GuyanaTimes

Granger extends hand of friendship to Maduro

President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger as they stick the cake on the occasion of his 70th birth anniversary at the Guyana Defence Force Headquarters, Camp Ayanganna

thursday, july 16, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

US to assist Police in revamping OPR Bodies found

olice Commissioner

PSeelall Persaud on Wednesday announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is in the process of revamping the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) with the assistance of the United States of America.

Persaud was at the time addressing scores of Police ranks at a special awards ceremony at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, to reward ranks who performed exceptionally well in the first quarter of the year.

He stated that the Police Force has selected various expertises to operate the OPR with much more efficiency and one that will also provide desirable outcomes. He further stated that the revamping will include training of officers from the various divisions, with the aim of addressing standard operating procedures and to maintain a high level of professionalism.

Over the past years, the OPR has been mandated to investigate Police ranks who have acted out of their ambit, but due to a high level of corruption, society has lost trust in the body. With the revamping, the Police Commissioner is hoping that the body will be more effective so it can target all types of unprofessional behaviours in the Force.

On this note, he agreed that while the hierarchy of the Force is bent on high

quality performance, some basic welfare matters have to be addressed. As such, he noted that at a recent meeting with the Government, they have agreed to address the issue with respect to allowances and salaries.

“We do have cases where we expect a rank that is serving on the coastland and ranks that are serving in the interior to live on the same salary… That is not very practicable and such issues like those will be addressed”, he noted.

He also noted that over the past year, the GPF has expanded on welfare, thus making the lives of Police ranks more comfortable. Reference was made to retired officers who had in previous years, experienced a royal run around to get clearance. On this note, he stated that the rank will not be re-

quired to do so since there is a Welfare Officer who deals directly with that.

In addition, the Police Force intends to take its medical outreach to the various divisions, recalling that prior, ranks were tasked with going to the Brickdam Police Station for medical checkups.

He noted that the annual fitness programme is another welfare measure which is implemented to make sure that the ranks are educated along the lines of health, and that they maintain everyday practices, that will keep them healthy.

“Then other thing is that a healthy Force can be more effective which proves that we are willing to serve”, the Police Commissioner added. The organisation’s health insurance, however, is still a work in progress. Presently, he noted that the company is meeting with ranks in various divisions to educate them on the benefits they can receive and to advise them on the appropriate plan.

Presently, there are some 5100 ranks in the Rorce and recruitment is being conducted on a continuous basis, since the turn over is very high. Nevertheless, the Police Commissioner lamented that the future for the Guyana Police Force looks bright with a bigger demand for quality of services that is required.

in Diamond House Mother died of pneumonia, baby starved to death – autopsies

Apost-mortem examination performed on Yoleana Charles and her five-month-old baby whose decomposed bodies were found at a house in Diamond, New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) proved that they died from pneumonia and starvation respectively.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told media operatives on Wednesday that the autopsies were performed by Dr Nehaul Singh who gave the cause of death of Charles as pneumonia, while the baby’s autopsy was inconclu-

sive. He noted that taking into consideration the situation, it is believed that the baby died as a result of starvation. The Police were awaiting the findings of the post-mortem examinations to determine how to treat the matter.

It is believed that after the mother passed away, there was no one around to feed the baby, so she starved. The decomposed bodies of Charles, formerly of Mabaruma, North West District and of Lot 408 Section C, Block Y, Diamond, EBD and her five-month-old daughter were discovered by Police ranks who were contacted after a foul scent was detected by residents.

The name of the child was not immediately available, but the child’s father, who works in the interior, is Silvon Carter of Upper Demerara River. It was reported that the couple moved into the house in December last, soon after which the baby was born. Carter reportedly left for the

interior a few weeks ago and the woman and the child were last seen on June 24.

Neighbours told this publication that the woman and her husband hardly spoke with anyone.

Contact was made with the owner of the house in New York, who disclosed that the woman lived at 18th Avenue, Diamond, but moved to his house when he left for the US in December last. At the time she and her husband moved in, she was pregnant with her child.

The homeowner learnt of the incident after he received a telephone call from a neighbour seeking permission to enter the house owing to the stench that was emanating from the building. He noted that he gave permission since he thought that something was amiss.

After some time, he made contact with the neighbour who told him of the gruesome discovery. To date, there has been no contact with Carter who is reportedly still in the interior.

Despite 9% hike in serious crimes

Top Cop claims situation not out of control

Despite a nine per cent increase in serious crimes, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud has said that crime has not spiralled out of control.

In fact, the Commissioner related that the Guyana Police Force has recognised an increase in crime since February last and it has continued to date. As a matter of fact, he stated that the largest increase in crime was recorded in March.

Persaud was at the time addressing ranks at a special awards ceremony at Eve Leary on Wednesday. He added that statistics have shown that there was a 15 per cent reduction in crime around this same period last year and as such they were measuring crimes reported this year with those reported last year in order to analyse the situation.

“And so that is not the perception, however, what

might have fuelled that perception might have been more violence during May and June in that quite a few of the victims in robberies were shot and then we had some shot and killed in the case of the La Jalousie businessman,” the Police Commissioner stated. He emphasised that the situation was never out of control, noting that it was easy for critics to sensationalise the situation for their personal benefits.

Persaud iterated that when a high-profile crime occurs and is placed on the front page of a newspaper, the Police Force works behind the scenes to arrest and prosecute. “So how is it out of control? Yes, the numbers are too high and way beyond to what a society should accept,” he stated, noting that focus should be placed on finding a solution.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud addressing the gathering

The house in which the bodies were found

thursday, july 16, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, July 16 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, July 17 – 05:00h-06:30h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, July 16 – 17:00h-18:30h and Friday, July 17 – 05:00h-06:30h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny weather with bouts of cloudiness can be expected in the morning, while sunny skies are expected in the afternoon and clear skies in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees and 25 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East South-easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres per second.

High Tide: 04:24h and 16:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.51 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:25h and 22:37 reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.69 metre respectively.

Guyana/Venezuela controversy Granger extends hand of friendship to Maduro …says

By Devina Samaroo

President David Granger on Wednesday extended a hand of friendship to his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro although maintaining that the countries’ ongoing border controversy must be settled once and for all.

Granger will be travelling today to Brazil to attend a meeting of the Union of South American Nations and is expected to continue the lobby against Venezuela to withdraw a decree that claims Guyana’s maritime space off the Essequibo Coast. “I continue to offer the hand of friendship to President Nicolás Maduro. Guyanese people will be friends to Venezuela, friends to Brazil, friends to Suriname, friends to the Caribbean and friends to the entire international community…What hatred could our people of 750,000, small country, small state, hold to a bigger country … So President Maduro, you have our friendship,” he told a large gathering at Camp Ayanganna to celebrate his

70th Birth Anniversary.

Granger reiterated that Venezuela’s claim was a significant hindrance to Guyana’s development and therefore, the problem cannot be ignored. “Decree 1787 is like a fishbone in my throat … it’s stuck there and I would like to thank our colleagues in the Caribbean Community for helping to remove that bone.

It has been replaced by a smaller bone, but a bone nevertheless … it is worse than a nuisance, it is hindering the developing of our country. No country can survive ignoring a claim of 2/3 of its territory.

No country can survive by having its petroleum exploration vessels expelled by force. No country could survive with having its neighbours behave in such a manner,” he noted.

Earlier this week, President Granger had further internationalised Guyana’s protest against Venezuela’s claim to this country’s maritime space at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, which is being held in Ethiopia. He told the

gathering of world leaders that security was indispensable to any country, and as such, Guyana would reject any threat to it. “Security and stability are indispensable to sustainable development and the pursuit of prosperity. We resent, reject and resist the threat or use of force or any unilateral coercive attempt by one state against another in order to frustrate the legitimate aspirations of our people to enjoy a good life,” President Granger said. While he only made

the comment in passing, the President said that the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and the tenets of international law must be guaranteed to all states and peoples in the quest for secure livelihoods and sustainable development. To this end, he said that Guyana, “on the strength of this conviction, therefore, emphasises the primacy of international cooperation even as we embrace fully our primary responsibility for national development”.

He told those gathered that they too shared in the responsibility of rejecting this threat and they must ensure that they participate in fostering international cooperation among all countries. “This Third International Conference on Financing for Development, therefore, must make a fundamental contribution to the thrust towards greater global cooperation as we embark on an ambitious and transformative post-2015 development agenda that will seek to ensure that no country or no community is left behind,” the Head of State shared.

Cabinet approves CRG registration plates for State-owned vehicles

Cabinet has approved the use of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) registration plates for State-owned motor vehicles.

This announcement was made on Wednesday by Minister of Governance and Patrimony, Raphael Trotman during a post-Cabinet press briefing. Minister Trotman co-chaired the media briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency with Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

Cabinet has also approved the issuance of registration plates for vehicles from a centralised

system, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. It was explained that the new plates will carry special security features to stymie the use of falsely registered plates on vehicles and enable easier tracking and identification.

It is intended that all vehicles to be purchased for use by the State and State agencies will be fitted with the CRG registration plates.

According to Harmon, once some minor adjustments to the Motor Vehicle Regulations are completed, the CRG plates will come in to effect. Earlier this month, Minister Harmon had ex-

plained, that the CRG plates will serve to identify Stateowned vehicles. “You will not have the situation where private number plates are on vehicles, and, therefore, they can be abused by persons and it is not clear to the public that these are Government vehicles.”

Given the current challenges faced by the APNU/ AFC Government, in recovering some of the assets, including vehicles, misappropriated by officials linked to the previous Administration, Minister Harmon said, “as soon as you see a CRG number plate, you will know that it is a State vehicle. So it is

going to be easing and aiding in the identification of State-owned vehicles”. He added that the new system would also address those vehicles which belong to the State but which people were holding under private number plates, “We will assign CRG numbers to those vehicles ... Once you have a CRG registered vehicle but you have a private number plate on it, then the Police can actually go and seize that vehicle from you, because it belongs to the State,” Harmon had said. The new plates are slated to come into full use within the next three months.

President David Granger

Editor: Nigel Williams

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Reparations: An unsettled debt

At the “recommitment” commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Caribbean Community’s launch, the Heads of Government decided to establish a “Reparations Commission”. It will pursue compensation for the now acknowledged “crime against humanity” that was committed against millions snatched from Africa and enslaved by the colonial powers from the 16th to the 19th century. In the following two years matters have been proceeding apace.

Back in March 2007, as British PM Tony Blair expressed “deep regret and sorrow” for his country’s role in the African slave trade, then President Bharrat Jagdeo retorted to the resident British High Commissioner. “Now that some members of the international community have recognised their active role in this despicable system, they need to go one step further and support reparations. Otherwise, their remarks about the horrors of the slave trade and slavery become meaningless and platitudinous and such remarks may be expressed merely to absolve guilt.”

Blair’s statement during the lavish commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade was parsed very carefully to avoid any formal apology that could then be used by proponents of reparations to impute guilt in the crime. As they have done consistently about that event and the subsequent abolition of slavery in 1834, the British prefer to elide the horrors of what has been called the African Holocaust or “Maafa”, and stress their “humanitarian” motives.

But as one of the founding members of CariCom, former Trinidadian PM Eric Williams had shown in his Oxford PhD dissertation, later published as “Capitalism and Slavery”, they were economic decisions through and through. He and later scholars have demonstrated conclusively that the wealth that provided the wherewithal for many of the upper crust of British society to live in luxury, but more importantly enabled them to launch their “industrial revolution”, were accumulated from the blood, sweat and tears of slavery. Politics was also integrally connected as slave profits funded the campaigns for, or purchase of, seats to Parliament.

The Hogg family who gave Britain and its empire two Lord Chancellors in the 20th century - and the name of the island in the Essequibo River - acquired much its wealth from the labour of slaves on plantations in British Guiana. John Gladstone, father of the long serving British PM William Gladstone, not only owned slaves on his British Guiana sugar plantations, but also was the initiator of the system of indentureship from India that supplied cheap labour after the abolition of slavery.

One of the ironies of slavery is that the planters who profited from slavery were offered “reparations” after abolition - worth US$25 billions in today’s money - for the “loss of their property” - while the Africans who were exploited were not even given a firm handshake. When in 2013, Guyana observed the 250th anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Revolt, at the launch of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Slavery Exhibition at the National Museum, President Ramotar said: “I take this opportunity to reaffirm Guyana’s commitment to zealously pursue the case for reparations.”

He referred to the lectures in Georgetown by two distinguished West Indian historians, Professors Verene Shepherd and Hillary Beckles, that made a cogent case for reparations. Beckles’ recent book, “Britain’s Black Debt: Reparations for Caribbean Slavery and Native Genocide”, should be required reading for all West Indian peoples. We are sure the present government will follow the path beaten by its predecessor.

As the great West Indian novelist, George Lamming, said prophetically, “There is a perennial debt to be paid to black people for continuing of enslavement and degradation.

There are those who believe that the matter is over. They are completely wrong. Actually, there are those among us who believe that the demand and struggle for justice and restoration to full dignity would take a generation to win a crusade for reparations.”

In the words of the late great, Dudley Thompson, “THE DEBT HAS NOT BEEN PAID; THE ACCOUNTS HAVE NOT BEEN SETTLED!”

Similarities between Greek and Guyanese political activism

Dear Editor,

Greek Americans rallying in support of their ethnic homeland last week is reminiscent of rallies by Guyanese Americans in support of free and fair elections in their homeland. The Greek Referendum of a week ago and its aftermath ignited strong passions among Greek Americans, not dissimilar to the passions evoked by Guyanese Americans regarding the May elections and the subsequent spike in crime.

As it is for Greek Americans on their country’s referendum on austerity measures, that was rejected by 61 per cent the Guyana election is still the focus of conversations among Guyanese.

Greece, like Guyana from 1985 to 1992, cannot afford to make interest payments on its debt. It is seeking a bailout just like Guyana did under the PNC dictatorship. In New York, Greek Americans have rallied in support of their homeland in the same way as Guyanese Americans rallied in support of their country during the PNC dictatorship. The difference is that there’s a massive turnout by Greek Americans whereas Guyanese American protesters came out in smaller numbers.

Like Indo-Guyanese or Indian Americans, Greek Americans have, through various ways, such as cul-

tural cuisine, radios and television stations, strong ties to their homeland.

Greek Americans, like Indian Americans, have concentrated their energies on the enhancement of living conditions in their homeland. Indo-Guyanese are not as organised as, and do not wield the kind of political influence as exercised by Greek and Indian Americans in the political arena. In fact, to achieve political objectives, IndoGuyanese try to piggy back on the enormous influence of Indian Americans who offer large amounts of donations to American politicians in exchange for political favors.

The Athens Square Park in Astoria was the rally point for support for Greece during its financial crisis. People came from all over the greater NY area to show solidarity for Greece. Several left wing nonGreek groups also came out to lend support for the rally. People of all ages turned out for the rally that allowed the community to express their frustration with Europe’s handling of the crisis that has led to poverty and despair in their former homeland.

Many protesters were draped in the Greek flag. The statue of Socrates that is at the center of the park was draped with the nationalistic Hellenic flag, not different to how Gandhi’s statue was draped with the

Indian flag during rallies on Union Square.

Little American born Greeks waved the flags of their homeland like Guyanese Americans would wave theirs.

As Guyanese did during the dictatorship, Greeks are paying for the wrong choices made by corrupt politicians. They incurred huge debts during the organization of the 2004 Olympics and now the country cannot afford to repay it. Similarly, the PNC ran huge debts to pay for failed projects that benefitted only a few.

Greeks have been undergoing tremendous hardship. Their economy has shrunk 25 per cent since 2009 and the unemployment rate has been above 25 per cent since 2012.

Greek and Guyanese Americans alike, are concerned about the future of their homeland. The Greek community is divided on the Euro with some saying the country should return to the previous currency, drachma. They are united in opposition to more austerity measures that they feel will lead to more unemployment, hunger, homelessness, and social issues.

The Greek government, like politicians of Guyana, counts on Greek Americans for support from the US Congress. Like Guyanese politicians, Greek politicians regularly visit and meet with Greek Americans.

When Greek politicians visit the US, going to Astoria and meeting community leaders, interacting with the media, is a ritual. Guyanese politicians do not routinely meet community leaders.

Unlike Guyanese Americans, the Greek community has representatives in Congress and in the legislative assemblies of several states and local governments. Greeks ran for Presidency and were appointed to Cabinet and the Supreme Court posts.

At rallies, Greeks express their pains for their families back home just like Guyanese did during the era of the dictatorship and like Guyanese Americans, have been delivering handouts. There is unity and solidarity for their homeland within the Greek diaspora. Solidarity however, has not been expressed by many Guyanese Americans and on many issues they remain divided along racial lines, as they appear to be in Guyana.

This divide was very visible during the two the two victory celebrations and parades held in June in Brooklyn. The Guyanese diaspora should take inspiration from the Greeks and make their support for the troubles affecting their homeland a bit more significant.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Tourists pose with costumed employees outside of the toy store FAO Schwarz on the last day that the store will be open in New York, July 15. FAO Schwarz officially closed the doors of its flagship Fifth Avenue toy store in New York City on Wednesday night, to the dismay of shoppers charmed by the iconic destination for childhood fun (Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

The US exerting power on the Government

Dear Editor, Bryan Hunt seems to have a lot of influence on the new Government. One wonders why. The question is to figure out what role Hunt plays in Guyana, and if the U.S. is manipulating our Government to do its bidding. Hunt is lauding a program which aims to transform criminals into functional persons, and seems willing to assist in the rice trade.

The reintegration is comparable to a welfare program. Although nothing is wrong with giving jobs to people, in a very small so-

ciety like Guyana, the economy is not solid enough to provide such jobs. Where the funding comes from is another question worth asking. According to the new Government, the Guyanese people were robbed by the previous administration and there’s not enough left to run the country.

Yet, it has found the means to fund this scheme which is not a priority for the country at the moment. I would say that the US must have had a role to play in implementing this.

The US is a very powerful country with the pos-

sibility to coerce the weak into carrying out policies which match its agenda.

Venezuela is an example of US interference, such as the failed coup on Chavez, a fruitless attempt to replace the leader by a pro American government. Trying to resist the superpower renders governments vulnerable to constant pressure.

It seems as though Mr. Hunt is exerting that pressure on the new Government, which in turn seems all too willing to abide.

V. Apana

The Mariott Hotel, legacy of strong leadership

Dear Editor, I recall the spate of ugly sensationalism promoted by some of our newspapers about the Marriott Hotel, not excluding the politically vile and callous commentators. The fact remains that despite the bad-mouthing the Marriott received from the present Government when it was in the opposition, Guyana can now boast that it has a five-star hotel like the developed and developing countries of our world.

The US embassy in Guyana recently celebrated the 239th Independence Anniversary of the USA. It

is not surprising that the Mariott was chosen as the venue for this anniversary celebration. What is important to note, is that many of those who criticised the Marriott establishment and its construction since the inception phase, were present at the celebration. Isn’t this a bit… hypocritical?

The PPP/C left behind a significant achievement: the construction of a five-star hotel in Guyana, in a booming and healthy economy.

Sadly the Guyanese people have not attained the 100th day of the APNU/AFC action plan, and Guyana is already headed towards so-

cial and economic collapse. This is why over two hundred thousand Guyanese people are happy and excited that the Dr Bharat Jagdeo and the PPP/C will be returning to Parliament to once again save Guyana from economic destruction. They have renewed hope for the future. The de facto Government should be afraid of this energetic and brilliant political team in Parliament since it has proven through its track record that it is worth the trust of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely Martin Luke

Dismissals and other acts of vengeance

Dear Editor,

Since taking up office the APNU/AFC Government has dismissed scores of persons who were perceived as being supporters of the PPP although they are qualified professionals.

When the PPP assumed office in 1992 no such thing was done. Now, persons are being dismissed without due process, in violation of the terms of their contracts and the law. This is reminiscent of the old PNC administration when persons were dismissed at the whims and fancies of Ministers and approaching the court was not an option.

Many, including policemen who were dismissed under the PNC Government, but who were afraid to go to court, were heard after the PPP took Office in 1992, and were compensated accordingly.

Persons who are dismissed without reason today should take legal action and maybe, justice will be given without bias of any kind. To control the judiciary, President Granger said he will appoint judges from

the West Indies. The TUC and the PSU which usually are vociferous about the rule of law are now silent.

Another area of vengeance is trying to find financial impropriety by former Ministers and officials of the previous Government, but there is nothing to be found apparently.

Since the new Government took Office, the Ministers have been speaking about billions being siphoned off by the previous administration, but there’s not a bit of evidence to date. To find evidence they are examining scores of accounts using the help of Ram and Goolsarran. Before the May elections, these two men already knew of the alleged billions that were stolen, so why is it that they now have to examine accounts if they already had evidence?

Goolsaran was the Auditor General under the PNC Government but didn’t audit the State’s account and didn’t submit any annual audit report to Parliament during his mandate, but he should be explain why.

Now he is auditing the

Brief flashback on Guyanese history

Dear Editor,

This letter is not intended as an accusation but rather serves as a very brief reminder of history.

No statute of limitations offers safe haven for murder. Nazi murderers are still being hunted after 69 years.

In Guyana, murderers still walk the streets of Georgetown freely, after decades of violating the rights of Guyanese citizens. In any case, sociologists will tell you that some murderers will accept the crime committed only when convicted in court.

From 1961 to 1962 the

CIA dispatched two individuals, McCabe and Philpot with US $250,000, to promote and sustain violence in Georgetown.

Most if not all of the funds were given to political parties with the intention of orchestrating ethnic divide in the society, all in the name of ideological war.

With this financial support, Georgetown was put to the torch and murders were committed. Businesses on Water Street, from Stabroek to Barclays Bank, which took years to develop, were razed to the ground.

Additional support to this catastrophe was provid-

ed by the British. Between 1961 and 1964 Guyana witnessed a large number of murders as a direct result of foreign intervention, in particular the CIA in 1961. In 2015 under the disguise of the LEAD Project, the Americans once again attempted to interfere with and influence the national and general elections. It secured the help of GECOM, responsible for overseeing the entire electoral process, which categorically refused to verify the transparency and credibility of the ballot boxes.

Paul Sammy

New vouchers cannot buy school uniforms

Dear Editor,

It is after serious thought that I decided to pose this question to the new Minister of Education: “What exactly can fifteen hundred dollars purchase in terms of school uniform?”. Anyway, will replacing the $1500 voucher with cash compensate for the $10,000 "Because we care" project? I agree that some persons probably used the “Because we care vouchers” for everything other than school supplies, but won't they do the same with the new fifteen hun-

dred dollars vouchers? After all, such an insignificant sum can be exhausted much quickly than $10,000. Also, when you decide to scrap a programme, please, give us proper reasons, that we the people wouldn›t think that it was done to spite the previous Administration.

It is my opinion that the present Coalition Government is so intent on removing everyone who worked for and scrapping everything initiated by the previous Administration, to the extent that it seems as

though there is no care for the consequences and impact on citizens of this country. In conclusion, I would like to question the opinion of those who supported the Coalition, on the current situation. I would also like to remind them that $1500 cannot purchase a mere set of secondary school uniform which also includes a vest, a pair of socks and a pair of shoes.

Sincerely, S. Singh

Alleged rapist should not be granted bail

Dear Editor,

accounts of the former Government. I hope his salaries and benefits will be disclosed to public knowledge, as well as why tender board procedures were breached. Is it that Goolsaran and Ram are party to what they criticised in the past?

Safraz Bacchus

On July 12, Kaieteur News published a headline captioned “Religious body, Minister condemn alleged rape by Pandit” Of course this is a very disturbing incident, but the most troubling factor is the Guyana’s Justice System. First of all, the Pandit’s name has not been published. How will people know to avoid this man if they don’t know who he is? Secondly, this man allegedly raped a mere child and is on bail for a meager one hun-

dred thousand dollars. It is disgraceful to charge such an insignificant bail for such a heinous crime.

In my opinion, he should not have been given bail, as he is an alleged repeated offender, said to be continuing to threaten the family and probably looking for his next victim. This man is most likely a threat, and should remain in custody.

Here is a case that cries out for help, but no one is listening. I pray that the intervention will come directly from President Granger.

If this Government is going to be tough on crime, please help to render justice. This is not a trivial crime because this child is stained for life and might never able to put this incident behind her. Shouldn’t justice consider the impact on the victim, her family and the community?

Hopefully in the end, justice will prevail and this alleged rapist will be given the appropriate penalty to fit the nature of the crime.

Richie Pooran

Page Foundation

secrets of happy families 15

BY DENISE MANN

FExperts reveal the key ingredients to a happy family life

rom the Brady Bunch and Partridge Family to the Cleavers, Cunninghams, and Cosbys, images of happy families have rarely been in short supply. We all have ideas about what they should look like.

Does yours fit the portrait of a happy family? If not, don’t despair. Now WebMD is letting you in on a few of the secrets to a happy family. You, too, can experience some of the domestic bliss that seemed previously reserved just for TV families.

Happy family secret number 1:

Enjoy each other

The essence of a happy family is that they truly uplift each other and that all comes down to how they treat each other, says Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, a New York-based family and relationship Counsellor and host of The Learning Channel’s Shalom in the Home. “There is a joy that characterises their interaction,” says Boteach, father of eight children and author of several books, including the forthcoming Shalom in the Home. “Parents come home and the children are happy to see them and when children come home, the parents are happy to see them.”

Happy family secret number 2: Swap stories

“When your children come home, ask them what happened in school and have a story for them,” he says. “If you come home dejected and not really interested and then five minutes later the TV is on, why would they be happy to see you?”

The bottom line, he says, is that when you come home, your children have to come first. “You must drop everything you are doing and always come home with something to share

with your children, whether a story or even the smallest vignette,” he says. “This way you give your children something to look forward to. The great bane of family life is boredom and that is what leads to dysfunction, affairs, and kids wanting to be with their friends over family.”

Happy family secret number 3: Put the marriage first

“Set a real example of love,” Boteach says. “The relationship and marriage must come first.” Think Carol and Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch and Cliff and Clair Huxtable of the Cosby Show.

There are many families where children always come first, says Boteach. Then they become sub stitute providers of love, he says. “That’s an unfair burden to put on a child.” It’s also bad for families, he says, “because children will move out of the house eventually.”

Happy family secret number 4: Break bread together

Families that eat togeth er, stay together. It’s that sim ple. “Family dinners are essential,” Boteach says. “It’s a time to con nect.” Have a minimum of four fam ily dinners per week, he suggests.

that parents don’t and that is that caring for children also has to be fun. Give rules, but understand that children need fun, too. When children get bored and listless, they start looking for excitement out of the home and that is when

too many activities is the other extreme, but moderation is where we should aim.” Create your own afterschool activities as a family, he suggests. For example, take your children rollerblading, bike riding, or swimming after school as a family.

cause they are repeated over time.”

To work, rituals need to be flexible, she adds. “They can’t be rigid,” Fiese says. “If the bagel place is closed, you have to go someplace else.”

Happy family secret number 5: Play together

“Have one or two unifying activities that the family does together on a nightly basis,” Boteach says. He suggests bedtime stories for young children or reading a chapter from a novel to an older child.

Happy family secret number 6: Put family before friends

“In happy families, family comes before friends,” he says, “The camp counsellor understands something

Happy family secret number 7: Limit children’s after-school activities

Today, growing numbers of children are overscheduled and participate in six or seven after-school activities per week. The mother becomes a chauffeur and the children are never home at the same time. This is not a recipe for a happy family, Boteach says. “If your children kids grow up not knowing how to do ballet, they will be OK. No afterschool activities is an extreme and

rituals

“Families need rituals,” Boteach says. Rituals can be religious, national, or even family-specific, he says.

Barbara Fiese, PhD, Professor and chair of Psychology at Syracuse University in New York, agrees. “Happy families have meaningful rituals and are not stressed out by them,” she says. “They can be unique to your own family such as going for bagels on Saturday morning, a weekly pizza night, or even a family song. Rituals tend to bring family members close together be-

Happy family secret number 9: Keep your voices down Remember that children thrive on stability. “There has to be a calm environment at home,” says Boteach. “Talk to your children, give them strict rules, and punish children when necessary, but don’t lose control and yell. If you yell at children, that shows you are out of control and you create a non-peaceful environment.”

Happy family secret number 10: Never fight in Front of the children TV viewers never really saw Carol and Mike Brady go at it, did they? While some fighting or bickering may be inevitable, try to keep it away from the children, Boteach says. “If your children see you fight and argue, apologise and say, ‘We are sorry you had to see it. Daddy and I just had a disagreement, but everything is OK now.’”

Happy family secret number 11: Don’t work too much

All work and no play does worse things to a family than make it dull. “If you are away all the time and don’t prioritise your children, your children will internalixe feelings of insecurity,” says Boteach. They’ll begin to believe that they’re not valuable enough.

Happy family secret number 12: Encourage sibling harmony Sibling rivalry can be divisive. “I try to speak to my children about how fortunate they are to have siblings,” Boteach says.

Happy family secret number 13: Have private jokes Happy families have inside jokes, Syracuse’s Fiese says, “Jokes and nicknames symbolise that this is a group that you belong to and serves as a shorthand for larger experiences,” she says.

Happy family secret number 14: Be flexible

“This is easier said than done,” says Fiese. “But by their very nature, families change so you have to be open to change in membership and age,” Fiese says. “Somebody gets married, somebody dies, somebody remarries and teenagers are no longer children and young adults are no longer teenagers, but they are all still part of the family.”

Happy family secret number 15: Communicate Rose J Perkins, EdD, Associate Professor of Psychology at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts, says that a happy family communicate with one another. “Frequently families are set up where everyone tells the mom and then the mom sends the message, but in a happy family, there are more flexible, open lines of communication.” In happy families, “all the members of family unit are able to communicate openly,” she says. (WebMd)

Former Presidents’ Benefits Bill Benefits of former office holders axed – Govt maintains

By Alexis Rodney

The David Granger Administration has confirmed that it intended to cap the benefits enjoyed by all former office holders and their families following the passage of the controversial Former Presidents’ (Benefits and Facilities) Bill in the National Assembly which was piloted by Attorney General Basil Williams.

Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman on Wednesday confirmed that the Bill would therefore affect the benefits enjoyed by former Presidents Donald Ramotar, Bharrat Jagdeo and Samuel Hinds significantly as they would be capped.

Trotman made the announcement when he hosted this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. He confirmed that President Granger, prior to his departure to Ethiopia, assented to the Bill.

Trotman stated that the intention of the Bill when it was presented in the National Assembly was to cap the “exorbitant” benefits being enjoyed by the former Heads of State.

He noted that the Bill was not retroactive and that Government was not interested in what has already been spent. Last week, former Legal Affairs Minister

and Attorney General Anil Nandlall had said that the legislation would not apply to former Presidents or the current President.

Prior to the new Bill, former Heads of State were allowed to use basic services at the expense of the State. These included water, electricity and telephone services.

The new Bill allows a capped allowance of $75,000 for water, electricity and telephone expenses each month altogether, and limits personal household staff of former Presidents to three and clerical and technical staff to three.

Former Presidents and their children will also be subject to a financial limit of $200,000 per annum in free medical attention and treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by a former President himself and his children below the age of 18 years. In addition, the former President will not be allowed more than two motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State. In addition, their security detail shall not exceed two persons, including the services of the Presidential Guard Service at the residence.

Former Presidents will only receive an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first-class return tickets provided on the same

Top Cop claims...

He also informed the gathering that he recently met with President David Granger and during that meeting, he was provided with a five-point strategy that can reduce the present crime situation for which they are writing plans for presently. Based on discussions, he noted that the Police Force would have had resources that would be provided for the implementation of those plans. He, nevertheless, lauded Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan who took vehicles that were allotted for Community Policing Groups and gave them to the Police as to address the crime situation.

He noted that it was a necessity as there were no patrol vehicles available in West Bank Demerara and West Coast Berbice and these areas were now equipped with one vehicle each.

Persaud posited that in order for the Force to be more efficient and proficient, training was necessary. He said the Force also had to be adequately resourced. He sternly announced that Police ranks who find themselves before the courts for any offence would automatically be dismissed and could not return at any point in time. Meanwhile, he emphasised that the award ceremony on Wednesday came at a time when there was public outcry with respect to the spike in violent crime and road fatalities.

conditions applicable to the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature. The benefits will not be subjected to any tax exemptions, concessions or privileges.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who tabled the Bill last Thursday, said its purpose was to repeal the

Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman

Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act, Chapter 27:17, Act 12 of 2009, to provide greater specificity, especially if account is taken of the fact that the former President is eligible for a pension which is seven eighths the salary of the President in office.

Outrageous

In keeping with Resolution 22, which was passed by the National Assembly on August 2, 2012,

from page 2

The Police Force is continuing in its efforts aimed at crime prevention through its Police-community partnership programme, along with social crime prevention interventions in the Policing Divisions, with special emphasis on empowering youths.

For this month already there have been a total of 18 interventions supported by the religious community in the Cops and Faith Community Network which treats with juvenile first offenders for minor crimes as a preemptive intervention to the New Opportunity Corps. Since the launch of the Cops and Faith Community Network in September 2013 and unto June 30, 2015, there have been a total of 174 such interventions. In all cases, the youths were counselled by the religious leaders and following the involvement of parents/guardians and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were warned and sent away.

In relation to the Family Liaison for victims of serious crimes and domestic violence project, which is also under the Cops and Faith Community Network, there were interventions by members of the religious community in response to several cases of serious crime including armed robbery and murder whereby the affected persons, victims and relatives, were counselled.

the Minister said that the Bill sought to render conditions acceptable and predictable and to place a limit on the benefits, including taxfree concessions, to which former Presidents are now entitled. The Bill also specifies some conditions under which the benefits may be enjoyed.

According to Jordan, while the Resolution says in part “and whereas the provisions of the Former Presidents’ (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 has caused concern and resulted in adverse reaction among sections of the citizens of Guyana, in particular as to the viability of the country to sustain the benefits set out therein, be it resolved that this National Assembly immediately take steps to have the aforementioned legislation without prejudice…”, with “immediately” being the key word, the Government could be forgiven for bringing the Bill almost three years after approval of Resolution No 22 of 2012, given the circumstances, obstacles, challenges and manoeuvres that were made to frustrate the earlier passage of the Bill.

As he drew a comparison between the benefits enjoyed by former Presidents of the United States and those in Guyana, noting that former Presidents of the US earn a taxable pension while in Guyana a former President

draws an untaxable pension, the Minister noted that the taxpayers of Guyana have a burden on their backs.

“…The sitting President’s salary is $1,630,934; so the current pension of a former President is $1,427,067. The absurdity of this anomalous situation is laid bare when you consider the pension of a public servant after he/ she would have laboured for 33 years,” Jordan told the House.

The Finance Minister said that while Guyanese people were aware and accept that former Presidents must live out their natural lives in dignity, what taxpayers would not countenance was “on top of such a humongous pension, a former President is accorded an equally outrageous and scandalous other benefits package”, which the country can ill afford. He said that at a time when Guyana was faced with a large debt and pressure on the deficit, especially as a result of billions of dollars in unplanned transfers to state corporations, the time was opportune for the Government to act to “cut out waste and unnecessary and uncalled-for expenditure”.

But former Attorney General Nandlall is maintaining that the Bill is unconstitutional in its current form.

The former Legal Affairs Minister outlined that the

new piece of legislation would not apply to former Presidents nor the current President.

In a statement on Thursday, Nandlall explained that the Bill sought to repeal the Former Presidents’ (Benefits and other Facilities) Act 2009 and replace it with a regime of benefits and other facilities awarded to Executive Presidents after they demit office.

Nandlall opined that if enacted, the 2015 Bill cannot retroactively or retrospectively affect the entitlements conferred by the 2009 Act, since these entitlements have already accumulated to the former Presidents. He went on to explain that as it relates to Granger, the benefits were accrued to him the moment he assumed office since the 2009 Act was in force. However, he noted that these benefits would become due only after he demitted office.

On this note, the former AG said that the 2015 Bill can only operate prospectively and, therefore, will only apply to Presidents who assume office after Granger. “More significantly, any attempt to utilise this Bill as an instrument to deny and deprive any or all of the aforementioned persons their entitlement under the 2009 Act, would be unlawful, unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect,” he posited.

thursday, july 16, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Murder accused shot during foiled execution attempt

Aman who was acquitted of a murder charge was on Tuesday evening shot and injured after a lone gunman opened fire at Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown.

The incident, which occurred about 20:55h, has left Rayon Clementson, 25, of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara and Ayodella Solomon,32, of Tucville nursing gunshot wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

According to information received, Clementson was standing on the bridge at Turning Point when a man drove up on a motorcycle and discharged several rounds in his direction before fleeing.

Clementson was hit in his right leg, while Solomon who was in the vicinity was hit to his right shoulder. Both men were admitted to the Hospital as Police continue their investigation.

Eyewitnesses told media operatives that after the gun shots rang out, Clementson ran for cover under a bridge in the area, but the suspect discharged several more rounds in that direction.

It is believed that Clementson who was also armed did not get a chance to return fire as the suspect managed to flee the scene.

By this time, persons in the area had run towards the bridge to provide

aid and they realised that Clementson was still alive, so he was picked up and rushed to the hospital along with Solomon.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told media operatives that both Clementson and Solomon were known to the Police since they were previously charged with murder. He noted that an investigation has been launched into the attempted execution.

Man hides ganja near dead cat – court hears

The stench of a dead cat under the floor boards of a house in Charlestown did not prevent ranks of the Police Narcotics Branch from busting a 29-year-old man for ganja possession.

Poseurs...

...and Anti-PPP politics

Back in 2012, the PPP government's Ministry of Culture worked with several African groups in a committee to build a Monument to the seminal 1823 Rebellion by African slaves on the East Coast Demerara. This was such a game changer in the history of this colony that no one in their right minds would decry such an initiative. As such the government allocated some $26 million and commissioned the grounded AfricanGuyanese sculptor Ivor Thom to design the monument.

Police Prosecutor,

Tineto Farley, of 80 Stephen Street, Charlestown, was remanded to prison on Monday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for ganja possession for the purpose of trafficking. He allegedly had 1.58 kilograms of cannabis sativa at his home when he was caught.

Corporal Deniro Jones stated that the Police had gotten a tip about the location of the marijuana and thus paid a visit to the house, where they conducted a search. The drug was found under the floor boards near a dead cat, which was suspected to have been placed there to cover the pun-

gent smell of the ganja. Farley pleaded not guilty to the charge, which carries a penalty of three to five years with a fine of three times the market value of the illicit drug.

He is expected back in court on August 3 for a report.

Pomeroon children to get boat to go to school

The children in the Pomeroon region will no longer have to struggle to attain an education in terms of transportation, as they will soon be presented with a boat that will assist them in getting to school.

As part of President David Granger’s 70th birthday celebrations, he partnered with several members of the business community to acquire a 40-seater boat which he will give to the residents of the Pomeroon region to use to transport students to and from Charity where the schools are located.

At the President’s birthday celebrations, Chief Whip Amna Ally made this presentation during which she

pointed out that the cost to send one child to school for a week amounted to $5000 –which is burdensome for the majority of the households in the community.

“You could imagine if a home had five children who had to go to high school!” she exclaimed, highlighting that Granger was very worried because many parents could not afford to send their children to school.

As such, on the campaign trail, Granger promised to provide more opportunities for children all across Guyana to have easier access to a sound education.

Therefore, when the new school terms starts in September, the children of the Pomeroon region will be able to attend school and

will no longer be hindered by expensive transportation.

The boat, which will be named the David G, will be fully accessorised with an engine and life jackets.

This move will be the first of many, as the President intends to embark on similar projects in other regions across the country, including the interior and coastland areas where many children are prevented from gaining an education owing to the high cost of transportation.

However, all hell broke loose when several other African groups claimed that locating the Monument at the beginning of the East Coast - on the Seawall opposite Camp Ayanganna - was inappropriate. They demanded the monument be sited at the Parade Ground in Georgetown where several of the rebels had been executed and their head put on spikes. Now your Eyewitness thinks that this was a place of degradation for the rebels...and that at least the East Coast was closer to where they'd performed their heroic action. But what does HE know?

Anyhow, the group - dominated by "inveterate critics" according to the PPP government - formed a "1823 Monument Committee". They conducted the usual picketing and condemnation of the "perfidious" government and vowed to raise funds to build their own 1823 Monument at the Parade Ground. As a card-carrying member of the anti-PPP brigade, Mayor Green promised to give the requisite permission. Now the members of the Committee had some big-time African rights activists, so your Eyewitness dismissed the PPP's claim that they were being "political".

Now two years later, your Eyewitness saw the 1823 Monument group picketing the PPP's Freedom House. He was sure they'd done what they'd promised their funders - and were ready to install their Monument at the Parade Ground. They were probably gloating to the PPP that they didn't need government's help for them to "do the right thing".

So imagine his consternation when he read that the picketing was to condemn the PPP for selecting Jagdeo as the "Opposition Leader"! WHAT THE HECK!!! was his involuntary exclamation. But it wasn't "heck" he saideven though it ended with the same letters. What the **** did Jagdeo have to do with the 1823 Monument?

And where the heck was the Monument for the Parade Ground monument anyway? Your Eyewitness'd heard a whole lotta money was collected - was it all used for the monument? Was an audit going to be conducted by Laloo Ram or Goolsarran? And had the constitution been changed to prevent the PPP from selecting whoever they blasted well choose?

Or was the PPP right and the 1823 Committee was only political?

...and security

When Rohee was Home Affairs Minister, the biggest nemesis he faced in Parliament was his junior from the old PPP days, KhemrajRamjattan. Because the PPP was Marxist, it didn't have any truck with class pretensions. Ramjattan, however, always resented that. Being a lawyer, he wanted to lord it over fellas like Rohee who'd learnt their stuff directly from DrJagan.

So when he bolted from the PPP to form the AFC with PNC's Trotman, he thought he would finally be "somebody". Didn't work out that way! He was still yapping at Rohee's heels in Parliament. But boy did he yap for Rohee's heels!! The man could do nothing right for Guyana's security! Even though he and Jagdeo had faced down the largest armed insurrection in the country's history!

Fast forward to the present, after Ramjattan's eleven per cent sell-out and accession to Rohee's seat. In only two months he's been so overwhelmed that he can't even come out from under his desk!! When was the last you heard from him?

Books will take you only so far. And Moutarain't guitar!

...and crime busters

So the SWAT's finally deployed and a criminal gang's finally snagged. The police was tipped off by a "concerned citizen".

Nobody to "turn them away", eh, Bannuh?

A sketch of what the boat will look like

Govt to develop new housing scheme in Bartica

Government will soon be establishing a new housing scheme at Four Miles, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in an effort to satisfy the ever-growing demand for housing in the community.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is already in the process of arranging the transfer of some 100 acres of land which is needed for the development of the area.

The community will be designed to accommodate approximately 400 house lots and will be equipped with all the necessary facilities that will ensure the new homeowners are comfortable.

Once the legal process is completed, Government will commence the block surveys on the land; prepare the design layouts; and design the infrastructure including roads, drains, structures, water and electrical distribution networks.

According to a release from the Communities Ministry, the invitation for bids will soon be opened for the works to develop the land, which is tentatively set to commence in January.

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Keith Scott, recently visited Bartica to inspect ongoing projects and discuss the creation of this new community.

There he interacted with residents and regional officials, including Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford.

The establishment of this community comes at a time when Bartica is positioning to become a town by April 23, 2016, in keeping with the announcement made by President David Granger.

During his visit, Scott noted that the Ministry and by extension, the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration was committed to cooperating with the regional authorities for Bartica to achieve township status.

One area of concern that the Ministry is working assiduously to remedy is access to potable water.

Currently, the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is improving its infrastructure to expand its delivery of water in the region. The utility company would have to further expand its infrastructure to accommodate the new housing development. The aim is to provide residents with 24-hour water supply.

The Minister said Bartica was a beautiful area with amazing topography and therefore, he intended to ensure that the developments taking place

Businessman robbed at gunpoint in Riverview

ocal businessman

LDmitri Jemmott was on Tuesday evening robbed at gunpoint by two pedal cyclists. The man, who operates a business at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was standing at Chilli’s Bar around 21:30h waiting on transportation to head to the Stabroek Market area when the two men rode up to him demanding all of his valuables.

The bandits got away with Jemmott’s Blackberry Z10, US$60, GY$20 000, his National Identification Card, his Republic Bank card, three United States ID cards belonging to his wife and other items.

Jemmott positively identified one of the suspects as “Nickasie” who grew up in Riverview with him.

“Nickasie” who allegedly threatened to kill the businessman, after rob-

bing him rode through the Alexander Village area and then made his way through West Ruimveldt near the Hicksville Hotel.

The businessman was forced to follow his assailant in a taxi since the Ruimveldt Police Station was short of vehicles.

The cooperative Policemen are investigating the incident and asked that Jemmott provide photographs of the suspect for them to distribute to the patrols in Georgetown.

The businessman was told by a few persons in the community that “Nickasie” resided somewhere in West Ruimveldt and he was supposedly linked to a notorious gang from the Agricola area. Jemmott is fearful for his life and he is not taking the threats lightly so he is calling on persons with information to call the nearest police station.

Ramson Jr to be the voice of youth in Parliament

Charles Ramson Jr, another one of the new faces representing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the National Assembly, has vowed to be the voice of all young people across Guyana, particularly considering that the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition decided to leave out the parliamentary youth representation it had lavishly promised during the campaign trail.

of Guyana, he could not be more overjoyed.

in the area will not take away from the natural beauty of the area so as to promote tourism and other sustainable economic activities.

“The current crop of Parliamentarians is what I call “youthless”, meaning no voice of the youth,” the young lawyer pointed out. As such, being the youngest member on both sides of the house, Ramson is committed to being the youth representative in Parliament to advocate for the resolution of issues affecting young people in Guyana.

Asked why he accept-

ed the parliamentary position, Ramson stated, “This was an easy decision – to be a representative of the people is, as it should be, a politician’s greatest ambition because it gives meaningful purpose to the role of “service of the people” and being a parliamentarian is the zenith of that representation.”

Since he was a child, Ramson always had a desire to enter into the political arena and today, with the opportunity to be a MP and serve the people

“The genesis of this desire probably comes from my love for my country and I believe that being politically engaged is potentially the most effective way to develop your country, my personal appreciation of how grateful I am for the opportunities that were presented to me and the impact of seeing others not being able to have those opportunities because of our country’s extreme impoverished state in the late 80s and 90s, and my personal guiding belief that I am not better than anyone else and no one else is better than me,” he explained.

Meanwhile, in addition to representing young people, Ramson said because of his technical knowledge in the field of law and developmental economics, he believes he can make valuable contributions to the debates and decisions which affect the very wellbeing of every individual in Guyana.

Charles Ramson Jr

Minister within the Communities Ministry, Keith Scott, meets Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford during a visit to Bartica

Cops hunt 4 others following Craig operation

In addition to the six persons who were arrested during a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operation at Craig Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Tuesday morning, the Police are hunting for four other persons.

This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum who further stated that the four men were linked to two murders and robberies. He was at the times responding to questions based on the operation at Craig that left one suspected bandit dead.

He further explained that based on ballistic results, the Glock weapon which was found during the Police operation (with two magazines and 25 matching rounds) was linked to the murder of Travis Rudder who was gunned down in his Nandy Park home, EBD while in the company of his girlfriend and child.

The weapon was also linked to the murder of Regent Street businessman Ganesh Ramlall, who was shot and killed at his La Jalousie home as well as the recent attack on Justice Nicole Pierre at her home at Felicity, East Coast

Demerara (ECD). The Crime Chief noted also that spent shells recovered at several scenes were linked to the gun as well.

Blanhum stated that investigators were conducting background checks on the men who were in custody to determine whether or not they were linked to other offences, but, presently, the Police have several pieces of evidence at its disposal which he could not reveal. Once enough evidence is gathered, Police will institute charges.

On Tuesday, members of the SWAT Unit of the Guyana

Police Force shot dead a suspected bandit while arresting six others during the operation that also saw one rank being shot and a bandit being seriously wounded. The Police found two wristwatches, which are suspected to have been stolen from Justice Pierre.

The dead bandit has been identified as 29-yearold Rolston Morrison, called “Mappy” or “Sadam” of Nabaclis, ECD and Providence, EBD.

The Police several months ago had issued a wanted bulletin for him for the murder

of a fellow villager, Dwayne Kennedy. The 28-year-old man of Lot 40 Nabaclis was executed at the Golden Grove Market in March this year, during an argument with Morrison over an old grievance.

Additionally, Police sources confirmed that Morrison was wanted for questioning in several robberies on the East Coast of Demerara and in the interior. A firearm belonging to the now dead man was also found hidden under his mother’s house.

His accomplice, 22-yearold Warren McKenzie of Brutus Street, Agricola, Georgetown, was also hurt in the exchange between the gunmen and Police. McKenzie was charged back in 2013 with an armed robbery offence.

UG students found guilty of $8M phone theft

– probation report ordered for sentencing

Aprobation report is all that stands between two University of Guyana (UG) students and jail sentences after they were found guilty of stealing over $8 million worth in cellular phones and jewellery on Wednesday.

Twenty-year-old Darion Bess of Lot 429 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, and 21- year-old Joel De Mendonca of Lot 17 Providence Park, East Bank Demerara, was found guilty of stealing a quantity of cellphones worth $8,968,000 from Golyn and Sons Fashion Store on January 25, 2014. The prosecution’s case read that about 09:00h on January 25, 2014 Bess entered the store, approached the store clerk and pointed a gun to his head, ordering him to pack all of the cellphones in a bag. The clerk complied.

Bess then left the store and got into a car that was waiting on King Street. The prosecution argued that the car was driven by De Mendonca.

Magistrate Latchman based her ruling on the sworn testimonies of the two accused and the store’s clerk Mohanlall Narine. She said De Mendonca had testified that he saw Bess running from the store on the day in question, got into the car in haste and urged him to hurry. He testified that he knew nothing of the robbery until Bess told him he had just robbed the

President Granger returns from successful Ethiopia meeting

– leaves today for UNASUR meeting in Brazil

President David Granger returned Wednesday from the Third International Conference on Financing for Development having successfully championed the cause for sustainable development and the need for developing countries to intensify their efforts in this regard.

The conference was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and saw the participation of Heads of State, Ministers and representatives of more than 190 countries.

Briefing the media on the President’s recent trip among other matters Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, explained that Granger continued to forge cooperation for pushing Guyana’s development agenda at the international level at every possible opportunity.

It is against this back-

ground that the media was advised that President Granger, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and a team from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is expected to leave Guyana today to attend a high-level meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in neighbouring Brazil.

According to Minister Trotman, President Granger will continue to not only introduce the new Government of Guyana, but to also address issues of sovereignty and development.

President Granger has, over the past weeks, attended several international high-level meetings where he has successfully garnered the support of his counterparts at various levels on issues regarding Guyana’s development, more specifically Guyana’s current border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.

store. De Mendonca further testifies that at that point, he ordered Bess out of his vehicle. The Magistrate said that Bess got out of the car and left De Mendonca on King Street.

Regarding the four cellphones found in the back of his car, De Mendonca said he did not know how they got there but conveniently implicated Bess.

The Magistrate admitted that De Mendonca may simply be implicating his partner in crime for his own self interest. However, she referenced a case to give credence to her reliance on his testimony regarding Bess’ actions. Magistrate Latchman further told the court that she did not believe De Mendonca knew nothing of the robbery.

The store’s clerk Mohanlall had given his account of the robbery and seeing Bess get into De Mendonca’s car. However, he said he did not see Bess get out again. Bess on the other hand, never denies his involvement in the robbery.

Thus, Magistrate Latchman ruled that both the accused participated jointly in the robbery of Golyn and Sons Fashion Store. She found them both guilty as they were charged.

In an application for leniency, defence Attorney Adrian Thompson said his client is a first time offender and a student of the University of Guyana. He asked the Magistrate to consider this as well as the fact that De Mendonca has a medical condition.

In his mitigation application for Bess, Attorney Peter Hugh said his client studies Accounting and Business Management at the University of Guyana and has no previous convictions. He said the court has discretion in its sentencing and urged the court to be lenient, stating that “everyone should be entitled to at least one chance.”

The Attorney told the court that placing Bess together with hardened criminals will make the situation worse than it already is.

She ordered a probation report within two weeks on the now convicted defendants which will decide the nature of their sentence. However, Attorney Hugh asked that the time for the probation report be shortened as he would like sufficient time to file for an appeal if necessary.

This request was denied. Nevertheless, Hugh made an application of bail for his client until sentencing on August 3. He said Bess has been going to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts faithfully for over a year and has not missed a date. He also stated that bail for his client’s presence in court is already quite a large sum.

The Magistrate allowed this but ordered him to be present for his sentencing on August 3.

Dead murder suspect, Rolston Morrison

Slain murder accused, Travis Rudder

Slain businessman, Ganesh Ramlall

Pres Granger celebrated at gala 70th birthday bash

Amid much pomp and ceremony, Guyana’s Eighth Executive President, David Arthur Granger celebrated his 70th birthday on Wednesday at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters among friends, family, Government officials, and members of the diplomatic community who all joined in wishing him a happy birthday and a prosperous term as President of Guyana.

The event started off with a light cocktail reception where friends and family mingled as they awaited the arrival of His Excellency. In a much familiar environment, elegantly decorated with the colours green and yellow, President Granger sat at a head table with his wife, Sandra; his daughter Han and his sonin-law, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin; his grandchildren, and his nephew as

time he comes to take up the challenge for the third term, the hair will remain grey, he won’t be bald,” Nagamootoo jovially proclaimed.

to continue to take the economy forward, although 70 years old. Other friends and business persons took the pleasure of wishing the

He went on to say, “For me I believe that these 70 years are star studded years of someone who had laboured for Guyana as a

well-wishers took to the podium to shower him with the warmest of birthday greetings.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo did the honours of opening the floor as he made the first speech and wished his friend and partner in governance a happy birthday. “I know for sure that it is a good day for him, coming after so long of a certain ruling by a certain court that you can go for three terms as a President. What a gift for your 70th birthday.

I know that Lord Byron has said that your hair is grey, but not your age and I can assure you that by the

servant and continues to labour in this difficult moment of challenges of all sorts as a soldier… we have in Granger, not only someone who is prepared to take the Guyana cause to the farthest part of Guyana but he has the stamina and he has what it takes on his 70th birthday,” he concluded as he proposed a toast to the Guyanese leader.

Following those wishes was another by Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman, retired Major General Norman Mc Lean, who on behalf of the Private Sector in Guyana, expressed confidence in the President

President a happy birthday just before the cutting of one of his birthday cakes.

In accepting the well wishes, President Granger thanked everyone for their devotion and hard work in making his 70th birthday a memorable one. “It is a sort of thanksgiving for me today and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this function special…,” he said, particularly thanking his wife for her love and support throughout his struggles and successes. The Head of State reflected on his days serving in the Army and he pledged to serve his country with the same will and determination.

Granger, after being Opposition Leader for a number of years, vying for the opportunity to lead the country forward, finally achieved his dream when he was sworn in as President of Guyana on May 16 after the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) were declared winners of the 2015 General and Regional Elections. Quite conveniently and much to the pleasure of many, Granger’s birthday coincides with the fourth anniversary of the formation of APNU; therefore, as the country celebrated its President’s birthday, it also celebrated the birth of a coalition that has so often vowed to ensure betterment

of the people of Guyana, regardless of race or political affiliation.

Born in Georgetown, David Granger attended Queen’s College, Guyana’s elite and prestigious school like the former Presidents Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Samuel Hinds, as well as Hamilton Green and scholars like Walter Rodney and Rupert Roopnaraine. After leaving Queen’s College, where he was a member of the Queen’s College Cadet Corps, Granger joined the GDF as an Officer Cadet in 1965, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1966.

He received his professional military training at the School of Infantry and the Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom, the Jungle Warfare Instruction Centre in Brazil; and the Army Command and Staff College in Nigeria, respectively. He eventually became commander of the GDF in 1979, and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. Granger was appointed as National Security Adviser to the President in 1990[1] and retired from the military service in 1992.

SWAT team to play greater role in crime fight

The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)

Team has been deployed as part of the crime-fighting strategy, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

This is according to the Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman.

Speaking at the post–Cabinet media briefing, he emphasised that there was “A high level of interagency collaboration that lead to recent successes”.

The Minister was referring to the capture of several suspected criminals.

Cabinet has pledged its full support to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, his colleague explained. “We believe that with the resources that are available and which are going to be brought to bear, he (Ramjattan) is going to be successful”.

He added that Government remained committed to rooting out criminal gangs and “destroying them”.

The Government last week unveiled several aspects of its crime-fighting plan. The use of the SWAT team, in a greater capacity, was put forward by Minister Ramjattan to Cabinet and approved. This and several other measures have resulted in successes such as the raid on July 14 at Craig, East Bank Demerara, which resulted in the death of a suspect, the arrest of six others and the recovery of an unlicensed firearm and several rounds of ammunition.

Those apprehended have been linked to the killing of the owner of the Regent Street Multiplex Mall, Ganesh “Boyo” Ramlall at his home at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara, and the beating of Justice Nicole Pierre and her husband at Felicity, East Coast Demerara.

The suspects have also been implicated in the killing of Travis Rudder at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara.

President Granger and his wife, Sandra share a birthday smooch before the cameras

Government Ministers wishing President David Granger a happy birthday

Army Chief-of-Staff Mark Phillips gives a token of appreciation to President Granger on his birthday

Govt to present budget by month’s end

inance Minister

FWinston Jordan is expected to furnish Cabinet with a draft of the 2015 National Budget in a matter of days, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman has announced.

The Finance Minster has indicated that the budget should be presented to the National Assembly before the end of August. Minister Jordan is currently working with his Ministry “to fine tune and make sure that everything that was asked for is included in the budget”, Trotman told journalists on Wednesday.

“We anticipate that within 10 days, we should be receiving a draft”, he related. The outside date for the presentation of the National Budget’s to the National Assembly is three months after the convening of the 11th Parliament; somewhere around the end of August 2015.

The Finance Minister had earlier said he was optimistic, however, that the process would be completed long before then, given the implications for the following 2016 National Budget.

He had assured this publication recently, preparations were “coming along smoothly”, as the team was looking at the work of the new Ministries established under the new Administration before moving ahead.

Jordan said the team was accepting and going through the programmes and projects of Ministries to be undertaken by the Government, particularly those that have had a name change and were incorpo-

rated into other Ministries.

Ministries falling under this category include the Business Ministry, which replaced the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce; the Social Protection Ministry, replacing the Ministry of Human Service and Social Security; and National Security Ministry, replacing the Home Affairs Ministry.

Last month, Minister Jordan had said that he had inherited some of the groundwork, which was already laid out by previous Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh. He had said the preparations then were made based on the previous Government’s priorities, but now the focus will be changed to reflect the agenda of the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For change Government.

Asked about Guyana’s economic performance for 2015, Minister Jordan noted that during a transitional meeting with his predecessor, he was informed that

a growth of 3.9 to four per cent is expected. This figure was projected, taking into consideration a full financial year, the Minister said. “Seeing that we have some numbers now of the performance in the first almost half of the year, we need to make some projections on what is it is going to be for the next half and come up with some new projections. That is what we are doing right now.”

As part of the efforts to craft a new structure for the Finance Ministry, Minister Jordan pointed out that a suitably qualified person has been found to head a “macroeconomic section” that he intended to set up. He said that this was because budgets were being produced without the over-arching framework, within which such major documents should be undertaken. Too often, these frameworks have been developed outside of Guyana, he stated, “In other words, experts come in, mostly from the World Bank, IMF (International Monetary Fund) and so on. They come in for short periods and I want to really have the inhouse capability to develop this, and to be discussing it with these teams when they come in for their annual visits.”

It would also be good to have this aforementioned background, in which to develop various projects which the new Government may wish to undertake. It will also help with the development of the Administration’s strategic medium- and longterm plan according to its manifesto, he added.

UG law students on Hugh Wooding Law School… Entry confirmed but fees increased

Even with the success of the Government of Guyana in enabling the continuation of the automatic entry of University of Guyana (UG) Law students into the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), there seems to be an additional challenge for them, as the institution has reportedly adjusted its fees and method of payment, much to the disadvantage of students.

Government said it was aware that the fees and method of payments have been adjusted and that it has created hardships for most of the students.

“Cabinet is looking at it and while previously scholarships were not given to Law students, Government is looking at all other options that could be explored to see how it could alleviate the burden”, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman related on Wednesday.

He said “On one hand, you have been told that you could attend. On the other hand, you are being told that you have to pay the fees upfront”.

Trotman related that while Government will not assume the responsibility of paying the fees, it will try to work with the Law School and maybe some financial institutions to see how and if they could assist in the offset of “something that might have been created to deny them (students) the opportunity to study.

While there has been no confirmation on the new fee students will have to pay, the new development will most certainly put additional strain on the students.

Last week, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams committed himself to resolving the ongoing challenges between Guyanese law stu-

Diamond’s top Grade 6 achievers celebrated

The two top students at the National Grade Six Assessment from Diamond, East Bank Demerara were celebrated in style on Tuesday by the Diamond-Grove Lions Club in collaboration with the Princess Hotel.

The achievers, Lilianna Adrian from the New Diamond/ Grove Primary School and Timur Singh from St Gabriel’s Primary School were the guests of honour at a small ceremony held at the Lions’ Den, G3 Building in Diamond. The event was chaired by Lions Club Secretary and Princess Hotel Director of Sales and Marketing, Petal Ridley. They were presented with Acer Iconia Tablets, Concise Oxford Dictionaries, and pen and pencil sets to prepare them for their new schools come September. The awardees obtained a place at St Stanislaus College and Queen’s College respectively.

Diamond-Grove Lions Club President Eric Benjamin and Lions Club Secretary and Princess Hotel Director of Sales and Marketing, Petal

the students Timur Singh and Lilianna Adrian

This initiative to celebrate the success of the students is part of the Club’s plan to pay attention to its theme “Youth and Education for Humanity” by guiding, moulding and preparing each young person to reach their highest potential. At the ceremony, Ridley related that her General Manager, Ugur Turetgen emphasised his commitment to fulfilling the company’s corporate social responsibility. She said he saw the collaboration as an opportunity for the company to continue fulfilling this responsibility to the people through its partnership with the Club as it has been in service to the people for the past four years.

dents and the HWLS, vowing that he would explore all available options.

He gave the commitment to 25 of the 27 Guyanese students currently attending the institution in Trinidad and Tobago when they paid a visit to him last week. There they raised several issues and concerns about their education in relation to tuition, discrimination and disadvantages faced in pursuit of their Legal Education Certificate (LEC).

According to the students, the number one challenge to the pursuing of the LEC is the tuition fee which amounts to TT$65,792 (G$2.2 million or US$11,000) per student.

They noted that they were now required to pay the full tuition at the beginning of the September semester each year, since the previous agreement allowed them to pay 50 per cent in September and 50 per cent in January of the following year; making it exceptionally difficult to study.

As part of a longstanding agreement between the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and the University of Guyana, every year, 25 automatic places are reserved for

UG students at the HWLS. The Council, however, had taken the decision that UG’s 2014 batch would not be guaranteed places. It was understood by this publication that the original agreement had initially expired in November 2012, but, at the request of the Government of Guyana, it was extended until 2013.

UG law students remain concerned over the future relationship between UG and the HWLS.

Last week, Caricom Heads of Government had issued a call on Council of Legal Education, to extend the arrangement between that institution and the University of Guyana (UG) for the automatic entry of the top 25 students of the legal education programme. At the 36th Caricom Heads of Government Meeting, which was held in Barbados from July 2-4, the matter was discussed and it was decided by the Heads that the Hugh Wooding Law School (WLS) would be asked to, in effect, extend the arrangement which was previously in place for the students this year.

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, at the 35th Heads of Government Meeting last year in The Bahamas, the Heads had agreed to establish a committee to undertake the review on the provision of legal education in the Region with regard to the increased need for legal services in the Caribbean. A review of the system was last undertaken more than 40 years ago.

However, this report has not been completed, and as such, the call was made for the school to accept the Guyanese students until this is accomplished.

Unemployed 17-year-old jailed for phone theft

Ajobless teenager was jailed on Wednesday when he made his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for allegedly stealing two Samsung Galaxy S5 cellphones.

Shane Thompson, 17, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that on July 13, at Sheriff and Garnett Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown he stole a Samsung Galaxy S5 valued at $90,000, from Amifah Mentore.

Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones told the court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) and the defendant were passengers on a route 40 minibus when it stopped at the junction of the aforementioned streets. Both the VC and the accused disembarked. The VC started to walk and the defendant accosted her and demanded her phone. When she refused, he grabbed it and ran.

This proved unfortunate for Thompson as the Prosecutor narrated that the VC raised the alarm and public spirited citizens leapt to her defence, chasing him all

the way to John Street where he was apprehended. The Samsung Galaxy S5 was found on his person so a citizen’s arrest was made and he was taken to the Kitty Police Station. There, an investigation was conducted and the teenager admitted to the offence. He was charged.

Thompson is also charged for stealing another Samsung Galaxy S5 valued $100,000 and $5200 in cash from Kasi Nelson while being armed with an offensive weapon (an ice pick) on Garnett and Delph Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown.

However, he pleaded not guilty to this charge. Regarding the first charge, Thompson told the court that he had taken the phone as his mother was not well and he was hoping to raise some money to assist her.

Magistrate Ann McLennan sentenced him to 12 months for the admitted offence and ordered him back in court on August 3 for report and statements for the alleged theft against Nelson.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams

Finance Minister Winston Jordon

Ridley with

Georgetown, other areas inundated by floodwaters

By Michael younge

Several parts of the capital city were inundated by floodwaters after a period of continuous downpour which occurred on Wednesday afternoon forcing residents to question the results achieved by the millions of dollars spent by the Public Infrastructure Ministry as part of upgrade and maintenance work on Georgetown’s drainage and irrigation structures.

Several parts of Georgetown including Regent Street, Albouystown, Queenstown, communities in south Georgetown were flooded and virtually impassable as the rain flooded on the land as result of clogged drains, built up debris and other insanitary conditions.

One resident, John Ales said that he was fed up of the situation and had hoped that something would have been done to ease the hardship faced by residents and businesses alike in the downtown Georgetown area

spent by Govt on D&I maintenance

whenever it rained and there was an accumulation of water.

“I not taking no chances … I done pack up my thing high, high ... I really can’t understand why we must suffer whenever the rain falls,” he told Guyana Times

Other residents said that they had hoped that the recent cleanup campaign and the momentum which accompanied it after the change of Government would have seen results.

“But like people ain’t clean enough or the Government ain’t do enough ‘cause is the same story again,” another Queenstown resident suggested.

Forecast

Additionally, a forecast released by the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that light to moderate showers were expected over coastal and near inland areas in the morning and afternoon over Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and

(Potaro-Siparuni) ; other areas will be fair with sunny skies expected to dominate.

“The 12-hour rainfall is expected to range between 0.0 mm. and 15.0 mm. (0.59 inches), with the highest expected over some areas in Region Seven and coastal areas of Regions Four, Five and Six,” the release noted.

It said that sea conditions were expected to be moderate to rough, with waves reaching 1.5 metres to 3.5 metres (4.92-11.48 feet) in open water. The high-tide flood advisory is in effect until Tuesday, July 21, 2015.

“The winds will be north-easterly to southeasterly at four to seven metres per second (8.9415.65 miles per hour), gusting to12 metres per second (26.84 miles per hour) over some areas.”

The high tide was pegged to occur at 16:11h (4:11 pm), reaching a height of 2.82 metres (9.25 feet).

The low tide was pegged

to occur at 09:44h ((9:44 am), reaching a height of 0.56 metre (1.83 feet).

Flooding due to incompetence

Meanwhile, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said that the Government’s incompetence continued to burden the citizenry forcing them to grapple with flooding, despite the huge amounts spent to avert future situations.

In a statement to the media late Wednesday, the Party said that a preliminary assessment of the situation has indicated the likelihood of a significant impact on the population who will be forced to sleep tonight in dampened conditions, inclusive of flooded bottom houses and restrictions on their movement.

“Businesses already experiencing a volatile economic situation are likely to further be hampered by lost sales and millions of dollars in damages as a result of flooding,” the Party scoffed,

European-style bakery to be launched on Saturday

Anew Europeanstyle bakery is being launched on Saturday at 92 Middle Street, Georgetown in an effort to introduce a wide variety of breads and pastries to the Guyanese population.

The Bread Box will feature an array of new breads and pastries that many Guyanese have already expressed their eagerness to try. Some of what will be

available are multigrain breads, baguettes, triangle breads, croissants, tortilla wraps and packaged roti.

Owner of the establishment, Brian Yong, told media operatives that he has hopes of the Bread Box becoming Guyana’s premier bakery. He shared that there were plans in the making to establish a bigger factory so that these breads and pastries can be produced on a

larger scale.

He stated that there was no real quality establishment in the country that produced a vast variety of breads and pastries that some Guyanese may not know of and especially at such low affordable prices. He added that no other bakery in Guyana can come up to the standards and quality of The Bread Box.

The Bread Box was conceived out of the need to venture into a new niche market, shared Store Manager Rochelle Parsram. She added that the idea was to offer

Guyanese healthier options and wider variety of breads.

Though the business is very new to Guyana, the Bread Box manager shares that there are already plans in the pipeline for its expansion, as the management intended to open two more locations across Guyana before the year is out, with one in Georgetown and one on the East Bank of Demerara.

The shop also has to offer fat free and salt free peanut butter, spicy peanut butter and many other new and interesting products.

giving the impression that the same state of affairs did not obtain under its management.

Referring again to the dismissals which took place since the new Government took office, the PPP/C argued that “it appears that its vigilance has not been extended to the operations of the Hamilton Green-led Georgetown Mayor and City Council which is the embodiment of corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency”.

Taking another lash at the City Council, the Party said that it was deplorable that although citizens and businesses continued to pay millions of dollars in taxes to this entity, there was no relief as every time it rained, Georgetown would flood while Mayor Green and his support cast threw up excuse after excuse.

As a result, the PPP/C called on the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)

Administration to extend its forensic audit to the op-

erations of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for the sake of saving Guyanese from ultimate disaster.

During the last flooding episode, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had detailed Cabinet had approved a total of $75 million to be used for works to quickly restore the affected areas to normalcy. The Minister emphasised that the current work was not the final solution, but would suffice in the event of more flooding within the next four to six weeks.

The Minster explained then that in addition to the efficiency of the pumps, desilting was a major factor, this being under the purview of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

According to the Minister, a special emergency crew was being assembled. This multi-faceted group will respond to emergency calls and will attend to things like blocking of waterways and other impediments to drainage.

Jehovah Witnesses to host annual convention

The Jehovah Witnesses will be hosting their annual Convention this weekend from July 17 to July 19 at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown. The theme for this year’s three-day function is “Imitate Jesus” and persons desirous of attending the event can show up at the Park on any of the days to learn more about the Jehovah Witnesses.

Guyana Times spoke to Samuel Moore and Bonny De Andrade, two of the organisers for the event, and they are encouraging members of the public to come out to the event this weekend. De Andrade explained that the event was free of charge and the general public should seize this opportunity since there will be a two-part theatrical performance that high-

lights significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. Persons can also look forward to intriguing discussions and speeches with topics such as “Jesus Christ, World Conqueror, how and when?”

Moore said that the theme “Imitating Jesus” was selected because “it is universally recognised that Jesus was a very influential person and so he presents a positive role model, we believe and that is why the theme was presented”. He urged persons to come out and be inspired at the three-day Convention.

Persons are also asked to check out the Jehovah Witnesses’ website www. jw.org for more information about the international organisation; free booklets can be downloaded at the website.

Some of what is available at the Bread Box in Middle Street

Bread Box Manager Rochelle Parsram

Trinidad PM challenges opposition leader to debate

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday challenged Opposition Leader Keith Rowley to debate her oneon-one on July 30 as originally agreed. She said Trinidad and Tobago faces a crucial choice at the general elections on September 7 and the voters deserve to be fully informed.

“They deserve to hear a debate between the two contenders to be Prime Minister,” she said, “And we need to have it as soon as possible so that people have time to make up their minds.”

Persad-Bissessar explained that earlier this year she gave her word that she would take part in a debate. “The TT Debates Commission offered a date of 30th July and a format that I was happy to accept,” she noted.

She stated that she cleared her diary to keep that date and was looking

forward to participating and making her case.

“I was deeply disappointed when later the TT Debates Commission said they are not able to put on such a debate despite their previous commitment,” she told supporters. “I still want that debate to take place. I am willing and keen to take part on 30th July and I say to my opponent Keith

Rowley... Are you ready? Will you debate me? Let’s do this. Come on let’s do this.

“Let’s organise this between ourselves and give the people of Trinidad and Tobago the debate they deserve. Come on let’s make this happen.” PersadBissessar also called Rowley a liar on Monday night and gave several examples to prove it. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Castro sees Cuba, US breaking with past, coexisting in peace

Cuba is prepared to break with the contentious past and peacefully coexist with the United States, Cuban President Raul Castro said on Wednesday as the two former adversaries are set to restore diplomatic ties.

“We are talking about forging a new kind of relationship between both states, different from our entire common history,” Castro, 84, told the Cuban National Assembly, according to official media.

Cuba and the United States will re-establish diplomatic relations on Monday

after a 54-year break and reopen embassies in each other’s capitals. The United States and Cuba began secret negotiations on restoring ties in mid-2013, leading to the historic announcement on December 17, 2014, when Castro and US President Barack Obama said they had swapped prisoners and would seek to normalise relations.

The previous deep freeze in US-Cuba ties dated to January 1, 1959, when rebels led by brothers Fidel and Raul Castro toppled the US-backed Government of Fulgencio Batista. The

Castros halted the longtime US-friendly business climate in Cuba and drew ever closer to the Soviet Union.

That led to a troubled history including a failed USorganised invasion of Cuba by a force of exiles in 1961 and a thrust to the brink of nuclear war in 1962 over Soviet missiles stationed in Cuba.

With diplomatic ties restored, the two countries separated by 90 miles (145 km) of sea will now begin the more difficult and lengthy task of normalising overall relations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Unions and BIDC reach deal to avert national strike in Barbados

The Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) has given into the demands of the island’s largest Public Sector trade union and reinstated workers it forced into retirement last month, narrowly averting a national strike that was set to begin as early as today.

The National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) on Tuesday declared victory after the BIDC agreed the 10 employees would go back to work. The statutory body will also hold further consultations with the NUPW and its planned court action will be halted.

Task force set up to probe Jamaican Policewoman’s killing

The Police High Command says a special task force has been set up to probe the death of Woman Constable Crystal Thomas. Thomas was shot and killed on Tuesday night as she challenged gunmen who were robbing a bus along Spanish Town Road.

She was a passenger on the bus. She was reportedly shot three times and thrown from the bus onto the side of the road. The High Command says the

task force is being headed by Senior Superintendent Dean Taylor, who is being assisted by Superintendent Alden Davis.

The High Command is appealing to members of the public who may have information in relation to the Policewoman’s death to come forward.

Two suspects are now in custody in relation to her death.

Earlier today, SSP Taylor told our news centre that the Police have re-

covered the service weapon of the slain Policewoman. However, SSP Taylor declined to say where the firearm was recovered, stating that he did not want to jeopardise the fast-moving probe.

This is the second fireman recovered in relation to the attack on Constable Thomas.

Both firearms will be sent to the Government forensic laboratory for testing.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Canada reviewing visa requirement for Grenadians after appeal from PM

The Canadian Government has agreed to take another look at its requirement for Grenadian citizens to have visas to enter Canada.

The assurance was given after talks between Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the margins of the Toronto Global Forum held last week.

During the discussions, Mitchell expressed his concern about the high costs and inconvenience associated with Grenadians having to travel to Trinidad for Canadian visas, a statement from the Government said.

He therefore urged Canadian officials to see

what they could go ease the hassle.

“Prime Minister Harper, in expressing his understanding of the issue at hand, promised to look into it, with a view to reconsidering the visa requirements for Grenadian nationals,” the Government statement said.

It added that Harper had indicated that if the Government could not remove the visa restriction, then it would consider appointing a representative to travel to Grenada once or twice a month to provide visa and other consular services for nationals. (Caribean360)

US law enforcement, Mexico agents met on Guzman escape: Mexico official

US law enforcement officials met with agents of the Mexican Attorney General’s Office this week to share information related to the escape from prison of drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and coordinate efforts to apprehend him, a Mexican Government official said on Wednesday.

Representatives from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration met Mexican law enforcement officials in Mexico City on Monday, the

Government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Mexico has long sought to maintain its independence from the United States on matters of national security, but has taken fire from critics for not having previously extradited Guzman to the United States.

US Prosecutors had said they would seek his extradition, and media reports earlier this year citing unnamed sources suggested that Washington had made a formal request for Guzman’s extradition.

But no announcement of a formal request was ever made public and the Mexican Attorney General’s Office said it had no plans to hand him over because he would serve his time in Mexico.

Other sensitive issues have also bubbled beneath the surface. Mexico’s Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong this week denied media reports Mexico had been tipped off by US authorities ahead of time that Guzman was planning an escape. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan Opposition figure barred from public office

AWhen the BIDC retired

The reinstatement offer from the BIDC was put on the table during a meeting of the sub-committee of the social partners. The acceptance by the union staved off an islandwide shutdown that would have been phase three of industrial action which started last Monday with a protest march through the capital and intensified with Sanitation Service Authority workers going on strike and Customs and Immigration workers embarking on a go-slow.

the 10 workers a month ago, it said it had invoked its right under the Statutory Boards (Pensions) Act to retire officers reaching the age of 60, but the NUPW insisted the move was illegal and demanded the reinstatement of the workers or payment until the age of 67. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

leading Opposition figure in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado, says she has been barred from public office for a year. Machado, who is a former Congresswoman, said she was given 15 days to appeal against the decision. It was not clear on what grounds she was barred but the move could prevent her from standing again for congress in December’s parliamentary election. Machado

led a major street protest against the Government in early 2014.

Government opponents have accused President Nicolás Maduro of bullying the Opposition ahead of the elections. Another leading Opposition figure, Daniel Ceballos, a former Mayor who is also running for Parliament, was also banned from holding public office.

Venezuelan media said he was disqualified for not

presenting a sworn wealth declaration. Machado was stripped of her seat in the National Assembly last year after accepting an invitation from Panama to speak before the Organisation of American States (OAS) to give her account of the wave of unrest which spread through Venezuela in early 2014. The state prosecutor’s office then charged her of taking part in an alleged plot to kill President Maduro. (BBC News)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (L) and Opposition Leader Keith Rowley

NUPW officials (from left) General Treasurer Asakore Beckles, Acting General Secretary Roslyn Smith, and President Akanni McDowall join hands with BWU General Secretary Toni Moore (right)

Clashes erupt as Greek Parliament debates bailout deal

Clashes have broken out at an anti-austerity rally by thousands of protesters outside Parliament in Athens.

Riot police used pepper spray and tear gas on Wednesday night to fight back youths in the crowd who were hurling Molotov cocktails and rocks at police.

Police said about 12,500 people were at the rally at Syntagma Square.

The clashes broke out just as lawmakers were starting to debate an austerity bill that includes consumer tax increases and pension reforms.

Al Jazeera’s Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Athens, said the protesters chanted anti-austerity slogans, and engaged in running battles with Police.

“A lot of anger just boiled over,” he said, adding that Riot Police are still out in force outside the Parliament.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who has faced strident opposition to the bill

The ex-Finance Minister makes case against the deal during parliamentary debate as Police battle thousands of protesters

from his own radical left Syriza party, says it was the best possible deal he could get to prevent Greece from being forced out of Europe’s joint euro currency.

Earlier on Wednesday, former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has told Parliament that Greece’s rescue deal was like the Versailles treaty, which forced crushing reparations on Germany after World War One and led to the rise of Adolf Hitler.

“’The powerful demanded that the losers accept terms they had no right to demand. The losers accepted commitments they had no right to accept’. These were the words of John Maynard Keynes on the Versailles Treaty. What we are confronted with is a new Versailles Treaty,” the selfavowed “erratic Marxist” told fellow lawmakers ahead of a vote on the rescue deal on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Last-ditch efforts to avoid Burundi crisis continue

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni

has left crisis talks between Burundi’s rival political factions without a deal, but last-ditch efforts to end months of violence continue.

Museveni told reporters before leaving on Wednesday that both sides were looking to end the deadlock ahead of polls next week.

“The ruling party in Burundi and the Opposition parties and the civil society have agreed to negotiate expeditiously, intensively... in order to reach an agreement,” Museveni said.

Burundian President

Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to stand for a third consecutive five-year term in an election next Tuesday, despite a constitutional two-term limit, has sparked months of turmoil and an attempted coup in mid-May.

Previous UN-mediated efforts have collapsed.

Ugandan Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga took over mediation efforts started by Museveni a day earlier, the latest bid to push stalled talks between Nkurunziza’s ruling CNDDFDD party and Opposition groups.

Museveni, who was appointed mediator last

week by the five-nation East African Community (EAC), had earlier urged Burundians “to forget their past sectarian political differences.”

Around 100 people have been killed in more than two months of protests, with over 158,000 refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, according to the UN.

Burundi Presidential Communication Adviser Willy Nyamitwe said there had been “positive” talks, while key Opposition Leader Agathon Rwasa said talks would continue.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Obama urges passage of Iran nuclear deal in US Congress

US President Barack Obama has urged the Opposition-led Congress to support the nuclear deal with Iran, calling the agreement “a powerful display of leadership and diplomacy” by Washington DC.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Obama said that the deal achieved the goal of cutting off “every single path” Iran has to a nuclear bomb.

“I can say with confidence that Iran will not be in a position to develop a nuclear bomb,” he said.

“Based on the facts, the majority of Congress should approve it.”

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate branches of Congress in the US are controlled by the Opposition Republican

the next 60 days.

Obama has been conducting intense public lobbying to convince Congress to approve the deal. He has also threatened to veto any measure against the Iran deal. He said that in the absence of a deal, the international economic sanctions that brought Iran to the negotiating table would unravel, and the world community would be unable to put the sanctions regime together.

Taliban leader Mullah Omar backs Afghanistan peace talks

Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has backed peace talks with the Afghan Government in a statement released to the media.

A message, marking the festival of Eid al-Fitr, made no direct reference to the talks, but said Islam did not bar “peaceful interaction” with enemies.

Afghan Government officials last week met Taliban representatives in negotiations brokered by Pakistan.

The Taliban have stepped

up attacks on Afghan security forces.

NATO concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan last December, replacing it with a smaller deployment intended to train Afghan security forces until 2016.

Pakistan last week hosted the first formal face-toface negotiations between Taliban representatives and the Afghan Government.

Although the statement made by Mullah Omar is not made in audio or video, correspondents say its inten-

tion is to end speculation that the reclusive Taliban leader had not authorised the latest talks.

The text, published on a Taliban website, suggested that negotiations were a “legitimate” way of achieving the objective of ending occupation by foreign forces.

The statement said political means to achieve “sacred goals” could be pursued “concurrently with armed jihad”, under Islamic principles. (Excerpt

France explosions: Devices found near Berre-L’Etang plant

Two devices have been found by investigators near a petrochemical plant in southern France, after explosions caused fires at two tanks in the early hours of Tuesday.

The blasts went off at the Berre L’Etang almost simultaneously 500 metres (1600 feet) apart.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said it was a criminal act, but the motive was unknown.

The local prosecutor said nothing had been ruled out, including terrorism.

Asked about the fires, President Francois Hollande, on a visit to nearby Marseille, said a statement would be made today. The authorities had this week “also prevented terrorist attacks that could have taken place”, he said.

French reports earlier linked the explosions at Berre L’Etang to a mysterious theft of explosives and detonators last week at a military site in Miramas little more than 20 kilometres (12 miles) away.

The explosions were heard around 03:00h (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, setting

alight two tanks at a site run by LyondellBasell, a multinational company with headquarters in the US and the Netherlands. One tank was filled with petrol and the other with naphtha, a highly flammable distilled liquid distilled from petroleum. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China’s 7% second quarter growth beats expectations

Growth in the world’s second largest economy, China, beat expectations in the second quarter, but it was still the weakest showing since the global financial crisis.

The economy grew seven per cent from a year ago –matching growth in the first three months of the year, which was the lowest since 2009 when it fell to 6.6 per cent.

A weaker property market and factory production

have hampered growth.

But, Beijing has rolled out a series of stimulus measures amid the slowdown.

The central bank cut interest rates for the fourth time since November last month to boost economic activity.

Economists are, however, continuing to call for more easing despite the better-than-expected numbers as volatility in the stock markets has sparked con-

cerns of financial turmoil in the country.

Growth was expected to dip below the seven per cent mark and come in at 6.9 per cent for the April to June quarter.

Critics of the whole concept will argue that attempting to sum up three months’ worth of Chinese economic growth in a single number is as futile as trying to sum up the political events of the past three months in a single word. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India: Policemen’s bodies recovered following abduction

TParty. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed a resolution giving them authority to review the deal within

“Without a deal, we risk even more war in the Middle East, and other countries in the Middle East would feel compelled to develop their own nuclear weapons,” Obama said, adding that such a chain of events would risk a nuclear arms race “in the most dangerous region in the world”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he bodies of four Policemen who were abducted by Maoist rebels have been recovered in India’s Chhattisgarh state.

The rebels had abducted the Policemen after stopping a bus carrying security personnel in Bijapur on Monday.

The Maoists say they are fighting for communist rule and greater rights for

tribal people and the rural poor. Their insurgency began in West Bengal in the late 1960s, spreading to more than a third of India’s 676 districts.

Senior Bijapur official KL Dhruv told BBC Hindi that the bodies had been recovered near Kutru [a village in Bijapur district] early on Wednesday.

Kutru is a rebel domi-

nated area, some 525 kilometres (326 miles) south of the state capital, Raipur. Chhattisgarh is often hit by Maoist violence. At least 14 Policemen were killed in an ambush in the state in December.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described India’s Maoist insurgency as its “greatest internal security challenge”. (BBC News)

President Obama has been conducting intense public lobbying to convince Congress to approve the Iran deal

Holes were found in a fence near one of the tanks

PSC recommends tax reform Bail refused for father, mother suspected of human trafficking

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Wednesday met with Finance Minister Winston Jordan to discuss its proposals for the upcoming budget.

Discussion centred on a number of issues of concern to the Private Sector including infrastructure, energy, the environment and taxation, the sugar and rice industries, the economy ,and information and communication technology.

In the case of technology, the urgent need for liberalisation of the telecommunications sector was highlighted. In the area of infrastructure, discussion centred on dredging of the Demerara Harbour and the development of road links, including the Timehri-GeorgetownEast Demerara link, the Linden-Lethem road and the East Bank EssequiboBartica Road.

The Minister suggested that a team be put together, through the Business Ministry, to look at a Public-Private Partnership for the dredging of the Harbour.

The PSC also expressed its views on the need for renewable en -

ergy, especially hydroelectric and solar power.

After the Minister informed the Commission that Government did not intend to proceed with the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project in its current form, it urged the urgent consideration of other renewable energy sources.

The Commission recommended considering waste to energy systems, since Guyana now generates enough solid waste to make these feasible as it ventilated its concerns about solid waste, including the problematic Haags Bosch landfill project. The Commission also recommended the establishment of a solid waste management authority. In response, the Minister suggested that private capital be mobilised for recycling facilities.

With regard to taxation, the PSC recommended reform of the tax system and the Minister informed that the Government was about to commission a tax study which would be utilised, along with a study conducted by Duke University, to develop a comprehensive taxation

system for the country.

The Minister also shared with the Commission Government’s intention to examine the Value Added Tax rate with a view to its amendment, and the Private Sector body urged that a reduction in the rate of corporate taxes be mulled as well, since this could increase Government revenues. Further, Minister Jordan shared the Commission’s view that property taxes need to be revisited.

In addressing the slow-down in business, the PSC urged the Government to consider a stimulus to boost the economy and the Minister committed to reviewing this proposal. He also committed to ensuring stability of the currency through appropriate monetary policies.

The Finance Minister assured the Commission that its proposals would be given consideration in the formulation of either the budget, and said that Government’s current priority was the implementation of its 100-day plan with an attendant focus on increasing pensions and salaries.

Missing Berbice woman feared murdered

The relatives of an East Bank Berbice woman who has been missing for more than 10 days fear that she has been murdered. Yvonne Verona DeCuna, also called “Melissa DeCuna” of Rotterdam, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was reportedly last seen on July 5.

When Guyana Times contacted Police on July 9, concerning rumours of a murder being committed at Sisters Village on the East Bank of Berbice, Police said they had reports of a missing person.

“Remanded to jail” was the order of Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday morning when suspected human traffickers Mark Williamson and Renita Clark, appeared before her to answer the charges against them.

Clark, a 26-year-old mother of three, was refused bail when she pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that she recruited the Virtual Complainant (VC), Alanda Rank as a sex

worker. She allegedly transported the young lady to the interior by means of deception between May 23 to 24.

Williamson, age 48, on the other hand, is a father of six. It was heard that he allegedly engaged in the act of trafficking the VC by means of deception between May 24 to 26.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charge and had the representation of Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat. He appealed to the court’s understanding as he tried

to explain the culture of several young girls who, he stated, go into the interior to “hustle” from lack of other opportunities. He said no one keeps them against their will as they are fully aware of their job description, once they make the trips themselves.

To reinforce this argument, Fung-A-Fat referenced the conditions that a human trafficking situation lends itself to, stating that the VC was not imprisoned, shackled or underfed. The Attorney also reminded the court that the offence allows bail.

However, Prosecutor Deniro Jones disagreed with his argument. He stated that the VC was indeed imprisoned as she was prevented from leaving. He objected to bail on the basis that the crime committed against Rank is quite grave and serious in nature.

Magistrate Ann McLennan upheld this. She ordered the duo be present at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court on September 17.

Vlissengen Road murder case goes to High Court

TAccording to the missing woman’s aunt, Shurlyn DeCuna, she did not know that her niece was missing until the Thursday after she was last seen. She said from the information she received “Melissa” had been at a friend’s house imbibing with four men. According to her, the 31-year-old mother of four did not return home to her husband on Saturday night. Her aunt believed DeCuna, who she said was mentally disturbed, was killed based on information she has been receiving. She said that reports from Plegtanker (another village on the East Bank of Berbice) indicated that a body was seen floating in the Berbice River on July 9. “We tell the Police and the Police never go until Monday,” she said. However, residents of Plegtanker told this publication that they heard the rumours but none of them confirmed seeing a body in the river or hearing directly from someone that they saw the body.

The sawmill worker is of the view that persons in the village have knowledge of his wife’s whereabouts. “It could be that people hiding my wife from me or kill my wife and not telling me…” He described her as a person who has been seeking treatment from the National Psychiatric Hospital and who would sometimes imbibe with boys in the village who would take sexual advantage of her when she got drunk. Cozier said it has been an embarrassing situation for him.

The missing woman’s husband, Vernon Cozier, at whom accusing fingers were also being pointed, told the Guyana Times at he would never do anything to hurt his wife. “She would normally leave and go away and come back three to four days’ time. If she drink, I does quarrel with she,” he explained.

“Most times when she and her husband get problems is by me she does come, but I still check to see if she gone by anybody because she ent nowhere else,” the woman’s aunt said, as she explained that she had been searching for her niece.

As Police continue to investigate, several persons have been detained and questioned. The matter is being treated as a missing person case.

he mystery over the murder of Businessman Ashook Ragghu, who was brutally gunned down almost a year ago in his car on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, in the vicinity of the Zoological Park, has been handed over to the High Court to deduce.

The murder charge that surrounds Jermaine Otto, 25, of Lot 735 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown; and Travis McDougall, 24, of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, will be decided at the Supreme Court of Judicature since being committed by Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday.

The duo was charged last August for the murder of Ragghu after he was shot multiple times by a gunman on a CG motorcycle. It was heard that around 13:00h on August 18, 2014, Ragghu and his wife were travelling in their motorcar PGG 8291 along Vlissengen Road when they stopped in traffic at a traffic light at the junction of Vlissengen Road and Regent Street.

It was at this time that the two men rode up alongside the driver’s side of the car and opened fired on Ragghu. One of the men then reached into the car for a haversack that contained money. However,

his wife held unto the bag and one of the perpetrators shot her in her thigh in an attempt to escape with the bag containing the money. The men escaped on their motorcycle.

Ragghu was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Since then, the men have been on remand at the Camp Street prison. Magistrate Ann McLennan was presiding over their case in Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they were represented by Attorneys George Thomas and Nigel Hughes.

The Attorneys had put up an intense fight for the last several months to prevent the case from being transferred to the High

Court. Hughes had argued about the involuntariness of a caution statement that had been given by his client, McDougall, raising several concerns about the alleged torture of the accused. However, Magistrate Ann McLennan had found in favour of the Prosecutor Neville Jeffers. She stated that the testimonies of the witnesses suggest that the accused had made up a story of torture against several Police Officers that he had come in contact with during his time in custody. She said this was done to render the statement he had given null and void. However, she said that since he was not forced nor threatened, it can be admitted as evidence against him.

Alleged Human Trafficker Renita Clark

Mark Williamson

Jermaine Otto

Travis McDougall

Oil and gas companies express interest in Guyana

With Guyana preparing to reap the benefits of the ExxonMobil operations, several international investors in the oil and gas industry on Monday met with Minister of State Joseph Harmon to discuss business opportunities in Guyana.

According to a release from the Ministry, the investors told Harmon that despite possible challenges, Guyana is now at a crossroad and has a unique opportunity to grow economically through international investments. The businessmen indicated that they have strong beliefs in doing business legally and ethically – thus their reasons for choosing to do business under the David Granger-led Administration.

The investors made it clear that they would not have come to Guyana to operate the way business was done under the previous Administration. They expressed that it is their belief that Guyana is now in an era of legality, honesty and transparency that will attract more overseas investors.

Minister Harmon told the group of Executives that Government’s and President Granger’s intention is to create a level playing field for business, taking Guyana in a direction that facilitates business that is neither

characterised nor tainted with the kind of corruption that Guyana has become accustomed to, from certain types of investments seen before.

He noted too that it is the Head of State’s intention to ensure that business in Guyana is facilitating, and that firmer business arrangements and business connections are established with the US.

Harmon also explained that the establishment and appointment of a Minister of Business supports Government’s intention of having a strong, legitimate and thriving business sector.

The Minister welcomed the investors and said he stands committed to ensuring that business with the

international community is facilitated in an orderly and proper manner. The investors’ interest comes at a time when US oil giant ExxonMobil has discovered oil-bearing rock in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The United States-based oil company said the Liza-1 well has encountered more than 295 feet of high quality, oil bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well is the first on the 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block and has been drilled to 17,825 feet. It was drilled by ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd has a 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds

30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

The oil company has made headway amid the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, where the latter remains adamant that the area where the US company is drilling is within its territory.

In early March, the oil and gas company – one of the largest in the world –was warned by the Spanishspeaking country to refrain from going ahead with its planned exploratory drilling activity, on a concession awarded by Guyana offshore its Essequibo Coast. Guyana, however, requested that Venezuela not interfere in its development activities.

Guyana receiving protected areas support from German society

Guyana will receive financial and technical support for the development of its protected areas system from the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

This was confirmed on Wednesday when Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman and Chief Executive Officer of Frankfurt Zoological Society, Dr Christof Schenck signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the boardroom of the Minister’s Brickdam Office.

As part of the agree-

ment, FZS is providing the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) with the services of two experts; Dr Anouska Kinahan and Thadaigh Baggallay, who have been in Guyana for the past year. These two experts are tasked with advising the PAC on setting up the Guyana conservation area system, lending support to establish administrative and monitoring systems for the Kanuku Mountains, the crafting of monitoring plans and biodiversity surveys, and liaising with representatives of

other interest groups such as indigenous communities, Conservation International and regional planning authorities. Additional support in the form of financing will be made available once development of the country’s management plans and strategies are completed.

Minister Trotman said that the Government welcomes this support which is critical for the advancement of the country’s protected areas system.

He said that, “we are now awakened to the fact that our biodiversity is precious

EIB, FAO to help boost Private Sector investment in agriculture

Highlighting a renewed global interest in agriculture, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is expanding its collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation (FAO); a move aimed at broadening and deepening investment in agriculture in countries outside of the European Union.

The two institutions have signed a fiveyear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that seeks to foster investment operations in the field of agriculture, Private Sector development and value chains that promote both EIB’s priorities and FAO’s strategic objectives.

The agreement, announced during the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, further marks the engagement of the EIB in the agribusiness sector and, for FAO, a partnership with the world’s largest multilateral financial institution.

“This is a landmark opportunity for both of us to combine technical knowledge and financial capacity to engage private and public investors in eradicating hunger,” said FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva, noting that ensuring enough global food supply for a growing population and making agri-food systems more sustainable would require robust investments in developing countries.

“Agriculture and agribusiness are key sectors for development impact, as they are and will remain central to lives, livelihoods and social stability.

prowess in devising robust investment operations, are natural complements to one another.

The cooperation will initially look towards the Eastern and Southern neighbour countries of the European Union and the member states of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), with the first initiatives likely to focus on investment support in Georgia and Ukraine, leveraging the EIB’s existing credit lines. In the ACP region, the EIB already supports small- and medium-sized enterprise development in the agribusiness sector.

And recently, the ACP Group of States signed its own MoU with FAO, pledging collaboration on raising Private Sector support for smallholders and inclusive agricultural value chains.

Many of the ACP’s 79 Member States are particularly vulnerable to climate change, a priority for both institutions. The articulation of the two institutions’ interventions in the region’s agricultural and food sector will build on these common priorities.

EIB’s four priority areas for investment include boosting innovation and skills, climate action, strategic infrastructure and improving access to finance for smaller businesses. It recently agreed also to focus support towards young farmers and local initiatives favouring supply chains to boost rural incomes.

and we need to preserve it. Thankfully, we have not lost much of what have and your intervention and presence bodes well for us.”

FZS is an independent, international conservation organisation based in Germany. It is committed to preserving wild lands and biological diversity in the last remaining wilderness areas on the planet. This organisation is active in biodiversity-rich areas in central and Eastern Europe, East Africa, central South America and south-east Asia.? (GINA)

But they are also a primary base for local entrepreneurship, employment and growth in many countries around the world. If we can combine FAO’s local experience and knowhow with our investment capabilities and technical expertise to better channel much needed finance to benefit both food supply and entrepreneurship, then why should we not do that?”

added EIB Vice President Pim van Ballekom.

While FAO and EIB have collaborated before, through information sharing platforms like EastAgri, today’s agreement will intensify their cooperation in the joint analysis, planning and execution of investment operations.

FAO’s expertise in investment-related policies and project formulation for investment, together with EIB’s access to international capital markets and

Last year, the EIB committed over 77 billion euros worth of investments, making it the world’s largest multilateral lender by volume. Around 10 per cent of EIB’s lending is earmarked for investment outside the 28-member European Union, where agriculture is emerging as a new priority. Since 1964, FAO’s investment has helped leverage US$110 billion on behalf of agricultural development, supporting over 2000 projects in 170 countries. The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

An intergovernmental organisation, FAO has 194 member nations, two associate members and one member organisation, the European Union. It works to meet the demands posed by major global trends in agricultural development and challenges faced by member nations.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon meeting with the international investors on Monday at the Ministry of the Presidency

Protected Areas Officers Thadaigh Baggallay and Anouska Kinahan; Head Of Department, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Dr Antje Muellner; FZS CEO, Dr Christof Schenck; Governance Minister Raphael Trotman; Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission Damian Fernandes; and Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie after the signing of the MoU

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

You won’t get the recognition you deserve if you don’t talk about your discoveries, accomplishments and plans for the future. Honesty coupled with a solid plan will lead to success.

Take the initiative, or you’ll miss out on advancement. If you want something, you have to go after it. If you are proud of your accomplishments, you will be rewarded.

Unresolved personal problems will prey on your mind. Stop procrastinating and deal with matters in a timely manner so that you will be free to move on to more enjoyable pastimes.

Generosity won’t work if you are trying to buy love or friendship. If you pay your own way, you will discover that others will be content with your entertaining conversation.

Your dedication to a worthy cause will bring you acclaim. People you may not have met through regular channels will recognize your value and determination. Don’t be intimidated by what you think you can’t do. With careful planning, you will advance. Precision and a positive attitude will take you far. Make celebration and romance your reward.

Pay close attention to any changes going on around you. An unsettled personal or professional situation will work to your benefit if you don’t hesitate to act.

New horizons are opening up for you. Unfamiliar venues and new experiences will stimulate your creativity and inspire you to start something meaningful and exciting. Keep moving forward.

Your kindness will bring unexpected favors. Do what you do best and strive to make improvements that benefit everyone in order to gain respect and popularity.

Keep an open mind. A spur-of-the-moment decision will bring new opportunities. If you trust your intuition when faced with an unforeseen choice, you will rise to the top.

You can remain in control if you don’t give in to pressure tactics. Others may have an alternate agenda. Make a professional change when the time is right for you.

Marketing your skills will be worth the effort. Networking with individuals who have relevant experience will give you insight as to how to move forward. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert

arChie

Jamaican born footballer breaks Britain’s transfer fee record

AJamaican born footballer, Raheem Sterling, has broken a British transfer record fee, officials confirmed on Monday.

Manchester City has completed their signing of Liverpool winger Sterling for a whopping £49m, the clubs have confirmed.

Sterling, 20, now becomes the most expensive footballer in Britain.

“You don’t think about things like that when you’re that age but things have come really fast in the last couple of years,” said Sterling.

“I’ve just had to learn to take it all in my stride but I never imagined I’d be at this point at the age I am now and breaking a British transfer record fee.”

Sterling says he is relieved after completing the protracted £49m move from Liverpool to Manchester City.

He told Manchester City’s club website that he will improve as a player and that he is ready to consistently challenge for major honours.

“I’m just glad it’s all over and done with and I can’t wait,” Sterling said.

“The more quality players around you, the more quality it brings out in you. So I can’t wait to get started and play alongside them”.

The validity of paying such a fee for an emerging tal-

ent has been a source of debate in the British press since Liverpool concluded negotiations with City on Sunday.

Sterling has signed a five year contract at the club which will earn him over £50 million – around £10 million a year.

“Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who has handed the winger the number seven jersey.

“He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team.”

Sterling is leaving Liverpool after 129 appearances and 23 goals. (CMC)

Britain’s Chris Froome maintained his stronghold on the Tour de France yellow jersey as Rafal Majka claimed stage 11.

Team Sky’s Froome finished the 188km route from Pau to Cauterets alongside most of his rivals and leads Tejay van Garderen by two minutes and 52 seconds.

Defending champion Vincenzo Nibali lost 50 seconds as he was dropped in the final stretch, following the arduous climb up the Col du Tourmalet.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s Majka finished a minute ahead of Ireland’s Dan Martin.

It was Pole Majka’s third stage win at the Tour after two victories in 2014 and he looked a sure bet to reach

Cauterets first from the moment that he burst off the front of a breakaway group of seven riders during the climb up to the Tourmalet.

There were relatively few problems for 30-year-old Froome on another hot day in the Pyrenees, with the stage lacking the drama of his spectacular attack on the climb to La Pierre-Saint-Martin on Tuesday.

He was always protected by team-mates Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte and there were no meaningful attacks from his general classification rivals Van Garderen, Nibali, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador as everyone seemed content to let the breakaway contest the stage win.

Facing criminal charges and a judicial custody for a period of about 10 days rather shows the seriousness of the misconduct committed by him. His habit of regularly placing bets in IPL matches renders the argument of his being first offender and unblemished antecedents in previous IPL tournaments of no worth.

That he lost up to Rs 60 lakhs in bets shows that he engaged himself in heavy bets. It is his bad luck that he did not make money out of these bets. Any agony suffered by him because of media coverage or any hardship that may have been caused to him is too small in comparison to the huge injury he caused to the reputation and image of the game, IPL and BCCI. If the reputation and image of the sport are lost, what remains? Being 40 years of age, he is not young but middle-aged. It is difficult to accept that he has passion for the game...

The committee imposes following sanctions:

* He is declared ineligible for participation in the sport of cricket as explained in the anti-corruption code for a maximum of five years under article 2.2.1

* He is suspended for life from the activities as explained in Article 7.5 under Level 4 ( first offence ) of Article 2.4 of the Code of conduct

* He is suspended for life from being involved in any type of cricket matches un -

Tour de France: Chris Froome’s dominance continues

Indeed, the big loser of the day was Italian Nibali, who appeared to be in much better form than he showed on Tuesday only to fall off the back of the yellow jersey group as it made its way up the short but steep climb of Cote de Cauterets.

By that point Dutch rider Bauke Mollema had sprinted off the front to take the vital seconds that allowed him to force his way into the top 10 in the overall standings - his place coming at Nibali’s expense.

Froome’s team-mate Geraint Thomas remains fifth overall going into Thursday’s stage 12, a 195km route with four climbs from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille. (BBC Sport)

Corruption in the IPL… Excerpts from the Lodha panel’s verdict on Gurunath Meiyappan

der Section 6, rule 4.2(b) read with (j) of the Operational Rules.

Raj Kundra As part owner, having 11.4% of shareholding by his family and investment vehicle, and team official, Raj Kundra was required to conduct himself in comformity with the rules, regulations and codes framed by the BCCI. Being UK citizen, he had heavy responsibility on him to ensure that his acts and actions were not in conflict with the laws of a foreign country. Betting is a crime punishable under the Indian Penal Code. Besides that, it is an offence, corrupt practice under the BCCI’s rules regulations and codes. With so much of information available online, it is very difficult to accept that as a UK citizen, he believed betting to be legal in India. It is no secret that some of the players of the Rajasthan Royals of which he was the team official were found enmeshed in a web of match fixing . When a part owner (team official) indulges in corrupt practices, unsavoury individuals and bad elements become bold enough to involve vulnerable elements including players in all sorts of corruption. The findings by the Hon Supreme Court of the acts of betting have affected the image of the BCCI, IPL and the game of cricket and brought each one of them to disrepute and involvement in betting by team officials is against the spirit of the game, reflect the grave nature of misconduct he is found to be involved with.

Sanctions:

* He is declared ineligible from participation in the sport of cricket as explained in Anti Corrupton Code for the maximum period of 5 years under Article 2.2.1

* He is suspended for life from activities as explained in Article 7.5 under Level 4 ( first offence ) of Article 2.4 of the Code of Conduct.

* He is suspended for life from being involved with the BCCI in any type of cricket matches under Section 6, rule 4.2(b) read with (j) of the Operational Rules.

On India Cements

Moreover, Mr Gurunath Meiyappan was in the position of owner. He is the sonin-law of Mr N Srinivasan, managing director of India Cements, which is a franchise of the team CSK, and Mr Gurunath Meiyappan was considered to be the face

of the owner due to his actions. Therefore, offences of the persons who are the face representative of the owner would have to be considered as acts of the owner for the purpose of the operational rules with reference to IPL league matches and consequently the actions of such persons which bring the game, BCCI into disrepute.

Not only that no urgent action was taken by India Cements against Gurunath Meiyappan but as a matter of fact no action has been shown to have been taken against him. The order of suspension passed by the BCCI against Gurunath Meiyappan after his arrest is not an action by India Cements against its official. The plea by India Cements regarding long history to contribution of cricket and cricketers cannot be accepted in view of the fact due to the act of Gurunath Meiyappan, team official of CSK who happened to be sonin-law of Mr N Srinivasan, MD of India Cements, the then BCCI president the purity of the game has been affected and the contribution if any made by the franchise has also been wasted because millions of people, true lovers of the game feel cheated. Moreover, disrepute has been brought to cricket, BCCI and IPL to such an extent that doubts abound in the public consciousness about whether games are clean or not.

Having regard to the findings recorded by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and on taking into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances as noted and discussed above, the Committee proposes to impose sanction on India Cements Ltd (Franchisee) under Section 6,rule 4.2(c) of the Operational Rules by suspending it from the League for a period of two years. The period of suspension shall commence from the date of this order.

On Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Limited

Mr Raj Kundra was indeed part owner and also team official and therefore for the purpose of operational rules with reference to IPL matches Mr Raj Kundra’s actions that brought the game, the BCCI and the IPL into disrepute have to be considered actions of the franchise.

We do not think that Jaipur IPL can shirk its responsibility by terming the acts done by Mr Raj Kundra as having

been done in his personal capacity. If those who indulge in corrupt practices forbidden by the rules of the game are an integral part of the franchise in view of their accreditation, part ownership, close relationship and also being team official, the argument that these acts were personal and as a consequence of them if the image of the game, the BCCI and the league got affected, the franchise cannot be held responsible does not merit acceptance. Such a technical approach is legally unsustainable because of the very nature of relationship between the franchise and the wrongdoer.

The general omissions by all franchises found in the ACSU report deserve various attention by the BCCI but in so far as Jaipur IPL is concerned its omissions are grave in as much as its part owner and team official have been found to have indulged in betting and that has affected the image of the game, the BCCI and the league and brought each one of them into disrepute. Jaipur IPL claims that it is highly celebrates as nursery for players but the fact remains that three RR players were arrested and charged with spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL season. The committee can also take notice of the fact that there has been allegation of approach to one of its players for corrupt practices in 2015 IPL season as well. This shows that all is not well with Jaipur IPL in handling anti-corruption issues. It is true that Mr Raj Kundra has relinquished his shares somewhere in the month of March but it is too late. No urgent action was taken by Jaipur IPL against Raj Kundra when his acts of betting became known. Once it is accepted that cricket is greater than individuals or a body of individuals and financial loss may be caused to a few players and franchises may not be a significant consideration while taking disciplinary action or for imposition of punishment for wrongdoing.

On consideration of all relevant aspects of the matter, the Committee imposes sanction on JIPL (Franchisee) under Section 6, rule 4.2(c) of the Operational Rules by suspending it from the League for a period of two years. The period of suspension shall commence from the date of this order. (Cricinfo)

Raheem Sterling

Bangladesh seal series with 9-wicket win

Not reputation, not rankings, not even rain could stop Bangladesh from bounding to a first bilateral series win over South Africa and a fourth successive series triumph at home. They dominated South Africa in every department: restricting them to a total of under 200 and then romping to the target themselves, with 13.5 overs to spare.

On the way, Shakib al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza both picked up their 200th ODI wicket, Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar posted the best partnership for Bangladesh against South Africa - 154and Sarkar scored the fastest fifty for a Bangladesh batsman against South Africa, off 41 balls. South Africa could only watch and wonder how Bangladesh seemed to be playing on a complete different surface to the slow, strangling one that had snared them earlier.

South Africa’s top-order struggled against the shrewd approach from Bangladesh’s bowlers, who collectively put in another disciplined performance.

Only JP Duminy and David Miller had some measure of conditions with 63 runs for the fifth wicket. Duminy went on to a half-century but there were little resistance from anyone else, particularly the recognised batsmen.

Quinton de Kock’s failure to find form extended to another innings. Mustafizur Rahman found his leg stump with a full delivery

that angled in and evaded de Kock, as he tried to play to mid-wicket. Shakib was introduced in the sixth over and immediately caused problems for South Africa’s most experienced pair. Neither Hashim Amla nor Faf du Plessis adjusted to the pitch of the ball, but du Plessis was the first to try to counterattack. His attempted sweep resulted in a top-edge. Four overs later, Shakib should have had Amla as well. Amla played a similar to du Plessis’, but Sabbir Rahman, who had to backpedal from mid-off to judge the catch, could not hold on. Shakib was not denied for too long though. In his

next over, Amla was caught behind to become Shakib’s 200th ODI wicket.

Mahmudullah had Rilee Rossouw caught when he lost his balance trying to pull and South Africa were in trouble on 50 for 4 before Duminy and Miller dug in. Miller was more confident against spin and in his use of the sweep shot than he has been all series, and Duminy, realising the need to bat patiently, was happy to wait.

That was just as well, because the wait lasted two hours and 55 minutes as rain interrupted South Africa’s innings after 23 overs with the score on 78 for 4. When play resumed,

Pietersen praises ‘all-round performance’ for Zouks thrilling win over Red Steel

Captain of the St.Lucia Zouks Kevin Pietersen has praised “a good all round performance” by his team for allowing them to pull-off a thrilling last ball victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in match 23 of the Caribbean Premier League at the Queen’s Park Oval Tuesday night.

Needing seven runs from the final two deliveries bowled by Captain Dwayne Bravo, Ross Taylor scored a six and a single to give Zouks their first victory over Red Steel in CPL history.

Zouks have now moved to second place on the table having won four matches and lost four.

“Everybody that stayed around tonight got full entertainment full value for their tickets. It was just really good, a good all round performance from our guys,” declared Pietersen, standing in as skipper for the injured Darren Sammy.

“Obviously we hung around; we won a crucial toss I think. That was really important to bat second. Just all round really good

Kevin Pietersen

performance. The players managed themselves in the field so it was easy to captain them”.

The game, which started more than two hours late because of rain, was reduced to nine overs a side but was action packed as the momentum swung back and forth.

Jacques Kallis scored 38 and the Bravo Brothers, Darren and Dwayne put together an exciting 5th wicket stand of 35 runs, to help their side to 90 for four.

Opener Johnson Charles

Miller continued in his role as aggressor and until he hit Mortaza in the air and Sabbir made up for his earlier drop with a diving catch at backward point to give the captain his 200th.

Farhaan Behardien showed signs of the fight he displayed in the second match, but holed out off Shakib as South Africa looked to accelerate. Sabbir, stationed on the long-on boundary, caught the ball overhead, but seeing that the momentum would take him over the rope, threw it back in and then re-collected it once he was within the boundary. That left Duminy with the tailenders, who were unable to cope with the cutter from Mustafizur and the yorker from Rubel Hossain.

South Africa lost four wickets for 19 runs to leave their bowlers with a tough task, especially as they did not have their premier pace pack to pull it off. They have previously successfully defended just three totals lower than this - 129, 140 and 149and not even Morne Morkel’s inclusion could help them add 170 to that list.

Morkel bowled first change, behind Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada, and all the three could not find the right length or line to trouble Bangladesh. They were either too short or too full and almost always too straight.

Tamim delighted in riding the bounce to cut or leaning into the on-drive but Sarkar held the early controls. He took three

successive boundaries off Rabada, all on the leg side, to bring Bangladesh’s fifty in the eighth over, before Amla turned to spin. Neither Imran Tahir nor Duminy caused any problems, instead presenting opportunity for the openers to charge down the track.

Sarkar’s fifty came off from a leg-side ball from Morkel, eased to short fine leg, which only opened him up for more expansive strokeplay: The cover drive off Tahir, the hoick over mid-wicket for the only six of the innings, the pull, the steer through the va-

cant slip cordon. Tamim, while being a spectator to all these, brought up his own fifty, off 70 balls, with a single. As the result became a foregone conclusion, Tamim did his best to get Sarkar on strike in search of a century but Sarkar brought about his own downfall, chipping Tahir to short cover. Tamim, though, was on hand, along with Litton Das, to usher Bangladesh home and into the history books to conclude a limitedovers’ season to remember for a cricketing nation on the rise. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa innings (40 overs maximum)

Q de Kock† b Mustafizur Rahman 7

HM Amla* c †Mushfiqur Rahim

b Shakib Al Hasan 15

F du Plessis c †Mushfiqur Rahim

b Shakib Al Hasan 6

RR Rossouw c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mahmudullah 17

DA Miller c Sabbir Rahman b Mashrafe Mortaza 44

JP Duminy c Liton Das b Rubel Hossain 51

F Behardien c Sabbir Rahman b Shakib Al Hasan 12

K Rabada b Mustafizur Rahman 1

KJ Abbott b Rubel Hossain 5

M Morkel not out 1

Extras: (lb 3, w 4, nb 2) 9

Total: (9 wickets; 40 overs) 168

Did not bat: Imran Tahir

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (de Kock, 2.2 ov), 2-19 (du Plessis, 7.1 ov), 3-45 (Amla, 13.3 ov), 4-50 (Rossouw, 15.1 ov), 5-113 (Miller, 29.6 ov), 6-149 (Behardien, 35.1 ov), 7-155 (Rabada, 36.4 ov),

Caster Semenya

8-167 (Abbott, 39.2 ov), 9-168 (Duminy, 39.6 ov)

Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman

8-0-24-2, Mashrafe Mortaza 5-0-29-1, Shakib Al Hasan 8-0-33-3, Rubel Hossain 6-029-2, Nasir Hossain 8-0-300, Mahmudullah 5-0-20-1

Bangladesh innings (target: 170 runs from 40 overs) Tamim Iqbal not out 61 Soumya Sarkar c Amla b Imran Tahir 90 Liton Das not out 5

Extras: (lb 5, w 9) 14

Total: (1 wicket; 26.1 overs) 170 Did not bat: Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-154 (Soumya Sarkar, 24.4 ov)

Bowling: KJ Abbott 5-0-27-0, K Rabada 6-0-41-0, M Morkel 5-0-36-0, Imran Tahir 6.1-137-1, JP Duminy 4-0-24-0

fails to post qualifying time in 800m

Former 800-meter world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medalist Caster Semenya has not made South Africa’s initial team for the world championships in Beijing next month after failing to post a qualifying time.

Athletics South Africa

said Tuesday that athletes have until the end of July to qualify, with a final deadline of Aug. 10 for “exceptional circumstances.” The championships begin Aug. 22.

returned to form with a responsible knock of 41 which included three fours and the same number of sixes to keep the Zouks in the game.

“Well definitely not just me all the fans back home (are happy) because seeing that we only needed seven off two balls, anybody’s heart would be in their mouths and if they bite they dead,” said Charles.

“So I think it was a pressure situation as I said and the good thing is we came out on top”. (CMC)

RSemenya needs to run 2 minutes, 1 second to make the team in the 800. She has a best of 2:04.19 this season but had to pull out of this month’s World University Games with a recurrence of a knee injury that forced her to miss the 2013 worlds.

Semenya made global headlines when it was revealed she underwent gender tests before winning the 2009 world title as an 18-year-old. (ESPN)

Real Madrid edge Yankees, Cowboys as most valuable sports franchise

eal Madrid top Forbes’ list for the third consecutive year, but two iconic American franchises made big jumps.

Real Madrid have been named the world’s most valuable sports team by Forbes, edging Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees into second and third respectively.

The Spanish football powerhouse lead the Forbes list of the 50 most valuable sports franchises for the third consecutive year, although Forbes pegs their value at $3.26 billion, down slightly from last year.

The Cowboys and Yankees are next at $3.2 billion, with each franchise making a big jump from last year’s projection.

Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona are fourth at $3.16 billion, just ahead of Manchester United at $3.1 billion.

Rounding out the top 10 are the Los Angeles Lakers ($2.6 billion), New England Patriots ($2.6 billion), New York Knicks ($2.5 billion), Los Angeles Dodgers ($2.4 billion) and Washington Redskins ($2.4 billion).

Real and Barca’s ability to negotiate their own television deals bolsters their respective revenues although failures in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last season cost Real, along with the recent rejection of plans to expand their Santiago Bernabeu home. (Digicel Sportsmax)

Tamim Iqbal guided Bangladesh to a series win with a 77-ball 61

Real

Madrid’s star Cristiano Ronald

SHALOM ENTERPRISE 2 CROAL STREET, STABROEK. INQUIRE ABOUT OUR DRIVING PACKAGE & INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S PERMIT (JOIN US ON FACEBOOK) 2273869/622-8162/644-7052

GET SUCCESSFUL

AT YOUR EXAMS WITH YOUR

PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH. CALL: 696-7467

GET SUCCESSFUL RESULTS AT YOUR EXAMS WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SSEE OR CXC ENGLISH. CALL: 696-7467

PRIVATE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE

TRAINING CERTIFICATE COURSE.

29 JUNE 2015; REGISTER NOW AND SAVE. CALL: 223-1506/6817567/694-8322

Private Custom’s brokers certificate training course. All importer/ exporters and others who trade is on the increase globally and locally. Learn how to prepare custom documents. Date :4th August 2015 (for three weeks). Classes from 2:004:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm (optional). For more information call:6948322 or 223-1506. Register early and save$$$

FOR SALE

Clean Garden earth. Also excavating, grading and leveling done. Call 6279977

20 tons heavy duty trailer – 2.7 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

Caterpillar skid loader 246B low hours – 6.6 MILLION; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

Caterpillar back hoe /loader with extended arm 8.6 million; Call: 6786022 or 613-9277

2002 Volvo dump truck heavy duty with Cummings engine low hours mileage 5.2kmi, 8.9 million; Call: 678-6022 or 613-9277

For sale by lot: Lot (1): 2 bath tubs, bathroom fittings and fixtures & toilet set; shower fittings - $150,000 and Lot (2): 1 Dell desktop computer and HP scanner - $25,000. Call 225-2676 or

Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536, Meten-Meer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.

Parfaite Harmonie $1.5 million, Tuschen $1.6 million, Linden/ Soesdyke highway -30 acres agricultural land $9 million. C A l l : 6757292 /611-7223

Lot 63 West Ruimveldt; Call Mark 618-9744

2 storey concrete house , 3 bedroom , 1 self contained, 1 laundry room, located at Mon Repos East Coast Demerara; 32.5 Million. Tel : 642-2116

One property Ogle, One property Anna Catherina, One property Good Hope. Contact: 222-3060/6735546/622-6448/679-0987

1 two Storey house , two bathroom, four bedroom. At Diamond Scheme Golden Grove. Price : $14 Million (negotiable). Call : 692 -8814

Furnish house, double lot with land for sale located at 328 Newtown Enmore, East Coast Demerara; Tel # 255-0147, Must see owner at above address. Asking 14 million (Guy) dollars (negotiable)

Two storied 22ft x 45ft transported concrete property. UPSTAIRS 2 bedrooms , kitchen, toilet, bath. DOWNSTAIRS SEPARATE 2 bedroom apartment, Fully grilled, Block ‘8’ Monrepos, ECD. 20 MILLION. TEL: 625-1514 OFFICE 321-7255

House plans & estimates, weeding of grass and spraying done within 48hrs. Call: 216-0671; 622-0267; 692-8464

Repairs and spare parts for fridge, freezers, A/C, washers, gas stoves, etc. Call Nick tel # 683-1312 or 6273206

Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134

Surinamese spiritualist. Resolving all problems. Money, love, blockage etc. Call 223-6834/600-7719

Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 602-8997 HEPHZIBAH MINISTRIES 24 hrs Prayer Line 322-5081,337-4510,3374259,337-4583,337-3070,337-5103. For healing, deliverance, financial difficulties, marriage issues call now. Jesus Cares.

TAxI SERVICES

GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089

Three Storey 75ft’x 30ft’ bldg, open floors, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveway. 25B Princess St, Charlestown. Tel : 223-0654, 225-0605

Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental. Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 622-7097 / 624-7111

Experienced Supermarket Clerks & Cashiers. Apply in person with written application – Panglobal, 158 Barr St. Kitty

JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO

MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

We buy lands in Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Farm, Herstelling, Uitvlugt and Elsewhere. C A l l: 675-7292 / 611-7223

Champions League T20 discontinued

After six editions that generated lukewarm interest from fans, the Champions League T20 has been discontinued. The tournament’s governing council, comprising representatives of the BCCI, CSA and CA, made the decision unanimously on Wednesday. According to a BCCI release, the governing council determined that the discontinuation was “the most appropriate decision due to the tournament’s limited public following”.

The 2015 edition, scheduled for September and October, will not go ahead.

“This has been a difficult decision as the Champions League T20 provided added context to a number of domestic Twenty 20 competitions around the world such as the IPL in India, Big Bash League in Australia and South Africa’s Ram Slam T20,” said Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary. “It was a fantastic platform for players from around the world to showcase their talent and the participating teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience over the last six seasons.

“Unfortunately, off the field, Champions League T20

wasn’t sustaining the interest of the fans as we had hoped. This decision was made, after consultation with all our commercial partners and meeting the contractual obligations of all parties involved. The Governing Council would like to thank everyone involved with the CLT20 and all those who participated in the tournament.

“Further details associated with winding down the league including settling with the three nations that had invested time and effort in the competition, will be completed very soon.”

The BCCI, CA and CSA met this May to mull over the CLT20’s future, and it soon emerged that the stakeholders were likely to shelve the tournament. Plans were afoot to find an alternative to fill the tournament window, with a mini-IPL one of the mooted options. That option has also been ruled out for now, with the IPL rocked by the suspension of two of its franchise owners.

The CLT20 has been dogged by a variety of issues since its inception in 2008. The first edition, scheduled to be held in India in 2008, was

cancelled following terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

The governing council and the ECB were often at loggerheads over scheduling - with the tournament clashing with the English domestic season - until the ICC granted the CLT20 an official window in 2011.

The tournament was seen as representing different leagues unequally, with the champions of domestic T20 leagues in Sri Lanka, New Zealand or Pakistan forced to go through a qualifying round while even the second-best sides in India, Australia and South Africa gained automatic entry into the main tournament. The India-centric nature of the event was often exaggerated by players choosing to represent their IPL franchises ahead of their domestic T20 teams.

The CLT20 suffered a lack of commercial success as well, with low spectator interest and a subsequent drop-off of sponsor interest. This was best illustrated by the fate of its first two title sponsors: Bharti Airtel, who signed a five-year deal, pulled out in two years; Nokia left one year into a four-year deal. (Cricinfo)

Faulkner given four-match ban by Cricket Australia

James Faulkner, Australia’s man of the match in the World Cup final, has been suspended for four international matches and will not be considered for the limited overs matches that follow the Ashes.

While playing for Lancashire, Faulkner crashed his car after a night out drinking in Manchester with his Tasmania teammate Tim Paine and was found to have been more than twice over the legal blood alcohol limit.

Faulkner spent the night in the custody of Manchester police and will face court on July 21. However, Cricket Australia have acted swiftly under the board’s code of conduct to suspend the allrounder.

His ban covers the match against Ireland, plus the Twenty20 and first two ODIs against England. Faulkner had been warned that a suspension would effectively rule him out of the tour.

It is another blow to the tourists and a help to England’s chances of maintaining their upward curve in the short formats, begun against New Zealand.

Team performance manager Pat Howard said Faulkner had accepted his penalty.

“James has acknowledged the seriousness of his actions and has accepted the penalties handed down today,” he said. “He has cooperated fully with the disciplinary procedure and is deeply remorseful.

“We have reminded James that his actions had serious potential to cause harm to him

James Faulkner has been given a four-match ban by Cricket Australia

and others. Aside from the suspension handed down, he has been formally reprimanded for his behaviour.

“In saying that, we do acknowledge that James has been a player with a good track record and we would like to think that this episode is very much out of character.”

Howard and CA also expressed disappointment in Paine, who was also in the car with Faulkner at the time. (Cricinfo)

Last winners of the Champions League, Chennai Superkings celebrate after being presented with their trophy

Hero CPL… Zouks arrive in the Amazon!

The St Lucia Zouks arrived on Wednesday afternoon for their clash with the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Zouks will play their final group match on Friday and can end with a maximum of 11 points as they currently sit third on the points table with nine points.

However, they will face a hungry Amazon Warriors team that will be desperate for another two points as they currently sit fifth on the table with seven points with three games to play inclusive of their clash with the Zouks.

With both teams watching rain forcing the abandonment of a possible enticing match-up between the Warriors and the Jamaica Tallawahs, both teams are expected to be ready and rearing to go come Friday.

Both teams will have their final practice session today at the National Stadium while a press conference to introduce the Zouks to the Guyanese public is also expected to be held today.

The Zouks arrival only means that the Warriors will be hopng for major support from its fan base regardless of the weather when Friday rolls around with the match expected to start promptly at 20:00h. (Treiston Joseph)

Where could the IPL go from here?

Aday after the owners of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals franchises were suspended for two years by a Supreme Court-appointed panel, BCCI and IPL team officials had discussions across the country to try and figure out a way forward.

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla met with BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata to discuss the implications of the Lodha Committee’s order, and the Super Kings top management huddled with legal experts in Chennai around the same time. Royals remained tightlipped about their plans for a second day running, but word in the BCCI was that the franchise had no option but to appeal.

While Shukla was sure that “IPL-9 will take place”, former IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah said a special general body meeting was the need of the hour instead of an IPL governing council meeting.

Here are five options the BCCI might have to choose from for IPL 2016, and the reasons why some of them are unviable.

A six-team IPL

Two teams - in their existing form - cannot be part of the next two seasons, but why can’t the IPL comprise only six sides in 2016 and 2017? Fewer teams mean fewer games, and a drasti-

cally shorter tournament is not commercially viable for the BCCI.

The broadcast deal signed with Multi Screen Media says each IPL season will contain at least 60 matches. A six-team competition will have only 34 matches, severely compromising the BCCI’s revenue. The shortfall will affect the central revenue pool, a large chunk of which is distributed equally among the teams. Such a scenario would make it virtually impossible for all the stakeholders to make a profit from the tournament.

Invite bids for two new teams for two years

If two teams can’t play for two years, can’t the BCCI invite bids for two new teams to take their place for the duration of the suspension?

This option is unattractive because it is unlikely that an investor will spend so much money - irrespective of the valuation of the franchises, a team needs to pump in at least INR 125 crore every IPL season - when it is uncertain that it will be recovered in such a short time span.

As for the question of offering to bring back the Kochi and Pune franchises: the Pune team owners, Sahara India, are dealing with legal problems concerning their chief, and the consortium that owned Kochi has no interest in entering the IPL again, especially after the

result of an arbitration process directed the BCCI to pay them a large sum of money. Invite bids for two new teams for a longer duration For several BCCI members, this seems the most logical option. Not only will it solve the financial muddle, new owners’ interest could also help BCCI restore the faith of fans. Adding two new teams, however, will not be straightforward because the two suspended teams can return after two years. That would mean the revenue model will have to be drastically altered and the BCCI will have to start preparing for a nine or ten-team IPL from 2018.

The BCCI runs two teams for two years Some BCCI officials have reportedly been floating the idea of the board fielding two teams - perhaps as Team Chennai and Team Jaipur. While a precedent existsthe BCCI ran the Rajasthan state team in India’s domestic tournaments - such a move is not possible in the IPL.

In the case of the Rajasthan Cricket Asssociation, the BCCI suspended RCA and RCA challenged that in court. Because time was running out, the court directed the BCCI to protect the players’ interest and form Team Rajasthan under the BCCI banner in domestic cricket. (Cricinfo)

Ponting wants cricket in 2024 olympic games

Cricket should be included in the 2024 Olympic Games, says former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

The 40-year-old, the second highest Test run-scorer of all time, was speaking after a meeting of the MCC World Cricket committee at Lord’s.

“The Olympics is the pinnacle of global sport and to be able to get cricket into something like that would be an awesome spectacle,” said Ponting.

“It would be great for the growth and development of cricket.”

Ponting is one of 14 members on the MCC World Cricket committee, an independent body made up of current and former international cricketers and umpires from the men’s and women’s games.

The Australian, who made 41 Test centuries and scored 13,378 Test runs during his career, has suggested games would be played in a T20 format with sides made up of under-23 players, similar to the way football is staged at the Olympics.

“The discussions were

very positive,” added Ponting. “We should look to grow the game and open it to different markets and introduce cricket to a new audience - I think that’s something the game needs.”

However, cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council, has not stated a desire to push cricket towards becoming an Olympic sport.

A statement from the MCC World Cricket committee added: “The committee urges the ICC board to reconsider its position and take a decision that it believes is in the best interests of the global game.

“This would need to be done in the next 12 months for cricket to have a chance of being included in the 2024 Olympics.”

Reduced World Cup ‘damages growth potential’

The committee also urged the ICC to “look again” at its decision to reduce the number of teams for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups to only 10 teams.

There were 14 sides competing in the 2015 com-

petition held in Australia and New Zealand, with Ireland, a non-Test-playing nation, beating the West Indies and Zimbabwe.

However, Ireland and the other ICC Associate members face a tough task to qualify for future events.

“A 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup is a retrograde step that damages the potential for growth in cricket’s developing nations,” said a committee state-

ment.

“To limit future tournaments to 10 teams is a handbrake for the development of the sport.”

Four-day Test matches are not the answer

Suggestions of four-day Test matches, to replace the current five-day format, have been dismissed by the committee, who expressed their concern at the “extra strain” it would

put on the players’ bodies.

Although the committee said four-day Testswhich would have started on Thursday and finished on Sunday - “may encourage the playing of positive, attacking cricket”, they decided it was “not the answer”.

Nevertheless, plans to hold the first day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand under floodlights in November have

been welcomed.

A “World Test League” to find a top cricketing nation across all forms of the game was also something that the committee said should be debated for inclusion in the schedule after 2019.

Bat v ball - a fair contest?

After record-breaking individual and team scores during the 2015 Cricket World Cup, critics said the game was weighted too much in favour of the batsmen.

The committee felt that “today’s cricketers are generally stronger athletes than previous generations of players”. However, the committee has “no appetite for turning back the clock” in reducing the size of cricket bats.

But it was mentioned that the MCC would work with the ICC on a research project to look at the size of the seam on cricket balls, with the hope of making the ball swing more after 15 overs of use than it does currently. This research will be discussed at a future meeting of the committee. (BBC Sport)

Ricky Ponting

The injured and former Captain of the Zouks boards the team bus at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Sanjay’s golf clinic off to solid start at Lusignan

With gratitude to the media for their involvement in promoting the inaugural free golf clinic, Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) President Oncar Ramroop, along with other Executives of the Club, welcomed some 20 interested persons – ranging from ages eight to 70 – to the clinic spon-

sored by Sanjay’s Jewellery Store of 48 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. Ramroop gave the introductory remarks and welcome to those present, while Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo gave a brief and impressive introduction to the history and scope of golf. Each participant was given a

brochure outlining broadly the activities for the clinic, which will end on July 30.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Proprietor of Sanjay’s Jewellery Store, Sanjay Persaud, was on hand at the opening ceremony, and he again expressed pleasure at being involved with the golf clinic, and

looked forward to youths in the communities around Lusignan capitalising on the very good opportunity of learning under such good conditions.

He also distributed some 20 pairs of sneakers to the children and packets of Neutrogena face cream to each person.

Pan Am Games urged by WADA to store drug-test samples

The World Anti-Doping Agency has urged organizers of the Pan Am Games and other large multi-sport events to follow the example of the International Olympic Committee and store samples for possible testing in the future.

Drug-test samples from Olympic Games are stored for up to 10 years, meaning that an athlete who cheated may be caught a decade later by new testing technology.

“We encourage them to do it because it’s important for clean athletes to know that some substance, which couldn’t have been analyzed now, could be analyzed later and detected,” David Howman, the director general of WADA, said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press.

Howman said he recognizes there are budget restrictions, but said that storing more samples would be a further deterrent to cheaters and remind them they are being targeted.

“We’ve discussed that with the IOC, because they store all of theirs,” Howman said. “We’re trying to encourage others to look at a process where they can store any that they think will be beneficial in the future.”

The Pan Am Games currently underway in Toronto is the first large multi-sport event to take place since WADA published its revised

doping code at the start of the year.

Matthew Koop, who leads the anti-doping program with Dr. Julia Alleyne at the Pan Am Games, said the Pan American Sports Organization -- the games organizers -- were responsible for deciding about storing samples.

But he said he was in favor.

“These are regional games, and it’s a different competition from the Olympics, but many leading anti-doping organizations at the national level are starting to look at this,” Koop said. “Of course it comes down to budget. But it is starting to be done, and I think athletes are taking note.”

Howman said two main changes to the code might be noticed at these games, which wrap up July 26 for the 41 nations involved.

Specific banned substances are being targeted, depending on the sport. Howman used the example of cycling. New rules make it mandatory for a certain percentage of athletes in cycling to be tested for the bloodbooster EPO.

“In the past there was a lot of discretion,” Howman said.

Specific athletes will be targeted for testing, looking at “some we might be suspicious about,” Howman said. “That’s a little bit more smart-testing than in the

past, when it was a more random approach.”

Officials running the Pan Am anti-doping program said they will conduct 1,900 blood and urine tests. In an email to AP they declined to confirm the exact number of each. This number is about one-third of the 6,000 athletes participating in Toronto.

Howman, who is leaving his post next year, will have been in the job for 13 years when he steps away. He said it’s getting more difficult to cheat, although he’s a realist.

“What I see is that the gap has narrowed, but there is more money involved in sport now, and more money made available to those who want to beat the system,” Howman said.

He used the example of wealthy professional athletes, some earning as much a year as WADA’s annual budget of $30 million. WADA has spent about $65 million on anti-doping research since it was set up 16 years ago, which pales in comparison to the cheaters’ resources.

Howman said it was a contest between “the good guys and the bad guys” and that the opposition is always looking for an edge.

“There are people out there waiting for our prohibited list to come out to find something on that list that they want to try,” Howman explained. “They figure maybe they can get away with it.

GBCA pleads with Govt for funding

The Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA) made a plea on Wednesday for funding that will allow it to participate in the 8th Regional Blind Cricket Tournament scheduled for St Lucia from July 24 to August 4.

Leroy Phillips, a member of the team, highlighted that he hoped the public and the Government would hear the cries of the Association.

“At the moment we are hoping to get the remainder of the funds possibly from the Government to aid our travel before it’s too late for us to participate in the tournament,” Phillips stated.

You’ve got that component that you are always going to be battling.” (ESPN)

With $3.2 million still required, Seon Mitchell, a member of the GBCA, made a personal plea for funds.

“I want to talk to the whole of Guyana, we need

the funds, to Mr Granger they say new President, new rules so we hope to see what you can do, we are not going to represent ourselves, it’s Guyana, so I just want everybody to come on board,” Mitchell stressed.

Meanwhile, Phillips shared some insight into the preparation of the team, “It’s been very intense; we have been doing a lot of practical work and jogging with the guys and in the evening we have also been doing some theoretical things in order to highlight what we expect from the guys,” Phillips stated.

While the GBCA will conclude its training camp later this week at the National Gymnasium, the tournament will consist of a number of Caribbean countries vying for the top spot in the Region.

(Treiston Joseph)

The participants pose with LGC President Oncar Ramroop, Club Captain Chatterpaul Deo and sponsor Sanjay Persaud

Some action during a blind cricket game in Guyana

Warriors/Tallawahs match abandoned without a ball bowled

Persistent rain caused the match between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Appleton Estate Jamaica Tallawahs to be abandoned in the Hero Caribbean Premier League. Despite the sterling efforts of the Providence

ground staff there was never a break in the weather that was long enough to get cricket underway. A six over match was scheduled to begin at 9.15pm local time but yet another rain shower made that impossible.

A “no result” means that the

teams get one point each pushing the Tallawahs up to second, ahead of the St Lucia Zouks on net run rate. The Jamaican side have just one match remaining in the group stages so can now garner a maximum of 11 points. Whether they

finish in the top four will depend on the results of others.

The Amazon Warriors remain in 5th place but, with three games in hand, they can still progress but they will need to win at least two of those remaining matches to be con-

fident of competing in the knockout stages. If they win all three there is a theoretical chance they could finish top of the league and qualify automatically for the final, but that too would depend on how results go for the other teams. (CPL Release)

Warrior fans turn out in numbers to damp welcome

It was all happening for the first game of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in Guyana on Wednesday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Steel pans were out, the face paints were on, the horns were sounding and music pumping as the stadium was filled with thousands of Warriors fans that ventured to the stadium in support of their home team.

As more rain poured, more fans poured in for a practically sold out game as the thousands stood in the rain hoping and anticipating a glimpse of their Warriors’ team and while all they got was to witness their team warm-up, no one complained because cricket was in Guyana again.

While some noted their disappointed that the rain played its hand in the abandoned match, most were happy to be at the stadium for cricket.

A few fans as they exited even highlighted that their faith is still intact and they will definitely return on Friday to watch their Warriors launch their first home attack.

However, some fans expressed disappointment in not being able to see the much hyped Gayle/Narine clash but noted their joy in having the CPL back in Guyana.

The next match in Guyana will be on Friday when the Amazon Warriors take on the St Lucia Zouks from 20:00hrs. The

Wednesday.

The Providence National Stadium during the early showers that led to the match being abandoned

(Treiston Joseph photo)

fans in the Grass Mound hoping to see some action in the first Amazon Warriors home game on

(Treiston Joseph photo)