Guyana Times - Thursday, May 14, 2020

See Region 4 SoRs comparison with released SoPs on pages 14 to 17 All SoRs are available on our website Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4285

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

PRICE

Sanctions “still on the table” for Guyana over electoral fraud – US Ambassador

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM P11&12 recounts 11% of votes for Region 4 …Region 1 on track for completion today …Fire Service summoned after “burning smell” at venue

See story on page 8

National recount Day 8

COVID-19 Task Force blanks GECOM for assessment on more counting stations See story on page 7

No new P13 COVID-19 cases as 34 more persons tested

…political appointees now being used to delay recount – Jagdeo

Top US Senators join calls for international observers to return to Guyana See stories on pages 2 and 9

…remind Granger of special permission to ExxonMobil for workers

US Senator Marco Rubio

US Senator Tim Kaine

US Senator James Risch

US Senator Robert Menendez

US Senator Benjamin Cardin

…as Carter Center reapplies for flight permission

“Never seen such transparent effort to alter an election result” – ex-Jamaican PM Golding, OAS EOM Head Page 3

Parties claiming victory Page should not fear 10 recount – Caricom Ambassador to OAS

…says irregularities occurred during counting not voting

P13 5 more persons fined for curfew violations in Linden

Credible, transparent election P12 bedrock of democracy – NYC group tells US Congressman

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Top US Senators join calls for international observers to return to Guyana …remind Granger of special permission to ExxonMobil for workers

A

number of top United States Senators have added their voices to the calls for caretaker President David Granger to allow the Carter Center and other observers to return to Guyana for the recount, reminding him that his Government has given special permission for flights.

The letter was signed

by Senators and former US presidential hopefuls Marco Rubio and Tim Kaine. Also signing on to the letter are US Senator Tim Kaine Senators Benjamin Cardin, US Senator Marco Rubio James Risch, and Robert tional observers be allowed consider the presence of adMenendez. to return to Guyana and be ditional international obIn the letter, they ac- given free and unfettered servers an essential step to knowledged Guyana’s deci- access to all aspects of the strengthening the credibilision to close its airspace, but recount in order to confirm ty of the recount. note that Guyana has been the integrity of the process,” According to them, giving permisGranger’s sion for flights “As friends of Guyana, we are closely monitor- leadership in special ciris critical ing the recount and support that it be conduct- at this time cumstances.

These special ed in a free, fair, and transparent manner. A in ensurcircumstancing Guyana crucial part of this process is that credible in- r e m a i n s es have included the transternational observers be allowed to return to prosperous. port of Caricom oreover, Guyana and be given free and unfettered access M observers and t h e ExxonMobil to all aspects of the recount in order to confirm S e n a t o r s workers. are hopethe integrity of the process” – US Senators “As friends ful that of Guyana, we Granger are closely monitoring the the Senators wrote. will work to leave a legacy recount and support that it According to the of securing a better future be conducted in a free, fair, Senators, with full respect for Guyanese. and transparent manner. for Guyana’s public health “In the midst of the chalA crucial part of this pro- measures, they are hopeful lenges the world is facing cess is that credible interna- that the Government will due to the coronavirus pan-

US Senator James Risch

US Senator Robert Menendez

US Senator Benjamin Cardin

demic, Guyana is on the verge of historic change and prosperity. Decisions made today will determine whether or not the Guyanese people enter this new era united and confident that their political institutions fairly and equitably reflect their will,” the Senators said.

They added that they support a fair and transparent recount of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections “to allay any concerns among the Guyanese people in the integrity of their democratic institutions, in line with Guyana’s successful democratic electoral transitions of the past three decades”.

It was only on Monday that a letter surfaced from Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, writ-

ten on the President’s behalf and addressed to US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, telling the US to respect Guyana’s wishes to close its airspace owing to COVID-19.

The United States Embassy had previously revealed that permission was sought from the National COVID-19 Task Force – which is chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo with Joseph Harmon functioning as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for a flight to land on Monday, May 4, and for the observers from the Carter Center to be allowed entry into Guyana on that flight.

In response, the Task

Force only approved the arrival of the flight and not the observers. The observer from the Carter Center was left in Miami as a consequence. Only a short while before, a British Airways Boeing 787 was chartered to transport rotating ExxonMobil workers to and from the United Kingdom.

That flight was granted special permission to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on April 28. On May 1, a Caribbean Community (Caricom) observer team was given special permission to land in Guyana, in order to observe the recount. As per the arrangement, they were pre-tested for COVID-19 in their countries of origin.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 14 – 11:00h-12:30h and Friday, May 15 – 12:00h-13:30h.

“Never seen such transparent effort to alter an election result” – ex-Jamaican PM Golding, OAS EOM Head

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 14 – 10:00h-11:30h and Friday, May 15 – 11:15h-12:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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High Tide: 09:36h and 22:33h reaching maximum heights of 2.15 metres and 2.05 metres.

Low Tide: 15:52h reaching a minimum height of 1.06 metres.

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OAS SG Luis Almagro

F

ormer Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had led the Organisation of American States’ Electoral Observation Mission (OASEOM) to monitor Guyana’s March 2 General and Regional Elections, says he has never seen such a blatant attempt to alter elections results.

Golding was at the time presenting his preliminary report to the Permanent Council of the OAS, which held an ordinary virtual session on Wednesday. During his presentation, the EOM Head said, “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election.”

According to Golding, this is even more brazen given the paper trail that is in place, including the fact that more than a dozen copies of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) which indicate how many votes were obtained by each party are prepared at each polling station after the ballots are counted on election night.

“One copy is posted on the wall outside the polling station, and each party representative -- and there were nine in all -- is entitled to receive a copy. You know, it takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present fictious numbers when such a sturdy paper trail exists, and this is being illustrated now as the recount proceeds,” the former Jamaican Leader stated.

With only nine days in today, the National Recount, which the OAS has representatives here monitoring, has already revealed that the Region Four results that were declared by embattled Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo were heavily inflated in favour of the incumbent APNU/AFC Coalition. The Demerara-

Head of OAS EOM, former Jamaica PM Bruce Golding

Mahaica region is the largest voting district in the country, and the only one in which there were major issues during the counting process.

In fact, the EOM Head, during his presentation, pointed to several instances where the recount of ballot boxes showed a vast difference between the figures on the SOP and those declared

by Mingo.

For example, in ballot box 4062, Golding pointed out, the recount found 182 votes for the APNU/AFC coalition and 43 votes for the PPP/C – the same that was indicated in the SOP given to party agents. But Mingo significantly altered the votes and declared 292 votes for APNU/AFC and 32 for PPP/C. A similar pattern was found for ballot box 4063, where it was stated on the SOP that APNU/AFC got 15 votes while the PPP secured 276 votes, but Mingo had declared 85 votes for the Coalition and 246 for the PPP. Again, the recount verified the figures on the original SOP. In ballot box 4064, the same obtained. “Statement of Poll issued on elections night showed 70 votes for APNU; 93 votes for PPP. The Returning Officer declared that results as 170 votes for APNU – one hundred more (votes); 73 votes for PPP – 20 less. When the box was recounted, the numbers were 71 votes for APNU; 96 votes for PPP. There were four rejected ballots that were considered in the recount to be good,” he told the OAS Permanent Council.

Failed to meet required standards

Nevertheless, Golding noted that even after departing Guyana on March 14, when the Observer

Mission said in a statement that the tabulation process

by RO Mingo did not meet the required standards of fairness and transparency and was unlikely to produce a credible result, the OAS Mission still remained closely engaged and informed on developments in Guyana regarding the electoral process.

In fact, there are currently two accredited members of the OAS Mission in Georgetown who will be observing the recount through to its conclusion.

Regarding that exercise, the former Jamaica PM lauded the fact that it is being streamed online, and that political parties are fully engaged with the recount and are able to address their concerns to electoral officials for consideration and resolution.

However, he posited that the continued reiteration of issues that have already been resolved and insistence on actions or discussions that do not materially impact the recount of the ballots themselves are creating inordinate delays in the process, with some ballot boxes requiring up to five hours to complete.

“In the first five days of the recount, 207 of the 2339 ballot boxes were completed. While the pace of the recount continues to improve incrementally, reports from the ground suggest that the recount process will last longer than the projected 25

days unless the pace is significantly improved. Greater consistency in the management of the workstations, along with efforts to exclude or limit actions that hinder their efficiency, may help in this regard,” the OAS Mission Head contended.

Importance of recount

During Wednesday’s OAS Permanent Council ordinary session, OAS SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Luis Almagro underscored the importance of the recount process, and committed the OAS Mission’s participation as observers until its completion.

“The people of Guyana deserve to be certain who will be leading the country in the next very important phase of development…

A legitimate government is absolutely necessary, and this should be a priority of everyone in the region…,” Ambassador Almagro stated.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Ambassador to the OAS, Dr Riyad Insanally, in a brief address to the Permanent Council, maintained there was no interference by the incumbent Coalition in the work of the Guyana Elections Commission. He also reiterated statements by caretaker President David Granger, who has committed to accepting the declaration of results by GECOM following the recount.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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

Mingo’s machinations

T

he writing is clearly on the wall: that the APNU/AFC have lost the March 2 General and Regional Elections and have colluded with forces within the electoral machinery to rig the elections in order to hand a victory to the incumbent Coalition. As each day passes, the blatant attempts made by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to fiddle with the District Four results are being exposed.

We should underline the point that some of these revelations, detailing how the District Four results were altered, are being made by reputable individuals and international organisations who do not have a personal interest in Guyana’s politics or favour any particular political party. Their interest lies in ensuring that the electoral process is fair and transparent, and that the citizens of Guyana live in a peaceful and democratic country.

The statements by Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Bruce Golding, on Wednesday confirm what every stakeholder already knows; that is: there were barefaced attempts made by Mingo and others to tamper with the elections results by providing fictitious numbers in favour of the APNU/AFC, to show that that party won the elections.

In giving a preliminary overview of the Observation Mission’s findings on the March 2020 polls, the former Jamaica Prime Minister bluntly said: “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election…It takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present fictitious numbers when such a sturdy paper trail exists.”

Everyone knows that upon the completion of voting on elections day, Statements of Poll (SOPs) are produced and presented to each party representatives. A copy of the document is also posted on the wall outside each polling station at the close of poll. Those SOPs indicate how many votes are allotted to each political party for each polling station.

However, there is clear evidence to suggest that Mingo significantly altered the votes recorded on the SOPs when he was declaring the results for Region Four.

Golding, in an effort to substantiate what he was saying, cited figures from the current National Recount. He provided quite a few examples of Mingo fiddling with the figures by reducing the numbers of votes for the PPP and increasing those of the APNU/ AFC. According to Golding, Mingo simply abandoned the use of the SOPs, in the presence of the authorised party representatives, and relied on a spreadsheet of unknown origin, which provided results that were significantly different than those recorded on the SOPs. Several other respected individuals representing various reputable organisations have expressed similar views in their initial observations of the conduct of the polls. Mr. Owen Arthur, the former Prime Minister of Barbados, who headed the Observer Mission of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Observers from the European Union and CARICOM all expressed shock as the events unfolded on the evening of March 4.

Many of them had pointed out that while polling day activities were generally smooth and free and fair, it was the tabulation of the Dustrict Four results which landed the country in the present conundrum.

Barbados Ambassador to the OAS, Noel Lynch, on Wednesday confirmed this. He said: “Irregularities occurred not in the system by which the Guyanese electorate cast their votes on March 2nd, but in the presentation of the count afterwards”.

Even at this present stage of the recount, we are witnessing last-minute efforts by APNU/AFC agents to frustrate and delay the process by abusing the use of so-called ‘Observation Reports’.

APNU/AFC agents are now making a number of unsubstantiated claims, which they are demanding must be recorded in the observation reports. These claims include allegations that dead people and persons who have migrated were allowed to vote.

In addition to the reports being a time-wasting exercise, it is believed that there is a plan by APNU/AFC to use the reports to nullify the polls and call for fresh elections.

To begin with, it is difficult to believe that these ‘irregularities’ would happen in spite of all the various party agents, Observers and GECOM staff being present at each polling station. For something like this to occur, it would require a great deal of collusion between everyone present. This, as we know, is almost impossible, considering Guyana’s political climate and the level of distrust between parties.

No doubt, there will be more revelations in the coming days about the sad tale of Mingo. It is left to be seen whether President David Granger would concede once the recount confirms that, indeed, the Coalition have been defeated.

No doubt there will be more revelations in the coming days about the sad tale of Mingo. It is left to seen whether President David Granger will concede once the recount confirms that indeed the Coalition has been defeated.

Suggestions for Commanding Officer, Engineer Battalion – GDF

Dear Editor, As an ex-soldier, I strongly condemn the way in which our young brothers are losing their lives in the army. I am worried to see and hear what is taking place with respect to many lives that have been lost in such a short space of time -- within three months.

As an ex-corporal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), I served in the demolition platoon in Field Engineer Battalion. What is happening today worries and shocks me. I am disgusted to see that, in a short space of time, the GDF is dealing with two similar incidents regarding soldiers who died when handling fireworks. I firmly believe that this is as a result of negligence on someone’s part.

Many years ago, I and others were trained as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) soldiers, and our mantra at that time was “safety first”, and all best practices at that time were guid-

ed by that approach. In our days, only trained, qualified and experienced soldiers were allowed to handle explosives and types of munitions. Of late, it is disheartening to see so many soldiers being killed by explosives.

I am therefore appealing to the commanders of the Guyana Defence Force to make sure ranks are properly trained and equipped to handle explosives and ammunition. I have no choice but to cast blame on the instructors for what is happening. During my career in the IED platform, the period was characterised by zero incidents throughout, and none of us even experienced a spark. We were taught all procedures.

Therefore, it is only right that the instructors take full responsibility for what has taken place. The instructors should be retrained, and thereafter, they should be given follow-up and refresher courses time and time again, to

keep their knowledge sharp.

If there are expired explosives and ammunition, there should be a well-rehearsed procedure for getting rid of the unserviceable stuff. Further, I suggest that ex-soldiers with this kind of knowledge and experience known to me will be more than willing to share their knowledge in this area. They are Major (retired) Aubrey Heath-Retemeyer, Warrant Officer Class 2 Liverpool (retired), and Sergeant Benton (retired), to name a few.

In conclusion, all of us, as ex-soldiers who served in the GDF, are very much concerned and are willing to help in any way. To the families of the deceased soldiers, I beg to extend our sincere sympathy. Be safe, my people.

Sincerely, George Archer Ex-soldier Brooklyn, New York

CXC and COVID-19: A student's perspective

Dear Editor, As a 17-year-old Lower Sixth Form student of Queen’s College, Guyana, I have noted, with avid interest and slight disbelief, the occurrences of the recent few months, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic and the response of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in this regard.

I have heard many positions debated by my elders, teachers, and peers; however, all opinions and beliefs I state in this letter are my own.

CXC, as many of you know, has proposed a revised exam structure, consisting of a paper 1 and SBA for most subjects, but including a paper 2 in others, where the syllabus is not fully covered by these two components alone.

Many arguments have been proposed against this, most of them valid, which I will not repeat here. I do, however, want to point out that the original purpose of having a revised exam format was (in CXC’s words) “to yield valid grades and minimise the disruption to the education system”.

It is with surprise, then, that I noted that results from this ‘examination’ would not be released until September, and therefore after the start of the 2020/21 school year, and not in time for the start of the next university semester.

If this is the case, then I must ask: Why do we not have the paper 2 examination, as was originally planned?

Even if it is at a later date, we should have the exam, as this will have no bearing on university intake, as long as results are released before the January semester.

Why is CXC so resolute in its admission of only a paper one examination, when it no longer yields any tangible benefit?

Continuing on the same tack of university intake, I must raise the question of credibility: One of the main concerns among my peers has been that this exam will not be seen as credible by most uni-

versities, and therefore is not worth writing. CXC, for their part, have allied with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to determine this September’s university intake by using results of Cape 1 and past marks, completely nullifying the purpose of the July examination.

If the region’s premier university will not accept the results of this examination: a) Why hold them in the first place? (Why not cancel exams like the rest of the world??) b) How can any university outside the Caribbean be expected to do so?

In the face of overwhelming backlash against its proposal, from (to name a few) the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPPS), the National Secondary Students' Council of Jamaica (NSSC), the Jamaica Teacher’s Association (JTA), the Barbados Teachers’ Union (BTU), the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), and the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), as well as teachers and students themselves, CXC’s response has been appallingly poor. A single web seminar was held, which I myself attended. I posted 10 questions, 2 of which were unsatisfactorily answered, and the rest of which were seemingly ignored; and the questions that were answered in their Questions and Answers segment were laughably moronic.

The level of incompetence was such that, in multiple instances, questions such as “Where will exams be written?” were answered with “Yes”. I think that speaks for itself.

As a student, I can confidently state -- knowing that many others share this sentiment -- that students are tired.

We are fatigued; we are exhausted, weary, drained and, most of all, fed up. Whichever way you put it, students as a whole are tired of this whole exam affair.

There was a period of un-

certainty when the COVID-19 outbreak first emerged, when no one knew whether exams would or would not take place.

For a student, this was an especially turbulent time. A dilemma presented itself: Do you break, or do you study?

But if you break, where do you find the resolve to start studying again; or, if you study, when do you break? There is no right answer. Couple this with being bombarded with online articles detailing much more productive pastimes, like ’10 things to do during quarantine’, and with the knowledge that the US and UK have called their exams off completely for the year, and the CXC exams have begun to feel like more of a restriction on freedom – a cross to bear for the Caribbean alone.

Now, with the scheduling of examinations for July, every teacher, lessons teacher and lab technician has reemerged, hosting online classes and dropping assignments, projects and research essays, only obfuscating the issue further.

Let us discuss online classes from a student’s perspective:

1) Educators seem to share the belief that, because students are at home, they are always free. This is not true. It is difficult for many of us to find a quiet place to work at home, especially for hours at a time.

Being around our families all the time is a difficult situation for many of us, and bloated class and work schedules do not help.

2) It is so much more difficult to pay attention online than in a regular class. In this age of shortening attention spans, online classes often need repeating and re-watching, and many teachers simply do not cater for this.

3) WIFI connections are unreliable, for those of us who even have it at all. CXC’s proposal to go digital has marginalised many, and teachers can report that they are seeing low and infrequent attendance for

most, if not all, classes.

Finally, I wish to speak about COVID-19. This pandemic is a greater threat than it ever has been. As at the time of writing, there have been over 4.3 million confirmed cases worldwide. Regionally, Trinidad and Tobago has 116 cases. Barbados has 84, Guyana has 113, and Jamaica weighs in with a whopping 507. We do not have a vaccine. Research has shown that we do not even have a lengthy period of herd immunity. The only strategy that has been shown to work is quarantining and contact tracing those who do have the virus.

I do not know if CXC reviews the graphs showing the progress of this disease, but I do daily. I have no less than 6 graph-tracking sites open as I write this letter. CXC has slated exams for July. That would mean breaking, or ending, lockdown and returning to school to write exams. I also do not know what data this timeframe is based upon, but it cannot be the same graphs that I am looking at here on my desktop; because, according to this, Jamaica has seen exponential growth in its number of cases, and Guyana is increasing fast. The numbers only increase. And yet, CXC would have us return to normalcy. That is folly, that is fallacy and is pure (for want of a better word) dotishness!

CXC wishes us to risk our health, our very being, for an exam that is not only questionable, but devoid of structure and credibility.

I will end this letter with a statement from one of my colleagues, whom I shall not name: “CXC have exposed themselves as an organisation that value their income more than the integrity of their business and health and safety of stakeholders.”

I beg CXC to reconsider their proposal.

Yours sincerely, Vijay Sharma

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

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Who will be thrown in the mud pit? COVID-19 must not be used for self-

Dear Editor, After seeing what has unfolded during the present recount, Guyanese voters must continue to demand greater transparency during our recount process , during the last eight days Guyanese were abled to witness first hand instances from the national recount exercise showing Mingo inflating votes for APNU /AFC . A total of 20 boxes has been found so far with fraudulent declarations

by Mingo. APNU-AFC the actual figure was increased by 1,536 votes while the PPP/C was decreased by 177 votes when compared to the results from the National Recount Exercise and Mingo's declaration. We have seen a direct attempt to fraud and rig the process, Guyanese all went out on March 02 2020 and honestly voted overwhelmingly for the party of their choice to elect the next President of Guyana, the magnitude of wrongdoing allegations uncovered does not speak well for Gecom and our electoral system During the recounting process party counting agents have been providing daily updates of discrepancies found at their respective work station.

These discrepancies reported vary from name of dead persons used for voting or names of persons who have migrated, apparently there were boxes where the number of ballots in the boxes outnumber the names indicated on the list as voted ,there are also cases of persons who voted via affidavits are more than the number of affidavits provided to that polling station. It is ironic to me that most of these discrepancies were allegations made by APNU/AFC counting agents , without any evident to support their claim, what is more worrying ,it is

also allege that more than 90 percent of Presiding Officers who were selected to presided at the polling station across this country were in some way affitcilated with the APNU/ AFC party and or in which were actually valid votes .

My only concern with all of this, millions of tax payers dollars were spent on the training of RO's and other Gecom casual staff that had facilitated these polling stations where those allegations were made ,with these revaluations ,and names being published, Is all our votes cast on March 02, 2020 truly remain private during and after these recounts?

Regardless of how we look at all this, the rights of the people must be respected and preserved, the integrity of the election must be preserved since only eligible voters were allowed to vote at March 02 2020 General and regional election and those votes must be protected from any alteration or exclusion.

News headlines on March 04 ,2020 all indicated that Elections-was-free-and-fair.

The question is why would the APNU- AFC openly trying to disrespect Gecom regular and part time staff ,it is obvious that the APNU-AFC are desperately trying to slow down the recount process by bringing up these allegations .which they have no evidence to support.

The APNU must desist from perpetuating these misrepresentations and making false accusations At the rate the counting process is moving it will take more than 25 days to actually complete the recount unless Gecom, review the present procedure and improve the efficiency during the counting process. Currently it takes

about 30 mins tops to get one box ready for counting. Gecom must establish a better way, these are modern times, less time should be spent on the scrutiny of election compliance reports and more emphasis on the recounting of the ballots themself. There are those in the APNU camp working to ensure all blame for the electoral fraud falls on David Granger, key to this the constant stream of frivolous objections being made during the recount process, copied of the observation are sent regularly to David Granger , these reports are accompanied by zealous ranting and accusations of the people's progressive party rigging , a well-known dog whistle for Granger . Most of this is public information was revealed, the question is why this operation is being done, millions of dollars has been diverted from a certain rehabilitation works project. To fund activists during the recount period, however the money is not getting to those working hands the plan is to delay the recount as long as possible to ensure David Granger is the one left in the "MudPit" A copy of the letter to the US Ambassador with David Granger's blunt refusal to allow the Carter Center to return was to all members of the foreign services via email in the certainty that it would be leaked to the media. After this recount will be complete, with a victory for the people's progressive party civic, a news narrative will be written by the PNCR to apportion blame for attempted rigging of elections and it has only one name on it.

Sincerely, David Adams

aggrandisement or political manipulation

Dear Editor, As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, as a devastating health issue which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of persons, in Guyana, the reality and seriousness of its impact has not hammered home as yet. Sad to say that many of those who should be taking the lead on this very important issue in a positive and responsible way have found it convenient to use it in a manner that is far from what should be.

It can be summarised that COVID-19, instead of being treated as a health issue, is being used as a political tool by those with sinister motives, much to the frustration and disbelief of many Guyanese. Instead of coming up with tangible recommendations and solutions on how we can combat this pandemic, we have witnessed unauthorised and medically uncertified illegal Government personnel implementing policies that are unrealistic and draconian, to say the least.

Due to the insensitive, irresponsible and clandestine approach of those whose only motive is to impose their will on others by using the electoral process as their medium, many Guyanese have seen it as unimportant to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves

It’s unbelievable, in today’s global setting, where communication is instant, that these esteemed personalities would allow themselves to sink so low and deliver their conniving sermons with such brutal self-indulgence.

Listening to Mr Harmon’s nauseating response while being interviewed by the media on the GECOM recount process, speaking to their “operation eagle eye”, one is tempted to ask the question: Is this goodly gentleman really in control of his faculties? Any rational person would have been driven to their wits’ end wondering what he is talking about. It can only mean one thing: As the recount process unfolds their blatant lies and false claims of winning the elections with RO Mingo’s fraudulent declarations being exposed, they are on the offensive. They have now somersaulted into casting doubts on the integrity of the 2nd March, 2020 elections.

So, is it “operation eagle eye” or ‘offensive eagle claw’?

Most certainly, there are sinister plots afoot to disrupt the recount process.

Further, when questioned why the Carter Center Observer Group was blocked from entering Guyana, Harmon referred to

the COVID–19 regulations as the reason. Well, even the staunchest supporter of the PNC knows differently. The Carter Center, like all of the other international observer groupings, has categorically condemned the two Region Four declarations made by Mingo as fraudulent. The PNC/APNU/AFC had claimed victory based on those very two declarations, and are clearly preventing international observers from the National Recount Process.

However, Mr. Harmon went on to state that the Carter Center can reapply.

What an absurdity and understatement. As the CEO of the COVID–19 Task Force, he played the major role in blocking the Carter Center from entering Guyana. They are conveniently using coronavirus pandemic to their political advantage, and to further their illegal stay in Government.

Harmon’s COVID–19 eagle’s claws are on the attack.

With Christopher Jones and Sherod Duncan camped out at the ACCC as the anchors, and the likes of Ganesh Mahipaul and Carol Joseph being characteristic elements of misinformation, and along with others as presenters with their bi-

What help will businesses receive due to the fact that they will be losing revenue and might have loan repayments to honour? Were the Labour Department, trade unions and the private sector approached for guidance and input on this matter?

Mr. Harmon’s announcement has certainly instilled levels of fear in the minds of many persons, since we have witnessed the CDC’s inability to provide basic items to the most vulnerable in our society at this time, more or less to an entire country.

With an overdraft of over $75 billion at the Bank of Guyana, where will the finance come from to sustain this implementation?

The health of a nation is the wealth of that nation, and workers are the most valuable resources of a country; for it is they who keep the wheels of industry turning.

Therefore, it is mandatory that issues such as COVID-19 and workers’ preservation be treated with equal urgency and importance. In addressing these issues, one must never use them for self- aggrandisement or political manipulation. To do this will be disastrous to the wellbeing of a nation.

Sincerely, Gillian Burton Persaud

APNU/AFC has reduced Guyana to a circus show

Dear Editor, The recount is on, and the results emanating

Is it “operation eagle eye” or “offensive eagle claw”?

Dear Editor, One wonders if these APNU/AFC public officials and former Ministers of Government ever take the time off to look at videos of their public posturing, and listen to the narratives they continuously voice. Because if they were doing so, they would certainly become aware of the level at which they themselves expose their vicious lies and dishonesty by their inconsistent body languages and facial expressions. They are all of that ill-conceived mindset that people believe them; but, in reality, the vast majority of Guyanese feel insulted by their relentless deception and nastiness.

But do they care? No, they are barefaced and mechanically set, like robots, and have collectively and individually embarked on a campaign of gushing out unproven claims, distortions, and heap as much scorn on the conduct of the 2nd March, 2020 General and Regional Elections to discredit the GECOM process.

Everyone knows that they were the first to claim victory with boundless self-confidence at the very elections.

They have now descended into a duplicitous, deceitful and malicious escapade.

and family from the coronavirus. Therefore, what is much needed is heightened countrywide awareness campaigns to educate citizens on what is, and the importance of protection from the coronavirus.

On May 11th, Head of the COVID-19 Task Force in Guyana, Joseph Harmon, announced that the Task Force was contemplating the imposing of a countrywide lockdown to rapidly deal with the rise in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Guyana.

Though this has been one of the ways used by many countries to contain the spread of the virus, there are systems that those countries did put in place in relation to a lockdown implementation.

There are questions that must be addressed while we contemplate any countrywide lockdown. For one, many workers will be sent home, both from the public and private sectors. Who will pay them their salaries? In the absence of an income, how will they sustain and maintain themselves and families?

What system will be put in place for those persons who have bank loans, mortgages, hire purchase installments, rent, utility bills, education fees, hospital bills, insurance bills etc. to pay? Will persons be able to retain their jobs after the lockdown is over?

zarre stories of the deceased and migrated persons having voted at the 2nd March, 2020 Elections, they are being totally nonsensical.

Do not be surprised if Harmon uses his COVID-19 “toxic eagle’s claws” to shut down the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, claiming some have contracted the virus. There is no need for “operation eagle eye” when the eagle already has the GECOM in its claws and is dictating all the instructions, the most recent being to stop the recount process at 05:00 pm instead of the gazetted orders clearly stating 07:00 pm as the cut-off time.

Where was the eagle eye when RO Mingo made his two fraudulent declarations?

Probably nesting at Congress Place awaiting Harmon’s instructions? Harmon is Granger’s trusted operative, and has been skilfully inserted in the position of the CEO of the COVID-19 Task Force, to do his bidding and bring home the goods. The goods are to discredit the 2nd March, 2020 elections, disrupt the GECOM National Recount Process, and call for fresh elections.

Respectfully, Parasram Persaud

therefrom tell the telltale story of a bunch of individuals who were on a lowdown, dirty and barefaced rigging programme, all geared towards the ultimate objective of staying in power.

I am talking about the incumbent PNC-led Coalition, whose agent deliberately departed from the use of the official Statements of Poll of the March Election and substituted his own fraudulent figures on a spreadsheet.

That manoeuvre gave a handsome victory to the Coalition. Now that that brazen attempt at rigging failed miserably, a total recount was ordered. We are into the second week of recounting and the results show a marked difference in the spreadsheet results given by Clairmont Mingo and the official SOP of that very same election. The discrepancies show a deliberate attempt to rig the elections in favour of the incumbent APNU/AFC, while diminishing those of the actual winner, The PPP/C. Now the revelations of the recount are not countenanced by the Coalition, seeing they are soon to be toppled from the lofty position of being winners to one of lowly losers; fortunes are drastically changing.

In this regard, they have suddenly changed the narrative.

In fact it is a twopronged attack on the ongoing recount. The first of these is to slow down the process, bringing it into a laborious and time-consuming exercise. The second strategy is one of discrediting the entire electoral process, rendering it a discredited and flawed process.

So the nitpicking is in earnest, with objections made at every turn. Be it a tick here or the crossing of a T there, the holdups are endless. The situation has become so ludicrous that one particular objection went right to the heart of classifying the President himself as a person who has migrated, and as such was ineligible to vote. The foolishness couldn’t get any worse, but this is the situation after an election in a place called Guyana.

As it stands, Guyana is one grand circus, with the APNU party making a fool of itself. Should we subject ourselves to this idiocy while an entire country languishes? The answer is no, but we must persevere to the very end, to the place where a credible result is arrived at and the legitimate president sworn in.

This is our aim, this is our goal.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

6

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s National Grade Six Assessment Past Papers.

Below is the conclusion of Mathematics Paper 2, 2019.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT

MATHEMATICS

Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 50 minutes

2. This paper consists of two sections: Section A and Section B.

Read these instructions carefully before you attempt to answer the questions.

Section A consists of four letter topics. Section B consists of four composition topics.

1. Write your candidate number clearly on each page.

Answer one question only, either from Section A or Section B. Each question is worth 20 marks.

4. (a) below.

3. You have 50 minutes writing time and 10 minutes reading time. Writing may begin during the reading time.

6. If you have to erase, do so cleanly.

4. Write your letter or composition on the pages provided in this booklet.

8. Do not take away any part of this booklet.

5. Ensure that your handwriting is clear.

Look at the numbers on the 4 cards shown

7. Look over your work when you have finished.

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

The number in the circle is 1 the number in the pentagon.

(a) Use each card once to make every statement below correct.

is a multiple of 3 and a multiple of 5

is a multiple of 3 but not a multiple of 5

Write the 4 missing numbers in the flowcharts below.

Using the Venn diagram above, find (i)

is a multiple of 5 but not a multiple of 3

is not a multiple of 3 and not a multiple of 5 (2 marks)

(b) There are 45 pupils in Grade 6 Marigold. The incomplete Venn diagram below shows the number of pupils who like Science or Mathematics. The number of pupils who like neither Science nor Mathematics is represented by a.

the missing value, a

(1 mark)

(ii) the number of pupils who like Mathematics (1 mark) (iii) the number of pupils who like Science or Mathematics.

(1 mark) 5. (a) In the flowchart below, the 2 numbers in the cones are multiplied to arrive at the number in the pentagon.

(2 marks) (b) In a school, ; of the total number of pupils are boys. There are 261 girls. (i) What fraction of the total number of pupils are girls?

(1 mark) (ii) Calculate the total number of pupils in the school.

(2 marks) Total 5 marks 6. Petronella obtained the following scores in 7 out of 8 of her end-of-term tests. The maximum mark on each test was 20. (a) How many marks did Petronella score altogether on her 7 tests? (mark) (b) What is her mean score on the 7 tests? (mark) (c) What is her modal score for the 7 tests?

(1 mark) (d) Petronella collected her 8th test score. The average for her 8 tests is 15.5 marks. How many marks did she score on her 8th test?

(2 marks) Total 5 marks

END OF TEST

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National Elections Recount…

COVID-19 Task Force blanks GECOM for assessment on more counting stations …political appointees now being used to delay recount – Jagdeo

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decision by the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) to house additional counting stations at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) has been deferred, since public health officials from the National Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Taskforce failed to show up at the venue to assess the facility on Wednesday.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has since lashed out at GECOM and the Taskforce, pointing to their political figureheads, some of whom he accused of being a part of the plot to rig the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

Speaking with reporters at the makeshift Media Centre outside of the venue on Wednesday, Jagdeo accused the coalition, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC), of using the National COVID-19 Taskforce “to slow things down.”

The Commission, as

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Member Anil Nandlall, in welcoming the decision to expand the number of counting stations, was critical of the decision to solicit the guidance of the COVID-19 Taskforce, and reiterated that GECOM is an autonomous constitutional body.

He said that, under Article 226 of the Constitution of Guyana, Commissions such as

participants of the National Recount exercise, which they are being asked to influence.

He suggested that the Taskforce has adopted a particular position of delay and frustration, and “this is the authority to which GECOM is going to turn for COVID-19 protocols”, and he questioned what type of advice the Taskforce would give.

The former AttorneyGeneral and Legal Affairs Minister posited a denial on the part of the Taskforce in order to delay the recount process further.

Nandlall, in further adumbrating his position on GECOM’s independence from the National COVID-19 Taskforce, pointed to the Judiciary’s introduction of its own measures, and said that the judiciary “is similarly circumstanced constitutionally like GECOM”, and that it had established its own protocols, not depending on the Taskforce.

He noted, too, that the High Court, in a re-

The Arthur Chung Conference Centre

part of the measures being considered to ensure the National Recount exercise is accelerated in order to meet the 25-day deadline, on Monday invited the Taskforce to pronounce on whether the facility could house additional workstations, taking into account COVID-19 measures.

The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary on Wednesday noted, however, that the Taskforce is headed by APNU/AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo, with Joseph Harmon as its Chief Executive Officer, along with members such as Volda Lawrence, Karen Cummings and others.

“The Taskforce is political,” Jagdeo lamented, as he declared it unfortunate that, “We have to now go to the same people to decide if you can increase workstations.”

Lamenting the situation further, the Opposition Leader posited that the Taskforce appears only interested in enforcing COVID-19 measures within the precincts of the ACCC. PPP/C Executive

GECOM are not subject to the directions or instructions of any other body of person.

He suggested that even if the COVID-19 Taskforce were to be constituted by technically competent persons, “it would have been improper for GECOM to cede its independence to that Taskforce.”

Buffeting his argument, Nandlall argued that the makeup of the current taskforce “makes it worse.”

The PPP executive said the APNU/AFC political figureheads running the Taskforce are in fact active

cent elections- related ruling, had said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) could not supervise the National Recount exercise, and he said that this reinforces GECOM’s independence.

GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward has since indicated that the team from the Taskforce is expected to visit the venue and provide its assessment today.

Postponed scheduled meetings

Meanwhile, PPP GECOM Commissioner Sasenarine Gunraj, in brief-

Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Moses Nagamootoo

ing media operatives on the delayed meeting, indicated that the public health team

was reportedly detained with COVID-19 measures in relation to a flight at the airport.

He has since called on the Commission to treat with its request in a timely, efficient and objective manner, taking into account the exegeses of the request.

According to Gunraj, the delayed meeting has since led to GECOM having to postpone scheduled meetings with the opposition Peoples Progressive Party and the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

The PPP Commissioner did use the occasion to again lament: “We ought not to be fettered by a task force that is comprised of persons who

CEO of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Joseph Harmon

are seeking office from this electoral process, and it has always been my belief that their presence there could affect objective consideration by that taskforce of our issues.”

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sanctions “still on the table” for Guyana over electoral fraud – US Ambassador

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s much as the threat of sanctions hangs over Guyana’s head over electoral fraud, it is an option the United States is hopeful it will not have to use. This is according to US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch.

During a local radio programme on Wednesday, Lynch explained that sanctions range in seriousness from targeted measures such as individual visa restrictions to financial measures that could impact the economy.

“You’ve seen some of the statements coming out

(Michael) Kozak.

The National Security Council.

They have been very strong.

And Secretary Pompeo did point to serious consequences if the democratic process, the rule of law, and the principles of democracy are not followed in Guyana.

“So, sanctions are a set of tools in the toolkit that potentially can be explored.

Decisions on sanctions – first of all, they range from issues of visa restrictions to issues of financial measures.

So, it’s a range of things that can be discussed and looked into. And those decisions are made at the high-

“So, sanctions are a set of tools in the toolkit that potentially can be explored. Decisions on sanctions – first of all, they range from issues of visa restrictions to issues of financial measures. So, it’s a range of things that can be discussed and looked into. And those decisions are made at the highest levels of the Government in Washington, with the interagency fully concurring” – US Ambassador of Washington. Secretary (of State Mike) Pompeo.

Assistant Secretary

est levels of the Government in Washington, with the inter-agency fully concurring.”

Transparent…

I

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

According to her, it is still too early to say whether sanctions are likely to be applied. She pointed to the fact that for now, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) appears to be doing its job and facilitating the recount to general satisfaction.

“We are hopeful though, that we don’t have to go down that road. Even if they’re at the ready, those tools, we don’t want to go down that road. And we’re in this recount process right now. My observation is that it’s going well. GECOM is answering any issues that pop up, they’re doing their best to answer and address them.

“They’re looking into the issue of extending the (workstations). So, I think it’s too early to say whether there would be any sanctions,” she said.

Asked if there would be a timeline the US was looking at before drawing a line, she emphasised that the effort is a Guyanese-led one and the US did not have a specific timeline in mind.

It has already been over two months of controversy and a credible winner for the March 2 General and Regional Elections is yet to be declared. After two declarations from Region

Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, which lacked transparency, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and caretaker President David Granger had agreed to have the Caribbean Community (Caricom) oversee the recount.

That agreement was derailed when A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate Ulita Moore moved to the courts and secured an injunction against the exercise.

That injunction was discharged by the Full Court and later, the Full Court’s decision was upheld by the Appeals Court. But by then, the Caricom team had long since left. GECOM re-invited them and the recount started last week with the understanding that it would last for 25 days.

In the meantime, countries and organisations from all around the world have said that the earlier tabulation process done by the GECOM lacked credibility. This is compounded by the warnings from several Governments, including the United States’, that officials could face sanctions if President Granger is sworn in based on this questionable process.

Friendship murder suspect nabbed

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27-year-old man is now in Police custody for stabbing his neighbour to death on Sunday over the theft of a cellular phone.

Based on initial reports, on the day in question, the young man stopped his neighbour Marlon Peters, 33, of Lot 46 Gobin Dam, Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) about 21:45h while he was heading home, and confronted him about a cellular phone which was stolen some time ago while they worked in the interior.

Peters denied the allegation and walked away, but was subjected to verbal abuse. A heated argument then ensued between the

two men.

According to Police, the suspect then attacked the man from behind, dealing him several stabs to his upper right abdomen and back.

Peters later fell to the dam while the suspect ran in the opposite direction into a clump of bushes.

Peters was picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Regional Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon told Guyana Times that the suspect was currently in custody as investigations continue.

…PNC rigging n democratic societies, the international norm that’s now accepted is that elections - for the people to choose their representatives in government - should be free, fair, and transparent. Riggings of elections, on the other hand, are surreptitious deeds done under cover to subvert the will of the people, by despots or would- be despots.

But according to former PM of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, who was here to observe the elections on behalf of the OAS, David Granger’s PNC has turned all of that on its head. Golding says the PNC’s ongoing rigging of the March 2 elections is the “most transparent” he’s ever witnessed!!

What else could the poor fellow say?? He was there at the Ashmin’s Building when Mingo and his accomplices suddenly reversed gear and started using mysteriously generated spreadsheets to announce the tabulation of SOPs in the critical Reg 4 votes.

He was here in the room when Cummings summoned all international observers and threatened to withdraw their accreditations - for merely showing their indignation at the blatant fraud being perpetuated under their noses.

He was livid at the attempted bullyism of Cummings, and wasn’t bashful about expressing his sentiments.

Cummings had to sheepishly admit she’d been ordered to make the threat.

Golding has now confirmed the source of his indignation: what did it say about his own integrity for the PNC to dare rig the elections in front of his eyes?!!? He’s obviously insulted they assume he’d fall into line with what the Caricom Prime Ministers has done for two decades when they closed their eyes to Burnham’s PNC’s rigging between 1968 and 1985.

But with his stance, along with that of Owen Arthur, who headed the CariCom Observer Team, and Mia Mottley, the present Chair of Caricom, they’re clearly signalling that Caricom has moved on from those dark days.

As Lynch, Caricom Ambassador to the OAS, who followed Golding, said, Caricom cannot afford to allow one of its members – Guyana - to go rogue on democratic norms. He paraphrased our own Martin Carter: “all are involved, all are consumed”. And this is something that the dinosaurs in the PNC haven’t gotten into their thick skulls yet.

The Caribbean - including Guyana - is precariously perched on the cusp of a post-COVID disaster, which only the democratic world can extricate them from.

But the PNC is apoplectic at the Caricom Heads of Government’s refusal to cleave to the brotherhood of the skin: their propagandists can’t rail at the “racists” from the western countries who want to keep them “in chains”.

The least the PNC could’ve done was rig a bit less “transparently”!! …Gobbledygook How’d you defend the indefensible? Well, on their transparent ongoing rigging front, the PNC sent out one Lenno Craig, from their sidekick outfit the AFC, to field questions from the media outside the ACCC. Now, without being too snarky, there aren’t too many Rottweilers in our press corps, but maybe being thrown in the rain to huddle under some leaky tents have frayed their tempers! And maybe Craig was nervous?

Anyhow, as a sample of his inane assertions, he boasted about all the immigration records they had in their possession to show that many who voted had actually been abroad. Asked how he knew this, the fella actually said they had informants in every village and hamlet in Guyana!! Still hasn’t answered how he has the actual flight info etc, and said he can’t release them - like their SOPs. Secret info for an elections petition they’re preparing to file.

And why would they want to file a petition, since they insist they won? Never mind!! Best your Eyewitness draws the curtain here.

At least he did better than Patterson, whose mumblings folks are still trying to decipher!! …Mingoing Bruce Golding didn’t just speak in the abstract. He quoted numbers from the recount on some Reg 4 boxes to show precisely how Mingo had mangled the count by “inflating” the PNC’s votes.

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Carter Center reapplies for flight permission to come to Guyana …diplomatic note dispatched – US envoy …APNU/AFC does not want international observers – Jagdeo

T

he Carter Center has reapplied for permission to return to Guyana to observe the national recount, with the backing of the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, firmly thrusting the ball into the Government of Guyana’s court.

This was revealed during a radio interview with the US Ambassador on Wednesday in another section of the media.

According to the Ambassador, she has had discussions with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and they have agreed that the Carter Center is still an accredited observer since the election process is incomplete.

Moreover, she noted that the gazetted order for the recount reflected the unfinished nature of the elections.

According to Ambassador Lynch, there can be no question now that the Carter Center wants to return to Guyana and fulfil its commitments.

“We have gone and requested it again, so there was no question that we were still interested. We are likely today to send out another diplomatic note. At the same time, the Carter

Chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, Jason Carter

Center sent forward their request again,” she said.

“I think that the advisers, they were invited by GECOM, part of US resources to help them get to this point. So, I think GECOM would appreciate the observers and advisers being able to finish their work.”

COVID-19 used as ploy

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo declared the recent refusal of the group entering Guyana under the guise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was a ploy, and pointed to at least eight international flights that were accommodated by

the coalition Government.

Identifying one of the local oil companies, Jagdeo said Government had facilitated the flights to bring in workers from a number of countries including the Philippines.

Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the national recount exercise underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Jagdeo again lamented the Government’s refusal to give permission for three persons from the already accredited observer body to be allowed into the recount exercise.

According to the PPP’s General Secretary, the Carter Center could have been subjected to the same protocols demanded by Government for the other persons landing in the country, including the delegation that was fielded from the Caribbean Community (Caricom).”

He told reporters the move on the part of the Administration “clearly shows that they do not want the presence of the international observers”.

Jagdeo used the opportunity to reassure that his party would continue to press to

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

ensure the international observers were allowed to return to Guyana for the recount process.

Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Sasenarine Gunraj also lamented the continued refusal of the observers on the grounds of COVID-19 measures.

He noted that the National COVID-19 Task Force on Wednesday refused to meet with the Commission to address the matter of accelerating the pace of the national recount exercise, “because they were dealing with some flight at the airport”.

As such, the GECOM Commissioner surmised there were some categories

of persons being allowed into the country and said that begged the question of why there was continued denial or avoidance of the granting of permission to the Carter Center team.

It has already been over two months of controversy, and a credible winner for the March 2 General and Regional Elections is yet to be declared. After two declarations from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo which lacked transparency, Opposition Leader Jagdeo and caretaker President David Granger had agreed to have a recount overseen by the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

That agreement was derailed when A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate Ulita Moore moved to the courts and secured an injunction against the exercise.

That injunction was discharged by the Full Court and later, the Full Court’s decision was upheld by the Appeals Court. But by then, the Caricom team had long since left. GECOM re-invited them, and the recount started last week with the understanding that it would last for 25 days.

The Washington-based Carter Center, which had meanwhile also left Guyana, had confirmed that it had deployed an observer to Miami who was prepared to travel to Georgetown on May 4 to observe the national recount. According to the Center, however, the official was prevented from joining the flight owing to the Guyana Government officials not granting the necessary clearance for travel.

On Monday, a letter surfaced from Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, written on the President’s behalf and addressed to the US Ambassador, in which Cummings cites Guyana’s decision to close its airspace to commercial traffic owing to COVID-19, as the reason that the Government could not allow the Carter Centre to return.

The Minister said in the letter that the Government of Guyana wished for the US to respect these measures.

The letter came only a short while after the COVID-19 Task Force Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Harmon said he had no problem with the Carter Center coming. He had also invited the Center to reapply.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Parties that claim victory should not fear recount – Caricom Ambassador to OAS …says irregularities occurred during counting not voting

C

hair of the Group of Caricom Ambassadors to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Noel Lynch on Wednesday said that political parties in Guyana that are claiming victory in the March 2 polls should not fear the ongoing recount process.

Both the Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic – and the caretaker A Partnership for national Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government have said that they won the March 2 elections, which were held more than two months ago, but credible results were yet to be declared.

The Opposition, however, was the only party to released its Statements of Poll to the public for scrutiny.

Currently, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has undertaken a national recount of all the votes cast on March 2 and the exercise is being scrutinised by a special high-level Caribbean Community (Caricom) team. However, the APNU/AFC has made allegations of irregularities on polling day (March 2) including that dead people voted as well as those who have migrated. Not only did the coalition failed to provide evidence to support these allegations of irregularities, but these were being made just

over a week after caretaker President David Granger said in a statement that the elections were “free, fair and orderly”.

The PPP/C has since argued that these were attempts by the incumbent coalition to “derail” and “undermine” the recount process.

But according to Ambassador Lynch, “if each of the political parties genuinely believe it has won, then they should have no fear of the current recount, and they should all support it.”

Lynch, who is also Barbados’ Ambassador to the OAS, was at the time speaking at the virtual OAS Meeting of the Permanent Council on Wednesday morning, where Head of the OAS Elections Observation Mission (EOM), former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, presented a preliminary report on Guyana’s elections.

The Caricom Ambassador pointed out explicitly that the only irregularities that have been unearthed in Guyana’s electoral process were during the counting process and not polling day as was being claimed by the incumbent Administration.

“We are mindful, Mr Chairman, that irregularities occurred not in the sys-

Caricom Ambassador to OAS, Noel Lynch

tem by which the Guyanese electorate cast their votes on March 2nd, but in the presentation of the count afterwards,” he posited.

Ambassador Lynch went on to recognise that the role that the international observers such as the OAS, the Commonwealth, European Union and Caricom teams played as controversy arose over the counting and tabulation of the votes in the days following polling day.

“Had these Observer Missions not persevered in Guyana, a result might have been declared that would not have commanded the acceptance of the Guyanese people or the respect and approval of the international community,” he posited.

The Barbadian diplomat

noted that a national recount was finally in progress and the exercise is being scrutinised by the high-level Caricom team. As the recount enters into Day Nine today, he said it was clear that the process would go beyond its 25-day timeframe.

This was as a result of two factors: the intense scrutiny to which each ballot is being subjected for the satisfaction of all the contending political parties and each observer mission; and the physical distancing rules that have had to be applied because of COVID-19, which limit the number of persons to participate in and observe the recount.

Democracy must be the winner

Lauding the Guyanese people for their patience and commitment to maintaining democracy, Ambassador Lynch posited that this was not just important to Guyana as a nation but also to Caricom as a regional body.

It is for this reason, he noted, that Caricom regards itself as the most “legitimate interlocutors” in the current situation in Guyana.

“We have no interest in which political party wins the election… Caricom’s interest is that, at the end of the recounting process, democracy must be the winner… If democracy fails in any Caricom country, it fails in the larger Community. If it is imperilled in any part of our Community, it is imperilled everywhere in it,” he contended.

According to Ambassador Lynch, as an institution, Caricom cannot allow this to happen in any of its Member States.

“The Guyanese people deserve a credible and transparent process to put into office a legitimate government that they elected. Caricom takes its scrutineering role in this recount extremely seriously. We intend to see it through to a transparent and credible conclusion,” the Barbadian diplomat stated.

Meanwhile, several of Guyana’s bilateral partners, including Canada and the United States, as well as neighbouring Brazil have also commented on the issue.

Brazilian Ambassador to the OAS, Fernando Simas Magalhães said his country was closely watching developments here, noting that the recount was key for establishing political normalcy in Guyana and for there to be results that could be accepted by all the candidates and society at large.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Ambassador to the OAS, Hugh Adsett reiterated his country’s position that the results of Guyana’s elections were “long overdue” and that transparency of the process would be vital to ensure the legitimacy of the Government that would be sworn-in.

Additionally, Deputy US Permanent Representative to the OAS, Alexis Ludwig, described the report as “compelling and somewhat disturbing”.

Ambassador Ludwig also expressed concerns that representatives from the Carter Center and the International Republic Institute (IRI) were disallowed from returning to Guyana to observe the recount.

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM recounts 11% of votes for Region 4 …Barima-Waini District on track for completion today

T

he national elections recount exercise underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) appears about ready today to complete recounting the votes cast in Region One (Barima-Waini), having completed 15 more ballot boxes on Wednesday for that region.

With 11 boxes more to complete the Region, the workstation over the past eight days completed recounting the votes cast in 88 ballot boxes, at an average of about nine boxes each day.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on

menced its second week.

The Commission will begin today’s activities with a total of 1972 more ballot boxes across the regions.

As it relates to the count for Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), GECOM, at the end of Wednesday, managed to bring the number of boxes addressed for that district to 78 of the total 135.

This would mean that about 56 per cent of the votes cast in the PomeroonSupenaam region of the country has since been recounted.

A total of 11 ballot boxes were scrutinised for the Region on Wednesday, with

completed 15 ballot boxes on Wednesday, with 255 more to go.

As it relates to the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) votes, the Commission has since only been able to complete recounting about 11 per cent of the 879 ballot boxes for the electoral district.

The counting stations recounting the votes for Region Four completed 15 ballot boxes on Wednesday, bringing the total recounted for the region thus far to 96 boxes. This would leave 783 more boxes to be recounted during the exercise for this region.

Report of the ballot boxes counted

Tabulation of Statements of Recount as of Wednesday

Wednesday – Day Eight of the national recount exercise – completed 367 overall of the total 2339 ballot boxes or about 15 per cent.

On Wednesday, a total of 56 ballot boxes were recounted as GECOM com-

57 more to be completed.

Of the total 355 ballot boxes for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), GECOM has completed 100 boxes – about 28 per cent of the total votes.

The counting station

The Commission is still to commence recounting votes for Regions Five and Six, since these would begin sequentially on the completion of the first region – Region One.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

New loss of taste or smell

Muscle pain Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Credible, transparent election bedrock of Fire Service – NYC group tells US Congressman summoned after democracy …presents him with figures of fraudulent declarations “burning smell” I at recount venue n a bid to acquaint him with the facts, activists from the New York Guyana Democracy Project (NYDP) have reached out to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries with side-by-side comparisons of the declarations made by Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and the figures being revealed in the recount.

In an open letter to the Congressman, President of the NYDP, Dr Tara Singh, presented the Congressman with at least two exam-

ples - ballot box 4064 at Friendship Secondary School, and Ballot box 4063 at Garden of Eden, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lecture Hall.

In the case of ballot box 4064, Mingo declared A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) as having won 170 votes and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as winning 73 votes.

However, the Statements of Poll (SOP) in the party’s possession show APNU winning 70 and the PPP

and the Canadian governments, have joined the US Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of State, the British Foreign Secretary, the Commonwealth Secretary General, the OAS, CARICOM Prime Ministers and several Election Observer Missions in calling upon the election body, GECOM, to conduct a credible and transparent election process.

“This call has been intensified when GECOM’s Clairmont Mingo, in the plain view of the world, de-

US Congressman Jeffries

Hakeem

more transparency, the congressional represen-

The Guyana Fire Service at the ACCC

T

he Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was called in to investigate after persons complained of smelling something burning at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, venue of the ongoing national elections recount of votes.

Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Elections

Commission, Yolanda Ward, told the media that there was a “burning smell”, and as such the Fire Service was called in.

When contacted, the Guyana Fire Service said a fire tender was dispatched to the conference centre, but there was no fire.

Examples of the fraudulent declarations used by the NYDP in their correspondence 93, while the Statement of Recount (SOR) show APNU winning 71 and 96. It therefore means that Mingo inflated APNU/AFC’s numbers by at least 99 and subtracted 23 from the PPP. In ballot box 4063, Mingo declared APNU/AFC as winning 85 votes and the PPP, 246. However, both the SOP and the SOR show APNU/AFC winning just 15 votes and the PPP, 276. It means that Mingo inflated APNU/AFC’s votes by 70 and reduced the PPP’s votes by 30.

“There (are) many examples of this electoral fraud.

The US Ambassador, along with the top diplomats of the European Union, the United Nations, the British

clared inflated figures in favour of APNU-AFC party.

This fraud has also been exposed in the recount process. It’s because of the possibility of rigged results that Congressman Albio Sires (D) and bipartisan members of Congress Gregory Meeks (D), Sanford Bishop (D), Francis Rooney (R), Jeff Duncan (R), Jennifer Gonzalez, (R), issued a press release on March 12, 2020 stating: “We welcome the decision to initiate a vote recount in Guyana, and reiterate our bipartisan commitment to supporting a fully transparent election process that reflects the will of the Guyanese people.”

Singh noted that in order to press their case for

tatives had also called on the Government to allow the Carter Center and the technical advisory team from the International Republican Institute (IRI) to return to Guyana and join CARICOM in observing the recount process.

“Diplomats, local political parties, civil society and international bodies calling for credible and transparent elections results merely reflect what the APNUAFC leader, Mr David Granger, the PPPC leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and other political leaders have been advocating. Credible and transparent election is a bedrock of democracy, and we know that you, too, embrace this,” Singh also said.

Jeffries is a high-ranking US Congressman who has also previously been linked to APNU/AFC, having attended their victory party in New York back in 2015. Jeffries had also written the then US Administration to intervene in Guyana’s political affairs after President Donald Ramotar had constitutionally prorogued Parliament.

In fact, that letter was released by APNU/AFC activist Rickford Burke’s outfit.

Recently, Jeffries criticised the US Government for what he called “foreign interference” in Guyana’s affairs during an interview with Burke. This is despite widely documented complaints of fraudulent tabulations.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana Goldfields No new cases as 34 more persons tested for COVID-19 rejects Gran Colombia buyout proposal H aving recorded 16 new COVID-19 cases thus far this week, the Public Health Ministry on Wednesday said no new cases have been confirmed since its last report on the previous day.

Delivering the ministry’s daily update, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle said the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the country remains at 113 – the same as reported on Tuesday.

This, she noted, is despite an additional 34 persons being tested within the last 24 hours – all of whom were negative.

To date, the Ministry has tested a total of 1020 persons, with 907 of them being negative.

While the COVID-19 death rate remains at 10,

According to Dr GordonBoyle, there are currently five persons in institutional quarantine and some 62 in institutional isolation.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) now has three patients admitted there. On Tuesday, the DCMO had reported that six persons were in the dedicated ICU, one of whom was intubated.

With the deadly coronavirus now present in seven of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, Dr Gordon-Boyle underscored the importance of persons adhering to the restrictions in place to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

“This is the situation that we were trying to avoid when we instituted the guidelines with the clear un-

the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease has increased by two, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 41.

derstanding that limiting the spread of this disease to as few regions as possible would have guaranteed us a quicker resolution. With this new development, our

only hope is that you, our citizens, finally realise that unless you act responsibly, our health system is at risk of becoming overburdened with COVID-19 cases,” she stated.

The DCMO pointed out that many countries that have managed to slow the rate of infection and contain this disease have done so by either forceful measures or the disciplined participation of their citizens to join forces with the Government.

Those citizens, she explained, would have: stayed at home when they were advised to; maintained the physical distancing in public spaces; washed their hands before eating, touching their faces, or engaging in activities with others; cleaned surfaces in their homes and places of work as often as possible; and reached out for medical attention when unwell, or if they were knowingly in contact with a positive case.

“I can assure you that though these guidelines may seem simple and imposing, they worked,” she contended.

Dr Gordon-Boyle further noted that the reality facing the United States of America, Italy, China and

Brazil may become the new reality for Guyana if persons do not adhere to these guidelines.

Turning her attention to neighbouring Brazil, the DCMO said the Portuguesespeaking nation continues to have an increase in cases as well as deaths. In just 24 hours, Brazil has recorded its highest daily rise in the number of deaths from the coronavirus, with some 881 new fatalities being recorded on Tuesday. Health officials say that country’s total death toll now stands at 12,400.

According to Dr GordonBoyle, this alarming situation increases the risk for Guyana, because of the constant unofficial cross-border travel. On Monday, it was reported that Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo), which borders Brazil, had recorded its first COVID-19 case.

Dr Gordon-Boyle implored residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to be cautious.

“I hope that you are taking note that you have a very important part to play in protecting the communities bordering Brazil. You can limit the risk of exposure of your communities by adhering to the guidelines,immediately raising the alarm by notifying the authorities as soon as illegal migrants enter your community,” she pleaded.

Moreover, the DCMO urged persons to take advantage of the mobile testing units, especially when they visit communities in Region Four, which is the epicentre of this pandemic.

“Please do your part.

This battle is not lost, my fellow countrymen, but we will only win if we work together as a team. United we stand, divided we fall.

Let’s beat COVID-19!” Dr Gordon-Boyle implored.

ities while the others were charged with breach of curfew.

Thirteen persons were fined sums ranging from $10,000 to $16,000 and given default sentences ranging from two to three months’ imprisonment. Six persons were given community service, while five offenders were reprimanded and discharged based on explanations given to the court. As the countrywide lockdown continues, Regional Police Commander,

Superintendent Hugh Winter has stated that anyone who attempts to make their way into the community from Georgetown via the BamiaLinden-Soesdyke Highway route after the curfew time would be redirected to their location or may be required to wait until the following morning.

Additionally, there are Police roadblocks set up in various areas across Linden, including at the Bamia checkpoint, Amelia’s Ward, the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge and in the Five Corner area.

There are also patrols traversing all areas and according to the Regional Police Commander, anyone found to be in violation will have their names placed in the curfew book and escorted to the nearest Police Station.

DCMO, Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle

5 more persons fined for curfew violations in Linden

A

n additional five persons who appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune via virtual court on Wednesday were fined after being convicted of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) curfew violations in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The violators were all fined $16,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in them serving three months in prison.

While 16 persons were scheduled to appear to answer to curfew violation charges, only six of those matters were called Wednesday.

Five admitted to the offences, with one violator being reprimanded and discharged.

A total of 40 persons were recently charged with curfew violations in Linden, with 10

more scheduled to appear to answer to the charges at a later date.

Nineteen persons who appeared before Magistrate Fortune last Friday were fined or given community service for breaching the countrywide 06:00h-18:00h curfew, as 24 violators showed up for their cases to be tried at the Regional Police Headquarters at Mackenzie, Linden. A total of eight persons were charged for breach of restriction on social activ-

Aurora Gold Mine

G

uyana Goldfields Inc on Wednesday announced that its board of directors after careful consideration and consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has unanimously determined to reject the unsolicited proposal announced by Gran Colombia Gold Corp.

The company on May 11 had made a pitch to Goldfields by proposing to buy all its issued shares.

According to Guyana Goldfields, its Board has since reaffirmed its unanimous support for the transaction previously entered into with Silvercorp Metals Inc. In a statement on Wednesday, Guyana Goldfields said that its board has “determined that the Gran Colombia Proposal is not in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders since, among other things, the Gran Colombia Proposal (i) is complex and highly conditional in nature as it is contingent on the concurrent completion of a separate acquisition

by Gran Colombia of Gold X Mining Corp. The terms of which have not been disclosed to the Company; (ii) requires the approval of the shareholders of each of Gran Colombia, Gold X and the Company, each conditional on the other providing such approval, and (iii) fails to provide the Company with adequate short term liquidity, given the C$3.65 million break fee that would be payable to Silvercorp upon the entering into of a transaction agreement with Gran Colombia and the increased ongoing costs to the Company associated with a delayed closing date relative to the Silvercorp Transaction. The Board acknowledges that, based on current trading prices, the Gran Colombia Proposal represents a premium to the agreed price under the Silvercorp Transaction; however, the Board is of the view that such premium does not sufficiently compensate the Company's shareholders for the increased risk associat-

ed with the Gran Colombia Proposal.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Gran Colombia did not hesitate to call its offer a better one that Silvercorp, the company revealed that it has already approached Goldfields.

According to Gran Columbia, which already has underground gold operations in Columbia, there are several benefits to such a transaction. Back in April, it was announced that Silvercorp, also Canadian, could provide Goldfields with interim loans of up to $15 million as part of its deal.

This loan would have, among other things, funded Goldfield's underground operation and other operational costs. Gran Columbia made a similar offer.

All of this comes on the same day that Guyana Goldfields announced it would be making large scale layoffs of its staff at the Aurora Gold Mine.

Goldfields had blamed COVID-19 and financially-related challenges for its decision.

This was communicated in a letter from Goldfields Chief Executive Officer Alan Pangbourne, dated May 11, 2020. In defence of the decision, Pangbourne cited issues with COVID-19 and other difficulties over the past few months. "… with great regret I am writing to all employees to inform you that we will be reducing the size of AGM’s workforce. This reduction in the workforce will take place at all levels including both national and expatriate employees as the company will transition its mining operation into a state of care and maintenance for an undetermined period,” the CEO’s letter to employees had stated.

Guyana Goldfields has had a roller coaster past year, with former CEO Scott Caldwell resigning and a shareholder’s dispute. They have also had to contend with workers striking due to concerns over their severance.

14 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Wednesday's SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

15

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Wednesday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

16 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Wednesday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

17

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Wednesday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

18 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

20 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Around the World

OILNEWS

Coronavirus may never go away, World Health Organisation warns

OPEC slashes 2020 oil demand forecast by 9 million bpd

T

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) slashed on Wednesday its global oil demand estimates for this year while cutting its forecast for non-OPEC supply as oil producers outside the OPEC+ pact accelerate production curtailments due to the demand crash, low oil prices, and limited storage capacity.In its closely watched Monthly Oil Market Report published on Wednesday, OPEC revised down, again, its global oil demand forecast for this year by a massive 2.23 million barrels per day (bpd), and now sees global oil demand falling by 9.07 million bpd in 2020 compared to 2019.“Indeed, demand contraction in 2020 can be mitigated with sooner-than-expected easing of government COVID-19 related measures, and faster response of economic growth to the implemented extraordinary stimulus packages,” the cartel said.Along with slashing demand projections, OPEC also took an axe to its forecast for non-OPEC supply this year, revising it by nearly two million bpd from last month. Currently, non-OPEC supply is expected to drop by 3.5 million bpd this year, driven by “production shut-ins or curtailment plans announced by oil companies – including the majors – particularly in North America”.“According to different sources and company announcements, US producers – including oil majors – have so far cut production by at least 1.5 mb/d in 2Q20, which is likely to be achieved by shut-ins of higher-cost wells, partial reductions in output of selected wells and the deferral of ‘putting on production’ wells,’’ OPEC said.US oil supply this year was further revised down by 1.3 million bpd to now show a decline of 1.4 million bpd in 2020 compared to 2019.According to OPEC estimates, producers outside of the OPEC+ pact had announced combined cuts of around 3.6 million bpd as of May 6, in response to the lack of demand, low oil prices, excess supply, and limited storage capacity.

“The speedy supply adjustments in addressing the current acute imbalance in the global oil market has already started showing positive response, with rebalancing expected to pick up faster in the coming quarters,” OPEC said. (Oilprice.com)

L

Extra OPEC+ cuts fail to impress oil markets

ast week was the calmest yet in the weeks following COVID-19 and price-war related events that have rocked the oil complex.

Normal standard deviation in Brent in w-o-w is about three per cent, and the last w-o-w saw three per cent once again. But... there’s a catch.Consider what this calm took in stride: announcements of new supply cuts in millions of barrels per day (bpd). In normal times, even a one million bpd increase or decrease can translate into a double-digit price change, but these days, talk of millions of barrels on both supply and demand sides are just thrown around in routine banter.This last week, the OPEC announced extra cuts of over 1 million bpd between Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, which will result in Saudi Arabia’s production falling to 7.5 million bpd in June, down almost five million bpd from its April high.

Lower oil exports combined with historically low prices are wreaking great financial stress on the Kingdom, leading to ‘tough’ austerity measures such as tripling VAT and reducing Government benefits – measures that will likely constrain future economic growth. Sensing that medium sour grades will be in tighter supply, Saudi Arabia increased their June crude Official Selling Price (OSPs), opposite to market expectations – forcing buyers to scramble for spot cargoes, and refiners to revisit their economics (perhaps leading to lower runs).Norway raised its hand to contribute 250,000 bpd and majors in USA/Canada oil joined in with nearly 10 per cent announced cuts, with the USA Energy Department expecting US production to drop by two to three million bpd by year-end. John Nash would be proud to witness yet another game theory in progress –rational players moving towards a new equilibrium where both parties compromise to accept less of what each wants, but higher payouts than if both do what each wants.So what was the reaction in crude prices to these OPEC++ cuts? A collective yawn. Regardless of how much supply is cut, demand destruction remains one step ahead, with the EIA announcing a forecast of an eight million bpd contraction in 2020. (Excerpt from oilprice.com)

Attacks deal Trump's long-shot Afghan peace push a fresh blow

U

S President Donald Trump’s stalled plans to bring peace to Afghanistan have suffered a new setback with a decision

by Kabul to resume offensive operations against the Taliban following two attacks on Tuesday that killed scores of Afghans.

Washington cast the attacks – one at a Kabul hospital where gunmen killed at least 24 people, including two newborns, and a suicide bombing at a funeral in Nangarhar

21

province that killed at least 32 people – as a moment for the Afghan Government and the Taliban to unite to combat such violence and to negotiate a peace deal.

An affiliate of the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. There has been no claim for the hospital attack in Kabul.

The Taliban denied involvement in both attacks.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

There are more than 100 potential vaccines currently in development

T

he coronavirus "may never go away", the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.

Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, WHO emergencies director Dr Mike Ryan warned against trying to predict when the virus would disappear.

He added that even if a vaccine is found, con-

trolling the virus will require a "massive effort".

Almost 300,000 people worldwide are reported to have died of coronavirus, and more than 4.3 million cases recorded.

"It is important to put this on the table: this virus may become just another endemic virus in our communities, and this virus may never go away," Dr

Ryan told the virtual press conference from Geneva.

"HIV has not gone away – but we have come to terms with the virus."

Dr Ryan then said he doesn't believe "anyone can predict when this disease will disappear".

There are currently more than 100 potential vaccines in development – but Dr Ryan noted there are other illnesses, such as measles, that still haven't been eliminated despite there being vaccines for them.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed it was still possible to control the virus, with effort.

"The trajectory is in our hands, and it's everybody's business, and we should all contribute to stop this pandemic," he said.

WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove also told the briefing: "We need

to get into the mindset that it is going to take some time to come out of this pandemic."

Their stark remarks come as several countries began to gradually ease lockdown measures, and leaders consider the issue of how and when to reopen their economies.

Dr Tedros warned that there was no guaranteed way of easing restrictions without triggering a second wave of infections.

"Many countries would like to get out of the different measures," the WHO boss said. "But our recommendation is still the alert at any country should be at the highest level possible."

Dr Ryan added: "There is some magical thinking going on that lockdowns work perfectly and that unlocking lockdowns will go great. Both are fraught with dangers." (Excerpt from BBC News)

US says China trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine as markets slump

C

hinese hackers are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine research, US authorities said Wednesday, ratcheting up tensions between the superpowers as markets slumped on warnings from the US Federal Reserve that prolonged shutdowns could cause "lasting damage".

Europe, meanwhile, pushed ahead with plans to gradually reopen for summer tourism, even as fears persist of a second wave of infections in the pandemic that has forced more

than half of humanity behind closed doors in recent months.

With some countries scrambling after a fresh surge in cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned Wednesday that the virus "may never go away".

Currently there is no proven therapy for COVID-19. An effective vaccine could allow countries to fully reopen and potentially earn millions of dollars for its creators.

With such high stakes, hackers linked to Beijing

are attempting to steal research and intellectual property related to treatments and vaccines, two US security agencies warned Wednesday.

"China's efforts to target these sectors pose a significant threat to our nation's response to COVID-19," the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said.

Neither offered evidence or examples to support the allegation.

Washington has increasingly blamed Beijing for the outbreak caused by the vi-

rus that first emerged in China late last year.

Asked on Monday about earlier reports that the US believed Chinese hackers were targeting US vaccine research, President Donald Trump replied: "What else is new with China? What else is new? Tell me. I'm not happy with China."

Beijing has repeatedly denied the US accusations.

Meanwhile, Brazil registered its highest virus death toll in a single day, and the country is emerging as a new global hotspot.

(Excerpt from AFP)

US: T&T violated Rio Treaty Caricom States hope to start with Venezuelan VP visit intra-regional travel by June

T

he United States Embassy has said that Government violated the 73-year-old Rio Treaty when Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez landed in the country.

“Delcy Rodriguez is subject to travel sanctions that are binding on all Rio Treaty parties, and Trinidad and Tobago is a party to the treaty,” the Embassy said.

The Rio Treaty, otherwise known as the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, is an agreement between countries in the Western Hemisphere as part of a mutual defence system.

The treaty provides for mutual assistance if an act of aggression threatens the peace of the Western

Hemisphere.

Back in September, the signatories met to discuss and vote on whether to employ the regional treaty to impose sanctions on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In that meeting, convened by the Organisation of the American States, 16 of the 19 signatories agreed to abide by the Rio Treaty and supported using the agreement to collaborate on law enforcement operations and economic sanctions against Maduro and his associates.

T&T abstained from voting at that meeting, but the country is still bound by the agreement. Uruguay voted against it and Cuba was absent. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

M

ember States of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) plan on reopening borders to intra-regional travel in the first instance, hopefully by next month.This is according to Grenada’s Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Caricom, Oliver Joseph.“What we are discussing is to first allow regional travel, that is travel within the islands such as travel between Grenada and Trinidad or between Trinidad and Barbados; we are not looking at having international carriers come to the island yet,” said Joseph, who last week chaired at the fiftieth meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).During the virtual meeting, COTED approved a strategy for the reopening of economies in the Caricom.

The Council is made up of trade ministers, and officials

Grenada’s Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Caricom, Oliver Joseph

agreed to a framework centred on the development and adherence to defined metrics related to the novel coronavirus, which will guide in the reopening process.Grenada’s borders as well as many regional ports of entry and exit were closed in March as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. (Excerpt from CMC)

22

THURSDAY MAY 14, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

− aims to break into West Indies set-up

By Timothy Jaikarran

D

uring the course of the week, the Amazon Warriors retained many of their big names for the 2020 edition of the Hero CPL. Among those was local hero Chandrapaul Hemraj, who had an outstanding season with the Warriors in 2019.

Hemraj played his first CPL match in 2018, when he represented the St Lucia Zouks and participated in only two games; but his breakthrough came in 2019, when he featured in 12 games playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and scoring 299 runs at an average of 24.9, with

an impressive strike rate of 121 at the top of the order and a high score of 66.

He went on to prove his worth with the ball, bowling in 7 of the 12 games in which he played, and bagging 5 wickets at an economy rate of 6.9 and best bowling figures of 3/15.

Moreover, he was the third highest run scorer for the Warriors, and was placed at number 7 in the overall batting charts.

Hemraj was asked by Guyana Times Sports how he regarded being retained by the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2020 CPL season.

He replied: “First of all, I want to thank the Warriors management for retaining me; they always support their players 100 percent. In terms of my fitness and batting, well, I basically train in the morning and then (have) a video chat with all the Jaguars players. Batting-wise, I practise on the concrete with a soft ball, this is to work on my hand speed and reflexes, as this is all I can do until the COVID-19 passes.

“When it comes to my bowling, I have seen the improvements, and I would definitely like

to move out of the ‘part-time bowler’ bracket and into (being) a full-fledged all-rounder.”

Hemraj has also said he believes the Warriors had an excellent run in 2019, despite not being able to win the finals. He noted that whenever the 2020 edition commences, he would be looking to play his natural aggressive game and get some big scores under his name.

Asked how he views his chances of making the Windies T20 squad and possibly representing them at the

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The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September, but tournament organisers are still closely watching the situation with the COVID-19 disease, and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

Gayle’s outburst at Sarwan…

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s player and captain, Ian Chappell had his brushes with those in authority. A true rebel, he could never accept the smug approach of administrators, and was very much his own man.

But even they had to accept that Chappell had a vast knowledge of various aspects of the game, which led to him being not just a successful captain, but also tactically one of the best.

Today, at 76, he has mellowed quite a bit, but still minces no words when spelling out his views, which are followed closely by anyone associated with cricket.

His latest proposal, calling for radical changes in the lbw laws, wherein he advocates that a batsman should be given out ‘leg before’ as long as the ball is hitting the stumps, irrespective of the spot of its landing and impact, has invited a lot of attention among the experts.

Sometimes it is better if a law is simply worded. Some of the laws are needlessly complicated. In the words of Chappell, the new lbw law should simply be read as: “Any delivery that strikes the pad without first hitting the bat and in the umpire’s opinion would go on to hit the stumps is out, regardless of whether or not a shot is attempted.”

According to Chappell, it should not matter where the ball has pitched and whether or not it has struck the pad outside the line; if it’s going to hit the stumps, it’s out.

Chappell says it would make the game fairer, and who can deny this? Yes, the “pampered” batsmen, as he puts it, may disagree; but there are numerous positives this change could bring to the game. For example, if a bowler is prepared to attack the stumps regularly, the batsman should only be able to protect his wicket with the bat. In this connection, Chappell makes a pertinent point: “Pads are there to save the batsman from injury, not dismissal.”

Chappell could not have cited a better example to drive home his point than Sachin Tendulkar taking on Shane Warne’s round-the-wicket tactic during the 1997-98 Test series in India. Tendulkar played aggressively to counter Warne’s approach in Chennai during the first Test, and was rewarded with a commanding match-winning innings of 155 not out.

“Contrast this with a batsman who kicks away deliveries pitching in the rough and turning in towards the stumps. Which would you rather watch?” he asks in a self-explanatory tone.

According to Chappell, the law as it stands encourages pad play to balls pitching outside leg, while the change he has suggested would force them to use their bat. The change would also reward bowlers who attack the stumps.

And as a final positive point, he is of the view that his proposed change would also cut down “frivolous” DRS challenges. It would simplify umpiring and result in fewer unnecessary challenges, and consequently would speed up a game that has slowed down in recent times.

Chappell has proposed a radical change in the lbw law, but it is one that deserves a look-in. (Crictoday)

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resident of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Ricky Skerritt, has strongly hinted that he expects to see action taken against veteran batsman Chris Gayle following a recent public outburst which mainly disparaged former teammate and Jamaica Tallawahs assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan.

In the now-infamous YouTube post, Gayle accused Tallawahs franchise chief executive Jeff Miller and owner Krish Persaud of "playing a game". His fiercest criticism was, however, reserved for Sarwan, whom he accused of having a role in his unexpected dismissal from the franchise.

In the video, Gayle referred to Sarwan as a ‘snake’ and described the former batsman as ‘worse than the coronavirus’.

Sarwan has denied any involvement in the non-renewal of Gayle’s contract with the Tallawahs, and has insisted that the assertions made against him are false.

Skerritt, who called the incident unfortunate, has said CWI is keeping a close eye on the situation, but has insisted that, for now, the prerogative of taking action would be in the hands of the CPL, to which Gayle is contracted.

"It cannot be good for West Indies Cricket, obviously. It is certainly not something that I enjoyed reading about," Skerritt told Trinidad radio station i955fm in a recent interview.

“If, however, a player is contracted to a club or a franchise, or to Cricket West Indies, then (due to) the contract they have signed, that kind of behaviour brings that contract (into) some level of disrepute; so I would expect that this most recent matter is not over,” he added.

"I think Chris is going to face…I'm sure there's some kind of discussion taking place at the moment between Chris and the CPL, because Chris is signed into a franchise team."

The CWI boss, however, went on to make it clear that the CPL still falls within the remit of the regional cricket governors, and, as such, they would be keeping an eye on the matter.

"If he was on contract with Cricket West Indies -- and to a certain extent it is, by being in the CPL -- so we kind of have a watching interest; but we'll wait and see what happens,” Skerritt said.

While insisting he expected the due process to run its course, Skerritt said he hoped the outburst would not lead to the cricketer’s career coming to a premature end.

"I hope it doesn't become a world matter in terms of the career of Mr. Gayle, because it's been a very outstanding career, and I really wouldn't want to see it being brought to an end by this event."

Gayle has since joined the St Lucia Zouks. (Sportsmax)

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to be something exciting to watch.

“I'm excited about Kimani Melius because he is from St Lucia. He is one of the hardest working youngsters I've ever seen. With the experience of Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher, he could really benefit from this CPL exposure. Obed McCoy is a talented left-arm fast bowler out of St Vincent.

He is a very skilful bowler, can't wait to see him play a full season for the St Lucia Zouks. Kavem Hodge is another talented all-rounder

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he St Lucia Zouks have announced the Caribbean players they would be reKesrick Williams taining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League tournament.

The Zouks have chosen to retain or sign eight Caribbean players ahead of the CPL draft, including alltime leading T20 run scorer Chris Gayle and exciting St Lucian batsman Kimani Melius, who is the team’s emerging player.

Among the retentions are Captain Daren Sammy, opening batsman Andre Fletcher, all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, and bowlers Kesrick Williams, Obed McKoy and Kavem Hodge.

Captain of the St Lucia Zouks, Daren Sammy, said: “I don’t have to tell you about Chris Gayle. He is the most successful T20 batsman in the world, and I'm happy to be playing with him. I think he will be focused and motivated for the season.

“Andre Fletcher has been with us since the inception of the league. He carries the true spirit of St Lucia Zouks, and he is a great entertainer on the field.

“Kesrick Williams is one of the top T20 bowlers over the last few years in international cricket.

“Rahkeem Cornwall really bosses the powerplay overs, and (his) partnering up with Chris Gayle is going Rahkeem Cornwall

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hirty-seven-year-old Veronica Cecil of Hampshire Village, Corentyne was last Saturday pleasantly surprised when a delegation from the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) turned up at her residence to honour her as the BCB/Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year for 2020.

The delegation was headed by President Hilbert Foster and Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu, who handed over a collection of gifts and a trophy and medal to Mrs. Naidu described Mrs. Cecil as a dedicated parent of four children, two of whom are very active in playing cricket at the junior level. Leon Cecil is a promising under-17 allrounder who bowls off-spin and is a solid middle order batsman, while Damien Cecil is a very capable wicket-keeper/batsman.

Both Cecil siblings play for the vibrant Albion CC, and represented Berbice in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board’s junior inter-county tournament. Leon played at the under-17 level and took 6 for 17 in one game, while Damien played two crucial innings at the Under-15 level to enable Berbice to clinch championship honours.

BCB President Hilbert Foster noted that the BCB fully understands the importance of parents in the development of Berbice Cricket. He said the virtue of discipline is first developed in the home; discipline is the root of success, and parents are the best role models that any child could have.

The BCB President also noted that in Berbice most mothers are housewives, and as such, they are the parent who is responsible for the upliftment of their children. He praised Mrs. Cecil for the role she is playing in the lives of her two sons, whom he described as disciplined, committed and passionate cricketers.

The BCB is currently undertaking a series of activities off the cricket field during the coronavirus crisis, including providing food hampers to less fortunate families, donating scorebooks to clubs, handing out cleaning detergents to public institutions, and obtaining important items for its daily operations. Mrs. Cecil expressed gratitude to the Berbice Cricket Board for honouring her, and expressed her satisfaction at the current state of Berbice Cricket. She pledged to continue playing a major role in her children’s cricketing career.

we have. He works really hard on his game; he had a pretty good first class season as well”.

St Lucia Zouks coach, Andy Flower,

said: “I’m really looking forward to having two Caribbean legends in our dressing room:Daren Sammy, for his outstanding leadership; and Chris Gayle, for his experience and explosive stroke play. They will be central to our chances of doing well in the tournament.

Kesrick Williams and Obed McCoy are going to be Chris Gayle the mainstays of our seam attack, both operating in very different ways but both extremely effective in this form of the game. I am very excited that we have the youth and potential of the West Indies U19 World Cup captain Kimani Melius with us. A St Lucia native, it is brilliant to have him on board, and (I’m) looking forward to seeing how he progresses when he gets his chance.”

While international retentions and signings will be announced at a later date, teams can this year retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September, but tournament organisers are currently closely watching the situation with COVID-19, and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

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ricket West Indies (CWI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have agreed to postpone both the Women’s Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day International (ODI) Series that was scheduled to begin at the end of the month in Jamaica and Trinidad, and the Men’s ‘A’ Team Series that was scheduled to commence in in June Antigua.

The five-match Women’s series was scheduled prior to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in July, but following South Africa’s automatic qualification (having finished third in the ICC Women’s Championship) and in response to the ICC’s announcement on Tuesday of the postponement of the Women’s Qualifier Tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CWI and CSA have decided to postpone the tour.

Additionally, CWI and CSA have agreed that due to the uncertainty of international travel, quarantine requirements and the health and safety of both teams, the ‘A’ Team tour should also be postponed.

CWI CEO Johnny Grave said, “The health and safety of the players and coaching staff is of paramount importance to both CWI and CSA, and with the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, it is impos-

sible for us to consider both tours taking place, as we had originally planned.

“We are continuing our discussions with CSA on the feasibility of hosting the Men’s tour later this summer, and will have further discussions in due course on new dates for the Women’s and ‘A’ Team tours.”

CSA’s acting CEO Dr. Jacques Faul said, “It is a frustrating state of affairs in which cricket finds itself around the world, but there are more important issues that have to be confronted, and the wellbeing of our players and support staff must always come first. Both our men’s and women’s national teams are keen to get back on the playing field as soon as possible. They want to build on their recent good results, with the men achieving a 3-0 victory over Australia in their recent Momentum ODI Series against Australia and our Momentum Proteas women coming so close to reaching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final.”

The West Indies Women currently sit in seventh (7th) position in the ICC Women’s Championship rankings. The top three teams from the Women’s Qualifier will qualify to participate in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 due to take place in February in New Zealand.

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

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BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu handing over the Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year Award to Veronica Cecil, as her two sons look on

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