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SUNday, june 9, 2013
guyanatimesgy.com
News
Peru’s Shining Path leader Allegations against Dr jailed for life for terrorism Singh found to be false
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court in Peru has sentenced the last of the original leaders of the Shining Path rebels to life in prison. Judges in the Peruvian capital, Lima, found Florindo Flores, who’s known as Comrade Artemio, guilty of terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. He was also ordered to pay a fine of US$183 million (£117 million). The Shining Path rebels were severely weakened in the 1990s after failing to install a Communist state, but some remain active in southern Peru. After hours of sentencing, Judge Clotilde Cavero
Florindo Flores raised his fist in defiance as the sentence was read out
said: “It was proven that he (Artemio) ordered the execution of a number of civilians, police and soldiers. “It was proven that he belonged to the Central Committee of
the Shining Path. “It was proven that he was the top leader in the (Alto) Huallaga (Valley),” she said. During the trial which lasted six months,
Artemio, 51, had denied the terrorism charges but referred to himself as a “revolutionary”. He was captured and wounded last year after a clash with troops in Alto Huallaga, a former rebel stronghold and cocaine-producing region. He admitted in December 2011 that the Shining Path had been defeated, and told reporters in his jungle hideout that the remaining rebels were ready to have talks with the government. But President Ollanta Humala has been adamant that his government will not “negotiate with terrorists”. (Excerpt from BBC News)
TT state witness murdered, police believe hit ordered from prison
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witness in a murder matter was shot dead on Thursday night and police believe the hit on Jason “Feto” John may have come from within the prison. John, a father of three, was under a tree at his home on Sunrees Road, Penal, around 19:10h with his three-yearold daughter Jaycee John and brother Amanike Codrington
when a man approached and asked for drugs. Police said the man then shot John. Hearing the gunshots, John’s common-law wife, Joanne Peschier, went outside and grabbed the child, while Codrington ran into nearby bushes. John’s neighbour, 58-year-old Glenn Roberts, was struck in the abdomen by a stray bullet.
He was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital and warded in stable condition. Police said John was a witness to the May 8, 2010, murder of Penal labourer Michael Jacob, also known as Michael Ramsaran. Ramsaran was shot dead while with friends at Beckles Street, Penal. He was expected to tes-
tify on Tuesday in the preliminary inquiry against the murder accused, Travis Ali, also known as Alex Lewis, at the Siparia Magistrates Court. Standing over the spot where his brother was shot, Codrington said the gunman walked into the street. He said he came for the sole purpose of executing his brother.
(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
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ome of the recent media allegations made against Dr Naresh Singh have been confirmed as false, unfounded, and misleading. Dr Singh is very pleased to know that his name is being restored. After several months of being dragged through the mud, at considerable cost to his career and reputation, things are getting cleaned up. A series of press allegations have been found to be completely false, unfounded, and misleading. Relevant parties have dispelled the malicious accusations. These are: funding to the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) funding was suspended as a result of the investigation into Singh. Actually, the CARILED work is proceeding normally; Singh may have been in conflict of interest when he accepted an FCM post as director. In fact, Singh won out fair and square in an open competition that had almost 200 applicants; and Singh left his job with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) under a cloud. In truth, he was highly recommended by these employers to his new position. CIDA referenced Singh’s outstanding work for them and provided a solid reference for Singh’s application
Dr Naresh Singh
to the post of deputy secretary general at Caricom (Caribbean Community). Recent negative claims refer to Singh’s work at CIDA in 2010. Ironically, this was the year that saw a host of nominations for Singh to be considered as an Outstanding Canadian Public Servant. The nods were given by colleagues as well as senior Canadian and international public officials. Dr Singh is now looking forward. His plans for the future include visiting professor at OP Jindal Global University in India; collaborative projects in the realm of international development on the legal empowerment of the poor, local economic development and sustainable livelihoods; and writing a book about inclusive and equitable prosperity. (RP-Canada.Net)
Grenada's PM on LIAT’s future
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renada says it is willing to be a partner in the development and success of the regional airline, LIAT, only if the cashstrapped airline shows itself to be serious and cost effective. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said has made recommendations on improving the airline to the just concluded summit of leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in Antigua this week. “We’re prepared to make sacrifices but we will not be able to support a business if it cannot demonstrate that it can get its act together and provide what we believe is necessary; much cheaper transport and much more efficient
transport to the OECS and the Caribbean region as a whole”, Prime Minister Mitchell said. LIAT, which flies to 21 destinations in the Caribbean, is now in the process of re-fleeting its aging planes estimated at US$100 million. The airline said that it is seeking to borrow between US$60 and US$70 million from the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The Antigua-based airline last December unveiled a new business plan it said would help reverse an EC$43 million (One EC dollar = 0.37 US cents) loss in 2011 while projecting a two per cent profit in 2013. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)