The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, June 24 – 10:00h-11:30h and Thursday, June 25 – 11:00h-12:30h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, June 24 – 09:05h-10:35h and Thursday, June 25 – 10:10h-11:40h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected to dominating throughout the day, with heavy showers expected in the late afternoon. Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.91 metres per second.
High Tide: 09:51h and 22:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.25 metres and 2.24 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 03:23h and 15:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.98 metre and 0.96 metre respectively.
PPP/C cleared to file elections petition
...after
Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang has granted leave for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to file an elections petition after an exparte application was submitted by the Party to the Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, PPP/C Member Ganga Persaud submitted an ‘ex-parte application for leave to file an elections petition’.
Legal procedure dictates that before the elections petition can actually be filed, the Party must seek permission from the Court to file the petition.
By submitting an exparte application, the Party is submitting an application for leave/permission to be granted to move forthwith filing the elections petition.
According to PPP/C Executive Member Anil Nandlall, now that leave is granted, the elections petition will definitely be filed before the week is over.
In the application for leave, which was by way of an affidavit, Persaud identified Anil Nandlall, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister; Priya Manickchand, former Education Minister; Bibi Shaddick, Pro Chancellor of the University of Guyana; Adrian Anamayah; Charles Ramson Jr; Latchmi Rahamat and Euclin Gomes as the Attorneys to represent him in this cause.
The elections results
leave from High Court
disclosed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) show that the PPP/C gained 202,694 votes while the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) gained 207, 200.
The other contesting political parties: the Independent Party, the National Independent Party, The United Force and the United Republican Party gained 344, 262, 1080 and 432 respectively.
Since before the elections results were officially declared and gazetted, the PPP/C made several requests to the elections body for a total recount of the ballots, but to no avail.
In the application submitted to the court, the Party identified a long list of particulars which led to the conclusion that Elections 2015 were massively rigged in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition.
Some points noted were that “valid ballots were wrongly deemed as rejected”; “Statements of Poll [SoPs] used to ascertain the results contain arithmetic errors”; “multiple voting by persons”; “persons whose names were not on the OLE were allowed to vote”; “persons impersonated and voted for those persons”; “ballot attendants and polling agents of the PPP/C were prevented from accompanying the ballot boxes”; “fraudulently concocted SOPs” and “Returning Officers of nine of the ten polling districts unlawfully refused requests by PPP/C agents to conduct a final general count”.
The application further pointed out that a GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj attested to many of the irregularities and discrepancies observed.
It also highlighted that even the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield acknowledged that there were at least 490 stations affected by the fake SOPs and despite this, he went ahead and announced the preliminary elections result.
Subsequent to that incident, a PPP/C delegation met with GECOM officials to discuss the irregularities and it was then the Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally gave an undertaking to open 21 boxes to verify the results.
According to the application, two GECOM
Commissioners informed the PPP/C that the decision to open 21 boxes was later recanted with no reasons given.
These are some of the compelling reasons presented to the Court by the PPP/C, validating the rationale for a recount.
Meanwhile, amid these allegations of rigged elections, the international community, elections observers and other stakeholders have accepted the results, with some having conceded that the elections were free and fair.
Despite the negative atmosphere in which the PPP/C dwells with calls from all sections to quit its mantra of rigged elections, the Party is still holding out and maintaining that Guyanese were robbed of their right to a free and fair democratic process and that Guyana is now being governed by a “de facto” Administration.
Guns, ammo found during Police raid in Upper Demerara River
Two males and two females were on Tuesday taken into Police custody following the discovery of guns, ammunition and a quantity of marijuana at Siberien, Upper Demerara River, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
The intelligence-led operation was executed by ranks who raided several villages
along the Upper Demerara River when the illegal items were discovered. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum when contacted confirmed the seizure and arrest of the four people. He disclosed that ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department went to Siberien where they conducted a search on a house during which one .28 pistol with nine
matching rounds of ammunition, along with an extra magazine were unearthed.
In addition, the ranks recovered one .38 revolver and almost one pound of dried Marijuana in the same area. Upon the discovery of the items, the four persons were cautioned, told of the offence and arrested. They reportedly maintained their innocence
claiming that the house is occupied by several persons and the items discovered could belong to anyone.
The Force has had several successful operations over the past months. Several persons were arrested and charged for illegal possessing of guns and ammunition including a father and two sons on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
PPP/C Executive Anil Nandlall
PPP/C Member Ganga Persaud
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
The deafening silence of the new administration which rose to power on May 16 on the spiraling levels of crime and criminality in our society wreaks hypocrisy, and is totally unacceptable given some of the commitments they made while in opposition not so long ago.
Over the last few weeks, the situation has worsened with reports of sometimes two to three murders, robberies, road accidents and serious instances of crime daily.
The Police reported a 12 per cent increase in serious crimes for the period January to May, with some 66 murders being recorded, when compared to 59 for the same period last year. The Force said it has seized 50 illegal guns, despite the fact that there was an overall decrease in robbery under arms during the related period.
It is interesting to note that the new Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has not said what policy changes would be made to ensure that the Police are both better equipped and operationally ready to respond to the albatross of crime and criminality.
While the Minister has found time to comment on several other matters with respect to the coalition’s breach of the Cummingsburg Accord, interfere and meddle in some operational aspects of the Police with regard to appointments, dismissals and transfers, and host several courtesy calls, he appears too busy to speak directly to the Guyanese populace about his policies for fighting crime and making Guyana a safer place.
It is unfortunate neither the President nor the new Minister have spoken directly or even visited the homes as well as business places of some of the victims of recent criminal activity.
The Government continues to use the excuse that it is “settling in” office and getting familiarized with portfolios.
While in opposition, and during the 2015 elections campaign, both President David Granger and Minister Ramjattan heavily criticized the PPPC for the manner in which they handled the security sector.
These two politicians, along with now Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, did everything in their power to expose the weaknesses in policies and operational responses of the Police as far as fighting crime was concerned.
They appeared to be very knowledgeable then as to what short term and long term measures must be taken to dent the criminal enterprise. Has their knowledge base now disappeared? What is the reason for their inaction and failure to issue strong condemnations to the perpetrators of these acts?
The government has said in the next few days what will become of the sweeping changes proposed in the reforms by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for the Armed Forces that would see the further professionalism of the security forces and laudable results in the fight against crime.
The President, who has been touted as a security expert, must now announce a detailed short-term plan to reduce the alarming levels of insecurity prevailing in this country. He must understand that for each day that goes by, Guyana is bleeding, the tears of families continue to fall, and criminals are becoming empowered.
Both the President and Public Security Minister must place pressure publicly on the Police to deliver.
The media too must do more than just report on the crime situation. It must press government to explain the reasons for the increase and the poor track record of the Police in reducing crime.
Now is not the time for inquires into past episodes of crimes and unrests. It is the time for action to save Guyana from going under. It is the time for the government to at least appear concerned about the wanton loss of lives and invasion of property.
The popular saying “too late, too late shall be the cry” should serve as inspiration for government to get off of their laurels and effect positive change to the situation, as Guyanese deserve better and much more respect.
How did the PPP/C lose the election?
Dear Editor, It happens almost on a daily basis, a child asks the question why or how did something take place.
This is an important question that usually comes up when a child is to be punished. The student asks the question, why am I punished, what did I do? Sometimes it is done politely or in harsh or critical tones, but the fact still remains, the child deserves the right to know.
As a teacher who was brought up in the old school, I sometimes scuttle the answer by saying, "I do not answer questions, I give commands." But this only brings more unruly behaviour and outright defiance because
the question was not addressed.
I came to understand that the old system of dictatorial "do as you're told" attitude will not work in a modern society. It hardly ever succeeded in the old system, far less the new.
So this is the situation. We were told that we had an election - or something that appears to be an electionand a result that shows that there was a winner. When, where and how the winner was decided is still shrouded in a cloud of mystery.
According to GECOM, the PPP/C lost the election because GECOM says so, but there is no verifiable proof to go with that statement. From all appearances, the
only verifiable proof we have lies in the ballot boxes. So let us have a recount now!
This brings me back to the question, how did the PPP/C lose the election?
Oh yes, I forgot, because GECOM said so.
In all of the discussions post election, I am getting a lot of double talking nonsense and a lot of words and statements that have no real substance. This is telling anyone with even half a brain that those at GECOM have something to hide, a very deep, dark secret that is too big to release to the public.
I am still baffled with all of this "who said what", which makes me wonder whether we had an election
or not. I am of the view that we have come 180 degrees in our electoral process, back to the days of massively rigged elections.
The truth of the matter is, I do not believe a word that comes from the mouths of these guys at GECOM, I cannot take their word for it I want proof. Could we get a recount please?
So, this is the foolishness we get from GECOM in an election held in an age of enlightenment and transparency. And speaking of transparency, isn't this a matter of transparency? Shouldn't this be a matter of urgent transparent assessment?
Neil Adams
Electoral recount should have been held to clear doubts
Dear Editor,
This letter was sent to the other dailies but was not published.
The May 11 election ended in controversy on which political force actually won resulting in an election petition over a recount.
A recount should have been held to clear doubts of a winner - result may not have been different from the declared official result. But the refusal of a recount leads to suspicion of the result or something to be hidden.
In virtually every long established democracy (including, US, Canada, UK, India, Australia) and recent democracies (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, etc), a close electoral outcome resulted (sometimes automatically) in a recount.
Where a recount was not automatically triggered, candidates or parties asked for one.
And when a recount was not held by officials, the court intervened urgently (especially in the US) mandating recounts in numerous elections; yes, courts have power in other countries to order recounts and sometimes the judges oversee the recount.
In virtually no court case, in the US, UK, and Canada, did a judge not order a recount, and in several cases the court ordered a re-vote where it thought there were discrepancies in the voting process or where a recount was not permissible because of contamination of the electoral system, of balloting or securing the ballots.
Given the electoral history of Guyana and precedents in ABC countries whose representatives in Guyana objected to a recount, a recount should have been executed in Guyana to clear any doubts of which political force won.
It could not be understood why representatives of the US, UK and Canada objected to recounts or election petitions when the laws allowed for them in Guyana as well as in their own countries.
Many analysts felt the representatives wanted a certain result and did not care much for democracy or the law – a certain outcome (ejection of the PPP from office) trumped everything else.
In the US, UK and Canada, as gathered from my research on electoral recounts, electoral changes often resulted in contest tallies and in some cases the winners.
Errors were found or introduced from human factors, such as transcription errors, machine errors, misreads of paper ballots, reinterpretation of voter intent.
No US President or Australian or British or
Canadian Prime Minister would even dare to think about not supporting or not asking for a recount in a very close contest.
Recounts were/are held in virtually every close election in America- the most famous being the 2000 Florida Presidential recount (that was not carried to completion and that handed George Bush a victory, some six weeks later, perhaps unjustly).
There was a recount in the New York Democratic Mayoral primary in September 2013 in which Bill DeBlasio (current Mayor) narrowly edged out African American Bill Thompson (my candidate).
A recount was held in the Minnesota Senate race in 2008 and the winner not known some three months after the election, way after the US Senate began its term in January 3, 2009.
Business cooperation between Russia and Japan, India and Finland was discussed at SPIEF
Dear Editor,
The Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), one of the most prominent events in Russia’s economic life, held on June 18-20, attracted a record number of guests while the largest number of investment agreements in the Forum’s history was signed.
The Forum brought together representatives of 114 countries compared with 62 last year.
The foreign guests list included ministers from 33 countries (five countries from Latin American region). The CEOs of 178 major international companies, including Eni, Shell, Total, 505 Russian companies, 1,713 business representatives from Russia and 61 foreign countries attended the Forum.
The agreements signed at the Forum are opening doors to investments worth US$5.4 billion
For the first time in its history, SPIEF hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Business Forum (SCO – China,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan).
Business cooperation between Russia and Japan, India and Finland was an important topic for discussions held in the format of business roundtables.
As noted by SPIEF organizers, the Forum’s outcomes testify that the attempts to isolate Russia from the processes of the global economic development have been failed.
In a speech to the business forum and a questionand-answer session that lasted more than an hour, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated that his country does not seek a confrontation with the West, saying doors remain open to economic cooperation between Moscow and Western governments, amid a dispute over the crisis in Ukraine.
“Russia is open to the world,” Putin told foreign and Russian investors, rejecting claims that the crisis in Ukraine has overshadowed Russia’s traditional cooperation with the West.
“Our active cooperation with new centers of global growth in no case means that we intend to pay less attention to our dialogue with our traditional Western partners,” Putin said.
Russian President has rejected accusations that his country is "aggressive," insisting that Russia has simply started asserting its interests “more vigorously and consistently.”
For a long time, Putin mentioned, Russia "quietly offered all the elements of cooperation," but was increasingly “squeezed out ... to the point beyond which [it] cannot go.” "We will not be talked to in the language of ultimatums," he added. Russia, he said, wants “to build relations on an equal footing . . . and on a mutually respectful basis" with the United States, Europe and Asia.
Touching upon the Ukrainian crisis, Putin noticed that he West should pressure Kyiv to help resolve a crisis that he said has led to "a tense stand-off on the territory of Ukraine and practically to a civil
war."
Russian president touched upon the economic achievements of his government. In reference to predictions of a crisis befalling Russia as a result of Western sanctions, he said, “We have stabilized the situation. We have a stable budget. Our financial and banking systems have adapted to new conditions.”
Such a crisis “had not happened,” Putin said. He attributed this to what he called the Russian economy's "inner strength".
President Putin assured that the Russian Government will make everything possible to create better conditions for investments to Russia.
Russian President thanked the foreign investors to Russia for their choice and underscored that only for last year more than 60 international joint enterprises started to work in Russia.
Aleksei Illiuviev Press Attaché Russian Embassy
Prerequisites to the reduction of crime in Guyana
Dear Editor,
The National Independent Party demands improved 911 services immediately. Motor-cars should be provided to every Police Station with effective
internet, email, fax and text systems.
There should be 24-hour patrol services throughout the country and hot lines for persons with problems likely to lead to a felony.
There should be three helicopters at Georgetown, Hampton Court and New Amsterdam with night vision on 24-hour standby.
An effective 911 service with fully equipped Police
Station and patrol intelligentsia are prerequisites to the reduction of crime in Guyana.
Saphier Husain Subedar
Electoral recount should have...
In 2004 Presidential election, when hundreds of thousands of Black (Democratic) voters, were turned away from voting, perhaps denying John Kerry a victory. The election for governor of Washington State on November 2, 2004 ended in court and took weeks to be declared.
In Florida's congressional elections, 2006 in the 13th. District, officials certified Verne Buchanan as the winner of the race over Christine Jennings by 369 votes. Buchanan was declared the winner after a legal challenge mandatory recount and analysis of alleged voting machine errors in the race.
In California, recounts were ordered in every electoral season especially for Congressional races because of suspicion of fraud and because it was alleged non-citizens voted.
In the November 2014 Congressional election, one California district was not declared until a month later because the Republican challenger filed a petition against the incumbent
Indian American Democrat (Ami Bera) who won by a few hundred votes.
In Canada’s 41st general election held on May 2, 2011. There were bitter disputes over the results in some districts after several candidates won their seats with razor thin margins. Ditto last year’s elections!
To determine who won and who lost, judicial recounts were ordered in numerous seats in election after election.
In the UK, recounts often took place when the initial vote tally during an election was close. Clearly, recounts were held in numerous contests and several court cases (election petitions) resulted from elections in UK, US and Canada to determine the true winners.
Same happened in Trinidad in every general election as well as local elections going back decades, where the margin of victory in a seat is less than two per cent, there was a recount.
The 2013 local elections had several recounts. Officials painstakingly recounted every ballot one-by-
one to determine voters’ intention in 2007 and 2013.
The same held true in every Caricom country in several elections – ballots were recounted in every closely contested seat to ascertain the winner, most recently in Antigua, St Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, Jamaica, etc.
Guyana’s law allows for a recount before the declaration of the results. If one was requested, it should have been carried out given allegations of fraud, multiple voting, etc.
GECOM should not have been influenced by the representatives of other countries or by expected violence if the results were not declared timely. A few more days in delaying the declaration would not have made much difference to clear doubts of those who claim they were cheated.
It is noted that Guyana had a relatively high level of spoilt votes. This should have triggered an automatic recount especially that one party lost a region by only one vote.
Why it did not is inexplicable – this would never have
Yoga has been practised by some of history's greats
Dear Editor, It was a pleasant surprise to see an International Day of Yoga hosted here in Guyana. This is certainly a long awaited event.
Yoga has been practised by some of history's greats - the likes of whom include Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mahatma Gandhi, William James and others.
It may not be popular here, in Guyana, but it has an international scope and will certainly have some good effects if incorporated in businesses, organisations, schools, universities and colleges.
It is already famous in the stress relief seminars and beauty therapies. In fact, the origins of yoga are far beyond the conscious and sub-conscious calculations of the average mind. It has been used by secret intelligence organizations, the Olympic Games and the military, among others. The Yoga International Day was bestowed upon the Indian government and sanctioned by the United
Nations. In a time when Indians are losing their traditional values, this event will be heralded as a lifesaver to many proud Hindus as well!
Yogi saints and masters are not always accepted by conventional authorities until it is too late! Many yogi masters are unassuming and come from poor and humble origins.
With the saving grace of this event, it is still possible to go an extra inch by requesting that the day be made a national holiday. If we are to consider the depth and profundity of yoga, then we might not hesitate.
Today, India is the proud host of yoga science, but there are other forms of yoga still prevalent in quiet places, example, Jewish, Egyptian and African yoga, not to forget the Chinese, Tibetan and other Mongolian countries.
Yoga redefines every aspect of life, making it a sacred ceremony with great implications and effect upon the body and mind.
Deoanand Geer
From page 4
been allowed in US, UK, and Canada. The representatives of these countries should have supported a recount particularly in that region. The election observers should have called for a recount of that region if no other.
The announced result was a political gambit and a recount was essential to certify the winner. As argued by lawyers in US court cases, a proper count is the best possible count to clear doubt about an election winner.
In developing countries like Guyana, in order to avoid a situation where there has been so much bickering over election results going back to the 1950s, and which explode into ethnic violence, a recount should have been mandatory given the closeness of the result.
If GECOM failed to carry out a recount when so requested, then it did a disservice to the nation. The court can order a recount in a petition. This has happened in court cases in India, UK, Canada and US and in other countries as well.
Vishnu Bisram
Page Foundation
Encouraging a healthy body image
It seems like just yesterday that you had to coax your daughter to bathe. But then she turned 11 and started spending hours in the bathroom and sizing herself up in every mirror she passes. She seems consumed by her looks. What happened? And is it healthy?
As they approach the teen years, it’s common and natural for children to become more interested in appearances – their own and others’ – seemingly all of a sudden. Their bodies are going through some big changes as they grow and go through puberty. As preteens change physically they become more aware of how they look.
Growing and puberty affect more than a preteen’s outward appearance – body image is affected, too. Having a healthy body image means that most of your feelings, ideas, and opinions about your body and appearance are positive. It means accepting and appreciating your body and feeling mostly satisfied with your appearance.
Developing a healthy body image happens over time. It can be influenced by experiences and shaped by the opinions and feedback of others and by cultural messages.
Body image and appearance
Body image can be especially vulnerable during the preteen and teen years because appearances change
so much and cultural messages that fuel dissatisfaction can be very strong. Being criticised or teased about appearance can be particularly hurtful at this age.
Preteens and teens often compare their looks with others’ or with media images of the “right” way to look. In cultures in which looks seem to matter so much –and ideal images are so un-
tally and emotionally, they will develop a more complex self-image – one that incorporates their interests, talents, unique qualities, values, aspirations, and relationships. But during the early teen years, the image they see in the mirror makes up a big part of their self-image.
And while it’s true that appearance isn’t everything, feeling satisfied with
realistic – it’s all too common to be dissatisfied with some aspect of appearance. But feeling too self-critical about appearance can interfere with body image. And poor body image can hurt a teen’s overall self-image, too.
Beyond appearances
As teens mature men-
appearance means a lot. If you’re wondering why your child suddenly seems so focused on appearance, keep in mind that preteens are:
Adapting to a new reflection. Spending extra time grooming, making comparisons with friends and celebrities, and experimenting with clothing, hair, and makeup can be ways of get-
ting to know and like the new self reflected in the mirror.
Making a fashion statement. When preteens and teens express their taste in clothes and hairstyles, they’re making statements about themselves. Experimenting with and defining their styles is one way to express their interests, personality, independence, and identity.
Finding a way to belong. Peers, groups, and cliques – which take centre stage during the teen years – can also play a role in heightening young teens’ concerns about appearances. Dressing a certain way might be a way of feeling included, fitting in, standing out, or belonging to a group of peers.
Boys and body image
It’s not just girls who become focused on appearance. Boys might not be as vocal about it, but they can worry just as much about their looks. They may spend the same amount of time in front of the mirror, weighing where to part their hair, what kind of product to use, assessing acne, and deciding whether or not to shave. And when your son emerges wearing pants that sag as if he hasn’t quite finished getting dressed, he may in fact have spent hours getting them to hang at that exact angle. (kidshealth.org)
TO BE CONTINUED
Little ways to raise bighearted children
Responsibility
Why it’s important If you put a child in charge of things (feeding the dog, folding the towels), she’ll learn that just as she counts on you, people (and pets) count on her too. “Feeling responsible will really help your child’s confidence
(CONTINUED frOm TUEsDay)
Seuss. Horton pledges to guard a friend’s egg, and he sticks to his promise – even when the going gets tough.
Generosity
Why it’s important It often seems like a kid’s favorite word is “Mine!” Learning to
blossom,” says Eyre. Bring it to life Get two small spider plants. Have your child draw a happy face on one pot and a frown on the other. Put the plants on the windowsill, but have her water only the happy pot.
After about a week, the second plant will begin to droop. Show her both and discuss the difference: The plant she took good care of is doing well, while the one she neglected is sick. Then have her water the second plant (and the first!).
Within a day or two, it should perk up again.
Read and learn Horton
Hatches the Egg, by Dr.
share will help your child think about others. Bonus: He’ll make – and keep –friends more easily. “It’s really about the Golden Rule,” says Dr. Dobrin. “Kids need to treat people as they’d like to be treated.” Bring it to life When you’re out with your child, point out people who seem unhappy (such as a baby crying at the park, an angry customer at a store, or a homeless person). Ask, “Why do you think she’s sad? How can we make her feel better?” Explain that being generous – whether it’s offering a sticker to a cranky child, smiling kindly at a stranger, or giving money to help a poor person get some food – shows other people we understand them and helps make them happy.
Read and learn The 100th Customer, by Byung-Gyu Kim and K T Hao. Ben Bear and Chris Croc open a restaurant together, and then discover the joy of giving when they donate a pizza and dessert to a needy boy and his grandma.
Self-worth Why it’s important Kids who trust their instincts and abilities learn to tackle challenges without your help. “It’s like the little bird that needs to be nudged from the nest to fly on his own,” says Diann Branch, a school counselor at Chattahoochee Elementary School, in Cumming, Georgia. Bring it to life Make a progress chart in which your child sets her own goals. (You might need to supply some ideas, such as brushing her teeth by herself, writing her name, and learning to count to 10). Break each task down into manageable steps or increments (such as “count to three,” “count to five,” and so on). Let her decorate the chart with stickers as she reaches each milestone along the way.
Read and learn Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell. Though she’s tiny and bucktoothed, Molly Lou has the confidence to charm her classmates at her new school. (www.parents.com)
New AML/CFT Bill
$10M cash limit seen as major sticking point
…PPP/C urges rethink of draconian measure
By Alexis Rodney
The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) Amendment Bill to be tabled in Parliament by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government on Thursday, June 25, has already begun receiving criticism from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Although it will not be present in the chambers of the National Assembly when the “new” bill is read by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, and although its absence from Parliament will in no way hinder the passage of the bill, the Party, the only parliamentary Opposition, has downplayed components of the version as laid out by Government.
Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said members of the Special Select Committee who had served in the 10th Parliament will be meeting with the press today to give a more in-depth view on Government’s version of the Bill.
In the meantime, he told Guyana Times that his Party was particularly concerned about the amendment of the Bill which allows an individual to be in possession of no more than $10 million cash at any one time. The Bill has seen several insertions to the Principle Act, including one under the heading “seizure of cash anywhere in Guyana”. The Principal Act amended by the insertion immediately after Section 37 states that a “Police Officer, Customs Officer or a person authorised by the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) may seize and detain cash anywhere in Guyana if the amount is more than ten million dollars ($10 million). In such a case the Bill states then there will be reasonable grounds to suspect that the currency has been derived from a serious offence, that it is intended by any person for use in commission of a serious offence, that he/she is involved in money laundering or terrorist financing; or that the currency is being brought into or taken out of Guyana after a false declaration or disclosure or failure to disclose”.
Nandlall told Guyana
Times that the situation will now place a strain on citizens, who live in a country that is “cash based”.
Other insertions to the Principal Act include the “Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Authority”, which allows the National Assembly to, by a simple majority, and on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments after the Committee has consulted such bodies as the Committee may deem necessary to consult, appoint a body comprising 10 members to be known as the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Authority.
Added to that is the insertion of Sections 68A, 68B and 68C in the Principal Act allowing the “freezing of funds or other assets related to a listed person or entity” along with a host of other amendments.
The contention being raised by the PPP/C is nothing strange as this was among the reasons for the unending gridlock the Parliament had found itself in during the 10th Parliament. The APNU+AFC Government, the then Opposition, had refused
Attorney
General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams
to support the passage of the Bill as presented by the then PPP/C Government.
The blockage was based on a number of issues, but particularly the inability of the Government and Opposition to agree on the amendments. The Government’s version of the AML/CFT Bill did not sit right with the Opposition.
According to the Legal Affairs Minister, that Bill had several amendments dealing with the governance structure of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and an independent authority over the FIU, and the mode and manner of appointing the independent
authority and the Director of the FIU and the staff. He said APNU had introduced criteria of qualification for the Director of the FIU and other staff members.
“We were simply amending the parent Act which provided for the Director of the FIU to be appointed by the Minister of Finance and be dismissed by the President,” he had told Guyana Times
Last week, former Legal Affairs Minister Nandlall had said he hoped Government was aggressively pursuing the Bill, as things would become a little more stringent.
He said he was aware that meetings were being held at the level of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and hoped that his successor was attending those meetings.
He said at those meetings the AG was expected to update the regional body on where the country was in relation to its compliance with the regime of obligations and forces of actions to which the country had committed itself. Among those commitments, he outlined, was the enactment of an amended bill, bringing Guyana up to speed with the rest of the world.
Nandlall had said that the task would become even heavi-
Construction of deepwater harbour
… US$10M spent so far on Berbice project
The prospect of having a deepwater harbour in the Berbice River is finally materialising. Canadian Oil Company CGX Energy Inc, which had planned to embark on this initiative since 2011, is now in the process of constructing the port, with in excess of US$10 million already invested in the project.
Throughout the years, there have been talks about the vast economic potential and opportunities that would be made available with a deepwater port in operation.
Already, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the idea, saying that the Berbice county, though not as developed as Demerara, is ready for the significant transformation that would accompany a deepwater harbour.
Deepwater harbours are essential points of transit for incoming people and goods.
Primarily, deepwater harbours are fundamental to the movement of exports and imports from and to a country.
The Port of Shanghai, lo-
cated in China, which started off as a small port of transit, is now the highest volume port in the world and receives approximately 30 million 20-foot equivalent units per year.
In the Caribbean, the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados has immensely increased trade activities in the island and drastically boosted the tourism sector.
Barbados’ deepwater harbour now acts as a home port for many of the British-based Cruise ship lines operating in the Caribbean region, directly impacting the tourism sector and ultimately the economy, owing to the revenue generated from tourists who are almost always willing to spend.
In putting things into perspective, CGX Energy Inc CoChairman, Professor Suresh Narine explained that a deepwater harbour in Guyana can actually take the strain off oil exploration companies which depend on the Port of Chaguaramas as the primary source of raw materials for their operations.
The Port of Chaguaramas is some 450 miles away from Guyana.
If this economic activity is transferred to a closer port –in Berbice, it can significantly cut the expenses endured by these oil giants.
Also, with the availability of a cheaper option, it may likely attract more exploration companies to search for the oil in Guyana’s waters, which can further contribute to the economic development of the country.
Former President Donald Ramotar had repeatedly spoken about the expansion of the Panama Canal and how this project will soon start to impact the economic activities in Guyana.
The Panama Canal Expansion Project is intended to double the capacity of the Panama Canal by creating a new lane of traffic and allowing more and larger ships to transit.
Industry experts believe that the expansion of the Panama Canal will open a new phase for the transshipment in the Caribbean.
If Guyana is not up to par with the rest of the countries
in the Caribbean, it is possible that the international economic activities will dwindle due to the fact that the country does not have the port to facilitate the new phase for transshipment of more and larger ships.
Meanwhile, CGX Energy Inc through its subsidiary Grand Canal Industrial
er, since not only will the AML/ CFT Bill have to be passed, but a whole host of regulations will have to be attached.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon recently told media operatives that the Bill was set to be given priority at the next sitting of Parliament on June 25. Similar assurances were given by the Attorney General, earlier this month, after he received a courtesy call from a three-member team comprising British High Commissioner Greg Quinn; Caribbean Criminal Asset Recovery Programme (CCARP) Manager Eamon Kearney; and CCARP Legal Adviser Alex Ferguson. Williams said the Administration would be moving ahead with the presentation of the Bill, in the same form and fashion as it was in the Special Select Committee set up in the 10th Parliament. The Bill, as put forward by the then Government, had garnered little or no support from the then APNU and AFC Opposition, and they used their one-seat majority to block its passage. The political impasse surrounding the passage of the AML/CFT Bill saw Guyana being blacklisted by CFATF, and barely averting official blacklisting by FATF.
underway
Estates (GCIE) and a Dutch firm called Ballast Needam, completed the first phase of construction on the project.
Currently, CGX Energy Inc is engaging oil and gas exploration companies, among other “venture partners” in pursuit of completing the deepwater harbour.
The area is located North of the Berbice River Bridge at Palymra Village and it has some 600 meters of frontage at the mouth of the Berbice River.
It is also estimated that the port will be some 10 kilometers from the open Atlantic Ocean, making it easier to facilitate international trade.
CGX Energy Inc Co-Chairman, Professor Suresh Narine
An artist’s impression of what the deepwater harbour in Berbice will look like
wednesday, june 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Triangular love affair lands jilted woman in court
– allegedly assaults ex-lover in hotel
A22-year-old wom-
an was read charges at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday that suggests she dragged her ex-lover through a hotel on Leopold Street, Georgetown, after he ended their relationship and married someone else.
The accused, Angelina Straughn from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in handcuffs to answer two charges that were levied against her.
The first charge read that she unlawfully assaulted her ex, Joel Davidson on June 22 while he was at the hotel in Leopold Street, while the second charge stated that used threatening language against him.
Police Prosecutor Gillian Simmons elaborated on
these charges for the court’s understanding. She stated that the defendant and the Virtual Complainant (VC) are known to each other as they have been in a relationship for the last eight months.
However, the couple was experiencing some problems for which the VC left the defendant and married the mother of his child.
On the day in question, the defendant, the VC and his wife went to the Welfare Department to sort out what had become a triangular affair as the defendant had refused to be left out. The Welfare Officer that attended to the trio counselled the defendant, encouraging her to move on with her life since the VC had already moved on with his. However, when the VC
and his wife left one of the counselling sessions, finished Straughn became annoyed.
According to the Prosecution, the accused went to the hotel where the couple had booked a room, knocked on their door and when her ex answered she choked him and proceeded to drag him around the hotel. Prosecutor Simmons told the court that the accused also threatened to kill him. The matter was reported to the Police and Straughn was arrested and charged.
Straughn, on the other hand pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Singh, who presided in Court 11, placed her on self bail and ordered both the defendant and the VC to return to court on June 30 for report.
Guyana Times understands that the VC had taken the accused to Bartica where they lived. However, he left her there and returned to live with the mother of his child. They were only recently married. The defendant apparently traced the whereabouts of the VC and has been showing up at certain locations to make him take her back, hence, the visit to the welfare department was deemed necessary.
From all appearances, however, the wife of the VC is quite fearful that her husband may be harmed by the defendant. She was heard making calls for the accused to be locked up.
Nevertheless, the couple paid for Straughn to return to Bartica where she said she has a job.
Foster son gets bail after allegedly threatening to kill foster mother
A23-year-old man was obliged to make an appearance in Court Six of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday where he stated that he did not threaten to kill the woman who had taken care of him most of his life.
The accused, Eon Thomas, from West La Penitence, Georgetown, was read two charges which stat-
ed that he used threatening language against Samantha Lietch on June 19, while in their home in West La Penitence. The charge also stated that he made use of abusive language against her as well.
Police Prosecutor, Corporal Gittens made it known that the defendant is the Virtual Complainant’s (VC) foster son and they re-
side at the same residence.
On the day in question, the VC told the accused that he cannot bring his dirty clothes into the house, at which he responded by calling her a “cross”, adding that he “will kill her”.
However, the accused told the court that he did not threaten to kill his foster mother. He said that he simply called her a “cross” when
he got upset with her.
Thus, Magistrate Dylon Bess, who presides in Court Six, fined him $10,000 for the charge of using abusive language and granted him $10,000 bail for the charge of threatening to kill his foster mother, as he did not admit to that offence.
He is expected back in court on July 30 for the commencement of trial.
Man charged with assaulting partner ordered to seek counselling ... Magistrate to make decision after probation report
The Virtual Complainant (VC) who lodged a charge of assault against her partner wanted to have the matter dismissed when it was called at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday. However, Magistrate Dylon Bess ordered that the couple seek counselling first.
The accused, 48-yearold Arnold Tinnis was
brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer a charge of unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm against Nadata Fernandes on June 19, in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Tinnis told the court that he was not guilty of the offence.
His Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat told the court that the VC and the defen-
dant have been living together for over 20 years.
He said they simply had an altercation and thus wanted to proceed no further with the matter. This was confirmed by Fernandes.
However, Magistrate Bess told the court that he will not be dismissing the matter until he is sure that another charge will not be lodged against the
defendant in the future by the VC. Thus, he ordered Tinnis to seek counselling from the court’s Probation Officer.
Once relevant sessions have been made with the Probation Officer, the Magistrate will make a decision from his report. Both the VC and the defendant were ordered to be in court on July 30 to hear the report.
Eyew tness
Courting...
...expulsion from bar
Almost everyday, your Eyewitness encounters things that make him exclaim, “Only in Guyana!” Take for instance the CASE being pursued against former President Jagdeo in the court at Whim.
Your humble Eyewitness is tempted to call it a “whimsical case” but since it’s sub-judice, he’ll hold his tongue (and pen).
So without going into the substance of the case, he’s just wondering what the heck’s going on when the plaintiff who brought a PRIVATE criminal case against someone, contacts the Magistrate without informing the defendant!!
And what makes it worse is that the plaintiff is Chris “Lalloo” Ram, who’s a lawyer. Granted he’s a comparatively new one - but still a lawyer!
Now the law might’ve been accused of being “an ass” on occasions, but in this matter of one party in a case going behind the back of the other party to contact the court - the law’s very clear. IT IS FORBIDDEN! Verboten!
The exceptions are few and far between for very good reasons. The most obvious reason for the rule, of course, is that the party making contact might try to influence the court.
They can do this in any which way they choosebribery, threats, begging or whatever. At a more mundane level, the rule ensures that all parties have access to the same information. No “information asymmetry” allowed!
Once a good excuse isn’t available for what’re called “ex party contacts”, in most jurisdictions, the case would either be dismissed for “interference” or at least delayed. In the case, as is in the case at hand, where it’s an attorney who committed the breach, he would be brought up before the Bar Association for breaching the Attorney Code of Ethics.
In the case of Ram, it was the Magistrate herself who revealed that Ram had contacted her - so there was no need for proof to be produced to censure Ram.
Obviously generously endowed with the quality of mercy - which is not strained - the Magistrate just gave Ram - through his lawyer - a warning not to commit the breach again.
But we really believe that while the good Magistrate might be very lenient, now that the matter has been made public, the Bar Association should step in to uphold the sanctity of the courts’ authority.
Any other route would open the entire legal system to criticism and undermine its legitimacy to hand down binding decisions. The ordinary man in the dock would be forgiven for believing that there’s one rule for him and another for folks who just happen to be lawyers.
And this will just push us one step closer to the law of the jungle. Can’t have that, can we?
...rebuttal
Sometimes your Eyewitness wonders if the press doesn’t give off wrong signals, just to sell another paper or two.
Take the report that when asked about a comment the PPPC’s General Secretary made, President Granger remarked that he’d never had a “no confidence motion made against him”.
One could practically see the smirk in that statement. Now that’s not the kind of answer usually associated with Granger and this Eyewitness hopes the pressure of the presidency isn’t altering his personality.
Power is said to do strange things to folks - even one who held on to quite a powerful office as Head of the Army for quite a while. But maybe the burdens of the office had also affected the President’s memory.
If he did in fact make the smarmy remark about Rohee, maybe he needs to be reminded that there was one time when a very powerful “no confidence motion” was made against him.
...disaster in crime
What’s with the new Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan? With crime breaking all sorts of records since his appointment, does he think he’s been tested? And found wanting?
CPL could help jumpstart economy
... study reveals US$24.5M injection from last year’s tourney
Amid a slowdown following the long election campaign season and its aftermath, the recently launched third edition of the Caribbean Premier League is seen as a the right fillip to help jumpstart the economy.
According to an independent Economic Impact study on the tournament last year, it revealed that Guyana’s economy cashed in on some US$24.5 million from the overall US$166 million that was injected into the Region’s economy during the 2014 tournament –a significant increase of 58 per cent on 2013. Only last week, business Executive and former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling, told Guyana Times that he was searching for answers as to why the economy remains stagnant, even with the end
try not doing so well right now and the fact that the 2015 Budget has not yet been presented are factors that could have led to this. We will just have to wait and see what will happen in the budget and that will give us a clear indication of what is taking place and what will happen,” Urling intoned. He shared that while he will not take a political stance at this point in time and it was too early to comment on the Government’s economic policies, at this point in time, expansionary policies were largely needed as well as the examination of tax reforms.
Meanwhile, asked for a comment on the reported slowing down of the economy, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin said: “I don’t have the data to support the notion that the business is on a downhill” although saying that there is “some indication, however, that this is the case.”
Asked whether CPL is just the right fillips at this time to help jumpstart the economy, Gaskin said “generally, any major sporting event that excites Guyanese and brings people to Guyana has the potential to possibly impact the economy... I do believe that the CPL games may increase the economic activities,” he offered.
According to the study conducted by SMG-Insight/ YouGov, one of the world’s leading sports measurement, research and analysis companies, showed a breakout across each of the eight markets as follows: Antigua and
Generally, any major sporting event that excites Guyanese and brings people to Guyana has the potential to possibly impact the economy... I do believe that the CPL games may increase the economic activities – Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin
to the election period.
“The economy right now is practically at a standstill. The retail sales are moving at a snail’s pace. I would have thought that given the fact that the elections are over and we have a new Government that consumers’ confidence would have been restored but business, especially for the retail stores is really slow. I don’t understand and I don’t have an explanation as to why,” Urling told this publication. According to the businessman, while it was expected during the election period, he has not seen such a significant drop in business transactions over the past years. He, however, alluded to the troubled gold industry and the non presentation of Budget 2015 as two reasons why the economy is in the state it is currently in.
“I really haven’t seen anything like this in years but I guess with the gold indus-
and airfares); an estimated 217,176 regional and international spectators watched CPL 2014 live; the international TV audience increased to 65 million in 2014 from 36 million in 2013, with 29 broadcasters from around the world airing the games live; over 21,500 international visitors (approximately 10 per cent of total spectators), attended CPL 2014, spending US$7.9 million; thousands of new jobs were created in tourism and travel across the Region by CPL and more than 156,000 jobs positively impacted and the tournament’s high profile international broadcast media campaign (which encouraged tourism in the Region) generated US$4.47 million in advertising value.
CPL’s CEO, Damien O’Donohoe had said that “These results are fantastic and are a testament to CPL’s significance as an eco-
nomic driver in the Region.
While we have always said that the Caribbean is without doubt the natural home
of T20
we are very proud to say that CPL is now a truly international event –appealing to fans and play-
Barbuda – US$13.8 million; Barbados – US$28.7 million; Grenada – US$13.3 million; Guyana – US$24.5 million; Jamaica – US$25.1 million; St Kitts and Nevis – US$26.3 million; St Lucia – US$13.9 million and Trinidad and Tobago – US$21.1 million. With an investment of over US$25 million to date, the CPL is the world’s second biggest T20 cricket tournament – behind the Indian Premier League – and is set to continue growing in 2015 and beyond.
The study also revealed that last year host country for the finals, St Kitts and Nevis, reaped significant benefits with a whopping US$25.1 million invested in the local economy – second only to Barbados with US$28.7 million. Key findings in the report show: incremental spending by regional and international fans totalled US$47.4 million (excluding accommodation
cricket,
ers from around the world – and one that the people of the Caribbean should be very proud of.”
Crowd at a CPL game
Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin
Cooper St man shot twice in Tucville
… in stable condition
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are conducting investigations into a shooting incident that occurred at around 08:50h on Tuesday, which left a 28-year-old man nursing several gunshot wounds.
The injured man has been identified as Ian Ambrose of Lot 153 James and Cooper Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown. According to Police reports, Ambrose was standing at Tucville Bridge, Georgetown, when he was confronted by a man. The man then pulled out a firearm and fired at Ambrose, hitting him to his left shoulder.
The perpetrator immediately escaped. An injured Ambrose was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted. However, Guyana Times was made to understand that the man was shot four times about his body. This was confirmed by hospital sources.
When this publication visited the Tucville area, persons were reluctant to speak. However, this newspaper was told that shots
were heard coming from a house located a short distance away from the Turning Point Sports Club, Jackson Street, Tucville. Ambrose was then seen running a short distance before collapsing. Persons were commenting that he was in “the yard” when he was shot.
The man’s mother told Guyana Times that her son left home to drop his daughter to school, and around 09:00h someone called her and informed her that her
son was shot. “I don’t know is who call, he tell me come quick that meh son get shoot and he even let meh talk to Ian and he tell me mommy come quick I get shoot,” she recalled.
Contrary to Police reports, the woman said Ambrose told her that he was in Prospect, East Bank Demerara. However, when she went to there, she could not locate him. She added that her other son then informed her that he was at the hospital.
The woman claimed that when got there, she was told that he was shot in his abdomen, his left hand and in his back. She said that she enquired from her son about what transpired but he closed his eyes and murmured “I don’t know”. Furthermore, she disclosed that the motorcycle he borrowed from a friend to drop his daughter to school is missing.
The woman is eagerly awaiting his recovery to find out in detail what occurred. The father of two is still hospitalised and is listed as stable. The Police are continuing with the investigations.
Audit reports
Satiricus was so in awe of bookkeepers. Satiricus had attempted to squeeze through college but he didn’t make it. The little grey cells just couldn’t handle all that knowledge.
But every now and then a tidbit would pop into his head. Like whenever he thought about those fellas called bookkeepers who entered numbers in books all day long, He’d remember Pythagoras. The old Greek genius had pronounced: “All is numbers” and even “God is a number”.
Then how could a duffer like Satiricus not fall at the feet of bookkeepers who were more familiar with numbers than with their own wives.
So when Satiricus heard that two old bookkeepers, Lalloo Ram and Ghoul Sarran had been chosen to check out the numbers the PPCEE government had left behind in their books, he breathed a sigh of relief. They were not just bookkeepers...these men had advanced to the practice of “audoting”.
Audoting numbers the way Lalloo Ram and Ghoul Sarran did was a very arcane science like tassology. Satiricus’ wife practiced tassology, but called it “reading tea leaves”.
Tassology always gave you a good answer. You just had to brew the tea leaves in a cup and drain it away. In Satiricus household, it was usually drained into his mouth. His wife would then look at the pattern of the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup.
If, for instance, she saw a “snake” - the woman had a wonderful imagination - that meant “hate”. “House” meant “success”.
Audoting numbers like Ram and Sarran was also like Haruspex. But this couldn’t be
practiced in Guyana because folks here ate the “guts” of chickens or sheep or whatever - which practitioners of Haruspex were supposed to “read” or interpret.
Satiricus particularly would have liked the reading of sheep’s “livers”, since he assumed he could always eat them once the divination was complete. He liked sheep liver.
But Satiricus was a bit confused. Well, more than a bit confused to tell the truth. But then numbers always confused him. He was an avid follower of audoting by the two bookers because they had newspapers columns and blogs.
For years now they had been audoting the PPCEE government...and published their findings in the said newspapers and blogs.
Satiricus always wondered how they could do those audots when they never had access to the Government’s books. But then he figured these bookkeepers were so expert in audoting that they didn’t need to see the books to find that “corruption”, “waste” and “theft” was rampant.
Imagine what would happen now they could actually see the numbers!!! Oooooh! Satiricus literally tingled. But then a thought struck Satiricus.
Sometimes his wife was horribly wrong with her “tea leaf reading”. She once told a woman that her husband had five outside children. After murdering the man, the woman found out he’d had a vasectomy when he was a boy!
Would Lalloo Ram and Ghoul Sarran ever fess up that they were wrong about the PPCEE?
Health Ministry emphasising rehabilitation therapy – rehab fair held
In observance of National Rehabilitation Week 2015 which commenced on June 21, several agencies under the Public Health Ministry have come together to host an annual rehabilitation fair, which allowed the public to be educated on the signs and symptoms of various disabilities, and the possible solutions to prevent them.
The fair was held at Demico House Car Park, Stabroek, Georgetown and it saw a fairly large turnout, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. Patrons were able to access several types of care, including ear checks and testing
blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Also, they were educated on various disabilities through discussions with health care providers, and via the distribution of booklets, brochures, and flyers along with other educational materials.
Akhilanand Raghunandan, Physiotherapy Superintendent (ag), Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) pointed out that the aim of the fair was to create awareness on the rehabilitation services available to the public and ways they can be accessed. “We have the rehab fair
which encompasses all of the services that we have to offer throughout Guyana.
We have physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology services, all of them are here today to try to raise awareness towards the population on what services we offer and how to access them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton also visited the fair, and during a comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA), said “this fair… it’s really to highlight so many of the different areas involved in rehabilitation.”
Injured Ian Ambrose
Members of the public flocking around the tents at the rehab fair at the Stabroek Market Square
ExxonMobil will continue operations despite Venezuela’s threats – Granger
President David Granger has assured United States oil company, ExxonMobil that it has nothing to fear in terms of its current operations in Guyana’s waters as the company has the backing of the Guyana Government and international law, as it continues exploration in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, in a recent interview, the Head of State said that he met with officials from the exploration company and assured them that ExxonMobil has nothing to fear in terms of the present operations in Guyana’s waters. In the interim, the Head of State said the Caribbean Community (Caricom) has been notified, and he is confident that Secretary General Irwin LaRocque has provided some information to the Heads of Government.
However, the President noted that Caricom Heads would be formally briefed on the situation at the upcoming 36th Heads of Government meeting, which is slated for July 1-5 in Barbados. The President will be heading a delegation for that meeting. In ad-
President David Granger
dition, already all the countries of the Organisation of America States (OAS) and Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have been notified of Venezuela’s claim.
Meanwhile, the President, in response to Venezuela’s claim, described it as a “legal absurdity,” stating that it is the worst intrusion on Guyana’s sovereignty. “It is an affront to the nation and it collides with internal maritime law; it is completely in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
Venezuela’s President Nicholás Maduro issued a decree on May 25, claiming
sovereignty over Guyana’s territorial waters in the Essequibo region of the Atlantic Ocean. Maps created after the decree by Venezuela’s National Organisation for Rescue and Maritime Safety (ONSA) indicate that the claim would include a large part of the Stabroek Block, where ExxonMobil discovered oil recently. ExxonMobil, on May 20 disclosed that it found a deposit of a ‘significant’ amount of oil in the Stabroek Block, about 120 nautical miles offshore Guyana. The company said this discovery was made in one of the two wells it dug, in the Liza-1 drill site, which realised more than 295 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone.
ExxonMobil, the largest public trading international company in the world, is an industry that is the leading inventory of oil and gas projects, and the world’s largest refiner of petroleum products. The total area allotted to Exxon for exploration (the Liza Area or the Stabroek Block) covers 26, 806 square kilometers. It has a long history of using science and innovation to find safer and cleaner ways of bringing energy to the world.
Westford, others return transferred PSM vehicles
Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford and several others on Tuesday returned collectively seven vehicles of the Ministry which were sold and transferred in the dying days of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.
A senior Police Officer confirmed to Guyana Times that all the vehicles were handed over to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Sharief. However, a Police investigation that had commenced will be widened, the Police Officer told Guyana Times. “The investigation will continue even though the vehicles have been returned. We will actually widen the probe,” the officer said.
On Monday, the PPP/C disclosed that it had met with Westford, and advised her on the course of action to be taken regarding allegations of fraud levelled against her. “I met with the comrade and we had some discussions
Former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford
and she was advised on a course of actions to take and I believe that she is taking those courses of actions,” PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee said.
Reports indicate that Dr Westford, her spouse and two senior officials from the Ministry had state assets transferred to their names. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Saturday confirmed that the Guyana Police
Force has initiated an investigation into reports of fraud at the Public Service Ministry, which was headed by Dr Westford.
President David Granger had disclosed that Government was in possession of evidence that shows several state vehicles being transferred to the former Minister and her spouse, who is a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force. The evidence also points to two senior officials within the Ministry who are connected with the transfer of state assets. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had noted that irregularities were recognised on documents from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) which indicated that vehicles were being transferred to the four persons. The vehicles include seven high-end brands. Permanent Secretary Hydar Ally brought the issue to the attention of the Minister of State who launched an immediate investigation.
wednesday, june 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Women producers being trained to better promote their businesses
The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CANROP) conducted a three-day training workshop for Caribbean women rural producers in collaboration with the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
With the main agenda of teaching rural women about building and managing a communication platform, with the aim of promoting their businesses, the workshop started on Monday and ended on Tuesday. The group consisted of about 20 women from several Caribbean countries; Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad and The Bahamas.
The event’s facilitator David Thomas, is the Director of DANAQA; a UKbased company that is described as a consultancy and social enterprise, where the company works with women in small businesses all over the world, improving market access and communication skills.
Thomas stated that the objective of this workshop is to carry on a process of improving overall communica-
tions of CANROP members.
He added that the workshop’s main focus was for rural producers to develop an online communication platform using CANROP to improve the group’s external and internal communication skills, to improve their access to resources, and to improve their awareness of CANROP activities.
The three-day workshop which concluded on Tuesday, discussed communication strategies that the group could use to present their work to the international community. Many of the members reside in rural communities, and as such, are not knowledgeable of all things computer related or the operations of the Internet.
The groups learn how to create and post blogs, feature stories, news and other small basic steps of introducing their businesses
and products to the international community on the CANROP platform. The group will also learn how to handle social media platforms and ways to take advantage of the services to promote and market their products.
Participants of the workshop told Guyana Times that the workshop has been beneficial to them in many ways as one of the biggest hindrances of being a rural producer is marketing, and that this platform has assisted greatly.
Local producer Gail Gouveia, of Region One (Barima-Waini), stated that she was never clear in the operations of computers or the Internet, and her experience on the device has been very interesting as she’s learning to understand it all for the sake of the betterment of her business.
Others also stated that the workshop has been very beneficial to them, as social media is the main communication platform of this century and makes the world a global village.
A Jamaican participant stated that what she learnt will be taken back to her “rural women” so that they can share their stories and hard work, while at the same time, sharing their products to not only persons
in their home country but also to others around the Caribbean and possibly, the world.
The participant also added that this can also be present an opportunity for persons to receive funding for their products, as possible investors can see their products and the work they have dedicated towards building something for themselves.
The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers is a network of women processors/producers work-
strategy has the objective of increasing awareness of CANROP’s social and economic achievements and potential, whilst increasing market access of members and increasing access to resources, capacity development and market opportunities of CANROP members.
CANROP will communicate the stories of the people and processes behind CANROP and CANROP products, the quality and unique selling points
Private Sector, Government and individuals local to the CANROP chapters and to key policy makers within the region.
A range of technologies and techniques will be adopted to reach the audience with the messages. These will include social media platforms – focusing on Facebook and twitter; physical communication through meetings and events; and branded pamphlets, booklets and posters and over an online platform.
ing together to improve the economic, social and environmental standing of themselves, their families their communities and the Caribbean as a whole. The CANROP Communication
(USPs) of the products produced and the achievements of individuals, chapters/clusters and members enterprises.
The content will be targeted externally at the
Internal communication through online tools, regular meetings and trainings will aim to increase the capacity of CANROP, CANROP chapters and the membership of CANROP.
Minister Scott tours GWI Shelter Belt facility
Minister within the Ministry of Communities Keith Scott toured the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) water treatment facility at Shelter Belt, Vlissengen Road, Bel Air Park on Tuesday.
The Minister also met with the Central Management Team and employees at the GWI Corporate Complex and was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities Emil McGarrell.
According to a GWI release, Minister Scott was provided with a full tour of GWI’s Shelter Belt compound, including a section of the East Demerara Water Conservancy. He noted his concerns about the small working spaces within some
departments and implored that GWI’s management act swiftly on providing a more spacious working environment for the over 200 employees stationed at the Corporate Complex.
Scott expressed his relief after being informed that plans are ongoing to expand some of the offices within the GWI Corporate Complex to facilitate a more comfortable environment.
While the proposed expansion and enhancement to the buildings are in the early stages of procurement, it is expected that key sections including Customer Service, Finance and Operations, among others, will benefit from the expanded office space.
The Minister offered his assistance to GWI’s man-
agement with regard to the swift execution of the office expansion programme and urged that all measures be taken to enhance the working environment at the utility’s Corporate Complex. He expressed his admiration and gratitude when meeting veteran employees of the utility and encouraged all GWI employees to continue to strive for improved performance, especially in the areas of water quality and customer care.
Minister Keith Scott holds the portfolio of Junior Minister within the Ministry of Communities which is headed by Minister Ronald Bulkan. The Ministry governs the policies utilised by the Guyana Water Incorporated.
Participants at the training workshop on Tuesday
David Thomas
Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott pose with GWI Managers following his tour of the Shelter Belt facility
Father seeks financial help for injured child
The father of a first year nursery school student is seeking the assistance of the Education Ministry in providing financial support for the medical expenses incurred for an injury the child sustained while on school premises.
He has also upbraided the regional administration which he said has had a “laid back” approach to the matter since the May 25 incident. Eric Johnson of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) told Guyana Times that his four-year-old son Eric Johnson Jnr suffered an almost four-inch long laceration to the back of his head after the school’s recently constructed grilled gate fell on him.
It would seem that the loosened gate has been the centre of concern for many parents, since a similar incident had occurred sometime back injuring another child. But the young father told Guyana Times that he is not prepared to let the incident go so easily as his son, has since not attended school, relating that he has not received any word or assistance from the regional administration, although the incident was reported.
The young lad attends the Pine Street Nursery School in Mackenzie,
Linden. On the morning of May 25, during the play period, the older Johnson said he received word from a teacher that the gate had fallen on his son. According to the father, the teacher informed him that his son and another pupil ran to the gate to open it. The gate however
slipped from its safety and pinned his son face down, narrowly missing the other child. He was picked up and rushed to the hospital.
“I was called to the hospital… where I saw them conduct an X-ray on his head, stitch the wound and then place him under observation”, Johnson told Guyana
Caricom appeals to Dominican Republic to halt expulsion of Haitians
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has called on the Government of the Dominican Republic not to expel tens of thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent.
This follows statements by the Dominican Ministry of Interior and the Police which indicate their intention to expel Dominicans of Haitian descent whose citizenship status has not been regularised, Caricom said in a statement. In reiterating its human rights concerns, Caricom emphasised that these Dominicans had been made stateless by a ruling of the Dominican Constitutional Court of 2013, which had been made retroactive to 1929, revoking their nationality. The very real possibility that they could be expelled to Haiti, a country of which they are not citizens and with which many
have neither family nor language links, was an additional cause for concern.
Extremely concerned by the looming threat of the expulsion of these Dominicans, Caricom initiated a discussion on this issue during the recent European Union-CARIFORUM HighLevel Meeting in Brussels on June 11. The CARIFORUM side consisted of Heads of State and Government and Ministers of Caricom Member States and the Dominican Republic with the EU being represented by the President of the EU Council and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The meeting was informed of the plight of the Dominicans of Haitian descent rendered stateless, both those who were documented and those who were not.
As highlighted in the
Joint Communiqué of the High-Level Meeting, there was commitment to adhere to a number of principles including “protection of the status of citizenship and the presumption that persons shall not be rendered stateless”. In this regard, it was agreed that “proposals to set up appropriate benchmarks and monitoring mechanisms, to be presented by CARIFORUM, will be considered”. Efforts to this end are currently underway.
The Community calls on the Dominican Republic authorities to adhere to the above principles and confirm the citizenship status of Dominicans of Haitian descent. The Community also calls on the Dominican Republic not to engage in the expulsion of Dominicans of Haitian descent and avoid creating a humanitarian crisis in our Region.
Health Ministry emphasising...
The Minister added, “there was this National Rehabilitation Commission which said that there are about 50,000 Guyanese who suffer from some form of disability, particularly that of mobility, as a matter a fact, of the 50,000, 58 per cent of that number came from mobility (disorders), and they would require… assistive devices in order that they can move.”
This has led to the promotion of prosthesis and orthotics to aid in movement, and according to the Minister, Guyana has not been doing “too well” in this area.
Further, he noted that this is due to the lack of equipment and specialised therapists in these areas. Minister Norton pointed out that the individuals who are trained in prosthesis and orthotics tend to migrate, “searching for greener pastures,” and to curb this issue, Guyana has been seeking partnerships, primarily with Argentina and Cuba to build capacity in this regard.
“We are hoping that we would be able to get scholarships so that we can send persons to be trained in those areas, particularly in speech therapy and occupational
Times . He said the hospital was unable to carry out further examinations to determine the extent of his son’s injuries. He related that he subsequently made contact with the head teacher’s office, but was informed that she was on leave.
Johnson said he made further contact with Regional Education Officer (REO) Marcia Paddy who informed him that she could not have a conversation with him on the matter until she had a detailed report from the school’s head teacher, who had up to 72 hours to submit the report.
Johnson related that he later engaged the REO and another official who told him to take care of the medical expenses and that he would be reimbursed.
“One week after the incident, I called Ms Paddy and was informed that she is
still waiting for the detailed report from the school.
This report I was made to understand during my visit on June 9 to the Regional Education Officer, was sent to the Ministry two week after the incident.
The next week I revisited the Regional Education Office to submit a quotation of my son’s medical expenses and his transfer slip that I had requested from the school”.
He said Paddy and staff “found humour in my quotation. Humour in the fact that, I requested my family be compensated for the unnecessary heartache, trauma and emotional distress caused by this incident”.
Furthermore, I was accused of submitting falsified documents upon the enrollment of my son”.
Johnson said that as the father of the child, he is “to -
tally dissatisfied with the belated and unprofessional way this matter is being handled by the Region 10 Education Department, since it seems as though they are not taking this matter seriously.”
He said he had never received a call from the education department as it relates to any aspect of this matter or was even reimbursed for the expenses incurred.
“Adding to this, I am of the view that the Ministry of Education was not thoroughly informed of the gravity of the incident by the Regional Education Department, therefore I would like the Ministry to investigate this matter thoroughly and bring it to a speedy and fair/just conclusion”.
from page 10
therapy, and we can get faculties coming down to Guyana to lecture in these areas,” he said. The Minister also pointed out that he has been visiting several hospitals over the past weeks, but is disappointed with the conditions of the rehabilitation departments of these facilities. He pointed out that the actual structures of the building are good, but the lack of personnel and equipment makes the services offered very poor. This year’s activities are being held under the theme “Accessible Rehab Services through Partnership with the Community”
Little Eric Johnson Jr after the incident
Regional
Venezuela sets December election date
The National Electoral Council in Venezuela says elections for the country’s National Assembly will be held on December 6. Delays in setting a date had raised concerns the poll could be cancelled.
Venezuela’s rampant crime, the drop in oil revenues and chronic shortages of basic goods have hurt President Maduro’s approval ratings.
Lucena announced that the official campaign period would run from November 13 to December 3.
IDB rebuilds on site of earthquakehit headquarters in Haiti
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has inaugurated a new country office building in Haiti on the site of its previous headquarters, which was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.
More than 200 guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno, who was accompanied by Haiti’s Prime Minister Evans Paul, Haiti’s Finance Minister and IDB Governor Wilson Laleau, other representatives of the Haitian Government, and the diplomatic corps.
But the council’s head, Tibisay Lucena, said that was never on the cards and denied the council had bowed to Opposition demands. The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) of President Nicolás Maduro currently holds a majority of seats.
The Opposition coalition – the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) – had accused election officials of dragging their feet because of the governing party’s poor showing in opinion polls. One of the key demands of the imprisoned Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez, has been that the Government set a date for the election and that they are supervised by international observers.
But recent polls suggest that if the election were held now, the Opposition coalition would win in a landslide.
Ex-Dominican anti-drug official gets US prison time for drug scheme
Aformer top official of The Dominican Republic’s main counter-drug agency was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in a US prison after pleading guilty to conspiring with drug traffickers to transport cocaine into the United States.
Francisco HiraldoGuerrero, who was once Chief of operations for the Dominican National Directorate for Drug Control, was also ordered by US District Judge John Keenan in Manhattan to forfeit more than US$1 million.
Keenan said the authorities got “significant cooperation” from Hiraldo-Guerrero and that he would receive credit for the time spent in US custody since his April 2013 extradition. But Keenan said a further period of incarceration was warranted.
“The types of crimes he committed are inexcusable,” Keenan said. At his July 2014 plea hearing, HiraldoGuerrero admitted that he provided information to two drug dealer groups in The Dominican Republic to aid them in importing large amounts of cocaine.
The schemes to distribute drugs in the United States ran from 1999 to 2010, prosecutors said. During that time, Hiraldo-Guerrero accepted US$1 million in bribes from drug dealers to keep them informed about Dominican Republic law enforcement activities, Keenan said at Tuesday’s hearing.
“As a man, I admit and acknowledge that I violated the laws, and as a consequence, any violation incurs a penalty,” HiraldoGuerrero said in court through a translator. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Lucena said the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) group of counties, which is generally considered to be friendly towards the Venezuelan Government, would be allowed to observe the polls. (Excerpt from BBC News)
The new building houses one of the Bank’s largest country offices, with 85 full-time personnel, all dedicated to working with the Government and Private Sector to build institutional capacity, improve quality of life, and increase economic opportunity in the Caribbean nation.
Caribbean anticorruption commissions gather at Commonwealth conference in Grenada
Anti-corruption commissions from across the Caribbean are gathering in Grenada this week for a Commonwealth conference aimed at boosting regional cooperation and sharing innovations in the fight against graft.
The first Commonwealth regional conference for heads of integrity commissions and anti-corruption bodies in the Caribbean brings together the region’s most senior personnel tasked with addressing corruption and upholding standards of integrity.
The conference, taking place between June 22 and 26, is convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat and hosted by the Integrity Commission of Grenada in St George’s.
The meeting is intend-
ed to provide a platform for commissions to collaborate, exchange experiences and improve understanding about advanced techniques and procedures in forensics, financial accounting and asset tracking, as well as prosecutions, public education and prevention, among other areas.
In a statement, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General Deodat Maharaj said “Corruption has been identified by our Commonwealth member countries as a major challenge which, left unaddressed, can sap national resources and hinder economic development. Our response is to bring nations together, recognising that we are at our strongest when we combine our efforts.” (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)
15 dead, 5 injured in Mexico border nursing home fire
Afire has killed at least 15 elderly residents of a nursing home on the outskirts of the northern border city of Mexicali, across the border from Calexico, California, the Mexican city’s Mayor said Tuesday.
Completion of the building coincided with the midpoint of the IDB’s 10-year, US$2.2 billion commitment to support the Haitian Government’s efforts to improve the efficiency of its operations, increase economic opportunities and improve quality of life.
After the 2010 earthquake, the IDB pardoned Haiti’s US$484 million in debt with the multilateral institution and agreed to provide all future aid in the form of non-reimbursable grants, at the rate of US$200 million a year from 2010 through 2020. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Barbados Prime Minister says Caricom Single Market making progress
Ahead of next month’s Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government meeting, the Prime Minister with lead responsibility for the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) is suggesting that while the Single Economy element has been challenging to implement, the Single Market component is on track.
Mexicali Mayor Jaime Diaz Ochoa said another five people were being treated at a local hospital for burns, and were in serious condition. He said the cause of the blaze was being investigated by the state prosecutors’ office.
referred to a city elderly care centre. He said most were apparently over 75 years old.
ran the home was called the Cultural Society for the Promotion of Social Welfare.
The fire broke out early Tuesday at the non-profit facility located in a rural area about a half-hour’s drive outside Mexicali. Diaz Ochoa said 23 residents had been taken to a temporary city shelter, and would be
Local media reported that the nursing home housed formerly homeless elderly people.
Telephone numbers listed for the home rang unanswered or were disconnected. Diaz Ochoa said the non-profit that
In its Government registration page, the nonprofit organisation listed one of its functions as “giving humanitarian assistance to low-income elderly people in need, including food, shelter, clothing and medical care.” (Koin.com)
Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said that, for the most part, mechanisms for creating an environment where goods, services and capital can move freely across the Region and the establishment of businesses through the Caribbean facilitated, have been put in place.
“There are always a few remaining things to be done, in particular the Contingent Rights for people who establish businesses in respective countries. That has caused a few challenges because of
differences in our legislation and the kind of inequalities between countries in the Region at different levels of development. Therefore, the rights that one country might be able to give easily, do not come as easily to countries less resourced; so we are still trying to plough our way through that, ” he said. Stuart said the Single Economy was a little more challenging because it would require a harmonised customs environment. “A single economy where there are different taxation regimes in the individual units would create a lot of problems because the scope for playing off one country against the other would continue. We would need to harmonise our companies’ legislation so that there is a sense of being able to do business anywhere or being able to live anywhere and not feel you are disadvantaged by country ‘A’ or ‘B’,” he said.
(Excerpt from Caribbean360)
The Opposition had accused the electoral council of dragging its feet
IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno
Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart
Up to 700 dead as Pakistan reels under blistering heat
Nearly 700 people have died in a severe three-day heatwave in Pakistan, officials have said, with medics battling to treat patients as a state of emergency was declared in hospitals.
The majority of people died in Government-run hospitals in the port city of Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub of around 20 million people, as temperatures
reached 45 degrees Celsius at the weekend.
“The number of people who have died in the heatwave has now reached 692,” Saeed Mangnejo, a senior health official in Sindh Province said on Tuesday.
Mangnejo said that the death toll may rise further.
Karachi’s largest hospital, Post Graduate Medical College Hospital, has treated more than 3000 patients,
India: West Bengal nun rape suspects charged
Indian Police have charged eight men accused of raping an elderly nun in the state of West Bengal.
Six of the men, all Bangladeshi nationals, are in custody and another two suspects were charged in absentia.
Last week, investigators said they had arrested the man who they believe raped the 74-year-old nun.
The attack caused outrage in India where sexual violence has been under greater scrutiny since a brutal gang rape and murder in Delhi in 2012.
The charges against the men included robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous harm, criminal conspiracy and gang rape, a Public Prosecutor
at the court in the town of Ranaghat near Kolkata (Calcutta), Pradip Kumar Pramanik, told the AFP news agency.
Pramanik added that further tests were needed to determine whether one or more people had raped the nun.
In May, the Police said they had arrested Milon Sarkar and described him as the leader of the gang which attacked the convent. They said it was not clear what role the man had played in the case.
During the attack in Ranaghat on March 14, money was stolen from the convent school and the building ransacked, before the nun was raped in the convent itself. (BBC News)
Dr Semi Jamila told AFP news agency.
Hospitals have been swamped with people suffering from heatstroke and dehydration, while repeated power outages have left many without air conditioning or running water.
Meanwhile, seven people have died from the heat in Punjab province over the past 24 hours, officials said.
The deaths came as the overwhelmingly Muslim country of around 200 million people observe the Islamic month of Ramadan, during which eating and drinking is forbidden from sunrise to sunset.
Some clerics have issued public warnings saying that physically weak people can abstain from fasting in these tough conditions.
The provincial Government meanwhile announced a public holiday to encourage residents to stay inside, an official said.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has issued special instructions to the National Disaster Management Authority and other relevant organisations to arrange urgent assistance for the heatwave victims. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Around the World
Riots in Lebanese Roumieh Prison over living conditions
Inmates in Lebanon’s largest prison have rioted to protest against poor conditions, days after videos were leaked online depicting Lebanese prison guards beating prisoners.
Scores rioted inside Roumieh Prison on Tuesday demanding concessions and better living conditions, damaging several cells and injuring fellow inmates in the process.
The riot erupted in Cell Block A, which holds convicted prisoners, and the Internal Security Forces dispatched its Panther Unit – an elite unit –to prevent the situation from deteriorating. Security forces were able to quell the riot af-
ter several hours.
Nuhad Mashnuq, the Lebanese Interior Minister, dispatched his adviser for prison affairs to hear the demands of the prisoners.
According to local media reports, the prisoners rioted against newly-introduced stricter regulation prohibiting the smuggling in of contraband.
On Sunday, videos leaked on social media sites revealed several security officers heavily beating inmates with green rods as they were forced to kneel half-naked on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs.
In one video, an officer demanded an inmate kiss
his feet before kicking him in the face and then beating him with the rod. It is not confirmed that Tuesday’s riot is connected to the videos.
Following the leak of the videos, both Lebanon’s Justice Minister and Interior Minister came out and condemned the torture, vowing to hold those culpable to justice.
“The torture depicted in the videos is a crime in the eyes of the law, justice and humanity,” said Ashraf Rifi, Lebanon’s Justice Minister, on Sunday. “Any officer known to have had any involvement at all will be sanctioned.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Armenia protest over power price hikes turns violent
Another protest was set to be held later on Tuesday [Reuters]
At least 240 protesters have been detained in the Armenian capital as Police have forcefully dispersed a rally against a hike in electricity prices in the impoverished former Soviet nation.
The scope of Tuesday’s protest and its tough disper-
sal represented the most serious unrest Armenia has seen in years, raising concerns about political stability in the country that hosts a Russian military base and is part of a Moscow-dominated economic alliance.
Thousands of protesters angered by the planned price
hikes marched on the presidential palace on Monday, accusing President Serzh Sarkisian’s Government of failing to combat poverty in the landlocked Caucasus nation.
Several hundred of them remained on the streets overnight, holding a sit-in
and blocking traffic.
In the early hours of Tuesday, hundreds of riot Police moved in to disperse the demonstrators, using batons and water cannon to break up the rally.
Plainclothes Police also beat up journalists and destroyed or confiscated their equipment, an AFP news agency correspondent reported.
“Some 237 demonstrators were detained,” Armen Malkhasian, an Interior Ministry Spokesman, told AFP.
The office of the prosecutor general said it had opened a probe into “hooliganism and disturbing public order”.
If found guilty, the protesters could face a fine of about US$100 or a jail term of up to one year.
Armenia’s Health Ministry said 25 people, including 11 Police, were treated for injuries including fractures. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Rwanda angry over London arrest of spy chief Karenzi Karake
The Rwandan Government has branded the arrest of its intelligence chief Karenzi Karake as “an outrage”.
General Karake, 54, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, accused of ordering massacres in the wake of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
He was arrested by Met Police Officers under the European Arrest Warrant on behalf of the Spanish authorities. Williams Nkurunziza, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, said it was “an insult to our collective conscience”.
Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, called the arrest “an outrage” adding: “Western solidarity in demeaning Africans is unacceptable”.
Judge Andreu Merelles indicted General Karake for alleged war crimes along with 39 other current or former high-ranking Rwandan military officials.
he has travelled to the UK several times since the indictment was issued.
Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokeswoman said it was an “operational matter” for the Police who were legally obliged to act on valid European Arrest Warrants.
Andrew Mitchell, former International Development Secretary, said he believed the arrest was a “reprehensible abuse” of the law.
In 2008, Spanish Investigative
He is also accused of ordering the killing in 1997 of three Spanish nationals working for Medicos del Mundo.
But the Rwandan Government is said to be puzzled by the timing of General Karake’s arrest, as
Nkurunziza told the BBC World Service: “We take strong exception to the suggestion that he’s being arrested on war crimes.
“Any suggestion that any of our 40 leaders are guilty of crimes against humanity is an insult to our collective conscience.”
(Excerpt from BBC News)
The majority of people died in Government-run hospitals in the port city of Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub of around 20 million people, as temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius at the weekend. The body’s normal core temperature is 37-38C
Lebanon’s Roumieh prison is notorious for its poor conditions and overcrowding
Indian High Commission celebrates Int’l Yoga Day
Starr Computer donates IT equipment to GTI
The Indian High Commission in collaboration with the Brahma Kumanis celebrated International Yoga Day at the ceremony at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) on Lamaha Street, Georgetown, on Sunday afternoon.
The event showcased and lectured on the modern and ancient aspects of yoga, rules and regulation for yoga practitioners, the benefits and limitations of yoga.
To open the event, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi mentioned via video message that he heartily facilitates the international community for International Yoga Day, he noted that a stress-free society ensures a free human race and he is urging the world to connect with this great discipline for the welfare of our society.
The event continued with the symbolic lighting of the lamp by the High Commissioner of India V Mahalingam, Guyana’s Prime
Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Former First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar and other dignitaries.
The Indian High Commissioner stated that India feels proud that the United Nations generosity has approved International Yoga Day. He noted that over 170 countries had joined in on this celebration and has established June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. With this, India’s valuable heritage has become the world’s invaluable celebration of this auspicious occasion.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo related greetings from His Excellency President David Granger to those that joined in the celebrations of this auspicious day. He noted that though he does not know much of the activity, he has realised its benefits to many and implores the nation to join this activity and help bring peace to our communities. He added that on this day when the world has recognised yoga as an inner strength, trying to find answers to what plagues
us on the outside, that we can all know peace in this simple manner.
Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, includes breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation which originated mainly in India (Bharat). There are different types of yoga which involve physical, mental and spiritual concentration.
On September 27, 2014, in his 32-minute speech, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned yoga as one of his 10 points to the United Nation Assembly in New York. He proposed that a day should be set aside as International Yoga Day which was endorse by more than 177 countries including USA, Canada, and China. Within less than three months, Modi’s resolution came to reality as United Nations declaring June 21 as “International Day of Yoga”.
Detailed probes to be done on major projects – President Granger
The new Government will have to carry out thorough investigations into several major projects, which were undertaken by the previous Administration, before a decision is made about their continuation, President David Granger has said.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, some of these projects, which the President identified during a recent interview, include the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion, the Amaila Falls Hydropower and the Fibreoptic Cable Projects.
Concerning the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, President Granger said while in the Opposition he was not privy to some of the information about the Project. “We have never been given a project document by the previous Government; it
was never brought before the National Assembly, so we could not consider the entire project –power generation, power distribution. We were only exposed to some aspects.”
President Granger explained that some of the information, which was shared with the then Opposition, included some aspects which were discussed with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the raising of the debt ceiling. Reiterating that his knowledge of the project was very fragmentary, the President said currently there was no definitive position on the way forward for this Project. “…It seems unlikely now that we will proceed with the Project as was described, we are still interested in hydroelectrical power generation, but whether it will remain at that site will be
another matter.”
He explained that Guyana has about 100 other sites from which hydroelectricity could be generated, but in going forward, it must be determined which is the best site for such a project. “Whether that site that was selected is the best site, it may not be, but we want to get information before we make a final determination.”
Meanwhile, as it relates to the Fibre-optic Cable Project, the Head of State said it was desirable to have some form of E-Governance, but whether or not that project was the solution, that too was yet to be determined. The expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport runway will receive the support of the Administration, while consideration may be given to the other aspects of the project, the President noted.
ETI gets new Board of Governors
The Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) has elected a new Board of Governors. The new Board is headed by retired Regional Executive Officer Nankishore Persaud. Persaud was unanimously elected to serve as Chairman at the Board meeting held on Monday, while Omesh Yugeshwar was elected Vice Chairman and Rajendra Prabhulall, Secretary.
Other members of the new
Board of Governors includes Esie Bourne; Benie Persaud; Naresh Ramdial; Rameeza Mullah; Ameer Baksh; Todar Doobay; Renick Marslow; Portia Jacobs; Shondell Belfield, a representative from the ETI staff and Desrie Van Leuin, a student representative of ETI.
The Principal of the Institute, Michael Turner; Deputy Muneshwar Jaggernauth and Department of Education representative
Deodat Singh will also sit on the Board, which will serve for two years.
The ETI was established by the Guyana Government through the Education Ministry in June 2000, and it officially opened its doors to 160 students on March 12, 2001. The development of the Institute was as a direct result of industry’s demand for skilled labour. Registration for new courses is currently ongoing.
Starr Computer on Tuesday handed over a quantity of computer equipment to the Government Technical Institute (GTI) at its Brickdam, Georgetown office.
The items were presented by General Manager Rehman Majeed, Penny Francis and Dean Daniels. Majeed noted that Starr Computer has been making donations to GTI for a number of years and this was because the company knew the importance of technology in the learning environment.
GTI has not only benefited from the use of the Starr equipment, but, over the years, the students attended seminars and workshops hosted by the company. Other institutions like the University of Guyana, local primary and secondary schools as well as oth-
er technical institutes also benefited from similar training and some of them were issued with “Smart Labs”.
The Smart Lab is one of Starr’s trademark initiatives geared at reducing the use of energy, the Lab is basically a number of desktops powered by one Central Processing Unit (CPU). The General Manager added that this initiative reduces the amount of energy used by 60 to 70 per cent.
GTI and Starr Computer have seen a number of benefits throughout their years of partnership, and Starr Computers hope to strengthen this relationship in the future. According to Majeed, for the past five years, all technical institutes have been recipients of products from Starr Computers. The Linden, Leonora, Essequibo and Mahaicony Technical
Institutes have all received some form of training or equipment from the company. He also noted that the aim was to reduce the use of books and replace them with tablets. The world is becoming more and more technologically advanced and the company believes that educational institutions need to get with the times and invest in their computer labs.
Speaking to Guyana Times, Mikkel Zephyr, one of GTI’s representatives, expressed the Technical Institute’s gratitude: “Thank you, the General Manager of Starr Computer, for this generous donation, we really appreciate it and I hope he continues to donate to us in the future.” ‘ The other representative, Revon Thorman, also extended gratitude towards the company.
Talented Teen delegates donate to drop-in centre
Delegates of the upcoming Guyana Talented Teen (GTT) Pageants have donated a quantity of clothing and food items to the children section of a local drop-in centre.
Guyana Times understands that the seven female and two male delegates visited the orphanage on Saturday, June 20 to spread joy to the young occupants of the facility. They have each signed on to mentor one young resident.
In speaking to why the delegates are involved with the facility, Committee Member and Pageant Organiser Pamela Dillion said: “Teenagers need to know their responsibilities of being good citizens, they need to be aware of their responsibility to the environment, society, their peers and themselves”.
She pointed out that the Guyana Talented Teen was not just a pageant but was “a life skills development scholarship programme which aims at producing rounded citizens. “... participants are exposed to a series of workshops to help them become the best person they can be”.
One of the delegates, Gabriella Whittington, told this publication that the activity was one they were “re-
quired to take part in. And we really wanted to show the children at the home that there are people out there that still love and care for them and we wanted them to know that regardless of all the negatives in life, there will always be someone out there thinking about their well-being”.
Another delegate, Tamara Tucker, said that she felt overwhelmed after completing the exercise. “It was a pleasure giving back to the lesser privileged youth, I feel amazing knowing that I helped put smiles on someone’s face.”
Fellow contestant Kimberly Henry quickly added: “The children felt loved, knowing that there are persons out there that
love them and I encouraged them to always strive for the best.”
The delegates also encouraged young people to give back to their community because it was their civic duty. The organisers said persons should take the opportunity to come out and witness these young Ambassadors presenting their talents to the public. The Pageant is set to have its official launch and Cotillion on Sunday, June 28, at the Pegasus Hotel from 21:00h. Tickets are just $4000, and you can get yours by messaging Pamela Dillion on Facebook. Join the Facebook Group “Empowering Talent Teens” for more information.
Starr Computer General Manager Rehman Majeed handing over the equipment to GTI’s representative Revon Thorman in the presence of other company and institution representatives
From left: Former First Lady Deolatchmie Ramotar, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Indian High Commissioner V Mahalingam and other dignitaries at Sunday’s event
The Guyana Talented Teens delegates strike a pose with the hampers they donated to the facility
Brahma Kumaris on journey to promote ancient art of Raja Yoga
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Brahma Kumaris in Guyana has embarked on a nationwide initiative, “Awakening Inner Peace”, to promote the ancient art of Raja Yoga meditation.
Raja Yoga, sometimes called the “Royal Yoga” is inclusive of all yogas, and its philosophy goes beyond the boundaries of the many styles of yoga today. Raja Yoga emphasises the benefits of meditation for spiritual self-realisation and the purposeful evolution of consciousness.
The Brahma Kumaris emphasises that Raja Yoga can be performed by anyone, young or old, rich or poor, of any race, religion or culture.
Since the beginning of the year, the Brahma Kumaris has hosted several outreach programmes throughout the country. Members have visited a number of areas across Guyana to promote the art , which originated in India, and the campaign will continue all year long, leading up to the organisation’s 40th birthday in December.
Sister Jean of the Brahma Kumaris acknowledged that people face many challenges, including emotional, personal and even political and that these situations can put severe pressure on one’s mind which can result in extreme fear and stress.
“The aim is to expose people to the technique of Raja Yoga which addresses these issues and brings relief to the mind and it empowers the mind to be strong and stable amid these challenges,” she stated.
Sister Jean noted that Raja Yoga seeks to bring an inner harmony with positive thoughts and to ultimately empower practitioners with
a positive focus in life.
She explained that those who are unable to attend these sessions can go through this spiritual process right in the comfort of their homes with the necessary guidance being provided via phone.
Persons are encouraged to sit in a quiet space in a comfortable position in their home and to simply relax. They are then encouraged to be aware of their thoughts and observe everything that is happening in their mind – the positive thoughts, the negative thoughts, everything.
They will then be guided on the spiritual process to release the negative thoughts.
Sister Jean assured that once the process has begun, the burden of the mind will be lifted and one will begin to feel a new energy around them.
Mohan Singhal, a special guest from the spiritual headquarters in India, is visiting Guyana as part of the celebrations. Singhal has been an active member of the Brahma Kumaris since 1961. When he retired in 1996 from the Public Sector in India, he was a Superintending
Geophysicist for a prominent organisation engaged in exploration and production of oil and gas. Since 1988, he has been the National Coordinator of the Scientists and Engineers Wing of the Rajyoga Education and Research Foundation of India. He now participates in international conferences, delivers lectures and conducts workshops on a variety of topics, including spirituality.
Singhal is currently on a Caribbean tour and visited Guyana to participate in the International Day of Yoga and will be participating in the launch of “Awakening Inner Peace”.
According to Singhal, the work of the Brahma Kumaris worldwide is inspired by the vision of a world where every individual can develop to his or her full potential as a spiritual being and live in peace and harmony with each other and with the natural world.
Persons desirous of having the Brahma Kumaris host an event in their community can make contact on 227-2538 or visit the national coordinating office at 75 High Street Kingston, Georgetown.
Mayor concerned about large number of abandoned buildings in city
The Mayor and Councillors of the City (M&CC) of Georgetown at its statutory meeting held on Monday expressed concern over the number of abandoned buildings in the city and derelict vehicles that encumber the Council’s thoroughfares.
Mayor Hamilton Green noted that abandoned buildings are havens for criminal activities and take away from the beauty of the City. Such buildings also pose a serious threat to life and limb to those who occupy them and passersby.
According to a M&CC release, the Mayor expressed the view that derelict vehicles on the Council’s par-
apets and reserves are an eyesore and also an environmental hazard. Therefore, the Council will have to take the necessary steps to secure the integrity of the City. The Council is therefore calling on persons, who have derelict vehicles on the Council’s parapets and reserves to take the necessary steps to have them removed even as the clean-up campaign gains steady momentum.
The Mayor mentioned too that he was concerned with the long process that is involved in the approval of building plans for citizens. City Engineer, Colvern Venture when asked to explain why the process of ap-
Essequibo miner killed after pit caves in at Barama
The Goddette Family in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is mourning the death of a 51-yearold father of nine, who lost his life tragically Sunday morning when a pit caved in at Barama in Region One (Barima-Waini).
Dead is James Goddette of Lima Sands Village on the Essequibo Coast. Relatives received the shocking news on Father’s Day around 10:00h from his colleagues. According to reports, it was raining intensely when the incident occurred. The miner’s body
was reportedly crushed after the pit caved in. His son, Stantana Goddette, said his dad was working along with two other men when the pit in which they were mining caved in.
His two colleagues escaped unhurt; however, although he was pulled out by his workmates after the tragedy struck, he was badly hurt.
“When I saw him, he was badly damaged; my heart grieving,” the saddened son related.
Goddette was rushed to the Region One District
Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body was transported to Charity and was later taken to the Suddie Funeral Home
A post-mortem conducted on the body of the miner on Monday at Suddie Funeral Home revealed he died as a result of multiple injuries about the body. The postmortem was conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh. Of recent, more than 13 persons have lost their lives in similar incidents.
Albouystown flooding caused by seepage in Sussex Street sluice
Aleakage through the Sussex Street sluice door is at the root of the flooding being experienced in Albouystown, Georgetown. This is according to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the high water level being experienced is as a result of a damaged gate groove in the
concrete sill of the sluice. The release noted that while every effort will be made to correct the sluice door defect, this will have to be done in the upcoming dry period as the inlet and outlet have to be blocked off to facilitate the removal and repair of the damaged door.
Sections of Albouystown and surrounding communities woke up to unusually high waters on Tuesday, despite the fact that there has been no heavy rainfall
over the last 48 hours. The Government Information Agency (GINA) contacted the M&CC and spoke with Public Relations Officer Royston King who apologised to the residents for the inconvenience and hardship caused by the incident. He also reiterated the Council’s commitment to working with the Public Infrastructure Ministry to rectify the problem at the earliest.
Final touches being put on Family Court – AG
Recently appointed Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams has indicated that the operationalisation of the Family Court will soon come into fruition.
Speaking with media operatives last week, Williams disclosed that he was informed “final touches” were being made to the Rules of Law for the Family Court. “As soon as that is completed, the Chancellor will relate to me and I will then lay it in Parliament,” he said.
proval for building plans is so lengthy, stated that the City Engineer Department is not responsible for delaying the approval of building plans. He further noted that plans may have to go to other organisations for approval, such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority. He noted also that for plans to be approved, the owners must conform to certain requirements of the Guyana Water Inc and all outstanding bills must be settled. He explained that in some cases, plans may not be in order. The Engineer, however, committed to put in place systems to ensure the expedient approval of building plans.
In a previous interview, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh had stated that while Rules of Law to govern the practices and procedures of the Family Court have been completed, some necessary amendments has to be made. He added that the revised rules will then have to be presented to Parliament for approval and this will have to be done before the Court commences operations. The second sitting of the 11th Parliament will be held on Thursday.
In preparations for the operation of the Family Court, several training sessions were held. Training was done with the staff at the registry and another session was held with members of the Bar. The Judges too would have to un-
dergo training.
The acting Chancellor had stated that two Judges would be appointed to the new facility; however, no decision was made as to who these will be.
Minister Williams outlined that Justice Singh will have to make the decision.
The acting Chancellor had explained that while there were no judges specialised in the areas of Family Law, there were judges who are knowledgeable in the area.
“All of the Judges have been receiving training, refreshing programmes – in areas of law and procedures relating to the Court, so I would think basically all of our judges are competent to preside in the Family Court,” he noted.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC), of which Justice Singh is the Chairman, has appointed two more female Judges but they were never sworn in. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Jo-Ann Barlow are the new additions to the complement of Puisne Judges.
Guyana Times was told that the two new judges are expected to be placed at the High Court while two existing judges will be transferred to preside over the Family Court.
The Legal Affairs Minister posited that these two new
judges would be sworn in soon. It has been almost five years since the Family Court building was completed and handed over to Government. Works were ongoing for about seven years to have the Family Court, which is located in the compound of the High Court in Georgetown, established.
The upper flat of the building will accommodate the courtrooms, the Judges’ chambers, and a children waiting facility, while the lower flat will be the Family Court’s Registry. In 2010, then Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand had said the establishment of such a court was prompted by observations that Guyanese family units are affected by societal demoralisation. It is expected that the services of the Family Court would be mostly sought by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA). The court was established to address problems arising from the dysfunction of the family unit, and to give special attention to child rights issues. It will handle issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship, and custody.
“Awakening Inner Peace” with Raja Yoga
The Family Court building in the High Court compound
wednesday, june 24, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Third body recovered in Stanleytown accident
The body of the missing 21-year-old young man was recovered from the Stanleytown Koker, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Tuesday morning following the accident in the wee hours of Monday.
Ganesh Sookcharran of Lot 788 Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder, WBD, went missing after the car he was travelling in with his two friends plunged into the canal along the Stanleytown Public Road, around 00:30h on Monday.
The bodies of the two friends – Premraj Bhola, 19, of Lot 661 Belle West, Canal Polder Number Two, WBD and Aleem Solomon, 19, of Lot 560 Belle West – were found in the car which had turned upside down in the trench a few hours after the accident. However, Sookcharran’s body was not discovered until Tuesday morning.
According to his mother, Kumarie Moossai, a search party was looking for his body around the accident area when they were informed that it was spotted on the other side of the koker. “Somebody
Crimes
Dear Editor,
was going out in a boat and they spot he over the koker, stick up by some bush,” she related.
Mossai further disclosed to Guyana Times that her son’s body bore a cut to the back of his head, noting that she is unsure if it was inflicted during the accident or before since a knife was also found in the car.
Recalling the morning of the accident, the woman said that they were unaware that
her son had left the house with the car and it was only until a taxi driver came and informed her about the accident that she knew.
“We lock up and go upstairs and like he take the keys and go… he left home to go get he dead… I didn’t even know is till when the Police come tell me and when I go at the scene, they already pull out the car and I see two boys in the car – one in the driver seat and one in the back seat,” she noted.
The woman lamented that she does not know what transpired and even suggested that the other two young men may have influenced her eldest child to leave home with the car.
The body of Sookcharran, a car wash attendant, is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.
According to reports, the young men lost control of the Toyota fielder wagon car in which they were heading out of the village when they reportedly swerved off the road, hitting a cow before plunging upside down into the canal.
The trio was seen consuming alcohol on Sunday evening.
According to information received, Solomon was found in the car and Bhola was recovered in the trench. Guyana Times understands that the car bearing registration number PRR 2932 belonged to Sheriff Car Rental. It had been rented by Sookcharran’s stepfather who is visiting the country.
Speaking with this newspaper on Tuesday, a nearby resident, Jermery Bess, stated that around 00:30h Monday morning, they heard the loud impact but when they went out, they did not seen the vehicle.
“By the time we go out, the car already duck. We only see the bumper on the bank of the canal so we go in back and the morning is when we seek the car in the middle of the canal,” he recounted.
Bess said that they immediately informed the Police who came and got someone to pull the vehicle out of the water. The young man noted that skid marks were seen on the road heading into the trench.
Mexican
documentary “Muxes” to close off SASOD annual
LGBT film festival
The Mexican documentary “Muxes: authentic, intrepid seekers of danger” will close “Painting the Spectrum 11;” SASOD’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Film Festival on Thursday, at the organisation’s office located at 169 Charlotte Street, Lacytown in Georgetown.
“Muxes” is an enjoyable documentary that depicts the uses and costumes of an indigenous group of men that uses colourful dresses and fulfils familial obligation shaping a “third gender”.
The Embassy of Mexico in a release said it will also make available Mexican food and drinks for sale to the attending audience. All proceeds of the sale will go towards SASOD’s LGBT Community Centre Fund. The Embassy of Mexico is collaborating with SASOD to close their eleventh annual LGBT film festival.
The “Painting the Spectrum 11” started on June 2, successfully featuring films from
all over the world which have been welcomed by a diverse audience.
Following the screening of “Muxes”, SASOD will premiere their new short film, “Painting the Spectrum: A Commemorative Documentary” about the festival itself – which is the only annual LGBT film festival in the English-speaking Caribbean. In this Kojo McPherson short film, organisers and attendees share what the festival means to them, as LGBT people, Guyanese and overseas visitors.
As customary, the final night of screen ends with the traditional ‘painting the spectrum’ where attendees are invited to paint a huge, cloth banner with their personal messages and signs of love, acceptance, support and solidarity for LGBT Guyanese. Showtime is 18:00h. There is no charge for admission. The films are intended for mature audiences. Persons must be 18 years and older to attend.
of robbery, piracy and murder have escalated
Up until June 20, the new coalition has occupied the seat of government for 40 days, during which period crimes of robbery, piracy and murder have escalated exponentially.
In a previous letter I detailed 24 instances of crimes committed to June 5. The following now reflects the continuation of that trend as of June 20.
24. Pirates strike three boats in the Corentyne River
25. Double murder in Corentyne
26. Suspected bandits shot in face at West Bank Demerara
27. Manu Durant shot and killed at nightclub
28. Two laborers robbed outside gas station
29. Cop among four held with AK 47 rifle, including two women
30. Bandit shot dead at Grove
31. Bandits grab millions in cash and electronics from Kitty store
32. Young miner, 18, stabbed to death in Kitty robbery
33. Man butchers wife with axe
34. Bandits invade home of business family in Waterloo Street
35. Convicted bandit Kurt Kendal accused of robbing E Sepaul of $1.2 million
36. Security guard Edward McCullen charged for discharging loaded firearm at woman
37. Prisoner shot dead after shooting cop in head
38. Man gunned down outside Sophia shop
39. 54-year-old Wazim Khan of Anna Catherina robbed by bandits
40. Mon Repos shopkeeper found dead with six stab wounds
41. Rasheed Ramesh of Hague backdam robbed at gunpoint
42. East La Penitence miner remanded on attempted murder charge
43. Barama Company robbed by bandits
44. US based Guyanese robbed at gunpoint
45. Bandits raid New Amsterdam church
46. Armed pirates elude Police after high seas chase
47. Cops probing murder of Meadow Brook Garden man
48. Bandit nabbed after Diamond Housing Scheme chase
49. Employer shot employee in interior
50. East Rumveldt man remanded on armed robbery charge
51. Gang terrorizes Corentyne family – millions stolen
52. Wood exporter shot, robbed of millions
The Minister should roll out his development plans for Aishalton
Dear Editor, June 19 was Nominations Day for Toshao and Councilors’ elections in the Aishalton village of South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo).
On this occasion, village residents were happy, but became disappointed and angered when one of the residents Tony James, VicePresident of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and a nominee for village Toshao, started his campaigning, making accusations against the present Toshao.
He said that the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs will be visiting Aishalton on July2 to celebrate the APNU+AFC victory at the May 2015 elections.
The Aishalton residents were also highly concerned over any victory celebrations at this time, and that if the
Minister is visiting Aishalton, he should come not to celebrate any victory, but to roll out his development plans for Aishalton, and by extension all the villages and communities for the Rupununi region.
Mark Antone
Would the ADF be increased?
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to respond to an article published on June 16 under the headline, “Allicock says needed new advisor with fresh ideas –praises Pearson for her work.”
Minister Sydney Allicock said that he wants an Advisor with fresh ideas and one that he can trust. This is why he dismissed Yvonne Pearson. Allicock’s Advisor now is Mervyn Williams, an APNU+AFC coalition candidate at the last elections.
But did the Minister ask his advisor with “fresh ideas”
why he left his job at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) a few years ago?
In the article Allicock said, “I want to do some in depth study of the indigenous people and I have some persons who I trust who want to help in this process.”
Is Allicock saying that as Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, he doesn’t know the cultural psychology of the indigenous people he claims to represent, and is depending on “some persons” whom he can trust?
Allicock went on in the ar-
ticle: “Since he has fresh ideas as to how he wants to improve the lives of the indigenous people, he wants new people to work with.”
Can Allicock say if his “fresh ideas” to improve the lives of indigenous people includes the closing down of the Community Service Officers (CSOs) programme, leaving 2000 Amerindian youths on the bread line?
Also, there was the dismissal of the Amerindian Land-Titling (ALT) Project team, including Yvonne Pearson? But it is interesting
that, while Allicock praised the work done by Pearson, he said so with a forked-tongue.
Can Allicock say if the 2015 national budget will increase the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) from $1.1B to $2B to improve the lives of Amerindians in Guyana?
And finally, can Allicock say who is his Ministry’s new Permanent Secretary? Is the person another political appointee like his advisor?
Raymond Charles
53. Duncan Street internet café owner shot and robbed.
Yet, despite the upsurge in crimes, the government decided to unleash 60 more criminals on the helpless public. This of course, is not
unexpected, given the fact that criminals are re-labelled freedom fighters. And added to the upsurge is the lethargic response of the Police.
D Singh
Do not stop the Rodney inquiry
Dear Editor, Why does the PNC government want stop the Rodney Commission of Inquiry? This Commission is on the verge of finding something about the death of Rodney and will also lead up to more inquiries.
President Granger was at the time Chief Advisor to President Burnham and a high ranking officer in the GDF. Hamiltan Green was indirectly the Comander-inChief.
According to evidence given to the Commission, instructions to get rid of Rodney came out directly from President Burnham’s Office.
With Teekah it was PNC Cabinet Members’ problem, they wanted to get rid of him.
With Field Ridley, her husband was ignoring her.
If it is too costly to up keep the Commission, then why did President Granger appoint so many Ministers in his government? This will be a heavy financial strain on the country. Does the country need a Minister over the Prime Minister? Does the country need 26 Ministers?
Over Teekah’s dead body at the funeral at Camp Ayangana, Burnham promised to get the person or persons involved in the killing. Widespread allegations ever since have implicated PNC members in Teekah’s assassination.
Teekah’s assassination
joined a list of people killed under suspicious circumstances in Guyana in the 1970s and early 1980s. These assassinations, murders and mysterious deaths were never investigated or probed. There was no investigation in Teekah’s case. Commission members at the Rodney Commission of Inquiry have so far found with shock the vast amount of records missing from the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force. Various files could not be found to show that there was an effective or efficient investigation into any of the persons assassinated. With Rodney and Teekah, it was all planned. With Shirley Field Ridley, it was the same. At that time, Field Ridley was said to be having an affair with a boxing champion. So she had to be exterminated from society before it caused someone embarrassment.
Too many stones may be left unturned and those of us who seek an objective historical perspective may forever be robbed of the real truth. Why does this government not want to continue this Commission of Inquiry when it all happened with the PNC government? Why don’t they want to get the answers? What are they afraid of?
21-year-old Ganesh Sookcharran
Electric England sweep to victory Simmons not interested in Test cricket
England continued their remarkable resurgence in limited-overs cricket with the third largest victory in their history over New Zealand in the one-off T20 at Old Trafford.
England had won only three of their previous 12 T20 matches and, in that period, suffered a defeat to Netherlands. But inspired by their young playersthere were three T20I debutants in this side - and a newly acquired aggressive approach, they followed the 12th highest total in their T20 history, and the fifth highest in England, with a disciplined display of bowling that eventually saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for the addition of just four runs in 12 legitimate deliveries.
Only 11 times have they been bowled out more cheaply in a T20. Their captian, Brendon McCullum, rated their batting as “pretty amateurish.”
The result, an England win by 56 runs, means that a New Zealand side that were thought by many to be the strongest to have toured the UK depart without a series win in any of the formats. They were previously held to a draw in the Test series and lost the ODI series.
When they cruised to 89 for 2 in the ninth over with Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson together, it seemed New Zealand were on course for victory. Jonny Bairstow, deputising with the gloves for the injured Jos Buttler, had just missed a simple opportunity offered by Taylor off the unfortunate Ben Stokes and Williamson was batting with the class and composure that has become his trademark.
But then Taylor miscued an attempted lofted drive and, while Williamson went on to compile the second halfcentury, and highest score, of his T20I career, nobody else could reach doublefigures.
Mark Wood, one of
England’s debutants, finished with three wickets - doubling his career tally in the format - as reward for his pace and full length, with David Willey, another debutant, also claiming three wickets as reward for his control and yorker length. By the time Williamson, called for an optimistic single by Nathan McCullum, was run out by an outstanding pickup and throw from Willey, with one stump to aim at, from cover point, New Zealand were doomed. The last three batsmen failed to score.
It was an impressive performance in the field from England. Willey, finding some late swing, claimed the wicket of Martin Guptill in the first over of the reply with a beauty that pitched on off stump and nipped back to hit leg, while McCullum’s early assault - he crashed four sixes and two fours in his 15-ball stay - was ended by a fine piece of bowling from Wood who, spotting the batsman giving himself room, went wide of the crease and followed McCullum with a yorkerlength delivery. McCullum could only edge it on to his stumps.
Earlier Joe Root sustained his excellent form with another half-centu-
ry. Striking the ball with a power that belies his relatively willowy frame, he combined innovation with convention to put England on target to a substantial total. Starting with a rasping cut to the boundary, he showed a willingness to hit over the top, an ability to execute the reverse sweep against balls even outside leg stump and his now established ability to pick up the length unusually fast.
At one stage England took 23 from a Nathan McCullum over with Root pulling two fours before Sam Billings thrashed two fours and a six off the final ball full toss.
Given a bright start through Alex Hales and Jason Roy, who drove two sixes over long-on in Mitchell McClenaghan’s first over, they stuttered in mid-innings when Bairstow was bowled by a beauty from debutant Mitchell Santner, who produced a fine spell, that gripped and turned past his outside edge to hit the top of off stump and Eoin Morgan miscued to deep midwicket.
But Stokes added late impetus and, with New Zealand starting to look weary at the end of a long season, took England to a total that proved more than enough. (Cricinfo)
SCOREBOARD
England innings (20 overs maximum)
JJ Roy run out (Williamson/† Ronchi) 23
AD Hales c BB McCullum b Santner 27
JE Root c Guptill b McClenaghan 68
JM Bairstow† b Santner 1
EJG Morgan* c Taylor b Henry 4
SW Billings c †Ronchi b McClenaghan 21
BA Stokes not out 24
DJ Willey c Santner b Southee 6
AU Rashid not out 7
Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 7) 10
Total (7 wickets; 20 overs; 83 mins) 191
Did not bat: MA Wood, ST Finn
Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-76, 3-79, 4-101, 5-144, 6-157, 7-169
Bowling: MJ Santner 4-028-2, MJ McClenaghan
4-0-37-2, TG Southee 4-045-1, NL McCullum 4-0-46-
0, MJ Henry 4-0-32-1.
New Zealand innings (target: 192 runs from 20 overs)
MJ Guptill b Willey 6
BB McCullum* b Wood 35
KS Williamson run out (Willey) 57
LRPL Taylor c Willey b Rashid 17
C Munro b Stokes 1
L Ronchi† c †Bairstow b Stokes 5
MJ Santner b Wood 9
NL McCullum c Finn b Willey 3
TG Southee c Morgan b Wood 0
MJ Henry not out 0
MJ McClenaghan c †Bairstow b Willey 0
Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2
Total (all out; 16.2 overs; 77 mins) 135
Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-48, 3-89, 4-95, 5-101, 6-131, 7-131, 8-131, 9-135, 10-135 Bowling: DJ Willey 2.2-0-223, ST Finn 4-0-29-0, MA Wood 3-0-26-3, AU Rashid 4-0-33-1, BA Stokes 3-0-24-2.
Former West Indies opener, Lendl Simmons will not be playing Test cricket for the regional side.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago batsman, until issues with the remuneration for playing the longer format of the game is addressed, he will not be interested in a return to Tests.
“I didn’t retire from four-day cricket, so I like Test cricket, I like playing the long format of the game but there are certain circumstances that brought me to the conclusion that I don’t want to play any Test cricket again,” Simmons had told Digicel SportsMax Zone recently.
According to Simmons, the rigours of the long format of the game should be enough to warrant better payment from the powers that be.
“What people have to take into consideration is Test cricket is not easy. It is five days of very hard cricket, it is testing cricket, and when you go out there you put your body on the line for five days,” said Simmons.
Bearing that in mind, Simmons is of the belief that it is economically unwise to play Test cricket.
“It is very tough mentally and physically
and you just need to be rewarded and paid in a certain way for Test cricket. I don’t think that the way that the WIPA [West Indies Players Association] reduced all the match fees for Test cricket, for players who play Test cricket alone, I don’t think it is fair,” said Simmons.
Simmons decision is not absolute, however, as he does believe that if more respect were paid to Test cricket, he would return to the sport.
“If things were to change, then maybe. I want to play Test cricket but the way that it is now, no.” (Digicel
Tridents make...
CPL debutant Horace Miller tried to do a repair job but the 52 balls he took to get to 30 may have been too many.
Peterson would also account for the wicket of Chris Lynn, who also tried to do some damage control with 37 from 39 deliveries.
The Tallawahs may have missed a trick, as they brought Andre Russell to the crease at number seven with the team at 103 for five in the 15th over.
That was probably too late. Russell, who had hit Ravi Rampaul powerfully to the fence, then slapped the former West Indies paceman flat and hard, but straight down the throat of Kieron Pollard on the long-on boundary.
At 118 for six in the 17th over, the game was probably over, though the Tallawahs made a fight of it with a little cameo from Krishmar Santokie towards the end.
Peterson, who was named man of the match, ended with figures of three for 26.
Pollard was also dangerous with the ball, ending with figures of two for 21 off three overs.
Earlier, Dwayne Smith had led the way for the Tridents with 56 from 53 deliveries and was ably supported by Dilshan Munaweera (24) in an opening partnership worth 57.
When Munaweera departed, Smith was joined by Shoaib Malik whose 43 off 29 deliveries added some impetus to an innings that had slowed after showing much
promise.
Smith, who was kept off strike for a while, went in the 17th over, bowled by Andre Russell.
At that point, there was the expectation of acceleration with Pollard coming to the crease.
The first delivery to Pollard was hit high but fell just out of the reach of Gayle.
Not long after Pollard (5), was out to a brilliant catch at long off from Rusty Theron off the bowling of Santokie.
Jonathan Carter then enjoyed a seven-ball; cameo worth 17 runs, hitting two big sixes off Jerome Taylor before he was found wanting
at long on, caught by the always safe Russell. Jason Holder also hit a big six in his nine not out. Santokie was very expensive, going for 47 off his four overs while accounting for one wicket.
Daniel Vettori bowled just two overs that went for 15, while Jerome Taylor went for eight, taking one for 32 off his four.
Though Russell went at seven and a half, it was his bowling that caused the most trouble.
Theron was most economical, taking one for 19 off four overs. (Digicel Sportsmax)
SCOREBOARD
Barbados Tridents innings (20 overs maximum)
DR Smith b Russell 56
EMDY Munaweera c Russell b Theron 24
Shoaib Malik not out 43
KA Pollard* c Theron b Santokie 5
JL Carter† c Russell b Taylor 17
JO Holder not out 9
Extras (lb 3, w 4) 7
Total (4 wickets; 20 overs; 98 mins) 161
Did
Lendl Simmons
CPL the saviour for disenchanted fans
After Australia’s lopsided victories over West Indies in the two Tests in Dominica and Jamaica earlier this month, a foreboding headline appeared in the Melbournebased Age over a piece by its chief sports columnist, Greg Baum.
“Test cricket: gone with the Windies”, it read. It reflected doubts in Australia over whether West Indies would be able to meaningfully compete in their three Tests there in December and January. The concern concentrated on the traditional, back-to-back matches at Australia’s two most iconic grounds - the MCG and SCG.
“All at Cricket Australia are increasingly twitchy about the fact that next summer’s showpiece Boxing Day and New Year’s Test matches are due to be played against the West Indies,” wrote Daniel Brettig on ESPNcricinfo.
“It will be a most painful return to the scene of past glories for support staff such as [head coach Phil] Simmons, [manager] Richie Richardson and [bowling consultant] Curtly Ambrose, and more pointedly an event where history and nostalgia will be expected to draw crowds to grounds and television sets when the cricket itself now looks incapable of doing so,” he added.
Terming New Zealand “the most exciting team in international cricket right now” following their meteoric rise from below West Indies three years ago to a World Cup final and a Test ranking of third behind South Africa and Australia,
Chris Barrett in the Sydney Morning Herald mooted a switch of the two itineraries.
Even if such a suggestion was considered, it would be impossible under the packed Future Tours Programme, which lists New Zealand for three earlier Tests, including the first day-night Test match, in Adelaide. Yet it was another indication of West Indies’ present reputation in a country where teams under Frank Worrell, Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards were revered above all others.
On their first 11 trips to Australia from 193031 to 1996-97, West Indies were guaranteed Tests in Melbourne and Sydney; they haven’t had one since 2000-01. It was a series that marked West Indies’ first 5-0 whitewash against Australia. Baum reported on it in the 2002 Wisden.
He would have recalled that the defeats then were just as emphatic as the most recent, none more so than in the 2000 Boxing Day Test, where West Indies scraped together totals of 165 and 109, losing by 352 runs. The margins in Dominica and Jamaica were nine wickets and 277 runs respectively.
There was no lack of experience in that team, as there clearly was in this; it included Brian Lara, Jimmy Adams, Wavell Hinds and Courtney Walsh. Top scores in each innings were 60 not out and 46 by 19-year-old Marlon Samuels.
That is how long the drought has lasted. Every now and again, a sprout springs in the wake of an encouraging shower, but it is always fleeting. So
it was after the promise of new, young talent that earned a hard-fought share of the home series against England prior to the two Australia Tests.
As they flounder near the bottom in the Test and ODI rankings, their once fanati-
hander, Lara’s cousin and clone, was “world cricket’s next superstar, no doubt”.
The new selection panel, under Clive Lloyd, has deliberately focused on youth. Lloyd is adamant that he and his colleagues will stick to the policy. He has ap-
cal support has drastically diminished. Stands that everywhere heaved with their devotees at the height of their powers are now occupied by a sprinkling of diehards.
Apart from the results (a win-loss-draw record of 30-80-44 since 2000), there has been a telling absence of twentysomething stars to excite optimism. While Joe Root has flourished for England, Kane Williamson for New Zealand, Steven Smith for Australia, Virat Kohli for India, Darren Bravo has faded after a start that led Steve Waugh to predict that the stylish left-
pealed for patience from followers; it is easier said than done.
The decision to omit 40-year-old Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the one dependable batsman throughout the difficult times, after a career spanning 21 years, and introduce three newcomers for the Australia Tests was widely questioned, not least by the WICB hierarchy.
In the interim, public enthusiasm for the game has been sustained by the introduction of the T20 Caribbean Premier League, a replica of the flagship IPL and the latest of the many
Tour de France winner Riis knew his team was doping, probe says
Former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis failed to act after learning that riders on the professional cycling team he managed were using performance-enhancing drugs, a damning report from Danish sporting authorities said.
The report into claims of doping in Danish cycling was released on Tuesday by the country’s Anti-Doping Authority and National Olympic Committee after a two-and-a-half year investigation that collated material from more than 50 interviews.
It followed a similar U.S. probe that ended with Lance Armstrong, hitherto the sport’s global icon, being stripped of his seven Tour De France titles for doping offences and banned from professional cycling for life.
Riis, 51, won the Tour in 1996 and was feted during his heyday as the greatest Danish cyclist of the modern era, but he subsequently admitted having doped during his career.
He later managed Team Saxo, which competes on the main pro circuit, before be-
ing sacked by the rebranded Team Tinkoff-Saxo in March following a dispute with new owner Oleg Tinkov.
“Management, with
the lid on a hitherto largely hidden culture of drug use within the sport from which Danish racing was not immune.
Bjarne Riis in overall charge, has at a minimum had knowledge of doping within the team, but failed to intervene. It is completely unacceptable,” Danish AntiDoping Authority director Michael Ash said in a statement on Tuesday.
Armstrong’s dramatic fall from grace in 2012 lifted
Morten Molholm Hansen, director of the Sports Federation of Denmark, on Tuesday criticized the “tradition of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling, which leads to a mentality that (such behavior) is acceptable.”
“Danish leaders in the sport failed to respond to
such global short-format tournaments.
Traditionalists dismiss it as nothing more than entertainment and irrelevant to the development of real cricketers, yet it has caught the imagination of an otherwise disenchanted public. Without it, it is not farfetched to accept the Age’s “Test cricket: gone with the Windies” assertion as not far from the mark.
The CPL was licensed by the WICB in 2013 to operate the private professional league. As such, its owner, the giant mobile phone company Digicel, is not encumbered by the peculiar problems that confront a board comprising stakeholders from the dozen politically independent territories scattered across the Caribbean Sea. Its third season started on Saturday night at Kensington Oval; seats were filled well before the first ball of a match between last year’s finalists, Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors.
It was, once more, a typically electric Caribbean party under the floodlights. St Lucia, St Kitts, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica are later venues for matches that culminate in the final in Port-of-Spain on July 26.
The West Indian superstars of the IPL are again interspersed through the six exotically titled franchise teams - Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel. It is the only chance for home fans to see them in action as
they no longer participate in WICB tournaments. Each team contains four high-profile overseas players. Jacques Kallis appears for the first time, for Red Steel; Kevin Pietersen remains with Zouks; Mahela Jayawardene is with Chris Gayle’s Tallawahs; Shahid Afridi with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The experience young Indians have benefited from in the IPL are now on offer for fledgling West Indians as they share hotels, changing rooms and responsibilities with their celebrated teammates, and gain cricket knowledge from them. The IPL influence is strong. Motor company Hero has become the title sponsor of the CPL; Bollywood star and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan has bought into the Trinidad & Tobago franchise. (Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg, with Tridents, and Gerard Butler, with Tallawahs, were already involved.)
There is another side to the story. While West Indies continue to languish near the bottom of the ICC’s Test and ODI rankings, they are fourth on the T20 list. Their triumph in the 2012 World T20 was their first in an ICC event since the 2004 Champions Trophy in England. Provided all their top T20 players are available and selected, they will start as one of the favourites for the 2016 tournament in India. It is success their devotees yearn for in all formats. At present, that seems some way off. (Cricinfo)
Blatter to attend World Cup draw in Russia on July 25
specific knowledge about their own riders’ use of doping,” the Authority added in a statement.
Tuesday’s report recommended that night-time testing of athletes should be introduced, that blood values from tests should either be delayed or not revealed to them and that a licensing system for team managers and doctors be introduced.
It also contained an allegation by Danish rider Bo Hamburger that Riis asked him in 2000 to acquire EPO, which improves aerobic capacity by artificially raising the user’s red blood cell count, for German Team Telekom rider Jorg Jaksche.
Jaksche confirmed the story to investigators, but Riis rejected the allegation.
With many revelations contained in the report dating back more than eight years, a statue of limitations for doping cases applies and no disciplinary charges can be brought.
Riis and Team TinkoffSaxo’s main sponsors, Tinkoff Bank and Saxo Bank, were not immediately available for comment. (Reuters)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will attend the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg on July 25, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Tuesday.
“Of course, he (Blatter) will attend (the draw),” Mutko told the TASS news agency.
“The whole of the (FIFA) executive committee will be there, as well as all 209 national federations. Preparations are going as planned,” the minister added. The Russian Football Union (RFS) also said Blatter would attend the draw.
“As a person who knows a few things about Blatter, I am in no doubt that he will attend the draw,” RFS general secretary Anatoly Vorobyov told Reuters in a telephone interview.
“Blatter has come to Russia 23 years in a row to attend the Commonwealth Cup. However, now there is a very important event in the sporting and social-political calendar. Of course the president of FIFA should attend these events.
“I am sure that if noth-
ing unexpected happens, Blatter will visit St Petersburg on 25th July,” Vorobyov added. The Commonwealth Cup began in 1993 as a tournament for the champions of the former Soviet Union republics.
Blatter, 79, said on June 2 he would step down from his post after U.S. and Swiss authorities widened their investigations into bribery and corruption at world soccer’s governing body.
Blatter has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Swiss authorities are also investigating the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. (Reurters)
The fans’ response to CPL is in stark contrast to that for home Tests
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Windies could miss ICC Champions Trophy after drop in rankings
The West Indies team could be in danger of missing the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in their history after taking a tumble in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) ratings.
Following a period of inactivity, the regional team has now been surpassed by Bangladesh, who had a strong performance in a series win over India on Sunday.
Ahead of the BangladeshIndia series, the West Indies were in seventh position on 88 rating points but the Bangladeshis have now gone to 93 points based on the fact that India are a higher ranked team than themselves. Now in eighth
position, the Windies are only marginally ahead of Pakistan by a point.
Pakistan, however, have two upcoming series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and as a result could overhaul the West Indies. The West Indies will be inactive during the period.
the cutoff date for the teams to make the grade for the ICC Champions Trophy. Only the top eight teams will make the tournament.
De La Hoya seriously considering
Mayweather rematch
Oscar de La Hoya is very serious about a return to boxing, with a showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr on the cards.
A rematch between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr is not beyond the realms of possibility, with the former claiming he is a “50-50” chance of returning to the ring.
De La Hoya has been retired since 2009 but a proposed comeback was flagged by unbeaten welterweight champion Mayweather last week.
Mayweather, who defeated Manny Pacquiao in a unanimous points decision in May, claimed a split-decision victory over De La Hoya in 2007.
But 42-year-old De La Hoya - a former 10-time world champion boasting a 39-6 win-loss record - may have the chance to exact revenge after telling ESPN. com on Monday: “It’s got to be worth my while but this is very serious.
“I have to make sure I am fighting the very best. I don’t have to come back for financial reasons or the lights or the glamour. The only reason I would come back is because I miss the competition of fighting the very best.
“I’m not preparing for an actual fight, but I run eight miles, I can hit the bag
for 12 rounds, I can jump rope and do the speed bag. I do all that on a regular basis to stay in shape.
“I look great too. I’ve never seen myself look like this. Sometimes that little itch gets me in that certain spot, and when so many people tell me I can do it, it’s trying to convince me that you can.”
De La Hoya, who has battled alcohol addiction, added: “Right now I feel the best I have felt in my life physically, emotionally, mentally because I haven’t touched alcohol for I don’t know how long. I’m training. I feel great. But it has to be worth my while.
“I’ve gotten everything
taken care of, my rotator cuffs, my left hand, everything. I’m pain free. I just feel good and when I walk the streets, everyone tells me, ‘You have to fight Floyd again’.
“Would I do it? I don’t know but I wake up every morning thinking that I can. I think about Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler.
“If [Leonard] could do it, why can’t I? We both come from similar situations. We are both hungry for the competition, we’re both ambitious. So you never know. At the same time, I wish time flies by so I don’t have to come back.” (Digicel Sportsmax)
Finch hit on chest, taken to hospital
Aaron Finch was taken to hospital after been hit on the chest by a delivery while playing for Yorkshire’s 2nd XI on Monday.
Finch, the Australia limited-overs opener, was part of the side taking on Worcestershire seconds in Barnt Green, south of Birmingham, when he was hit while attempting a pull shot off the seamer Chris Russell.
While Finch walked from the pitch unaided, he was clearly in some
pain and, after spitting up blood, was quickly taken to hospital. At hospital he underwent a series of tests and X-rays to ascertain the extent of the injuries, with Yorkshire suggesting that his condition had eased considerably. He was not required to stay in hospital.
A club spokesperson later told ESPNcricinfo that he would take no further part in the game. He returned to Leeds on Monday evening and expects the result of the
scans on Tuesday. While Finch had been expected to play for the Yorkshire first team in their fixture against Nottinghamshire starting on Monday, the club instead decided he could do with some red-ball cricket before coming into their Championship side.
Finch was due to join Yorkshire immediately after a spell in the IPL but suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Mumbai Indians that kept him out for two months.
(Cricinfo)
The ICC has set as September 30,
The West Indies won the tournament back in 2004.
(Digicel Sportsmax)
Phil Simmons
Oscar de La Hoya
“Teach Them Young” swim programme begins July 13
Youngsters desirous of learning the fundamentals of swimming and those aiming to sharpen their skills will be given an opportunity to do so, as the Education Ministry/ Department of Sport and the National Sports Commission (NSC) will stage the annual Teach Them Young programme from next month.
According to information reaching this publication, the six-week programme will commence on July 13 and conclude on August 21 at the Colgrain Pool on Camp Street, Georgetown. The camp will cater for youths between ages six and 16.
With places being allocated on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, a large influx of young prospective swimmers is expected to engage in the activity, which has, over the years, become the nursery of swimming in Guyana.
The camp will introduce first-timers to the basics of swimming
West Indies Retired Players Foundation golf day a huge success
The West Indies Retired Players Foundation has expressed great delight with Sunday’s charity golf event, which was staged at Sandy Lane Country Club. The event was jointly hosted by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), and supported by the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Digicel.
fare of former players who represented the Caribbean team at the international level.
GBTI
Interested persons are requested to make contact with Administrator Desiree Cummings at the Colgrain Pool on telephone number 226-0387 or Abraham Watson at the National
It is from this programme that potential swimmers are then assigned to clubs, where they can potentially begin a life in competitive swimming.
Tennis Open...
Aquatic Centre on telephone number 649-5562 for the necessary information, between 08:00h and 16:30h.
It is important for parents to bring along their child/children’s birth certificate(s) at the time of registration, a release from the NSC stated on Tuesday.
Close to 70 players registered for the event including former West Indies players Sir Vivian Richards, Desmond Haynes, Sir Richie Richardson, Jeff Dujon, Ian Bishop, Phil Simmons; as well as current international players Dwayne Smith, Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand. Several members of the International Cricket Council also participated.
The West Indies Retired Players Foundation was formed 18 months ago and part of its mandate is the development of programmes and assisting with the wel-
Juniors shine on Day 3
For many years the Open categories have seen mainly adult entries, but, refreshingly enough, in 2015 the juniors have made their presence felt in the GBTI Tennis Open.
On Day Three, spectators witnessed two junior players representing the country’s future in tennis, Shivani Persaud and Sarah Klautky, slugging it out on Court Two in the Ladies Singles Open.
Klautky lost the first set 6-0 to a more seasoned Persaud; however, she gained some momentum in the second set.
She slammed first serves and blasted winners in ral-
lies that lasted over 10 strokes.
It was evident that the consistency level of the girls was high and can be attributed to the exposure gained on the regional tennis circuit.
The juniors kept the ball rolling in the Ladies Singles Open, with Kalysia Fraser taking out the senior, Tracy Shamsudeen 6-1, 6-1.
The young Fraser kept her cool as she hit clean lines to create angles which forced her opponent to move.
The two Under-10s, Vedanand Resaul and Joshua Kalekeyzi, stole the show in their debut match against the two seniors,
Daniel Lopes and Nicolas Glasgow. They played fearlessly against their opponents.
They earned every point and never looked out of the game, as they encouraged each other along. This positive spirit gave them two games which will boost their egos as they go forward.
Lopes and Glasgow advanced with a 6-0, 6-2 win and will now face Hemraj Resaul and Mark McDonald.
It was a treat to watch Harry Panday and Chetham Narayan battle it out with their racquets in the Over35 Singles Category.
Panday is known for his consistency in returning any ball that is hit to him,
but he was forced out of his comfort zone by the imposing Narayan, who struck the ball with flat acute angles.
Panday displayed resilience to stay in the match, but the Indian national, Narayan, attacked the backhand of Panday with deep inside-out forehand shots to open the court. He then executed finishing shots of smashes and tenderly touched volleys. Narayan closed the match 6-3, 6-2.
In other action, all eyes were drawn to the main court to view a three-hour marathon between Viraj Jugdeo and Kester Abrams.
Jugdeo took the driving seat of the match from the first game and secured a straightforward first set at 6-3.
At this point in the match, it seems Abrams would be swept away by the precision of Jugdeo’s shot, but he proved the prediction wrong.
From the serve of the second set, it became a tumultuous match with the momentum being swung between the two players.
Abrams eventually won the match 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 and will face the number one seed, Anthony Downes. Stephen Bailey and Oswin Coggins teamed up in the Men’s Doubles Open to defeat Dominic Fraser and Nomechandra Persaud, 6-1, 6-4.
Bailey and Coggins were favoured for the win with their great teamwork and communication. Nonetheless, Fraser and Persaud put up an admirable fight in the second set.
Wavell Hinds, President of the WIPA said: “Cricket has given us so much and it is wonderful to see persons giving back to this great game as many braved the weather to show their support for this worthy cause. It was delight to see the former players and current players rubbing shoulders with fans and cricket lovers and this helped to raise the profile of the event as well.”
Dr Nigel Camacho, President of the WIRPF said: “Sunday’s golf day was an overwhelming success and we at WIRPF are pleased to see the wide cross section of persons who participated including legends of the game; cricketers past and present; and many other persons who have West Indies cricket at heart. This marvellous initiative will help to accelerate the work which we started last year as we give back to those who have given us so much.” (WICB Release)
Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, President of the WICB said: “We want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone who turned out on Sunday to support the ongoing work of the West Indies Retired Players Association. This is the first time we have hosted a golf day and it was a huge success. Everyone enjoyed the day and at the end of the day it is the players who will benefit.”
NPG Basketball tournament in Berbice...
Rockers send Jammers packing with 75-45 win to reach final
Smithfield Rockers have joined Canje Knights in the final of the NPG Packaging Plant basketball tournament for teams in Berbice after beating Rose Hall Town Jammers 75-45 in their semi-final played on Sunday at the Fyrish Basketball Court.
The Rockers started slow and trailed 9-10 at the end of the first quarter, but led 30-24 when the half-time whistle blew.
At the end of the third quarter they had secured a comfortable 40-35 lead.
For the Smithfield boys, Eon Wiggins scored 11 points, Perry Cort and Osafo Profit 10 points each while Kevin Wiggins chipped in with eight points.
Shemroy McKenzie and Robert Esseboom had 10 points each for Jammers in the loss, while Michael Bowen scored a game-high 14 points.
Rockers will take on the Knights on Sunday at the Fyrish Basketball Court in the final of the competition. At stake will be cash and other incentives. Organisers are seeking to have the game played under lights. Meanwhile, Fyrish Black Sharks will come up against Rose Hall Town Jammers in the play-off for third. Canje Knights advanced to the final with an 83-66 win over the Black Sharks in their semi-final. (Andrew Carmichael)
Dave Cameron
Pan American Games: “I expect upsets,” Green says
Tiger Sports backs BCB Caricom Championship
Gis to hopefully upset two of the three teams.
“I’m of the belief that once rugby is at the forefront of the minds of our guys, [they] will play to our best and there will be distractions but it is up to me and the Manager (Terrence Grant) to ensure they are in tune with what they
Islands was “squarely” on the shoulders of the players – “they played too relaxed; had a lapse in judgment that allowed Cayman to score the go-ahead try … I can prepare these guys off the field both mentally and tactically, but I can’t control what they think during a game,” Henry stressed.
uyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President Peter Green is expecting his national men’s rugby squad to score some upsets when they participate in the Pan American Games scheduled for July 10-26 in Toronto, Canada.
Guyana are in Pool B and will face on July 11 Argentina, Canada and Brazil – three daunting opponents; two of which are seeded in the top three of the tournament.
However, Green made his charge to the team on Monday during a press conference at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters, “I expect upsets, that’s my way of thinking.” Green noted.
Coach of the team, Theodore Henry also placed confidence in his squad, noting that the experience would do them well.
“We are always asking for these high-profile games against World Series opponents and now we have it and we need this to become better … the ultimate goal
have to do,” Henry highlighted.
Meanwhile, the GRFU also addressed the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) seven’s Championships and Olympic qualifiers in which Guyana finished third and fifth respectively.
“It is hard to maintain a national squad: we had a few unavailable players and we were cash-strapped compared to last year; also our loss to the Cayman Islands really put us on the back foot, we won’t sit here and make excuses but we are proud of our guys.
“Our team did not regress and people should continue to support the national ruggers,” Green urged.
Henry noted that the close 14-12 loss to Cayman
Henry pinpointed the one crucial area that the squad needed to improve on from the NACRA seven’s and Olympic qualifiers if they were to be successful.
“We definitely need to work on our kick-off reception: kick-off reception is a major issue for us and it’s going to be a tough task.
“We tried the mounted kick-off and it didn’t give us the amount of success we were looking for, but it is something we have to commit to, because we can’t outjump the taller teams man to man,” Henry noted.
The national squad will arrive in Canada five days prior to the tournament in order to play a few warmup matches before the start of their campaign on July 11.
Phelps takes 200 IM, wins 2nd race at Arena Pro Swim
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps knows training in Colorado Springs is good for his swimming career. That doesn’t mean he has to like it.
“It’s painful,” Phelps said. “It’s mentally challenging more than anything. I know, deep down inside, I do benefit from going.”
Phelps took charge of the men’s 200 individual medley and raced to his second win of the Arena Pro Series on Sunday night.
“It’s just good to push my body as hard as I can,” he said. “It helps prepare me. This has been a great confidence booster for me. I look at this and feel like I’m doing something right.”
Phelps’ next focus is the national championships,
where he expects to swim the 100 fly, 100 individual medley and 200 individual medley, though he hasn’t confirmed anything.
“I didn’t know what events I would swim here until I got here,” Phelps said. “I don’t know that I will be able to do all the events I want at nationals.”
First he has to survive a three-week training regimen at the Olympic Training Center.
“You’re locked in this compound for three weeks,” he said. “I can complain about going but I know it’s what I need.”
Olympic champion Missy Franklin, in her first long course event of the season, finished third in the 200 backstroke, an event in which she holds the world
Momentum is building ahead of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) inaugural Caricom Championship with another corporate entity offering its support for the July 5 event at the Albion Sports Complex.
Tiger Sports, of Old Road, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, has agreed to provide four boxes of cricket balls for the fundraising event.
Former national wicketkeeper/batsman and exGuyana Cricket Board selector Sheik Mohamed is running the operations at Tiger Sports, but it was his son, former national youth player Javed Mohamed, who made the presentation to BCB Executive Hubern Evans.
Young Mohamed said he and his father would usually follow the work of the BCB very closely and were always impressed with the amount of energy the Board members put into their cricket. He added that they both love the game very much and would always give back to help produce not only cricketers, but good sports ambassadors in general.
Evans thanked Sheik Mohamed and his family for their kind gesture and said that based on feedback, many Berbice cricketers, cricket clubs and even the BCB can go to Tiger Sports for help and it was always given.
He encouraged all Guyanese to shop at Tiger Sports for there was always good quality, great bargains and handsome discounts. Evans said that the popular
sports store, which can be contacted on 615-1900, has the latest sports gear of high quality and at very affordable prices.
Meanwhile, the BCB is calling on other sponsors to come onboard. Proceeds from the event will be used mainly to organise three-day cricket competitions in Berbice.
The Caricom Championship will see the top eight T20 First-Division teams in Berbice competing in a 10-over knockout competition with the final of 20 overs to be played under lights for a top prize of $80,000 and a trophy. The runner-up will receive $40,000 and a trophy with the losing semi-finalists get-
ting $15,000 each.
The participating teams are: Upper Corentyne/ Skeldon, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Albion, Young Warriors/Edinburgh/Rose Hall Centre, Police/Bermine, Blairmont/West Berbice and Bush Lot/D’Edward. Admission is $300 per person and action will bowl off at 10:00h.
Others sponsors on board so far are: Sentinel Security Inc; Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited; Sandeep Ramdas of Ishmail Poultry Establishment (Pampey); Safraz Photo Studio; Office Express and Rocky of Palace Taxi Service and Restaurant and Bar.
record, and sixth in the 100 freestyle on the final day.
“I have a lot of mixed feelings,” Franklin said. “I haven’t raced for a long time but I felt strong and powerful. The speed just was not there. It was important to figure out what works in the water.”
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu won the women’s 200 individual medley and the 200 backstroke, her fourth and fifth victories of the weekend.
Russian Yulia Efimova won the women’s 50 breast, edging Trojan Swim Club teammate Jessica Hardy by a half-second. Efimova will be competing at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, later this summer. (ESPN)
From left: John Lewis, Petal Adams, Peter Green, Theodore Henry, and Terrence Grant during the press briefing
BCB Executive Hubern Evans (left) receives the balls from Javed Mohamed of Tiger Sports
Ramdin gives Warriors batsmen vote of confidence
By AvenAsh rAmzAn
Despite a heavy 49run loss at the hands of reigning champions Barbados Tridents in the opening game of the Hero Caribbean Premier League on Saturday evening, Guyana Amazon Warriors skipper Denesh Ramdin believes the franchise has the batting firepower to rebound in future games.
The two-time runners-up failed miserably with the bat, losing three wickets in the Powerplay on their way to being dismissed for 109 in 18 overs, chasing the Tridents’ 158-6.
Ramdin, who was one of six batsmen to be dismissed for single digits, said at the post-match presentation that losing those early wickets in the first six overs definitely set the team on the back foot during the run-chase, but he was confident the batters would do better in the upcoming matches.
“Yea, definitely we have the firepower. [Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara] Perera will be coming in as I said lower down the order; [Brad] Hodge with his experience and [Tillekaratne] Dilshan and [Lendl Simmons] Simmo at the top of the order,” Ramdin pointed out.
He added, “I didn’t come off tonight, but having said that the guys are feeling good, they’re confident, but we came
up against a good team today [Saturday].”
Ramdin also bemoaned the lack of a fifth bowler during the opening match, leav-
ing him to resort to the use of medium-pacers Lendl Simmons and Christopher Barnwell. Combined, the duo leaked 40 runs in three overs, while Dilshan’s lone over produced 16 runs.
Again, Ramdin is banking on Perera to strengthen the bowling attack. “I think we missed our fifth bowler in the match. Hopefully, we can get that in our next match with Perera coming in, but it was a good deck to get them under 160. We got off to a bad start –three down in the Powerplay – and the middle and lower order was exposed.”
Sunil Narine, with a re-
modelled action, claimed 2-22 when the Tridents batted with Kieron Pollard hitting 48 off 26 and Shoaib Malik 39 off 35.
The Warriors then lost wickets in the second, third and fourth overs of the chase, with only Hodge and Dilshan getting past 20 with 26 and 24 respectively, while Veerasammy Permaul (14) and Assad Fudadin (12) were the only other batsmen to get into double figures. Ravi Rampaul and Robin Peterson claimed three wickets apiece.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors next face St Lucia Zouks at the Beausejour Stadium on Friday at 20:00h.
Hero CPL… Tridents
make
it 2 from 2
The Barbados Tridents have begun their defence of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with two wins from as many starts. Their 17-run victory tonight came at the expense of the Jamaica Tallawahs who were playing their first
B y T reis T on J oseph
In a one-sided display, the more talented Cummings Lodge Secondary destroyed Nehemiah Comprehensive Secondary School, which never had a chance, losing 8-2 on Tuesday at the Education Ministry Ground when the Digicel Nationwide School Football Tournament continued.
Nehemiah was simply outplayed and outclassed from kick-off. Fredrick Ketwaroo opened the scoring for
Robin
game of the season.
The Tridents, who had made 161, after a position of real strength should have seen them closer to 200, bowled and fielded their way to a good victory.
From their regular wickets and a scarcity of boundaries ensured the Tridents
were always in the ascendency. South African left-arm orthodox spinner, Robin Peterson, who had accounted for Walton with the first delivery of his spell came to the party in a big way, as he had the dangerous Mahela Jayawardene, stumped one ball later.
First order of business for the Tridents was to get rid of Chris Gayle and they did just that, picking up the wicket from the big left hander’s first aggrressive shot. Gayle (9) would soon have company in the pavilion, as his opening partner, Chadwick Walton (23) would follow him just two overs later.
Digicel Nationwide School Football Georgetown leg
Cummings Lodge in the 12th minute, while Denzie Price followed up with a goal in the 14th minute to add to the scoreline.
Ketwaroo then scored his second goal of the match with a whizzing right footed effort in the 25th minute to make the game 3-0 heading into the halftime break.
On resumption, Aubrey Gill reduced the deficit with a breakaway goal in the 47th minute; however, Nehemiah’s hope of making a comeback was quickly halted when Shaquille Inniss tucked the ball in
the left-hand corner of the goal to make the score 4-1 in favour of Cummings Lodge.
Jeremiah Powe would pull a goal back via a penalty for Nehemiah to make the score 4-2, which only ignited a scoring fest for Cummings Lodge.
ZeeMario Johnny easily notched a goal in the 56th minute, while Elroy George scored a hat-trick in the 58th, 65th and 70th minute. The Tournament will continue today at various venues across Guyana.
Ravi Rampaul claims the final wicket of Veerasammy Permaul to hand the Tridents victory in the opening game
Denesh Ramdin
Shaquille Inniss celebrates after scoring for Cummings Lodge Secondary School (Treiston Joseph photo)
Peterson celebrates one of his three wickets in a Man of the Match performance for the Tridents
