Guyana Times Daily

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs (ag), Robeson Benn with the Brazilian team headed by Governor of Roraima, Francisco Rodrigues (fourth from right)

Foreign firm eyes mega manganese mining

Natural Resources and Environment

Minister Robert Persaud on Wednesday announced that an international mining firm is looking at large-scale magnesium mining here.

Persaud, who was at the time speaking at the launch of Mining Week activities in Port Kaituma, Region One, said the Government is currently engaged in talks with the firm and additional developments will be announced in the near future. At the same time, the

Minister urged small miners in the area not to rely solely on the prospects of gold mining, but to also diversify into other areas.

Mining districts such as Port Kaituma are principally dependent on the mining sector for survival.

The Government awarded Reunion Manganese Inc four prospecting licences – some 185 square kilometres (km²) to conduct exploration and development activities for manganese in the North West District.

In 2011, it was

awarded two permissions for a Geological and Geophysical Survey (14,770 km²). The project is centred on an abandoned manganese mines at Matthew’s Ridge and Pipiani, which was operated by a subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation from 1962 to 1968. In excess of 1.66 million tonnes of manganese concentrate were shipped from the mine site during that period. The main project footprint hosting the manganese mineralisation consists of a 15

kilometre-long series of nine hills contained within the Matthew’s Ridge Formation and is known to extend for more than 40 kilometres of strike.

Diversification

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has also advocated for diversification in the mining sector, noting that should the gold industry collapse, residents in mining communities would be able to sustain themselves.

Meanwhile, Region One

Chairman Paul Pierre also advocated for miners to pursue riches in the area of manganese.

While legislators have not publicly decided on a possible date for tabling of the Hire Purchase Legislation, Minister Persaud assured miners that this in, no way, means that hire purchase entities will take advantage of them.

He said that if the miners so wish, he would be making representations on their behalf to hire purchase dealers such as MACORP for them to be able to access mining machinery.

Earlier this year, acting Tourism, Industry and

Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali had said when this legislation comes into force, consumers will no longer be at the mercy of hire purchase schemes, noting that the current system that prevails is disadvantageous to consumers.

“We are working on having the Hire Purchase Legislation laid in Parliament before the recess,” he said, adding: “I know we have been having a lot of problems with the repossession in the automobile industry and now also with the gold miners… we have persons paying as much as 80 per cent and just because of the remainder not being paid, they lose the items and the money they would have already paid.”

This, he explained, is a grave disadvantage to consumers.

Ali also added that the Bill is not only being drafted with the protection of the consumer in mind, but also that of the companies which offer hire purchase plans to consumers. As it stands right now, consumers who would have failed to complete payments on items bought on hire purchase terms would have their items repossessed by the stores. This would be done even though the consumers have paid a large part of the total amount of monies owed for the item.

US Coast Guard makes US$32.4M cocaine bust in

Caribbean Sea

The US Coast Guard says it has seized 973 kilograms of cocaine from Panamanian-flagged freighter in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday.

It said that the drugs had a street value of more than US$32.4 million.

The Coast Guard said that the crew of the Tampa was on patrol in support of migrant and drug interdiction operations in the Windward Passage when they came across the suspect vessel.

It said the drugs were discovered in a hidden compartment.

“This is a huge win for the crew,” said Commander Clinton S Carlson, adding “A boarding like this takes the concerted effort of all hands in one form or another, and the Tampa crew did magnificent and ultimately kept these drugs from crossing our borders.”

The Coast Guard said the 11 suspects and the narcotics had been handed over to the US Department of Justice, Southern District of Florida for prosecution. (CNN)

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud

United States Coast Guard Tampa (File photo)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

High Court upholds CGX’s injunction against Repsol

CGX Energy Inc has obtained a High Court order upholding the injunction from the Commercial Court of Guyana, restraining Repsol Exploracion from proceeding with any proposed farm-out of the Kanuku petroleum prospecting license (Kanuku PPL).

The restraint will stand pending the hearing and determination of the arbitration proceedings commenced by CGX Resources against Repsol.

The Kanuku PPL covers substantially the same acreage as the Georgetown petroleum prospecting licence (the Georgetown PPL) as illustrated in the map.

CGX Energy Inc CoChairman, Professor Suresh Narine commented: “We view this decision as strong support for CGX Energy’s rights in the Kanuku PPL and as the next step to regaining our participating interest in the acreage.

"A final resolution of this matter is in the best interests of not only CGX Energy, but also tangibly demonstrates the applica-

tion of the rule of law in the very exciting GuyanaSuriname basin. CGX Energy has drilled the most exploration wells in Guyana and has extensive knowledge of the Guyana-Suriname basin. Furthermore, we worked diligently to meet all of the obligations with respect to our 25 per cent participating interest in the Georgetown PPL and will continue to do so in respect of all petroleum

prospecting licences in which we participate.”

The company’s Chief Executive Officer Dewi Jones added: “Since 2012, CGX Energy has spent approximately US$130 million in exploration in the Guyana-Suriname basin with approximately US$40 million relating to the acreage now known as the Kanuku PPL.

CGX’s total spend in the Georgetown PPL since inception has been approximately US$60 mil-

lion. Given the significant investment already made in this petroleum prospecting licence, we are hopeful that this matter will be resolved quickly in the best interest of all parties and for the overall benefit of the continued exploration in the basin.”

CGX is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company that holds three licences in the GuyanaSuriname Basin, a frontier Basin in South America with a proven hydrocarbon system and highly prospective deep water plays that can be drilled in shallow water.

In 2000, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the Guyana-Suriname Basin as having the second highest resource potential

among unexplored oil basins in the world and currently estimates mean recoverable oil reserves of over 13.6 billion barrels and gas reserves of 32 trillion cubic feet.

The company is pursuing the Equatorial Atlantic Margin Play, analogous to West Africa and Brazil.

CGX is surrounded by major oil companies including Anadarko, Apache, Exxon, Inpex, Kosmos, Murphy, Repsol, Shell, Statoil, Total, and Tullow.

With numerous prospects and leads and an independent P50 resource estimate of 2.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent of potential resources, CGX is positioned for success in this frontier Basin.

Comparison of the Kanuku PPL acreage and the Georgetown PPL

CGX Energy Inc has obtained a High Court order upholding the injunction from the Commercial Court of Guyana, restraining Repsol Exploracion from proceeding with any proposed farm-out of the Kanuku PPL

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

Constitutional change

In our editorial “The end of politics”, we commented on the tendency of some political theorists and practitioners to assume that through the creation of institutions the struggle for power, inherent in all human relationships, would disappear. “Institutions” being understood as normative rules, structuring behaviour around a particular value.

These idealists present the methodology of politics as a quest for the creation of the “perfect system” that would obviate the need for that struggle.

More pragmatically, we presented Morgenthau’s “realist perspective” that assumes, as Foucault did in his later groundbreaking “archeological excavations” of human relationships, that all relations are ultimately power relations.

Hence, there is no “perfect system” for all times and places and as conditions change, there will always be the need to modify institutions to encompass the new circumstances. Unless this is done, the rules of the institutions will become delegitimised and irrelevant, only being observed in the breach.

From this perspective, we have no problem, for instance, with the recent calls for changes in our Constitution that encapsulates and circumscribes the allocation of power between the organs constituting and governing the state. The changes are proposed as addressing the putative evolution of our society – primarily demographic percentages of the constituent ethnic groups that elect political parties to represent them in those state power relations.

As such, we insist that the constitutional changes must be related to specific changes in our political landscape and plausibly address the contradictions precipitated by those changes. But because of our concrete political history, we were concerned that the arguments for constitutional change were being proffered merely as a device to remove the present Government just because it kept winning elections under the present rules of the political game.

The proposals from Dr Henry Jeffrey, ex-PPP/C Minister of Government, illustrates the latter category. The good doctor, who was also an ex-official of the PNC, magisterially and conclusively declared in the “editorial plural” that, “our major problem lies with our Governments becoming autocratic largely because they have for various reasons been allowed to stay in office too long”.

This has to be one of the most historical statements ever uttered, especially coming from one who has his name on a book about the politics of Guyana. For one, it ignores the fact that the colonial Government, which defined our mode of governance for centuries and set the time of our governing structures, was by definition autocratic.

And secondly he completely ignores the nature of power: the British governed autocratically because they controlled the bases and levers of power and were prepared to use the latter to enforce their rule. The British exemplified the aphorism later expressed by Mao: “All political power comes out of the barrel of the gun”.

The PNC Government was “autocratic” between 1964 and 1992 not because it was there for the infamous “28 years”, but because Burnham explicitly followed a Machiavellian conception of power – he seized control of all the institutions of coercion early in his reign.

Even before he was ensconced into office by the USBritish combine in 1964, Burnham had articulated his realist philosophy to the effect that it did not matter what kind of Constitution Guyana was awarded. Once he was in office, he would be able to govern in whatever manner he wanted because the bases of power would be under his control.

It was for this reason that in all the “unity talks” between Jagan and Burnham before and after independence, both men manoeuvred for control over the Police Force and later the Army.

In the present, for apologists like Jeffrey, who are fully aware of the PNC’s sordid history, to ignore this facet of power when they purport to seek to reallocate by changing the Constitution, is beyond “disingenuous”. It demonstrates beyond a shadow of doubt that their motives are suspect and must be taken with a spade full of salt.

Freddie’s attacks on Indians

Dear Editor,

It is a natural phenomenon for similar groups with the same sociology to cling together. For example, lions survive by their pride and ravenous wolves move in a pack. Africans, Jews, Chinese, Indians, etc form their own groups. It is nature’s way.

Freddie Kissoon is critical of Indians, finding faults with their non-Western religious practices and culture which have traditionally bound them together. Historically, Indians have resisted any outside intrusion that they consider a virus source of disharmony.

Even as they have been described as backward pagans, Indians could not be bothered what others think of them. But by Freddie’s new recalibration to target, their leaders and defenders are called racists and he blames Indians for all of Guyana’s ills, even when Freddie was denied a degree in Toronto in which Indians played no role.

Regardless of what Freddie writes, no one is so foolish to think Indians are the central reason for Guyana’s many ills. This prolonged targeting of Indians with the racist brush may have become misdirected by Dr Kean Gibson’s book which justifies attacks on defenceless Hindus with her misinterpretations of their religious practices.

Can anyone explain her huge sadistic lust for misery which insists on an illconceived priority entitle-

ment of African inheritance for any evil? Which sick genius would academically insert “black” Africa’s originality as the perfect replacement fit of anything negative, which the Hindu scriptures may abhor?

It cannot be kindred solidarity by an accident why she also wants her fellow Indo-Guyanese to also be likewise reduced by affinity? Additionally, Freddie, by some reverse osmosis from his family’s miscegenated hybrid evolution, believes he has also become somehow emancipated from his own prejudices.

Yet he condemns all others, especially pagan Indians as vile racists despite his own supposed emancipation. Could the osmosis by which he found liberation have also been that same osmosis source of what is most troubling him? Why would a “good newspaper columnist” be so anxious to coerce supposed pagans to reject their treasured cultural traditions which threaten no one?

Freddie wants them to vote for the PNC. Yet he finds nothing unusual, anything at all wrong when the overwhelming majority of Africans regularly vote, all unified by race, to support the PNC .The plan is to keep the black vote united and by dividing Indians by their religion, pull away a chunk of Indian voters to give the PNC victory. Isn’t that the AFC’s job?

That is certainly democratic for those who do not

find anything wrong at all. But it certainly needs qualification how one group’s unity is good and the other is bad to make it fair for democracy. Now he would dare provoke a jihad against Muslims. Is it not blasphemy to suggest that a respectable national Muslim leader, who is also an Indo Guyanese father figure, may have facilitated the commemoration of “Indian Arrival Day” to make him an automatic Indian racist by their standards? By such standards, all Africans who are Muslims are also automatic racists when they celebrate their own cultural traditions.

This of course has no validity. The columnist who himself may appear to be Indian but quacks, walks and lives like an uncultured whatever is probably dangling his own fossilised deficiencies as representative of Indian culture among those whom he daily dwells and who do not know better.

Validated, they all wonder why all Indians are not like him? But the man has proudly and repeatedly reminded Guyanese of his Indian cultural and religious disconnect which he has abandoned with contempt. He cannot be any credible Indian template just as he would never be accepted or qualified to speak or represent Africans.

No matter what ever Freddie does, writes or from whomever he is lent

private encouragement or given loud approval, he will always remain an insignificant mirage among them when it matters. Why? A mind is a terrible thing to waste but it happens.

May I remind Kissoon of the historical political turnaround after Indian Muslims and Christians were put in their place by Trinidad’s black establishment? They quickly flocked to the Indian based Opposition UNC now in Government. By humiliating their leaders, they were taught a significant backlash lesson.

Most, not all, of Trinidad’s Indian Muslims and Christians were the traditional absconding (they call it democratic nowadays) swing vote that traditionally allowed the black based PNM to remain in political power for some 40 continuous agonising years.

The overwhelming majority of the Indian electorate regardless of religion remained Opposition supporters. After the death of the late Dr Eric Williams, Kamaluddin Mohamed, his loyalist Indian PNM leader and Muslim, was his favourite and the leading choice to be his successor.

Errol Mohabir also a loyalist PNM Christian Indian leader did not even count. Both the PNM black leadership and the country’s black establishment instead actively conspired to prevent Mohamed’s appointment as Trinidad’s PNM Indian Prime Minister.

Omar Khan, Manager of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Team, presents a cricket bat with the signatures of all the players to President Donald Ramotar. Also in photo is Trevor Bassoo, Marketing Manager of the NEW GPC INC, the manufacturer of Limacol – the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) (GINA photo)

A story for Kaieteur News, Stabroek News to investigate

Dear Editor,

Glenn Lall apparently rented an aircraft to take a photograph of logs in a log market. What did he expect to see there? Stacks of Kaieteur newspapers? Obviously logs will be in a log market! And the GFC has shut him up by stating publicly that logs harvested are tagged, etc, and the annual harvest rate is less than 40 per cent.

Maybe Glenn Lall would have been better advised to use the free money he makes selling trash (Kaieteur News) to pay the $80 million he reportedly owes to GRA for the taxes on the two Lexus SUVs, rather than paying for an aircraft to take nonsensical pictures.

Here is this man who makes big claims that he would uncover corruption wherever it is, and who loves to put the spotlight on others now finding himself in the most embarrassing picture. This is so shameful and revolting.

Glenn Lall loves to accuse others publicly and these persons are often forced to go at length to defend themselves. Let’s see if he has the guts to accept his alleged crime and accept his punishment if it gets to that stage.

Reliable sources say that the GRA officer involved

was actually dismissed previously for another duty-free scam. However, Glenn Lall made representation for him to be reinstated.

Now that this scam has been exposed, it does not require much imagination to deduce why Glenn Lall wanted that individual reinstated – to continue to facilitate tax evasion. Most likely, this corrupt GRA officer would have facilitated tax evasion for others.

The officer should also explain how it is that he owns a big fancy house and can have two Lexus SUVs registered to his address. Also, is it a coincidence that he also is from 61 Village on the Corentyne?

Surely, this is a very juicy story for the top sleuth investigative staff at Kaieteur News and Stabroek News to elaborate on so that the public would be informed.

Finally, I note that the GRA and the Police are quick to take action when the small man is exposed. I, along with the entire nation, am waiting and watching to see what the GRA and the Police would do against Glenn Lall, the remigrants who were mentioned, and the GRA officer.

Respectfully, Christine Cadogan

Freddie’s attacks...

Governor General Sir Ellis Clarke summoned and told Mohamed at State House that “Trinidad was not ready for an Indian Prime Minister”. Mohamed was rudely informed his Islamic religion was insignificant to render him completely disqualified.

His visible Indianness which was the PNM’s most valuable election asset did not count for anything when it really mattered. The camouflaged PNC’s rejection of the visible Indian Winston Murray who dared to seek the PNC leadership could have been the lightning shock that killed him. Mohamed in effect had already found both his religion and Indianness were good for nothing.

Such people like Freddie gain currency by insisting on their rights to unapologetically attack others, in this case Indians, because of their own miseries. It’s Freddie’s Georgetown conditioning which has psychologically raped him of any Indian values, pride and cul-

With present harvesting, Guyana’s forest resources cannot be exhausted (Part two)

Dear Editor,

Those who work in the forest business and are owners of a forest concession should know the forest laws and at least guide the public. For example, based on the cutting cycle of FEL, the company is allowed to harvest approximately 18 cubic metres per hectare which is equivalent to approximately eight to 12 trees depending on the size.

According to 100 per cent inventory, one hectare has in excess of 300 trees, when FEL harvests 12 trees per hectare, we find 285 trees remaining, 12 to be harvested after 60 years and the cycle will continue. By that time the volume of trees in the concession will increase due to the removal of the overgrown ones also.

This form of administration by the GFC is compulsory for all stakeholders to follow, as a result, continuous harvesting according to the cutting cycle will continue over and over again. In this respect it is crystal clear that the forest resources of Guyana could never be exhausted.

Any Guyanese who is in the system and those who want to be honest will say for sure that the administration of GFC is above board. With the present harvesting system in place, there is no way Guyana’s natural forest resources can be exhausted, contrary to what is being reported by some sections of the media.

Another issue in the

From page 4

ture to make him believe he is beyond hope. He is not.

Even as Freddie accepts our numerous Afrocentric activists as “freedom fighters”, he whereas feels very liberated in targeting their few opposites as “Indian supremacists”. Only a perverse disconnected unreality can expect Indo Guyanese regardless of religion to remain as passive targets for their ethnic cleansing, led by a questionable proxy just for his sainthood acclaim.

Additionally if Freddie does not attack NACTA’s Dr Vishnu Bisram he feels emasculated. Who knows why? God knows everything. But the entire Caribbean also knows who regularly conducts polls. Dr Bisram’s educational background is an open book which makes him well equipped to be the better pollster he is. Is he perfect? No. Neither is he God’s messenger to know it all.

In the quest to survive, the fact that Indians want to sustain what little culture was leftover af-

ter PNC oppression and persecution cannot make them racists. PNC oppression inflicted on Indians was not by their religious affiliation but by their race.

Kissoon and company who actively seek to divide Indians by religion will fail. I proudly reaffirm my Hindu beliefs and as an Indian completely reject any racist labels or embrace. With no interest to define others, I do not want to be also defined by others.

Neither do I want to be subjugated by violence or ethnic cleansing to march into cultural extinction like the Caribbean original inhabitants. Like I wrote before, I will be prepared to give a little extra to others, at my discretion, but I want my fair share like all others similarly do.

Mr Kissooon, can you please tell us what religion you subscribe to?

Yours truly,

Vassan Ramracha Founder, NACTA

news is that Mr Harmon is asking for a public debate with the Commissioner of Forests. It must be advised that the Commissioner is a senior public servant and is a neutral man in dealing with the public.

He is very qualified in forest operations, forest laws and he knows it all. He should not be forced into political game with Mr Harmon who is not a forest officer and should a debate materialise, in my view, Mr Harmon is looking for embarrassment.

Further, it is my opinion that if the debate materialises, there can be hatred created which will target the Commissioner. A debate of this nature would be appropriate with the appointed political Head of the Commission if he feel it is necessary.

I would like to at this point refer to another article published in the Kaieteur News. I am aware that duty-free concessions are available to all investors, being local or foreign, but there is a formality in getting these benefits.

You need to apply for duty-free concession through the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) and keep following up your application. I know many

forest companies apply for duty-free concessions and receive hem.

It is not fair for a company or individuals to say that they are not getting dutyfree concessions when that company or individual has never applied or followed up on their application.

I fully agree that all foreign companies should be involved in downstream operations and value added production. When speaking about downstream operation and value added production, I must mention that in 1967, UNDP/ FAO and the then Guyana Forestry Department (GFC) established a wellequipped Training Centre Institution, keeping abreast internationally with improved technologies in forest utilisation, downstream processing and value added production, etc.

Its aims were firstly to accomplish improvement in existing industries by the introduction of new technology and secondly to develop new processes for the utilisation of the forest resources. The institute carried out service tests and observed behaviour of wood in use, for example, flooring, siding and piling.

It also aimed to improve the durability of

wood through the use of wood preservatives to make wood more stable in the use through seasoning and to discover the best techniques of conversion and machining, among other things. With all systems in place for proper utilisation of Guyana’s lesser known species, we can improve downstream processing and value added production. This section of the GFC was closed down in 1985 due to the removal of machinery used for training by the administration.

I have since resigned after 12 years of studies local and overseas and taken up appointment in the Commonwealth of Dominica. I must mention that this was the only institution in Guyana and the Western Hemisphere where students from the Caribbean attended training courses. With comments on downstream processing and value added production, etc, had it not been for the closing of the institution, Guyana would have been far better off with regard to downstream processing and value added production.

Sincerely, Tasleem Drepaul

Page Foundation

BY ALIA BIBI & ROSHAN ZEHRA

Cartoons are the most frequent and easily accessible source of entertainment which we provide to our children. With the vastness of media and extension of channels, it has become easier for children to watch their favourite cartoons on a single click and at the same time it has become more convenient for parents to provide children with this all-time favourite activity of theirs. Time which was previously spent by children in outdoor activities is now replaced, as now they can be found glued to the TV sets for long hours, peering at all sorts of cartoons, mostly without the supervision of elders who are completely unaware that this might have certain effects on their psychological development later on displayed in their behaviour patterns.

There is a wide range of cartoons from fairy tales like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ to action-based cartoons like ‘Ben 10’ and ‘Pokémon’. Children between the ages of six to eight have different preferences; girls are usually into fairy tales and animated ‘Barbie’ series whereas boys and some girls even usually have their favourite super hero cartoons like ‘Spiderman’ or ‘Batman’ or action flicks like ‘Bay Blade’ or ‘Dragon Ball-z’. Children are at a stage when their

minds are developing and forms impressions easily so parents need to be careful what they expose them with.

At such an early stage children consider the things they watch in cartoons to be real, they are unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality and often believe that if Elmer Fudd remains unharmed even after being bashed by Bugs Bunny with a hammer a number of times so can they. Mukarram, eight, studying in class two received a warning from his school after he got caught for beating up a fellow student. When asked for explanation the child replied innocently, “I was just showing my friend one of the moves I saw in a cartoon the night before.” His family members admitted the fact that they

never kept an eye on his TV activities.

Acting out what they see

According to a research carried out by The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), “Children who view shows in which violence is very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see.” Hassan, father of two sons said, “There was a time when one of my sons began to play pranks on his little brother quite frequently, and I failed to understand the reason behind this sudden change in his behaviour, one day however I found him watching ‘The Cramp Twins’, and understood the

A junior wing school teacher when asked about children’s behaviours regarding violence and physical actions commented “Some students are always picking up fights in the class, one of the reasons behind this aggressive behaviour could be that they are too much influenced by violence based cartoons or other programmes which parents without any concern let them watch in excess.”

Children watching too much cartoons often fantasise about the kind of life that various characters are living. Huma, an exasperated mother of seven-year-old

daughter shared her experiences about her daughter’s fixation with her favourite cartoon, ‘Winx Club,’ “She creates a lot of fuss every time we go for shopping as she insists on having the same wardrobe as the characters in the ‘Winx Club’.” College going girl Ayesha, elder sister of a young child Rumaiza says, “My youngest sister is really under the influence of these glamorous tales and she assumes herself to be princess who is interested in wearing strapless frocks and wants to do ball dance.” She believes that such programmes are

of entertainment for children, but could also be used for educational purposes. For instance, cartoons like ‘Barney’ can be used to stop some toddler from crying whereas ‘Blues Clues’ or ‘Dora the Explorer’ can be used for some brain activity making children learning shapes or identify colours etc. One of the teachers at a local primary school said, “For mind building and constructive learning of children, students have a cartoon period once a week, and we try to show them standard cartoons after thorough selection so that they could

putting a negative impression on the innocent minds of children. Living in Pakistan these impressions are not encouraged as our culture is conservative towards such activities.

On the other hand, there are lots of cartoons, which are not only the best source

derive something positive out of it.” A psychology student Amna Ejaz shared her views regarding this issue, “Give your children time to watch cartoons as it is the most common source for education, expose them with programmes which are appropriate as per parental guidance.”

The influence of cartoons can be made positive by a little effort on the part of parents or elders. They should make their children realise that these fantasy things have no true value and identity, no such ‘Spiderman’ exists who will jump from top of one building to another with the help of his web, there is no such ‘Ben 10’ wristwatch which will start blinking and will alert Ben of every evil action before hand. If someone is killed or beaten up by cartoons it does not mean that children should also start doing the same. Parents need to keep an eye on their children’s activities and should be observant of any peculiar changes in their behaviour. With intervals they should have an interrogation session with them and try to clear the reality of things and should answer the controversial and ambiguous questions they have in their mind. Thus, for making cartoons a healthy entertainment and a good and effective source of learning for children parents should pay a little heed towards providing selective cartoons to their children which could have a positive impact on them. (www.thenews.com.pk)

reason for all this bullying.” Hassan also said that he has become conscious of the cartoons that his sons watch since that time.

Corbin could be summoned by Rodney Commission

By Alexis Rodney

Chairman of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Sir Richard Cheltenham said there is a likelihood that the former Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin, could be subpoenaed to appear before the Tribunal at the appropriate time.

According to the head of the three-member Commission probing the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader, Dr Walter Rodney, that time has not yet come as the Commission still has to hear from more witnesses.

Robert Corbin became a subject of interest during the early stages of the investigation, when it was revealed by former member of the House of Israel, Joseph Hamilton, that Corbin had allegedly handed out guns to the organisation, which was allegedly used by the

then PNC Government to suppress members of the WPA.

While Corbin has not yet responded to that allegation, documents coming out of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) revealed that an “R” Corbin, along with a W Skeete, was on several occasions the consignee of some arms and ammunition issued on loan by the military. The vouch-

ers show too that some of those weapons issued to the R Corbin, Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, have not yet been returned to the GDF.

Head of the G2 Branch (Intelligence Unit) of the GDF, Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James, who was tasked with investigating weapons issued to external organisations had

told the Commission on Tuesday that of the 237 weapons issued by the GDF to various individuals and organisations during the 1970s, 155 are still outstanding.

Among those receiving weapons were a Comrade R Corbin who was loaned some 16 weapons, while Comrade Skeete received over 100 pieces. Among the mentioned weapons were: seven Smith and Wesson guns issued to and signed for by a Comrade Corbin, PS, Office of the Prime Minister.

Three of those weapons were returned while four remained outstanding. Under the same name, R Corbin, nine more Smith and Wesson weapons were issued, but these were signed for by Corbin as an employee of the National Development Ministry. Eight of those weapons were returned while one remained outstanding.

The contention at the Inquiry, however, is that no one can say for sure who the R Corbin is, al-

though there have been suggestions that it may have been the former PNCR leader.

Attorney for the PNCR, Basil Williams had objected to this inference, noting that no one knows who the “R Corbin” is. Williams had also openly criticised all efforts to tie the R Corbin of the Ministry of National Development and the R Corbin of the Office of the Prime Minister as the same individual.

The lawyer represent-

ing the WPA, Christopher Ram, on Wednesday called for the subpoenaing of Corbin, whose evidence should be able to assist the Commission in its investigation. He had also requested that Dr Roger Luncheon, Secretary to the Defence Board participate in the Inquiry, since there are a number of reported shortcomings by the board.

During his cross-examination, Barbadian Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, who represents the interest of Walter Rodney’s widow and children, on Wednesday questioned James if during his investigation, he was able to determine the identities of Comrade R Corbin and W Skeete.

James said that while his investigation has suggested that the R Corbin may be Robert Corbin, he pointed out that there could not be a “definitive conclusion” since Robert Corbin was never interviewed.

Princess Casino Manager denies assaulting customer

…claims complainant was “harassing” a

Princess Hotel Casino Manager Muammer Princcioglu was on Thursday charged with unlawful assault when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

He pleaded not guilty and was placed on $20,000 bail.

The charge, which was read by the Magistrate, alleged that on May 24 at the Princess Hotel Casino, Providence, East Bank Demerara, Princcioglu unlawfully assaulted Paul James.

He was represented by Attorney Omeyana Hamilton who requested bail for her client. She said that according to the information she received, her client never touched James.

On the contrary, the lawyer claimed James was harassing a female who was also in the Casino at that time during which he slapped her; he was then escorted from the Casino.

The case was prosecuted by Attorney Ganesh Hira, who told the court that the matter occurred since May 24 and the defendant is now appearing for it.

He questioned why Princcioglu is only now appearing in Court, whether or not he was out of the country or was in hiding.

However, Hamilton explained that the fact Princcioglu presented himself in Court on his own is all that mattered.

She also stated that it is a simple offence and her client has no intention of leav-

woman

ing the jurisdiction.

The Manager is said to be on a five-year contract in Guyana and has only completed six months of it.

The lawyer told the court that video tapes will show exactly what transpired on the day in question.

After listening to the arguments of the two parties, the Magistrate granted bail to Princcioglu and his case was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s court for September 22.

Meanwhile, in a subsequent statement, Princess Hotel stated ian national, employed by the Casino in the capacity of Assistant Manager, was summoned to appear in court to answer a private criminal charge brought against him by James.

In the charge, it is alleged that on May 24, the Virtual Complainant was assaulted by the Manager at the Princess Casino.

According to the statement, Princcioglu, and by extension, the Princess Casino “rejects outright this allegation and specifically denies that the Plaintiff was assaulted by the said Manager at the material time or at all.

In fact, it was the Plaintiff who was in the Casino in a drunken state molesting other patrons, thereby interfering with the proper operation of the Casino and in complete disobedience of the rules regarding conduct in the Casino,” the hotel alleged.

Princess Casino con-

tends that upon being asked to leave the premises, because of his disorderly conduct, the allegedly loudly avowed that he will take any and all steps to get even with the Casino

Management for asking him to leave, the statement said.

The Princess Hotel Casino said it recognises its responsibility to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for its custom-

ers as well as its employees and has the obligation to take any and all reasonable steps to ensure that this occurs at all times.

Princess Hotel Casino Manager Muammer Princcioglu

Robert Corbin

Sydney James

Eyew tness

Two faced...

...dissembler

Janus is a Roman God with two faces. Whatever might’ve been its original import to the ancient Romans as the alpha and omega of things, in modern times, to be “two-faced” has its own very specific meaning: a hypocritical, double-dealing fake who says one thing to some and an entirely different thing elsewhere.

In Guyanese parlance, we’d call him a “suck-ass” – a life form much lower than the American “brown-noser”. And thus explains to a “t” why Ruel Johnson used his group “Janus” to start a “conversation” among Guyanese.

The wannabe louche enfant terrible, who’s still scrounging for his next handout, wants to solve our “ethnopoliticisation” (have you ever heard such bureaucratese from an aspiring [expiring?] creative writer?) through “Conversations on citizenship”? Today’s “conversation” is “to love my fellow citizen”. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?? Almost invoked images from John Lennon’s “Imagine” in your humble Eyewitness! Imagine all the people/Sharing all the world....Well sharing Guyana at least!

But this is the same bounder who’s been cussing out Indian-Guyanes in the most scatological manner as living in “Canecutopia”. Think of the worst thing that could happen – rape? Incest? Not working but expecting to live high off the hog?

Well that life in Canecutopia! Socially backward?? You just have to sidle into Canecutopia – where all the girls are having babies and living with their grandmas. “Nanie”, they’re called in Canecutopia, in that strange lingo that still lingers in the hovels of that dystopia.

And the wanker wants to start a “conversation” on love!! The mind boggles about what’ll happen when the “conversation” shifts to “dislike”!! Forget “hate” – that’d be WWIII! But what’s unforgivable is that in a letter that’s filled with his usual slander against the PPP/C – (that’s his bête noir when he’s not cussing out Frank Anthony for not giving him a squeeze at the Caribbean Press), he dares to quote Camus.

Yes, the man who’s political philosophy was summarised in this statement: “Each side thus justifies its own actions by pointing to the crimes of its adversaries. This is a casuistry of blood with which intellectuals should, I think, have nothing to do, unless they are prepared to take up arms themselves.” He was implicitly criticising his fellow intellectual existentialist Sartre.

And Johnson, who craves nothing more than to be called an “intellectual”, should reflect on his hate-filled anti-PPP/C rants if he doesn’t want that word to be used as an adjective in front of “fraud” for him.

...shyster

Another poseur who likes to spout sanctimonious drivel even as he wields his hatchet behind the backs of his “opponents” is Goolsarran – the fella giving Mike McCormack a run for his money (foreign NGO money) when it comes to running a one-man-show!

Quick now...you’ve heard of TIGI, no?? How could you not?? Every day – and twice on Tuesdays – the Stabber and the Muckraker quotes him – as head of TIGI. (That’s for Transparency International Guyana Inc – in case you were lost in space over the last year.)

On Tuesday they run the TIGI column – which is always by Goolsarran – then quotes him word for word in the “news section”!! So if you think your humble Eyewitness’ stretching matters a wee bit? Quick now –for one million dollars – name another member of TIGI. Sorry your hour’s up – and you couldn’t get beyond that blank that settled over your mind, could you??

But we ask you this. Which of TIGI/Goolsarran’s columns wasn’t about someone whom he wants to pull down?? That’s the mark of a two-faced bitter man.

...Army officer

How could this Army officer continue claiming R Corbin, is Robert Corbin – just because the fella signed “for PS OPM’ ?? There could’ve been several R Corbins who were the “Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister”! Did you not realise there are alternate universes??

Body at Kitty Seawall ID’d as former City Constable

ECLAC hosts regional consultation on accountability

The body that washed ashore on Wednesday afternoon at the Kitty Seawall was positively identified as that of Sharon Forde, 45, a former City Constable of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Her body was identified by her brother, Troy Forde, on Thursday morning at the Lyken Funeral Home. The mother of five was reportedly a psychiatric patient.

In an interview, Forde’s brother told Guyana Times that on Monday a friend of hers contacted his father informing him that the woman was at her house in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

His father, he noted, went to get her with the intention of taking her to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be treated after he realised that her condition was getting worse.

On their way to the medical facility, the brother stated that he contacted the woman’s eldest son – a Police rank – who said he was on the West Coast and could not leave, but promised that after he got off at 8:00h on Tuesday morning, he would collect his mother.

He never called or collect-

ed the woman, the brother added.

The only reason he contacted his nephew was for him to accompany them to the hospital so that they could have gotten priority treatment, the man said.

At the hospital, his sister managed to escape a few times from his sight. He explained that he was told that his sister had to join the clinic before treatment is administered.

They left the medical facil-

ity and went to the woman’s apartment to collect a few pieces of clothes, but while doing so, the mentally-ill woman escaped once again.

He related that he drove around the area several times but there were no signs of his sister.

After a while, he had to leave for Berbice, but on his way there, he received news that his sister was walking along the East Coast Railway Embankment. She was naked, he was informed.

At that time, he said he attempted to contact the woman’s son, but was unsuccessful. That was on Tuesday.

Empty-handed

Upon his return to the city, the brother noted that he collected his father and they went in search of his sister, but to no avail. They continued their search on Wednesday, but again after several hours they came up empty handed.

“It was while I was heading home to Diamond Housing Scheme, I got a call from my father relating that they had found a body of a nude woman

on the seawalls… I recalled my friend telling me that my sister was walking naked on the road, so at that moment I thought it was her.”

He left home early on Thursday morning and went straight to the funeral parlour where he identified his sister.

There, again he called his nephew, but he said the phone went unanswered and the call was never returned.

Guyana Times was made to understand that the woman had relapses several times, but this time it was for the worst.

On Sunday evening, she was heard threatening her landlord, but the threats were understandable due to her condition. It was the landlord who recommended that she needed medical treatment.

Forde’s brother said he was awaiting the report of the post-mortem examination to determine her cause of death before making funeral arrangements, although he believes that she drowned.

The former City Constable leaves to mourn her five children and five siblings along with her father.

Commission advances talks on Mazaruni Hydro Project

The Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission on Infrastructure Projects met over the past two days at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), during which talks were centred on the Mazaruni Hydro Project and the construction of the Linden-Lethem Road.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement that Governor of the State of Roraima, Francisco Rodrigues and Vice President of the Brazilian Senate, Senator Romero Juca travelled to Georgetown to participate in the meeting.

They also paid a courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President. Discussions were held on potential areas for new cooperation between the two countries, including airlinks.

In expressing their views on the current projects under discussion in the Joint Commission, both the Governor and Senator reiterated the political commitment of Brazil to the infrastructural projects and highlighted the Linden-Lethem Highway as extremely strategic for the integration of Guyana and Brazil and more particularly,

as a vital link for the communities of the State of Roraima and Western Amazonas and Guyana. They saw the hydropower project, the road, and the deepwater harbour as initiatives that could contribute to the further development of both countries.

In remarks made at the meeting of the Joint Commission, Public Works Minister and Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn expressed the Guyana Government’s sincere appreciation for the continued support of the Government of Brazil, and reiterated the Administration’s commitment to working with Brazil to advance the infrastructure initiatives.

At the technical level, the delegations were led by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Director General of Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry; and Ambassador Clemente Baena Soares, Director of the Department of South America, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Brazil; and included officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Transport and Energy of Brazil and Guyana; the Office of the Governor of the State of Roraima; the

Office of the President of Brazil; the Brazilian Embassy in Guyana; the Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana; the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA); National Commercial and Investments Ltd (NICIL); Eletrobras; and the Guyana Power and Light Company as well as the Brazilian consortium.

Back in June, Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett had told this newspaper that the prefeasibility study into the development of hydropower in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni regions had been delayed.

The prefeasibility study was expected to commence in April by a Brazilian consortium. The Minister had explained that Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had submitted a draft survey licence to the Brazilian consortium for consideration, and the review process was ongoing.

Once the survey licence is agreed, the prefeasibility study will be conducted, followed by a feasibility study.

Queiroz Galvao (QG) and OAS, the two multibillion-dollar Brazilian companies that make up the consortium, are investing US$45 million into

the prefeasibility and feasibility studies to determine Guyana’s potential to develop hydro-power stations in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni. These processes are expected to take approximately two years once the prefeasibility study has commenced. During the execution of the prefeasibility and feasibility assessments, hydrology and arial topographic studies will be conducted to secure precise data on the areas.

Hydrology involves the measuring and graphing of the river behaviour and river flow within the district over a 12-month period. To facilitate such, the consortium will be required to establish substations at strategic locations within the Upper and Middle Mazaruni.

Mapping

Meanwhile, the aerial topographic study would include the usage of an aircraft and sophisticated equipment that will be used to map the areas of study.

This new development stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on infrastructure development that was signed by the two countries on December 5, 2012, with the primary objective of stimulating projects in the area of hydropower, road development, and the construction of a deepwater port.

Through the MoU, a Guyana-Brazil Joint Technical Working Group was established. While there has been some progress with the hydropower agreement, the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have not yet determined how the US$10 million engineering design of the Lethem-Linden Road will be facilitated.

Representatives of the region’s Member States and United Nations experts meeting at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago, Chile, advocated a strengthening of existing regional mechanisms for the implementation and accountability of the post-2015 development agenda.

The ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena, opened the Meeting on the challenges of monitoring and accountability for the post2015 development agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean which opened on Thursday will conclude today for representatives of Member States, civil society and the private sector.

The opening also featured contributions from the Regional Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jessica Faieta, in her capacity as Chair of the United Nations Development Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNDG LAC); the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, Amina Mohammed; and Luis Fernando Llanos, from Peru’s Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, in his capacity as Chair of the Thirty-fifth session of ECLAC.

Equal rights

According to the Executive Secretary “The development agenda should have equal rights at its heart, as well as environmental sustainability and full employment. ECLAC is reaffirming that equality is the aim, structural change is the way and policy is the means”.

Alicia Bárcena underlined “We think that there are mechanisms in the region that may be useful for accountability. At ECLAC, we have the subsidiary bodies in which Member States can discuss the content and follow-up to the post-2015 agenda. We should take advantage of our region’s institutional architecture as much as possible”.

ECLAC’s subsidiary bodies include the Statistical Conference of the Americas, the Regional Conference on Women, the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee, the Committee on Population and Development, the Committee of High-level Governmental Experts, the Committee on Central American Economic Cooperation and the Regional Council for Planning.

Amina Mohammed reiterated that this meet-

ing was in response to a request made in June by UN Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, to the five United Nations regional commissions to organize consultations on accountability in the post-2015 agenda. This must be approved by the United Nations General Assembly, and would begin to apply following the expiry of the time period for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

As part of the new agenda design, the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, which was set up in January 2013 with representatives appointed by Member States, completed its work in July and put forward 17 major focal points. The content and targets will be discussed by countries in a process that will last into next year.

Jessica Faieta emphasized that the implementation of MDGs showed that: global targets do not guarantee a closing of the gaps affecting the most vulnerable population groups; there is a need to build local capacities in accordance with each society’s specific needs; and development agendas should not be based on piecemeal sectorial interventions, but rather on structural and multisectoral strategies, particularly at the national level.

Amina Mohammed, who took part via video link from Nigeria, stressed the challenge of implementing accountability mechanisms to monitor the fulfilment of a non-binding agenda, as well as the relevance of having robust and reliable statistical information systems to measure progress and demonstrate the inequalities that are sometimes hidden behind averages.

Luis Fernando Llanos, Director General of Followup and Evaluation of the Peruvian Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, called on countries to get involved in the planning of this process and to set feasible targets aimed at reducing such inequalities within countries.

ECLAC Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena

Dead: Sharon Forde

The Guyana side at the Joint Commission on Infrastructure Projects Meeting

Over 8000 pensioners benefiting from electricity subsidy

During the 2014 National Budget presentation, the Government announced that it will be providing a 50 per cent increase in electricity subsidy to pensioners, and to date some 8128 pensioners are benefiting from this intervention.

According to figures released by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, those benefiting include pensioners from Regions, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven. In Region Two, a total of 1022 persons are benefiting; Region Three, 1104, Region Four, 3421; Region Five, 780; Region Six, 1681; and Region 7, 120; making a total of 8128 pensioners.

A total of $300 million was allocated in the National Budget for this programme which was implemented in 2013 and saw pensioners receiving an annual contribution of $20,000 once they are customers of the Guyana Power and Light Company.

This year, the value of this electricity assistance programme has been increased to $30,000 per annum for each eligible beneficiary. Over the years a large portion of the budget has been going towards the social sector with the aim of improving the quality of life for Guyanese of all ages.

In addition, this year’s old age pension was increased by five per cent with effect from May 1, 2014 to $13,125 monthly. This increase has resulted in a total of $212.5 million in additional disposable income being placed in the hands of 42,500 senior citizens.

However, for this year there has been an increase in the number of persons reaching the age of 65 and becoming eligible for Old Age Pension. According to the Human Services Ministry, 3000 more persons are now eligible for pension, thus far for 2014.

Meanwhile pensioners continue to benefit from the other services provided by the Ministry including continuous training for patient care assistants in both private and Governmentowned homes, improving the standard of care being offered at the Palms Institution with the view of establishing best practices to be used by all private homes.

In addition, having recognised that Government’s initiatives must go beyond financial assistance for the elderly, another priority area for 2014 will be to address the psycho-social needs of the elderly. Centres for the elderly will be established in various communities in order to ensure senior citizens are engaged in activities that promote their physical and mental health.

Man in plane over de bush lookin fuh wood

When people get ketch doin one wrong ting, dem does usually find another way to do de same wrong ting, or other wrong tings. That is why old people seh once a dog start to suck egg, it gon never stop suck egg.

Is de same ting does happen in life. A thief does go in jail and come out and thief again. That is why one newspaper man does tell so much of lies over and over. He does get ketch lyin and then lie again. He gon soon got to pay fuh all dem lies though.

But just like how a dog does move on to another egg after de first egg, once a man start to get freeness, he does always want freeness. And when de freeness stop, he gon find another source.

De same newspaper man had want duty-free tings a few years ago. So he try to bribe de people who was in Guvament. When de people in Guvament chase he way, he get vex. That was when de cussin start. Up to now de cussin can’t done.

And is not only de cussin ain’t done. De man still askin fuh freeness. And when de freeness ain’t comin, he findin other ways to get freeness. But this is a man who cussin every Tom, Dick and Harry fuh gettin freeness.

This man want freeness so bad he even pay a man from Berbice to bring in some ting fuh he just because he want duty-free ting. That was millions of dollars whah he shoulda pay de Guvament. But he end up payin fuh a plane to fly over de bush just to see a Chinese man.

Is either he was lookin fuh free wood or a free Chinese man. But wood is a expensive ting and de Chinese don’t gee way any ting so easy, not even wood.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! In de meantime, de man gon be looking fuh more freeness. So look out fuh more cussin!

Woman charged with murder of Better Hope man

… gets six months on separate wounding charge

Angela Khan, 45, a housewife of Lot 355 Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was on Thursday charged with the murder of a fisherman and the wounding of her husband during a drinking spree at her home on Sunday.

She pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on Sunday, August 24, she wounded Deevan Sewag and was sentenced to six months in prison by Magistrate Alex Moore at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

With respect to the capital charge, she was not required to plead. She is accused of murdering Bharrat Sugrim, 37, of Lot 28 Better Hope North, East Coast Demerara on Sunday August 24. She was remanded to prison and will make her next court appearance on September 25 for fixture and report.

On Sunday, Khan reportedly attacked her husband, Sewag, with a knife inflicting two wounds to his body one to his back and the other

to his abdomen. Upon seeing this, the now dead Sugrim, who was commonly called “Lusty”, intervened and was stabbed once to his heart. He fell to the ground and reportedly died almost immediately. The couple reportedly covered Sugrim’s body with a sheet until the Police arrived at the scene.

Upon investigating, they found a wound to his heart suspected to have been inflicted by a sharp object. Khan and her injured husband were taken into custody and initially told Police that Sugrim had fallen and hit his head after which he suffered cardiac arrest. During interrogation, the woman led investigators to the murder weapon and subsequently confessed to the murder.

A post-mortem performed on the body of Sugrim proved that he died from a single stab wound to his heart. Relatives of Sugrim were very distraught at his death, noting that he was a frequent visitor to the quarrelling couple’s home.

Jocelyn Dow tells CoI:

Rodney’s killing was PNC state-sponsored terrorism

By Alexis Rodney

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) “sympathiser”

Jocelyn Dow said that the society governed by the 1980s’ Forbes Burnham regime was divided by those who were concerned with revealing the truth about Dr Walter Rodney’s death and those who were working to keep it a secret.

Among those working to silence the truth about the WPA leader’s death, caused by the massive explosion of June 13, 1980, were the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), who she said were under the dictate of President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Dow had appeared before the tribunal probing the death of Dr Rodney

on Thursday. Led into evidence by Attorney for the Commission, Glen Hanoman, Dow revealed that while she was not a member of the WPA, she was closely connected to some members, including Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Eusi Kwayana, Andaiye, and Dr Clive Thomas.

Her evidence-in-chief commenced with her revisiting the evening of June 13, 1980, a few minutes before Dr Rodney was killed. She explained that as the “chauffeur” for many members of the WPA during that time, she was on that evening transporting a member to his Croal Street, Georgetown home, when there began a sequence of sorrowful events.

She noted that the member named Abastian was about to mount the stairs to his home when he noticed

blood on the door. She said he called out to her and the other occupants of the car as she was about to drive off, and pointed out the blood.

Dow said she instructed Abastian to check inside to see if anyone was in need of assistance.

Soon after, he returned informing them that Donald

Rodney was injured, with bruises across the left side of his face. Prior to this news, Dow said the occupants of the car were taken aback when they looked up the road and saw Andaiye running towards the car. She related that when the WPA activist arrived, she breathlessly conveyed “they say it’s a woman, but it is Walter …. They killed him”.

Dow related to the Commission that everyone was instantly thrown into a state of shock. She said, however, they also went into “high security mode” , since they were not sure if Dr Rodney’s death was the beginning of severe action against the WPA supporters.

Hanoman interjected at this point, enquiring if Dow thought Dr Rodney’s death was an act of terrorism. She said she knows that terror-

Minibus driver reappears to face more charges

Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman for the second time this week was 23-year-old Winston Harris of Lot 141 Danraj Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown, charged with three offences.

The charges read that on August 25 at the Stabroek Market route 45 bus park, the defendant used abusive behaviour to Julian Grandasaw, he also behaved disorderly and resisted arrest from

Trio remanded for alleged armed robbery

Twenty-nine-year-old Campton Semple, 19-year-old Romario Butler and a 16-year-old juvenile were on Thursday remanded to prison for an alleged robbery under arms charge.

The three defendants appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman. It alleged that on June 5, at the Georgetown Seawalls, being armed with an offensive weapon; that is to say a hand gun, they robbed Roy Vox of the following items: a HTC cell phone valued $25,000, silver and gold ring valued $12,000 and a sum of

$37,000. It also alleged that they robbed Keith Edwards of a Toyota Spacio , valued $2.5 million. Butler was represented by Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith, while the juvenile was represented by Kendaise Rodney. Semple was unrepresented. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail on the grounds of the nature, seriousness and prevalence of the offence committed. Bail was refused and they were all remanded until September 30 where they will appear before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Policemen.

According to Police Prosecutor Michael Grant, on the day in question, Police were conducting traffic duty when they caught the defendant breaching traffic operations. He was told of the offence and was about to be arrested when he shoved the Police officer.

Harris pleaded not guilty to the charge and was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat.

The Attorney told the court that his client was before the courts on Tuesday and is currently paying $70,000

bail and requested for him to be released on his own recognisance.

Prosecutor Grant told the court that the Police are there to enforce law and order and it is unfair and disrespectful for citizens to behave rudely. There were no objections to bail hence it was granted to Harris on three separate counts: $30,000 for resisting arrest, $20,000 for disorderly behaviour and $20,000 for the abusive behaviour. He is said to return to court on September 29.

Gold miner charged for simple larceny

A22-year-old gold miner of Lot 118 Golden Grove Village, East Coast Demerara appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Thursday.

Garfield France was accused of stealing 11.6 penny weight raw gold valued $212,800 from Bernard Singh, also known as “Mosquito”, on August 20 at Blue Mountain, Cuyuni River, Essequibo.

The defendant was represented by Attorney Keavon Bess who told the court that his client is not a flight risk and will be attending court to prove his innocence.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not object

to bail hence bail was granted in the sum of $100,000. France is said to return to court on September 8.

ism is the term used to describe crimes against the Government. However, in Dr Rodney’s case, his death may have been state-sponsored terrorism under the PNC.

Dow said WPA members were not unfamiliar with constant arrest and abuse by the Police. She said although she was not a member of the organisation, her home and family were constantly under threat, as WPA members had often converged there.

Dow said she first heard the name Gregory Smith mentioned by Dr Rodney’s brother, Donald, a few hours after Rodney’s death.

She explained that WPA members had taken Donald to the home of Dr Horace Tait, a psychiatrist, since according to her, that was the only home in which they all felt secured, as

“they (PNC) would never search there”.

She said that after being examined by Dr Tait, and receiving medical attention, Donald was able to divulge that a Gregory Smith had handed him a package to give to his brother, while he sat in the passenger seat of the car. The contents of that package later exploded.

Asked if the WPA members made a report to the Police, Dow related that the issue was discussed, but could not be sure if that report was ever made. What was shared, however, was the information about Dr Rodney’s death with everyone, including the external press, particularly the BBC and CANA News. Dow returns to the witness box today to continue her evidence-in-chief.

PSC throws weight behind clean-up campaign

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Thursday met with Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker and the “Clean-Up My Country” Programme Implementation Committee to begin talks on how to sustain the programme.

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud gave kudos to the Minister and his team for the implementation of the cleanup programme, the Committee said in a release.

The Chairman also expressed concern about the sustainability of the programme and assured the Minister and his team that he will engage members in discussions on how they can be of support to the clean-up activities in the long run.

Meanwhile, according to the release, Minister Whittaker, in his address to the members of the Commission and the Programme Implementation Committee, elaborated that sustaining a clean environment is not only the

obligation of statutory institutions, but a collaborative relationship between municipalities, private sector and the people of the communities.

Whittaker called on the PSC to become an agent of enforcement for the payment of business rates and taxes that are owing to the municipality by private businesses and to encourage business owners to furnish their premises with garbage receptacles.

Once businesses can recognise these concerns, it will be a step towards tangible solutions to the problem of improper solid waste management.

Also at the meeting were Local Government and Regional Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Collin Croal; Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Lance Hinds; PSC Councillor Patricia Bacchus; Executive Director Elizabeth Alleyne and Anneth Arjoon both representing the Commission; and members of the “Clean-Up My Country” Programme Implementation Committee.

Garfield France

Winston Harris

Jocelyn Dow

US Embassy supporting girls’ empowerment

Jacklow man wanted for rape

The Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for a man in connection with a rape allegation.

The wanted man has been identified as 33-yearold Colin Cornelius of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon, Essequibo River. He is of East Indian descent.

According to a Police release, “Colin Cornelius is wanted by the Police for

questioning in relation to a matter of rape that is under investigation”.

Police are requesting anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Cornelius to contact the Police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 771-4222, 7715004, 771-4010, 911 or the nearest Police station.

All information provided will be treated with strict confidence.

Caribbean to receive assistance from China in several key areas

China has promised aid to Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries in a number of areas including adapting to climate change, energy, education and tourism.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who is on an official visit to the Asian country, Tuesday met with his Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Keqiang and both men promised to seek more common ground in economic cooperation and broader mutual support on international affairs.

The meeting lasted for an hour and according to officials, the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in clean energy, agriculture, tourism, education and healthcare.

Premier Li said China will also help in the construction of highways, airports and ports in Antigua and Barbuda.

China will also provide financial aid, goods and nointerest loans to Antigua and Barbuda which has been struggling since the 2008 financial crisis and is facing a US1 billion debt that is almost equivalent to

its annual gross domestic product (GDP).

Li said he understood that battling climate change is one of the twinisland country’s core interests and that Beijing has managed to reduce its own carbon emissions by five per cent in the first half of this year.

“We understand the island nations such as Antigua and Barbuda in that regard, and we will provide necessary assistance to help you cope with climate change and protect the interests of developing countries,” Li said.

Browne, who is making his first official visit to China since he came to power following the June 12 General Election, said relations with China are “central” to his country’s foreign policy and that his visit underscores the importance of the relationship.

Prime Minister Browne, who is heading a sevenmember delegation on his five-day visit, will later this week, head to Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to attend the closing ceremony of the second Summer Youth Olympic Games. He is also expected to

hold talks with Government officials and investors in Shandong province.

Shen Zhiliang, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, said the two leaders have had a “deep and thorough” exchange on bilateral relations and international affairs.

Antigua and Barbuda currently holds the rotating chairmanship of Caricom, one of the major forces in boosting China’s relations with the community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Last year, China’s President Xi Jingping paid a three-day visit to the Caribbean holding talks with eight Caricom leaders whose countries continue to have diplomatic relations with Beijing, instead of Taiwan, that China regards as a renegade province and has been urging countries to accept the “One China” policy in their foreign relations for talks with regional leaders.

Following the talks, he announced billions of dollars in assistance to the Caribbean. (Caribbean News Now)

The US Embassy supported an all girls camp, GLOW (Girls Leading Our World), hosted by the Peace Corps.

Addressing the participants of the camp in Kuru Kuru, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, on Tuesday, Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt talked about the US Embassy’s role in fostering leadership and empowerment in young women.

He highlighted some of the Embassy’s public diplomacy programmes for youths, including its active Youth Action Network (YAN) and the Youth Ambassador’s Programme, which is a three-week leadership exchange in the US.

Camp GLOW was being held at the Kuru Kuru Training College and concluded on August 28. During the one week long of activities, volunteers of Peace Corps Guyana serve as counsellors at the camp.

This initiative by the Peace Corps Guyana was first held in Guyana three years ago. The very first Camp GLOW was established by Peace Corps volunteers in Romania in 1995 and has since grown to more than 60 countries worldwide.

The Chargé’s speech followed a one-week camp that is designed to inspire and empower young women to become strong leaders. Campers participated in workshops on leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, and healthy lifestyle choices.

OECS, UNICEF deepen cooperation to advance child development

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deepened their collaborative efforts on Tuesday through the signing of a new programme cooperation agreement to the tune of US$1.165 million.

This agreement is expected to further facilitate protection programmes in the Region regarding the rights of children. Education and lifelong learning, monitoring, evaluation and social statistics, early childhood education as well as child and social protection are the intervention areas in the new programme cooperation agreement (PCA).

The original PCA between UNICEF and the OECS Commission was signed for the period 2012-2014 and following a mid-term review in 2014, this recent ceremony heralds the second phase of the PCA for another twoand-a-half-year term.

OECS Commission Director General, Dr Didacus Jules commended UNICEF and its work in the Caribbean, highlighting its ongoing advocacy for children’s rights and the protection of young people. Jules

welcomed the newly signed agreement as one which will build on the many gains of the first PCA.

He said the emphasis in this new agreement is to make the collaboration “bite” effectively in key areas so that the most vulnerable persons receive the deserved benefits through more efficient research.

Jules noted the need for enhanced attention to early childhood education programmes with more focus on children ranging from zero to five years of age.

He emphasised the need to give more attention to this age group, suggesting that this, as research has shown, will impact positively on performance results at the secondary level.

The United Nations Children’s fund values the OECS Commission as an international partner organisation that shares UNICEF’s values and principles, and has a special ability to undertake activities that are crucial for implementing the UNICEF Eastern Caribbean area programme.

UNICEF also recognises that the OECS shares a commitment to the principles set out in the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The deepened collaboration is described as strategic for strengthening regional harmonisation, capacity building, learning, standardisation and exchanges among OECS full members and associate member states for various results. The budget for the new programme cooperation agreement between the UNICEF and the OECS Commission is US$1.165 million.

Khin-Sandy Lwin of UNICEF, who signed the agreement with Jules, reiterated the need to support and implement further programmes for child and youth development despite the harsh financial challenges affecting the countries of the Eastern Caribbean.

The UNICEF official acknowledged the value of the relationship with the OECS as a fundamental and critical platform for facilitating dialogue and implementation of key interventions for the advancement of children in the Region. (Caribbean News Now)

Chargé d’ Affaires Bryan Hunt along with the participants of Camp GLOW

Wanted: Colin Cornelius

Khin-Sandy Lwin of UNICEF (left) with Director General of the OECS Commission, Dr Didacus Jules

Port Kaituma residents complain of electricity woes

Residents of Port Kaituma, Region One, North West District are still dissatisfied with the inadequate electricity being generated by the local electricity supplier and are asking for a long-term remedy.

This comes even as Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud donated several drums of fuel to the Power Generation Committee (PGC) of Port Kaituma in an effort to curb the effects of the power outages that have been plaguing the community for close to three months.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Regional Chairman Paul Pierre posited that the drums of fuel were just a temporary fix and the community still needs a permanent solution.

Pierre opined too that the issue affecting the power supply seems to be one of management and the quality of fuel being sourced to run the generators at the power station.

Miserable failure

The generator at the power station, he said, “works a bit and then it’s off again, which is not helping the community much, it is more or less hampering the community”.

A few residents told this publication recently that for close to three months now, the Port Kaituma Power and Light Company (PKPL) has been failing miserably in supplying electricity to the more than 500 households in the Sitzburg Central, Port Kaituma, and other neighbouring communities.

Community member Crisna David told this pub-

Good Hope man freed of trafficking charge

Aman was on Thursday freed after Magistrate Zamilla Ally upheld a no-case submission presented by Defence Attorney Jerome Khan.

lication that for over two months, residents in the area have only been receiving electricity for a few hours during the evening and that depends on whether the power company receives fuel in time.

He complained that the power company has resolved to provide electricity to residents from 18:00h to 06:00h. There are instances, however, where electricity would be supplied for less than six hours during the night. He said the situation was deteriorating as the days went by.

The PKPL is in receipt of three generators; however, only one is functioning. That single generator, it was explained, is not operating at a high standard, and is incapable of carrying the full load of supplying electricity to all households.

Meanwhile, another resident, who is also employed by the power company and who requested anonymity, told Guyana Times that lightning is the cause of the destruction of the non-working generators.

He said the current issue arose close to three months ago, when the third generator, which at that time was recently acquired, was struck by lightning.

Poor management

He pointed out that a similar fate had befallen the company in July of 2013, when another generator was struck by lightning. The PKPL employee revealed that the company’s management is refusing to heed advice for proper protection of the generators.

The resident said although the equipment is housed in a building, it is impossible to protect the generating sets from lightning strikes without lightning arrestors surrounding the buildings.

He said the generator that is currently supplying residents with electricity is “smoking heavily”, with a high fuel consumption rate. He explained that was also contributing to the company’s inability to provide electricity.

He stated that the generator is now burning some 30 gallons of fuel per hour, almost nine gallons more than it would consume when it was first bought.

Vishnu Persaud, of Good Hope, East Bank Demerara, was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking on March 2. He pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

According to the Prosecution’s case, acting on information received, Police conducted a raid at Persaud’s Good Hope home where they observed him throwing a plastic bag containing rocklike substances believed to be cocaine and marijuana into an empty house lot next door.

During the trial, the defence attorney challenged this allegation by the Police, claiming that the bag was planted by one of the Police Officers who went to his client’s home on the day in

question, to frame his client.

In addition, Attorney Khan also highlighted nine “major inconsistencies” in his seven-page submission. He pointed out that the evidence given by Detective Constable Samsundar, Detective Corporal Dey, and Detective Constable Edwards varied and had changed under vigorous cross-examination.

On Thursday when the matter was called, Magistrate Ally agreed with the Attorney’s submissions, stating that evidence submitted by the prosecution was “contradictory, weak and riddled with inconsistencies”. She added that the prosecution also failed to deal with the inconsistencies.

During the hearing, family and close relatives of

Persaud who

the

after

was

praised the justice system while blasting the Police for framing the man. A freed Persaud, who had been in custody since March 2 and subsequently remanded to the Camp Street Prison, walked out of the court with his lawyer and family members.

gathered in

courtroom erupted with joy

he

freed. The family

Vishnu Persaud, alongside his children and legal counsel, Defence Attorney Jerome Khan after he was set free

Region One Chairman Paul Pierre

Jamaica's Agriculture Minister dies suddenly at Florida airport

Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke died on Thursday at an airport in Florida. Clarke had been in Florida since mid-July where he had undergone surgery for a back ailment.

According to unconfirmed reports, he was heading back to Jamaica after the surgery when he died. Clarke was raised in Glen Islay, Westmoreland, where he helped his parents and grandparents on their farm, growing root crops and vegetables.

Dozens of supporters

Antigua-Barbuda PM negotiates over US$32.5M assistance package from China

Antigua and Barbuda

Prime Minister

Gaston Browne on Tuesday successfully negotiated an assistance package for Antigua and Barbuda for over 200 million RMB (US$32.5 million) from China. In discussions with Browne, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, spoke of the close relationship that exists between Antigua and

Barbuda and China and outlined a programme for development assistance in the interest of all Antiguans and Barbudans.

Commenting on the outcome of the talks with Li, Browne said that Antigua and Barbuda and China have enjoyed warm and friendly relations since their inception in 1983, and each year they seek to strengthen the friendship and expand

cooperation.

“The People’s Republic of China has been generous to Antigua and Barbuda over the years and has provided critical support to the development efforts of the Government. We are very grateful for this,” Browne added.

On Wednesday, Browne and his delegation were due to meet with President Xi Jinping. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Brazil’s Mantega says Opposition win

could wreck economy

Brazil’s Finance Minister waded into the country’s presidential campaign on Thursday, warning that an Opposition victory in the October election could push the economy into recession and undo a decade of social gains under the ruling Workers’ Party.

quickly began expressing their condolences and paying respects to Roger Clarke via social media sites. According to his profile posted on the Jamaica Information Service website, Clarke “had a successful political career, having won eight elections comprising two Local Government and six General Elections.”

Before his death, he was serving as Vice President Emeritus and is survived by his wife and two children. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Oil expert says millions needed to explore for the commodity

An oil and gas expert has said the Antiguan Government would have to fork out millions of dollars if it is to proceed with the planned exploration of oil and gas.

During the delivery of the Throne Speech, almost two weeks ago, Governor General, Dr Rodney Williams announced Government’s plan to proceed with oil and gas exploration.

Dr Williams also pointed out Government’s plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by using green energy to produce 20 per cent of all electricity consumed in Barbuda, by 2019. (Antigua Observer)

Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Gas and Oil Exploration conference Shazim Karim said the process is not as easy as it sounds. “You have to have a lot of infrastructure and foreign individuals would have to come in but Antigua has never established anything in oil and gas. They have not done anything in this regard the only thing I know about is tourism,” Karim said.

Cuban migrant boat turned away from Caymans despite rough seas

Asmall, homemade aluminium boat carrying 16 Cuban migrants sought refuge from rough seas in Grand Cayman on Thursday but local officials prevented a landing, citing a migration agreement with Cuba.

Local law enforcement

would not allow the migrants to receive drinking water, food or supplies from well-wishers onshore. The 20-foot boat, a patchwork of fibreglass and metal with large inner tubes attached to makeshift outriggers, was allowed to anchor offshore while their fate is determined.

Under the 1999 migration accord Cuban boats are allowed to pass through Cayman waters as long as they do not seek any assistance. If the migrants come ashore, they are taken into custody and usually repatriated to Cuba.

Boats smuggling Cubans seeking to flee the communist-run island are frequently seen off the Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean less than 100 miles (160 km) South of Cuba.

They are usually headed for Honduras, about 400 miles away, from where migrants make the long journey overland to reach the US border with Mexico. Under the US so-called “wet foot, dry foot policy,” Cuban migrants who make it onto United States soil are allowed to remain while those intercepted at sea are turned back. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia arrests 32 politicians over paramilitary ties

Brazil’s once high-flying economy has slowed sharply in the last four years under President Dilma Rousseff, complicating her chances for re-election in October.

Growth is now at a crawl, inflation is running high, and business confidence has evaporated, discouraging investment.

The slowdown has given the Opposition ample fodder to criticise Rousseff on the campaign trail. Mantega

The comments by Guido Mantega, which the Opposition and some analysts criticised as unbecoming of a sitting Finance Minister, came on the eve of the release of official data that is expected to show that Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, is already in recession.

sought to paint a rosier portrait and said he worries that a new Government would raise interest rates to “stratospheric” levels to curb inflation, derailing the economy and throwing Brazilians out of work.

“If they criticise us, that’s because they plan to do the opposite. That will create a recession, increase unemployment and revert social and real income gains made by the population,” Mantega told reporters after unveiling the 2015 budget bill. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombian authorities have arrested 32 local politicians for alleged ties to right-wing paramilitary groups that fuelled the country’s 50-year conflict before being disbanded a decade ago, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Current and former Mayors, ex-town Councillors, civic leaders and former Senate candidates were among those arrested in the region of Uraba in the violence-torn country’s North-west.

The Mayor of the port town of Turbo, William

Palacio Valencia, was among those arrested. A prosecution source said a total of 50 arrest warrants had been issued based on confessions from jailed paramilitary leaders.

“The investigation indicates these people are linked to the Elmer Cardenas block, which was led by Freddy Rendon Herrera, alias ‘The German,’” said a prosecution statement.

Rendon is accused in the killings of 4301 people during a wave of massacres and violence that swept the Uraba region in the 1990s

and 2000s, when paramilitary groups waged a campaign of terror aimed at intimidating local voters.

The groups, originally formed in the late 1980s to fight Colombia’s leftwing guerrilla groups, ended up forging an alliance with like-minded politicians and turning on the local population.

Some 32,000 paramilitary fighters disarmed between 2003 and 2006, after then President Alvaro Uribe’s Government reached deals to officially disband the groups. (Excerpt from MSN)

Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne (front right) along with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

A home-made aluminium boat carrying 16 Cuban migrants pulls up to a dock seeking what they said was refuge from rough seas, in Grand Cayman island, August 28

Around the world

Russia accused of lies over troops in Ukraine

The United States has openly accused Russia of “outright lies” over its insistence it has no troops in Ukraine, hours after the NATO alliance said more than 1000 Russian troops were inside the country.

Samatha Power, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, on Thursday accused her Russian counterpart, Vitaly Churkin, of lying over the presence of regular Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

“Russia has come before this Council to say everything except the truth. It has manipulated. It has obfuscated. It has outright lied,” said Power during a meeting of the UN Security Council.

Russia’s envoy Vitaly Churkin rejected the US accusation, said any Russians inside Ukraine were volun-

teers, and warned the US to stop interfering in Ukraine’s internal affairs.

“Restrain your geopolitical ambition. Then not only Russia’s neighbours, but many other countries

around the world would breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

The exchange came after the Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, organised a meeting of security of-

UN says 43 Golan peacekeepers seized by Syria militants, 81 trapped

Militants fighting the Syrian army have detained 43 United Nations peacekeepers in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and trapped another 81 in the region, and the world body is working to secure their release, the UN said on Thursday.

The affected peacekeepers are from the Philippines and Fiji, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

“During a period of increased fighting beginning yesterday between armed elements and Syrian Arab Armed Forces within the area of separation in the Golan Heights, 43 peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement

Observer Force (UNDOF) were detained early this morning by an armed group in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah,” the UN press office said in a statement.

He added that another 81 UNDOF peacekeepers were being restricted to their positions in the vicinity of Ar Ruwayhinah and Burayqah. Dujarric said the 81 trapped troops were from the Philippines and the 43 seized ones from Fiji.

“The United Nations is making every effort to secure the release of the detained peacekeepers, and to restore the full freedom of movement of the force throughout its area of operation,” it said.

Britain’s UN Ambassador

Mark Lyall Grant, President of the Security Council this month, told reporters the trapped peacekeepers were surrounded by Islamist militants.

The 15-nation Security Council, which was meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria, was also discussing the issue of the kidnapped peacekeepers, Lyall Grant said.

The Philippine army said in a statement that militants and had surrounded the Philippine contingent’s encampments with Fijian hostages in tow and demanded that the Filipino troops surrender their firearms. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif named as murder suspect

Police in Pakistan have named Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a suspect in a murder case, officials say. He is among 21 possible defendants suspected of the killing of 14 demonstrators near Lahore in June.

Opposition cleric Tahir ul-Qadri has demanded that Sharif face murder charges and a terrorism probe. However, the BBC’s M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says it is not automatic that Sharif will be arrested and appear in court. Our correspondent says this is only a preliminary investigation following the filing of a complaint to

Police. Officers will need to find incriminating evidence before pursuing the case any further, he says. They are reported to have filed a first information report (FIR) – the preliminary stage of a possible criminal case – against Sharif and 20 other people as possible defendants in the killing of the demonstrators.

Any charges in relation to the killings will only be filed if a magistrate determines there is a case to be answered. Correspondents say that this procedure could take months.

Tahir ul-Qadri, one of two Opposition figures current-

ly leading a sit-in against Sharif, had demanded that murder charges be brought in the case. Addressing his supporters, Qadri rejected the FIR because he said it did not include terrorism clauses.

The two-week standoff between protesters and security forces in Islamabad has taken place just 15 months after the Prime Minister won a five-year mandate in elections.

A statement from Sharif’s office on Thursday confirmed that orders had been issued to register a case. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ficials, stating that Russian troops were on Ukrainian soil.

The NATO alliance also said more than 1000 Russian troops are operating inside Ukraine, and released satellite images which it said showed Russian combat forces, engaged in military operations inside Ukrainian territory.

“They are supporting separatists ... fighting with them,” said Nico Tak, the head of NATO’s crisis management centre. He referred to Russia’s actions as “incursions” rather than an invasion.

Earlier Alexander Zakharchenko, a pro-Russia rebel leader, appeared to confirm serving Russian soldiers were fighting Ukrainian troops alongside the country’s separatists in eastern Ukraine. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India’s Narendra Modi launches bank accounts for all

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a plan to provide a bank account for every household, in a landmark initiative to help the poor.

Nearly 40 per cent of Indians have little access to financial services and are often at the mercy of moneylenders who charge extortionate interest.

Modi has told state and private banks to support the plan.

Correspondents say taking banking to the poor, who may have no identity papers, will be a challenge.

Reports say Modi’s Government aims to provide bank accounts to 75 million households by 2018, and to have two account-holders per household.

Officially launching the project today, Modi said it would give the poor “renewed

strength to fight poverty”.

“When a bank account is opened, it’s a step towards joining the economic mainstream.”

Under the banking scheme, account holders would receive a debit card and accident insurance cover of up to 100,000 rupees (US$16546). They would also get an overdraft facility of up to 5000 rupees. Modi announced the programme in his first Independence Day speech on August 15 after sweeping to power with a landslide victory in general elections in May.

“There are millions of families who have mobile phones but no bank accounts. We have to change this scenario,” he told the nation.

He said there was an “urgency to this exercise as all other development activities are hindered by this single disability”.. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Ebola outbreak: West Africa travel bans to be lifted

The WHO says that travel bans are jeopardising efforts to beat the epidemic

West African Health Ministers’ meeting in Ghana have agreed that travel restrictions imposed to combat Ebola should be lifted.

The Ministers followed advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) which said that the restrictions create food and supply shortages and harm efforts to contain the deadly virus.

The WHO says the West Africa outbreak could infect more than 20,000 people.

It says there could be four times more cases than officially registered.

The WHO said it was im-

portant that airlines resume “vital” flights across the region, because travel bans were threatening efforts to beat the epidemic.

“This is not a West African issue or an African issue. This is a global health security issue,” WHO’s Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward told reporters in Geneva.

It recommends that countries affected by Ebola should conduct exit screening amid concerns that the virus could spread to 10 further countries beyond the four now affected.

The number of deaths

from Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria now stands at 1552. About 3000 people are registered with the illness.

Announcing an action plan by the WHO to deal with the outbreak, Dr Aylward said “the actual number of cases may be twofour fold higher than that currently reported” in some areas.

The plan calls for US$489 million to be spent over the next nine months and requires 750 international workers and 12,000 national workers across West Africa.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

A Pro-Russian separatist stands near the damaged war memorial at Savur-Mohyla, a hill east of the city of Donetsk, Ukraine, on August 28

guyanatimesgy.com

ine young women have completed etiquette training and are now in the gym getting that perfect physique for pageant night which is slated to October 12 at the Pegasus Hotel. Reports coming out of the training camp suggest that the delegates are all hyped and are in competition mode.

The nine beauties Guyana Times understands were chosen from various communities throughout Guyana. There is, however, one delegate who is Guyanese born but now resides in the United States of America.

That young woman is reportedly a force to be reckoned with since she possesses all the qualities of a beauty queen. The 24-year-old Guyanese model takes her sister's murder as her main motivation as she has embarked on a journey to speak out and to educate others on the ripple effects of domestic violence.

Then there is Miss Jamzone International Soyini Fraser who has vast experience in

OTn Saturday night, Pulse

Entertainment is calling in all the usual suspects to Gravity Lounge for “Mug Shot”. Pulse will be turning the party into the perfect crime and the usual partyholics

“are the usual suspects”.

Patrons will get personalised mug shot plates on entry with their respective contact information and creative aliases.

They will also get an opportunity to take pictures on the Mug Shot backdrop.

Those desirous of attending the party can snap the sexiest mug shot or the most creative mug shot and win free tickets to the event at the Gravity Lounge, this Saturday. Music will be provided by Selector Carl and DJ Ryan.

Have the best experience, after a Pulse mug shot, you won’t want any other kind!!! Advance tickets cost $2000 and are available at Glamour Designer Brands, Robb Street, Georgetown; Gravity Lounge, Regent and Camp Streets; and Movietown DVD Club, Alexander Street, Kitty.

Patrons will pay more at the door.

pageantry. She recently copped the coveted title after outshining seven other regional and international delegates. She is also Miss United Nations and also participated in the Miss Jaycee’s International Pageant.

Another delegate to keep your eyes on is Guyanese model Nikita Barker who is no stranger to pageantry as well. She is beautiful, talented and intelligent.

There are some fresh faces, but they are not walkovers, since they are keen on competing with the aim of winning the prestigious title.

The nine beauties will be unveiled to the public in a week’s time. The winner of the pageant will have a chance to represent Guyana in the Miss Universe Pageant slated for later in the year. The young ladies will compete in swimwear, evening gown, talent and intelligence segments.

The host country is still to be announced but from reports reaching Entertainment the most favoured country.

he local pageant industry seems to be moving forward with great momentum, and the winner of the 2014 Miss Earth Guyana pageant is taking her role seriously.

‘Earth Angel’, 23-year-old Stacy Ramcharan, as she is now referred to, presently stands proud as not just a queen but a queen from the land of many waters, home of the amazing Amazonian adventure, the majestic Kaieteur Falls and one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world, and a nation of six diverse peoples. A queen from beautiful Guyana, a Miss Earth Guyana release said.

“Citizens of Guyana at the time were not fully aware; however, on April 22, also known as Earth Day, she was crowned as Miss Earth Guyana 2014.

With this title, she agreed to undertake a huge responsibility which is a host of many smaller duties...” the release said. The first of the queen’s two main duties is to represent Guyana at the international pageant scheduled for November 26 in Macau, China.

The second main duty of Miss Earth Guyana is to be an Ambassador for change and awareness in respect to saving the Earth.

In her efforts to place emphasis on saving the Earth, Ramcharan has launched several projects and activities. The first is The Earth Angel Clean-up Project, which seeks to have persons participate in environmental cleanups and also to educate young children and bring about awareness of good, healthy, earthfriendly practices and the dangers of doing the opposite.

As such, A Get Creative workshop was hosted by Bravo Arts, which showed children how to use recycled materials for art projects. And the third project was a tree planting exercise.

“… The hardworking and dedicated Miss Earth Guyana Team and Franchise Holder Mrs Pamela Dillon will continue to endeavour on new activities,” the release concluded.

Jyoti Hardat

Soyini Fraser

Nikita Barker

Miss Guyana Universe 2013, Katherina Roshana

The National Cultural Centre (NCC) is a hive of activity as preparations are underway for Saturday night’s production of Naya Zamana 19 – A Royal Twist.

The elements which will ensure the spectacular staging of this production have all been put in place; breathtaking and elaborate sets, special lighting effects and glamorous and dazzling costumes.

Meticulous attention has been paid to detail; the props and additional live music and singing in a seamless flow makes it a “you should not miss it” type of production.

The cast of singers, dancers and actors is super excited to present the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s nineteenth installment of Naya Zamana, one of Guyana’s most awaited dance and theatrical productions, which will be staged at the National Cultural Centre tomorrow at 20:00h.

This year’s production, described as a theatrical extravaganza, is called “A Royal Twist”. The story covers two eras and, as the name suggests, will be replete with cutting edge choreography, resplendent costumes, magnificent sets and intense drama.

Director and Choreographer of the production, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has been working long hours with the 70-member cast to achieve the perfect visuals for her story, an original one which she has penned.

According to Dr Persaud, this year’s production has allowed her to let her imagination

run riot in crafting a script which conjures up the splendor and romance of a bygone era as well as the drama of present day. With numerous dance styles being featured, a talented cast, majestic sets and costumes and the inclusion of the E-Networks band, which features musicians from India and Guyana, the production is bound to sparkle in every way. Costumes and sets are designed by Trishala Persaud.

Playing the lead roles are Indhira Harry as actress turned director Riya Patel, US-based choreographer and dancer Noman Ahmad as the debonair Sid Sharma, Zahrah Alli as the famous Mughal dancer Anarkali, Ravi as Prince Saleem and Nazim Hussain as Emperor Akbar.

Recent winner of the E-Networks Emerging Voices Competition, Vishale Sukram makes her debut at the National Cultural Centre in this production. The show is one you definitely

The birth of Guyana's first ever Miss Global International Guyana franchise is taking shape as the Queen Onesha Hutson commences training and charity work for the international pageant scheduled for December 2-6 in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Miss Global International Guyana Onesha Hutson was treated to various media interviews and also was a special invitee to the just concluded Guyana Festival after her crowning.

Working closely with her designers Jason Shurland, Sonia Noel, Mwanza Glen and others with talented photographers Ronald Nanlall, Saajid Hasani and Rupesh Singh, she managed to successfully produce two stunning photo shoots with two more in the making.

Commencing her charity contributions Hutson, along with her team, will be visiting the Saheed Girls Orphanage this Sunday spending the day, having lunch, discussing concerns and also pampering the girls with back to school goodies before the new school year commences.

She has adopted the home as her charity to work with and more so, to be a role model for the girls, counselling them on everyday issues and lending that helping hand as their big sister.

She will also be working closely with homeless persons on the streets, giving them a voice and also supplying them with a meal, given that they are often forgotten by society. Hutson plans to lend her voice to build awareness and also convince others to help in the fight and to support those that are less fortunate since they are human beings too.

Currently in production, “Don Killa” is a crime drama which takes views back to the 1970s in Guyana. It tells the story of Ram, a hardworking young man, who turned to crime when his savings was stolen by the very people he trusted.

The idea for the film comes from a series of flashbacks detailed from another feature film, “Shady Business” which was never recorded due to scheduling issues.

This time around, the writer/director and the producer decided to go into production with this film as the precursor of “Shady Business”.

Starring Javid Udai and Roy Hernando, the majority of the cast is predominantly of Guyanese descent. The cast was found by using referrals, while others were selected from the Richmond Hill/South Ozone Park neighbourhoods.

Tickets for the show cost $3500, $3000 and $2000 and are on sale at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Kendra, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown; Red Mango, Robb Street; E-Networks, Camp Street; Bhagwans, Water Street; the Murti Shop, West Coast Demerara and the NCC or patrons can call 2276181 or 219-1900. The Sabha wishes to thank Digicel, E-Networks and NTN for their support of the production which showcases Guyanese talent.

Indhira Harry who plays the lead role

There was also an advertisement in mainstream online publications, like Backstage and nycastings.com, where mostly East Indian actors responded.

As difficult as it was, the producers wanted to keep the film with a West Indian cast.

They were hopeful that with this film and knowledge gained of the industry, it would open doors and create a network for many other aspiring West Indian actors and filmmakers.

The film is currently in production, with shooting through the month of September. For updates and news on the production, please follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ donkillathemovie.com and visit their website www. donkillathemovie.com.

This is the first full-length feature film by writer, director and photographer, Teri G, in collaboration with Producer Mustafa Ali.

Hutson has commenced training for all four segments of the pageant – talent, swimsuit, national costume and evening gown.

Presently the beauty has already started

to work with her personal gym trainer.

The crowned queen was graciously invited as a special guest at the Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week event called "Making Styles" which is scheduled for October.

She will be a guest of honour and the first Guyanese to be invited to this prestigious event. Whose design she will wear? That's a must see, so keep up to date and check her Facebook fan page or the Miss Global International Guyana page for more details.

www.hotspotgy.com has been capturing all those perfect moments of you and your loved ones at various outdoor activities over the past years.

These photos of very high quality are placed on the Internet for lasting memories. The photos are captured by well trained photographers including the owner of the website, Travis Montooth.

Other members of his team include, Shelly Sattaur in the marketing department, Dornell Sufferin and Akeem Montooth, both photographers. For those events in the United States of America (USA), they are well covered by Andrew Ross, a capable young man.

The site was officially launched in March 2012 during which time hundreds of photos were uploaded for the public to view. It is the only website which features 100 per cent Guyanese content. Every article and event entails

something Guyanese, from parties to news, in London and or the USA.

The website has gathered a huge following over the past years, with Guyanese from London and the USA making contact with the site to cover events of interest.

Of recent, fans from the East Coast of Demerera, East Bank of Demerara and the West Coast of Demerara have been requesting that the company cover events.

In addition, private businesses and individuals from time to time would request coverage of private events such as weddings, birthdays, prize giving ceremonies, product launches, etc.

However, the vision for www.hotspotgy.com is slowly becoming a reality. They are only 30 per cent of where they need to be. The site will soon be launching its clothing line which will feature the Hotspot

logo. Interested person can also have their jerseys personalised.

Its objective is to expand its viewership by posting the right content but this will only be achieved with the support of sponsors. Apart from uploading photos and articles, the site is a great way to advertise businesses and the products they offer.

Sponsorship has been a problem for the site from the inception but it is grateful to those companies and individuals that have been on board from the beginning. These include Monaco Night Club, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Datt's Pharmacy, Pink Memo Boutique and our most recent sponsor Golden Boy entertainment.

To advertise with www. hotspotgy.com, persons are asked to contact Shelly on telephone numbers 6151007, 223-1362 or Travis on telephone number 641-4109.

Zahrah alli and Noman Ahmad during rehearsals

The 2014 Centre Stage competition was recently held at the National Park Tarmac. This event was a collaborative initiative between the Guyana Music Network (GMN) and the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) as part of the outreach programme and Emancipation celebrations and youth development programme respectively.

fresh, young talent while providing a professional setting where young people can express themselves, showcasing their skills. It was open to young singers, designers, dancers, instrumentalists and poets/comedians and saw a huge number of young people between the ages of 12-24 years auditioning on July 5, of which 19 later advanced to the final.

The finale featured Guyana’s leading and upcoming punk rock band Keep Your Day Job (KYDJ) who opened the show performing some of their original songs along with a few popular pieces from various Guyanese artistes.

Emilio Martins placed first, second and third respectively.

The contestants later took to the stage and proved their potential in the various categories. The number of persons who auditioned as singers outnumbered the other contestants in the other categories, and after two hours of competition, it was left to a panel of esteemed judges to select the top three performers in each category.

The five judges included soca queen Michelle “Big Red”

Also in the line-up was one of Guyana’s youngest performers – Jovinski Thorne – who displayed his versatility as a young artiste, using his vocals and acoustic guitar for the first time and fiveyear-old Oshay Roberts who boldly performed a dance piece which was of much amusement to onlookers.

King, upcoming producer and artiste Simeon “Lil J” Browne, child educator Joy Stanton, one of Guyana’s leading designers Neilson Nurse and BVI-based Guyanese musician and music teacher Derry Etkins.

The emerging winners in the song category were Mickael Sam, Sueann Campbell and Michael Small who placed first, second and third respectively and in the instrumentalists’ category Shogi Boodhoo, Lodge Secondary School Steel Band and duo Gavin Singh and

Paul Anthony Charles lives by the saying ‘love the life you live and live the life you love.’

This young man was born on April 20, 1986 under the zodiac sign of Taurus. He is a teacher, dancer, choreographer, and stylist; describing himself as determined and ambitious.

He attended Carmel and Charlestown Secondary schools, furthering his studies after high school at Global Technology.

This determined young individual dreams one day of establishing his own foundation to help youths. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, having long walks, cooking, camping and of course dancing. An additional dream of Charles is to become an international dance choreographer. Charles finds himself in a happy relationship with one aspect of the arts – he is a unique, energetic, and passionate individual who is heading for higher heights. Being no stranger to the performing arts, he has represented Guyana locally, regionally and international.

He was the face of the logo for Carifesta X in 2008; he was privileged to showcase his skills in dance in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname, French Guiana and The United States

of America. Charles is known as the Dare of Dance.

Venturing into the world of fashion in 2005, he participated in the Super Model Search, and in 2006 he participated in the Shabeau Face off where he placed 1st runner-up. In 2008 he participated in Guyana Model Search and placed 3rd runner-up; an experience that didn’t deter his drive. In 2012 he tried it once more and captured the 2nd runner-up spot.

The talented young man also participated internationally at Mr Tourism United Nations Pageant in Jamaica and captured the 1st runner-up position. He was awarded a prize for the Best Male Dancer.

Paul is now a contestant in the first ever Mr Guyana International Pageant 2014. His platform for this competition is ‘Causes and Effects of School dropouts’.

He believes that every child needs an education and education is the key, adding that success. He noted that in Guyana, the youths who drop out of school are most likely to be unemployed, homeless and incarcerated.

Charles is inspired by his mother’s teaching which is based on striving for excellence and higher heights through hard work and perseverance.

Out of three promising, young designers, it was Shanai Gomes who copped the first prize while Colvin Andrews and Mark Junor took the second and third place positions, with Andrews also winning the prize for the best African wear. There were only two contestants in the poets/ comedians category and the first prize went to Serita Seearam and Tecseeana Adams placed second. Unfortunately there were no dancers represented, but those contestants who took part in the competition represented themselves well, displaying true potential and showing that there is an abundance of talent in Guyana.

The show ended with a DJ sound clash among three of the more popular deejays/ selectors; Selector Andre, Selector Sparta and the lone female Deejay – Slims. After three rounds of clashing, they placed first, second and third respectively.

The GMN and ACDA expressed profound gratitude to all those who helped to make Centre Stage 2014 a success and look forward to the continued support in the coming years.

Guyanese soca sensation, Adrian Dutchin was on Wednesday evening presented with the 2014 Guyana Cultural Association Award in Brooklyn, New York.

A humble Dutchin told Guyana Times Entertainment that it was indeed an honour to have been presented with the award in a room filled with Guyanese well wishers and colleagues. In accepting the award, the X2 member thanked the committee for recognising him for his accomplishments in the performing arts.

He said that he will continue to promote Guyanese music until he takes his last breadth. His span of appearances in the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora, with a cross section of top name artistes, has been impressive over the years and has led to this award.

The Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award is an annual event in Brooklyn, NY. On August 27, the committee presented awards to individuals for their work that represents meaningful contributions to the improvement of inter-ethnic dialogue and feelings of trust in Guyanese society, at home and in the Diaspora.

Dutchin dedicated the award to his fans for their support over the years and more so, his family. The proud father of two is also the recipient of the West Indian Music Award (WIMA) for Best Performer of the Year award which he won for two consecutive years – 2012 and 2013.

Dutchin also received the award for the Best Soca Song in that year with “Jook” in 2012. Also attending the award ceremony was ABC’s Rising Stars contestant and Guyanese power house, Lisa Punch.

The delegates of the inaugural Mr Guyana International Pageant will be unveiled this evening at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The nine delegates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves to the public in a semiformal event that is expected to be off the hook. With special invitees and a number of cultural events, the night will be fantastic.

The grand finale of the pageant will be held later in the year and the winner will represent Guyana at the international pageant with the hope of winning the title. The delegates will be participating in several competitions leading up to the grand finale. These include fitness and reality show, among others.

The pageant was organised after recognising the staggering decline in the morale of men, their involvement in activities contrary to those which are expected of them and the lack of mentors and role-models.

Each contestant will be presenting a platform of interest ranging from caring for the elderly, music and its effects on men in society, teenage pregnancy to the stigma attached to male pageantry in Guyana.

This competition is dedicated to all Guyanese men, known and unknown for their invaluable contributions to the preservation of our culture, academic achievements, nation building and family values over the years, through the ages

of time. From the humble labourers to the elite executives, they all have a part to play in the social upliftment of our male gender, stated Coordinator Paul Burnette.

Mr World, 2014 Denmark’s Nicklas Pedersen

Female ruggers in training ahead of NACRA Sevens

− funding could once again prove a bugbear

Although funding will be the ultimate factor in ensuring their participation at the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens Championship in Mexico in early December,

the national female rugby squad has begun training with the hope that the trip would be a reality.

The ability of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) to solicit the necessary funding would determine whether the fe-

male ruggers will attend the championship or not.

Funding has been a chronic bugbear for not just the sport of rugby, but other disciplines and the Union is hoping that corporate Guyana and the Government will throw their support behind the national team.

Despite this challenge, the females have started preparations with the hope of travelling to Mexico, and have been putting in the hours at the National Park rugby field under the guidance and supervision of Coach Elwin Chase.

Apart from the financial situation, which Chase and the players would look to put aside as they focus on getting in peak condition, there is need for more female players to join the sport and make the selection process for the national team a more competitive one.

This is according to Chase, who was observed leading players throughout their training earlier this week. Chase, who has played for the Guyana

Men’s senior team, pointed out that a wider pool of players to choose from will increase the chances of selecting a stronger team and he is encouraging more females to start playing the game.

GOA, AAG to share automatic timekeeping system

By TreisTon Joseph

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has spent US$15,000 on an automatic timekeeping system that will be of use to the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) when meets are held here.

The system that includes an automotive starting gun, clock and a photo finish system will make the times recorded here in Guyana recognisable by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and was shared with the AAG on Thursday at a simple ceremony at the AAG headquarters in Kingston.

GOA President KA

Juman Yassin was particularly pleased with the acquisition of the item, saying “It is indeed a pleasure to inform you that we have acquired a photo finish system that will, hopefully, be utilised successfully in track events.

We felt that it was needed at this juncture as we were propelled by (Aubrey)

Hutson to acquire it and with the track at Leonora, we believe that it will be very useful,” Yassin highlighted.

AAG President Aubrey Hutson was thankful for the gesture by the GOA: “Really and truly, I am on Cloud Nine because we have seen another step being taken today.

We will now have a fully automated time system

and it will eradicate any errors by our timekeepers as the camera operates at 1000 squares per second and can record up to 1000th of a second in performances,” Hutson stated.

Meanwhile, the GOA according to Yassin will be keeping the timekeeping system while determining the use of the equipment on request of the AAG.

Chase said as the weeks progress, the training will become more intense as the ultimate aim is to get the players in top condition to reclaim the title they won three years in succession from 2008.

The national men’s rugby squad is also currently in training under Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Barrington Browne at the National Park rugby field.

The males are also looking to recapture the title after winning it for a record six consecutive years. The NACRA Sevens Championship is billed for December 3-4.

Government to finance portrait of Rohan Kanhai

Ahuge portrait of Rohan Kanhai, venerated cricket legend of Berbice, Guyana and the entire Caribbean, will be unveiled on September 11 as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The Guyana Government will finance the cost of the portrait in recognition of the sterling contribution made to cricket by the former West Indies captain.

Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kalicharran, and John Trim were inducted into the Berbice Hall of Fame in 2008, and in 2012, five more Berbice stars were inducted.

They are Leslie Amsterdam, Leonard Baichan, Romain Etwaroo, Sew Shivnarine, and Milton Pydana. Lloyd Andrews will be added next month when the BCB renames its office the Leslie Amsterdam BCB Office.

Celebrations for the BCB’s 75th anniversary will get under way on Sunday evening at Port Mourant when several cricketers and administrators will be honoured.

President Donald Ramotar will be the guest speaker at the function.

The month-long programme includes distribution of 75 hampers to the less fortunate; an essay competition; feeding of orphans and donations to the Canaan Children’s Home; renaming of pavilions at Skeldon, Port Mourant and Rose Hall after famous Test cricketers; a public exhibition; and a quiz competition.

Kanhai

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministries of Sports and Public Service, and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are playing an important role in financing the celebrations.

The main organisers are BCB President Hilbert Foster, Vice President Anil Beharry, Public Relations Officer Keith Foster, and Secretary Rosaline Haniff. Regional Chairman for Region Six, David Armgogan is also lending critical support. (Oscar Ramjeet)

Flashback! The Guyanese after claiming their third consecutive NACRA Sevens title at the National Stadium in 2009

Elwin Chase

GOA President KA Juman Yassin and AAG President Aubrey Hutson (right) shake on the use of the automated timekeeping and photo finish system

Rohan

‘Fundamentals’ approach needed to improve sport

B y T reis T on J oseph

After the performance of Guyana’s Youth Olympic team at the Nanjing, China event that concluded last weekend, one has to wonder when Guyana will move from its current level of stagnation in sport.

Jason Yaw (athletics); Chelsea Edghill (table tennis); Britany Van Lange and Hannibal Gaskin (swimmers) all consumed with potential that can make Guyana a force to be reckoned with once they realise and harvest that very potential continue to float just over the average com-

petition on the world scene.

Guyana can’t seem to harness its naturally gifted athletes in order to turn them into polished gems.

So what does Guyana need to do in order to improve this situation?

Off the bat? Invest, instead of these athletes and representatives seeking sponsorship, the various stakeholders inclusive of the Government should seek these top athletes and invest in them without being requested to do so.

For instance, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunders in the NBA is still under contract with Nike, yet Under Armor has offered the reigning NBA MVP a 265 million-dollar deal for 10 years.

Simply put, sometimes you just have to take a leap of fate with the resources you view as profitable.

Technical aspect

However, the most important factor is that Guyana needs the improvement of the technical persons that train these athletes.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) recently held two coaching courses; a level one and two featuring Latin American Development Officer Ramon Ortega Montes and while observing Ortega Montes teaching the coaches, his emphasis on technique and the problems table tennis coaches had with technique was eye-opening.

“In the level two, we have similar problems, the

basic problems of the technical things from level one that I saw in the players, some of those problems I see here.

“So first we were doing this to teach them how the basics should be and later we are going in detail,” were the words of Ortega Montes after taking break from his students.

If at this stage we are still not able to teach our athletes the basics of their craft, using the example of table tennis, then we are in for a much longer road to an Olympic gold medallist.

It has always been said that all Guyana needs are facilities and support from the various stakeholders inclusive of the Government.

Such a notion, however, while true of some sports is just part of the equation but the bigger picture is in the craft itself.

Correctness

Hence, if our athletes are fundamentally incorrect, even the most talented will fall.

Recently, a few boxers returned from the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and President of Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) KA Juman Yassin, at a press

pete; therefore, if a sprinter is explosive in his training, he will be explosive in his race, similarly if he is accustomed to shutting down after 70 metres in training; that is how his body will react on competition day.

Your body reacts instinctively to the way you train it, it is called muscle memory – a simple logic that has been proven time and time again.

Therefore, if our training is technically incorrect, we are only doing injustice to the talent we have. Definitely a tricky situation and this is no knock on the coaches that Guyana has in any of the sporting disciplines, it is all based on mere observation.

More needs to be done to firstly develop our athletes the right way and maybe instead of the bickering, politics and selfishness that continue to plague our various sports, some associations should take a page out of the GTTA books and develop personnel in order to better develop their athletes and hence the sport.

After all, what do we prefer, Guyana being placed on the map with good performances or the constant disappointments followed by the in-house bickering of the various as-

conference, complained bitterly that the boxers fought with their hands down.

Such a fundamental error speaks about how athlete train.

It is said that the way you train is how you com-

Six teams record wins in GUYTRAC 20/20 KO Cricket Competition

Six teams were sent packing last weekend as the GUYTRAC 20/20 Knockout Cricket Competition in the Upper Corentyne commenced despite heavy rainfall which caused four games to be washed out.

Corriverton Cricket Club, Springlands Cricket Club, Number 70 Young Star, Number 64 Fighting Marines, Number 70 Cricket Club and Skeldon Community Centre all won their matches to advance to the second round.

At Number 71 Ground, Corriverton beat Number 70 MYO by three wickets. Batting first, Number 70 MYO got 147-5 off 20 overs, with Ahmad Khan making 58 not out and Alim Khan 27 not out. Bowling for Corriverton, Victor Pedro took 2 for 20 off 4 overs supported by Clavern Beresford with figures of 4-1-22-1.

In reply, Corriverton reached the target with two balls remaining, with 149 for 7. Errol Byass topscored with 41 not out while Jermaine Reid and Imran Jabbar each made with 22.

Bowling for Number 70 MYO Khan returned with the ball and took 3 for 26 off four overs.

Across at the Number 73 Ground, Springlands defeated Number 73 Young Warriors by nine wickets.

The home team batting first reached 128 all out, with Lakeram Latchman topscoring with 34. Bowling for Springlands, N Persaud took four for 16 off four overs. In reply, Springlands reached 130 for the loss of one wicket in 13.3 overs. Trishan Ramdass was the main run getter hitting a whirlwind 65 (3x4 and 6x6).

Continuing action

Meanwhile at the Number 70 Ground, Number 70 Young Star blew away Number 72 Cut and Load. The home team chalked up a challenging 121 all out off 17.3 overs, with Thameshwar Kumar scoring 24.

Bowling for Number 72 Cut and Load, Curl Singh took four for 31 off four overs. In reply, Number 72 Cut and Load seemed to be loading punts as they were making frequent walks to and from the pavilion.

They were dismissed for 38 in 10.4 overs with Upper Corentyne. The main wrecker was promising Berbice U-17 player

Kumar who had already led his team with the bat, with the ball he grabbed four for nine off his allotment of four overs. Omesh Kumar played a useful supporting role in taking two for six off 0.4 over.

The competition continues on Sunday with 12 more matches.

At Number 70 Ground – Number 69 Vikings will take on Young Royals in Game One, while Game Two will see Number 70 Young Star doing battle with Number 64 Fighting Marines. The first game is scheduled to commence at 10:00h.

Across at Skeldon Community Centre ground, Skeldon will take on Corriverton from 10:00h while at the Number 48 Ground, Number 48 Challengers will play GUYTRAC XI at 10:00h in Game One. In Game Two, the winner will take on the winner of the Number 69 Vikings/Young Royals game. Two matches are also planned for the Number 73 Ground. Number 43 Scorpion will play Number 68 Turn at 10:00h and then at 14:15h, the winner of that game will do battle with Springlands. On Sunday, action will also be at the Number 71 Ground where Number 69 Red Rose will take on Number 72 Cut and Load in the morning and the winner will remain on the ground to challenge Number 70 Cricket Club.

Deonarine’s XI beat Permaul’s XI in final BCB trial

The third and final trial match by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to select the Senior One-Day team for the upcoming Inter-county tournament concluded on Thursday with Narsingh Deonarine’s XI beating Veerasammy Permaul’s XI by six wickets.

Permaul’s XI won the toss and decided to take first strike and scored a disappointing 130 all out in 36 overs. Former National Under-19 middle-order batsman Seon Hetmyer continued his good run with 31 and was supported by Permaul with 29. Bowling for Deonarine’s XI, the skipper took 2-4, Krisendat Ramoo 2-17, and Raun Johnson 2-33.

sociations?

At the very least, proper training will prove to the various stakeholders that sport is being taken seriously and maybe, just maybe every part of the equation will become one.

In reply, Deonarine’s XI raced to 131-4 with Devon Clements remaining unbeaten on 46 and national middle-order batsman Rajiv Ivan making 38. Kandasammy Surujnarine and Rafael Estriado supported with 22 each. Permaul took 2-4 and pacer Keiron Fraser 2-30.

After the match, the BCB selectors shortlisted a Berbice Rest Team to challenge the winner of the Ramcharitar First Division final, in a feature 50-over game on Saturday at the Albion Ground from 09:00h.

The players are: Rafael Estriado, Shimron Hetmyer, Seon Hetmyer, Joemal LaFleur, Rajiv Ivan, Devon Clements, Romario Shepherd, Jason

West Indies players Veerasammy Permaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo and Narsingh Deonarine, along with national players Gudakesh Motie, Jonathan Foo and others.

Sinclair, Shawn Perreira, Krisendat Ramoo, Raun Johnson, Keon Joseph, Suresh Dhanai, Keyron Fraser, Kevin Ramdeen, and Stephen Latcha. Albion will be spearheaded by

Trishan Ramdass hit 65 for Springlands

Devon Clements Rajiv Ivan

Britany van Lange (Photo: Trevor Pemberton)

Jason Yaw

Chelsea Edghill

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If South Africa and Australia judged their relative strengths on the manner in which each of them beat Zimbabwe, Australia would have come out on top. Although South Africa whitewashed their neighbours, their approach was far gentler than Australia’s merciless manner in racking up Harare Sports Club’s highest total and bowling Zimbabwe out for their lowest score in a year But that is not how South Africa and Australia’s muscle was measured and when it mattered, AB de Villiers’ men turned it on.

Now that they have shown what they are capable of, will they return to the big brother role they have

sometimes adopted against Zimbabwe? Or will they go for the jugular, to prove that they can? The return of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel may be key in deciding South African tactics because the former, particularly, is unlikely to hold back.

Steyn’s presence will be on Zimbabwe’s mind even if they are not sent video clips of his previous performances because they faced him earlier in the month in the oneoff Test but they also have a lot more to think about.

Team morale is on the wane while disciplinary crackdowns are enforced with vigour. A curfew, limitations on what they can consume, who they can see and what they can share with

each other on group messaging services are just some of the measures Stephen Mangongo has put in place as part of his drive towards professionalism.

The coach cannot be faulted for zoning in on hard work; likewise his team cannot be questioned over their willingness to put in hours of preparation - they did so even on a rare off day - but their execution is lacking. Whether it a result of flagging self-belief or a reflection of the gulf between the top teams and the bottom one is not clear but the only way Zimbabwe can answer the mushrooming questions about their ability is to show some improvement and show it quickly.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Uefa’s Best Player in Europe Award

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won Uefa’s Best Player in Europe Award ahead of Bayern Munich pair Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben.

Portugal captain Ronaldo, 29, scored a record 17 goals to help Madrid win the Champions League last season.

“I’m really happy so I must say thanks to my

team-mates because without the team, individual awards would not be possible,” he said.

Ronaldo beat Neuer and Robben in a vote from a panel of 54 journalists.

Goalkeeper Neuer, 28, helped Germany win the World Cup, while Robben, 30, scored 21 goals for Bayern and three for the Netherlands on their way to the semi-final in Brazil.

Ronaldo scored a hattrick as Portugal beat playoff opponents Sweden to reach the tournament, but failed to shine as his nation were eliminated at the group stage. However, his club performances were enough to convince the voting panel, who had to choose from the trio after a shortlist of 10 was cut down earlier this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo (centre)

Tendai Chatara will need the other bowlers to support him in the absence of Tinashe Panyangara.

Photo: ICC

Ramcharitar Construction 50-Over First Division

final

Albion outplay Police by 85 runs to lift title

Albion Community Centre have became the 2013 Ramcharitar Construction Services First Division 50-Over Knockout Cricket champions in Berbice after defeating Police by 85 runs in the final last Sunday, despite offspinner Andel Doris’ fivewicket haul for Police.

In the match, which was reduced to 45 overs per innings because of a late start, Albion were sent in to take first strike.

They lost their opening batsman, Kandasammy Surujnarine, in the third over to pacer Michael Newland for two with only three runs on the board. West Indies batsmen Sewnarine Chattergoon and Narsingh Deonarine then put on 27 before off-spinner Rocky Hutson had the former caught for 16 at 30-2.

Deonarine found a good partner in former Guyana T20 batting star Jonathan Foo, putting on 64 in 8.5 overs before Foo fell leg before to Doris for 40 (4x4s, 1x6).

Twenty runs later, Doris bowled Deonarine for 41 (2x4s). National wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble and Verapen Permaul put on another 37 in the next six overs, but after that, Doris had three quick wickets – Bramble for 40 (2x4s, 2x6s); Permaul for eight; and West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo for eight to reduce Albion to

168-7.

They did not get much further and were bowled out for 179 in 39.2 overs with Doris ending with 5-51 from nine overs.

Needing to score at about four runs per over, Police was given a sedate start by their openers Brentnol Woolford and Leon Andrews in the face of an all-spin attack.

They did well enough to put on 28 in the first 10 overs. However, the introduction of leg-spinner Bishoo proved fatal, removing Woolford for 18, Andrews for 11, and Philbert Willburg without scoring in his first three overs, reducing Police to 373.

Off-spinner Deonarine picked up a wicket in his

second over to make it 42-4 in the 17th before Albert Sinclair and Rocky Hutson gave Police a glimmer of hope. But after adding 21 for the fifth wicket, Sinclair fell leg before, cross batting to Deonarine for 15.

Hutson continued with Kwesi Mickle and they looked threatening, putting on 20 for the sixth wicket until the former tried a reverse sweep off West Indies Under-19 left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie and was trapped leg before for 16 at 84-6.

The resistance ended there as West Indies leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul picked up two quick wickets together with two run-outs, leaving Police 94 all out in 31.2

overs. Bowling for Albion, Bishoo took 3-11 from five overs, Permaul 2-12 from six, and Deonarine 2-30 from seven.

Deonarine was adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his match-winning all-round performance. Cash incentives and trophies valued over $80,000 were presented to the teams.

In a new initiative by the Berbice Cricket Board, all winners of the Board’s First Division competitions will clash with the Rest of Berbice in a specially arranged match.

This match will be used to raise funds for the Board for trials and practice. Albion will tackle the Rest of Berbice on Saturday at Albion from 09:00h.

Sonics close basketball camp

The Pepsi Sonics basketball club closed off their annual youth basketball camp on Thursday at the National Gymnasium.

The camp was held for children between the ages of 6 and 18 who were willing to learn the game of basketball or further develop their skill in the game.

The camp attracted up to 43 players before fizzling out with the school term approaching. Speaking with President of the club, Merle Casey, Guyana Times Sport understands that the camp has proven to be successful.

“It went very well, the kids were very receptive and enthusiastic… some of them were even multitalented, but this is basically Pepsi Sonics’ way of giving to the community and helping these kids to be involved in good activities during the vacation period,” Casey told this publication.

Further, Casey identified one of the major constraints in trying to develop young talent, “Businesses are reluctant to invest in

these programmes for whatever reason, but we must thank Bacchus Drugs Store and Automotive Essentials,” Casey stated.

The programme has been running since 2006 and continues to be a part of the Pepsi Sonics’ schedule in the near future.

Hemraj aiming to build career

− looking to extend current form

By Avenash Ramzan

Former West Indies

Under-19 batsman

Chandrapaul Hemraj is aiming to build a solid senior career, as he embarks on a crucial phase of his life as one of the promising cricketers of the Region.

The 20-year-old lefthanded middle-order batsman, who has ambitions of representing the West Indies in all formats at the senior level, has already appeared in five First-Class matches, but with little success.

Four of those matches have been played on foreign soil, and Hemraj, who turns 21 next Wednesday, has managed 131 runs at an average of 13.10 with a highest score of 34 against the Leeward Islands earlier this year.

However, the talented batsman is looking to build on those numbers once he gains the attention of the Demerara selectors for the upcoming Inter-county competition, which is primarily used to select the best players to represent Guyana at the regional level.

Hemraj has shown great

I’m also aware that I will have to make runs at all levels and that is something I’m working on,” Hemraj, who had a stint with the Sagicor High Performance Centre, said.

Elegant batsman Prior to the Demerara trials, the elegant batsman, who made his First-Class debut for Guyana against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain in March 2012, was in sublime form, hitting two centuries as a guest player for the visiting New York

form of recent, hitting a fluent 55 in the first Demerara Cricket Board trial match earlier this week, and should be among the 21man training squad that will be announced today for encampment this weekend from which the final Demerara squad will be selected.

“Yes, I certainly want to improve on my record at the First-Class level, because that’s the only way I can catch the attention of the West Indies selectors, but

Blasters.

Hemraj slammed an unbeaten 105 against hosts Bush Lot in a 35-over contest, and followed up with 102 not out in a 20/20 game against his local club side Everest. In both games, New York Blasters came out on top. His aim now is to continue that form for the remainder of the year and into 2015, as he seeks to become a permanent fixture for Guyana at the senior level in the coming years.

Members of the successful Albion team proudly display their trophies

Merle Casey (extreme left) and the young players pose for the cameras

Chandrapaul Hemraj is looking to break into the Guyana First-Class team this year

Chandrapaul Hemraj

Stag Beer/West Side 5-a-side tournament... New Road Eagles remain unbeaten after night two

New Road Eagles continue to impress and remain the only unbeaten team in the inaugural ANSA McAL Trading/ Stag Beer West Side 5-a-side football tournament, which continued on Wednesday night at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac, West Coast Demerara.

Seven games were carded for the night and playing in Match Five, Paul Rodney’s goal in the 10th minute was enough to help guide New Road Eagles to a 1-0 win over Showtime.

It was an intense game and Showtime have only themselves to blame for the loss, given the fact that they had squandered several chances, even after Rodney found the back of the net for New Road Eagles.

Ashley Harding in an effort to prevent Rodney from doubling the lead in the 17th minute committed a blatant foul as the player was on a clear path to the small goal. After committing the offence, he was given a straight red card by the referee and acknowledged the booking, even though his teammates protested the decision.

In one of the other games, Tuschen Up-Top-Youths, one of the pre-tournament favourites secured an entertaining come-from-behind 3-2 win over Jetty Gunners.

Jetty Gunners’ Shane Boyce and Shawn Williams had scored in the first and eighth minutes respectively to take an early lead, but John “Brown Boy” Waldron would score the first of two

goals in the ninth minute to begin a compelling comeback.

Waldron’s second goal came four minutes later to level the scores before Devon Millington scored the game winner three minutes before the end of regulation time (17th minute) to secure the much-needed win for the Tuschen team.

Broad Street was more fortunate than their fellow city side Future, who was booted from the tournament after failing to get out of group. In the first game of the evening, Broad Street lost 1-2 to Showstoppers, but rebounded to defeat Future 1-0 in their second game.

Despite winning 1-0 over Showstoppers, a single goal difference ensured that Future would not be progressing any further in the tournament.

Battle of the villages

Meanwhile, the battle of the villages was taken to a whole different level when Vergenoegen All Stars and Stewartville Gunners met in the final game of the evening. The already large crowd mysteriously swelled as word got out that the two teams would be playing in the last game and the players certainly didn’t disappoint.

Vergenoegen, enjoying most of the crowd support by virtue of being the home team, took the lead in the 12th minute through Tyrone Lewis and seemed poised to come out victorious. However, a persistent

England name Man Utd striker as new captain

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named the new England Captain by Manager Roy Hodgson.

The 28-year-old takes over from Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, who retired after England’s World Cup elimination.

Rooney has 40 goals in 95 appearances, and was named Club Captain by United boss Louis van Gaal earlier this month.

“It is something I will take massive pride in doing. To be appointed captain is beyond my wild

est dreams," said Rooney on his official website. England play Norway at Wembley on September 3 in a friendly before their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign starts in Switzerland on September 8.

Hodgson has named four uncapped players in his latest squad, with Arsenal’s 19-year-old defender Calum Chambers, and Newcastle’s Jack Colback, Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph, all 24, in line to make their international debuts.

Stewartville team, cheered on by their vociferous supporters, ensured the game ended in a draw.

Just when the Vergenoegen supporters be-

gan to exchange high-fives, thinking that a win was already in the bag, Marvin Henry hammered in the equalising goal in the 19th minute and the Stewartville

supporters celebrated as if they had won the final.

The game between the two clear favourites leaves many to wonder what will actually happen if they are

to meet in the championship game. Action will continue tonight at the same venue as the teams continue the hunt for the tournament’s top prize of $200,000.

Spectators watch on as the undefeated New Road Eagles and Showtime square off at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac

Wayne Rooney’s time as England captain has come to an end

Ramdin ton one of the best − Sir Richie

Former West Indies stroke-maker Sir Richie Richardson has hailed Denesh Ramdin’s recent hundred against Bangladesh as one of the best ever one-day innings.

Ramdin slammed 169 in the third One-Day International at Grenada’s National Stadium, to help pilot the Windies to a convincing 91-run victory in the three-match series.

“Denesh has been in tremendous form for the last 18 months or so and I was thinking to myself that he probably should have batted a bit earlier at number four so when he was given that opportunity I was very, very pleased,” Sir Richie said.

“The knock he played

here in the final ODI was exceptional, one of the best ODI knocks we’ve seen. One thing in an ODI or Twenty20 is that you have got to go out there and hit the ball all over the park but what he is very good at is finding the gaps.”

Ramdin was promoted to number four in the order and responded by smashing eight fours and 11 sixes in an innings that required a mere 121 deliveries.

He put on a record 258 for the third wicket with Darren Bravo, who scored 124, as West Indies amassed 338 for seven batting first.

The knock was Ramdin’s second career ODI century and second in four months following his 128 against England on their tour of the

Female ruggers in training ahead of NACRA Sevens

Caribbean back in March.

Sir Richie, one of the dominant one-day players of his era, said he admired the way Ramdin went about his innings.

“He plays his shots but he doesn’t swipe. He plays proper cricket shots, and he is able to rotate the strike, he’s able to score as quickly as anybody else,” said the former West Indies captain.

“It’s just good to see that someone has put in the work and it’s now paying dividends.”

Ramdin, the Windies Test captain, has played 112 ODIs since making his debut ten years ago, and averages just under 25.

He is averaging 54 over the last two years.

Denesh Ramdin