Caribbean Times International

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ISSUE NO. 61

CANADA EDITION

CN $1.00

Jack Warner says no rush to join Partnership gov’t - after Chaguanas West by-election victory

Limacol Caribbean Premier League opens with dazzling display Page 10

WEEK ENDING August 1, 2013

See story on page 9

Guyana gov’t allocates millions to develop Belvedere industrial site in Berbice Page 14 Phillip Paulwell

Digicel’s chairman Denis O'Brien and President of the West Indies Cricket Board Dave Cameron unveil the Limacol Caribbean Premier League ‘Roots’ trophy during a lavish opening ceremony at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Tuesday evening. Looking on (from left) are St Lucia Zouks captain Darren Sammy, LCPL Ambassador Sir Garfield Sobers (partially hidden), founder of the LCPL Ajmal Khan and LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe. (CPL photo)

Jamaica to enact laws protecting youth from Page 16 Internet abuse

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NEWS

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

Jamaica’s smoking ban under review after continued protests

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amaica’s Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson bowed to increasing pressure from within and outside the ruling People's National Party (PNP), Tuesday, agreeing to let Parliament review the ban on smoking he implemented on July 15.

Dr Ferguson, who up to over the weekend had been defiant that the ban would remain intact, told the House of Representatives that he had accepted the proposal from the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to refer the regulations, which he finally tabled Tuesday, to the Human Resource and Social Development Committee (HRSDC), which is chaired by his predecessor Rudyard Spencer.

Ferguson also announced that he would remove sections 3(3) and 8 of the regulations, which deal with the labelling of individual sticks of cigarette.

Some definitions under Section 2, including the definition of "public

place", "enclosed space" and "work place" will be amended, and private residences or home and private conveyances such as vehicles that are not being used to provide services will be exempt from the requirements of public enclosed spaces or workplaces under the regulations, he said.

The minister also committed to reducing the very controversial fines specified in the regulations and consider the imposition of non-criminal sanctions, and pointed out that he was in discussions with the tourism industry on how to implement the regulations "in a practical way".

However, he said that the regulations will remain in place while he continues dialogue with the police and other groups and individuals.

He said that his ministry would continue to work with the police to ensure that there is an insistence on compliance, "but with sensi-

tivity, care and the recognition that nicotine is addictive".

"During this period of consultations, I have had the assurance that there will be restraint on the part of the police," he said in response to the issues surrounding the arrests of persons smoking in public places, including entertainment venues.

But, Ferguson insisted that smoking would not be allowed in areas specifically used by children; nor in workplaces, including restaurants, bars and clubs, and that persons who choose to smoke in these venues must ensure that they do so away from the entrance, exit and ventilation intake of these establishments.

The minister also insisted that he would not endorse the establishment of smoking rooms in business places, and that smoking would not be allowed in sports, athletic and recreational facilities used by the public nor in places of collective use, such as bus tops.

"Compliance should be order of the day and the responsibility of every citizen," he said.

Opposition spokesman on health, Dr Kenneth Baugh, welcomed the health minister's acceptance of the opposition's proposals, including the suggestion to remove sections 3(3) and 8, as well as to refer the substantial issues to the HRSDC, which was the main proposal in Dr Baugh's motion.

(Jamaica Observer)

Volney resigns from UNC

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t Joseph MP Herbert Volney Tuesday tendered his resignation from the United National Congress (UNC), 24 hours after his former Cabinet colleague Jack Warner registered a resounding victory in the Chaguanas West by-election over UNC candidate Khadijah Ameen.

Stating he will now be an Independent MP in the House of Representatives, Volney said he is not prepared “as yet” to join Warner’s Independent Liberal Party (ILP), until he knows exactly what the ILP stands for.

Volney said the ILP was mere the engine room for Warner’s successful re-election campaign and the party needs to be “defined”. He said his resignation from the UNC does not mean the St Joseph seat will be declared vacant, thus

Herbert Volney (TT Newsday file photo)

triggering another byelection.

Section 49 (2) (e) of the Constitution states a member of the House shall also resign his seat “having been a candidate of a party and elected to the House, he resigns from or is expelled by that party.”

Volney said he is “politically and legally” on

solid ground and there is no basis on which a by- election must be automatically called following his resignation. Legal sources said there was no constitutional hindrance, notwithstanding the wording of the Constitution because this matter had been dealt with previously. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Former works minister of Guyana dies in Canada

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ormer Public Works Minister of Guyana Shiv Sahai Naraine has passed away at the age of 89 in Toronto, Canada where he was residing. A release from the public works ministry expressed condolences and sadness at his passing. The works ministry and opposition leader David Granger on Tuesday evening expressed regret at his passing while remembering his good works and contributions to Guyana’s development.

In its statement to the media, the ministry recalled that the former senior minister of works and transport was a graduate of London University and was one of the first Guyanese to study at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands in the field of sea defence.

Granger said Naraine’s passing is a loss that will be hard for Guyana to fathom.

He said the former minister of the then PNC government was one of

the most distinguished engineers the country ever had.

Naraine held various positions in the Public Works Department and the Drainage and Irrigation Department, moving from district engineer in 1951 to director of drainage and irrigation in 1960 to 1963.

He also was designated the chief works and hydraulics officer from 1963-1970 and technical specialist in the Economic Development Ministry from 1971-1972.

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EDITORIAL

Bankrupt Detroit

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n July 18th Detroit, once one of the top three cities in the US, filed for bankruptcy. It was a seismic event but because it was so long in coming and occurred in the midst of the five-year national financial crisis, it has not generated the kind of response it should have. Two months before, the Governor-appointed 'emergency financial manager" had declare Detroit "clearly insolvent" because of its $60 million operating deficit and its overall cash shortfall of $162 million.

On June 14, he announced the city would halt payments on its $18.5 billion debt, plunging the city into default. The filing of bankruptcy, allowed under the US laws, inevitably followed.

In Guyana this deficit position with Georgetown is chronic and one may wonder why it has not been declared bankrupt.

The difference is that even though Georgetown is a devolved "township", the central government still bails it out after every financial crisis. In our non-federalised governance system, towns cannot declare bankruptcy.

But Detroit is a metaphor for deeper structural changes that are going on in the US, and even if we did not have so many relatives and friends living in that country, because of the decisive role the US plays in global economic and political affairs, it is important that we have some understanding of the pertinent factors. It may be a harbinger of things to come in all countries striving to emulate the US path of development.

While Detroit is not the first US city or municipality to file for bankruptcy, it is the largest by far. From a population of 3 million in 1970, it has shrunk to 700,000 today and great swaths of it resemble Baghdad after the US bombing in the Gulf War and its aftermath. Comparing it to New York, which boasts it is "the city that never sleeps", one wag described Detroit as "the city that never sweeps". 40% of its street-lamps do not function; 210 of its 317 public parks have been permanently closed; it takes an hour for police to respond to a 911 call; only a third of its ambulances are drivable; one-third of the city has been abandoned; the local realtor offers houses on sale for $1 and still finds no takers.

This is a far cry from its earlier glory days when Detroit reflected the awesome productive power of American freeenterprise system and many of the system’s undoubted initially progressive attributes. In the first half of the 20th Century, Detroit became the centre of the giant US automobile industry, for decades, the largest in the world. That industry seemed to symbolise all that was positive in American-style capitalism and society at large.

It employed millions of workers in modern, clean factories with relatively decent wages. Fordist Production–named after the car manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947)–was based on the reasoning that if assembly workers were paid generous wages and benefits, then these workers would in turn be able to buy the cars that the factories were mass producing.

It sounded eminently reasonable and for a while it worked admirably. That is, until foreign carmakers, starting with Japan, began competing and the US industry's management refused to innovate. They focused on cutting wage levels, which precipitated mass cutbacks in the workforce.

The city imploded as US car sales plummeted and they began moving abroad in search of even lower wages. The Mayors and City Councils of Detroit, from the seventies, were just as unimaginative in dealing with the pressures of their declining tax base. In the present, city dwellers can expect even worst services while the pension schemes and retirees who gave their lives to the auto industry that gave the city its moniker, "Motown" will be given short shrift behind the banks and bond holder creditors.

The lesson for us is that the free enterprise system must be tempered by social concerns.

A scene from the launching ceremony for Emancipation observances in Guyana held at the site of the 1763 Monument (Square of the Revolution) in Georgetown last Friday. (Frank Anthony FB photo)

Caricom enjoying positive intra-regional trade since establishment

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n examination of Caricom’s trade performance since its establishment four decades ago has shown that intraregional trade has generally been positive, with certain downfalls and variations owing to environmental changes. This was revealed during a seminar hosted at the Caricom Secretariat last Thursday, to mark the regional block’s 40th anniversary and as part of activities to observe International Year of Statistics.

The information on the region’s progress over the years in trade, both at the intra-regional and extra-regional levels, was highlighted in a presentation conducted by Caricom’s Project Officer for Statistics Deoram Persaud.

Persaud said based on research, intra-regional trade was favourable during the early period of the institution’s establishment and during 2002-2008.

However, a major dip in the progress occurred during the recent global economic crisis.

“Changes in the global environment over the period would have impacted trade.

These include the removal of preferential arrangements for sugar and banana, OPEC–oil prices hikes during the mid and late 70s, debt crisis of the mid 80s and the global financial and economic crises of 2008.”

Presenting on the period 1973-2011, Persaud said

Caricom’s total export expanded at an average annual growth of eight per cent, while the average annual growth rate for import within that same period being 7.7 per cent.

He noted that the global economic crisis of 2008 saw a huge decrease in exports with a negative growth rate of 46.1 per cent and a decrease in imports at 25.9 per cent.

“Overall, the region’s trade was in deficit over the period and averaged US$2.2 billion.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. was recorded as the most significant market for Caricom’s exports, with total export averaging 44.2 per cent.

During the period studied, intra-regional trade came in second, averaging 17.2 per cent, followed by the European Union with 15.1 per cent.

“Total export, while increasing rapidly from 2006 to 2008, suffered setbacks and grew at an average rate of one per cent. For 19732005, the average growth rate was 8.2 per cent,” Persaud pointed out.

The average annual growth rate for intra-regional exports from 19732011 stood at 8.8 per cent and 14.8 per cent for total export.

Trinidad and Tobago has been recorded as the most dominant intra-regional exporter, accounting for 71.3 per cent of the total intraregional export over the pe-

riod reviewed.

Jamaica followed as the top regional importer with 31.2 per cent of total intra-regional import while Barbados account for 15.5 per cent.

The commodities topping the intra-regional export market were mineral, fuels, lubricants and other related materials, followed by food, which accounted for 15.6 per cent and manufactured goods 11.6 per cent, for which Guyana played a pivotal role, according to the project officer for statistics.

However, on the importation side, machinery and transport equipment were listed as the major commodities, followed by mineral, fuels and manufactured goods.

“The EU ranked second for the region’s extra-regional exports, accounting on average for 17.9 per cent for the entire period and 16.5 per cent from 2006-2011.”

Turning his attention to extra-regional imports, Persaud said “the average annual growth rate was 7.5 per cent”, with the U.S. being the region’s main source of imports, followed by the EU and the Latin American Integration Association”.

With the exception of between 2006-2001, there was phenomenal growth in intra-regional trade. Persaud concluded that future analysis should focus on trade with attention on climatic and environmental changes that impact progress.

News

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Former Trinidad minister Collin Partap fined TT$5,000

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ired minister in the ministry of National Security, Collin Partap, has been found guilty of failing to provide a breath sample to a police officer in 2012. “To whom much is given, much is expected,�

Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar said as she fined Partap TT$5,000 and directed him to pay it in one week, or in default he will serve nine months hard labour.

Partap was charged with failing to provide a breath specimen to a police constable when requested on August 26, 2012, at the corner of Keate and Frederick Streets, Port-of-Spain.

He was fired by Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar, hours after the incident. He is still the Cumuto/Manzanilla MP. His conviction does not affect his status as a sitting MP. Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal said since a fine was imposed on Partap, as opposed to a jail sentence, his conviction does not affect his status as an MP. The Chief Magistrate in her ruling said the breathalyser legislation, which was piloted

Former junior national security minister Colin Partap, right, leaves the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court with his attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar, left and Jagdeo Singh after he was found guilty Tuesday. (Kearra Gopee/TT Guardian photo)

in Parliament by then Works and Transport Minister, Colm Imbert, in 2006, was thoroughly researched on the effects of alcohol on drivers.

She said the introduction of the breathalyser was a firm step towards road safety, as drinking and driving had become prevalent in TT. Partap had pleaded not guilty to the charge that on August 26, 2012 at the corner of Keate and Frederick Streets, Port-ofSpain he, being the driver of vehicle PCM 1016, and without reasonable excuse, failed to provide a breath specimen to a police constable when re-

quested. Partap was fired on August 26, 2012 hours, after he was stopped by police officers after he left a Port-of-Spain nightclub.

According to evidence, Partap refused to provide the sample even though he had been asked more than five times, including once by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, who charged the minister. Partap eventually passed a test at the Belmont Police Station hours after he was first stopped by the police.

The test was done in the presence of acting Police Commissioner, Stephen Williams. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

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Guyana records steady Guyanese staff already growth in intra-regional trained for Fly-Jamaica’s imminent operations trade since 1973 G

uyana has recorded a six per cent growth in intraregional exports since the existence of the regional body in 1973, up until the period ending 2011, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat said on Monday. It also noted that food was recorded as its main export commodity. A breakdown of the region’s trade performance since 1973 shows that Guyana’s exports moved from US$15.1 million to US$138.1 million by 2011, at an average annual growth rate of six per cent over the period.

This compares favourably with an overall annual average growth rate of 8.8 per cent for Caricom as a whole. The information from the regional body also listed Guyana as the third highest exporter on average for the entire period, while Trinidad and Tobago ranked first with 71.3 per cent; Barbados second with 8.4 per cent; and Jamaica fourth with 14 per cent.

In the early period of the integration movement (1973 to 1981), Guyana’s intra-region-

Food was recorded as Guyana’s main export commodity

al exports moved from US$15.1 million to US$60 million, increasing at an annual average growth rate of 18.8 per cent, compared to the overall growth rate of 22.8 per cent for exports in the intra-regional market.

For this period, Guyana was on average the third highest intraregional exporter, with an average of US$40.9 million, accounting for 13 per cent of Caricom’s average exports.

However, while Guyana dropped to fourth place as an intraregional exporter for the period 1982-2005, it regained its third ranking position during 2006 to

2011.

Food was the major commodity exported by Guyana in the intra-regional market, accounting for 68.4 per cent of the country’s intra-regional export during 1973 to 2011.

However, Trinidad and Tobago remains the lead intra-regional exporter of food, focusing on processed or prepared food products.

In the case of intra-regional imports, Guyana ranked first on average for the period 1973 to 1981 with 25.1 per cent, and for the period 2006 to 2011, it was the second highest intraregional importer with 14.2 per cent.

Five-day workweek defaulters in Guyana could face jail time

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uyana’s Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul on Monday sent a strong warning to government and non-governmental entities, saying should they fail to implement the national five day, 40hour work week; they will be appropriately dealt with.

First time defaulters will pay a fine of Gy$35,000 if caught; however, repeated offenders will be placed behind bars for one month, in addition to paying a fine of Gy$75, 000.

Reports have indicated that some commercial entities have not yet implemented the new Ministerial Order, claiming that their workers are not being paid minimum wages; hence, they are not subject to the five-day, 40-hour work week.

But Minister Gopaul said this is not the case.

“No, 40 hours regardless of salaries earned by workers. The 40 hours per week is nationally ap-

Guyana’s Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul

plicable to everyone,” he stressed. He said a survey conducted over the past three weeks have confirmed that 35 commercial entities are operating in compliance with the Gy$35,000 minimum wage and five day, 40hour work week order.

Within the next two weeks, the labour ministry will be paying a visit to businesses within the garment industry to assess the implementation of the agreement.

Similar visits will be conducted within the manufacturing and hospitality sectors in August, the labour minister disclosed. The ministry is hoping to visit 1000 businesses before year-end.

The national fiveday, 40-hour work week, which equals to eight hours per day, took effect from July 1. It was instituted by the labour ministry to protect some 31,000 workers.

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ly Jamaica is expected to commence operations in Guyana in another month’s time, marketing manager of the airline Wesley Tucker said.

According to Tucker in an interview with Guyanese media, the airline has already trained some 25 Guyanese to man the local leg of the operations.

“We have completed training and we have ads out for cabin attendants…to begin with, we will have warm and customer-friendly staff and we will be providing hot meals on board,” he said.

The Jamaica-based airline will also be launching its services in Toronto, Canada aside from Guyana when the company would have finalised legal requirements with the Canadian authorities.

He said passengers will be able to travel

Fly Jamaica

with 50 pounds and two pieces of hand luggage.

The marketing manager stated that both the government and private sector have been supportive of the airline operating in Guyana, and Guyanese are excited about the upcoming launch. The Jamaicabased airline will be transporting passengers to New York, Canada and Caribbean territories.

Last Monday, LIAT Airlines began operations at the Ogle International Airport with the first flight departing the Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, to a warm Guyanese welcome on touching in Guyana.

Present to witness landing of the 50-seater Dash 8 aircraft was Guyana’s Transport Minister Robeson Benn,

stated that regional connection is a challenge to Caribbean integration and the development is a step in the right direction in addressing the issue.

The minister cited northern Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana as possible destinations. He posited too that with the upcoming football world cup and Olympic Games in Brazil, the transportation issue would have to be tackled aggressively.

Guyana’s Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali had said the challenge to provide adequate and reliable airlift to and from Guyana is being addressed, pointing out that government has been engaging other airlines, including COPA Airlines and JetBlue, to begin operations in Guyana.

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Baptist minister charged Guyana’s rice shipment to in Trinidad with sexual Venezuela proceeding smoothly assault of 13-yr-old

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Baptist minister in Trinidad who appeared in court charged with grievous sexual assault on a 13year-old schoolgirl was last Friday placed on TT$35,000 bail when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Gillian David Scotland in the Chaguanas First Court.

Cecil Maxman, 63, of Kelly Village, Caroni, from the Mt Zion Spiritual Baptist Church, Caroni South Bank Road, was not called upon to plead as the charges were laid in-

dictably.

The first charge alleged that Maxman indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl, while the second charge read that he grievously sexually assaulted the said child. The offences are alleged to have taken place between July 12 to 17.

The charges were laid by WPC Anne Marie Singh of the Caroni Police Station. Maxman who was dressed in a brown shirt and black pants was unrepresented in court. He stood silently as Scotland read the

charges.

Before adjourning the matter to August 22, the magistrate enquired of court prosecutor Sgt Shiva Boodoo about the distance of the residence of the accused and the victim. Boodoo told the court it was a long distance.

Bail was then set at TT$35,000 with a surety to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace.

Cpl Curtis Pierre and WPC Singh of the Caroni Police Station are continuing investigations.

(TT Newsday)

Caribbean governments urged to repeal archaic criminal defamation laws

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he Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) Monday appealed to Caribbean governments to follow through on commitments to repel archaic criminal defamation laws in their respective countries.

Representatives from the IPI and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), the region's umbrella media organisation, visited five Caribbean countries in April.

The three-week visit to Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Suriname, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago allowed for discussions with representatives of government, law enforcement, media, and civil society as part of the campaign to decriminalise defamation in the Caribbean.

"In four of the five countries that IPI visited, top government leaders expressed agreement that journalists should not face prison for doing their job and that criminal defamation laws do not belong in a modern democracy," said IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie.

"While we would have liked a similarly concrete statement from the government of Guyana, we are encouraged that officials there have decided to review the issue."

The call comes just over a week after Jamaica's Senate passed the Defamation Act of 2013, which gives the press more freedom to carry out its function.

The Bill has since been tabled in the House of Representatives.

Monday, the IPI statement said that in

According to the International Press Institute, its campaign and the mission to the Caribbean were prompted by concern that criminal defamation laws could be used by prominent figures to chill critical opinion and squelch investigations into alleged wrongdoings. (Jamaica Observer photo)

Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar at a news conference announced that a bill partially decriminalising defamation would be sent to Parliament, while in the Dominican Republic, government announced plans to replace the country's authoritarian-era press law with a modern statute that would include the elimination of all prison sentences for defamation.

The IPI statement said that Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer committed to repealing criminal defamation before the end of his current term.

IPI said its campaign and the mission in particular were prompted by concern that criminal defamation laws could be used by prominent figures to chill critical opinion and squelch investigations into alleged wrongdoings in order to protect their economic and political interests.

According to IPI research, all independent states in the Caribbean have criminal defama-

tion laws on their books that establish a penalty of at least one year in prison.

Six countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, and the Dominican Republic, have applied these laws against journalists in the past 15 years.

ACM president Wesley Gibbings, who was part of the mission, described the visit to the regional countries as "a seminal moment in the recent evolution of press freedom awareness in our region.

"In this reputable organisation, the ACM has found genuine partners in the cause of protection of rights and also in establishing the link between good media performance and development in all its manifestations."

A group of IPI members and broadcasting executives last week urged Guyanese President Donald Ramotar to ensure that licence applications are handled in a fair and independent manner by the country's new Broadcast Authority. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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A rice shipment leaving Guyana for Venezuela

hipment of rice from Guyana to neighbouring Venezuela under the new rice agreement is currently on track and should be completed by year-end, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said. The minister said on Sunday that rice shipments will be continuous throughout the year.

He explained that Guyana’s harbour facility restricts larger shipment of more than 5000 to 6000 tonnes of rice or paddy; hence, the reason for the extended period.

Dr Ramsammy said at present, 36,000

tonnes of paddy has been shipped to Venezuela.

As soon as the second crop commences in Guyana, some 40,000 tonnes of paddy will be shipped between the periods of August to September. This will continue into October and December, by which time all shipments will be fully completed.

According to him, the Venezuelan government has also been informed that should they require additional paddy, Guyana will be in a position to deliver.

The first shipment of rice under the new agreement left Guyana

for Venezuela on May 23, with approximately 100,000 tonnes of rice and paddy.

Guyana and Venezuela on May 3 this year signed a US$130 million rice agreement, paving the way for more than 200,000 metric tonnes of the staple to be shipped to Caracas.

The rice pact was initiated in 2010 between former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

The agreement aims to strengthen food security in both countries.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Jamaican police bid farewell to cop who shot himself

This grieving family member is comforted by others, while members of the St Ann Police Division give a tribute. (Renae Dixon/Jamaica Observer photos)

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Jamaican policeman from St Ann, who shot himself on July 9 and died in hospital two days later, was remembered Sunday as an exemplary individual.

The date of the funeral service for Constable Dave Antonio Shackleford was reportedly picked by the late law enforcer who left his request in a note before he shot himself in the neck, police said.

Although the Ocho Rios Seventh Day Adventist Church was not packed, a large contingent of police personnel, headed by Senior Superintendent James Forbes, paid their last

respects to their former colleague, whose body will be cremated.

Family members and friends were also out to express solidarity.

Head of the Ocho Rios police, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gary Francis said that Shackleford had left an indelible mark in the divisions that he served.

Shackleford, who served the Jamaica Constabulary Force for nine years, worked in St Ann and Portland.

The policeman's death shocked family and friends who said he showed no signs of problems up to a few hours before his death.

Reports are that on Tuesday, July 9, Shackleford, who lived at James Avenue, Ocho Rios, returned to his home community in Hinds Town where he spoke with community and family members, reminiscing about his childhood days, before going to his former home where he pulled the trigger.

It was later revealed that the cop was undergoing counselling just days before the incident and that he was only given back his firearm mere days before, after it was declared that he was fit to carry the weapon. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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Jack Warner says no rush to join Partnership gov’t - after Chaguanas West by-election victory

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nterim leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), Austin Jack Warner Tuesday said it would be “premature” to say whether or not his party would seek membership of the People’s Partnership government following his convincing victory in the Chaguanas West by-election on Monday night.

Warner provisionally received 12,631 votes while the United National Congress’s (UNC) Khadijah Ameen, 32, his nearest rival, received less than half that amount or 5,126 votes.

Speaking on a television programme, Warner, who trounced the People’s Partnership candidate Khadijah Ameen by a two to one margin, said that his party would be meeting later this week to discuss the issue.

During the campaign for the by-election that had been occasion after Warner himself resigned as parliamentary representative in April in order to seek “re-validation” from the electorate, Prime Minister Kamla

Persad Bissessar laid out conditions for her former national security minister to re-enter the fourparty coalition.

But Warner had always been dismissive of those conditions telling supporters that the coalition is not Persad Bissessar private property even though her United National Congress (UNC) party is the biggest partner.

Warner told television viewers that the officials of the new party will meet on Friday “and we will take some decisions...as to where we go from there. So it is not for me to say whether we in or out (of the coalition) at this point in time. It would be premature. But I will say we have been rejected publicly twice, we have been spurned, spat upon.”

He added that, “I made two attempts for us to join the partnership, both occasions we were spurned and imagine that is the view of the other parties because nobody said anything differently.”

The five party coali-

tion came together in 2010 to defeat the PNM in the election that then Prime Minister Patrick Manning called two years ahead of the constitutional deadline.

But the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) quit the coalition last year accusing the government of not keeping to its electoral promises and in recent days there have been moves by disgruntled members of the Congress of the People (COP), the second major partner in the coalition, for the party to quit also.

Meanwhile, former justice minister Herbert Volney said Prime Minister PersadBissessar needed to abandon her arrogant method of governing if the People’s Partnership government is to survive until 2015.

“They (Chaguanas West voters) do not agree with her quality of governance and have shown they will not be tolerating nepotism, cronyism, cabalism and corruption if they have their way and they have sent a very strong message

ILP leaderJack Warner is re-elected MP for Chaguanas West, defeating the UNC's Khadijah Ameen and PNM's Avinash Singh in Monday’s by-election. (TT Newsday photo)

to her,” Volney said, noting that she had failed to heed the lessons from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election when the coalition partner, the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) was routed 12-nil.

“I think that if the People’s Partnership is to survive its fiveyear term, Mrs PersadBissessar is going to have to come to terms

with the indication of the histrionic loss of a UNC constituency and if she does not, and she continues in the same arrogant method and approach to government, many MPs, for their own survival in 2015, will join with Mr Warner and myself, if I may say so...and will demand the respect that she has not offered MPs who she has marginalised in the last two years.”

Volney was dismissed from the government last year in the wake of the controversial passage of Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act that had the effect of allowing people, whose trial has not started after a 10-year period to walk free and a verdict of not guilty entered against their names. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Jamaica’s Marine Police seize 44 vessels in seven months

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he Marine Police of Jamaica, in an aggressive drive to clamp down on criminals using the high seas to commit deadly crimes, has seized a total of 44 vessels in a series of operations across the island since the start of this year.

A s s i s t a n t Superintendent of Police Adrian Hamilton said that the vessels, several of which are high-powered engine boats used by criminals to transport drugs and guns in and around Jamaica's waters, were confiscated in a series of raids.

"These were all confiscated in the first seven months of the year," Hamilton told Jamaican media recently.

Commanding Officer for the Marine Division, Superintendent Terrence Sancko said that in addi-

Jamaica’s Marine Police is on an aggressive drive to clamp down on criminals using the high seas to commit deadly crimes (Jamaica Observer photo)

tion to the seizures, police have confiscated several thousand pounds of marijuana, which have surpassed those made last year.

"In terms of mari-

juana a total of 5,908 pounds were seized for the year," Hamilton said.

Last year, the Marine Police seized 5,713 pounds of marijuana.

"For 2013 we made a

10 per cent increase in terms of our arrests, marine patrol and in other areas," said Hamilton.

Data shows that for 2012, the Marine Police exceeded its tar-

get of patrols. It originally planned to carry out 6,338 patrols, but a total of 6,738 patrols were realised.

The Marine Police said that a total of 440 arrests have been made by the team in collaboration with other units.

"The arrests were made for various offences, several of them involved operations in drug trafficking and other serious crimes," Sancko said.

Police said that the number of arrests have surpassed those made in the corresponding period last year.

"We had 672 arrests for the entire 2012," Sancko said.

He made the revelation during an interview at the Marine Police headquarters last week.

The arrest of five persons in Portland two

weeks ago, following the seizure of 18 illegal guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of drugs, have been included in the statistics.

The items seized were 10 pistols; five revolvers; two shotguns; one intra-tech sub-machine gun and; 1,279 assorted rounds of ammunition.

The Marine Police said that those arrested were still in custody and were being questioned.

The police said that following the arrest they have intensified their operations to clamp down on more criminals across the island.

So far this year 32.75 acres of ganja fields have been destroyed during 421 raids, and 121 special operations were carried out by the team and other divisions. (Jamaica Observer)

Former Tobago SDA pastor on six sex charges F ormer Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pastor Marlon Holder appeared before a Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago magistrate last Tuesday on six charges of sexual assault.

He is on TT$100,000 bail with surety clerk of the peace approval.

Holder appeared before

Scarborough Magistrate Nannette Forde-John, and was not called upon to plead as the charges were laid indictably, the Trinidad Express reported. Holder faced three charges of indecent sexual assault and three charges of having sex with a female, between the age of 14 and 16. He

was charged by Acting Corporal Cavelle Walters.

Holder was picked up at his rented apartment in Sou Sou Lands, shortly before midnight on Monday.

The court heard the incidents took place between July 1 and 31, 2011, and January 1 and December 31, 2011.

The acts were committed at his former home in Betty’s Hope and at another house located at Patience Hill. The victim was formerly a member of his congregation and was 15 years old at the time of the incident.

The matter has been adjourned to August 20.

Contacted for a com-

ment on the matter, the Tobago SDA Mission secretary/treasurer Pastor Clyde Lewis pointed out that the church had already taken action to deal with the matter.

“The pastor in question has resigned from the ministry effective June 30, 2013 and the matter is now in the hands of the

police,” confirmed Pastor Lewis. Questioned, why the church took so long to deal with the situation, Lewis pointed out that the hierarchy of the church did everything to support Holder. “We arranged several counselling sessions with him hoping that he would mend his ways,” said Pastor Lewis.

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Lucia opposition Jagdeo nominated to St selects new leader PPP Central Executive F

F

ormer President Bharrat Jagdeo is one of the candidates nominated to sit on the Peoples Progress Party (PPP) Central Committee.

Jagdeo’s name is on a list of nominees, recommended by various groups, to be elected as a member of the Central Committee.

National Congress Committee Chairman and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the former president will have to indicate like the other nominees whether he accepts the nomination.

“The former president as a member of the party is entitled by virtue to attend the congress…his name is on a list of nomination by a group, so he has been nominated to be elected to Central Committee,” Rohee said.

In his final term as president, Jagdeo became a global advocate for international action to avert the worst extremes of climate change.

Jagdeo has been conferred with honorary doctorates by the Peoples’ Friendship University, Russia; TERI University, India;

Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo

the University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom; and Trent University, Canada.

Meanwhile, Rohee said the party’s 30th congress is set for this weekend in Guyana and the list of activities planned for the event is being finalised, so too the report of the Central Committee.

The Central Committee will be looking at amendments to the party’s constitution and strategic directions by which the party will be headed for the next three years.

“Next week, we will know the new leadership of the party for over

the next three years.

Preparations are almost completed and the final touches are being added to the reports which will be the primary document discussed at the congress,” he said.

The party, he said has already begun to put facilities in place to accommodate members from far flung areas who are heading to Berbice for the big weekend.

“This is the largest with delegates and observers from around the country,” he added.

Rohee said the party will be paying homage to long-standing individuals who would have been members of the party

for 25 and more years.

He said the Credential Committee, which is a critical component in the preparation of the congress is finalising a list of nominees for the congress.

The first meeting of the Central Committee following congress will elect the 15 members of the executive of the party.

Rohee said various groups of the party have begun sending amendments to the party’s constitution and resolution dealing with issues of interest in their respective committee.

The congress will be held under the theme, “Strengthen the party, build unity; advance democracy”. Rohee, in response to questions asked by the media, said the PPP/C is certain of winning the next general election.

He said, as a longstanding member of the party, he senses the adrenaline in the party to once again rule in dignity. He believes that the party could reclaim the majority in Parliament if elections are called at anytime.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Limacol Caribbean Premier League opens with dazzling display

T

he inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament on Tuesday evening announced itself to the world with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, smiling school children, beautiful dancers, screaming fans, pulsating music, fireworks and pyrotechnics that was streamed live on the Limacol CPL website (www.cplt20.com) and broadcast around the globe.

The beauty and charisma of the Caribbean was on full display as a caravan of carnival revelers made their way around Kensington Oval in front of a sold out crowd, swaying to soca music, waving flags and celebrating the onset of the greatest party in sport.

A crowd favourite was the 450 awestruck, costumed junior revellers who paraded and danced alongside 90 school children wearing the kits of

Sir Garfield Sobers with the Barbados Tridents & St Lucia Zouks

the six franchise teams, as the fans waved their flags and cheered. The evening’s only moment of ceremony was the playing of the six countries’ national anthems by a steel band which elicited cheers from the very excited crowd.

Highlights included the performance of the theme song “How We Play” by soca and dancehall artistes KES and Konshens and

short concerts from both Konshens and soca diva Alison Hinds who left the crowd wanting more.

The striking Limacol Caribbean Premier League ‘Roots’ trophy was also unveiled by Denis O’Brien, Chairman of Digicel and Owner of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League and Dave Cameron, President of the West Indies Cricket Board who was joined

by Sir Garfield Sobers, LCPL Ambassador, Ajmal Khan, Founder of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League and Chairman of Verus International and LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe.

The ceremony was followed by a very exciting first match, which saw the host team Barbados Tridents emerge victorious over the St Lucia Zouks, winning by 17 runs (169-5). (CPL)

ormer senator and minister of tourism Allen Chastanet has been selected by the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) in St Lucia as its new leader.

Another political party leader, Therold Prudent, of the Lucian People's Movement (LPM), congratulated Chastanet on his elevation to the UWP leadership, noting that the policy of the LPM is to never consider its political rivals to be enemies.

"We in the LPM will never allow policy differences on how to run the country or the democratic right to membership of rival political organizations to become personal issues. At the end of the day, we are concerned about our country

Allen Chastanet

and which party has the better vision to lead it after the next elections," Prudent said.

"In the months and years ahead, I look forward to proving that my many years of active involvement in Saint Lucian politics from 1982 to the present and the invaluable experience I have gained working in diverse parts of the world makes me, and the LPM, more worthy of moving our country forward,” he concluded.

(CaribbeanNews)

Protest follows police shootout in Trinidad

E

nraged residents of Simon Valley Road, in St Ann’s, Trinidad Monday threw debris onto the road which they then set fire to as they protested what they deemed the “high handed” actions of police who arrested two men following a shootout in St James earlier in the day.

The residents are demanding justice for fellow resident Jevon Morris who remains warded at the Port-ofSpain General Hospital with two gunshot wounds to the head. He is warded under armed police guard.

According to a police report, at about 2.30 am, St James police officers received a wireless report that three men were in a fracas along the Western Main Road.

Three officers were dispatched and arrived minutes later spotting three men in a silver-coloured Nissan Almera car which was parked along the side of the road.

The officers called on the men to surrender, but the driver of the car attempted to drive past the officers. The car slammed into the officer’s marked police vehicle and gunshots were exchanged between the three suspects and the officers. The officers managed to capture two of the suspects including a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old man with the latter being from Simon Valley Road St Ann’s.

The third suspect managed to elude police capture. A pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition was found inside the sus-

pects’ car. Later Monday morning, scores of St Ann’s residents staged a protest claiming that shooting victim Jevon Morris, 23, was an innocent bystander and not a suspect as is being made out by the police.

Morris is a footballer with Police FC, competing in the Pro League and was waiting to be called to serve on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

Eyewitness Clevon Mc Fee, 25, who also plays with Police FC and is Morris’ cousin, told TT media that Morris and their friends were on a Harbour Master’s cruise.

When they departed, they noticed that one of their cars had a flat tyre.

While they were changing the tyre, a man in a white car kept honking his car horn. Morris and his group moved their car to the side of the road to allow the impatient motorist to pass, but he did not do this. Instead a man got out of the car and grabbed Mc Fee. During a brief conversation, the man appeared to cool down but another man alighted from the white car and confronted Mc Fee. Mc Fee said another man, from the white car, pulled out a gun from his pants waist and started firing shots into the air.

As McFee and his friends were driving off, a police jeep came. McFee said his group stopped their car to allow the police to pass but he claimed that occupants in the police jeep began shooting. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

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Limacol CPL to be beamed around the globe Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament

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Digicel and Limacol officials await the arrival of visitors at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana last Friday morning

he inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament will be beamed into millions of homes across the globe from start to finish, ensuring that the world see exactly how the Caribbean come to play.

LCPL organisers confirmed that networks in India, UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and the U.S. will carry the 24 matches which take place over the period of July 30 to August 24, and that negotiations are still underway to add more countries to the list.

In addition, many networks in the Caribbean will show the tournament free of charge on their terrestrial TV stations.

“When we launched the LCPL in February, we said that we were going to make sure that all eyes be on the shores of the Caribbean in July and August, and we are making good on that promise,” declared Limacol CPL Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe.

“The Caribbean is the place to be this summer for many reasons, and the LCPL tops the list.

However, for those people who do not have the good fortune to be able to come and play in person, we are going to see to it that they experience as much of the cricket meets carnival atmosphere and energy that will be pulsating through the region in just a few days.” O’Donohoe said the interest from media around the world has been strong and encouraging.

“ESPN3 continues to serve cricket fans by building its portfolio of premier events and establishing itself as a leading destination in the U.S. for live coverage of the second most popular global sport,” said ESPN Programming and Acquisitions, Senior Director Jason Bernstein.

“By delivering these events on the multiscreen sports network, we are able to give the sport national exposure across a variety of platforms that are easily accessible to the most seasoned fans as well as new com-

ers.” The buzz is building around the Caribbean also, and station owners are happy to air the tournament in their markets.

“The news of cricket, in the form of the Limacol CPL T20 tournament, being broadcast on television in the Virgin Islands is most welcomed, and long overdue. I guess nothing happens before its time,” said British Virgin Islands, CBNTelevision owner Andrew Cox Sr. “The Virgin Islands market is populated by nationals from the neighbouring Caribbean islands. All West Indians love cricket, and those who have the opportunity to follow the games do so. Live coverage is very important to the viewers who cannot make it to the venue as we still want to be a part of the excitement at the matches. There has been an awesome response to the LCPL TV weekly programme and we expect the same from the live broadcasts of the actual tournament.” While some international stations are still finalising negotiations, fans can watch the Limacol Caribbean Premier League on the following net works: India–Sony; UK–BT Sport; Australia–Fox Sports; New Zealand– Sommet Sports; USA– ESPN3; Barbados– Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation; British Virgin Islands– Caribbean Broadcast Network; Cayman Islands–Cayman 27; Dominica–Marpin 2K4; Dominica–SAT Telecoms; Guyana –National Communications Network and Television Guyana Channel (28); St Kitts–ZIZ Broadcasting Corp; St Lucia–Helen Television System; St Lucia–St Lucia Cable Vision; St Vincent and the Grenadines–St Vincent and The Grenadines Broadcasting Corp; Trinidad–Caribbean Communications Network–TV6 and CNC3; Jamaica–TVJ; Grenada–Grenada Broadcasting Network; Montserrat–Caribbean Cable Networks; Nevis–

Caribbean Cable Networks; St Maarten– St Maarten Cable; Anguilla–Caribbean Cable Communications; Antigua and Barbuda– Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service; and BermudaBermuda Broadcasting Corporation.

The Limacol

begins on July 30 in Barbados and concludes

on August 24 in Trinidad and Tobago.

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Jamaican gov’t announces health, pension plan for athletes

Church service to mark Jamaica’s Independence on this Sunday in Toronto

T

he Jamaican government Monday announced plans for the introduction of health insurance benefits to cover some 1,500 Jamaican athletes.

Minister with responsibility for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) that the health insurance plan forms part of Jamaica's Sport Policy, which has been developed to fuel success in sports, as well as to enhance future development.

“We are looking to cover some 1,500 athletes in the first instance and I speak broadly

The event forms part of activities marking Jamaica’s 51st anniversary of Independence

T

Olivia McKoy sells a bag juice to a customer at the intersection of Oxford Road and Knutsford Boulevard last Friday (Jamaica Observer photo)

to athletes, being all sportsmen and women, not just those in athletics," the minister said.

The Sport Policy, the minister said, also has a pension plan for the ath-

letes, which is still being discussed, with a view to making it a contributory scheme, similar to the one that pertains in the public sector.

The minister's announcement comes just more than a week after the Jamaica Observer first reported the plight of Olympian Olivia McKoy, who has fallen on hard times and was forced to sell bag drinks on the streets of Kingston.

Several persons, responding to the Observer story, have offered to help the struggling Olympian. She has, however, agreed to settle to a teaching job at the Hydel Group of Schools, owned by former senator Hyacinth Bennett.

Monday, NeitaHeadley told the JIS that a broad spectrum of individuals from the different sporting disciplines, who are now involved in representing Jamaica, either at the national or professional level, would be included in the 1,500.

"Once the Sport Council is satisfied that we have given the best coverage to each athlete, it will then go to Cabinet for approval," the minister said, adding that "it will then go to tender and an insurance company will be selected to give coverage to the athletes".

The minister pointed out that track and field has the largest number of beneficiaries.

(Jamaica Observer)

he Jamaican Consulate in Toronto, Canada, has organised a grand Independence church service on Sunday, August 4, 2013 to be held at the Faith Sanctuary Pentecostal Church, 1901 JANE STREET, North York (Hwy 400 & Jane).

The event forms part of activities marking Jamaica’s 51st anniversary of Independence, which is currently being observed under the theme “Celebrating Jamaica: Triumphant.

Proud. Free.”

The service starts at 3:00 p.m.

Participating clergy include Bishop Wayne Vernon of the Fellowship of Love Community Church; Rev. Granville McKenzie of the Faith Sanctuary Pentecostal Church; Bishop Errol Stewart of the Trinity Community Church of God; Rev. Vernal Savage of the St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole; and Rev. Marcia Keane-Dawes of the Holiness Kingdom Ambassadors.

Other participants include singers, choirs and spoken word artists.

Proceeds from the Offering will be donated to a Charity in Jamaica.

Prakash worried by result; calls for PP meeting in TT

I

n a news release issued late Monday night, Congress of the People leader Prakash Ramdhar described Jack Warner’s by-election victory as “a most dangerous development in the politics of our country.” As a result, he called for an urgent meeting of the People’s Partnership to rethink the direction of the government. While congratulating Warner on his success, Ramadhar also warned: “We have witnessed the emergence of a new vulgar concept of the politics of money, based on the personal wealth of an individual versus politics of addressing the issues as in 2010.”

The COP had called for Warner to step down as a minister in April when there were allegations of corruption during his tenure at Concacaf.

“The outcome of the by-election,” Ramadhar added, “also signals that the people are not satisfied with the performance of the government after three years.”

He called for all the leaders of the parties of the People’s Partnership to meet as soon as possible “to determine the direction the coalition and government must now take,” saying the COP had formulated options and proposals with which to engage citizens.

Congress of the People leader Prakash Ramdhar (TT Guardian file photo)

“However, we will first engage our partners on these issues,” he added.

Ramadhar said from the start the COP felt the significance of the by-election extended beyond the boundaries of the Chaguanas West constituency into national politics. He added: “This is not a failure of coalition politics; rather it is a demand that the People’s Partnership critically and sincerely re-examine its practice in keeping its commitments to the people and delivering good governance.”

Ramadhar said in “this challenging situation” his party would continue on the path it set in 2007 and continued in 2010, to bring improvement to the conduct of politics and the life of the population, insisting that was only possible “with a new approach to our governance. (TT Guardian)

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Guyana gov’t allocates millions to develop Belvedere industrial site in Berbice

G

uyana’s President Donald Ramotar has announced that Gy$50 million will be allocated to further develop the industrial site at Belvedere, Region Six as he opened the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair last Friday.

Speaking at the exposition themed “Raising our standards, embracing our competitiveness”, Ramotar said though Berbice has been facing a number of challenges in its quest for further development, government will not lose hope in the ancient county.

“We have to ensure that we have the right infrastructure in place

Guyana’s Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali

so that we can raise production and productivity, we can become more competitive, we can earn more for our products and can have value add-

ed to our products.” The president said Guyana has been making progressive steps over the past 20 years, noting that it has moved from the status of a Heavily Indebted Poor Indebted Country (HIPIC) to becoming a developing county, noting that all steps will be made to continue on the development path.

Acting Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Irfaan Ali said government will continue to make the necessary capital and social investments to ensure the socio-economic base of the county remains sustainable.

Minister Ali also disclosed that water facilities are soon to be installed on the Belvedere industrial site, pointing out that the development of the estate will aid in the reduction of unemployment the region.

Region Six Chairman David Armogan said the expo gives Berbicians a chance to make better and informed decisions when choosing products and services.

“It also gives us the opportunity to display Berbice local produce…

Over the years, the economy in Region Six has shown growth, with the increase production of

rice, cash crops, livestock and cattle rearing.” He noted that the region also has potential for tourism and called on local tour operators to create packages at reasonable prices so that persons can experience the wonders of Berbice.

G e o r g e t o w n Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Clinton Urling noted that government and Go- Invest retain a primary role in galvanising and catalysing expos of different types to promote exports and showcase domestic market capacities and products.

“Yet time is nigh for the private sector to be-

gin a process of taking command and forging what is fundamentally a business responsibility,” he said.

On this point, he commended the expo.

“I must also commend the ministry of tourism industry and commerce, led by the enthusiastic, mindful and supportive Minister Irfaan Alli,” he concluded.

The Berbice expo has become the premier trade and investment showcase, allowing exhibitors to showcase their talent, entrepreneurship and industry.

The expo was held between July 26 and 28.

(Guyana Times)

Multi-purpose shopping mall opens in New Amsterdam

T

he Guyana government has created an enabling environment that encourages investment both local and foreign and will continue to support those who wish to invest locally, Prime

Minister Samuel Hinds said last Friday as he formally opened the Bristol Mall in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

The owner of the multi-purpose establishment, Charles Bristol, was congratulated by the

prime minister for his perseverance over the last 30 years to make his dream a reality, and for overcoming any bureaucratic hurdles he may have faced during his efforts.

The re-migrant was also cited as an example for others to follow by the prime minister, who described the multimillion dollar investment as a timely one for the Berbice community.

“The life we live is the life we make for ourselves. This is what government is about; helping all persons regardless of their race, creed or religion, to develop themselves and in so doing, develop the country. We want growth and development for all,” the prime minister said.

Bristol, in brief remarks said the multi-

The Bristol Mall in New Amsterdam, Guyana

storied building was the culmination of a dream he harboured as he worked long hours, saving his funds to eventu-

ally make it a reality. He thanked the prime minister for attending the ceremony, stating that it was an indication of gov-

ernment’s recognition of the role re-migrants can play locally to boost development and the economy.

Taiwanese President to visit St Kitts-Nevis P

resident of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-jeou will pay a two-day State visit to St Kitts and Nevis as part of a Latin America and the Caribbean tour next month.

A statement from the Taiwanese embassy in St Kitts said that President Ma will arrive on August 18 as part of his 12-day visit to allies in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Ko said the main purpose of

President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-jeou

the trip is to attend the inauguration of Paraguayan Presidentelect Horacio Cartes on

August 15.

President Ma will also visit Haiti, St Lucia and St Vincent.

15 Guyana spends over Gy$56 million on Caribbean Press E News

week ending August 1, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

ditors working with the Caribbean Press are doing so freely, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony told the National Assembly of Guyana last Thursday, adding that in excess of Gy$56 million has been spent to keep afloat the operations of the facility so far. Dr Anthony said former President Bharrat Jagdeo had committed US$100,000 (Gy$20 million) in 2008 for the establishment of the unit.

However, it was only until 2009 that the Caribbean Press was birthed. Since then

up to 2012, the organisation spent a total of Gy$56,640,000.

While no remuneration was paid to consultants in establishing the press, he posited that the formalisation resulted in a number of books being edited, proofed, laid out, designed, and printed.

‘The New Slavery’, ‘Hearing Slaves Speak’, ‘The Chinese in British Guyana’, ‘Mama Dot’, ‘The Asylum Journal Volumes 1&2’, ‘The Collie’, ‘His Rights and Wrongs’ and ‘Undisclosed Entrances’ are among the 38 pieces worked on. These were complemented by 12 National

Assembly speeches from former Presidents Linden Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan.

Additionally, Gy$7.850 million from the Gy$56.4 million was used specifically for administration of the Caribbean Press. Dr Anthony explained that between 2009 and 2012, the money was used to hire secretarial assistance for the editors.

Additionally, the culture, youth and sport ministry of Guyana will be making financial provision for the unit to provide a permanent editorial board.

The board will comprise professional writers from different Caribbean countries who will advise the editor-in -chief on what titles should be published.

The culture, youth and sport minister was responding to a series of questions posed by the Alliance For Change’s Trevor Williams in the National Assembly.

Publications by the press were distributed to the National Library, University of Guyana Library Turkeyen, Walter Roth Museum, foreign embassies based in Guyana, Caricom Secretariat, and the

Guyana Police Force among other entities. In addition to the published books and documents, the Caribbean Press is in the process of preparing 12 books to be released.

These include ‘Scriptology’ by Egbert Martin, ‘Twenty five Caribbean Poems For Children’, ‘Anthology of Caribbean Stories For Children’ and six volumes of the National Assembly Speeches by Desmond Hoyte.

The Caribbean Press, which was established by the Guyana government, on April 15, 2009 is led by the general editor, Professor David

Guyana’s Culture Minister Dr Frank Anthony

Dabydeen who has been volunteering his services since 2009. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

TT, Venezuela advance energy talks T

rinidad and Tobago (TT) hosted energy officials from Venezuela for a two-day meeting on hydrocarbon exploration last week.

The Second Meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) for the Unitisation of Cross Border Hydrocarbon Reservoirs between TT and Venezuela took place at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs, Portof-Spain last Wednesday and Thursday.

The meeting involved delegations led by the co-chairperson from Venezuela,

TT’s Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine speaks with Angel Gonzalez Saltron, Vice Minister of Hydrocarbons, People's Ministry for Energy and Petroleum, Venezuela, and other officials from both countries. (TT Newsday photo)

Angel Gonzalez Saltron, Vice Minister of Hydrocarbons, People’s Ministry for Energy and Petroleum and his counterpart and co-chairperson from Trinidad and

Tobago, Selwyn Lashley, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs.

TT’s Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine met with the committee be-

fore the start of the discussions and highlighted the importance of these meetings among the technical experts in facilitating the development and monetisation of gas

fields in this region and the potential benefit to the Latin American and Caribbean communities.

Ramnarine also noted the meeting of the JSC follows a commitment made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro during a bilateral meeting held on the occasion of Maduro’s visit to this country for the Caricom Heads of Government conference recently. The JSC’s main areas of discussion were centred on finalisation of a draft document on the functional structure and gov-

ernance of the unit operator for Loran Manatee; presentation and approval of the Final Report of the Reservoir Technical Working Group RTWG for the Kapok/Dorado fields and presentation and approval of the Final Report of the Reservoir Technical Working Group RTWG for the Cocuina Manakin fields.

All three documents were agreed upon and accepted by the JSC for recommendation to the Joint Ministerial Commission, which is expected to meet in Caracas, Venezuela early next month. (TT Newsday)

Jamaica sugar operation drags Chinese company further in the red

H

ua Lien International, an associate of Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company, has said that operations in Jamaica's sugar industry may lead to a significant increase in losses for the period ending June 30, 2013.

The Chinese company made the disclosure in a profit warning document to shareholders and potential investors. It blamed foreign exchange losses from US dollar-denominated debts, and the decrease in fair value of biological assets due to extreme weather-related conditions, for losses at the group's new operations in Jamaica.

"The board believes that the main reasons attributable to the expected substantial operating loss of Jamaica sugar industry projects are the foreign exchange loss from the US dollardenominated debts as a result of the deprecia-

tion in the value of the Jamaican dollar," the document said, adding that "the decrease in fair value of biological assets as a result of the drought conditions and hurricane being experienced has negatively affected the growth, and so the expected sugar cane yields of the Jamaica Sugar Industry Projects."

However, the notification to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange highlighted that the company is in the process of finalising interim results for the period and that the announcement is based only on a preliminary assessment made by the board.

Hua Lien International is a subsidiary of PanCaribbean's parent, Complant International.

Pan-Caribbean bought three government of Jamaica owned sugar assets, Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge, and

committed to reviving the industrial and agricultural production plant and facilities by mid-August 2014.

Meanwhile, the Jamaican sugar company last Wednesday said it made financial investments to the tune of US$160 million, which was expended in rolling stock, including tractors, trucks, graders, harvesters and factory equipment.

But the company said it has incurred losses of equipment valued at Ja$28.3 million due to security breaches.

"There have been a plethora of security breaches within Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company which have resulted in the company incurring significant losses, and to date it has not been able to hold anyone accountable for such breaches," the sugar company said in a press release.

Consequently, 132

guards were sent on leave and the sugar company contracted a

private security firm.

In response to the move, workers of the

sugar estate have been on strike. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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No comparison between Pakistani and Guyanese hydro projects - gov’t T

he Guyana government on Monday rubbished an article by the Kaieteur News where opposition members sought to compare a hydro project built in Pakistan with the one being proposed at Amaila Falls.

In the article published

by Kaieteur News on Sunday, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon and Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan presented a Pakistani hydro project as comparable to Amaila.

Government in a statement said in reality, the Pakistani project, called the Patrind Hydropower Project, could not be more different than Amaila. “The result is yet another example of the opposition trying to use apples-tooranges comparisons to purposely mislead the Guyanese people.”

The government said the cost of a transmission line is not included in the Pakistan project cost. For Amaila, this cost is approximately US$155 million; the cost

eral banks (MLBs) are willing to consider the financing for the project below a competitive margin of 4.75 per cent...If same project would have to be financed based on local sponsors and no Certified Emission Reduction revenue, the MLBs would not have agreed on such terms given the risk profile of the country and local sponsors.” Regarding longevity, government said the power generating equipment of the Pakistan projected is expected to last for 30 years.

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant

of an access road is not included in the Pakistan project cost, but this is estimated at approximately US$30 million for Amaila.

Further, government said that the Pakistan project’s cost is actually estimated at US$436 million and not US$362 million as presented by the opposition members, noting that this is based on an United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) project design document dated December 17, 2012. The UNFCCC’s Secretariat

has conducted thorough research on the project as part of registering the project under one of its clean energy development mechanisms.

Besides, government said Pakistan’s project is “low tech” when compared to Amaila.

“The Pakistani project uses simpler technology called run-of-river because of its natural conditions. A run-of-river hydro project is cheaper to construct than a normal hydro because it does not require the significant civil-engineering works such as the

construction of an underground tunnel, which is a sizable portion of construction cost.

No tunnel

Amaila will have a three kilometre underground tunnel from the reservoir to the turbines, whereas the physical conditions of the Pakistan project does not require such a tunnel.

The cost of constructing the Amaila power tunnel and headract tunnel is approximately US$85 million.” In addition, government said because the Pakistan project is a run-of-riv-

Extensive experience

er project, it has small reservoir–56 hectares as against Amaila’s reservoir of 2330 hectares– that clearly shows the complete difference in hydro-dam type of the two projects and why they should not be compared.

Additionally, government said the Pakistan project benefits from concessional financing.

According to the aforementioned UNFCC project design document, “the fact that the financing for such huge projects in Pakistan is difficult is evident as the multilat-

Pakistan currently has 21 hydropower plants that are providing energy to its national grid. As a result, Pakistan has extensive experience in building and operating hydros, giving that country certain advantages, such as in-country expertise, on-going relationships with hydro developers, etc.

In 2011, Pakistan had a total hydro installed capacity of 6720 MW. Guyana, on the other hand, government said, is in the process of developing its first hydro.

Jamaica to enact laws protecting youth from Internet abuse

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he Jamaican government will be enacting legislation to protect children from persons who use the Internet to molest them.

Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell made the announcement last week while delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the Falmouth Youth Empowerment Computer Access Centre, in Trelawny, Jamaica.

“We are going to put in some laws, because there are older people who prey on children online. We are going to make it a criminal offence, and we are going to put you in prison if you trouble the young (child), who should be in school,” the minister said.

He noted that with scores of children anticipated to spend considerable time on the Internet doing school work, under the pilot computer tablet project, where some 20 schools will be provided with 30,000 tablets free of cost, and with the experience seen in other countries where adults tar-

get children while they are online, with devious intentions, “it is necessary for the government to safeguard children by putting in place strict laws.”

“We believe that in addition to restricting the content that we will allow them to be exposed to, we will have to dissuade adults who we have seen in other jurisdictions prey on young children. We are going to put in place new legislation that will impose severe penalties on these adults who do that,” he added.

Paulwell said at the end of the first year of the pilot project, there should be sufficient material and experience to recommend to the Cabinet, some significant penalties for persons who are caught preying on children.

He told the audience that the Jamaican government is investing in the many computer access points (CAPs) across the island, to ensure that persons can have information, and be able to communicate globally at the lowest possible cost.

Jamaica’s Minister of Science Phillip Paulwell (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

“We want Jamaica to become a part of the knowledge-based society, a world where information is king. It will enable us to be on the same level as youngsters in Japan, Korea, and North America. That is what we want for our children,” the minister indicated.

“We are going to ensure that you don’t need to buy books anymore; it will save you money, because we are going to pay the publishers the intellectual property rights for those books, so that we can have them on the tablets,” he pointed out.

(Excerpt from JIS)

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week ending August 1, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Guyana’s opposition mulls restoring GPL subsidy T

he parliamentary opposition said they are pleased with recent disclosures from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), paving the way for a possible restoration of the over Gy$5 billion that was cut from the entity’s budget this year. Last week, the utility’s management met with the opposition at the parliamentary sectoral committee level and from all indications, some of the information the opposition had been clamouring for was provided with promises of additional information.

A Partnership for National Unity APNU Vice Chairman Dr Rupert Roopnaraine told Guyanese media that the coalition’s position remains the same. The APNU vice chairman said the main reason for

the APNU cutting the subsidy from GPL was based on lack of information.

Possibility

He asserted that once the requested information is provided, the APNU could move to support the restoration of the funds for GPL in the near future.

Dr Roopnaraine said the meeting with GPL and the opposition last week was fruitful as more information was provided at the parliamentary level. “We anticipate that the cuts could be restored.”

But Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan told the media that his party is having serious thoughts about supporting the restoration of funds for GPL.

Guyana’s Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan

APNU Vice Chairman Dr Rupert Roopnarine

Ramjattan said while the opposition was provided with more information by the management of GPL, the company’s strategic development plan is contrary to the action being taking at the management level.

lieves that much more needs to be done to improve the overall operation of GPL. He reiterated that GPL needs to have its board restructured and implement strategies to improve governance.

However, Ramjattan said he is not aware that the company is moving in that direc-

tion, but if they do, there should not be any reason for the opposition not to support the restoration of the cut made to the company.

GPL’s management, along with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds met with two parliamentary sectoral committees on July 26. The meeting

More to be done

The AFC leader be-

sought to get the opposition’s support for the restoration of the GY$5.2 billion in subsidy that was cut from this year’s annual budget.

The meeting saw the power company providing the opposition with information on its financial papers and strategic plan.

Meanwhile, GPL continues to hold off on any tariff increase as advised

by President Donald Ramotar.

The increase was intended to take effect from this month. The power company was proposing a 26.7 per cent increase in tariff rates to sustain critical projects after the parliamentary opposition use their one-seat majority to vote down the subsidy.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times)

Guyana gets new appellate court judge W ith 25 years of legal practice in the United Kingdom, Guyana-born Justice Rabi Shankar Sukul will be working to augment Guyana’s justice sector following his appointment as a justice of appeal last Friday. He took the oath of Office before President Donald Ramotar in the presence of his spouse, as well as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl

Singh, and Director of Public Prosecutions Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack among others.

The 60-year-old jurist told the media, “I intend to apply the legal principles, apply law logic, and good sound objective judicial reasoning which I have learnt and practised in the United Kingdom.”’ In a brief charge to the newly-appointed justice of appeal, President Ramotar, who has often bemoaned the heavy backlog of cases facing the judiciary over the years, expressed the

President Donald Ramotar presents Justice Rabi Shankar Sukul with his document of appointment following his swearing-in as a justice of appeal

hope that his duties will reflect, fairness, and expeditiousness.

Cognisant that the shortcomings of Guyana’s judicial system are not unlike other jurisdictions’ where criticism has been heavy, Justice Sukul said he will do all in his power to “minimise that effect”.

Guyana’s judicial sector has come a far way, especially with undertakings to modernise the system through legislative amendments; the appointment of new judges to buttress the comple-

ment of jurists needed to preside over pending cases; extensive renovations to the DPP’s chambers; and strengthening of both state and police prosecutors through training in criminal matters like narcotics, smuggling, cyber crime and other criminal offences. Online access to Guyana’s law reports and the launch of an informal justice initiative in rural communities that provides an alternative to the formal justice system have also been accomplished. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

No short and sharp response to Barbados’ economic challenges - PM Stuart

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Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart (Barbados Advocate file photo)

overnment will not adopt any short, sharp response to the challenges being faced by the Barbados economy.

This assurance came from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart last Friday as he addressed a special expanded meeting of the Sub Committee of the Social Partnership, where Barbados’ Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and officers from that ministry presented

some of the options being considered to help the country reduce its deficit and increase revenue.

Stuart told the gathering: “I am not reckless.

We will make the decisions we have to make, but within the context of proper consultation, taking into account the vulnerabilities of our households, the fragility of our businesses and of course the challenges faced by the government in terms of the need to provide certain basic amenities

in the areas of health, education, sanitation, water, law and order, and so on, for the people of this country.”

The prime minister stressed that householders in Barbados are aware of what is happening in economies across the world.

“So, we have to finetune our processes of communication. We have to ensure that we understand and keep before us the distinction between short, medium and long term, and appreciate that the problems we have were not created in the short term and all of them cannot therefore be solved in the short term.

But, we have to lay a solid foundation for the durable solution to all of these problems,” he contended.

Stuart reassured those present that government is viewing the challenges holistically.

He promised that the consultation process

would continue until there was a conclusion

that would be satisfactory to all of the social

partners. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

18 News Foreign Minister says Caribbean remains top priority for Canada C www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

a n a d a ’ s Conservative government is defending its commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean after eyebrows were raised during last week’s cabinet shuffle, prompting talks that the government’s vaunted “Americas Strategy” has run its course, according to reports in Canada.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said that he met Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors immediately after the shuffle to reassure them the region remains a top priority for the current adminis-

tration, according to the Vancouver Sun. A year after launching the “Americas Strategy” in 2008, aimed at reviving and expanding Canada’s presence in the region, Prime Minister Stephen Harper created a dedicated minister of state to the Americas.

The position was first held by Peter Kent and then by Diane Ablonczy.

But, in a cabinet shuffle, the minister of state for the Americas position was quietly retired when Ablonczy was replaced

by Lynne Yelich, who was named minister of state for foreign affairs, meaning that she covers

the whole world.

Baird said having a minister of state for the Americas limited his own ability to focus on the region, adding “this is going to allow me to spend a lot more time on these files”.

The Canadian foreign minister said he will undertake a seven-country trip to the region next week.

“So I think we’ll be speaking loudly with our actions that the Americas not only will remain a priority, but even be stepping up our priority list,” he said.

But the Sun questioned whether Baird

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird

will be able to dedicate as much time and atten-

tion to the region as he optimistically predicts, given that he has the rest of the world to worry about as well.

“I think the Conservative government considers its agenda in the Americas is basically complete,” said Carleton University professor Jean Daudelin.

“The core of their agenda was the trade file, and we’ve signed agreements with basically all the countries that are basically interested.”

University of Ottawa senior fellow Carlo Dade told the SUN that the government did “alright” with its Americas strat-

egy by cementing ties with a number of key partners in the region, but a lack of resources and strategic thinking limited what could actually be accomplished.

Dade said the door to do more for the Caribbean has “essentially closed,” adding that the Canadian government is now turning to other parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia.

“We shouldn’t have just done well, we should have done fantastic. So where do we go from here. There’s not much more that can be done,” he added. (CMC)

St Kitts-Nevis PM rejects accusations of dictatorship

A

ccusations that he is a dictator have been rejected by St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.

The allegations have been made by opposition politicians, as well as by three of his former government ministers.

In denying these allegations, Douglas suggested in turn that two of the three: Dr Timothy

Harris and Dwyer Astaphan have dictatorial tendencies.

He also labeled former national security minister Astaphan, who has Lebanese roots, as a racist.

“I dismiss it simply because I have had the opportunity to examine myself … and I don’t think I am a dictator,” the prime minister said

in response to the claims that he acts in a dictatorial manner.

“I believe that Harris has serious dictatorial tendencies – ruthless.

Dwyer has also strong dictatorial tendencies because Dwyer is a racist,” Douglas said in an interview on radio station Freedom FM. According to Douglas, Astaphan, who held the

tourism and national security portfolios in government, had difficulty with “a young black boy from St Paul’s (meaning he, Douglas)” heading the Cabinet when the former parliamentarian was a minister.

Astaphan dismissed the prime minister’s statement as “an unfortunate remark” that is “very untrue”.

He says that he will be seeking legal advice on that matter.

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas

According to Astaphan, the remark is coming from “a des-

perate man who would say anything to create around him a very unreal bubble of security because he knows that he is done.”

“Of course I will have to instruct my solicitors, with regard to this comment that he made to see if it is something that maybe we ought to pursue, because it is certainly defamatory to accuse somebody of being racist,” Astaphan told WINN FM. (CaribbeanNews)

CCJ to give Shanique Myrie ruling in October

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he Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) says it will in three months deliver a judgement in the case involving Shanique Myrie the Jamaican accusing Barbados immigration officials of sexually assaulting her in March 2011.

A brief statement from the CCJ said that the ruling will be delivered on October 4 at 10.00am (Trinidad and Tobago time) via video conference.

Myrie claimed that she was sexually assaulted and subjected to derogatory remarks by a

Shanique Myrie - the Jamaican woman who accused Barbados immigration officials of sexually assaulting her in March 2011. (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

Barbadian Immigration officer at the Grantley Adams International

Airport on March 14, 2011.

She has asked the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to Caricom citizens moving around the region.

The CCJ, established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council, also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the treaty as well as deciding disputes between Caricom nationals and regional countries concerning issues with which the treaty deals with including the free movement of nationals within the grouping. (CMC)

Barbados to enact legislation to develop green energy

T

he Barbados government will table legislation next month to promote green energy, Finance Minister Chris Sinckler has said.

Sinckler said the Freundel Stuart government has devised practical ways to build out the alternative energy sector through policy, legislation and fiscal incentives, which will ensure that in terms both of supply and demand, there are reasonable and cost effective solutions available.

“In the short term, our energy conservation activities are critical, but

in the medium to long term, if we want to have a sustainable reduction in the amount of foreign exchange we spend on fuel oil, it would mean that we would have to employ strategies to build out a strong, vibrant and productive alternative energy sector,” he said.

Sinckler added that the new legislation would be predicated on a set of initiatives which were outlined in last year’s budget, but took some time to finalise because the government wanted to ensure that it was as close to perfect as possi-

ble.

The minister said that the legislation would provide 10-year tax holidays for any developer, manufacturer or installer of renewable energy systems and energy efficient products and this measure will be covered by the Income Tax Act. Additionally, the legislation proposes a 150 per cent taxable income deduction for the marketing of any products or services that can be classified in the legislation as energy conservation or renewable energy production. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

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Grenada gov’t launches major Guyana Defence assault on unemployment Force boosted with

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he government of Grenada said it has declared war on unemployment, with hundreds of jobs coming on stream and a major offensive underway, which is expected to spur economic growth and development.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said that at least 10,000 people could find employment on a temporary basis, with several government-driven initiatives on stream.

Despite the tough economic situation, government has embarked on a number of projects that are resulting in thousands finding temporary jobs. They include the de-bushing program, which began on July 1, employing 445 gangs of seven around the country.

There is also the farm subsidy program, which will employ between 1,600-2,000 workers and the concrete road program, which will also provide employment for many, as the government seeks to energize the economy.

Mitchell reiterated government’s commit-

Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell

ment to the empowerment of people and said that the workforce will be increased in the next two months with hundreds of jobs coming on stream, as promised.

He is heartened by this development.

“The workforce is about 40,000, so if we have now 3,500 persons working for the two months and you add another 3,000 who may be there for another two years, and another 1,500 with the concrete road project and special projects, will take the number to 8,000 workers,”

Mitchell said.

He also spoke about other jobs coming on stream with the construction of the House of Parliament, expected to start soon, the St Mark’s mitigation project, two manufacturing projects underway in Frequente and the Sandals Hotel project, which is already providing employment for many.

“We’re not even talking those. We are looking at around 8,000 from government initiatives alone; so you could be talking about 10,000 persons, who will be off the unemployment line,” he said.

“We are going to see a serious dent to the employment at least temporarily in the country,” Mitchell told the press.

He spoke about some 200 young people, who have been trained for the cruise tourism industry, by a family in New Hampshire, who have done a wonderful job.

“The cruise line people are so impressed with them. They seem to be extremely successful with almost everyone they train finding employment,” he said. (GIS)

Two doctors suspended over maternal deaths in Guyana

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wo doctors have been suspended by the Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana for their involvement in two of the eight maternal deaths recorded in the country so far this year, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said. He said the doctors are currently undergoing further training during their suspension to better prepare them to deal with the challenges on resumption of duty.

Meanwhile, less than two years ahead of the Millennium Development Goal deadline, Guyana is battling to reduce maternal deaths to fewer than 10 per year. Halfway through the year, the health ministry has recorded eight maternal deaths with two additional women dying during pregnancy.

Dr Persaud said the 10 cases were placed into two categories: direct deaths (maternal deaths due to complications during pregnancy) and indirect deaths caused by accidents and illness.

“So far for 2013, 10 women have died during pregnancy, not all deaths of women during pregnancy are mater-

nal deaths. They can die from other causes including accidents or diseases,” the CMO explained.

While declining to disclose details such as name of the victims and their cases, Dr Persaud said one of the indirect deaths was caused by malaria.

Meanwhile, four of the maternal deaths occurred at the Georgetown Public Hospital while one each occurred at the New Amsterdam, Diamond Regional Diagnostic, Suddie and Balwant Singh hospitals. The health ministry has observed similar trends as previous years where pregnancy induced hypertension associated with postpartum hemorrhage continues to be a major problem.

“It seems to still be the challenge, so we have been looking at the availability of adequate emergency obstetric management because these are all cases where the pregnancy can start off very well... but there may have been some major gaps as it relates to monitoring.” Additionally, the health ministry is in the process of putting corrective systems in place to ensure that there are

essential blood and blood products in stock at government hospitals to prevent reoccurrence of postpartum hemorrhage.

It was pointed out that among the eight maternal deaths; one was related to ectopic pregnancy.

Another of the deaths was linked to an abortion and although the termination was done in keeping with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1995, the patient developed serious complications.

With the majority of cases completed, two doctors from GPHC have thus far been suspended due to their negligence causing death.

Meanwhile, the ministry is currently working along with the finance ministry to develop a MDG accelerated framework on maternal health in Guyana. From the eight MDGs, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is assisting Caribbean countries in achieving one of the goals.

Guyana’s report has been submitted to the UNDP and is slated to be implemented from 2013 to 2015. (Excerpt from Guyana Times)

164 more soldiers

The new batch of GDF recruits during their passing out parade last Thursday

T

he 164 new additions to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were charged by the Chief -ofStaff, Commodore Gary Best to uphold the values of the force; to live by its creed and strive to be professional in and out of their uniform at the occasion of their ‘Passing Out Parade’ held last Thursday afternoon on the National Cultural Centre (NCC) tarmac.

Commodore Best charged the new recruits to be responsible, respect the law and others, live by the oath of the force and bear true allegiance to the state, serving honestly and faithfully against all enemies, obeying all orders from the president and those officers above them.

The new recruits are the successful ones of a total of 242 who had embarked on the 16-week basic recruit course 2013-01. Most of the drop outs were for medical reasons. During his

address, Commodore Best noted that this was the last batch of entrants into the force he would address as chiefof-staff.

To this end, he said, “I would therefore attempt to use my time wisely and leave something of worth for you to consider as you pursue your career, as I close mine.” Commodore Best also spoke about the merits of a true soldier.

“As a soldier, you are a person who has agreed to give your life to this country,” he stated.

Also among the qualities he listed were the soldier’s constitutional duty to defend his/her country, to maintain order , to be an upholder of the law, upholder of high values, defender of territorial integrity and to be a role model for the force and his/her community.

Best also advised of the force’s commitment to educate and empower its members in addition to military skills. “We

will educate you right up to the level of university once you possess requirements,” he stated.

The event saw awards given in categories such as best section, best platoon, best shot, best fitness, military knowledge, best drill, best student and best runner-up students.

Shaquel Carroll was named best student and Basil Watson runner-up student.

The recruits were trained in areas such as foot and arms drills, field craft, map reading and navigation at the Colonel John Clarke Military School at Tacama and internal security, swimming and rappelling at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri and in close country warfare inclusive of construction of shelters, traps and the preparation of jungle food at the Colonel Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training School in Makouria.

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

Karen and Jennifer of ‘Spice Girls Catering’ show off some of their Jamaican dishes Story and photos by Nadia Hussein

T

he weary weather on Saturday afternoon did nothing to dampen the spirits of ‘Kush I Krown.’

The ‘No Wata’ singer took to the stage at Toronto International Jamaica Day in the midst of the drizzle and managed to put on a passionate performance.

“Despite the rain it still ah shine,” said the roots-reggae artist who was born and raised in

Toronto.

Attendees were armed with green, yellow, and black umbrellas as they walked around the Wild Water Kingdom grounds and experienced everything Jamaica Day had to offer. The annual family event which ran from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. included midway rides, dramatic presentations, and a fashion show.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without the food vendors selling Jamaican dishes such as jerk chicken, oxtail, and

peas and rice.

However, the big draw was reggae deejay Tony Rebel who is known for his 1990’s hit “Fresh Vegetable.” He was originally a singer who competed in talent contests as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking.

Today, he is recognized as one of the few dreadlocked cultural deejays of the reggae era. The 51-year-old, who flew in from Jamaica for the occasion, treated the audience to international singles from his album ‘Vibes of the Times’ and more.

The Toronto

Roots-reggae artist ‘Kush I Krown’ performs her song ‘No Wata’. The singer’s real name is Tiahara Thompson.

Booths displaying Jamaican and Caribbeanthemed products such as bracelets, flags, hats, t-shirts, and jewelry

International Jamaica Day celebration has been around for 23 years and aims to educate, entertain, and share the rich culture of the island country.

“We have designed a year that will make a mark for years to come in how committed we

are to continue our focus in the culture of clean Caribbean music by encouraging patrons to gather in peace, love and unity,” says the team at the Sunrise Talent Development Program, a not-for-profit organization, which produces Jamaica Day.

Caribbean people urged to eat venomous lionfish

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n a region renowned for scuba diving and snorkelling, conservationists are urging Caribbean people to eat the red lionfish that has invaded Caribbean waters and threatens to devastate the marine ecosystem in the region.

Researchers say divers and fisherman appear to be the only players that can do anything to keep lionfish numbers down, adding that native predators, such as large groupers and sharks don’t recognize lionfish as a prey, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

“In addition to further research, it seems that the only thing we can do to control lionfish at this point is to keep spearing them,” says Serena Hackerott, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina.

Hackerott, the lead author on a 2013 study published in ‘PLOS One’, found native predators such as large groupers and sharks are not controlling lionfish populations to a discernible degree.

“I think that’s our best bet now. ‘I’m not optimistic that natural resistance

is going to be enough of an interdiction to control the population.”

Hackerott said the lionfish gobble up the small native fish that are an integral piece of the

news magazine says conservation groups have worked with local communities to teach them how to capture and then process lionfish, pointing out how to avoid getting

Researchers have said that the venomous fins are easily removed, and that lionfish are completely safe to eat

food chain and an important link in maintaining dazzling underwater seascapes.

With no natural predators or diseases to keep the population in check, the Christian Science Monitor said the lionfish is now found on nearly every coral reef, multiplying very fast.

Lacking other options, the publication reported that conservationists are pushing a simple message: capture the lionfish and cook them.

The international

pricked by the venomous spines.

It said the venomous fins are easily removed, and that lionfish are completely safe to eat.

“It’s a great eating fish. Even in places where it’s not being consumed or offered in a restaurant or at a fish retailer, there’s a lot of personal consumption taking place,” said Lad Akins, director of special projects at REEF, a Key Largo, non-profit Floridabased marine conservation. (CMC)

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Archaeology team uncovers indigenous history in Guyana human remains said to be of three females and one male, while the other could not be determined; all of which were between the ages of 2038 years.

Louisa said this year’s programme accommodated seven students, including students from the University of Guyana.

T

The Dennis Williams Archaeology Field School 2013 team unearths 13 sites of centuries old human remains, ceramics, precious minerals and tools in the Rupununi region of Guyana

The programme, she pointed out, aims to foster capacity building by introducing participants to the field of archaeology and data collection methods (field techniques).

At the end of the programme, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology facilitated a public talk where the findings were

reported and certificates of participation were issued to participants. This year’s participants included Travon Biard, Nankomari Singh, Marcelia Xavier, Roseanna Xavier, Francine Merriman, Devon Merriman ad Denton Merriman.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

The team analysing human remains from the Pakarima Mountains

he Dennis and ground stone arteW i l l i a m s facts that are made preArchaeology Field dominately from syenite, School 2013 team, in- quartzite, sandstone and structed by Dr. M. Plew, felsites; these include anan archaeologist at- vils, grooved axes, choptached to the Boise State pers, hammer stones, University, and anthro- hoes, manos, metates, pologist from the Walter cores and flakes and twoRoth Museum, Louisa stone bowl fragments.

Daggers, conducted More prominently repan exploration with- resented are pottery in the vicinity of vessels and Karanambo shards of Ranch in the Kanuku the South a n d Rupununi Rupununi (Region Plain types.

Nine) for She added eight days in that the potMobai Hill J u l y , tery, which potter shards and was is found in thrilled a variety of to dissurface cocover just lours within over a doza range of oren historical sites ange to reddish in the region. orange to reddish The Rupununi brown, is characsavannah acterised by three counts for nearly forms. half of the national terThe anthropoloritory of Guyana where gist noted that the rethe archaeology of the cent work in the vicinarea remains relatively ity of Yupukari and unexplored. A range of Toka villages has also chipped stone tools in- cast light on the nacluding projectile points, ture of Rupununi occuand features that in- pations. In and around clude rock alignments, the village of Toka, polisrock circles and rock soirs, similar to those piles, were all previous- at Imprenza on the ly identified in the area. Sauriwau River, were The region is also char- said to be a mountain acterized by the pres- top village with cookence of polissoirs and ing areas and a range petroglyphs. of decorated and paintOn the basis of as- ed ceramics. In addition, sociated historic items a new type of cemetery and the assumption that characterised by earthen the Rupununi Phase and stone mounds was was associated with the recorded, as were petrohistoric Makushi and glyphs on Banuni Creek Wapishana, previous south of Toka. archaeologists concludThe team’s survey of ed that the phase dated the Karanambo ranch from the end of the 18th yielded a total of 13 new century. sites including habitaIn this regard they tion sites with evidence viewed settlement of the of pottery and several savannah as a post-Eu- lithic (stone) reduction ropean phenomenon. sites.

In a recent interLouisa disclosed that view, Louisa noted that these sites were extenthe material culture of sive and appeared to be the Rupununi Phase in- unlike any other site of cludes a range of chipped this type reported by pre-

vious researchers. Two house-structure sites were also located on the survey and one site included 19th century historic materials indicating colonial contact.

Unearthed also were

Dennis Williams Archaeology Field School 2013 team

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

Berbice expo 2013 puts spotlight on raising standards to boost competitiveness

‘R

aising our Standards, Enhancing our Competitiveness’ was the theme for the ninth annual Berbice Expo held in Guyana over the weekend with one objective in mind; promoting the importance of the country stepping up in standards.

As patrons crowded the Albion Community Development Centre between July 26 and 29 participating in this year’s trade fair, they encountered exhibitors of the best in goods and services from across the county.

The event gave businesses such as manufacturers, arts and craft pro-

ducers and the services sector the occasion to display their standard and quality of products and services.

President Donald Ramotar, who officially declared the expo open last Friday evening, lauded the organisers for identifying a theme that “captures the very essence of the stage of development that our country is in today.”

Delivering the feature address after a packed programme that included cultural presentations, he identified the kind of infrastructure necessary if Guyana is to earn more from its produce.

President Donald Ramotar examines products on display during the 9th annual Berbice Expo in Guyana (GINA photos)

Within Berbice itself, he spoke of the intention to invest in a deepwater harbour that will accommodate larger vessels and evidently promote trade in goods of larger quantities and value.

This investment will have a similar benefit as the Guyana/Brail road infrastructure link to facilitate easy and more efficient travel and improved trade with northern Brazil.

“All of these offer the possibility for us to earn more, to invest in our people and to build a stronger economy,” President Ramotar said. (Excerpt from GINA)

A section of the gathering at the opening ceremony of the expo in Berbice last Friday evening

President Donald Ramotar shares a photo op with exhibitors at the expo

Animation studio to open in Kingston Doctor to represent TT in

Reel Rock GSW is one of the first end-to-end animation production companies in Jamaica (Reel photo)

T

he Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has launched its first animation project, which will see 15 youngsters from inner-city communities being exposed to training and job experience in the field of animation.

Targets of the new project are at-risk youth, who fall within the 17 to 35 age group, from Kingston and St Catherine and with high CXC achievement scores in visual arts and information technology.

Pursued in part-

nership with Reel Rock GSW Animation Limited and Professional Development Training Institute and Girls Town, the aim is to train at least 15 youngsters in the basic principles of animation, and two weeks of training in the use and application of the Toon Boom Harmony platform.

Reel Rock GSW is one of the first endto-end animation production companies in Jamaica. Using cuttingedge software technology such as the Toon Boom

Harmony Platform for 2D and Maya for 3D animation, plus a highly skilled and trained staff of illustrators and animators, Reel Rock GSW offers its clients the full spectrum of animation services—from character, background and other illustrations to storyboarding, animation, digital paint, compositing and post-production work.

The JSIF project involves equipping a facility with the infrastructure required for establishment of the studio in Maxfield Park including 15 computers and related peripherals, office furniture and broadband communication.

Loy Malcolm, general manager for project management at JSIF, said participants will be trained to become directors, voice actors, artists and illustrators. This will allow participants to be qualified for a spectrum of animation services.

The total project cost is Ja$7.1 million.

(Jamaica Observer)

Korea pageant

T

he Miss Oneness Trinidad and Tobago Beauty Pageant has announced that Greer Anjelica Iton is TT’s delegate for the Miss Asia Pacific World Super Talent Pageant of Korea, said a release from the organisers.

Iton is a doctor in the Ophthalmology Unit of the Department of Surgery at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mt Hope.

She plans on specialising and pursuing ophthalmology in the future.

Iton was specially selected by national franchise director Vanessa Sahatoo-Manoo, who is also President of Oneness Entertainment TT, Producers of the Miss Oneness TT Beauty Pageant.

Iton follows in the footsteps of Renee Bhagwandeen, Sheriza Ali and Soowan Bramble, who represented the country at this competition in the past.

Iton started danc-

ing at the age of three, and has danced with the Caribbean School of Dancing, with Carol La Chapelle and the Metamorphosis Dance Company.

She completed up to Grade 8 in the Royal Academy of Dance ballet examinations which she completed with discinction. She also studied modern dance, jazz and tap dancing.

She also plays the piano and the violin in which she also reached up to Grade 8.

As a violinist, she played as both second violin and first violin with the St Augustine Chamber Orchestra as well as the National Youth Orchestra of TT. Miss Asia Pacific World TT will be competing in the following categories: National Costume, Swimwear, Evening Gown and Talent. The Miss Asia Pacific World Pageant takes place in Seoul, Korea on October 30. (TT Guardian)

Greer Anjelica Iton (TT Guardian photo)

feature

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week ending August 1, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Emancipation - a celebration of dignity, power and freedom tistic director Assane Konte took to the stage as songs and dance of the African tradition took the forefront.

KanKouran was formed in 1983 in Washington, DC,

by Konte and former director of music Abdou Kounta. They grew up together in Dakar, Senegal. After many months of recruiting, training and performing at local venues, the company presented its first full-length concert, “A Visit to Africa” in 1985. And with that performance, an institution was born.

On Saturday, there were

E

evening, cultural legends graced the stage at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village for Conscious Vibrations.

Sunday in the Emancipation Village the youth took over.

Other activities included a food festival day, a popular attraction where epicurean delights of Africa and the Caribbean were available.

Nigerian delights took centre stage.

An ancestral showcase and pan night were also staged along with the much antici-

videos.’

Time Magazine has called her “Africa’s premier diva.”

Kidjo has also been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002, travelling to many countries in Africa where she works to promote the rights of women and children.

Kidjo was joined by Nigerian pop sensation and award-winning artiste ‘2face Idibia’. ‘Idibia’ hails from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State, in central Nigeria. As a pop singer/song writer/label executive, he has collabo-

Drummers entertain during Emancipation celebrations in TT (TT Guardian photo)

mancipation celebrations in the Caribbean this year will be particularly exciting as a tremendous convergence of anniversaries and historical milestones will be observed.

This year marks the 21st year of existence for the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC) which continues to host the commemoration of emancipation.

The English-speaking Caribbean will be observing the 175th anniversary of emancipation, while those from the Dutch-speaking Caribbean will be observing their 150th anniversary. The ESC will also be observing the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the Caribbean’s famous sons, Martinique’s Aime Cesaire.

Art, culture, entertainment, spirituality and business all have their place in the Emancipation festival.

International guests and world class artistes will feature prominently in the celebrations.

Emancipation celebrations have grown in preeminence over the years and it is now an internationally recognised festival drawing people from all walks of life including heads of state, business leaders and award-winning performers. This year’s celebrations will feature well-loved annual events alongside some new activities.

Spotlight on activities in Trinidad

Emancipation celebrations in Trinidad run from Friday, July 26 to August 1 at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

At the opening night last Friday, the talented performers of the KanKouran West African Dance Company under the world-renowned ar-

Popular folk theatre group, Malick Folk Performers, entertains with a dance at the Emancipation Festival 2013 at the Lidj Yasu Omawale Village, Queen’s Park Savannah,Port-of-Spain in Trinidad on Saturday night.

two exciting events that showcased the best of African culture. ‘Rhythms and Voices of the People’ featured among others, Baba and Modupe Onilu, sons of the late great percussionist and musician, Jah Jah Onilu. Later that

pated Pan African Spectakula headlined by Grammy-award winner Angelique Kidjo. This singer-songwriter and human rights activist from the West African country of Benin, is ‘noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music

rated with the likes of Mary J Blige, Wyclef Jean, Beenie Man and many other international music stars. Among his many accolades, in 2011 he won the BET award for Best International Act. (Excerpt from TT Guardian)

President Ramotar urges unity at launch of Emancipation activities in Berbice

G

uyana’s President Donald Ramotar has again called for Guyanese to unite for national development.

This time, he urged that they take example from their ancestors, who united and revolted against slavery.

Speaking in Berbice at State House in New Amsterdam on the occasion of the launch of the New Amsterdam commemorative activities for the 250th Anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Slave revolt and the 175th Anniversary of Emancipation, President Ramotar said there are lessons to be learnt from the 1763 revolt and others in that, “when we are united we can move mountains, and we move faster and further ahead.”

The 1763 revolt is regarded as a catalyst in propelling others in the Caribbean and the world,

Members of the Council of Friends of New Amsterdam (COFONA) march past President Donald Ramotar along the route from Mark’s Bridge to State House, New Amsterdam at the opening of the town’s commemorative activities to mark the 250th anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt

including the Haitian revolt. President Ramotar noted that the Berbice slave uprising could have been like the Haitian revolution, had it not been for the fact that there was disunity among the leadership of the movement,

in the course of the uprising.

The president pointed out that this disunity has been one of Guyana’s big shortcomings. “Guyana could have been independent a long time before 1966, and we could have

gone farther ahead, had it not been for the division in 1955,” he noted.

He stated further that even in the short 47 years of independence that Guyana has passes, its development still continues to be thwarted by the

question of unity.

“We have put our country on a stage where we can take off to further heights and achieve greatness…but we have to begin to see unity,” he advised.

Towards this end, the president said that in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt and the 175th Anniversary of Emancipation that Guyanese not only commemorate these events, but take lessons from them, and together try to do what is best for the people of Guyana.

He posited that this would be the best way to commemorate the sacrifices of those who had fallen in the revolt in 1763, and in 1823 and in Enmore and Rosehall.

“Those are the things, the lessons we can take from them and do duty to them by binding togeth-

er,” he stated.

The commemorative activities which will span two weeks (July 28 – August 11) are organised by COFONACouncil of Friends of New Amsterdam, an organisation geared towards developing New Amsterdam with support from other agencies within and outside of the community and region.

The activities include international presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, daily cultural and photographic displays, candle light vigil and a libation ceremony on the eve of Emancipation, followed by a heritage ball and an evening of drumming and poems for Cuffy’s children. They will run under the theme, “From Resistance through Emancipation, towards Empowerment.” (Excerpt from GINA)

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www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

Cricket!

F

or some, stick fighting in Trinidad exists in a vague corner of modern consciousness, a relic, rural activity of unknown origin. For some, the dust of the gayelle and the pulse of drumaccompanied lavways (songs of the art form) are distantly tolerated amid more preferred adventures of liming on the avenue, jostling each other for acceptance into towering buildings of development and maintaining social lives totally removed from an authentic form of cultural expression.

‘No Bois Man No Fraid’ seeks to destroy these mental barriers to a deeper knowledge and understanding of stick fighting by bringing the Kalinda tradition front and centre as the star of this feature-length documentary, directed by veteran film-maker Christopher Laird and starring soca and martial artist Keegan Taylor and co-founder of the Bois Academy of Trinidad and Tobago, Rondel Benjamin.

‘No Bois Man No Fraid’ will be screened on Wednesday September 4 at the eighth annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, and again in Trinidad later that month.

In the film, these two young, internationally certified, multi-disciplined martial artists re-discover their roots in

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Stick fighter Moses Ralf, left, shows his skills as he attacks Henderson Marcano in the gayelle. (TT Guardian file photo)

this unique Trinidadian martial art.

A “gayelle” is an arena – a special battle ground upon which warriors from villages across Trinidad and Tobago assemble to meet in combat with sticks, crafted by hand and blessed by hundreds of years of tradition. The dance-like marital art was brought to the Caribbean slave plantations from the Congo and Angola. One lineage which transitioned from Africa still resides in the village of Moruga, with its own special history and style of stick fighting.

Over two years of contact and filming with

some of the legends of Kalinda in the village of Moruga, Keegan and Rondel were accepted for mentorship by these living giants of the art form. Warriors featured in the film include Congo Bara, Acid/ King David, Kali, King Stokely, Mother Marva and King Tony, the Dancing Prince who holds four national stick fighting championship titles, three of them consecutively. With humility, respect and the total commitment of the martial artist, Keegan and Benji enter the potentially lethal arena of the gayelle, which to them is like a ring of lib-

eration.

The film producers have engaged with an interactive social media presence on Facebook. com to encourage all Internet-savvy citizens to begin the journey to understanding and learning about the legends, the art form and the film.

Join the online gayelle and meet the wise Moruga Boisman at Facebook.com/ NoBoisManNoFraid and begin your training toward joining the rank of modern day stickmen, worthy of stepping into the ring where the legends dance the stick.

(TT Newsday)

Rita Marley honoured by Ghana gov’t R ita Marley, widow of pop icon Bob Marley, will be made an honorary citizen of Ghana on Thursday, that country's celebration of Emancipation Day. A statement from the Marley Foundation says Marley will also receive a Ghanaian passport from the government.

His Excellency, Dr Erieka Bennett, Head of Mission for the African Union's Diaspora Africa Forum, says the recognition is worthy.

“We are thrilled to see the Ghana government recognising the tremendous contribution Nana Rita has made to Ghana socially

Rita Marley (Jamaica Gleaner file photo)

as well as economically.

This is a historical day

for those of us from the Diaspora."

Ambassador Kwesi Quartey, Ghana's deputy minister of foreign affairs and regional integration, agreed: “Indeed Mrs Rita Marley continues to leverage her unique name recognition to showcase Ghana and talk up Ghana’s pan-Africanist role and tourism potential at every opportunity,” he said.

The Marley family has lived in Ghana for almost 20 years.

Rita Marley has been involved in numerous charity projects, as well as operating a recording studio and helping to organise the Africa Unite concerts.

(Jamaica Observer)

By Anu Dev

ricket’s always been one of the things that have brought us together as a Caribbean people – never mind that it’s the source of some of the fiercest arguments you can imagine.

You know the most passionate arguments are with families!! Now with the Limacol CPL starting this week, I’m sure the words around cricket will be flying faster and more furiously. Caribbean people, after all are acknowledged across the globe for “knowing their cricket”. We have a reputation to maintain!!! And we now have our own individual teams!! One thing I really like about this tournament (apart from the fact that we have our own team and we’re getting games without begging anybody) is that many young, local cricketers are getting a chance to play. This opportunity will both give them a chance to experience what it’s like playing against international players and also a chance to shine and be recognised. With the other tournaments like the IPL, CLT20, and Australia’s Big Bash, there are so many new players who impress us who eventually make it onto the national team. Hopefully the same will happen for the West Indies–we’ll discover some new talent to revive the current team. As some of my friends were saying the other night, we might as well as have supported Pakistan in the last couple of matches, seeing as there were no Guyanese on the team. Maybe that’s why WI lost? But we supported the West Indies anyway, because we identify with the West Indies–we’re West Indians. We mightn’t strictly be a part of the West Indies geographically– we’re smack on top of the AMAZON. But culturally and historically, we’re more West Indian than some of the islands.

We’re cut from the same cloth, we all survived colonialism, we used cricket as our way of beating the rulers at their own game. So we’ll support the West Indies–they’re our team, but with them snubbing and cutting out our Guyanese players, it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to feel a bit miffed. But with the CPL, we’re rooting for something else entirely.

We’re rooting for our country. The Guyana Amazon Warriors is OUR TEAM!!! It’s Guyana versus Trinidad, or Guyana versus Barbados– not West Indies against the rest of the world. It’s a powerful thing, this nationalistic feeling. It’s a whole new adrenaline rush when it’s your country’s team that wins. It’s your country’s flag that you’re waving; your country’s colours that the players are wearing; it’s you, the Guyanese people who are being represented. All within the Caribbean family of course!! In Guyana, we don’t have trouble having sold-out matches, we’re always starved for more cricket. I’m sure this set of matches in the Limacol CPL will be the same. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families or friends to hang out together to enjoy a sport that has brought together so many generations of sports enthusiasts. They scoffed at the new slam-bam format in the beginning–but now that T20 has brought in so many new fans, no one’s scoffing any more. The games begin on Tuesday; may the best team (Guyana Amazon Warriors) win.

Bollywood week ending August 1, 2013

‘My wife doesn’t worry about intimate scenes’ - Arjun Rampal

A

ctor Arjun Rampal, who is married to supermodel Mehr Jesia, says his wife does not have a problem with his onscreen intimacy with costars.

"I don't think she has to worry about my onscreen intimate scenes...

She knows this is my job," Arjun said.

The 40-year-old actor played the character of an ex-Army officer in

Nikhil Advani's recently released ‘D Day.’ Arjun said he does not discuss work with his family.

"Whenever they (family) see the film they are not aware of what I am playing as I don't discuss my work with them. So it is a surprise for them.

She (Mehr) has liked 'Rock On' and 'Rajneeti'.

She feels 'D Day' is one of my best films," he said.

(TOI)

25

| www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

‘Nobody has ever used any pick-up line on me’ - Parineeti

I

n a recent interview on her student life and matters of the heart, Parineeti Chopra was asked what's the cheesiest pick-up line a guy has used on her to which she shockingly replied, “honestly, nobody has ever used any kind of pick-up line on me, cheesy or smart.”

She stated that, “in college, I was quite plump and nobody ever asked me out. Now that I've entered films, it is all the more difficult as people are conscious before asking an actress out for a date.”

When asked what draws her towards a man instantly, she responded

“the way they smell and a great sense of humour. If a man smells good, I automatically want to talk to him, but then he needs to be funny as well.” (TOI)

Akshay Kumar finds an ‘Saif can’t be a vegetarian ever’ - Kareena admirer in Al Pacino

‘O

nce Upon A Time In M u m b a a i Dobaara' (OUATIMD) has apparently caught the eye of Al Pacino, who is reportedly pretty impressed with the filmespecially with Akshay Kumar's look. Pacino was shown a promo of the film by his business partner, Barry Navidi, and it let loose a torrent of memories for the veteran actor.

A source close to the film said, "Al Pacino and Barry Navidi were casually discussing the changing scenario of films. Barry happened to mention OUATIMD while mentioning gang-

ster films made in India and showed him the theatrical trailer of the film."

In a communication to the film's makers, Pacino said, "My friend Barry Navidi showed me a promo for an Indian gangster film with Akshay Kumar. It brought some fond memories back from my ‘Godfather’ days."

The team of OUATIMD is obviously delighted with the news. When contacted, Akshay said, "A touch of appreciation is always held dearly-even if it's from the simplest of people like our beloved spot boys. But to have an actor like Al Pacino say

such nice things about your work is something else. I had goose bumps thinking about him watching the promo! I was so humbled, not only as an actor but also as a fan of his work. I pray he enjoys the movie as much as he enjoyed the promo." (TOI)

‘Amitabh Bachchan leaves a hangover of himself ’ - Amrita Rao

A

ctress Amrita Rao, who will be seen as Amitabh Bachchan's daughterin-law in her upcoming political drama ‘Satyagraha’, is apparently in the awe of the 70-year-old actor.

Rao said that she is still in the superstar's hangover.

"What do I say about working with Mr Bachchan? The day just flies and you don't even

realize while you are working with him," she said.

"He leaves a hang-

over of himself especially after pack-up when you come back home, the way he speaks, his voice, his sense of humour everything just mesmerizes you and you are left with a hangover of him at the end of the day", she added.

The film, which talks about the uprising of the middle class against a corrupt and unjust system, is set to release on August 30th. (TOI)

A

ctor Saif Ali Khan loves nonvegetarian food and his actresswife Kareena Kapoor says he

just can't do without eating meat.

"Saif can't be vegetarian, he says he can be vegetarian only for one meal and what that means, I don't understand. He is like, 'I can't not eat meat at night'," the 32-year-old said at a launch event.

Saif has found new love in kachoris now.

"But now Saif has found new love in kachoris and samosas and he gorged on them in Lucknow," said Kareena, who has turned vegetarian.

Kareena is currently busy promoting Prakash Jha's ‘Satyagraha’. She is also shooting for Punit Malhotra's ‘Gori Tere Pyaar Mein’ with Imran Khan.

Saif and Kareena got married in October 2012. (TOI)

Kareena-Hrithik back after 12 years in an intense love story

K

aran Johar and Karan Malhotra are on a winning track. The producer-director duo, the team behind the Hrithik Roshan-Priyanka Chopra, Rs 100-crore film, 'Agneepath' (2012), is back on course with Dharma Productions' 'Shuddhi'. It is known that Hrithik will play the lead and joining the light-eyed superstar will be Kareena Kapoor.

Johar said, "I'm excited to see Hrithik and Kareena back after 12 years."

The two were last seen together in 2001, in Subhash Ghai's ‘Yaadein’ and later in Karan's super-duper hit ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’. In the time gone by, both actors have done

different pieces of work separately.

And though Karan doesn't look at their casting as a coup, he feels both actors will bring in the required energy that his director has envisioned. (TOI)

Katrina Kaif struggles to own home in Mumbai Girlfriend Priya is handling John Abraham’s money B

E

ver since John Abraham started dating his banker girlfriend, Priya Runchal, he claims to have become more financially sound.

The actor had earlier entrusted his investment portfolio to experts. But now, sources say that Priya reportedly takes care of his money for him.

So, Priya is the in-house investment consultant.

And the actor is only too happy to get some advice about money matters from his lady love. (TOI)

ollywood actress Katrina Kaif, who has been delivering hits after hits in a career that spans a decade, has not bought a house for herself yet.

She has been searching for a house of her own in Mumbai for the last four-five years but has not had any luck.

While her contemporaries Priyanka, Deepika and Anushka have their own pads, Katrina is still struggling to find her own accommodation and is paying high rent every month for her apartment in Bandra.

It is said that the pretty actress was keen

on buying a palatial duplex in Carter Road that belonged to a Bollywood filmmaker. The place had a beautiful sea view too.

However, after showing keen interest, Katrina did not buy it. She went to check another property, but after getting

a call about someone's death she thought it was not auspicious.

What is surprising is that the lady owns properties in her hometown London. However, it seems she is struggling to find her dream abode in Mumbai. (TOI)

26

hollywood

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

Ryan Reynolds has Ryan Gosling tops ‘most wanted stars in sex tape’ poll better taste than wife

A

R

ctress Blake Lively says her husband Ryan Reynolds has better taste when it comes to building their home together.

The couple got married last September.

"I'm very lucky to be with someone who has better taste than me. We influence each other in different ways," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Lively as saying.

"With film and TV, you don't see the results for months. Building a home, you get immediate gratification," she added.

The actress admits that her person-

yan Gosling has topped a list of actors that fans would love to see featured in a sex tape.

In the survey, which was commissioned by porn house Vivid Entertainment, the actor bagged 21 percent of the respondent's votes, the New York Daily News reported.

The 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' star was closely followed by Brad Pitt and Channing Tatum on the chart.

While, Matthew McConaughey and Johnny Depp came in tied for fourth position and rounded up the top five.

(TOI)

al life is her priority.

"Work is important, but my greatest passion is my personal life," she said. (TOI)

Baldwin turns down villain ‘Friends’ star Matthew role due to wife’s delivery Perry wants to time travel

A

lec Baldwin has revealed that he turned down the role of a villain in a superhero movie, as his wife Hilaria is due to give birth anytime soon.

Speaking on 'The Howard Stern Show,' the 55-year-old actor said that he had been offered a role in a super-

hero movie, which he wouldn't reveal the name of.

He said that he didn't want to undo somebody, as the bosses hired someone else to play the part.

Baldwin said that the filmmakers had asked him to play a villain in one of the Marvel Comics movies.

He explained that he wasn’t available, as the movie bosses had wanted him to work a certain time, and because of his wife's pregnancy, he had to turn down two films this summer that he had wanted to do, Contactmusic reported.

While Baldwin declined to reveal the name, it's possible that he was approached for a role in James Gunns' intergalactic movie, 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' which is currently being shot at Shepperton Studios in England.

(TOI)

‘Cory will forever be in my heart’ - Lea Michele

A

ctress Lea Michele posted a picture of late boyfriend Cory Monteith and thanked her fans for being supportive in her tough times.

The actress, who was also Monteith's ‘Glee’ costar, had requested privacy, post his untimely death in a hotel room in Vancouver July 13.

Michele took to Twitter to thank her fans for showing support, reports dailystar.co.uk.

She posted an old picture of herself and Monteith, with the caption: "Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love and support. Cory will forever be in my heart."

Monteith was found

dead in his hotel room. It was later revealed that he died of an overdose of a mix of alcohol and her-

oin.

Montieth was in relationship with Michele for almost two years. (TOI)

Being angry is a waste of energy, says Nicholas Cage

N

icholas Cage, whose upcoming thriller flick 'The Frozen Ground' shows him playing a cop chasing a serial killer, has admitted that being angry is a waste of valuable energy.

The 'Ghost Rider' star

has confessed to the Sun that throughout the beginning of his career, he would trash his trailer and insult people because he thought it was the best way to get into character.

When the Oscar winner was asked what he

wished he had known at 18, he responded saying he wished he had not been so angry at that age.

The actor, 49, revealed that he was a wild guy with a lot of energy and didn't know where he was fitting in. (TOI)

A

ctor Matthew Perry says if he had his way, he would love to go back in time to 2004 to stop his hugely popular sitcom "Friends" from going off air.

Perry played the role of Chandler Bing, one of the six best friends, who entertained the audience for 10 years on the small screen.

"If I had a time machine, I would like to go back to 2004 and not have stopped," Perry

said on a chat show.

According to eonline.com, actress Lisa Kudrow, who played the

role of Phoebe Buffay in the sitcom, agreed with Perry, saying: "If it were up to us, you know, individually, then yes. I would keep going."

"I figure...there would have come a time, anyway, when someone would have said, 'We've had enough.' But, why not have fun until they do."

The show also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer in lead roles.

Pamela Anderson hits the beaches of Portugal

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anadian actress Pamela Anderson, known for her role in the TV series ‘Baywatch’, spent the weekend on the tourist beaches of Algarve in southern Portugal as a guest at a birthday party.

The 46-year-old Anderson was the special guest at the 22nd birthday party of Portuguese-Brazilian Lorenzo Carvalho, Ferrari GT3 racing driver, the Portuguese press reported.

The actress and model, in a body-hugging black dress, made her appearance at a well-

known discotheque in the town of Vilamoura, where all eyes were on her as well as the cameras of a host of photographers.

Anderson, whose invitation is thought to

have cost Carvalho some 150,000 euros ($200,000), noted the wild waves of the Portuguese beaches and said it was "a pleasure" to visit Portugal for the first time. (TOI)

‘Happiness is a choice’ - Jennifer Aniston

A

ctress Jennifer Aniston says being happy is one's personal choice and people can rise above their state of misery anytime.

"If you're not happy, you can become happy.

Happiness is a choice.

That's the thing I really feel. Like with friends who refuse to get happy, who refuse to rise above the place where they're at," Glamour magazine quoted Aniston as saying.

The 44-year-old had her share of pain. She was earlier married to actor Brad Pitt, but they parted ways in 2005 after five-year-long marriage.

Aniston is now engaged to marry actor Justin Theroux. (TOI)

27 Berbice men on a mission to combat gender-base violence in Guyana S feature

week ending August 1, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

hortly after the launch of the Guyana government’s “No More Black and Blue” campaign in 2010, a group of men in Berbice came together to set up a non-governmental organistaion that helps males deal with various social issues.

Group president Desmond Nelson, who is a Berbice social worker at the ministry of human services and past teacher for more than

others. This group was called the Men’s Forum, which lasted for two years. After that came to end in February 2011, we launched the Berbice Male Action Network,” he stated.

There are several activities of the group working primarily with men. BeMAN holds talks in schools with male students, addressing issues such as anger management, and visits the prisons, working with men

Male students of Berbice rallying with BeMAN against gender-based violence

Nelson addressing a group of women about BeMAN's work in Berbice

17 years, said BeMAN, “started engaging men across the Berbice area in dealing with issues pertaining to relationships, gender-based violence, conflict resolution, anger management and

within the prison system in an effort to reintegrate them into society. According to Nelson, there are manuals they work with to ensure that the reintegration is successfully done.

Currently, there are 35 in the group who meet quarterly. The members are men from various sectors of society.

Some are professionals, from religious groups, and business executives.

Nelson said there are

seminars and workshops done on a regular basis for men. There is also a Berbice television programme that televises the group’s work.

“This is a very vibrant group in Berbice. Many see our work and they approach us to join...

Those who want to join are given manuals and are trained to help other men. There are two fractions of the group in Berbice that effectively carry out the organisation’s work,” Nelson said.

He noted that there are many factors responsible for the violence,

such as poverty.

“I have seen this personally. Persons become angry because they do not have. We need to look at how we orient our boys. Parents tell them they are not supposed to cry; that they need to “man-up”. This results in pent-up anger in some of them. Inevitably, when that child becomes a man he will act it out at some point. We really need to address this. We also need to look at how they are socialized,” Nelson related.

He is already proud of the group’s work, and

related one of many success stories.

“A man had called in to our programme. After the programme concluded, our group was approached by a man who identified himself as the person who had called.

He told us he wanted to share his story with us.

He admitted he was an abuser because of his military background. His rigorous training taught him to be tough.

Later in his life he started using drugs and abused his wife. He and his wife eventually were separated and he got angry at everybody except himself. After listening to the programme he realised he was the problem, and now I’m happy to say he is an active and reliable member of our group,” Nelson recalled.

In promoting their work, BeMAN recently staged a Berbice rally against all forms of violence; emphasising gender-based violence which they view as a “silent cancerous plague destroying the moral fabric of family life.”

Nelson shared that future marches would be planned in different communities until the entire Region Six is covered.

(Excerpt from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Showcasing Jamaica’s young, artistic talent highest-quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, and videos, that use some form of technology and to have the participants in TYCP share with the

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Some of the participants in the competition whose works are featured in the exhibit, with DEKAL Wireless staff and Danielle Wilson (second right)

une 28 marked the culmination of the art competition in Jamaica, The Youth Craft Project (TYCP), a community, education and marketing initiative conceptualised, crafted and executed by Danielle Wilson for technology and wireless Internet service provider DEKAL Wireless.

TYCP started in rural Jamaica about three months ago with a view to display the best and brightest emerging artistic talent all across Jamaica and provide a medium to take their art, creativity skills-and themselves-to the next level.

June 28 also marked the prize-giving and the opening of an exhibit to showcase the standout and finalist art works from the TYCP competition.

"A great concept with

amazing talent from around Jamaica on display. It serves as a strong motivator," said Dennis Harris, managing director of Courts, Jamaica.

"The talent of the young people is incredible. We need more corporate entities to do what DEKAL Wireless has done to showcase these talents." said Donna Rose, special assistant and adviser to the Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites.

With a push from the Ministry of Education, more than 190 students between the ages of 11 and 18 from more than 40 high schools in Jamaica, submitted self-portraits to an online voting system powered by DEKAL Wireless' network.

Jamaican artist, avid art collector, and managing director, of local

food chain, Mother's, V. Carlysle Hudson stated that it was a, "good concept. I applaud the sponsors and organiser of the show. The creativity and quality of the art work were exceptionally high for 11 to eight-year-old students. We should encourage more of these projects.

It is good exposure for students of this age. I would encourage the public to go and view the exhibition on its own merit and also support the student artists."

TYCP's online catalogue allows visitors to view actual artworks from this year's installation at www.dekalwireless.com/ create. This year's focus was self-portraits in high school.

"The goal of TYCP is to be the premier artistic showcase for youth in Jamaica, to exhibit the

DEKAL Wireless brand and have the brand share with each participant equally in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and to expose and hone the talents of the Jamaican

youth." said Danielle Wilson.

The TYCP exhibit is located at 2 Northside Plaza, Liguanea, Kingston 6. (Excerpt from Jamaica Gleaner)

28 feature Five August adventures in Tobago F www.caribbeantimesinternational.com | week ending August 1, 2013

rom heritage and culinary to patriotic celebrations and thrill seeking spectator events, Tobago has something to offer everyone this August. The island provides you with the perfect chance to kick back and enjoy, whether it’s spending time with the family, relaxing on the beach or liming with your friends. Here is just a selection of what you can experience in Tobago this August.

Emancipation: Every August 1st, Tobago remembers its African roots with colourful, historic parades and displays to mark the liberation of Tobago slaves in 1838. The main focus is usually at Crown Point, with a freedom walk through the streets which ends with a cultural extravaganza at Pigeon Point Heritage Park. This features traditional costume, dancing, steel pan, African drumming, cultural artifacts and authentic African dishes.

TT became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

Eid-ul-Fitr: Popularly known as Eid, this Muslim festival celebrates the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. For Muslims, Eid is a joyful celebration of the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory and peace, of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Families attend special prayers

which are held in mosques or in large open areas followed by a khutba (public preaching). Then it is time for fes-

Eid is held on August 8th–the perfect time to experience the warm hospitality of Tobago.

Emancipation parade through Crown Point, Tobago

tivities and merriment, with many Muslims opening their doors to the whole community, renewing friendship and family ties. Houses are decorated and guests are provided with a delicious range of food, the most common of which is meethi sawine, a traditional sweet made with vermicelli. This year

The Great Drinks Festival: Sample the best of Tobago's drink at the Great Drinks Festival happening on August 23rd at Scarborough Esplanade. This is the third year the festival has been held and features exclusive tropical drinks that are indigenous to the island. Many are made

using blends of local fruits, ground provisions and vegetables, as core ingredients in punches, juices and virgin or alcoholic drinks.

Carib Great Race: Hundreds of people will be descending on Scarborough on the morning of August 24th to witness the adrenaline-fueled finish to the annual Carib Great Race. First held in 1969, this 84-mile speedboat race starts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and ends at Scarborough Esplanade, Tobago. It’s a fierce, highoctane contest which tests the driver's skill, speed and concentration. Over the years the race has grown to become one of the most important power boating competitions in the region.

Independence Day: A patriotic celebration held every August 31 to mark TT’s independence from Britain in 1962. The day starts with a parade of the island's protective services through the capital, Scarborough before an extravaganza of performances in the evening which reflect Tobago's unique culture and heritage. This is usually a mix of traditional dance and song which speak of the island's national pride and includes performers from all over Tobago. The gathered crowd is then invited to start the countdown to the fireworks which fill the skies over Scarborough with colour. (Excerpt from CaribbeanNews)

Star of the Week

Jo-Anna “Jojo” Tracey

‘Young, vibrant and talented’ aptly describes local songbird Jo-Anna “Jojo” Tracey. The 24-year-old songstress started singing at just 4, and ever since has been developing her talent. In nursery school, her friends would plead with her to serenade them. Encouraged, JoAnna knew singing was her calling. Jo-Anna credits her father, who, she said, can sing very well and sounds like an “oldies singer”, for her gift. After years of training her vocals and being motivated by friends, Jojo decided to compete in the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition this year, the first competition she ever entered.

Although she made it only up to the quarter finals of the competition, the artiste disclosed that her experience was “fun, interesting and mostly rewarding.” Through the competition, she met many talented people and discovered a deeper love for singing. Her preferred genre is alternative/punk rock, but she also enjoys pop and the likes of Lady Gaga. Singing, the musician reflected, is an avenue of release and makes her feel completely free and calm. In the future, Jojo would like to start writing her own songs and help her newly-formed band, ‘Jojo and the Bums’, which includes Ryan and Gavin from local rock band ‘Keep Your Day Job’, be very successful. Other than singing, Jojo likes modelling, dancing and just enjoying every moment life offers.

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week ending August 1, 2013 | www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

LimacolCPL sponsorship programme sells out

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ith the recent announcements of partnerships with Busta Soft Drinks and Virgin Airlines, the Limacol Caribbean Premier League has a full set of commercial partners for its inaugural season. The league has signed Limacol, Digicel, Guardian Group, Courts, El Dorado Rum, Scotiabank, SM Jaleel (Busta), Ericsson and Virgin Airlines as League Sponsors.

LCPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe remarked, “The level of support from the corporate community in the Caribbean and elsewhere has been overwhelming and we thank all our partners for helping to make this massive undertaking possible. Without the support of our partners, govern-

ments and the fans, a venture of this scale and ambition is simply not possible, and we look forward to a very long and successful relationship with all those who have been with us at the beginning.”

West Indies T20 and St Lucia Zouks Captain Darren Sammy added, “The Limacol CPL is extremely important for West Indies cricket and for the playing community here and the level of support from sponsors has just been phenomenal. On behalf of the players I’d like to thank all the partners for their support, and express the wish that it continue long into the future.”

The LCPL has a group of Central League Partners, with each franchise team also having

LCPL Commerical Director Jamie Stewart, right, with Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and DDL Marketing Director Sharda Veeren-Chand

its own sponsorship programme.

Jamie Stewart, Commercial Director of CPL and CEO of Sports Marketing Agency Commune, said “CPL

embarked on this process only nine weeks ago, and the support from our partners in that short time has been absolutely fantastic. What is especially heartening is

that leading Caribbean brands dominate the programme.

“To date we have only been able to talk to them about a vision, an idea, and we thank them for

sharing the vision for an event that can be a ‘game-changer’ for the Caribbean. I’d like to also give thanks and acknowledgement to colleague Pete Russell for his tremendous efforts and camaraderie over the past few weeks as we have collectively travelled the length and breadth of the Caribbean. We look forward with all partners to the vision becoming a reality on Tuesday evening, and to the transformative potential of the idea that is LCPL coming to life.”

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League bowled off Tuesday evening in Barbados with an opening ceremony, followed by the first match between the Barbados Tridents and St Lucia Zouks.

Jamaica’s 45-strong - Bolt, Shelly lead charge

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ouble world record-holder Usain Bolt and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce are among four individual medallists from last year's London Olympic Games who were Monday named in Jamaica's 45-member team to participate in the 14th IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, between August 10 and 18.

Bolt, who will be seeking his third straight men's 200m title after wins in Berlin, Germany, in 2009, and Daegu, South Korea, two years ago, will head the powerful 22-member men's team, while Fraser-Pryce, who won the women's 100m in Berlin, has been included in the 23-member women's squad.

Warren Weir and Hansle Parchment, who both won bronze medals in the 200m and 110m hurdles, respectively, in London, are also in the team, which is expected to start arriving in Moscow, on Thursday for the start of a week-long camp.

Maurice Wilson, who was head coach for

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt (right) crosses the line to win the men’s 4x100m relay for his team Racers Track Club during the Diamond League athletics meet at the stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, Monday. (PHOTO: AP)

the team to Deagu and London has been named technical leader, while Calabar High's Michael Clarke is the head coach.

For the first time Jamaica has named two shot-putters, O'Dayne Richards and Raymond Brown, while female long-jumper Francine Simpson is in the team as well.

A number of athletes in the team were being named to the first senior national team to a major global championships, including 400m runners Javere Bell

and schoolboy Javon Francis, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Natoya Goule, and Danielle Dowie.

Discus thrower Jason Morgan, the only Jamaican to achieve the B qualifying standard, was not named in the team. Morgan was unable to travel to the national championships in June as he was being sworn in as an American citizen that same weekend and had written to the JAAA. Full contingent: Men-Usain Bolt, Kemar

TT footballers for Four Nations

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rinidad and Tobago football team will be featuring in a Four Nations Tournament in Saudi Arabia from September 6-10.

The other teams in this invitational competition are the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand.

TT Football Association (TTFA) general secretary Sheldon

Phillips, in a brief interview last Friday noted that, “we were just able to confirm it recently. It’s going to be in Saudi Arabia. We’re going to be playing the United Arab Emirates and the winner between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.”

The Trinidad and Tobago-United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia-New Zealand

fixtures will take place on September 6, with the final slated for September 10, all at the 67,000-seater King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The TT team, under the guidance of coach Stephen Hart, were eliminated from the quarter-final round at the Concacaf Gold Cup by Mexico last Saturday. (Excerpt from TT Newsday)

Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade, Nesta Carter, Warren Weir, Jason Livermore, Javere Bell, Javon Francis, Rushane

McDonald, Hansle Parchment, Andrew Riley, Dwight Thomas, Leford Green, Annsert Whyte, Isa Phillips, Damar Forbes, O'Dayne Richards, Raymond Brown, Oshane Bailey, Akheem Gauntlett, Omar Johnson, and Edinho Steele.

Women-ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert, Sherri-Ann Brooks, Anniesha McLaughlin, Novlene WilliamsMills, Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Patricia Hall, Natoya Goule, Danielle Williams, Andrea Bliss, Shermaine Williams, Kaliese Spencer, Ristananna Tracey, Danielle Dowie, Nickesha Wilson, Francine Simpson,

Kimberly Williams, Carrie Russell, Natasha Morrison, Anastasia Leroy, Christine Day, and Rosemarie Whyte.

Officials: Team leader-Trevor 'TC' Campbell; assistant managers-Deon Hemmings-McCatty and Dave Myrie; technical leader-Maurice Wilson; head coach-Michael Clarke; assistant coaches-Fitz Coleman, Lennox Graham, Jermaine Shand, and Maurice Westney; D o c t o r Derrick McDowell; PhysiotherapistMathew Parchment; Masseurs-Everold Edwards, Damion Rowe, Collin Turner, Gavin James and Dwayne Davis; team press liaison-Dennis Gordon.

(Jamaica Observer)

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Hollywood glamour comes to East Coast, Rebels are LimacolCPL, Mark Wahlberg OSCL champions on board with Barbados

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Mark Wahlberg and Ajmal Khan

imacol Caribbean Premier League cricket officials announced that American actor Mark Wahlberg has taken an equity interest in the Barbados Tridents team. “I’m excited to be a part of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League because I know cricket is huge in the Caribbean and a rich part of the region’s heritage,” said Wahlberg.

“Sports and entertainment are a powerful combination, and the LCPL will appeal to a huge audience worldwide. Thanks to my dear friend Ajmal Khan who introduced me to Barbados and the LCPL, I am a cricket fan now. ”

Wahlberg said he was also attracted to the youth development aspect of the LCPL which benefits the entire community as young men are encouraged to pursue their passions, stay focused and plan for their futures.

Ajmal Khan, Chairman of Verus International and founder of the LCPL voiced his agreement.

“Having Mark involved with the Limacol CPL is quite a coup for us. He brings a global celebrity appeal, which adds to the party atmosphere, and anticipation that is already building in these final days before the tournament begins.

Having him as an ambassador of the greatest party in sport will indeed draw the attention of current and new cricket fans across the world, and we look forward to embracing a whole new generation of cricket fans in the U.S. thanks to Mark.”

“We are thrilled that Mark has taken an equity interest in one of the Limacol CPL teams,” said Limacol CPL Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe.

“He is keen to promote the tournament in any way possible, and his fame and influence will definitely raise the profile of the tournament, and bring awareness of the game to an audience that traditionally has no connection with cricket.

We’re excited to see the many ways in which this partnership will benefit both Mark and the LCPL,” he added.

Wahlberg’s newest movie, ‘2 Guns’, where he stars alongside Denzel Washington, comes out on August 2. He is also known for his starring roles in films such as ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘Planet of the Apes’, ‘The Departed’, ‘The Fighter’ and ‘Ted’, and has been the executive producer of several successful TV series including ‘Entourage’ and ‘Boardwalk Empire’.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz player with Gulf Saraburi FC in Thailand Errol Stevens (Jamaica Observer photo)

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eggae boy Errol Stevens has signed a one-year contract with Thailand club Gulf Saraburi FC and is looking to grab the opportunity with both hands.

Stevens, 27, who made his senior debut in 2011 against Colombia in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been out of the national set up because of injury.

“Well, I'm happy to be back in an environment where I can be completely focused on football, and

it's also good seeing that I stand a better chance of getting back into the national team after being out with injury," he said.

Stevens, standing at 6ft 2in, is a powerful forward who also possesses decent pace and technique, and has experience playing in Asia having donned the colours of Hanio FC in the Vietnam league in 2012.

A former student of Greater Portmore High School, Stevens also had a four-month stint with

Russian club FC Khimki in 2009, having played for local clubs Harbour View, Portmore United, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens.

Stevens missed most of last season with Arnett Gardens because of a knee injury and last played for Jamaica in May 2012, when he came off the bench and created the lone goal for Jermie Lynch in a 1-0 win over Guyana at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

(Jamaica Observer)

Rebels skipper Ricky Mahadeo Dyal (left) receives the winning trophy from OSCL’s vice-president Terry Mathura while other executives share in the moment (Ravendra Madholall photo)

By Ravendra Madholall

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ast Coast Cricket Club and Rebels are the two champions of the annual 25-over Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) after recording victories on Sunday at the Ellesmere Sports Club ground in Scarborough.

Rebels got the better of Belle Vue Sports by two runs while East Coast beat Caribbean Sensation by 21 runs in the two exciting finals.

The winning teams and outstanding players are set to receive trophies at the presentation ceremony which will take place later this year at a venue to be named.

Meanwhile, president of the OSCL, Albert Ramcharran was on hand to witness the games and congratulated both teams for emerging victorious. He

also praised the participating teams for their continued involvement.

He further stated that a team, under the auspices of the OSCL, will be selected to represent Canada at the upcoming Mini Softball World Cup to be hosted by the Guyana Floodlights Cricket Association in November. That team would be chosen based on the individual performances.

“I want to congratulate the winners and the sportsmanship that prevailed today (Sunday). Me and my executives will continue to work very hard to keep the high standard and to ensure cricket be the winner,” Ramcharran declared.

He also expressed thanks to MoneyGram for coming on board with sponsorship this year.

Each team received a kit that contained water bottles among other items.

TT’s cyclist wins Quebec cycle event

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T’s national and Team Predator Carbon Repair cyclist, Emile Abraham tasted sweet revenge when he powered to victory in the fourstage Tour of Quebec endurance event, which concluded in Quebec, Canada over the weekend.

This win for Abraham saw him hold on to the tournament’s coveted yellow jersey, which is distributed to the stage winner, and the green jersey, which is delivered to the meet’s best sprinter.

In the final 65km course along Parliament Hill on Sunday, Abraham pedalled to a golden finish in one hour, 34 minutes and 44 seconds. He crossed the finish line ahead of stage silver medallist Douglas Repacholi (Stevens Racing) and bronze receiver Pierrick Naud (Garneau-Quebecor). Having already won the first (Thursday) and second (Friday) stages, Abraham rounded off his Tour of Quebec campaign with a blistering sprint-finish in the fourth and final stage.

Speaking to the local media house lapresse.ca after his historic win, he explained to journalist Jean Francois Tardif, “An amazing week. It exceeded all my expectations. And to think I almost did not come to Quebec because of the logistics implied my trip here. And it was during the week before the start of the Tour that I finally decided to take part. Things took a wonderful turn. I really could not have hoped for better.”

The Tobagonian-bred rider admitted that his victory allowed him to enjoy a little revenge. He recalled that last year, when he had the green jersey for the best sprinter, he was excluded from the final stage of the Tour because he had failed to sign the attendance sheet.

However, the 39-year-old endurance veteran was thankful to his Team Predator Carbon Repair teammates for ensuring that he stood in front of the pack and dominated most of the grueling four-stage road course.

He continued, “And I had not made

National and Team Predator Carbon Repair cyclist, Emile Abraham (TT cycling federation FB photo)

the right choice of front wheel, which caused me problems, especially in the corners. But he still had enough energy and my teammates, though tired, did everything they could to help me.

All this while all teams have continued to attack.”

Overall, Abraham won three of the four stages of the Tour de Québec programme. While he enjoyed the likes of his yellow and green jerseys, silver medallist Naud returned home with the blue jersey for the Under-23 best rider. Anton Varabei (Jet Fuel Coffee) won the red jersey for the best climber.

Speaking to other media after his win Abraham explained, “I had a great career, but I’m getting old and it’s been that I have not done anything so far. I showed up here with great legs. I ran a lot in recent weeks and it helped me a lot.”

Abraham concluded, “Teams have tried everything today (Sunday) launching attack after attack. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to hold on and keep the yellow jersey. My teammates did an amazing job.” (TT Newsday)

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King’s Jewellery World on board with Guyana Amazon Warriors

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e n o w n e d Guyanese jewellers King’s Jewellery World joined the list of sponsors for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League that bowled off Tuesday night.

The official announcement was made last Thursday by Director of Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise, Ravie Ramcharitar. The signing of the agreement was done

by Harrinand Persaud, one of the proprietors of King’s Jewellery World, a family owned business.

Ramcharitar indicated that, “The Guyana Amazon Warriors are proud to have such a prominent Guyanese name onboard. A name that we know represents

all round excellence.” It is no secret that cricketers who come to play in Guyana often purchase cricket bands from King’s for themselves and loved ones, as the name King’s is one synonymous with quality jewellery.

Each piece of jewellery created by King’s is handcrafted from the highest quality Guyanese gold and precious stones certified by internationally trained gemologists.

King’s Jewellery World has several locations, with its headquarters located at Quamina Street, Georgetown. It also has a duty-free shop at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, for those Guyanese and tourists who wish to take a precious piece of Guyana with them when they

Dwayne Lovell and Harrinand Persaud at last Thursday’s event

leave the beautiful country.

Having signed on as a sponsor, Kings Jewellery World will be featured on the helmets of the Guyana Amazon Warriors as they battle in all their matches.

Harrinand Persaud said “we at King’s are excited to be a part of such a big Caribbean event and are honoured to be a sponsor of the Guyana Amazon Warriors. We bring with us the hope that our sponsorship can aptly contribute towards the excellent performance of the Warriors as they embark on an exciting journey in a few days.” Also present were Dwayne Lovell, representative of the Guyana Amazon Warriors team management.

Guyanese cricketer scores big Jamaican youth cops for Canada in Auty Cup Caribbean squash title

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By Ravendra Madholall

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ormer Guyana senior team skipper Damodar Daesrath hit a sparkling 109 for Canada in the 50-over game against United States of America (USA) on Saturday at the King City ground.

The elegant righthander smacked seven fours and five sixes in his enterprising 105-ball innings but the Auty Cup match was abandoned following the completion of Canada’s innings owing to torrential showers.

Host-nation Canada reached a formidable 252 all out off 49 overs with the Berbician accomplishing his maiden hundred for Canada after making his debut in early 2012.

In the preceding two-day encounter, which commenced last Thursday, also at the same venue, Daesrath, who featured in 17 first-class matches for Guyana, made 17 but his team prevailed with first innings points.

In the two subsequent T20 games at King on Sunday, Daesrath was ruled out with a hamstring problem. Canada was again in the winning column with two emphatic victories.

Meanwhile, Daesrath told this publication on Sunday that he was very elated to get the landmark at the popular King City and will definitely cherish the achievement for the rest of his life.

“It feels really great to get a hundred for Canada more nicely on home turf;

Damodar Daesrath celebrates his victory on Saturday

I just went out there and played to the best of my ability. The pitch was playing wonderfully and I just wanted to make a big impact,” Daesrath related.

His compatriot Jeremy Gordon also appeared for the North America lineup but in the T20 games. Gordon, who represented Guyana at the highest level, was very economical on both occasions.

In the first match when Canada won by five wickets, the rightarm quickie conceded 18 runs from his allotted four overs while he was more accurate in the sec-

ond contest with seven runs from three overs as Canada emerged by 78 runs.

Both players have once again been named in the Canadian squad to compete against United Arab Emirates and Netherlands in a four-day match each while they will be up against UAE in four 50-over games, starting on Thursday at the King City, too.

Canada will face UAE in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Intercontinental Cup while they collide with the Netherlands in the ICC World Cricket League.

amaica's national junior squash cocaptain, Ashante Smith, is pleased that he finally won a gold medal at the Caribbean Area Squash Association Junior Championship, which ended in Guyana at the weekend.

Smith captured the boys' Under-19 title and will be moving on to the senior stage.

The Jamaican recovered to overpower Trinidad and Tobago's Mandela Patrick 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-4.

"Well, I think I deserved that win. I worked hard, day in and day out. I really think I deserved it," Smith said when the team returned to Jamaica on Monday evening.

"It was a hard battle in the final. I went down 2-0, but fought hard and won three sets to take the title. I was feeling a bit down after trailing two sets, but I had my team behind me, pushing me and I got the win.

"It was a joy knowing that I went there and got the gold," he further admitted. "That is what I went there to do, to win

Jamaica’s national junior squash co-captain Ashante Smith (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

the title."

Smith and co-captain Jessica Perkins are the only two members of the squad who will no longer play at the junior CASA again.

"This is a really good team, I'm proud to call myself captain of this team," noted Smith, who

also thanked coach Rene Denis, manager Gill Binnie, sponsors Burger King and 305 Squash, as well as the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) for their support.

"We worked really hard and deserved all that we won," he said.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Big money up for grabs from...

from back page

per match–24 matches, US$12,000 in total–will be given to the player who scores the most sixes in that match.

“It’s all eyes on the Caribbean as the six teams get set to...battle it out and be crowned the winner of the first ever Limacol Caribbean Premier League T20.

While being named the winner of the tournament is a great achievement in and of itself we also know that the substantial prize pot plus the fantastic challenges that the sponsors are putting in place will also be a great motivator for the players,” said Limacol CPL

Chief Executive Officer Damien O’Donohoe.

“With the countdown on to the first ball being bowled, we are looking forward to some thrilling clashes as the teams rise to the challenge to try and take home both the bragging rights and the fantastic prize pot,” he said.

www.caribbeantimesinternational.com

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

INTERNATIONAL WEEK ENDING AUGUST 1, 2013

Big money up for grabs from “the biggest party in sport” – LCPL prize pot revealed

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he inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 Tournament organisers have unveiled the massive array of prizes that the six franchise teams will be thrashing it out for over the next four weeks.

As the action gets going in six countries across the Caribbean and the eyes of the world are fixed on the awesome cricket and party action, the prize money for the 21 preliminary matches adds up to a massive US$525,000 (US$25,000 per match) and the semifinalists will battle it out in a winner take

all final match with a winning purse worth US$250,000.

Along with the Man of the Match award of US$1000 per match across the full 24 matches, and additional player awards, the total prize pot for the LCPLT20 will exceed a whopping US$800,000.

But the winning doesn’t stop there as the tournament sponsors are bringing their own exciting challenges to the cricket and entertainment action.

Official partner, El Dorado’s “Catch of the Match” award will go to the player in each of the

Barbados Tridents’ Shoaib Malik cuts St Lucia Zouks’ Shane Shillingford (CPL Photo)

24 matches who makes the most thrilling catch while Virgin, the official airline of the LCPL T20, will be staging the “Virgin Challenge,” which encourages the players to hit balls high into the sky to try and strike the Virgin red balloon positioned over the stadium with the chance to win a round-the-world trip for two for the master slugger who rises to the challenge.

In addition, title sponsor and Guyana Amazon Warriors franchise owner, Limacol, have introduced the Super Six award where US$500

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