Guyana Times - Monday, December 12, 2023

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5580

THE BEACON OF TRUTH PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

GDF helicopter crash

New Eccles-to-Diamond Road named "Heroes Highway"

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Essequibo Coast man jailed for 3 years, fined $4M for drug trafficking P8

Fisherman P10 appealing life sentences for double murder

Page 3

...“We will always stand by you” – Pres Ali assures grieving families

Legal experts, Opposition and diplomats consulted before decision to meet Maduro – Pres Ali

Former Appeal Court Judge Nandram Kissoon P7 passes

Page 9

Body in burnt car

P11 DNA test confirms charred remains belong to Bel Air woman

US$826M in Business as usual non-oil trade for Canadian companies operating between Guyana UAE in 2022 in Essequibo – Chargé and Fisherman charged …2 sides agree to strengthen ties; Venezuela border controversy

P2

See story on page 7

d'Affaires 2 die, 9 injured as overtaking minibus crashes into car …reiterates Canada’s support for ICJ process to settle matter

Guyana to get US$500,000 grant Page 10

with sexual assault

P15

2 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US$826M in non-oil trade between Guyana & UAE in 2022 …2 sides agree to strengthen ties; Guyana to get US$500,000 grant

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ilateral trade of nonoil goods between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Guyana reached US$826 million last year, as the two partners have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship in a number of areas.

This is according to a statement from the Office of the President, where it was indicated that trade between the UAE and Guyana increased by 20 per cent in 2022, compared to the previous year.

According to the Office of the President, the increase in bilateral trade reflects their efforts to improve investments and economic relations in recent years. In fact, during the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change (COP28), President Dr Irfaan Ali met with the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It was explained that in the aftermath of that meeting, the two sides agreed to increase their collaboration in a number of key areas, including food security, energy, technology, capacity building and in areas relat-

ed to cultural and social exchanges. Further, Guyana was commended by the UAE President for its efforts to achieve sustainable development, using green technology.

“His Highness stressed that COP28’s UAE presidency aims to lead global endeavours in the field of climate action to protect the planet and future generations, high-

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at COP28

lighting that the UAE maintains a steadfast commit-

ment to sustainability when addressing global climate action,” the statement said.

“The two sides also agreed to fortify bilateral partnership across a wide range of areas concerning socio-economic and cultural development. The two sides commended the bilateral ties since 1995, reiterating the importance of promoting diplomatic relations through the joint commitment to open embassies in each of the respective countries.”

It was further announced that the UAE will be contributing US$500,000 to Guyana to build a school for children.

They have also agreed to open a UAE Embassy headquarters in Guyana “in the near future”, which will go towards improving bilateral relations between both countries.

“The two sides also agreed that high-level visits represent substantial opportunities to strengthen and enhance diplomatic relations, referring to the visit by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Guyana on September 30th, 2023, and the visit of Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, to Guyana on June 11th, 2023.”

“For his part, His Excellency expressed his appreciation of the warm welcome by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President.

The two sides agreed to support ways to enhance bilateral cooperation to accomplish further prosperity and well-being in both countries,” the Office of the President further said.

During COP28, President Ali and his UAE counterpart had in-depth discussions on a number of issues, including ways of enhancing cooperation in various fields, especially in economics and

development. Importantly, President Ali had also updated the UAE President on the Venezuela border controversy.

Reports in sections of the media had also indicated that the UAE President is slated to visit Guyana next year.

President Ali was quoted as saying that the UAE has a strong interest in investing in Guyana and exploring areas of cooperation and that President Al Nahyan has committed to visiting Guyana in 2024. This is with the view of deepening ties between the two countries and even the possibility of a development pact.

President Ali also had bilateral discussions with UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his delegation at State House in October of this year.

During the meeting, the two sides focused on discussions aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including climate security, ICTs, research and development, agriculture and infrastructure.

In June, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, was in Guyana for a one-day visit to further strengthen ties between the two countries. Minister Al Hashimy, during that visit, participated in the sod-turning ceremony for a facility for persons with disability at Crane, West Coast Demerara. The facility was funded by the UAE Government.

President Ali and Minister Al Hashimy first met in October 2021, when the Guyanese leader visited the UAE. During that visit, the two countries inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance technical assistance and cooperation.

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF helicopter crash

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, Dec 11 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Tuesday, Dec 12 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Dec 11 – 15:10h – 16:40h and Tuesday, Dec 12 – 15:50h – 17:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine and thundery showers during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:58h reaching a maximum height

New Eccles-to-Diamond Road named "Heroes Highway"

…“We will always stand by you” – Pres Ali assures grieving families

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n honour of the five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks who died in Wednesday’s horrific helicopter crash, the newly completed Eccles to Diamond four-lane road on the East Bank of Demerara was named the Heroes Highway.

During an emotional and solemn dedication ceremony, this new road was commissioned on Sunday evening

by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, and the families of the five servicemen as well as senior military and

of 2.45 metres

Colonel Michael Shahoud’s son cutting the ceremonial ribbon to declare the Heroes Highway open as President Dr Irfaan Ali along with other senior Government and GDF officials and children, spouses and family of the ranks who perished in the helicopter crash look on

Low Tide: 08:53h and 21:21h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.53 metre.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2023

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali with the five perished GDF ranks and other senior officials during a visit to Guyana’s border last month

Government officials.

The GDF Bell 412 crashed about nine miles southeast of "Blake Slater's" airstrip, Ekereku Top, Cuyuni River, on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles and Sergeant Jason Khan.

Only two soldiers survived the crash – Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford, who are both receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

President Ali said on Sunday evening that the naming of the highway in honour of these five fallen

servicemen was appropriate and will continue to serve as a dedication site for all those in uniform who die in the line of duty going forward.

The new four-lane road runs from Eccles to Diamond and features a roundabout at both ends.

Standing in the centre of the roundabout at Diamond is a giant anteater which, according to President Ali, represents strength, resilience and courage – qualities that were imbued in all the victims of the crash.

“This highway is dedicated to the life, work, memories of our five great servicemen. We honour them with this highway… This highway was appropriately named the Heroes Highway.

TURN TO PAGE 11

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

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

The only path through the controversy

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residents Ali and Maduro will be meeting in St Vincent later this week, Thursday, December 15. As the host Ralph Gonzalves wrote the two leaders, “Both of you have agreed with me for such a meeting to be held under the auspices of CELAC of which St Vincent and the Grenadines is the Pro-Tempore President and Caricom of which the current Chairman is the Commonwealth of Dominica. Both of you have also requested the distinguished presence of the esteemed President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva”.

“Given the recent events and circumstances attendant upon the border controversy, the leaderships of CELAC and Caricom have assessed, in the interest of all concerned, including our Caribbean and Latin American civilisations, the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face to face between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela. Both of you have concurred with this assessment in the quest of peaceful co-existence, the application and respect for international law, and the avoidance of the use or threats of force. Both of you are on public record of committing to the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the maintenance of international law.”

In calling for the dialogue, however, PM Gonzalves’ invitation assumed a false equivalence between the position taken by Maduro for Venezuela and Pres Ali for Guyana. He baldly stated that everyone was “aware that the Government of Guyana is seeking the resolution of the border controversy through the processes of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is currently seized of the matter…We are cognisant, too, that the Government of Venezuela has rejected the path of the ICJ as the modality for resolution.”

Maduro and Venezuela insist they would prefer to have the border controversy, which they created in 1962 when they informed the UN General Assembly they were reneging on the Arbitral Award they had accepted for over six decades, to be dealt with through direct negotiations. They claim to base their demand on the Geneva Agreement which they signed with Great Britain in February 1966, just before our independence. It is imperative that we, therefore, look at the terms of that Agreement to discern which of the two positions are in conformity with the Agreement.

The Geneva Agreement is embodied in eight succinct Articles. Article 1 mandated: “A Mixed Commission shall be established with the task of seeking satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and the UK which has arisen as the result of the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void.”

The Mixed Commission met for four years as stipulated by Article IV without reaching agreement. Art IV mandated: “If, within a period of four years from the date of this Agreement, the Mixed Commission should not have arrived at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy it shall, in its final report, refer to the GoG and the GoV any outstanding questions. Those Governments shall without delay choose one of the means of peaceful settlement provided in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations.” In 1970, a 12-year moratorium was declared over the controversy and then the Art 33 “good offices of the UN Secretary General” was unsuccessfully engaged after 1983 to conduct negotiations.

In 2015, following the discovery of oil off Guyana’s shores, the Maduro regime raised their controversy again. In 2018, Guyana followed the second part of Art IV to refer the matter to the UN Secretary General: “If the means so chosen do not lead to a solution of the controversy, the said organ or, as the case may be, the Secretary-General of the UN shall choose another of the means stipulated in Article 33 of the Charter of the UN, and so on until the controversy has been resolved or until all the means of peaceful settlement there contemplated have been exhausted.”

The UN Secretary General chose the ICJ, which will make the definitive decision on the controversy.

A Giant Anteater at the roundabout of the Heroes Highway, which links Eccles and Diamond. The Heroes Highway is named in honor of Brigadier Gary Beaton; Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lt Col Michael Charles; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan, who died in a Guyana Defence Force helicopter crash on December 6, 2023 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

Guyana, Venezuela and the court

By Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie

T

he International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. As such, the court is responsible for deciding contentious cases submitted to it by States, and considers advisory matters referred to it by United Nations bodies, such as the General Assembly.

The Judges of the court are drawn from different geographical regions and main legal systems of the world, and normally serve for nine-year terms of office with the possibility of re-election. These Judges are jurists of the highest order, experts in international law in particular.

In applying rules of international law, the court has long accepted that some rules are more powerful than others. These rules — sometimes referred to as norms of jus cogens — may trump other rules of law because they are central to the international order. One of these highly powerful rules is the prohibition on the use of force set out in Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. In essence, Article 2(4) stipulates that States must not use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other States.

The UN Charter contemplates two circumstances in which force may be legitimately used in the face of Article 2(4), namely, (a) in self-defence and (b) pursuant to decisions of the UN Security Council. On the basis of the UN Charter rules it is easy to conclude that force may not be used to bring about the annexation of territory held lawfully by another State.

Recent weeks

The court has been in the news throughout the Caribbean in recent weeks.

On October 30, 2023, Guyana, our much-respected Caricom partner, applied to the court for provisional measures to be ordered against Venezuela.

The provisional measures order sought by Guyana was for Venezuela to refrain from conducting a referendum concerning the Essequibo region on December 3, 2023. The Essequibo region has been subject to de facto Guyanese sovereignty for more than a century.

In the practice of the court, a provisional measure is equivalent to an injunction ordered in domestic law. In the Guyana-Venezuela case, Guyana's complaint was that Venezuela, its neighbour, was preparing the ground for the forceful annexation of the Essequibo region, and that Venezuela's referendum was an essential tool in the annexation plan.

Referendum response

In response to Guyana, the court did not expressly prohibit the referendum.

Rather, the court held unanimously that Venezuela "shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute, whereby … Guyana administers and exercises control over that area". It may well be that the court did not bar the referendum because Venezuela has the right, as an internal matter, to consult its people on matters of policy. More importantly, however, the court affirmed that Guyana has interests to be protected and that some of Venezuela's actions could prejudicially affect those interests. The court also

concluded that neither State should do anything to aggravate the situation.

The court, in reaching its conclusions, had regard to the urgency of the situation, and noted that its order for provisional measures did not need to be granted in the express terms sought by Guyana. The court also reiterated — relying on its own jurisprudence — that provisional measures are legally binding. Venezuela is, therefore, under instructions from the principal judicial organ of the United Nations not to take any measures to modify the current situation in the Essequibo region.

If, therefore, Venezuela seeks to send military forces into the disputed area, this action would violate international law in at least two respects. It would involve the use of force by Venezuela ostensibly in breach of the jus cogens norm in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, and it would disregard a binding order of the court.

Why proceed?

Venezuela has proceeded with the referendum, with the Government indicating that 10.5 million voters supported its propositions in favour of Venezuelan control over the Essequibo region. But the court has instructed that nothing be done to change the situation in the region while the court's decision on the merits of the case is pending. What then was the point of the referendum? Why did the Maduro Administration proceed with the referendum, knowing that it will have no impact on the court?

At least three reasons suggest themselves. First, as asserted in Guyanese pronouncements, the referendum is, in fact, a prelude to annex-

ation: by providing evidence of home support for annexation it could allow the Maduro Government to argue that any military action contemplated is sanctioned by the will of the Venezuelan people.

This argument — the people made him do it — does not allow Maduro to violate Article 2(4) or an order of the court.

The forceful annexation, even with overwhelming popular support at home, would remain illegal on its face.

Signals

Secondly, the referendum could be viewed as a signalling device. The Venezuelan people have, in recent years, undergone severe economic challenges — some endogenously generated, but others prompted by international factors, including American sanctions.

Against this background of economic turbulence, and with eyes focused on imminent elections, Maduro may be relying on the patriotic fervour of a longstanding nationalistic claim to Essequibo to bolster his electoral popularity. If this point of analysis is correct, it is reminiscent, for instance, of General Galtieri's approach leading up to the Falklands/Las Malvinas military conflict in 1982. On this reading, the referendum would seek to bring the people together in defence of their territorial claim.

Still with reference to the signalling function, the referendum may represent an attempt to influence the Biden Administration. Here, presumably, the Maduro line of approach would be that, by having a referendum Venezuela has underlined its commitment to democratic principles.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

5

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

Opposition is suffering from amnesia Dear Editor, The statement from the Leader of the Opposition regarding the 6.5 per cent salary increase demonstrates that the Opposition is suffering from amnesia, is hypocritical, and is trying to insult the intelligence of Guyanese by scoring cheap political points.

Only a few years ago, the PNC, which was the most dominant party in the APNU/AFC Government, had the opportunity to prove it was genuinely interested in improving the well-being of public servants and vulnerable groups. The PNC did not only squander this opportunity but, as a partner in the APNU/AFC Government, deliberately pursued initiatives that severely harmed the well-being of public servants and pensioners.

Some of the initiatives that have permanently lacerated the memory of every Guyanese, especially public servants, and would be easily remembered, include the decision by the APNU/AFC to force public servants to move to the permanent establishment rather than

remain on contract where they benefitted from contract gratuity. This single initiative reduced the emoluments of public servants on contracts by 22.5 per cent and robbed them of the opportunity to utilise their gratuity to acquire assets, including land, which has inter-generational implications. More importantly, the 22.5 per cent reduction in these public servants' emoluments was significantly more than the absolute and relative salary increases they received under the APNU/AFC Government.

The public servants on the public establishment also suffered from the salary increases granted by the APNU/AFC Government.

In 2015, the APNU/AFC Government offered an across-the-board increase of 5 per cent to all public servants and members of the Disciplined Services.

However, the salary increases between 2016 and 2019 varied across salary bands. It is important to note that many public servants on the higher salary bands received salary increases equivalent to six

per cent and below. Apart from creating anomalies, the manner in which the APNU/AFC Government granted the salary increases penalised the senior public servants for being on the higher salary bands.

Indeed, many of these public servants received salary increases that ranged from 5 per cent to 0.5 per cent.

The PNC, now presenting itself as a champion of public servants, also denied the members of the Disciplined Services the one-month bonus they were accustomed to receiving under the PPP/C Government.

By restoring this bonus, the PPP/C Government increased the disposable income of the members of the Disciplined Services by $1.2 billion in 2021 and $1.4 billion in 2022. The bonus payment in 2023 will place $1.6 billion into the pockets of the ranks and officers of our Disciplined Services and could hardly be described as 'pitiful.'

Editor, the facts regarding the treatment of the pensioners by the APNU/ AFC Government are wellknown. However, it ap-

Guyana, Venezuela and...

Recall that one of the fundamental objections advanced by the USA against the Maduro Government has been its lack of respect for the electoral will.

And recall that the Biden Administration has, in recent months, publicly moved towards rapprochement with Venezuela. In this context, Maduro may be holding out the hope that the semblance of democracy evident in the referendum could count in Venezuela's favour with the USA, if Venezuela were to move towards annexation. This, though, would be no more than a vain hope.

No acquiescence

Another possible reason for the referendum may be related to a particular point of international law.

Where a State by its action may be deemed to have acquiesced in a given situation, this acquiescence may create an estoppel against that State. In the current case, assume that

Venezuela had called the referendum and Guyana had not protested against it, or had protested mildly or ambiguously. This would have opened the way for a Venezuelan assertion to the effect that Guyana had acquiesced to the referendum and perhaps to its result. So, Venezuela tried its shots, but Guyana firmly rejected it. Guyana cannot be accused of sleeping on its rights.

Finally, the cynic could postulate that international law will not resolve this issue, and point to the realities of power politics as a better guide. Even though the cynic's case cannot be ignored, it should not be overstated. In respect of the order that Venezuela must do nothing to adjust the status quo until the court has reached its final decision on the substance of the case, Guyana has the law on its side.

On the purely political front, Guyana would be well-advised to continue pressing its posi-

tion in corridors of power at the United Nations, in Washington DC, London, and among Caricom countries, armed with the UN Charter, the court's provisional measures order, and its strong (but yet unre-

pears the Opposition Leader needs to be made aware of these facts. As a responsible Guyanese, it is therefore important for me to remind the Leader of the Opposition that the APNU/AFC Government failed to deliver on its promise to double the Old Age Pension and make it equivalent to the minimum wage if elected in 2015. The Leader of the Opposition is probably unaware that the APNU/AFC Government, whose party was a key member, removed the electricity and water subsidies and compounded the problem by introducing a Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity.

The PPP/C Government has restored these subsidies and is fulfilling its promise to increase the Old Age Pension.

The PPP/C Government has also provided pensioners with one-off cash grants and boosted their disposable income by billions. In 2022, the pensioners were given a cash grant that enhanced their disposable income by $1.8 billion. This year's cash grant will place an equivalent amount into the pockets of our pensioners.

Editor, development cannot be viewed as a one-track process as reflected in salary increases alone. It is A necessary condition for keeping pace with inflationary pressures, but certainly not sufficient. It remains an important element in the wide array of essential things that the PPP Government is rolling out to benefit its public servants and the workforce directly. The GOAL scholarships that target thousands of public servants as part of the Government’s programme of rapidly building capacity in the workforce, as well as this Government’s massive housing drive, which again targets ordinary Guyanese and, indeed, young professionals in the public sector, are all programmes that significantly contribute to raising the level of welfare of thousands of public servants.

Based on the policies and programmes of the PPP/C

Government, it is clear that the party is conscious that there is no political gain from impoverishing any segment of our society. I am sure it is for this reason that the PPP/C Government has been pursuing policies and programmes that improve the well-being of our citizens, including public servants and pensioners.

I wish to encourage the Leader of the Opposition to carefully review the press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, which outlines some of the programmes and policies implemented by the PPP/C Government since it returned to office in 2020.

By doing so, the Leader of the Opposition can make a more informed pronouncement regarding the 6.5 per cent across-the-board salary increase announced by the Minister of Finance.

Regards, Kevin Persaud

FROM PAGE 4

solved) claim to sovereignty over the Essequibo region. (Jamaica Observer) (Ambassador Stephen Vasciannie is a Professor of International Law at the University of the West Indies.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

By RCG Potter

Think about what appears on our flag and why, then design a personal flag. You should think about what is important about you and what you think is most essential to represent on the flag.

Make a large fag to display either inside the classroom or near the entrance to the room. If you like, take a picture of this flag and use it as a logo for any correspondence you send home to parents. (Adapted from busyteacher.com)

Marching towards the shining future, Courage high, the past is gone, Faith o’ercoming fear and doubting, On to Glory’s sun-burst, On! Thro’ the storm clouds dark and lowering, Thro’ Fate’s lighting flash and flame On! Republic of Guyana Glorify Guyana’s name.

Forward,forward, youthful nation Primed with pow’r beyond man’s might May His strength God ever grant you To strive unceasingly for right.

From Roraima’s mist-crowned summit To wide surf-fringed Sixty-Three Be thy people, dear Guyana, Strong, united, loyal, free.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela border controversy

Business as usual for Canadian companies operating in Essequibo – Chargé d'Affaires …reiterates Canada’s support for ICJ process to settle matter

C

anadian mining companies have for some time had a presence in Guyana’s Essequibo region, with several of them either exploring for or producing gold.

According to a senior functionary in the Canadian High Commission, however, it continues to be business as usual for these companies in the face of Venezuelan threats.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Jake Thomas was asked about the feedback from Canadian companies in Guyana, after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced a number of measures aimed at annexing Essequibo.

“We’ve tracked the matter, for sure. But it’s business as usual for our firms. We’ve noticed that.

From what we’ve seen, from what I’ve heard, it’s business as usual for our firms. We’ve noticed no difference in their operations. Staff are all present. And carrying on with their obligations,” Thomas

Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Jake Thomas

said.

Further, Thomas reiterated that Canada supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ) process of settling the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy. He also said that, like other countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has also had discussions with Canada on the situation.

The Canadian gold mining companies with

a presence in Guyana include Reunion Gold, which has its Oko West Project in the North West of Guyana and Barricks Gold, which had actually partnered with Australian mining company Troy Resources. That was before Troy Resources subsequently absconded from Guyana, owing billions of dollars to the State.

Aurora Gold Mine, another Canadian company, was at one time the

largest gold producer in Guyana. Operating out of the Guyana Goldfields in Region Seven, the company was producing over 120,000 ounces of gold in 2019. However, in 2020 the company sold its operations to Chinese mining company Zijin Mining, after another Canadian mining company, Silvercorp, was unable to close the deal.

CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are meanwhile both Canadian companies that are exploring for oil in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), a portion of which Venezuela has laid claim to. They have operations in the Corentyne Block and, until the first quarter of this year, CGX also held the Demerara and Berbice Blocks, before having to relinquish them.

Earlier this year, the two joint venture partners had amended their Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) in the Corentyne Block, resulting in Frontera increasing its ownership within the block by 4.7 per cent.

Previously, CGX held a 32 per cent participating interest in the Corentyne

Block while Frontera held the remaining 68 per cent.

But following the JOA amendment, Frontera now holds 72.7 per cent and CGX, 27.3 per cent.

Guyana’s Spanishspeaking neighbour has laid claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region, and to a portion of its EEZ in which nearly 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered largely

by United States oil giant ExxonMobil.

Over the past few weeks, Guyana has been informing regional and international partners of the referendum Venezuela carried out on December 3, which has been criticised by the United States, Caricom, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as several other nations in the Region, including Brazil, for seeking to, among other things, gain a national consensus to annex Essequibo.

Following the referendum, Maduro had announced that he would now authorise oil exploration in Guyana’s Essequibo River, despite the International Court of

Justice (ICJ) not yet pronouncing on the validity of Venezuela’s claims.

On December 5, Maduro asked the state oil company to issue extraction licences for Venezuelan companies to explore for fossil fuels and minerals in the Essequibo region and proposed that the National Assembly pass a Bill to make the area part of Venezuela. Companies already in Essequibo were also given three months to vacate the area.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been clear that investors should ignore Venezuelan rhetoric, noting that Essequibo has for over 100 years been Guyana’s territory and will continue to belong to Guyana.

A meeting has meanwhile been announced between President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Venezuelan President.

Set for December 14, the meeting will be held in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Importantly, the fact that Essequibo belongs to Guyana and that the case continues before the ICJ, is not up for negotiation at the meeting. (G3)

Former Appeal Court Judge Nandram Kissoon passes

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etired Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Nandram Kissoon passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 81 years.

Guyana Times was told that Justice Kissoon had recently undergone a surgery overseas, which was successful, however, he succumbed while recovering from the operation.

Justice Kissoon was born in 1942 at Plantation Clonbrook on the East Coast of Demerara and grew up at Bee Hive, where he continued to reside up until his passing.

He was one of 12 children.

He attended the Anns Grove RC School and completed his General Certificate of Education (GCE) at the Indian Education Trust (now Richard Ishmael Secondary School). Upon completing school, Kissoon worked as a teacher at the Mahaica and Clonbrook schools.

In 1965, he left Guyana to study law at the Inner Temple in London, England. He then com-

Justice (Retired) Nandram Kissoon

menced what would be an illustrious career in the legal fraternity with his return to Guyana in 1969.

Kissoon started off working at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers and a couple of years later, he moved over to the Attorney General (AG) Chambers.

He subsequently left the public service to practice privately both in the criminal and civil courts.

Kissoon returned to the public service when he was appointed a Puisne Judge in 1987 and later moved up to the Court of Appeal, where he served until his retirement.

At the time of his death, the retired Judge was serving on the Guyana Public Service Appellate Tribunal. He was appointed Chairman of the PSAT back in 2017 under the previous Administration and was reappointed in November 2020 by President Dr Irfaan Ali. Outside of his professional career, Kissoon has been described as a “phenomenal humanitarian.”

His contributions include scholarships to students to pursue their academic goals as well as donations to rebuild Hindu temples across the country. He was also very fond of farming, growing his own crops and having livestock.

Justice Kissoon was married with one child.

However, his has played a fatherly role to his siblings and nieces and nephews – many of whom are also of the legal fraternity including State Solicitor at the AG Chambers, Prithima Kissoon; High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kissoon, and re-

nowned Attorney-at-Law, Devindra Kissoon.

Justice Sandil Kissoon described his uncle as a fatherly figure who was always there for every family member.

“He was there at every juncture, at every hour of the day whether called upon or not. He volunteered his assistance in every form and the word ‘no’ does not exist in his

vocabulary. [He had] tremendous patience, resilience and courage… He was simply old-school,” Justice Sandil Kissoon related to Guyana Timeson Sunday. (G8)

8 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibo Coast man jailed for 3 years, fined $4M for drug trafficking

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avenand Dwarka, 30, of Lot 23 H e n r i e t t a , Essequibo Coast, was found guilty of trafficking in marijuana last Wednesday. He was given a three-year prison sentence and a $4,136,550 fine.

Dwarka, who was initially charged with the crime back in October

2022, had been on trial before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

On Friday, October 28, 2022, at Good Hope Stelling Road, Essequibo Coast, he had 2757 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana) in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to a Police report, on the day in ques-

“Plantain Foot” charged with simple larceny

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sho Persaud called “Plantain Foot”, 24, a farmer of Lima Public Road, Essequibo Coast, appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court last Thursday, charged with simple larceny.

This defendant is accused of committing the offence on a pump attendant of Lima, Essequibo Coast, on December 2, at Lima, Essequibo Coast.

Persaud denied the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam.

Esho Persaud

He was placed on $60,000 bail and is due back in court on December 21.

Jailed: Davenand Dwarka

tion, at approximately 4:00 pm, ranks were on mobile patrol along Good Hope Stelling Road when they noticed Dwarka seated at a stall.

When Dwarka saw the Police, he leaped from the stall and tried to hide by lying down flat.

However, upon seeing this, the Police ranks went toward the direction of the stall.

At the time, the now-convicted man was clad in a pair of short black pants, black boots, and a black jersey and was carrying a navy-blue haver-

sack on his back.

A search was conducted on Dwarka and his belongings but nothing was found on his person.

Checks were then made in the haversack during which three compressed brown paper parcels, wrapped with transparent plastic containing marijuana were found.

In addition, a white digital scale was also seen in the bag.

As such, Dwarka was immediately told of the offence committed, and subsequently arrested.

The marijuana was weighed in his presence and amounted to 2757.7 grams.

This convict had been out on $500,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

In July of this year, Dwarka and another man, 27-year-old Sheldon Lewis, a minibus driver of Lot 235 Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, were jointly charged with trafficking 512 grams of marijuana when they appeared before the said Magistrate at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

They had both pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted to each of them in the sum of $300,000 despite objections being raised by the prosecutor.

Back in January, Dwarka was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 after he was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

It is alleged that on January 22, 2023, while on the Henrietta Public Road, Essequibo Coast, he had a 9mm pistol in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

It is further alleged that on the same day, he had three 9mm rounds of ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

On the day in question, Dwarka was reportedly spotted outside the Jaigobin Hotel with an object poking out of the waist of his pants by Police ranks who were on a mobile patrol on the Henrietta Public Road. Dwarka ran into a parking lot, and the ranks gave chase, and he fell into an area with mud.

As the Police ranks attempted to grab him, the firearm fell into the mud, and during this time, he reportedly jumped into a nearby trench and made good his escape. Later that day, he made an attempt to flee before being arrested by the Police at his aunt’s home in Henrietta.

This publication is unaware of the legal status of the last three charges.

(G1)

Meeting…

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…Mad Maduro

res Ali sure knows how to live dangerously. Can you believe he’s flying over to St Vincent to meet Mad Maduro?? From first-hand experience dealing with some folks from the Berbice Mad House, your Eyewitness knows that Prezzie’s at a minimum taking his sanity in his hands!! He’ll be trying to talk sense to a man who’s so delusional you’d swear he’s on LSD!! What’d you say to someone who swears he’s “for the people” when eight million of those people – one quarter of the population! – left all their worldly possessions behind to get to America (home of the Devil!!) through some of the most treacherous jungles in the world!! Watch me and run mad!!

Now, your Eyewitness knows that even during war – and Maduro’s not only declared war against Guyana, but as far as he’s concerned he’s already annexed our Essequibo!

– there gotta be lines of communication to the enemy. Just in case, for instance, the enemy wants to end the war they started!! In this case it seems the initiative is from Ralph Gonzalves of St Vincent under the auspices of Caricom and CELAC – of which he happens to be the Pro-Tempore President. Caricom had met earlier and called for Guyana and Venezuela to “dialogue”.

CELAC was launched in Caracas over a decade ago by folks like Chavez and Lula during a period of a rising “leftist tide’ in Latin America. They took a hard-line stance to “reduce American hegemony” in the region. Gonzalves made a point of inviting Lula - who was approved by both the madman and Pres Ali. So what are they gonna be talking about?? Well, first of all – NOT about our boundary, which the Madman just declared – along with a map – is the Essequibo River!! The statement from Prezzie made this very clear – and he was supported by Opposition Leader Norton, so this is a unified national position.

So will Mad Maduro be throwing in the towel – snivelling “no mas…no mas”? Your Eyewitness doesn’t think so. He’ll be proposing – as they’ve been doing since 1962 – that they’ll “generously” forego their claim if we give them something like their last request for a “passage to the Atlantic”!! And what should Pres Ali’s response be?? In the inimitable lyrics of Dave Martins , “Not blade of grass; not one spring cuirass!!” Preferably, Pressie should belt it out in tune - and explain that the “blade of grass” refers to our land boundary and the “cuirass” to our marine boundary!!

Now for diplomatic reasons, Prezzie’s gonna be scoring some points to show he’s not riding some high horse. But our inflexible position that the World Court will settle the controversy should satisfy the international community.

It’s their court, innit?? …Mad Maduro’s friends St Vincent’s Ralph Gonzalves and Brazil’s Lula are respectively in charge of one of the smallest and certainly the largest state in the Caribbean and South America.

In case you didn’t notice, they’re both of Portuguese ancestry, but that’s not why they so sympatico: that comes from the leftist ideology they both wear on their sleeves.

And it’s also why your Eyewitness is a bit sceptical of the meet with Mad Maduro – cause he’s convinced them HE’s also leftist!!

And so we hear Gonzalves and Lula calling for “dialogue” to address the controversy – echoing Mad Maduro’s idiocy about the Geneva Agreement. That agreement established a Mixed Commission that jawboned for the required 4 years without any consensus. What next?? Art 4 clearly says “they shall refer the decision as to the means of settlement to an appropriate international organ upon which they both agree or, failing agreement on this point, to the Secretary-General of the UN.” And it’s the latter who chose the ICJ – after his “good offices” failed after a decade of more dialogue!! … Venezuelan incursions Your Eyewitness wonders - whatever happened to those five high-tech drones Ramjattan acquired back in 2019 to keep an eye on goings on in our interior? Venezuelan troop movements?

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

9 Legal experts, Opposition and diplomats consulted before decision to meet Maduro – Pres Ali NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that all relevant stakeholders, including legal experts, diplomats and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, were consulted before he agreed to a regionally brokered meeting between himself and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The President gave this assurance in an address to the nation, during which he explained the reasoning behind agreeing to meet Maduro in St Vincent and the Grenadines on December 14, with the aim of deescalating the hostilities and bellicosity with which Venezuela has been threatening Guyana’s territory.

The meeting came about through the interventions of St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to Ali, all stakeholders were consulted before the offer to meet with Maduro was accepted, adding that a condition of acceptance was that the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would be non-negotiable.

“Two nights ago, Caricom heads convened an emergency meeting, in which a meeting was proposed with President Maduro in St Vincent, with Caricom, Prime Minister Gonsalves convening and the President of Brazil, being observers to that meeting. I immediately consulted with all stakeholders, our lawyers, our technical team, our agent, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And I had a

President Dr Irfaan Ali

conversation with the Leader of the Opposition.”

“Updating all of them on the development and having discussions around different ideas. After these consultations, I agreed that Guyana and I, will patriciate in a meeting on Thursday.

In that meeting, we’ll have a conversation with President Maduro. I made it very clear, that on the issue of the border controversy, Guyana’s position is non-negotiable. That is, this is before the ICJ,” the Head of State said.

President Ali was optimistic that coming out of the meeting, good sense would prevail on the Venezuelan side that would result in commitment to peace and stability being made and the removal of the threat to disrupt Guyana’s exploration of its resources in its own territory.

Continue to prosper

In the meantime, the President reinforced that Government will continue to push for investments and development of Guyana’s resources, in all corners of the country.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

St Vincent & Grenadines President Ralph Gonsalves

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

“I assure all Guyanese, that I will do everything to ensure a peaceful defence and protection of all of our country. And our borders. And ensuring that like Demerara and Berbice, the development, security and peace of Essequibo, is never compromised. All our counties, every one of our regions, will continue to prosper,” the President said.

“I assure all Guyanese, all investors. Our development, in all 10 of our administrative regions, all three of our counties, will continue unimpeded. Continue to push our investment, our investors, to work aggressively to bring prosperity to our country and by extension, to our Region. I want to also say that our collaboration and social, developmental and defence cooperation, our training exchange programmes, will continue as planned.”

President Ali also dispatched a letter to Prime Minister Gonsalves, in which he formally accepted the meeting and made it clear that there would only be “ap-

propriate dialogue between the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana to ensure peaceful coexistence, the application and respect for international law and the avoidance of the use or threats of force.

The President also recalled that when the meeting was discussed with Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government, his counterparts in Caricom had reaffirmed their support for the Region remaining a zone of peace, for Guyana to resolve the border controversy at the ICJ and they had further urged Venezuela to respect the conservatory measures laid down by the World Court ahead of their referendum.

“It is in the framework of those Caricom commitments that I shall participate on December 14, 2023 for appropriate dialogue with his excellency President Maduro,” President Ali said in a letter that was also copied to Maduro, Lula da Silva, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the Chairman of Caricom and Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett.

Earlier on Saturday, President Maduro engaged Brazilian and Vincentian leaders via a telephone call. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil later informed that the general consensus was to ‘preserve our aspiration to maintain Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, without interference from external actors, in accordance with what was agreed upon by both countries within the Community of Latin

American and Caribbean States (CELAC)’.

Maduro also spoke with Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, who committed to ‘promoting efforts in favour of direct dialogue between the parties’ and recalled that he has always offered his good offices for the solution of the controversy.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued after the intended meeting was announced, Guyana’s parliamentary Opposition had said that it welcomes the action being taken by the international community to ensure there is peace between Guyana and Venezuela.

However, the Opposition had pointed out that there “must not be any discussions of the territorial controversy between our two countries as this matter is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and this process must be allowed to take its course so that it is settled within the confines of international law.” (G3)

10 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 die, 9 injured as overtaking minibus crashes into car I

n a devastating incident on Sunday morning, two persons died and nine others were injured when an overtaking minibus crashed into a car and toppled several times before coming to a halt.

Dead are Keon Chandos Edwards, called “Proctor”, “Junior”, and “Mad Dog”, of Lot 660 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and Alvin Jones, 51, of Lot 4287 Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

The injured passengers are 43-year-old Raul Porter; 69-year-old Buels Tang; 18-year-old Jousha Bacchus; 20-year-old Josiah Marquen; 36-year-old Edward Toll; 29-year-old Mark Prichand; 22-year-old Karen Rodriguez and 57-year-old Carlton Hodge. Additionally, another male passenger is in an unconscious state at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The man, who is yet to be identified, is of East Indian descent.

According to Police, preliminary investigations revealed that around 08:30h on Sunday, the minibus, BYY 7440, was travelling north on the western side of Friendship Public Road at a high speed. The driver, Edwards, attempted to overtake a line of traffic, swerving into the western lane and colliding with motor car PAD 3102 driven by 36-year-old Jason Ramnauth of Alliance Road,

Dead: Keon Edwards, also known as “Proctor”, “Junior”, and “Mad Dog”

Timehri, EBD. As a result of the impact of the collision, motor car PAD 3102 collided into the rear of motor car PXX 5169, resulting in further impact. The minibus lost control, toppled multiple times, and then halted on the western parapet, facing west with extensive damages. Motor car PXX 5169 was being driven by 45-year-old Kevin De Jonge of Timehri, EBD. As the minibus topped,

passengers were thrown onto the roadway. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrived on the scene shortly after, and the injured were transported to Diamond Hospital. Their conditions were listed as stable; however, the unidentified unconscious male was transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital in critical condition.

The minibus driver, Keon Chandos Edwards and pas-

The accident which occurred at Friendship, EBD

senger Alvin Jones were pronounced dead at the scene.

This accident occurred within a week of another fatal accident, where a teenage minibus operator lost his life along the Borlam Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police reported that 18-year-old Marvin Ishmile was speeding west along Borlam Public Road when he lost control, colliding with a heap of sand on the southern side of the carriageway.

The minibus toppled multi-

ple times, causing Ishmile and a 60-year-old passenger, Rai Badree, to sustain multiple injuries. The teen succumbed while receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Fisherman appealing life sentences for double murder

Dead: Beeram Motilall

Dead: Renard Fernandes

entenced to life in prison in October for the murders of two fishers, Ravendranauth Mohanlall has lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal of Guyana through which he is challenging his conviction and sentence which he contends is too severe.

A date is yet to be fixed for the hearing of this appeal.

Fifty-three-year-old Mohanlall called “Fred”, was convicted by a jury before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court of murdering Beeram Motilall, 45, and 15-year-old Renard Fernandes. For each of the killings, the Judge gave him a life sentence but stipulated that the jail terms must be served concurrently. Before he is eligible for release, he needs to serve 30 years.

After undergoing psychiatric tests, Mohanlall was found not to be competent to stand trial when the case was presented before the High Court in Berbice in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

He was only deemed fit to stand trial this year.

Mohanlall was charged with the offence in October 2011.

The duo was killed between September 6, 2011, and September 12, 2011, at sea, near Bush Lot, Corentyne.

It was reported that on September 6, 2011, boat captain Motilall and Fernandes departed to go fishing with Mohanlall, who had instructed them to “pull up the seine and head for shore”.

But the pair reportedly ignored his demands.

Mohanlall then tossed

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Convicted killer: Ravendranauth Mohanlall

something flammable at them.

Then, he threw a lighter at them and flipped it, setting them on fire.

Motilall and Fernandes, in excruciating anguish, managed to subdue Mohanlall and steered the boat towards land.

Following their admission to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, they were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they later died.

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, brought on by the victims’ severe burn injuries, was listed as their cause of death.

Between 50 to 65 per cent of their bodies were burned in the second and third degree. (G1)

NEWS

11

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Body in burnt car

DNA test confirms charred remains belong to Bel Air woman P olice have confirmed that the result of the DNA test conducted on the charred remains discovered in a burnt vehicle along the Linden-Soesdyke highway a month ago, is that of Nirvana Algu, a missing woman of Bel Air, Georgetown.

The burnt remains were discovered at about 17:00h on November 12 at the rear of Swan Village on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. A DNA test was carried out using samples extracted from the burnt remains.

Reports are that a passerby noticed an Audi motor car, PTT 4651, engulfed in flames and informed the Police.

Dead: Nirvana Algu

Police ranks rushed to the scene where they observed the motor car parked in a clump of bushes with the driver’s door open and what appeared to be bones and the skull of a human on the driver’s

seat.

The area where the car was found had no houses and more so, the place was extremely dark hence, detectives who arrived at the scene could not gather much information. A party of Police ranks returned to the area the following day to conduct further investigations where they found several bottles containing liquid.

These bottles along with the liquid were sent to the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis. The woman was reportedly last seen at about 16:30h on the day in question at Soesdyke Junction, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

CCTV footage retrieved

from cameras along the EBD corridor showed that the woman was the only occupant in the car. One person was subsequently arrested after the woman’s death but was later released.

A post-mortem performed on the remains stated that she died as a result of burns to the body.

(G9)

New Eccles to Diamond Road...

FROM PAGE 3

For all the men and women we lose in the line of duty henceforth, their names will accompany the path of this highway. We will not forget them,” the Head of State posited.

Emotional tribute

Driver escapes unhurt after truck crashes into fence

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The truck that toppled at Three Friends Public Road, Essequibo Coast

truck driver miraculously emerged unharmed after the vehicle he was driving suffered a tyre blowout, resulting in him crashing

truck, GXX 7423, was travelling north along the western lane of the roadway when it suffered the tyre blowout and the driver lost control.

into a fence in the vicinity of Three Friends Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Reports are that the

This caused the truck to veer into the eastern driving lane and crash into the fence.

According to residents, they heard the loud collision

and rushed to the scene.

“We heard the loud noise and when I rushed out, I see the truck turn over with a set of box on the road. A lot of products were scattered such as soap power, bleach, Harpic, green seasoning the big glass bottle and other items. Residents flocked around and then a truck come and they help load up the goods,” a resident said.

This newspaper has since learnt that the truck is owed by a wholesale and retail business in Georgetown and would usually transport large quantities of items to the Essequibo Coast. The owners of the damaged property said that while they are happy that the driver escaped without injuries, they are hopeful that the owner of the truck compensates them or rebuilds their damaged fence.

The burnt car found at the scene

Surrounded by the current and former GDF Heads at the podium, the Commander-in-Chief delivered an emotional tribute to each of the five soldiers, recalling special moments he shared with them and their contributions in service to the country and its people.

According to the President, the ‘chopper crew’ was particularly special to him, given that he spent a lot of time with them. He recalled his last trip with the crew last month to Arau, where they conducted a historic hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead 2200 feet above sea level at Guyana’s border.

The President said Sergeant Khan, only 35-years-old, had served the GDF for 19 years. He was working on a project that focused on efficiently retooling the troops at the border locations.

“This young man has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. His wife and three children and other relatives must know that he has not died. He is living and will continue to live. As the Commander-in-Chief, you are my family. I will stand by you, I will stand by his children as long as I’m here and after I’m here – be assured.

Under my watch, he made the ultimate sacrifice and as long as [I’m here], I will have your back,” he stated.

The Head of State went on to recall that on the retirement of Brigadier Beaton, he requested him to continue service – which he (Beaton) agreed to. He since served as the Chair of the Guyana Sea Defence Board and went back to serve in the GDF, focusing on infrastructure development.

“Brigadier Beaton was waiting for highway to be completed. We had many conversations and shared many ideas. He has given his life for this country. He would have it no other way.

For a matter of fact, he ensured he was on that flight

that day because he wanted the airstrip to be completed… He lives on in greater glory. His work will continue to live and the Eteringbang Airstrip, which is an important part of our defence, will stand testimony that he will live on,” the President noted.

The Commander-in-Chief went on to describe Lt Col Welcome as a man of great integrity and character, who uplifted himself academically and only recently completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Guyana.

“He was so excited, full of life and energy,” Ali noted.

He noted that Welcome’s mission was important to him as he wanted to ensure that the troops were in a state of readiness for what country could face in light of the heightened tensions at the border.

“He did not want anyone to do [this mission]. He wanted to do it himself,” the President stated.

Loyalist to the core

The Commander-in-Chief was particularly emotional speaking about Colonel Micheal Shahoud and Lt Col Micheal Charles. He related that the senior command would call Shahoud his (Ali’s) son.

“He was a loyalist to the core. He was an outstanding individual. He could have gone the course of law. He could’ve done many more things that would earn him a lot of money but he would want it no other way,” Ali said.

According to the President, Lt Col Charles was not just a military officer but acted as a tourism advocate by allowing persons to see Guyana through his lens.

“He saw himself as blessed with an opportunity to showcase his country and that he did exceptionally… we spent many hours and days together… Mike Charles did what he did with love and honour. He didn’t just fly; he flew for Guyana.

Every time he flew, he flew for Guyana,” the Guyanese leader posited.

The Commander-in-Chief also used the opportunity to publicly wish Corporal Crawford and Lt Jackson a speedy and full recovery.

“These men are nothing short of national heroes…

These men live in honour and sacrifice for this country.

Their children must grow to know that their fathers paid the ultimate price for all of us, every single Guyanese.”

President Ali pointed out their sacrifices will not be in vain. To this end, he reassured the families of the victims that they will continue to have the support of the GDF. “To the families, I thank you for giving your loved ones in service to us and loaning them to Guyana. I want all of you to know that we will stand with you and by you not in the short term, not in the medium term but in the long term. You are part of the Guyana Defence Force family and you will remain a part of the Guyana Defence Force family. There is no severing of ties that bind you with the Guyana Defence Force… It is stronger today than when they were alive,” the Head of State declared.

Saluted

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan saluted the sacrifices made by the five soldiers, noting that their deaths have thrown the army in “deep sorrow and mourning.”

Nonetheless, Khan underscored the need to regroup and continue to protect Guyana and its people.

“As a Force, these men – our men, our brothers in arms – who have perished, expect us to regroup and prepare to continue with the mission for this is life of the military, we live to serve selflessly… This loss has been impactful but I also equally assure you that in each of the serving officers and ranks, there is a Beaton, a Shahoud, a Charles, a Welcome and a Khan. And by this, we are prepared to continue with the mission of protecting our country and our people,” the GDF Chief posited.

Brigadier Khan also endorsed the dedication ceremony of the ‘Heroes Highway’ as fitting in the memory and recognition of the sacrifice made by the five servicemen. (G8)

12 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Scenes from the opening of the

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e "Heroes Highway" on Sunday

Photos compliments of DPI

14 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Canadian Minister to speak at 2024 Guyana Energy Conference T he Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo returns for its third instalment in February 2024 with an impressive lineup of industry experts, policymakers and foreign officials who will offer insights as keynote speakers and through their participation in several panel discussions.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo last week announced the participation of Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology of Newfoundland, Andrew Parsons as a distinguished speaker at the upcoming event. Parsons will share insights and expertise on sustainability and diversification, offering a valuable perspective on the global energy landscape.

Scheduled for February

Canada’s Industry, Energy, and Technology of Newfoundland Minister, Andrew Parsons

19, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, the conference is a premier gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to shaping the future of energy and supply chain sectors.

According to a re-

lease from the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, the Minister will be joined by President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis along with

several others to be announced at a later date.

Parsons, it stated, brings a wealth of experience and leadership in the energy and technology sectors, making him a prominent voice in discussions related to sustainability and diversification.

His participation highlights the international significance of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo as a platform for fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.

The session featuring Parsons will delve into the critical aspects of sustainable energy practices and the importance of diversifying energy sources for long-term resilience.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the strategies and initiatives that Newfoundland

has undertaken to achieve sustainability goals.

The Secretariat, the release stated, also aims to broaden its platform to include focus on a number of industries for potential investment, such as health, information and communications technology, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and mining.

The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo fosters the growth and creation of strategic alliances among companies and industry experts. Participants will network with key stakeholders, including operators, international service companies, Government agencies and officials.

Andrew Parsons has represented the district of Burgeo – La Poile since 2011. A lifelong resident of Channel-Port aux

Basques, he trained as a lawyer and was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador Bar in 2005.

Parsons practiced law in the region before entering provincial politics. He previously served as the Opposition House Leader and the Opposition Critic for Justice, Health and Community Services, and other key portfolios.

On August 19, 2020, he was sworn in as Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and Attorney General.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Brunswick before receiving a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Saskatchewan College of Law. While at university, Parsons was involved in various extracurricular activities and student associations.

New Haven Merchant Bank launches $25M SME Fund

T

he New Haven Merchant Bank (NHMB) is poised to amplify Guyana’s economic trajectory through the launch of its $25 million Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) fund. This initiative aims to empower both investors and entrepreneurs, offering opportunities for capital investment and business growth.

Floyd Haynes, owner of NHMB, emphasised the bank’s role in unlocking Guyana’s economic potential. Speaking recently to the Department of Public Information (DPI), he stated, “We are getting ready to launch a small medium enterprise fund, we are looking to start at $25 million…so investors can either invest through the fund, which in turn will invest in the business or you can invest directly into business.”

Haynes highlighted the pivotal role that financial institutions like NHMB play in facilitating strategic investments and providing a gateway for global investors to participate in Guyana’s diverse economic sectors.

He further mentioned specific sectors demonstrating promising returns, particularly agriculture, where Government policies and initiatives under the PPP/C Administration are creating fertile ground for growth.

Haynes expressed confidence in Guyana’s potential to re-

Owner, New Hayven Merchant Bank, Floyd Haynes

claim its title as “The bread basket of the Caribbean.”

Guyana’s stable political environment and significant oil discoveries are attracting attention from both local and international players seeking lucrative opportunities.

“Guyana represents your best opportunity at this point in time. If you are in North America, the markets are very saturated… but if you are looking for what we call a ‘hockey stick return’, where you can invest today and expect an exponential growth at a rapid pace, there is no place other than Guyana… It probably offers you a better return than you can get any other place in the world,” Haynes posited.

NHMB’s commitment extends beyond Guyana’s borders. Through a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Afreximbank, NHMB aims to expand investments beyond Africa, linking foreign inves-

tors to the vibrant Guyanese economy.

“When Afrexim held their investment conference in Guyana this year, we (NHMB) have been talking about putting in place a facility and we have been talking with Afreximbank. We came to an agreement that was announced at that conference that they will provide us a facility at $15 million which we can then lend to local businesses in Guyana,” Haynes noted.

Haynes emphasised the importance of strong financial statements, a proven track record, and a capable management team for businesses to be eligible for these loans.

Meanwhile, according to a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, Guyana is projected to grow about 59.5 per cent this year with the potential to surpass this prediction due to achievements to date.

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana remains unwavering in commitment to safeguarding human rights – Teixeira P a r l i a m e n tary Affairs and G o v e r n a n c e Minister, Gail Teixeira on Sunday reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to protecting human rights through legislation, policies, and programmes aimed at developing the country’s human resources, particularly its youth.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Expo on International Human Rights Day, Minister Teixeira emphasised the Government’s dedication to developing the country’s human resources, particularly its youth.

“The younger generation is taking on the responsibility of carrying the mantle to do with human rights and the protection of democracy in our country and globally,” she is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

The expo, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, provided a platform for discussions on

safeguarding human rights amidst threats to peace and security.

Teixeira highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts in this regard.

“We have committed to increase incrementally the annual budgetary allocations for health, education, water, housing and including the development of Amerindian communities and continue to uphold a 15 per cent allocation from our carbon credits to the development of the Amerindian peoples and communities in Guyana,” the Minister stated.

Deputy Secretary General of Caricom, Dr Armstrong Alexis emphasised that the Caricom Secretariat is already deploying resources to enhance the security of citizens to further promote the Caribbean as a zone of peace.

“As a community, we are committed to the fight against the epidemic of violence which is currently sweeping our Region.

Most of this violence is exacerbated by the availability of firearms, which is a self-link to transnational organised crime… We have to ensure that as a progressive society, we are able to defend and protect the rights of every individual,” he posited.

As a result, the Caricom Secretariat is currently developing an implementation framework following the regional symposium held in April. Similarly, United Nations Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc underscored the importance of strengthening communities through the timeless values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

“Today it is more important than ever to promote and respect all human rights; social, cultural, economic, civil, and political which protect us all.

The Universal Declaration shows the way through common values and approaches that can help resolve tension and create the security and stability

Man gets 12 months in absentia on wounding charge

A

man was sentenced to 12 months behind bars last Thursday after being found guilty of unlawful wounding by Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

Kellon Fredericks, 21, a

Jailed: Kellon Fredericks

labourer of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, and also of Lot 28 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, unlawfully wounded Stanley Paton, a 63-year-old security guard of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, on January 30, 2023.

The crime was committed at Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast.

The Magistrate sentenced Fredericks in absentia.

Security guard Paton was reportedly ambushed and shot by gunmen while

he slept in a hammock at the camp where he was assigned to keep an eye on the Hot and Cold Loam pit.

In March, Fredericks was charged with attempting to murder an Essequibo businessman.

The defendant was charged with attempt to commit murder on

27-year-old Randolph Williams of Lot 428 Phase Two, Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, on Sunday, February 4.

The incident reportedly occurred at Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast.

He was granted $500,000 bail on this charge. (G1)

Deputy Secretary General of Caricom, Dr Armstrong Alexis; United Nations Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira during the AntiCorruption and Human rights panel discussion

that our world…Human rights must have a unique and central role,” she said.

The event concluded

with an awards ceremony where youths were recognised for their meaningful participation in the

Ministry’s human rights art competition, human rights volunteer awards and anti-corruption quiz.

Fisherman charged with sexual assault

A

26-year-old fisherman of Paradise Back Street, Essequibo Coast, has been charged with the offence of sexual assault, Police say.

The accused, Hareshwar Ramesh, called “Squash”, was arraigned before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday.

Hareshwar Ramesh

After the charge was read to him, Ramesh pleaded not guilty.

It is alleged that he sexually assaulted a 25-year-old woman on July 14.

Bail was granted in the sum of $300,000.

This case has been postponed until January 3 for disclosure of statements.

(G1)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PM Rowley under Integrity Commission probe for third time T

his is the third time in his political career that Rowley is being investigated by the IC for allegedly breaching the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA) and the second time since becoming Prime Minister.

This latest investigation was sparked by allegations that contracts awarded to a company owned by his friend Allan Warner were not above board.

On the two previous investigations, Rowley was cleared of misbehaviour in public office.

Rowley, in response to Guardian Media on Friday evening about this latest investigation, said, “The Integrity Commission, acting in concert with others, is deliberately attempting to tarnish my reputation by attempting to find ways to associate me with contracts and awards that I have had absolutely nothing to do with.”

The latest investigation comes months after he was cleared by the IC of any wrongdoings in his declaration of a Tobago townhouse.

The substance of this investigation centres on the awarding of contracts to the man who built and sold Rowley the said townhouse.

In his WhatsApp response, Rowley said, “The Commission, on its own volition, it says, is going to reopen an investigation into my involvement. This is a grand fishing expedition, hoping to slander me by associating me with contracts with which I have had absolutely nothing to do with.”

The IC letter

shred of evidence to support the concerns of the Integrity Commission.”

The IC said the investigation stemmed from information in the public domain “which has come to the attention of the Commission.”

It added that specifically the contracts that were awarded to Warner and or his companies regarding four state projects were the impetus for their investigations.

The contracts are: The construction of a terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport, Tobago; The Prime Minister’s Tobago

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley

Guardian Media received a copy of a letter sent to Rowley dated November 23 informing him of the decision to begin an independent probe.

The letter was captioned: Commencement of investigation into potential breaches of the Integrity in Public Life Act (IPLA) Chapter 22:01, arising from the award of contracts to Mr Allan Warner and/or companies with which he is affiliated or associated and has an interest therein.

“Please be advised that the Commission has therefore found it necessary to investigate whether the government contracts awarded to Mr Warner and/or companies with which he is affiliated or associated have been granted in conformity with, inter alia, adherence to your obligations and responsibilities under the act.

Especially after the acceptance of the gift.”

The letter ended with the IC informing Rowley that its investigators would

contact him and asked that he cooperate with the investigation which it hopes to conclude in a timely manner.

Rowley said that after he received the letter, he passed it on to his attorneys who responded to the IC. “It is my view that in the most incomprehensible of ways, the Commission in attempting to generate something here has based its actions on specifically four contracts, identified by the Commission. Two of these contracts were not done by Warner (as initially alleged by the UNC) and the other two are contracts awarded in Tobago by the autonomous Tobago House of Assembly.

“Clearly the Commission knows something that nobody else knows so I await the outcome of their expedition. It is clear that your approach to me now, and the placing of this matter into the public domain is the origin and intent of this attack on my character, without a

Residence, including an alleged contract awarded with respect to paving the driveway thereof; Contracts awarded to Warner Construction and Sanitation Limited during the year 2021 by the Tobago House of Assembly; The Shirvan Estate Land Development government project on the island of Tobago.

“The instant investigation has also been prompted by the Commission’s findings that you did accept a gift, that being a discount of $400,000 more or less, as regards the purchase of a townhouse by you

and your wife, Mrs Sharon Clark-Rowley, from Inez Investments Limited,” the letter said.

The letter said the investigation was sparked by the IC’s initiative in accordance with Section 33(a) of the IPLA. Section 33 of the Act reads: “The Commission— (a) may on its own initiative; or (b) shall upon the complaint of any member of the public, consider and enquire into any alleged breaches of the act or any allegations of corrupt or dishonest conduct.” (Excerpted from T&T Guardian)

Teenage children of jailed Narges Mohammadi accept her Nobel Peace Prize

T

he teenage twins of jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf.

Ms Mohammadi - who is serving a 10-year jail term in Tehran - won this year's prize for her work fighting against the oppression of women in Iran.

In a speech smuggled from prison and read out by her children, she denounced Iran's "tyrannical" government.

"The Iranian people, with perseverance, will overcome repression and authoritarianism," she said.

"Have no doubt, this is certain."

The prestigious peace prize was handed out in Oslo

Kiana and Ali Rahmani, 17, collected the prize on behalf of their mother who they have not seen for years

and Ali Rahmani in French, Ms Mohammadi said: "I write this message from behind the high, cold walls of a prison."

She praised young Iranians who she said have "transformed the streets and

Narges Mohammadi, 51, is currently serving a 10-year prison term

on Sunday, along with the other Nobel prizes for literature, science and economics.

Ms Mohammadi has for years been a prominent human rights figure in Iran.

The 51-year-old has been in jail almost continuously since 2010 - and in total has been arrested 13 times, convicted five times, and sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison.

She is currently in jail for "spreading propaganda".

Her husband, political activist Taghi Rahmani, lives in exile in Paris with their two children and they have not seen one another for years.

In a speech smuggled out of Iran and delivered by her 17-year-old children Kiana

public spaces into a place of widespread civil resistance" referring to the protests that began last year following the death of Mahsa Amini.

"The resistance is alive and the struggle is not weakening. Resistance and non-violence are our best strategies - it is the same difficult path that Iranians have walked until today, thanks to their historical consciousness and their collective will."

The twins collected the prize - which includes a cheque for 11 million Swedish crowns (about £837,000, or $1m) - at a ceremony in Oslo's City Hall attended by several hundred guests.

There was an empty chair

on the podium between her children, to mark her absence.

On Saturday, Ms Mohammadi's husband, Mr Rahmani, told BBC Hardtalk that his wife had once written a letter to their children expressing the hope "they would forgive her" for not being able to "be a mother to them".

He said she was among a group of imprisoned human rights activists "standing up against the tyranny of the Islamic Republic".

A month ago, Ms Mohammadi began a hunger strike in the notorious Evin prison where she is being held.

Iran's foreign ministry previously said the Nobel award was "biased" and in line with "the interventionist and anti-Iran policies of some European countries".

Also on Sunday, Norwegian author Jon Fosse is being awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, while three scientists are receiving the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work in developing what are called quantum dots.

This year's Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier, whose work demonstrated a way to create extremely short pulses of light that can be used to capture and study rapid processes inside atoms.

(BBC)

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

How divers are using antibiotics to save sick corals I

f Reginald Beckford had been told a few years ago that he would later make a living as a scuba diving instructor, he would probably have laughed.

A long-held fear of sharks meant he preferred to keep his feet firmly on dry land.

That is until he saw what lay beneath the ocean's surface.

Today, the 32-year-old is not just enabling others to experience the underwater world; he is playing a key role in helping protect the planet's third-largest barrier reef from the deadliest coral sickness ever recorded.

Reginald is part of a team of ardent reef protectors in the Turks and Caicos Islands which, in 2019, became the seventh Caribbean country confirmed as being

affected by stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD).

Almost a decade after it first appeared off the coast of Florida, the malady has spread like wildfire and is now known to be present in 28 nations across the region.

It was while working as a night watchman on a dive boat that Reginald was encouraged to venture into the water.

"The first time I went scuba diving it was surreal, it was like a different world," he recalls. "Once I saw what we had down there, I wanted to help preserve it in any way I could."

Twenty-five of the world's marine species are dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle The British territory's resplendent coastline has attracted tourists for de-

Reginald Beckford says that diving is like entering a different world

cades. But the disease's rapid contagion has seen every stretch of the archipelago's reef impacted to some de-

gree, heightening fears for both the marine environment and the livelihoods of those who rely on it.

Since qualifying as a dive instructor five years ago, Reginald has trained more than 100 students, some of whom are now also working to help stem SCTLD's devastating effects.

The efforts are being led by the TC Reef Fund, a donation-dependent NonGovernmental NGO comprised almost entirely of volunteers, working closely with the Government's environment department.

The illness affects more than 30 species of coral, often killing them within weeks of becoming infected.

Part of Reginald's work is helping apply an antibiotic paste to sick corals, a method which has seen significant success in halting the spread.

While it does not stop them becoming re-infected, it can keep a colony alive long enough for it to reproduce.

Reginald is not the only volunteer to have undergone a career change to join the fight against the disease.

Former teacher Arenthia Baker moved to the islands, her mother's birthplace, from Florida in 2021 during the COVID pandemic.

She is now a certified fish data scientist and dive-

master, who spends much of her free time volunteering with the Reef Fund and describes the move as "the best decision I ever made".

"To be on that side of conservation, you can't really describe it; it's such a fulfilling feeling," she tells the BBC. Exacerbating the reef's plight are unusually warm seas experienced over the summer, which fuelled widespread coral bleaching across the Caribbean.

"Seeing the bleaching head-on was heart-wrenching," Arenthia says. "People don't understand corals are animals, they're living creatures, and when they're fighting for their lives because of bleaching they're more susceptible to disease."

Still, Arenthia says she remains "optimistic" the team can win the battle against SCTLD. Meanwhile, Turks and Caicos has become something of a trailblazer for research into reef restoration.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

COP28: FAO launches global roadmap process to eradicate hunger within 1.5°C limits UN raises alarm on attempts … roadmap envisions transforming agrifood systems from a net emitter to a carbon sink

to annul Guatemala’s general election results

T

T

he Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Sunday initiated the process for the development of a groundbreaking global roadmap aimed at eliminating hunger and all forms of malnutrition without exceeding the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement.

Unveiled at the United Nations Climate Conference COP28, the Global Roadmap for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) without Breaching the 1.5°C Threshold outlines a comprehensive strategy spanning the next three years that encompasses a diverse portfolio of solutions across 10 distinct domains of action.

Against the backdrop of a projected 600 million people facing chronic hunger by 2030 and an escalating global climate crisis, the roadmap calls for a transformative shift in agrifood systems.

It challenges the prevailing narrative that increasing production is synonymous with higher emissions and environmental degradation.

Instead, it emphasises the

opportunity within agrifood systems to enhance production efficiency while aligning with climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience objectives.

The roadmap identifies 120 actions and key milestones within 10 domains, supported by evidence gathered by FAO over several years. These domains include clean energy, crops, fisheries and aquaculture, food loss and waste, forests and wetlands, healthy diets, livestock, soil and water, and data and inclusive policies — the latter two identified as overall systemic enablers.

On the emissions front, it aims to reduce agrifood systems' methane emissions by 25 per cent by 2030 relative to 2020, achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, and transform them into a carbon sink by 2050, capturing 1.5 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Concerning food and nutrition, it sets a path to eliminate chronic undernourishment by 2030 and ensure access to healthy diets for

all by 2050. Additional milestones include halving per capita global food waste by 2030 and updating Foodbased dietary guidelines (FBSG) by countries to provide context-appropriate quantitative recommendations on dietary patterns.

The roadmap also emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between agrifood systems transformation and climate actions, urging the mobilisation of climate finance for implementation.

"FAO's Global Roadmap for SDG2 and 1.5°C underscores the importance of climate financing for agrifood systems transformation to achieve good food for all, today and tomorrow”, said FAO Director General QU Dongyu.

Highlighting a just transition at its core, the roadmap envisions transforming agrifood systems from a net emitter to a carbon sink. It calls for alternative production methods, adjusted consumption patterns, refined forestry management, and innovative technologies such as carbon capture. (Excerpt from FAO)

he United Nations high commissioner for human rights deplored “persistent and systematic” attempts to undermine the outcome of Guatemala’s elections and called for the will of voters to be upheld, after public prosecutors moved to overturn President-elect Bernardo Arevalo’s victory.

On Saturday, Volker Turk, The UN’s human rights chief, noted that “Friday’s announcements, aimed at nullifying the outcome of the general elections and questioning the constitution and existence of the Movimiento Semilla party are extremely disturbing.”

“Judicial harassment and intimidation against electoral officers and elected officials is unacceptable,” Turk said.

On Friday, prosecutors threatened to annul the victory of Arevalo, who is set to take office on January 14.

Prosecutor Leonor Morales said investigations concluded that the election of anti-graft political outsider Arevalo, his vice president and parliamentarians was “null and void” due to counting “anomalies” in the first round in June.

In an attempt to stop him from taking over as President, Arevalo has repeatedly faced an onslaught of legal challenges, including moves to suspend his party.

Guatemala has long struggled to rein in official corruption. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), a UN-

Indigenous People Accompany President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo In A March To Protest Against Government Interference In The Elections He Won In August [File: Moises Castillo/AP]

backed body, found itself abruptly shuttered in 2021, after then-President Jimmy Morales accused it of illegal acts.

Arevalo’s surprise triumph after the general elections in June and his pledge to fight corruption are widely seen in Guatemala as alarming to the establishment’s political elite.

In a news briefing on Friday, the Prosecutors reiterated their request that Arevalo be stripped of his political immunity, a step that could open him up to prosecution. They accused him of improperly gathering signatures for his presidential campaign, as well as mishandling political funds.

But after the prosecutor’s office sought to annul the election results amid accusations of an “attempted coup”, Guatemala’s electoral court on Friday insisted the results were “unchangeable”.

Blanca Alfaro, the head of the Supreme Election Tribunal, affirmed that Arevalo and his vice president, Karin Herrera, would take office as planned. “At the moment, there is no way that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal is going to repeat the elections.”

Protests have also broken out across the country to uphold the results.

“It is encouraging that, despite the long list of judicial and political actions taken by some authorities, “It is encouraging that, despite the long list of judicial and political actions taken by some authorities, which clearly undermine the integrity of the electoral process and breach the rule of law and democracy, people have been standing up for their rights and have been opposing what they perceive as a theft of their political will,” Turk said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Fire at landless workers' Javier Milei: New President tells Argentina “shock treatment” looms movement camp in A Brazil leaves 9 dead A

fire in a camp belonging to Brazil's Landless Workers' Movement MST in the northern state of Para killed nine people and left eight injured on Saturday night, the movement said on Sunday.

The incident was caused by a short circuit in the electrical network during the installation of Internet wiring in the rural farmers' camp, located in the city of Parauapebas, according to MST. Community leaders told a press conference that the short circuit happened at around 20:00h local time, when an antenna touched the high-voltage network, setting fire to power cables and some shacks in the camp.

Among the nine dead, six were residents of the camp and three were workers from the Internet company.

Eight other persons were injured and taken to a hospital, seven of them have already been discharged, and one remains hospitalised with second-degree burns, but is not at risk of death.

According to the MST,

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

the fire was later contained by the local fire brigade.

MST fights for land distribution in Brazil, sometimes occupying areas it says are not producing anything and then seeking its expropriation by the government.

The camp is close, but, according to the movement, does not occupy a 60,000-hectare (150,000acre) farm in the region that they argue it is the product of land grabbing.

Members of the camp said at Sunday's press conference that they are al-

ready receiving Government aid, such as water and food distribution and funeral help.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva asked his agrarian development minister, Paulo Teixeira, and head of lands rights agency Incra, Cesar Aldrighi, to travel to the city this Sunday to "follow the case closely and bring all the support of the federal government to the families of the victims of this tragedy", the government said in a statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gold mine collapse in Venezuela kills dozen people

T

he collapse of an artisanal gold mine in southeastern Venezuela near an Indigenous community killed at least 12 people, the Government announced on Sunday.

A landslide on Wednesday buried the Paraiba de San Jose de Wadamapa mine near the town of Icabaru in Venezuela's Bolivar state, close to the country's border with Brazil.

Amid Venezuela's prolonged economic collapse, informal mining operations

have flourished in remote, mineral-rich areas of the country, where thousands of miners work to extract lucrative metals, especially gold, in unsafe conditions.

The accident-prone mines are run with little or no oversight from authorities, though the Government often processes the gold into bars for its own use.

Venezuela's Indigenous communities have a complex relationship with gold mining, which can provide an economic lifeline but also cause deforestation, mercu-

ry contamination, and divert streams and rivers.

In November, local non-governmental organisation (NGO) SOS Orinoco reported a previous landslide at the same mine.

Venezuela's risk management and civil protection agency said in a post on X that it was providing food, water and medical provisions to those affected, while also coordinating the transfer of the bodies to Puerto Ordaz, some 700 kilometres (435 miles) to the north.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UNC: Government has failed on crime

D

r Roodal Moonilal said the country was "ungovernable" under the People's National Movement Government.

He also said critical institutions have collapsed.

Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, the Oropouche East Member of Parliament (MP) said there was a continued escalation of crime and criminality in T&T. He mentioned the killing of municipal police officer Dylan Mohammed, saying police officers were becoming victims of crime.

Mohammed's body was found at Warren Road Extension, Cunupia, on

Saturday. He was tied up and his body partially submerged in the river. There appeared to be a gunshot wound to his head.

Moonilal also said officers' equipment and uniforms were being found at crime scenes.

According to Moonilal, the country was overrun not only by crime but by forces with access to law enforcement fatigue and equipment.

"An overhauling of the system needs to be undertaken so uniforms, guns and other equipment designated for the regiment, police and other protective agencies are not found in the hands of criminal elements."

He called on National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to conduct audit the various arms of law enforcement.

"There is a need to evaluate the procurement of uniforms, the companies that supply them and the revision of policy and laws."

Moonilal said crime continues to go unabated and Hinds has "abandoned the ship".

"The National Security Minister cannot be found, the national security apparatus has fallen apart. They have appeared to have thrown their hands up in the air." (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

rgentina's new far-right President has vowed to deliver economic "shock treatment" in his first speech after formally taking office.

Javier Milei warned Argentines "there is no money" and recommitted to a programme of harsh austerity measures.

The populist outsider won a surprise election victory in November with radical pledges to overhaul the South American nation's ailing economy.

Milei's inauguration was held in Buenos Aires on Sunday.

In a day of pomp and ceremony, the 53-year-old capped his extraordinary rise to power with a speech which left Argentines in no doubt he intends to embark on an economic path unlike any previous president.

He said he would undo "decades of decadence" with deep spending cuts, designed to slash huge public debts and drive down inflation, which is

President Javier Milei

now higher than 140 per cent.

"The bottom line is that there is no alternative to austerity and there is no alternative to shock treatment," Milei said.

"We know that in the short term the situation will worsen. But then we will see the fruits of our efforts."

Milei has risen rapidly from relative obscurity to

Argentina's highest office on a right-wing platform which includes restricting abortion rights and liberalising gun laws.

During the campaign he said he would replace Argentina's currency with the dollar and abolish the country's central bank, along with a host of government departments. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica: Gunmen rob KFC in downtown Kingston

F

our men held up and robbed the KFC restaurant at 85 King Street in downtown Kingston Sunday morning.

No one was hurt during the robbery, in which more than J$100,000 was reportedly taken.

Reports reaching Observer Online are that

around 11:06h, four masked men, two of whom were armed with handguns, held up and robbed employees of their phones and tablets.

They also robbed money from the vault amounting to more than $100,000.

All four men, the Police said, escaped on foot towards the South Parade

area.

Unconfirmed reports on social media said the gunmen also robbed customers of cash and phones and left with a large quantity of chicken. The Police said they were unable to confirm this based on the information they received. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Cuba thwarts terrorist plot – State-run media

C

uba said late on Saturday it had thwarted a terrorist plot hatched in neighbouring south Florida, according to a report broadcast on State-run media, after a man allegedly arrived on the island by jetski to commit acts of violence.

The resulting investigation, which Atate-run media said was still underway, alleged the plot was tied to at least two groups, Nueva Nacion Cubana and La Nueva Nacion Cubana en Armas, which Cuba has labelled as terrorist entities.

Reuters was unable to contact either of the groups late on Saturday.

The report said one of the men it had arrested, who appeared on the program but whose identity was unclear, was armed with several handguns, ammunition clips and ammo.

The report alleged the man, a Cuban residing in Florida, had entered Cuba illegally on a jetski with a Florida registration, which he then abandoned in a mangrove swamp on the island`s north coast before making his way overland to Cienfuegos, in south-central Cuba.

The man then attempted to recruit others to assist in

Men work in a monument in front of the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba, May 25, 2021 (Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini photo)

committing acts of violence, arson and vandalism before his eventual arrest, according to the report.

State-run media said several other Cubans, residing both in South Florida and in Cuba, were under investigation for their involvement in the alleged plot.

The allegations comes

just two days after Cuba published a list of more than 80 foreign nationals and entities it accuses of terrorism, including influencers, many long-time dissidents who reside in the United States and a candidate for mayor of Florida's MiamiDade County. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes near coast of central Peru – EM

A

n earthquake of magnitude 5.8 struck near coast of central Peru on Sunday, the European-Mediterranean

Seismological Centre (EMSC) said.

The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), EMSC added. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

19

Around The World

Israeli tanks reach centre of Khan OILNEWS OIL NEWS Younis in new storm of southern Gaza

I US plans 3-millionbarrel purchase of crude oil for SPR

T

he United States Department of Energy said on Friday that it plans to buy 3 million barrels of crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for March delivery as oil prices sink to levels below the stated threshold for the government’s refill plan.

The Biden Administration saw the stockpiles of crude oil in the nation’s strategic reserve fall from 638 billion barrels at President Joe Biden’s inauguration to just 347 billion barrels by this summer as the Administration tried to bring down gasoline prices for consumers. The large sell-off in the country’s safety supply of crude oil was met with criticism.

Also met with criticism has been the Administration’s slow response to falling oil prices—a perfect opportunity for any Administration earnestly looking to replenish SPR oil inventories.

The Administration announced it would plan to refill the SPR with crude oil when prices fall below US$70. It later revised that figure to US$79 per barrel. Today, crude oil prices are trading at US$71, and within the Administration’s desired range to begin the slow refill process. The 3 million barrels announced for March delivery amounts to just 1% of what has been depleted. The crude oil sold from the SPR was sold at about US$95 per barrel.

So far, the Administration has bought back about 9 million barrels of crude after its massive sale.

Crude oil prices have been falling for weeks, with WTI seeing a US$15 per barrel loss over the last two months, and Brent crude seeing a US$13 per barrel loss.

Part of the reason for the slow roll in refilling the SPR has been modernisation efforts at the SPR, called Life Extension 2, which was designed to improve operational integrity.

The Biden Administration must also be careful not to purchase too much too quickly—an action that could send oil prices higher again. (Oilprice.com)

sraeli tanks battled their way to the heart of Khan Younis on Sunday in a major new push into the main city of the southern Gaza Strip, as health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza said about 18,000 Palestinians had been killed in the war.

Israeli leaders said dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, encouraging more of them to do so, but the Palestinian militant group denied this, calling the claim "false and baseless".

Residents of Khan Younis said tanks had reached the main northsouth road through the city after intense combat through the night that had slowed the Israeli advance from the east. Warplanes were pounding the area

west of the assault.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has unsuccessfully pushed for a ceasefire in Gaza, said the enclave was in collapse. "I expect public order to completely break down soon and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt," he said.

Earlier on Sunday, near a city-centre police station, the constant rattle of machinegun fire could be heard.

Streets there were deserted as morning broke apart from an old woman and a girl riding on a donkey cart.

At the opposite end of the Gaza Strip, in northern areas where Israel had previously said its forces had largely completed their

Medical staff attend to Palestinians wounded during an Israeli raid, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, December 10, 2023

tasks, residents also described some of the most intense fighting of the war so far.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, after militants burst across the

fence on Oct 7 and went on a rampage through Israeli towns, gunning down families in their homes, killing 1200 people and seizing 240 hostages. (Excerpt from Reuters)

White House to intensify push for Ukraine aid and border security deal

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he White House will step up its engagement with US lawmakers trying to strike a bipartisan deal that would provide military aid for Ukraine and Israel while tightening US border security, a Democratic senator said on Sunday.

Republicans have insisted that additional funding for Ukraine must be paired with major US border security changes but a bipartisan group of senators trying to broker a compromise have made little progress with

less than a week before the US Congress leaves for a Christmas break.

"The White House is going to get more engaged this week," Senator Chris Murphy, the lead Democratic negotiator, said on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

Murphy said it was important to know if Democratic President Joe Biden would sign any prospective deal.

Biden, who is seeking re-election in 2024, has struggled with record numbers of migrants

attempting to cross the US-Mexico border illegally. Republicans have criticised Biden for rolling back some restrictive policies of former President Donald Trump, currently the leading candidate for his party's nomination.

Reuters reported last week that the Biden Administration was open to new limits on US asylum as part of a deal to secure funding for allies Ukraine and Israel.

Murphy said the current border security demands by Republicans

Another 23 people in the surrounding area have been hospitalised, the Montgomery County government said.

Wes Golding, the county's mayor, said: "This is a sad day for our community. We are praying for those who are injured, lost loved ones, and lost their homes."

As of 21:30 local time (0330 GMT Sunday), almost 60,000 people were without power, according to tracking site poweroutage.us.

Videos posted on social media showed overturned cars and uprooted trees littering streets lined by ruined buildings.

Footage captured the funnels of large tornadoes making contact with the ground and bright flashes of lightning across the sky.

The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings in Tennessee on Saturday. (BBC News)

he Philippines and China traded accusations on Sunday over a collision of their vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea as tensions over claims in the vital waterway escalate.

The Philippine coast guard accused China of firing water cannons and ramming resupply vessels and a coast guard ship, causing "serious engine damage" to one, while China's coast guard said the Philippine vessel intentionally rammed its ship.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China's claims had no legal basis.

Beijing and Manila have been playing cat-andmouse around the uninhab-

were "unreasonable" and that they were "playing games with the security of the world" by linking the military aid to US border security measures.

Some Republicans have pushed for border provisions that would allow migrants crossing the border illegally to be quickly deported without the chance to seek US asylum. They have also called for greatly scaling back Biden programmes that have allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter lawfully.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

About 400 Rohingya land in Indonesia, Tennessee: At least Philippines, China trade adds to surge of 6 dead as tornadoes accusations over South recent arrivals China Sea collision rip through state

D

ilapidated boats carrying an estimated 400 ethnic Rohingya arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province on Sunday, chief of a provincial fishing community has confirmed, adding to a recent surge of Myanmar's Muslim minority arriving in the country.

Prior to Sunday's arrivals, the United Nations' refugee agency (UNHCR) said that 1200 Rohingya people, a persecuted minority from Myanmar, had landed ashore in Indonesia since November.

Miftah Cut Ade, chief of the fishing community in Aceh, said that two boats landed in the province early on Sunday morning, one each in the districts of Pidie and Aceh Besar.

Each boat was carrying an estimated 200 Rohingya, he said.

Andi Susanto, a local military official, said about 180 Rohingya had landed in Pidie at 4 am (2100 GMT), and that officers were coordinating in the field to collect data.

Susanto confirmed the military was aware of a second boat but did not have information of where it had landed or how many were on board.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a statement on Friday that he suspects human trafficking is behind the recent escalation in boat arrivals and has promised to work with international organisations to handle the issue.

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees but has a history of taking in refugees when they arrive on the country's shores.

But the high volume of recent arrivals has prompted a backlash on social media and some pushback from people in Aceh, the westernmost region most boats land.

For years, Rohingya have left Buddhist-majority Myanmar where they are generally regarded as foreign interlopers from South Asia, denied citizenship and subjected to abuse. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A

t least six people died after tornadoes and severe storms tore through parts of Tennessee on Saturday.

Buildings were reduced to rubble and communities were plunged into blackouts when extreme weather battered parts of the southern US state.

Three of the deaths were reported in a northern suburb of Nashville, the state's capital.

Two adults and a child were killed in the city of Clarksville, around 50 miles (80.4km) to the north-west.

Joe Pitts, the city's mayor, has declared a state of emergency, including a 9pm curfew which will remain in place on Sunday.

"This is devastating news and our hearts are broken for the families of those who lost loved ones," he said. "The city stands ready to help them in their time of grief."

T

ited Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone when the Philippines deploys resupply missions for Filipino soldiers living aboard an ageing warship deliberately run aground in 1999 to protect Manila's maritime claims.

The shoal is part of what are known internationally as the Spratly Islands.

On Saturday, the Philippines accused China of "illegal and aggressive actions" by China for firing water cannon at a civilian-operated government fishing vessel, a move Beijing called legitimate "control measures".

In Sunday's incident, China's coast guard said in a statement that two Philippine vessels, ignoring repeated warnings, had "illegally entered the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in the Nansha Islands without the approval of the Chinese government."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES Show discipline when shopping and handling contractual or medical issues.

Know and do what’s best for you. Be open to suggestions, learning and accepting last-minute changes.

(March 21-April 19) Take charge, and don’t stop until you are happy with the results. When in doubt, ask an expert and learn as you go. Your success will depend on your ability to admit when you are wrong.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Too many choices will confuse you.

The balance between work and home will need fine-tuning if you intend to keep the peace and get things done on time. Know when to say no.

(May 21-June 20) Pay attention; you’ll see what’s brewing before it becomes a problem. Too much too fast will lead to a costly miscalculation. Keep a steady pace forward and surround yourself with experts.

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22) Head in a direction that excites you instead of letting someone dictate your next move. An energetic approach will helo you develop valuable skills. Put your energy where it counts.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Be careful when you’re dealing with others. Emotions and anger will surface if you make changes that threaten someone’s security. Consider what’s important to your loved ones.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Be realistic when dealing with changes at home or in your family dynamics. Getting along will help you gain perspective regarding your purpose and effectiveness. Don’t overstep your boundaries.

Look for an opportunity, and you will discover the lifestyle that suits your needs. Put more thought into how you can exploit what you enjoy doing most.

Don’t wait for someone to step in.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Do what you can. Refuse to bend to limits set by others. Do what feels right and what’s best for you. An energetic approach to your responsibilities will pay off.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put your emotions to rest and deal with financial and business matters using common sense. Put your cash where it can make a difference instead of letting it burn a hole in your pocket.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- BELATED

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t feel obligated to keep up with the neighbors or get involved in something that doesn’t interest you. Consider your options and do what’s best for you.

Don’t jeopardize your health.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention to your cash flow.

Emotional spending will put you in debt.

Be aware of subscriptions, scams and other hidden costs. An attitude change regarding spending will ease your mind.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

21

Change of format can rejuvenate Jos Buttler- Mott E

ngland Head Coach Matthew Mott suspects a switch from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) to T20s and a shift to the top of the order can get Jos Buttler firing on all cylinders again.

Buttler’s World Cup hangover followed him to the Caribbean with two single-figure scores either side of a sparkling unbeaten fifty in a new-look England side’s 2-1 ODI series defeat by the West Indies.

He was out for a golden duck in Saturday’s decider in Barbados, caught at fine-leg after an imprudent hook, bringing the England Captain’s average down to a modest 18.09 in his last dozen

innings.

With ODIs on the back burner till September, England can focus on building towards the T20 World Cup in June with a five-match series against the co-hosts, where Buttler will be in his usual opening role.

“It’s always good when you lose a series to change the format, you move on pretty quickly,” Mott said ahead of the T20 series opener on Tuesday at the Kensington Oval.

“Jos showed his class the other day and he may well, at the top of the order, come out and take the bowling on as he has done for, for a number of years.”

Will Jacks and Phil Salt

The West Indians celebrate another English wicket during their recently-concluded ODI series

have put on four opening stands of 50 or more in five ODIs, finding some fluency

Man City “must prove doubters wrong” after win

M

anchester City manager Pep Guardiola called on his players to prove their doubters wrong after his side ended their four-match winless run in the Premier League with a come-from-behind victory over Luton Town.

Guardiola's side were facing back-to-back league defeats for the first time since December 2019 when Elijah Adebayo gave Luton the lead in first-half stoppage time, rising highest at the back post to head in Andros Townsend's cross.

But Bernardo Silva latched on to a loose ball in the penalty area and equalised with a fine curling effort.

Three minutes later City completed the turnaround when Jack Grealish converted Julian Alvarez's low cross.

"Four games we didn't win – we are not used to that," Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day. "People say 'City is over already'. This is the challenge that we have ahead of us.

Prove them wrong and still be there."

Victory means the defending champions stay fourth, four points behind leaders Liverpool, while thirdfrom-bottom Luton are now four points off safety following Everton's win over Chelsea.

City record first league win in five weeks City came into Sunday's fixture on the back of their joint-longest run without a win under Guardiola.

While key players Rodri and Grealish returned after missing Wednesday's loss to Aston Villa through suspension, leading scorer Erling Haaland was absent having picked up a foot injury in training.

At half-time there was a

Jack Grealish scored the 50th goal of his club career

real sense of jeopardy for City, who would have been seven points off Liverpool with a loss.

But in the second half, despite not having Haaland's imposing presence up front, City returned to their ruthless selves.

Just before their goals they hit the bar through Ruben Diaz's thunderous shot following Nathan Ake's cutback.

And once they took the lead, they held Luton at arm's length to record their first league win since beating Bournemouth 6-1 on 4 November.

"The way they run and fight coming here and behave like we behaved, I am really, really, really proud," said Guardiola.

"We were seven points behind before the game. Now we are four, so we are a little bit closer. In my experience in this country the Premier League is so long, so it never ends."

Luton slip further adrift Luton have faced last season's top two in the space of five days and have taken the lead in both matches only to be stung by second-half comebacks.

It is a testament to how far the Hatters have risen up the football pyramid in recent seasons, and a bouncing Kenilworth Road was again witness to Luton going

ahead against a powerhouse of English football.

However, outside of Adebayo's goal, the hosts were limited to half-chances. And, despite two promising performances, the side have lost their past three matches and won only one of their past 10.

Luton were also fortunate not to have been reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when Jacob Brown caught Phil Foden above the Englishman's ankle. But, after a video assistant review, the Scotland forward went unpunished.

"We can take confidence; we are playing well, performing well," Luton manager Rob Edwards told Match of the Day. "We tried to not let them get their rhythm, get their game going. The goal was an excellent example of that. "(Defeat) is frustrating, especially when you go 1-0 up.

Full credit to Manchester City – that's what top teams do."

A gap is re-emerging between the bottom three and the rest of the division. At halftime on Sunday, Luton were a point above the relegation zone in the as-things-stand table.

But their loss, coupled with Everton's win, means they ended the day further adrift in the bottom three and in desperate need of points. (BBC Sport)

together in the manner predecessor Jason Roy did, first with Alex Hales then Jonny Bairstow.

The pair’s success invites speculation as to whether England could persevere with the pair in T20s and move Buttler down to number three in a reshuffle, but Mott dismissed the notion out of hand.

“Jos is a lock-in, definitely opening,” Mott said. “He’s proven over a very long period of time.

“It will be just what he needs to get up the top and really boss the game from the

start and I know for a fact he’s looking forward to it.”

Mott’s position came under scrutiny after England’s shambolic World Cup and he has lost 18 ODIs in his tenure and won 16 – but five of those have been against nonTest playing Ireland and the Netherlands.

A series defeat against a side that did not qualify for the World Cup was another low moment, but the success of this tour might be judged on how the T20s pan out with a more experienced bunch of players.

Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes and Tymal Mills are now in tow and, alongside Reece Topley, they trained in Bridgetown barely 12 hours after England’s rain-affected defeat at the same venue.

The quintet give England more depth with the ball, while Mills and Topley are attractive options at the death after their pacemen struggled at the back end in the ODI defeats in Antigua and Barbados.

On both occasions, England were in with a sniff of victory courtesy of their spinners – led by teenager Rehan

Ahmed, who was described as “a bit of a revelation for us with the ball” on this tour by Mott.

But Sam Curran was flayed and recorded the most expensive ODI figures by an England bowler in the opener while Gus Atkinson leaked 24 in an over when the Windies needed 33 in 24 balls in the finale.

“We’ve got some really good (death bowling) options,” Mott added. “The guys getting an opportunity haven’t had a lot of opportunity in this format yet, but I think they will be better for the experience.

“Sam’s definitely a player that we really want to invest in. He hasn’t missed too often at the death for us. But he’s that type of bowler that wants the ball in his hand at the back end.

“When you’ve got guys who want to do that, they’ll come out on top more often than they miss it as well.”

Andrew Flintoff was due into Barbados on Sunday night and is scheduled to be at training today as he rejoins England’s coaching set-up in a paid role as a team mentor.

(Sportsmax)

Big Bash game abandoned because of unsafe pitch

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he men's Big Bash League game between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers was abandoned after just 41 deliveries because of an unsafe pitch.

The Scorchers were 30-2 in Geelong when the umpires stopped play to inspect the pitch.

The players were taken off and the game was later abandoned, which was greeted with boos from the fans.

Renegades player Aaron Finch said there was concern about the bounce from a wet patch on the pitch.

A lot of rain had fallen in the Geelong area over the previous 24 hours which made preparation difficult for ground staff at the stadium.

"It's just bouncing ridiculously," Finch, who was wearing a microphone for TV commentary, said.

"If that's bouncing on line with someone's body or their head, that could cause some real issues."

The Perth Scorchers are defending champions in the event.

Josh Inglis came in to bat with the Scorchers on 18-2 and the right-hander was hit on the top of the back leg from the second ball he faced when a Will Sutherland delivery darted back into him.

The next ball from a similar line went past Inglis' out-

Melbourne Renegades players examine the pitch against Perth Scorchers

side edge in what was the latest in a number of play and misses.

An inside edge from the batter was dropped by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, while the next and final delivery bounced awkwardly to the annoyance of Inglis before the players went off.

"The pitch at GMHBA Stadium was rain-affected in the days prior to the game," said a Cricket Australia statement.

"Ground staff worked throughout the day to rectify the situation and umpires considered the pitch safe for play to start.

"However, in the seventh over umpires abandoned the game, deeming there was foreseeable risk to the safety of the players.

"Each team will receive one point unless the game can be rescheduled. Fans will

be refunded the cost of their tickets."

CA added it would "conduct a thorough review into the extremely frustrating circumstances that have resulted in the game being abandoned and a huge disappointment for fans and players".

Melbourne Renegades said they had been made aware that the pitch "sustained some water damage during Saturday's heavy rain" and work was done "throughout the day to improve the condition of the wicket".

"We are incredibly disappointed in tonight's events," said General Manager James Rosengarten.

"It should have been a great night of cricket and we will discuss the outcomes of that in the days ahead." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

Condolences pour in for former cricketers F

riday was a sad day for the local cricket fraternity as two sons of the soil and accomplished former cricketers passed.

Former off-spinner Clyde Butts died in a vehicular accident on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) on Friday, while Joe Solomon passed away in the USA. As such, there has since been an outpouring of condolences and tributes to the duo who both played at the First-Class and Test levels.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, via his social media platform, shared, “On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana and my own behalf, I extend condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Joe Solomon and Clyde Butts, two of our outstanding cricketers who passed away yesterday.

Solomon, who effected the run-out to bring about the first tied Test, featuring West Indies and Australia at Brisbane in 1960, played 27 Tests from 1958 to 1965, scoring 1326 runs.

In his seven Tests for the West Indies between 1985 and 1987, Butts picked up 10 wickets.

May their souls rest in peace

Meanwhile, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wrote, “The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is saddened by the passing of former Guyana and West Indies Off-spinner

Clyde Butts

Joe Solomon

Clyde Butts and sends its regards during this time to the family, friends and entire cricket fraternity.

Butts, who was 66 years old, died on Friday (yesterday) afternoon following a vehicular accident on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), with details surrounding the unfortunate incident still hazy at the time.

Nicknamed Mr 5-Fer, the spin stalwart played 87 First Class games for Guyana with seven Test appearances for the West Indies between 1985 and 1988. The spinner also won three First-Class titles for his country during his active days,finishing with 380 scalps.

Butts was also Chairman of the West Indies Senior Selection for a few years before focusing more recently on commentary where he was a regular voice during the Regional season.

The GCB sends its regards to the family of the late Mr Butts, as the cricket fraternity mourns one of its fallen comrades.”

In addition, Cricket West Indies shared: “Yesterday, Cricket West Indies (CWI) mourned the loss of two esteemed former Guyana and West Indies cricketers. Joe Solomon, renowned for his exceptional batting prowess in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away at 93. Clyde Butts, the former off-spinner and Guyana Captain in the 1980s, passed away at the age of 66.

CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow paid tribute, saying, "The remarkable contributions of Joe Solomon and Clyde Butts will be remembered not only by those in their native Guyana, but also by many across the West Indies."

He continued, "Joe Solomon stood among the

Davis and James inspire Lakers to historic win against Pacers

The LA Lakers were unbeaten in their seven games in the in-season tournament

A

nthony Davis scored 41 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers to victory against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA's first in-season tournament final.

Davis also registered 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, while team-mate LeBron James added 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 123-109 win.

James was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the inaugural NBA Cup. "Records will be broken but one thing that will never be broken is being the first to do something," said James,

38.

"We're the first champions of the in-season tournament and nobody can ever top that.

"It's great to be able to do it with such a historical franchise and even better to do it with a great, great cast of funny, engaged, competitive men over here."

The Pacers closed to within three points with just over six minutes remaining, only for the Lakers to produce a run of 13 unanswered points on the way to victory.

Austin Reaves scored 28 points off the bench for the Lakers, while Tyrese Haliburton and team-mate

Bennedict Mathurin top scored for the Pacers with 20 points each.

The final of the NBA Cup took place in Las Vegas and is the only game of the tournament which does not count towards the regular season standings.

"We're sick, frustrated," Haliburton said. "We just got outplayed tonight from the start of the game to the end of the game.

"Just didn't do the job on loose balls, didn't rebound, didn't get enough stops when needed. They just outplayed us, and it's frustrating." (BBC Sport)

heroes of West Indies cricket. His iconic play – the pick-up, throw, and runout of Ian Meckiff in the tied Test – remains an indelible moment in our history. His dedication to the game was evident in mentoring numerous players, showing his commitment to the sport's development.

He was a true servant of the game."

President Shallow noted, "Clyde Butts, a stalwart figure in West Indies' FirstClass history, displayed extraordinary adeptness as an off-spinner and Captain for Guyana. His legacy extended beyond the field, earning him recognition as a statesman and ambassador for the game in Guyana and the region. In retirement, his unwavering com-

mitment to coaching reflected his dedication. He tirelessly invested hours, nurturing young talent and passionately fostering their development within the sport."

He further remarked, "He served with distinction as Team Manager for the West Indies Under-19 team. His exceptional leadership as Chairman of Selectors notably resulted in forming the triumphant team that won the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup, a victory that brought immense pride and glory to the people of the West Indies."

Joseph Stanislaus Solomon played 27 Test matches from 1958 to 1965.

His debut in 1958 against India in Kanpur showcased impressive scores of 45 and

86, including a partnership of 163 with Garfield Sobers. He gained fame for his run-out of the last Australian batsman, leading to the famous tied Test in December 1960 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Clyde Godfrey Butts made his Test debut in 1987 at Bourda Oval and played seven Tests during West Indies' dominant era.

He stood among the leading bowlers in the West Indies First-Class championship in the 1980s, concluding his career with 348 First-Class wickets. After retirement, he served as an administrator, chairing the West Indies Men’s senior selection panel during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup win in 2012 in Sri Lanka under Daren Sammy's leadership.

Linden Technical Institute, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary clinch wins

A glimpse of the action at the National Gymnasium

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s part of its goal to develop the basketball fraternity, the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) rejuvenated the National Gymnasium on Sunday, as they commenced the two-in-one tournament with The Tertiary Knockout and the 11th edition of the Titan Bowl, showcasing the best of high school basketball Co-Director of Youth Basketball Guyana, Chris Bowman in an exclusive interview emphasised on the importance of this tournament to schools’ assessment of athletes .

“The Tournament is completing our calendar-year scheduled programme. YBG this year while we are known for the National School Basketball Championship in all these different age groups, that alone is not enough for student-athletes ‘development, so our programme is as such. We have programmes to start the year, we have the major tournament in the middle of the year and at the end of the year we have the title and in this case a double tournament, which allow schools to really asses to see where they are since

the festival, since schools would have lost resources: players would have graduated and new players would have been transitioned to Form 5 so it gives schools a lot shifting come September,” he said.

In the first game, Linden Technical Institute (LTI) started their campaign on high, securing a massive victory over Mahaicony Technical Institute (MTI) in sensational fashion, with the scoreline reading 27-17.

The LTI outfit was prolific in the first and second quarters, to lead the game, swishing the majority of their attempts at the basket to attain 13 points while with their tight defence, they managed to settle the MTI side for just eight points, The second half of the game was a bit monumental for the MTI side with 17 points. Still, the LTI were not going home without a fight, attaining a massive 27 points to adjourn the game and secure their inaugural victory.

Despite missing a few baskets in the game, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary managed to

show their exhilarating action to secure a slight victory over Lower Corentyne Secondary School with the scoreline reading 27-26.

In the first half, New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary showed their dominance as they conquered this half with their side scoring a massive 17 points while the opposing team did not give a fight as they only managed to score four points.

The second half of the game saw New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary once again showing their dominance with their total score at the end of the game reading 27 while Lower Corentyne Secondary just missed out School with 26 points.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

23

8 Guyanese male/ female cricketers receive West Indies contracts …Holder, Pooran, Mayers turn down contracts

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ricket West Indies (CWI) has confirmed the West Indies Men’s and Women’s centrally-contracted players for the upcoming 2023 to 2024 season.

The contracts are offered based on player performances during the 2022 to 2023 evaluation period following recommendations from the Selection Panels and approval by the Board of Directors.

Four West Indies men have been offered contacts for the first time, leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie, right-handed batter Keacy Carty, and left-handed batters Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze. For the West Indies Women’s, two players have been offered contracts for the first time, all-rounders Zaida James and Sheneta Grimmond.

West Indies Men’s Lead Selector, Dr Desmond

Keacy Carty and Alick Athanaze are first-time contract recipients

Gudakesh Motie has received a contract for the first time

Haynes said: “With a busy year of cricket ahead, in all three formats, we have held several detailed discussions with the two Head Coaches on the brand

of cricket they want to play.

We are very clear in the direction we want to go. The players who have been offered contracts are among those who we expect to feature,

Ecstatic Marian win MVP Sports U11 tournament

I

n emphatic fashion, Marian Academy fought off the test of St John the Baptist Primary on Saturday evening to clinch their first Girls U11 Pee-Wee football title.

The highly-anticipated final went down at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue, where two of the best talents in the competition, Skylar DeNobrega and Shemia Hing fought tooth and nail to lift their team to the championship.

The duo clashed on many occasions to make for an entertaining start to the final, however, 13 minutes into the game, DeNobrega took a right-footed shot from outside the box, which found the back of the net to give Marian the lead.

The score remained at 1-0 into the second half, where St John’s changed their tactics in pursuit of the equaliser. Eventually, it was the expected character in Hing, who dribbled through the field of Marian players and finished with a soft left-footed tap into the goal in the 23rd minute.

While all eyes were on the two front-runners to break the gridlock, it was eightyear-old Haley Haberkorn who scored the game winner.

Haberkorn was perfectly positioned in the box when a high pass came in from Captain DeNobrega.

Haberkorn took the clear shot, escaping the hand of the keeper for Marian’s second goal in the 40th and sealed the 2-1 victory.

Following the game, <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> caught up with the final heroes DeNobrega and

as we look to build towards challenging for the top spot when we host and compete in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on home soil. We also have away Test series in Australia and England – these are two major assignments whilst in the 50-over format we look to build a nucleus of players aimed towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.”

West Indies Women’s Lead Selector, Ann BrowneJohn said: “The selectors have identified a cadre of players who

we believe can drive West Indies cricket forward. We have emphasised the development of the younger players, which we view as pivotal in the pathway to the international level. We have several high-profile bilateral series and major global events on the horizon and with this in mind, we want to have our players prepared and ready for every occasion.”

C O N T R A C T E D PLAYERS West Indies Men 1. Alick Athanaze 2. Kraigg Brathwaite

3. Keacy Carty 4.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul 5. Joshua Da Silva 6. Shai Hope 7. Akeal Hosein 8. Alzarri Joseph 9. Brandon King 10. Gudakesh Motie 11. Rovman Powell 12. Kemar Roach 13. Jayden Seales 14. Romario Shepherd NOTE: Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers and Nicholas Pooran declined the offer of central contracts but confirmed their availability for all West Indies T20 Internationals during the contract year.

West Indies Women 1. Aaliyah Alleyne 2. Shemaine Campbelle 3. Shamilia Connell 4. Afy Fletcher 5. Cherry-Ann Fraser 6. Shabika Gajnabi 7. Jannillea Glasgow 8. Sheneta Grimmond 9. Chinelle Henry 10. Zaida James 11. Mandy Mangru 12. Hayley Matthews 13.

Karishma Ramharack 14. Stafanie Taylor 15. Rashada Williams

Cropper Primary storm to Berbice’s Future Warriors Tapeball title

C

Marian Academy are all smiles as they receive their championship trophy

Haberkorn, who both expressed elation at being able to secure the win.

“I feel happy. We worked hard to come to the finals.

At first, when we first came, we saw the sizes of the other players and we thought that they would beat us because of their size, but our coach reminded us that it’s not about size, it’s about the determination,” DeNobrega shared.

The Marian Academy Captain noted the sentimental value of the win, “Marian hasn’t won a final, they only got to the semifinals in 12 years and we’ve made it to the final for the first time in 12 years and we treasure this because we never know when this will happen again.”

On the other hand, Haberkorn said, “I felt really happy, I never knew I would actually score a goal, but I did it and my coach was encouraging me from the start to score a goal. He helped us through it. He did everything he could.”

Meanwhile, North Georgetown Primary se-

cured the third-place prize, defeating West Ruimveldt Primary 5-2 on kicks from the penalty mark. Their game ended in a deadlock after regulation time.

For individual prizes, Marian’s Troy Wright was adjudged Best Coach while Marian Academy’s Zoe was the best goalkeeper. The highest goal-scorer prize also went the way of Marian Academy as Skylar DeNobrega netted a whopping 10 goals across the competition. St John the Baptist’s Shemia Hing was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Marian Academy walked away with a $150,000 grand prize for a school project, accompanied by a $100,000 voucher from MVP Sports.

Runner- ups St John the Baptist secured the $100,000 second prize and a voucher.

The third and fourth-place finishers North Georgetown and West Ruimveldt pocketed $75,000 and $50,000 along with vouchers from the title sponsors. Each individual prize was also accompanied by a voucher.

ropper Primary surged to the top spot in the Berbice edition of the Future Warriors Tapeball title for Primary Schools, with another smashing performance at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on Sunday.

Cropper Primary, Tain Primary, and Fyrish Primary stood out from the 12 invited schools, and Cropper defeated them both on the final day to lift the title.

They opened the day by defeating Tain by nine wickets as they aced the chase of 50 in just four of their allotted eight overs.

Royston Crandon Jr smashed 22* (2x4s;2x6s) from 14 balls, while Timothy Ramsarack (19*) and Jayden Garner (11) supported the dominant performance.

Tain reached 49-4, compliments of an unbeaten 37 (5x4s;1x6) from Sumit Samaroo as Ramsarack got 2-10 from two overs.

Cropper then pilled on the highest total in the competition by making 98-1 from their eight overs against Fyrish.

They were led by Ramsarack, who struck three sixes and three fours in his 38 from 18 balls, and Garner with an unbeaten 33

Eyes on the ball! Part of the intense action between Cropper Primary and Fyrish Primary

(2x4s;3x6s) from 19 balls.

Crandon Jr was among the runs with a five-ball 21 (2x4s;2x6s).

Tain and Fyrish had a close and exciting battle as the latter lost by one run in pursuit of 77.

Aryan Ali blazed to 39* from 10 balls, striking five massive sixes to put his team on the brink of a stunning victory.

Lekraj Rambarran (30) and Keyron Bridgemohan (29) got Tain to 76-2.

Tain finished second, while Fyrish was third.

Cropper got bats, balls, and stumps in addition to their trophies and medals.

At the presentation ceremony, ExxonMobil’s Community Relations Advisor, Lashawna Prescott, commended the

teams for an excellent showing, given the discipline and high quality of play on the field.

More so, the co-director of FL Sport, John Ramsingh, also highlighted the impressive performances of the teams, their organisation, and their knowledge of the sport at an early age.

This is the second Future Warriors Tapeball tournament, following the inaugural tournament in Georgetown in September.

Plans are afoot to expand into other counties in 2024.

Individual awards Most runs – Yuvraj Goberdan – 101 runs Most wickets – Timothy Ramsarack – six wickets Most Valuable Player – Timothy Ramsarack -- 98 runs and six wickets

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

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8 Guyanese male/ female cricketers receive West Indies win MVP Sports U11 contracts …Holder, Pooran, Mayers turn down contracts

tournament

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