Guyana Times Daily - March 21, 2015

Next steps pivotal to resolution

saturday, march 21, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

South Ruimveldt man in custody for Credit Union heist

ASouth Ruimveldt

man is now being questioned by Police in connection with the multimillion-dollar robbery committed on the National Credit Union on Thursday morning.

During the raid, the bandits carted off over $15 million and at least seven weapons.

A source close to the investigation revealed that the man was picked up on Thursday evening after the

Police received a tip.

At the time of his arrest, neither missing weapons nor cash was found in his possession.

Nevertheless, Police ranks will continue to grill the man whom they be-

lieve might have been a part of the robbery. The Police source also verified that the suspect was not an employee at the firm.

Since the robbery occurred, there has been speculation about the reason for the presence of eight guns on the premises, but a senior Police rank explained that the weapons belonged to the organisation and would have been used by security

personnel who were being trained to use the weapons.

He added that before the weapons were handed over to the guards, they must be trained.

It was reported that three men armed with handguns attacked the security guard on duty, proceeded to tie him up and then ransacked the office where they discovered the money and weapons in a safe in the up-

per flat of the building. Investigators are presently treating the robbery as an inside job, since they believe that only persons on the inside were aware of the location of the safe and its content. The matter was initially reported as a break and enter and robbery, but after arriving at the scene, the Police ranks were greeted by the security guard who was bound

At least five shotguns, one .32 pistol and one .32 revolver were taken by the bandits along with 45 cartridges before they made good their escape. While being questioned, the security guard reportedly told the investigators that before entering the building, the bandits disarmed the surveillance cameras that were placed at strategic locations. The three men, he noted, were wearing masks. The Police are continuing their investigation.

Man who attempted to ship 40 kilos of cocaine remanded

Darshnan Balram, of Lot 211 Albert Street, Bourda, Georgetown, who was caught with almost 40 kilos (88 pounds) of cocaine in several 5-gallon buckets at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara on Thursday was remanded to prison.

He made his first court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday where he pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

According to information received, the shipper was nabbed around 14:10h by members of the Police Narcotics Branch as he was attempting to ship a quantity of cassareep, fruits and seasoning to New Jersey, USA.

The Guyana Times was told that the man was about

to ship 60 45-gallon buckets of the items when a Police rank inspected one of the buckets and discovered that it had a false bottom. Upon closer inspection, a whitish substance was unearthed, tested and proved to be cocaine. As a result, the other buckets were inspected and 40 of them had false bottoms.

The defendant will make his next court appearance on April 8.

Fisherman reportedly killed, thrown into Atlantic Ocean

Asearch has commenced for the body of a young fisherman, who was reportedly murdered and thrown into the Atlantic Ocean just off the foreshore of Bush Lot, Berbice on Tuesday last.

The fisherman has been identified as Deochand Sukhlall, also called “Avo”, 22 of Lot 20 Dundee, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

Police, in a statement, revealed that the incident occurred off the foreshore of Bush Lot, but relatives were told that the incident occurred in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Based on information received, the young man and one of his co-workers on board the fishing vessel had a confrontation which led to a scuffle.

During the scuffle, the worker reportedly dealt one blow to Sukhlall’s head resulting in him falling overboard. A search was launched, but the body was not found. The captain and crew members are in Police custody assisting with the

investigation.

A senior Police rank stated that based on reports, the suspect and the now dead young man had been at loggerheads and the incident might have stemmed from a heated argument.

However, Naline Sukhlall, eldest sister of the dead man, who took care of him since their parents died years ago, told the Guyana Times that she received a telephone call from

the owner of the fishing vessel relating the devastating news.

The grieving woman stated that she was told her brother’s body was missing despite a thorough search by the team. She noted that her brother, who lived alone in their parents’ house, left home about 14 days ago claiming that he was heading to Charity to work on the fishing vessel.

She recalled seeing him about one month ago. Her mother she noted died about 15 years ago and her father died several years before that.

In tears, the woman stated that she has some doubts and believes that he is alive, as the body was not recovered. Only when his body is recovered will she believe that he is dead, she said.

Sukhlall has been working on sea for quite some time and is quite familiar with the sea. She described him as a young man who did not get into trouble. He is survived by his three siblings. Police are continuing their investigations.

The National Credit Union, which was robbed on Thursday

Deochand Sukhlall

saturday, March 21, 2015 |

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, March 21 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, March 22 –– 05:30h-07:00h

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

Saturday, March 21 – 05:00h-06:30h and Sunday, March 22 –– 05:20h-06:50h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings on:

Saturday, March 21 –

06:00h and 16:00h

Sunday, March 22 – 06:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with sunny conditions otherwise prevailing. Cloudy conditions should give way to light rain showers in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 05:09h and 17:32h reaching maximum heights of 2.96 metres and 2.93 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:05h and 23:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.23 metre and 0.33 metre respectively.

Rohee, Luncheon go on offensive

As PPP/C takes campaign to Tucville, Cummings Lodge

By Devina Samaroo anD DavenDra KiSSoon

Clement Rohee and Dr Roger Luncheon delivered a feral blast to plans and policies articulated by the Opposition coalition group on Friday when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) held its first round of public meetings at Tucville, Georgetown and Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

The duo joined by former parliamentarians Drs Ashni Singh and Vindhya Persaud, and Jenifer Webster hit the campaign trail around 18:00h telling Guyanese that they must never forget their past because it helped them to make cogent decisions about their future.

Rohee, the party’s General Secretary, addressing a gathering at Tucville, Georgetown explained that Guyanese needed to understand what was at stake as he reminded them that the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) coalition has done nothing to further their development but everything to frustrate and deter progress.

He warned against falling for the fairy tale promises and action plans being articulated by the Opposition group as it was clear that they were not rooted in any sort of reality.

Rohee said that he was proud of the accomplishments of the ruling party as he examined the PPP/ C’s tenure and the challenges it faced in modernising the country against the Opposition’s track record in the 10th Parliament and the rule of the People’s National Congress in office in the pre1992 era.

The General Secretary said that he was aghast at how desperately the coalition wanted Guyanese to forget their past because they were in another sweaty attempt to hide behind new masks and veils to fool the Guyanese people that they were the ‘change’ they needed.

Dr Roger Luncheon also addressed the gathering at Tucville, and highlighted the tremendous progress the PPP/C Government has made under challenging circumstances since it took over in 1992.

Dr Luncheon stressed on the economic and socio-economic development Guyana has witnessed throughout the years, placing emphasis on the fact that the “Burnhamite” regime failed miserably to deliver a democratic society for Guyanese citizens.

He also praised the work of the PPP founder Dr Cheddi Jagan as he pointed out that the current Government has successfully followed in the footsteps of the distinguished man by creating a free, fair and democratic nation.

Dr Luncheon emphasised on the reality that Guyana was a developing country and that the PPP/C’s philosophy was rooted in that fact, noting that the PPP/C and development in Guyana are synonymous.

Also taking a stand on that podium was Human Services Minister Jenifer Webster who delivered a powerful message reflecting on the enhancement of women’s rights in Guyana.

She noted that women had no rights and privileges under the PNC regime, and stressed on the massive changes every Guyanese woman has witnessed and experienced under the PPP/C rule.

Further, Webster elaborated on the significant improvement the elderly have seen under the PPP/C tenure

with substantial increases in the Old Age Pension and the introduction of subsidies on utility bills.

Remember

Over at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, Dr Singh was busy cautioning Guyanese about the PNC of old as he spoke about the need for them to resist returning to the ‘dark days’. He also highlighted that the opposition was still stuck with the same philosophies of the past.

The PPP/C executive said APNU-AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo had insulted the people when he said to forget the past. He brought to light that even though APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger and Nagamootoo wanted Guyanese to forget the past and forget the rigging of 28 years ago, the PNC was involved in rigging recently.

Dr Singh said, “Don’t go back to 28 years, go back one year. Because only last year, the PNC held its party congress and at its party congress they had the task of electing a party leader and did you know what the PNC did to its own members at Congress Place last June?”

He mentioned the party members travelled miles to Congress Place only to be locked out. The politician said, “Can you remember the members of the PNC walking around Congress Place with guns in their hands, holding their own members at bay?”

He also pointed out that their party members said that they were robbed of a chance to elect their own leader.

But Dr Persaud brought the message of hope to the community telling residents that her party would continue to struggle for their upward mobility and overall development.

She said that the PPP/C was more than committed to fighting the social ills that plague the country’s human resources, explaining that women would continue to lead in several sectors and would grow in strength as Guyana grows.

The politician also told the crowd that progress is change and shared several policies that are aimed at strengthening the family unit and overall aim of building strong communities across the country.

Dr Vindhya Persaud

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Curbing domestic violence

Domestic violence is becoming more pervasive. Around the world, a woman is beaten every nine seconds, with one in four women experiencing severe physical abuse in their lifetime. Annually, 10 million children witness their mothers being beaten inside their own homes, while approximately three women are murdered every day by those who promised to love them.

According to local records, 29 domestic violence-related murders occurred in 2013, with 21 of the victims being women and girls. Six of the victims were children, with the youngest being eight months old and the oldest 15. In addition, two 17-year-old girls were among the victims.

Domestic abuse that leads to violence and murder is seldom sudden or spontaneous. It is usually cold-blooded and calculated and comes as the climax of a continuum of indicative incidents.

The question is, and has always been, how can family members, friends and the community at one level, and nongovernmental organisations, law enforcement agencies and the administration at another, recognise the pattern of abuse and do something to prevent the murders and other egregious expressions of abuse?

At the end of 2008, the Guyana Police Force confirmed that it had received and investigated 2,811 reports of domestic violence in the policing divisions throughout the country. Of this number, only 579 persons were charged and placed before the courts, while 299 cases were referred to the Probation and Family Welfare Department of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.

The Police also stated at the time that in 1,609 cases, persons were “warned” at the request of the victims. Investigations were said to be continuing in other reports. Help and Shelter reported handling 468 abuse cases, including child, spousal, non-spousal, and other domestic abuse in 2008. Of these, 306 involved spousal abuse directed against women.

When society becomes tolerant of such abuse and when law enforcement agencies fail to act against offenders, domestic abuse could flourish and degenerate into violence.

When friends, family members and neighbours ignore a woman’s bruises and when the Police fail to prosecute abusers, it becomes easier for the assailant to escape punishment and perpetuate his crime.

The problem, however, is neither novel nor simple and it is way too serious for religious groups to handle. Sanctimonious statements and expressions of outrage by usually well-meaning social and religious groups on the frequent killings of partners and spouses have not been very helpful in dealing with such a deep-seated cultural issue.

Deaths at the hands of partners and spouses have increased, a fact that suggests that the perpetrators still feel confident that they can escape punishment for their crimes. This means that there is a need for stronger enforcement of the legislation.

Passing laws and promulgating policies is one thing; enforcing them, punishing offenders and ending abuses are another. The Help and Shelter Organisation, for example, complained that magistrates and magistrates’ courts staff still lacked sensitivity to the delicacy of domestic violence and to their roles in ensuring implementation of the law.

In addition, the courts seem not to prosecute cases in which the alleged victim or victim’s family agreed to discontinue the case in exchange for out-of-court monetary settlement, even though evidence exists that a crime had been committed.

The Police – the main law-enforcement agency with responsibility for curbing domestic violence – was slow to respond to the challenge of the crime. Some Police stations still need to be modified to provide privacy to complainants, more female officers need to be deployed to handle sensitive cases, and court prosecutors need to understand the gravity of the crime.

Domestic violence must be stopped. But, are the administration, its law enforcement agencies, nongovernmental organisations and civil society equal to the task?

The combined financial, human, material and institutional resources which the state, the NGOs, the Police and the justice system have poured in the area of domestic violence prevention have clearly proved to be “inadequate” and the entire approach needs to be re-examined.

Solar eclipse

Dr Jagan was willing to support issues which were socially and economically beneficial

Dear Editor,

The AFC leaders such as Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan and political commentator Ralph Ramkarran are most vociferous in concluding that the present coalition between the AFC and APNU is what the late Dr Cheddi Jagan would have wanted and it represents Jagan’s vision of a National Patriotic Front Government.

The most important person who can shed light on this vital issue is the man himself, and since he is not around anymore we have to consult his writings, namely, the West On Trial.

From 1964 to 1992, Jagan spoke of a coalition with the PNC and the forming of a National Patriotic Front Government on many different occasions to suit the diverse political and economic climate existing at the time.

For instance, on June 6, 1964 Jagan wrote to Forbes Burnham, saying that since the split of the PPP in 1955, it has been his desire that a coalition be formed between the PNC and the PPP, and moreover, since the situa-

tion has deteriorated to such an extent that “something dramatic must be done to prevent further racial strife between the two major ethnic groups”.

This was the 1961-64 period, which saw severe strikes, beatings, burning, looting, murder and rape which culminated with the Wismar massacre. This is the situation which propelled Jagan to invite Burnham to form a coalition. Burnham bluntly refused this invitation since the machinery was in place to install him as the next Prime Minister. This scenario does not exist today.

Then the “critical support” in 1975 came at a time when Guyana’s territorial integrity was threatened by Venezuela. Jagan then offered critical support but Burnham later said that this support was “more critical than supportive”.

Dr Jagan had made it clear that he was willing to support issues which are socially and economically beneficial to the country and its people. This is a lot different from what APNU and the AFC did since the 2011

Elections. They have stymied social and economic development to the extent that they have cut many projects which they themselves have in their manifestos. Would Jagan have done this?

Then in 1976, when Burnham started to play the socialist game, Dr Jagan again made a proposal for a National Patriotic Front Government which will be based on a democratic, antiimperialist and socialist-orientated programme.

Jagan’s main focus was “an uncomprising struggle against imperialist exploitation and the achieving of that revolution from imperialism to socialism. This again was rejected by Burnham. Note that at this time the coalition’s objective would have been to bring imperialism to an end and foster a socialist revolution. This was again rejected and Burnham accused Jagan of using the coalition as a means of sharing power”. Then later on Jagan again made a proposal for a National Patriotic Front Government but this time he did not demand ideological conformity. He made it

clear that “in the National Patriotic Front, there is place for communists and non-communists…but no room for anti-communists”. This was again rejected by Burnham who repeated his conclusion that Jagan is only interested in power sharing. It can be deduced that these later attempts to form a National patriotic Front by Jagan was in the national interest and his belief that the communist or socialist was the best for Guyana. It must be noted that the late Jagan always put his country first. However, Burnham was never interested in power sharing since his well-oiled rigging machinery will ensure that he remained in power and although there were further talks between Jagan and Burnham until his death in 1985, Burnham was only using Jagan to get whatever economic assistance he could get from the Socialist and Communist countries since the country was already bankrupt. Burnham was the ‘master chameleon’.

The differences in dates in the Hindu calendars

Dear Editor, The confusion caused by the differences in dates in the Hindu calendars will simply not go away since they go right on to Diwali in November, which is a national holiday. I sought in a previous letter to explain the methodology used in arriving at the correct dates. However, from all appearances, this has not resolved the matter.

As a matter of fact, the situation is worsening as Hindus are getting into heated arguments. Dharmic Sabha is not helping any by its claim that it is correct and all others are wrong. Can all the other Hindu organizations and pandits of Guyana be wrong? Are the Kaashi Ka Panchang, mypanchang.com, drikpanchang.com and the 100-year Patra all be wrong?

Why is it that all the dates in Dharmic Sabha calendar are given one day after? Is it that Dharmic Sabha has treated the time in the Patra as the starting time, instead of the ending time?

Or, is it that the adjustment of 9:30 hours was not made? Dharmic Sabha owes the Hindu community an explanation of the methods used or the source of its in-

formation. Leaders of all Hindu organizations must sit down and iron out this matter.

Pt R Balbadar

President Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands)

Millions of people in the United Kingdom and northern Europe enjoyed the best solar eclipse in years, with large areas plunging into deep shadow. In Svalbard, the capital city of Longyearbyen witnessed two and a half minutes of totality, starting shortly after 10:10 GMT

Granger was looking for a good media sound bite

Dear Editor,

I was present at the GMSA luncheon on March 17, where David Granger was the featured speaker. His purpose was to address the business community on his plan to develop Guyana. This was my first time listening to David Granger live and in person. His opening quote to start the presentation was vitriolic and repulsive. Mr Granger started off with a military quote. No surprise there and to his critics who frequently charged him as being too militaristic.

I was repulsed by his military quote. I suspect that if Granger is to become the President, Guyana will be militarized yet again.

Drawing reference to a statement made by a British General during World War I of the British Infantry as being “lions led by donkeys”, Granger stated that “Guyana is a land of laguars being led by jackasses.”

According to an online

article, Granger said that “Guyana is a land of jaguars, but we are led by jackasses. People want development, people want to get out, they want to be rich, they want to be like other countries, but they are led by jackasses.”

I was shocked at his statement. I suspected that he was looking for a good media sound bite and wanted to follow on the heels of Bharrat Jagdeo’s “kick ass” comment. “Guyana being led by jackasses” became the running theme of Mr Granger’s speech.

Aside from his banal, nosubstance and lack-of-specifics speech, I had to prop myself up before I fell asleep. When it came to the question and answer segment of the programme, a bold young man from the GCCI stood up and voiced his aversion to Granger’s jackass comment.

Granger turned full circle and said his quote was out of context and he did not call his adversaries jackass,

and he does not engage in that sort of politics. I nearly fell off my chair as Granger was attempting to hoodwink the entire gathering of titans of the business community in Guyana. No one else called him out for his lies. Then again most of his presentation on Amaila and anti-money laundering was fallacious. To my surprise, Granger said the latter projects would be supported in his Administration.

I suspect that when President Ramator addresses this very gathering in April, he would not be treated with the same ease that the business community afforded Mr Granger. Most in the room sat by and allowed Mr Granger to perpetuate his lies to the gathering. I suspect that they were mostly hungry and had to wait on Granger to finish his presentation before they could eat lunch and hence few pressing issues or calling Granger out on his fallacies.

I would like to reiter-

Poll obsolete in many ways

Dear Editor,

The fallacies that abound in the entry, “Majority won’t vote for the PPP/C – poll suggests”, are too many to comment on, but for Tarron Khemraj and company, who always find the ‘doings’ of Stabroek News most convenient, I do have a few things to say.

We all need to accept the reality of the politics in Guyana. It is played out basically in two factions. The sordid pre-1992 game was kept alive for a long time only because there was nothing like a fair and free election.

The turn took place in 1992, and it is easy to note, via succeeding elections, that the PPP/C is really the people’s choice. This cannot be disputed, as the party

has never lost a single election in Guyana, irrespective of who the leader happened to be – from the late Dr Cheddi Jagan to the incumbent Donald Ramotar.

I note that the article is saying that “a poll of over 1,500 Guyanese, last year, suggests that almost 50 per cent will vote against the incumbent Donald Ramotar Administration at the upcoming May 11 polls”.

The political climate has changed drastically since that time. In fact, over the last ix months or so, Guyanese have seen an unbelievable side of the Opposition.

The Opposition forced a prorogation and then could not handle it. The two major forces therein, APNU and AFC, wanted to press home

a No-Confidence Motion and we all know this meant that fresh elections would have ensued.

Now the prorogation could have facilitated some meaningful dialogues, but these two parties simply defied President Ramotar, who true to the Constitution, called for the elections, which we are about to go into.

We have in Guyana a most unyielding Opposition, bent on simply opposing and not amenable to even further the progress of some important projects and bills, in Guyana, and for all Guyanese (Amaila Falls, CJIA expansion, Specialty Hospital and passing the AML/CTF Bill).

Dr Jagan was willing to support ...

After Burnham’s death Hoyte refused Jagan’s idea of a National Patriotic Front Government and massively rigged the 1985 elections.

Jagan then pursued a national front government with other parties, groups, organisations which gave birth to the “Civic” component of the PPP. This was the closest that Jagan came to realizing his vision of a national front Government. That component still exists today.

Therefore, to say that this present coalition is the vision of Jagan is to insult what he stood for. Jagan had envisioned a National Patriotic Government where winner does not take all and that means the inclusion of the major ethnic groups.

Can we say that the present coalition is configured along that line? Absolutely not! Until now civil society,

the religious communities and the trade unions have been disregarded. Moreover, this can never happen without the inclusion of the PPP/C.

Therefore the true intention of the coalition is to exclude the PPP/C and to depose of the PPP/C in order to get power. It is not about putting Guyana first. Putting Guyana first is Jagan’s legacy and vision, not this power play which is so blatantly being propagated by the AFC and APNU!

The game plan of AFC and APNU was revealed on a piece-meal basis since 2011 and culminated with the No-Confidence Motion.

Dr Joey Jagan should not be talking about Jagan’s legacy since he spurned that legacy many times and openly challenged that legacy many times and deviated from that legacy many

ate that I am young, welleducated and a first time Guyanese voter. I read a lot and follow the happenings of Guyana’ politics. I will

not be fooled by Mr Granger and he cannot pull the wool over my eyes. He should be truthful with the nation. His jackass reference was a ma-

jor turn off. Name withheld by request

GRA cooperates fully with AG’s Office

Dear Editor, The CommissionerGeneral of the GRA Khurshid Sattaur has noted with interest allegations made by Vanessa Narine in the March 16 edition of the Guyana Chronicle.

In an article headlined, “Auditor-General knocks GRA over sloth in investigation”, Ms Narine sought to give the impression that the GRA is stymieing the investigations of the Auditor General’s Office as it relates to the re-migrant scheme.

At no point in the article did the Auditor General Deodat Sharma attack the GRA for the slow pace of the investigation. Rather, he indicated that there were issues which have hindered the speedy delivery of information, while noting that the investigations will be completed shortly.

The reporter also reported that “repeated calls to the CommissionerGeneral…for a comment on the matter have gone unanswered”. It must be pointed out that there is no record of such calls being made enquiring about this specific matter or any request for information relative to the issue at hand.

Additionally, it should be noted that the GRA is not in a position to comment on matters of this nature since this is an ongoing investigation under the purview of the Auditor General’s office.

GRA would like to ardently state that it is not

times. He resigned his seat in Parliament in 1997, he resigned from the PPP/C at that time, and he founded the United Party of Guyana – a pro-capitalist party. This is the complete Opposite of the ideology which his father believed in.

Then in 2006 he joined with others to form the Third Force, but returned to the PPP/C in 2011 and claimed that he will dispel the dispersions and outright fabrications of Nagamootoo.

He further claimed that Moses was abandoning the very nature and good of the Jagan legacy. Today, he is once again on the opposite side, this time he is supporting a coalition which is directly aimed at power grabbing and power sharing.

Not once did the Opposition support the developmental plans of the

Government. They deliberately cut the budget over the last three years to show that the country is not progressing under the PPP/C and that they can do better.

Cheddi had said that “we are prepared to sit together with all truly democratic, progressive and left forces to hammer out a common minimum program for the attainment of our national goals and our people’s aspirations”.

But sadly the coalition comprising APNU and AFC have sat together to hammer out their personal goals and aspirations, namely, who must get what! Is this Jagan’s legacy?

It is people like Moses and Ramjattan who should be ashamed to invoke the legacy of Jagan!

Haseef Yusuf

the agency tasked with the responsibility of granting remigrant status.

However, once such status is granted, the GRA acts accordingly.

Recently, specific decisions in court cases of this nature have mandated that the agency be guided by the law and not by policy which states that a person must own and show prior usage of vehicles and that this should be in excess of six months.

However, GRA is tasked with monitoring the concessions to ensure they are being used for the purpose intended.

Through its investiga-

tive section, the agency checks on persons who have been granted re-migrant status to ensure they are compliant and have not requested such status in an effort to defraud the State. In light of the misleading headline and distorted content of the article in question, the GRA is once again appealing to the media to practice ethical journalism and ensure that sensational reporting is not the main objective of their profession.

Guyana Revenue Authority

Diamond Hospital gets new ambulance

Local Government and Regional Development

Minister Norman Whittaker today presented the keys of a new, fully equipped ambulance to Dr. Serena Bender of the Diamond Hospital.

Minister Whittaker stated that the investment is important and allows for mobility and the transfer of the patients. He urged that the hospital’s management and the drivers care the ambulance. If this is not done, he observed that rehabilitation costs would increase tremendously and further funds would have to be directed towards providing another ambulance.

The Minister pledged the assistance of his Ministry should they need it, adding that this would be done ‘within their means.”

The Minister urged the staff members to continue extending care to their patients, even as the residents in the surrounding communities are on the increase.

Dr Bender thanked the Minister for the ambulance pointing out that it was well appreciated. She assured him that the service at the hospital should

improve once the ambulance begins its work.

The ambulance was catered for in the 2014 National Budget. The hospital previously had two ambulances and one crashed. Since the hospital serves from Moblissa to Georgetown the ambulance is needed, the Government Information (GINA) Agency said.

Meanwhile, Minister Whittaker also handed over to Dr Bender, a computer to be used by the Records Department of the Diamond Hospital.

The effects of parental alcoholism on children

One misconception that many alcoholics and addicts seem to have is that their drinking or substance abuse is not affecting anyone else. Many times they will make statements like, “I’m not hurting anyone but myself!”

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of research and a vast amount of anecdotal evidence that this is simply not the case. The behaviour of addicts and alcoholics can affect everyone around them, including family, friends, employers and co-workers.

Children are the most vulnerable

Perhaps those most vulnerable to the effects of alcoholism or addiction are their children. If you have a drinking or a drug abuse problem and you have children in your home, they are being affected, sometimes so profoundly that the effects last their entire lifetimes.

Children of alcoholics and addicts can have deep-seated psychological and emotional reactions to growing up with an addicted parent. These characteristics of adult children were described by Dr Janet G Woititz in her best-selling book, Adult Children of Alcoholics, in 1983. Since the first publication of her book, further research has shown that these psychological traits can be the outcome in sev-

eral developmental contexts, prompting Woititz to release a later expanded edition of her book.

Effects of parental addiction

To demonstrate just how hazardous parental addiction can be to children, consider the fact that many of the characteristics described by adult children of alcoholics are among those also reported by children who were physically or sexually abused by a parent. Other contexts in which these outcomes have been reported include children who were adopted or lived in foster homes, children with parents who demonstrated compulsive behaviours such as gambling or overeating, children with a parent who had a chronic illness, and children who were raised by overly strict religious parents.

Real stories from adult children

The point is if you have a drinking or drug problem and have children, they may be affected to the extent that it affects their quality of life throughout their adulthood. If you think that your drinking or drug abuse does not affect anyone else, click on the links below to read the real stories of some who have been affected.

Adult children of alcoholics may:

Have to guess what normal is. Because they did not have a example to follow from their childhood and never experienced “normal” family relationships, adult children of alcoholics and addicts may have to guess at what it means to be normal. They sometimes can’t tell good role models from bad ones. Some are not comfortable around family because they don’t know what to do or how to react.

Judge themselves without mercy. Many adult children of alcoholics or addicts find it difficult to give themselves a break. They do not feel adequate, and feel that they are never good enough. They may have little self-worth and low selfesteem and can develop deep feelings of inadequacy.

Take themselves too seriously. Because they judge themselves too harshly, some adult children of alcoholics may take themselves very seriously. They can become depressed or anxious because they have never learned how to lighten up on themselves. They can get very angry with themselves when they make a mistake.

(alcoholism.about.com)

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker hands over the keys of the ambulance to Dr Serena Bender of the Diamond Hospital

Minister Whittaker hands over to Dr Serena Bender the computer to be used in the Records Department of the Diamond Hospital

Quamina Street under siege

Guyana Times’ employees attacked, robbed

As robberies continue to escalate countrywide, two Guyana Times employees were held up on Wednesday evening in front of the company, located at Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown.

The two male employees were awaiting transportation outside the building when they were attacked by two men around 20:30h. The employees said the men were passing on their bicycles when they abruptly stopped and charged towards them.

With the use of a pocketknife, the men threatened the lives of the employees, forcing them to relinquish their valuables – two smartphones and undisclosed sums of cash.

A report was immediately made to the Police and the victims are now awaiting a response about a possible in-

vestigation into the matter.

Quamina Street appears to be a safe haven for criminals with many of them lurking around, awaiting their next target.

Late last year, a former Guyana Times female employee was viciously robbed by a lone bandit as she exited the building around 19:00h one evening. The armed perpetrator brutally attacked the young woman, causing serious injuries to her eyes, just before robbing her of an undisclosed amount of cash.

Subsequent to the incident, the Police investigation was conducted at an extremely slow pace.

In fact, it went on for months and when the perpetrator was finally caught, the court matter was also drawn out.

Several other employees were robbed along the street.

In 2013, Mark Mollyveavex was robbed of $200,000 by two men as he was walking along Camp Street, in the vicinity of Quamina.

The bandits had grabbed Mollyveavex by his shirt before relieving him of his cash and cellphone. They subsequently made good their escape down Quamina Street.

In 2012, Michael Cox had also suffered at the hands of bandits while in the vicinity of Camp Street. Cox was attacked and robbed by two men at the junction of the two streets around 20:00h, as he was waiting on public transportation after just leaving work.

Cox recalled that the first thief approached him as though he was inquiring about another person, before staging the barefaced robbery. Cox was strangled by the thief, dragged from Camp Street and slammed into the walls of Guyana Times

The abundance of crime in the area has caused grave concern for persons who often traverse the area, especially after nightfall.

The attacks and robberies throughout the years has intensified calls for the Guyana Police Force to heighten night patrols in the areas that are hot beds for criminals, but despite the prevalence of those activities, there is seemingly still a shortage of Police patrols.

Commuters have continuously reported to the Guyana Times their unfortunate experiences along this route and the presence of suspicious characters who are often seen loitering in the area.

But the vicinity of Camp and Quamina Streets is not

Ming calls for closure of sugar industry

– says alternative avenues should be explored

Former Parliamentarian and businessman, Stanley Ming has asserted that Guyana can do well without its sugar industry, noting that the Government should seek other avenues that would generate the desired revenue.

Speaking with journalists on Friday at a special forum at the New Thriving restaurant, Ming rolled out several developmental plans he said were already presented to Government, including the development of the ailing sugar industry.

Ming during a PowerPoint presentation related that the country could survive well without the industry. He said every year the Government makes plans for the industry including restructuring the board of the corporation, and the importation of experts to fix the Skeldon Sugar Factory but to no avail.

“If it is not the plant, it is the weather,” Ming lamented.

He said sugar all over the

world is currently being replaced by a substitute sweetener including beet sugar. Noting that the price for sugar around the world is also less than the cost of production, he opined that there is no way the price could come down to match the world price.

Ming said in Guyana, like

the only thoroughfare for criminals.

Persons traversing Georgetown at nights are also hesitant to travel through areas such as Regent Street, Water Street and Tiger Bay.

Persons are calling for the Police to intensify their patrols in order to make the city safer for the public to travel at night.

Additionally, persons are calling for swifter action from the Police when reports are made.

“When people get robbed and they make a report, the Police take too long. If they respond right away, chances are, they will be able to catch the perpetrator because they won’t be able to get far,” a woman explained.

Not only are persons attacked and robbed, but often times their vehicles are vandalised. The criminals are known for removing mirrors,

lights, hubcaps and centre caps from vehicles that are parked in the area.

The junction of Camp and Quamina Streets is also known for an abundance of road accidents.

Incidentally, the morning after the brazen robbery committed against the two Guyana Times employees, an accident occurred at the junction, causing serious damage

to the company’s property. A Suzuki motor vehicle was making its way east along Quamina Street when a Route 44 minibus that was driving South on Camp Street crashed into it, causing it to slam into the parapet of the building. While most of the accidents at this junction are luckily not fatal, they usually incur a lot of expense.

Two arrested after Lethem school robbed

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force have arrested two persons suspected to have been involved in the breaking in of a school in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

many other countries, politicians “think about what needs to be done in the next four years to win the vote for the next election. They do not think about the long term future in any country. It’s not only Guyana,” he emphasised.

He said countries such as Taiwan have stopped producing sugar and are now producing other products that are more valuable to the world market.

Despite the disapproval of many over the state of the industry, Government is still optimistic that it could rise to the place it once was. President Donald Ramotar had told journalists last week that his new administration would be working towards pumping more funds into the industry for it to become more viable.

Government has been investing in the industry, implementing new strategies to assist in it achieving its goals.

According to a release from the Force’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ivelaw Whittaker, the incident occurred sometime around 07:00h on Thursday. The Police disclosed that the Machuine Primary School at Lethem was broken into and the sum of $408,000 stolen.

Based on information received, the Police responded to

the report and conducted investigations into the robbery. The probe led the Police to the two suspects, and following their arrest, some $378,000 of the stolen cash was recovered. The two men are in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

Former Parliamentarian and businessman, Stanley Ming

The attacks and robberies throughout the years have intensified calls for the Guyana Police Force to heighten night patrols in the areas that are hot beds for criminals

Bandits are often seen riding through the city on bicycles

Woman who attempted to strip in-law charged

Ahairdresser who allegedly tried to strip the clothes off of another woman during Mashramani celebrations in New Amsterdam had been placed on $10,000 bail.

Shaunna-May Dey, 37, of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) is accused of assaulting Shelika Dey on March 1.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Sherriff told the court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) was in company of her friends and relatives viewing the costume parade as

it went past Main and Kent Streets, when the defendant came up to her and demanded that she took off her clothes.

He said that the defendant removed a floral belt the VC was wearing at the time and a black purse. The VC is the defendant’s niece-inlaw.

According to Sherriff, the VC was then pushed into a car which contained the defendant’s sister and television personality, Shonza Samuels.

The car took them to the vicinity of the VC’s home at Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, which is another part of the township.

“During the journey, the defendant assaulted the complainant, as she demanded that she take off the clothes,” the Prosecutor told the court.

He said the VC refused to compile in the car, and instead told the defendant that it was her uncle (the defendant’s husband) who had given her the clothing to wear. Sherriff added that the VC left the car as it stopped and hurriedly ran into her home. She then took off the clothes and placed them into a plastic bag and gave them to the defendant.

The matter was reported

to the defendant’s husband, Simon Dey, who advised his niece to report the matter to the Police.

Meanwhile, both Simon Dey and Shaunna-May Dey are before the court on domestic violence charges. They have accused each other of assault

Currently, Mr Dey has been forbidden from entering the couple’s Asylum Street home.

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus has ordered that Mrs Dey be released on bail. She will return to court on May 4 when all the matters will be heard.

Wife jailed for assaulting husband’s ‘child mother’

Charmaine Sheefoon was on Friday jailed for one month after accepting that she was guilty of assaulting and stabbing the mother of her husband’s child.

Sheefoon appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Annette Singh. The incident took place at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, on February 6 and a broken glass bottle was used to commit the

act which saw Shaunette Harrison receiving injuries to her hands and face.

According to the facts of the matter, the defendant had gone to the market to shop when she ran into Harrison and an argument ensued. It was during this time, the defendant broke the bottle and stabbed the Virtual Complainant continuously with it.

Sheefon explained to the court that Harrison usually would call her phone to

curse her about the lack of child support she receives for her child. However, Harrison told the court that the defendant usually would stop her husband from assisting with the support of his child.

Magistrate Annette Singh, who presided over the matter, justified the sentence due to the nature of the offence committed and the fact that the defendant has three children.

Abusive vegetable vendor on peace bond

ANew Amsterdam, Berbice vegetable vendor who on several occasions abused a Probation and Social Welfare Officer in the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) town was on Friday placed on a bond to keep the peace for one year.

Ishmael King, 34, of Lot 158 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in a New Amsterdam

Court, charged for verbally assaulting Maisie Sheppard on January 24, last at Strand.

King, who operates his trade out of a bus parked at Strand, told the court that he was in the habit of putting his head out of his bus and speaking to himself.

Sheppard, in her capacity as a Probation and Social Welfare Officer, has had sessions with King and his

wife.

She claimed that owing to the advice she gave, King had started to verbally assault her whenever she passed in the vicinity of where he plies his trade.

The Magistrate found him guilty of the offence and imposed the bond on the popular New Amsterdam vegetable vendor. He was given an alternative sentence of six weeks in prison.

Eyew tness Opening up...

...Guyanese eyes

While the Opposition APNU + AFC = PNC’s running around the country promising the moon and stars...the PPP/C just has to do one thing and do it effectively. Remind the folks of this country how much they’ve done for them during their 23 years at the helm - as opposed to the PNC’s 28. Just look around.

Take roads. Sure the PNC built some highways with the money the US paid them off for selling out our birthright. But we should all remember that our roads resembled the surface of the moon by 1992.

Pock marked with craters that motorists had to navigate using diving gear - for some that were so deep!! How many women didn’t deliver there on the way to hospital?? Going to the airport?? You had to leave six hours early to get past those craters.

And while we have roads improved – let’s talk about cars. Back in 1992, there were so few cars in Guyana, kids counted passing cars as a hobby!! Well, with every series accounting for 10,000 cars...we’ve moved from PGG in 2000 to past PSS in 2014. That’s 210,000 cars!!!

And imagine cars are slapped with the highest taxes on the planet here! In America, FDR promised “a chicken in every pot”: the PPP/C delivered “a car in every driveway” in Guyana. That’s progress!

Now just look at our housing stock....No!! Forget “housing stock”!! Let’s look at houses!! Now be honest: which family that really wants a house that can’t have itwith just a bit of effort?

Our housing increase on the 100,000 house lots that’ve been shared out since 1992 EXCEEDS THE POPULATION INCREASE IN THAT TIME!! Low income houses, luxury houses, mid level houses - they’re all there because of increased incomes, increased funding for house mortgages, tax exemptions for same - just to mention a few facilitating measures.

Water?? Remember when “hauling water” was the lot of all schoolchildren before they went to school?? Now all you gotta do is turn on your faucet.

OK...so we still have some blackouts. But seriously?? Is it like it was back in the PNC days?? But the improvement isn’t only in the tangibles - it’s even more in the intangibles. Education, health services, entertainment, and all that jazz!

Now this Eyewitness understands the average manbecause he’s an average man. The attitude to the PPP/C is “you could’ve done more” or “what have you done for me lately?” But folks should remember one thing: We HAVE come a long way baby!

And it can all be taken away if the PNC gets back in. Like it was between 1964 and 1992. And that’s the fact, Jack!

...Guyana

The Opposition can talk all they want about “plans”. But they should talk about the plans they’ve scuttled in the last three years alone. Cheap electricity?? So why’d they torpedo the Amaila Falls Hydro??

Now after Sithe Global - backed by one of the most reputable investment company in the West, Blackstone Capital - walked away because they would not agree to the deal, they now talk about hydro??

Have they no shame?? They crow about “financial probity”. But Blackstone/Sithe’s a US company - subject to the most stringent US laws on bribery and corruption laws!!

The Opposition claims Region Nine is “poverty stricken”. So how will that be changed unless the interior’s opened up? Do they have any alternative to the Lethem-GeorgetownBerbice Highway and the the Berbice Deep-Water Harbour to developing the interior?

And the airport?? Let them state what’s the alternative to CJIA’s modernisation? We don’t have to go on further, do we??

There’s a difference between “moutar” and “guitar”!!

...the truth

It’s now clear the AFC thinks they bought their way into controlling the PNC/APNU. At their fundraisers in Florida, they openly stated that when their seats and VPs are allocated, they’ll be calling shots.

What a set of wankers!!

Charmaine Sheefoon

APNU’s Williams dubs killings “extrajudicial” –

but needs to produce evidence

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has announced that it will open inquiries into murders which have occurred over the years, including those related to the deaths of former Agriculture Minister, Satyadeow Sawh, his sister, Phulmattie Persaud, brother, Rajpat Sawh, his bodyguard, Curtis Robertson and more recently, ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Courtney Crum-Ewing.

APNU’s Executive, Basil Williams told media operatives on Friday that despite the many killings over the past years, there has been no Commission of Inquiry or inquests to find the perpetrators. He ignored President Donald Ramotar’s recent charge to the Guyana Police Force for them to reopen “the mountain of cold cases” that have piled up in Guyana.

He also failed to recognise or acknowledge the work done by the Guyana Police Force as part of its investigations into the spate of periodic killings.

“It is an indictment on the Government’s part that no inquiry has been done. We have to get to the bottom of the killings…You have to do what you have to do,” the APNU official said.

However, Williams and the APNU sought to pin the blame for the killings on the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic, stating that the fact that it has not conducted inquiries into the matter meant that there were things

to hide.

According to Williams, the murders of Satyadeow Sawh and Courtney Crum-Ewing took of political tones and as such deserved a thorough investigation into the matter so that the killers can be brought to justice. Williams appeared to be ignoring the caution of the Police not to draw conclusions about the perpetrators of the killing of Crum-Ewing without any evidence.

Again, Williams failed to recognise that President Ramotar and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee had ordered the Guyana Police Force and the relevant authorities to ensure that no stone was left unturned in their probes of both murders. Even to tracking down the “intellectual authors”.

Williams went on to tell media operatives that the ex-

trajudicial killings have affirmed the belief that citizens live in a failed and lawless country, noting that “it magnifies the importance of May 11, Elections Day, as the restoration of democracy and rule of law in Guyana.” By dubbing the mentioned killings as “extrajudicial” Williams is implying that arms of the state were involved. It is expected that Williams will be sharing the information that led him to make this conclusion with the Police.

The inquiries, he said, will commence once the new Government got into power.

He, however, related that should the Police investigations yield nothing positive, and then the APNU will consider moving to the Courts to have inquests conducted into the killings.

“What we have had to do in the past after giving them [the Police] reasonable amount of time to come up with something in terms of seeking to resolve or clarify the death, we had resort to going to the courts, making application to force the Magistrates who are coroners under the Coroners Act to hold inquests into these killings. We’ve had to force the Government’s hand. The same thing will have to be done. They will be given a reasonable time and then we will see….we believe we will have to take matters into our own hands,” he told media operatives.

Murdered businessman’s wife receiving death threats ... hit men demanding $50M cash

BY BHISHAM MOHAMMED

35-year-old Heema

Singh says she is living in fear after receiving several death threats from hit men via text messages, who are also demanding that she pays $50M in cash that her husband allegedly owes.

Singh’s husband Rahendra Singh of Lot 15 Foulis/Enmore, East Coast Demerara was murdered after being kidnapped on April 6 2014 from his home.

His body was eventually founded at Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown after his wife failed to pay a ransom demanded by his killers.

The text messages show that if the woman does not hand over the money that is owed by her now dead husband, she and her 14-yearold son will meet the same fate.

Singh disclosed that she received the first on March 17, and has gotten about 45 messages to date.

“They told me that they watching my every move and know where to find my son,” the woman stated.

She noted that since her husband’s death, she and her son has been living alone. In retrospect, the woman pointed out that there were several minor incidents over the past months that were of concern to her but they were not as alarming as the “threat texts”.

Alleged sweetie thief remanded

A47-year-old man was remanded on Friday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Annette Singh for allegedly stealing a quantity of confectionery valued $40,000.

Kwame Bruce, of Lot 65 Cross Street, Georgetown, allegedly committed the act while he was armed with a cutlass.

The charge stated that the man robbed the Virtual Complainant (VC), Walter Drakes of a quantity of sweeties at an unspecified location on Camp Street.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Inniss asked that the matter be tried at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts instead of the High Court.

The Prosecutor objected to bail, however. The nature

of the crime and the fact the defendant was armed were among the reasons cited why he was a flight risk and should be denied bail.

His next court date is April 2 for statements.

Singh added that her husband’s killers claim that he owed them for spare parts but denied having knowledge of this.

She explained that she has been running the business with her husband and knows of all operations but is not aware that they owed

anyone.

The 35-year-old woman further reasoned that if her husband indeed owed them, why did they wait almost a year since his death to contact her and why are they threatening her via text messages.

“I am willing to pay! If we owe them money I will pay but they need to prove that my husband owe them all this money. I’m not willing to give my money away. I worked very hard for it. There are criminal minds out there trying to scam money from me,” she stated. The businesswoman has been working with ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to trace the number that the text messages were sent. She had also taken measures to ensure the safety of herself and her only child.

On the night of April 6,

2014, the husband who is also known as “Sunil” was in his motor car in front of his business place when his wife saw two men entering the vehicle, and drove off with him in it.

The businessman’s car, vehicle PFF 982 was found by members of the Cummings Lodge Community Policing Group along the Goedverwagting Railway Embankment, ECD.

Minutes after the kidnapping, the family was contacted with a $50 million ransom demand for the businessman’s safe return. The police were contacted and an investigation was launched.

One day later, the kidnappers phoned the businessman’s wife, requesting $25 million instead after the initial amount could not be raised. They also demanded that the family hand over the surveillance footage of the kidnapping incident.

The following day the kidnappers would have contacted the family requesting that the $25 million ransom be dropped off at a certain location followed by another call giving ultimatum of 12:00 noon on the same daya deadline the family did not meet.

His body was discovered the following morning with his throat slit and a bullet wound to his head in Le Repentir Cemetery. He was discovered with his hands tied behind his back.

A white cloth was also tied around his neck. Investigators confirmed that the man was strangled before his throat was slit and more so, they believed that he was tortured. Singh’s body bore several marks of violence, which indicated that he was severely beaten. Several persons were arrested and charged for his murder.

Remanded: Kwame Bruce

APNU Executive Member Basil Williams

Slain businessman: Rajendra “Sunil” Singh

New British envoy, Speaker discuss deepening engagement of parliaments

The new British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn met with Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, on Friday, March 20 in the Speaker’s Chambers, Public Building, Brickdam, Georgetown.

Discussions focused on deepening the engagement and cooperation between the National Assembly of Guyana and UK Houses of Parliament. It was explained that because elections were imminent in both countries, this would await the reconvening of both Parliaments.

The Speaker expressed his regret that the National Assembly was unable to take up the invitation to participate in a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation to observe the UK elections on May 7, 2015.

The High Commissioner then expressed his Government’s expectations for the strengthening of the democratic process through the holding of credible elections on May 11 and for the results to be accepted by all.

Quinn, who was appointed British High Commissioner to Guyana in succession to Andrew Ayre, took up his appointment during February 2015.

and

Friday,

The diplomat joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1995, and is currently Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Kazakhstan. His FCO career has included

work at the United Nations, in the former Soviet Union, and the Middle East in addition to a two-year secondment to the United States Department of State where he worked on Iraq issues.

BBCI supporting Reading and Explanation Competition

The Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) has sponsored the Reading and Explanation Competition for students of primary schools located in the New Amsterdam and Canje areas.

Eli Hazel, the Coordinator of the Competition, which was slated for March 10, 11 and13, approached the Bridge Company for help to put on the educational contest, back in January.

On March 12, the BBCI, for the second time, handed over a cheque for $80,000 to Hazel. The BBCI also arranged for television coverage of the competitions, which would be aired on LRTVS (Channel 10) in Berbice.

Police name, shame more drunk drivers

As the Guyana Police Force (GDF) continues its traffic enforcement activities, four more drunk drivers have been charged.

The Police’s “Name and Shame” campaign is seeing much success as the Force strives to make the country’s roadways safe for all users. According to Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud at his confirmation ceremony last week, the “Name and Shame” Campaign has come a long way in facilitating more prosecutions in the Courts.

“It has a lot of impact because a lot of people go to Court, they are charged and their friends don’t know, their families don’t know so when it appears in

the paper, it brings some pressure to bear and to make them become more conscious of what their recklessness is contributing to,” the Top Cop pointed out.

The four persons most recently charged for driving under the influence of alcohol all pleaded guilty when they made their respective appearances in court.

Dwayne Williams, of Lot 30 Virginia Village,

Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, was found to be above the legal limit of alcohol consumption on February 22, while driving motor vehicle BPP 9399 on the Madewini Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on February 27, when he pleaded guilty and was fined $7500.

Glendon Leitch was also charged and placed before the court after he was found to be above the legal limit while driving motor vehicle PJJ 3157 along the Providence Public Road, EBD, on March 7. The Lot 7 First Street, Manchester, Corentyne resident made an appearance at the Providence Magistrate’s Court and pleaded guilty to the charge. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $7500.

A Lot 839 Kaneville, EBD man was also charged and placed before the court for driving under the influence of alcohol. Vishal Tulsie was also fined $7500 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on March 13. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol

consumption while driving motor vehicle HC 3138 along the Diamond Public Road, EBD on March 7. Then Robert Liverpool, of Lot 10 Welcome Street, Mocha, EBD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on March 1, while driving motor vehicle BRR 9380 on the Madewini Public Road, EBD. He was found to be above the legal limit and was charged. Liverpool was charged and appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on March 5, when he pleaded guilty and was also fined $7500.

Dwayne Williams Vishal Tulsie

Robert Liverpool

Glendon Leitch

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn

Speaker Raphael Trotman, on

in the Speaker’s Chambers

BBCI Administrative Assistant Bibi F Alli handing over the cheque to Reading and Explanation Competition Coordinator Eli Hazel

THAG launches new initiatives to boost tourism industry

The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has launched three new exciting initiatives that utilises modern technology, to boost Guyana’s tourism industry.

At a simple ceremony on Thursday at the Cara Lodge Hotel, THAG unveiled the new THAG website at exploreguyana.org , the first online booking engine for THAG members and the Tourism Development Fund (TDF).

The new THAG website will serve as a planning guide for visitors to Guyana. The website, in its enhanced version, will highlight THAG members and their facilities and provide links to their individual website. It will also feature exciting information on Guyana that will be useful to potential tourists who are contemplating a getaway vacation in Guyana.

THAG President Shaun McGrath, during his presentation, eloquently elaborated on the benefits of this website to THAG members and the positive impact on the tourism sector.

“More than 80 per cent of respective tourism customers start their research on the Internet. A well-designed and maintained website is a very important tool for any tourism business to track potential customers,” McGrath stated.

The website will be improved over time as more information featuring Guyana’s unique product is added.

In fact, McGrath disclosed that THAG will be collaborating with several entities to shoot a video programme on the hotels in Georgetown which will subsequently be featured on the website.

Additionally, for the first time, THAG has introduced a booking engine in order to boost the online presence of

its members and to increase business opportunities by facilitating real-time online reservations and confirmations.

Booking engine

“Potential customers do not want to wait to find out if you have availability. If so, what kind of availability you have and how much does it cost. People want to know now, immediately and they want to make decisions on the spot,” McGrath pointed out, emphasising that technology was now a critical aspect in the everyday lives of people.

There are currently 12

As part of its service, Regatta Travel Solutions will also assist in promoting and marketing the exploreguyana.org website which will increase awareness on Guyana.

McGrath explained that THAG members would only have to pay a small commission on the bookings they receive while one-third of the commission paid to Regatta Travel Solutions will be reinvested into the promotion of the website.

Moreover, the booking engine can be added to any website.

Further, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will be installing the booking engine on its website and moves are afoot to get the feature on all Government websites.

Thirdly, what McGrath described as the most exciting initiative of them all, is the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) which will allow THAG to collect voluntary contributions from visitors.

“Hotel, lodge and resort guests will be asked to proudly be a part of this exciting initiative and donate US$1 for each night of their stay in Guyana, which will go entirely towards our Tourism Development Fund,” McGrath explained.

businesses on board and THAG is hopeful that the number will increase as more businesses realise the benefits the online facility has to offer.

The booking engine is a result of a successful partnership with the internationally recognised company Regatta Travel Solutions.

According to the THAG President, Regatta Travel Solutions has a wide client base, reaching countries like St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as prominent states in North America and Europe.

He said a letter will be provided to the guest clearly indicating that the money taken will be a contribution, and, if they would prefer, it will be removed from their final bill.

The proceeds from the TDF will go towards enhancing the promotion of Guyana both regionally and internationally, the development and preservation of heritage sites, training initiatives to improve the standards in the industry, beautification projects, and further Information and Communications Technology (ICT) adoption

and expansion.

This initiative is slated to commence on April 1.

Guyana’s fund follows the best international practices based on those operated in Barbados and Antigua.

In Barbados, the fund raises approximately US$750,000 a year while in Antigua, it raises US$100,000.

TDF will be managed by

a special committee comprising representatives from the Public and Private sectors who will be tasked with ensuring that projects undertaken by the fund continue to have a strong marketing education, environmental and developmental impact.

Some properties that have already agreed to contribute to the fund as Cara Lodge Hotel, Grand Coastal

Hotel,

In his address to the gathering, GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh congratulated THAG for its accomplishments.

Haralsingh reiterated the critical role these new initiatives will have in the local tourism industry, disclosing that online applications were the fastest growing sale channel in the world.

“Online travel bookings is almost one-third of the worldwide value,” he stressed.

While the website currently only allows for hotel bookings, Haralsingh is hopeful the services will be expanded to offer various specials and packages to online customers. He urged other hotels to take advantage of technology and sign on with THAG to boost their online sales and occupancy, which will eventually reflect positively on the tourism sector in Guyana.

Herdmanston Lodge, Roraima Duke Lodge and Roraima Residence Inn.

These two ladies browsing the new exploreguyana.org website

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh addressing the gathering at the Cara Lodge Hotel

THAG President Shaun McGrath delivering his address at the launch

15% increase in tourist arrivals expected

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh disclosed that Guyana has recorded a 7.1 per cent increase in the arrival of tourists for the months January and February when compared to the same period last year.

The announcement was made at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Thursday evening while Haralsingh was addressing a gathering at a reception held to launch new tourism enhancement initiatives.

The Tourism Ministry is projecting a 15 per cent overall increase in tourist arrivals for 2015 when compared to 2014. The year 2014 had recorded a 13 per cent increase when compared to 2013.

The trend appears to be in favour of the local tourism industry, which is linked to

the many investments made by stakeholders. Haralsingh underscored this by highlighting the exciting tourism projects the country will be involved in

the coming months.

He revealed that Guyana will soon be implementing a programme with TripAdvisor and Travelguru, two prominent

tourism agencies based in the United Kingdom.

According to Haralsingh, being featured on those programmes will help condition Guyana and ensure the country is more recognised on the international market.

The GTA Director also disclosed that Guyana will be featured for the first time on the Outdoor Channel, branded “America’s Leader in Outdoor TV.”

Additionally, Guyana will be featured on other popular channels including the BBC, Discovery Channel, ABC, and on a programme called Man vs Wild.

Currently, Guyana is in the process of finalising plans to be featured in one of Canada’s top adventure travel magazines, The Outdoor Magazine, via a series of production entitled “A View from Here”.

NAPS warns about new HIV strain

The National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Programme Director, Dr Shanti Singh has alerted the public about a new aggressive strain of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

“Limit the number of sexual partners, ensure a

correct and consistent condom use, get tested and treated for STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and insist that your partners do the same, use a clean needle, if you are pregnant get medical care right away” she said, noting that the virus is just as dangerous as the existing one.

Additionally, Dr Singh pointed out that NAPS is providing continuous training for counselors and workers tasked with dealing with groups who are vulnerable to HIV. She is also urging persons to make use of the services provided and keep themselves updated with this phenomenon.

Research

A recently-discovered form of HIV in Cuba is progressing into the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) three times faster than the most common strains of the virus, according to a recent study.

The study, conduct-

ed by researchers from the University of Leuven in Belgium, followed several reports of HIV-infected people in Cuba developing AIDS in less than three years, far faster than the usual 10 years it typically takes.

Officials in Cuba reached out to Professor AnneMieke Vandamme, a professor of health.

Professor Vandamme and her team studied over 70 patients, dividing them into groups. The team composed of one group with those progressing toward AIDS much quicker than the five to 10 years the virus normally takes to develop into the autoimmune disease.

The individuals that developed AIDS at unprecedented rates had tested negative for HIV just one or two years prior to testing positive.

But what is happening in Cuba appears to be the recombination of three

sub-strains of the virus. Individuals with the aggressive strain were found to have more of the virus in their system than the other patients.

Guyana’s prevalence rate of HIV has increased but now indicates that more people are living rather than dying of the disease due to aggressive public education and greater access to treatment and care, Dr Singh said.

According to Dr Singh, the most recent research conducted shows that the prevalence rate is 1.4 per cent or 7700 persons living with the disease. She said the figure “is a bit higher” than 2013’s 1.2 per cent. “Less people are dying so more people are living longer with the disease and the treatment programme is growing, and so the pool of people living with the disease in the treatment programme is getting bigger but you are having fewer infections,” she said.

Meadow Bank wharf in need of repairs, proper security

The fishermen and boat owners utilising the Meadow Bank wharf are expressing extreme dissatisfaction over the abysmal condition of the facility as well as the neglect of duties by the Georgetown Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Limited.

According to the fishermen, there is very little supervision of the activities on the wharf as well as poor conditions which impede their fishing activities. Each boat owner pays $10,000 annually for a fisherman’s license as well as a $3000 moorage fee. This money is supposed to be used for maintenance and repairs of the facility, however, the fishermen say this is not the case.

One boat owner expressed his frustration over the manner in which they are treated by management. “We the boat owners are supposed to have first privilege to sell on the wharf. They now have people coming in and buying fish from the fishermen to resell and they are using the wharf to do this which is making it harder on us who actually own the boats. There’s no management or anyone in charge of the wharf, no order whatsoever,” he complained.

Additionally, the men ex-

pressed the need for proper security as well as lights at the facility as they face the constant danger of being robbed. One individual reported that two weeks ago four individuals were heldup at gunpoint and relieved of their valuables.

In 2010, minor repairs were executed on the wharf but the major problems were never addressed. Currently, the wharf needs to be dredged as the built-up of mud on the banks has rendered the boats immobile in low tide.

According to Jetthoo (only name given), the current overseer of operations at the wharf, the organisation has been seeking the assistance of different organisations for years but no progress has been made. “I’ve been pleading with ministries since 2011 but all that I have gotten in return is unfulfilled promises.” He explained that he is currently funding the construction of a fresh fish depot dubbed ‘Wild Caught Fresh Fish Depot’ which is an initiative he ventured into because of the lack of hygienic fish vendors at the wharf. Construction is almost complete and he hopes to commission the facility soon.

PAHO/WHO crafts initiative to cut maternal deaths

The Pan-American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) recently crafted an initiative to reduce maternal deaths that result from hemorrhaging. The “Zero maternal deaths from hemorrhage” initiative is targeted at minimising the number of maternal deaths during and after child birth.

The organisation said that, “one in five maternal deaths in the Americas is the result of obstetric hemorrhage during or immediately after childbirth. An average of 16 women in the Americas die every day from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, most of which are preventable. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of these deaths. Overall, an estimated 8.2 per cent of mothers who give birth in Latin America suffer a severe postpartum hemorrhage that requires transfusion.”

PAHO/WHO Director Carissa Etienne said, “no woman should die in the process of becoming a mother, we have the knowledge and tools to keep women from dying from these preventable causes. We need to promote ef-

fective practices and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, so women can plan their families as they wish.”

The initiative, initially budgeted at just over US$1.8 million, is currently being implemented in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, and Peru, the countries that have the region’s highest maternal mortality rates, and where hemorrhage is the main cause of maternal death. Guyana, Honduras, Mexico and Paraguay have also expressed interest in participating.

In the period 2007-2011, Guyana had a reported maternal mortality ratio of 86 deaths per 100,000 live births (this figure was estimated at 280 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies and the World Bank in 2010). However in 2013 the Health Ministry, based on the estimated number of births, recorded a maternal death rate of 79.7 per every 100,000 live births. The main direct causes recorded last year were mostly due to hemorrhagic conditions, hypertension in pregnancy, eclampsia and adverse effects relating to bleeding.

Guyana featured in one edition of National Geographic Magazine

NAPS Programme Director Dr Shanti Singh

A view of the built-up mud banks at the wharf

Rice industry excels despite challenges – Ramsammy

Despite the challenges facing the rice industry, authorities here have insisted that it has flourished for successive years and will continue to do so given the ongoing investments by the current Government.

In the face of severe Opposition criticisms and claims of a failing industry and excessive Government involvement, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Tuesday said the Government had no apologies to make for its continued commitment and support to the rice industry and to the farmers and other stakeholders in the industry.

“Whether it was in the late 1950s to the middle of the 1960s or since 1992, the rice industry has flourished under successive [People's Progressive Party/ Civic] PPP/C Governments. Throughout the PPP/C’s period in Government the rice industry has been exclusively a Private Sector industry. We have been deliberate in supporting and investing to facilitate the continued growth of this Private Sector industry. There has been no deviation from this truth,” Ramsammy said in a statement to the press.

Labelling the industry a genuine contributor to Guyana’s economy, the Agriculture Minister stated “if there is one thing that the Guyanese people can be certain of it is that the PPP/C Government will continue to support this industry in the same manner we have in the past and we will continue to seek ways to expand our support”.

Dr Ramsammy labelled as lies certain claims by the political Opposition and sections of the media.

Anti-rice Agenda

The Minister criticised the conclusions of the Opposition’s point person on economics, Carl Greenidge that the rice industry’s success is owed to the fact that it is privately operated.

Ramsammy said such comments reflect the continued lack of understanding of the industry.

“No wonder the PNC de-

stroyed and crippled the rice industry in the 1980s,” he concluded. “The criticism from other cohorts of the PNC and the AFC underline their voodoo strategy for economic growth in Guyana. Voodoo economics destroyed Guyana in the 1970s and 1980s and this is what the PNC (APNU+AFC) offers Guyana for the future.”

According to Ramsammy, it was Greenidge in 1989 who gave most of the Government’s rice infrastructure to one man, none of which is functioning today. As such, he noted that with such a past, Greenidge, the former Finance Minister, is in no position to criticise.

Markets

In the face of claims of failed markets, the Agriculture Minister said no one could dispute the real possibility of one million tonnes of paddy, equivalent to about 650,000 tonnes of rice, in 2015. This will represent four years of successive record-breaking production in Guyana.

In 2014, production was 635,238 tonnes of rice or 974,000 tonnes of paddy.

“These truths tell of a very successful story. But they try to distract from this truth by saying that while the industry is successful in production, we cannot find markets. They accuse us of intervention into a private business, but on the other hand, they accuse us of not finding markets,” Dr Ramsammy observed.

According to him, Guyana in 2014 exported a record 501,208 tonnes of rice added new destinations and expanded existing ones. “We sell more to the Caribbean and Europe, the traditional markets. Within the European market, we have added new destinations. We continue to sustain the Venezuelan market which came into effect from 2009. In 2010, the Venezuelan market was 70 per cent of local production. In 2014, the Venezuelan market, which maintained its volume, was only about 31 per cent of production,” he outlined Countries like Belize, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala have been added

to the export destinations for Guyana’s rice, the Minister disclosed, adding that “a larger market in North America, and new markets in Central America and Africa are being finalised, with a potential to exceed 600,000 tonnes in 2015.”

“The Government actively seeks new markets for the

rice industry and we allow the Private Sector to sustain and expand these markets. That is how a Government facilitates a Private Sector business. The PPP/C sees this as a positive partnership,” he clarified. Ramsammy opined that the critics were untruthful in their claims that millers have stocks that remain stuck in storage and cannot take in new stock from the new harvesting that has just started. “I challenge them to list the millers who are stuck with excess stocks in storage. Most millers have no rice or paddy at this time. There are some millers with residual stocks. The truth is that there was a carryover of about 140,000 tonnes of paddy into 2015,” he dared. The Minister explained that carryover stock was normal for the rice industry. “During the period of late December and middle of March when there is no rice harvesting, this carryover stock is used for local consumption for food and for

industry and for export,” he stated.

Private and Public roles

There have been calls for Government to lessen its involvement in the industry but Ramsammy says the Administrations role is merely one of facilitation. “Indeed, the Private Sector is responsible for exporting most of Guyana’s rice. The Government plays a facilitating role only for the Venezuela market and recently for a part of the Panama market. In terms of production, this is about 33 per cent . Thus, the Private Sector is directly responsible for the local and export sales accounting for 67 per cent of Guyana’s production and the other 33 per cent with Government’s partnership,” he outlined.

“This is an overt threat to the rice industry that should make every farmer and miller and all other stakeholder cringe. Is this their policy for the rice industry? Are

they saying that they will halt all support to the rice industry? Government invests in the mining industry. We have not heard a whimper from APNU+AFC. What about Government’s investments in providing electricity for almost free in Linden?” Ramsammy questioned. The PPP/C Government provides bridge financing to ensure that farmers do not have to wait beyond one crop for their payments.

Additionally, he stated the price the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) pays to millers account for an almost 100 per cent of the price after expenses are deducted. These include costs for shipping, testing and charges associated with ports in Guyana and Venezuela and to pay for logistics for teams from Venezuela and Panama. Dr Ramsammy explained that the prices paid to farmers are not determined by the Government.

Conduct elections as catalyst for constructive debate – Canada urges GECOM

By Gomatie GanGadin

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Nicole Giles has urged the Guyana Elections Commission to conduct the elections process in such a way that it can become a catalyst for constructive debate in the country.

The High Commissioner, who was at the time speaking at a special reception on Thursday to honor the recipients of grants from the Canadian government, of which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) received funding for the purchase of 100 laptops.

She noted that it was Canada’s belief that GECOM was efficient and capable of conducting a free, fair and transparent elections while providing a ‘catalyst for constructive debate’ in order to address the pressing issues currently affecting the country.

“Canada’s support to the Guyana Elections Commission

will further strengthen elections management in Guyana through the provision of over 100 laptops. GECOM has been a longstanding partner of the Government of Canada, and Canada is confident that GECOM has the ability to deliver free and fair elections on May 11, 2015.

“Canada remains commit-

ted to working with all stakeholders including, GECOM, all political parties, the private sector and civil society to support free, fair and peaceful elections,” Dr Giles told the gathering.

Meanwhile, Maulana Ahsan-Ullah Manga, a leader in the Muslim community and a member of the Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) has urged Guyanese to keep the peace during the period of elections.

“The best thing is that every citizen should exercise their right of vote peacefully and with harmony like just how we are living in harmony just before elections, we should live in harmony the day after elections, we should live in harmony after elections,” he expressed.

The Pakistani National who has been conducting religious work in Guyana for the past ten years said persons need to have trust in the ballots they cast and must realize that violence is not a solution.

“Our contribution by way of our right to vote, for whomsoever we vote for and thinking that we are discharging our trust to those who are entitled to it and to those who are the best suitable candidate, we vote for that and after that we have no right to create scenes,” the religious leader expressed. He reminded that the polls will have to be endorsed by all and as such, he is urging persons to be calm before, during and after the elections period.

“They should learn that elections take place everywhere and without violence, the elections will still be the same way,” he said.

The upcoming general and regional elections are expected to be the most keenly contested.

Other religious leaders have also beseeched politicians and electorates to ensure that while the elections are competitively contested; peace and respect must be given to all.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Agriculture Minister

Canadian High Commissioner Dr Nicole Giles

Guyana/Venezuela border issue:

Next steps pivotal to resolution – former diplomats

...Caricom backs Guyana's stance on Venezuela’s aggression

By Alexis Rodney

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Friday backed Guyana’s rebuke of Venezuela’s aggression against the country with the issuance of a firm statement which expressed support for Georgetown and its position on the claim made by the Bolivarian Republic on part of its territory.

The statement issued by the 15-member regional integration group stated that it “has noted with concern several assertions contained in a Communiqué from the Ministry of the People’s Power of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela dated 3 March 2015, which has been published in newspapers of Caricom Member States”.

Caricom reiterated the Community’s “firm, longstanding and continued support for the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana and for the unhindered economic and social development of all of Guyana”.

It reasoned that in this regard, the Community once again hoped for an early resolution of the controversy which has arisen as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899, which definitively settled the boundary between the two countries, was null and void.

It stated too that Caricom

has also taken note that Guyana has commenced a review of the options available under Article 33 of the United Nations Charter, as provided by the 1966 Geneva Agreement, including the judicial option, that could serve to bring an end to the controversy and ensure stability in the relations between the two countries, relations that in recent years have seen positive progress through high-level political consultations and mutually beneficial programmes of functional cooperation.

Diplomatic support

Meanwhile, Guyana has indicated that it will be withdrawing from the United Nations Good Offices Process largely because the mechanism has yielded no success and is seen as favouring Venezuela. Commenting on the issue, former Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally said while opting out of the United Nations’ Good Offices Process was commendable, Guyana still needs to strategically frame out its next move to have the unsettled issues with Venezuela resolved.

A new method of settlement must be carefully perused to have the age-old issue addressed.

While opting out of the United Nation’s Good Offices Process has been deemed commendable, Guyana still needs to strategically frame

out its next move to have the unsettled issue with Venezuela resolved.

This was the sentiment expressed by former Foreign Affairs Minister Rudolph “Rudy’ Insanally , who, while agreeing with the Foreign Affairs Ministry that Guyana has gotten little or no success from the process, told the Guyana Times that a new method of settlement must be carefully perused to have the age-old issue addressed.

Government, through Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon, had told the Guyana Times that it was seeking to utilise the judicial form of settlement, to address the claim made by the Bolivarian Republic.

Insanally, who has been Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 1987, told this publication, that the only form of judicial settlement that the countries could engage in is having the case heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial branch of

the United Nations, since the issue has already been settled through arbitration. According to the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Venezuela will not agree to an ICJ hearing because it has never signed on to its accord.

Insanally said Guyana and Venezuela must work out an alternative with the United Nations Secretary General to secure a new mode of settlement. He said, nonetheless, it would be a good thing if the countries could head to the ICJ, since Venezuela “needs to prove” by all means possible the nullity of the 1899 ruling.

Diplomatic solution

Another former Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson, who was also at one time involved in the border controversy settlement with Venezuela, expressed his agreement with the moving away from the Good Offices Process. He said too, that the parties involved should shy away from using words of violence and instead be “diplomatic” in their communication.

Jackson said the Geneva Agreement has allowed both sides to choose any available form of settlement. According to him, the Good Offices Process, which came to an abrupt end after the death of Good Officer Norman Girvan last year, has indeed been abused by the Venezuelan Government.

Guyanese diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal recently said too that Guyana has been pursuing the Good Offices route for some 25 years and “Venezuela has abused the process to hin-

der Guyana’s development and now to threaten Guyana’s security”. He said as a former Foreign Affairs Minister himself, he would be backing current Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and her Ministry “all the way”.

The Good Offices and mediation are roles taken up by the United Nations Secretary General in the prevention and the peaceful settlement of disputes, as enshrined in the UN Charter. These roles can be set in motion at the Secretary General’s own initiative, in response to a request from one or more of the parties to a dispute, or as a result of a request from the Security Council or the General Assembly.

Ramphal said too that all other modes of settlement such as arbitration have been explored and now there is only one available option. “We are left now with a judicial settlement … the Secretary General has to choose a judicial close … the decision now is the Secretary General’s for him to conclude this,” the former Foreign Affairs Minister told the Guyana Times But Venezuelan experts have reportedly insisted that their Government sticks to the current mechanism.

Geneva agreement

At a meeting in Geneva on February 17, 1966, the Governments of British Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed the “Agreement to resolve the controversy over the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana”. The agreement established the regu-

latory framework to be followed by the parties in order to resolve the issue.

According to the treaty, a Mixed Commission was installed with the purpose of seeking satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the border controversy, but the parties never agreed to implement a solution within this Commission due to different interpretations of the treaty.

Guyana argued that prior to starting the negotiations over the border issue, Venezuela should prove that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was null and void. Guyana did not accept that the 1899 decision was invalid, and held that its participation on the commission was only to resolve Venezuela’s assertions.

However, Venezuela argued that the Commission did not have a judicial nature or purpose, but a dealmaking one, so it should go ahead to find “a practical and satisfactory solution”, as agreed in the treaty. Venezuela also claimed that the nullity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 was implicit, or otherwise the existence of the treaty would be meaningless. The fifth article of the Treaty of Geneva established the status of the territories. The provisions state that no acts or activities taking place on the territory in question while the Agreement is in force “shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty”. The treaty also has a provision prohibiting both nations from pursuing the issue except through official inter-government channels.

New youth organisation on the rise

The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) has been funding and promoting a youth organisation dubbed ‘Youth Advocate Movement’ (YAM).

The organisation is an initiative that developed over ten years ago from the Olga Byrne Youth Centre, which was originally a youth clinic. In time, YAM grew regionally and is also receiving support from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

YAM is a non-profit organisation and operates under the motto “A cadre of young people working together for the development of our peers”. They aim at educating youths on their sex-

ual and reproductive health but encompass a large scope such as biological, emotional and psycho-social health.

The organisation is open to young people ages thirteen to twenty-four years old and offers free clinical services to youths.

These services include Counseling, General Physical Examination, Family Planning, Condom distribution, Female Reproductive Health Care and HIV/AIDS Counseling and testing. The organisation is also involved in activities such as outreaches, fund raising, skills training, peer education and sports and recreation.

According to the youth coordinator, Norwell Hinds, the program has been devel-

oping rapidly in the past six months.

Recently the organisation organized the ‘Up For School’ campaign which was aimed at sending two hundred postcards to leaders and female school drop outs. Post cards with encouraging messages were sent to the drop outs to encourage them to continue their education while the leaders were encouraged to pay keen attention to the needs of the female population. The organisation’s President, Chelsie France, stated that the activity was a success and that they hope to organize more activities that reach a larger audience.

Shane Persaud who has been a member for three

years expressed his satisfaction with the recent growth in the number of members. He advised youths to join the organisation as it helps in the development of leadership skills and public interaction.

Dennis Glasgow and Keisha Bacchus who have been members for the past six months expressed their appreciation for the program stating that it has been very beneficial in their personal development and gives them a sense of fulfillment.

“It’s been a home away from home”, Glasgow explained, “It’s a platform for me to express myself and develop my talents. I hope that the public becomes more exposed to the organisation”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

President warns contractors about delays

― as US$46M West Coast Highway project takes shape

With Government making huge investments to improve the country’s road networks, major developments are in store for Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara). However, President Donald Ramotar is warning contractors that penalties will be enforced for any delays.

He was at the time speaking at the launching ceremony for the West Coast Demerara Road Project that saw some US$46.8 million being plugged into the construction of a highway running from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie, Parika, in order to cut commuters’ travelling time from the two locations.

At the simple ceremony, the President stated that the region is in for a major developmental transformation not only with this project but with many others that are expected in the future. He warned the contractors about delays and excess cost, noting that persons will be penalised if the project is not done on time and within the agreed budget.

“I’m tired of many of the projects not coming in on time and on budget and this is one of the focus we will have to have. We can have consultants justifying all kinds of delays. We must put in all of their contracts, penalty clauses if these things don’t come in

on time and on budget. It is time that we look for quality in every area, not only in the physical infrastructure, but in the manner in which we do things as well,” he stated.

across the Demerara River in the future, and with all the urbanisation ongoing in Vreed-en-Hoop and its environs, it is likely that the area will become part of the

Additionally, the President highlighted that quality is top priority for his Administration as such they will be looking forward to roads that can stand up to the increased heavy traffic. President Ramotar further mentioned that infrastructure development is crucial to the economic and social development in any country. He emphasised that the road network in Region Three will see roads on West Bank Demerara including the Canal Polders being converted to highways.

Furthermore, the Head of State envisions that with a new bridge expected

city and not just the outskirt of the city.

“This is one or a continuation of many of the projects or investments that we have been having in our country and in this region. This area is becoming more and more urbanised very, very rapidly. That is why we believe that the infrastructure here is inadequate and the need for a new crossing of the Demerara River is becoming extremely important,” the President said. On the other hand, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn pointed out that more than 100 road projects were executed over the past three years in the re-

Wanted bulletin issued for Sparendaam man

The Guyana Police Force on Friday issued a wanted bulle-

tin for Levi Sheldon Evelyn for questioning into the murder of Travis Lowenfield who was shot on February 26 at Sparendaam Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

Lowenfield, 27, of Lot 96 Sixth Street, Sparendaam Housing Scheme, was shot once to his abdomen and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent emergency sur-

gery, but later succumbed.

Based on reports received, the now dead man was in the company of three friends when Evelyn whipped out a handgun and started to ‘play’ around. He reportedly placed the gun to Lowenfield’s abdomen and jokingly requested that he handed over the money he was carrying.

It was reported that at this time the gun suddenly went off. The alleged shooter fled the scene. The two other men were arrested, but were subsequently released.

Police, however, said investigations revealed that Lowenfield was involved in an argument with another man in his house during which he was shot to the abdomen. The argument, the Police stated, was over money.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Levi Sheldon Evelyn is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 2292700 to 3, 229-2557, 2256411, 226-9941, 911 or at the nearest Police station.

gion to the sum of $1.32 billion. The minister outlined that a lot of factors went into the selection of this particular road for development works including the rising death toll.

“I want to encourage a better understanding of what the use of the road is intended for and I want to encourage everyone to pass on as much information, particularly our technicians, professionals and consultants, on how we expect this road to be developed and how we expect it to be used,” he stated.

He went onto to urge road users to preserve the country’s infrastructure especially since millions are being plugged into projects such as this. “We have still a significant issue with respect to the proper and efficient use of the roads. (We expect) that when we put the infrastructure in place, that we have the responsibility to make sure that the intended use for the road is met. We have to admit that our road culture is still poor and there are significant improvements we have to make,” he noted.

The West Coast Demerara Road Improvement Project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Guyana Government. In November last year, the contract for the $46.8 million project was awarded to Jamaican company Surrey Paving and Aggregate (SPA) Ltd, which has partnered with local company BK International to work on the road. Construction is expected to last for 36 months for the roadway which covers a distance of 30.7 kilometres, that is, 19 miles.

Man remanded for assaulting child

Aman, who is believed to be mentally unstable, was remanded at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday for allegedly assaulting a four-year-old boy.

The man, Leylone Murray, of 170 Middle Road, La Penitence, was charged with two counts of assault on February 17, 2015 after an incident involving a nursery school boy. It is alleged that the defendant, who lives opposite the Virtual Complainant (VC), walked into the child’s home about 15:00h and choked him. Also the defendant is alleged to have lifted the VC all the while taking him out of the yard and threatening to kill him.

Fortunately, a neighbour, who saw this, intervened, beating the defendant for him to release the child.

The Police’s reports show that the defendant lives by himself, with no identifiable relative, while the VC lives with his parents. Presiding in Court 10, where the matter was heard, Magistrate Alex Moore remanded the defendant to jail. He will appear in Court again on April 22.

Mexico Supreme Court frees man after 23 years in jail

The Mexican Supreme Court has ordered the release of Alfonso Martin del Campo Dodd, a Mexican-American who was jailed in 1992 for the mur-

der of his sister and brother-in-law. The court ruled that Martin del Campo’s confession had been extract-

ed under torture and that there was no other evidence against him.

Martin del Campo said police had placed a plastic bag over his head to make him confess to the double murder. He is expected to be freed shortly. In a fourto-one ruling the judges said Martin del Campo, who holds both US and Mexican citizenship, should be freed “in light of the proof that torture was used to obtain his confession in the two crimes, without there being any incriminatory evidence”.

Patricia Martin del Campo and her husband Gerardo Zamudio Aldaba were found murdered in their bed in their home in Mexico City in 1992. They had been stabbed more than 60 times. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Alfonso Martin del Campo Dodd

Wanted: Levi Sheldon Evelyn

President Donald Ramotar. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and other dignitaries at the launching ceremony for the West Coast Demerara Road Project

Leylone Murray is alleged to have assaulted a four year old boy

saturday, march 21, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana failed to prosecute under old AML law – US INCSR Report

The US Department of State has pointed out that despite legislation in place to enable a more effective response to the threat of money laundering activities, the Government of Guyana never prosecuted anyone.

This was mentioned in the United States’ International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), which was presented to Congress on Wednesday.

The 2015 report contained a comprehensive assessment of the efforts of foreign Governments to reduce illicit narcotics production, trafficking and use in keeping with their international obligations under United Nations treaties, while also presenting information on Governments’ efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to the report, even with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act of 2009 in force, no prosecutions were done under the laws.

Government sought to amend the Act in 2012 but the Bill failed to get the approval of the Parliamentary Opposition. This resulted in a Parliamentary Special Select Committee being established but the parties still could not come to a consensus despite leave granted by international oversight bodies including the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The report detailed “Guyanese authorities have pledged to increase efforts to comply with international anti-money laundering standards and have presented amendments in Parliament to improve existing legislation. The United States supports the Government of Guyana’s efforts in this area and has offered technical assistance”.

In addition, the US Department of State highlighted that Government has also sought to established a Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) in June last year to investigate suspected money laundering crimes and prosecute persons suspected of terrorism and financial offences. The unit has been partially staffed and has begun initial training.

Furthermore, the report outlined that despite weaknesses in the system the Guyana Government does not encourage or facilitate the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. It also mentioned that Guyana is a party to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, yet it has not fully implemented the provisions such as the seizure of property obtained through corruption.

“Efforts to increase law enforcement capabilities, protect borders and ports, strengthen workforce development, and promote anti- money laundering effectiveness directly address priority concerns shared by Guyana and the United States,” the US Department

maintained. The US added that it is looking forward to tangible progress on investigations, prosecutions, extraditions, security sector capacity enhancement, the engagement of at-risk communities, and enforcement of laws against money laundering and financial crimes.

In May 2014, CFATF identified Guyana as a “money laundering and terrorist financing” risk to the international financial system because of the country’s failure to amend its Anti-Money Laundering laws. At present, Guyana is under targeted review by the FATF.

At the October 2014 plenary, Guyana committed to undertaking a series of measures that deals specifically with the non-legislative aspects of compliance. CFATF has presented a report on Guyana’s implementation of the action plan to FATF at February 2015 plenary in Paris.

In the report, the American Areas Review Group, which was overseeing Guyana’s performance of its action plan, had stated that the country was successful in completing the action due by February. Guyana now has to ensure that it implements and complete the measures of the entire targeted review before the May 2015 plenary.

Following this, the country will face FATF in September this year and will have to show that it has enacted FAFT compliant anti-money laundering legislation.

Healing the Nation Theocracy Party still standing alone – APNU

By Gomatie GanGadin

The Healing the Nation Theocracy Party(HNTP) is not yet part of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) coalition.

This is according to APNU Executive Basil Williams who rejected media reports which suggested that the HNTP had entered the fold oof the recently formed coalition.

Williams did indicate that talks with the HNTP were ongoing but no agreement was reached.

Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday, Williams related that the HTNP had expressed its wishes to join forces with the APNU- AFC coalition.

According to him, representatives of the party are due to meet with APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon and Working People’s Alliance member, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine in the coming week where the

matter will be extensively discussed.

He noted that while the APNU-AFC is an inclusionary party and wants a government of national unity, the HNTP party will have to be assessed so as to ensure that its policies are workable and similar to those of the APNU-AFC.

“We will make an assessment of any party that wants to join us; that party will have to be assessed to determine whether their aims and objectives are consistent with that of the A Partnership for National Unity- Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC),” Williams said.

However, during an interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, the leader of the HNTP party, Alfred Park had said that he is excited about the future prospects.

He noted that while the partnership is not yet formalized as the signing of documents and merging of ideas is yet to take action, there is no turning back now for his party.

During a previous interview however, Park had noted that APNU-AFC was offering limited power to the party and the chances of them merging were very unlikely.

It is unclear what the party will be asking for in exchange for its support since Park has noted that his party was more concerned about representing their people through the legalizing of marijuana and the eradication of poverty.

When questioned on Friday on what the Healing the Nation Theocracy Party

had to gain, should it join forces with the APNU- AFC coalition, Basil Williams said that while it is too early to make pronouncements since discussions were still ongoing, it is a well known fact that every party enters into negotiations only if they can be guaranteed a seat or a number of seats in the National Assembly.

The APNU’s Chairman further stated that as far as the APNU’s Shadow Cabinet was concerned, the goals and aims of the HTNTP of legalizing marijuana and eradicating poverty in the country, was never discussed and would not be discussed for now.

“It wasn’t discussed at the APNU’s Shadow Cabinet but I don’t know if the AFC discussed it,” he said.

The Healing the Nation Theocracy Party is scheduled to hold its Congress on Sunday at the F E Pollard Primary School. It is unclear whether this will go ahead as planned in light of the discussions between the two.

Sickle cell patients demand better service at health agencies

By deVina SamaRoo

Several persons living with the sickle cell disease in Guyana have complained about the poor and delayed service received at health institutions in here, particularly the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Sickle Cell is a life-long chronic illness that has no cure and creates a number of new ailments in sufferers due to the fragility of their immune system.

Sickle patients worldwide have complained of the unsatisfactory interactions with health care providers. Powerful pain medicines such as morphine are used to treat the intense and sudden episodes, called pain crises. But physicians are reluctant to liberally prescribe those medications, as they can be highly addictive.

Sabrina Perry-Kazim, who was born with the sickle cell disease, said she often feels discriminated against because of her diagnosis. She complained that nurses would often hesitate to administer the morphine,

which causes her to experience prolonged hours of excruciating pain.

“They don’t want to give us because they label us as drug seekers, they are scared we will get addicted but the truth is we are in a lot of pain. Its often delayed and sometimes even denied and we are left suffering,” she told this publication.

Perry-Kazim explained that, since as a child, she endured much fatigue from being rushed back and forth to the GPHC for treatment.

“Sicklers cannot be in

the cold for too long or in the heat for too long. You can’t play sports or you can’t swim for too long because the temperature aggravates the blood cells,” she explained.

Perry-Kazim eventually became a member of the Guyana Sickle Cell Association (GSCA), but over the years, she believed that the organisation was not doing enough to sensitise others about the disease.

New organisation

Growing wary of waiting for a change in that regard, Perry-Kazim decided to be the change she wanted to see, and the idea of starting her own organisation was born.

The woman said she has been collaborating with the GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan to establish the Fight Against Sickle Cell Syndrome Organisation.

This new organisation, she said, will be more effective in promoting awareness, combating the insensitivity that exists with this disease and executing ef-

fective sensitisation programmes.

Perry-Kazim noted that she does not intend to work against any other organisation, but instead, is looking forward to working along with them to achieve more successful results.

Denied help

Meanwhile, President of the GSCA, Errol London attested to the poor services provided by the GPHC for sicklers, as well.

Notwithstanding his understanding of the system, London highlighted that many patients become frustrated when they visit the hospitals and are denied the help they so desperately seek.

“Sometimes when people go, the nurses would give them normal pain killers that you can get over-thecounter but these patients would explain that they did not come to the hospital for that, you know, they would tell the nurses that they tried that and it did not stop the pain, that’s why they came to the hospital. You see, with this disease, at a

certain point, no other drug will work,” London stated. However, he justified the nurses’ positions by explaining that using morphine as the last resort is, in a medical view, is not in keeping with the best interest of the patient.

Additionally, London pointed out that the system currently in place at the hospital gives priority to people with noticeably severe injuries such as those with profuse bleeding and therefore, sicklers with a severe pain attack are neglected because

their suffering goes unnoticed.

“You know, they think, ‘oh it’s just a little pain, they can wait’, so it’s difficult for normal people to capture that pain sicklers are feeling” London said.

National Registry

Moreover, when prompted for statistics on the persons diagnosed with sickle cell disease in Guyana, London regrettably disclosed that these are unavailable as Guyana does not have national registry to record, measure and analyze the disease. He explained that unlike other chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, sickle cell disease is treated with little regard.

Nonetheless, like the progress made with regards to diabetes and hypertension, London is hopeful the same occurs for the sickle cell disease in the years to come.

Meanwhile, persons interested in being a part of the Fight Against Sickle Cell Association are encouraged to contact Sabrina PerryKazim on 592-661-1705.

Sabrina Perry-Kazim

GSCA President Errol London

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon

WPA Member Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Come Easter weekend, all roads will be leading to Bartica, Essequibo, for the annu al Bartica Regatta celebrations.

While there is usually a packed weekend of activities, this year, organisers have scaled back on several events due to financial constraints.

The much an ticipated Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant has been cancelled, but pa trons can still look forward to an excit ing new feature – a fashion show. The show will be featuring the work of three lo cal designers – Tiffany Alleyne, Jo Ann Lynch, and Dwight Beaton.

According to Bartica Regatta Committee

a forum for fashion designers from the mining commu-

their talents, as they do not get many opportunities to

do. The Bartica Regatta weekend will retain most of its annual activities. The celebration will commence on March 29 with a Kiddies Fun Fair at the Bartica Community Centre.

Budhes h Chatterpaul, Chairman of AJ Promotions, one of the promoters of the event, explained that this new feature was added, because previously, there was hardly any activities that catered for the chil dren. They can look forward to exciting games,

trampolines and other fun activities.

Then on April 3, Good Friday, the Gospel Concert will be held. On Saturday, the finals of the football tournament will be hosted and some eight teams are expected to compete for the title. This will be followed by the customary Street Party in the evening, which is expected to be off the hook.

Sunday’s activities will kick off with the annual “Run Bartica Run” road race around the community. Afterwards, patrons will head down to the beach for the power-boat races that will feature prominent participants such as Dave Scott and Neil Gonsalves.

This year, there will be no held over for the boat races unless the weather and water conditions do not favour the completion

of the races. The fashion show will follow in the evening, complete with a showstopper that will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go towards a local NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) in Bartica.

Then on Monday, patrons can wine down throughout the day enjoying the mining community before heading to the Community Centre in the night for the “Wash Down” Chutney/Soca Concert, which will feature local and international artistes. The sensational and energetic party boss Ravi B is slated to perform alongside Nadia Batson and other local artistes.

Sponsors for the Bartica Regatta Weekend include: BK International, Banks DIH, Digicel, ANSA McAL Trading, DDL and RY Mining.

Linden Town Week was launched in February with much pomp and ceremony, and the excitement is building as we draw nearer to the week of activities in the mining town that will run from April 25 to May 4. Devine

Entertainment has the exclusive franchise for the event and the group has been working around the clock to make sure that the event is wellcoordinated and executed.

eral other activities aimed at assisting the elderly, including the Senior Citizens Luncheon.

Activities will be held in various villages in the Mining Community.

The list of activities, which will be held in various wards of the town, will commence on Saturday, April 25 with three exciting events – the Bob Semple Yankee Party; Wisroc Village Day; and the most anticipated, the Miss Linden Town Week Pageant. There will be sev-

Reunions, a visual arts exhibition, Labour Day March, Heritage Day and Culinary Display are among the other events slated to enliven the community.

The children will not be

left out, since there will be a variety of educational activities during the weeklong celebrations, including job fairs, essay competitions, Spelling Bs, a health fair, fitness walks, storytelling. The most talked-about event of the week, the Miss Big and Beautiful Pageant is set for April 30 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. The final events of the week of celebrations are the Kiddies Fair and the International Concert, featuring Demarco, Daune Stephenson, Skinny Fabulous, Jumo Primo, Lil J, George Abrams, Jackie Jaxx and Rawlo, also slated for April 30, followed by the Big Wash Down the next day at Watooka Pool.

The seventh edition of the Miss Renaissance Pageant will be held on April 4 at the National Cultural Centre and will see 12 mature women vying for the title.

The pageant serves as a catalyst to reeducate the public about the beauty, cre ativity, cultural awareness, and accomplishment of the mature Guyanese woman aged 30 and older. These women are ex pected to thrill the audience come pageant night. As per normal, Guyana Times Entertainment has been fea turing the delegates and will continue to do so over the next few weeks.

This week, we are pleased to introduce Jonell Waldron who was born in Georgetown in 1979 and has spent her life in Beterverwagting/ Triumph, East Coast of Demerara.

She is the mother of two beautiful children and a teacher at St Gabriel’s Primary School. She also lectures Teaching of Reading course at the Cyril Potter College of Education because of her love for the arts.

Community and at St Gabriel’s Primary School.

Waldron finds personal strength in the wisdom provided by her mother, Colleen; spouse, Lynton Sr; aunts; Headteacher and many friends. In the near future, she plans to open a reading centre to help eradicate illiteracy among children and adults, since that is her area of specialisation.

She is currently pursuing a Teacher’s Management Course and holds a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Certificate in Education from the University of Guyana.

She is also a Class One Grade One trained teacher.

Nadia Batson

Ravi B

Jumo Primo

Skinny Fabulous

Miss Linden Town Week

Jonell Waldron

Public petition in support of justice for Courtney Crum-Ewing

Dear Editor,

The killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing on Tuesday, March 10 has shocked and galvanized citizens from all walks of life to stand in solidarity and to salute and honour a Guyanese brother who in the face of countrywide disillusionment and apathy became an example and the public conscience for all Guyanese.

Who would have thought that using a bull-horn to encourage citizens of Guyana to go out and vote for change in a residential housing scheme in which he lived could have cost him his life?

The pain and loss the Crum-Ewing family has had to endure knows no words and we send our sincere condolences to them. As a nation, we take their grief as our grief and their resolve for justice as our resolve for justice. The family has called for unity; and the setting aside of differences if we are to honour the memory of their son as a man of courage, and to be true to the ideals of justice which he advocated and for which he was killed. We reiterate the words of Courtney’s father asking for all Guyanese to honour the memory of their son by walking through the door that he opened for us.

We join with Courtney’s parents in calling on the

Guyana Police Force to expeditiously investigate those who had allegedly threatened Courtney – based on the reports he had made directly to the Police while he was still alive. We expect the Police force to proceed with professionalism and diligence in their investigations of these two officials and their known associates – as to their whereabouts on the night of the shooting including searches for guns and ammunition and for ballistic tests to be conducted on any guns owned and found.

In other words, to exercise procedures employed in the recent arrest of the two men recently held on suspicion for seventy-two hours but since released as no evidence has been found to directly link them or the car still held in police custody. We expect the Police to act conscientiously and fairly in keeping with the Police Code of Conduct and to release accurate and timely information on the results of all their investigations.

Courtney stood in defense against racism, injustice, corruption, greed and abuse. His example must be a wake-up call for all citizens who believe in democracy; to recommit to free and fair elections and elections

free from fear to our right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the rule of law.

In the face of Courtney’s assassination, we must condemn political killings and political thuggery and the virulent racism inherent in partisan politics with its breed of ethnic insecurity and polarization. We must work instead towards a transformative political culture that will heal our fractured nation and usher in a society that is secure in its diversity and in its defence of decency. The architects of this assault on democracy intend instability and ethnic insecurity, but, we stand more united. The architects of this assault on peace intend upheaval, but, we stand more determined that there will be justice.

To all the family of Courtney Crum Ewing and to his three young daughters: We commit our energies to not only fight for justice, but to use his example as a banner for ushering in a new political, ethnic, social and economic culture where constitutional rights and freedoms are guaranteed to all.

Yours sincerely, Andaiye and others (names provided)

My letter was misinterpreted

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Devanand Bhagwan’s, “Phagwah is a cultural rather than a religious celebration”, on March 10. While I agree with the contents of your letter, I strongly believe that you misunderstood mine and its contents.

My letter was based on the Phagwah/Holi celebrations in Guyana, and how it contributes to our country; it was not directed or crafted to match that of India. Although I may have made some general statements, the gist of the letter was centered on Guyana and the way the festival is celebrated here. My position was taken out of context as suggested by your statement, “Ms Rampersaud would have more accurately described

the festival as ‘Hindustani,’ rather than ‘Hindu’.”

Hindustani is the Hindi word that would be translated as “Indian”. In Guyana, believers of the Hinduism religion are known as Hindus; this is what I was referring to, and not as you suggested - that is Indians (nationally/race), because in Guyana Hindus aren’t only Indians but individuals from every ethnicity. Your second point, that “there is little religious significance in the celebration of Holi. In most places in India (especially in the northern areas of the country), the Holika is burned invariably by men (mostly in their 20s or 30s) who are either somewhat drunk or under the influence of ‘bhang’ (a derivative of marijuana); no woman are

usually found at the scene for fear of being molested”.

Again, this does not apply to Guyana because locally when the Holika is planted, those who partake in the rituals would commence fasting until after the celebrations. Nowhere in this time is alcohol or alcoholic beverages involved. In fact, this period is passed with chowtal signing and prayers on a daily basis at most temples across the country. However, it should be noted that since this festival is a cultural one that cuts across religions and ethnicity, alcohol does come into play on the actual day, but this is in most cases done by non-Hindus.

Shivanie Rampersaud

Why is one particular group considered racist?

Dear Editor, When you look at what we call racism or being racial in Guyana, is really a misnomer. It is a misnomer meaning it does not fit what it refers to.

Like I said in a previous letter you ask someone in Georgetown at the present moment and you get an automatic answer "Indians are racists", without stopping to think as to the true meaning of the word. That re-branding or redefining the word has come about as a result of those individuals being taught or conditioned to give that response. Why is one particular group considered racist and not yours?

Why when the topic "racism" comes up for discussion, one racial group almost on all instances casts an accusing finger at the other? Why can't that group introspectively study their own actions and perceptions and see if they can be called the same.

In like manner why can't that group stand back for one moment and objectively view their actions to see if the accusing finger is pointing back at them. If we should accept their argument that only that one race mentioned earlier is "racist" then what makes them believe that mem-

bers of their own race group aren't? It just does not add up. Let me relate to you a few episodes in my home village Plantation Lochaber. Growing up in that community we prided ourselves in being in a race free zone. That means we do not tolerate any form of racial remarks from anyone. Every race has its racial element in the things they do.

Indians highlight and celebrate the achievements of their race. The same is said of African descendants or Blacks when they too with festivities speeches and the like promote the race in all its glory. The Chinese and Amerindians have theirs also.

This is wholesome public relations for one’s race; no offense to another. This is a noble act, but when that zeal and enthusiasm is used as a weapon against another race then it becomes pure unadulterated racism, and all efforts should be made to condemn it.

Guyana has come a far way where race relations are concerned. Gone are the days when race could have been used as a tool to maintain political power. Race cannot be exploited for political leverage anymore. We are a mature nation now,

Poll obsolete in ...

This poll is obsolete in many ways, and I cannot fathom what Stabroek News and Mr Khemraj are getting out of this entry. Maybe they are jointly trying to fool the electorate, or it is an attempt to engender some fear. Things have changed and no wonder we are seeing a kind of desperate reaction from the coalition. This survey then is not relevant.

I point out too that the PNC/R has again shown its true colours – seeming fixing of its internal voting at the party’s last Congress, the falling out of the Lindeners because of the high-handedness of David Granger, and the mistreatment and relegation of Vanessa Kissoon. I add here too that out of AFC, Guyanese are seeing some strange and suspi-

cious things.

We have Moses Nagamootoo’s embracing of APNU, really the PNC, and what this shows is that he is a man with no moral scruples. For years, he fought this vile force of the PNC, and now he is embracing all that it did and now stands for.

His desire/lust/dying crave for personal power has destroyed his moral fabric. He did promise the coalition some 11,000 Indian votes, but all of a sudden, I am noticing a return to the PPP/C of those who were behind Mr Nagamootoo.

Let’s note note too that the AFC itself is feeling the terrible aftermath of this Nagamootoo betrayal. At least three top leaders have exited, and in doing so, they have exposed the crass and

and the last elections have shown this. The PPP/C lost ground in its stronghold due to the fact that its constituents voted on issues and not on race. Gone are the days when the PPP/C could take the Indian as a captive vote while showing gross neglect for their communities. They reacted to such neglect by voting for another party.

The PPP/C has taken note of this and are making amends. The PNC/APNU on the other hand are constant harpers of race cannot just yet speak race because they have two prominent Indians in the party's coalition and they are desperately trying to sneak in the "Indian vote" hence, speak of racism in muted tones. However, soon after election day that might change dramatically when the streets of Georgetown may see the unleashing of urban guerrilla warfare directed against a particular race. The point I am making is stop judging other people from the standpoint of a perception. Stop categorizing people with your narrow myopic understanding of them because you might well be embarrassed with the findings of such claims.

Neil Adams

from page 5

suspicious nature of even Khemraj Ramjattan. So what Khemraj reported from his findings in “Development Watch” and passed on to Stabroek News cannot be valid now. The whole thing, coming now, after so much has happened, smacks of some form of evil.

I close by reminding all Guyanese that up to now, the coalition has offered no plan on how to make Guyana move forward, as it has been doing for quite some time now. All that the people are getting are things related to who will be what, and who will get what.

To the Stabroek News and Khemraj, Guyanese know better.

Attiya Baksh

Cricket World Cup: Michael Clarke praises Shane Watson’s defiance

Australia captain

Michael Clarke praised Shane Watson’s defiance with the bat after their six-wicket World Cup quarter-final win over Pakistan.

Watson held out against a fiery fast bowling spell from Wahab Riaz to see the co-hosts home with 64 not out.

“I was really impressed with the way the boys handled the pressure, ‘Watto’ especially,” Clarke told BBC Sport.

“He had a bit of luck, getting dropped, but to go on and control the innings and get us home was a credit to him.”

Clarke, who was caught at short mid-wicket in Riaz’s second over, added: “That’s finals cricket at its bestthere’s pressure, there’s expectation, everybody seems

to go up a gear and Wahab Riaz [who took 2-54] certainly showed that with the ball.

“I think Pakistan would have liked a few more runs, the wicket was pretty good, but we knew it was going to be tough as their strength is their fast bowling.

“However many we had to chase, it was going to be tough. Fortunately we found

a way.”

Clarke also felt vindicated after Josh Hazlewood, 24, who replaced fellow paceman Pat Cummins, 21, in the side, took the man-ofthe-match award with figures of 4-35.

“I’ve said throughout the tournament it will take all 15 of us to have success and we’ve seen that today with

Josh coming in and getting his opportunity,” he said.

Australia now head to Sydney where they will face India in the second semi-final next Thursday.

“Everybody has areas [where] we need to get better, so we’ll work on those,” added Clarke.

“What team the selectors go for next game, we’ll wait and see what the wicket is like at the SCG.

“We showed a lot of skill with bat and ball and in the field, but the next game’s our World Cup final, exactly like I said about this game,. You have to treat each game like it’s the most important game.”

Listen to highlights from Test Match Special’s and 5 live Sport’s 2015 World Cup coverage. (BBC Sport)

Lance Armstrong meets with USADA

Lance Armstrong talked last week with the head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in hopes of potentially reducing his lifetime ban from the sports he loves, The Associated Press has learned.

Armstrong and Travis Tygart met for six hours, according to a person with knowledge of the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussion was meant to remain private. The meeting was first reported by The New York Times.

The meeting was the first between Armstrong and Tygart since late 2012. The two have publicly sparred since the agency’s investigation into doping by Armstrong and his U.S. Postal Service team led to Armstrong’s ban and his being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Tygart has said that despite Armstrong’s public confessions to performance-enhancing drugs use, he had to meet with USADA to have any chance of reducing his ban, which also covers sanctioned triathlons, marathons and other sports Armstrong enjoys.

Tygart did not immedi -

ately respond Wednesday to a request for comment. Armstrong’s attorney, Elliot Peters, declined comment.

In a previous interview with ESPN.com, Tygart reiterated the position he has taken before: that it would be “good for (Armstrong) and good for the sport” if Armstrong spoke specifically about PEDs.

“Lance Arrmstrong has been given that chance to be truthful, since June of 2012,” Tygart told ESPN. com, referring to the month Armstrong was first notified of the case USADA intended to bring against him. “We’ve always wanted him to sit down and answer our questions under

oath, to the level of specificity we set out.’’

Armstrong previously met twice with European officials investigating doping in cycling. The meeting with Tygart came after the March 8 release of the Cycling Independent Reform Commission report that seemed to question Armstrong’s lifetime ban but stopped short of recommending it be reduced.

The CIRC report noted the “striking difference” between the lifetime ban on Armstrong and punishments of six months handed to other riders who were also caught cheating. But it also noted that Armstrong deserved a “harsh sanction” and that some reduced penalties could be justified for riders who cooperated with USADA’s initial investigation, which Armstrong did not.

What new information about doping in cycling Armstrong could still provide USADA and cycling officials is unclear. And his willingness to do so could be complicated by lawsuits he still faces and where he will have to testify under oath. Most notable is a federal whistleblower lawsuit filed by former teammate Floyd Landis and joined by

the federal government.

In that case, the government wants to recover about $40 million in sponsorship money paid to Armstrong and his team by the U.S. Postal Service and damages could run as high as $100 million.

The meeting with USADA also comes at a time when Armstrong has resurfaced in public charitable events to fight cancer. He recently signed up to participate and raise money in a charity bike ride for Livestrong, the cancer-fighting foundation he started in 1997 but was forced to leave in late 2012.

Armstrong also has agreed to participate in an unofficial charity event this summer in which he would ride part of the Tour de France route a day before the professional peloton. The head of world cycling on Tuesday called that plan “disrespectful” and urged him to abandon that event. Armstrong responded by insisting he was “honored and humbled” to be invited.

Armstrong also has gone back to referring to himself as seven-time Tour de France winner on his Twitter account. (ESPN)

IOC plans to retest 2008 samples

Armed with more effective methods and targeting specific athletes, the IOC plans to retest hundreds of doping samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in a bid to catch any drug cheats who escaped detection at the time.

IOC medical director Richard Budgett said Wednesday that some retests have already been carried out on stored samples from Beijing, the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2012 London Olympics.

Retesting opens the possibility of athletes being stripped of Olympic medals up to 10 years after they won them.

“Even if it’s five or 10 years later, it’s really an important thing to do,” Budgett said. “It’s not ideal. You want to do it as close as possible to the time, but if you’ve got no option but to do it later, then that’s what you have to do.”

The International Olympic Committee has stored Olympic doping samples since 2004 at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland, keeping them for reanalysis when new methods become available. The original eight-year statute of limitations has been extended to 10 years under the new World AntiDoping Code, meaning the IOC can retest Beijing samples up to 2018.

A small number of Beijing’s total of 4,000 samples have already been retested based on intelligence about suspected cheaters, with no positive tests confirmed so far, Budgett said.

While an official decision hasn’t yet been made by the IOC executive board, Budgett said a “significant number” of samples will be reanalyzed in the coming months from athletes who could compete in next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Another significant number will be done before the samples expire in 2018,” Budgett said on the sideline of the Tackling Doping in Sport conference at the Emirates Stadium in London. “It will be in the hundreds. Who knows what tests are going to be developed over the next

two years? It makes a lot of sense to wait another couple of years for the majority.”

Retests will also be targeted based on intelligence from recent positive cases and allegations of widespread doping in Russia and Kenya.

“We will document that sort of intelligence,” Budgett said. “The countries where doping is prevalent and particularly where we know now that doping was prevalent, say back in 2008, that will be taken into account.”

A few target tests have been done so far on Vancouver and London samples, Budgett said, adding he had no positive findings to report.

It’s not the first time the IOC is going after doping cheats from Beijing. It retested some samples a year after the 2008 Games in search of the bloodbooster CERA and caught five athletes -- including Bahrain runner Rashid Ramzi, who was stripped of his gold medal in the 1,500 meters.

Retests of samples in 2012 from the 2004 Athens Olympics led to five athletes being stripped of medals for using steroids, including men’s shot put winner Yuriy Bilonog of Ukraine.

In 2013, the IOC retested about 350 samples from the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Budgett said the results of those tests remain confidential for legal reasons. At least one positive case is believed to remain under review.

The IOC retesting program is focused on medalists, suspected athletes and sports and events where doping is most at risk.

Budgett said the Beijing retests will use the “longterm metabolite” method that can detect the use of steroids going back several months -- rather than days -- and an improved analysis that is more sensitive in detecting the endurance-boosting drug EPO.

“You can look back at something that you couldn’t report as positive in the past and say, under the new rules, we can report that as positive,” Budgett said. (ESPN)

Shane Watson

Lance Armstrong

“Clash of the Titans” attracts top field of horses

– 12 animals confirmed for feature race

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Guyana’s only A Class animal, Score’s Even is among a star-studded field of animals on show for the “Clash of the Titans” horse race meet, slated for the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne, Berbice on Sunday.

Score’s Even from the Simple Royal Stable will run against 11 other animals in a terrific line-up in the feature A and Lower race.

Newly-imported recordbreaking Diplomatic Cat, Run Nana Run, Treacle, CP Got Even, Curfew Tower, Spit Fire, Tiz a Holiday, Western Charm, Spirit of Dixie, Lady Budapest and Storm Mark are the other animals to assemble at the starting line in the 1600 metres race for a whopping first prize of $1.2 million.

Organised by the “Four Horsemen Promotion”, an impressive eight-race programme is on the cards, with over $7 million up for grabs.

The Four Horsemen Promotion is putting a number of initiatives in place to improve standards, although the event will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing

Authority (GHRA).

This is in keeping with an agreement and commitment coming out of the last GHRA meeting held at Rising Sun Turf Club.

The members appointed to the classification committee were tasked with overhauling the entire classification system to reflect the ratings system used worldwide.

This means many horses

will move out of their class, particularly many of the imported horses stuck in D3 and G3.

The new format will see these horses being allowed to participate in lower class races.

To simplify matters, the organisers are accommodating the D3 maidens and non-earners in the past six months in the four-year-old West Indies Bred race.

This race will now be the 1500 metres open to all horses classified D3 maiden and non-earners in the same category for the last six months of under $300,000 and all other lower classes and ratings of horses.

A prize of $400,000 and a trophy is available for the winner of the three-year-old event for West Indies Bred horses over 1200 metres.

The G1 and Lower 1200 metres race fetches the winner $320,000 and a trophy.

The 1200 metres threeyear-old Guyana bred and I and Lower race has a first prize of $300,000 and a trophy.

The G3 Maiden and H and Lower 1200 metres race has $300,000 and a trophy set aside for the winner.

The J1 and Lower 1100 metres event has a firstplace prize of $240,000 and a trophy.

The J3 and Lower race will also be an 1100m race for $200,000 and a trophy.

The top Jockey, along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives, compliments of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

Race time will be 12:30h.

Former New Zealand great endorses Windies Captain

Fast bowling great Sir Richard Hadlee has given Jason Holder a ringing endorsement, saying he is impressed with the cricketing skills and leadership of the young West Indies captain.

The former New Zealand fast bowler was speaking to a packed media conference at the Basin Reserve on Thursday afternoon.

Together with West Indies bowling great, Sir Curtly Ambrose, he was previewing the all-important World Cup quarter-final between the New Zealanders and the Windies scheduled for the Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.

“I like the look of the captain Jason Holder he seems very calm for someone so young and someone carrying so much responsibility,” said Sir Richard.

“He has formed a good new ball partnership with Jerome Taylor and I also like the look of him as well. They give the West Indies attack something to work with at the top.”

He added: “It is good when you have someone (Holder) so young who can take the team forward. He is handling himself quite well.”

Sir Curtly also lauded the work of Holder and Taylor with the new ball, and backed the Windies to turn the tables on the unbeaten Black Caps on Saturday.

“The combination of Taylor and Holder is working pretty well for us at the moment,” said Sir Curtly, the Windies bowling coach.

“We all know how talented captain Holder is. Taylor is a wonderful bowler, swings the ball as well and they’re going to be key, I believe, to start the innings.”

Taylor has taken 14 wickets at the World Cup at 18.35 apiece to be the West Indies leading bowler.

He was out of the game for several years but made a successful comeback last year. He has an impressive ODI record with 120 wickets in 78 matches at an average of 27 runs per wicket, an economy rate of under five runs per over and a strike rate of 32.

Holder, meanwhile, was a surprise choice when he was named to take over from Dwayne Bravo as the 50-overs captain.

The decision to turn to the 23-year-old was taken last December ahead of the OneDay International series in South Africa and Clive Lloyd, chairman of selectors, tipped Holder “as a young man with a good cricket brain”.

So far in the world Cup Holder has impressed with his calm authority as well as his classy batting and wicket-taking ability with the new ball. He made 56 against South Africa and top scored against India with a careerbest 57. (CMC)

Smith, Hazlewood book semi-final berth for Australia

Wahab Riaz delivered one of the most fearsome spells in World Cup history but Australia, helped by some shoddy Pakistan fielding, weathered the storm and set up a semifinal showdown with India. Chasing 214 to win this quarter-final, Australia faced trouble at 59 for 3. Wahab delivered a bouncer barrage to Shane Watson but, like a zing bail earlier in the day, Watson wobbled but did not fall, and was there to strike the winning runs.

The key moment came when Wahab’s efforts led to a top edge from Watson that flew high to fine leg, where Rahat Ali contrived to drop the simplest of chances. Wahab let out a scream, and you could sense all the pressure he had built slowly dissipate. Wahab was playing like a cornered tiger; Rahat after his drop looked like a cornered kitten. Pakistan soon ran out of energy and options. Watson, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell secured the result.

Just as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene left ODI cricket with a disappointing loss on Wednesday, so too will Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi. Misbah was always in the game, though, his 34 helping to rebuild Pakistan’s innings and his captaincy asking questions of Australia. Who’d have thought that in a World Cup quarter-final a

40-year-old skipper would be under the helmet at short leg?

But so Misbah was as the pressure built on Australia. Wahab’s initial six-over spell brought 2 for 24 - David Warner cut to third man and Michael Clarke fended a short one to a man in close. The Clarke wicket was indicative of Pakistan’s approach, and it only became clearer when Watson arrived.

watching Smith and Watson batting together was like seeing Winston Churchill trying to converse with Manuel from Fawlty Towers.

But once Wahab was too exhausted to continue, Watson was a different batsman. He immediately pulled Sohail Khan for four, and the runs began to flow. Smith fittingly brought up his halfcentury with a superb cover

Wahab fizzed bouncer after bouncer at Watson’s head and chest; Watson ducked and fended awkwardly. He scored only four times off Wahab in that spell, one flew off the shoulder of the bat short of third man, one was the drop by Rahat. At the other end, Smith had no such trouble, calmly compiling runs, cover driving with exquisite timing and placement. In terms of fluency,

drive for four off Rahat from his 51st delivery, but was eventually lbw to Ehsan Adil walking across his stumps for 65.

Maxwell joined Watson after the 89-run Smith-Watson stand and played some outlandish shots, including a tennis smash that flew off the frame of his racquet, or bat, and was put down by Sohail at third man. Typically, it was off a Wahab short ball.

Pakistan will go no further in this tournament, but it will not be through any lack of effort from Wahab. Maxwell was on 44 and Watson 64 when the victory came.

Pakistan’s fielding was poor, but their biggest problem was their batting. Their innings featured more cameos than a Robert Altman film, but no lead role. Eight batsmen reached double figures but nobody scored a fifty. Once a solid 73-run stand between Misbah and Haris Sohail was broken, it was a steady decline. Still, from 24 for 2 in the sixth over, they were perhaps fortunate to even breach 200.

Misbah started slowly and looked set to perform yet another rescue mission, and together with Haris frustrated the Australians. Ultimately, though, it was Pakistan who were frustrated. Trying to lift the run rate, Misbah fell for 34 off 59 deliveries, and was followed soon after by a flatfooted Haris, who edged behind off Mitchell Johnson for 41 off 57.

Cow corner turned into sheep corner as one by one the Pakistan batsmen followed each other senselessly into oblivion by slogging to the man at deep midwicket. Misbah was the leader of the flock. Twice he had cleared the midwicket boundary off Maxwell, but when he tried for a third he managed only a top edge that was comfortably taken by Aaron Finch.

Perhaps tempted by the short square boundaries, Umar Akmal also sent a catch straight to Finch at deep midwicket off Maxwell. Then it was Afridi, who miscued his pull off Josh Hazlewood and was well caught by Finch above his head back near the boundary. Akmal had made 20 off 25, Afridi had struck 23 off 15. If it is Afridi’s final ODI innings, it was at least a typical one.

A 30-run stand between Sohaib Maqsood and

Wahab briefly annoyed the Australians, although mostly because so many balls whizzed passed their outside edges. The seeds for Wahab’s aggressive bowling might have been sowed when Mitchell Starc seemed to advise him that the ball was white, and he should try to hit it. There was some tension at the time, though they were sharing a smile or two soon after. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan innings (50 overs maximum) Ahmed Shehzad c Clarke b Hazlewood 5 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Watson b Starc 10

Sohail c †Haddin b Johnson 41 Misbah-ul-Haq* c Finch b Maxwell 34 Umar Akmal c Finch b Maxwell 20 Sohaib Maqsood c Johnson b Hazlewood 29 Shahid Afridi c Finch b Hazlewood 23 Wahab Riaz c †Haddin b Starc 16 Ehsan Adil c Starc b Faulkner 15 Sohail Khan c †Haddin b Hazlewood 4 Rahat Ali not out 6 Extras (lb 5, w 5) 10 Total (all out; 49.5 overs; 210 mins) 213 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-24, 3-97, 4-112, 5-124, 6-158, 7-188, 8-188, 9-195, 10-213. Australia Bowling: MA Starc

10-1-40-2, JR Hazlewood 101-35-4, MG Johnson 10-0-421. GJ Maxwell 7-0-43-2, SR Watson 5-0-17-0, JP Faulkner 7.5-0-31-1. Australia innings (target: 214 runs from 50 overs) DA Warner c Rahat Ali b Wahab Riaz 24 AJ Finch lbw b Sohail Khan 2 SPD Smith lbw b Ehsan Adil 65 MJ Clarke* c Sohaib Maqsood

Score’s Even is expected to face a ruthless test today

Shane Watson pulls in front of square

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Manny Pacquiao starts sparring

Manny Pacquiao, training for his long-awaited welterweight unification fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, had his first day of sparring on Tuesday at trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

in February, it was great to finally put on the headgear and spar,” Pacquiao said. “My sparring partners gave me good work today. They were perfect for testing the strategy Freddie and I have developed to beat Floyd Mayweather. I was very happy with my stamina and speed today.”

Wild Card gym and caught the eye of Roach, who was impressed by his talent and because his style is similar to Mayweather’s.

“When Manny threw out the first punch it felt like opening day of Irish spring training,” Roach joked, noting that it was St. Patrick’s Day. “Manny looked so fresh today. I’m very happy with what he showed me. You couldn’t tell he had been away from the ring since the (Chris) Algieri fight in November. Manny is on fire in the gym.

“I am confident May 2 will be celebrated for years to come as St. Manny’s Day - the day he drove Mayweather out of boxing.”

Pacquiao spent a couple of weeks doing conditioning work in the Philippines before coming to the United States at the beginning of this month for his training camp. He did another two weeks of conditioning before beginning the sparring part of his training.

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“After 13 days of strength and conditioning and boxing drills at Wild Card plus weeks more of working out in the Philippines

Pacquiao went five rounds on Tuesday. He went the first rounds with Edis Tatli (24-1, 8 KOs), 27, of Finland, whose only loss was a majority decision challenging lightweight world titleholder Richar Abril in September in Finland. Then Pacquiao sparred three more rounds with Chicago junior welterweight prospect Kenneth Sims Jr. (5-0, 2 KOs), a 21-year-old who had previously worked out at the

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), boxing’s only eightdivision world titleholder, and Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs), a five-division titleholder and the pound-forpound king, will meet in the main event of a joint Showtime and HBO payper-view in what is universally expected to be the richest fight in boxing history, a match that was more than five years in the making before they finally signed for it late last month.

Mayweather is in training camp at his gym, the Mayweather Boxing Club, in Las Vegas. (ESPN)

Manny Pacquiao

Sankar Auto Works donates cleats to Pele FC ahead of K&S Football Tournament

Pele Football Club on Friday received 22 pairs of Addidas cleats from Sankar Auto Works under the Valvoline brand ahead of the Club’s participation in the 25th edition of the Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament.

Dating back to 2013, according to the company’s Marketing Executive,

Dwayne Rodrigues, this was the company’s second time supporting the Club. Rodrigues, who noted that the sport could only move forward if corporate Guyana invested in clubs, stressed that as a company, Sankar Auto Works was always pleased to lend a helping hand in areas where it was much needed.

In addition, Rodrigues noted that Sankar would continue to support the Club and wished them the best in the tournament.

Marvin Goodman, one of Pele’s executive members, thanked Sankar Auto Works for its continued support as well as belief in their players.

Beharry on board with YBG for 7th consecutive year

The Beharry Group of Companies showed its support for sport development with yet another contribution to the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Organisation on Friday at the main branch in Charlotte Street, Georgetown.

The sponsorship is geared at hosting the 10th edition of the youth basketball tournament that will tip off with the Regional Conference in the coming weeks.

At the simple handingover ceremony, Beharry Group of Companies

Marketing Director Anjuli Beharry-Strand made mention of the importance of youth sports.

“Sports is a wonderful outlet for young people to showcase their talent and to keep them out of trouble ... it is something that we as a company look forward to doing and will continue to do in order to have a lasting impact on their lives,” BeharryStrand noted.

In addition, BeharryStand urged other companies to support a worthy cause in order to help devel-

Milo Under-20 School Football tournament...

Quarter-final action set for today

By TreisTon Joseph

TTournament is heading to the critical stages where any team is just three wins away from the title.

The quarter-final action in the tournament will kick off today at the Ministry of Education Ground, where Morgan Learning Centre (MLC) will do battle with St Joseph Secondary School in the day’s first game from 11:00h.

Morgan have been on a roll in the tournament, making their presence felt as debutants while St Joseph can be said to be the underdogs going into this matchup especially with their unlikely victory against former champions and powerhouse St George’s in the round of

16 last weekend.

St Joseph is more of a defensive unit, and they will definitely need their best defensive effort come game time, given MLC’s attacking style of play.

MLC is one of the highest scoring teams in the tournament and will take aim at a St Joseph team that are not very formidable.

This match-up highly favours MLC and as such might possibly turn into a one-sided affair early, but then again St Joseph did upset St George’s.

Dolphin Secondary will face North Ruimveldt Secondary in the second game of the day as both sides might trouble the other’s defence.

Whichever side plays the better defence in this game will come out on top, since

both teams have the capability to rock the back of the net.

The third game of the day will see defending champions Lodge Secondary taking the field against St Mary’s Secondary School, and while this game might be highly competitive, the all-round play of Lodge makes them string favourites to top St Mary’s, a team that have to find a rhythm to win games.

The final game will pit Chase Academy against Queenstown Secondary in an encounter that might thrill those in attendance.

Both teams have the tendency to produce thrilling counterattacking football as well as good midfield play.

However, the team that are able to attack the best and finish their chances will be able to pull off the win.

Laluni, Bayroc square off in Goodwood final Sunday

The curtains will come down on the 2014 Goodwood Racing Services 40-over competition on Sunday at the Bayroc Ground in Linden. Last year, 14 teams started the competition, which was badly affected by the inclement weather, resulting in a late finish of the signature tournament for cricket on the East Bank of Demerara.

After a low-scoring semi-final at the Bayroc Ground, the home team squeezed past North

“Zapper

op Guyana’s children.

YBG Director Chris Bowman noted that it takes dedication from all stakeholders to help develop such a sport.

“We do this because it’s our social responsibility, it’s about these kids, it’s about Guyana’s future and we thank Beharry for their unwavering support over the last seven years,” Bowman stated.

The YBG is expected to launch its Regional Conference on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Soesdyke Sports Club by four wickets, while Laluni Sports Club made full use of the home advantage to beat Ruimveldt Sports Club in a hard-fought match.

Laluni Sports Club’s victory by four wickets set up the much-anticipated final against the confident Bayroc Sports Club in the mining town.

The first ball in the grand final will be bowled at 11:00h, and after the match, the members and executives of the East Bank Demerara Cricket

Association (EBDCA) and representatives of Goodwood Racing Services will be on hand for the presentation of prizes. The umpires for the match are Flemroy Lambert and Zaheer Mohamed.

The winning team will take home some spectacular silverware and $20,000, while the losing finalist will walk away with a trophy and $15,000 in cash. The Man of the Match in the final will get a trophy and $5000.

Man” softball competition set for April 4

Top softball teams across the country are being encouraged to sign up for another exciting softball cricket competition being promoted by Rajan “Zapper Man” Tiwari on the East Coast of Demerara.

The Enterprise Community Centre Ground is the venue for the April 4 event, which is geared to revitalise the age-old game of softball cricket along the

East Coast corridor.

“We want to encourage teams to come out and play competitively, especially on the East Coast, because, as we know, softball cricket is very popular in the country area,” Tiwari said.

Interested teams are required to pay an entrance fee of $15,000 to be eligible to compete in the 11-a-side tournament. The number of overs will depend on the number of teams that reg-

ister.

The champion team will pocket $125,000, while the losing finalist is guaranteed $50,000. The competition, which will bowl off at 18:00h, is being powered by Banks DIH Limited, Payless Variety Store and Smart Choice Variety Store.

Interested teams are asked to contact Tiwari on 652-9570 for more information on the competition.

Sankar’s Marketing Executive, Dwayne Rodrigues (second from left) makes the presentation to Pele executive member Marvin Goodman on Friday

Beharry Group of Companies Marketing Director Anjuli Beharry-Strand hands over the cheque to Jonathon Beaton of the YBG in the presence of YBG Directors Chris Bowman and Rayad Boyce

he Milo Under-20 School Football

Action during the last round of play

saturday, march 21, 2015

Star Party Rentals cycling on today

In a clear demonstration of its commitment to sport, Star Party Rentals has once again come on board as a sponsor of the popular 11-race programme at the inner circuit of the National Park.

Such was the success of the inaugural event, Proprietor of the company and former national cricketer, Lennox Cush, has been motivated to fund the programme for a second time, with the Hassan Mohamed organised activity set for today.

The action will pedal off at 09:00h with the BMX events, with the feature 35-lap School Boys and Invitational race capping the day’s programme. Last year’s main race was won by the evergreen Godfrey Pollydore, who crossed the line in a time of one hour, 17 minutes, 0.68 seconds (01h: 17m: 0.68s).

Michael Anthony rode in second, followed by Robin Persaud, Mario King, Paul deNobrega and Paul Choo Wee Nam in that order. Other winners were Jeremiah Harrison in the BMX Boys 6-9 category; Thuran Garbharran in the BMX 9-12; and Stephan Wilkinson and Rawle Small in the BMX 12-14 and the BMX Boys Open respectively.

Avish Ramlakhan took top honours in the BMX 12-14 Boys and Girls, with Romello Crawford and Ozia McUally winning the Juveniles and Mountain Bikes races respectively.

The Veteran races were won by Junior Niles (Under-50); Linden Blackman (Over-50); and Roy Mendonca (Over-60). Cush was on hand to witness the races in 2014, and he is expected once again to grace the occasion and assist

massy u-15 League continues this weekend

Georgetown’s leading Under-15 footballers will once again take to the field this weekend to contest Round Five of the inaugural Massy United Insurance Under-15 League football championship at the Tucville Ground.

The city’s young ballweavers have been displaying their skills over the past two weekends, and with places for Sunday’s quarterfinals set for the same venue

Conquerors against Order and Discipline, Camptown versus Black Pearl and Beacon against Pele.

On Sunday, the knockout round will commence with the quarter-final games, as the top four teams from each group are guaranteed a spot in the next round.

At the completion of four rounds, Order and Discipline lead Group B with the maximum 12 points, followed by Fruta Conquerors (10);

at stake, six high-intensity games are expected to thrill the spectators.

With just a few of the teams guaranteed a position in the last eight even if they draw or lose, the battle for the remaining spots will be highly energetic, as all of the teams will no doubt be bringing their ‘A’ game today in the final round of preliminary action.

In the opening salvo at 09:00h, Houston Stars, who have been a no-show all competition, are down to play Renaissance, followed by Western Tigers against Riddim Squad, Georgetown Football Club (GFC) versus Santos, Fruta

Black Pearl (6); Beacon (4); and Camptown and Pele on one apiece.

The boys from Renaissance lead Group A with 10 points, followed by Western Tigers (9); Santos (7); GFC (6); Riddim Squad (3); and Houston Stars without a point.

The competition is sponsored exclusively by Massy United Insurance and organised by the Fruta Conquerors Football Club, with support from the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation and the Georgetown Football Association. (Avenash Ramzan)

in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion. Mohamed said he was

pleased to welcome Cush and Star Party Rentals on board, noting that it was

corporate sponsors like Cush who keep the sport alive through their investment. (Avenash Ramzan)

Flashback! The outstanding performers of the 2014 programme pose with their winnings at the National Park (Avenash Ramzan file photo)

The Tucville Ground will be a hive of activity with the city’s youngsters in action

WICB PCL 4-Day tournament...

Bishoo, Permaul destroy Volcanoes

Opener Devon Smith fell eight runs short of his 25th first-class century, while fellow opener Tyrone Theophile and Keddy Lesporis also struck halfcenturies, but the Windward Islands Volcanoes batsmen still crumbled to spin twins, leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

It was business as usual for Bishoo and Permaul, as the duo combined together to bowl out the hosts for 282 in 85 overs on day one in the final round of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League Four-Day Tournament at Windsor Park in Dominica on Friday.

Bishoo finished with 6-73 in 26.5 overs, while Permaul claimed 4-63 off 24 overs. At the close, the Jaguars were 2-0, with Rajendra Chandrika on one and Assad Fudadin yet to score.

With the pitch offering assistance to the spinners, scoring runs freely was not a tough task upfront as

Smith and Theophile shared an opening stand of 131 to give the Volcanoes the ide-

al start, going through the first session without losing a wicket after the Jaguars

Captain, Leon Johnson won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Smith, who was dropped at forward short-leg off Permaul just before the interval on 57, was on 62 and his partner Theophile was on 43 after the first session’s play, with the Volcanoes 105 without loss.

The openers were watchful in their approach, but on a flat pitch favourable for batting, both batsmen were able to score freely.

After lunch, Permaul removed Theophile for 57. Keddy Lesporis joined Smith and together took the score to 172 before the lefthanded Smith was bowled around his legs by Bishoo for 92.

Debutant Jelani Robinson joined forces with Lesporis, but Bishoo removed both batsmen in quick succession.

Robinson made seven, while Lesporis hit an even

50. Liam Sebastian and Romel Currency saw the Volcanoes to the interval at 221-4.

However, after that interval, they lost their last six wickets for just 61 runs with Mervin Matthew (18); Currency (14); Denis Smith

(12); and Sebastian (13 not out) the only other batsmen to reached double figures.

Scores from the other two matches: Barbados Pride, winning the toss and batting, reached 286 for eight at the close against Jamaica at Sabina Park. Barbados Pride 286-8 (Shamarh Brooks 100, Shai Hope 59, Omar Phillips 34, Shane Dowrich, 33). Leeward Islands Hurricanes, replying to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s 291, were 13 without loss at the close on the opening day at the National Cricket Centre in Trinidad. T&T Red Force 291 (Jason Mohammed 143, Imran 30), Leeward Islands Hurricanes 13 without loss.

SCOREBOARD

7-253, 8-265, 9-273, 10-283. Bowling: Beaton 13-3-44-0, Barnwell 8-0-45-0, Fudadin 2-0-14-0, Deonarine 121-39-0, Permaul 24-5-644, Bishoo 26.5-8-74-6. GUYANA 1st Innings R Chandrika not out 1 A Fudadin not out 0 Extras (nb1) 1 TOTAL (without loss, 2 overs) 2 To bat: L Johnson, N Deonarine, V Singh, S Chanderpaul, +A Bramble, V Permaul, D Bishoo, R Beaton. Bowling: Johnson 1-0-10, Matthew 1-0-1-0.

Simmons new Windies Head Coach

The West Indies Cricket Board announced today the appointment of Phil Simmons to the role of West Indies Head Coach on a three-year contract.

The 51-year-old Simmons was one of seven people interviewed for the post and following his eight years of unparallelled success with ICC Associate team Ireland, who he led to two 50-overs and four Twenty20 World Cups, as well as the Associates treble in 2013, he was the outstanding candidate.

“We are thrilled with the appointment of Phil and we believe he is the right individual for our team and our

region at this time, so we want to welcome him back home,” said WICB Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead.

“Phil has a proven ability to develop players, while cultivating great team spirit and a winning culture. We have a number of young, talented players about whom he is excited to be coaching and we believe he is the right fit.”

Muirhead added: “Phil has impressed us with his understanding of the current realities of West Indies cricket and his ability to articulate practical examples and strategies of things that could be implemented within the team to improve performance.

Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time) Friday: 4th Quarterfinal, New Zealand v West Indies, 21:00h

Phil Simmons

“His independence of character and his resolve to stand up for what he believes in were also strong qualities that convinced us that Phil was best suited to

usher the West Indies team into a new era of success.”

Simmons, who played 26 Tests and 143 One-day Internationals for West Indies between 1987 and 1999, acknowledged it was difficult to leave Ireland, but

coaching the West Indies team was too good an opportunity to let pass.

“West Indies have a tremendous history and prestige in the game, and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be Head

Coach,” he said.

“There is an abundance of young talent coming through the ranks and to be able to assist with the development of the future playing talent in the West Indies is fantastic. I can’t wait to begin and I am looking forward to starting work with the players.”

He said: “I am excited to be beginning this new chapter in my coaching career and to have the opportunity to create a winning culture.

“West Indies have a huge following across the World and I have great admiration for the passion fans show for our team. We are determined to give the supporters the brand of cricket and the level of success that we are all looking to achieve.”

Simmons’ first task will be to oversee the West Indies team for the International Home Test Series against England next month. (WICB Release)

Devon Smith

Devendra Bishoo

Veerasammy Permaul