Guyana Times -- Tuesday, July 21, 2020

P2

OAS to meet today to discuss APNU/AFC-created electoral crisis Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4353

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

PRICE

Validity of Recount Order

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Only recount figures can be used for elections declaration – Chief Justice

Do not waste more of court’s time – TCI P14 …says CJ’s ruling clear, concise

Page 3

…10 ROs' declaration set aside, CEO cannot be “lone ranger”

APNU/AFC prolonging Guyanese misery with appeal See stories on pages 9 & 13

Stop lying to supporters – Shuman tells Granger

P12

… end charade, call off “dogs of war”

… Harmon again distorts CJ’s ruling to justify "rigged" results

Stop Guyana could be obstructing overtaken GECOM’s by Suriname as declaration – Irfaan an investment Ali to APNU/AFC hub – Ram See story on page 7

COVID-19 pandemic

“We are not P10 prepared” – Aishalton Toshao …as other villages cite food crisis

APNU activist charged for P11 threatening to kill GECOM’s Chair

See story on page 12

…says delay tactics will serve …as APNU/AFC still clinging to no purpose but hurt Guyana power 4 months after elections

APNU/AFC’s attempt to thwart will of people will not succeed – PPP

Page 15

Miner gets 14 years in jail for killing drinking P8 buddy 42 new COVID-19 cases detected in P11 1 week …155 active cases in isolation

2 NEWS OAS to meet today to discuss APNU/AFC-created electoral crisis TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro

T

he Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) will meet today to discuss the ongoing APNU/AFCcreated political crisis in Guyana with the coalition refusing to make way for a smooth transition of power even though a National Recount has confirmed that it has been defeated at the March 2 polls.

This meeting comes against the backdrop of the APNU/AFC supporter, Misenga Jones filing an appeal following the ruling of Chief Justice Roxane George on Monday, that Order 60 (the Recount Order), which facilitated the recount of votes from the March 2 polls, was properly constructed. This appeal will mean that the Guyana Elections Commission will not be able to go ahead with a declaration. Guyanese will have to endure

a further protraction even after four months of impasse.

Last Friday, the OAS confirmed that the Permanent Council will hold the virtual special meeting at the request of the Secretary General, Luis Almagro.

The Permanent Council is one of two main political bodies of the OAS, the other being the General Assembly. The Permanent Council keeps vigilance over the maintenance of friendly relations among the member states and, for that purpose, effectively assists them in the peaceful settlement of their disputes.

In one of his columns for the Caribbean Media Service, Sir Ronald Sanders, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States and the OAS, has warned that Guyana is in grave danger of being ostracised in the regional, hemispheric and global communities.

He added that if an undemocratic Government is established

“Guyana could face suspension from the Commonwealth and from the OAS – two of the most important organisations to which it belongs, for breaches of the Commonwealth 1991 Harare Declaration on the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth; and the Inter-

American Democratic Charter that guides the OAS.” According to Saunders, once the machinery of the Commonwealth and the OAS is invoked – as it certainly will be – suspension of Guyana from the Councils of both organisations will assuredly follow. “The European Union will also take separate action that will be directed at suspending normal terms of trade, aid, and investment

relations. The latter will have an immediate effect that will be immediately apparent in Guyana.”

Notably, both the Commonwealth and the OAS Observer missions to Guyana were led by two former Caribbean Prime Ministers, Owen Arthur of Barbados and Bruce Golding of Jamaica.

T h e National Recount has shown that the Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C has won the elections with 233,336 votes.

But caretaker President D a v i d Granger and a few of his top aides, with the help of elements within the electoral machinery, are refusing to give up power.

The OAS has already made it clear that “the only democratic solution for Guyana at this time is respect for the results of the National Recount. No other figures – neither those prepared prior to the recount, nor those recently invalidated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, nor any others that may be unilaterally devised by the Chief Elections Officer – can have

Caretaker President David Granger

any place in the final determination of results. A new electoral process is also an unacceptable solution.”

The last OAS Permanent Council meeting was a virtual one held on June 26, 2020, during which they discussed Venezuela and the “recent illegitimate supreme court rulings in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”

The OAS has only ever suspended two members – Cuba in 1962 and Honduras in 2009 – although Honduras was subsequently reinstated. However, in 2018 the OAS had adopted a resolution against Venezuela which sought to admonish the embattled Spanish speaking country for human rights violations. There had even been calls for Venezuela to be suspended from the Organisation.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 21 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Wednesday, July 22 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, July 21 – 17:10h – 18:40h and Wednesday, July 22 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 13 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Westerly to Northerly to North North-Easterly to North-Easterly to Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 17:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 10:51h and 23:06h reaching minimum heights of 0.50 metre and 0.63 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$43.28/barrel

+0.32

Rough Rice

$212.13 /ton

-0.30

London Sugar

$350.50/ton

-0.54

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1815.80

$1816.80

Low/High

$1805.70

$1821.90

Change

-1.90

-0.10%

Validity of Recount Order

Only recount figures can be used for elections declaration – Chief Justice

…10 ROs' declaration set aside, CEO cannot be “lone ranger” …CEO's, AG's arguments “hopelessly flawed” – CJ rules

C

hief Justice Roxane George on Monday ruled that Order 60 (the recount order) which establishes how the national elections recount process should unfold that was challenged by APNU/AFC supporter, Misenga Jones, was in fact properly constructed.

This means that the case Misenga Jones v GECOM et al, which sought to block the Guyana Elections Commission from declaring the elections based on the National Recount figures, claiming that the order was invalid, was dismissed.

Jones approached the court for judicial review.

She sought several orders from the court inclusive of a declaration that the gazetted Order 60 of 2020 and the recount results extracted therefrom are invalid and unconstitutional; a declaration that the report required by the CEO under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act must be based on the votes counted and information furnished by the ten (10) Returning Officers from their respective 10 Electoral Districts which were submitted to the CEO on March 13; a declaration that the CEO is not subjected to the directions of the Chair of the Commission on the contents of his report among others.

In total, Jones through her attorneys – Trinidadian Senior Counsel John Jeremie, Roysdale Forde, Keith Scotland, Mayo Robertson and Rondelle Keller – sought 28 reliefs from the court.

The CJ delivered her ruling, via video conferencing, shortly after 16:00h on Monday. Justice George said that contrary to the submissions by Attorney General Basil Williams and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield that the Caribbean Court of Justice invalidated the recount in the ruling of Irfaan Ali et al v Eslyn David et al, their contention was flawed since the Court, in fact, upheld the validity of Order 60.

“The interpretation of the CCJ decision by the applicant, the CEO and the AG is hopelessly flawed.

The CCJ judgment leads to the ineluctable conclusion that the recount votes are ex facie valid. Hence the view expressed that any irregularities would have to be addressed via an election petition,” she said in her judgement.

Further expounding, Justice George said that the entirety of the CCJ’s judge-

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

ment should be read and endorsed the Chair’s submission that cherry-picking is not the way to go. She furthered that the section on which Jones sought to rely was, in fact, explaining the ruling of Guyana’s Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds in the case of Eslyn David.

Justice Reynolds had ruled that Order 60 created a new electoral regime and that the election of a President and members to the National Assembly must be treated with separately. The CJ noted that the section on which Jones’ lawyers relied on, was basically further explaining the CCJ’s views of what was termed as a “hybrid presidential system.” She furthered that the immediate

paragraphs go on to endorse Order 60 as only being birthed from the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

She found that the CCJ went on to highlight that Order 60 was introduced to cater for the various disputes and contentions that arose after polling day ie the fraudulent declaration of District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) results by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

“The intention of Order 60 was to provide an open, transparent, and accountable recount of all the votes cast as well as to assuage the contestations among the various parties, determine ‘a final credible count’, and remove certain difficulties or fill certain gaps in connection with the application of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.” Justice George furthered that Jones’ view that the letters written to the CEO, by the Chair, instructing to

prepare and present his report using the valid votes from the recount are invalid, in fact, they come into conflict with the assertions of the CCJ as it relates to the validity of votes.

The CCJ had determined that validity can only mean that votes that, on the face of it, are valid – after the weeding out of spoilt or rejected ballots. In keeping with that, the CJ noted that as a result, Jones’ contention “has no merit”.

“Lone ranger”

Jones’ attorneys had contended that the 10 declarations made by the Returning Officers are still valid on the grounds that GECOM cannot wantonly invalidate votes. They had argued that the declarations are still valid and subsisting, and though held in abeyance in the purported National Recount, were never invalidated or set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

Views Important takeaways from the CJ’s ruling

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

The misery continues

I

n another act clearly meant to abuse the court process, the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition has indicated that it would move to appeal the decisions handed down by the Chief Justice on Monday in which she threw out the application filed by APNU/ AFC supporter Misenga Jones, who was seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from using the recount results as the basis for a final declaration.

The CJ’s ruling is certainly in line with the view of all stakeholders, except the APNU/AFC, that is: the recount results are the only valid results and hence, must be used to declare a winner of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

However, due to the APNU/AFC’s grab for power, the nation will have to endure another few days, perhaps weeks, of misery as the drama is played out in court again, even though these matters were already fully addressed by the Courts.

Although it is clear that the APNU/AFC is fighting a losing battle, the coalition is bent on taking Guyana down a destructive path. The President has ignored the pleadings of the world, including his own son-in-law and former Cabinet Minister, Dominic Gaskin, for him to step down as he has lost the elections and nothing would convince citizens to believe otherwise.

It is very difficult to accept that the APNU/AFC can still be fighting a case close to five months after the fact, about something as straightforward as an election, the results of which, at the close of polls, had been known and have not changed since.

As Gaskin had stated, the “transparent” recount process provides an accurate reflection of what is in those boxes, and also shows a glaring discrepancy between the votes in the Region Four boxes and those added up and declared by the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, whose “clumsy attempt” to fraudulently alter the results in favour of the coalition is what led to the recount in the first place.

Further, the CJ’s ruling in relation to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) did not come as a surprise. Like many others, we have always said that the CEO could not be above the Commission, he has to always act based on the direction of the Commission.

Not only is Keith Lowenfield obligated to carry out the directives of the Commission, he operates in a position, and works for an organisation, which requires him to perform with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and neutrality.

Even if he has a personal bias towards a particular political party, he must not allow his bias to get in the way of carrying out his duties.

It is clear as day that the David Granger-led APNU/AFC coalition will stop at nowhere in its quest to remain in office illegally. Many are asking when will this all end. The truth is, no matter how long it takes, we are confident that in the end, democracy will prevail.

We have seen the countless statements from around the world denouncing Granger and his coalition for all the strategies they are using to cling to power. All of these attempts have failed and we are certain that the coalition’s next move to appeal the CJ’s ruling will fail again.

The coalition is nearing its end and is running out of options.

At the moment, the nation is tired and frustrated with the relentless efforts by Granger and his men to cling to power, even though it is clear that the incumbent was defeated at the March 2 polls.

Like many others, we have never seen this level of abuse of the court system by any government in the history of the postindependence Caribbean to hang on to power.

Granger cannot claim that he is oblivious to these attempts to deny the duly-elected Government from taking its place. The fact is, the people have spoken by way of their ballots and the PPP/C has won the elections convincingly by over 15,000 votes.

No court or institution would ignore this fact and endorse any request to use discredited results to declare a winner.

We believe that the longer we allow this process to drag on, the more overtures will be made by certain elements to bring about instability, including abusing the court system, so that Granger can continue his campaign to retain power to the detriment of Guyana.

Granger and others within the coalition should reconsider what they are doing to the nation. They are only hurting the country and in the end, no one will benefit. This situation has to come to an end. Guyanese have been made to endure this misery for far too long.

Dear Editor, There is no reason why we can’t have a declaration tomorrow. All the Chairwoman needs to do is reconvene the meeting and let the CEO submit a report that reflects the recount data. Since the meeting was quorate, even if the three Commissioners from APNU/AFC stay away, the meeting can still go on. The non-submission of the report by the CEO is sufficient grounds for his immediate replacement. But this will not happen, which is sad because many institutions are running out of funds while we relitigate

matters determined by the apex court, the CCJ. In any sane society where citizens’ well-being is essential, these elections would have been over since the controversy raised its ugly head. The SoPs should have been published and then a declaration made, just like in 2015.

Why the new approach?

The answers will come out once the CCJ decides the latest legal battle. It is a straightforward matter, and I believe the CCJ will dispatch same with the most considerable speed.

Hopefully, this time our apex court issue coercive

orders, if an application is requested correctly. In two prior cases, the CCJ was prevented from doing so because of the appeal’s nature.

However, I believe that given the collective wisdom of the Judges of the CCJ, and in the interest of the public, this court will overcome this difficultly using some legal mechanism. For more than a year, Guyana has been operating without a Parliament, budget, and legitimate Government. The President of the CCJ made this point in his ruling.

I call on all Guyanese to remain calm and patient.

Don’t lose faith. We are al-

most at the end of the emotionally painful journey.

The two good takeaways from the court ruling today that should inspire patience is that it endorses the position of the CCJ, ie, the Recount has overtaken the ten (10) declarations by the Returning Officers (ROs), and the Chairwoman has powers to instruct the CEO who is not a law unto himself. More importantly, these declarations were lawfully set aside by GECOM and cannot be resurrected.

With regards, S Pasha

To allow PNC to escape consequences would be an error in judgement

Dear Editor, Why are we surprised at the PNC’s post-election shenanigans? Really? After the corruption, institutionalised racism, and election rigging that resulted in the death of democracy and the laying waste of the Guyanese economy and society between 1964 and 1992 because of the stranglehold that the PNC dictatorship had on our country, the PNC never admitted to any of its crimes, misdemeanours and excesses. Neither did they ever apologise for the wreckage they left behind. Neither were they ever held to account by anyone.

Come 1992, President Jimmy Carter spearheaded a mission to return democracy to Guyana. This after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the change in global politics that no longer necessitated Cold War strategies that had, by and large, given President Forbes Burnham a free hand to do as he pleased. That he did, and to Guyana’s detriment. Yet, it appeared, all was forgiven

and President Cheddi Jagan never pursued any retributive justice against any of the PNC membership for any of their wrongdoings.

The PPP/C’s governance was not without flaws so it was no surprise that some PPP supporters fell for the slick 2015 election campaign run by the PNC and the parties that formed APNU along with the newly formed AFC, which all presented an attractive alternative for the electorate. Enough were taken in to give the PNC a slim majority to regain the Government.

There were a few voices raised to express alarm, however, especially when the APNU/AFC coalition campaign rolled out a slogan that called on the electorate to forget the past. Those of us who spoke up saw the danger such wrongheaded thinking represented but were dismissed as PPP stooges, racists, and more.

Anyone who asks you to forget the past is definitely up to no good. We are our memories. Without them,

we are amnesiacs walking about with no sense of ourselves and with no sense of what went before. That is the most fertile ground on which a repetition of the past will flourish and President David Granger became very comfortable with expressing his great admiration for his hero Forbes Burnham. This was a slap in the face for history and the truths that inform historical accounts as Granger took to rehabilitating Burnham’s record and image from none other than the nation’s presidential seat.

In 1992, Guyana had to depend on the US in the form of The Carter Center to right the wrong of PNC election rigging and return Guyana to democratic norms. This time around, sanctions from the US and its western allies might have to be leverage to remove the PNC from office.

Perhaps, the PNC is emboldened to re-enact its past because it was never held accountable for its crimes and wrongdoings during

the Burnham regime.

Retributive justice is needed in order for the party to be held accountable for its full history of lawlessness and criminal acts.

This is not about retaliation or revenge, but it would be an offence against Guyana and the entire democratic world were the PNC to be allowed to get away with hijacking an election, and with all the lawlessness that has followed since December 2018 when the APNU/AFC Government should have stepped down following its loss of the no-confidence vote.

Taking responsibility for one’s words, deeds and actions is behaviour that is expected of civilised people and civilised nations. To allow the PNC this time around to again escape consequences for its lawless and malicious behaviour would be an error in judgement that could create an even bigger problem for Guyana’s future.

Dear Editor, What more evidence does the National COVID-19 Task Force need to conclude that COVID-19 outbreaks are linked to mining activity? Gazetting of lockdowns in hotspots like Aranka (Region Seven) (radius of 10 km) and Moruca (Region One) two weeks ago contrast sharply with the decision of the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) to lockdown 21 villages as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak. Had the SRDC, for example, been supported three months ago when they blocked access to mining vehicles, they may not now be faced with COVID outbreaks in at least three communi-

ties. Similarly, had authorities in Moruca been incorporated into planning at an earlier stage, they would have been better prepared to counter the reportedly casual attitude of community members.

Moreover, the SRDC decision prompts the question of why Regional Toshaos Councils are not empowered to play a more directive role in community-based anti-COVID-19 strategies.

It is understandable that centralised direction of the GDF and the GPF is required to enforce curfews, non-essential travel and rogue elements in the mining sector. A centralised response is also essential to

counter the worsening impacts of illegal gold-mining in Venezuela being channelled into Guyana through the Cuyuni River. From recent reports, trafficking of women and girls, smuggling of gold for sale in Guyana, mercury-contaminated exports of fish and widespread river destruction are all worsening.

This approach, however, is not so effective in implementing public health strategies such as social distancing or contact tracing. Neither the police nor the military have either the training or the resources to play this role. The police in Region One, for example, have an outpost in Moruca,

but cover a sub-Region that takes hours by boat to traverse. Moreover, the staff of State agencies such as GGMA, GFC and EPA, normally responsible for enforcement in the interior, are depleted as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

All of this suggests a more robust community-based strategy would benefit from an enhanced role for Indigenous leadership. Such a role would better tap in to prior community experience in combatting epidemics, such as HIV, malaria and dengue. Contact tracing, for example, is best conducted as close to the community as possible, whether interior or coastal. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

Guyana requires a new and inclusive national response to COVID-19

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

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Rigging cabal recklessly abusing the court Dear Editor, In its continued attempt to thief the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, APNU/AFC has committed fraud, using their agents at GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, Clairmont Mingo and the three APNU/ AFC Commissioners, and have abused the court system. APNU/AFC has shown total disregard and defiance for the electoral system, constitutional bodies, including the court, the Guyanese people, and the whole world. In fact, APNU/AFC and many

of their sycophants have now been subjected to visa restrictions by the US and similar restrictions are expected from Canada and the UK.

By July 21, the OAS might sanction Guyana. The court cannot stop anyone from approaching it, but the court must force those who want to abuse its authority to think twice. There must be consequences for abusing the court’s authority. The court, for one, must institute severe costs on those who want to abuse the system and ensure those costs are paid im-

mediately.

The ink has not yet dried on the Chief Justice’s latest ruling (July 20) and the rigging cabal has indicated it is appealing the Chief Justice’s ruling. This is in spite of the fact that the Chief Justice brutally dismissed APNU/ AFC’s application, deeming it as hopelessly flawed and declaring it res judicata, meaning already settled.

APNU/AFC, through a surrogate, applied to the High Court to throw out the recount data and to permit the use of the Mingo-Lowenfield

fraud for the declaration of the March 2 elections. In the face of the total rejection of their application, fresh from being told they are abusing the court, APNU/AFC signalled they are approaching the Court of Appeal, further abusing the courts.

The insult to the judiciary is appalling. But in the process, APNU/AFC is holding a whole country hostage.

Guyana is at a standstill, on the verge of being broke, as warned by the Governor of the Bank of Guyana. APNU/ AFC recklessly refusing to

Dear Editor, In my experience working before the Bronx Supreme Court and my studies on American constitutional law as well as international law, approaching the court to re-litigate issues already ruled upon (especially by the CCJ) is tantamount to abuse of judicial proceedings.

What has been happening in Guyana on the election matter is a deliberate abuse of the court to hold up the declaration of the election results. GECOM should not delay the process any more and should proceed with a declaration unless so instructed by the COA or CCJ. The highest court of the land, CCJ, made a decisive ruling urging GECOM to proceed and make a declaration of the results of the election. Instead of making the declaration, GECOM allows the defeated party time to file court proceedings challenging the method under which the declaration would be made and the final figures of the results of the election which were already decided by a recount and the CCJ itself when it said only the recount numbers can be used to make a declaration. The CEO can’t use his own numbers. He is not a law unto himself. He has no constitu-

tional powers. He is a statutory officer of GECOM who is his boss. He must effect the instruction of GECOM or be terminated for insubordination.

In the court process, an aggrieved party has a right to file a court petition on the election result. And there must be due process – meaning the court must hear the case and pronounce on it.

While the matter is being litigated in court, it is respectful that the status quo holds even though the court does not put an injunction staying the status quo (meaning not declaring the election result).

After the court disposes of the petition, GECOM is free to make a declaration.

GECOM cannot assume an appeal would be filed and delay the declaration. The appellant announced it would file an appeal after her petition was dismissed by the Chief Justice. GECOM should schedule a meeting today and proceed with the finality of the election. If an appeal is filed and the court of appeal finds sufficient reasons, it could grant a stay on the declaration. But the chance of success for an appeal is nil.

It would be recalled that last month, the Court of Appeal grantED a stay of its

judgment for three days. Yet GECOM CEO proceeded to submit his report for the final declaration of results of the election. He did so even when the opposition parties announced that they would approach the CCJ to challenge the COA ruling. The CCJ appeal was filed early in the morning of June 23 and yet at noon, the CEO submitted his report in defiance of the COA stay and the appeal filed at the CCJ. The official stay came later in the after. There is no reason, therefore, why GECOM can’t meet and proceed with the declaration until such time that an appeal is filed and a stay order is granted by the COA. It is interesting to note that the petitioner did not seek leave to appeal the CJ’s ruling. The CJ dismissed all of the orders sought by the petitioner. The CJ would have denied a request to seek leave to appeal because the chance of success is zero.

Instead, the petitioner sought the good grace of GECOM Chair to hold her hand on a declaration. Since the CJ dismissed the petition, it is unlikely to succeed at the COA. No Judge would risk granting leave to appeal. Such a leave would be dismissed unless, as some Guyanese law-

yers told me, there are two “packoo Judges” who would rule favourably. No Judge would want to tarnish his reputation in granting an appeal. The CCJ will strike it down bringing more embarrassment to the state of jurisprudence in Guyana.

The matter that the petitioner plans to appeal is ‘res judicata’, as the CJ pointed out. It means that it was already litigated and disposed of and cannot be pursued any further. To file it again under a different grievance would be tantamount to contempt of the judicial process.

In the US, lawyers get fined for judicial abuse. They can face criminal contempt. They could also lose their license to practice. Judges take actions against errant lawyers so as reduce congestion in the judicial system. Not everything is ‘appealable’.

The CCJ ruled on the issues raised by the petitioner.

The COA can’t reverse those judgments.

The petitioner is advised to allow the declaration to proceed and then file an election petition as the PPP did in 2015. It has a better chance of success in a petition.

An abuse of the judicial process

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Attempt to push Guyana into dark pit of dictatorship Dear Editor, From my experience, we had the most transparent and peaceful elections on March 2, 2020, than any other elections in our country. But sad to say, until now, after four months, our election has become the most disgraceful election in modern history. Mr David Granger and the few people around him have disgraced themselves to such an extent, that I am afraid to think how will they face the general public anytime in the future. They have lied to their supporters so much, and now find themselves at a dead end. After all of the long-extended process of the courts, and the National Recount process, we now arrive at the junction of the declaration of the results. For more than four months, they kept telling

their supporters, that, “We won the elections,” but never had the simple courage to show their SoPs, to anyone, including their own supporters.

Mr Keith Lowenfield was instructed by the GECOM Chair to prepare the final report, based on the National Recount figures. He failed several times, making excuses like; he did not understand the ruling of the CCJ. He did not understand which numbers the Chair was talking about. All of the figures from the certified SoRs, which Lowenfield himself signed, are in his possession, and also known to the general public, nationally, and internationally, and Lowenfield does not know how to add those figures up. Yet he knows how to add up numbers, which does not exist anywhere

on the planet, to show that APNU/AFC won the election. Lowenfield’s statement which he produces to the Chair for declaration, taking away over one hundred and fifteen thousand legal votes, was a total violation of the law, and a total insult to peaceful, law-abiding citizens. I am now calling on all legal-minded persons to ensure that Lowenfield and Mingo must be charged and taken to court. He must be forced to submit a total list of all the persons taken off the list, with all substantial evidence to support his actions.

If and when convicted, he must be forced to pay compensation to every voter taken off the list. We can no longer allow criminal elements to violate the law and get away with it. There are people now talking about

constitution reform. I think that our Constitution, and Laws of Guyana, are carefully designed, and clearly written in the English language. Our problem - many of our people always want to turn and twist the arms of our laws to suit their personal greed. Imagine Mr Granger and his Ministers do not even understand the ruling of the CCJ which was delivered in a simple, clear English language, again lying to his people that the CCJ ruled in their favour.

We must not allow a few greedy demons to start pushing our beautiful Guyana down into the dark pit of dictatorship, and to be covered by a truckload of sanctions.

Sincerely, Eddie Singh Lethem, Region Nine

honour the will of the people.

In this latest frivolous court case, it is clear the matter is returning to the CCJ. It is irresponsible and reckless for anyone to ask any court to permit the use of the MingoLowenfield fraud. The fraud was evident since Mingo introduced it on March 4. The Statements of Poll verified that Mingo was committing a fraud. Lowenfield hid the SoPs and APNU/AFC refused to show their copies of the SoPs. The recount which was agreed to by all parties, no dissenting voice, further exposed the fraud. The Chief Justice herself on March 6 ordered Mingo to correct the data by using the certified SoPs. On March 14, in a contempt hearing, promises were made to dispose of the Mingo numbers and permit a recount. Thus, the CJ knew about the fraud she was being asked to legitimise.

The recount was challenged and the CCJ ruled the recount declarations are valid and must be the numbers used for the final declaration of the winner. This matter, therefore, is res judicata and the whole world knew that. For anyone to then ask the High Court to rule on a matter that the highest court has already disposed of is not only arrogance, it is contempt. While the CJ ruled accordingly and did not allow APNU/AFC to get away with lawlessness, APNU/AFC did succeed in their goal. They bought almost two long weeks.

Clearly, they know they are abusing the court. Clearly, they know they are wrong.

But their goal is to prevent a declaration of the legitimate results. They intend to defer the declaration for as long as possible. They will find other frivolous reasons to approach the court and they will do so until the court refuses to play along.

It is not just that APNU/ AFC’s actions are blocking democracy, more insidious wickedness is afoot. APNU/ AFC is inciting people. They

have misled their supporters and, although many of these persons have figured out the gamesmanship, there are still people who believe the lies they are being fed.

APNU/AFC is deliberately creating tension for violent reaction by their supporters. The court must stop this nonsense. Civil society must stand up vigorously to this wickedness. The world must no longer wait, the world must act so that the thieves, the rigging cabal, find no comfort zone.

For one, the courts must not allow anyone to approach it with frivolous claims. The Court of Appeal must tell them that the matter they are appealing is res judicata and, therefore, they have no right to appeal. Even if the courts agree, the stretching out of the process is unconscionable and plays into the hands of APNU/AFC. Maybe the Court of Appeal has to grant them their request, but this matter must be disposed of in the shortest possible time. To stretch the hearing process to last a whole week or more plays into the hands of APNU/AFC. They know they have no legal standing. They are just buying time. The court must act so that whatever time they buy is not very meaningful.

The CCJ must do the same.

Since the goal is to buy time, do not give them any meaningful extension of time.

The court is being abused, being used as an unwilling pawn for electoral rigging. Guyana needs a Government and the elections were judged up to E-Day to have met all criteria for free and fair elections.

The skullduggery and jiggery-pokery have been only in the post-election day processes. While the court has conducted itself within its laws and obligations, the court has become a pawn for APNU/AFC. It is time to end the charade.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Guyana requires a new and...

FROM PAGE 4

People in communities know each other, are aware who might be vulnerable to contagion, even before the information is volunteered.

Familiarity of so many of our medical personnel trained over the years with the world-acclaimed Cuban community health programmes, especially in the areas of testing and contact tracing, should give our health personnel a headstart implementing such a strategy.

Overlooking Indigenous expertise is not restricted to the NCTF. A recently reported meeting of the

Borders Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its Brazilian counterpart made no mention of any participation of Indigenous leadership.

In light of this scenario, the continued promotion of the mining industry above national health interest by shielding this industry from COVID-19 restrictions grows more questionable.

Sincerely, Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA)

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

6

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish CXC English and Mathematics questions with specimen answers.

CXC QUESTIONS

MATHS

ENGLISH

B

The Tempest

By William Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 2 Cont’d MIRANDA: Alack, for pity!

I, not remembering how I cried out then, Will cry it o’er again. It is a hint 135That wrings mine eyes to ’t.

PROSPERO: Hear a little further And then I’ll bring thee to the present business Which now ’s upon ’s, without the which this story Were most impertinent.

MIRANDA: Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us?

PROSPERO: Well demanded, wench.

My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, So dear the love my people bore me, nor set A mark so bloody on the business, but With colors fairer painted their foul ends.

In few, they hurried us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to sea, where they prepared A rotten carcass of a butt, not rigged, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast. The very rats Instinctively had quit it. There they hoist us To cry to th’ sea that roared to us, to sigh To th’ winds whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving wrong.

MIRANDA: Alack, what trouble Was I then to you!

PROSPERO: Oh, a cherubim Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile Infusèd with a fortitude from heaven, When I have decked the sea with drops full salt, Under my burthen groaned; which raised in me An undergoing stomach to bear up Against what should ensue.

MIRANDA: How came we ashore?

PROSPERO: By providence divine.

Some food we had and some fresh water that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, who being then appointed Master of this design, did give us, with Rich garments, linens, stuffs, and necessaries, Which since have steaded much. So, of his gentleness, Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me From mine own library with volumes that I prize above my dukedom.

MIRANDA: Would I might But ever see that man!

PROSPERO: Now I arise. (stands and puts on his mantle) Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.

Here in this island we arrived, and here Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit Than other princesses can that have more time For vainer hours and tutors not so careful.

MIRANDA: Heavens thank you for ’t! And now, I pray you, sir— For still ’tis beating in my mind—your reason For raising this sea storm?

PROSPERO: Know thus far forth: By accident most strange, bountiful Fortune (Now my dear lady) hath mine enemies Brought to this shore. And by my prescience I find my zenith doth depend upon A most auspicious star, whose influence If now I court not but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop. Here cease more questions.

TO BE CONTINUED

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stop obstructing GECOM’s declaration – Irfaan Ali to APNU/AFC …says delay tactics will serve no purpose but hurt Guyana

P

eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali has urged de facto President David Granger and his A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) party to be responsible and stop blocking the declaration of the election results.

During a press conference delivered after Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ruled in Misenga Jones v GECOM et al on Monday, Ali questioned what could possibly be APNU/AFC’s rationale for continuing to delay the election results.

This is a question that has stumped many. Other than artificially prolonging its life in Government, observers have questioned

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

what APNU/AFC could possibly gain by delaying their removal from office when the entire international community, the political op-

position, civil society and half the country are against them.

“We welcome the ruling and we’re saddened that although the ruling was clear and pointed to the many examples where issues that were raised in this case were already dealt with at the Court of Appeal, that associates of APNU/AFC are continuing their delay tactics and denying our country the stability we so badly require, as we seek to tackle the issue of COVID-19, the serious economic circumstances we are facing and the financial difficulties at the central level and Private Sector.”

Ali made it clear that APNU/AFC cannot continue to expose Guyana to sanctions, which the United

Only recount figures can...

In their submissions, the argument was brought that the Chair’s setting aside of those declarations and instructing CEO Lowenfield, under Section 18 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act, to execute his functions is misplaced. Section 18 states: “The Chief Election Officer and the Commissioner of Registration shall notwithstanding anything in any written law be subjected to the direction and control of the Commission.”

In fact, the applicant told the court that the Commission’s control does not extend to Lowenfield’s “constitutional” mandate as outlined in Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. In this regard, the CJ ruled that given the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the recount cannot be considered to be invalidated.

“In this context, Section 84 (1) declarations can no longer be considered useful. Hence, while the CEO may be expected to act independently, he cannot be a ‘lone ranger’ so to speak.

I agree with the submission that Article 177 (2) (b) can be construed to mean that GECOM is not to act on the advice of any person or body external to the Commission,” she found.

Justice George disagreed with the submission of Lowenfield having a constitutional mandate under Article 177, rather it is the Chair and Commission that has the mandate. She explained that the CEO is a functionary of the Commission and therefore cannot act on his own while adding that he has certain duties with regards to tabulating results as provid-

ed for in Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act.

Only recount results valid

The CJ stated that while the CEO is solely in charge of producing his report, one can expect that the logical thing is that he receives guidance from the Commission. She found that Justice Claudette Singh sought to do that when she wrote to Lowenfield several times – June 16, July 9, July 10, July 13, instructing him to prepare and present his report. “…as determined by the CCJ, unless overturned by a court in an election petition, the only data that could be used for the declaration of the results of the elections would have to be the recount results or data,” Justice George ruled, adding that the 10 declarations made by the ROs prior to the recount, cannot be resurrected. “In this regard, there can no longer be an impasse between the Chairperson and the CEO as to the effect of Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96. For the avoidance of doubt as stated in Section 18, the CEO is subject to the direction and control of the Commission. In this regard, I refer to paragraph [14] of the CCJ judgment where it is noted that

by Secction18 the CEO is ‘mandated to be subject to the direction and control of the Commission’,” she reasoned.

The National Recount shows that People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2 polls with 233,336 votes cast in its favour.

Res judicata

Res judicata is a legal principle that speaks to ensuring finality in litigation.

The doctrine of res judica-

FROM PAGE 3

ta applies where a matter has been adjudicated on by a competent court so that the matter cannot be re-litigated.

In its literal sense, the term means that a matter has already been finally settled by judicial decision and is not subject to further appeal.

Justice George on Monday said that in order for the doctrine to be applicable, three essential conditions must be satisfied: 1) there must be an earlier decision covering the issue; 2) there must be a final decision on the merits of that issue, and 3) the earlier suit must involve the same parties or parties in privity with the original parties. She added that once satisfied, the principle bars the same parties from litigating on the same claim or any other claim arising from the same transaction or subject-matter that was or could have been raised in the first suit.

Thus is precluded continued litigation between the same parties in respect of essentially the same cause of action. The concomitant waste of judicial resources is avoided.

Based on the plethora of reliefs sought by Jones and her Counsels, most of whom were in the composition of both Eslyn David and Ulita Moore’s cases, the CJ was asked to determine whether the case was res judicata.

She found that many of the reliefs sought by Jones mirror those of Moore and David hence the conclusion that the matters are indeed res judicata.

Having found that the issues that have led to a determination of this case have been decided by superior courts, the issue of costs had to be addressed differently according to the CJ. Therefore, the parties are to file and serve cost submissions on or before July 24.

(G2)

States has already started to apply. Last week, a number of officials deemed to be undermining democracy had their visas revoked.

“As they continue to delay the declaration, find ways in delaying the declaration that affects the democratic will of the people, that those sanctions are going to get stronger and stronger. All aspect of life here in Guyana will be affected.”

Maturity

Ali also pointed to the fact that at all stages the PPP/C has acted in a mature manner. When the PPP lost the General and Regional Elections back in 2015, the party demitted office within days. Yet, despite the recount showing that the PPP won the elections by 15,416 votes, APNU/AFC and Granger refuse to concede defeat.

As several, including Granger’s own son-in-law Dominic Gaskin, have said, the APNU/AFC’s focus on delaying the will of the people is just eroding the party’s ability to remain viable and competitive at future elections.

“We have called on the Government to act selfless, act in the interest of citizens.

In 2015, after elections, we in the PPP sought to be a disciplined opposition. An opposition that would continue to represent the rights of citizens. An opposition committed to the task of nation-building.”

“It is for that reason we remain viable, relevant and consistently in contact with the Guyanese people.

Representing their interest.

Which resulted in a victory at the elections. We cannot overstate the call for this Government to act in a responsible manner. To act with decency and integrity.”

Delays

Following

the

33-day

Caretaker President David Granger

National Recount, it was determined that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 217,920. Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh wrote to her Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, on June 16, directing him to prepare a final report based on the recount.

Instead, Lowenfield had submitted a report invalidating over 115,000 voters based on unsubstantiated allegations of dead and migrant voters, made by the APNU/AFC. Lowenfield’s actions caused an immediate uproar and the varying sides found themselves in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for the Irfaan Ali et al v Eslyn David et al case.

Among other decisions, the CCJ ruled in a unanimous decision that Lowenfield’s report which arbitrarily disenfranchised voters was invalid and that the concerns raised by the APNU/AFC coalition must be addressed in an elections petition.

The GECOM Chair wrote Lowenfield again, instructing him to submit his report so that the President

could be declared. However, Lowenfield then engaged in a back and forth with the Chair in which sections of the CCJ judgement were twisted and misconstrued.

He then submitted a fraudulent report to Justice Singh, in which he included the fraudulent declarations of embattled Returning Officer for Region Four Clairmont Mingo, which inaccurately shows that the PPP/C gained 80,920 votes while the APNU/AFC received 116,941 votes in Region Four. Just when Singh looked set to forge ahead with or without the CEO, APNU/AFC supporter Misenga Jones took GECOM to the High court.

Ruling

In her ruling on Monday, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George threw out the Misenga Jones application, ruling that recount Order 60 of 2020 is valid and must be used as the basis to declare the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. In fact, she referred to Jones’ application and the contentions of Attorney General Basil Williams as “hopelessly flawed.”

The Judge ruled that Jones and Williams misinterpreted what the CCJ ruled. In fact, Justice George said that if one is to read the ruling, the CCJ plainly endorsed, rather than invalidated, the recount.

The acting Chief Justice also made it clear that GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is no lone ranger, and must take his direction from GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

She also read the CCJ judgement itself, which supports Section 18 of the Election Law Amendment Act and the subservient role Lowenfield plays. (G3)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Miner gets 14 years in jail for killing drinking buddy

T

wenty-five-year-old Imran Daniels was on Monday given a 14year jail sentence for killing 18-year-old Alex Daniels.

The convict of Hotoquai Village, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the High Court via Zoom.

The murder reportedly occurred on February 13, 2019, at Frenchman Backdam, Mabura, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Daniels was initially indicted for murder, but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

State Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Tyra Bakker had told the court that on the day in question, the accused, the victim and

Sentenced: Imran Daniels

another man were imbibing at a shop at Frenchman Backdam.

However, an argument erupted between Daniels and the now dead man which eventually result-

ed in an altercation during which the suspect armed himself with a knife and stabbed the victim.

The stabbing was reportedly witnessed by Thakur Persaud, who told investigators that he heard the now dead teen telling Daniels, “Look ya jook meh!

Ya jook meh!”.

The prosecutors contended that Persaud got out of his hammock and went to the aid of the injured man, and it was then he discovered a black-handled knife lying next to him.

After the altercation, the suspect attempted to flee the scene, but was pursued and apprehended by his colleagues and was later handed over to the Police.

In handing down his sentence, Justice Reynolds started at a base of 20 years

Dead: Alex Daniels

from which he made deductions for an early guilty plea and mitigating factors.

Daniels was represented by Attorney-at-Law Ravindra Mohabir.

Miner who killed friend for eating his “wild meat & cassava bread” to serve jail time

C

harles Leonard, 49, also called “Poon” of White Mile, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima Waini), was on Monday sentenced to seven years in prison for killing his friend who he had accused of eating his wild meat and cassava bread back in 2017.

During a virtual hearing via Zoom, High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds levied the sentence on Charles, a cash crop farmer, for the crime.

The charge had stated that between October 5 and October 6, 2017, at Five Mile Port Kaituma, Leonard unlawfully killed Romel Gouveia, also called “White Boy”.

The accused had appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan on October 11, 2017, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Nevertheless, upon his first appearance last week in the High Court, he had confessed to the crime, and the lesser count of manslaughter was entered on his behalf.

It was reported that the now dead man and the suspect lived in the same house, and on October 5, 2017 the two men had a misunderstanding over food.

It is alleged that Leonard, who was under the influence of alcohol, saw the now dead man in the kitchen eating his food and this angered him. In retal-

Jailed: Charles Leonard

iation, the suspect armed himself with a piece of wood and dealt one blow to the victim’s head.

After committing the act, he fled the scene, and

Gouveia was later discovered by Leonard’s wife, who raised an alarm.

The man was picked up and taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect was later arrested and charged.

During the trial, the State was represented by Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Tyra Bakker while Leonard was represented by Attorney-atLaw Siand Dhurjon.

Judge Reynolds sentenced Leonard to 12 years’ imprisonment. From the 12 years, he deducted 1/3 for the time he spent in pre-trial custody and two years for his early guilty plea, hence arriving at seven years.

Mother of 2 remains on run after stabbing reputed husband

T

wo days after a 32-year-old housewife of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), reportedly stabbed her reputed husband, the Police are yet to arrest her for the crime.

The woman was accused of stabbing her 42-yearold husband, Dhanpaul Ramotar, after he reportedly complained about her father’s behaviour towards him.

The stabbing incident occurred at the couple’s Lot 260 Richmond Housing Scheme home on Saturday between 18:00h and 19:00h.

It was reported that on the day in question, the couple were consuming alcohol when Ramotar confronted his wife and expressed his dissatisfaction with her father’s attitude towards him.

An argument subse-

The injured man lying on the ground on Saturday evening

quently ensued between them, thus resulting in the woman arming herself

with a knife and stabbing Ramotar to both sides of his back before making good

her escape.

The labourer was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Suddie Hospital, where he was admitted. His condition is listed as stable.

A resident told Guyana Times that the couple have shared a common-law union for the past six years and lived with their two children at the said address.

Moreover, the resident said that the couple lived an abusive lifestyle. “The two of them usually drink rum, and then it would get violent, but I never expected that she would have done something like that.”

Further, an eyewitness said that the children witnessed the entire ordeal and were now scared.

When contacted, Regional Police Commander, Superintendent Crystal Robinson stated that the Police have launched a manhunt for the woman.

The PNC continues…

T

…elections lawfare hey say politics is a continuation of war by other means. This we know to our cost, having endured the PNC since 1955 – from which time they’ve waged what looks like a “hundred years war”. Remember the opening battle when they burned down downtown Georgetown in 1962?? Then the ones during the 1963 80-day strike waged by their surrogate Civil Service unions? But we don’t have to go through them all, do we? Just a reminder occasioned by the recent conviction of one Caesar, for the multiple executions of a number of random persons at Mon Repos in 2007. He’d already been convicted for participating in the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica in 2008.

Anyhow, even though David Granger was once a soldier, he appears willing to conduct another kind of offensive to keep power – “lawfare”. That’s not to say that he’s necessarily adverse to deploying the old-and-tried PNC battle tactics.

After all, he described the deployment of army troops to seize ballot boxes in 1973 and use deadly force on civilians to accomplish their “mission” as very “admirable”!! But since his accession to the highest civilian office in the land, he’s resorted to deploying the law to achieve his objectives.

Your Eyewitness calls this “lawfare”.

We don’t have to go through all his battles in this campaign, do we?? Taking the NCM all the way to the CCJ, dismissing the courts’ assessment of his unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair as “their perception” and also litigating it to the CCJ? But this rear-guard action to justify rigging the March 2 elections takes the cake, doesn’t it?? Here, he tried to split the Opposition by opening his offensive on two fronts.

On the first, he feinted left as he pretended to agree to a “gazetted” recount after Mingo’s massive fraud at Ashmin’s and enlisted CARICOM to stretch out the Opposition by introducing red herrings in the form of all sorts of unfounded “irregularities”. But then feinted right when he had several of his own minions use the court on the lawfare front!! As with the case that was just thrown out by Chief Justice George!!

It was so egregious, that it should’ve never even been contemplated unless – as in this case – you have desperadoes like the PNC willing to fight a total war. In warfare this would be a willingness to go after civilians – like with the Buxton “Freedom Fighters”. In lawfare, it’s using ridiculous parsing of the law as a delaying tactic.

Justice George summarily dismissed all the PNC’s claims as “res Judicata” and “stare decisis”.

Which simply means they’ve already been bitchslapped by the courts on the matter and she couldn’t be bothered!! …defying the int’l community Today, the OAS General Council is meeting to discuss this flagrant violation of democratic norms, which the PNC agreed as part of the Lima treaty, to eliminate. They knew this late yesterday afternoon, after CJ George threw out their ridiculous case that questioned the decision of the highest court of the land – the CCJ. Yet they announced they’d be appealing even that decision!! More lawfare!! But this time directed at the OAS and Caricom which would be meeting later this week to discuss the same issue. And don’t even mention the US, which clearly hoped that their slapping of visa sanctions on all the riggers in the “Granger regime” and their enablers in GECOM would’ve given them pause. But why would the PNC think they can get away with this international act of democratic banditry?

Many analysts figure they have a “sponsor” who they figure will back up their bluff. Now with all the players arrayed against them, this sponsor has to have very big cojones!!

The Dragon or the Bear? …to desecrate our heritage Emancipation Day is fast approaching. Is the PNC willing to desecrate this sacred day when African Guyanese earned their freedom to create a moral society that was denied them during slavery??

Have they no shame??

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Harmon again distorts CJ’s ruling to justify “rigged” results

APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

Caretaker President David Granger

PNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon has once again distorted a court ruling in an effort to justify electoral fraud.

In a statement following the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in the Misenga Jones v GECOM et al case, Harmon said the judgement is “disappointing” and that “our lawyers will engage at the next level of the court system to ensure that our Constitution is respected and adhered to by all.”

According to Harmon, the “Court has sidestepped the issue of fraudulent ballots in the tabulated votes at the Recount.”

But unlike what Harmon claims, Justice George explicitly cited the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling validating the legal validity of the recount results.

The CCJ judgement said: “At the point in the electoral process where Article 177 (2) (b) is reached, there is no further need to reference “valid” votes because, subject to Article 163 (which is triggered by election petition after the election), the relevant validation process has already been completed. Unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid

votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority.”

In delivering her ruling, Justice George expressed: “as determined by the CCJ, unless overturned by a court in an election petition, the only data that could be used for the declaration of the results of the elections would have to be the recount results or data.”

The acting Chief Justice also noted that “the ten declarations cannot be resurrected at this point in time.

In this regard, there can no longer be an impasse between the Chairperson and the CEO as to the effect of Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96.”

In fact, she excruciatingly explicated all the constitutional, statutory and subsidiary laws that justified her judgement.

She concluded that the issues raised by the applicant were already settled through both the doctrines of res judicata and stare decisis and cannot be revisited.

The Chief Justice handed down this ruling in the case brought by APNU/ AFC supporter Misenga Jones, who was seeking to block GECOM from declaring the winner of the elections using the recount results. Jones’ arguments were endorsed by Attorney General Basil Williams and

A

news@guyanatimesgy.com

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

But Justice George said the case presented by those three individuals is “hopelessly flawed”.

The APNU/AFC coalition has lost the March 2 elections but is refusing to concede defeat.

In fact, members of the David Granger-led coalition have already been slapped with visa restrictions by the US Government for undermining democracy in

Guyana.

A National Recount has proven that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the elections with 233,336 votes.

GECOM Chairwoman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh has, on several occasions, directed the CEO to produce his final elections report using the recount data to pave the way for a declaration and ultimately the swearing-in of the duly-elected President.

Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George

But Lowenfield has, on each occasion, refused to do so; instead, he has submitted reports with concocted and fraudulent figures.

His latest report submitted includes the declarations from the ten Returning Officers – including the fraudulent declaration of the RO for Region Four Clairmont Mingo, who was found to have been heavily inflating votes in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition to give them a false victory.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic

“We are not prepared” – Aishalton Toshao …as other villages cite food crisis

I

ndigenous villages across Guyana have been faced with grave economic hardships, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which continues to linger. Now, village leaders have shared grave concerns about their state of unpreparedness, especially in the health sector.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Monday, Toshao Michael Thomas of Aishalton in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), said while there are no cases in his village, they remain vulnerable due to medical shortfalls.

With only five health workers to service a community of over 1265 people, they remain at great threat, should any case be detected within their boundaries.

“We are not prepared.

We are not prepared in any way. We have a hospital and in April, they were to set up a building at the doctors’ quarters. Since April, nothing has been done and we only have a medic, one nurse and two health workers so we are not prepared in any way, should there be a case in Aishalton,” Thomas relayed.

erse this area, although the strict measures in place. So that is the challenge we are facing right now.”

High unemployment

Toshao of Kamwatta Hill, Maurice Henry

He said the village would have taken the initiative to construct a gate, preventing outsiders from entering his village.

However, unknown individuals continue to traverse the access road to the Murudi mines, which passes through the community.

“Since March 25, we erected a gate to monitor the movement of people and our place is different from the other villages.

We have a main road heading into the mining area at Murudi so people from all areas continue to trav-

The Toshao expressed that for some time, medevac services to the village was put on hold due to ongoing repairs on the aircraft. The only way to seek external medical facilities was through an ambulance.

“Medevac put on a stop.

The medevac that normally come down was under repairs and I’m not sure if it is up and running. We have an ambulance that was given to the district and it is presently based in Aishalton,” he detailed.

Along with the health crisis at hand, it was mentioned that the villages are facing a high unemployment rate, especially those in the public sector. They are now left to encourage farming activity to sustain the populace.

Commenting on the situation, Thomas said, “Everything slow up in this place. People normally go to Lethem to work in the stores, shops, mason or construction site and so on. All have returned home and there is no other means

of employment in the place.

We have our farms that we rely on. We have been encouraging farmers to continue farming or probably extend their farms and so on. Really and truly, there is no economic activity in the place, other than the shops we have.”

Food crisis in Kamwatta

In Kamwatta Hill in Region One (BarimaWaini), access to face masks, personal protective equipment or sanitising agents is very scarce.

The whopping number of confirmed cases throughout the region has made it extremely worrying for Toshao Maurice Henry, who leads the village, situated in Mabaruma. According to him, they remain “unprotected” from the brunt force of COVID-19.

“We have not experienced any cases in the village so far but we’re unprotected because we haven’t got no type of sanitisers, face masks and necessary things to protect ourselves.

Nobody from the Ministry come to enlighten us on what is going to take place.

We left like this,” Toshao Henry explained during an interview with this publication on Monday.

The village leader said health workers are tasked with reporting any case of the virus to the Mabaruma Hospital, located about 15 miles away from the village. He said the community of over 350 persons is also facing job losses and economic hardship.

Moreover, there is an impending food crisis.

Toshao of Aishalton, Michael Thomas

“We have the health workers and the health hut. If anything comes up, we have to notify the health worker and he will transmit the message to the Mabaruma Hospital…

Right now, the situation here is worse because many people who had jobs teaching, the gold miners and all had to return because of COVID. Everybody right now is out of jobs. We’re facing almost a food crisis because we cannot get money, we cannot get a job. Everybody just stalled here,” the chief notified.

Earlier this year, the village would have received a 2019 grant and they had planned to use this money to create opportunities for persons to farm and earn money. This has been put on hold since officials could not access the cash.

Instead, they were told that it would be available after the elections impasse is resolved. Meanwhile, persons

are suffering and continue to wait for months.

“Up to now, we cannot change the cheque. They told me that until after the election, then we would have clearance to change the cheque. That was a project where the people agreed that we would clear three areas of land and utilise this money to create employment. Nothing has been done so far,” Henry lamented.

Four migrant families currently reside at Kamwatta Hill and he said it is important to track where they are coming from since the virus is spread easily. Presently, some residents have made facemasks to conduct their daily activities while others do not have.

A few days ago, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) decided to lock down all 21 Indigenous communities within its remit, after continued challenges in advocating for mining to be removed as an essential service and local infections increasing.

In a statement, the representative body said this is the choice taken to protect communities from further spread of COVID-19, in light of five positive cases across three villages and lack of healthcare resources being allocated to the region. Alarmingly, these villages also indicated that it takes almost one week for sick patients to be tested, even after reporting symptoms associated with COVID-19. There is an additional waiting time to receive the results. (G12)

11 Region 1 Chair condemns abuse of officers enforcing curfew NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU activist charged for threatening to kill GECOM’s Chair

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well-known activist of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Ryan Williams was on Monday released on $500,000 bail on a charge of threatening to kill Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Williams, of Silver City, Wismar, Linden, Region 10

Williams, under a fake profile (Raheem Rahaman), made the threat.

The threat was made against the Chairperson after she had discarded several fraudulent reports submitted by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield after he continuously failed to adhere to her directive of using the results from the recount exercise to

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GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

(Upper Demerara-Berbice) made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Williams was charged with the offence of using a computer system to compel a person, however he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution is contending that Williams utilised social media – his Facebook page – to threaten to kill the GECOM Chairperson.

Williams will make his next court appearance on August 3.

It was reported that

compile his report.

In addition to this threat, a disturbing video on social media showed persons conducting a makeshift funeral with a doll which they say is the GECOM Chair.

These threats were criticised by several sections of society, including United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch.

In a recent press conference, the US Ambassador had stated: “I am shocked and appalled at the dangerous statements and actions that I have seen directed at the Chairwoman.”

Lynch had called for these acts and attacks against Justice Singh to be condemned.

“I hope that all Guyanese will speak out on her behalf and allow her to continue her work and bring this electoral process to closure … Chairwoman Singh is a person of the utmost integrity and a distinguished jurist, who has given decades of her life in service to her country,” Ambassador Lynch posited.

In fact, back in April, Justice Singh had reported a death threat on her life to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). She subsequently told reporters, “They have a bounty on my head from Friday [April 17, 2020] night.” (G13)

egional Chairman of Region One (Barima-Waini), Brentnol Ashley has called on persons to respect the National COVID-19 measures, as he condemned the oral and physical attacks on officers who were enforcing the curfew.

While sharing this position via a social media platform, the regional official said the incident occurred at Kumaka, whereby “uncouth” persons would have abused Police ranks as they attempted to enforce the 20:00h to 06:00 (8 pm to 6 am) curfew. For this, he said those culpable must be penalised.

“Those culpable must face the consequences for their actions…Our police have been on the frontline alongside our medical personnel in the fight against COVID-19 from the beginning, risking their lives to keep us safe and also at the same time trying to flatten the curve…I urge all to give respect and support our frontline workers in their efforts to help us,” Ashley said.

In an earlier press statement, the Regional Chairman would have re-

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

minded residents, especially those of Mabaruma, that the reduced curfew hours did not indicate that any other emergency measures were withdrawn or relaxed.

At that time, most persons were still engaging in social activities without protecting themselves from the virus. He had pointed to the high contraction rates in Mabaruma and Moruca.

“It is with much concern that I have seen that there are activities ongoing in Kumaka without the adherence to social distancing, most persons aren’t

wearing face mask…I urge all to be cognizant that COVID-19 is real and deadly and there are a number of persons still in institutional isolation in Mabaruma and Moruca. I am asking all business owners who operating none essential businesses to adhere to the measures set out,” the Chairman had warned.

His warnings come just one week after Region One was listed as the newest epicentre for COVID-19.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen GordonBoyle had also commented on the conduct of residents within the Moruca sub-district, noting that it was disappointing.

“It is disappointing to note that the attitude of some of the residents in the sub-district of Moruca has been averse to the basket of health measures that have been outlined for their safety and protection.

They are blatantly flouting the guidelines, claiming in some instances that COVID-19 is non-existent and therefore there is no need for a lockdown in that district,” Dr Gordon-Boyle had said. (G12)

42 new COVID-19 cases detected in 1 week …155 active cases in isolation

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ver the course of one week, Guyana has seen an increase of 42 COVID-19 cases, with the detection of one new case on Monday in Region 7 ( Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen GordonBoyle informed that 84 tests were done within one day, to which one returned positive. however, throughout the past week, a high number of cases were recorded in Regions One (BarimaWaini) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The number of active cases in institutional isolation is now 155 with 15 persons in institutional quarantine and a reduction of just two patients in the COVID ICU. There are still 19 deaths from the virus and 163 persons have recovered. To date, the total number of tests done is 5023.

“Our cases continue to climb and since July 12, we have detected 42 new cases with many of the new cases reported in Regions One and Nine,” Dr Gordon-Boyle

COVID-19 Coordinator, Dr Michael Marks

stated.

In her update, the DCMO provided a breakdown of the regional contraction, which still shows Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) in the lead with 120 cases and 14 deaths from the virus.

This is followed by Region One with 102 cases, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with 54 cases and Region Nine with 11 - all of which had one death. Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) also has three cases.

The regional hotspots are Moruca and Mabaruma in Region One; Aranka, Bartica and Sulphur Rose in Region Seven; Itabac and Mahdia in Region Eight; and Lethem in Region Nine.

To this, the senior health official informed, “The Ministry has been intensifying its efforts in the hinterland region, recognising that our vast stretch of borders leaves our residents in those bordering regions very vulnerable to imported cases. We also need to keep a watchful eye on our movement within and between our communities, and I am talking directly to those persons who knowingly have been close to positive persons.”

Even as health workers continue to do their job, persons were asked to cooperate by providing accurate data.

She surmised that monitoring will become paramount in the coming weeks as the virus evolves. On that note, the population was reminded that the coronavirus-related measures are still in effect but those returning to

their workplaces must take precautions.

“It is suggested that all workplaces appoint a focal point for COVID-19 who will be responsible for ensuring that all employees adhere to the workplace’s guidelines and that sensitisation training sessions are regularly organised for staff. These are suggested occupational safety and health measures that can be taken to protect all employees,” the DCMO explained.

She shared that schools which are scheduled to reopen for the new academic year should begin to formulate a comprehensive plan to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

The total number of cases globally, according to the World Health Organisation, is 14,043,176 with 597,583 deaths. Regionally, it is 7,376,748 with 305,285 deaths.

Region 10 recoveries

While Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) had been battling with 11 cases of the virus, the Regional Health

and Emergency Committee on Monday announced that 10 of those patients have recovered. Thus far, the region would have also recorded one death.

COVID-19 Coordinator, Dr Micheal Marks said the region does not have any active cases due to this development. He announced that 126 persons have been tested from the region as the health department continues its aggressive approach-

es in safeguarding residents from the dreaded disease.

Head of the RHEC, Orrin Gordon also shared that they would have advocated for persons to be tested before returning to the region, which has proved significantly important.

Officials have been aggressively monitoring Linden, Kwakwani, Ituni, Mabura and Rockstone among several other high-risk areas.

(G12)

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana could be overtaken by Suriname as an investment hub – Ram …as APNU/AFC still clinging to power 4 months after elections

Political commentator and Attorney Christopher Ram

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he stability of a Government is considered an important factor for any investor to consider when looking to invest in that country. There is concern that Guyana’s lack of political stability will easily turn off investors, particularly considering the success that neighbouring Suriname has had, at both finding oil and a successful transition of Government.

Suriname held elections on May 25, 2020, and new a President, Chan Santokhi, was sworn in on July 16.

Guyana, meanwhile, held its elections on March 2.

Despite losing by 15,416 votes, however, caretaker

President David Granger has doggedly refused to concede defeat.

According to political and oil and gas commentator Christopher Ram, the political impasse only undermines Guyana’s ability to attract investment.

In an invited comment, he noted that when put next to the stable and politically mature Suriname, Guyana fares poorly as an attractive investment destination.

“You’re comparing one country that has just had a constitutional and smooth transition from one Administration to another, with a President in place and a Parliament to be convened. And in Guyana you have just the opposite,” Ram observed.

“I think it’s self-evident.

No matter what other advantages there might be for Guyana, those are seriously overwhelmingly disadvantages. Particularly given the uncertainty with how it can turn out. The threat of economic sanctions, which would mean the entire economy could be stalled.”

The former President of the Bar association added that Guyana must resolve its political upheaval quickly to maintain its place

the 1982 murders of 15 political opponents, former Suriname President Desi Bouterse peacefully demitted office and handed over power to Santokhi on July 16.

Guyana

Incumbent President David Granger refuses to concede, almost five months after losing Guyana’s elections

among the democratic nations of the world and preserve its spot as a viable investment destination.

Oil was found offshore Suriname in January of this year by Apache and Total.

Total also has a presence in Guyana, owning 25 per cent of the Orinduik Block alongside Tullow. It also holds a percentage in the Kanuku Block. In addition, there are a number of upcoming projects planned for offshore Suriname.

Despite the economic stakes involved and the fact that his own country’s court convicted him last year of

Stop lying to supporters – Shuman tells Granger …end charade, call off “dogs of war”

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eader of the Liberty and Justice Party (JP), Lenox Shuman has called on caretaker President David Granger to stop lying to the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporters and end the current political charade by accepting that he has lost the elections.

In a strongly-worded statement following the High Court ruling in the Misenga Jones v GECOM et al case, Shuman said, “We call on Mr Granger to stop lying to his supporters, stop torturing this nation, call off his dogs of war and end this charade.”

The LJP also called on the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh to “see through the PNC’s (People’s National Congress’s) continued attempts to derail the conclusion of these elections and take decisive steps to show her mettle and end this torture”.

He pointed out that “the world knows the PPP won.

Let’s get on with it!”, adding that the Party welcomed the ruling of Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in which she dismissed the case which challenged the validity of Order 60 (the recount order).

“In her ruling, Madam Chief Justice was pellucid that the matters brought before the court were already

Liberty and Justice Party Leader Lenox Shuman

ruled upon (res Judicata), that the case was ill-conceived, that the 10 declarations were thrown out, and that the recount numbers must be used to declare the next Governing Administration. The ruling by the High Court is reflective of every stillbirth argument presented by the PNC (APNU/ AFC) in trying to convince their supporters, the Guyanese people, and the international community that they were victorious at the 2 March 2020 polls,” the LJP leader said.

He added that the LJP continued to commend the Chair of the GECOM for her patience and leadership of the Commission in giving the aggrieved parties the opportunity to ventilate, to wits’ end, all matters that trouble their hearts.

“While we know that Madam Chair is cautious, gives due consideration to all matters filed before the courts and extends the utmost courtesy to the aggrieved PNC and their supporters, we are hopeful that a long overdue courtesy can be given to the nation that awaits the conclusion of the elections and delay no further in recognising the right of every Guyanese by ensuring that the sovereignty enshrined in Article 9 of the Constitution is respected,” he said.

Shuman stated that considering that the Caribbean Court of Justice and Chief Justice George were comprehensive and clear in their previous judgements, it sees the approach to the Court of Appeal as a “waste of the court’s and country’s time and it is an obstruction of the elections declarations by the PNC that we are hopeful will levy further sanctions on the perpetrators that continue to torture this nation through this process.

“That Mr Granger says that his party is not interfering in the work of the GECOM, the frivolous filing that has been succinctly dispatched by the CCJ – Guyana’s apex court, and now the High Court, are paramount evidence of his and the PNC’s continued attempts to deny the electorate their franchise,” the LJP leader said.

After discovering 1.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent for last year, Guyana took first place for the most discoveries for 2019.

So far, Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, has made 16 oil finds in the Stabroek Block some 100 miles offshore Guyana.

Last year, the company made five discoveries. These discoveries have pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion. It made one discovery for 2020, the Uaru discovery, which was announced in January. Uaru is ExxonMobil’s 16th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block.

Since the arrival of the deadly COVID-19 disease on the world scene, however, Exxon like many other companies, has scaled down its plans. It is estimated that delays in the Payara project will eventually cost Guyana billions. Locally, Government has closed its borders to all but preapproved flights.

The economic problems created by COVID-19 are compounded by Guyana’s political crisis. It has been over four months since

Former Suriname President Desi Bouterse (right) peacefully handed over power to President Chan Santokhi less than two months after elections, despite the lure of oil money, a murder conviction and a 20-year jail sentence hanging over his head

Guyanese went to the polls and there has been no lawful result. A 33-day National Recount had shown that the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2 elections with 233,336 votes, while the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 217,920.

Despite their loss, however, APNU/AFC has refused to concede. The coalition has dragged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) before every court from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, eventually ending up at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), while using arguments that many have described as frivolous and designed to waste time.

The international community has overwhelmingly declared that the results from the recount, should be used to declare a President.

In addition, they have made it clear that sanctions will be used if necessary, with the United States going so far as to institute personal sanctions against APNU/ AFC leaders.

Calls urging President David Granger to concede have come from several US politicians, the United States Government, United Kingdom and Canada. Other countries and organisations around the world and even the President’s own son-inlaw, Dominic Gaskin, have echoed such calls. (G3)

APNU/AFC’s appeal has no chance of success – Nandlall

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ith the Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George ruling that the APNU/AFC coalition’s application is “hopelessly flawed” and that the Caribbean Court of Justice has already pronounced on the matter, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall pointed out that the party’s appeal will stand no chance of success.

“An appeal has no likelihood of success. Would be just another shameless attempt to hold on to Government,” Nandlall posited in a Facebook post.

The APNU/AFC coalition supporter, Misenga Jones, who had filed an application in the High Court seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from using the recount results to declare the winner of the elections, has signalled her intention to appeal today’s ruling of the High Court.

The High Court, through the CJ, ruled that Jones’ application is “hopelessly flawed” and without merit.

Justice George further ruled that Jones, the Attorney General Basil Williams and the Chief

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall

Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield misinterpreted what the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in the case filed by another APNU/ AFC supporter, Ulita Moore – who was also seeking to block GECOM from declaring the elections results.

The Chief Justice also made it clear that GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield is no “lone ranger” and that he must take his direction from GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Justice George also ruled that the recount results are valid and that a declaration

can only be made based on those figures.

She also determined that the ten declarations made by the Returning Officers have been set aside and cannot be resurrected.

GECOM has been attempting to make a declaration of the March 2 polls based on the certified recount results which show that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes.

But the APNU/AFC coalition is contending that the recount results are not valid. In fact, Lowenfield has refused, on numerous occasions, to submit his final elections report using the recount figures – in direct defiance of instructions given to him by Chairwoman Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh.

The latest report he submitted included the declarations of the ten Returning Officers, including the fraudulent declarations made by Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo.

The GECOM Chair, through her lawyer Kim Kyte, committed to waiting one day for the coalition to file its appeal. (G11)

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC prolonging Guyanese misery with appeal …as CJ throws out latest court challenge …rules that Section 22 best addressed before elections court

Caretaker President David Granger

APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

De facto PM Moses Nagamootoo

he People’s National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) seems to be on a never-ending journey to further prolong the declaration of the results for the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The party’s Roysdale Forde – a candidate for these elections, has been spearheading all the legal challenges since March 2. He has been integral in the legal battles of Eslyn David, Ulita Moore and now Misenga Jones.

The cases are aimed at further compounding the electoral impasse and blocking the declaration of the results using the results obtained from a transparent and credible National Recount of the ballots. The National Recount shows that People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2 polls with 233,336 votes cast in its favour while APNU/AFC secured 217,920 votes.

In the latest move to stall his party’s exit, Forde signalled their intention to appeal the Chief Justice’s ruling in the Misenga Jones v GECOM et al matter.

CJ (ag) Roxane George, on Monday, dismissed Jones’ application for judicial review since most, if not all, of the 28 reliefs she sought from the court were already litigated in previous matters brought by Forde in the cases of Moore and David.

Last Friday, during the oral submissions, the CJ was asked to first determine whether the Court had the jurisdiction to hear Jones’ case as well as if Section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, No 15 of 2000 is unconstitutional.

It was this SECTION that gave birth to Order 60 of 2020 (the Recount Order).

er the Chairperson and GECOM are acting lawfully in the context of Jones’ case.

CJ George noted that it was also argued that the court has no jurisdiction and the issues raised speak to an election dispute which is best dealt with pursuant to Article 163 by the way of an election court via to an election petition. This was

Registration Act or any relevant subsidiary legislation, the Commission shall, by order, make any provision, including the amendment of the said legislation, that appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty; and any such order may modify any of the said legislation in respect

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Jurisdiction

On the issue of jurisdiction, Forde’s argument was led by Trinidadian Senior Counsel John Jeremie and they contended that Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and the six politically-aligned Commissioners

have not complied with their duties as outlined in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution which speaks about the declaration of the elections. They, supported by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield and Attorney General Basil Williams, contended that the Commission also did not adhere to Section 84 of

of their decisions. I have further concluded that in this context there is a distinction to be drawn as regards enquiring into the functions of the Chairperson and GECOM, which are restricted by Section 140 of the RPA, and interpreting the constitutionality of Section 22 and Order 60, as well as Article 177, to de-

The virtual ruling on Monday by Chief Justice (acting) Roxane George

the Representation of the People Act. As a result, Jones sought to have Article 177 (2) (b) interpreted because, as submitted on her behalf, an impasse now exists between the Chairperson and the CEO as to which results are to be used in order to declare the election. In this regard, it is contended that the Chairperson is obliged to accept the report and advice of the CEO in relation to the declaration of the results.

It was submitted that this impasse must be resolved now, and cannot await an election petition.

In arguing the point of jurisdiction, it was placed before the court that “the court’s supervisory jurisdiction can be invoked to ensure the correct and smooth operation or progress of the elections proceedings or process.” This is provided for in Article 226 (7) of the Constitution which permits the court to enquire wheth-

countered by arguments that the court has narrow jurisdiction.

Justice George stated that she is cognisant of the restrictions imposed on the court by Section 140 of the Representation of the People Act as well as by Article 163 of the Constitution which sets out the procedures for settling elections disputes.

Nevertheless, she reasoned that in the peculiar context of this case, where there is an impasse regarding the decision-making of GECOM to complete the elections process and is necessary to advise the process which is still in progress, a judicial review is necessary to address this impasse.

“I am of the view that the applicant is really seeking the interpretation of the Constitution for a determination whether the Chairperson, GECOM and the CEO are acting lawfully. It is in this context that there can be judicial review

termine if they are acting lawfully, albeit these provisions speak to the powers and functions of the Chairperson and GECOM. “Thus, on this narrow basis, it is an enquiry into the legal framework that guides the carrying out of their functions to complete the elections process.

If the legal framework is found to be unconstitutional and therefore void, then their functions and actions would perforce be affected. Applying my decision in Holladar and the Court of Appeal decision in Moore, by which I am bound, I hold that this court has jurisdiction to hear this application,” she stated.

Elections court

Section 22 of the Elections Law Amendment Act 15 of 2000 states: “If any difficulty arises in difficulties. connection with the application of this Act, Representation of the People Act or the National

of any particular matter or occasion so far as may appear to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty.”

Jones, Lowenfield and AG Williams had contended that Section 22 is unconstitutional because it confers law-making powers on GECOM – a non-legislative body, in contravention of Article 170 of the Constitution – which provides for Parliament to be the law-making body. It was argued that Parliament cannot transfer or delegate this power to another entity and that in this case, in conferring on GECOM an arbitrary law-making power, it has abdicated its law-making power. In this regard, the enactment of Section 22 offends the separation of powers, more especially as it permits GECOM to amend laws even when Parliament is dissolved.

However, the respondents had argued that Section 22 is not unconsti-

tutional as it did not give GECOM an unfettered discretion to act since it is limited in its scope. Section 22 is only applicable where difficulties arise in the application of the specified legislation that GECOM is entitled to make provision as necessary and expedient for removing the difficulty.

They had furthered that while GECOM is given the power to amend legislation, the period within which this can be done is only for three months after the elections, and when Parliament is not dissolved, the power is subject to negative resolution. The power delegated to GECOM being so narrowly prescribed means that the scope of the power was carefully considered by Parliament.

In her ruling, the CJ reasoned that the constitutionality of Section 22 poses very little difficulty given the decision of the Appeal Court in the case of Moore where they found that the legality of Section 22 was “a matter to be frontally examined by the Court at a full hearing.”

“The Court of Appeal having pronounced that a challenge to the constitutionality of Section 22 would be for an election petition, the principles of res judicata apply. So, the issue having been raised and importantly dealt with by the Court, it cannot be canvassed again. And even more importantly, since it is a decision of an appellate court, sitting as I am in the High Court, I am bound to follow this decision. I can discern no distinguishing feature that would permit me to depart from this judgment; nor has any evidence been disclosed on the affidavits by and/or on behalf of the applicant such as to permit me to do so,” she said.

Following the reading of the judgement, Forde indicated that they would appeal the ruling despite the CJ indicating that the matters are all res judicata.

Many have seen this move as one by the APNU/ AFC to further prolong the elections impasse and their determination to not leave office. (G2)

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Do not waste more of court’s time – TCI …says CJ’s ruling clear, concise T

he Citizenship Initiative (TCI) has urged A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to stop wasting the court’s time, pointing out that Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George’s ruling in Misenga Jones v GECOM et al was clear and easy to understand.

Following the ruling, TCI which is led by Presidential Candidate Rhonda Lam lauded the Chief Justice for her erudite ruling on the case, which sought to compel the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to use fraudulent declarations to declare a winner.

“Chief Justice Roxane George continues to execute her judgments with careful detail to jurisprudence and application of the law. Her understanding of the issues and the context against which Guyana continues to be placed in is exceptional.”

“Her professionalism inspires faith in the judicial system and is a good example for others to emulate for sound and clear guid-

ance on matters arising for judicial review. Thank you, Madam Chief Justice,” TCI also said.

Even though Justice George emphasised during her ruling the importance of lawyers not rehashing old cases repeatedly, Jones’ lawyer, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, has indicated an intention to appeal the ruling. TCI was critical of this.

“TCI remains concerned that despite such a clear and concise ruling, there is yet to be another court matter. TCI, therefore, calls on all parties to abide by the rulings and not waste any more of the court’s time,” the party, which contested the March 2 elections, said.

Following the 33-day National Recount, it was demonstrated that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won the elections with 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 217,920, a gap of 15,416 votes. GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh wrote to her Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, on June 16, instructing him to pre-

the PPP/C gained 80,920 votes while the APNU/AFC received 116,941 votes in Region Four. Just when Singh looked set to forge ahead with or without the CEO, APNU/AFC supporter Misenga Jones took GECOM to the High court.

Ruling

TCI Presidential Candidate Rhonda Lam

pare a final report based on the recount.

Instead, Lowenfield had submitted a report invalidating over 115,000 votes based on unsubstantiated allegations of dead and migrant voters, made by the APNU/AFC. Lowenfield’s actions caused an immediate uproar and the varying sides found themselves in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for the Irfaan Ali et al v Eslyn David et al case.

Among other decisions, the CCJ ruled in a unanimous decision that

Son who confessed to killing bedridden father to undergo psychiatric evaluation

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43-year-old man who had confessed to killing his 83-year-old bedridden father was ordered to be further examined by a psychiatrist before the court proceeds to impose a sentence for the crime.

This was the decision on Monday when Ali Mohamed appeared in the High Court before Justice Brassington Reynolds via Zoom. He was accused and had since pleaded guilty to killing his father, Mohamed Sulaymon, back in 2015.

In June, Ali was arraigned for the murder when he appeared before Justice Reynolds but later opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He admitted that on January 13, 2015, he killed his father.

The Judge, however, had put off sentencing until Monday, July 20, 2020, before which a probation report would have been presented.

The indictment against Mohamed was presented by State Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed and Tyra Bakker.

The prosecution’s case contended that at the time of the incident, Sulaymon was bedridden while his son was known to have been suffering from mental illness,

Lowenfield’s report which arbitrarily disenfranchised voters was invalid and that the concerns raised by the APNU/AFC coalition must be addressed in an elections petition.

The GECOM Chair wrote Lowenfield again, instructing him to submit his report so that the President could be declared. However, Lowenfield then engaged in a back and forth with the Chair in which sections of the CCJ judgement were twisted and misconstrued to give the impression that the ruling invalidated the recount order.

He then submitted a fraudulent report to Justice Singh, in which he included the fraudulent declarations of embattled Returning Officer for Region Four Clairmont Mingo, which inaccurately shows that

In her ruling on Monday, Chief Justice Roxane George threw out the Misenga Jones application, ruling that Recount Order 60 of 2020 is valid and must be used as the basis to declare the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. In fact, she referred to Jones’ application and the contentions of Attorney General Basil Williams as “hopelessly flawed.”

The Judge ruled that Jones and Williams misinterpreted what the CCJ ruled. In fact, Justice George said that if one is to read the ruling, the CCJ plainly endorsed, rather than invalidated, the recount.

The Chief Justice also made it clear that GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is no lone ranger, and must take his direction from GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh. She also read the CCJ judgement itself, which supports Section 18 of the Election Law Amendment Act

and the subservient role Lowenfield plays.

Following Justice George’s ruling, Forde had sought an undertaking from GECOM that it would not do anything until they filed their appeal. This undertaking was given, on the condition that the appeal is filed by today. But while APNU/AFC continues to delay the inevitable, the patience of the international community wears thin.

Sanctions

Last week, the United States had announced that they are slapping officials in Guyana who are undermining democracy, with visa restrictions. The decision was announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during a press conference. According to Pompeo, these visa restrictions can also be applied to the immediate family members of those persons.

Pompeo did not name the officials who were targeted.

Indeed, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah Ann-Lynch has said that for privacy reasons, the names will not be disclosed. However, this publication has received reports that the list includes a prominent financier of the APNU/AFC Government, as well as several APNU/ AFC Ministers, election officials and even judicial officers. (G3)

Linden family seeks assistance in locating missing man A Ali Mohamed

which resulted in him being violent at times.

During January 2015, Mohamed was living with his father and sister, Shaliza Mohamed and her family at Lot 38 Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

However, at about 19:20h, on January 13, 2015, Mohamed was at home with his father, sister, and her family when his sister called him to take his medication.

According to her, when her brother went to her, his eyes appeared “wild,” and before she could have given him the medication, he struck her to the head.

Her husband came to her rescue, and she left the house with her son to get help from the neighbours.

The family’s neighbour,

Devon Persaud, had related that he was at home when he heard someone shouting, “Mark! Help! Help! Ali killing his father.”

As a result, Persaud said he left his home and went over to Mohamed’s house, where he saw him in the bedroom, beating his father with a piece of wood while he laid in bed. Persaud said he called Mohamed and took the wood away from him.

Police were summoned on the scene, and Mohamed was arrested. His father was rushed to the Diamond Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He died while receiving medical attention.

Ali was represented by lawyer Ravindra Mohabir.

Linden family is now calling on the public to assist them in locating 27-year-old Shaun Chester, who left his Lot 11 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden home in April of 2018 for an interior location and has since disappeared without a trace.

Speaking with this publication, the missing man’s sister, Roshanna Major noted that efforts to contact her brother have since proved futile for the past two years.

Major noted that the young man, who would usually work in the interior, has never gone for such a long period without contacting his family or his mother, Jennifer Pereira.

“He does normally leave to go in the interior, but he never stayed so long and ain’t contact anybody or without coming home”, the man’s sister related.

She explained that it is strange for him not to contact his mother while noting that he had only made contact with his former girlfriend two years ago.

Missing: Shaun Chester

“They say he went to some 14 Miles, Issano, and then the girlfriend is saying that right now he is somewhere else. That is the last time they talk...she said the last time she talked to him was last year July, June.

I think they break up and that is the last time she talk to he. So is so long he and she ain’t contact each other”, Major related.

She said the family has been given conflicting reports about the man’s whereabouts.

“Mommy just worried.

Everybody worried...We

know that he left to go in the interior, but no contact, nothing. I don’t know if he got phone...he used to use the bush radio thing and call whenever,” the woman noted.

Major said Chester would usually work in areas such as Mahdia “He used to contact mommy. She never get these problems whenever he leave...he would contact and come home and so...So that is the thing that making mommy worried...she said she’s getting these different dreams about him and all these things...she wants him to come home or at least contact her. She just want to know that he’s alright. Why would you stay away almost 2 years from your family? Call home or something, make contact with the home”, Major pleaded.

The family is asking anyone with information that may lead to the whereabouts of Chester to contact them on telephone numbers 675-2475 or 669-1113.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC’s attempt to thwart will of people will not succeed – PPP

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday said it will not sit idly by and allow the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) and its rigging cabal to alter the will of the Guyanese people who voted at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

With the recommitment to upholding one of the main principles of democracy – the right to free and fair elections, the PPP welcomed the acting Chief Justice’s

ruling in the Misenga Jones v GECOM et al case which sought to block the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) from utilising the results of the National Recount to declare the elections.

Justice Roxane George dismissed the case, and Jones, with the backing of the APNU/AFC, indicated that they will be appealing the judgement.

In a statement, the PPP said: “Despite the Court’s unequivocal ruling, APNU/AFC has signaled their intent to continue to abuse the Court’s process by filing appeal. However, we are confident that no attempt by APNU/AFC to thwart the will of the electorate will succeed.”

The party said that the CJ’s ruling reiterating that only the recount results could be used as the basis for determining the winner of the elections, reinforces the contention that the party was victorious at the polls.

It reminded that GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh had directed CEO Keith Lowenfield to prepare a Section 96 report based on the recount results generated from the National Recount of votes, in order to de-

Caretaker President David Granger

clare a PPP/C victory. However, instead of following those instructions, the CEO in a fourth blatant attempt to subvert the will of the electorate, reverted to the fraudulent results previously declared by embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo. He presented the Commission with a report that not only falsely showed an APNU/ AFC victory, but inflated the number of votes cast at the Regional and General Elections by more than 14,000.

However, before he could have

presented his report on July 14, Jones filed her case and stalled the process. On Monday, the Chief Justice (ag) dismissed Jones’ claim in its entirety and in so doing Justice George upheld the validity of the Recount Order and went further to affirmatively state that Mingo’s fraudulent declarations and all of the ROs previous declarations for that matter, could not “be resurrected” in light of the recount.

She also found that it could not determine the constitutionality of Section 22 of the Election Law Amendment Act since that claim had already been dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Moore v GECOM, a case filed by an APNU party agent, and that therefore that issue was res judicata.

The PPP noted: “Viscerally disagreeing with Jones’ flawed interpretation of the CCJ’s judgment that the Recount Order was in tension with Article 177(2)(b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of ROPA, the Chief Justice ruled that the CCJ judgment lent ‘to the ineluctable conclusion that the recount votes are ex facie valid.

Hence the view expressed that any irregularities would have to be ad-

De facto PM, Moses Nagamootoo

dressed via an election petition.’

“Hence, the Chief Justice found that Jones’ and the Attorney General’s contention that valid votes could only mean the valid votes ascertained by Mingo’s fraudulent declaration, had ‘no merit’, since this issue had already been determined by the CCJ, and was also res judicata.”

The PPP also stated that it is important to note that the CJ asserted that the 10 declarations cannot be resurrected. (G2)

Caricom report: T&T officers involved in sex trafficking number, the constable stated he did not know why, and that having someone’s phone number in one’s possession does not constitute a crime.

In another investigation, discussions between researchers and military agents revealed that the organized-crime gang was led by a man nicknamed ‘El Monky,’ who,

Several men captured by the Venezuelan military during a crackdown on a human trafficking ring in May

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orruption at the hands of state officials and law enforcement officers is a significant factor in the facilitation of human trafficking between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, according to some of the findings of a 2019 CARICOM Human Trafficking study.

According to investigations carried out in the Venezuelan town of Tucupita, which included interviews with human traffickers, some of the gangs in the region are headed and operated by law-enforcement officers from Trinidad & Tobago.

The research carried out by researcher Dr C Justine Pierre, and assisted by Nayrobis Rodriguez, gathered information from traffickers, smugglers, victims,

law enforcement officers, as well as from anti-human trafficking organizations in more than 32 countries.

One Venezuelan trafficker indicated that through his connection with elements in the T&T Police Service, he has been assured of protection by officers who advise him where to enter the country. He also claimed that the officers provide security for the safe-houses where the women are kept before they are carried across Trinidad & Tobago in trucks, cars, maxi-taxis, and vans. Another trafficker confirmed the claims, saying that he had been working with a police officer from Trinidad and Tobago who pays him to provide women for his T&T-based organisation.

Admitting that he was part of a gang

that specialised in kidnapping Venezuelans and carrying them to T&T, he said the officer, a constable, is a member of an organised South American crime network. He said they worked together to bring across the women, where they were forced to work, in many instances, as sex slaves and prostitutes. To support his claims, he showed the research team the officer’s cell phone number. He also provided a series of correspondence between the two of them, demonstrating that discussions were about human trafficking activities.

When approached by the research team, the accused officer denied the allegations, saying he has never been a member of a gang.

Asked why a known-trafficker would have his phone

at the time of his arrest, was found in possession of the telephone number of a Trinidadian police officer.

Guardian Media sent the following questions to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Communication Department on Thursday and have not yet received responses:1) Was the TTPS aware of the findings of the

study?2) Are there active investigations surrounding the possible involvement of TTPS officers in human trafficking?3) Have any TTPS officers been arrested for human trafficking in the last five years or so?4) Does the TTPS have any other comment on the issue?

(T&T Guardian)

16 NEWS US imposes sanctions on Chechen leader over human rights violations T TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he US Department of State on Monday imposed sanctions on the leader of Russia’s southern region of Chechnya, barring him from traveling to the United States over accusations of gross violations of human rights, including torture.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement he was concerned that Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was using the novel coronavirus outbreak as an excuse to inflict further human rights abuses on people in the region.

"The Department has extensive credible information that Kadyrov is responsible for numerous gross violations of human rights dating back more than a decade, in-

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov

cluding torture and extrajudicial killings," Pompeo said.

Kadyrov responded to Monday's announcement on his Telegram channel with a photo of him smiling and standing in what appears to be an armory filled with weapons, holding light machine guns with tripods.

"Pompeo, we accept the fight. This will get interest-

ing," he said.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, wrote on Facebook in response to the sanctions: "It will be difficult to respond tit-for-tat, but we will think of something."

Washington's action also bars Kadyrov's spouse and daughters from traveling to

the United States.

The United States has previously blacklisted Kadyrov, including under a 2012 law known as the Magnitsky Act, which imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials linked to the death in prison of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old Russian auditor and whistleblower.

Kadyrov became head of Chechnya in 2007 in the aftermath of two brutal wars between Russia's military and separatist and Islamist forces following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

Moscow credits Kadyrov with reining in a radical Islamist insurgency in the mainly Muslim North Caucasus region, but human rights advocates accuse him of presiding over widespread abuses. (Reuters)

Florida COVID-19 cases soar again

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he coronavirus pandemic raged in Florida on Monday as the state reported more than 10,000 new infections for a sixth day in a row, but California saw improvement, with cases and hospitalizations beginning to stabilize after a surge.

Florida has become the epicenter of the latest COVID-19 surge, prompting the state’s teachers union to sue Republican Governor Ron DeSantis over his plan to reopen schools for in-class instruction.

In California, which emerged as another coronavirus hotspot in July, Governor Gavin Newsom said new infections, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions were all still rising in the nation’s most populous state but not nearly

at the pace of recent weeks.

“We are seeing a reduction in the rate of growth but a rate of growth nonetheless,” Newsom, a Democrat, said at a briefing in Sacramento.

“Hospitalizations and ICU (admissions) continue to be cause of concern in this state. That’s why we want everybody to double down on what we’ve been doing,” the governor said.

Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived to pitch in at strapped Southern California hospitals.

“We really pushed up last week to our limits. If we had continued to see accelerating number of cases coming into the hospital, something would have to give,” said Dr. Allan Williamson, chief medical officer at Eisenhower

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, east of Los Angeles.

“So fortunately, the federal government, through the Department of Defense was able to step in and provide us some additional staffing, which has really helped us a lot,” Williamson said.

The mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, has more than once threatened to impose a new “stay-at-home” order in America’s second-largest city if trends were not reversed.

California’s high school sports authority postponed fall competitions, including football, altering a rite of passage for many Americans.

Florida reported 10,347 new infections on Monday, the sixth day in a row the state has announced over 10,000 new cases. Another 92 people died in Florida, in-

creasing the state’s death toll to 5,183.

DeSantis, who has been sharply criticized for his handling of the crisis, said over the weekend that positivity rates and COVID-19-related emergency room visits have been trending lower in recent weeks.

New York, which has recorded far more deaths than any other U.S. state, 32,000, recorded only eight fatalities on Sunday.

The total number of people hospitalized in New York for the disease fell to 716, the fewest since March 18, Governor Andrew Cuomo said. Restrictions were eased slightly with zoos and the Statue of Liberty reopening as well as professional sports without fans. (Reuters)

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

NY reporter dies after crash on revel scooter in Brooklyn

C

BS 2 NY reporter Nina Kapur died after a Revel scooter on which she was riding crashed in Brooklyn, authorities said Monday.

Kapur was a passenger on the scooter heading north on Franklin St. in Greenpoint about 5:30 p.m. Saturday when the 26-year-old man scooter driver suddenly swerved near India St. Kapur, also 26, of Newton, Penn., was thrown onto the roadway, and seriously injured. She died later at Bellevue Hospital.

The scooter driver suffered minor injuries. His name was not immediately released. t wasn’t immediately clear why the scooter swerved, though police said driver “completed a hard brake on the front wheel” before both he and Kapur were thrown from the scooter.

Garry Enbry, 55, who owns The Moonlight Mile, a bar on the corner of Franklin and India Sts., said he saw the crash aftermath.

“The guy was driving, she was the passenger,” he said, adding neither were wearing helmets, and that the moped was largely undamaged.

Kapur was conscious but dazed as the driver stood over her, trying to talk to her, he said.

“I went over to sit by her because there were so many people crowding around and I just wanted to try to keep her calm,” Enbry said.

He said he told her, “Help

is on the way,” and kept bystanders from moving her and potentially worsening her injuries. “She had blood coming out of her nose, her mouth, maybe her ears,” he said.

A bartender at The Moonlight Mile speculated the driver may have jammed on the brakes at a four-way stop sign, losing control in the process.

“We are heartbroken here at CBS2 as a member of our news family has passed away,” the station said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Nina’s family. She will be missed.”

Kapur joined CBS in June 2019 after a stint at News 12. She attended Syracuse University. Jane Hong, who went to Syracuse with Kapur, described her on Twitter as “excellent at what she did while wearing a big smile on her face.”

Added anchor Nydia Han, who met the victim when Kapur was an intern at 6 ABC in Philadelphia, “I had the honor and pleasure of working with her. She was a compassionate, smart, and beautiful bright light. Especially heartbroken and devastated for her family.”

Kapur’s CBS 2 NY colleagues aired an emotional tribute to her Monday night, calling her a tenacious reporter who worked on-air in Connecticut and Maryland before coming to New York last June. (NY Daily News)

Gonsalves offers Antigua SVG’s LIAT shares for EC$1

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rime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, has offered to sell his country’s shares in LIAT to Antigua for EC$1.

“I don’t want to stop Antigua and Barbuda wanting to do what they want to do,” Gonsalves, who is chair of the shareholder governments, said on WE FM on Sunday as he spoke about the EC$1 offer, which he said he had made to Browne. The offer includes Antigua and Barbuda pay-

ing Kingstown the value of the debt that the Gonsalves government guaranteed during LIAT’s re-fleeting exercise, which was conducted a few years ago. “… the debt which we guarantee on the three planes at the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank), let’s value the planes and the amount of money which we owe the CBD on these planes, pay me that and I get out of it (LIAT) and you do what you want to do.”

(Antigua News Room)

17

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Another blow to the injured APNU/AFC Dear Editor, Yesterday, after the Acting Chief Justice Roxane George from the High Court did not fail to live up to the natural expectations of the Guyanese public and the rest of the world at large when she pronounced in the case by APNU/AFC’s Misenga Jones wanting to prohibit GECOM Madam Chair, Ms Claudette Singh from using the results of the election recount to declare the winner and to resurrect the ten old declarations, by overruling in the matter, citing the principles of res judicata applies, noting that Order 60 had already been considered in upper courts and as such the court cannot rule that the recount order, Order 60, is invalidated. This is another blow to the already battered ego of the APNU/AFC party, facing US sanctions for visa restrictions and, this salt and pepper in the wound is in no way giving them any avenue for relief. As was expected, they are filing an appeal in this matter with the Appeal Court today and Attorney Kim Kyte-Thomas on behalf of GECOM Madam Chair has extended the courtesy of her previous undertaking for a stay in the election process until today. This, therefore, means that GECOM will not meet today to reconvene the election process.

But what it means is that the CEO, Mr Lowenfield is not a “Lone Ranger” and so he cannot act independently or aloof of the Election Commission and he must abide with the instructions of the Madam Chair. He is a creature of GECOM and is therefore subservient to the Madam Chair and has to comply with her request or order.

Nelson Mandela once reminded the defenders of liberty, freedom, equality, impartiality, justice, egalitarianism, democracy, sovereignty, truth and honesty when he cautioned that, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom

of others.” How pertinent is the significance of that school of thought in today’s society where the prevalence of the knee on the back continues to stifle the breath to free the autonomy of legality, the fair chance of winning an election and the creditable declaration of legitimate results? We have witnessed by an audience of national and international observers, how the will of the people has been thwarted and the election process has been constantly interrupted by vile, frivolous and vexatious litigations. It was the very Caricom partners, sisters and brothers who scrutineered, observed and concluded that the recount election results provided a majority win by 15,413 valid votes in favour of the PPP/C party over the APNU/AFC party and described by the chief agitator for mischief, Mr “G” that, Caricom is “the most legitimate interlocutor.” The OAS also endorsed the Caricom’s report, but these very entities are being cursed out as “foreign interference“ by the hypocritical cabal of tyrants. But, after all this, the very sly Mr “G” chained the hands of GECOM and refused to allow democracy to run its course in any stream. Nelson Mandela International Day is rightly so recognised and justified by no other than the “fit and propa” superpower USA, the same USA who is looking out for Guyana and has its back covered!

As we reminisce, propagate and sing the glory of Nelson Mandela’s significance, let us not forget to also remember ex Liberia President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and a member of Nelson Mandela’s Elders’ Group, who charged Guyana’s political leaders to reconcile and put the country above party interest. When the international community tells you that you have lost, it is time to step aside and allow the interest of the country to take precedence over your party. This is not the

PNC’s days with the PNC’s party flag flying aloof of the “Golden Arrow.” The distinguished, truthful and honourable Barack Obama has a message for oppressors with power who face indecisiveness and uncertainty, “In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.” Mr “G,” you will do well to listen to these words of wisdom from one of your kith and kin, as caretaker President to past President.

If the legendary and prolific artist, George Simon had a chance to inscribe the agony, loyalty and sacrifice of Osaze, he would have painted a picture portraying a ragged and tearful Osaze on his knees, chained hands begging Mr “G” to free Guyana and the hands of WPA interlocked with PNC, stabbing him mercilessly in the back, as the mouth of AFC gladly drinks each drop of his falling blood!

Farewell Simon, you did not stay long enough to honour us with that masterpiece, one we could have hung in Parliament Building for the current and future generations to learn the tight rope we have walked. As the blessed Osaze journeys to the great beyond, he already has a premeditated message for the brother, Walter Anthony Rodney.

When Anthony would have asked him on the reunion, why what is happening is happening, his rehearsed speech would say, “Dear Brother, when you left, you forgot to tell them that when you depart, the philosophy, principles and practice of the WPA depart with you also.” The famous

American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman, Frederick Washington Bailey (18181895), had escaped from slavery in Maryland and became a national leader. He once advised that “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.” Look in the mirror Mr “G,” compare, contrast and compromise thy conscience with thy contriteness.

As the G5 Sahel Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)/ EU held on June 30, 2020, would have concluded, the concern for violence and protests that lead to the loss of lives and serious injuries in Ethiopia would have been highlighted; Germany was congratulated for assuming the presidency of the Council for the European Union (EU) for the 13th time and, the acknowledgement of the world facing unprecedented challenges. Guyana participated in the virtual 9th Session of the Chief Negotiators of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU), and in participation was Head of the Guyana delegation and Vice-Chair and Lead Ministerial Negotiator for the Caribbean Protocol, former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl B Greenidge.

It is a pity he was not privy to raise Guyana’s 144 days inconclusive election issue due to the denial of the people’s will and the rogue regime who are undermining democracy and found complicit. It is com-

mendable though that, being Guyana’s official agent in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v Venezuela), he did warn the APNU/AFC party that it was inappropriate for persons to censor or “shout down” foreign leaders in the region for voicing Guyana’s elections.

Tuesday afternoon, the OAS Permanent Council is scheduled to meet to discuss Guyana’s electoral situation. Sir Ronald Saunders commented, saying, “The Organization of American States (OAS), the world’s oldest regional body, could authorize all of its member states to sanction Guyana as they see fit, if what is

currently happening in the country is determined to have constituted a violation of the democratic principles of the region. Such action would have repercussions on Caricom as well, since all Caricom states are also member states of the OAS, and its resolutions would be binding on them.” Guyana is again in limbo and at the mercy of APNU/AFC party as they litigate another court appeal where two of the Appeal Court’s Judges have already felt the wrath of the CCJ, not once, not twice but thrice. Patience Guyana, patience and hold your horse.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Only data must be the recount result Dear Editor, Chief Justice Roxane George on Monday ruled that the results of the national vote recount must be used to declare the results of the March 2 elections; she also ruled that the country’s Chief Elections Officer is not a “lone ranger” or a law unto his own and must do as he is directed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The Chief Justice first ruled that she had the power to hear and determine the case because the issue that needed to be resolved was whether officials of GECOM, namely the Chair of GECOM and the Chief Elections Officer, were acting lawfully. Justice George then ruled that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) endorsed the nation-

al vote recount. This simply means that Keith Lowenfield must prepare a report of the national vote recount that accurately represents a victory for the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and not APNU/AFC as he had done before using figures that were deemed to be fraudulent. The Chief Justice found that the national vote recount overtook the original vote count and so any declarations made before were correctly set aside

by Justice Claudette Singh, the Chair of GECOM. The “only” data must be the recount result and the previous ten declarations cannot be “resurrected”.

Sincerely, David Adams

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

Regional

Bahamas closes borders to US tourists, Mexican President sticks as St Vincent mulls suspending flights to no-war approach after

T

he Bahamas has announced it will ban US visitors amid recent rises in COVID-19.

The Caribbean nation had begun reopening its borders at the start of July.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in an address on Sunday: “Regrettably, the situation here at home has already deteriorated since we began the reopening of our domestic economy.

It has deteriorated at an exponential rate, since we reopened our international borders.”

The Health Ministry has confirmed a total of 153 COVID-19 cases, 49 of which happened after the borders opened on July 1.

“Our current situation demands decisive action, if we are to avoid being overrun and defeated by this virus.”

All visitors – as well as any returning Bahamians – will be asked to show a negative COVID-19 test from an accredited laboratory upon arrival

By Wednesday, the Bahamas will prohibit all international commercial flights and vessels – with exceptions for commercial flights from the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union.

All visitors – as well as

any returning Bahamians – will be asked to show a negative COVID-19 test from an accredited laboratory upon arrival.

Americans who are currently on the islands will still be able to leave on outgoing flights, but no new

the new law coming into effect on June 30, an hour before the 23rd anniversary of the city’s handover to China from British rule.

“The Haitian Government is concerned about the possible consequences of this legal instrument on the fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed so far by the Hong Kong people. After an indepth analysis of this text, the Haitian Government realises that this law system-

atically violates the fundamental provisions of the Sino-British retrocession agreement as concluded in 1984,” the Jovenel Moise Administration said in a statement.

It said it was important to emphasise that the agreement had provided that from the year of handover, in 1997, “the region would enjoy broad autonomy for half a century and that the sacramental principle ‘one country, two systems’,

tourists from the US will be allowed in.

Meanwhile, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Government has hinted at the possibility of suspending flights from the US after the island recorded 12 cases of the COVID-19 after reopening its borders to international flights.

The authorities said that of the 12 cases associated with the American Airlines (AA) flight 945, which brought 155 people there on July 11, only one person was not a passenger on the flight.

Another AA flight, also from Miami, arrived last Saturday, and health officials said that four cases of COVID-19 were detected among the passengers.

(Excerpts from BBC and CMC)

Haiti calls for dialogue over China’s new law regarding Hong Kong

H

aiti has joined the United States and other Western countries in condemning the decision by China to enact the National Security Law aimed at curbing protest in Hong Kong.

Last month, China passed the wide-ranging new security law for Hong Kong which makes it easier to punish protesters and reduce the city’s autonomy.

Critics have called it “the end of Hong Kong”, with

should in any event characterise the relations between the People’s Republic of China and the special administrative region of Hong Kong”.

“However, the National Security Law seems to call into question this principle, which the Chinese authorities had nevertheless promised to guarantee at the time of the conclusion of the Retrocession Agreement.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Bakr faces trial August 17 for Bolsonaro’s low approval refusing to testify before CoE rating improves despite rising COVID-19 cases

J

Yasin Abu Bakr

amaat-al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr’s case for allegedly refusing to testify before the Commission of Enquiry appointed to investigate the 1990 attempted coup is expected to start on August 17.

The date was set by Magistrate Sarah De Silva during a hearing on Sunday, which came hours after a separate hearing of a recent lawsuit brought by Bakr in an attempt to permanently stay the criminal charge.

During the first hearing before Justice Nadia

Kangaloo, Bakr’s lawyer Criston J Williams applied to amend the case as he claimed that he was awaiting information from Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, which was sought under the Freedom of Information Act. Williams attempted to pursue an application for a temporary stay of the proceedings before De Silva, pending the determination of the case before Kangaloo. However, Kangaloo suggested that the issue be raised after De Silva made a decision on whether the case should proceed to trial.

As the case before Kangaloo is scheduled to come up for hearing a day after the trial is due to start, Bakr may now have to apply for an earlier hearing to make the application for a temporary stay.

In the case before Kangaloo, Bakr is claiming that the reason he decided not to answer the summons to appear before the Commission in 2012 was that he believed that it may have prejudiced his sedition trial, which began shortly after. The trial eventually ended in a hung jury and a retrial was ordered. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

B

razilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s low approval ratings rose for a third consecutive month, a poll showed on Monday, as the perception of his handling of the coronavirus crisis and the economy’s direction continued to improve gradually.

The latest monthly XP/ Ipespe poll findings come as the coronavirus-related deaths and cases also continue rising, cementing Brazil’s place as the world’s second-biggest hotspot for the pandemic after the United States.

Bolsonaro’s overall approval rating rose two percentage points to 30 per cent this month, the highest since April, while the share of those who think he is doing a bad or terrible job fell three percentage points to 45 per cent, the lowest since April.

The share of Brazilians disapproving of the far right former army captain’s Government has consistently been greater than

those who approve since May last year.

According to the nationwide poll, 25 per cent of Brazilians say Bolsonaro’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is good or excellent, up from 23 per cent last month and the highest since April.

At the same time, 52 per cent said his handling of the crisis is bad or terrible, down from 55 per cent in June and the lowest since April.

Brazil has now recorded 2.1 million cases of COVID-19 and almost 80,000 related deaths. Both tallies are the second highest in the world, and continue to rise steadily.

Latin America’s largest economy is widely expected to record its biggest annual downturn in history this year, although central bank and Economy Ministry officials say a range of indicators suggest an encouraging recovery is already underway. (Excerpt from Reuters)

shocking cartel video

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday he would maintain a less confrontational approach to battling drug gangs even after one of Mexico’s most powerful cartels showcased its firepower in a video that stunned Mexicans.

A video purportedly shot by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), showing dozens of armed gang members in bullet-proof vests in front of armoured cars painted in military-style camouflage, went viral on social media on Friday.

Lopez Obrador said he would not repeat the mistakes of previous Administrations that failed to contain cartel violence, which surged after former President Felipe Calderon launched a military-led crackdown on the gangs in

late 2006.

“Violence cannot be confronted with violence, fire cannot be extinguished with fire, evil cannot be confronted with evil,” he said. “Evil must be confronted with good.”

Lopez Obrador said his government would face down gangs with intelligence rather than force, focusing on poverty and other root causes of crime.

“We are not going to declare war,” he said.

With homicides reaching record levels, the President has come under growing scrutiny over his security policy, dubbed by Lopez Obrador as one of “hugs, not bullets”.

Many analysts argue his approach has emboldened criminal groups. Murders in Mexico in the first six months of the year hit an all-time high, data showed on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

WHO concerned about COVID-19 impact on Indigenous people in the Americas

WHO says Indigenous peoples from across the Americas, like this couple in the north of Bogota, Colombia, are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 (PAHO photo)

W

ith the Americas still the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the region’s Indigenous people is of deep concern, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday.

More than 70,000 cases and over 2000 deaths were reported among this population as of July 6, according to the UN agency.

There have been at least six cases among the Nahua people, who live in the Peruvian Amazon, latest information has revealed.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that because Indigenous people are among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable groups, they are especially at risk of contracting the disease.

“Like other vulnerable groups, Indigenous peoples face many challenges. This includes a lack of political representation, economic marginalisation and lack of access to health, educa-

tion and social services,” he said, speaking from Geneva during the regular crisis update.

“Indigenous peoples often have a high burden of poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and both communicable and non-communicable diseases, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its severe outcomes.”

WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas recently published recommendations for preventing and responding to COVID-19 among Indigenous peoples.

The agency also is working with the Coordinator of Indigenous Organisations of the Amazon River Basin, to step up the fight against the disease.

WHO also used Monday’s briefing to underline the importance of contact tracing to suppress COVID-19 transmission among Indigenous communities and the population at large. (Excerpt from UN News)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

19

Around the World

Wave of promising study results raise hopes for coronavirus vaccines

E

arly data from trials of three potential COVID-19 vaccines released on Monday, including a closely-watched candidate from Oxford University, increased confidence that a vaccine can train the immune system to recognise and fight the novel coronavirus without serious side effects.

Whether any of these efforts will result in a vaccine capable of protecting billions of people and ending the

global pandemic that has claimed more than 600,000 lives is still far from clear.

All will require much larger studies to prove they can safely prevent infection or serious disease.

The vaccine being developed by British drugmaker AstraZeneca along with the Oxford University, induced an immune response in all study participants who received two doses without any worrisome side effects.

A coronavirus vaccine

under development by CanSinoBiologics Inc and China’s military research unit, likewise showed that it appears to be safe and induced an immune response in most of the 508 healthy volunteers who got one dose of the vaccine, researchers reported.

Some 77 per cent of study volunteers experienced side effects like fever or injection site pain, but none considered to be serious.

German biotech BioNTech and US drugmaker Pfizer

Inc released details from a small study in Germany of a different type of vaccine that uses ribonucleic acid (RNA) - a chemical messenger that contains instructions for making proteins.

The burst of announcements followed the publication last week of results of Moderna Inc’s vaccine trial, showing similarly promising early results. Moderna’s vaccine also uses a messenger RNA platform. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Coronavirus: Hopes rise for EU recovery deal at marathon summit

E

U talks aimed at reaching an agreement on a huge post-coronavirus recovery fund have stretched into a fourth day but there are signs of progress.

Germany and France said a framework had now been sketched, during a summit in Brussels that has seen testy exchanges.

The main division is between hardhit nations like Italy and Spain, and EU members who want to lessen funding.

So-called “frugal” nations want grants limited - and €390 billion (£352 billion; $445 billion) appears the latest compromise figure.

They had argued the proposed €750 billion overall package was too large and should be mostly loans.

The discussions - which were originally scheduled to end on Saturday - were to get under way again on Monday afternoon for what is now the longest EU summit since Nice 2000, when talks lasted five days.

The confirmed number of coronavirus cases has reached 14.5 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Member states are largely split be-

Angela Merkel (left) and Emmanuel Macron (second left) say there has been some progress

tween those hit hardest by the outbreak - and keen to revive their economies - and those more concerned about the costs of the recovery plan.

Tempers have often been frayed.

In the early hours of Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly banged his hand on the table and threatened to walk out.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

said: “Yesterday night, after long negotiations, we found a way to find a possible agreement. That is a step forward and we are hopeful that we can reach an agreement.”

This is the first face-to-face meeting between leaders since governments began imposing lockdowns in March in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

OILNEWS Iran’s Oil Minister: No one wants to deal with Tehran due to US sanctions

T

he US sanctions on Iran’s oil and other industries are scaring foreign firms which are unwilling to sign any deals in any sector with Iran and are even rescinding existing contracts, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Monday, as carried by Radio Farda.

The US re-imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil exports in the spring of 2018, when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the so-called Iranian nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as the agreement is officially known.

The US sanctions and the risk of secondary sanctions if firms continue to do business with Iran had many companies withdraw from developing Iranian energy resources, including France’s supermajor Total, which was the first to return to Iran after the lifting of the previous sanctions in 2016.

After the US re-imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil industry and exports, Total – which had signed a deal to take part in the development of Phase 11 of the supergiant South Pars natural gas field – said in May 2018 it would not be in a position to continue the South Pars 11 gas project and would have to unwind all related operations before November 4, 2018, unless it was granted a specific project waiver—which it was not.

Companies in other industries have also left Iran because of the US sanctions.

Iran now has “to rely on our own domestic capacities,” Zanganeh has recently said.

That is why Iran signed this month deals to boost the capacity of two of its oilfields with local companies.

Iran may see some of the sanctions eased should Joe Biden win the US presidential election in November.

Biden has signalled that he would revisit and renegotiate the Iran nuclear deal, which could potentially lead to the easing of some sanctions in exchange for Tehran returning to compliance under some revised form of JCPOA. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Egypt’s Parliament approves troop deployment to Libya

Deadly skies: Pakistani UK suspends Hong extradition treaty, pilots allege systemic Kong stoking China tensions safety failures

P

akistani pilots claim that fraud and improper flight certification practices at the country’s civil aviation regulator are an open secret, while air safety has routinely been compromised by airlines through faulty safety management systems, incomplete reporting and the use of regulatory waivers.

Six Pakistani pilots spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals from their employers or the regulator.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s largest airline and only major international carrier, was at the centre of most of the air safety complaints, and denied all of the allegations.

Scrutiny of Pakistan’s commercial aviation sector has increased as pilots have found themselves battling allegations by the country’s Aviation Minister that almost a third of all licensed Pakistani pilots had obtained their certifications fraudulently.

His comments came weeks after a PIA passenger jet crashed in the southern city of Karachi, killing 98 people.

The names of three of the six pilots Al Jazeera spoke to were on the list of “fake” licence-holders.

They deny any wrongdoing.

State-owned PIA grounded 102 pilots and launched an internal inquiry following the Aviation Minister’s allegations. Pilots at two other Pakistani airlines, SereneAir and Airblue, were also suspended pending clearance. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

B

ritain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Parliament the treaty would be suspended immediately and an arms embargo would be extended to Hong Kong.

The ban is another nail in the coffin of what then Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 cast as a “golden era” of ties with China, the world’s second-largest economy.

London has been dismayed by a crackdown in Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, and the perception that China did not tell the whole truth over the coronavirus outbreak.

Raab said he would extend a long-standing arms embargo on China to include Hong Kong, meaning no exports of weapons or ammunition and a ban on any equipment which might be used for internal repression, like shackles and smoke grenades.

Australia and Canada sus-

Egyptian troops could further destabilise Libya and put Turkey and Egypt in direct confrontation [Mohamed Abd el-Ghany/Reuters]

E Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street, in London, Britain, July 15, 2020

pended extradition treaties with Hong Kong earlier this month. US President Donald Trump has ended preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong.

Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered equipment from China’s Huawei Technologies to be purged completely from Britain’s 5G network by the end of 2027.

Britain says the new security law breaches the guarantees of freedoms, including an independent judiciary, that have helped keep Hong Kong one of the world’s most important trade and financial centres since 1997. (Excerpt from Reuters)

gypt’s Parliament authorised the deployment of troops outside the country on Monday after the President threatened military action against Turkishbacked forces in neighbouring Libya.

The Parliament unanimously approved “the deployment of members of the Egyptian armed forces on combat missions outside Egypt’s borders to defend Egyptian national security ... against criminal armed militias and foreign terrorist elements”, it said in a statement.

The deployment would be made on a “western front” a likely reference to western neighbour Libya. The move could bring Egypt and Turkey - which support rival sides in Libya’s chaotic proxy war into direct confrontation.

Egypt’s House of Representatives, packed with supporters of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, approved the plan after a closed-door session where deputies discussed “threats faced by the state” from the west, where Egypt shares a porous desert border with war-torn Libya.

Stephanie Williams, acting head of the UN support mission in Libya, on Monday called for an “immediate ceasefire ... to spare the 125,000 civilians who remain in harm’s way and for an end to the blatant violations of the UN arms embargo”.

Her comments came following her meeting on Sunday with the President of neighbouring Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

Use your energy wisely. Don't waste your time arguing over petty differences. Focus on personal gain, physical fitness and spending quality time with a loved one.

A change will lift your spirits.

TAURUS

Look at your options and make a decision. The changes you implement into your routine will stimulate your mind and encourage you to try something new and exciting.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Don't let anger surface.

Put your energy into something constructive, and you'll get ahead. Let your success be your revenge when dealing with someone who irks you.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Your ideas may seem farfetched to some, when, in reality, you are ahead of your time. Give others a chance to catch up to you. Spend your free time perfecting your plans.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Find a quick, efficient way to get things done.

Freeing up some time to spend with a loved one will lead to a good plan. Love and romance are featured.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Put personal papers in order. Protect yourself against ill health and injury. A partnership with someone unique will intrigue you. Read the fine print before you sign an agreement.

Don't make changes without considering the cost involved. Spending on luxury items will cause undue stress. Moderation will ensure that you have plenty of energy to devote to the pastimes that make you happy.

When dealing with others, you are best off taking a wait-and-see approach.

Your intuition will help you determine if someone is on your side or if they're trying to dismantle your plans.

SAGITTARIUS Your sensitivity toward (Nov. 23others will affect the way Dec. 21) situations unfold. Look for positive outlets you can enjoy with someone you love and trust.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Time alone will help you size up a troubling situation. Don't be shy; tell those close to you how you feel and what you want.

Emotions channeled into something productive will bring good results. A personal gain will come your way if you use your skills diversely.

Love is favored, and romance will enhance your life.

Take care of health issues. Get a second opinion if you aren't comfortable with the first one. A change of plans will result in better living arrangements. Don't hesitate to make a move.

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

21

Men's 2020 T20 World Cup postponed because of coronavirus

T

he men's T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia later this year, has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The tournament was due to take place between October 18 and November 15.

An edition will be held in October and November 2021 and another in 2022.

"The decision gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups," said International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Manu Sawhney.

"Our members now have the clarity they need around event windows to enable them to reschedule lost bilateral and domestic cricket."

It has not been announced whether the 2021 tournament will be held in India as planned, and the 2022 competition in Australia, or the Australia edition will be moved to 2021 and India to 2022.

The ICC also announced that the 2023 50-over men's

World Cup in India will move from February and March to October and November.

It says it will "continue to evaluate" the situation before deciding on the 2021 Women's World Cup in New Zealand in February,

with planning continuing as scheduled.

The men's 2021 T20 tournament will finish on November 14, and England are set to start their Ashes tour of Australia later that month.

Melbourne, which was scheduled to host seven games including the final, went back into a six-week lockdown on July 9 after a spike in coronavirus infections.

All travellers entering

Australia currently need to undertake a mandatory 14day quarantine period.

Test cricket returned in England on July 8 with all the players and people involved in the game in a bio-secure bubble, but the

ICC deemed that unworkable with 12 different nations involved.

England are playing a three-Test series against West Indies – who arrived in England four weeks prior to the first Test in Southampton to meet isolation restrictions – before playing series against Ireland and Pakistan in late July and August.

They are also hoping to play a limited-overs series in September against Australia, who named a preliminary 26-player squad last week in a "positive albeit not definitive step".

The postponement means the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was due to start on March 29, may take place in the vacant window later this year, while England's tour of Sri Lanka that was called off in March may also be rearranged.

The next Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa in 2022.

Australia won the 2020 edition in one of the last major sporting events before lockdown. (BBC Sport)

Jon Rahm leads world golf rankings Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees among after late drama to win Memorial players calling for NFL coronavirus action

S

pain’s Jon Rahm overcame nerves and a twoshot penalty to claim victory at the Memorial Tournament on Sunday and replace Rory McIlroy at the top of the world rankings.

Rahm began the final round at a steamy and gusty Muirfield Village Golf Club with a four-shot lead and increased that to eight with nine holes to play, but late drama saw his advantage shrink to three before the 25-year-old sealed his fourth PGA Tour win.

Rahm, who joins childhood hero Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to hold the top ranking, celebrated with a massive fist pump in fading light and near silence with spectators still banned owing to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” said Rahm. “It’s been a goal since I was 13, 14 years old. I remember I heard a story on the radio from my swing coach back in Spain, Eduardo Celles.

We were driving somewhere and he asked me what my goals were and my ambi-

Jon Rahm

tions and this and that, and I remember telling him I’m going to be the best player in the world.”

Rahm’s final round of three-over 75 saw him finish on nine-under 279, three shots ahead of Ryan Palmer (74), with Matthew Fitzpatrick (68) in third on 283, and Matt Wallace (72) and Australian Jason Day (73) one shot further back.

Rahm’s round began to unravel with a bogey at 10 followed by a double-bogey at 11, while Palmer rolled in a birdie at 12, and when he missed a routine three-footer to take bogey at the 14th, the Spaniard’s once com-

manding lead was reduced to three. But the big-hitting Spaniard steadied the ship with a flash of brilliance at the 16th, chipping in from 30 feet to restore a four-shot cushion with two to play.

There was more late drama, however, when Rahm was later handed a two-shot penalty when his ball moved while addressing the shot at 16. Rahm was unaware of that penalty and, after Palmer bogeyed the 17th, walked to the 18th tee without being told his lead was three strokes, not five.

“As unfortunate as it is to have this happen, it was a great shot, serious,” said Rahm. “What it goes to show is you never know what’s going to happen. So, I’m glad I grinded those last two upand-downs because had I missed both of them, plus the penalty stroke, maybe Ryan finishes strong, I would be in a playoff, and I’m glad I finished it off good. But it did move, so I’ll accept the penalty, and it still doesn’t change the outcome of the tournament.”

(The Guardian)

T

he NFL has been urged by players to improve coronavirus safety measures or risk there being "no football in 2020".

New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, 41, joined a group of players to tweet views on issues with the NFL's protocols as teams return to training.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson says his wife is pregnant and "there's still no clear plan on player health and family safety".

"We want to play, but we also want to protect our loved ones," Wilson added.

The group of players raising concerns with the safety measures in place ended tweets with the hashtag #WeWantToPlay.

Brees tweeted: "We need football! We need sports! We need hope! The NFL's unwillingness to follow the recommendations of their own medical experts will prevent that.

"If the NFL doesn't do their part to keep players healthy, there is no football in 2020. It's that simple. Get

it done NFL." Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes, of the Kansas City Chiefs, tweeted: "Getting ready to report this week hoping the NFL will come to agreement with the safe and right protocols so we can feel protected playing the sport we love."

Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt offered the most detailed tweet, which outlined how players do not know how often they will be tested and questioned how a positive test will be dealt with.

Watt and Mahomes are scheduled to face one another in the NFL's season open-

er on September 10.

NFL players' union representatives said in a conference call with reporters on Friday that the union and league had failed to reach agreement on preparations for the upcoming season.

Cleveland Browns' JC Tretter, President of the NFL Players Association, said the fact that some coaches appear to accept that "everyone's going to get sick" is a major sticking point for players.

Following the conference call, the NFL said it would continue to implement protocols "based on the advice of leading medical experts".

(BBC Sport)

22

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Shamsi, Van der Dussen out of CPL S outh African players Tabraiz Shamsi and Rassie Van der Dussen will not feature in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T 2 0 tourn a ment.

Both men are having problems securing a travel visa to get to T&T in time for August 1 to go into quarantine ahead of the tournament.

Shamsi was drafted by the Jamaica Tallawahs and Manager Jeff Miller states that he has been trying to get the visa to no avail.

“Shamsi has been making appointments at the US Embassy in South Africa as well as the UK Embassy, but every time he gets

van der Dussen. He is also having problems in obtaining a visa to get out to the Caribbean.

The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) so far have no problems with their international players according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Red Chillies Entertainment, the owners of the franchise.

“So far, we have not had any problems with our internationRassie Van der Dussen al players pulling out for any reasaid Miller.

Also los- son.”

T h e ing out on their in- G u y a n a terna- Amazon t i o n a l Warriors p l a y e r are also is the St KittsNevis

an appointment, he then gets a message stating that it has been cancelled. It has been frustrating for him to get his visa.

The two routes out are the US and England, but he has not been getting an opportunity to be interviewed for his visa,”

Patriots who will have to do without the services of

reporting that they have not lost any of their foreign players with Manager Omar Khan saying it is just a matter of working out his players’ flight arrangements as they are

Tabraiz Shamsi

all still on board.

The Barbados Tridents have not lost any international players up until this point and so too the St Lucia Zouks. Earlier this week, it was reported that some international players may turn away because of the strict COVID-19 protocols being enforced in T&T. Guardian Media Sports understand that talks are still ongoing between the CPL and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Roshan Parasram concerning the protocols.

Even team owners are said to be complaining about the length of time they will have to stay in quarantine if they come in with their teams into T&T. The 2020 CPL tournament will be played from August 18 to September 10, and the entire tournament will take place in T&T at two venues, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando, and the iconic Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. (TT Guardian)

Olympics: Human Rights Watch report documents abuse of child athletes in Japan

A

Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has found child athletes in Japan often suffer physical and verbal abuse and sometimes sexual abuse during training after documenting the experiences of over 800 athletes in 50 sports.

The 67-page report released on Monday titled “I Was Hit So Many Times I Can’t Count” looks at Japan’s history of physical punishment in sport and includes first-hand accounts from athletes.

The report comes in the week that would have marked the start of the Tokyo

Olympics had it not been for the global coronavirus pandemic. The Games have now been delayed a year.

“The specific abuses we documented include punching, slapping, kicking or striking with objects (and) excessive or insufficient food and water,” Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at HRW told a news conference.

In 2013, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) promised to take steps to wipe out violence among its sports federations after an internal survey revealed more than 10 per cent of its

athletes had been victims of bullying or harassment.

It also cut funding to its judo federation for a time after Coaches were found to have physically abused female athletes.

HRW said not enough had been done since then and demanded organisations such as the Japan Sports Council and the JOC use the upcoming Olympics as a catalyst for change. It noted child abuse in sport is a global problem and that the systems for reporting abuse are opaque, unresponsive, and inadequate.

“Human Rights Watch is

calling on Japan to take decisive action and to lead in tackling this global crisis,” Worden said.

The JOC did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

The report was based on interviews with more than 50 current and former athletes, an online survey that drew 757 responses and meetings with eight Japanese sports organisations.

Of the 381 survey respondents aged 24 or younger, 19 per cent indicated they had been hit, punched, slapped, kicked, knocked to the ground or beaten with an

object while participating in sports.

“The Coach told me I was not serious enough with the running, so we were all called to the coach and I was hit in the face in front of everyone.

I was bleeding, but he did not stop hitting me,” the report quoted a professional athlete given the pseudonym of Daiki A as saying.

Eighteen per cent reported experiencing verbal abuse, and five reported experiencing sexual assault or harassment while participating in sport as children.

(Reuters)

Drainage at Brian Lara ready for CPL T

he drainage at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba will be tested during the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament from August 18 to September 12.

The CPL is usually held during T&T’s rainy season and this year’s edition will see T&T playing host to all 34 matches. These matches will be split between the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair.

Udecott sports advisor Manohar Ramsaran is confident the Tarouba venue’s drainage is ready for the test.

“Our drainage is fantastic. It is the best drainage I have seen in a long, long time. Water does not

stay, within 20 minutes after rainfall the water will run off…so far, we have no problem with the drainage,” he said.

Since the venue opened in 2017, it has only hosted matches in the playoff round, including the final.

The entire CPL will be held in T&T to limit the travelling done by players, coaches and officials during the tournament.

The tournament is normally spread over six countries – Trinidad, Guyana, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts and Jamaica. On July 9, it was confirmed that the entire tournament would be held in T&T. T&T managed the spread of COVID-19 and that was one of the reasons the country was chosen to host the

Udecott sports Manohar Ramsaran

advisor

tournament.

To date, T&T has recorded 137 cases of the virus with eight deaths. T&T was also selected to host the tournament because of the two international facili-

ties available. The matches would be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair.

Several wickets (pitches) are expected to be used because of the volume of cricket that would be played.

“We have five pitches that are in very good condition, well-grassed and well-rested so we would not have any problem with pitches…and we have big side screens, so we don’t have a problem really,” he explained.

Ramsaran said during the COVID-19 downtime, the field was maintained.

“What we did even during the COVID we had an employee, one or two (employees) would go down there and do what they have to do.”

The former Sports Minister said Brian Lara Cricket Academy was also well-equipped in terms of equipment and manpower.

“Over the last year, we bought some new equipment. We have extra cutters and so on, and we are really well-equipped to deal with the pitches and the outfield and so on.

“We have a staff of five permanent groundsmen and when CPL starts, we will have to hire cover people to help us cover the pitch.”

Fifteen to 20 people would be employed with the responsibility of covering the pitch and outfield.

Ramsaran said the venue has enough covers to protect the pitch and 50 yards on each side of the pitch in the event of rain. (TT Newsday)

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

England surge to 113-run victory as Ben Stokes turns on the style again

B

en Stokes, match winner, series saviour. That was the bottom line as England kept alive their quest for the Wisden Trophy with victory in the second Test to level their series against West Indies 1-1.

The hosts' 113-run tri-

weeks.

Broad's fourth-day spell, when he took 3 for 1 in 14 balls during West Indies' first innings, sent a clear message after he was overlooked for the first Test but, more importantly, it removed three recognised batsmen in quick succession

Ben Stokes please stand up?" and there he was.

Having been sent in to open for the first time in a Test on the penultimate evening and resuming on 16 the following morning, Stokes helped himself to an unbeaten 78 from 57 balls.

He shared a 73-run partnership with Joe Root and was instrumental as England added 92 runs from 11 overs in the first hour before their declaration set West Indies a target of 312.

The first over of the day, from Jermaine Blackwood drives through the covers K e m a r R o a c h , umph was built on a tow- when England needed time went for 14 runs, 13 of them ering performance with bat and wickets. to Stokes, including a four and ball from Stokes and Woakes also took three followed immediately by a means both teams start the wickets in West Indies' first towering six over long-off. third and final Test, also at innings, and he and Broad Emirates Old Trafford, on combined brilliantly with Friday with it all to play for. the new ball to put the Stokes' contrasting in- tourists in trouble early in nings helped England into their second. a commanding position Meanwhile, Dom and his ability to break up Sibley, a young player key partnerships not only scoring the second century helped his side take 19 of a Test career that is only wickets over the last two eight matches old, did litdays, having lost the entire tle to advertise the excitethird day to rain, but de- ment the game can offer, stroyed West Indies' chanc- but did everything in his es of holding out for a draw, power to give England conwhich would have seen trol in their first innings. them retain the trophy.

His 372-ball 120 showed Stokes left many won- a maturity to stick to his dering, is there anything way and not be pressured he can't do? But there was into forcing something to more than just his contri- happen. bution to like about this Then there was Stokes.

England performance.

His first innings of 176, To leave out three front- which came from 356 balls, Stokes was dropped on 29 line bowlers in Jofra Archer, surprised even himself in by John Campbell at deep James Anderson, and Mark terms of its longevity. It also extra cover off the bowling Wood and replace them to pushed the England innings of Shannon Gabriel in one great effect with Stuart on where Sibley couldn't. of the more damaging West Broad, Chris Woakes and Then, when England Indies fielding blunders, of Sam Curran speaks to a needed quick runs to shore which there were a handful.

The declaration also gave England 85 overs in which to bowl West Indies out and time to access the second new ball, available after 80 overs. In the end, it wasn't needed as West Indies were bowled out inside 71 overs.

By lunch on the final Shamarh Brooks made his second half-century of the match day, Broad and Woakes strength in depth that will up their position before giv- had West Indies 25 for 3. prove especially important ing themselves enough time The first wicket – Campbell this summer as six Tests to bowl West Indies out, it caught behind off Broad in are shoe-horned into seven was a case of "will the real the first over of the innings,

almost wasn't recorded. Beaten outside off stump, Campbell attempted a loose drive which was collected by Jos Buttler, who showed no reaction whatsoever. As Broad appealed, Root looked as un-moved as the umpire, but he signalled for a review with barely half a second to spare and Ultra-Edge showed a clear spike to overturn the not-out decision.

Broad had suggested the night before that Kraigg Brathwaite's would be a vital wicket and Woakes delivered it, lbw.

Broad then cut down Shai Hope with a beauty that jagged in off the seam between bat and pad to clatter into the top of off-stump.

Broad struck again in the fourth over after lunch when he had Roston Chase

Ben Stokes launches one down the ground

he had done in West Indies' first innings when he removed Brathwaite with a caught-and-bowled that broke a 76-run partnership with Brooks.

Brooks backed up his first-innings 68 with 62 in the second as Woakes dismissed Shane Dowrich, who made a pair. But when

Shai Hope's lean trot continues

out lbw and it looked as though Woakes could have had the threatening Shamarh Brooks caught behind for 17 when the batsman fended to Buttler, but was given not out and England opted not to review with replays later suggesting the batsman may have gloved the ball.

Brooks and Jermaine Blackwood set to work, building a 100-run partnership that had the potential for stubborn-ness, albeit with a lot of overs to see out, until that man Stokes reappeared.

Stokes even tried to chase down a Blackwood four struck off his own bowling when the batsman found a gaping hole at midoff. And while Stokes' effort was in vain that time, he had more to offer when his short ball, aimed at Blackwood's ribs, struck the glove and ballooned to Buttler, who took a good diving catch.

Blackwood was gone for 55 and Stokes had ended another solid union, just as

Curran had Brooks out lbw, it fell to Jason Holder, the

West Indies Captain and star all-rounder, to save his side from defeat.

But when the off-spin of Dom Bess came to the fore, a gem smashing into middle stump from outside off with Holder on 35 and West Indies still needing 129 runs versus England's requirement of two wickets, it was only a matter of time – and the hosts had plenty of that – before they claimed victory.

Of course, Stokes was in the action almost until the end, dismissing tailender Alzarri Joseph, before Ollie Pope's spectacular juggled catch at short leg off the bowling of Bess accounted for Roach, the last man out.

The only worry for England was the fact that Stokes stopped bowling in the middle of an over in apparent discomfort. Given his star turn in this match, England will be keen to have him fit for the series decider.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS BA Stokes not out 78 JC Buttler † b Roach 0 Z Crawley b Roach 11 JE Root (c) run out (†Dowrich/Joseph/Holder) 22 OJ Pope not out 12 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 6 TOTAL (19 Ov, RR: 6.78) 129/3d Did not bat: RJ Burns, DP Sibley, SM Curran, DM Bess, CR Woakes, SCJ Broad Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Jos Buttler, 0.4 ov), 2-17 (Zak Crawley, 4.1 ov), 3-90 (Joe Root, 15.1 ov) BOWLING : KAJ Roach 6-0-37-2; ST Gabriel 7-0-43-0; JO Holder 4-0-33-0; AS Joseph 2-0-14-0 WEST INDIES 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 312 RUNS) KC Brathwaite lbw b Woakes 12 JD Campbell c †Buttler b Broad 4 SD Hope b Broad 7 SSJ Brooks lbw

b Curran 62 RL Chase lbw b Broad 6 J Blackwood c †Buttler b Stokes 55 SO Dowrich †lbw b Woakes 0 JO Holder (c) b Bess 35 KAJ Roach c Pope b Bess 5 AS Joseph c Bess b Stokes 9 ST Gabriel not out 0 Extras (lb 3) 3 TOTAL (70.1 Ov, RR: 2.82) 198 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (John Campbell, 0.5 ov), 2-19 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 7.6 ov), 3-23 (Shai Hope, 8.5 ov), 4-37 (Roston Chase, 14.6 ov), 5-137 (Jermaine Blackwood, 42.4 ov), 6-138 (Shane Dowrich, 43.2 ov), 7-161 (Shamarh Brooks, 55.5 ov), 8-183 (Jason Holder, 62.5 ov), 9-192 (Alzarri Joseph, 65.6 ov), 10-198 (Kemar Roach, 70.1 ov) BOWLING: SCJ Broad 15-542-3; CR Woakes 16-3-34-2; SM Curran 8-3-30-1; DM Bess 15.1-3-59-2; BA Stokes 14.44-30-2; JE Root 1.2-1-0-0

TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020

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