Guyana Times Daily

Tourism Ministry denies claims of mass firings

The Tourism Ministry has denied claims that it has proceeded on a mass firing of staff, saying that the rumours were obviously a premeditated attack to malign the Ministry by agents provocateur.

In a statement, the Ministry said it has been brought to its attention that malicious information was being peddled on social media that the Ministry has targeted staff. “The Ministry advises that no staff member has been targeted in any way.

Minister Cathy Hughes reiterates that as the expressed position of the new Government, there will be no random firings or witchhunts against any staff member. The Minister steadfastly commits to this and assures that every member of staff of the Ministry will be dealt with professionally and all legal, industrial relations and other rights will be respected.”

Grossly exaggerated

The Ministry explained that a vehicle which was being driven by a driver who was specifically assigned to former Minister Irfaan Ali

was scheduled for major repairs and is currently in the workshop. The Ministry said it has been advised that the repair works will be for a duration of two weeks. “Permanent

Secretary, Mr Derrick Cummings has confirmed that a decision was taken to ask the driver in question to proceed on leave for the period during which the vehicle is being repaired. This action, in no way, compromises the employment of the individual in question, nor was this action taken on the basis of ethnicity as is being perpetuated,” the release added.

The Ministry said it would appear as though this singular matter is being grossly exaggerated in an attempt to bring the Ministry and substantive Minister into disrepute and to score cheap political points. “Further, this appears to be part of a larger coordinated propaganda assault aimed at discrediting the new Government.

The Ministry of Tourism thanks the public, both here in Guyana and the Diaspora, for the tremendous outpouring of goodwill towards the Ministry, Minister Hughes and the coalition Government.

The Ministry urges the public not be misled by this or any other obviously premeditated attack to malign the Ministry by agents provocateur.”

Flood advisory

1. Keep out of flood water. It contains many harmful germs and substances. Use proper footwear, gloves, eyewear etc. that prevent water from touching your feet, eye and body. Please don't let children swim in the water.

2. Protect all food supplies from contact with water

3. Secure water sources and start treating your drinking water with chlorine bleach

4. Use control measures for pest such as rats, mosquitoes etc.

5. If diarrhoea occurs, seek medical advice and take ORS (especially children and elderly)

6. Be careful with electrical appliances. Plug out and move to higher areas. Remember water conducts electricity.

7. Please encourage all to dispose garbage carefully. It may be best to store until the flood goes down and then dispose correctly all of your household waste.

8. Use bleach in the clean up and discard contaminated foods and materials that cannot be cleaned.

Father of 3 shot dead while protecting home

B y B hisham m ohamed

Afather of three was Sunday morning shot dead by a suspected bandit who was attempting to gain access to his home at Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.

Twenty-six-year-old Dennis Narine, a taxi driver of Lot 587 Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, was shot once to his chest by the lone gunman and was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital moments after arriving. According to information received, about 23:00h, the now dead man was at home with his wife and two children when he heard someone removing a louver pane from the window. He raised an alarm and the perpetrator ran away, thus Narine went back to sleep without contacting the Police.

About 01:30h, the man was again awakened by the sound of crashing louver panes; hence, he reportedly collected a cutlass and rushed toward the window and it was then that the suspected bandit pushed the gun through the window and discharged two rounds hitting him to the left side of his chest. The bullets exited his back. From all indications, the weapon used was a .38 revolver since no spent shells were retrieved at the scene.

The man was placed in his taxi and was driven to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but died on his way. After some time, the matter was reported to the Police who visited the area and launched an investigation. Bibi Khan, the mother of the dead man, told the Guyana Times that she was at home when she heard two gunshots followed by screaming. She

immediately woke up her husband and two sons and rushed over to her son’s house.

As they arrived, she saw her son lying on the ground in a pool of blood and without hesitation, they picked him up and drove to the hospital. “My son died in my hands… After he get shoot, he tell he wife to collect he two children and hide,” she cried. The oldest child was spending the night at Khan’s home.

Threats She added that after he son died, they alerted the Police who took statements and went to the house to dust for fingerprints. The grieving mother recalled two months ago, someone smashed her son’s car windscreen and the matter was reported to the Police, but nothing came out of it. Narine, who was attached to the West Side Taxi Service, was also threatened a few months ago.

“A man walked into the taxi base and tell my son the he was paid to get him killed … again, the matter was reported and the Police didn’t do anything,” Khan stated. She lamented that he son never troubled anyone and was not sure who would want to harm him. She described her son as a very loving person who did not get into anyone’s way. “He never use to drink, smoke and party … he was all for his wife and children.”

Police in a release stated that they are investigating the fatal shooting which was reported about 03:30h.

The man’s body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination. He leaves to mourn his wife, three children, parents and four siblings.

Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes

monday, june 1, 2015

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, June 1 - 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, June 2 – 05:00h-06:30h

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

Monday, June 1 – 15:35h-17:05h and Tuesday, June 2 16:25h-17:55h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings : Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2 – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h

WEATHER TODAY

Cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all the regions, while moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms can also be expected over Regions One to Seven, 10 and some parts of Region Eight. In addition, it is advised that northern Guyana, including Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, can expect between 20 millimetres and 60 millimetres of rainfall during this period. The other locations can expect frequent light rain. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres per second

High Tide: 03:25h and 15:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.56 metres respectively

Low Tide: 09:25h and 21:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 metre and 0.66 metre respectively.

Georgetown swamped

...4 city pumps not functioning

By Vahnu Manikchand

Some residents in Georgetown and along East Coast Demerara (ECD) woke up Sunday morning to water in their homes and businesses following hours of heavy rainfall. The situation was compounded by four of the city’s six drainage pumps not functioning.

Most, if not all, of the streets in the capital city were covered by water up to press time and with more rains predicted, residents have already braced themselves for further hardship.

Around 06:00h on Sunday, many persons were seen placing sandbags at their entrances and trying to bail out as much water as possible while securing their valuables on higher ground. The yards of many were flooded more than the streets since the roads were built higher causing the water to run off into the yards.

A stroll in Central Georgetown in the morning hours saw business owners rushing to assess the situation at their premises and moving items that needed to be saved from the floodwaters. Along the streets of Regent, Robb, and Charlotte among others water filled the road and pavements.

In other parts of Georgetown such as Queenstown, Campbellville, Lodge, South Rumveldt, Kingston, Albouystown, Subyranville, D’Urban Backlands, and Sophia, residents were busy removing their belongings out of the water as they tried to salvage whatever they could.

Even up to afternoon hours, water was still high in many of the areas throughout the city, but was receding gradually. Residents and businessmen along Lamaha Street were alarmed at the foot of water in their yards as the Canal alongside the street overflowed onto the road. A businessman told this newspaper that while water would lodge along Lamaha Street whenever it rains, it was usually low and was never this high.

He told the Guyana Times that it began raining about 02:30h and the water kept rising until it was about a foot high. Meanwhile on upper Hadfield Street, Martin Duncan told this newspaper that the water began rising around 06:00h. He noted that while the water was receding slowly, it was still very high in the area.

Under water

A drive around Georgetown in the afternoon hours revealed many of the streets were still under water. Even President David Granger’s D’Urban Backlands home, which he opted to remain in even after being sworn in as Guyana’s eighth Executive President, was flooded. Security ranks were seen around the premises despite water filling the entire block.

Other places that saw massive flooding in the city included the Square of the

Revolution, the Aubrey Barker Road, Homestretch Avenue, and around the St George’s Cathedral. The canal along Avenue of the Republic was filled to capacity, with some sections spilling over onto the roads.

And on South Road, one could not differentiate between the canal and the road, as the road was under several inches of water.

Meanwhile, on the East Coast, residents there were busy rearranging their belongings to prevent further damage to what was already

by late afternoon, the water had receded to about three inches.

More rains

Other areas that were badly affected included Mon Repos, Lusignan, Atlantic Gardens, Buxton and Annadale. In the meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry has advised that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected over the next 72 hours. In an advisory on Sunday, the Ministry as well as other Government agencies urged citizens to take the neces-

soaked by the floodwaters. Flooding was experienced in almost all of the villages along the East Coast up to Mahaica, but those in lower East Coast were most affected.

A resident from La Bonne Intention (LBI), Babita Kussain, told this newspaper that when she woke up Sunday morning, her entire bottom flat was filled with water. She related that all of her furniture had to be raised o a higher height so that they would not get any wetter. According to the woman, the water began rising around 06:30h and at one point had reached its peak of eight inches. “The rain was pouring so much and the water keep raising … within two hours the water raise by five inches,” she said. However,

sary precautions to safeguard themselves, their family, and property, including crops and livestock, from possibly more flooding.

“Citizens are urged to protect their children from floodwaters, and to boil all drinking water. If they have to be in the water, they are advised to wear protective boots and to wash their feet with a mixture of bleach and water,” the Agriculture Ministry has cautioned.

Moreover, the Ministry’s Hydrometeorological Department predicts that today cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all the regions, while moderate to heavy showers and thunder storms can also be expected over Regions One to Seven, 10 and some parts of Region Eight. In addition, it is ad-

vised that northern Guyana, including Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, can expect between 20 millimetres to 60 millimetres of rainfall during this period. The other locations can expect frequent light rain. However, from Tuesday through Thursday, rainfall is expected to reach 20 to 50 mm.

Damage control

With more rainfall expected over the next three days, Government has implemented several short-term solutions to alleviate flooding in sections of Georgetown and lower East Coast Demerara.

Early Sunday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, along with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, met with key stakeholders from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Work Services Group (WSG) and Force Account Unit (FAU), to strategise options in an effort to remedy the situation. With immediate effect, the FAU undertook excavation works to clear blockages at Riverview, East Bank Demerara. In addition, the department will render assistance to the M&CC to repair the northern gate of the La Penitence koker.

During the meeting, the Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, revealed that only two of the six pumps, which are used to drain water off the land when the sluice gates are closed, were operational. It was agreed that the FAU will repair the Sussex Street pump, which was expected to be functional by Monday evening. Furthermore, it was discussed that NDIA will conduct conditional assessment of the remaining three pumps, with a view of having them repaired and functional within the next 24-36 hours.

The city was inundated on Sunday following hours of persistent rainfall

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

National unity

One of the stated goals of the "A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For a Change (AFC) parties when they negotiated the terms of their unification to contest the May 11 elections as a unit, was to bring "unity" to the country.

While it was not explicitly articulated, it was obvious that they were using the word "unity" to address distinct challenges in several fissures in our national life.

From a very pragmatic standpoint, the previous election of 2011 had shown that while APNU and AFC had together amassed more votes than the PPPC they could not pool their votes together to secure the Presidency.

One idiosyncratic constitutional stipulation mandated that in a race with more than two contestants, the party securing a plurality captures the presidency.

Against the powers of the Guyanese Presidency and his Executive, the majority Opposition in the National Assembly was forced to play an essentially obstructionist role to assert themselves. The suturing of the APNU and the AFC was first and foremost, intended to bridge this fissure between political support and political power.

And the strategy clearly worked: barring an upset via an election petition that the PPPC has threatened to file, the two parties have now formed the government with control of both the Presidency and the National Assembly.

But a second "unity" was promised, even though it was not ever clearly articulated - and that is in itself cause for comment - one between the two major voting blocs in the country.

This had been fissioned along ethnic/racial lines since the 1950s. It was widely conceded that the PPP and the PNC were overwhelmingly supported by Indian Guyanese and African Guyanese respectively, even as they strove mightily to become "multiracial" parties.

In 2011, the PNC had coalesced with four small parties - the Working People's Alliance (WPA), the National Front Alliance (NFA), the Guyana Action Party (GAP) and the Justice for all Party (JFAP) - to form APNU.

But is seeking an alliance with the AFC, they were implicitly conceding they had not accomplished a unity across the ethnic/racial cleavage.

Interestingly the AFC had insisted it was the first "true" multiracial party so when APNU sought an alliance with it, the leaders of the former party not surprisingly understood that their political "value" to the APNU was the Indian Guyanese component of their support base.

In the 2011 elections with two former Indian Guyanese ex-PPP leaders who originated from Berbice at its helm, the AFC had significantly reduced PPPC's vote from that county.

Fearing that these Indian Guyanese voters might desert it, the AFC bargained for 40 per cent of the positions in any future administration if the alliance were to win.

While the latter contingency did in fact materialize, the extent of the desired "national unity" along ethnic/racial lines is sure to be contested since the PPPC still won almost as many votes as the APNU/AFC coalition.

Unless it is now argued that the PPPC was able to substantially expand its non-Indian base, the new government would have to assume that this latter ethnic group's support lies, by and large, outside its ethnically denoted "national unity" aspiration.

The question on most Guyanese minds is exactly how the fulfillment of this aspiration will be pursued.

Interestingly, the manifesto of the new government suggests one mechanism: adopting a proposal that had long been floated by one of the smaller political entities now off the scene, it declared that it would consider the "ethnic impact" of its decisions before their implementation.

In terms of the decisions already made and implemented, the announcing of National Awards, the composition of the Cabinet etc, based on its own admission of the salience of the "ethnic impact" in at least perception, the new administration would be well advised to pay greater head to its own ethnic "national unity" aspiration.

Fake SOPs existed and were cleverly hidden in plain sight

Dear Editor,

Let’s be honest. A pig is still a pig even if you put lipstick on it, like President Barak Obama said and which the ACIC of West Demerara fully well knows, despite its 2015 PNC national award.

Even without the lipstick, PNC’s invasive propaganda education cannot automatically forge divergent Guyanese cultures into “one nebulous nation” when its public intent is fixated on exterminating the other by any means necessary.

No known success has ever been achieved elsewhere by amalgamating vastly different cultures. No where for sure.

Most importantly, the current PNC coalition is neither equipped nor does it have any such licenced mandate to do anything for its political goals.

Mass production of more soulless Kissoons is their desired end goal of destabilizing the other’s minds for desired mass suicide implosion. Look. Why are such goals desirable and enriching and who benefits most? Not the conquered for sure.

The habitual PNC ritual subversion of Guyana’s democracy and its handmaiden free and fair elections has made that party infamous.

It’s no big secret. Dr Kean Gibson and former Chief Magistrate Juliet Allen-Holder do not hide but flaunt their racism. It will remain most threatening and unacceptable until it’s is specifically revoked, rejected and defended.

Federalism, not power sharing or coalition, is Guyana’s best affirmative action solution. Moving along, federated, is just a

ripening for productive human peaceful existence.

Expecting Indianness to be surrendered when its Guyanese birthright presence is natural, legal, undisputed and guaranteed, but yet still found simultaneously objectionable and desirable is madness. For the PNC, its end objective has not changed.

By crafted unity coalition, it is their new methodology of conquest. Admittedly, some AFC supporters do not see it that way. In a democracy every right to debate differences is guaranteed as a norm. But Guyana is not normal.

The military is amassing to move by its coalition’s cover for conquest of the lambs, those who plant rice and sugar and grow Guyana’s food.

President Robert Mugabe is in complete control of Zimbabwe, but his people and the white farmers are daily fleeing. One loaf of bread costs $35 million dollars. By its past record, the PNC is sure to catch and overtake their decadence.

Blame the UF, which in its anti PPP recoil gave away itself as the ladder for the PNC to mount them for that initial 1964 moment. Afterwards?

National unity in its diversity is what makes Guyana exhilaratingly and most preferable because it is a joy by itself and by its existence so obvious. It needs no alloying to exist or progress. Federalism of Guyana allows all to progress.

By Guyana’s “One people, of one nation” we will remain within federalism, but critically, within its existing unique diversity of non conquest or extermination of

anyone. That is one destiny of worth with Mr Eusi Kwayana’s partition always on the table to go both ways helter skelter. What does both half anyways bring to the other must be told. Can anyone tell?

The obvious silence is revealing from the other side by what its deficient but defiant militaristic amassing seeks to achieve. But no more. Enough is enough.

Admittedly, he must have had some profound socialist education to make himself an expert on democracy and elections. For anyone to dive headlong into GECOM’s ballot abattoir with its miasmic muddy crab dance means it’s only fun as usual.

Whatever former Soviet Union graduate and recently retired UG registrar Mr Vincent Alexander, knows, only he knows it, as truth by what he claims he was “verily informed” of the 2015 elections in his letter May 27.

By whom? CEO Mr Keith Lowenfield of course.

Considering Comrade Commissioner Alexander was actually 2015 present in body, at GECOM - did he notice anything odd, himself, before he was “verily informed” about fake statements of polls (SOPs) being found? Anything at all?

None of the election observers actually “observed” fake (SOPs) during GECOM’s HQ recount going on right before their observing eyes. Yet fake SOPs existed and were cleverly hidden in plain sight during GECOM’s recount. Suddenly they were found. By whom?

That must have been an incidental shock and awe drama in that counting

room. Huge drama for sure. In court this will be probed and the answers will prove revealing for sure. Did anyone faint and fall down as well when fake SOPs were found?

More like three or a whole bunch of people falling and fainting in typical Guyanese style? Dominoes falling quickly one after the other will always be memorable. Checkout the movie “A few good men” starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise for its lessons.

“You cannot handle the truth” people; but it is the truth by which we will overcome. Many thanks and appreciation for the Carter Center revelation that they maintained a 24-hour round the clock vigil during GECOM’s final verification counting.

This new information most significantly enhances their credibility. President Jimmy Carter and his team tower like giants in this whole election cookup story.

Conceivably told of the rigging plot, the US President refused to go along with the riggers and promptly left Guyana. Like everyone, he would have been most upset and wanted to find how those fake SOPS came into GECOM and its CEO’s attention.

Either the CEO spotted them himself in the presence of all election observers or he just found them “somewhere”!

Did any other GECOM counter find them and handed them to him privately? Were the fake SOPs all jumbled together or scattered here and there among the genuine other SOPs?

Olufunke Michaels (right) and her classmates celebrate after receiving their degrees from the John F Kennedy School of Government during the 364th Commencement Exercises at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts May 28 (Reuters/Brian Snyder)

Magistrate in Jagdeo's case should be investigated

Dear Editor,

The magistrate who issued an order barring former President Bharrat Jagdeo from traveling abroad should be investigated by the judicial and legal commission for competence as well as for bias.

While I am not a lawyer, I am familiar with court procedures and rulings to recognize something is amiss in the magistrate’s ruling. That ruling was procedurally wrong.

In my major in political science, a year of classes in constitutional law is mandatory. Also, I did a couple of courses in international law that are required for an international relations degree.

And in my licensing for my post doctoral diploma in school administration, a course in educational law was a requirement.

Also, I worked part time at the New York City Supreme Court at the Bronx court when I was a graduate political science student house answering court cases. So I am somewhat familiar with legal procedures of court filing and responses and presume Guyana follows the same legal procedures as the US.

The case filed by Chris Ram before the Whim magistrate is petty and frivolous. While I should not comment on the merit of the case as it is sub judice, common sense tells me that it will not stand up to legal scrutiny and should

have been dismissed at the first sitting.

Certainly by the second hearing, it should have been disposed of as Jagdeo did not maliciously break any law. Any other ruling will be successfully challenged as indeed the order barring Jagdeo from traveling that was overturned by the High Court.

Common sense and procedural law dictate that the Whim magistrate was out of order for ordering Jagdeo to obtain the magistrate’s permission to travel. Jagdeo is not a flight threat. He does not pose a threat of escape from justice.

Also, it is not reported any where that Chris Ram requested an order barring Jagdeo from traveling overseas because of a threat of escaping justice. For what logical reason or legal precedent then did the magistrate make his ruling? What is his basis in law for the ruling?

As reported in the media, a private charge was filed by Chris Ram against Jagdeo. The former President is not required to attend court and indeed the magistrate herself had ruled that Jagdeo need not make an appearance at the first or second sitting.

At the first hearing, Jagdeo’s lawyer made a no case submission. Chris Ram requested time to respond to the defense no case submission. He was given until May 25.

In the US, the lawyer

was required to submit a written response before the deadline and to serve the response to the defense for a counter response. At the May 25 hearing, there should have been oral arguments by both sides on the motion of no case submission.

If more time was needed or if the defense requested time for a counter response, it normally would be granted by a US court and a deadline imposed on submission of all documents.

The magistrate makes a decision shortly thereafter on the no case submission, not the actual merits of the case which is an altogether different matter.

While the magistrate is deciding on the motion of the no case submission, the defendant should not have been barred from traveling as the defendant has not been indicted by the Whim magistrate, and even if he were indicted and has a case to answer for, it still does not reach a level debarring the former President from leaving the jurisdiction.

The Whim magistrate’s ruling smacks of bias and there seems to be a violation of procedural rule.

This warrants an investigation by the judicial commission. Also, the defense may want to consider whether the magistrate is the right person to hear the case.

Vishnu Bisram

Fake SOPs existed and were...

Obviously, fake SOPs will not have PPP/C or other mini party polling agents signatures. Identifying those SOPs pollings station of origin will implicate the GECOM staff as responsible for the fakes. Off with their heads.

Mr Gookool Boodhoo, the previous GECOM CEO, was fired and credit was given to Comrade Commissioner Alexander whose vigilance spotted the math he used was wrong. Now suspicions arise if Mr Boodhoo was indeed set up within GECOM by feeding him wrong figures to deliberately make him a fool to fail. Most CEO’s generally rely heavily on a trusted staff core like Dr Surujbally. No doubt did over ten years in an extremely stressful job.

But the USAID youth project, ironically approved by the PPP/C, boldly shepherded unbelieving Guyanese youths to “vote like a boss” and this also obviously found fertile ground within GECOM who instead all “acted like the boss”.

Comrade Commissioner

Alexander himself reveals he relied on what he was “verily informed” when he made matters worse by his own confusion seen in his media letter.

That PNC nobility whichever prompted firing of Mr Boodhoo to make CEO Mr Keith Lowenfield super squeaky clean exempt when he messes up a country’s entire election is an abomination in its unfairness. It must be promptly corrected.

But even as you read this unfairness continues. That fat Ms Warlock lady performer has already sung, but the concert is being staged nonstop.

Factor in that on his first CEO job performance Mr Lowenfield admits removing all the instituted GECOM checks and balances (Internet Technology and Logistics) filters. Dr Surujbally approved them all to bring his house and ten year reputation down but why? Was he also conned? Did someone obeah him?

Why does PNC-dominated Regions Four and 10 always

Chanderpaul’s dilemma

Dear Editor, Why did Clive Lloyd surrender to the Head Coach and others in the West Indies Cricket Board?

Lloyd being an international figure in world cricket and former senior official with the ICC, who has intelligence and influence, should to know that a player of Chanderpaul’s caliber should get an honorable send off without any strings attached.

He should be allowed to go out as the other greats of the cricketing world.

Chanderpaul’s contribution to the game of cricket and to West Indies makes him one of the greats to join with the other great names of the world and West Indies Cricket, such as Sobers, Kanhai, Lara, Richards, Walcott, Weekes and Worrell, etc.

So he should be given an honorable send off.

It was earlier stated by the West Indies Cricket Board President Dave Cameron that Chanderpaul will be given a honorable send off and we were looking out to that send off.

It was the West Indies former Head Coach Ottis Gibson who took over in 2010 who first asked Chanderpaul to resign. Chanderpaul did not resign, but did proved to the West Indies that he was needed.

He saved the side on many occasions. It was not until the last two short series he did not come off. This happens to many players. Unfortunately he was called up by the new coach Phil Simmons and had a talk, probably to tell him

something that this will be his last series which would sound fair to any player.

Taking age is one of the factor, but look at Pakistan – Misbah-ul-Haq, Saeed Ajmal and Zulfqar Baba are in their plume but still continue to play for their country.

Australia allowed Border to play on to break a record. Why are we not giving Chanderpaul a good send off?

People like Ottis Gibson and Phil Simmons played very little cricket for West Indies. Why are we showing bias at this time. Will this help West Indies Cricket?

Chanderpaul deserved a more respectful farewell than to get an email from Clive Lloyd telling him he is not needed any more.

S N Singh

Can cowards ever man up?

Dear Editor, I am an overseas Indian Guyanese living in New York. I marvel at the propaganda war waged against the PPP/C by the PNC and their cronies.

A war of misinformation fed to the masses through the Kaieteur News, Guyana Chronicle, and Stabroek News. Pre-election, it was just pathetic how rampant yellow journalism flourished.

How do antiquated corrupt, race baiting people win an election? How? Inject ignorance and lies through the media, hoping to incite the weak minded. And guess what, it worked empathically.

presents so many problems during national elections?

Why did a fixed amount of votes recorded on GECOM SOPs stationery from the voting station of origination radically change during the time they went through the system to arrive at GECOM in the PNC’s favour by CEO Lowenfield’s acceptance and final declaration of the winner?

If you have not got it yet how the rigging was done please keep this in mind. All GECOM’s instituted electronic methods and systems put in place were scrapped at the last minute because Mr Lowenfield had to get official excuse to do his own manual thing, which results he got validated by Dr Steve Surjbally and three other PNC commissioners delivering majority victory to the PNC coalition. Surprise!

The day of court judgement is fast approaching. Hope they stream it internet live if the court approves.

Sultan Mohamed

Well done, PNC party and friends, I congratulate you. How mystifying, a regime known to rig elections. Supporters known for being savages when their party

does not win, vandalize private property, harass, taunt opposing party members, while the so called Police stand and watch with a blind eye.

Yeah, the racial divide is very evident. Amazing how the decades following independence, the PPP/C and its supporters learned nothing from dealing with the PNC.

From 1964, an average man would know what to expect from their counterparts living in Guyana, and protect their families and property, but not Indians.

Vacationing in Guyana and being around some people, they make it obvious that their best interest is money and material things.

Guess what, the people who you cower to are out for blood.

No surprise though, that is the nature of the beast.

Hide in your houses, don’t let that yellow streak down your back prominently show. Be proud of yourself and your heritage.

What century will it be when PPP/C supporters will unite together stand tall and fight for your rights, and protect yourselves against race antagonists.

Scanning through all the aforementioned news media, is it not obvious of the hatred of PNC/APNU towards the PPP/C?

Casting blame on the PPP/C for trivial things, news media spread villainous propaganda as to the state of the country. Is it not obvious that PNC members are playing the race game just as they do here in the US?

Name withheld by request

Culture of greed, betrayal casts private security in negative light

Dear Editor, The Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) is stunned by the news of the alleged disappearance, of approximately $6 million worth of foreign liquor from the Guyana Revenue Authority, Eccles Warehouse Facility at the hands of private security officers.

The allegation describes an unappetizing culture of greed and betrayal that continues to cast the private security industry in a negative light. The general public rightly expects security officers to hold themselves at a higher standard.

This alleged action is an erosion of the public's ability to trust private security personnel who have taken a promise to protect against such egregious, criminal activity.

GAPSO stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission and conduct, and the overwhelming majority of security officers perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe.

GAPSO will not tolerate corruption, abuse or criminal activity within the security industry, and expect all of our members and non-members within

the industry to fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigations of alleged misconduct by any of private security personnel, on or off duty.

GAPSO is pleased to learn that Professional Guard Services (PGS) is supporting this ongoing investigation, so the members of the public can continue to trust in the vast majority of security officers who respect their pledge and are committed to duties and responsibilities of the private security industry.

Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations

Page Foundation

Cyberbullying: What every parent should know

By Dr Joan Simeo munSon

Bullying incidents are no longer limited to the playground or the locker room. Cyberbullying, the latest form of bullying sweeping across middle and high schools, is pervasive. And the recent rash of suicides by children who’ve been mercilessly cyberbullied certainly sets off alarm bells. Keeping up with technology can seem overwhelming and induce a sense of helplessness in even the most seasoned parent. While you can’t control every aspect of technology, below are some ideas that can help combat cyberbullying.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is any type of harassment, taunting, or threats that are done via nu-

a result, the impact and potential for damaging consequences are far greater.

What parents can do to prevent children from cyberbullying

Don’t assume anything. Don’t assume that your child will never participate in cyberbullying, or that they wouldn’t dream of joining in with “those mean children”. The truth is that all children, even the kindest ones, can get swept up in the moment when a group is viewing a threatening video on YouTube or reading a nasty post on Facebook.

The difference between cyberbullying and traditional bullying is that a child may feel greater empathy or embarrassment if they are witnessing someone being hurt right in front of them. With cyberbullying, the harmful

Too often, children think posting an embarrassing photo of someone or making a snide remark is funny, without thinking through the consequences or the feelings of a peer. They may not even define what they are doing as a form of bullying.

merous forms of social media.

With so many apps and websites available, with a click of a button, a humiliating message can be spread quickly to thousands, even millions of people. Children can take pictures and videos of a peer, edit, and post them on sites that allow friends and strangers to pass judgment, sometimes in the cruellest of ways.

Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can occur anywhere, anytime, 24/7. As

acts may not seem “real”, as the child is so removed from the actual situation. This, plus the impulsivity of all children, makes it much easier for even the nicest children to hit the “send” button. Communicate…a lot. The best way to combat cyberbullying is to have regular conversations with your child about it and to discuss concrete examples. Too often, children think posting an em-

barrassing photo of someone or making a snide remark is funny, without thinking through the consequences or the feelings of a peer. They may not even define what they are doing as a form of bullying.

Make your expectations very clear. “I expect you to not join in if your friends are posting mean things online. If they are bullying someone on Facebook, I expect you to tell me about it, and we can decide what to do.” Making your children aware that you will not tolerate their involvement in bullying anyone is an important parenting skill.

Don’t throw your hands up and say “children will be children”. As in regular bullying, too often, parents of children who engage in cyberbullying chalk it up to “children being children”, suggesting that it will teach the victim to “toughen up” or that their child “was just horsing around”. This thinking is not only dangerous for your child and the victim, but also suggests a lack of parenting responsibility and control.

If you find yourself taking a cavalier attitude toward your child’s role in cyberbullying, ask yourself the following questions: What if my child was at the centre of these embarrassing/threatening/harassing social media posts? Would I feel it was still innocent and children were just being children? What if I was the target of such posts? What if someone showed this sort of aggression towards me in person? Would I find it humorous, innocent, or all in jest? Bullying is bullying, pe-

riod. If your child is involved and you turn the other way, you are complicit in their poor behaviour.

Don’t ignore the tech-

What parents can do when cyberbullying happens

nology just because you don’t understand it. Many parents do not oversee the role technology is playing in their child’s life because they don’t understand it. However difficult you may find technology, this is not an excuse to let your child loose in the world of social media. If you don’t understand the latest devices or don’t know about the social media children use (Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), start talking to someone who can help you. This can be your child, one of their friends, or someone at your local library who teaches technology. The point is, children are several steps ahead when it comes to technology and social media, so it is up to us parents to be on their heels in order to understand what they are doing.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

If your child is the target of cyberbullying, approach it with your child immediately. Your child may shut down, feel embarrassed, or say they can handle it, but it is imperative that you stay involved until there is a resolution.

A first step is to view whatever has been posted online; then discuss it with your child, while remaining calm. Children often don’t divulge cyberbullying because parents tend to overreact. The thought of their parent calling another child out, talking to the parents, or taking away technology is terrifying, so they choose to stay quiet. During this difficult time, respond to your child without judgment, blame, or attempts to fix this for them.

Be empathic and acknowledge how painful this is. Assure them that this is not their fault and that you sup-

port them.

Also, and this part is imperative, ask your child if they’ve retaliated in any way. It is extremely important to discuss with them that, while tempting, retaliation will land them in as much trouble as the perpetrator, so encourage complete transparency of their actions during this time.

You may need to contact the school if the cyberbullying does not stop. Alert the principal, guidance counsellor, and any mental health workers the school provides. Print out all forms of online harassment or threats that your child has received. Many times, schools will say they can’t get involved with cyberbullying because it takes place off campus and after school hours. While legally schools may not be required to insert themselves between bully and victim, they can and should provide consequences for students who cyberbully.

Lastly, if your child is in imminent danger of being harmed or is threatened with physical assault, contact the local Police immediately, taking all physical evidence with you.

Prevention Watch your own social media use. Sadly, many parents engage in similar cyberbullying tactics, using technology to harass, bully, or embarrass others. If you find yourself making snarky comments on Facebook, sending out mean-spirited tweets, or posting something you know will embarrass someone, you are setting the stage for your child to do the same. Exercising self-control and thinking before posting or responding will help you – and your child – be better users of technology.

Set limits. All children should have technology limitations at home. For example, parents should enforce a “no electronics” rule in bedrooms during sleeping hours, after 10:00h (earlier for middle school children), and limited amounts on weekends. Establish times that they can use social media. An example might be: “After you complete one hour of homework, you can log on to Facebook for 15 minutes.”

Many parents of older children don’t see this as necessary, since their child will be an adult soon anyhow, so why bother enforcing something that will just cause an argument? Here’s why: children who have no boundaries set for them are more likely to view inappropriate websites, feel more attached to their electronics, and have more time to be a part of cyberbullying. It’s not easy setting limits with your teen, but it’s necessary to keep them safe.

(Excerpt from empoweringparents.com)

Countrywide floods: 34 public schools to be closed today

… some CSEC/CAPE candidates to be relocated

As a result of the countrywide flooding, 34 schools will be closed today to facilitate the cleaning and sanitisation of school facilities and their environs.

However, the candidates of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) are advised to proceed as timetabled for Monday, June 1, 2015. Students of the Bishops’ High School are advised that there has been a change in venue for the sitting of examinations timetabled for Monday, June 1, 2015.

CSEC and CAPE candidates of the Bishops’ High School will now be accommodated at Queen’s College. Thus, candidates are required to report to Queen’s College to write their exams as per timetable.

Meanwhile, the schools in Georgetown that will be closed are Starters Nursery, South Road Nursery, Gacestock Nursery, Sherman Nursery, St Agnes Primary, St Angela’s Primary, St Barnabas Secondary, Carmel Secondary, and Queenstown Secondary.

On the East Coast of Demerara, the schools that will be closed are Strathspey Primary, Strathspey Nursery, Annandale Nursery, Annandale Primary, Annandale Secondary, Mon Repos Primary, Mon Repos Nursery, Beterverwagting/

Quamina Primary, Beterverwagting Nursery, La Bonne Intention Secondary, La Bonne Intention Primary, La Bonne Intention Nursery, Chateau Margot Primary, Montrose Primary, Vryheid's Lust Primary, North Vryheid's Lust Nursery, South Vryheid’s Lust Nursery, Better Hope Nursery, Prince Williams Street Nursery, Plaisance Primary, Plaisance Nursery, Plaisance Secondary, Plindola Nursery, Enterprise Nursery and Enterprise Primary.

During the last two days, Guyana was hit by heavy rainfall which intensified on May 31, resulting in the entire capital city and various parts of the country being deluged.

The hydrometeorological department predicts that the heavy downpours will continue over the next 72 hours.

In its release, the department stated that cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all regions, while moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms can also be

expected over Regions 1 to 7, 10 and some parts of Region 8. Northern Guyana, including Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, can expect between 20mm and 60mm of rainfall. All other locations can expect frequent light rain. Tuesday through Thursday, rainfall is expected to reach 20 to 50mm.

Guyana’s business community has a record of always being affected by these continual downpours that persist during the May/June rainy season.

In an invited comment, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Lance Hinds advised businessowners across the country to take the necessary precautions to ensure they safeguard their assets. Asked whether the Chamber has received any reports of businesses being affected by the floods, Hinds said that that information would become available today.

Critical drainage systems not operational

Even as majority of the coastal area is under water, and residents are counting their losses, critical drainage systems in and around the Capital City, Georgetown are not yet in operation.

Speaking to media operatives on Sunday evening at the studios of the National Communications Network (NCN), Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson related that up to press time, only two out of the six major pumps in Georgetown were in operation. According to Patterson, the pumps at Kingston and Lama are functioning while the ones located at Sussex Street, Riverview- Ruimveldt, in the vicinity of JP Santos and Lamaha Street are currently not in operation.

This he said was related to him by Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green when he met with Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and other key stakeholders from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s - Work Services Group (WSG) and Force Account Unit (FAU), to strategise options in an effort to remedy the situation.

This is even as the sluices at Muneshwer’s Limited and Lamaha are not functioning. Patterson said that it was not a case of the sluices not being operational, but the problem however lies in the condition of the outfalls. He noted that it will not be wise to open the sluices at this point in time given the current condition of the outfalls in these areas.

In the meantime, the minister said that the reasons for the pumps being inoperable were due to the fact that the pump at Sussex Street was a target for vandals and as such, main parts of the pump were taken away while the ones at Riverview, Muneshwers and Lamaha have all failed due to mechanical problems.

Patterson however promised that the pump at Sussex Street will be repaired before midday

Sections of Region 6 flooded after 37 inches of rainfall

Continuous rainfall on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning left sections of New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) inundated. The most affected area was Vrymens Erven where up to seven inches of water remained in the streets up to Sunday afternoon.

The Hydrometeorological Centre at Timehri reported that New Amsterdam received 37.5 inches of rainfall over a 24-hour period between Saturday and Sunday. The downpour, which continued unabated from Saturday night to Sunday mid-morning, left several sections of the region under water, with New Amsterdam being the hardest hit. Stanleytown and the downtown shopping area were badly affected. In Stanleytown, water levels rose during the early morning leaving as many as 10 inches of water in some yards by daylight.

It was impossible to get into the municipal market on Sunday morning without wading through at least three inches of water. As it was Sunday, most of the major stores in downtown New Amsterdam were closed, but sections of Pitt Street, the main shopping centre, were covered with water which had receded by Sunday afternoon.

As residents were up and about to provide some level of assistance, regional and municipal officials were not seen. Flooding was also reported in other residential and cultivated areas in the region.

Among some of the affected areas were the entire East Coast Berbice, East and West Canje, Fyrish, Port Mourant, Whim, Liverpool, Manchester, Black Bush Polder, Rose Hall Town and

several other Corentyne Villages. Up to press time, the water was reportedly receding in those areas.

Crops under threat Farmers on the East Bank of Berbice say their cash crops are under threat and they stand to lose heavily if the rains continue. Some farmers have reportedly commenced reaping prematurely ground provisions.

Tuesday and will be put to work as soon as the repairs have been completed.

He disclosed too that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, has agreed to loan the ministry two pumps, one of which will be used at Riverview , Ruimveldt. This he said will see at least five pumps working in the city, beginning today.

East Coast residents

Speaking to the residents on the East Coast of Demerara, particularly in areas of Lusignan, Annandale and other nearby communities water will be able to recede soon since all of the pumps, some of which were previously inoperable, have been repaired and are in good working conditions.

The Minister also disclosed that he will be approaching Cabinet this week for approval to establish a multi-sectoral group which will examine the drainage and irrigation systems in and around Georgetown and to identify steps which can be taken to reduce future flooding.

This comes even as the Ministry is putting in place short and medium term plans for the immediate desilting and clearing of the outfalls, commencing repairs on pumps and the drainage systems in the city.

Patterson explained that he will soon be meeting with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan to discuss what funding can be granted for these to begin. This would mean that the Ministry will be temporarily taking over the work of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.

The Minister said that he soon intends to find out the extent of damages which were done and to visit those who have been vastly affected to see what help, if any, can be granted. Patterson and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder are expected to meet again today, June 1, 2015 to review the progress made thus far.

St Gabriel’s Primary School in Georgetown affected by the floods

A partly flooded Pitt Street, New Amsterdam on Sunday

tressed.

Ahis own life.

Police to authenticate handwriting on alleged suicide note Servant leader...

s the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the death of Raychand Mangal, 46, of Lot 2244 Buddy’s Housing Scheme, Providence, East Bank Demerara, investigators believe that the possibility exists that the man might have been murdered.

Handwriting experts are now examining the alleged suicide note that was found on the man’s bed which may have some letter differences to that of the man’s handwriting.

A senior Police rank told the Guyana Times that based on information gathered from a close friend, the now dead man might have been taking his separation from his wife hard, but he was not someone who would have taken his own life.

On the other hand, the Police rank stated that based on reports, the man might have gone to where his wife was staying and pleaded with her to return home, but she refused.

“This might have taken a toll on the miner and more so, pressure from his immediate family might have triggered him to commit suicide, if that is the case.”

Next to him, as well, was an alleged suicide note, which reportedly indicated that on account of family arguments and constant fights, he took his life.

Eyew tness

...in govt?

It is said that first impressions are lasting impressions.

So we're expected to make "good" first impressions.

Well, from where this Eyewitness is sitting (all the way at the back of the reporters' pool!) some of the new Ministers aren't making such great impressions.

Guyana Times understands that the man lived alone after his wife moved out of the house following a domestic dispute.

No one was seen entering the man’s house nor did the security at the hut see any strange vehicles in the area. There was also no evidence of forced entry.

The friend, who was with Mangal on Friday evening into Saturday morning, however, disclosed that the top executive did not show any signs of being dis-

Mangal was found about 20:00h on Saturday with a gunshot wound to his mouth. His licensed firearm was found close to his body, which was lying on his bed. It is believed that the man might have taken

Guyana Times understands that moments after the man’s body was discovered, his wife appeared on the scene but was not allowed to enter the house by other family members. The now dead man only recently returned from Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) where he operated his stepfather’s mining camp – he was the Chief Executive Officer of Jardine Gold Mines.

The man’s body is at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination, as Police continue questioning several people in relation to the incident.

Aubrey Norton to be Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment

Veteran politician, People’s National Congress (PNC) Member Aubrey Norton has been touted to be the Presidential Adviser on Youth Empowerment in the David Granger Administration.

Speaking to Guyana Times on Sunday evening, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, related that President Granger has indicated and has held discussions for Norton to be his adviser in that area.

That position was held by Odinga Lumumba under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Harmon told this publica-

tion that there were several other persons who are being considered for other

positions and these appointments will be announced in the new week.

Politics has dominated Norton’s life. Joining the youth arm of the PNC, the Young Socialist Movement (YSM), he distinguished himself at an early age and became a member of its Executive. As he matured, Norton was to become familiar with all of the major councils and arms of the PNC and in time became one of its youngest General Secretaries.

He is currently a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Chairman of the Georgetown District.

Norton served as a parliamentarian for the party from 1998 to 2001.

Norton was educated at the University of Guyana where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree (Hons) in Political Science and the University of Kent where he obtained an MA in International Relations. Norton’s educational and political background made him an ideal choice for the Foreign Service, which he joined in the 80s.

He currently lectures at the University of Guyana and is a respected commentator on political and economic affairs and international relations.

In fact, if the truth be told one of them really screwed up big time on the first day of the job. If by now you don't know who's the cynosure of your Eyewitness' eye then you, dear reader, were probably vacationing on Mars.

The cause célèbre of the Junior Minister of Social Protection (for those of you who can't keeping up with the renaming of the Ministries, this one used to be "Social Services") Simona Broomes, has so dominated your Eyewitness' social media networks that he had to turn to Bach for relief.

(Well, he'd heard his new President listened to Bach.) He wondered what all this talk about "Servant Leadership" during the campaign was all about.

From what went down over at the Child Protection Agency, (which falls under Minister Broomes, mod TIP fame), it would seem that this "servant" had picked up some real bossy attitude!

Yesterday your Eyewitness touched on the incidentthat the head of the Agency Ann Green had suggested to the new Servant Leader Broomes that maybe some of her sharp words about the Agency while of the hustings might've hurt the sensibilities of staff. And that perchance it might be a good gesture to rebuild some fences.

Now your Eyewitness had figured this was very good advice and in fact was what a Public Servant like Ann Green, with two decades of experience in the business, should proffer. But it seemed that your Eyewitness was only looking at the affaire Broomes from one angle...and so in the interest of fairness he must now present the other angle.

In a release by "the Ministry of Social Protection", it was stated that rather in the above, "Ms Greene loudly and aggressively declared her unwillingness to work with Minister Broomes unless Minister Broomes submitted herself to demands and ultimatums made by Ms Greene."

Well, all your eyewitness can say, this IS an angle isn't it? While "possibility" is infinite...probability is finite and measurable, isn't it? So your Eyewitness asks himself (and you dear reader):

"Dear Eyewitness and readers, is it probable that a Public Servant with two decades of service under her belt would speak in such a peremptory manner in front of not one Minister - but TWO? And also in front of her staff?

He thinks not. What say you, dear reader?

...from on high

Now surely all these new Ministers can't be allowed to just do as they please in their new jobs. This Eyewitness knows that the Opposition's been out of office for 23 years and they have no experience with running their Ministries.

But we're not talking about their substantive positions, are we? We're talking about an approach of their charges to people with whom they'll come into contact.

We suggest that President Granger invite all his Ministers (15?) and their Juniors (12?) to a retreat (even though the word "retreat" isn't high on a military fella's vocabulary!) and explain the fine points of how one deals with staff.

But not so incidentally, can Ministers summarily send staff on leave? Doesn't due process demand that Ann Green have a hearing?

Even in the Military, they just don't put you in front of a firing squad for insubordination. And the Military doesn't even have unions (as yet). Surely Patrick Yarde, the Public Service Union boss must weigh in on the issue? Lincoln Lewis has already beaten him to the punch.

...in cricket

Cricket's a game of the people. Without the fans they'll be no cricket. So how come when fans almost unanimously want Chandrapaul to have a last hurrah, the leaders say "No!!"?

Aubrey Norton

Providence shooting

Dead: Raychand Mangal

Pirates strike on Corentyne

… 10 fishermen still missing

Pirates struck thrice on the Corentyne Coast on Saturday afternoon, carting off in excess of $12 million in valuables in a daring attack that left 10 men stranded on the high seas up to press time.

According to information supplied to Guyana Times , the entire ordeal which involved three boats occurred within a one-hour span between 14:00 and 15:00h in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of Whim Village.

As was related to this newspaper, four masked pirates – one armed with a gun and three with cutlasses – attacked a small boat with a five-man crew, and took their glue, fish, equipment and other valuables onto their boat before cutting loose the small boat. The pirates then proceeded to attack a larger boat, Princess Regina , which also had a five-man crew. The sea bandits then transferred the booty from the first robbery onto Princess Regina and used that vessel to rob a smaller boat a little distance away that also had five crew members. The booty was again transferred

to Princess Regina and the 15 robbed fishermen were then placed in the smaller boat and it was anchored. The pirates then made good their escape with their boat and Princess Regina.

The items stolen included four engines –two on Princess Regina and one each from the smaller boats; fuel; several seines; glue; fish; and equipment such as compasses, GPS navigation devices, and cellular phones.

It was approximately 14 hours later – around 04:30h – on Sunday that a small fishing vessel stumbled upon the boat with the 15 men and gave them much needed water. The boat was able to accommodate on board five of the 15 stranded men, including Ricky Sukhlall, the captain of Princess Regina , and his son. The rescue boat returned to land at the Port Mourant Sluice at approximately 05:30h, and the men proceeded to the Whim Police Station where a report was filed.

According to Sukhlall, during the ordeal, the pirates fired at least four shots in the air as well as

used cutlasses to “broadside” them to get them to comply with their demands before making good their escape. His son, Gavin, related that during the ordeal, the mask of one of the pirates fell off and he was able to identify a distinguishing mark on the man which can help identify him.

Shivanand Hannif, of Prison Road, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, the owner of Princess Regina was alerted and was present at the Police Station where he supplied vital information about his stolen items, including the boat, which together are worth approximately $9 million.

According to information received, the vessel set sail on May 21 from the Meadow Bank Wharf, East Bank Demerara.

The Police are continuing their investigation and have since notified their Surinamese counterparts of the incident. Up to press time, no other crew member was rescued even though rescue boats left late Sunday afternoon. Guyana Times will provide more details in a subsequent article.

Heavy rains, thunderstorm for next 2 days

Amid the deluge in the capital city and several other areas across the country, the Hydromet Office is forecasting heavy Rains and thunderstorm over the next 72 hours.

The Ministry of Agriculture and other governmental agencies are therefore urging citizens to do all they can to safeguard themselves, their family, property and crops and live-

stock from being damaged. Citizens are urged to protect their children from flood waters, and to boil all drinking water. If they have to be in the water, they are advised to wear protective boots and to wash their feet with a mixture of bleach and water.

The hydrometeorological department predicts that on Monday, cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all regions, while moderate

to heavy showers and thunder storms can also be expected over Regions 1 to 7, 10 and some parts of Region 8.Northern Guyana including Georgetown and East Coast Demerara can expect between 20mm to 60 mm of rainfall.

All other locations can expect most frequently, light rain. Tuesday through Thursday, rainfall is expected to reach 20 to 50mm.

Sections of Region 6 flooded ...

In East Canje, some residents are praising the new drainage system, contending that had it not been in place in time, the situation could have been worse, but others were up in arms, saying that the drainage system did not cater for the entire community.

There are reports that farmers at Black Bush Polder have suffered and stand to lose tens of thousands of dollars. There are also reports some of the af-

fected farmers were planning to protest by way of a street demonstration what they refer to as a less than sufficient drainage system but were advised not to go that way.

Cash crops are most affected in the Polder, and while the floodwaters have started to recede in most areas, water still remains in farms in sections of the Polders of Johanna and Yakasari. Farmers of the two polders say the channel

needs desilting. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that some cash crop farmers at Crabwood Creek have also been affected by the rains and stand to experience financial losses.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather.com has forecast that Region Six should start experiencing improvements in the weather on Tuesday, as today is expected to see several inches of rainfall in the East Berbice region.

monday, june 1, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt wants tangible justification for new airport

...but expresses support for extension of runway

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson has asked for a comprehensive report of the CJIA expansion project, saying while his government has no problem with the extension of the runway, there must be tangible justifications for the construction of a new terminal building.

While in opposition the APNU+AFC had voted down budgetary provisions for the CJIA expansion project and had threatened to cancel the project once it got into government. This position was however,

During a tour of the site on Friday Patterson asked the management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) to submit a comprehensive report of the Airport’s expansion project by Friday this week. This document will afford the minister an opportunity to familiarise himself with the project before discussing it at Cabinet, a release from Patterson’s ministry said. Patterson toured the site and was briefed on the US $150M project including, the design of the new termi-

acceptable solution, since the approval of the expansion project will be hinged on a successful resolution of this matter.

The airport expansion project was conceptualised under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and a contract was inked with China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) in 2011. Key components of the expansion project include: The extension of the runway from 7,500 to 10,800 feet – to accommodate the BOEING 747-400 aircraft; Doubling of Aircraft Position from four to eight; installation of eight Passenger Boarding Bridges; and the fortification of the CCTV system with approximately 300 cameras.

Last year leading agencies in the aviation industry had pushed for the project to be completed without further hindrance. During a high-profile meeting with the then Public Works Minister Robeson Benn back in June last year key stakeholders within the aviation sector reaffirmed their commitment to the expansion

their on-time performance. “International air travel plays a critical role in the economic and social development of Guyana; hence there is an urgent need for the continued expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) facility,” the stakeholders posited. As partners in the industry, the stakeholders have pledged to maintain close ties with the Public Works Ministry and CJIA’s Board and Management. Caribbean Airlines, Roraima Airways, Insel Air, Dynamic Airways, CONVIASA, Copa, Fly Jamaica, LIAT, Surinam Airways and TravelSpan were the airlines present during the meeting last week. Other agencies included the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU); New Timehri Handling Service; Guyana Tourism Authority; GUYOIL; Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; and CJIA.

Early January this year Ghir had told a news conference that some $366 million was spent on the project during the year 2014.

of the CJIA

nal building and the relocation of individuals occupying CJIA’s lands. Following the tour and presentation, the Minister told CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir; Officials of Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); and Engineers from the Ministry and CJIA that the information provided to him “was a lot to contemplate.”

According to Minister Patterson, his Government has no issue with the extension of the runway, but tangible justifications must be provided for the construction of a new terminal building since it “hinges on the final cost of the project.”

Ruminating on the concern of persons occupying CJIA’s land, relocation options were suggested, including the establishment of a housing scheme at Yarrowkabra, Linden Highway.

However, the Minister intimated that the concern has to be addressed as a social issue and charged the stakeholders to arrive at an

of the industry, but said the airport must be expanded to mitigate the challenges currently faced. “We recognise that the Expansion Project is the appropriate response to the dire safety, security and efficiency challenges faced at the existing facility and pledge to fully lend our support and expertise to advance the progress of the multimillion-dollar national endeavour,” the stakeholders said in a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

It was explained that the existing runway creates many limitations in safety due to the absence of the Runway Extension Safety Area (RESA) and its inability to accommodate larger wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and 777 aircraft. The congested terminal and parking space constraints for aircraft were among other issues laid on the table when the meeting was convened.

The airlines said that insufficient parking space for aircraft adversely affects

The project had exhausted more than US$30 million or G$6.4 billion since its commencement back in 2013. However, the $366,986,979 million was spent last year in spite of funding for the project not being approved by the National Assembly in the 2014 Budget. Benn had explained that the continuation of the project was financed with funds received from the Government of China. Benn pointed out that these monies must be used otherwise Guyanese will lose out on the benefits that can be reaped from it.

“Monies which come from overseas given as loans or grants (and) resides with us and we have to use it; these are foreign inflows called ‘specific’. The money comes to Guyana and you have to use it or if you don’t use most of it, it goes back and we don’t get the benefit of the engagements we have with the various countries with respect to the usage of those funds,” he had explained then.

Infrasstructure Minister, David Patterson and other technical officials of his ministry during the tour

Ethnic political fallout! Social media explodes with racial slurs, incitement among Guyanese

During the height of the intense political season, social media begun exploding with attacks from individuals against each other based on their ethnic composition and, in some part, their political portfolio.

These attacks have noticeably intensified following the announcement that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition will be the new Government of Guyana. While this scourge of racial incitement is nothing new in Guyana’s land of six people, the issue has indeed escalated over the last few months. It is surprising in light of claims that the young generation has transcended the racial divisions of the past.

A quick scroll through social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, all populated by mostly young people, will demonstrate that a significant portion of Guyanese are racially charged and ready to attack once presented with the opportunity. This publication was presented with evidence of these revolting incidents by concerned citizens who expressed sincere dissatisfaction and worry over these occurrences. One incident, representative of one line of insults as highlighted on Facebook is that of a female of mixed descent who said she witnessed a racial act. She claimed that a man of one ethnicity “feel up” a girl of another ethnicity in front of her mother and claimed that it was “your turn to witness this sh**”.

Some of the exchanges were explicitly politically as well as ethnically charged. A screenshot posted on Facebook of an interaction between a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) supporter and what is purported to be an APNU/AFC supporter also features the usage of racial slurs. A short walk around Georgetown will display the profusion of racial slurs being used among Guyanese. Some argue that there is no profound meaning to these incitements or that they are meant as a joke, while others contend that the entire behaviour and mindset is completely derogatory. Some of the incidents even seem to occur within our state institutions.

In a report to the Guyana Times, a worker from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said, “I wish to inform you that I am of East Indian descent and because of that, I am being victimised and disrespected daily by the opposite race. The exact words are ‘is we turn now to deal with y’all c***** mudda sk---t”. Another case is that of an Indian widower from Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. She was attacked and robbed by two gunmen as she was making her way home along the railway embankment. She related that in addition to the physical attack she suffered and the riddance of her hardearned cash, her attackers thought it pleasurable to insult her because of her ethnicity.

Another incident where the occurrence of racial slurs is evident in Guyanese society was the recent situation involving a local news anchor Courdel Jones. It was reported that a minibus conductor, Terry Campbell, and other occupants of a passing minibus, hurled racial remarks towards the television personality. The matter is currently in court – an indication that these situations should not be taken lightly.

Condemned

In light of these disturbing acts, key officials in Guyana have condemned, in the highest possible terms, the widespread incidents where racial incitement, slurs and jargon are being used in society. In invited comments, head of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr Vindhya Persaud and renowned Guyanese scholar Swami Aksharananda have denounced these unethical behaviours ever so often illustrated by the simplest of Guyanese. According to Dr Vindhya Persaud, these acts are “extremely distasteful” and wherever they have occurred, they should be condemned. “I don’t think insulting anyone or indulging in any racial slurs or sentiments is the best for a country and its people.

“Those behaviours must be condemned as they impact negatively on the country,” she said.“We must understand that after every election, we

will still live here as a people; we will still have to work for our country; we will still have to continue life, adapt, adjust. I would not like to see such disrespectful or hurtful behaviour now or in the future. We must respect that everyone will not agree. We must respect that people have different views on political parties and elections. So while people may have their differences, and they may feel emotionally charged, they need to demonstrate good sense, maturity and deal with things more rationally,” she urged.

Further, Dr Persaud suggested that persons who have authority, or are key stakeholders, should be more responsible in what they do and say as it could significantly impact racial tension in society. “I know that wherever I am, I would not condone these things … It is distasteful to the extreme,” she noted. In addition, Swami Aksharananda, who experienced firsthand this type of bigoted attitude, strongly condemned these behaviours as he called for peace to prevail. The Swami, who is known throughout Guyana for preaching peace and prosperity, was verbally attacked by a gang of men on Friday, as he was making his way to Georgetown. He noted that the men were persistent in their attempts to degrade his ethnical background and tarnish his character by insulting the work he does. Efforts to get a comment from Director of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA),Dr Eric Phillips proved futile.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment a prominent Sociologist who asked not to be named said:” my sociological theory is that while everyone tries to pretend that after elections we all "live happily with each other"...the fears of ethnic domination are there ...but suppressed for political correctness.” The sociologist said with the change of regime, the "winning" group members feel less constrained in expressing themselves...on subjects such as being discriminated against (whether real or perceived).”The point is that all times, persons should not be ostracized for expressing their feelings just because they have an ethnic basis.”

Norton keen on reversing failure trend at Nursing School

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton has pledged that the new A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government will address issues that are causing the high level of failure at the Georgetown Nursing School.

While expressing great concern regarding the high failure rate, Minister Norton noted that “we will do everything that is possible to better the pass rate that we have, and also to increase the quality of the nursing profession that we’re now having here”. He said that the failure is as a result of multiple factors, noting that more

efforts needed to be made to ensure technology was available to the students.

“… we are also concerned about the number of lecturers we have, and the quality. Teaching is a dynamic process, where you have to do your refresher courses, you have to change concepts regularly and so on,” the Minister explained.

With the changing world of medicine, the Minister said, according to the Government Information Agency (GINA), one cannot expect that the same tutors will be doing the same courses for the past decade, and would achieve the kind of end product that will help to better the health situation in Guyana.

United Nations World Yoga Day is June 21

Many of us have heard the word yoga before or see yoga being practiced but can we explain yoga?

Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation which originated mainly in India (Bharat). There are different types of yoga which involve physical, mental and spiritual concentration.

Yoga is said to be as old as civilization with

evidence of this being seen is sculpture of stones which archeologist dated back over 3000BC.

There are numerous health benefits one can attain by practicing yoga such as all-round fitness, stress relief, weight loss, increase energy and much more.

Scientific researched has shown that yoga help to stabilize the mind and relief chronic illness contributing to proper blood circulation and inner peace. This can be practice by anyone despite of age and gender and can be done anytime.

On September 27, 2014 in his 32 minutes speech Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi mentioned yoga as one of his 10 points to the United Nation Assembly in New York.

He proposed that a day should be set aside as international world yoga day which was endorse by More than 177 countries including USA, Canada, and China.

Within less than three months period Modi’s resolution came to reality as United Nations declaring June 21 as “International Day of Yoga”.

This event will be done worldwide which includes activities such as Yoga, Meditation, meetings, discussions, cultural performances done on an annual basis.

Hindu Swaymsevak Sangh (Hindus for Selfless Service Guyana) has been continuously promoting Health Awareness.

As part of our “I love Guyana” project we will be spreading the awareness of this international event throughout Guyana and concluding with an organized event on June 21.

Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton

Times Notebook

No way to persuade Guyanese of national unity

The consensus is we need greater unity for our country to optimize its development trajectory.

The political struggle before independence was divided along racial lines and the PNC government’s policies and programs for almost three decades, far from easing racial tension, further divided the country along racial lines.

The political parties that constitute the government of Guyana today campaigned with the message that national unity will be their top priority. The previous government under the PPP/C has always insisted that it governed with unity as a goal.

The establishment of the Ethnic Relations Commission and other Human Rights Commission, overall development in Guyana, a business environment that allowed thousands of small businesses in all communities, overall improvements in communities

in all regions of the country, better health and education all helped, but national unity remained an elusive goal.

We are hopeful that the old PNC with a new name represents a new beginning and not a new disguise to carry on in the path of the old post-independence legacy. Guyana has paid a hefty price as racial tension has limited our development. No matter which side of the political divide we presently reside, Guyanese must embrace the goal of national unity.

It is for this reason, although we believe that the 2015 elections were not above board, we want to hope and pray that the APNU+AFCled government will make a genuinely sincere effort to promote national unity.

We want to believe them that their “unity train” was not an election gimmick to commandeer power. They have an opportunity to turn these circumstances into an opportunity for national good and to achieve the elu-

sive goal of national unity, the most powerful energy source to drive Guyana towards unprecedented economic and social growth.

It is early yet and we will give the new administration space to demonstrate their commitment to national unity.

We make these observations not as criticism, but as friendly advice. It is difficult for you to convince a large group of Guyanese who experienced and now fears marginalization that you will promote national unity when your early actions demonstrate you are pursuing a wholly different agenda, one reminiscent of an ugly past.

The new cabinet of Guyana hardly reflects the population of Guyana, not that it should be exactly proportional, but it ought to have some semblance of looking closely like the national make-up.

The truth is that the new cabinet is almost 75 per cent African-Guyanese in its make-up. Non-African

Guyanese in the Cabinet make up approximately 25 per cent of the entire cabinet. This is reminiscent of the old PNC-led Government before 1992.

It is claimed that the AFC brought Indo-Guyanese votes that in combination with the vast majority of African Guyanese who voted for APNU gave the coalition a majority, assuming that the elections were not rigged.

Since we would have expected that the new administration would have wanted its best candidates to be ministers, are we to assume that best candidates were mainly from one ethnic group? This would be a damning confession.

The PPP/C Cabinet looked like the ethnic makeup of Guyana. The 20112015 Cabinet was made up of at least 50 per cent nonIndo Guyanese.

If, the analysis is done taking into consideration the others that sat in Cabinet, outside of Ministers, in-

cluding the HPS and the Presidential Advisors, there were more than 50 per cent non-Indo-Guyanese in the Cabinet.

Given the large number of ministers in the new Cabinet (the largest Cabinet in CARICOM and maybe even in Latin America), one would have thought there were ample opportunities to ensure a balance in ethnic make-up.

Even if we took the new cabinet as one caused by necessity (the make-up of the electoral team), we would have thought that more care would have been taken in bestowing national awards.

The 2015 National Awardees seem largely like an award made by the PNC Executive for members with long service to the party.

There were a number of deserving persons in the list. We do not want to name them, but we can say that these deserving candidates, of different ethnic backgrounds, are in the minority.

The celebration of vic-

tory by APNU+AFC, even if we forgive the brazen triumphalism that was characteristic of the celebrations, seemed to be a celebration of one ethnic group celebrating victory.

Walter Rodney was a ferocious fighter for national unity. He was murdered. It took Guyana a long time to inquire into his assassination. Now the new administration has made it clear it is closing the inquiry.

The government must demonstrate in tangible ways that no group would be marginalized and that by and large our government and out national lives demonstrate there is space for all ethnic groups to participate equitably and fairly.

The new government ought to take more care in how it conducts its business. At the moment it seems to embrace a common street talk: “I’s a’we time now”.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com.

The "Health for All" agenda: vast opportunities and limitless possibilities

On May 28, former Minister of Health and former Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy delivered the Commencement 2015 address at the Harvard’s T H CHAN School of Public Health. This was not only an honour for Dr Ramsammy, but for all Guyana and Guyanese here and in the Diaspora. Here is Part II. Part III to follow in tomorrow’s edition.

Although I was privileged to make a contribution in public health at national, regional and global levels, I present myself today unapologetically as a dreamer, one who dares to imagine a world where people can live longer, disability free lives than we do now, equitably, where living lesser lives are

waiting to see what might happen, by waiting to see how the process works out, but it must depend on what we decide to become, and on our zeal and commitment to create our own destiny.

We must shape the future we want, and not merely go along with the flow. We must determine the future we want, not al-

not determined by the geographic accident of birth.

I reject the fact and I deem it an injustice that some people are born into circumstances that determine whether they will live or how long they will live.

I believe that our future must not be determined by

low the events and the barriers along the journey to bring us to a place we settle for.

I am proud of what my generation and the generation before mine did for public health, but I confess I am more than a little disappointed that my genera-

tion is handing to you our unfinished agenda. It is daunting, but it presents you with the imperative for your generation - complete our unfinished agenda and make a better world.

How do we accept that 300,000 women die giving birth and 6 million babies die of preventable diseases and conditions still? It is unacceptable that more than a billion persons have no access to safe water and more than 2.5B lack appropriate sanitation.

It is unconscionable that more than 795 million persons go hungry on a daily basis. Why must we accept a situation in which vast populations around the world lack life-saving medicines because of cost?

Several generations before your generation fought for social justice. In our struggles to establish social justice as the basis for development, we established that health is a fundamental right. In the last fifty years the instruments and legal frameworks that established health as a fundamental right have been firmly enshrined. Unfortunately we also

bequest you now with a different landscape, one where there is increase judicialization for the realization of the right to health.

Ours was an ambitious agenda and our successes have been remarkable in the last fifty years. While the agenda remains dauntingly unfinished, it was twice as worse in 1978. For example in 1978, more than 20M babies died each year. We owe the public health fighters before you a deep debt of gratitude. We established a pathway to eradicate certain infectious diseases. Smallpox, a disease that ravaged the

world, has been completely eradicated, and polio and leprosy can soon follow. Antibiotics, greater access to safe drinking water and sanitation, access to vaccines have saved countless lives around the world.

We have made genuine progress in creating the environment for longer lives. One hundred years ago, global average life expectancy was just over 30 years at birth and well below 50 in even the richest countries.

For most of the world now, life expectancy is around 70 years, with rich countries all around 80.

Already in countries like England, one in every 300 English people are living to the age of 120. Reaching the magical age of 100 is no longer a rare event in most countries of the world. It is happening in every country as life expectancy increases.

But progress has been uneven around the world. Countries like Japan have life expectancy approaching 90, while some African nations have life-expectancies below 40.

Your public health agenda stares at you. It is not right that a baby born in Niger should have less than one per cent chance to live to five years than a baby born here in Boston. It is unacceptable that a mother giving birth in Abuja should have only a 10 per cent chance of successfully delivering her baby compared to a mother in NY.

For that matter it is unacceptable that a mother right here in certain parts of the US should not have the same chance of delivering her baby successfully as compared to other Americans.

Former Health and Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, as he addresses the 2015 graduates of the Harvard’s School of Public Health

Flooding in Georgetown and

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Head Office on Brickdam, Georgetown

Even President David Granger’s D’Urban Backlands home was not spared the deluge

This was the state of the Bourda Market on Sunday after hours of heavy rainfall

The scene on Sunday at the St Gabriel’s Primary School in Queenstown

A man tries desperately to bail water from his yard on the East Coast of Demerara

Inside one of the affected homes on the East Coast of Demerara

Despite the massive clean up around the Independence Arch on Brickdam and around

A security guard tries to perform her duties in this sea of water

Slowly through the flood water on Alexander street, Georgetown

and East Coast Demerara

The High Court in Georgetown on Sunday

Due to the heavy winds and rainfall, this decades old tree was uprooted in the city

A couple making their way through the flood waters

Office on Brickdam, Georgetown

Queenstown

Brickdam and around the 1763 Monument last week, this was the sight on Sunday

TT PM says Jack Warner has nothing on her, puts matter in lawyer’s hands

Insisting that her hands are clean, Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar has put the matter of Jack Warner’s “slanderous” statements against her, following his release from jail, in the hands of her lawyers.

But she says she is not worried about any of the revelations which Warner says he will make about her.

The 72-year-old politician, who is facing extradition to the United States to face corruption charges related to his 15 years as Vice President of football’s world governing body, FIFA, has insisted Persad-Bissessar got money from him to fund her election campaign and made other allegations.

“I did get a copy of what Mr Warner actually said and I have placed his slanderous statements in the hands of my lawyers. There is absolutely no truth in the words I heard him speak in an in-

TT Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

terview and from his platform. It is in the hands of my lawyers, the statements are totally untrue and go beyond untrue and are slanderous and defamatory statements,” Persad-Bissessar told reporters Saturday. Warner has accused the government of being behind the charges and has declared “the gloves are off”,

Maverick Mexican politician threatens status quo in election

“One dead son, one kidnapped twoyear-old daughter and 2800 bullet holes in my truck” is no typical campaign slogan. Then again, the man who may become the first state governor in modern Mexico without a political party is no typical politician.

Jaime Rodriguez, alias “El Bronco,” would cause one of the biggest upsets in Mexican political history if his anti-establishment campaign claims the wealthy northern state of Nuevo Leon in midterm elections to be held next Sunday.

A former member of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, the 57-yearold Rodriguez launched his bid thanks to a change in the law that now allows independent candidates to run for high office.

Tapping into anger over political corruption scandals, sickening drug gang violence and anaemic economic growth, his run has become a litmus test for the electorate’s desire to break with years of political apathy.

“I’m fighting against a system that’s old, out of date and obsolete,” Rodriguez said in May. “There’s a political aristocracy with an incredible egotism, with an incredible arrogance that doesn’t accept that the country has problems.”

Nuevo Leon is one of nine states choosing new governors on June 7, when a new lower House of Congress will also be elected.

With its allies, the PRI has a slim majority in the lower house, and voter surveys suggest it could defend that. But a loss in Nuevo Leon would hurt the PRI and help set the tone for the next presidential election in 2018. (Excerpt from Reuters)

promising to expose the Prime Minister.

However, PersadBissessar said: “Some people say, and I’m not of that view, but some people are saying they agree that the gloves are off and that he may be clearing the way for the handcuffs.” She also dismissed Warner’s threats.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Venezuela Parliament Chief: Will sue in US, Spain over drugs reporting

Venezuelan Parliament Chief Diosdado Cabello said in an interview on Sunday that he planned to file lawsuits in Spain and the United States following media reports that link him and other top officials to cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

The Wall Street Journal two weeks ago reported that US federal prosecutors were gathering evidence from former cocaine traffickers and military defectors as part of an investigation into Cabello, the number two of the ruling Socialist Party.

Spanish newspaper ABC in January published a story alleging Cabello’s former security chief had fled for the United States with evidence that Cabello was involved in the drug trade.

Cabello denies the charges, and has sued three Venezuelan media outlets for republishing information from the ABC story.

“I’ve already sued here in Venezuela, but I’m also

going to sue in Spain, and I’m also going to sue in the United States,” said Cabello in a television interview broadcast on Sunday.

“It cannot be that in Spain, the press can do this – smear someone without any type of proof. In the United States, this cannot happen.”

Cabello did not mention the Wall Street Journal or

the New York Times, which also reported that he is under investigation by US authorities.

But he added that “this man from ABC ... has gotten himself into a big mess, because I’m going to sue him over there in Spain”. A Wall Street Journal spokeswoman said in an email that the paper had no comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China bets on strategic ties with Caribbean

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says his country is “prepared to deepen its cooperation” with Latin America and the Caribbean “in order to mutually learn from each other and forge together a new path for the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Comprehensive Cooperation Association”,

In a keynote lecture in Chile at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Li said China was “prepared to join forces with Latin American and Caribbean countries to contribute in a small but meaningful way to the con- struction of our happy home and to work together for a more beautiful world”.

Venezuela Opposition

march draws thousands

Thousands of Venezuelans have held a peaceful march through the streets of the capital Caracas, calling for the release of Opposition Leaders who have been in jail for more than a year.

They include two former Mayors, Leopoldo Lopez and Daniel Ceballos, who are being held on charges of inciting anti-Government protests last year.

President Nicolas Maduro has blamed them for the 43 deaths that resulted.

Both men started hunger strikes this week in jail.

The protesters were also calling for the release of the former Caracas Mayor, Antonio Ledezma.

Smaller demonstrations took place in other cities.

On Friday, Venezuela

blocked two former Latin American Presidents from visiting Lopez and Ceballos.

Leopoldo Lopez has been held at the Ramo Verde military prison outside Caracas since he was arrested in February 2014 on charges of inciting the violence that led to the deaths of 43 people and wounded hundreds of Venezuelans who took to the streets.

Lopez filmed a video in jail this week urging demonstrators to go out “peacefully” to demand an end to political persecution and censorship and for a date to be set for upcoming legislative elections.

President Maduro has said his country’s judiciary is independent and that those in jail are criminals.

(BBC News)

Li said that the promotion of cooperation between China and the Region, in

terms of productive capacity “will boost development in such a way that everyone wins”, according to ECLAC.

He proposed that both parties explore a new “3 x

3 cooperation model,” focused on the joint construction of the three major pathways of logistics, energy and information technology; the virtuous interaction between companies, society and Government; and the broadening of three financing channels – funds, credits and insurance.

Li urged China and the Region to “intensify even more their international collaboration and strengthen their coordination to speak with a common voice on transcendent issues, such as the reform of the international financial structure, the negotiations for a new agreement on carbon emissions, the development of the post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as cyber security”. (Excerpt from CMC)

Jamaica, UK strengthen cooperation in fight against illicit drug trade

The Governments of Jamaica and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against the illicit drug trade.

The three-year MoU, signed Friday, allows for the sharing of information and the provision of human resources and equipment by the UK to Jamaica. It is an update of an agreement signed two years ago.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting said the renewal of the MoU was yet another concrete demonstration of the strong

bonds of friendship between Jamaica and the UK.

He said that despite the many successes by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) over the years, including seizures of large quantities of drugs, and arrests and extradition of major drug kingpins, trafficking through Jamaica’s borders remains a major challenge for law enforcement.

Bunting disclosed that between 2010 and 2014, the Police arrested about 1200 persons at the ports of entry, including 1136 at the island’s international airports for drug possession.

“The vast majori-

ty of those arrested were destined for the United Kingdom,” he said.

“Working in tandem with the UK and other bilateral partners, our highly trained law enforcement officers will bring to book any individual who seeks to breach our laws and put the entire society at risk.”

British High Commissioner to Jamaica David Fitton explained that the MoU allows for officers from the UK Border Force, who are based in Jamaica, to work closely with the local Police and other security personnel, as well as the Jamaica Customs Department. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Venezuela’s head of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello attends a rally to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of a 1992 coup attempt led by former President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas February 4, 2015

China Premier Li Keqiang

Scores killed in gas explosion in northern Syria

Scores of patients, children and nurses were killed, while dozens of others were injured in a gas explosion that took place in a clinic located in Syria’s north-eastern province of Hasakah, a monitoring group and activists said.

A fire caused by the explosion of a gas canister at the Maysaloun clinic in Qamishli on Sunday left at least 40 people killed and dozen others badly injured, activists told Al Jazeera.

“The fire took place east of the city at the Maysaloun clinic. We had just begun a vaccination campaign for

the children with the help of the UN,” a local activist who requested to remain anonymous said.

“The death toll could rise to 50, including nurses, women and children. We found 18 burnt bodies, it was horrific. We have cases of second and third degree burns,” he added.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said dozens of people were killed in the fire, and did not report a final death toll yet.

The observatory said that many of those wounded are in critical conditions

Around the World

Nepal quake: Schools in affected areas start to re-open

Thousands of schools damaged during April’s devastating earthquake in Nepal have begun to re-open.

More than 25,000 classrooms in some 8000 schools were destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude quake and its aftershocks, and more than 8000 people died.

Many have only been rebuilt on a temporary basis using materials such as bamboo, wood and tarpaulin.

Classes will initially focus on group activities to help children recover from the trauma of the disaster.

Earlier this week, the

and suffered extreme burns, adding that the reason behind the explosion has not been determined.

The observatory also confirmed the death of at least 65 people overnight due to Government air strikes on the city of Qamishli. The death toll includes 22 civilians and 43 fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

ISIL launched an assault on the Kurdish city of Hasakah last week, as they clashed with pro-Government National Defence Forces for control of the city.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Thousands of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea

More than 5000 migrants on their way to Europe have been saved from boats in distress in the Mediterranean since Friday, according to European Union authorities, as the corpses of 17 migrants have been brought ashore in Sicily aboard an Italian naval vessel.

In some of the most intense Mediterranean traffic of the year, migrants who left Libya in 25 boats were picked up by ships from Italy, Britain, Malta and Belgium, assisted by planes from Iceland and Finland, the EU’s border control agency Frontex said.

Naval and merchant vessels involved in rescue operations also came from countries including Germany, Ireland and Denmark.

The 17 corpses found on one of the boats arrived in the Sicilian port of Augusta aboard the Italian navy corvette “Fenice”. Italian prosecutors are investigating how they died.

Frontex is coordinating an EU rescue mission in the Mediterranean known as Triton, which was stepped up after around 800 migrants drowned off Libya in April in the Mediterranean’s most

deadly shipwreck in living memory.

Accordingly, the EU recently agreed on a naval mission to target gangs smuggling migrants from Libya, but a broader plan to deal with the influx is in doubt due to a dispute over national quotas for housing asylum seekers.

“This is the biggest wave of migrants we have seen in 2015,” Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri said in a written statement.

“The new vessels that joined Operation Triton this week have already saved hundreds of people.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

United Nations said that one month on from the quake, the world needed to provide more food and shelter for those left homeless.

Meanwhile, the Nepalese Government – which has been criticised for being slow to respond – has called for more direct aid funding.

The Government closed all schools in the Kathmandu region for the month of May, amid continuing aftershocks in the aftermath of the April 25 tremor.

Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless, and many are still struggling to rebuild their

lives.

In the worst-hit districts of Gorkha, Sindhupalchok and Nuwakot, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent of schools were destroyed.

In all, the Government is planning to open 15,000 temporary learning centres, according to the Asian Development Bank.

Education Ministry official Lavadeo Awasthi told the Times of India newspaper that the temporary classroom structures “will have to do for the next two years, in which time the buildings should be restored”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US Senate in urgent surveillance debate as deadline looms

The US Senate is meeting in a rare weekend sitting to try to avert the expiry of key anti-terrorist laws that allow phone data to be collected by the security services.

Senators failed several times to pass a revised plan and to extend key provisions of the USA Patriot Act, which would have lapsed at midnight (04:00 GMT) Sunday.

The new measures have already been backed by the House of Representatives and the White House.

Sixty votes are needed in the Senate.

Ever since National

Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the phone records of tens of millions of Americans were being collected en masse by the NSA, the pressure to revise the programme has been intense, BBC Washington correspondent Gary O’Donoghue says.

A court has already ruled the practice illegal and the House has passed a new Freedom Act which would oblige phone companies to retain data and impose greater controls on how that data could be accessed.

But the problem is that 60 of the 100 votes are need-

China, US tone down

ed in the Senate to move forward and there is no clear majority for either an extension to current rules or the new bill that has come from the House, our correspondent says.

Libertarians in the Senate want to scrap the programme altogether, while conservatives say it should be kept as it is.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has warned that allowing the laws to expire would mean the security services losing an important capability to track US associates of foreign terrorists. (Excerpt from BBC News)

rhetoric but far from South China Sea solution

After a months-long row over Beijing’s island-building in the South China Sea, the United States and China were relatively restrained at Asia’s top security forum this weekend, but no closer to any solution.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter told the ShangriLa Dialogue in Singapore that China was threatening security in the region with its maritime construction work, but acknowledged other claimant countries to the disputed sea were also at fault.

“There’s no progress in

the South China Sea (dispute), but the atmosphere has calmed a bit, thanks to reasonable consideration by all parties,” said Major General Jin Yinan of China’s National Defence University, a delegate at the conference. “The US has adjusted its stance a little.”

Admiral Sun Jianguo, a Deputy Chief-Of-Staff of the People’s Liberation Army who headed the Chinese delegation, refrained from singling out the United States for criticism in his address and emphasised China’s commitment to peaceful relations.

“China has always kept in mind the larger interests of maritime security,” Sun said, reiterating that his country’s “indisputable” claims over the waters were based on legal and historical evidence.

Nevertheless, Washington is under huge pressure to respond forcefully to the Chinese land reclamation, with Republican Senator John McCain, one of the participants at the dialogue, suggesting that US ships and aircraft ignore the 12-nautical mile zone around the artificial islands.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The fire resulted from a gas explosion which left dozens killed and others badly injured

The NSA has come under increased scrutiny since the Snowden revelations

The total of those reaching Italy by boat across the Mediterranean this year exceeded 40,000, according to UN estimates [AFP]

monday, june 1, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

ETI celebrates 14th anniversary with grand career fair

– online courses will soon be introduced

The Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), in celebrating their 14th Anniversary, hosted a grand Technological Fair and Career Day, on Friday, under the theme “ Technical Vocational Education Training: The gate way to prosperity”.

The fair attracted stake holders from both public and private sectors such as Republic Bank, Caricom Rice Mill Limited, Macrop, Barama Group of Companies, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana Police Force, Guyana Forestry Commission, Carnegie School of Home Economics, Citizen Bank and Original Juice.

The fair gave school children, as well as students within the institute, an opportunity to choose an early career path, thereby setting their career goals for the future. At the fair, students had the opportunity to visit the career booths and interact with the various stakeholders. Stakeholders were also given the opportunity to showcase jobs and their products that are available within their complex.

The fair was opened by the Principal of the institute, Micheal Tuner, accompanied by stakeholders from the Barama Group of Companies, Marcrop and Caricom Rice Mills, students and teachers of the institute. According to the Principal, the institute was established from a project through the Education

Ministry in June 2000. The finance, he said, was released by Government of Guyana in August 2000 for the starting of the rehabilitation and extension works for the institute.

At a simple opening ceremony, the Principal, whilst addressing a gathering of school children and stakeholders, said over the 14year period, the institute has seen improvements in all the academic areas. He further explained that the population has increased from 160 to 3500, along with the number of courses offered – 15 as compared to the previous seven.

Tuner added that as ETI strives to continue progressing, engagements will continue with the business communities fostering stronger relationship capacity for future apprenticeship programmes. He pointed out that children from the institute are being offered employment opportu-

nities as well as on the job training from companies such as Caricom Rice Mill Limited, Barama Ply Wood, Marcrop. Currently, 14 students is attached at Barama Group of Companies, 28 at Caricom Rice Mills and 15 will soon be sent to Marcrop as technicians under the Apprenticeship Programme.

It was outlined that in an effort to strengthened, as well as, provide better services and a comfortable environment for students, a series of workshops are presently being constructed within the institute’s compound.

Tuner further went on to say that ETI will continue to monitor the progress made and will be moving along the technology line, by introducing online registration and applications. With this, persons can check courses online; parents can view their child’s performance; and students will be exposed to free internet within the in-

stitution. Some of the courses offered by the institution includes data operation levels one and two, ordinary diploma in commerce, furniture making, metal work engineering, electrical installation, welding, small appliances and repairs, motor vehicle engine system and agricultural machinery.

The Essequibo Technical Institute opened its doors to 160 students on March 12, 2001. The institution compound has an area of 1.8 hectares of floor space in two buildings, including six workshops and two laboratories.

The ETI aims to provide graduates from Regions One, Two and Three with the necessary training required to contribute to the work force of agencies. The institute also provides the opportunity for graduates to be retrained so that they can served in supervisory capacities.

Jack Warner’s arrest a sad affair

Dear Editor, Jack Warner’s arrest was a most sad event. Mr Warner is the most popular and likable Trini politician for several years. He is also loved by Guyanese who are settled in Trinidad and Tobago.

I interviewed him several times for articles I wrote. He was very charming, charismatic, and flamboyant. In interviews I conducted with people for NACTA polls, he was found to be warm-hearted and generous helping many in need.

Voters love him for his down to earth demeanor. He took a personal interest in the welfare of people especially those who were supportive of him. His arrest has political implications. And although many have now written him off politically, don’t count him

out as yet.

He is political leader of the Independent Liberal Party and the arrest will impact on the future of the party as well as put serious questions about his own political future. He was gearing up to lead the ILP into the general elections that must be held by September 17.

It is not clear if he will still contest a seat (currently MP for Chaguanas West where many Guyanese live or work) or lead the party he founded. It was only over the weekend that he said he will contest a seat though not necessarily defending his own.

The latest poll conducted by this writer showed he will not win his seat if he seeks re-election. But he has a very good chance of winning another seat.

New reports out of

Trinidad say friends and supporters in Trinidad and Tobago have expressed sadness over his arrest and pray that he overcomes this setback.

Lawyers I spoke with say it will be an uphill battle for Warner to avoid extradition to the US where, news reports say his two sons pleaded guilty to similar charges.

The extradition hearing will take many, many months if not several years. So, it will not affect the representation of his constituency in parliament which must be dissolved by June 17. And it will not preclude him from contesting a seat for parliament.

Jack, as he is popularly called, was consistently rated as the most popular MP in Trinidad ever since he was elected in November 2007 in all polls

Commitment

Commitment is a big part of any relationship, because it provides safety so that people can share their thoughts and feelings openly. When we are committed, we have the confidence that we will make it through the day with all the challenges that comes along the way.

Commitment offers us a sense of being part of a team and a desire for our future together.

Narine Dat Sookram

It is very important that those who we serve understand how his/her decisions regarding commitment also play a role in their own future success, because we provide them with the necessary tools to continue to choose a shared and secure future with others. If we are not committed, we are up for some great consequences.

In order to make commitment more concrete, there are things we should take into consideration. For example, we should consider creating a commitment statement, something similar to what we see in a business one.

Because technically a commitment statement is the purpose and goals of our relationship, whether that be personal or professional. There is nothing wrong in including some rules and boundaries that can strengthen commitment and keep us safe.

If we are really serious about being committed to something, it means that we are willingly making the necessary sacrifices for it. For me, it is an important priority for us and we willingly work hard continuously, even though we may face some challenges along the way. When we are committed to something, it means that we are knowingly giving up things that we might want short-term in life, but in the long run we may gain greater things. In some cases, when people work in a team setting, commitment will be seen as a sacrifice for our own individual goals for the betterment of the entire team.

I know of many people who want lots to things in life, but the reality is, without a serious commitment and sticking with something even when times are tough, it wouldn’t be possible.

A true commitment is when we hang in there regardless of how challenging the circumstances may seem. When we make a commitment to something, let’s stick to it, because though at time it may not be easy, it will surely worth it at the end.

When I talk about commitment I am talking about us to fully invest in ourselves and by that I mean both physically and mentally. In other words we have to be completely connected with what we want by pouring our heart, mind and soul in it very passionately.

In other words we are not holding back, but rather we are giving it our all. And by us putting in our full attention and energy, achieving our goals in life can easily become a reality.

Some of us have the tendency to talk but don’t really put things into action.

conducted by this writer as well as polls conducted by all other pollsters.

Jack was also rated the best Minister of government from June 2010 till June 2013 when he resigned as Minister and MP following allegations of FIFA corruption with links to him. He re-contested his seat and won a landslide victory against his former party, UNC.

Jack donated all of his MP and Ministerial salary to constituents over the last eight years.

When I conducted surveys in his constituency, people described him as kind-hearted and action oriented. He had a reputation of going out of his way to help people. When other MPs and Ministers didn’t have time for their constituents, Jack served them.

People from all over the

When we are committed, there is more than words that is involved and that is we must demonstrate and prove our commitment by our own actions in order to achieve results, because in reality our commitment is measure by our deeds.

For questions, comments and feedback, send them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

country would come to his constituency office to address their problem. He donated millions of dollars to help people build homes, bury their dead and perform pooja.

He helped mandirs mosques and churches. He donated to various charitable causes and he funded many public events. He fixed roads, built proper street drainage, and established first class recreation grounds in his constituency and throughout Trinidad. Also, he paid for children’s books and clothing.

But recently, there were complaints that he neglected his constituents for not

voting for his ILP in the local government elections of October 2013. He had become estranged from them. He stopped visiting people who went through tragedies and hard times and he had stopped attending funerals, wakes, Koran Shariefs, and poojas.

Nevertheless, Trinidad newspapers report that most people are still supportive of Jack. The papers say their heart go out to Warner because he had done so much for them. Several stated that those who don’t back Jack are “neemakharam”.

Vishnu Bisram

Essequibo Technical Institute celebrates 14 years of existence

monday, june 1 , 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sir Hilary Beckles installed as new UWI Vice Chancellor

Sir Hilary Beckles was installed as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Saturday night here emphasising that economic growth must remain a priority for the Caribbean.

But the Barbadian academic told the audience at the Cave hill campus of the UWI that in order to achieve the economic growth innovation and education must be regarded as the main ingredients to ensure future socio-economic success, Sir Hilary said that all of the countries throughout the world that have managed to attain substantial growth have done it through industry and education, warning without good, applied research, there can be no innovation, and without innovation “we cannot compete internationally”.

He said this is the reason why the growth in the region and recov-

ery from the global financial crisis has been “sluggish”.

He told the gathering that included Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart that wealth creation would be an important criteria in driving the region out of the present recession, adding, recession is a threat to everyone.

He said that one of the ways that the Caribbean can obtain wealth creation is by “uprooting” the citizens out of poverty and there is “simply too much poverty”. However, before we can do this, we must ensure that every child has the opportunity to pursue higher education because it is through education that they can find their way forward.

Beckles reiterated his mission of seeing to it that one day, every household in Barbados, and the region, would have at least one graduate. He also made the call for knowledge households which are

another element to achieving economic growth. Sir Hilary appealed to UWI Chancellor, Sir George Alleyne, to have the university, with

campuses in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, recommit itself to educating Caribbean

GECOM did not compile, published

Dear Editor,

Having read the latest release of Commissioners Gunraj, Mangar and Shaw, I am replying posthaste to avoid the public falling prey to their attempt to misrepresent, mislead and misinform.

I will response point by point notwithstanding their convoluted ten points. Before I do so, may I point out that the core issue is whether GECOM compiled and published results based on fake and or falsified Statements of Polls (SOPs)? The answer categorically is NO.

The results of the Returning Officers (ROs) were cross referenced with the political parties and found to be identical. The PPPC, at the level of District 4, did raise some objections, but never presented their statements of polls, at that level, to support their contentions, although they were requested, and given an opportunity, to do so.

However, the subsequent submission of statements of polls by a PPP/C a delegation provided an opportunity for the issue, of the alleged compilation of results, in District 4, based on falsified statements of polls, to be determined.

It was determined that the statements of polls presented by the PPP/C, as the original/authentic statements, were no different to those used by the RO in her compilation.

The aforementioned, alone, gives credence to the results that GECOM declared and should bring closure to the matter.

However, for the benefit of the public, I will proceed to respond to the ten points, although these exchanges are of little value in determining a matter that, at this stage, can only be determined by the court.

Their first point states the following quote: “It was determined in the hours

leading up to the final declarations that GECOM had to deliberately discard several documents from its own Information Technology (IT) Department. This was because of emerging evidence that all was not right with those IT result and that some fake Statements of Poll (SOPs) somehow entered GECOM.”

That quote is nowhere in my statement which was carried verbatim as a letter. That is their first misleading representation.

Since I never sought to identify where the fakes originated, it is therefore a moot point, in response to my missive, to seek to clarify that no fakes could have originated from IT.

Further, what IT received or did not receive is irrelevant to the results declared since as I stated that pathway was abandoned, as a part of the process of the tabulation of the results, when found to be corrupted.

It was clearly decided to bypass that pathway but the antagonists commissioners seem bent on keeping the irrelevant IT Department in the picture for reasons best known to themselves.

Any report emanating from IT was therefore a nonissue but the antagonists requested one and were presented with the obviously faulty and incomplete document, which the Chairman quite rightly withdrew.

What should be noted is that the CEO never intended, or sought, to table that document, since it had its origin in a pathway that was known to be corrupted and had been abandoned.

The second point is of nuisance value. No bases were given for the requested recounts thus the ruling of the ROs brought the matter to an end. The Representation of the People’s Act clearly states:

“A duly appointed …, may request the returning officer to have the votes re-

counted or again recounted; but the returning officer may refuse such request if in his opinion it is unreasonable” (Section 88). GECOM was in the business of producing credible result rather pandering to baseless requests.

There is no new point in three. I did state that fake statements were discovered and reported on by the CEO, hence my use of the phrase “should have been”.

The fourth point continues to ignore the fact that the corrupted pathway was abandoned and that as an exigency the pathway of the ROs was resorted to, as agreed. While, the law required the CEO to do a tabulation it never indicated that IT was to be its mandatory source.

An electronic report was mandated and the CEO attested to the electronic nature of one of the reports he presented. He also attested to the cross checking of his electronic report with the ten declarations.

The antagonists accused me of being omniscient but they are the ones who seem so since they are aware of all that was done or not done in every department, although Commissioners were not omnipresent.

No doubt the ROs declarations and that of the CEO are separate but only sequentially so. That the ROs’ declarations are legal dictates that the CEO’s can only differ if corrections are done to the ROs’ but in the finally analysis the CEO’s declaration is summative of the ROs’.

It should however be noted that the authorized abandonment of one pathway necessitated the use of the ROs pathway in a manner not previously contemplated. That the antagonist refuses to recognize that decision and the need for such a decision is cause for concern.

What is of greater cause

people to meet the region’s developmental needs.

“We are at the bottom of the hemisphere pile in terms of the number of our citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who are enrolled in higher education. “We need to see at least one graduate of our university and colleges in every household in the Caribbean,” he said, noting that the Englishspeaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region has one of the lowest levels of enrolment numbers, he lamented. The former principal of the Cave Hill Campus said that apart from recovering from the economic crisis, the Caribbean is still “cleaning up the mess left by colonialism”.

He said as a result, those who played a part in “impoverishing the region must work with us in an orderly fashion in order to help us to achieve sustainable development”.

Sir Hilary said developing part-

nerships in education, research and development is also imperative in this regard, he said. The academic said he viewed the UWI as the institution that would provide its people with the skills and knowledge to reach this pinnacle of economic development and social justice as it would create the space for each child to grow. He promised young people that the university would do everything in their power to provide a diverse learning environment for them because he believes that in doing so, these graduates would one day make the university proud.

But he also urged parents to encourage their children and provide them with a nurturing environment that would assist them in going to the university and once they help to get their children there, the UWI would provide them with the facilities and the curriculum that would lead to their growth. (CMC)

results based on fake SOPs

for concern is their attempt to deem the CEO’s action illegal when the Representation of the People`s Act specifically states:

“The Chief Elections Officer shall, after calculating the total number of valid votes of electors which have been cast for each list of candidates, on the basis of the votes counted and the information furnished by returning officers under section 84 (11), ascertain the result of the election in accordance with Sections 97 and 98. (Section 96 [1] author’s emphasis). That is exactly what the CEO did.

The fifth point about the Media Centre is irrelevant to the core issue, although, if not more than anyone else, I was a protagonist in 2011 and again in 2015 for the publicity of results in a more detailed and transparent manner.

The media results were however never intended to be official and have no standing in this issue.

Six is indeed the gravamen of the matter. It has already been pointed out above that the statements routed to the ROs were not corrupted and the evidence in that regard presented.

It is not a matter of Mr Alexander’s knowledge. It is a matter of ten reports emanating from a legitimate process. The reports were received by all and no one questioned them, not to mention the open, inclusionary and transparent process that produced those reports. I find the malicious contentions in six despicable and disingenuous.

As for seven, I have repeatedly explained that at the level of the RO no evidence was submitted. I have also said that the evidence produced at another level when checked did not contradict the ruling of the RO.

Eight will remain a matter of dispute; suffice to say that I tabled the proposal

on the way forward and no counter proposal was proffered by anyone else. It was the only logical approach for the efficient determination of a credible result in the circumstance, while investigating the apparent systemic problem, which had been isolated.

It was also an approach which adhered to section 96 (1) as quoted above. That the antagonists did not recognize or sought not to recognize my reference to all of the various discrepancies in the fake statements of polls, which the CEO discerned and the commissioners attested to, is merely a deflection that adds nothing to the substantive matter.

They were all nullified by the decision to abandon the affected pathway.

Nine has already been answered so many times and in so many ways that it would be useless to answer to it as it is, in itself, tautological.

As to ten and the requests for recounts, accounts were requested at three different stages. The first request was administered, although the legal requirements were never met. They proved futile.

As for the second set of requests, they were turned down for the want of bases, given the district verifications that were conducted and not contested except for District 4, the basis for which was dismissed.

As I said in my previous statement I know of no provision in law for the third request for a national recount in addition to the fact that the basis was either evidentially deficient or already dismissed.

As for the requested information that matter is wrongly addressed, suffice to say that the PPPC has all of the official statements of polls but wishes GECOM to provide information to further validate its declaration rather than them providing

information to support their case.

As for the gazetted declaration, GECOM was handicapped by the non-submission of the legally required submission of the names of the candidates, which were to be extracted from the lists.

On this, the law is quite explicit. Section 99 of the Representation of the People’s Act states that: “As soon as possible but not later than 15 days after election day the Commission shall publicly declare the results of the election and shall cause to be published in the Gazette a notification thereof, specifying… the names of the persons who, as a result of election, have become members of the National Assembly.”

The non-submission of those names, in a timely manner, is the reason for the delay in the publication of the results.

Hopefully, it will better the performance of 2011 when elections were held on November 28 and the results gazetted on Jan 11, 2012.

May I conclude by saying that the place for redress is the court. I doubt whether any substantive basis can be found to nullify the wok of GECOM and I anxiously await the findings with regard to the culprits who produced and inserted faked statements into the system. I laud the CEO for his vigilance that thwarted their efforts.

Here ends my fumigations as my statement has been deemed to be by the musketeers but otherwise deemed informative and educative by those who seek the truth.

Vincent Alexander GECOM Commissioner (I am a GECOM Commissioner and not a PNCR or APNU or any such commissioner)

Sir Hilary Beckles

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

You’ll be lots of fun, but overindulgence or overspending will land you in hot water with the people you love. This is no time to blow your budget or take on debt.

Pretending a problem doesn’t exist will not make it go away. Face personal issues head on and avoid emotional displays that will make you appear unstable.

No matter what you want, you will convince everyone to fall in with your plans. This is the right time to sound out potential partners for creative projects.

Self-doubt or anxiety will prevent you from enjoying the moment. Let go of old ideas or problems and focus on being positive. The support you receive will be offered in good faith.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t act based on what you think people want. Sincerity will be the key to keeping everything running smoothly. Making unrealistic promises or exaggerating your skills will hurt your reputation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You may be the subject of gossip or jealousy. Use your powers of observation to determine who is on your side. Walk away from people who say one thing but do another.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Put your energy to good use. Get out and participate in sports challenges, physical contests or activities that pump you up and provide motivation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t let negativity or excessive worrying impair your judgment. You are strong and capable, so stop being pessimistic and give yourself a fighting chance by looking for situations that offer opportunity.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Financial deals are looking good. You need to be able to act when the time is right, so ask questions and talk to experts who can help you improve your monetary situation.

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

(Feb. 20March 20)

Personal issues will be distressing. Share your empathy with people who you know may be going through tough times. Your support will be appreciated more than you realise.

Unexpected changes will turn in your favour. The time is right to turn up the heat and go after what you want. Show your devotion and determination to excel.

Reconsider an offer that you rejected in the past. By gathering details, you are likely to find that you have more opportunities than you first thought.

AQUARIUS CANCER

PISCES

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

dilbert

arCHie

Lloyd has always been youth-first

Chief selector Clive Lloyd offered two reasons last Sunday for Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s omission from the West Indies squad for the two forthcoming Tests against Australia, effectively ending the longest career of any West Indian.

One was the abrupt decline in the indomitable lefthander’s trademark reliability, as seen over his past two series, against South Africa and England, in which he averaged 16.63 in 11 innings; the corollary was that “the time had come to look to younger players”.

In the face of widespread opinion that Chanderpaul be given the two Tests against Australia as a satisfactory send-off to his outstanding career - as was the case when India hosted West Indies for their national icon Sachin Tendulkar’s home farewell in December 2013 - head coach Phil Simmons asserted that the panel had been charged with selecting a team to win a series against Australia; going through the process, Chanderpaul didn’t “fit in”.

Michael Holding was one former West Indies player who agreed. “I don’t believe that cricketers should get a series for a series’ sake, and I don’t believe Shivnarine Chanderpaul is still good enough to be playing for the West Indies,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

Such explanations didn’t concern those who interpreted his exclusion as disrespect for Chanderpaul’s longevity, commitment and record.

Despite his continued good form, Justin Gatlin is refusing to get complacent over his chances against Usain Bolt at the World Championships.

Justin Gatlin says he is ready for a “rumble in the jungle” with Usain Bolt at the 2015 World Championships following a strong performance at the Prefontaine Classic.

Gatlin won the 200 metres in 19.68 seconds in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, matching his personal best set last year.

“When I saw the time, I know I’m on course to go onto

Brian Lara, his team-mate during his first 13 years as the rock constantly supporting a brittle middle order, echoed the general consensus. Chanderpaul, he maintained, had “earned the right to say goodbye in an acceptable way and should be allowed to do it in his own way”.

Wavell Hinds, another member of the team during the difficult times, said the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), which he now heads, “was disappointed in the manner in which Mr Chanderpaul was treated”. He described the process as “untidy and distasteful”.

West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron added his voice to the discussions, virtually putting the selectors on notice. “I never really liked how we have ushered out our players,” he said. “At the end of a long and illustrious career like Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s, we want to ensure that whatever we do, it is well respected and that he knows and the region knows how much we value his services to West Indies cricket.”

Chanderpaul’s home administration, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), was more forthright. It declared that it just “cannot believe nor even fathom the thought process behind the wanton dropping of the most senior, reliable and dependable batsman of the West Indies for the past 21 years”. A host of internet bloggers used even stronger, more colour-

ful language.

In the hullabaloo, the point was overlooked that, for all his declining scores, Chanderpaul’s experience of 164 Tests would be missing in a team palpably short of it against Test opponents ranked second only to South Africa. Of the squad of 12 initially named for Wednesday’s opening Test, the captain, Denesh Ramdin (67 Tests), and Marlon Samuels (58) are the

teams in the world,” he said. “They will be tested and that is what it’s all about.”

It is a faith in youth that can be traced back to 1974 and Lloyd’s elevation to the captaincy for the tour of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan over Rohan Kanhai, a batsman every bit as special as Chanderpaul is now. Kanhai was 38 and had come off a disappointing home series against England in which his highest score in

only ones with more than 50 Tests on their CVs; nine are aged under 30, three under 24.

Lloyd was unfazed. As far as he was concerned, it was not a burden on the coming generation, rather a challenge. “Our aim as selectors is to continue to play our young players, to give them exposure, and you can’t get better exposure than playing against one of the best

seven innings was 44, his average 26.16. Installing Lloyd, the West Indies board stated it had “arrived at the conclusion that… the time had come for younger players to lead the West Indies team”. Lloyd used the same terminology in this case.

The first-timers then were tested by the famed Indian quartet of spinners, Erapalli Prasanna, Bishan Bedi, Bhagwath

Chandrasekhar and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and by the swing of Pakistan’s Sarfraz Nawaz and Asif Masood in alien conditions. Gordon Greenidge’s 93 and 107 in his debut Test, in Bangalore, and Vivian Richards’ unbeaten 192 in Delhi in his second were precursors of long and exceptional careers to follow. Andy Roberts, on his first tour, after a solitary previous Test in Barbados, set a new record with 44 wickets in the seven Tests.

Inevitably, not all newcomers flourish. At least their temperaments in alien environments are tested - as is true in the current situation.

Through his 20 years at the helm, Lloyd stuck to his youth policy. Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner, all in their early 20s, and Wayne Daniel, 19, were introduced with little to recommend them except obvious talent and youth, to form the feared all-pace attack in support of the established Roberts. Even when his teams were so strong they were a virtual closed shop, Lloyd prompted the selectors of the day to favour youngsters.

Almost 30 years after he announced his retirement following the 1984-85 tour of Australia, aged 40 after 110 Tests, Lloyd returned to West Indies cricket last year as chairman of selectors, after stints as team manager and ICC match referee. He immediately pulled a rabbit from the hat, choosing Jason Holder as ODI captain, at

23 the youngest of all West Indies’ captains, and who in six months has already matched Lloyd’s expectations.

Holder’s all-round success in the series against England, and that of Jermaine Blackwood, 23, and Kraigg Brathwaite, 24, in their brief time as Test batsmen, provided early support for Lloyd’s youth-first belief. The confident performance by the next-in-line recruits of the President’s XI in the three-day opener against the Australians last week was a further boost. Lloyd was on hand 21 years ago to observe the surprise inclusion of a skinny 19-year-old left-hander in the 1994 Test against England at Bourda. His name was Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Over the next two decades, through hard work, dedication and discipline, Chanderpaul confirmed the benefits of early exposure to the most challenging level of the game.

Typically, Lloyd reckoned, in light of Chanderpaul’s declining returns and his age, that the time had come for him to make way for some younger man. Just as typically, Chanderpaul, with the tenacity that has always marked his cricket, refused the offer to retire before he was dropped.

The enormous hole left by his exit surely won’t be adequately filled by the aspiring contenders in the short term, probably not even the long term. Lloyd’s theory is that they should be given the chance. (Cricinfo)

the World Championships [in Beijing in August],” Gatlin told NBC.

“It’s [his battle with Bolt] going to be a real rumble in the jungle.”

Bolt is the world-record holder in the 100 and 200m and beat Gatlin to gold over the shorter distance at the 2012 Olympics and the 2013 World Championships.

“[Bolt] is the kind of guy who’s going to rise to the occasion when it’s time to go,” Gatlin said on USATF. TV.

“I’m looking for a time - every time he runs this year, the time’s going to

steadily drop and drop and drop. In 2012 [at the Olympics], he just woke up [9.87] jogging and he came out and ran [9.63] in the finals.

“That’s what I’m looking to see out of Usain Bolt coming in this year at the World Championships.”

The continued good form of Gatlin - who returned from a four-year doping ban in 2010 - has been the subject of much conjecture.

“I think it’s more a gift than a curse,” Gatlin said to analyst Ato Boldon of his suspension. “I think it gave my legs a little shelf life. I never had any major inju-

ries, maybe a hamstring strain here or a quad strain there.

“I just really wanted to show everybody that I could come back. But it wasn’t [just] me. I want to say that guys like yourself, Ato Boldon, Frankie Fredericks, Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Linford Christie, those guys ran well into their 30s.

“I’m just taking that page out of their book. You know what, your career’s not over when you hit 30. I think a lot of guys this day and age think that.”

Lloyd has been a believer in throwing youngsters in at the deep end

Justin Gatlin

Gayle’s 6-laden 151* finishes in defeat

Chris Gayle’s remarkable century on his home debut for Somerset was all in vain as Kent won by three runs in an extraordinary NatWest T20 Blast match at the County Ground.

He struck 10 fours and 15 sixes in an unbeaten 151 off 62 balls. However, despite an innings that should have been good enough to win any game, Gayle finished on the losing side.

The last over started with 17 needed, but Gayle did not have the strike; it took two balls to get it back as Sohail Tanvir was dismissed then Jamie Overton scampered a single. That left 17 off four - not impossible by Gayle standardsand it came down to 10 off two when Mitchell Claydon, who amid the carnage produced an outstanding four overs, found a priceless dot ball which meant the finalball six, Gayle’s 15th, did not change the outcome.

For the first half of the game it looked likely to be another name would be taking the headlines as Sam Northeast made a career-best 114 off 58 balls.

Matthew Maynard, the Somerset coach, said: “I thought Sam Northeast played a sensational innings, but then the World boss came in and it’s different gravy. However, good Sam’s innings was it just pales a little bit. But that’s what Chris can do.

“We saw him in Essex the other day and today was an even more incredible performance. Words can’t explain exactly what we have seen today. He makes it looks so easy and

strikes the ball so cleanly. His knock almost brought off an incredible win today, but it just wasn’t to be.”

Batting first, Kent lost Joe Denly in the second over, run out by Max Waller with the score on 10 for 1.

After that, Northeast and Daniel Bell-Drummond put on a wonderful exhibition of batting.

Bell-Drummond, who was dropped on 37, by Overton off Max Waller, reached his 50 in the 10th over but was snapped up by Lewis Gregory, off Waller, off the very next ball.

Northeast continued to make hay as Somerset bowled too short and wide. He struck 14 fours and two sixes before passing three figures in the 18th over. Having led the home attack a merry-dance for the best part of 17 overs, he was one

of four batsmen out in the final over as Kent finished on 227 for 7.

Enter Gayle, who made 92 on his first appearance against Essex, and a few other batsmen who largely stood at the other end. The West Indian opener saw Marcus Trescothick hole out to cover off Matt Coles the first ball of the fourth over before watching Peter Trego play on, two balls later. At 22 for 2, Somerset appeared to be staring down the barrel of an inevitable defeat.

Gayle, however, had slightly different ideas and when the Jamaican struck three giant sixes in eight balls, the host county were on their way.

James Hildreth, whose form in four-day cricket has been exemplary so far this summer, refused to remain

in the shadow of Gayle and played his part in a partnership of 113 in nine overs. However, the locals had come to the County Ground to see Gayle and they left with plenty over which to enthuse.

The left hander struck five fours and four sixes in reaching 50 off 29 balls and continued to make light of a Kent attack that simply had no answer. He put three balls into the River Tone and as many into the St James’ churchyard.

Hildreth departed in the 13th over, for 29, with Somerset still needing 93 to win and Jim Allenby followed off the second ball of the 16th over with 63 still required. However, Gayle went through three figures off just 45 balls and kept Somerset in with a chance until the penultimate ball. It was the sixth highest individual score in the history of Twenty20 cricket.

Northeast, while delighted with victory, was left in awe. “I don’t know where to start. It was an incredible game and Chris’ innings was one of the best things I have ever seen. But special credit has to go to our bowlers who stuck to their plan and kept believing.

“We were trying to get the other batters on strike, but you miss your length against him and it goes out of the park. When the opposition needs 15 an over, you kind of think it’s game over. But when Chris is out there and it went up to 20 needed off each over, you still know that he can do it. He is an incredible player.”

(Circinfo)

Police to investigate Fir Park brawl

Police Scotland say they will review the fight that marred the conclusion of Motherwell’s Premiership play-off final victory over Rangers.

Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni was at the centre of an ugly brawl on the final whistle at Fir Park.

The Tunisian was pushed by Lee Erwin and responded by aiming a kick and punch at the Motherwell striker,

before tussling with Fraser Kerr.

All three players were shown red cards by Craig Thomson after the match.

Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “Police Scotland will conduct a full review of the circumstances and liaise with the appropriate partners, and decide how best to take the matter forward over the coming days.”

Rangers manager Stuart McCall said he missed the incident, but acknowledged such behaviour was “unacceptable”.

Speaking after his side’s 3-0 loss at Fir Park, he said: “If he has thrown a punch that’s disgraceful.

“But it’s safe to say he won’t be at the club next season. He’s out of contract.”

Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough said the scenes

James sets world leading time with dominant win

Grenada’s super star athlete Kirani James outclassed rival LaShawn Merritt and blew away the field with the fastest time of the year to post a commanding victory in the 400 metres at the IAAF Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday.

James stopped the clock at 43.95 seconds to set a world- leading time while underscoring his growing stature as a dominant force in the quarter mile this season.

The Grenadian now leads his American rival, who finished in 44.51 seconds, 9-5 in their career head-to-head record.

Chris Brown of the Bahamas ran an impressive race to secure third place in 44.54 seconds.

In a perfectly judged race, James worked hard for the first 200 metres before Merritt moved alongside him at the top of the final bend setting the stage for another close finish.

However the two athletes only matched strides briefly in the early phase of the home stretch until James powered away from Merritt and the rest of the field.

“When I came out and saw the crowd I was excited. That was all the support I needed to come out here,” said James in a post-race interview.

“I am just trying to come out here and make sure I represent my country properly and just have fun”. There was also success for Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce who edged out Murielle Ahoure from Ivory Coast to win the 100 metres in 10.81 seconds. Both sprinters posted the same time but Fraser-Pryce prevailed in a nail-biting finish to rebound from a disappointing outing in Shanghai just under a fortnight ago.

Another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade had to settle for third place behind South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana as Justin Gatlin sped to victory in the 200 metres.

Gatlin clocked 19.68 seconds to emulate his personal best and world leading time of 2014 and match the blistering mark he set in Monaco last season.

Jobodwana finished in 20.04 seconds while Ashmeade registered 20.18 seconds. (CMC)

2nd town-hall meeting set to coincide with opening Test

detracted from a great day for the Lanarkshire club, who triumphed 6-1 on aggregate to retain their topflight status.

“There’s been an outpouring of emotions, shall we say, and it’s gone too far,” he told BBC Scotland.

“Scottish football doesn’t need it. There were two teams battling it out over 180 minutes, they gave it absolutely everything.

“For one or two individuals to ruin it, tarnish it, is a shame.”

Erwin appeared to shove Mohsni after the defender refused his offer of a handshake and describe his opponent’s reaction as “embarrassing” in a television interview, given with blood on his face.

Motherwell fans spilled on to the pitch while the fight was going on and had to be ushered away by police and stewards as they goaded Rangers supporters.

The West Indies Cricket Board will host its second town-hall meeting here Monday, as the country prepares to host the opening Test between West Indies and Australia starting Wednesday.

The event, set for Fort Young Hotel, follows the opening meeting staged in Barbados two weeks ago and will see WICB president Dave Cameron and vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan fielding questions and concerns from stakeholders here.

“We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about the important issues facing their game,” Cameron said.

“It presents a great opportunity for our stakeholders to learn more about initiatives which the WICB is working on at this time.”

“We want to restore the

public confidence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public – the fans, sponsors and our governments.”

The third town-hall meeting has been scheduled for Guyana on July 22 with another carded for Trinidad on July 24.

Cameron and Nanthan, the latter of whom hails from Dominica, were re-elected for second terms in March. (CMC)

Chris Gayle

Kirani James

Bilel Mohsni and Fraser Kerr had to be separated by coaches and team-mates

Dave Cameron

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Messi helps Barca win Copa del Rey

Lionel Messi scored an outrageous solo goal as La Liga champions Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao to win the Copa del Rey and edge closer to the treble.

The four-time world player of the year lit up the Nou Camp when he evaded numerous challenges on the right wing and then surged into the area before firing home a firm, low shot.

Neymar tapped in his 38th goal this campaign, before Messi scored his 58th with the outside of his boot.

Inaki Williams headed in late on.

That effort in the 79th minute was a small blip in an otherwise superb performance by Luis Enrique’s side at their home, the Nou Camp.

A repeat display against Juventus in next week’s Champions League final will almost certainly see them complete their second ever continental treble, hav-

ing become the first La Liga side to do so in 2009.

On Saturday there were many fantastic moments of Barca interplay, but the highlight of the match, and maybe the Spanish season, involved just one playerMessi.

The 27-year-old Argentina forward started on the right and surrounded by Athletic players in the lead up to the opening goal, but managed to squeeze through a gap, sprint into the box, shift the ball past one more defender before striking a shot low past goalkeeper Iago Herrerin.

“Leo is spectacular, he is a star,” said Neymar.

“For me he is the best in the world and it is an honour to be part of this team with players of such quality.”

If that was an individual goal of the highest standard, then Neymar’s was a team goal of equal quality.

Quick passing around the area between Messi and

ended with

squaring the ball to Neymar to slot in. It was another goal for the Brazilian in what has been a superb debut season at Barcelona.

Messi scored his second of the night and his 58th this season with a stunning close-range finish after the break which meant he, Suarez and Neymar have now scored 120 goals in all competitions for the Catalan club this campaign.

Barca took a more relaxed approach in the last 15 minutes, and Athletic23-time winners of the competition - made the most of their opportunity when Williams headed in from six yards out.

Xavi came on as a late substitute in his final appearance for Barcelona at the Nou Camp. And the Spaniard, who will be ending a 17-year association, almost scored a fourth when his brilliant free-kick struck the post. (BBC Sport)

Nadal: Weather to blame for

slow French Open courts

Sixth seed Rafael Nadal was quick to defend ball supplier Babolat, one of his sponsors, at claims conditions are slow at the French Open.

Rafael Nadal said the sluggish Paris weather was at fault for slower conditions at the French Open, after the nine-time champion progressed to the fourth round.

Nadal dismissed Andrey Kuznetsov 6-1 6-3 6-2 on Court Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday, to book a last-16 clash with Jack Sock.

The sixth seed agreed with the notion the courts were lagging in 2015 compared to previous years, but defended ball supplier Babolat - Nadal uses a racquet supplied by the French company - and claimed the conditions were causing slower conditions.

“I don’t see a big difference,” Nadal told a news conference.

“I think the ball is a great ball - I’m not saying it because it’s Babolat. It’s always the same here.

“It’s true these couple of

days have not been very hot, the temperature is 17, 18 [degrees].

“When that happens, the court is heavier and the ball opens more [expands].”

Nadal was not disgruntled to be playing away from Court Philippe Chatrier, and claimed the larger surrounds of Lenglen suited him.

“It’s obvious that big courts helps a little bit more with my game,” Nadal said.

“It’s a little bit more difficult to attack, to see a clear winner.

“It is great to play on Lenglen, the crowd is clos-

er, it’s nothing new for me. Every year I play once or twice.”

Nadal also sheepishly dismissed Gustavo Kuerten’s claim the Mallorcan was “not from this world” when reflecting on Nadal’s record nine titles at Roland Garros.

“First of all, I am from this planet, I think,” he said with a smile.

“Second thing, thanks to Guga [Kuerten] for the words.

“Third thing, it’s true that it is probably a tough record to beat. But if I did it, somebody else can do it.”

(Digicel SportsMax)

Ivan Rakitic

Luis Suarez

Lionel Messi celebrates his goal

Rafael Nadal

CPL: Emrit warns Tridents against complacency

Trinidadian all-rounder Rayad Emrit has cautioned Barbados Tridents against complacency, as they prepare to defend their title in next month’s Caribbean Premier League.

Tridents beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in a rainaffected final in St Kitts last year to win the 2014 edition.

And Emrit said even though Tridents had an excellent chance of retaining their title, he warned that other teams had strengthened significantly and winning again would be no formality.

“The team has gelled really well and the most important thing is that we have the core players who have played in the last two seasons,” Emrit said.

“It’s always good when you go into tournaments such as these – franchise cricket – where this is a team that already knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I think that’s what we have over a lot of other teams.

“I personally think we have, if not the best chance, one of the best chances of winning the tournament so I think we can repeat again.”

He cautioned: “But it’s easier said than done and we have to work hard. Obviously we are the champions and every team is going to come and play us as hard as they can, so we need to step up. We can’t do the same things we have been doing for the past two sea-

sons because teams are going to work us out so we need to prepare well.”

Tridents will launch the defence of their title in the curtain-raising game of the tournament, when they clash with Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval on June 20.

They will also do battle with 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs, last year’s semi-finalists Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and new-kids-on-theblock St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, in the space of eight days at the Oval.

Despite the challenging nature of the team’s open-

ing games, Emrit believes Tridents had the ability to cope, especially since gaining valuable experience at last year’s Champions Trophy in India.

“After playing our first game against Kings XI Punjab we knew we could have beaten them. In fact, the first two games we played we had it in our hands and we let it slip away,” explained Emrit, who captained the side during the tournament.

“We came to realise we could compete with the best in the world and our eyes opened up. I think it was a good learning experience …

and I think Tridents know now how good they really are.

“Take Jonathan Carter, for example, he scored a hundred and it is something he relishes, and I think he is going to be a very important player for us. I think Champions League was a real eye-opener and something great for Barbados Tridents.”

Emrit snatched 12 wickets during the last CPL campaign, and delivered telling performances in the last two preliminary games when Tridents crushed Tallawahs and Red Steel, to book a direct spot in the final.

He said he enjoyed the responsibility of big games, and was looking forward to similar experiences in the coming season.

“Whenever it comes to the big games, you know that you will be put in these positions of carrying the team especially in pressure situations,” he said.

“I’ve done it before so I’m used to it and CPL is one of the biggest tournaments in the world with a great atmosphere and I tend to thrive when it comes to the big games so it’s no pressure really.

“I really enjoy when I’m put in pressure situations and hopefully this season I can come out on top, if not all of the time most of the time.”

The final of the tournament is set for July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago. (CMC)

Gatlin clocks world leading 200m

Justin Gatlin equalled his personal best in the 200m at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon with a world-leading 2015 time of 19.68 seconds.

The 33-year-old American, who has served two drugs bans, is already

Czech Republic this week. American Tyson Gay won the men’s 100m in a time of 9.88secs ahead of countryman Mike Rodgers and China’s Su Bingtian, with Britain’s James Dasalou sixth in 10.13secs. Su, 25, recorded the first

the quickest man over 100m this year, clocking a 9.74 earlier this month.

His previous career-best 200m had come in Monaco in July last year.

Meanwhile, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Murielle Ahoure ran the joint-fastest women’s 100m time of the season.

Jamaican FraserPryce and Ahoure of the United States both clocked 10.81secs in Eugene.

Gatlin has made an impressive start to the outdoor campaign, with his 200m time on Saturday eclipsing world record holder Usain Bolt’s season’s best of 20.13secs - posted in the

ever sub-10 seconds 100m by an Asian-born sprinter, clocking 9.99secs three months before the World Championships in his home country.

Olympic champion Kirani James comfortably saw off the challenge of LaShawn Merritt in the men’s 400m.

Britain’s Lynsey Sharp finished seventh in the 800m with a time of two minutes and 0.61 seconds, while compatriot Hannah England was 13th in the 1500m. And GB pair Charlie Grice and Jake Whightman were eighth and 14th respectively in the men’s mile. (BBC Sport)

Watling hundred puts nZ in control

New Zealand came into this match needing to force a victory in order to maintain their two-year unbeaten run in Test series. They were never likely to go anything other than flat out in pursuit of that goal and, after another exhilarating day of this second Investec Test, it appeared as if the relentless pace at which they play the game may have finally broken England.

BJ Watling’s fifth Test hundred was the most significant individual contribution of another bristling team display, while half-centuries from Martin Guptill and New Zealand’s perennially pugnacious captain, Brendon McCullum, left England facing a run chase the like of which they have never previously achieved. By the close, the target had surpassed what England chased on this ground against Australia in 2001 - when Mark Butcher starred - and had crept beyond the 332 they made at Melbourne in 1928

More than 400 runs were scored in the day, which suggested that the pitch remained good for batting, but signs of variable bounce during the final session would have provided further encouragement for the tourists.

Mark Wood took three wickets after Stuart Broad had threatened to bend proceedings to his will but England lacked for control as the New Zealand innings again barrelled along at more than 4.5 runs an over.

Few English grounds have a reputation for voodoo as Headingley and McCullum’s New Zealand are a side who relish sticking pins into the opposition. Under grouchy skies in the morning, Tim Southee obliterated England’s middle order; then, as things brightened up, the tourists put on another compelling display with the bat.

Broad is capable of casting a few magical spells himself and he appeared at his Malfoy best when following an old-school cameo with the bat by taking two early wickets. His 46 from 39 balls helped England to add 83 for the last two wickets, after they had suffered a collapse of 6 for 29 against the second new ball.

That left the two teams level on first-innings scores - for only the eighth time in Test history - but significant contributions from four of the New Zealand top six tipped the scales firmly their way heading into the fourth day.

The weather in Leeds has been unsettled but it is unlikely to prevent a positive result.

Whenever New Zealand perform well McCullum can usually be found leading courageously from the front and his century stand with Watling for the fifth wicket shut down England’s hopes of running through them quickly. In the process, McCullum became only the second New Zealander to pass 6000 Test runs.

His innings, on this occasion, was one of controlled aggression and featured just four boundaries as he was outscored by his partner. McCullum survived an lbw review against Joe Root when replays showed he had got some glove on the ball while trying to sweep; Watling also got some glove on a Moeen Ali delivery that bounced more than expected but Jos Buttler couldn’t hold it tumbling forwards. Watling’s riposte was immediate, sweeping his next delivery high for six.

McCullum was eventually removed by Wood, lbw to a delivery that DRS judged to be clipping the bails, but Watling kept his focus to record a first hundred against England. He had retained his place in the side as a specialist batsman,

after a knee injury at Lord’s prevented him from keeping wicket, and more than lived up to the designation.

New Zealand had been reduced to 23 for 2 as Broad, bouncing in after his contribution with the bat, struck twice in his opening spell, having Tom Latham and Kane Williamson caught behind in what was now a oneinnings match. Guptill and Ross Taylor resolved to treat it like a one-day match and dashed off a fifty stand in just 28 balls; they had slowed down only marginally by the time Taylor chipped Wood to cover after adding 99 in 14.3 overs.

Taylor was missed at second slip by Gary Ballance on 6, when a hard, high edge

off James Anderson burst through the hands. Guptill also kept the cordon interested early on but survived a tricky start to make 70 at almost a run a ball. He nicked Anderson through a vacant fourth slip and saw another edge fall short, off Broad; when Wood beat him with a crackerjack delivery on 29, England reviewed only to discover that it had flicked the trouser pocket on its way through to Buttler.

He went to his fifty with a six and, with McCullum alongside him, New Zealand looked set to race away until Wood had him caught at slip shortly before tea. McCullum and Watling then chose a more judicious approach to add 121 in 32 overs. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Rayad Emrit

Justin Gatlin

BJ Watling scores his fifth Test hundred

GDF performs well at Hampton Games

– Baird breaks national Javelin record again

Ateam from the Guyana Defence Force Athletics Club did their country proud, copping two gold, three silver and six bronze medals at the recently-concluded Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

The members of the team were Petty Officer Leslain Baird; Lance Corporals Rupert Perry, Devin Fraser and Ashanti Scott; Ordinary Rating Laurex Stewart, Recruits Andrea Foster, Aniquah Prowley and Natrena Hooper; Manager, Captain Jermaine Newton; Head Coach Robert Chishlom and Assistant Coach Rawle Griffith.

Baird broke his own national javelin record with a throw of 67.60m to take gold, and then took bronze in the men’s triple jump, while Andrea Foster delivered a sterling performance to cop gold, silver and bronze in the women’s 300m, 1500m and 800m respectively.

In addition, Aniquah Prowley also made her mark, when she copped silver in the women’s 100m.

Darren Fraser, Rupert Perry and Natrena Hooper

Leslain Baird

also added to the medal tally when they all won bronze in the men’s 100m and 200m and women’s triple jump respectively.

The men’s 4 x 100m and the women’s 4 x 400m also recorded strong finishes with the teams winning the bronze and silver medals respectively in the contested events.

Head Coach Chishlom said he was pleased with the overall performance of his team, “Leslain broke his national record and this was

the first exposure to these games for several of the athletes.” It was the first time for Scott, Foster, Stewart and Prowley. He also attributed this year’s performance to the time athletes devoted to training.

In an interview with the two gold medallists who expressed their elation. Baird said, “I felt good when I broke the record, I was a bit nervous competing with international athletes, but I remembered what my coach said, don’t concentrate on competitors, concentrate on distance so I went out there and did my best and I guess my hard work paid off.”

Foster said: “I felt really really nice to have won the gold medal. I would like to thank the persons who believed in me like my coaches, Apostle and church members who have been praying for me. I felt great that I could have represented my country”

The Coach and other members of the team expressed gratitude to the Chief-of-Staff and the Defence Force for making their participation a reality.

Dominant wins grace Saturday’s junior squash tournament

Heavy rainfall resulted in the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) postponing the final day of its Junior National Squash Championship, but it was Ben Mekdeci, Michael Alphonso and the Wiltshires who made it rain on Saturday when the Woodpecker Products-sponsored tournament with the aid of corporate sponsor Digicel continued at the Georgetown Club Courts.

Mekdeci, Shomari, Akeila and Larissa Wiltshire recorded victories unscathed, while Alphonso made it four wins in four matches, losing only one game along the way.

Makeda Harding and Sarah Lewis produced the match of the morning session, which ended with a 3-2 result in favour of the 12-year-old Harding.

Harding took the first hard-fought game 13-11, but lost the following two 11-9, 11-7, before regrouping to take the fourth game 11-9. She then dominated the deciding game with an 11-5 demolition of her opponent.

Maya Collins hung on gamely against Rebecca Low despite a 3-1 defeat, managing to hold on to a 12-10 third-game victory against the talented Low. Both Low and Sarah Lewis efficiently defeated newcomer Adriel Lachmansingh 3-0, while there were also wins for Paige

Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes and Haley Carpenter in an extended morning session.

Results of Saturday morning matches were as follows.

Girls: Paige Fernandes defeated Isabella Ramjohn 3-0 (11/4,11/4,11/3), Kirsten Gomes defeated Beau Fernandes 3-0 (11/1,11/3,11/0), Rebecca Low defeated Adriel Latchmansingh 3-0 (11/0,11/0,11/2), Sarah Lewis defeated Adriel Latchmansingh 3-0 (11/2,11/0,11/1), Haley Carpenter defeated Geovanna Dos Santos 3-0 (11/4,11/9,11/5), Makeda Harding defeated Sarah Lewis 3-2 (13/11,9/11,7/11,11/9,11/5), Rebecca Low defeated Maya Collins 3-1 (11/7,11/1,10/12,11/4).

Boys: Noah Rahaman defeated Wade Beckles 3-0 (11/9,11/9,12/10), Kamir Khan defeated James Mekdeci 3-0 (12/10,11/5,11/7), Shomari Wiltshire defeated Lucas Jonas 3-0 (11/3,11/1,11/3), Matthew Phang defeated Alex Cheeks 3-2 (11/5,4/11,14/12,6/11,11/7), MohryanBaksh defeated Shiloh Asregado 3-0 (11/3,11/0,11/2), Ethan Jonas defeated James Mekdeci 3-0 (11/0,11/0,11/7), Shomari Wiltshire defeated Samuel Ince-Carvahal 3-0(11/1,11/1,11/4), Chad

GABA’s “King of the Hard Court” League... Colts rout Nets, UG top Patriots

Colts dismantled the Republic Bank Nets 81-55 when the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) “King of the Hard Court” League continued on Wednesday at the Burnham Court, Georgetown. Colts came out hot in the opening period, bullying their way in the paint for easy buckets at the rim to open a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter.

In addition, Colts backed up their strong offensive play with brilliant defence, as the lead ballooned to 4930 by the end of the first half in a game that was all but over at that point.

After such a bad start, the Nets never recovered and were unable to mount

a comeback to try and save face.

Shane Webster was a beast in the paint, scoring 32 points for the Colts, while Shelroy Thomas and Dave Causway had 18 and 10 points respectively.

Mortimer Williams was the high point man with 16 points, while Pelham Doris and Mark Gilberts scored 14 and 10 respectively in the losing effort.

Meanwhile, in an earlier game, the University of Guyana (UG) Trojans downed Melanie Patriots 75-61. Emmanuel Archibald was the topscorer in the win with 25 points, while Akeem Kanhai was the next best scorer with 23 points.

Chipping in with 11 points was Colwick

Benjamin. On the losing side, Sherlon Legall led the offence with 19 points, while Sheldon Noel and Floyd Arthur supported with 11 and 10 points correspondingly.

The earlier match-up of the evening saw Ravens’ downing Colts by a 63-43 margin in an U-23 matchup. Sebastian Luke topscored with 17 points, while Carlos Edwards, Triston Burnette and Rondell Arthur netted 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.

On the other side, Jonathan Pooran scored 14 points, while Amoniki John and Jafar Gibbons netted six and five points apiece.

De Abreu defeated Noah Rahaman3-0 (11/1,11/3,11/3), Michael Alphonso defeated Demetrius De Abreu 3-1 (8/11,11/4, 11/4,11/6), Matthew Phang defeated Daniel Islam 3-2 (5/11,11/7,5/11,12/10,11/9), Louis da Silva defeated Shiloh Asregado 3-2 (11/8,6/11,11/4,6/11,11/9), Jason Gomes defeated Garett Da Silva 3-0 (11/4,11/3,11/4), Dominic Collins defeated Gianni Carpenter 3-0 (11/6,11/9,11/2), Nathan Rahaman defeated Wade Beckles 3-0 (11/3,11/4,11/3), Zach Persaud defeated Kamir Khan 3-0 (11/4,11/5,12/10), Michael Alphonso defeated Gareth da Silva 3-0 (11/1,11/1,11/1), Ethan Jonas defeated Zach Persaud 3-0 (11/4,11/3,11/3), Chad de Abreu defeated Nathan Rahaman 3-0 (11/8,11/7,11/7), Liam Carpenter defeated Mashal Allicock3-1 (12/10,11/6,12/14,11/4), Samuel Ince-Carvahal defeated John Phang 3-1 (8/11,12/10,11/4,11/6), Ben Mekdeci defeated Daniel Islam 3-0 (11/4,11/2,11/9), Demetrius De Abreu defeated Liam carpenter 3-0 (11/5,11/1,11/2), Lucas Jonas defeated John Phang 3-1 (11/3,5/11,11/5,11/8), Shomari Wiltshire defeated Anthony Islam 3-1 (11/3,12/14,11/6,11/1), Ben Mekdeci defeated Alex Cheeks 3-0 (11/1,11/4,11/6).

Shane Webster

Shelroy Thomas

33rd annual Independence 3-Stage cycling…

Hinds wins to underline Team Evolution’s dominance

As was widely speculated at the end of the first two stages on Saturday, Team Evolution riders completely dominated the 33rd annual Independence Three-Stage race, copping four of the top six positions at the conclusion of the two-day race on Sunday.

Orville Hinds, who was the overall leader heading into the final leg, emerged as the champion of the race for the first time, with his Team Evolution teammates Michael Anthony and Raul Leal rounding out the top three in that order.

Hinds clocked six hours, 50 minutes, 37 seconds (06h:

50m: 37s), while Anthony was timed at six hours, 52 minutes, 26 seconds (06h: 52m: 26s) and Leal finished in a time of six hours, 52 minutes, 31 seconds (06h:52m:31s).

In fourth was overseasbased Guyanese Geron Williams (06h: 54m: 59s) of Continental Cycling Club,

followed by Alonzo Ambrose (06h: 57m: 16s) of Team Alanis and Marlon Williams (06h: 57m: 18s) of Team Evolution.

The promising Raphael Leung was the top junior with a time of six hours, 58 minutes, 49 seconds (06h: 58m: 49s), while Ian Jackson with a time of six hours, 58

minutes, 04 seconds (06h: 58m: 04s) took home the veterans’ trophy.

The third and final stage from Kara Kara, Linden, to Homestretch Avenue on Sunday, covering 62 miles, was won by Jamal John in a time of two hours, 49 minutes, 57 seconds (02h: 49m: 57s). Shaquille Agard took

second, followed by Hinds in third. John joined Alonzo Ambrose and Michael Anthony as stage winners. Ambrose won the first leg from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, while Anthony took stage two from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

GCC Ladies draw with Malvern HC

Entering their second match of the day on Saturday evening against Malvern Hockey Club, GCC must have been feeling confident of their chances.

The Guyanese side had just come off an impressive victory over Checkers HC and had already secured a 1-0 win against Malvern two weeks ago in their first-round clash.

No sooner had the match started that GCC seemed destined for another victory as they made several forays into the deep defence of Malvern.

Striker Kerensa Fernandes was able to break free from her marker and feed several passes across the face of the Malvern goal, but the Guyanese failed to secure the opening goal despite the early pressure.

egy of pushing their strikers high up into the GCC scoring area and targeting them with long passes hoping to create one-on-one opportunities.

This ploy worked as Layne managed a series of penalty corners with one of them deflecting off the stick of defender Sutherland into the GCC net.

With the clock winding down, Layne received a pass on the high on the right wing with eight minutes left on the clock. The skilful striker managed to evade her marker and take a cracking shot at goal.

After a solid start, GCC finally made the inevitable breakthrough in the 18th minute when a penalty corner strike from Fernandes was saved by the Malvern goalkeeper before Gabriella Xavier swept the rebound into the net.

a few promising runs for Malvern which were stifled by solid defending from Tiffany Solomon and Ulrica Sutherland.

minutes before the half as she weaved past several Malvern defenders and hammered home her shot for the 2-0 lead.

GCC continued to enjoy the majority of possession, but national T&T striker Kreszia Layne made

GCC seemed to secure the match through a brilliant solo run from Captain Sonia Jardine six

Overconfidence seemed to have crept into the GCC psyche as they continued to enjoy the greater possession.

Malvern, however, refused to accept defeat without a fight and gave a more competitive effort in the second half.

With GCC continuing to play aggressive hockey, Malvern adopted the strat -

GCC goalkeeper Briawna Gordon was perfectly placed to block the shot, but the rebound fell kindly for Layne who slammed home the rebound.

With the game being even once again, GCC scrambled for a third goal, but Malvern held firm to leave the final score at 2-2.

GCC’s defender Ulrica Sutherland challenges the Malvern players

Minister with responsibility for sport Rupert Roopnaraine and officials of the National Sports Commission pose with top performers of the two-day race