often, those offences are decades old or so minor they resulted in little or no prison time, the report says. Deportations after convictions for drug possession in particular have spiked, increasing 43 per cent from 2007 to 2012, according to US Government data obtained by Human Rights Watch through a Freedom of
Information Act request.
The report is based on more than 130 interviews with affected immigrants, families, Attorneys, and law enforcement officials, as well as new data obtained from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
43 per cent increase Deportations of non-citizens with drug convictions, and especially with drug possession convictions, increased significantly from 2007 to 2012, the report says.
In addition to the 43 per cent increase in deportations after convictions for
drug possession during that period, the report says deportations after convictions for sales, smuggling, manufacture, or trafficking increased 23 per cent. For more than 34,000 deported non-citizens, the most serious conviction was for marijuana possession, according to the report. Human Rights Watch said it requested information on the immigration status of deported non-citizens in its Freedom of Information Act request, but said ICE, in its response, claimed not to keep such records. Human Rights Watch said an ap-
peal was pending.
Under US immigration law, expunged or pardoned drug convictions can still result in deportation, according to Human Rights Watch.
It said drug offences also bar non-citizens from gaining lawful resident status, even if they have close family relationships with US citizens that would otherwise qualify them for green cards.
Although it is possible for a non-citizen to apply for a waiver for offences such as assault or fraud if they can show a US citizen fam-
ily member would suffer extreme hardship if the noncitizen could not gain legal resident status.
The only waiver possible for drug offences is for a single conviction for possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana, Human Rights Watch said.
The human rights organisation has urged states to ensure that reforms to reduce criminal penalties for drug offences and facilitate rehabilitation for those with drug dependency are designed to allow noncitizens to benefit as well.
(CMC)
...cites pressing Cabinet duties, Minister Henry to lead delegation
Junior Education Minister Nicollete Henry will lead a Guyana delegation to the upcoming 19th Conference of the Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) in The Bahamas.
Senior Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was forced to withdraw from the Conference due to pressing matters at the level of Cabinet, a release from the Education Ministry said. Also attending the Conference are Olato Sam, Chief Education Officer; Tricia Teekah, Caribbean Region Representative of the Commonwealth Students’ Association (Steering Committee); and Joshua Griffith, President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society. The 19th Commonwealth Education Ministers Conference commences today and will conclude on June 26.
The 19th high level Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers meeting is held under the theme ”Quality Education for Equitable Development: Performance, Paths and Productivity”. The conference aims to follow up on “a major commitment towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals”, which according to The Bahamas’ Education Minister, were signed on to in Dakar, Bangladesh, and at the United Nations. He said that “this conference will allow us to gauge where we stand with regards to that com -
mitment and accordingly revisit, if need be, mechanisms to accelerate towards the attainment of the Internationally Agreed Goals, as well as to strategise for aligning Commonwealth priorities with education aspects of the new Post-2015 Global Development Framework.”
The Conference will provide an opportunity for the participants to deliberate on the priority and emerging issues, identified by the Ministerial Working Group, which include the persistent inequalities and inequities, worsening income inequalities, high unemployment, vulnerabilities of marginalised groups, universality, measurement of quality and unmet education needs. The conference will also elaborate on policy, practice and the strategic actions required in direct response to the new development goals and targets, while exploring trends and innovative practic -
es in education in the Commonwealth. The wideranging discussions at the conference are expected to cover a range of educational issues focussing on quality and skills that meet the dynamic needs of learners, especially the youth and global qualification standards, ICT integration in education and training, opportunities for economic growth and investment, education for sustainable development, and the overall quality of education across the Commonwealth.
According to Minister Jerome K Fitzgerald, the Commonwealth Secretary General; His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma highlighted three – teachers, youth and other stakeholders – which are vital components of the conference, thus creating relevant space for interaction and sharing of experiences by various partners in education. It is expected that teachers and young people will form part of the different delegations from the Commonwealth countries that will be attending the conference.
Minister Fitzgerald stated in his letter to Guyana’s Education Minister that the Commonwealth Secretariat will officially launch its Fourth Edition of the Commonwealth Education Good Practice Awards (CEGPA) 2015. He further stated that there will be a dedicated 19CCEM website which will provide adequate information and details pertaining to the Conference.
Convicted prisoner Ramseh Muniram was on Sunday afternoon found hanging by the neck by a rope in a cell at the New Amsterdam Prison. The 27-year-old was serving a 76-year sentence for the murder of his wife.
Reports indicate that Muniram was released from his cell at about 15:30h to go the recreational area to have dinner, but was returned to his cell at 15:35h.
the koker at Nismes, on the West Bank of Demerara, Muniram killed his wife after she left her home at Vauxhall, Canal Number One Polder, to meet with him to collect money for the two children Muniram had fathered with her. She was a mother of three. The two had separated after a dispute.
Former Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Eusi Kwayana has warned against the abrupt end to the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, and said the disclosures of the expenditures so far for the tribunal can help to make it come to be seen as an obstacle to progress.
Kwayana was one of the first set of people who testified at the inquiry when it began its work last year. The David Granger-led Administration wants to bring the inquiry to an early end, stating that it was used by the previous administration for political purposes and it was racking up millions in dollars from the treasury.
On Friday last, Attorney General Basil Williams said a sitting of the Commission is likely to be held in the latter part of July, depending on the availability of the Commissioners and the lawyers. Williams told reporters that the Commissioners and the lawyers, as well as the CoI’s Secretariat will have to consult with each other to determine the date. He added that they will have to be given at least three weeks’ to a month’s notice before the commencement of the final sitting.
The Legal Affairs Minister explained that the last session will not last more than five days – two days will be for hearing of submissions and the remaining three days will be used to do administrative work, that is, for the Commissioners to put together all the evidence and witness statements. Williams further detailed that the final session is expected to cost approximately $17 million.
Earlier this month, the Attorney General disclosed that the CoI has so far exhausted some $325 million. That sum includes $16.8 million (US$80,300) that was paid to Canada-based journalist Shaun Samaroo who received a monthly fee of US$7300 to write on the proceedings of the Commission.
Muniram had given August a Pepsi bottle with a poisonous substance to drink and after she started fighting, she fell into the canal. Muniram then jumped in and choked her to death after which he hid the body in the canal. He subsequently reported his actions to her sister and subsequently his mother.
On January 14, 2010, in
However, when prisons officials checked at 15:45h, he was discovered hanging from a window to the back of the cell. His motionless body was cut down and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Muniram was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh on October 18, 2013, for the murder of his wife Sunita August and was admitted to the New Amsterdam Prison in March of this year.
A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body soon.
Meanwhile, Kwayana in a letter appearing in the Stabroek News said he shared the sense of relief and welcome at the change of administration in Guyana and that the population was rightly in a mood of high approval of measures and revelations against the squandering of public funds and lack of accountability. However, he said the “throwing out of big numbers in relation to the Rodney Commission of Inquiry can help to make it come to be seen as an obstacle to progress as in the cases of the GuySuCo Board or the NIS. This is a form of misrepresentation.”
He said within weeks of the election that removed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), there was a kind of coordinated campaign against the Commission investigating the unnatural death of the renowned historian.
“An inquiry had been evaded by the [People’s National Congress] PNC and then by the PPP Governments until it was ordered by the National Assembly in 2005, with the ruling PPP abstaining because the amended motion did not speak of an assassination but of a death to be investigated,” he recalled.
Kwayana related that in
2013 the PPP/C Government announced an inquiry. “It ultimately established the Commission of Inquiry in 2014 after an approach from the Rodney family and when the PPP saw an inquiry as politically exploitable. The President after much delay established the Commission under Chapter 19:03 of the laws of Guyana, but discriminated against the Opposition parties in the National Assembly in the implementation when it applied the one-party culture by consulting only the ruling PPP. The President justified this discrimination by saying that it was the widow’s request,” Kwayana charged.
He disclosed that in her cross- examination before the CoI, Mrs Rodney denied making the request, noting that her answer was being ignored although then counsel for the PNC, Basil Williams had at once thanked her publicly for it.
“Although I welcome vigilance relating to the work of the Commission and the expenses involved, as I do in relation to GuySuCo, I find some of the insinuations without more than figures unfair. The Commission has certain legal powers, but the members cannot just land in a country and fix hotel rates. I defend freedom of expression, but it is not a sign of maturity for officials to take part in the creation of a cloud of suspicion and mistrust over a CoI without the findings of the state of-
ficials empowered to make such findings. It is all the more disquieting to me as a distant sympathiser of the coalition when, and I think wisely, there is no decision to wind down GuySuCo, a decade’s long offender.”
Kwayana said to make the CoI and all its work unpopular, what could be easier than to throw out real numbers without the audit due to a constitutional body. He said there was so far no comparison with the expenses of the Linden Commission or other standard of comparison. “The one proven violation of financial prudence is the procuring through the PPP/C’s Tender Board the services of a journalist to use testimony for an antiPNC campaign which is not the stated purpose of the inquiry and was unnecessary. Yet, there is a hint that this may not be pursued.”
Kwayana said AG Williams was fully involved in the public sessions of the CoI giving excellent representation to the PNC. “He should be able to say how many witnesses, if any, were rejected by the Commission. Two major witnesses representing the defence of the suspect Gregory Smith were among the more recent witnesses. At the time of the CoI’s most recent sittings, testimony amounting to a case for the defence had just begun to emerge.”
According to Kwayana, an interest in a fair inquiry would seem to dictate that such testimony be tested on equal terms with the testimony of the opposite tendency. “It is puzzling that with only crude financial data to go on that responsible state authorities well practised in adjudication could by themselves determine an end to the sittings. It is tempting to justify the present campaign by agreeing that such an inquiry would have been far less costly if it had been held in the 1980s,” Kwayana pointed out. He said since the Administration is new and is faced with a host of bewildering situations “I am bound to presume and assume the best intentions on the part of the Attorney General and his colleagues with no statutory responsibility under the Commission of Inquiries Act. This controversy has been treated without the necessary process as a public debate and I have no alternative but to appeal at that forum. If the first official response to the facts so far announced is to be a presumption of complicity on the part of the Commission, the new Administration may find it hard to assemble a credible Commission of Inquiry into the violations alleged against the previous Administration or its officials.”
Claims of money laundering and a front man to hide cash are at the top of the list of Independent Liberal Party (ILP) leader Jack Warner’s latest planned exposé on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Though Warner is keeping the details on the matter for his press conference carded for Tuesday, the Sunday Guardian learned that Warner plans to link one of Persad-Bissessar’s close associates to a series of financial transactions kept deliberately under the radar.
While keeping his guns trained on Persad-Bissessar, Warner is still insisting that he is not in any war with the PM or her Cabinet members.
“I am not at war with the Prime Minister, I am not at war with anyone,” Warner told the Sunday Guardian.
When questioned about his continued at-
tack on Persad-Bissessar, Warner said he was attempting to atone for the wrong he did to the country when he helped bring the People’s Partnership into Government back in 2010.
Warner plans to drop bombshell after bombshell in the build-up to the general election on September 7, 2015.
He said he planned to “unmask” Persad-Bissessar
so that the country will know exactly who they voted for back in 2010.
“I did the country wrong five years ago and I need to correct that,” Warner said.
He said Tuesday would not be the end of his revelations, but he planned to continue unveiling more and more information on PersadBissessar and her Cabinet as the election campaign intensified. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
A62-year-old man in Guatemala has received a hero's welcome after a 200-kilometre (125-mile) march in protest against Government corruption.
Oswaldo Ochoa was met by cheers and applause from crowds of supporters on his arrival in Guatemala City.
Ochoa, who said he had been inspired by Gandhi, wants social, political and agricultural change.
A series of corruption scandals forced the resig-
nation of Vice President Roxana Baldetti last month.
Wearing a straw hat and a Guatemalan flag around his neck like a cape, Ochoa, known as "Quixote", left his home city of Quetzaltenango a week ago.
He said he was joining a growing movement of Guatemalans who have been demanding the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina.
Ochoa was on a hunger strike during his journey, only drinking tea and juic-
es. He got blisters on his feet and said he lost more than four kilograms (9lbs) in weight.
In the capital, he called on all Guatemalans to rise against impunity and allegedly corrupt politicians who have enriched themselves with public money.
President Perez Molina, who has the backing of the Army, says he has done nothing wrong and will not leave office before his term expires next January. (BBC News)
As the deadline nears for the deportation of Haitian Dominicans in the Dominican Republic, a New York City legislator has created and circulated a petition calling on the Dominican Republic Government to stop what he describes as “this unjust plan that will displace hundreds of thousands of people who call the Dominican Republic home”.
predominantly 45th Council District in Brooklyn.
“This human rights issue will impact not just the individuals facing deportation but our entire society,” Eugene continued. “If this discriminatory deportation occurs, so many men, women, and children will lose the lives they’ve worked so hard to create.”
An amnesty programme geared towards giving non-nationals the opportunity to regularise their status, has been extended in Antigua.
According to Acting Chief Immigration Officer Annette Mark, during this grace period, it is hoped that people will regularise their status.
“The amnesty is a pardon,” she said. “Basically, it’s for those persons who are here illegally, those persons who have gaps in their time, and persons who have applied already to the passport office and have been denied,”
Mark told Observer radio on the weekend.
“So, I’m encouraging persons to come forward….otherwise, after this period, our enforcement department will be out in full force looking for persons who are here illegally,” she said, adding that during a meeting at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, it was decided that the deadline would be set to September 15, giving individuals at least 90 days to be informed.
The amnesty was granted to non-nationals under the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act 2015 on April 8. (CMC)
At least one Caribbean country plans to fight its placement on the European Union’s list of the world’s worst tax havens.
Barbados’ Minister of International Business, Donville Inniss said the move was unjustified and Government would be objecting.
The EU listed Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Turks and Caicos Islands and the US Virgin Islands among 30 territories identified by 10 or more EU nations as tax havens.
But in a swift response, Inniss said Barbados had no right on that list.
“I can’t speak for all the jurisdictions, but I
know that this labelling of Barbados is extremely unfortunate and as Minister responsible for international business I am not going to sit back and take this lightly,” he told the Daily Nation.
“Barbados is a reputable jurisdiction with a very clean [record] and I intend to adopt an approach where all gloves are off.”
Cayman Finance, which represents the financial services industry in the Cayman Islands, said it was disappointed to see the territory included on the list, based on the views of 11 EU countries with which it does little international business.
“It is not clear what standards have been used by these 11 countries to come to such a conclusion, in particular when the Cayman Islands has exchange of information mechanisms in place with all but one of these countries,” it said. (Excerpt from Caribbean 360)
Despite an increased offer late Friday night from the Government, public school teachers voted overwhelmingly Saturday to reject the latest pay offer.
num to J$147,000 by 2016/17, a J$24,000 increase over the two years.
Interestingly, the allowance was introduced in 2006 while Jamaica College Principal Ruel Reid was President of the JTA, as a last-minute bid to settle a similar pay issue between the parties.
Dr Mathieu Eugene (Photo: Twitter.com)
“Sending individuals who identify as citizens of the Dominican Republic back to Haiti simply because they have Haitian ancestry is incredibly unjust,” added the representative for the
“The majority of the individuals being deported are of Haitian descent, but classifying them as Haitians is inaccurate because many of these men and women and boys and girls were born in the Dominican Republic or have lived in the Dominican Republic for most of their lives,” Dr Mathieu Eugene, the first-ever Haitian to be elected to the New York City Council, told the Caribbean Media Corporation on Sunday.
The council member is urging the public to vociferously voice their objection to this “atrocious act”.
“My heart hurts for the hundreds of thousands of people who are facing the unfathomable deportation from their own country,” he said. “Hard-working individuals who call the Dominican Republic their home are being forced out by a discriminatory ruling. (Excerpt from CMC)
The ballot, which followed a prolonged presentation from Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) President Doran Dixon, which appeared to be aimed at reducing the growing tension inside the Jamaica College auditorium, resulted in 243 of the 315 delegates voting against the Government's package.
Of the number, 71 delegates voted for the package, which included the latest wage offer of seven per cent over two years. One vote was spoilt.
The overwhelming rejection came despite an announcement by Dixon that Minister with responsibility for the Public Service, Horace Dalley, had telephoned him Friday night offering to increase the teachers' "book, software and technology allowance" from the current J$111,430 per an-
But, one teacher likened the overnight offer to an act of "Anancyism" on the part of the Minister.
Questioned by the delegates as to how seriously they should take Dalley's offer, Dixon said that he did not expect the Minister to take it lightly, as he did not.
"There is honour among thieves, therefore, there must be honour among the rest of us," he said.
He told the meeting that the basic salary, being a system-wide issue, was a major challenge for the negotiating team, and they now have to focus on improving fringe benefits. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
ndia's Prime Minister
INarendra Modi has led thousands in a mass yoga programme in the capital, Delhi, on the first-ever International Yoga Day.
Mr Modi did stretches, bends and breathing exercises with 35,000 schoolchildren, bureaucrats and soldiers.
Security was tight in the city with thousands of Police and paramilitary deployed for Sunday morning's event.
Millions of others are expected to do yoga at similar events planned in hundreds of cities and towns across the globe.
Modi, a yoga enthusiast who says he practises the an-
cient Indian art daily, lobbied the United Nations to declare June 21 International Yoga Day.
Thousands of colourful mats were laid out on Rajpath – King's Avenue –where the main event was held.
Officials had earlier said the Prime Minister will attend the event and address the gathering, but not do yoga.
But Modi surprised participants by joining in with the exercises.
Authorities said 35,000 people attended the 35-minute yoga session on Rajpath, aimed at setting a new Guinness World Record for
the largest yoga class at a single venue.
Guinness officials said they would announce the results in a few hours.
Yoga was also being performed on the Siachen glacier and the high seas, the Defence Ministry said.
The day is also being celebrated around the world and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj says "tens of millions" will do yoga on Sunday.
Swaraj herself was scheduled to be in New York where she will attend the celebrations with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In Times Square, 30,000 people are expected to do yoga. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Lebanon's Justice Minister has announced two arrests after video emerged showing guards beating detainees at Roumieh, the country's largest and most infamous prison.
Ashraf Rifi pledged on Sunday a full investigation into the case, saying the behaviour documented in two videos that began circulating online on Saturday was "a crime against the nation and humanity".
"We will see through an investigation until the end. This crime cannot go unpunished," he said.
"Two of the perpetrators have already been arrested."
The two videos, apparently filmed on mobile phones, appear to show guards at the prison humiliating detainees and
beating them with plastic pipes.
In one video, a prisoner lies on a floor covered in water, stripped to his underwear with his hands tied behind his back.
He is asked what he is accused of, and replies "transporting terrorists".
A guard then beats him repeatedly with a green pipe, while another man offcamera encourages him and demands that the prisoner kiss his assailant's boots.
In the other video, about a dozen prisoners, all stripped to their underwear with their hands tied behind them, are seated on a floor.
A guard can be seen beating at least two prisoners, shouting at one: "Lower your voice or I'll put your eyes out." (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The United Nations has appointed a Senegalese diplomat to facilitate talks between rival factions in Burundi's political crisis after the Opposition accused the previous mediator of bias.
The UN said in a statement that Abdoulaye Bathily, who is already the UN's Special Representative for Central Africa, would arrive in Bujumbura on Sunday to help mediate talks.
"The Secretary General has requested ... Abdoulaye Bathily, to offer good offices in Burundi in support of regional efforts to reduce tensions and help Burundians peacefully settle their differences," the UN said in a statement, referring to Ban Ki-moon, the UN chief.
The East African country descended into turmoil in late April after President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term.
Opposition protesters took to the streets for weeks, saying the move violated the Constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically charged civil war in 2005.
The previous UN mediator, Said Djinnit, left the role after only a few weeks having faced criticism from the Opposition that he was biased towards the Government, a charge he dismissed.
Djinnit remains the UN Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region.
A series of elections have been delayed by weeks of unrest and violent clashes between Police and protesters. (Excerpt from Al
The names of the nine people shot dead at a church in South Carolina have been read out in its first service since Wednesday's attack.
The visiting reverend, Norvel Goff, said the "devil entered", but failed to "take control of your church".
He stood in for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, one of the victims of the attack on the Bible-studying group.
Hundreds of people packed the Emanuel AME
Church for the service on Sunday morning, amid tight security.
Police are investigating an online post, possibly by suspected gunman Dylann Roof, which may outline his motivation for the attack.
Also on Sunday, bells at more than a dozen churches rang out simultaneously throughout the state of South Carolina in a sign of solidarity.
A black cloth was placed over the chair of Reverend
Greece debt crisis:
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday cited instability among neighbouring states to urge political parties to form a coalition Government quickly, or face the prospect of holding another election.
"Surrounded by a veritable ring of fire, Turkey must be strong to avoid harm and help its brothers, so we must quickly complete the post-election period," he said.
Turkey hosts nearly
two million refugees who have fled the war in neighbouring Syria. Erdogan has been an outspoken critic of his Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and is also worried about recent gains by Syrian Kurds along the Turkish border.
The AK Party (AKP) that Erdogan founded and led until he became President last year lost its parliamentary majority in a June 7 election, ending more than a decade of single-party rule and curbing his ambi-
tions to create a more powerful presidency.
AKP officials have privately said Erdogan may view a snap election as the best hope for the AKP to win back a majority and help him realise his vision for the presidency.
Lawmakers will be sworn in on Tuesday, after which Erdogan will mandate the Islamist-rooted AKP, Parliament's biggest party, to try to form a coalition Government within 45 days. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Clementa Pinckney, where he sat for last week's service.
"There they were in the house of the Lord, studying your word, praying with one another," Rev Norvel Goff told the congregation of the historic black church.
"But the devil also entered. And the devil was trying to take charge," he said. But, he added, "the devil cannot take control of your people. And the devil cannot take control of your church".
(Excerpt from BBC News)
The head of Greece's biggest bank has said it would be "insane" not to reach an agreement at emergency talks today on the country's debt crisis.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will meet the leaders of the 18 other eurozone nations at a Brussels summit.
Louka Katseli, Chair of the National Bank of Greece,
told the BBC that banks were not under immediate threat of running out of money.
But she said the situation was serious, and without a deal would become severe.
Her remarks came as Tsipras presented a Greek proposal for a deal during a conference call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and EU
Commission President JeanClaude Juncker.
"The Prime Minister presented the three leaders Greece's proposal for a mutually beneficial agreement that will give a definitive solution and not postpone addressing the problem," Tsipras's office said in a statement.
The proposal comes amid attempts to prevent Greece defaulting on a €1.6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan repayment. Greece has until the end of June to make the payment or risk crashing out of the single currency and possibly the EU.
The European Commission, the IMF and the European Central Bank (ECB) are unwilling to unlock bailout funds until Greece agrees to economic reforms they want to see introduced. (Excerpt from BBC News)
monday, june 22, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires
Bryan Hunt said the US Government remains committed to working with the new Government of Guyana to find ways of supporting democracy and governance, noting that discussions on the parameters of possible future programming are currently on stream.
Hunt was responding to enquiries on the future of the United States (USAID) Leadership and Democracy programme (LEAD) under the new Administration, which was undertaken by its Chief of Party Glen Bradbury over the last two years and which came to an end last month.
The project had as its main focus supporting stakeholders’ efforts to promote effective and responsive democratic institutions and the strengthening of political and consensus-building processes and skills through programmed components.
Hunt told this publication on Friday that while no specifics on future programming are available at this time; the LEAD project was
a time-bound, two-year development assistance programme which concluded its activities on schedule in May of this year.
Last year, Bradbury held a number of consultations including town hall meetings across Guyana. There, Guyanese were said to be a part of the advancement of democracy; the objective of the International Republican Institute (IRI) which was at the forefront of the LEAD project.
The IRI has also been instrumental in offering assistance to the National Council of Youth, carrying out numerous training sessions with youth groups across the country. The other aspects of the LEAD project included women and gender groups, local government and the National Assembly.
The US embassy had reported late last year that the USAID and IRI had held dialogue with a wide cross-section of stakeholders to implement the programme’s activities in key areas.
The implementation process was said to be undertaken in active partnership with
a variety of national institutions, including the National Assembly, the Guyana Elections Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, various youth organisations and civil society. Consultations were also held with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that which had indicated an interest in information on civic education and Local Government Elections.
Prior to its successful ending, the LEAD project had last year come under fire from the Guyana Government which had publicly chastised the US for pursuing the programme, despite its strong objections. The Government had posited that the project’s design and implementation were unacceptable and that the action taken by former US Ambassador D Brendt Hardt was a clear departure from protocol and conventions governing inter-state relations, and deserved full condemnation.
In 2013, Guyana rejected the $300 million USAIDfunded project, contending that the project did not re-
flect the input of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Administration.
The local US Embassy had signalled its intention to go ahead with the project despite the rejection, setting off a firestorm of controversy. That move had caused the then Government to rescinded the work permit and stay of extension of the head Glen Bradbury.
The project, which was launched July 2013, was aimed at bolstering the functioning of the National Assembly. Its focus is fortifying the National Assembly by encouraging consensus building; and working with civil society and the public to boost citizens’ engagement with the National Assembly and all parties to support the legislature’s role as an effective deliberative body.
Former US Ambassador Hardt had said that meetings were held with stakeholders from across the political spectrum to help shape the outline of the programme, identify priorities, and chart a path toward successful implementation.
Popular American travel website TripAdvisor has conferred on the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development the presitgious Certificate of Excellence, an award which is earned by the consistently great reviews of a destination published on the world’s largest travel site.
The Iwokrama Centre in a release to the media said it was extremely elated to have received such an accolade which it said was testament to the sterling service delivered by its hard working and professional staff to guests who visit the Iwokrama River Lodge at Kurupukari, Essequibo River.
The statement said that in 2014, the Centre had hosted some 1130 guests at the River Lodge and had offered a variety of tours including the famous Iwokrama canopy walkway, caiman spotting, trail walks, boat rides, petroglyphs, Turtle Mountain, among others.
The Centre is also working on developing other tours including a day trip to Iwokrama and a day trip to both the Iwokrama River Lodge and the Kaieteur Falls.
“Iwokrama believes in using innovative governance systems which include the Private and Public Sectors and local communites to manage its forest based businesses and relies heavily on the traditional knowledge of the local communites in its conservation and sustinable development efforts”, the sattement said.
Like in all of its busi-
nesses, Iwokrama’s tourism operation invests heavily in building the capacity of the local communities to deliver tourism services at the River Lodge and in tourism initiatives in their own communties. Approximately 98 per cent of its field based staffers are from the surrounding local communites and are trained guides, drivers, boat captains, rangers, chefs and maintenance personnel.
The Iwokrama International Centre will continue to employ protocols and practices that demonstrate how a tropical forest can be conserved and
used sustainably for ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities.
In other words, the Centre’s work demonstrates that you can use a forest without losing it and that forests are worth more alive than dead.
The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and so-
Criticism is certainly not an easy take, but the thing is we have to accept that none of us are perfect. We are surely fooling ourselves if we think that nothing will go wrong when we begin any task. In fact we all will make mistakes, there is no exception.
However the key pioint is to learn from them so that we do not continue making the same mistake over and over again.
In the first place we should never take any positive criticism personally.
Narine Dat Sookram
For example, If someone criticism us, we have to keep reminding ourselves that it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t’ like us, it could be that they are trying their best to make sure hat that we do our very best.
I really encourage listen carefully to criticism, because if we ignore important comments, there is that chance we’ll repeat the same mistakes again.
Taking notes and continually remind ourselves how to fix any problem will only benefit us. This is surely not an easy thing to do, because we will first have to admit that we are not perfect and then find ways to make improvement.
As human beings we tend to disagree with any sort of criticism been given to us. It’s probably better to accept at lease a piece of it, because when we ignore the whole thing, it doesn’t solve any problem and we lost the opportunity to learn something from the situation. We can only learn though when we become open.
Having said that, keep in mind that we do not have to agree with everything, but even listening and agreeing to just a small piece can sure we create a sense of teamwork.
Once we get to this point, then we can change the focus on how we can work together to solve a problem, that way we wouldn’t feel as if we are being attacked.
cial benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”.
The Iwokrama forest and its research Centre, guided by an international science committee, are unique, providing a dedicated site in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest where conservation, environmental balance and economic use can be mutually reinforcing.
The IIC collaborates with the Government of Guyana, the Commonwealth and other international partners, developing new approaches to enable countries with rainforests to market their ecosystem services whilst carefully managing their resources through creative conservation practices.
The Centre brings together 16 local communities (approximately 7000 people) that are shareholders and participants in the IIC’s sustainable timber, tourism and research operations through co-management of the forest and benefit sharing arrangements; scientists engaged in ground breaking research into the impacts of climate change on the forest and measuring the scope and value of its ecosystem services; and a sustainably managed business operation with innovative governance systems which include participation of the Private Sector and the local communities, earning income from the forest and its natural assets, while keeping abreast of ever changing thinking on funding environmental projects in the face of climate change and the scarcity of international finance.
Taking the time to analyze what we have heard is a good thing, because we will sure need time to process everything we have heard. That way we can determine if it’s something worth investing in and decide from there what we intend to do to make any correction to fix the problem.
The worth thing we can do in a situation as such is to hold a grudge, because the thing is, when we remain angry about any sort of criticism, it can surely affect us from moving on into the future. The idea is to remove all the negatives we have heard and focus on doing the best job possible as we move forward.
One of the best ways to put it is that we have to accept the fact that others may see something that we cannot. And though we may not agree with their criticism, there might be others who may see something that we are not quite aware of.
I also think that things do happen for a reason. So keep an open mind and things will fall in place, as long as whatever we do is the best from our side, because for those of us who have difficulty accepting criticism will have a more challenging time to succeed in their profession of choice.
For questions, comments, or feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com
Doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital are battling to save the life of a man who was chopped several times on Sunday after an argument with another man turned violent.
The injured man has been identified as 27-yearold Deochan Bhagwandin of Edinburg Village, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Reports reaching Guyana Times indicate that Bhagwandin and his friend Royston (only mane given), were imbibing in Royston’s yard when the incident occurred.
According to Royston, they were in his yard at Lansdale Village on the East Bank of Berbice having a Father’s Day drink when they noticed a man standing
across the road with a cutlass in his hand. Royston related that the man approached the gate and came into the yard and walked over to Bhagwandin. Moments later, the two were involved in an argument and the attacker reportedly chopped Bhagwandin several times.
Royston further related to this publication that the attacker is known to him as “Jack”. He added that following the chopping, “Jack” made good his escape. Royston, however, could not say what the argument was about. The injured man was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was immediately taken into emergency surgery. Up to press time, the suspect had not been arrested. Police are investigating.
Dear Editor
When the APNU/AFC coalition of sorts made that Valentine’s Day deal, it was a match making marriage that was meant to last.
It was a forced arrangement made by the ABC international group of countries and foisted on the people of this country as the best political solution for Guyana.
So, the last election was just a farce, the decision was set way in advance toas one PNC supporter said, “they put dem deh” - to run the country.
It is ever so clear that May 11 was just a facade or a seal the deal for the coalition to seize power and keep the PPPC out. This is the reason for them not wanting to recount the ballots. They are terrified as to what those boxes will reveal.
But here’s the point, the so called unity marriage is forced love and forced love is no love at all. It is similar to a conjugal relationship if no one trusts the other then there is no relationship.
If one party always imposes itself on the other there is bound to be disunity if not open rebellion at some stage. The PNC, which is the major party in that union, never trusts the AFC, or PPPC supporters.
This is a historical fact. The bigger more belligerent PNC is always suspicious and distrustful because of their numerical and economic strength, hence the PNC’s every attempt to smother them.
The PNC/APNU, always avid of power, always avid of domination, has entered into
the union with that frame of mind, therefore there is no agreement - Cummingsburg or otherwise - that can change the way they will conduct themselves. So, this unity that is widely spoken of will not work.
Look at the organizational structure of the coalition. Granger was first sworn in as the Executive President, something he openly criticized while in oppositiontoo much power vested in the President - but now he warmly embraces that position.
The next person to have been sworn in should have been the Prime Minister, but Granger deliberately bypassed him for Harmon in a renamed Ministry, another illegality.
The reality of this move is that he was making it quite clear that his PNC boys must come first and in the same vein they should have the last say in anything in that union. Nagamootoo is answerable to Harmon. He cannot do anything without his consent, as we say in Guyanese parlance, “Nagga under heavy manners.”
As it stands, Moses cannot act or think independently. He has to seek approval from his superior Harmon.
With no independent thinking on his part he was forced to deny his ethnicity when he made that infamous statement that “I am not Indian, I am Guyanese”. These were red signs that he was under tremendous pressure from his bullying superiors. So, there goes any independence of thought
where the Prime Minister is concerned.
The other ex-PPPC comrade Khemraj Ramjattan was given the Home Affairs Ministry. On immediate assumption of office, he promptly fired two Policemen. He was doing the dirty work for the PNC/APNU.
Dismissing two officers who were already punished by the law is not a show of strength it only shows that Ramjattan fulfilled APNU’s campaign wishes. What about those many other Policemen who are out of line?
Do you plan to cleanse the force of these rogue cops too? Here’s a starter, go after them. Dismissing the two Policemen is going after soft targets, I challenge him to go after the other Policemen who violate the law so many times over.
There is no question in our minds that the so called unity alliance is one of fear and intimidation. The AFC members are under tremendous stress and you can hear it from the depths of his heart. Nagamootoo was in fact pleading to his APNU counterparts to help make this marriage work.
But appeal as much as and as long as you like, the APNU is deaf to your pleas. Moses must realize that it is their agenda and not his. So the only option left him is to put up a front that coalitions can work here in Guyana.
My final question I would like to leave here is: how long can this lopsided love affair last?
Neil Adams
Dear Editor,
During the campaign we heard a lot about the humble nature of Moses Nagamootoo. It was no other, but he himself that spoke of his “humility”.
The man said that he never flew first class whilst in the PPP/C government and never stayed in fancy hotels.
He said he never accepted any wage increase because he cared about public servants and wanted to see them get wage increase first.
This man is a saint! What a humble man! Or so said Nagamootoo about himself and want voters to believe. This was preelections. Let us look at Nagamootoo post-elections. He said:
“The Prime Minister’s residence is in a deplorable state. It is not fit to be a living quarters. Roofs are leaking, rats are in the ovens, granny sugar is present.” (The building is too humble it seems).
Dear Editor,
New York-based Prof Baytoram Ramharack had to correct my most handsome friend Freddie Kissoon about his claim that the eminent Guyanese scholar did not interview former Minister Balram Singh Rai for his biography.
Understandably, Freddie has exhibited consistent difficulties in comprehending what he reads; he is deficient in reading comprehension skills.
I sent him an open invitation to come to my class to help boost his reading skills.
One does not have to interview a person to write his/her biography, although oral information from the person would be most helpful in such a huge project.
And Dr Ramharack has made it pellucidly clear that he did travel to London and met and interviewed B S Rai over several days for the acclaimed biography. It is written in the biography.
Yet, Freddie has the audacity to write to say that Dr. Ramharack did not meet the great Rai. He misses Ramharack’s point completely –
evidence Freddie does not understand what he reads. It is not his fault. Freddie is challenged in literacy.
Dr Ramharack queried whether Freddie actually read the book on Rai. Yes, the man read the book.
The problem is Freddie does not understand what he reads. And this is not the first or last time.
He does not understand the theories of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Rawle, Marx, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, or any other philosopher. He needs help.
That is why he is invited to my classes. Also, when I come to Guyana, I can help him with understanding political theories.
People want to know “wha really wrong to Freddie, man? He head nah good”. Freddie, “behave you self nah man”.
The more you write, the more you expose your limited knowledge and understanding of complex issues. Peace!
Vishnu Bisram
Governments will then rule by bread and circuses, even if not by force; and torrents of trivial alternatives will make arbitrary and often meaningless choice pass for effective freedom.”
In Guyanese terms, this equates, for example, to encouraging 24-hour TV cycles of Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood plus MTV videos, interspersed with non-stop advertising of fetes and concerts.
Few civic organizations, however well-intentioned, managed to function without absorption into either this debased culture or the more select world of the financiers, businessmen and bent politicians obsessed by personal accumulation. To avoid either of these outcomes, the majority of professional, religious, trade union, NGO bodies and the disciplined services allowed themselves to be rendered anonymous for a decade or more.
corruption - financial, political and social - is one of restoring vigorous engagement of civil society in order to rehabilitate the influence of public interest groups and ordinary people.
This process requires identifying participatory processes and strategies which stimulate the energies and active involvement of all sectors of civil society.
A document entitled “Forward-looking strategies”, presented to the contesting parties by a coalition of civic and religious organizations and circulated widely as a pamphlet prior to elections, was a first step aimed at re-vitalizing civic involvement in public life in the post-election era.
“Forward-looking strategies” identifies accountability as the over-arching guiding principle for rejuvenating civic engagement with public policy and public life.
ty were identified as priority areas for attention. Accountability must be operationalized at all levels of public life, from the simplest community-based activity to parliamentary and ministerial performance. Whistle-blower laws and other imaginative techniques for monitoring public officials are needed. None of this civic rejuvenation detracts from the importance of the anti-corruption drive, but serves to locate that process within the larger framework of governance in which there is a role for all citizens.
However, it is sobering to remind ourselves that without the vigilance of alert citizens, political processes, no matter how wisely constructed, will not remain unblemished. Political and legal systems can never be so flawless as to discount the need for accountability to citizens.
The road to Nagamootoo’s private residence was paved upon him becoming PM, while sections of the road in front of other folks were left out. Strange. I thought he was so humble that back in the days he won’t even take a wage increase unless the other people got theirs first.
So why didn’t he see to it that the other people got their road fixed first before his was fixed?
Moses Nagamootoo portrayed himself to be someone he is not. Self-praise is no praise.
He pronounced himself a humble man, but the real Nagamootoo came out after the elections. The country is not seeing a humble man; the country is seeing his true colours.
The Prime Minister’s office is not fit for an animal much less a human being. He can’t occupy it because its condition is so terrible. Nagamootoo insists on a significant renovation before he moves into either.
He was exposed by the PPP/C as being a beneficiary of first class seating when travelling abroad, of staying in the finest of hotels when overseas and as the first one to pick up his cheque when the raise of pay was given.
So who told the truth and who told the lies? Time is a great revealer of truth.
Meanwhile, dear Samuel Hinds and his lovely wife made do with the PM’s office and residence with all its faults. He did have the way available to him to call for massive renovation, but he chose the least expensive option.
Who is the truly humble man, I ask? It is Sam Hinds. God bless this dear man and his wife.
Moses Nagamootoo is nothing what he made himself to be. As time goes by, the country will see and hear more of this “humble” man as he sheds the humble persona he donned for the sake of deceiving voters.
Sandra Looknath
Against this background the challenge of eliminating
Financial, political and environmental accountabili-
Executive Committee GHRA
These flush toilets and sophisticated engineering systems for waste disposal were casualties of foreign invasions/tyrants. On the issue of Modi’s reputation, Kissoon needs another lesson: polls do not reflect fact,s but sampling and probabilities, as well as, the methodology and pollster bias.
Nevertheless, recent polls on Modi’s one year in office show he has climbed in popularity with an over 60 per cent approval rating (while the APNU+AFC cannot even muster 51 per cent support; and even that number is challenged by the PPP/C as compromised).
Modi has also introduced a clean India’(swatch bharat), which includes building millions of toilets, a thrust which had escaped the much loved (by secularists and Western-owned
media) Congress-led govenments for all their 50 years (of 68) in power since independence.
Another surprise: it is the said Narendra Modi who persuaded the United Nations to designate June 21 World Yoga Day. Because of Kissoon’s vociferous debasement of India, her defence is imperative.
Not only is yoga is her gift to the world, but so too are the “ingenious” (per mathematician Laplace) decimal number system, which all science and commerce depend on. According to Einstein, no significant scientific development would have been possible without the Indian numerals. (Arabic numerals is a misnomer; Arabs took the system out of India.)
Then there is Sanskrit from which most European and Slavic languages are
sourced. In 1785c, Judge Wm Jones remarked that “whatever its antiquity it is more perfect, copious, and exquisitely refined than Greek and Latin”. Is it any wonder that scholars such as Arnold Toynbee, Mark Twain and Will Durant would regard India as the “motherland”. Durant wrote: “India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe’s languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy. Mother India is in many ways the mother of us all.”
Veda Nath Mohabir
ARIES (March 21April 19)
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
(May 21June 20)
CANCER
Depression will set in if you overspend. Get a realistic budget in place and start lowering your debt load. Prudent spending habits will ease your stress and help you gain freedom.
You should attend a social gathering and mingle with people you find stimulating. A trip to an unusual location will trigger an idea for a new project. Love and romance are highlighted.
Self-analysis will help you determine what you really want. Think about your career and personal goals, and make modifications that will help you achieve your dreams.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
You may be placed in a vulnerable position if you give in to temptation. Compliments are always welcome, but they may hide an agenda. Consider the source.
Before rushing into a lifealtering decision, make sure that you have all the information necessary. Don’t burn bridges in your pursuit of new people, places and pastimes.
Don’t worry about what your opponents are up to. You are on a fast track to success, and nothing can stop you. Your hard work and dedication will pay handsomely.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Tension will mount at home if you don’t spend some alone time in pursuit of a solitary venture. You’ll have regrets if you go head-to-head with an unreasonable family member.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
You’ll have countless distractions today. Discipline and determination will be required if you intend to get to the finish line. Check your work before making your presentation.
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
You will be surprised by the ripple effect that will take place if you help others. You will receive acclaim for your kindness, and your status and popularity will make you a desired companion.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Make sure that you stay in sync with what’s going on around you. You will be blamed for someone else’s carelessness if you aren’t careful. Protect your reputation.
AQUARIUS
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
Romance is in your stars, and making special plans for two or getting out and meeting someone new and exciting is encouraged. Share your ideas and goals in order to receive insightful input.
The ball is in your court, and you are in control of your future. By being resourceful, you can attract partners to help turn your dreams, hopes and wishes into a going concern.
The ICC Annual Conference week will begin in Barbados today with the Associate and Affiliate Members’ meeting, and will conclude with the IBC Board meeting on 26 June.
The Conference is being hosted by the WICB with the support of the Barbados Cricket Association and Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated (BTMI).
This will be the first time the ICC’s annual meetings will take place in the West Indies and with delegates from over 50 ICC Members expected to attend, it will be the largest-ever gathering of cricket administrators in the Americas region to date.
The week’s schedule includes the following meetings:
- ICC Associate and Affiliate Members’ meeting (Mon)
- ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (Mon-Tue)
- ICC HR & Remuneration Committee, Executive Committee, Annual Conference, Governance Committee meetings (Wed)
- Finance & Commercial
Affairs Committee (Thu)
- ICC, IDI and IBC Board meetings (Wed-Fri)
Key issues on the agenda of the meetings will include:
-Amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Investiture of new ICC
President
-ICC Associate Membership application from Serbia
- Updates on the status of Sri Lanka Cricket and United States of America
American teen catches world's attention with 10.98-second 100 metres
Sixteen-year-old Candace Hill clocked a 10.98-second 100 metres in Seattle, a time that would have placed her seventh in the Olympics.
American teenager Candace Hill joined an exclusive group on Saturday when she ran 10.98 seconds in the 100 metres at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, not only smashing her personal best but also setting a world youth record.
The 16-year-old from Atlanta took almost a quarter of a second off her personal best (11.21 seconds), set just a few days earlier at a high school invitational race at the IAAF Diamond League meet in New York.
Only nine women have run faster than Hill this year, and the teenager's time would have seen her place seventh in the women's 100m final at the London 2012 Olympics.
Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica has the fastest time of 2015 with 10.81secs, while the world record is the 10.49secs set by Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.
The previous world youth best of 11.10secs was set last year by Kaylin Whitney, also of the United States, breaking the 11.13secs by Chandra Cheeseborough that had stood since 1976.
"I feel awesome, I’m speechless right now," Hill told the IAAF's official website. "I just had a feeling that this race was going to be good. And it was." (Digicel
Cricket Association
- A report from the Chairman of the AntiCorruption and Security Unit
- Recommendations on cricket and development matters from recent committee meetings
- ICC strategy post-2015
The ICC Board consists of the nominated representatives of each of the 10 Full Members plus three elected Associate Member representatives. The meeting is chaired by Mr Narayanaswami Srinivasan. Also present is the ICC Chief Executive.
ICC Chairman
Narayanaswami Srinivasan
ICC Chief Executive
David Richardson
Australia
Wally Edwards
Bangladesh
Nazmul Hassan England
Giles Clarke
India
Narayanaswami Srinivasan
New Zealand
Greg Barclay
Pakistan
Shaharyar M. Khan
South Africa
Chris Nenzani
Sri Lanka
Sidath Wettimuny*
West Indies
Dave Cameron
Zimbabwe
Wilson Manase
Associate Member
Director (Bermuda) Neil Speight
Associate Member Director (Namibia)
Francois Erasmus
Associate Member
Director (Singapore)
Imran Khawaja
* Chairman of the SLC
Interim Committee – Status
TBC The CEC comprises the Chief Executives of the 10 Full Members as well as three Associate Member representatives. Also present is the ICC Chief Executive who chairs the meeting, and, by invitation, the ICC Chairman, the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee and the Chair of the ICC Women’s Committee.
ICC Chief Executive (Chairman) David Richardson
ICC Chairman (ex Officio)
Narayanaswami Srinivasan
ICC Cricket Committee
Chairman (ex Officio)
Anil Kumble
ICC Women’s Committee
Chair (ex Officio) Clare
Connor
Australia
James Sutherland
Bangladesh
Nizam Uddin Chowdhury
England
Tom Harrison
India
Anurag Thakur
New Zealand
Lindsay Crocker*
Pakistan
Subhan Ahmed
South Africa
Haroon Lorgat
Sri Lanka
Ashley de Silva
West Indies
Michael Muirhead
Zimbabwe
Wilfred Mukondiwa
Associate Member
Representative John Cribbin
Associate Member
Representative
Warren Deutrom
Associate Member
Representative
David Ea (ICC Release)
Nico Rosberg took a dominant victory in the Austrian Grand Prix to reduce Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton's lead in the World Championship. Rosberg passed Hamilton at the start and controlled the race to the end. Hamilton's attempt to re-pass on lap one was thwarted by the safety car, triggered by a heavy crash between Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren's Fernando Alonso.
The McLaren ended up on top of the Ferrari, but both drivers were unhurt.
Alonso, who had slid along the top of the barrier before the cars came to a halt, described the incident as "scary".
The crash, which appeared to be caused by Raikkonen losing control of his car under power while Alonso was alongside on his outside, was investigated by stewards after the race, but no further action was taken.
When the race re-started, Hamilton tracked Rosberg to their only pit stops.
He rejoined still in second but incurred a five-second penalty for edging over the white line which separates the pit exit from the race track - effectively putting the race out of his reach shortly after half distance.
Rosberg's third victory of the season reduces his deficit to Hamilton to 10 points, after the world champion extended it by winning the previous race in Canada.
Mercedes had expected a challenge from Ferrari, but the apparent advan -
tage in pace the Italian cars had in practice had evaporated and Rosberg and Hamilton left Sebastian Vettel well behind during the first part of the race.
Behind the dominant front two, the race was entertaining, packed with incident and featured plenty of overtaking moves as drivers battled for position. Vettel was comfortably clear of Felipe Massa's Williams but lost third place because of a problem fitting his right rear wheel at his pit stop. That promoted Massa into third place, with a four-second lead over the Ferrari with 34 laps to go. Vettel edged closer at a 10th of a second or so a lap and was on the Brazilian's tail with 10 to go, but Massa drove with calmness and maturity to hold off the four-time world champion. Behind them, Massa's team-
mate Valtteri Bottas won a battle with Force India's Nico Hulkenberg for fifth that lasted for half the race.
Lotus's Pastor Maldonado took seventh, passing Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen after a wild moment on the pit straight with two laps to go. Maldonado jinked to the outside of the Dutchman as he attempted to line up a passing move but the car got into a frantic side-to-side snap, the Venezuelan just managing to hold on. Verstappen then ran off the track on the exit of Turn One, gifting the place to Maldonado on a disappointing afternoon for Red Bull on the track they own.
Daniel Ricciardo was the leading finisher for the main Red Bull team in 10th place, behind Force India's Sergio Perez.
World number two
Roger Federer beat Italy's Andreas Seppi to win the Gerry Weber Open for a record eighth time.
The Swiss, 33, won 7-6 (71), 6-4 in his 10th appearance in the final of the ATP Tour event in Halle, Germany. It was Federer's fourth title of the year after victories in Istanbul, Dubai and Brisbane, taking his career haul to 86.
Federer said: "It is a special moment for me to win this tournament an eighth time."
The win on grass comes ahead of Wimbledon on 29 June, when Federer will launch his bid for an eighth title at the
All England Club. Federer said that "2013 was difficult, 2014 was better and now 2015 after this week is even better and I hope I can keep it up".
The Swiss top seed saved two set points on his serve when he trailed 5-4 in the first set against Seppi, 31. He dug deep to level for 5-5 before easing through tiebreak, losing only one point, to take the first set.
Federer then squandered three break points at 4-3 in the second set but went on to earn two match points and finished off the contest with a spectacular overhead smash. (BBC Sport)
Kolkatta Knightriders
CEO Venky Mysore has expressed an interest in bringing T&T spinner Sunil Narine to T&T Red Steel for future editions of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Knightriders, the IPL team to which Narine is contracted, recently purchased a stake in the Red Steel. With Narine, who currently plays for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, being such a huge part of the IPL’s team in re-
cent years Mysore is hoping to replicate that success in the Caribbean.
Narine has won two of last four IPL tournaments with the Knightriders since joining the team in 2012.
“We have to talk to CPL management to see how rules regarding such things work, but needless to say Sunil has been brilliant for us at KKR and with him being from TT let’s see if we can make that happen somehow,” Mysore said.
The Trinidadian mystery spinner has had less luck with the Warriors, however, having lost in back-to-back CPL finals. The Red Steel are yet to progress past for the semi-final stage. Narine has had a tumultuous period in recent times, having been reported for throwing in the Champions League Twenty20 last year, and then in the previous IPL season while playing for the Knightriders. The player has been cleared after testing.
(Digicel Sportsmax)
Australia shocked Brazil at the Women's World Cup to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament in Canada.
Samantha Kerr came closest to scoring for Australia in the first half, hitting a volley into the side netting.
Formiga almost gave Brazil the lead in the second half, heading onto the post, before substitute Kyah Simon grabbed the winner
from close range after goalkeeper Luciana spilled the ball.
Australia face the winners of Tuesday's game between Japan and Netherlands.
Brazil topped their group after winning all three games, but came undone in Moncton after conceding their only goal of the tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, striker Marta, 29, be-
came the World Cup's leading scorer with 15 goals, but she was unable to inspire her team to a positive result.
"We controlled the game, the statistics show that, the chances showed that but we lost the game and we are out," said Brazil coach Vadao.
"Australia were very efficient and clinical when it counted with the goal, congratulations to them." (BBC Sport)
Sprinter Mark LewisFrancis claims athletes can "very easily" miss drugs tests, but a UK Anti-Doping official says to do so twice is "unusual".
Great Britain team-mate Mo Farah, 32, missed two before he went on to win the 5,000m and 10,000m at the London 2012 Olympics.
Lewis-Francis, a gold medallist at Athens 2004, has also missed two tests.
"There's nothing to feel guilty for," the 32-yearold told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.
"People need to look at it from the athlete's point of view. I'm a clean athlete and for me it was just I made mistakes.
"It's no big deal really and if we do miss it three times we will get a ban."
Farah said he has never taken performance-enhancing drugs after doping allegations were made against his coach Alberto Salazar.
A BBC investigation reported allegations that Salazar had practised doping techniques with US athlete Galen Rupp.
The BBC documentary made no suggestion that Farah had been involved in doping. Salazar also denies the claims levelled against
him.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Farah said he "fully explained" himself to the authorities on the two occasions he missed tests.
UK Anti-Doping director of legal Graham Arthur - who was not speaking specifically about Farah - acknowledged it was not a regular occurrence for an athlete to miss two tests.
"It is unusual compared to the aggregate number of tests commissioned," Arthur said. "It's not unheard of. It doesn't happen very often but it does happen.
"The rules now are slightly more favourable to athletes than they used to be.
"The old rule was three missed tests in 18 months, now it's three missed tests
in 12 months."
Lewis-Francis missed one test because a door bell in rented accommodation did not work and "it wasn't my house so it wasn't my place to change it".
On the other occasion he was out of the country at his scheduled testing time.
"Athletes are tested regularly in the UK. It's one of the tightest systems in the world," said Lewis-Francis, who won Olympic gold in the 4x100m at Athens 2004.
"Both times I missed them were my fault because you are responsible for your slot time.
"The public may look at it and think: 'What he is up to?' We must remember athletes have a biological passport and are tested on a regular basis." (BBC Sport)
Andy Murray joined the likes of John McEnroe and Boris Becker as a four-time Queen's Club champion with an impressive victory over Kevin Anderson.
The British number one played superbly to win 6-3 6-4 in just 64 minutes at the Aegon Championships in London.
Murray, the top seed, had earlier finished a raindelayed semi-final, beating Viktor Troicki 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
"I played better as the week went on and hopefully I can continue that into Wimbledon," the 28-yearold said.
"I tried to play each point and come up with some great shots. I had to play that way if I wanted to win today."
The Scot also won the title in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and he will hope to repeat his effort of two years ago when he went on to make it a grass-court double at Wimbledon.
"It's great preparation obviously, but I think it has only happened six times where someone has won Queen's and gone on to win Wimbledon," Murray added.
"There are no guarantees that winning here gives you a Wimbledon title."
He can head to the All England Club in confident mood after dismantling the big-serving game of 6ft 8in Anderson.
Having resumed his semi-final against Troicki at 11:00 BST with the score at 3-3, the Briton wrapped that match up in a clinical 65 minutes and returned two hours later to face Anderson.
The South African, ranked 17th, had looked impregnable on serve as he made it through the draw but he found Murray's returns just too testing.
Anderson made 78% of his first serves in the opening set but even that was not enough as Murray broke in game four, a brilliant backhand winner setting up the chance before Anderson netted a volley.
A forehand winner made it 4-1 after just 17 minutes, and a ferociously focused Murray pumped his fist before heading to his chair.
There was simply no let-up as he closed out the first set and proved similarly clinical when his chance arose in the second.
A clever finish at the net and a thumping forehand return opened the door at 2-2, and break point was converted with a lob followed by a drop shot that was verging on the cruel.
On he pressed, producing another beautiful lob and and a heavy backhand winner to move to the verge of victory.
A swinging serve out wide completed a masterful display and brought Murray his 34th career title, and his fourth at the venue where he claimed his first ATP match win 10 years ago.
"I need to train well the next five, six days, prepare as well as I can," said Murray. "It gives me that little bit of confidence going in there.
"It's been a really good start, but it's a long way to go before Wimbledon even starts, and then all sorts of things can happen during Slams." (BBC Sport)
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Mustafizur Rahman was the hero in Mirpur again, (off) cutting through India's batting with a six-wicket haul to add to his five-for on ODI debut, and launching Bangladesh to their first ever bilateral series win against India. Mustafizur's 6 for 43, the second best figures by a Bangladesh bowler in ODIs, skittled India for 200, before Shakib Al Hasan steered the chase with a busy fifty, his second on the trot.
With this six-wicket win, Bangladesh also cemented their place in the 2017 Champions Trophy. An overjoyed Mashrafe Mortaza, who has been a part of each of Bangladesh's five victories against India, toasted his team's "big achievement".
Mustafizur struck with the second ball of the game, having Rohit Sharma drive away from the body to point for a duck, before coming back to dismiss Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni and Axar Patel in a decisive batting Powerplay that yielded three wickets for 17 runs. When Mustafizur got R Ashwin, he became only the second bowler after Zimbabwe's Brian Vitori to claim five-fors in his first two ODIs.
Mustafizur clapped till his hands hurt and he was mobbed by his team-mates. Mirpur raised itself to a big roar, lapping up its new hero. He would return after the rain break, which caused the target to be revised to 200 in 47 overs, to immediately bowl Ravindra Jadeja via a deflection off the pads.
Bangladesh had a brisk start to their chase, slicing 71 runs off the target in 15 overs. Tamim Iqbal lobbed Dhawal Kulkarni to slip for 13 off 21 balls, Soumya Sarkar was pinged on the badge of the helmet, and there were edges aplenty, but all of it was brushed aside.
Though Soumya was not in fluid touch, with drags and heaves counterbalancing the orthodox drives from the previous game, he added 52 with Litton Das. The spinners briefly helped India claw their way back, Sarkar and Litton falling within four overs of each other. Ashwin, aided by close catchers, preyed on Bangladesh with sharp turn and extra bounce.
and Dhawan traded caps for helmets and kept the scorecard ticking, taking India to 100 by the 19th over.
Despite the early loss of Rohit, Dhawan was fluent from the outset, lashing four fours on the off side, including successive drives off Mashrafe in the tenth over. He brought up his fifty off 54 balls but perished soon after when he charged down the track to Nasir and edged to Litton, who had taken over the gloves from Mushfiqur for this match. Litton had managed to redeem himself after dropping Dhoni on 20 three balls earlier.
Dhoni tried to manufacture a game with his spin quartet but Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim, who was spilled by Raina on 9, assumed charge and added 54 in 9.5 overs.
By the time Mushfiqur was run out for 31, the asking rate was under three, and eventually Shakib 's calculated 51 off 62 balls put the seal on the landmark win with 54 balls to spare.
However, it was Nasir Hossain who had set the stage for Bangladesh earlier. After trapping Virat Kohli lbw in his second over with a skiddy ball to end a 74-run partnership, he beat a wellset Shikhar Dhawan in the 21st over. Nasir went on to complete his quota for only the second time in ODIs, conceding 33 on both occasions.
Kohli's 27-ball stay was an indifferent one. He missed out on a couple of half-volleys and even absentmindedly offered a back-foot defence to a free-hit.
Upon Kohli's dismissal, Dhoni hiked himself up to No.4 for the first time since July 2012. He began positively, unleashing a jabbing punch off the sixth ball he faced and sent it blazing through the off-side ring. He followed it with a similar shot for a similar result off his tenth ball. Soon Dhoni
India innings (47 overs maximum)
RG Sharma c Sabbir Rahman b Mustafizur Rahman 0
S Dhawan c †Litton Das b Nasir Hossain 53
V Kohli lbw b Nasir Hossain 23
MS Dhoni*† c Soumya Sarkar b Mustafizur Rahman 47
AT Rayudu c Nasir Hossain b Rubel Hossain 0
SK Raina c †Litton Das b Mustafizur Rahman 34
RA Jadeja b Mustafizur Rahman 19 AR Patel lbw b Mustafizur Rahman 0 R Ashwin c †Litton Das b Mustafizur Rahman 4
B Kumar c †Litton Das b Rubel Hossain 3
DS Kulkarni not out 2
Extras (lb 6, w 8, nb 1) 15
Total (all out; 45 overs) 200
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-74, 3-109, 4-110, 5-163, 6-174, 7-174, 8-184, 9-196, 10-200
Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman
Ambati Rayudu, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane, did not last long and departed for a duck in the 22nd over. Taskin Ahmed and Mashrafe took a cue from Mustafizur and suffocated India further by pulling some pace off the ball.
The visitors needed some breathing space, which was provided by Dhoni and Raina through a steady 53-run stand, only the second partnership of note. However, tight bowling, backed up by predatory fielding meant that no boundaries were scored for a period of 46 balls between the 27th and 35th overs.
The pressure finally told with Mustafizur accounting for Raina off the third ball of the batting Powerplay with an offcutter. By the time Dhoni failed to pick another offcutter and chipped to Sarkar at short cover, India had slumped to 174 for 6. Axar was out off the next ball, bagging his third duck in his last four innings and the third duck of the innings. Ashwin averted the hat-trick but was out nicking behind for four in Mustafizur's penultimate over.
Rain soon arrived at the score of 196 for 8 to hand India a reprieve lasting a little under two hours, but the damage had already been done by Mustafizur. (Cricinfo)
10-0-43-6, Taskin Ahmed 4-024-0, Mashrafe Mortaza 7-035-0, Nasir Hossain 10-0-33-2, Rubel Hossain 7-0-26-2, Shakib Al Hasan 7-0-33-0. Bangladesh innings (target: 200 runs from 47 overs)
Tamim Iqbal c Dhawan b Kulkarni 13
Soumya Sarkar lbw b Ashwin 34
Litton Das† c †Dhoni b Patel 36
Mushfiqur Rahim run out (Sharma/†Dhoni) 31
Shakib Al Hasan not out 51 Sabbir Rahman not out 22
Extras (lb 4, w 9) 13
Total (4 wickets; 38 overs) 200
Did not bat: Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-86, 3-98, 4-152
Bowling: B Kumar 5-0-320, DS Kulkarni 7-0-42-1, R Ashwin 10-2-32-1, RA Jadeja 7-0-28-0, AR Patel 7-0-481, SK Raina 2-0-14-0.
Kwakwani Secondary School outmuscled Harmony Secondary to register a 3-0 win when the fifth edition of the Digicel Nationwide Secondary School Football Championship continued on Saturday at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground.
An even game throughout 69 minutes of play showcased both teams’ versatility and even balance before
Kwakwani’s three-goal onslaught within the space of 10 minutes.
It was simply Harmony falling victim to seemingly tired legs and fatigue as Linden James registered the first goal in the 70th minute. Kevin Carter followed up five minutes later with a strike of his own, while Cassius Campbell hammered the final nail in the coffin with a goal in the 80th
minute from about 20 yards out.
The three goals by Kwakwani made a very physical and tough game seem like a walk in the park for Kwakwani who were simply the fitter and more aggressive team at the end of the day. Action in the tournament will continue today with several matches at various venues across Guyana.
Reigning world champions Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce are both entered in this week's
Jamaican trials despite holding byes to the Beijing world championships.
Bolt, who has struggled to find form this season, will compete in the 100 metres as the world record holder seeks race shape. He will compete in both the 100m and 200m at August's world championships.
Fraser-Pryce, the year's co-fastest in the women's 100m, is entered in both sprints at the trials, which begin on Thursday.
Olympic double sprint silver medallist Yohan Blake, who returned to action this month after an 11 month injury layoff, also is down to contest both the 100m and 200m. (Reuters)
The D’Edward Sports Club will be conducting a Summer Youth Cricket Camp commencing from July 19 to August 16 in West Berbice.
The camp will cater for young and potential cricketers ages 10 to 17 years while youths as old as 19 will be accommodated.
It is expected that youths from Number Five Village to Blairmont will enrol for the camp. The aim of the camp is to identify and nurture young cricketers for further development and also to create an atmosphere of positive thinking, that should held to eradicate poor choices by the youngsters.
Apart from cricket-related activities, the programme will include lectures/discussion on: the role sports play in personal and group development; discipline for a better life; physical fitness for a healthy lifestyle; history of local, national & West Indies Cricket; cricketer’s code of conduct; leadership in action; captaincy and teamwork; communication; pre- and post-match briefs; personal hygiene; social and community issues (youth) and how to cope with challenges and manners and etiquette.
The camp will commence at 13:00h each day and conclude at 16:30h.
It is expected that at the conclusion of the programme
The National School Basketball Festival (NSBF) Georgetown Regional Conference continued on Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with some action in the female category of the tournament.
In the first bit of female action in the tournament, Marian Academy outplayed St Rose’s High School 32-5 for an easy win.
Georgianna Vyphuis displayed a knack for rebounding with 18 boards, but also showed a nice touch around the rim with 12 points in a double-double performance for Marian. Jada Mohan led the game in scoring for Marian with 14 points.
Sileena Arjune scored four of St Rose’s five points in the large defeat.
In Under-19 male action, St Rose’s High School pulled
off a close 40-36 win against Marian Academy as Nathan Saul put on an offensive show with a game-high 21 points.
Saul could not be stopped and while he displayed his scoring versatility, he also showcased his wing defence with seven steals. Anfernee Jervis had 10 points in the win. Jonathan Mangra scored a team-high 15 points in a losing effort for Marian Academy.
The second Under-19 game of the evening saw the Bishops’ High School topping President’s College 5536 behind a monster performance from Timothy Thompson who grabbed 27 rebounds and registered 18 points. Daniel Haynes was the game’s leading scorer with 19 points for Bishops’ High. Jaleel Duke
had 16 points in the loss for President’s College. In the only Under-16 game of the evening, Plaisance Secondary School outplayed St Joseph High School for a 47-18 win. Delroy Critchlow had 22 points in the win and was assisted by Nigel Bowen with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown Conference semi-finals will be contested on June 28 which will be followed by the Regional Championship games for all conferences on July 3 and then by the NSBF from July 5-12, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall
The NSBF Regional Tournament is sponsored by DIgicel, Edward B Beharry and Company and Banks DIH.
Atennis player bellows, “Come On!” not only to get the crowd into the match but to signal that the battle is on. It is an effort to dig deep within and play as if one’s life depended on it, as well as to drive fear into the heart of the person standing on the other side of the net. As much as tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports, it also requires strategy and mental toughness. The combination of these attributes makes champion tennis players.
The defending Men’s and Ladies champions of Guyana Bank for Trade and Investment (GBTI) Open 2014 know these qualities are needed to be at the top of their game.
The GBTI Open can be described as the Grand Slam of tournaments locally. Players from across the country flock the GBTI Bel Air Park facility to contest the battle of the year.
After the rain forced officials to reschedule matches, the sun came out on Saturday to kick start the opening matches of the GBTI Open 2015.
that the participants will have achieved an insight into becoming better individuals and cricketers. They will also be better equipped to deal with most of the challenges faced on a daily basis and say no to the things that will have a negative effect on their lives.
Application and registration forms are available and can be uplifted from the D’Edward Sports Club from Alvin Chowdramoottoo, Rudolph Doodnauth or Jaipaul Heeralall (Vekat). The forms must be completed and submitted not later than June 30, 2015.
For further information, please call 603-5120, 3302386 or 675-6746.
The junior girls and boys were the first sets of contestants to hit the court. The junior boys played nine matches, while the junior girls played three of their round-robin matches. Later that afternoon, the novice players had their opportunity to duke it out on the court.
Okenna Jackson in his first attempt at the title was defeated by Delon Fraser 6-2. Jamal Goodluck took a 6-2 win over Martin Campbell. In the Novice Medley Doubles, Jamal Goodluck and Tandy Primo took a win of 6-2 over the new partnership of Fiona Bushel and Martin Campbell.
The Assuria Novice
Doubles runner-ups Philbert Clark and Diana Bharrat lost to Joseph DeJonge and Fiona Bushel 6-1, 6-1 in the Mixed Doubles.
There was a sustained fight on Court One between Khawn Rodney and Romario Chanderballi. The match came down to the battle of will and consistency. Rodney took the first set 6-1; however, he had to battle against the big serves of his left-handed opponent. The second set proved to be tougher with the game going into a tiebreaker.
It seems as if a third set loomed when Chanderballi made some great winners to level the tiebreaker at 4-4. Rodney noted at this point of the game, “I had to get my nerves under control.” He
then secured the tiebreaker at 7-4 to defeat Chanderballi 6-1, 7-6(7-4).
Rodney made mention of the fastness of the court, but believed he would be better prepared to play his next opponent, Indian national Chethan Narayan, who has excellent ground strokes.
The highlight of the evening matches came from the surprise win by two Under-14 players, Hemraj Resaul and Mark McDonald who dismissed the 18-yearolds Benedict Sukra and Khalif Gobin in a nail-biting match. They secured the win at 6-4, 7-6(7-2). In the men’s open, Stephen Bailey defeated Dominic Fraser 6-2, 6-0. Matches will continue at the GBTI Recreational Centre in Bel Air Park.
Guyana could not muster a single win at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in the British Virgin Islands, playing their final game on Saturday against the Cayman Islands in an 8961 loss.
Without the services of Gordon James for a second straight game, Guyana fell behind and simply could not hang with the Cayman Islands.
Adding to their offensive woes, Guyana had 20
turnovers and only had a total of 10 team assists, a recipe for losing in basketball.
However, Ryan Gullen had his best game of the tournament with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Travis
Burnett recorded a double-double of 10 points and rebounds, seven of which were gained on the offensive side of the glass.
Keron McKenzie added 12 points, while Shelroy Thomas had 10 points in the losing effort.
est Indies crick-
Wet legend Sir Vivian Richards on Sunday recalled the epic day 40 years ago when he was a member of the great West Indies team which won the first ever Cricket World Cup staged in England.
The Caribbean side, led by now chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd, trounced Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lords, held on June 21, 1975.
Sir Viv played a key role in the match with three run outs while Lloyd hit a sparking century to win the Man of the Match award. He later lifted the cup in front of adoring fans, in a historic moment for the Caribbean.
“Hearing the guys speak about it today I said ‘wow Viv … you’ve come a long way … 40 years ago, already. I’m 63 now and to be here alive to celebrate that particular precious moment in West Indies history fills me with great joy,” Sir Viv said.
“To be on that team with the magnificent players we had is something special and truly significant in my life and my cricketing career.
“I can remember that day like it was yesterday. That was one of the greatest days of my cricket life. It was so great to play so hard and so well and win the World Cup for the West Indies. That was a great team with some
No Neymar, no worries for Brazil after they defeated Venezuela 2-1 in Chile, keeping Colombia alive at the 2015 Copa America.
Brazil overcame Neymar's absence on Sunday to reach the Copa America quarter-finals thanks to goals from Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino.
Silva's early thundering volley and Firmino's second-half tap-in gave Brazil a 2-1 victory over Venezuela in the final group-stage match of the Copa America in Santiago, simultaneously saving Colombia from elimination.
Colombia had earlier been held to a scoreless draw by Peru in Group C but Jose Pekerman's side advanced as one of the two best third-placed teams at the South American continental championships.
A draw at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano would have eliminated Colombia, with both Brazil and Venezuela progressing, but Dunga's Brazilians underlined their unwillingness to manufacture a result in the ninth minute.
An out-swinging corner from Robinho was met by
Silva at the penalty spot and his side-foot volley flew over the head of Alain Baroja and into the net, although questions will be asked about the reaction speed of Venezuela's goalkeeper.
After a fairly pedestrian first half, the second started rapidly as Venezuela sought an equaliser but it was Brazil, who again got on the scoreboard, with Firmino finishing off fine lead-up work from Willian in the 51st minute to effectively clinch three points, although Miku's late strike ensured a tense finale.
Neymar sat in the stands throughout Brazil's victory, with the Barcelona forward sitting out the first match of his four-game ban, although the Brazilian Football Confederation are expected to appeal the penalty, which would see the 23-year-old miss the rest of the tournament.
Brazil surged to the top of Group C with six points, setting up a quarter-final rematch with Paraguay in Concepcion on Saturday.
Paraguay stunned Brazil on penalties at the same stage on their way to the final four years ago.
After opening the scoring and putting one foot
firmly in the last-eight, Brazil allowed Venezuela plenty of possession in the first 45 minutes, but Noel Sanvicente's men were unwilling to go into all-out attack mode because of the threat of counter-attacks led by Robinho.
Venezuela registered just one shot on target in the first half - a flick from Andres Tunez from Roberto Rosales' 30th-minute freekick - and despite their more adventurous resumption after the break, they were two goals behind before they could really react.
After Philippe Coutinho sliced a shot wide 15 seconds after half-time and Silva forced Baroja into a stunning low stop with a header soon after, Firmino struck to double Brazil's lead.
A flowing passing move saw the ball eventually reach Willian on the left wing, and the Chelsea midfielder's quick feet saw him get away from his marker before crossing with the outside of his right boot to set up the goal.
Tunez was again at least partly to blame, as the Venezuelan centreback lost track of Firmino, just as he did for Silva's first-half goal. (Digicel Sportsmax)
really great men in the side and we were all so delighted to win that day.”
Sir Viv was speaking as the special guest player at the West Indies Retired Players Foundation’s inaugural Golf Day at the Sandy Lane Country Club, overlooking Barbados’ scenic west coast.
The event was jointly hosted by the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association and also supported by the Caribbean Premier League and sponsors, Digicel.
Sir Viv said even though he failed with the bat in the historic final, he recalled the three runs outs – two of which accounted for the dangerous Chappell brothers Ian and Greg – as being crucial to the outcome as Australia were dismissed for 274 in pursuit of 291.
“Back then I was the kind of player who was known for my batting but I didn’t really feature with the bat that
well. But I knew I had to do something special in the field and those three run outs helped us to get over the line,” Sir Viv recalled.
“I wanted to do something for the team in the field. I just happened to knock down a few stumps. And I was happy to play a part in helping us to accomplish what was an historic and magnificent victory for West Indies.”
He added: “The nicest thing about it was the celebration to see the hundreds, even thousands of West Indian people enjoying the moment and relishing the opportunity to join us. Those are the things you remember.”
West Indies also went on to win the next Cricket World Cup in 1979.
Sir Viv was one of several former stars playing in Sunday’s golfing extravaganza with former West Indies players Desmond Haynes, Jeff Dujon, Sir
Richardson, Phil Simmons, and Ian Bishop, also hitting the greens.
The list of players also included modern day stars Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand, as well as officials of the International Cricket Council and several regional sporting and public figures.
Speaking on the golf event, Sir Viv noted: “This is a magnificent initiative and I am really happy to be here in Barbados to share in this occasion and to support the work of the West Indies Retired Players Foundation.
“It is important that we look after each other and lend a helping hand to our brotherman in any way we can. This golf event, at such a prestigious facility such as Sandy Lane, signals the start of a good thing as we make sure the players who represented the West Indies can be looked after in a positive way.” (CMC)
Heavy rain in St Lucia forced the second match of the 2015 Caribbean Premier League season to be abandoned after just four balls of the second innings. The points will be shared between the St. Lucia Zouks and Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel.
The rain would’ve arguably come as a bigger disappointment to the St. Lucia Zouks, who registered the highest CPL score ever at the Beausejour Cricket Ground of 179-6 after they were put into bat by the Red Steel.
Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles got the
St
J Charles c Botha b Kallis
ADS Fletcher† c Botha
KR
K Lesporis not out
1 0 0 0.00 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 Total (6 wickets; 20 overs)179
Did not bat: ST Gabriel, KAJ Roach, FH Edwards, E Leie Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-115,
3-118, 4-150, 5-179, 6-179 Bowling: DJ Bravo 4-0-39-0, S Badree 4-0-27-1, JH Kallis 4-0-31-2, KK Cooper 4-041-1, J Botha 2-0-23-0, SJ Benn 2-0-17-0.
Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel innings (target: 180 runs from 20 overs) JH Kallis not out 10 CS Delport not out 0 Extras 0 Total (0 wickets; 0.5 overs) 10
Did not bat: Kamran Akmal†, DM Bravo, DJ Bravo*, J Botha, KK Cooper, JN Mohammed, S Badree, SJ Benn, JPR Scantlebury-Searles Bowling: ST Gabriel 0.5-0-10-0
Zouks innings off to a blistering start taking 31 from the first three overs. Charles fell in the fifth over to bring Kevin Pietersen to the crease. Fletcher and Pietersen combined brute force, daring cheek and sheer genius to put on 70 runs for the second wicket off just 8.5 overs. Fletcher finished with 57 (49) while Pietersen scored 42 (26).
Kallis was the pick of
Head Coach of the Guyana Under-23 Olympics team, Jamaal Shabazz named his 20-man squad on Saturday for this week’s Olympic Qualifier in Antigua and Barbuda.
Guyana will play in Group Two of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) leg of the tournament and will be joined by Aruba and Cuba, along with host Antigua.
the bowlers and then hit a four and a six before the rain came
Red Steel captain Dwayne Bravo shuffled his bowlers well in the middle overs and between the eleventh and the seventeenth over the Zouks could only manage 40-2 from 36 deliveries.
However, a powerful cameo from Henry Davids, who scored 27 (16) and assis-
tance from Darren Sammy and Kyle Mayers helped St. Lucia Zouks plunder 52 from the final four overs to take them to their record home score of 179-6.
Jacques Kallis was the pick of the Red Steel bowlers, taking 2-31 from his four overs, Samuel Badree and Kevon Cooper collected the one wicket each and there were two run outs.
Kallis then hit a four
and a six off the bowling of Shannon Gabriel at the start of the Red Steel innings before the rains came. The fans and players waited for two hours before the officials eventually called the match off. The next match in the CPL sees the 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs play 2014 champions the Barbados Tridents in Barbados on Tuesday. (CPL.com)
Anthony Whyte and Jason Cromwell were named as the goalkeepers in the squad that also includes Daniel Whyte, Less Charles Critchlow, Joshua Brown, Clive Williams, William Europe, Sherwin Skeete, Stephan Ramsey, Jermaine Junior, Trayon Bobb, Kadell Daniel, Daniel Wilson, Leo Lovell, Kareem Knights, Delon Lanferman, Jamaal Harvey, Shaquel Agard, Domini Garnet and Pernel Schultz.
The team will depart today from the Ogle International Airport and are set to play their first game on Wednesday from 15:30h against Cuba, followed by a clash with Antigua on Friday and will wrap up their final
group game against Aruba on June 28. All matches will be played at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John’s.
With only one team moving forward out of the group, Shabazz is highly optimistic of moving on in Guyana’s attempt to feature at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
