Guyana Times Daily

APNU, US discuss early elections

Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt on Wednesday met with the leadership of A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) to discuss among other things possibilities of early general elections and that party’s support for a no-confidence motion against the Donald Ramotar Administration.

The meeting was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, David Granger. The 26-seat Opposition coalition group, APNU on Monday threw its full support behind a motion of noconfidence to be tabled in the National Assembly by the Alliance For Change (AFC) against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. The APNU took the decision after its Members of Parliament, who formed a Shadow Cabinet, met on Tuesday afternoon at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office on Hadfield Street, Georgetown to deliberate on the draft

AFC motion.

Brigadier Granger was accompanied by Joseph Harmon, Shadow Minister of Public Infrastructure and Ronald Bulkan, Shadow Minister of Local Government. The discussion centred on APNU’s support for a no-confidence motion against the Government; the possibili-

ties of general elections instead of Local Government Elections; APNU’s priorities in Government; foreign direct investment under an APNU administration and APNU’s relationship with the AFC and the Government of President Ramotar. Granger took the opportunity to further elaborate on his “One Nation” concept, explaining

that he would lead an all-inclusive government of national unity once elected to office.

APNU’s Co-Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine had told Guyana Times earlier this week that the decision was unanimous and that no dissenting views were expressed during the Shadow Cabinet meeting about the course of action that the party should

Luncheon told reporters that the proposed no-confidence motion should not be seen as something to be done away with in a swift manner. The Cabinet Secretary said “So you have a motion that is now supported by two parliamentary (Opposition) parties, our expectation would essentially be for the motion to be introduced for the Speaker to rule… it is not intended to be a one-day affair… one has to delve into the Constitution… the standing orders, it is [a] matter of process essentially.”

adopt in response to the motion. “Well, we didn’t see a full draft, but what we saw was a resolve clause… we did not see any “whereas” clauses and… That is what we are going to support when it comes to the House which we anticipate will be at a very early sitting in October,” Roopnaraine advised.

He said “it is very unlikely” that the motion could be debated before the National Assembly goes into recess on August 10. Additionally, he said the party believes that the decision to support the motion was the right step at the correct time, given the feeling and mood of the population. He also explained that the APNU has piloted a menu of other actions to demonstrate its lack of confidence in the PPP/C Administration.

Govt is prepared Government’s only reaction to APNU’s support for the motion thus far is that the process would go through the normal course in the National Assembly, reiterating also that the PPP/C is prepared for any election. Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger

After this is done, Luncheon advised, the requisite steps would be taken by the Executive to follow through on the motion. Luncheon said while an election date can be set before the debate on the noconfidence motion ensues in the national Assembly, it is a vague possibility. If the motion of no-confidence is passed in the National Assembly, President Donald Ramotar would be constitutionally bound to dissolve the National Assembly. He would also be required to set a date for the holding of General Elections no more than three months after the motion would have made its way through the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Granger and his delegation also met with Liu Yuyin, Counsellor for Political Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of China in Guyana. The Counsellor conveyed congratulations to Granger on his recent election as the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and commented on the relationship between the communist party of China and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) which he recounted as being excellent.

Trainee Police officer on bail after simple larceny charge

On Wednesday afternoon, 20-year-old, Tyron Curt of Manchester, Berbice appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry after he was charged for simple larceny.

The charge which was read by the Chief Magistrate alleged that between August 3-4, Curt stole a Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued $53,000 which belongs to Jerman Humphrey.

According to the facts which were read by Prosecutor Michael Grant, the defendant and the Virtual Complainant (VC) are undergoing training at the Berbice campus. The VC fell asleep after using his cellphone on his bed. When he woke, the cellphone was missing. A report was made and an investigation was carried out.

The cellphone was traced to a female and she was con-

tacted and asked about the device. She told the Police that the phone was given to her by the defendant. The defendant was then contacted and admitted that he did steal the phone. The phone was recovered. The trainee Police officer pleaded guilty and told the court that he has an explanation. He told the court that he did steal the phone but the brother of female whose possession the phone was found was supposed to collect it. The Chief Magistrate asked the defendant why he would jeopardise his career as a Police officer and commit such an act. Without responding, the defendant stood silently with his head bowed.

There was no objection to bail so Curt was placed on $50,000 bail and is said to return to court on September 19.

APNU officials led by Leader David Granger (centre left) meeting Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Bryan Hunt

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, August 8 from 14:30h-16:00h

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday, August 8 from 14:20h-15:50h

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Heavy rain showers can be expected in the morning and early afternoon hours. Sunny weather can be expected in the late afternoon with clear skies prevailing in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly between 4.02 metres and 4.47 metres per second.

High Tide: 02:07hand 14:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.53 metres and 2.50 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:13h and 08:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre and 0.70 metre respectively.

Guyana Festival opens today

The stage set for National Concert at 17:00h today

he wait is over, the stage is set, booths are prepped, the final rehearsals are done... Guyana Festival 2014, here we come!

The cultural extravaganza begins today at the National Stadium, as Guyana Festival Day one kicks off with a hair-rais-

and see our brave soldiers as they drop from hundreds of feet in the air, expertly manoeuvring to land in the centre of the stadium field”.

Following this fantastic show, the National Concert will commence at 17:00h and this will showcase a spectacular depiction of Guyanese music, dance and

Sweet, Sweet Guyana” is just one element of an action-packed weekend planned for August 8, 9 and 10; a host of other events and attractions will be taking place at the stadium, including live music, kids zone complete with Coney Island and daily displays of art and craft.

ing parachute show by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) at 16:30h. The Tourism Ministry is urging the public to “come

drama, representative of the fusion of our six cultures.

The National Concert, to be held under the theme “Myths and Legends…

“Other highlights of the three-day festivities include a National Cook out, a Celebrity Tent –come and meet outstand-

ing Guyanese personalities, Demonstration Tent – come and lend your hand at local talents, and a Storytelling Tent - come and listen to old folklore such as Old Higue, Jumbie, Massacura Man, Moon Gazer.

“Take a stroll down memory lane, back to “boyhood days” as you revel in the scents, tastes and sights sure to tug at the nostalgic strings in your hearts.

“Never before has there been such a grand event that depicts all aspects of Guyanese culture and celebrating all generations of Guyanese artistes and men and women who have made Guyana proud. The Guyana National Stadium at Providence is the place to be this weekend!” the release said.

Sponsors for this unique event include, Courts, GT&T, Digicel, Caricom Bottling Inc, China Trading, Mohamed Enterprise, New Thriving, Bai Shan Ling, the NEW GPC, Jiffi Lubes, Sterling, Golden Brook, BK, Windsor Estate, Bank of Guyana, GWI, Dynamic Airline, Fly Jamaica Airways, TravelSpan, Star Party Rental, Impressions, Kings Jewellery World, ANSA McAL, Bassoo Construction Limited and Princess Hotel, among many others.

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, letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Public works

The recent cry by Barticians for better infrastructure and greater representation from their elected officials speaks to a growing discontent of lack of leadership at the regional level, but also points to the ever recurring problem of shoddy work by public contractors.

Issues of poor roads and maintenance of physical infrastructure are essentially matters in the hands of the regions, and most naturally the absence of proper oversight of public projects is major cause of the problem. The issues affecting Bartica, unfortunately, are not limited to the predominant community, but appears to be a countrywide problem.

The prevailing situation makes relevant the call for Local Government Elections, which could be a viable means of fixing the plethora of problems at the regional level. But with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) indicating that it will support the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) noconfidence motion against the Government, the calls for Local Government Elections which have not been held for the past 20 years, most likely will be postponed again.

The motion aside, from the face of it, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) under the coalition APNU, which traditionally enjoys the support of Barticians, apart from a few shouts now and again in support of Local Government Elections, never seemed really interested in the long overdue elections.

The same can be said of the AFC, presumably because they are financially constrained from the 2011 Regional and General Elections, and are conserving their resources for, from all appearances, possible elections next year.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for its part has contended that there are some operational issues at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and that the Commission is not ready to host the elections.

Whenever Local Government Elections are held, the appointment of regional officials would not be enough if they do not try to change the culture of complacency in the regions. It is this approach to work that is creating avenues for unscrupulous contractors to thrive, by delivering shoddy work and in some cases, still get paid for it.

The cry of Barticians of roads falling into disrepair soon after being repaired is one that can be identified with many across the country, but unfortunately, it is cry that does not always attract the attention of elected regional representatives.

Sometime back, the Government warned that in light of the need for greater accountability and transparency, profiteering contactors would be blacklisted.

But one gets the impression, given the number of roads throughout the country which have to be redone after construction or rehabilitation, that prosecution might not be a bad measure to bring callous contractors to book. And why not, corruption is often viewed as the collusion to steal money, bribery, fraud and double-dealing, and it is quite likely that substandard work and long and unnecessary delays of infrastructure projects, resulting in the driving up of overall costs involve one or some of these vices.

The dark side of this negligence is that delayed works sometime comes at a cost to Government and is an undeniable inconvenience to members of the public.

In the case of substandard work, it is an additional cost to the Government as it requires remedial work to be done, which amounts to millions of dollars.

This is money that can be channelled to maintenance of public buildings, improvement of drainage and irrigation to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, and waging antidrugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy campaigns to foster a healthy and constructively productive society.

The problem of substandard and unjustifiable untimely completion of public infrastructure projects is a cancer that is eating away at taxpayers’ money and makes a mockery of the clamour for accountability. In correcting this problem, it would be important that public contractors also embrace the saying, “Time is money”, and act accordingly.

Equally important is the need for regional officials to provide proper oversight of all public works under their purview.

Responsibility and freedom of expression

Dear Editor,

Please permit me space in your publication to exercise my right of reply against a libelous, scandalous and career threatening publication in the Kaieteur News of August 7.

In exercising freedom of expression, we cannot propagate views and opinions carte blanche, without resort to that twin tenet of the concept of freedom: responsibility.

We exercise our right to freedom of expression within the ambit of responsible self-leadership. This is why journalists and public commentators go through intense training to be able to practice their profession as professionals, respecting professional standards, professional ethics and professional conduct.

The media landscape in Guyana lacks this crucial tenet of responsible professionalism in its public practice, with the State media and private newspapers, TV stations and radio stations in absolute neglect of this imperative.

For example, the Kaieteur News headlined a scandalous column – written by a public commentator who wantonly insults and maligns public citizens with scant regard for the practice of professional ethics – that accuses myself of “journalistic deceit”.

That scandalous, libelous headline underlines the sad state of this society.

The columnist, who we’ll refuse to name as we do not want to sully this page with his name, propagates his libelous assumptions, unfounded opinion and grotesque imaginings about my work, as fact!

This columnist must have forgotten that he’s unwelcomed to write in the pages of any national newspaper, except the Kaieteur News, where his welcome is wearing thin. In fact, Guyana’s great thought-leader, David de Caires, had good reason to eradicate this columnist from the outstanding list of columnists who write for the Stabroek News a few years ago.

That acerbic, divisive, hateful columnist got a platform at the Kaieteur News, and uses that platform to malign and libel myself, absolutely disregarding the fact that the Kaieteur newspaper is the brainchild and vision

of the very person he seeks to tarnish with his poisonous pen.

I particularly object to the headline labelling my professional work as “journalistic deceit”. The comment, that I am hired by the PPP/C to do PR work, is so ludicrous and without foundation that it’s only to be ignored.

For the record, I am not a politician, and harbour no political ambition. I am a professional journalist, content producer and knowledge designer. I have no connection or contact with the PPP/C, or any political party.

The columnist mentioned my public praise of Dr Frank Anthony and Priya Manickchand. I would point out to this myopic maniac that my public praise and private friendship extend beyond these two fine human beings, to include Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo and Raphael Trotman, of the AFC, and I am not a member or supporter of the AFC. Rather, I am a journalist and writer. Period.

It would be prudent to use this opportunity to clarify the delusion of the columnist, and to hereby state that my role in Guyana seeks to build bridges, encourage cooperation, foster understanding and engage across spectrums. President Donald Ramotar knows this, and welcomes it.

It is stunning that the Kaieteur News never reported on the role of folks like myself in fostering solutions in this society, like, for example, launching a technology programme for persons of the visually-impaired community to self-develop, but would malign us solution generators with wicked maliciousness.

As a special correspondent and content producer for the Rodney Commission, tasked with writing and publishing a book and writing a video documentary script on the work of this historic Commission, I engaged with President Donald Ramotar, and not the PPP/C.

This is a Presidential Commission, not a party pet project. President Ramotar told me that it was never discussed within the PPP/C. I met with Dr Roger Luncheon at the Office of the President before I got on board.

I agreed to engage in this task because I met with those gentle-

men, and with Attorney General Anil Nandlall, and became convinced that the Government of Guyana’s motive in convening the Commission is altruistic, noble, and, I am satisfied, humane, given the injustice that has been meted out to the Walter Rodney family by this nation, over the past 34 years. This is my personal conviction.

May we also use this opportunity to offer some advice to the powers that be at Kaieteur News: my heart resonates with a love for this newspaper, because I founded the company and the newspaper. I would encourage the newspaper to train its reporters, editors and columnists in that journalistic imperative of deep, profound respect for professional journalistic ethics, and to respect the role of personal responsibility in exercising the right to distribute one’s opinion.

The newspaper cannot allow this columnist to continue to spew his filth across this nation, fuelling continued division, hate, strife and discontent, using the platform of this newspaper, when other media organs refuse to publish or distribute his wicked diatribe.

It is only because I founded the Kaieteur News newspaper that I would not sue the newspaper for libel and causing mischief concerning my career.

I hope the Kaieteur News would monitor and duly exercise responsible professionalism concerning the crass outpourings of this preposterous and pretentious pontificating pundit as he sows division and filth, rather than look to heal our nation of its psychic paralysis.

My goal in Guyana is to carve out a new way of being in this nation, and to engage, not only in rhetoric but in reality, across the divides. For this, I thank the Guyana Chronicle and the Stabroek News and the Government of Guyana for offering me the opportunity to do so through my writings as a professional journalist.

And I encourage the Kaieteur News to resort to its founding vision, of playing a constructive role in building our nation.

Yours sincerely,

Shaun Michael Samaroo

This young lady was captured on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium, practising archery as she prepared her booth for the Guyana Festival, which gets under way today at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (Carl Croker photo)

There is no circumventing of Guyana’s logging laws

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) refers to an article in the August 7 edition of the Kaieteur News under the headline, “Bai Shan Lin (BSL) circumvents Guyana’s logging laws... ships billions $$$$ of high priced logs monthly”.

GFC, as the Government agency responsible for the sustainable management of the state forest, advises the general public that this article is riddled with false assumptions and misinformation. To ensure that stakeholders are provided with the undisputable facts, GFC is compelled to respond to this unprofessional article.

Firstly, GFC asserts that there is no circumventing of Guyana’s logging laws by BSL or any other forestry sector based company. The GFC has very robust and functional systems, procedures and guidelines which all forest sector companies are audited against. If there are any breaches to these, appropriate action is taken based

on the findings of a thorough investigation and in accordance with the forest law.

The statement that the BSL does not have an actual licence for the exportation of logs is simply not factual. BSL has two State Forest Exploratory Permits (SFEPs).

Section 9 (2) (b) of the Forests Act 2009 allows for the harvesting of forest produce from SFEPs for limited commercial purposes and BSL can then export this produce in log form if it so chooses, in accordance with the National Log Export Policy.

GFC also has very effective and thorough export procedures in place – all forest produce to be exported must be verified by a GFC Grading Inspector and the required documentation must be properly completed and verified prior to export.

The GFC’s Internal Audit Unit also carries out very detailed checks at strategic locations, including the ports of export to verify that there is compliance with the GFC’s protocols.

Contrary to the false impression portrayed, BSL and its joint venture (JV) partners have exported a total of 375 containers for the period January-June 2014. This is not something confined to BSL since many other large companies are also exporting logs in appreciable quantities.

Export, however, was in keeping with the National Log Export Policy. It must be remembered that this policy was developed consultatively by stakeholders, the majority of whom supported an increase in the rate of the export commission, rather than a complete ban on log exports as suggested by the GFC.

The allegation that BSL has opted for JV deals with other companies to circumvent the GFC requirements is also without merit. GFC’s Board of Directors, as part of its work plan, holds regular meetings with stakeholder groups across the country.

At these meetings, one of the prominent concerns was the inadequate capacity of concessionaires (mainly lo-

cals) to beneficially occupy areas and produce sufficient quantities of logs/lumber for the local construction industry, as well as for the local added value manufacturers, and for export.

The concessionaires themselves proposed two shortterm measures to address this, namely: GFC to allow JV arrangements after the requisite due diligence was done, and GFC was satisfied that the JV had merit; and GFC to allow companies that lacked adequate and/or appropriate machinery to rent same from third parties in a structured and properly monitored/regulated manner.

Based on these requests by the sector, the need to improve log/lumber/added value production, and generate additional employment opportunities, and being assured by the GFC that its monitoring systems would ensure that the allowable harvest levels would not be exceeded, the GFC Board approved both requests.

GFC has since facilitat-

Granger has failed to create conditions for reconciliation, trust

Dear Editor, David Granger, who was re-elected during the “fixed” and controversial 18th biennial Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), is again demonstrating his inability to lead the political party to a position of strength and unity following all of the chaos that characterised the event.

Granger, the party’s maximum leader, has so far failed to create the conditions for reconciliation and building trust within his own party ranks and is adopting an arms-length approach to dealing with the post-Congress problems. He has allowed those within his circle to contribute to the divide by their very utterances to the media. No one within his camp is accepting responsibility for the problems which came to the fore at the failed Congress.

Neither Granger nor Oscar Clarke appear to be sympathetic to the concerns raised by Sharma Solomon, James McAllister, Aubrey Norton and others about the undemocratic state of the party and its alleged violation of its own constitution.

Surely, the aim of venting their concerns in the public could not be to divide the PNCR and cause it to lose more electoral support to the Alliance for Change and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic. Something must be fundamentally wrong within the PNC under Granger’s leadership.

But since his management of the party in 2011, Granger appears to care less about the growing number of defectors and the concerns of his elders in the political field. He has adopted the same posture as Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and is operating as the PNCR’s modern maximum leader.

The difference between

the two is that Granger has no ideology guiding his actions and appears to be pursuing no modern philosophy about how to run a political party like the PNCR.

The fact is, even his attempt to offer a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the allegations of vote fixing and rigging at the Congress is not surprising. Nothing will come out of this process, if Granger is under the illusion that all is well within the PNCR and it is business as usual. He has demonstrated that any dissenting voice, during his tenure, will be silenced even if it is one of his own Members of Parliament as in the case of Vanessa Kissoon.

Granger has also refused to remove Oscar Clarke from the portfolio of General Secretary and appears happy that they come from the same elitist, old boys club despite the mounting concerns about Clarke’s performance.

As maximum leader, Granger trusts Clarke to guard the fort and do his bidding even if it means flagrant and outright disregard for the party’s constitution which in itself is a microcosm of the conflict.

In the days ahead, Granger faces tougher challenges since he has not managed to make his mark on this country’s political landscape or the PNC. Maybe, he is too caught up working on tabling more motions for COIs in Parliament when it comes out of recess to be bothered about the commentary coming from both within the PNC and outside about the party’s sordid affairs.

Basil Williams’ statement that the PNC is not GECOM has also escaped Granger’s attentive ears. Likewise, the sound of his own voice telling media that somehow Freedom House had managed to infiltrate the PNCR’s membership

and sow seeds of discord that resulted in the discharge of a firearm and the Congress confusion.

Soon, Granger will see the ripple effect of the impact that fallout at the 18th Congress will have on the party’s image, electoral support and its future. The dust is settling and while Granger is fiddling with his thumbs, Rome burns and resentment grows in the PNC.

To avoid the further decline and decomposition of the once buoyant political party, Granger must remove Clarke as General Secretary. He must extend an olive branch to those former party executives and current leaders who have legitimate and genuine concerns about the party.

The maximum leader must accept the need to build more trust within the party and to inject new life into the resuscitation of PNCR’s image and involvement in grassroots political work, activism and community projects in non-traditional areas.

Granger must also become more involved in giving the party’s Central Executive more direction, while playing a lead role in the National Assembly undertaking tasks that matter and run to core of the people’s business.

These matters have to do with bread and butter issues, improving their livelihoods through key legislative reforms and the advancement of projects that could have positive impacts on national development.

They are not limited to holding Government accountable in Parliament for spending and rolling out a revenge campaign against the PPP and Jagdeo.

Granger needs an urgent injection of vision and political common sense if he will lead the PNCR and APNU, or any coalition for that matter,

ed both requests in accordance with the legislation and a very transparent and organised procedure. For example, it was collaboratively agreed (stakeholders/GFC/ GFC Board) that the procedure for the review of joint venture requests would be as follows:

A request to enter into a JV arrangement needs to be made by the company/ individual that has legal access to state forest. A thorough background assessment would be done on the company that is seeking to joint venture with the one that has the legal access to the forested land.

This assessment would be used to guide the GFC in making its recommendations to the GFC Board Technical Sub-Committee. The GFC Technical Sub-Committee after their review would submit a recommendation to the GFC Board of Directors.

The GFC Board then makes its recommendation as to whether to approve/disapprove the joint venture. This is in keeping with Section 16 of the Forests Act 2009. BSL has entered into approved IV’s following this process, contrary to the “landlording” and “illegality” assertion by Global Timber.

to the office of Government in the future.

Sincerely, Annalisa Ally

Another incorrect assertion is the pronouncement that “BSL has been granted a forestry concession that amounts to close to one million hectares of rainforest”. BSL has legal access to

627,072 hectares as shown below:

• 344,849 hectares as State Forest Exploratory Permits (SFEPs) – an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA); a Forest Inventory (FI), and a Business Plan have to be submitted to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and GFC before a Timber Sales Agreement (TSA) is granted which allows for full scale harvesting in accordance with GFC guidelines is approved.

274,053 hectares as Timber Sales Agreement Joint Venture Agreements

• 8170 hectares as State Forest Permissions This has been widely publicised in the print and electronic media and BSL has been written to instructing them to correct the erroneous claim that they have access to 960,000 ha. The article also alludes that GFC is taking a back seat in these matters. This is bordering on the ridiculous since the GFC takes its mandate of “ensuring sustainable forestry” very seriously; something that is recognised not only nationally, but regionally and globally.

GFC would again appeal to stakeholders, especially those in the public media, to verify the facts before publicising erroneous information.

Sincerely, James Singh

Page Foundation

Night-time fears in children: A guide for the science-minded

By Gwen Dewar, PhD

Night-time fears are very common, and may include fears of intruders, monsters, unexplained sounds, and darkness. In this article, I review:

• The evolutionary basis for children’s fears

• Why children may be biologically unprepared to cope by themselves,

• How you can help your child overcome her fears and anxieties

If your child suffers from frightening dreams or nighttime screaming episodes, you might also want to check out this article on nightmares and night terrors.

Night-time fears in evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective

If you’re reading this because your child suffers from nocturnal fears, he’s fortunate in at least one respect: You know about it. In a study of Dutch children, over 73 per cent of children aged four to 12 years said they experienced fear at night.

Another study of Australian children reported that over 64 per cent of children between eight and 16 admitted to night-time anxieties or fears.

In both cases, many parents were unaware of their children’s problems. Why do so many of these children report Night-time fears? And why are some parents out of touch?

Perhaps the answer is re-

lated to the practice of solitary sleep. In most places around the world, young children sleep with other people. But in some Western countries, children are expected to sleep by themselves.

Does solitary sleep make children more fearful? It would be surprising if co-

cially distressing. For over 99 per cent of human history, our ancestors lived as hunter-gatherers. Among these ancestors, children left alone at night would have been extremely vulnerable to predation. Leaving a child alone at night meant abandonment and (very possibly)

more Night-time fears as a result, and sleeping alone might make things worse.

In a study tracking over 900 Quebecois children from the age of two, Valérie Simard and her colleagues found that toddlers who slept in their mothers’ beds were less likely to suf-

sleeping with parents didn’t reduce a child’s separation anxiety – a panic response arising from a primitive part of brain that also processes information about physical pain.

And it makes sense that children might find nocturnal separation to be espe-

death. Fear evolved to keep children close and safe.

Few modern children have to worry about getting attacked by predators. But the tendency to be fearful remains, and some young children have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality. These children may have

fer from nightmares in later years.

The correlation is suggestive, but not conclusive. Maybe children who co-sleep have other advantages that reduce the risk of nightmares. But one thing seems clear. Whether your child sleeps along or with family

members, night-time fears and anxieties should be taken seriously.

Although the children in the Australian study were selected from the general population (as opposed to a psychiatric practice or sleep clinic), researchers discovered that about 10 per cent of children complaining of night-time fears fit the criteria for an anxiety disorder.

And the study by Simard and colleagues reports strong links between anxiety and bad dreams. Seventeenmonth-old children who were rated by their mothers as anxious, difficult, or emotionally disturbed were more likely than other children to have bad dreams at 29 months.

The researchers speculate that some children –those who are more inhibited or anxious – at are greater risk for chronic nightmares and other psychological problems. If parents treat their children’s fears at an early age, they might help their children avoid emotional problems later in life.

Addressing your child’s Night-time fears may also help her get more sleep. Children suffering from night-time fears may suffer from bedtime problems and frequent night wakings.

Finally, we should keep in mind that everybody tends to overreact to emotional stimuli at the end of the day. Experiments suggest that the amygdala – a

brain. region that processes emotional events – becomes overactive when you are tired Negative emotions may come naturally to us at night.

Why children need help coping with night-time fears

Adults find it difficult to cope with fear and anxiety. When older adults go to sleep feeling lonely, threatened, sad, or out-of-control, they experience elevated levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) the next day.

If this is the adult experience, what must it be like for a child who lacks the mature coping skills of an adult? To deal successfully with Nighttime fears and separation anxiety, a child needs

• A well-developed sense of time (“when will I see Mommy again?”)

• The ability to control emotional impulses

• The ability to distinguish appearances from reality

• The ability to reason consciously and trust rational conclusions over misleading sensory information (“that shadowy bump on the floor might look like a monster, but I know it’s really a pile of clothes”)

Most children don’t develop these capacities until they are five to six years old – not coincidentally the age when the frontal lobes start to mature. The brain’s frontal lobes permit us to reason, problem-solve, and plan ahead. They also help us decide what to do with the raw emotions we feel.

The implications seem clear. When frightened toddlers and preschoolers are left to fend for themselves, they don’t know how to calm themselves down. And even after children develop the ability to reason about their emotions, they can’t be expected to invent their own effective fear-management therapies.

Moreover, some children are intrinsically more timid than others. These children may be at a physiological disadvantage when it comes to confronting their own fears.

Temperamentallyinhibited children tend to have higher resting heart rates and higher levels of stress hormones. They show greater brain activity in the right frontal lobe – where fears and anxieties are processed. And animal studies suggest that the amygdale – the brain structure that tells us when we should be afraid –is more sensitive, or “triggerhappy,” in timid children. These children can learn to be less fearful. But to do it, they need the sensitive, gentle encouragement of their parents.

(parentingscience.com)

Crime Chief blank on possible motives behind Rodney’s death

Crime Chief Leslie James on Thursday refused to comment on the possible motives behind the death of Dr Walter Rodney, but claimed that the late world-renowned historian may have caused his own demise.

The historian was killed while testing a walkie-talkie with a bomb implanted, which according to Dr Rodney’s younger brother Donald, was given to him by Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Sergeant and electronics expert William Gregory Smith.

James, who was at one time head of the Special Branch Unit of the Guyana Police Force, had told the Commission set up to investigate Dr Rodney’s death on Wednesday that he could not answer some of the questions posed because of the threat to national security.

The Commission’s Chairman, Sir Richard Cheltenham later adjourned proceedings to allow the Crime Chief adequate time to peruse the evidence, which he was able to review during the 20-minute break on that day.

Sir Cheltenham had recalled the three theses that existed during

Crime Chief Leslie James

the time Dr Rodney was killed.

They are that Dr Rodney’s death may have been an act of terrorism by the state, that he, through his own negligence may have caused his own death, and that the WPA, the political party he founded, may have organised his death.

But given the opportunity to go through the files, James returned, stating that the most probable thesis to him is that Dr Rodney, not by fault, but by negligence, may have caused his own

death.

“I wish to point out from the file that Dr Rodney’s brother had indeed collected a package which he gave to his brother. He opened and realised it was a walkie- talkie. And there was some attempt to operationalise that equipment and in doing so there was an explosion,” James told Commissioners. He said examining those factors, it may be reasonable to say that there was some degree of recklessness. In terms of fault, however, the country’s top investigator said he was not at liberty to say.

Chairman Cheltenham intervened at this point enquiring from James, whether he would still hold that position even if Dr Rodney was unaware of the bomb being inside the walkie-talkie.

Unaware

He said he was quite sure that Dr Rodney was unaware of the presence of the bomb in the device. According to him, the party leader really thought that it was a simple communication device.

Prior information reaching the Commission state that Rodney was directed by Smith to test the

device close to the fence of the Camp Street Prison so that its effectiveness could be ascertained. Smith, before his death in 2002, had vehemently denied the allegation.

James ruled out that the WPA was responsible for the leader’s demise, noting that there was nothing in the files to suggest that the party was responsible for the explosion.

Lawyer representing the interest of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Basil Williams during his cross-examination, and exploring thesis number two, had put it to the witness that Dr Rodney could have been very much aware that a bomb was planted in the device, but James rejected the view.

James said that sometime after Dr Rodney’s death, a search was carried out for arms and ammunition at the home of Gregory Smith’s girlfriend Gwendolyn Jones at 40 Russle Street Georgetown. He revealed too that a senior officer of the Guyana Police Force had denied the existence of Smith, after fingers were pointed in his direction. He said

based on the report, the Police had contacted several persons and found out that the alleged assassin had indeed been in Kwakwani.

The report reflected too that an aircraft allegedly owned by the Guyana Defense Force was allegedly used to transport Smith to the riverain community, a day after Rodney’s death. However, the report does not confirm the aircraft to be belonging to the military body; neither does it reflect any effort of the investigators to enquire its true owner.

In his opinion, James said there should have been some more in-depth investigations. The Commissioners sought answers from the Crime Chief, seeking to find out why the state would behave in such a manner, if it was indeed a “stranger” that had caused Dr Rodney’s death. Questions surrounded the reason why Police did not do everything to apprehend Smith.

There were also questions as to why another of Smith’s girlfriend Joan Melvin was in a matter of days promoted at the Foreign Affairs Ministry and transferred to work in New York.

Bodies of miners recovered from Aranka Creek

The bodies of the two miners who fell overboard while crossing a creek at Aranka Backdam, Region Seven on Tuesday afternoon were recovered on Thursday.

The body of Leon D’Aguiar, 20, of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara was fished out of the creek around 19:30h, while that of Junior Williams, 19, formerly of 1275 Spurwing Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Lot 31 Broad Street, Georgetown, was found earlier, about 16:30h. According to reports, the men were found during a search conducted by camp members and villagers. Both bodies, according to reports, were in good condition and were transported to Georgetown by a chartered aircraft late Thursday afternoon.

Ivan Wade, a colleague of the men, told Guyana Times that the search parties went late into the night on Wednesday, but were unsuccessful. They continued their search about 06:00h on Thursday and about one and a half hours

into the search, the first body was found. He went on to say that the divers then went into the water as they continued their search. After several hours, they finally found Williams’s body not far from where D’Aguiar’s was found. He said after they found D’Aguiar body, his brother who worked with the young men, chartered a plane to transport the bodies to Georgetown.

He added that the airplane arrived at the interior location after 17:00h and transported the bodies to the Ogle International Airport,from where they were taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home. A post-mortem is expected to be performed earliest.

Vanessa Bancroft, the mother of Junior Williams, when contacted, told this publication that she received a call from her son’s “boss man” who confirmed that they had found the bodies and that they were being transported out of the interior.

Up to late Tuesday afternoon, when Guyana Times visited the woman’s

home, she was optimistic that her son was alive, noting that she would believe only when the body is found.

It was reported that the men were crossing a creek in Aranka Backdam when D’Aguiar reportedly slipped into the water and Williams attempted to rescue him, but was pulled overboard.

D’Aguiar, according to reports, was not a good swimmer; hence, his friend went to save him. The men were returning to their

camp after collecting several pieces of spare parts from across the river using a boat in the area as was instructed.

Initially, they were dropped over by the boatman, but on their way back, they decided to manoeuvre themselves on the pieces of wood that were in the water. Due to the darkness, D’Aguiar slipped and went overboard.

D’Aguiar worked with Floyd Wade, but was laid off because of indiscipline, but

was recently re-hired after which he recommended Williams and brought him to the worksite. Williams reportedly left home without informing his relatives that he was heading into the interior. It was after he had arrived at the camp, he telephoned his mother, informing her about his whereabouts.

D’Aguiar’s mother reportedly lives in Antigua and attempts by this newspaper to locate other relatives proved futile.

Leon D’Aguiar

Junior Williams

Anna Regina man accused of teen's murder refused bail

Akash Baldeo, 22, of Anna Regina Village on the Essequibo Coast was remanded to prison until August 20 when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on a murder charge.

Baldeo was not required to plead to the indictable charge. In court, Baldeo looked confused and stood quietly as the charge was read to him.

According to the Police report, about 15:00h on Monday, Alex Narine, 17, of Colombia, Essequibo Coast, was involved in an argument with another man over a computer at Drying Floor Ground, Anna Regina squatting area.

During the argument, he was allegedly stabbed by the suspect to the back and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Public Hospital.

Dead: Alex Narine

Baldeo was not represented by an Attorney and is expected to return to court on August 20.

Meanwhile, a post-mor-

tem was conducted on the body of Alex Narine on Thursday morning by pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Suddie Funeral Home.

It was revealed that Narine died from the stab wound he received in the left side, which punctured the lung. Narine’s parents are calling for justice in the matter.

On the day of the incident, Narine’s mother, Brenda, she received a call around 16:00h that her son was stabbed. The mother said she immediately took a vehicle and went to the scene; however, when she got there the Police told her no one could touch the body. The mother said her son was still breathing and she was trying to get Police to listen to her pleas to carry him to the hospital. Police conducted their investigations and then the body of the teenager was placed into the Police vehicle and transported to Suddie Public Hospital.

When the body reached Suddie Hospital, porters took a while to assist. The mother then began to scream for attention and a doctor came and hurriedly assisted. The teenager’s body was then transported inside where doctors certified him dead. The mother is of the view that if her son had been transported on time, he could have been alive. According to Narine’s father, Devavratt, his son was in love with a teenager who was still attending school. He said his son left home Monday morning around 08:00h to visit his girlfriend. He noted his son worked in the interior and recently returned home a few days ago.

Bushlot man remanded on charge of cocaine

possession

Suresh Ramjattan of Bushlot Village on the Essequibo Coast was on Thursday remanded to prison for possession of four grams of cocaine when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

According to the Police report, on August 5, during a patrol in Bushlot, Ramjattan was found in possession of a whitish-creamish substance amounting to four grams.

Police told him of their suspicion and he was taken to the Anna Regina Police Station.

Ramjattan was represented by Attorney Lachmie Dindyal, who applied for reasonable bail. Bail was however refused by Magistrate Scarce and Singh will make his next appearance on September 2.

Eyew tness

Pig-in-poke…

...politics by APNU and AFC

Back in Europe during the Middle Ages, life was brutal. Hunger and famine, not to mention various plagues, were common. So life was a struggle. And also a hustle. With meat being scarce, pigs were quite valuable. There was a con in which a hustler would put a cat in a bag and sell it to an unwary hungry buyer as a “pig”. This was the source of the saying “don’t buy a pig in a poke (bag)”.

Meaning – make sure you know what you’re buying before you plunk down your money. The con was also the source of the saying “let the cat out of the bag” – because if an alert buyer insisted on seeing what was inside the bag...the cat would emerge and the secret would be out.

Well the cat’s out of the bag on David Granger and APNU buying a pig in a poke. They admitted that even though they haven’t read the entire “noconfidence” motion, they’re going to support it in Parliament!

They haven’t even met with Ramjattan and Nagamootoo who’re selling the “no confidence pig” in the poke. The question, of course is, “What’s the price??” And that’s the secret which your humble Eyewitness will now let on.

The AFC’s entering a pre-electoral coalition with the PNC. We know the latter’s desperately trying to cover their mark of the beast with their APNU fig leaf, but the PNC hasn’t fooled anyone, have they?? PNC is APNU and APNU is PNC – and they’re getting married to the AFC. To throw out the PPP/C from office. It was always going to be “by any means necessary”.

Even since the last elections, the AFC’s been playing ducks and drakes about their relationship with the PNC. But their “hold me, loose me” line was wearing thin. And they still can’t come out straight and tell it like it is – they want to hop into bed with the PNC. The AFC wankers know that their main support base in Berbice fell for their line that if they were given some seats they’d support the PPP/C if the latter’s policies were positive.

But those folks haven’t been amused by the AFC’s detour and frolic with the PNC. They’ve had it with them. So in order to survive, they’re willing to cling to the PNC straw.

And what’s in it for the PNC?? Why! Granger gets his distraction from the rigged Congress and appears “tough”! Win-win, no??

...snake oil for African-Guyanese

David Hinds is part of something called Cuffy250. Said they’ve been around for a decade holding meetings and what-not in African-Guyanese communities. Thing is...if Cuffy’s Revolution was in 1763, 250 years after (to deliver the name “Cuffy 250”) would take us to 2013. Which is when we heard about the motley crew. So what were they doing the previous nine years?? Abu Bakr, over in Gay Paree, hadn’t heard of them either. But then, he’s abroad –and what does he know?

Anyhow that’s not really very important: maybe they were getting their act together and it took nine years to do it. Hinds says that things have gone all downhill for the community in the last “20 years”. Economically and politically and so on. The “20 years”, not coincidentally, is the time the PPP/C’s been in office after the 28 years of PNC dictatorship. Now c’mon Hinds, after nine years of planning, that’s the best you can do?? Economically, African Guyanese are worse off than at the end of Hoyte’s Empty Rice Pot (ERP) and 10 to one devaluation?? Ow man!!

... promise

On Burnham’s birthday, Granger claimed he’s committed to his mentor’s “One Nation” vision. Question is, what does Granger mean by “One Nation”? Is it, as is being revealed in the Rodney CoI, one where you agree with the dictator, or else??

GGMC to review procurement methods

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Board of Directors will be looking to review the process

that it utilises to award contracts to bidders. This revelation was made by GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams, who told Guyana

Times that “some flaws” have been found in the process. He pointed out that a meeting was going to be held

with all of the Commissioners in an effort to iron out the issue and will be looking to “review the entire system”.

The GGMC Chairman said the contract was awarded by the Commission as a body and upon review of the contract being awarded, “we found some flaws”.

In a subsequent release from his office, Williams said “the submitted bids were evaluated and a recommendation was made to the Board for approval. However, given the nature and scope of the project, the Board at the request of Minister Persaud is currently reviewing the recommendations and a decision will be forthcoming in the immediate future.”

The GGMC is expected to spend at least $600 million to rehabilitate the building at 44 High Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, where the now obsolete Guyana Broadcasting Corporation’s (GBC) studios were once located.

However, the Government has since signalled its intention to investigate the recent awarding of a contract by the GGMC to a contractor, which has been a source of contention.

This is according to the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, when he was questioned by reporters on Wednesday at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, “there had been strenuous objections to the award of a contract purported to have been made by the GGMC”, or one of its Board members.

He explained that the matter was brought to the attention of the Cabinet by one of the members, and as such, Government will investigate the issue.

However, Dr Luncheon explained that the GGMC is considered to be an autonomous body and was not subject to procurement laws.

“They have not considered themselves subject to the Procurement Act; therefore, the awards and contracts are not usually brought to the Cabinet,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat explained.

He said as a result, the Government was not fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the awarding of the contract and its subsequent contentions.

De blind still leadin de blind

Sometimes just when yuh tink yuh see and hear every ting in life, yuh does end up seein or hearin something yuh never thought coulda ever be possible. After all de Green Jah riggin, nobody gon be surprised if CGX give he a contract to find oil in de Corentyne River.

And that can still happen because Green Jah show that he is a bigger rigger than Burnt Ham. But now another Green, this time Green Bridge, callin fuh a Budget Office. And this is a man who couldn’ta even do a budget, much less, run a budget when he was a Minister under Burnt Ham.

Maybe that is why Green Bridge need a Budget Office after all. He desperately need help. A lotta help. Green Bridge woulda been accustomed to de days when de PeeN-C used to have a budget wid no money, except in Burnt Ham overseas bank account. So there was nutten to run, except run down de country.

But as old people seh, talk is cheap, and Green Bridge does buy plenty whenever any ting cheap. Is dem fellas pun North Road seh so and dem tell a lotta people who know Green Bridge and who know wheh cheap ting does sell.

De other ting everybody woulda tink was a ting of de past is de blind leadin de blind, but not anymore. It got one blind leadin de blind at a newspaper. One does tell de other one whah to write and he does have to write blind.

Well, by de time dem done pay all dem lawyer fees plus libel fees, dem gon have to sell dem mummah and daady house to pay. But then again, de two of dem gon be glad to share one cell together at Camp Street, or better yet Mazaruni, wheh de place does be cold night time.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Another case of de blind leadin de blind is de party whah seh yes to a no-confidence motion whah dem ain’t see yet!

Granger addresses GDF officers on ‘One Nation’ concept

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader David Granger on Thursday took the ‘One Nation’ message to Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers.

Granger addressed mid-career Air Corps, Coast Guard and Ground Forces military officers attending the Senior Command and Staff Course.

Granger highlighted five challenges – national unity, national security, economic viability, educational apartheid and good governance –facing Guyana.

He suggested that the military officers should focus on these challenges as they embarked on a new phase of their careers.

Granger told the officers that Guyana was still not yet a unified nation. The nation could not progress without a greater degree of unity, he said as he repeated his call for ‘One Nation’.

On the challenge of national security, while recounting the Surinamese navy’s intrusion into Guyana’s seaspace in 2000, he expressed alarm over the incursion of a Venezuela Navy Frigate into Guyana’s waters in October 2013.

He said the threats to national and public security, resulting from porous borders and seaspace and the lack of resources for the Guyana

Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and the Coast Guard were major problems. The Opposition Leader highlighted poverty as a challenge to economic viability, lamenting that the economic development of many regions continued to be held back because of poor infrastructure.

He claimed that education apartheid was also becoming evident. Despite celebrating the performance of a few brilliant high-performers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, about 7000 students dropout from primary and secondary schools countrywide every year. He told the officers that such a large number of poorly educated youths was bound to impact immediately on employment and, in the longer term, on the economy.

Granger closed his presentation to the officers by addressing the challenge of governance. He said the time for ‘winnertakes-all politics’ had long passed. He reiterated his call for a Government of national unity base on shared governance and inclusionary democracy.

The military officers posed several searching questions to the Opposition Leader during the interactive session at Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

GGMC Chairman Clinton Williams

Remains of Jonestown victims found in US funeral home

The unclaimed, cremated remains of nine victims of a 1978 mass cult suicide-murder in Jonestown, Guyana, have turned up in a closed funeral home in Delaware, USA.

Officials with the state Division of Forensic Science are working to identify all remains and to notify relatives after they were discovered last week.

The remains were discovered at the abandoned Minus Funeral Home in Dover, Delaware by the building’s new owner who called in authorities.

The building is owned by a bank.

The division last week responded to a request to check the former funeral

lowers littered the ground outside the People’s Temple, led by Jim Jones.

It was the single largest loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act before September 11.

Jones headed a religious movement called the People's Temple Agricultural Project from the early 1960s in the US before leading a mass migration to Guyana, a former British colony, in the mid1970s to establish a utopian community.

However, the paradise that Jones had promised quickly turned sour as hard labour and hours of lectures and classes on socialism were enforced. Jones’s readings which viewed America as a capitalist monster were broadcast day and night from the commune’s towers.

People's Temple, who ambushed them on the Port Kaituma airstrip.

During the excavation, an arrowhead, two animal bones, oyster shells and charcoals were found.

Several bronze gravesite markers for deceased veterans who served in World War I through the Vietnam War were also found in the former funeral home.

These markers will be presented to family members if they can be located or returned to the Veterans Administration.

Thirty-three containers were marked and identified. They spanned a period from about 1970 to the 1990s and included the Jonestown remains.

It is unclear how the Jonestown remains end-

The land agreed upon for Jonestown with the People’s National Congress Government had poor soil leading to low food supplies and sickness.

Members who acted out of line were kept in a six by four box and children were forced to spend the night at the bottom of a well. Those who tried to escape were drugged and armed guards patrolled the grounds.

In 1977, Jonestown defectors and concerned relatives begin petitioning the US Government to investigation the goings-on in Guyana. They made public details of abuse and alleged crimes taking place in

home after 38 containers of remains were discovered inside.

A Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokeswoman told Mail Online that they had identified the remains as Jonestown cult members by cross-checking paperwork that was found with the remains with other official records.

Dover Police officers identified other areas of interest on the property, according to an official release. These were areas of loosely compacted soil.

The excavation was conducted to determine if additional remains were on the property.

ed up being left behind at the Minus Funeral Home but a spokeswoman said there was nothing improper about how the remains had been stored and they were simply unclaimed.

Bodies of the 911 Jonestown massacre victims were brought to Dover Air Force Base, home to the US military’s largest mortuary.

More than 900 adults and children died after drinking cyanidelaced punch on November 18, 1978 at Jonestown, Guyana. Among the dead were more than 270 children.

Dead bodies of cult fol-

In 1978, Jim Jones's physical health was deteriorating rapidly through sickness and years of drug abuse. In turn, he was becoming deranged and deeply paranoid over conspiracy theories and the number of people he believed were out to get him from the CIA to the US Post Office.

The same year, a delegation went to visit Jonestown, led by Congressman Leo Ryan. After visiting the compound with staff and journalists, he left with a number of defectors.

Ryan along with four others were killed after being shot by members of the

Soon afterwards, Jones gathered a meeting of all members while his assistants prepared a vat of Flavor-Aid laced with cyanide and other drugs.

The Temple had stored pounds of cyanide for

months after Jones had got a jeweller’s licence which reportedly said he was using the deadly chemical to clean gold.

As Temple members lined up to take the poison, it began to take effect within minutes. It is unclear whether many thought it was a dress-rehearsal as

had happened in the past on so-called ‘White Nights’. Jones died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Only five people who were intended to be poisoned survived either by hiding, pretending to be dead or escaping into the jungle. (Mail Online)

PNCR launches Forbes Burnham Research Institute

As part of the activities to commemorate the 29th death anniversary of People’s National Congress (PNC) founding leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the party on Wednesday launched the Forbes Burnham Research Institute (FBRI).

Speaking at the launch, former Minister in the Burnham Administration, Jeffrey Thomas, said it was important that the Institute not only note the ideas of Burnham, but also implement them.

Thomas has been charged with overseeing the development of the Institute.

He said the Institution

would build on the vision of Burnham, recognising his approach to Guyana’s development, explore options which are necessary to solve national problems and ensure that there is a scholarly scrutiny of Burnham’s legacy.

The former Government Minister said: “This Institute will not only focus on areas of research relevant and essential to the development of the party. In pursuit of its objective, it will collaborate with other appropriate institutions in Guyana, the rest of the Region and indeed around the World.”

The FBRI will focus on identifying important issues

and develop plans and proposals for their mitigation or resolution. The FBRI is intended to be multidisciplinary in nature and seek to utilise ideas and methods in other intellectual areas of endeavour, which will benefit both the PNCR and the society at large.

The launch was followed by an exhibition held at the National Congress of Women headquarters, Public Road, Kitty, Geogetown.

The exhibition featured photographs of Guyana’s first Executive President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and books on his works and speeches.

Inside the Forbes Burnham Research Institute

Jonestown.

Reverend Jim Jones raises his fist in a black power salute while preaching at an unknown location (Bettmann/CORBIS photo)

The Jonestown cult members' remains were found inside this empty funeral home by the new owner last week who called in authorities (Google photo)

Dead bodies littered the ground in Jonestown, Guyana on November 18, 1978 after a mass suicide of People's Temple cult followers, led by Jim Jones (Bettmann/CORBIS photo)

GECOM’s head denies Nadir’s claims of bias

BY JOMO PAUL

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally has dismissed accusation of partiality made by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir.

Nadir, who is a former Government Minister had accused the Chairman of GECOM of being in cahoots with the Opposition parties to have elections held at an early date. It was reported that Nadir during a radio interview had stated that the Chairman was being propelled by an Opposition agenda in his preparations for the hosting of elections in Guyana.

In adhering to that particular agenda, Nadir said Dr Surujbally had ignored legitimate concerns of the Commission that would have been brought to the fore by PPP/C Commissioners on the board. Nadir is quoted as saying “Surujbally and the Opposition are preparing for a national election because they feel that the no-confidence motion will succeed… all plans are for national elections and I would say to Steve directly: you are preparing for national elections because you are driven by Opposition agenda.”

When contacted by Guyana Times on Thursday,

Dr Surjubally pointed out that GECOM was constitutionally mandated to prepare for elections and each year it has done so. He said that the accusations levelled against him are “interesting.”

He further explained that the statements made by Nadir are somewhat disappointing, noting that he is unaware of the reasons that would lead the former Minister to make such a statement in the public domain.

The Chairman pointed out that over the last 13 years that he has held the portfolio as Chariman of GECOM, he has been accused at one time or another of being linked to either the Government or a political Opposition, but in each time his impartiality was proven. He opined that he has since seen such criticisms as

a part of the job and do not make a big issue of it. He said that “political elements should have over the years, because of track record, matured enough to cease such slander; they all know it’s not true. But I am not holding my breath on things to change; instead I’ve put on armour...”

On that note, Dr Surujbally challenged Nadir to produce evidence of the assertions that were made against him. He said that if Nadir can produce evidence of him voting in favour of any given political party at

any time, then his accusations may have some validity.

“If Mr Nadir is saying that there exists evidence that the chairman of GECOM voted deliberately and arbitrarily on pertinent issues along with the Opposition, if he has that belief then he can furnish the evidence. In view of Mr Nadir’s assertions, one may even argue that the Chairman of GECOM is working in collusion with the Government in preparing for snap elections to be held... no this is our job,” remarked Dr Surujbally.

In response to accusations that the entity was in fact making preparations for General and Regional Elections and not Local Government polls, as it would have the public believe, Dr Surujbally said that this was not the case.

He said that “it is within the purview of GECOM’s mandate to prepare for the conduct of general and regional (GR) elections... over the past years expect those in which we were mandated to prepare for GR elections in 2006 and 2011, we have always prepared for Local Government Elections.”

He said that he is at his wits ends in arriving at a conclusion as to why Nadir would make such allegations. Dr Surujbally argued that the decision to embark on a Claims and Objections exercise was one that was welcomed by all of GECOM’s Commissioners.

He said that “the Commission unanimously took the decision to embark on the Claims and Objections exercise to produce an Official List of Electors (OLE)... this is our mandate and is should not be equated to being driven by any political agenda.” Dr Surujbally said too that “GECOM’s move to conduct Claims and Objections are not based on any premise of any no-confidence motion that will be passed or even tabled, how we will know that nor was it influenced by the possibility of snap elections.”

New Wartsila Unit for Anna Regina

The blackout woes currently being experienced by Region Two residents is expected to be rectified soon with the installation of a Wartsila unit, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud said.

According to the Chairman, the region is in the process of buying the new unit for the Anna Regina Power Station.

Following the prolonged blackout on Wednesday, the Chairman explained that an automatic voltage regulator was damaged and engineers are currently trying to fix the problem.

Persaud said the backup caterpillar engine is also down.

Scores of Essequibians have complained about the frequent blackouts by the “in-

efficient” Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL). The sudden shutdown on Wednesday night has resulted in businesspersons closing up shop early for security and other reasons.

Caricom hails Jamaica on 52nd Independence Anniversary

Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has lauded Jamaica’s resilience and fortitude in addressing fiscal and economic challenges, as he extended congratulations on the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.

In his congratulatory message to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Ambassador LaRocque also praised the country’s wealth of high achievers whose contribution, he noted, gives great cause for the theme of this year’s celebrations “This is Jamaica, my Jamaica” to be celebrated with pride.

Jamaica observed its 52nd Independence Anniversary on Wednesday August 6.

This is the full text of

the congratulatory message from Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque to SimpsonMiller.

“It is my distinct pleasure on behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to extend to you and to the people of Jamaica, heartfelt congratulations on the celebration of Jamaica’s 52nd Anniversary as an Independent nation.

“The theme chosen to commemorate Jamaica’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, ‘This is Jamaica, my Jamaica’, is fitting as it encourages and challenges the people of Jamaica to unite in pursuit of common goals for the benefit of the country they all share. Jamaica has a lot to be proud of on this 52nd Independence Anniversary. Jamaica has produced many sons and daughters whose successes have left an indelible mark on Jamaica, the Region and the world. These include poets, folklorists, writers, statesmen and stateswomen, educators, sportsmen and sportswomen, artistes and jurists. These notable persons also have inspired countless aspirants in Jamaica and beyond its shores to pursue excellence. Indeed, Jamaica has a wealth of high achievers whose contribution to the nation gives great cause for the theme of ‘This is Jamaica, my Jamaica’ to be celebrated with great pride.

“Such a celebration is all the more laudatory in the particular developmental context, as Jamaica has displayed resilience and fortitude in addressing the fiscal and economic challenges currently permeating the international and regional environment. It is to the credit of your Government that Jamaica has been able to continue on its path of economic transformation, notwithstanding these constraints to development. The community looks forward to the country’s further progress in the social and economic spheres as it proudly celebrates 52 years of triumphant freedom.

“I join with the Caribbean Community in extending best wishes for the continued advancement of Jamaica and the well-being of its people.”

175 to participate in Police Youth Camp

One wholesale and retail depot in Golden Fleece was closed at 19:00h and businessman Kuldeep Singh said he did so for security reasons. This newspaper was also informed that a station of Radio Guyana located at Somerset and Berks was affected. The radio station’s Manager Francis Darchville said his operations have been hard hit as he is forced to buy large amounts of fuel.

A few wedding houses on the Essequibo Coast were also forced to halt celebrations due to the power outage.

Power was restored in several villages, including Golden Fleece and Suddie but not Charity up to press time.

Several attempts were made to contact GPL Essequibo Branch Manager but to no avail.

The Guyana Police Force will be hosting its annual Youth Camp beginning next week and 175 children are expected to participate.

The camp is being held in collaboration with the Guyana Women Police Association and will last from August 11 to August 16 at the Kuru Cooperative College, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

This year’s Youth Camp will be held under the theme “Empowering youth through

social partnership and team building for a better Guyana”.

The 175 participants, between the ages of nine and 14, were selected from among youths that are involved in the Force’s Youth Clubs and Scout Groups.

The camp will be coordinated by Senior Superintendent Maxine Graham, who will also be assisted by a number of other Police ranks and members of the Guyana Women Police Association. Additionally, some civilians have also vol-

unteered their services.

During the one week period, the campers will be engaged in craft-work, educational talks, road safety, religious teaching, information technology, games and a camp fire. They will also have an exhibition to showcase their skills learnt, among other activities.

In addition, the participants will be taken on a tour of the mining town of Linden. Last year’s camp was held at the Aurora Secondary School, Essequibo Coast.

Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud

Some of the participants from last year’s Police Youth Camp doing craft work

Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

GECOM’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally

People’s Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir

Americas Competitiveness Forum to be held in TT

The Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Wednesday received the Planning and Sustainable Development Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Bhoendradatt Tewarie, who spoke about preparations for the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum to be held in his country in October.

Also at the meeting, the delegation of Peru presented a report on the conclusion of the First Inter-American Meeting of Presidents of Legislative Powers of the region, held in Lima, Peru last month.

In his speech, Minister Tewarie referred to the preparations and logistics of the VIII Americas Competitiveness Forum which will have as its central theme “The Human Imagination at Work: Driving

Competitiveness, Powering Innovation”, and will be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from October 8 to 10.

Minister Tewarie stressed that the forum “gives representatives of Government an opportunity to engage each other on matters of common interest in the Americas, gives business leaders the opportunity not just to interact and to interface, but actually to create business opportunities, and more than that, it gives academics and NGOs an opportunity to lend their own perspectives on the big issues of the day”.

The OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin said the forum is an opportunity for dialogue with the private sector, which plays “a key role in sustainable development” and he invited the countries of the region to strengthen collab-

Public Works Ministry upgrades traffic counting technology

The Public Works Ministry recent-

ly acquired a set of COUNTcam 40 camera systems from a Minnesota-based company as part of its efforts to modernise its traffic data collection capabilities.

They are portable traffic video recording devices used to facilitate rapid, cost-effective traffic counting for highway designs, intersection optimisation and traffic monitoring.

According to the Ministry’s Chief Transport Planning Officer Patrick Thompson, the traditional method of traffic counting requires at least six persons in the field for a minimum of 17 hours to carry out a 16 hour intersection count.

However, with the COUNTcam 40 camera system, only one or two persons would be required for approximately 20 minutes to mount and dismount the system.

Intersection counts, he explained, are usually collected during peak periods, typically during the morning, midday and evening for a few hours at a time. The traffic data collected by an intersection count is used for timing traffic signals, designing channelisation, planning turn prohibitions, computing junction capacity, analysing high crash intersections and evaluating congestion.

“The MPW also uses traffic data for the design and improvement of existing road

oration between the private and public sectors.

Ambassador Ramdin also praised the preparatory work on the organisation of the Forum done by Trinidad and Tobago, a country which he described as one of the leading economies of the Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere, and highlighted its leadership in promoting economic development poli-

segments, to study future traffic trends and assist in predicting traffic flows in the future and for project design and assessment of economic benefits arising from road improvements,” the Chief Transport Planning Officer stated.

One of the devices is about the size of an individual’s index finger and can be easily mounted on a street sign or a utility post. The mobile video recording system captures up to 40 hours of video on a single charge. Once the recording is completed, the video is uploaded to a computer via P C–TAS– the industry’s leading video viewing/counting soft-

ware. Data is then exported to MS Excel or JAMAR’s Petra Pro where graphs, charts and tables are created and analysed.

“Essentially the new technology allows us to count more intersections in less time and have less of our human resource exposed to the elements for extended periods,” Thompson explained.

A four-day training was recently conducted on the hardware and software modules including field exercises and was facilitated by Lacey Williams, Transportation Consultant and Managing Director of CARITRANS Company Limited, who has been utilising the technology in Trinidad for a few years now. Eight persons from MPW, the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHB) and two civil engineering students from the University of Guyana benefitted from the training.

cies, innovation and creativity.

For his part, the Minister, Alternate Representative of Peru, Raúl Salazar, presented a report on the results of the First Inter-American Meeting of Speakers of Legislative Branches of the region, which was held in Lima on July 18. The Peruvian diplomat stressed that the event was attended by representatives of the highest level of the legislatures of 26 member countries and nine parliamentary networks, as well as the OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and the former President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla, among others.

Representative Salazar said during the event the importance of transparency and accountability of the legislative powers of the region was emphasised, and noted that the Lima Declaration was adopted, which expresses the will of the participants to constitute the Inter-American Meeting of Speakers of Legislative Branches of the Americas with the technical

Plaza de Mayo,” who after 36 years searching, found the son of her daughter Laura Carlotto, who was murdered by the dictatorship in Argentina.

The youth, who still bears the name of his adoptive family, travelled to the “Abuelas” organisation and took a DNA test that proved 99.99 per cent positive his bond with Estela de Carlotto, Ambassador Garre recalled with emotion.

During the meeting, which was chaired by the Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia, Sonia Johnny, several delegations congratulated Bolivia and Jamaica on the occasion of the anniversary of the independence of both nations.

support of the OAS. He also said that Chile offered to host the second meeting of this initiative.

At the end of the meeting, the Permanent Representative of Argentina Nilda Garre briefed the Council on the finding of the grandson of Estela de Carlotto, President of the association of relatives of the disappeared “Abuelas de

During the meeting, the delegations of Antigua and Barbuda (on behalf of Caricom), Belize (on behalf of SICA), Panama, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, the United States, Bolivia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Jamaica, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Argentina took the floor.

A COUNTcam 40 mobile video recording system

A COUNTpad

TT Planning and Sustainable Development Minister Bhoendradatt Tewarie

OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin

AFC delivers no-confidence motion to House

Gregory Smith’s sister has information for Rodney CoI

In an historic move, the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Thursday afternoon submitted a no-confidence motion against the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, which if passed will pave the way for early elections nearly two years earlier than is constitutionally due.

About 14:05h on Thursday, AFC General Secretary David Patterson handed over the document to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs.

If successfully debated and passed, the AFC with the support of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will create history in Guyana with President Donald Ramotar being forced to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for General Elections within 90 days.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Patterson said the motion read: “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no-confidence in the Government”.

The motion was proposed by AFC Executive Members Moses Nagamootoo and Cathy Hughes. Nagamootoo was a long-standing member with the PPP/C before switching sides prior to the 2011 General and Regional Elections.

The Clerk of the National Assembly accepted the motion, saying that he will first scrutinise it before making a submission to the Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman. According to Patterson, once the requirements are met, the Speaker will invite the AFC to a meeting before making a decision.

The National Assembly goes into recess on Sunday, August 10 until October 10, but the Speaker Raphael Trotman has the power to convene an emergency session, if a matter of national importance is engaging the House.

The AFC tendered the motion days after APNU indicated its full support.

On Tuesday, APNU’s Co-Chairman, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine told Guyana

Times, that the decision to support the motion was the right step at the correct time given the feeling and mood of the population. According to him, the coalition has also piloted a menu of other actions to demonstrate its lack of confidence in the PPP/C Administration.

He pointed to the party’s move to have Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh referred to the Committee of Privileges for his alleged violation of the decisions of the National Assembly. Reference was also made to APNU’s intention to go to the courts for a declaration on the constitutionality of the financial paper.

Violent removal?

On Wednesday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon expressed Government’s expectation that the Speaker will abide with the laws governing the National Assembly. Dr Luncheon said while an election date can be set before the debate on the noconfidence motion ensues in the national Assembly, it is a vague possibility.

The AFC has been on record as saying that its noconfidence motion is one of the “peaceful” mechanisms for removing a legitimate Government as it avoids the use of violence. Nagamootoo

told this newspaper earlier this week that the motion must not be seen as “an end game”, but rather as creating the platform for the people to give their leaders a new mandate, especially if the Government continues to act ultra-vires the Constitution.

“It is intended to open doors and possibilities for the renewal of our political life and political culture. I think the no-confidence motion will have a good taste and good smell for the people,” he remarked.

But interestingly, Nagamootoo opined that while the motion will create history and a revolution in the local political landscape in Guyana, it will lead to the peaceful removal of the ruling PPP/C.

“If you did not have a peaceful removal of a Government and the Government has done sufficiently enough wrong things, then you may have a violent removal of the Government.

This motion is trying to prevent a situation in Guyana that could bring great harm to all of our people,” he insisted.

Political observers have questioned the language of peaceful removal used by the party, noting that it conveys the impression that a violent removal is also being contemplated.

Altercation lands young women in court

Appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday morning before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry was 19-year-old Christine Calder of Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, who was charged with assault.

The charge read that on July 20 at the Georgetown seawalls, Calder unlawfully cut the Virtual Complainant (VC) Shanette Herod on her back and face, causing the VC actual bodily harm.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that the two women had a misunder-

standing and the defendant became annoyed and punched Herod in the face. The victim received several wounds from a glass bottle to her back and face. The matter was reported and the victim was examined by a doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital where the VC received stitches to close the cut to her face.

Calder pleaded guilty to the charge laid against her but had an explanation.

The unrepresented accused told the court that she was “chilling on the seawall with friends” when she noticed Herod on the seawalls in the company of a young man who

is her ex-boyfriend. The defendant added that she went to speak with the young man and during the conversation she claimed Herod was showing her “certain signs”. The accused went on to say that the VC’s actions annoyed her and she picked up the nearest object in hands reach, a glass bottle.

She has no prior record with the law before and there were no objections to bail by the Prosecutor. Calder was given bail at a sum of $20,000 and will return at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on September 19 for sentencing.

Lead Counsel at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Glen Hanoman, said the Secretariat is in receipt of a request from family members of accused assassin and former Guyana Defence Force Sergeant William Gregory Smith, to provide information that could clear his name.

It was not clear if she will be testifying before the Commission.

In a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Thursday, Hanoman

said the Commission had received an email from Ann Wagner, sister of the accused, stating that she had information to provide to the Commission.

Wagner is said to be the co-author of Smith’s book: “Assassination cry of a failed Revolution: the truth about Dr Walter Rodney’s death”, in which, she claims that her brother did not seek out Dr Walter Rodney and the Working People’s Alliance. “They sought him for his brilliance in the field of electronics,” she had comment-

ed. Hanoman said the Secretariat on Thursday had also received another email from a man,Meertin George, purporting to be the lawyer for the Smith family seeking information on the procedures to follow.

Hanoman said the information was relayed, while an expression of gratitude was extended.

Smith had been accused of handing Dr Walter Rodney the bomb back in June 1980, while he sat in his brother’s car outside the Camp Street Prison.

Construction worker remanded after threatening language charge

Aconstruction worker made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday morning in the court room of Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond facing the charge of threatening language.

The charge which was read by the Magistrate herself, stated that on August 6 at Regent Street, Georgetown, Linden Spooner, 29, made use of threatening language to the Virtual Complainant (VC), Natasha Read, where there was a breach of the peace. According to the facts read by Prosecutor Jomo Nickles, the defendant was

the reputed husband of the VC. On the day in question, the defendant went home and noticed that the VC was not there. Upon seeing this, the defendant who was intoxicated at the time, went to her place of employment around 12:45h and began to threaten her. Read lodged a complaint and the defendant was arrested.

Spooner who was asked to give his address by the Magistrate, told the court he lives at Lot 187 Spooner Street, Parfaite Harmonie. The Magistrate being unsure of the street’s name questioned the authenticity of the address. She was told that indeed there is a street

with that name, however the street is a four digit lot residence not a three digit, leading the Magistrate to believe that the accused gave a false address.

The Prosecutor was asked whether he had any objections to bail. The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that it is the likelihood that the defendant will commit the same act again since according to information received, he is a habitual drinker. The Prosecutor’s objection for bail was successfully accepted by Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond. Given that bail was refused, Spooner was remanded until August 11.

New Amsterdam woman wins Lucozade car

The dream of Esther Allison of 172 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice, came through when her name was pulled in the final drawing of the Lucozade Drive Your Dreams Promotion.

Allison is now the proud new owner of a new Mazda Axela and it will be only a matter of time before she gets possession of her win.

The other winners in the final draw are Kimberly Holder-Smith of Lot 1 Surat Drive, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, who won a 42” television, and Shaquille Wilson of Lot 196 Greenheart Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown and Shamdass Jaipersaud Lot 32 Friendship Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, who each won a Lucozade Hamper.

Lucozade Brand Representative Sean Abel congratulated the winners, especially Allison and thanked all the participants who entered the promotion. Sean noted that the response to the promotion was overwhelming as they had received thousands of entries.

He assured Lucozade customers that the brand will continue to energise Guyana and reward its customers.

The Lucozade Drive Your Dreams promotion was launched on May 14 and

concluded on July 31, giving 22 customers the opportunity to win fabulous prizes including Lucozade Hampers, a “42” televisions and the grand prize of the car. The final drawing in the promotion was held on Wednesday, at ANSA McAL Trading Limited Head Office. To enter the promotion, customers were required to submit four Lucozade caps with their name, number, and address in over 50 entry boxes in all leading supermarkets/outlets across the country.

The car that was won by Esther Allison of 172 Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice

AFC General Secretary David Patterson hands over the document to Clerk of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman

Recognising the staggering decline in the morale of men, their involvement in activities contrary to those which are expected of them and the lack of mentors and rolemodels is the impetus upon which the first ever Mr Guyana International pageant is being produced.

Featuring men of

Guyanese nationality and parentage, Mr Guyana International seeks to foster the knowledge of its participants in their responsibilities as men in society, encourage them to take a stand in the fight against many of the social issues affecting them; create a sense of self-styling, self-respect and self-motivation as it relates

to their personal well-being in a socially acceptable environment, by helping them to realise their self-worth and developing their willpower to achieve their goals.

Each contestant will be presenting a platform of interest ranging from caring for the elderly, music and its effects on men in society, Teenage pregnancy to

the stigma attached to male pageantry in Guyana.

This competition is dedicated to all Guyanese men, known and unknown for their valuable contributions to the preservation of our culture, academic achievements, nation building and family values over the years, through the ages of time.

From the humble la-

All roads will lead to the Lake Mainstay Resort this Sunday as it hosts its 14th Annual Regatta and Stage Show at the magnificent Lake Mainstay, Essequibo.

The day will see 15 power boat races: including two 15 horsepower (hp) races, three 40hp, three 90hp, three 200hp, and three open races. All races are open to both males and females. A memorial race in the 90hp category will be held in honour of Orin Bell.

More than $3 million in cash prizes

and trophies are up for grabs. After the daredevil races on the water, the big stage show and beach party will unfold with some of the best in soca and chutney music. The cast includes Trinidad’s chutney singer Anil Bheem and Guyana’s soca queen Michelle “Big Red” King, Chutney King Prince JP, Lyndon “Jumbie” Jones, Caribbean Hot Shot Band, Pream’s Mega Sounds, and exotic dancers. Deejay Chris is also expected to steam up the show with his excellent skills. Jumbie Jones will also be heat-

ing things up with his comedy routine which is expected to send patrons into frenzy. Apart from the adult activities, there will be lots of activities for the children, including a children’s fun park with merry-go-round, trampoline and a bouncy castle. There will also be lots to eat and drink.

Advance tickets for the event cost $1000 for adults and $700 for children under the age of 10. Admission costs $1200 for adults and $500 for children, with more being charged at the gate.

bourers to the elite executives, they all have a part to play in the social uplifting of our male gender, stated Coordinator Paul Burnette. The contestants for the inaugural Mr Guyana International are Ryan Washington, Raphael October, Trevon Fenty, Christon Pollard, Paul Charles, Alexander

Fiedtkou, Colwyn Abrams, Kurt Walcott, Selwyn Devonish, Kevin Bhagrat and Kevin Smith. The delegates will be participating in several competitions leading up to the grand finale. These include fitness, reality show, among others. The grand finale is set for November.

Alexander Noel Fiedtkou Christon Crandon Colwyn Abrams Kevin Bhagrat

Kevin Smith Kurt Johnson

Paul Charles Raphael October Ryan Washington Selwyn Devonish

Trevon Fenty

On Saturday, August 9, Guyana’s largest summer event, Jamzone Summer Break, makes its North American debut at the Village in Brooklyn, New York.

While the one-day affair can be seen as an abbreviated version of the local 10-day event, there will be no lessening in the colour, fun and intensity that has come to be associated with the annual festival.

The local performing contingent, as well as the headliner acts that will be taking the stage reflects Hits and Jams Entertainment’s ever evolving goal to provide high quality entertainment.

Jamaica’s dancehall

Mavado, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ soca

maestro Skinny Fabulous and Guyana’s song bird Tameka Marshall are among the talented list of performers who will come together and execute the ultimate inaugural NYC edition of Guyana’s most exciting event!

Also to making appearances are Lisa Punch, Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, Jay Anderson, Fojo, Shelly G and Malcolm Ferreira, more famously known as “Mr Wickedee”!

Among the deejays are DJ Energy, DJ Bevaughn, DJ Norie from Power 105, Banky Hype and Elegance Sounds deejays.

The Boom will also have a presence at the event with

“Lrepresentation by The Hangout Hostess Feliz Robertson, Host of the Midday Mix Stan Gouveia and Wickedee Host, Malcolm Ferreira. Also there for the meet and greet will be Miss Jamzone Guyana 2014 Soyini Fraser.

While this will be the first year for Jamzone to be hosted in the US, the event is in its 14th year in Guyana where it has been established as the greatest summer calendar event.

Promoters are aiming for Guyana’s most anticipated event to make a similar impact on the international scene as we generate the ultimate Brooklyn shutdown, Guyanese style.

Twenty-two-year-old Onesha Hutson was recently crowned Miss Global International Guyana during an audition at the Pegasus Hotel. She out shone her other rivals.

The Miss Global International Guyana franchise selected a top five finalists who undertook a screening process in swimwear, introduction, talent, even ing gown, interview and final ques tion segments before a highly quali fied panel of judges both in the field of pageantry and tourism at the Pegasus Hotel where the final three were an nounced.

Ashley Cameron, Rashwana Alleyne and Onesha Hutson were the three who made it to the top three spots and were allotted a total of 70 points each by the judges. It was up to the pub lic to contribute the remaining 30 points to their favourite ambassador via text vot ing which resulted in Miss Hutson topping the chart.

On Saturday last, the grand revelations was made at the Pegasus Oasis Lounge where the win ner was announced. An online People’s Choice Award was launched in collaboration with Missosology Guyana website and the win ner was Rashawna Alleyne.

il Rick”, also known as “Hypa Dawg” will be performing live at Club Next Guyana, Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara, and the artiste is expected to perform all of his greatest hits such as “Cyah Bother We”, “Waistline Energy”, “Girls Gone Wild”, “Go Dung”, “Can’t Wait”, “Work”, “Monster Wine”, “I like myself”, and many more.

The event will see the talented dancers of the Starlite Dance Team, dressed in amazing costumes performing as back up dancers for the artiste. Patrons will be treated to free Jell-O shots, bottle specials, bucket specials and many other exciting offers to ensure a fabulous party experience.

Patrons will also have the opportunity to mix and mingle with Lil Rick before, during and after the show. Limited early bird tickets are available at a cost of $2000 and are available at Club Next Guyana, Princess Casino, Princess Movie Theatre and Ashmin’s Super Centre.

Pulse Entertainment is doing it again, but this time the party goes down at the popular Gravity Lounge, Regent and Camp Streets, Georgetown, for yet another flavoured night.

“Body Shot” was off the hook the first time it was held at Palm Court and this time around, it is expected to be mad vibes.

Salt-Tequila-Lime; it’s as easy as one, two, three with Pulse Entertainment’s “Body Shot” this Saturday. It is an opportunity to take your tequila shots in the most creative way.

For the first time ever, Pulse Entertainment will be introducing its private body shot booth. Experience a private tequila delight with your

partner in our specially designed booth for 60 seconds.

Don’t worry, what happens in the booth stays in the booth…

Tickets to “Body Shot” cost $2000, with more at the gate. Early bird tickets will be available at Gizmos and Gadgets, Glamour Designer Brands, and Movie Town DVD Club.

The action starts at 20:00h. Patrons can boogie down to the sounds of Deejay Ryan and special guest Deejay Nicholas from Parliament. Music and lighting provided by Pulse Entertainment. This event is powered by Pulse Entertainment – keeping the summer alive!!!

The remain ing two ladies waited anx iously for the an nounce ment of who was the second and first runners-up.

Rashawna

Alleyne was adjudged the second run ner-up and Ashley Cameron copped the first runner-up spot, making the first ever Miss Global International Guyana 2014 Onesha Hutson.

The journey of Miss Global International Guyana has just begun for Hutson with a schedule packed with projects and training and she has already commenced it with great honour.

Miss Hutson will be Guyana’s first am bassador to the Miss Global International Pageant 2014 which is scheduled for December 2-6 in the beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica among a delegation of over 50 other beauty ambassadors from around the world.

Onesha Hutson who is a natural charmer, is a third year medical student of the University of Guyana and a model. This 22-year-old is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of life and pageantry.

Her first participation in a pageant was 2012 when she was a delegate in the Miss Guyana Universe pageant. She also competed in the Miss Jamzone Guyana pageant where she placed 1st runner-up. Onesha has also walked the runway nu-

With that said, Onesha is currently one of five Guyanese models who have been selected to take part in the ‘Music and Fashion Battle’ (MAFB) in Suriname and The Netherlands. Apart from her life as a runway model, Ms Hutson has been a part of various health programmes with the Health Ministry and private entities. She is a trained Phlebotomist and volunteers at the St Anne’s Orphanage. She enjoys reminiscing on her school days which were spent at Central High School and St Gabriel’s Primary, and St Rose’s High School, where she graduated as an honour student

Being well-rounded, Onesha formed and directed the first drama club at her high school and also played basketball and badminton in her fifth form year. Ms Hutson also managed, directed and edited the Daily Rose, which was her high school’s newspaper. Onesha stands at five feet, nine inches tall and rocks her natural hair. She is the first daughter for her parents and puts her family first at all times because they are her biggest supporters. The Miss Global international pageant will give her the opportunity to not only promote herself as a beauty ambassador but also to sell her country to the world. She gains inspiration and encouragement from her mother and other young women she refers to as her “chicas”. She is indeed an extremely wonderful role model.

superstar

By Reuben Stoby

Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) whipping boys Antigua Hawksbills, driven by an unbeaten century from West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels and a half- century from the young Orlando Peters put on a brutal batting display that made what had at first appeared to be a daunting total set by Guyana Amazon Warriors, seem gettable.

In the end, however, not even the bravery and record partnership of 161 could save the Hawksbills from yet another defeat as they fell short by 19 runs at the Warner Park in St Kitts.

Sent in to bat, the Amazon Warriors lashed their way to 212 for 5 off their 20 overs with a 51ball 90 from Martin Guptill, 51 from Skipper Denesh Ramdin and 37 from Christopher Barnwell.

The Hawksbills made a valiant effort but found themselves 19 runs short when the 20 overs expired and with them on 193 for 3. Samuels, batting with a thigh injury, ill-treated the Amazon Warriors bowlers on his way to 106 not out

from 52 balls (8x6 and 10x4). Peters ended on 65 off 45 deliv eries, five of which went for sixes.

Krishmar Santokie, Navin Stewart and Veerasammy Permaul were the wicket- takers for the Amazon Warriors, who saw four of their bowlers go ing for more than 11 runs per over.

The Amazon Warriors had a shaky start to their innings as they were a wicket down in the second over after the ever aggressive Lendl Simmons went with out scoring and then Mohammad Hafeez fell for just eight af ter miscuing a Sheldon Cottrell delivery that found Peters at backward square leg.

With the score on 402, Ramdin arrived at the crease and began his in

SCOREBOARD

Guyana Amazon Warriors innings (20 overs maximum)

LMP Simmons c Cottrell b Tonge 0 MJ Guptill c Cummins b Brathwaite 90 Mohammad Hafeez c Peters b Cottrell 8

D Ramdin*† c Samuels b Tonge 51

CD Barnwell b Hogg 37

JDS Neesham not out 9

ND Stewart not out 1

Extras (lb 6, w 4, nb 6) 16

Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 212 (10.60 runs per over)

Did not bat: V Permaul, SP Narine, K Santokie, RR Beaton

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Simmons, 1.4 ov), 2-40 (Mohammad Hafeez, 4.5 ov), 3-154 (Ramdin, 14.4 ov), 4-168 (Guptill, 16.3 ov), 5-205 (Barnwell, 19.3 ov) Bowling: SS Cottrell 4-028-1, GC Tonge 4-1-462, CR Brathwaite 4-0-37-1, ML

Cummins 1-0-23-0, 0-39-1, MN Samuels 4-0-33-0 Antigua Hawksbills innings (target: 213 runs from 20 overs) BR Dunk c †Ramdin b Santokie 3 DJ Hussey b Stewart 13 MN Samuels* not out 106 DP Hyatt c Neesham b Permaul 0 O Peters not out 67

Extras (lb 4) 4

Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 193 (9.65 runs per over)

Did not bat: DC Thomas†, CR Brathwaite, SS Cottrell, ML Cummins, GC Tonge, GB Hogg Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Dunk, 2.1 ov), 2-31 (Hussey, 4.4 ov), 3-32 (Hyatt, 5.4 ov)

Bowling: K Santokie 4-0-451, Mohammad Hafeez 1-04-0, RR Beaton 4-0-48-0, ND Stewart 3-0-25-1, V Permaul 3-0-34-1, SP Narine 4-1-16-

Guyana Amazon Warriors stave off Marlon Samuels’ bludgeoning – beat Antigua Hawksbills by

nings with back- to- back boundaries down fine leg.

The Amazon Warriors were then gifted free runs in the seventh over, when Miguel Cummins shockingly sent down five no balls in an over that cost him 23 runs, with one delivery alone costing 19. Cummins failed to get his footing right but

even that didn’t seem to change the expression of the ever cool Samuels.

Guptill and Ramdin brought up their 50 partnership off 32 balls off the last ball of the eighth over with a boundary by Ramdin, who would then smack consecutive sixes off Brad Hogg in a 10th over that cost 19 runs.

The Warriors skipper brought up his 50 off 31 deliveries, but would depart with the score on 154 for 3, after he smashed one straight to Samuels at extra cover.

Guptill continued to hit sixes out of the park and was on his way to the fastest century in this year’s Limacol CPL when he was dismissed when 10 shy of the three digits, caught by

19 runs

Cummins off the bowling of Carlos Braithwaite.

The hard-hitting Christopher Barnwell would then smash four sixes before he was bowled looking to whack Hogg out of the park.

Chasing the highest total in the 2014 Limacol CPL, the Hawksbills were soon on 32-3 with Ben Dunk, David Hussey and Danza Hyatt all back in the dug-out. Jimmy Neesham had taken a flyer to dismiss Hyatt for a duck off the bowling of Permaul

But Samuels started his onslaught and in the 12th over picked out Permaul for mistreatment as the Guyanese bowler conceded 20 runs.

Navin Stewart, Santokie, Ronsford Beaton and, Neesham also suffered as

Samuels, hobbling with a leg injury, opted to just stand at the crease and lift the bowlers out of the small Warner Park arena.

The Amazon Warriors welcomed back Sunil Narine and he was really the only one whom Samuels and Peters failed to get a hold off. Narine finished with figures of 4-1-16-0.

Samuels’s century came off 50 deliveries and was brought up with a six off Santokie, the third six of three consecutive off Santokie in that final over.

In the end, however, the Hawksbills were found wanting by 19 runs... a familiar number in a Cummins over during the Amazon Warriors innings.

How haunting these mistakes can become!

Marlon Samuels’s unbeaten 106 was in vain

Denesh Ramdin congratulates Samuels after the win+

Another Paul gem, another Guyana victory

By AvenAsh RAmzAn

With bat in hand

Kemo Paul can do no wrong at the moment. The highly talented Essequibian is quickly carving a name for himself in this year’s West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-19, 50-over competition, yet again scoring a half-century, yet again leading Guyana to victory.

In a match reduced to 32 overs per innings due to a wet outfield, Guyana bowled well to restrict Trinidad and Tobago to 163-9 to which the hosts replied with 164-5 in 28.2 overs with Paul hitting

a marvellous 67-ball 74.

It was Guyana’s third victory from as many games, and Paul’s third half-century of the tournament, following scores of 85 against the Leeward Islands and 51 against Barbados.

With a fair-sized crowd offering strong support, the Guyanese started the runchase in electric fashion with West Indies openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer racing to 37 in 4.4 overs before the latter was dismissed for 12.

Skipper Brian Sattaur joined Chanderpaul, but his disastrous run in this year’s

competition continued when he was caught at point for seven at 45-2.

Probably inspired by the presence of his father Shivnarine, grandfather Khemraj and legendary former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, young Chanderpaul continued to play positive, hitting two sixes over long-on with disdain to follow up a scorching one earlier in his innings over wide long-off.

His partner Paul was content on playing the supporting role- knocking it around and rotating the strike- but just as Chanderpaul was beginning to blossom he was

caught on the mid-wicket boundary for an attractive 41 from 32 balls, inclusive of three sixes and two fours.

As he walked back dejectedly to the pavillion to rapturous applause, the game had been flung wide open at 69-3 in 12 overs with Trinidad and Tobago sniffing a chance to tighten the screws.

However, Paul and Akshay Homraj settled whatever nerves may have existed in Guyana’s camp, adding a match-turning 49 in 10.3 overs of sensible batting. While Paul assumed the lead role, being the aggressive partner, Homraj was content on picking the gaps and unsettling the bowlers.

When the bowlers got it right, Paul acknowledged with a straight bat; when they got it wrong, he made them pay, none more destructive than two sixes on either sides of the ‘V.’

Despite losing Homraj along the way- caught at point for 20 at 118-4 in the 22nd over- Paul maintained his calm demeanour, bringing up his half-century off 60 balls in the 24th over. Thereafter, he proceeded to hit three more sixes, scoring 24 off the next seven deliveries he faced before being dismissed with a solitary run needed for victory.

His match-winning

knock included six towering sixes and three fours.

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago inserted to take first strike after Guyana won the toss, slipped from a strong position of 143-3 to 163-9 when the overs ran out.

Camilio Carimbocas, batting at number four, topscored with 66 (73 balls, 3x4s, 2x6s), opener Amir Jangoo hit 34 (50 balls, 2x4s, 1x6) and Brian Christmas 22 in the tourists’ total. Bowling for Guyana, spinners Sharaz

Ramcharran and Damion Waldron claimed 3-27 and 2-25. Elsewhere, Jamaica defeated ICC Americas by seven wickets in a match reduced to 24 overs at the Everest ground. ICC Americas made 123 all out in 23.4 overs before Jamaica coasted to 126-3 in 22 overs.

Over at Enmore, the match between the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain.

SCOREBOARD

T&T Under-19s (32 overs maximum)

K. Kanhai run out 14

+A. Jangoo c Ramcharran b Sankar 34

*J. Solozano lbw b Baldeo 0

C. Carimbocas lbw b Ramcharran 66

B. Christmas c wkpr Savory b Waldron 22

J. Manniram c Mohammed b Ramcharran 7

S. Roopnarine c Hetmyer b Ramcharran 0

A. Phillip c Ramcharran b Waldron 0

J. Joseph not out 2

A. Seetal run out 0

T. Jadoo not out 1

Extras (w-15, lb-1, b-1) 17

TOTAL (9 wkts; 32 overs) 163

Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-29, 3-86, 4-143, 5-157, 6-157, 7-159, 8-161, 9-161

Bowling: Paul 6-0-43-0, Baldeo 7-0-21-1, Ramcharran 7-0-27-3,

Sankar 6-0-25-1, Waldron 3-025-2, Ali-Mohammed 3-0-20-0 Guyana (target: 164 off 32 overs)

S. Hetmyer c Kanhai b Seetal 12

T. Chanderpaul c Kanhai b Joseph 41

*B. Sattaur c Joseph b Seetal 7

K. Paul b Joseph 74

A. Homraj c Carimbocas b Christmas 20

R. Ali-Mohammed not out 5

S. Ramcharran not out 0

Extras (w-5) 5

TOTAL (5 wkts, 28.2 overs) 164

Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-45, 3-69, 4-118, 5-163

Bowling: Phillip 2-0-23-0, Roopnarine 6.2-1-30-0, Seetal 4-0-32-2, Jadoo 6-0-34-0, Joseph 7-1-20-2, Christmas 3-0-25-1 Result: Guyana Under19s won by five wickets Points: Guyana Under-19s 6, T&T Under-19s 0.2

Gus Logie appointed T&T Head Coach

Augustine Logie, the former national cricket team captain and West Indies team coach, has been confirmed as the new coach of the Trinidad and Tobago team, according to a statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB).

Logie, when contacted yesterday, stated, “like everything else, I’m pleased with the opportunity to be involved in Trinidad and Tobago cricket, and the opportunity to work with so many talented young players, and to hopefully see their progress to the West Indies team.”

The 53-year-old Logie, after retiring from First Class cricket in 1993, has been involved heavily in coaching, with a stint with Canada before taking over the West

Indies reins from Roger Harper in 2003. He guided the West Indies to the 2004 Champions Trophy title in England but was replaced months later by Australianborn Bennett King. He then served as coach of Bermuda for the 2007 World Cup here in the Caribbean but resigned after the team’s failure to qualify for 2011 World Cup. Logie returned to Canada but was sacked last year after the team was unable to book a spot in the 2014 T20 World Cup. He also had brief spells with W Connection Wanderers, in the local leagues, and Jamaica, but this appointment will see the ex-right handed batsman and ace fielder return to the land of his birth.

“It feels good, on home soil, it’s where I started I

must admit,” Logie said. “I was involved at the youth level, with the first Academy intake. It’s like I’ve come full circle.”

He continued, “having seen those guys graduate and play for the national and West Indies teams makes you feel good. It’s an

opportunity again being afforded to me and I’m certainly going to grab it with both hands.”

Admitting that the appointment took place a month ago, Logie has been working with the national players who are not currently involved with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), including leg-spinner Imran Khan and opening batsman Adrian Barath.

As a member of the starstudded West Indies team from 1981-1993, Logie played 52 Tests, scoring 2,470 runs at an average of 35.79, as well as 158 OneDay Internationals, scoring 2,809 runs at 28.95.

“You bring to the table your own discipline, commitment, sense of responsibility and work ethic so you’re entrusting that so those in

your charge can look up to that and try to emulate that as much as possible,” Logie said. “Apart from that, you bring your own knowledge and integrity to proceedings.”

Dudnath Ramkissoon, cricket operations manager of the TTCB, confirmed yesterday that Logie has replaced Kelvin Williams as coach of the men’s team.

Ramkissoon said that David Williams will continue as the team’s technical director, but Kelvin Williams has been demoted to the role as assistant coach.

Trinidad and Tobago lost to the Windward Islands at the Queen’s Park Oval in the semi-final phase of the 2014 Regional Four Day Championships. But Ramkeesoon made it clear that the team’s failure to secure the Four Day title was not a reason for a change at the tactical level.

“This is a new thing that is happening throughout the Caribbean,” said Ramkeesoon, with regards to the revamped Regional First Class tournament. “We needed somebody with experience who can work in that capacity (with contracted players). Gus, with his experience, can do some work with those players.” (WICB)

The 2014-2015 season is set to bowl off in November and the former TTCB vicepresident, when asked if Logie will be in charge only for the Regional Four Day Championships, replied, “right now he’s the national coach. He’s been working with the contracted players.”

Tagenarine Chanderpaul goes aerial during his attacking 41

Kemo Paul plays from deep within his crease

Part of the action during the Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 clash

Gus Logie

Sri Lanka steady after Pakistan post 451

Pakistan posted their second-highest total in the first innings of a Test in the past eight years as the lower middle order weighed in after Younis Khan’s 177. Sri Lanka toiled for five sessions on a pitch that went placid after the first morning and conceded 450-plus in successive first innings in GalleSouth Africa had made 455 last month. The hosts lost Upul Tharanga early, but Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva’s partnership had steadily grown to

75 by stumps. The overnight batsmen Younis and Asad Shafiq could add only 32 on the day before the latter was taken out by Rangana Herath. But Younis hung around to add 66 with Sarfraz Ahmed, who came in with a Test average of 18.58 and batted positively to make a fifty. So did Abdur Rehman, whose blows at No. 8 tipped Pakistan over 450. There was next to nothing for the fast bowlers on the second morning on a drying pitch under over-

SCOREBOARD

Pakistan 1st innings

Khurram Manzoor lbw

b Prasad 3

Ahmed Shehzad b Prasad 4 Azhar Ali b Herath 30

Younis Khan c Vithanage

b Perera 177

Misbah-ul-Haq* c †Dickwella

b Herath 31 Asad Shafiq lbw b Herath 75 Sarfraz Ahmed† c Mathews

b Perera 55 Abdur Rehman c Sangakkara

b Perera 50 Saeed Ajmal c Jayawardene

b Perera 12

Mohammad Talha not out 9 Junaid Khan c Jayawardene

b Perera 0

Extras: (lb 4, nb 1) 5

Total:(all out; 140.5 overs; 622 mins) 451

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Ahmed Shehzad, 1.3 ov), 2-19 (Khurram Manzoor, 5.4 ov), 3-56 (Azhar Ali, 21.6 ov), 4-156 (Misbahul-Haq, 57.4 ov), 5-293 (Asad

Shafiq, 101.1 ov), 6-359 (Younis Khan, 118.3 ov), 7-388 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 126.6 ov), 8-424 (Saeed Ajmal, 134.4 ov), 9-451 (Abdur Rehman, 140.2 ov), 10451 (Junaid Khan, 140.5 ov)

Bowling: RMS Eranga 31-1378-0, KTGD Prasad 24-3-812, AD Mathews 15-7-25-0, HMRKB Herath 38-9-116-3, MDK Perera 31.5-1-137-5, KDK Vithanage 1-0-10-0 Sri Lanka 1st innings WU Tharanga lbw b Junaid Khan 19

JK Silva not out 38 KC Sangakkara not out 36

Extras: (b 1, w 5) 6 Total: (1 wicket; 34 overs) 99

To bat:DPMD Jayawardene, AD Mathews*, KDK Vithanage, N Dickwella†, MDK Perera, KTGD Prasad, HMRKB Herath, RMS Eranga Fall of wickets 1-24 (Tharanga, 4.4 ov)

Bowling: Junaid Khan 10-338-1, Mohammad Talha 7-326-0, Saeed Ajmal 12-4-19-0, Abdur Rehman 5-0-15-0

cast skies in sharp contrast to the first hour on day one. The surface was sedate, and Younis and Shafiq got going with nudges past gully. The only chance Sri Lanka created was an edge produced off Younis by Dhammika Prasad that fell short of first slip.

Angelo Mathews turned to Herath after six overs, but Shafiq stepped out and lofted him for six. Mathews brought himself on and tied Shafiq down with a couple of maidens. Shafiq, who had moved to 75 off 130, went scoreless for 15 balls before failing to pick Herath’s arm ball and falling leg-before.

Sarfraz arrived and swept his first ball for two. He drove eagerly too, and the increased pace of scoring allowed Younis to continue in his own solid way. His leaving and defence were absolutely safe, like they had been through his innings.

He continued to be on the right side of reviews, Sri Lanka finding he had gloved a Herath ball onto pad on 147 as they appealed for leg-before. The 150 came up with a powerful drive off Shaminda Eranga through extra cover for four.

ounis gave an opportunity to the same bowler when on 156, but Eranga could not hold onto another sharp drive in his followthrough. As the break neared, Younis jumped out and drove Herath insideout through extra cover,

leaving Sri Lanka staring at another afternoon on the field.

They were to strike soon after lunch, though. Younis went after Dilruwan Perera, off whom he took 58 off 61, again. He reverseswept him from the line of leg stump for two, tried again and missed the second time and jumped out to the third ball but only chipped it to midwicket.

Sarfraz showed off his timing now, walking across to Prasad and clipping him four to deep midwicket. Even he was to fall to Perera on the leg side, when he hit one to short mid-on trying to go over the

David Luiz is over World Cup disaster

– world’s most expensive defender unveiled at Paris St-Germain

David Luiz says that he has recovered from Brazil’s World Cup disaster at his Paris StGermain unveiling. The defender, a £40m signing from Chelsea, captained his country during their 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany.

Luiz, 27, said: “If the World Cup had finished at the quarter-final stage then you wouldn’t be asking questions about my ability. “I’ve had time to digest the end of our World Cup and now I’m ready to do everything to help PSG.”

The world’s most expensive defender, who can also play in midfield, held his first news conference for the French champions since his move, which happened during the World Cup. “I feel privileged. I’m part of a fantastic team in which everyone has something to teach me. It’s wonderful to be part of this project,” he said, while adding that “Chelsea are history”. “I hope to be 100% next week and on the pitch as soon as possible. I’m ready to help

David Luiz is the world’s most expensive defender

in any position on the field.”

Luiz joined the Blues from Benfica for £21.3m in January 2011 and made 143 appearances for the club. He was part of the Chelsea side that beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.

PSG president Nasser AlKhelaifi said: “David Luiz will help us achieve our goal of winning the Champions League.”

He also said that the club will not be signing Real

Madrid and Argentina winger Angel Di Maria. “It is true that we have held talk with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez but he is too expensive for us. We have stopped negotiations,” the Qatari added.

from the offspinner and 190 in 52.5 for the day.

Sri Lanka’s reply started in a frenzy of outside edges, none of which carried. Tharanga lasted 15 deliveries, and his innings was a mix of edges and copping it on the pad as he often fell over in his stance. It seemed only a matter of time before he nicked off or went leg-before and Junaid Khan chose the latter mode.

top. Rehman had been targeted persistently with the short ball, but on a slow pitch, had survived without much trouble. He grew in confidence to take three successive fours off Eranga’s short stuff. Two were cut over the cordon, while the third was whipped through square leg.

Even as Mathews sent several fielders to the deep, Rehman started stepping out to loft Perera for boundaries. One such attempt failed to clear wide long-off and Perera finished with five wickets, but Pakistan had scored freely off him, taking 137 in 31.5 overs

Mohammad Talha had Silva edging his first ball short of first slip. Silva’s first three fours were outside edges, but to his credit he was trying to play softly, especially off the back foot. The story continued against the spinners, as an edge off Rehman went just past the keeper and bounced inches in front of Younis at slip. Silva’s struggle to find the middle of the bat extended late into the day, but he also put away some rare wide ones from the spinners.

Sangakkara began with an edged boundary through the slips as well, but tightened up later. Pakistan did not refer an lbw appeal against him when he was on 13, and replays showed Saeed Ajmal’s delivery would have hit leg stump. Sangakkara went without a boundary for 57 balls before he pulled and drove Junaid for two in an over just before stumps. Pakistan ended the day still comfortably ahead, but this is one wicket they will want early next morning.

Mo Farah eyes Great North Run victory on his 2014 return

Olympic and world champion Mo Farah will race at the 2014 Great North Run half-marathon looking to go one better than last year’s second-place finish.

Farah, 31, won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012 and Moscow 2013 but was pipped to GNR success by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele. “I would like to come back and win this year,” said Farah.

The 2014 elite field for the race on 4 September includes Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda. Farah, who withdrew from the

Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after failing to recover from a recent illness, will be among 57,000 running in next month’s field. Organisers Nova have said that this year’s race is set to feature the one millionth finisher of the Great North Run since the event began in 1981. “I’m thrilled that on such a momentous milestone for the Great North Run, Britain’s greatest-ever male distance runner will be joining us,” chairman Brendan Foster added. “One thing’s for sure; Mo will be desperate to be first over the finish line in South Shields.”

Younis Khan stretched his innings to 177 (Photo: AFP)

Mo Farah

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Broad stars as England rout India

Stuart Broad took six wickets and James Anderson three as England assumed control of the fourth Test against India on an action-packed opening day at Old Trafford. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India collapsed to 8-4 as Broad and Anderson found prodigious swing and carry on a bouncy wicket.

Captain Mahendra Dhoni countered with 71, but Broad blew away the tail to bowl India out for 152, a total in which a record-equalling six batsmen were out for ducks. England lost both openers cheaply, but rallied to reach 113-3 by the close, with Ian Bell unbeaten on 45.

Bell added 77 with Gary Ballance, whose dismissal for 37 in the final over of the day gave a second wicket to fast bowler Varun Aaron, one of three India players making their first appearances of the series.

England’s near perfect day has put them in a strong position from which to go 2-1 up with one match to play. It represents a remarkable turnaround for a team whose heavy defeat in the second Test at Lord’s extended their winless run to 10 matches and prompted widespread calls for captain Alastair Cook to stand down.

Here in Manchester, Cook was indebted to Dhoni’s decision to bat first under grey skies and Anderson, whose brilliant opening burst underlined his importance to the side in the week he was cleared of misconduct for his fracas with India’s Ravindra Jadeja. Broad, who will reportedly undergo knee surgery after the fifth Test, was not far behind, although his final four wickets owed more to poor batting than fine bowling.

After the start of play had been delayed half-anhour by rain, Broad instigated the rout when he had

experienced opener Gautam Gambhir - drafted in for the struggling Shikhar Dhawan - caught by Joe Root in the gully.

Fourteen mad minutes, and three immaculate awayswingers later, the tourists were four down. Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli both nicked Anderson to Alastair Cook at first slip, and Cheteshwar Pujara poked at Broad and was well taken by Chris Jordan at fourth.

With Anderson and Broad expertly exploiting helpful conditions, India were in danger of total meltdown, but captain Dhoni led a recovery of sorts. He added 54 with Ajinkya Rahane, who was out on the stroke of lunch, and 66 with Ravichandran Ashwin, who counter-attacked with an entertaining 40 off 42 balls.

In between, there was a satisfying moment for Anderson, as he followed two outswingers with a beautifully disguised inswinger to have his Trent Bridge nemesis Jadeja trapped lbw for a duck.

The last four wickets arrived in relatively quick succession during another fine spell from Broad before tea.

Ashwin and Dhoni were both caught slogging, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pankaj Singh were clean bowled to take the tally of ducks to six.

Kumar stuck an early blow with the ball when Sam Robson was bowled shouldering arms to an inswinger. The Middlesex opener now has only 69 runs in his last five Test innings and could soon come under pressure for his place.

Meanwhile, Cook’s search for a first Test hundred since May 2013 goes on. The captain could not resist hooking fast bowler Varun Aaron and planting a catch into the hands of deep backward square leg. At 36-2, India had an opening, but England reasserted themselves through Ballance and Bell. Ballance, who has three hundreds in his last five Tests, started slowly before finding the boundary with sweetly timed drives on both sides of the wicket.

Bell was aggressive from the outset, hitting seven fours and swatting Ashwin over his head for six to emphasise England’s supremacy. (BBC News)

ov), 4-8 (Pujara, 5.1 ov), 5-62 (Rahane, 23.2 ov), 6-63 (Jadeja, 26.3 ov), 7-129 (Ashwin, 40.2 ov), 8-137 (Kumar, 42.2 ov), 9-152 (Dhoni, 46.1 ov), 10-

Stuart Broad captured 6-25 at Old Trafford

Tridents snap Red Steel

SCOREBOARD

Barbados Tridents innings

(20 overs maximum)

DR Smith c O’Brien b Badree 5 WKD Perkins† c & b Badree 24

Shoaib Malik c DJ Bravo

b Gabriel 35

ND McKenzie run out (Benn) 2 RA Reifer not out 65

KA Pollard* c Cooper

b DJ Bravo 34

JO Holder not out 0

Extras: (lb 3, w 5, nb 1) 9

Total:(5 wickets; 20 overs) 174

Did not bat: BMAJ Mendis, RR Emrit, AR Nurse, R Rampaul

Fall of wickets 1-6 (Smith, 1.1 ov), 2-44 (Perkins, 5.4 ov), 3-50 (McKenzie, 7.3 ov), 4-102 (Shoaib Malik, 14.3 ov), 5-171 (Pollard, 19.4 ov)

Bowling: ST Gabriel 4-0-351, S Badree 4-0-20-2, DJ Bravo

4-0-38-1, SJ Benn 2-0-120, KK Cooper 4-0-44-0, JPR Scantlebury-Searles 2-0-22-0

Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel innings (target: 175 runs from 20 overs)

KJ O’Brien c Emrit b Holder 2

E Lewis c Nurse b Holder 14 LRPL Taylor c Smith b Holder 4 DJ Bravo* c Pollard b Holder 16 DM Bravo c Pollard b Emrit 12 N Pooran† c Mendis b Pollard 33 JPR ScantleburySearles c McKenzie b Nurse 4

KK Cooper c Holder b Emrit 7

SJ Benn c †Perkins b Rampaul 1 S Badree not out 2

ST Gabriel c & b Emrit 0 Extras: (lb 4, w 5, nb 1) 10

Total:(all out; 16.5 overs) 105 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (O’Brien, 0.3 ov), 2-14 (Taylor, 2.3 ov), 3-35 (Lewis, 4.4 ov), 4-44 (DJ Bravo, 6.2 ov), 5-87 (DM Bravo, 11.4 ov), 6-93 (Pooran, 12.4 ov), 7-97 (Scantlebury-Searles, 13.6 ov), 8-100 (Benn, 14.6 ov), 9-105 (Cooper, 16.4 ov), 10-105 (Gabriel, 16.5 ov) Bowling: JO Holder 4-0-274, R Rampaul 3-0-16-1, RR Emrit 3.5-0-23-3, AR Nurse

3-0-9-1, Shoaib Malik 1-014-0, KA Pollard 2-0-12-1

Abrilliant bowling performance from Barbados Tridents resulted in a 69-run win against the on fire Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in their Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) game at Warner Park on Thursday. Jason Holder captured four wickets and Rayad Emrit 3 as the Red Steel were dismissed for 105 chasing the Tridents total of 174.

Earlier Raymond Reifer hit an unbeaten 65 while Kieron Pollard struck 34 off 15 balls for the Tridents who were pumped up in the field under the inspiration of skipper Pollard who displayed his intelligence as a tactical player and captain.

Summarised scores: Barbados Tridents 174/5 (20/20 ov) Red Steel 105 (16.5/20 ov)

Maria Sharapova suffers shock defeat in Montreal

Maria Sharapova fell to a shock defeat at the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

The French Open champion suffered a setback in her build-up to the US Open, losing in three sets to Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro.

Sharapova went down 2-6 6-4 2-6 to the number 14 seed in a rain-hit last-16 match.

The 27-year-old said: “I couldn’t find my rhythm from the beginning and al-

ways had my back against the wall.”

The Russian refused to use the conditions as an excuse for her unexpected exit at the hands of her 25-yearold opponent.

The final Grand Slam of the year starts at Flushing Meadows on August 25, and the former Wimbledon champion added: “There’s quite a bit of time until then. It’s just a matter of fine-tuning a few things.”

Trinidad government blamed for not submitting bids for England test

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, - The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has blamed the government after the country missed the deadline to submit a bid to host one of three tests matches between West Indies and England in the Caribbean next year.

The TTCB has issued a release saying bids were sent to the Prime Minister’s office of the respective countries and not to the territorial boards.

TTCB is complaining that no bids were sent to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) from the Trinidad government even after it got the WICB to extend the deadline.

“In T&T’s case the TTCB was informed upon enquiry that the PM had directed the documents to the Ministry of Sport for it to follow up with the bidding,” said the statement from TTCB.

Four athletes to depart for Mexico today

‒ Four athletes to depart for Mexico today

Four athletes will be heading to Mexico today to participate in the Passo Sports Festival from August 9 to 12.

A source close to the selection of the team revealed that the athletes heading to the event will be Natrina Hooper, Stephan James, Elton Bollers and Olympian Winston George.

“Efforts by the TTCB to reach the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sport on this matter were futile. The TTCB contacted the WICB to find out if in fact a T&T bid was sent in to which a negative response was received”.

Stadium, Grenada’s National Stadium and Kensington Oval in Barbados, will host the three West Indies Tests against England next April.

On Monday, the WICB announced that Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards

“The TTCB asked the WICB to extend the deadline for bid submission and tried to get the Ministry of Tourism to make the bid or

at least provide the necessary government’s guarantee which must accompany any bid being sent by the TTCB,” the statement said.

“The WICB did extend the deadline but no government guarantee was provided to the TTCB. Consequently, no bids were sent in”. (CMC)

The meet, which is also an event that will allow athletes to qualify for the Pan American Games, set for next year, will allow the athletes to test their mettle against some top competition in South America.

According to a source familiar with the team, two males and females were to be selected but due to some changes the team was adjusted to include three males and one female.

Coach of the Running Brave Athletics Club Sham Johnny was selected as the coach due to the unavailability of other coaches.

(Treiston Joseph)

Queen’s Park Oval Trinidad Photo: qpcc.com

Winston George

Maria Sharapova

Ravi Rampaul and Rayad Emrit were in good form with the ball

Kieron Pollard displayed his intelligence as a tactical player and captain

Serious investment in sports needed – Aliann Pompey

By Treiston Joseph

The 2014 edition of the Commonwealth Games is over and Guyana returned without a medal, although it was not for the lack of trying.

The games, which concluded recently in Glasgow, Scotland, saw the Guyanese team being managed by 2002 Commonwealth Games 400 metres champion Aliann Pompey, who did not hesitate to point out her overall assessment of the team.

“I think the team did well at the CWG (Commonwealth Games), I don’t recall being on a team that big and I was a little jealous of them; I know how conducive that atmosphere is to good performances. You have a group of people that you know are there for you, they’re all your team,” Pompey noted.

Speaking more specifically on the performances of the athletes, Pompey highlighted the performances that randomly came to mind.

“I think there were individual performances that were commendable… Stephan James (Athletics) came to his first major championship and made it to the semi-final; Winston (George) made it to the semi-finals in two events (400 and 200m); Nicolette (Fernandes) gave the defending champion a run for her money (squash); I’ve been squeamish about boxing but Eon (Bancroft) and Dennis (Thomas) converted me.

“Our youngsters became stars, they carried themselves well and they made my job easy,” Pompey told Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive interview.

However, all the good performances were simply

not good enough for the athletes to bag any hardware and Pompey shared her thoughts on what should be done to ensure that Guyana can once again medal at the games.

“There is so much we can and need to do before we can be medal contenders, when you look at how I was able to prepare and the resources I had available to me, what these athletes brought to the table, it leaves something to be desired.

“We can get there again but not by accident or goodwill or simply wishing… it will take a serious investment but believe me it’ll pay off… it’s absolutely worth it,” Pompey stressed.

Further, Pompey revealed the obvious about sport in Guyana that definitely needs to be fixed, “The thing about being in this position is that I was responsible for all the sports, not just

Hutson resigns from Running Brave

President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson, who was also president of the Running Brave Athletics Club, resigned from the club recently.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Hutson related that the reason for his resignation was due to the “differences on the way forward” for the club that pos-

sesses young talents such as Jason Yaw, Jevina Sampson, Natricia Hooper and Avon Samuels.

Hutson added that he also had to make the decision because it would be better for him to function solely as the AAG president.

The move, Hutson hopes, would allow him to make a greater contribution to athletics.

SportEditor Letter to the Senior CFU games less than a month away

track and field, so I got to learn more about it and the challenges are ubiquitous.

“Yes, some are better ran and slightly better funded, but compared to the countries that are getting medals in these sports, we’re behind,” Pompey noted.

The last time Guyana was without a medal at the Commonwealth Games was in 2006, Pompey was the last athlete to medal for Guyana both in 2002 (gold) and 2010 (silver).

Whether Guyana will be able to produce a medal at the event in the next four years will be dependent on how serious Guyana views sports.

As Pompey noted, “it’s absolutely worth it,” but will such words from a champion be emphatic enough to warrant as Pompey put it “a serious investment” to move sport forward? Only time will tell.

In less than a month’s time, on September 3, Guyana’s Senior Men’s Team will begin their Caribbean Cup campaign against Dominica in St Kitts, followed by games against St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis. However, rather than being a source of optimism, the lack of information communicated by the current administration regarding the games has meant that there has been no publicity surrounding the matches, or any signs that Guyana will even utilise the best players available to them for the campaign.

As of August 7, no manager or squad has been announced and there are also doubts as to whether the

GFF will call on overseasbased players for the games. How can a National Team expect to prosper if there is no indication of a manager or squad being chosen with just weeks to go before a major tournament?

The GFF, led by Christopher Matthias, has failed to answer this question, and a recent interview by Mr Matthias on NCN television suggested that the primary focus of his administration is on Guyana’s Under-17 team and not the Senior Men’s Team, despite the Senior Team being the flagship of any footballing nation and also the best way of generating income.

The Caribbean Cup this year has been regarded as

the most important of alltime, as the highest four finishers qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup next July, and even more importantly, the winner of the 2014 Caribbean Cup will qualify for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, a special tournament marking the 100th anniversary of the South American Football Federation and set to feature Brazil, Argentina as well as all the other major South American teams. With this in mind, it seems puzzling as to why the GFF has not placed importance on preparing a Senior Side capable of winning the tournament.

Yours sincerely, SantokieNagulendran

GBL donates equipment to Curacao PONY League

The Guyana Baseball League (GBL) on Wednesday made a donation of baseball equipment to the newest PONY Baseball family member in the Region, Curacao, led by Thakaizdwa Doran.

The equipment will be used by children in the western part of Curacao at the Akademia di Beisbol Bandabou Tigers. The GBL said it is thankful for the assistance of Insel Air, the Flag carrier of Curacao, and Captain Gerald Gouveia of Roraima Airways, who made the donation possible.

The GBL has been fortunate to receive donations of equipment from PONY International League, various individuals and from a great American charity, “Pitch in for Baseball,” which provides new and gently used baseball and

softball equipment to boys and girls in the United States and around the world, who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so.

The GBL hopes that one day the children of Guyana and Curacao will play base-

ball and softball games in friendly competition as Insel Air continues to prove that it is possible to build bridges in the air.

Insel Air was happy to be a part of this initiative and would like to express its sincere appreciation to the members, founders and partners of the GBL. “We are committed to the development of young sports persons within the Caribbean and fostering positive growth in the lives of young persons,” a representative of the company said.

Guyana’s next fixtures have been revealed on FIFA.com but not by the GFF. Picture courtesy of FIFA.com

Aliann Pompey

(From left) President of GBL Robin Singh; Insel Air representative Diedrie Davis; Chairman of the GBL, Dominic O’Sullivan; and Marvin Mahipat, Coach of the Charlestown Bombers, share a light moment after Wednesday’s handing over

Aubrey Hutson

Martin Guptill scored 90 for Amazon Warriors

Jimmy Neesham took a spectacular catch to dismiss Danza Hyatt