Corentyne erupts over fatal accident
Alleged bandit shot dead after robbery
Prisoner killed in brawl at Mazaruni
Too many underperforming schools in Berbice –Armogan
USAID rolls out "town hall" meetings on Local Govt Elections
Mother, daughter allegedly chopped by student nurse
“No let-up” in guarding against Ebola – CARPHA
Head warns
By Alexis Rodney
While Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean are at a low risk of the Ebola Virus arriving in the Region, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Executive Director, Dr James Hospedales said that there should be no let-up by regional Governments.
Hospedales, speaking exclusively to Guyana Times on Friday, disclosed that there is too much at stake for any amount of complacency at this time.
“We judge that the risk of Ebola to the Caribbean
is low because we do not have the animals that carry the disease; we have limited contact with those countries. However, there is no room for complacency,” he warned. Dr Hospedales said that Caribbean countries have to be prepared because “even one case here would be disastrous for our own health, especially for the tourism-dependent economy in the Caribbean. That could be very, very bad.”
He related that officials have been meeting with all the health personnel in the Region trying to take
charge of security within Caricom.
International Health Regulations
Key to what needs to happen is the Region’s operationalisation of the International Health Regulations, which were passed in 2005. If the requirements are met, Hospedales explained, then the Region could be prepared for Ebola, Chikungunya and other related infections.
He said most Governments in the Caribbean have not yet reached the place where they need to be, including addressing the security of their ports of entry and educating the population.
But the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) had urged the countries of the Americas earlier to be vigilant and prepared for a potential introduction of the Ebola virus in the Region.
The recommendation followed a statement by WHO Director General, Dr Margaret Chan that the outbreak in West Africa constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013.
This outbreak now in-
volves transmission in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The death toll has hit 2288 while the number of infected individuals stands at 4269 as of Tuesday, according to WHO officials. This is currently the largest EVD outbreak ever recorded.
Ebola was first discovered in 1976 in Central Africa and studies are still ongoing about its root cause. Studies show that bats play a major role in the spreading of the virus. Before the current situation in West Africa, the disease was always confined to outbreaks in forested rural areas where humans ate bush meat. The situation in West Africa is different because it is present in dense, urban areas.
Transmission through fluids
The virus may be ac-
quired upon contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected animal/person. Transmission through the air has not been documented in the natural environment. Fruit bats are believed to be a carrier and may spread the virus without being affected.
Once human infection occurs, the disease may spread between people, as well. Male survivors may be able to transmit the disease via semen for nearly two months. To make the diagnosis, typically, other diseases with similar symptoms such as malaria, cholera and other viral haemorrhagic fevers are first excluded. To confirm the diagnosis, blood samples are tested for viral antibodies, viral RNA, or the virus itself. Prevention includes decreasing the spread of the disease from infected an-
imals to humans. This may be done by checking such animals for infection, and killing and properly disposing of the bodies if the disease is discovered. Properly cooking meat and wearing protective clothing when handling meat may also be helpful, as are wearing protective clothing and washing hands when around a person with the disease.
Samples of bodily fluids and tissues from people with the disease should be handled with special caution. No specific treatment or cure for the disease is yet available. Efforts to help those who are infected are supportive and include giving oral rehydration therapy.
The Ebola Virus continues to infect and kill more and more people in West Africa.
Prisoner killed in brawl at Mazaruni
An argument between two prisoners at the Mazaruni Prison facility, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) has left one inmate dead and the other under protective custody. This was confirmed by police sources at the
Bartica Police Station who said too that ranks from the station have been dispatched to the prison.
Preliminary reports reaching Guyana Times indicate that two prisoners who have been identified as Teon and Akeem
(only names given) were involved in an argument. During the ensuing brawl Teon was allegedly killed by Akeem. Guyana Times was told that Teon might have been stabbed to death. Investigations are ongoing
Alleged bandit shot dead after robbery
An alleged bandit was shot dead shortly after he reportedly robbed a shop in the Albouystown area.
Dead is 22-year-old Orlando Fredericks of Lot 84 Adelaide Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. He was reportedly gunned down shortly after robbing a shop. According to Guyana Police Force Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, held up a man in a shop at James and Nonpariel Streets, Albouystown around 23:35h on Saturday.
The armed men, one of whom was Fredericks, allegedly snatched the man’s jewellery and escaped. But shortly after, Fredericks was found on Sussex
Street, Albouystown, with a suspected gunshot wound to the abdomen. The investigation is ongoing.
During a visit to Adelaide Street, the dead man’s lone sister identified him as “Orlando Phillips” commonly known as “Bullay”. The young lady, who was reluctant to speak during the interview, told Guyana Times that her brother was last seen at home at approximately 19:30h on Saturday. “I don’t know where he was going, but all I know he left; with whom, I don’t know.”
She said hours later, her aunt broke the devastating news. “My aunt come and tell me he get shoot up. Mommy couldn’t believe she ears.”
Upon receiving the shocking news, the young lady
and her mother rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Fredericks’ body was taken.
Questioned about the allegations levelled against her brother, the young lady said: “Girl, like me ain’t know, like I forget everything.”
Asked what type of person her brother was, she said: “Well, he was good to me; he was a good brother to me, but on the road, other people would see him as a bad person, but I know he was good to me.”
The young father of a three-year-old girl lived at the Adelaide Street residence with his mother, stepfather and two siblings. Approximately, two years ago he worked at the Bank of Guyana as a guard.
CARPHA Executive Director, Dr James Hospedales
BRIDGE OPENINGS
WEATHER TODAY
Weather: Light rain showers can be expected with sunny weather prevailing during the day. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly between 4.02 metres and 3.13 metres per second.
High Tide: 08:39h and 20:56h reaching a maximum height of 2.30 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 04:28h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.
Canada presses for passage
... as SOCU launch commended
By Svetlana MarShall
Ahead of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary Meeting in October, Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles renewed calls for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill to be approved.
But, in the absence of the required legislation, Dr Giles said the Government of Guyana ought to be applauded for initiating the Specialised Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), a nonlegislative initiative being established based on the recommendations of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).
“I am very pleased with the announcement that has
According to the Canadian High Commissioner, this is a step in the right direction, but she maintained that the AML/CFT Bill must be passed at the level of the National Assembly to bring Guyana into total compliance with CFATF’s recommendations.
Meeting recommendations
She said Canada will continue to support Guyana in this regard, positing that the Commission is more than confident that the nonlegislative programmes and projects being established would add value for Guyana on meeting the recommendations that have been made by CFATF.
In addition to the Canadian High Commissioner, the British
their 55th Regular Session in Washington DC.
FATF, through the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG), co-chaired by Darlene Boileau (Canada)
been made, that funding has been allocated for the SOCU building,” the Canadian High Commissioner said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times
Last month, Government disclosed that SOCU’s Headquarters would be constructed at the cost of $63.1 million at Eve Leary. Under the stewardship of the Acting Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud, the unit will work closely with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to investigate suspected money laundering and financing of terrorism, in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligations to CFATF.
High Commissioner Andrew Ayre, former US Ambassador D Brent Hardt, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and Caricom have all called for the AML/CFT Bill to be passed.
OAS General Secretary Jose Miguel Insulza offered the cooperation and support of the body through the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), positing that Guyana’s draft law is fully consistent with the most recent recommendations of CICAD’s expert group on money laundering, which were, in turn, endorsed by CICAD Commissioners at
and Maria Fernanda GarciaYrigoyen Maurtua (Peru), has been executing a targeted review of Guyana’s deficiencies with respect to the AML/CFT framework.
Targeted review
Before the Plenary Meeting in October, Guyana will be given an opportunity to review the draft targeted review and engage in faceto-face meeting with the ARRG.
“Once the Action Plan has been finalised, the FATF will request a written confirmation of your high-level political commitment to fully address the identified strategic deficiencies, including by implementing the Action Plan within the agreed timelines,” the international watchdog stated in a letter sent to Guyana in July, confirming that the review would have been conducted.
While the parties at the level of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee have agreed on the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill of 2013 since February, amendments to the 2009 Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act remain the biggest obstacle to moving forward.
In May, the CFATF referred Guyana to FATF after the country was further recognised as a jurisdiction with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies due to its non-compliance with the Action Plan developed with the regional body. CFATF had already sounded the alarm, calling on member countries to safeguard themselves from Guyana with the introduction of counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks. (svetlanam@ guyanatimesgy.com)
Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles
The proposed site for the construction of the Specialised Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)
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
The ABC’s Ukraine demands
On September 11 of this year, the local US representative, and the British and Canadian High Commissioners took the unusual step – as was later pointed out by Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett –of demanding at a press conference that the Government of Guyana support their Governments’ position on the Ukraine crisis, including calls for Russia to withdraw from the Crimea.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that the matter was not as “black and white” as the Ambassadors would have it and that Guyana’s position was in consonance with those of many members of the international community, including several regional neighbours. “It will be recalled that Guyana and seven other Caricom countries abstained and six UNASUR countries, including Guyana, also abstained, while two voted against the resolution [sanctioning Russia],” said Rodrigues-Birkett.
While the Minister had to be diplomatic, the demand by the Ambassadors was quite ironic in view of significant differences of opinion among members of the European Union (EU) on the issue from the very beginning last November. In the midst of the protests that led to the overthrow of the Ukraine Government seen as “pro-Russian” (for accepting a US$15 billion loan from Russia rather than closer ties with the EU), the latter balked at US demands for imposing sanctions against the Ukraine regime.
A leaked tape of a conversation between the top US diplomat for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, and US Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt, had Nuland exclaiming: “F*ck the EU!”
After the ouster of the Ukraine President by the protesters followed by the election of a new Government, protests erupted in Eastern Ukraine over the pro-West orientation of the latter. When the Russian-majority province of Crimea voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to secede and join Russia, the EU reluctantly fell into line with the US in imposing sanctions on Russia.
In making their decision, there was a very heated debate in European capitals about the impact of the sanctions on their own economies. These discussions took on an added intensity when Russia retaliated by imposing analogous sanctions against the US and the EU.
What this debate reiterated is that when nations make decisions in the international arena, they do so to protect their national interests. For instance, in addition to its energy dependency on Russia, Germany has more than 6000 firms operating there and 300,000 jobs depending on trade with Russia.
As such, Chancellor Angela Merkel has been much more reticent than Britain’s David Cameron in “calling out” Russia. In fact, when the US called for the EU to impose further sanctions in the present against Russia because it claims there are Russian troops in Eastern Ukraine – a charge denied by Russia – the EU asked for time to consider its options. It is supposed to announce its decision on these new sanctions today.
Against this background, it is clear that the ABC Ambassadors are exerting pressure on Guyana on an issue that has divided even their closest allies in geographical proximity to the claimed breaches of international law. Guyana will have to assert its sovereign right to act based on the same rule observed by every other country: protection of its national interests.
The US envoy’s invocation of our border controversy with Venezuela and the support by the British High Commissioner reek of hypocrisy or realpolitik. It was the Anglo-American conspiracy, beginning in 1961 to remove Jagan, that led to JFK’s visit to Venezuela at the end of that year and the raising of the said controversy in the UN the following year.
As our diplomat Cedric Joseph wrote, “No ‘smoking gun’ would be uncovered to indicate any direct complicity in prompting Venezuela’s reopening of the border issue.... Only the slightest nod of support was required as, is suggested, may have been conveyed by Kennedy to Betancourt.”
The US was acting to protect its national interest then; we should insist on doing the same now.
A proud heritage
Authorities at GRA must stand firm, enforce laws
Dear Editor, I have been following with keen interest online as an overseas reader the unfolding saga of the owner of the Kaieteur News’ alleged excursions into tax evasion.
The authorities at GRA must stand up firm and be strong in their resolve and enforce the laws against this individual who would now appear to be literally caught with his hands in the cookie jar.
Like a drowning man, this once self-appointed exposer of corrupt practices now seems to be under the spotlight, allegedly as a highly corrupt businessman, clutching at straws and begging for political patronage.
Mr Joe Harmon is well advised not to appear to take sides, for when the chips falls, his credibility as a fair-minded politician may well be called into question too.
Mr Khurshid Sattaur, as the Head of the GRA, no doubt has a difficult job and must not flinch under the barrage of insults and personal attacks he is being subjected to on a daily basis from libellous articles to now political attacks from Opposition MPs.
In this part of the woods where I live, ?it is unheard of for politicians and newspaper owners to attack revenue officers in this brazen manner. You would quickly see lawsuits being instituted to put a stop to such criminal activities. There are laws that protect such persons from being intimidated and molested in doing their duty.
Sincerely, Name withheld by request
Oh Krishna! We seek thy peace
Oh Krishna! We seek Thy peace and sweet serenity
In a world of greed and hypocrisy,
Of noisy confusion and material idolatry
Of little compassion but much profanity,
With scarce regard for human worth and dignity.
Oh Krishna! We seek Thy peace and sweet serenity
In a world of insatiable lust for fame and sensuality,
Of desolate broken hearts with myriad paths for self-destruction
Where the faces of men reveal their own sad plight,
Of unbearable anxieties to endure just to see tomorrow’s light.
Oh Krishna! We seek Thy peace and sweet serenity
In a world lacking in human warmth and sincerity,
Of unspeakable violence and unending hatred Steeped in vain ostentation and arrogance unabated, The light of reason and knowledge long extinguished.
Oh Krishna! We seek Thy peace
and sweet serenity
In a world lost in dense darkness of ignorance and error, Thy call, therefore, we heed in sincere endeavour
Embracing Thee forever as our dearest Friend and Saviour, And with tears of love at Thy lotuslike Feet
May the sweet notes of Thy Flute in our souls reverberate.
Submitted by, Cecil Ramkirath New Jersey, USA
Young women, one for each of the nine Amerindian tribes of Guyana, perform a piece at the Karrau Village celebration commemorating Amerindian Heritage Month. Karrau, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) in the lower Mazaruni River, was designated Heritage Village 2014 and hosted, along with neighbouring villages, this year’s Heritage Day activities, showcasing its cultural heritage
GRA Headquarters
Region 5 taxpayers’ $$$ at work!
Dear Editor, Kudos to the Guyana Government and the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for taking the initiative to invest in much-needed community development projects in the D’Edward/ Cotton Tree areas.
Several roads are currently being resurfaced and new culverts built, much to the satisfaction and delight of the local residents. I was particularly pleased to see the work being done under the close supervision of Region Five Regional Executive Officer, Mr Ashford Ambedkar; Regional Vice Chairman, Mr Rion Peters; and Regional Engineer Mr Dhanpall Sukha to ensure the work was being done to specification.
The entire road resurfacing and construction project is estimated to cost about $30 million, and was done in consultation with the residents of these communities, who identified those projects as priorities.
As a new member of the D’Edward community, I took the opportunity to discuss two additional projects that the community can benefit from.
These are a bus shed at the junction of the main road leading to the Berbice River Bridge and the road to Rosignol, to protect commuters waiting for transportation to cross over to New Amsterdam from the rain and blistering sun, and the construction of a small park
with a few concrete benches and street lights close to the water, where students can go to study in tranquillity, while their parents enjoy the view and refreshing breeze blowing from the Atlantic.
I was advised that the Mahaica Mahaicony Authority (MMA) has jurisdiction over this area, and I hope to bring this project to fruition with their permission, and with the support of Mr Ambedkar and his team of professionals at the RDC in Region Five.
It is easy for critics of the Administration to overlook progress taking place in small communities, such as D’Edward Village and Cotton Tree Village, throughout every region in Guyana.
Most are never reported in the media, as we have grown to expect this from
a Government that is committed to a better standard of living for all Guyanese. While doing some poll research prior to the 2011 General Election, I vividly recalled the comments made by some residents in the Berbice area, who were solid in their support for the PPP/C for providing them with electricity and water in villages where there were none during the PNC era.
Indeed, most Guyanese now take the development they see throughout for granted, and the critics would argue that Government has nothing to do with the new businesses and Florida-style new homes that are transforming the landscape of Guyana every day.
But what those critics fail to realise, and the Joint Opposition will never admit, is the fact that Private
Sector development can only be achieved through a solid, stable economy that Guyana has now become.
Thanks mainly to the brilliance of former Minister of Finance and President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and the current Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, the economy of Guyana was miraculously transformed from a bankrupt state under the PNC in 1992 to the thriving one that all Guyanese benefit from today.
Commercial banks and businesses like Courts simply do not give building loans and credit to buy furniture if the economy is bad. Conversely, it is because we’re living in a country with a responsible Government and a growing economy that mortgages and store credit are readily available and vigorously pursued.
Despite some ‘Prophets
of Doom’, the likes of Freddie Kissoon, a known critic of the Administration; and Abel Seetaram, the AFC Chairman for Region Five, who desperately wants to repeat his party’s vote haul from the region in the coming election, Berbicians are much better off than ever before.
Over the years, the PPP/C had brought much development to the Ancient County. The health-care service in Berbice is much improved with better and more advanced facilities, equipment and trained local doctors.
A new National Ophthalmology Hospital was commissioned in Port Mourant, where I recommend anyone who cannot see real development taking place in Berbice, to have their eyes tested.
Our education system is
also much improved from the decrepit system inherited from the PNC in 1992. There are new and improved schools, more trained teachers in the classrooms, a University of Guyana campus at Tain, and a Teachers Training College, just to name a few.
Berbicians now have much better roads, and yes, the Berbice Bridge. And like the rest of Guyana, residents there are experiencing and are part of a major housing boom that has seen more Berbicians become homeowners.
There is now a ferry service between Guyana and Suriname, electricity in villages that were in darkness under the Burnham and Hoyte Administrations; the water supply, drainage and irrigation have been improved; and a new sugar factory was commissioned at Skeldon.
I challenge Abel Seetaram, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan to name one, just one solitary project that the AFC has brought to fruition that has benefited the people of Regions Five and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). What has the AFC done for the people in those regions who misguidedly voted for them in 2011? Some Berbicians may have been fooled once, but I will do my part to ensure they’re never fooled again.
Sincerely,
Harry Gill
Harmon must secure documentation from relevant entities
Dear Editor,
Having read a recent Kaieteur News article on the looming debate between the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), it is my understanding that the Commission provided documentation on the Baishanlin logging operations for the proposed debate between the Commissioner of Forests, Mr James Singh and APNU’s MP, Joseph Harmon.
So the article in this regard was totally misleading,
since information was already provided to Harmon.
Harmon seems dissatisfied with the information provided to him by the GFC. In the article, Singh made it pellucid that the politician would have to secure such from the relevant authorities, as what he provided is within the direct purview of the GFC.
If Mr Singh of the GFC made these comments, it is my view that he is correct and in order, since he cannot release documentation into the public domain that is not within the purview of
the GFC.
All that Harmon has to rightly do is to secure such documentation from the relevant body.
For the proposed debate, it seems that Harmon wants a ton of documentation.
Unfortunately, Harmon is not requesting forestry deals made prior to 1992, such as those made by Hamley Case, a former PNC parliamentarian, to be included in the documentation he requested.
In relation to the proposed venue for the debate, Harmon seems dissatisfied
as well. I get the impression that Harmon does not know the difference between a professional debate and a street corner political meeting.
I am convinced that in any debate between Singh and Harmon on Guyana’s forestry sector, Harmon will be whipped and whipped badly. Is this the reason why Harmon has started his hue and cry about documentation and debating venue?
Yours sincerely, Peter Persaud
Ongoing road development works in Region Five
GFC Commissioner, James Singh
APNU MP, Joseph Harmon
Page Foundation
By AnnA StewArt, FAmily AdvocAte
When my son re-
ceived his high school diploma this year, I put together a small scrapbook for him with photos, quotes, and cards from his friends. I also considered the life skills he’s already mastered and thought about the ones he’s still working
think for yourself
Take responsibility for your actions and choices
Learn how to solve problems and deal with obstacles
Learn how to negotiate conflict
Find a way to make a contribution
When you come right down to it, the five main skills above provide the foundation to be an engaged, com
know all too well, it meant that school principals spent lots of time with him. As he got older, it also meant school detentions and suspensions, with the subsequent home grounding and consequences. He pushed against school assignments and complained about their arbitrariness. He refused to show the compliance that school requires, so he didn’t get good grades. Teachers would tell him they could see he was capable, but he needed to get his attitude adjusted. My son chafed at all authority and seemed destined for a life of trouble.
His ability to think for himself did not come all at once as a teenager. It actually started when he was in kindergarten, when he refused to sit in circle (one of the main lessons of kindergarten). Instead of following the rules, my wilful son preferred to walk around. His teacher did not like his choice, did not want him to have that choice, and labelled him as one of the “bad” kids for what she said was “not listening” and “distracting the other children.” He may have distracted them, but he was listening –and if she had simply asked him, he could have repeated everything she said back to her. He did this at home, too, when we read books at bedtime. He was all over the
room, declining my invitation to snuggle and read, but he remembered every part of the story. It took me a while to figure his learning style out, having never parented a child with ADHD before.
Now, at nearly 20 years of age, that wilful spirit has been polished and shines with the first of the essential skills: my son, through much trial and error, has learned to think for himself. Do I always agree with him or like what he thinks? Absolutely not, but I know he knows who he is (including his positive and not-so-positive qualities). He has learned not only to accept who he is but truly value his own mind, spirit and heart.
Learning to think for yourself requires: Gentle reflection back from parents and teachers about what they see as the child’s skills and abilities.
Safe opportunities to explore interests without interference.
Noticing and praising the emerging self-awareness, acceptance and self-confidence in your child/teen.
If children do not learn to think for themselves, and the adults in their lives do it for them, as teens they are much more likely to follow peers into choices that can have devastating results. If you give your six- year-old a choice of what shirt to wear, you have to graciously allow him to wear it. If you give a choice and then judge or change the choice, “Oh, you
can’t wear those pants with that shirt,” you undermine their decision and teach them they can’t think for themselves.
Life Skill #2: Taking responsibility for your actions and choices
It’s easy to see that if you give your eight-year-old freedom to wear what they want and they choose a sundress on a snow day, they also have to learn to accept the consequences of that choice. All you have to do is ask them, after they warmed up with some hot cocoa, what they thought of their clothing choice. Remember not to tell them what to think, but to ask what they think. They might decide that the consequences of being cold were acceptable to them. My other son wore only shorts for two solid years. We live in the mountains in Colorado, and it wasn’t always easy to let him walk to the bus stop in his shorts and Converse tennis shoes. I had to learn not to bug him to take a coat or wear boots (he never did). I also told him he could not complain nor could he get special treatment (like a ride to school). If he was making the choice, he had to accept the consequences.
Learning how to take responsibility for your actions and choices requires:
Being given opportunities to experience low-risk choices and consequences when young.
Parents asking what their child thinks about what happened (instead of jumping in with the “right way” to have done it). This is called learning from our mistakes.
Looking for opportunities (when watching a movie together for instance) to discuss how people do and do not take responsibility for their actions and choices. Be sure to share how you learned this skill in your life. If children do not have the opportunity to be responsible for themselves for their choices, how will they learn to be responsible when their choices affect others? If they hit a car in the parking lot right after they have their driver’s licence, will they stop and leave a note on the car or just drive off because they don’t know what to do? If they leave their coat at the football game, will they tell you, make it your problem, and expect you to pay for a new one? (Excerpt from empoweringparents.com) To be conTinued
Too many underperforming schools in Berbice – Armogan
Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)
Chairman David Armogan has expressed concern that only 11 of the 17 secondary schools in the region are doing well and has called on the Department of Education to do something urgently to improve the situation.
the years and in particular, this year we have seen good results. Nine of our students have been included in the top 50 in the country and that is a remarkable achievement. A girl from this region is second in the country, which is another achievement,” Armogan noted, adding that the
He said education for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government remained the key to development, noting that all developing countries around the world have education as their prime mover.
“In Berbice, we have seen an improvement over
Regional Administration is happy with the spread of high achievers. “What we used to find before is that New Amsterdam Multilateral School used to produce the best performing students, but we are seeing a different trend developing whereby many
other schools within our region are beginning to come out on top and are doing better sometimes than Berbice High School and Multilateral. Line Path alone has four of those top nine students in the country out of the 50,” he said.
He noted that among the schools which showed good results at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations were
JC Chandisingh, Corentyne Comprehensive and Tagore Memorial High School. “This is now happening because Government has managed to invest resources not only into the better schools but to all the schools to bring them up on par to where we want them to be.”
Parity in education
However, the regional official is saddened at the fact that there are still a number of low-performing schools in the region. He noted that the Department of Education must get its act together since 50 per cent of the region’s students are below par. “In other words, 50 per cent of our students did not manage to get five subjects with Grades One-Three. That is a bit disappointing.”
He emphasised that at
Amid upsurge in road deaths
the end of the day the system had to cater for every single child in the school system, not only the bright ones and the high fliers.
“At the end of the day what we have to aim for is that every child that comes out of the school system in Berbice must be equipped with a certificate that says ‘five subjects, English and Mathematics included, Grades One-Three and un-
til we are able to achieve that, I don’t think we should rest comfortably.”
He said it was a good sign that the region continued to show improved performances, but more work was needed and in a progressive manner with schools that are considered low performers.
Meanwhile, Patricia Ganga, a businesswoman of Springlands, Corriverton,
has honoured some of the region’s top CSEC students. The students are Bherti Bhoge of Skeldon Line Path Secondary, who secured 17 Grade Ones with 11 distinctions; Arleema Budram of Tagore Memorial High, who secured 14 subjects with 13 Grade Ones; and RashanaDavi Ram of Black Bush Polder Secondary, who secured five grade ones.
Berbicians revive dormant road safety body
Amid a spate of accidents in Berbice, Officer-in-Charge of Traffic in that Division (B Division), Assistant Superintendent of Police Boodnarine Persaud is calling on drivers to practise defensive driving.
So far this year, there have been 19 road deaths from 17 accidents in Berbice, including those of three children. For the corresponding period last year, there were 12 road accidents from which 12 lives were lost, including four children’s.
Over the past 10 years, pedestrians have accounted for the highest number
of road fatalities. Between 2005 and 2014, 94 pedestrians lost their lives on the roads in Berbice, while 47 pedal cyclists, 24 passengers, 27 vehicle occupants and 28 drivers also died. During the same period, 37 motorcyclists also lost their lives on the roads in Berbice, along with four pillion riders and one Jockey.
The upsurge in road accidents in the region has forced Police and other stakeholders to resuscitate the dormant Region Six Road Safety Association in hopes of raising awareness and arresting the culture of carelessness displayed by
most road users in the East Berbice- Corentyne region.
On Tuesday, a multistakeholder meeting was convened at the Jama Masjid Youth Centre, Port Mourant, Ankerville, for the purpose of replacing the former defunct association.
Assistant Superintendent Persaud, while making opening remarks at the meeting, called for all road users, but especially drivers, to practise defensive driving.
He noted that since the introduction of control mechanisms such as breathalysers and speed guns, there has been a
drastic reduction in road accidents. The Assistant Superintendent sees partnership with members of the public through interest groups, such as road safety associations, as another mechanism to stop lawlessness on the roadways, thorough education on safe road use practices.
The Coordinator of the National Road Safety Council, Romona Doorgen, facilitated the reformation of the body tasked with promoting safe and responsible road use across the Number One and Two policing subdivisions in the region. T hose elected to serve as
office bearers comprised stakeholders from several key agencies, reflecting an even spread of representation across the region.
Mustapha Ali was elected as Chairman, Anil Beharry as Vice Chairman, Melissa Punch, Secretary, Omeshwar Sirikishun, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary Treasurer, Michael Itwaru. Eight committee members were also selected: Voilka Jaikishun, Reginald Matthews, Haimchandra Persaud, Narendra Nauth Looknauth, Wayne Simpson, Hemant Narine, Sahadeo Singh and Intikhab Sakoor.
The newly-elected President of the Association, in his maiden speech, noted that the main focus is to get the new body functioning and fulfilling its mandate as an educator, advocate and facilitator.
He applauded the new approach by the Officerin-Charge of Traffic in the Division and his ranks, noting the broad membership of the Association with representation from reputable agencies. In the interest of maintaining momentum, the elected body will meet again today, to outline issues that require immediate attention.
Elected members of the Region Six Road Safety Association
Region Six Chairman David Armogan speaking at the launch of Education Month in Region Six
Some of the top Regional performers. From left: Bherti Bhoge, Arleena Budham, and Rashana-Davi Ram
Rice millers told to improve their management
Rice Millers across the country are being urged to improve the management of their businesses as Government threatens to “tighten the screws” on those delinquent in paying farmers for their paddy.
Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Thursday encouraged Millers to work more diligently with the Banks so that farmers could be paid on time. Failure to do this would force Government to revoke their licence. “We have done this in the past and while we continue to work with Millers, while we work with farmers, there has to be evidence that we are all trying.
It can’t be that I am trying and you are doing nothing when you are the one who owe the farmers,” Ramsammy said.
The Agriculture Minister said he does not believe that Millers are doing the best they can and “wherever that exists, we will be less gentle and kind to them”.
He said that Government has been very understanding with all millers and “whilst we in the Ministry of Agriculture understand the constraints, we believe that where there are evidence that millers are not doing the best they can to meet their obligations to the farmers that we will take stern action and that will include withdrawing licences
to operate the factories”.
Ramsammy noted that there is a law which stipulates that if paddy is sold to Millers by farmers, those Millers must pay the farmers 50 per cent of the cost within 14 days.
The remainder must be paid in 42 days. The problem for Millers, Ramsammy said, is that they may not sell that rice until 100 days
later and so, some back-up plan will have to be found to pay the farmers.
He pointed out that while the law sets some stipulations, a popular Corentyne rice milling company was recently threatened that it would be cut off from the Venezuela rice deal and sued, because it had failed to pay farmers for a lengthy period.
LaRocque calls for innovative alternatives to finance SIDS’ development
Even as the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) examined the issue of financing sustainable development for SIDS in Apia, Samoa recently, Caricom SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has posited the need for new and innovative alternatives.
Moderating a side event titled “Financing for Sustainable Development in SIDS,” during the four-day international conference on Small Island Developing States, Ambassador LaRocque said there may be a role for innovative public and private financial instruments such as counter-cyclical loans, which temporarily halt existing debt service payments when shocks strike.
He highlighted financing instruments such as the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) that provide cash flow support immediately following an insured catastrophe, as well as financing opportunities presented by the recent rise in South-South Cooperation,
He stated: “Emerging’ donors have become increasingly important sources of both aid and loan finance for many small island developing states. This development - which looks set to continue - provides SIDS with important opportunities to secure new and additional sources of development finance, as well as opportunities to learn from other countries’ recent development experi-
Caricom
ences”.
“It is important to foster greater transparency in such flows, and to ensure that debt sustainability concerns are also kept in view,” the Secretary-General however cautioned. Continuing on the issue of resource mobilization, Ambassador LaRocque acknowledged that improving domestic resource mobilization capacities was also important. He informed that several SIDS have established special funds or programmes to channel more domestic resources to environmental and conservation programmes, but despite progress, challenges remain, and for many SIDS, domestic investment will need to be supplemented by international funding given the high up-front costs of many
investments.
According to the Secretary-General, financing for development to reach set multilateral development goals required innovating instruments to mobilise domestic and international development funding that involve traditional and non-traditional donors, so as to increase private sector investment and publicprivate capital flows in support of development.
Noting that the overall financing needs for SIDS were not only large, but were also “very difficult” to quantify based on their level of vulnerability and exposure to external shocks, the Caricom Secretary-General said that the Caribbean had been plagued with losses equivalent to over 1 percent of GDP to natural disasters
Eyew tness Today’s the day...
B...for Granger’s “action”
ack in the day when Granger was in his heyday in the GDF – busy with his machinations that would catapult him to “Commandant” ahead of dozens with greater seniority – the rocker Rod Stewart (he of the gravelly voice) crooned, “Tonight’s the night....”
Well, last week, Granger’s voice was quite gravelly – but he certainly wasn’t crooning – when he delivered his ultimatum to President Ramotar. Call Local Government Elections by Monday or the PNC will launch into “action”!! Today’s the day...Monday.
He tried to cover his tracks by muttering that the “action” would be both international and local – and peaceful. Knowing the nature of the beast they were dealing with – all of their “peaceful actions” over the last half century had ended in violence and mayhem of one sort or another – citizens weren’t taking chances. Especially over in Regent Street, which had faced the brunt of the fury of the PNC’s “peaceful actions”. They were paraphrasing Rod Stewart’s lyrics in pleading with the PNC’s street elements: “Stay away from my (shop) windows/Stay away from my back door too.”
But some say that unlike earlier leaders like Hamilton Green (the earlier incarnation) and Robert Corbin, Granger’s all bark and no bite.
We’ll see. As for the “international action”, the ABC Embassies, which normally offer succour and sustenance to the Opposition, claim they haven’t received any information as to whether they should be part of the “international” prong. Then again, they might be so tied up twisting Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s arm to sign on the dotted line in support of their own “action” against Russia, they might’ve forgotten. Bigger fish to fry and all that.
since the early 1960s. He referenced Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica in which losses were estimated at US$108 million for St Vincent and the Grenadines and US$99 million for Saint Lucia in December 2013.
He added that while official Development Assistance (ODA) and climate finance were important sources of funds for many small island developing states, the proportion of overall aid allocated to SIDS was small, on the decline and heavily concentrated in just a few countries.
“Suffice it to say, more financing will be needed to support not only countries’ long-term development, but also to address sudden major shocks such as the extreme weather events,” he said. The Secretary-General stressed that the debt challenges facing many SIDs were compounded by the stance of the multilateral financial institutions regarding access to concessional resources by those states classified as middle income developing countries.
“The use of the narrow criteria of per capita gross national income in excess of US$1,035 (in 2013) to confer ‘middle income status’ on developing countries does not take into account the peculiar vulnerabilities, economic fragilities and lack of resilience of many SIDs including those in the Caribbean,” SecretaryGeneral LaRocque also said. (Caricom Secretariat)
So that leaves Granger to get his troops to launch their “action” on the local front. And today’s the day, for that foot to fall. And we’ll know whether Granger has the support of the rank and file – and the street elements – that’s always at the centre of PNC’s local “actions”. Not being able to seize total control of the PNC’s machinery, Granger has surrounded himself with an ageing bunch of ex-Army and Police has-beens. Like Harmon, Archer, Felix, Collins, etc....
They’ve no connection to real PNC types – like Norton and the Linden lumpen elements. They were quite efficient when they could order their troops about. Remember that “Bannuh” Felix “heading off” the investigation into the Agricola Massacre? So what’ll it be today on the Day of the General??
His PR flak Captain Mike Archer dashing off another letter to the Stabber News, or Mayhem on Main Street?
Today’s the day...and everything ain’t gonna be alright!
...of the least inequality
There’s no question Clive Thomas is a solid academic economist. We’ll never know how he would’ve fared in the real world, since his party, the WPA, nixed his nomination by Dr Jagan to become Prime Minister after 1992. Since then, he’s downplayed his Marxist ideology (not advocating complete severance of economic ties with the West?) and inched into the mainstream.
This week in his column in the Stabber News –innocuously titled “Inequality results” – he lets on a fact that had been known by everyone willing to be honest – that Guyana had become an increasingly less unequal country ever since the PPP/C took office. At a time when every major Western nation – especially the US – has gone in the opposite direction.
The Opposition, of course, has not only never been willing to be honest about the PPP/C’s achievements –but would actually lie through their teeth about it.
We dare Granger, Ramjattan and Nagamootoo or their minions to comment honestly about our plummeting inequality! But we aren’t holding our breath!
...for wordiness article
This Eyewitness gets paid for reading and analysing the newspapers. So why does Greenidge have to write these 2000+-word theses in the paper??? This is cruel and inhuman punishment and is banned by the Geneva Treaty.
Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and the Guyana Rice Development Board General Manager Jainarine Singh inspect the rice shipment at the John Fernandes Wharf in Georgetown (File photo)
USAID rolls out “town hall” meetings on Local Govt Elections
By Nafeeza yahya
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the International Republican Institute (IRI), last week launched the first in a series of town-hall meetings on Local Government Elections in Rose Hall, Berbice.
The meeting was held on Wednesday at the St Francis Community Development Complex. The aim of the session was to educate persons about their rights and responsibilities as voters and inform them about the functions of local government, the voting process, and voters’ eligibility requirements among others.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Glenn Bradbury, Chief of Party of the Leadership and Democracy Programme, who was also the facilitator of the meeting, said that this was the first of a series of townhall meetings that will be held across Guyana. He noted that the meetings seek to educate and sensitise the public on local government. He further stressed the importance of holding Local Government Elections.
“It’s an important level of Government, because it deals with people’s daily lives, in their communities so whenever they are held, people should be prepared to come out and use their democratic right to elect the people they wish to govern their community, so it is important given the role of local government in those communities – what their responsibilities are – that citizens have that ability to have that level of Government to look after their communities and those needs,” he said.
Empowered
Detailed information was disseminated on local government, its functions and the structure. The meeting further highlighted the eligibility of voters, their responsibilities as well as the voting process. Those in attendance were residents of Rose Hall Town and its environs, notably present were a lot of youths who expressed gratitude to USAID for the opportunity to be educated on local government. They related to Guyana Times that they were now empowered to make better decisions and now knew that their votes can make a difference. They also expressed a desire for more ventures of this nature so that people can be educated on local government.
The meetings are part of the USAID’s Leadership Education and Democracy Project (LEAD). Only last week, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt said that the USAID and IRI were currently in dialogue with a wide cross-section of
stakeholders to implement the programme’s activities in key areas.
Hunt told Guyana Times that the implementation process is being undertaken in active partnership with a variety of national institutions, including the National Assembly, the Guyana Elections Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, various youth organisations and civil society. He said
tive processes.
He stated that formal seminars, workshops, and training in these and other areas will follow in due course. After months of stalemate and controversy, the Government of Guyana finally agreed to the full implementation of the LEAD Project.
The Guyana Government had publicly chastised the US for pursuing the LEAD Project despite its strong ob-
the programme, on August 15, held consultations with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are interested in providing information on civic education and Local Government Elections.
Work plan
According to Hunt, sessions with civil society will include the town-hall public meetings, which will be conducted throughout September in selected communities in Guyana. The US Embassy Charge d’Affaires said following formal consultation with the parliamentary leadership, an initial activity work plan has been developed. In accordance with that plan, the USAID LEAD Programme has undertaken preparatory work to provide assistance in maximising the benefits of the Parliament’s redesigned website, enhancing parliamentary structures, and strengthening legisla-
jections. The Government had posited that the project’s design and implementation was unacceptable and that the action taken by former US Ambassador D
Brent Hardt was a clear departure from protocols and conventions governing inter-state relations, and deserved full condemnation.
But despite the criticism, the US Ambassador had claimed that the project had as its main concern, the interest of the Government and the people of Guyana.
Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon had said that a mutually acceptable agreement had been reached, putting to rest the concerns of Government over the project’s initial design and implementation.
He said Government was keen, from the outset, on ensuring that Guyana and Guyanese were not robbed of the opportunity to exploit the benefits that could be derived from the project. Hunt, who had attended the joint press conference to announce the decision in midAugust of this year, had explained that the project would not engage or provide assistance to political parties and their representatives in any shape or form. Hunt made it clear that the project was geared toward creating inclusive governance and allowing civil society stakeholders to shape and fashion the democratic structures and brand of democracy for their country.
Simply the Truth
So the story goes
So here is a story. Truh truh story. There is this woman from the West Coast Berbice (from Bush Lot, let us say). She had a really difficult childhood, one that was full of violence and violation. Then her parents got rid of her by “marriage”.
Another destruction of a young life condemned to matrimonial prison. It was a loveless thing, and there were times when she almost lost herself and her own truth. She suffered it all.
She tried to climb above it all by educating herself. She did course after course, while helping others so that they may not have to endure what she was made to endure. Today, she still struggles to keep her daughter fed and clothed and schooled. There is no help of any decent sort. Today, she is forced to carry two jobs.
The jobs take her from early in the morning to late afternoon, often under the lash of the sun or the beating of the rain. There is no day of rest. Saturdays and Sundays are also work days.
But work she must for herself and for her child.
But educational betterment is a must, so she enrolled into the University of Guyana Berbice Campus as a full-time student. In addition to financing and caring for her child, she has to pay tuition, which was just raised, and then pay $60,000 per month to travel.
It takes time, going to Rosignol, sitting in the bus, praying that passengers come so that the bus can move along. But wait she must, even after a hard day’s work of doing two jobs. After two hours of waiting in the bus, it finally moves.
It crosses the bridge. She gets off at the bridge in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). She waits again. Finally, a car comes,
and she prays not to be insulted or molested. She gets off at Tain, rushes in, and barely remembers to grab a cheese roll. Her meal for the day!
She rushes up two flights of stairs, but there is no one there. She turns back towards the front of the Campus, and on the notice board she sees the note of class being cancelled. The time, the money, the tiredness, all wash over her.
On the good days when they do have classes, which she breaks her neck to pay for, she has to make that return trip late at night, at the mercy of every criminal element that dirties the nation.
But this cancelling of classes is not new at all to her. She has had to endure that since September 2013 after the Campus was emptied of decency and integrity. She controls the tears for time wasted, money wasted, precious time with her daughter squandered.
Braving the dangers of the dark again, she makes the return trip to a place where she ought to be happy but is not. She asks herself if this is worth it – this expensive price she pays for such poor education. She wants to give up, but she has more character than anyone knows.
This is a true story. It happened last week.
Professor Daizal Samad
A section of those present at the USAID-IRI town-hall meeting on local government
USAID Chief Glenn Bradbury delivering his presentation
Mother, daughter allegedly chopped by student nurse
Amother and daughter were forced to seek medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Friday after they were allegedly chopped several times by a machetewielding neighbour.
The incident which took place at Savannah Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam was the climax of a three-year dispute. Bernadette Burnham, 59, suffered chop wounds to four fingers and other parts of the body, while her 31-yearold daughter, Ronetta, sustained wounds to her arm, shoulder, and wrist.
According to the older Burnham, on Friday morning, she was sweeping her yard when a neighbour, who is a student nurse attached to the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, made several comments to her: ““Yes, you old fool. You no-teeth thing, you downstairs, Ah deh waiting on you long…”’
Machete attack
Burnham said shortly after she was sweeping her bridge when she was approached by the neighbour and a verbal confrontation ensued. “I told her you could do what you want and she walked off and went to her car and collected a machete from a child who was in the car.”
Burnham said she was forced to use her broom stick to defend herself, as her attacker was wielding the machete and advancing. “I fire a lash, but it ain’t catch her, because the machete
chop the stick, so I put my hand…”
Using her hand to defend herself resulted in Burnham receiving the injuries. She said her daughter ran downstairs to her assistance, but she warned her not to get too close since she herself was already injured. The daughter told this publication that when she got to the scene, she heard her mother screaming and went to her assistance and, almost immediately, received a chop to her hand.
“She was aiming for my neck and I pulled back and just get cut here,” she said, as she displayed a wound on her shoulder which required four stitches. “The one on
my hand received about 25 stitches; my flesh was hanging,” she related. She also sustained chops to her forearm and wrist.
A Good Samaritan came to the Burnhams’ rescue and took the weapon away from their assailant. Guyana Times was told that there had been several verbal confrontations between the parties in the past. The Probation Department was ordered by the court to intervene and an officer had been making frequent checks on the neighbours, the last being on Thursday.
According to Bernadette Burnham, last Monday, she visited the New Amsterdam Police Station and made
a report in relation to her neighbour, but was told to return home as she would be contacted by the Police. She said she never heard from the Police, and was forced to visit the station again on Friday after being injured.
Speaking of her injuries, the elder Burnham said her right hand was bleeding profusely and she enquired from one of the three doctors attending to her and was told that the bone had been split and the arteries destroyed. A woman is in custody assisting the Police with their investigation.
After appearing in court on several occasions, Ronetta Burnham and an Anika Luckham were placed on a bond to keep the peace for one year by a Berbice magistrate last November.
Look before yuh leap; tink before yuh talk
Old people seh look before yuh leap. That also mean yuh must tink before yuh talk. Or don’t jump into some ting before yuh know bout some ting. But not plenty people does listen to old people in these times.
A lotta people nowadays does leap and then look. Or talk and then tink bout whah dem talk. That is whah happen to Lall Bachan. A long time now, Lall Bachan was nutten even though he had wanna be a lotta tings and wanna be like a lotta people.
Finally, Lall Bachan decide he wanna be a lawyer. So he tek a big leap and turn lawyer. But as usual, Lall Bachan ain’t look before he leap. Now after all dem years Lall Bachan is a lawyer, some how he still wanna be a lawyer. If only he had hear de old people. What a ting!
Green Bridge got de same problem. He start callin some of de companies in Guyana a national disgrace. That is pot tellin de kettle how he bottom black. Or lil pig tellin mammy pig how she mouth long. Or Joe Hardmouth tellin Green Ham how he old and ugly.
If Green Bridge talkin bout disgrace, de first ting he suppose to do was talk bout he own self. Green Bridge was a national disgrace when he was a minister and he tek de whole country and mek it into a international disgrace. What a ting!
Is de same ting wid de paper man who had wanna drive not one but two Lexus, and now tekkin taxi fuh go to wuk since de tax man pull he in. Paper man even paste up sticker to tell people to stop corruption when de very Lexus was sheer corruption.
Now paper man got de guts to seh how people tellin lie pun he when every day is sheer lies in de paper man paper.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! That is like paper man tellin de ice man from Annandale how he thiefin current. What a ting!
Bernadette Burnham (left) and her daughter, Ronetta, at the New Amsterdam Hospital
Times Notebook
Nurture FDI to support development
For almost all of our 48 years since Independence, politicians and the experts have argued that Guyana needs foreign investors to come in and drive the development of our country. There is consensus that Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) are prerequisites for rapid development in any of our Caribbean countries.
Up to 1992, Guyana’s post-Independence history was one of virtually no investment. Since 1992, investments have grown significantly. This augurs well for Guyana, as it prepares to celebrate 50 years of Independence.
But Guyana is faced with a wicked conspiracy to discourage investors from participating in our development. There is a deliberate anti-Asian phobia being promoted by certain sections of our country. This group includes politicians from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), media houses, such as Kaieteur News and Stabroek News and certain anti-Government commentators.
Worrying development
Their targets are investors from China, but Indian investors have also been targeted. This is a worrying development and such Asian phobia is detrimental to Guyana’s development.
The biggest investors in the Caribbean today are from China and India. China’s investment in the Caribbean in 2012 surpassed US$500 million. Guyana, Suriname, Cuba, Jamaica, and other countries are important destinations for Chinese investment. The Chinese have become significant investors globally. Why then should Guyana discourage Chinese investors?
Government would be reckless to ignore investment from the second largest economy in the world, which is set to overcome the US as the largest in the coming decade. With its economic ascent, China has amassed considerable reserves from increases in exports and capital inflows, and has managed to in-
Chinese investment and business contracts now span the globe (2011 figures) are of benefit to Guyana.
vest more than US$74 billion in FDI, including more than US$15 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The AFC and APNU are pushing a dangerous direction for Guyana when they discourage investment from places like China and India. Rejecting investments has led to Guyana under-performing in the past and this is the direction Guyana must not return to. We demonstrated between 1968 and 1992 that without FDI, development is not possible.
Opportunities for development
Chinese State banks and the Government of China have also provided grants and low-interest loans for various countries. Must Guyana turn its back on these opportunities for development?
Who will replace these investors and that which China provides? The AFC and APNU must tell our people how they propose to replace the grants, loans, and investments. Western nations have been generous in giving grants and loans for important projects. America prefers to give us grants for strengthening democracy, which is important. China prefers to give a grant to build a ferry or build a convention centre. Both approaches are important and
The debate can be put into perspective by examining the policy option with the Amaila Falls
Hydro-Electricity Project. Government believes that the hydro-electricity project must be financed through Private Sector ownership
driven by FDI.
It is this policy option that led Government to seek FDI from China, India, Europe, America, or any other place. The Chinese have stepped forward and have embraced it in this important investment of more than US$800 million.
APNU and the AFC have rejected the notion that a large project like Amaila needs to be driven by FDI. They believe that Guyana does not need the Chinese to invest in Amaila. The policy direction that APNU and the AFC prefer is that the local Private Sector must finance the construction of Amaila through Government.
On the surface, this appears as an attractive option. But the funds, more than US$800 million, must be taken out of the local financial market. This will cause the exchange rate to soar to more than $300, and drive the cost of living up so high that Guyana’s standard of living will deteriorate, businesses will collapse, in-
terest rates will go sky-high, and local bank loans will be almost impossible.
Also, Guyana’s international debt will not be serviced so the country will return to the pre-1992 period. What if it was an American investor who proposed to finance Amaila? Would the Opposition Leaders like Granger and Ramjattan and others oppose such FDI? We do not seem to be opposed when investors from America (like the GT&T owners) or from Great Britain (like Digicel owners) come and own profitable businesses. We never seem to suggest that these should be replaced by local investors.
APNU, the AFC and many others seem bent on stopping development in Guyana. They see the investment portfolio growing in Guyana and this bothers them. We must reject the efforts of those among us who want to create barriers to development through Asian hysteria.
Rohee honoured by CPGs
Representatives of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) across Guyana came together on Sunday for a fun day in honour of Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee.
The event which was held at the Better Hope Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara, saw the Minister being presented with a token of appreciation for the eight years of leadership given to the organisation.
Speaking at the event, National Chairman of the CPGs, Omesh Satyanand noted that the growth of the organisation was a result of the eight years of hard work and commitment by the Minister. He further stated that, “community policing is not only respected for the work it has done across this country, but the leadership and initiative set out by the honourable minister.”
Meanwhile, Minister Rohee thanked the CPGs for the opportunity and for having confidence in his leadership. The Minister on behalf of the Government also thanked the policing community for supporting the policies of the government in respect of public order, safety and security throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
“Community Policing Organisation stands out as an organisation that has made its contribution, and in this re-
spect, I want to take this opportunity as you congratulate me, for me in turn to congratulate you for the services that you have rendered over these years,” he said.
At present, there are 266 active CPGs across the country with a total membership of 4424. The system of community policing was established in 1976 under the late police commissioner, Henry Fraser with the objec-
tive of harnessing the energies of willing members of communities across Guyana, in support of the work of the Police. This mandate was subsequently expanded to include youth development, health consciousness, road safety, environmental enhancement, and other community related activities. Activities of the day include races, tugo-war, musical car, beer drinking, domino, football and cricket competitions.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee is presented with a token of appreciation for eight years of leadership by the Community Policing Organisation of Guyana
Police Gymkhana 2014
Police bikers thrilled the large audience at the Gymkhana event
A section of the gathering
Mounted Police showcased the skills to adoring fans
The Police Military Band provided music for patrons
Two members of the Police Mounted Branch engage in a drill
Police men and women attempt to drink from these bottles without holding
Mounted Branch members preparing to thrill the audience
Police officers led their horses through blazing fire
Corentyne erupts over fatal accident
– residents torch car after toy gun, multiple ID cards found in it
By Nafeeza yahya
Hundreds of residents of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, took to the streets Sunday afternoon after an accident that left an 18-year-old girl dead. The protest was sparked after residents claimed that the driver of the car was a policeman and was up to no good, since a number of suspicious items were found in the vehicle. The protesters’ anger boiled over, as they called for justice and more serious action by Police to curb the hike in road accidents on the Corentyne Coast.
Eighteen-year-old Rena Devi Singh, of Letter Kenny, was killed after being struck by a speeding car while waiting to cross the road. She had just returned from visiting her aunt at Number 52 Village and was standing on the southern side of the Letter Kenny Public Road when a blue Toyota G-Touring Wagon bearing licence plate PMM 3080 coming from the west hit her and tossed her several feet into the air, before doing a 360-degree turn and crashing into a concrete fence on
the opposite side of the road.
According to an eyewitness, Ram Singh, “Rena was waiting to cross the road, then a blue wagon coming full speed from New Amsterdam try to overtake another car. The car come full speed and hit her down and fling she three houses away, the car spin round and run off the road then crash in a concrete fence. I see everything; I went right in front the shop,” Singh related.
Public-spirited citizens ran out and rendered assistance: they placed the injured teen into a car that rushed her to the Port Mourant Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.
tions of the crowd and Police. The Fire Service was on the scene, but was prevented from dousing the blazing car by the angry mob. Still not satisfied, residents took the protest to the Whim Police Station where they demanded to see the person in custody, claiming that he was not the driver. The Officer in Charge there, Terrence Brown, handled the situation with professionalism and asked the residents to allow the Police to do their investigation. He offered his
According to residents on the scene, there were three occupants in the vehicle, two of whom quickly fled with guns clutching a bag.
A search of the vehicle unearthed one toy gun; several documents including three driver’s licences; a business card for an Assistant Superintendent of Police and some clothing, including a black toque. The protest erupted after the residents claimed the driver of the vehicle was a police officer – a claim Police have refuted. According to a Police source, the person that was handed over to ranks was the driver
of the vehicle. The source is also claiming the driver accompanied the injured teen to the hospital.
This, however, did not sit well with the residents and they took to the streets demanding justice for the dead teen and blaming the Police for trying to “cover up” for their alleged colleague.
Set alight
Not satisfied with the responses from the Police, residents dragged the vehicle from where it was lodged and took it into the nearby street where they set it alight despite pleas from some sec-
sympathies to the family of the deceased and asked them to be patient, as law enforcement conducted their investigations. The residents agreed and promised to return the following day if they were not satisfied.
Return to scene
However, instead of heading home, residents returned to the scene of the accident and continued the protest. This time, things got out of control as the protesters became more hostile, prompting one Policeman to pull his weapon and point it
at the crowd. This further incensed residents who began advancing on him. He was eventually escorted out of the village as persons started to direct their anger at him.
Meanwhile, when this publication visited the home of the dead teen, many villagers were also there offering support to the grieving family. After learning of Rena’s demise, her mother collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital; even after returning, she was unable to speak. According to the teen’s father, he was at home when someone informed him that his daughter was involved in an accident.
Fighting to hold back tears, the man said he rushed to the road where he saw Rena covered in blood, barely breathing. She was picked up and rushed to the hospital. “When we reach, the doctors quickly worked on her, but a little while after, them tell me she nah make it … she is my only daughter, she is a very pleasant girl… me cannot believe me baby dead,” the man said tearfully.
Today is Granger’s “action” day
Today is Monday, September 15, and the question on everyone’s minds is what “local and international action” is the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, contemplating, since President Donald Ramotar dismissed the ultimatum he issued him last week to set a date for Local Government Elections.
The minority Opposition party – Alliance For Change (AFC) said it did not know what the APNU Leader meant when he issued the ultimatum to the President and promised to take local and international action.
AFC Member of Parliament Trevor Williams, in a brief interview with Guyana Times, explained that the party was never in receipt of any correspondence from the Opposition Leader that de-
tailed what action would be taken.
However, he said: “I am sure the Opposition Leader would have given careful thought to this, before issuing the ultimatum to the President. The Opposition Leader has to have a roadmap as to where he’s going and what his plans are. I know the AFC is not in-
volved at this time; we don’t know anything of what will happen,” Williams commented. “We will really have to wait and see what happens”.
He pointed out that what was demanded and said by Granger could be taken to mean so many different things. The MP added that the political sphere has reached a certain point where anything being said by the Leader of the Opposition, or any party leader for that matter, should “not be taken for granted”.
Much anticipation Williams went on to indicate that at this point, the Opposition was “very serious about upping the pressure on Government for them to get things right”. “I really want to see where this is going,” he concluded. Meanwhile, the People’s
Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has said it has been waiting in anticipation of the “action” promised by Granger.
The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, speaking with Guyana Times, during an exclusive interview, described the September 15 deadline issued by Granger as “political”, while expressing support for the President’s decision to request that Granger’s letter be further clarified, given the contradictions and ambiguities therein.
“We are waiting to see what will unfold with the passing of the political deadline… we would also like to see what kind of international and national mobilisation would take place,” the General Secretary reiterated.
Rohee maintained that the Party was still study-
ing the letter while noting the threats issued to the President. He said soon, the media would be furnished with a stern response from the Party, which has always stood up against any form of intimidation and thuggery.
United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt, when asked by
Guyana Times on Thursday as to whether Granger had discussed his resort of national and international action against the current Administration if a date for Local Government polls is not announced by today, he responded in the negative.
“The Honourable Leader of the Opposition did not send me copies of the letter that he sent to the President. I honestly don’t know anything more than you about the contents,” he said.
“I have not had any discussions with the Leader of the Opposition about this letter on the purported demands he made to the Government.”
Like his diplomatic colleague, British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre said the issue is purely “political” and one for Guyanese politicians to contemplate.
President Donald Ramotar
Opposition Leader David Granger
The toy gun, toque and several ID cards that were found in the car
The car perched at the corner of the fence before it was torched
Dead is 18-year-old Rena Devi Singh
Angry residents wait outside the Whim Police Station
TT: PNM Ministers deny role in controversial housing project
Two former People’s National Movement (PNM) Housing Ministers have distanced themselves from the now demolished TT$26 million Las Alturas towers at Morvant. Both Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and former PNM Minister Emily DickForde, who for consecutive periods were responsible for housing around the time of the multimillion-dollar housing project, said they had nothing to do with it.
Neither can say when construction of the now demolished structure began or ended.
House Leader and current Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal angered Rowley on Friday when he spoke about questionable projects and situations, which, he said, occurred under Rowley’s tenure as PNM Housing Minister.
He said the cost of the Las Alturas development in Morvant rose from TT$65 million to TT$90 million and two towers valued at TT$26 million had to be demolished since geo-technical work
had not been done, though Rowley was a geologist. Moonilal showed pictures of the situation which angered Rowley, who jumped up, stressing he had “nothing to do with that!”.
The Sunday Guardian obtained copies of the board minutes from a January 27, 2007 Housing Development Corporation (HDC) meeting which listed the project.
There was no similar information on the project in the board minutes from
2004 to 2006. Rowley was the Housing Minister from 2004 to November 2007.
Dick-Forde replaced him on November 17, 2007. According to the HDC board minutes, the towers project was handled by China Jiangsu at a total cost of US$26,970,073.02 (exclusive of fees) and at the time of the board meeting, the construction was almost complete and carried a delivery date of January 30, 2007. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Loan scam uncovered in Barbados
At least nine loans valued at nearly Bds$1 million were allegedly financed by a Barbadian company for vehicles that do not exist.
The discovery was made by an employee of the finance company who resigned, because his boss did not pursue the matter with the vigour he believed should have accompanied the disclosure.
The scam involved vehicles valued between Bds$90,000 and Bds$110, 000, and people who fronted for the scammer.
Those individuals had to be earning enough to qualify for a loan where a repayment instalment would be up to Bds$1600.
A source explaining how the illegal enterprise worked, said that a valuation would be done with a fictitious vehicle with chassis and engine numbers taken from an international database.
Then the fictitious vehicle would be licensed and insured. This documentation would then be taken to the finance company where a loan would be se -
cured for the purchase of the vehicle.
Loans officers do not normally look at vehicles or check for engine and chassis numbers, it was explained.
They rely on the paperwork presented to them as it would have passed through the hands of supposedly reputable people responsible for doing valuations and licensing.
The insurance companies likewise depend on the authenticity of this paperwork brought before them. (Nationnews.com)
WHO welcomes Cuban doctors for Ebola response
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has welcomed the commitment from the Government of Cuba to provide 165 health professionals to support Ebola care in West Africa.
WHO said on Saturday that the newly-announced support includes physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, specialists in infection control, intensive care specialists, and social mobilisation officers.
ment.
“I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the Cuban Government and these health professionals
Roadmap, released on August 28, highlights the need for a massively scaled response to support affected countries.
The Cuban health-care professionals will be concentrated in Sierra Leone.
“If we are going to go to war with Ebola, we need the resources to fight,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director General in a state-
for doing their part to help us contain the worst Ebola outbreak ever known,” she added.
“This will make a significant difference in Sierra Leone.”
The WHO Ebola Response
Brazilian baby registered with three parents
For the first time in Brazil, a judge in southern Rio Grande do Sul state has permitted a baby to be registered with two mothers and a father.
The Judge said the baby’s biological parents and the mother’s female partner had requested the baby’s birth certificate be changed.
The women married two months ago and the father was a male friend.
The Judge, Rafael
Three
Pagnon Cunha, said his decision would open up legal precedents all over Brazil.
The two women had been in a four-year relationship before the birth and had asked their male friend to help them have a child.
He had agreed, but had asked in return to be recognised as the father of the baby girl, who was born on August 27.
Judge Cunha said that all three parents had
been involved during the pregnancy in the preparations for the arrival of the child.
“Being a father and a mother is above all about taking care and fulfilling tasks. I feel sure that for this child the possibility of happiness will be very great,” the Judge said.
The baby’s birth certificate bears the name of two mothers, a father and six grandparents. (BBC News)
Jamaicans vying for tech start-up funds reach semi-finals of global contest
Three Jamaicans who are competing for US$15,000 are semi-finalists in the Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) Tech-I competition. They are among a field of 67 contestants.
Jermaine Henry, Dmitri Dawkins and Sheldon Duncombe hope to change Jamaica’s economic landscape by creating efficiencies and reducing operation costs in various sectors.
Dawkins is pitching a technology, research and development firm which practises lean start-up methodology to create solutions for businesses and Government entities in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.
The 27-year-old hopes to revise and revamp each company’s business strategies, using technological applications to create more efficient and competitive entities.
“I will constantly review the products and processes, while measuring how
effective they really are,” Dawkins said.
Through his platform, he hopes to first create a smart- farm solution for small farmers, boosting competition through reduced operating costs and consumer prices.
“Jamaica has a lot of small farms and they are
using very inefficient methods to grow crops,” he said.
The entrepreneur is already converting two small farms into ‘smart farms’ in the areas of St Elizabeth and rural St Andrew.
On completion, the young entrepreneur will be venturing into the areas of financial technology, medical sciences, and technology.
Henry, a student at the University of Technology (UTech) hopes to create a digital agricultural clearing house dubbed Agrocentral. The business will use web technology to short message service (SMS) and SMS to web functions to connect small farmers and businesses across the globe.
The SMS web technology will be connected to an open database that will allow trade and commerce between buyers and suppliers, according to Henry.
Duncombe, on the other hand, is looking to introduce a Type 1 diabetes correction device in the healthcare sector. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Publisher calls for public to boycott LIAT for a day
B“The commitment from the Cuban Government exemplifies the kind of international effort required to intensify response activities and strengthen national capacities,” WHO said.
Chan said Cuba is “world-famous for its ability to train outstanding doctors and nurses and for its generosity in helping fellow countries on the route to progress.”
She said the Cuban health care professionals will be deployed to Sierra Leone the first week in October and stay for six months. (CMC)
arbadian Publisher and Director of Fun N’ Sun Publishing, Robert Pitcher, is calling on the regional public to boycott LIAT for a day. Pitcher told the Barbados Nation he wants travellers to send a clear message to the airline that they are fed up with its high airfares and poor quality service.
He also advised the regional governments keeping the island-hopping airline afloat, to not put a cent into it until it changes its board.
He contended that the Directors are not suited to overseeing the running of a modern airline. Instead, he believes a group of successful Caribbean businessmen from the separate territories should be appointed to the Board with a Caribbean
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the helm who understands the market.
But, one observer (The Real Observer) said in a comment on the story published on the Daily website: “It is very clear to me that what this Bajan gentleman really wants is LIAT in Barbados. He wants a Caribbean CEO. Over the past
20 years, LIAT has had at least six CEOs from the Region, either in an extended acting position or confirmed as CEO. What this man really wants is a Bajan CEO. This is something that Barbados, both Government and private sector, have been pushing for since they put in a measly 20 million dollars some years ago. They succeeded in getting the marketing department moved there, then the Commercial department to include scheduling and in a few months made a mess of it that the present CEO took the decision to bring it back to Antigua. This has angered the Bajans.” (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)
Now Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley (right) and former PNM Minister Emily Dick-Forde
Sheldon Duncombe, one of the semi-finalists in the 2014 GIST Tech-I competition
The Ebola virus as seen under a high-powered microscope
Barbadian Publisher and Director of Fun N’ Sun Publishing, Robert Pitcher told the Barbados Nation he wants travellers to send a clear message to the airline that they are fed up with its high airfares and poor quality service
Around the world
PM says Britain will “hunt down” IS killers of hostage
The United Kingdom will take “whatever steps are necessary” to keep safe after a video showing the killing of hostage David Haines was issued by Islamic State militants, the Prime Minister has said.
PM David Cameron said the UK would “hunt down” the killers of the aid worker, whom he called a “British hero”. He said the “menace” of IS had to be destroyed in a “calm, deliberate” way.
In the video, IS also threatened to kill a second Briton, who has been named as Alan Henning, 47.
Henning, a married father of two from Salford, worked as a taxi driver and was a volunteer on an aid convoy.
Speaking at Downing
Street after a meeting of the UK emergency committee Cobra, Cameron said of IS, also known as ISIL and
ISIS, “they are not Muslims, they are monsters”.
“We will do everything in our power to hunt down
these murderers and ensure they face justice, however long it takes.”
In the video, a masked man who appears to have a British accent was pictured beside Haines holding a knife.
Cameron said the country was “sickened” that a Briton could have carried out the “despicable” killing.
“We cannot just walk on by if we are to keep this country safe,” he said. “Step by step, we must drive back, dismantle and ultimately destroy ISIL and what it stands for.
“We will not do so on our own, but with working with our allies, not just in the United States and in Europe, but also in the region.” (Excerpt from BBC News)
China set to pump billions of dollars in India, outwit Japan
Cash-rich China is looking to outwit rival Japan by pledging to invest billions of dollars in India’s railway, manufacturing and infrastructure projects during President Xi Jinping’s maiden visit to the country this week.
As Xi’s visit to India scheduled for September 17 draws close, Chinese officials are becoming increasingly vocal about Beijing’s decision to scale up investments in India regarded
widely as the most safe investment destination, especially after Japan made a splash with a commitment to invest US$35 billion during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tokyo.
With growing Outbound Direct Investment (ODI) which last year crossed the US$90 billion mark, China’s investments in India, which so far remained a paltry US$400 million, mostly in Gujarat, are now expected to surpass Japan.
China’s foreign exchange reserves, the largest in the world, reached a record US$3.95 trillion in March, and it plans to invest around US$500 billion overseas in the next five years, a large share of which is expected to head India’s way.
China is positively considering investing in India’s ambitious plan to build high-speed railways, including bullet trains.
Chinese officials say that China would be committing
anywhere between US$100 billion to US$300 billion in the modernisation of Indian railways by replacing existing tracks to increase the speed, station development, establishing industrial parks as well as invest in mega infrastructure projects.
The improvement of tracks could push the average train speeds from 160 kilometres per hour to 180 kilometres per hour, Indian officials say. (Excerpt from the Times of India)
NATO countries have begun arms deliveries to Ukraine – Defence Minister
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Valery Heletey said on Sunday that NATO countries were delivering weapons to his country to equip it to fight pro-Russian separatists and “stop” Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Heletey told a news con-
ference he had discussed weapons deliveries in bilateral meetings with NATO Defence Ministers during a NATO summit in Wales September 4-5. NATO officials have said it will not send “lethal assistance” to non-member Ukraine but member states may do so.
Earlier this month, a senior Ukrainian official said Kiev had agreed on the provision of weapons and military advisers from several members of the US-led alliance. Four of the five countries named, including the United States, denied this.
Arab states “offer help with air strikes” against IS
Several Arab countries have offered to take part in air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq, United Stated officials say.
But any action is subject to approval from the Iraqi Government, they add.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was “extremely encouraged” by promises of military assistance to tackle the extremist group. He spoke in Paris after a whirlwind tour of the Middle East trying to drum up support for action against IS.
France is due to host an international conference today about Iraqi security and tackling IS.
On Saturday, the militant group released a video showing the beheading of UK hostage and aid worker David Haines.
The group has threatened to kill a second Briton,
Alan Henning, who also appeared in the video.
Earlier, Australia announced it was sending 600 troops to the region ahead of possible combat operations against IS militants in Iraq.
However, Kerry said in remarks to CBS on Sunday that the US was not seeking troops on the ground at the moment.
Islamic State is now in control of large parts of Iraq and Syria, and the CIA estimates that the group could have as many as 30,000 fighters in the region.
Last week, US President Barack Obama presented a strategy to fight the group in both Iraq and Syria. So far, nearly 40 countries, including 10 Arab states, have signed up to a US-led plan to tackle the extremist group. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Egypt hunger strikes gain momentum
“We reached agreements in closed talks, without media, about ... those weapons that we currently need,” said Heletey, who said Ukraine needed weapons “that could stop Putin”.
“I have no right to disclose any specific country we reached that agreement with. But the fact is that those weapons are already on the way to us – that’s absolutely true, I can officially tell you,” he said.
Heletey said about 3500 Russian troops were now on Ukrainian territory with a further 25,000 massed on the Russian side of the joint border.
Moscow denies accusations by Kiev and its Western backers that it has sent troops and tanks into eastern Ukraine to support the separatists.
A ceasefire negotiated by envoys from Ukraine, Russia, the separatists and Europe’s OSCE security watchdog has been in place in eastern Ukraine since September 5.
As Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi heads to New York next week for the United Nations General Assembly, he leaves behind a country with a growing movement of hunger strikers calling for the release of detainees jailed under a controversial Protest Law.
Several political parties and journalists began a symbolic nationwide hunger strike on Saturday to demand the release of detainees held for violating a law enacted last year that has been criticised by both domestic and international human rights groups, as well as prominent political figures, as curtailing peoples’ right to protest.
Laila Soueif, an assistant professor of mathematics at Cairo University, whose two children, Sanaa and Alaa, are in jail for demonstrating against the law, has been on hunger strike with her only child that remains out of jail, Mona Seif, since September 4.
“I’m on a hunger strike until my children are released, and all those in their two cases are released with them,” she said. “The circle of people joining our hunger strike increases every day. We haven’t reached the stage yet to achieve what is needed, but as long as more people keep joining our protest, then this is a success.”
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Hostage David Haines moments before he was beheaded (The Telegraph)
Blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah was recently sentenced to 15 years in jail for participating in a protest last year (AP)
Pro-Russian rebels stand near a burnt-out Ukrainian tank outside the destroyed airport in Luhanks, eastern Ukraine, on Sunday
Remigrant scam…
“Damned
if I do, damned if I don’t” – Sattaur
– promises to continue investigations
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur has been the subject of heavy criticism from sections of society, the media and members of the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) after alleged scams involving Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall surfaced and were reported on recently.
APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon was recently quoted as saying “the GRA boss is simply using his position as an instrument of fear”.
Harmon contended that the reporting of issues surrounding Lall was an attempt by Sattaur to muzzle the local publisher. But, Sattaur in a recent interview with Guyana Times denied the allegations levelled against him by the MP.
The Commissioner General pointed out that while the GRA would have launched its investigations, the tax body did so after articles would have appeared in the local media with evidence to arouse suspicion.
has accused the GRA of accepting his values subsequent to lodging a deposit of in excess of $2 million, after Customs would have held on to his deposit for a protracted period.
“This action was indeed permitted to facilitate his business cash flow problems that were proffered by Lall, but nevertheless, would not have resulted in a definitive pronouncement by the agen-
cy,” Sattaur said.
Nonetheless, he noted that the GRA will continue to discharge its remit and investigate the alleged tax frauds that involve Lall and several other persons, including a senior GRA Enforcement Officer.
He said, “I will not be intimidated by any effort to threaten me or those who make statements against my work, I am discharging
my remit as Commissioner General, the charge duly vested to me by the Constitution of Guyana, and I refuse to be intimidated”.
Only weeks after being fingered in an alleged remigrant duty-free concession scam, which the GRA is currently investigating, Lall was again seen at the centre of another alleged tax evasion scheme.
PAHO Director gets tour of GPHC
He pointed out that the process of selection therefore should remove all doubts about, human much less political interference, of the work of the tax body and is the genesis of the selection of the national media and publishing company’s recent entry of imports of printing ink for examination.
In fact, Sattaur contended that Harmon’s accusations seem to suggest that he is “living in the past, reminiscent of the days when
Sattaur noted that the “GRA operates with an intelligence driven risk management system when selecting tax payers for various interventions that can range from simple scrutiny of a document to a more detailed audit to be conducted”.
the Customs Administration operated at the whims and fancies of certain people and vehicles were released as bicycles”.
He noted that the Opposition is condemning corruption from one corner of its mouth and from the other, seemingly instigating it. “If I do the work of my office and investigate the issues, I’m condemned. If I don’t do it and just lay back, I am condemned… so its like this – I’m damned if I do, and damned if I don’t,” Sattaur said.
He pointed out that Lall
... impressed with diabetic foot clinic
As part of the Wellness Week celebrations, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director Dr Carissa Etienne and other officials were taken on tour of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Following a Health Symposium to mainly discuss the role of civil societies in addressing emerging public health threats held at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC), the group consisting of Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran, PAHO Representative in Guyana Dr William Adu-Krow, Sir Trevor Hassell President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Dr Anselm Henniss Director - NCD/ Mental Health PAHO Headquarters among others, visited the GPHC. During this visit, the officials interacted with hospital staffers and were given an in-depth
idea of the operations at GPHC. Also present at the visit was GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan. The officials were taken to the diabetic foot clinic, neonatal care unit and other areas of the hospital. Dr Eitenne was impressed with the diabetic foot clinic for the job it’s doing in reducing amputations.
Later in the evening, the health officials, and officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Prime Minster Samuel Hinds and Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony among others, attended a cocktail reception held in honour of Dr Etienne at the New Thriving building on Lamaha Street.
Dr Kavita Singh in her welcoming remarks said the week of activities created history in Guyana as the Ministry of Health, along with the Government of Guyana continues to adhere to
its overall mission of providing quality healthcare to Guyanese. She added that Guyana is the 10th country in the Caribbean to launch the Presidential Commission on the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non Communicable diseases. Minister Ramsaran lauded the success of the Wellness Week activities and said the new systems that have been put in place to combat NCDs are not the end, but rather the beginning of hard work.
Dr Etienne congratulated the Minister of Health and the Government and added that she will continue to join forces with Guyana through PAHO and provide support where needed. Prime Minister Hinds joined in welcoming Dr Etienne and reiterated that NCDs are an epidemic of current times, and urged that everyone exercises discipline in everything they consume and everything they do.
Minister of Health Bheri Ramsaran presents a sculpture to PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne
GRA Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur
ACIC, SADR call on Indian High Commissioner
Adelegation from the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA), led by President General of ACIC, made a courtesy call on High Commissioner of the Republic of India for Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam.
The delegation also included visiting Muslim leader from Suriname, Hadji Sarafat ali and Pakistani Muslim scholars Hazrat Allama Maulana Hafiz Qari Waqas Ahmad and Hazrat Allama Maulana Hafiz Qari Imran Naeem and Sis. Raheema Rahaman of the GUSIA Mahalingam was accred-
ited to Guyana in June last and the delegation apprised him of the great relation-
ship shared by these organisations and the Indian High Commission over two dec-
ades. They also briefed him of the future plans of the organisations.
OAS General Assembly adopts resolution on Strategic Vision
The 47th Special General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) last week adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Guidelines and Objectives of the Strategic Vision” of the hemispheric institution, that seeks to reorganize the priorities and mandates of the organisation with a view to bringing it up to the challenges of the 21st Century.
The initiative, adopted by acclamation, states that the resolution is intended for “institution-building, for management, and for each of the pillars defined in the Vision of the organisation: Democracy, Human Rights, Integral Development, and Multidimensional Security”.
The debate on Strategic Vision originally launched by the Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, in February 2012, takes off as a necessary process to adapt the Organisation’s mandates to the reality of the 21st Century, so as to rationalise and leverage the financial resources of the hemispheric institution and align them with its set objectives.
Resolution
Last week’s resolution instructed the Permanent Council to continue the development of the Strategic Vision and notes the need to “develop a four-year Comprehensive Strategic Plan with work plans for each of the four pillars, and for management and institution-building”.
Pursuant to a mandate of the OAS Regular General Assembly held in Paraguay last June, the guidelines and strategic objectives of the adopted draft resolution on Strategic Vision will
have to be reflected in the Organization’s 2015?2016 Program-Budget, which will be approved soon.
The OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, described in his address the Strategic Vision’s process from its inception and expanded on his views’ and contribution’s concepts. In that regard, he recalled that some years ago he expressed the need to define a vision for the Organization “in line with current times and capable of meeting all the contemporary challenges and circumstances of multilateral action on the hemispheric stage,” a definition, he added, that must serve to maintain the relevance of the OAS as “the main international reference point for political debate and cooperation among all the countries of the Americas”.
Referring to how the regional Organization has been adapting to the changes facing the region, the leader of the hemispheric institution explained that “those very pillars that we now proclaim as the Organization’s central axes were built over time, to
meet very specific challenges facing our countries.”
In that vein, Secretary General Insulza recalled his initial proposal to reorganise and prioritize the mandates that member states have assigned to the institution on “the basic principles and tasks that make up the essence of the Organisation of American States going forward into the 21st Century”.
He further noted that when presenting the second version of his Strategic Vision, “the changes that we were experiencing imposed the need for an inclusive Organisation, comprising countries that were sovereign, diverse, and legitimised by democracy, pursuing the same hemispheric agenda, in conditions of full equality.”
In explaining his approach, the Secretary General said that the need for a Strategic Vision is not motivated by any “crisis or loss of direction within the Organisation.” On the contrary, “if the OAS continues to exist, it is because it remains the main international reference point for political debate and cooperation among all the countries of the Americas,” and because “it has been able to adapt to the enormous changes that this region has lived,” he said.
Relaunch
He further explained that he does not advocate “a relaunch of the OAS, but rather an evolution based on what was already built. “The purpose of this exercise was not to invent a new OAS in laboratory conditions, but rather to reaffirm the ties between our strategic objectives, the values we share as a hemispheric political organization, and the way we organize, fund, and
manage our activities,” he said.
“The pillars on which our Organization is grounded,” he added, “are based on “two fundamental treasures that are the true strength of the OAS: dialogue and law”.
With regard to dialogue, the leader of the hemispheric institution emphasised that one cannot forget that the fundamental mission of the OAS is to serve as a political forum in which the states “will always have a place for constructive, democratic, and equal dialogue, where they can set out their common ground and their differences and organise their collective action”.
“The diversity of ideological and political trends that now characterise the Americas has been apparent within the OAS and, far from weakening or dividing it, has served to strengthen it,” he indicated. Regarding law, he recalled that the OAS “is the depository and the keeper of all the laws of the Americas,” and that “no agreement reached at the hemispheric level fails to refer back here”.
Next phase
The OAS leader concluded his intervention emphasizing that “the next phase is, surely, the most difficult: adopting the political decisions needed to adapt the work of the Organization to the priorities that we ourselves have determined.”
However, he expressed his conviction that the endeavour will succeed because member states are willing to continue building a partnership based on the contribution of all and that “following the modernisation effort, no one will seek to weaken the pact of unity and cooperation that gave rise to the inter-American system 125 years ago”.
People gossip for a variety of reasons.
For example, when they want to feel a sense of being superior, that is when they do not feel so good about themselves, and so they will take the time to negatively judge others.
Some people have lots of time on their hands and when they cannot come up with something interesting to talk about that is knowledgeable, gossiping about other people becomes of great interest. And for some people, it is just of jealousy and greed, and for those reasons, they will hurt talented and successful people.
There are many instances too where people gossip because they want to feel part of a group, and for some, they just want attention, because usually a person gets that sort of attention when revealing some gossip about others. However, spreading rumours has little foundation and is only a temporary thing.
It is not a wrong thing to look at someone’s intent in discussing other people and relationships as long as the intent is to understand human nature and improve one’s quality of life and relationships. However, if the intent is to temporarily feel superior or get attention by disparaging others, then that’s a problem. Take, for example, somebody is gossiping cruelly about a co-worker. In a case like this, it is important not to feed the gossiper with curiosity, agreement and further questions. It’s best to try and change the subject. Here is something you can try: “I noticed that you talk about your coworker all the time. I am curious why they seem to interest you so much?” Or you can be straightforward and say, “I am more interested about the things that are happening in your life.”
There are things people can do to avoid unnecessary gossip. For example, they can try to figure out what’s the point of repeating the information that others may already know. There is no doubt that human beings are social creatures and gossip is just a part of the framework of culture. In one sense, it can help to maintain social norms, especially if the gossipers think people are paying attention to what they’re doing.
There are things that need to be considered before someone starts to gossip about someone else. For example, the gossiper considers whether the information is harmful or not, or whether they can support the gossip with facts, instead of just repeating hearsay.
And look a little deeper too to see if they are doing it to make themselves feel better or raise their status. But also, one should consider if the information is second or third-hand.
If people gossip because it puts them at the centre of attention, then they need to stop. Communicating information is okay; for example, one can say, “Did you hear that they are hiring four more new teachers?” Or, “Did you hear that John committed suicide?” However harmful gossip is a whole different story. For example, “I heard that ABC is sleeping with her boss; that’s why she’s getting promoted and we are not.”
The reality is, gossiping comes from being insecure. And in a sense, it also leaves everyone else involved feeling a sense of guilt. Therefore, engaging in positive conversation is more interesting and enlightening than just judging and listening to rumours.
For questions, comments, feedback, email mcnarine@rogerss.com.
Narine Dat Sookram
From left, Hadji Sarafat Ali (Suriname), Hazrat Allama Maulana Hafiz Qari Waqas Ahmad (Pakistan), President General of ACIC Hakeem Khan and Venkatachalam Mahalingam
OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza
SUDOKU
Don’t let your emotions goad you into making a costly mistake. You know what has to be done in order to get ahead. When something doesn’t run smoothly, assess matters and reset your course.
By Bernice Bede Osol
(June 21July 22) (Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Don’t let past mistakes hold you back. Chalk them up to experience and get on with your life. Incorporate entertainment into your schedule to boost your spirits.
You will have a tendency to be overly dramatic. If you practise patience, the solution will come to you, so don’t waste your energy with emotional displays or volatile disagreements
Your high energy level has you headed in the right direction. Don’t slow down or look back; you must keep your goals in sight if you wish to fulfil your dreams.
(Aug. 23Sept. 22)
(July 23Aug. 22) (Feb. 20-March 20)
Tie up loose ends. Finish half-completed projects so you can begin to move forward. Procrastination is the enemy and will stand in the way of your future goals.
(March 21-April 19)
Your patience will be tested. Stay calm and observe what’s going on around you. Getting angry will do more harm than good. If you must participate, be the mediator, not the dictator.
(April 20-May 20)
It won’t do you any good to force your ideas on others. Surround yourself with friends and allies, and avoid getting into competitive situations that could harm your relationships.
(May 21June 20)
Love and romance are on the rise. Your instincts will be strong, and you will know just how to win people over. Trust your intuition and follow your aspirations.
Don’t lend or borrow anything today. Go over your banking records to make sure you haven’t overestimated your balance. You should curb unnecessary expenditures in order to get back on track.
(Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Make the most of your day, regardless of what others say. Take control and show everyone what you are capable of doing. Your intuition will lead you in the right direction.
(Oct. 24Nov. 22)
You will not get far by being a spectator. Get involved in events that will help shape your future and change your life. Remember to leave some time for romance.
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Expect the unexpected, and turn a negative into a positive. Don’t stop or let anyone sidetrack you. It’s up to you to stay on track if you plan to reach your goal.
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
arCHie
dilbert
CAPRICORN CANCER
Battle of the Contenders...
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
In what was an otherwise dreary night, National Lightweight champion Dexter Gonsalves enhanced his growing reputation with arguably the performance of the night against a game Mark Austin on the Battle of the Contenders boxing card on Saturday evening.
A sparsely populated Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, which could be the direct result of the Floyd Mayweather/ Marcos Maidana rematch clashing with the card, had to little cheer about except a masterful performance from Gonsalves, who improved
his record to 4-2-1 with a clinical win.
A clear crowd favourite from the opening bell, Gonsalves, with a longer reach than Austin, dictated the pace of the first three rounds. Austin, known for fighting ‹deep›, found his rhythm in the fourth and controlled proceedings up until the sixth as Gonsalves showed signs of tiring.
At this point, Austin was in the zone consistently forcing his man on the ropes and dishing up combos at will. It was a strategy that Gonsalves failed to counter for the most part of those rounds, opening the door for
Austin to sneak in.
With his energy level dipping and Austin growing in confidence, an interesting final two rounds loomed, and as it turned out, many were surprised by the brilliant comeback for Gonsalves.
The lanky and well chiseled pugilist found a new leash of life in the penultimate round, staying clear of the ropes and keeping Austin at bay, even as he landed a few solid jabs.
It was a quiet round for Austin and that broke his momentum as was evident in the eight and final round.
Gonsalves, who clearly saved his energy for the
Hornets come from behind to top UG
By TReisTon Joseph
The Pepsi Hornets showed grit and determination as they held their nerves to come from behind to defeat the University of Guyana (UG) 34-28 in the final of the ten’s Rugby tournament on Sunday at the National Park Rugby Field.
UG was in full groove in the first half, making plays as they romped their way to a 21-12 first half start with Ryan Dey, Oesi Mckenzie and Lance Adonis scoring a try each while Adonis converted three conversions to give UG the first half lead.
However, in the second half, UG was seemingly lacking the level of fitness compared to Hornets
as the Pepsi branded team out scrummed and out muscled UG to take over the lead in the final minutes of the game before Elwin Chase added the exclamation mark with a try in the dying moments of the game . However, instead of going scoreless in the second half UG was able to add a consolation try McKenzie while Godfrey Brooms added a conversion to close the gap.
Captain of Hornets, Ryan Gonsalves highlighted that his team is not one to ever throw in the towel, “We never give up, we kept pressuring UG, you are never out, it’s 60 minutes of rugby and we never gave up,” Gonsalves stated.
Meanwhile at the presentation ceremony just after the game, President of the Guyana Football Rugby Union (GFRU) Peter Green related the tournament is a warm-up for the upcoming sevens which will be the bench mark for selection to the national side to represent Guyana at the NACRA championships later this year in Mexico.
“It was wonderful playing and hard tackling but this final is just the prelude, next week is the sevens, the road to Mexico and this year we must take back what belongs to us,” Green urged.
The Banks Seven’s Rugby tournament is slated to start Sunday at the National Park Rugby Field.
Gonsalves shines on dreary night
tailend of the contest, sprinted out of his corner at the sound of the final bell and immediately forced Austin on the ropes.
What followed was the most brutal piece of boxing seen on the night as Gonsalves unleashed an unending combination on punches to the body of Austin, whose misfortune ended when referee Dexter Torrington waved off the contest one minute, 14 seconds into the round.
The main bout, a Guyana/ Jamaica showdown featuring Super Middleweight champion of Guyana
Richmond and WBC CABOFE Welterweight champion Sakima Mullings, proved a damp squib as the contest never got pass the second round.
Richmond was advised by Ringside doctors to ‹throw the towel in› at the end of round two after blood was oozing from his nostrils from a punch in round two.
Richmond was clearly disappointed by the outcome as he had controlled proceedings during the two rounds.
In the other fights, Jamaican Kemahl Russell earned a Unanimous
Decision over home town boy
ning 58-55, 59-54, 59-54 on the judges cards, while
a similar decision over
Williamson
gained a second round TWO over Mark
The card was organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC). Prior to the start of the final fight, a 10-bell count was observed in memory of former GBBC Treasurer Clairmonte De Souza, who passed away recently.
Derick
Winston Pompey, win-
Quincy Gomes gained
Richard
and Leon Moore
Murray.
Derrick Richmond (Black with white trimmings) lands a hard right against the solid defence of Jamaican Sakima Mullings (Carl Crocker photos)
Dexter Gonsalves (black and gold trunks) delivers a straight right hand to the head of Mark Austin (Carl Crocker photos)
The winning Pepsi Hornets team celebrating their win at the presentation ceremony held after the game
West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Gros Islet…
Roach five-for razes Bangladesh
He had stung Tamim on the front boot with a yorker just before tea and the batsman only survived the review because Hawkeye suggested the ball had pitched inches outside the leg stump.
Taylor bowled more at the body, reintroducing the Bangladesh batsmen to their old fear: the short ball. His delivery to Mominul Haque was virtually unplayable with the batsman completely unaware where the ball that hit him in the gloves had gone.
It was smartly caught by Jermaine Blackwood at short leg, and the spit that was created by the seam hitting the pitch just short of a good length made it the most dangerous delivery of the day.
Thirty-nine minutes later, Taylor moved the ball back into Bangladesh’s best batsman on the tour, Mushfiqur Rahim, and dislodged the off stump.
Earlier, the West Indies innings ended an hour into the second session, after Shivnarine Chanderpaul had held it together with an unbeaten 84. He had made an unbeaten 85 in the first innings of the first Test, but here in St. Lucia the situation was more complicated.
When he joined Darren
Bravo late on the first day, the fourth-wicket pair had to negotiate an invigorated Bangladesh bowling attack. They guided West Indies to safety but Bravo didn’t last too long in today’s morning session, losing his patience after Robiul Islam and AlAmin Hossain had strung together seven parsimonious
overs. In the first six overs of the day, West Indies scored only two runs, both being noballs.
Bravo was drawn into following a Robiul outswinger, edging to the wicketkeeper for 46. It triggered a collapse and three more wickets - those of Jermaine Blackwood, Ramdin and
Roach - fell in the next 21 balls. Al-Amin was on a hattrick at one stage after he had made the ball straighten after pitching to find the edges of Blackwood, caught at first slip, and Ramdin, caught behind.
West Indies were 269 for 7, and Chanderpaul only had the tail for company. Help came from No 9 Jerome Taylor, who hammered 40 off 31 balls with five fours and two sixes. The 41 minutes of mayhem threw Bangladesh off-kilter, evidenced by Mominul Haque dropping Taylor at cover, when he was on 18. And even after Taijul Islam broke the 54-run eighth wicket stand, Bangladesh’s wait wasn’t over.
Sulieman Benn made 25 and added 52 with Chanderpaul for the ninth wicket, before he was caught at fine leg off Al-Amin. The innings ended soon after, when Robiul bowled Shannon Gabriel in the 124th over. Al-Amin finished with three wickets while Shafiul, Robiul and the expensive Taijul picked up two each.
The bowlers may have thought they did a good enough job by taking 7 for 134 in the first three hours but they will have to put in
SCOREBOARD
KC Brathwaitec Taijul Islam b Shafiul Islam 63
LR Johnson lbw b Taijul Islam 66
KA Edwards c Shamsur Rahman
b Mahmudullah 16
DM Bravo c †Mushfiqur Rahim
b Robiul Islam 46
S Chanderpaul not out 84
J Blackwood c Anamul Haque b Al-Amin Hossain 8
D Ramdin*† c †Mushfiqur
Rahim b Al-Amin Hossain 0
KAJ Roach c †Mushfiqur Rahim
b Shafiul Islam 0
JE Taylor c Mahmudullah b Taijul Islam 40
SJ Benn c Shafiul Islam b Al-Amin Hossain 25
ST Gabriel b Robiul Islam 4
Extras (b 8, lb 4, w 10, nb 6) 28
Total (all out; 124 overs) 380 Fall of wickets 1-143 (Brathwaite, 49.5 ov), 2-145 (Johnson, 52.6 ov), 3-185 (Edwards, 66.1 ov), 4-251 (Bravo, 97.5 ov), 5-268 (Blackwood, 100.5 ov), 6-268 (Ramdin, 100.6 ov), 7-269 (Roach, 101.3 ov), 8-323 (Taylor, 110.1 ov), 9-375 (Benn, 122.5 ov), 10380 (Gabriel, 123.6 ov)
Bowling O M R W Al-Amin Hossain 31 6 80 3 Shafiul Islam 27 7 80 2 Robiul Islam 26 7 63 2
Lehmann backs ICC drive against suspect actions
Darren Lehmann, the Australia coach, has praised the ICC's recent crackdown on suspect bowling actions, saying it is good for the game.
Since July 2014, the ICC's match officials have reported six bowlers for suspect actions, including Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal. Ajmal, who has been Pakistan's lead spinner across formats was banned last week after being reported during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Lehmann had earlier raised the issue of suspect actions, specifically against West Indies' Marlon Samuels during the Big Bash League 2012-13. Lehmann had questioned the legitimacy of Samuels' action after the bowler had been reported during IPL 2012. Lehmann was also recently nominated to the ICC Cricket Committee that had pushed for better methods to detect flex and suggested more support for match officials to identify illegal actions
with confidence.
"The ICC have obviously decided to have a crackdown on it and that's good for the game. We've got to make sure that area is right," Lehmann told radio channel, Fiveaa. "If you're within the rules then fine, if you're not, then you've got to be looked at.
That's what they have decided to do. They have had a real crackdown on four-five players of late so what that tells coaches and players, and everyone coming through the game and the young guys, is you won't be able to do any of that moving forward."
Discussing Australia's performance in the triangular series in Zimbabwe, Lehmann said he was disappointed with the final result but acknowledged the series had allowed the team management to get a look at a few players before the World Cup.
Australia were beaten by Zimbabwe and South Africa in the league stage of the tri-series, before they lost to South Africa by six wickets in the final.
Despite the performances, Lehmann said Australia had a better experience in the tournament by testing a few youngsters against players like AB de Villiers
and Faf du Plessis, and had also gained insights into South Africa's preparations for the World Cup.
"Obviously the results were a bit disappointing
but we found a few and we haven't seen a couple of these guys at that level," he said. "You've got to remember we played against a very good side and came up against the best players in the world in [Faf] du Plessis and [AB] de Villiers.
"It was very good for our young players to see that kind of team. We probably got more out of the tournament than South Africa did. We know exactly how they're going to shape up and what they are going to do. They won't change their set-up. So we know what to expect from them. Obviously, the wickets are nothing like the Australian wickets, so that's an advantage. They have a very good bowling attack, but it's good to see them close-up."
Lehmann also brushed aside suggestions of issues with Michael Clarke after the Australia captain criticised team selection during the triangular series.
Clarke, who had to leave Zimbabwe after
just one game due to a hamstring injury, had expressed his unhappiness over the selectors' decision to omit Steven Smith from the XI during the three-wicket loss to Zimbabwe. Responding to Clarke's comments at the time, Lehmann had said he would have preferred to have their conversations kept out of the media.
"[There's] Nothing. He said something, I said something. That's what happened," Lehmann said. "Clarke and I laughed about that last couple of days, it's been quite interesting. No issues whatsoever. We deal with those issues straightaway and move on. Captains will be disappointed when they lose, as they should be, and as we want him to be. We were disappointed and that's the way it goes sometimes.
"You are allowed to make mistakes. There are no issues from Michael's end, or my end or anyone's end. It's been out more in the media.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul takes an easy run during his anchoring role for the West Indies
Darren Lehmann said Australia had managed to get more out of the triangular series in Zimbabwe than South Africa
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Southee and Boult demolish Lions Champion League...
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The match had begun in overcast conditions. Lahore Lions' bowlers were not able to enlist their help and conceded 170 and their batsmen became helpless witnesses to what could have happened.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult had the ball zipping around to have Lions 19 for 5. The rest was simply a blur of pink as Northern Knights hurtled to a crushing 72-run victory.
Daniel Flynn, their captain, knew he had a newball attack that could dissect Test sides and his half-century coupled with BJ Watling's provided what ended up being a giant runrate boost that primes them to make the main draw.
Their only roadblock on the day was Saad Nasim, who willed Lions towards some sense of dignity with a fifty of his own. He was the only Lahore batsman to reach double-figures, while his team was all out for 98, the tenth-lowest total in CLT20.
The slide began with a menacing yorker from Southee, one that swung in late, sneaked under Nasir Jamshed's plod and toppled his stumps. Boult ensured he wasn't left behind by setting up the other opener Ahmed Shehzad. Doubts were sowed when an inswinger had the batsman playing around his pads.
The next ball was angled across, Shehzad's muddled footwork and feeble prod was safely pouched by the keeper. A contest was brewing, although it was limited to the two quicks.
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Southee surged ahead by bouncing Mohammad Hafeez and had a little luck in undoing Umar Siddiq's promotion. Boult hit back with a rousing inswinger that rattled Akmal's stumps to bring the seamers' skirmish even. By this time Lions - who were five downwere so far behind the game that Southee and Boult's game of one-upmanship was
the only thing that caught the crowd's attention.
The winner was declared in rather emphatic fashion, if again with a little bit of luck. Asif Raza slogged to deep midwicket, where Southee pulled off a spectacular relay catch to inflict further hurt on an already listless Lions display.
A vast majority of their batsmen did not seem aware of the importance of runrates and their teams' is languishing at -1.49. Except from Nasim, there was no attempt to weather the Knights' swing bowlers and lessen the margin of defeat.
Lions' intent was even worse on the field. Flynn was dropped on 26 and Watling got a life on 46and both of them were the reason Knights clattered 52 runs in the final five overs.
The bowling looked a far cry from what Mumbai Indians had to face on Saturday night.
Hafeez had been asked at the toss if the short turnaround from their match with Mumbai Indians might have an adverse effect. He had dead batted it, but judging by the events that transpired, there might have been a knock-on effect.
Akmal messed up a stumping in the second over and shelled a regulation catch in the 17th. Nasir Jamshed lost control of a catch, could not rein it in on the rebound and failed to realise a run-out opportunity all off the same ball.
Adnan Rasool misjudged a chance at deep square leg and the ball lobbed over his head for a four. And during the slog overs, deep midwicket and long-on stood rooted to their spots while Scott Styris, a new batsman, stole three runs.
Meanwhile Knights, who had shelled five catches in six overs yesterday, erased that memory quite ruthlessly. Daniel Harris hunted a big hit from Nasim from long-on, flung himself to the right and almost conjured a catch out of nowhere. And the contrasts continued still.
While Flynn employed desperate dives multiple times to safeguard his wicket, Rasool was caught napping by a direct hit from Flynn himself and Nasim too wandered thoughtlessly out of his crease to be runout by the bowler to give the Lions chase a fitting end.
(Cricinfo)
(Watling, 19.3 ov), 6-167 (Styris, 19.4 ov)
Bowling O M R W Asif Raza 3 0 14 1 Mohammad Hafeez 4 0 35 1 Aizaz Cheema 4 0 35 3 Adnan Rasool 3 0 29 1 Wahab Riaz 4 0 33 0
Imran Ali 2 0 22 0
Southee 5
Shehzad c †Watling b Boult 2
Hafeez* c †Watling b Southee
Lahore Lions innings (target:
runs from
overs)
Jamshed
Tim Southee ran through Lahore Lions' top order
Mayweather outclasses Maidana
Floyd Mayweather remains the WBA and WBC welterweight boxing champion after a unanimous points victory over Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas.
It extends fiveweight world champion Mayweather’s unbeaten run to 47 fights.
In just the second rematch of his 18-year career, the 37-year-old American emerged as a comfortable winner on all three judges’ scorecards.
During the eighth round, Mayweather accused Maidana of biting him on the wrist, a charge the Argentine denied.
The incident happened while the pair were in a clinch near the centre of the ring during their feisty encounter.
“We were tangled and I didn’t realise what it was,” said Mayweather.
“Then I saw that he bit me. After the eighth round my fingers were numb, I couldn’t use my left hand.’’
Two judges scored the 12-round contest 116-111
and the third had it 115112 for the champion, who was a heavy favourite coming into the bout after winning their first fight by a majority decision in May.
Another flashpoint came when the American tagged the Argentine with a low blow late in the bout then taunted him as he recovered in a neutral corner.
Walcott expresses no confidence in Hutson led AAG
T“I felt sharper in the first fight, my rhythm was off,” Mayweather said.
“I got hit with some shots tonight I shouldn’t have gotten hit with.
But that comes with the sport.”
Mayweather is reported to have earned $32m (£19.6m) from the fight, taking his career earnings to more than $100m (£61.5m) in the last year alone.
Maidana, 31, who appears unlikely to get a third rematch with Mayweather, left convinced he had done more than enough to win.
“I’m very happy to have fought twice against Floyd Mayweather, I think I did a terrific job,” he said.
“If the judges like a fighter who runs like Floyd there is nothing I can do about it.
“He’s beatable, you have to attack him. When you attack him, he really doesn’t know what to do.
“He is very fast on his feet I will tell you that.” (BBC Sport)
New look Man UTD impressive
Manchester United won for the first time this season as their new-look side tore apart a poor QPR at Old Trafford.
In a letter to the media, Walcott pointed out that his
he Chairman of the Development Committee of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has made his opinion known of the current administration of the AAG, more particularly the President, Aubrey Hutson.
confidence in Huston’s leadership has been “shattered”. In addition, Walcott’s no confidence stance against Hutson is the second of its kind after long distance
coach, Leslie Black stated his lost of confidence in Hutson at the start of the 2014 year.
Here is a full copy of Walcott’s letter:
Letter to the Sport Editor
Dear Editor, It is time for the Executive body of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) re-evaluate the management approach of Mr. Aubrey Hutson relative to the affairs of the AAG. The Development Committee of the AAG has been tasked more than a year ago to prepare a Master Plan for the AAG. This very Committee, of which I am Chairman, has worked tirelessly to complete about 92 percent of a draft document that only lacks the estimated costs to rehabilitate identified existing facilities and/or construct a High Performance Centre in Linden.
Estimated costs for site rehabilitation were not done, since it was the opinion of the Committee that it was better for the Executive of the AAG to be familiar with the contents of the proposed Master Plan before proceeding further. In other words, feedback from the AAG Executive was necessary at that juncture of the Master Plan preparation. The said Master Plan was submitted to Hutson since April 9, 2013. A subsequent correspondence naming this document was forwarded to Hutson on March 12, 2014.
Hutson and I met in April 2014 and during that meeting, he indicated that he would distribute the said document to other members of the Executive for their review and recommendations, but to-date, he has not done so, and that is of major con-
Wayne Walcott
cern.
I am forced to conclude that by his inaction it appears as though the President has no intention of apprising the other Executive members of the AAG as regards the work completed by the Development Committee. Given articles in Sunday April 27, 2014 Stabroek News and most recent photo opportunity with the Sports Minister as if to say athletics is going places, that is further from the truth, it is not progressing. In addition, this level of his neglect has left me aggrieved and has completely shattered my confidence and trust in his leadership to implement sound structures with system-
atic and measurable scientific interventions to improve the quality and performance of our many gifted athletes locally.
I was also speechless to read that Hutson had the gumption to say in another article in the Kaieteur News on April 28, 2014, that a “genuine and comprehensive approach needed for real development”, given he already has a copy of the proposed Master Plan prepared by the Development Committee of the AAG. It confirmed that he has no respect for the document the Committee worked tirelessly to prepare.
Hutson’s competence is brought into question with the handling of this situation, which is aimed at the development of track and field in Guyana. He has failed to effectively utilise the existing technical personnel with the AAG. This could further mean that he does not even have a basic understanding of what it takes to develop a sustained programme, high performance initiatives and sports medicine.
Cc: Director of Sport, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister of Education, Guyana Teachers’ Union.
Respectfully,
Wayne Walcott Chairman, Development Committee
Athletics Association of Guyana
Record signing Angel Di Maria was particularly impressive and settled any early United nerves when his free-kick into the box crept into the far corner.
Ander Herrera drilled in soon after and Wayne Rooney’s sharp finish all but ended the contest before the break.
Juan Mata steered in Di Maria’s shot and loanee Radamel Falcao had a gentle debut as a 67th-minute substitute.
Tougher tests than a flimsy QPR side await, but after a dismal season under David Moyes, and a slow start to this campaign under successor Louis van Gaal, United provided their fans with genuine cause for optimism.
United’s last home game - a 2-1 opening-day defeat by Swansea - had finished with a very different mood around Old Trafford and Van Gaal’s starting line-up showed major changes from that loss.
New signings Di Maria, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo were included from the start with Falcao on the bench.
As well as new personnel, Van Gaal was forced to shift from his favoured 3-5-2 formation to a four-man defence by injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
The changes fuelled a buoyant atmosphere among the home fans and QPR proved the perfect opposition for a confidence-building win.
Mata, playing at the attacking tip of a midfield diamond, shot over from 20 yards, before Di Maria gave United a goal cushion to go with the majority of possession.
The £59.7m signing’s free-kick floated over its intended targets and, with goalkeeper Rob Green standing still in expectation of a touch, bounced inside the far post.
The visitors had rarely ventured beyond the halfway line, but if Jonny Evans had not blocked Matt Phillips’s shot after home keeper David de Gea rushed out to try and halt a rare attack, they could have been level.
As it was, QPR were out of the game soon after.
A scampering run from the increasingly impressive Di Maria drew the attention of two defenders and when Rooney laid the ball into the path of Herrera, the Spaniard drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
The third arrived soon after as the QPR defence stood off their men, allowing Mata and Herrera to exchange passes and Rooney the time to pick his spot inside the near post.
The introduction of Armand Traore improved QPR after the break, but Mata and Rooney’s over-elaboration with the goal at their mercy, and the rueful smiles that followed, summed up the exhibition pace of the second half.
Mata did not have to wait long for another chanceblasting home after Di Maria shanked an ambitious effort into his path.
Falcao was introduced to loud cheers with a little over 20 minutes to go and was only denied a goal by Green’s scrambling recovery save.
The Colombian’s new side should provide him with plenty more chances if they continue in the same vein, while QPR will need to be more determined and ambitious to survive in the top flight. (BBC Sport)
Floyd Mayweather evades yet another punch during the contest
D’Andrade rolls with wins
Trinidad based
Guyanese Lionel
D’Andrade ran away easily with the Savannah One lap and mini Duathlon relay on Sunday at the Rainbow Warriors held event at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain Trinidad.
D’Andrade easily came from behind to win the one lap event in 12:17s to top Elvis Turner in 12:30s while running the first and last leg of the Duathlon distance relay to win as well.
“I ran the 1 Lap playing catch-up, because I got delayed at the start line and when I looked up I saw the race going in front without me. So I took off with speed and didn’t look back until I crossed the finish line.
“The relay duathlon wasn’t that hard. I ran first, then my teammate and then I ran the anchor. I feel great today,” D’Andrade stated.
Meanwhile the distance athlete is still working on improving his race as he has a number of upcoming races
left for the year.
“I’m still working on my speed for two upcoming 5K Road Races scheduled for September 24th, which is Republic Day.” The first race is the Annual St. Joseph Road Race at 6:00am and then the Newsday 5K Classic at 4:00pm. So I have my work cut out for me,” D’Andrade noted.
Champions League...
Federer leads Switzerland into final of Davis Cup
World number three Roger Federer helped Switzerland into the Davis Cup final by beating Italy’s Fabio Fognini in straight sets in Geneva.
Federer and Stan Wawrinka had won their singles matches on Friday, before Italy won Saturday’s doubles encounter.
But Federer’s 6-2 6-3 7-6 (7-4) success over the Italian number one meant the Swiss took an unassailable 3-1 lead.
In the final, they will meet France, who clinched their semi-final against the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Italy’s Andreas Seppi beat Federer’s team-mate Michael Lammer 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the final dead rubber, giving the Swiss a 3-2 victory.
Switzerland have never won the Davis Cup, but were losing finalists in 1992, while France are nine-time winners (most recently in 2001) and seventime runners-up (most recently in 2010).
Federer won the first two sets with relative ease, and although he needed a tie-break to clinch the third, the partisan home crowd erupted with delight as the 33-year-old carried them to their first final for 22 years.
Appropriately, he was then carried on the shoulders of his delighted teammates on a lap of honour around the Palexpo arena.
“It’s nice sharing the
emotions with your fans and team members,” he said.
“It was a pretty quick court, so if you’re not serving so well there are always going to be errors - it wasn’t the best performance for either of us.
“Some of the best matchups I’ve had have been against France, but we’re very pleased to be in the final.”
With France leading 3-0
after the doubles at Roland
the Czechs pulled a point back when
beat
6-3 in the first match of the reverse singles, which were contested over three sets. However, Gael Monfils defeated Lukas Rosol 5-7 6-4 7-5 to ensure the French ran out 4-1 winners. The final takes place in France from 21-23 November.
Mumbai stay alive
Mumbai Indians kept their qualifying chances alive with a much-improved performance in the batting and the bowling to comprehensively beat Southern Express with 22 balls to spare.
After Saturday’s defeat to Lahore Lions, Mumbai had to win to stay in contention. They did, thanks chiefly to their overseas openers Lendl Simmons and Michael Hussey, who put on 139 in under 15 overs. Mumbai and Lions now have four points each,
behind Northern Knights’ eight, and while Express are at the bottom, all four teams still have a chance of qualifying.
Simmons and Hussey started cautiously, playing mostly along the ground but finding the gaps to score 39 in the Powerplay. Hussey was slow early on and Simmons farmed most of the strike, finding boundaries with flicks and drives even though left-arm seamer Charith Jayampathi swung the ball. Once both batsmen were set and the ball
stopped moving around as much, they started taking more risks and were rewarded with quicker runs.
Legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna was brought on in the ninth over to try break the partnership but Simmons smashed him out of the attack by taking 11 off the over. Hussey, who was going at run-aball till then, struck two sixes and a four in four deliveries to bring the equation down to 70 off 54 - a cakewalk, especially with all ten wickets in hand. Both batsmen went
on to their half-centuries but couldn’t finish off the chase themselves, as Hussey fell in the 15th over to a slog sweep. With net run-rate likely to play a big role, Kieron Pollard promoted himself up the order and hit a six off his first ball before finishing the game off with two more in the 17th.
Pollard used his bowlers to good effect in the first half of the innings after electing to bowl. Harbhajan Singh stifled the batsmen early on, bowling a maiden in the Powerplay. Jasprit Bumrah removed Kusal Perera, who tried to up the run rate, which was under three after three overs.
The other opener Danushka Gunathilaka was not as scratchy as yesterday and increased the run-rate as soon as the Powerplay was over, taking 12 off legspinner Shreyas Gopal’s first over. But Express lost too many batsmen to slogs or lofted shots, including a well-set Gunathilaka, who tried to slog against Jalaj Saxena’s offspin to fall for 30. Wickets kept tumbling for Express even though they were hitting the occasional boundary.
Prasanna hit consecutive sixes off Shreyas in the 12th over to push
the run-rate towards seven and set the stage for Farvez Maharoof’s flourish at the end. Maharoof’s 22-ball 41 propelled them to a competitive 161 in the end. He didn’t hit a boundary in his first 14 deliveries, was dropped on 6, and then targeted Pragyan Ojha and Lasith Malinga. He unleashed reverse-sweeps against Ojha and cashed in on the full
deliveries from Malinga in the last over, collecting 10 from the final two balls. Express were also helped by Mumbai’s sloppy fielding in the outfield and three dropped catches which helped them amass 59 in the last five overs.
Once Hussey and Simmons got going though, that total didn’t pose too much of a challenge. (ESPNCRICINFO)
Lionel D’Andrade
Garros,
Jiri Vesely
Julien Benneteau 6-4
Roger Federer rejoices after crucial win for Switzerland
Mike Hussey and Lendl Simmons share a moment during their important partnership
West Indies v Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Gros Islet…
Roach five-for razes Bangladesh
Kemar Roach thrilled on his way to a fivewicket haul, leaving the Bangladesh batsmen dazed and confused. His 12over spell after the tea interval gave West Indies full command at the end of the second day, with the visitors left lurching at 104 for seven.
They are now 276 runs behind West Indies’ 380 all out from earlier in the day. The three-man pace attack was what Denesh Ramdin used for all but two overs till stumps.
Roach removed Shamsur Rahman in the sixth over and after tea, and accounted for Anamul Haque, Tamim Iqbal, Nasir Hossain and Taijul Islam to complete his sixth five-for and his first
of the year. His deliveries would invariably be on a good length or further up, tempting the batsmen to either play the ball or leave with some confusion.
Roach was lucky to get the wicket of Shamsur, who tickled a legside delivery, neatly caught by Ramdin diving to his left. Anamul couldn’t make up his mind whether to leave or play the ball. He suffered that torment for just over an hour until his attempted leave took the bat’s face and ended up in Darren Bravo’s hands at first slip. Tamim, having made 48 off 75 balls, was constantly being dragged away from the stumps even when he was leaving the ball. After several close shaves, Tamim went
sideways, edging the ball far from his body.
Nasir Hossain’s prod was more out of speculation but he hardly wasted time in the middle. Taijul was set up with relentless short balls, two hitting him in the gloves, and then he timed one right into third-man’s lap. Roach’s five-for was complete
Apart from Roach’s five, Jerome Taylor took two wickets while Shannon Gabriel went wicketless, but the plan to attack Bangladesh was a three-man strategy.
Gabriel was the quickest of the lot, regularly hitting 90mph and he attacked the stumps mostly but he also beat the bat a number of times.
Kemar Roach
Floyd Mayweather connects with his brilliant counter punching