Guyana Times International

INTERNATIONAL

Tickets for Limacol CPL now on sale Page 54

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

for FRee distribution guyanatimesinternational.com

You can also read Guyana Times daily edition online at www.guyanatimesgy.com ISSUE NO. 199

week ending July 6, 2014

Manickchand roasts US Ambassador for “meddling in Guyana’s politics” See story on page 3

Over 4000 Guyanese migrate to US annually Page 17

- application for non-immigrant visas almost trippled

11 Guyanese join New York Police Dept.

Page 5

US Ambassador D Brent Hardt surrounded by the press after being accused of meddling in Guyana's domestic affairs

2

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NEWS

3

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Manickchand roasts US Ambassador for “meddling in Guyana’s politics” A

mid heckling and sometimes thunderous boos, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand delivered a blistering attack on the United States Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt at a reception Wednesday night to commemorate that country’s 238th Independence Anniversary.

Observers described the Minister’s remarks as the most controversial ever delivered at any diplomatic occasion in Guyana and even the Ambassador remarked at the end “what a sendoff”.

Manickchand, whose substantive portfolio is Minister of Education, told Hardt that he has “crossed the red line” regarding his criticism of the Government for the delays in the holding of Local Government Elections. Standing besides Hardt at the reception held at his Cummings Lodge residence, Manickchand said the Ambassador has “contributed to a tension-filled relationship

Elections.

Disapproval

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand toasting with the outgoing US Ambassador D. Brent Hardt minutes after her scathing remarks

with the Government of Guyana”. She stated that his recent “assault” on President Donald Ramotar and his Administration had “gone beyond the boundaries of professionalism and diplomacy”.

The Minister added, “For a professional foreign service officer with

the appointment of an ambassador, to make such declarations, accusations, allegations and innuendoes about the executive President of Guyana, or any country for that matter is to our mind totally unacceptable.”

Manickchand was alluding to remarks made

by the US Ambassador during a Blue CAPS event earlier in the week.

Ambassador Hardt had accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of breaching the Constitution of Guyana, by failing to hold the long overdue Local Government

But even as Minister Manickchand attempted to pour cold water on the utterances of the US Ambassador, political leaders, executives within the Private Sector and members of Non-Governmental Organisations started to boo her. Amid the heckles, Manickchand said: “As one reads his diatribes against our President… at the liberties he has taken with Diplomatic Conventions…this situation I report is intolerable.”

According to her, Ambassador Hardt has been associated with a dedicated attack on President Ramotar and the Government on the holding of Local Government Elections.

Though supported in “this ill-conceived venture”, the Acting Foreign Affairs Minister said, the Government will not be intimidated by the US. “His superficial grasp is revealed by his misinformation about

the Bill, worse yet is his reluctance to have views about the hosting of Local Government Elections corroborated by other knowledgeable stakeholders, other than the Chairman of GECOM. The Ambassador’s behaviour is totally unacceptable.”

Reflecting on the 1950s-1960s period, Minister Manickchand, much to the displeasure of the audience, said one would recall the US interference in Guyana, as she called on Guyanese to reflect on the consequences that befell the nation. “Those consequences questioned the Ambassador’s moral correctness on lecturing Guyana and for that matter, the rest of the world.”

She said the US Ambassador has “crossed the red line”, noting that behaviour such as his would not be tolerated within the boundaries of mutual respect, diplomatic relations and inter-Government collaboration.

Just after toasting continued on page 15

4

Views

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

7 Days to go!

INTERNATIONAL To contact: Guyana Times International

New York Office 106-15 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica NY 11435 Email: guyanatimesnyint@gmail.com Tel no: 718-658-6804 Preferred method of contact via EMAIL Guyana Office Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel no: (592) 227-0704, 227-0709.

Fax (592) 225-8696, 227-0685 Email: guyanatimesint@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Stagnant population

T

he skeletal outlines of the Guyana Census were just released in a “preliminary” report. But the million-dollar question in the room remained unanswered: the ethnic breakdown of the populace. We will have to wait until next year for that tidbit.

In the meantime, what do we make of the released data? As exemplified by the graph in this week’s edition, the population of this country has remained statistically unchanged for the last 30 years.

This demands explanation. If a country’s population is static, it will soon not have the requisite number of working-age bodies to fill the labour needs of a growing economy. It is for this reason, for instance, that India is seen as a better prospect for maintaining growth into the next century because of its far larger young population. If Guyana is to ultimately transform itself, it will have to increase its population. The reasons for its population stagnation will have to be explored and addressed.

The first factor that comes to mind is the high rate of migration that started in the 1960s and picked up steam in the following decades. From the end of WWII up to the 1960s, the primary destination for Guyanese migrants was England, but as that country tightened up its policies, the USA loosened theirs.

It is possible that migration to the US would have continued at the low historical rate of that to England, but the internecine ethnic warfare and the collapse of the economy in the 1970s created some desperate push factors. The US system of “sponsorship” of blood relatives ensured that the rate would be maintained in the following decades.

One of the WikiLeaks tapes revealed that between 1992 and 2004, more than 73,000 immigrant visas were issued – an average 0.8 per cent of the population obtained an immigrant visa to the US annually. Combined with migration to Canada, the Caribbean, Suriname and even Venezuela, it is not difficult to accept the recent study that showed there were more persons of Guyanese origin living abroad than in Guyana. The outward migration has continued but at a somewhat slower rate: recently the US Ambassador revealed that from 2004 to the present, some 46,549 immigrant visas were issued – an average of 4654 annually.

What makes this migration even more debilitating is that it is not only the younger Guyanese who are migrating, but the most educated. Statistics reveal that almost 85 per cent of all graduates from the University of Guyana and other tertiary education institutions migrate. Much of the stress and money given to education ends up benefitting foreign destinations.

But there is another, not often-cited factor in the moribund population growth – the fertility rate. A population needs to have all males and females get married and produce at least two children to keep the population constant: they will replace their parents at least. Since there is always a significant percentage of unmarried individuals in the population a fertility rate of above two is required for growth. Up to the 1960s, this was not a problem, since the fertility rate was over five. Since then, however, compounding the increased migration rate, the fertility rate has plummeted and is now at best hovering around two.

What has probably kept the population from dipping more precipitously than it has been is the recent influx of Brazilians into our interior in search of gold, Chinese on the Coast in search of investments in retailing and commerce, and a much smaller number of Amerindians in the interior migrating than coastlanders. When the figures are eventually disaggregated, it will be very interesting to discover the exact numbers of these last three groups.

Because as we stated earlier, Guyana’s population must have the motto “Grow or Stagnate”, it is quite possible that the changing demographics might just make the curiosity about the ethnic composition become less urgent.

We can't wait to see this year’s CPLT20 Cheerleaders!

Which country is going to have the best moves?

EU plugs US$510M into supporting education in developing countries

L

ast week, new funding to support education in developing countries over the next seven years, through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), was announced by European Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

Speaking at the EU-hosted GPE’s Second Replenishment Pledging Conference, the Commissioner underlined that the new €375 million (US$510 million) support will contribute to providing basic education in close to 60 countries where the Partnership currently works.

Announcing the commitment, Commissioner Piebalgs said: “As a former teacher myself, I have always been strongly committed to ensuring that all children receive a quality education, no matter where they live. That’s why we are proud to partner with the GPE on today’s event – it shows our firm ongoing commitment to education, and I hope today’s event will also encourage other donors to redouble their efforts; not only to get children into schools but also to improve the standards of education they receive there.”

This funding comes on top of the EU’s ongoing commitment to education – in the Agenda for Change (the EU’s policy to refocus its aid to support those sectors and countries which need it most and where it can make the most difference), the Commissioner pledged to spend at least 20 per cent of the EU development aid on human development and social inclusion, including education.

Mobilising resources

Total EU funding for education in developing countries is expected to reach some €4.5 billion between 2014 and 2020.

This includes €2.8 billion for basic and vocational education, the bulk of it through bilateral cooperation, and €1.68 billion for the higher education programme. Fifty-one of the countries supported are ‘fragile’ (countries currently affected by conflict and post-conflict countries) – an increase of almost 10 per cent up from 2013.

The replenishment conference aims to mobilise domestic resources and external financing for education in GPE countries for the 2015-2018 period, the latter both through the GPE Fund and through bilateral support.

Developing partner countries are expected to make significant pledges in terms of mobilisation of domestic funding for education, which is critical for success as it caters for the lion’s share of those budgets.

On the donor side, in addition to the European Commission, other EU donors are expected to pledge significant amounts to the GPE at the event.

Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Partnership’s Board of Directors, chaired the event, together with Commissioner Piebalgs. More than 40 education ministers from developing countries were in attendance, as well as Democratic Republic of the Congo Prime Minister Augustin Ponyo; European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and

Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva; ministers from across the EU; former UK Prime Minister and UN Special Envoy on Global Education Gordon Brown; UN Special Adviser on Global Education Ziauddin Yousafzai, Honorary Chair at the Malala Fund (and father of education activist Malala Yousafzai); UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova; and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake.

The EU and its member states are collectively the biggest donor to the GPE, having contributed more 75 per cent of US$ 3.7 billion awarded from the GPE Fund in 20042013. Since 2004, support from the Partnership contributed to the following results: 22 million more children have been attending school, including 10 million more girls; 28 developing country partners have achieved gender parity in primary school completion; 300,000 teachers have been trained; and close to 53,000 classrooms have been built, rehabilitated and equipped The GPE is made up of nearly 60 developing country governments, as well as donor governments, civil society/nongovernmental organisations, teacher organisations, international organisations, and the private sector and foundations, whose joint mission is to galvanise and coordinate a global effort to provide a good quality education to children, prioritising the poorest and most vulnerable. It has allocated US$3.7 billion over the past decade to support education reforms in developing countries.

news

11 Guyanese join New York Police Dept.

G

uyanese make up the second highest number of recruits by the New York Police Department (NYPD), according to the New York Daily News.

The publication says nearly a quarter of the NYPD’s newest batch of cops are foreign born, with the Dominican Republic leading the way as the most popu-

Officers of the NYPD

lar birthplace.

On Monday, 616 recruits graduated after six months of training at the police academy. They hail from 49 countries, with 24 born in the Dominican Republic, according to statistics obtained by the Daily News.

The second most popular birth country is Guyana, with 11 recruits. Ten recruits

are from Bangladesh and eight hail from Trinidad and Tobago.

But 26 countries, from Azerbaijan to Yemen, are represented by just one new recruit, the statistics show.

In total, 138 of the recruits were born outside the United States, or about one in four, similar to classes in recent years.

5

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Political leadership vital to integration venture – PM Gonsalves

O

u t g o i n g Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Ralph Gonsalves Tuesday evening underlined the vital nature of political leadership in the quest for integration, as well as the necessity to “love and care for CARICOM”.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister’s statements were contained in a speech titled “CARICOM’s possibilities, limitations and unevenness of outcomes” that he delivered during the Opening Ceremony of the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Antigua and Barbuda.

His was one of three addresses delivered as the Conference got under way at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa. Incoming Chair of the Community, newly-elected Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Hon Gaston Browne, and Secretary-General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, also addressed the Opening Ceremony.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

In his address, Prime Minister Gonsalves rallied the Community to shed its doubts, and to dig deep into the recesses of “our Caribbean civilization” to find “what was good and sensible in us as we go forward”. In spite of what he characterized as “the design limitations of CARICOM”, he pointed to the achievements that the Region had recorded under its four pillars: functional cooperation, economic integration including trade, the coordination of foreign policy; and the combining of regional security initiatives.” But he cautioned that there was still much work to be done.

“In this venture, po-

litical leadership is vital; our doubts must no longer detain us; and we must ever more love and care for CARICOM for without it, despite its many false starts and disappointments, our people would be diminished in their quest to enhance, in their own interest, their capacity to address, most optimally, the internal and exogenous challenges which beset them.

In all these reflections, we must never forget CARICOM’s accomplishments which constitute a part of the permanent landscape of our Region’s political economy,” Prime Minister Gonsalves said.

The absence of a “dramatic forward-movement” in affairs of the Community ought not to invite “unwarranted criticism or a paralysing cynicism”, he cautioned.

Neither, he added, must the Community fall prey to a “smug satisfaction about consolidation and progress in the face of foot-dragging in some critical issues and an unacceptable implementation deficit on items upon which we have solemnly agreed”.

6

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Gouveia explains glitches in Dynamic Airways inaugural flight - says company now free to operate from JFK

“N

O passenger was left stranded,” was the message communicated by Captain Gerry Gouveia, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, at a press conference on Wednesday.

Roraima Airways are the ground-handling agents of Dynamic Airways, and Captain Gouveia was addressing a press conference held to discuss Dynamic’s inaugural flight between Guyana and the USA. The airline had experienced technical, administrative, and ground handling issues which caused its flight to be delayed at the JFK Airport in New York. The aircraft subsequently departed out of Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey.

Captain Gouveia reiterated that Dynamic’s passengers were never left stranded; that they were communicated with every step of the way. He related that he wanted the airline to have a Guyanese flavour,

Roraima Airways CEO, Captain Gerry Gouveia, affords the media a glimpse of the Letter of Permission by JFK authorities. With him is his wife, Captain Debbie Gouveia

and indicated also that a lot of persons had begun making contact with him concerning catering and ground handling, to name a few openings, after it had been indicated that Roraima Airways was in partnership with Dynamic Airways.

“Because I want this airline to have a Guyanese flavour — and I still do, and I am still committed to doing it — I spoke to the principals of Dynamic, and we were going to use Guyanese handlers at the

airport. On the first flight out of New York, when the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) did their baggage audit, it was found that about four pieces were not tagged, and therefore all baggage had to be rechecked with the passengers,” Gouveia explained.

He said the TSA then called upon the airline to take appropriate action against the handlers, thus Dynamic Airways fired the ground handlers moments before the flight

was scheduled to depart for Guyana. And although placed in a vulnerable position, the airline negotiated with Fly Jamaica to use their airport ground handlers and parking ‘slot’.

“When the flight

was being checked in at CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport), the officials from Dynamic in New York were in discussion with Fly Jamaica officials; and about five minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land at JFK Airport (John F Kennedy), Fly Jamaica cancelled the arrangement that was put in place, leaving Dynamic Airways without a ground handler or a gate to go to; and this caused some more challenges,” Gouveia said.

Gouveia emphasized: “I want to make it clear that this plane was never impounded; it was never seized, nor were the pilots ever arrested. “The US authorities wanted to question the pilots, and they were able to produce all relevant documents,

and allowed to leave.”

Gouveia indicated that

by Monday, July 7, all arrangements would be finalised to have the aircraft land at JFK Airport instead of at Bradley International Airport, which is some two hours drive from JFK. Alternative arrangements have been put in place to accommodate passengers already booked to fly from Guyana to the Bradley Airport. They would be shuttled to the JFK Airport Gate Four to be received by their relatives.

He informed the media that Dynamic Airways has since been issued the official letter authorizing it to operate at the JFK Airport, so the airline would no longer experience the problems it did on its inaugural flight.

PM Hinds urges Hinterland scholars to aspire to greatness

P

A proud graduand receives her certificate of achievement from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

RIME Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President, On Wednesday evening urged hinterland youths schooled under the Hinterland Scholarship Programme to be the impetus of greater socioeconomic growth for the country.

The occasion was the programme’s 52nd graduation exercise, which was held at the Amerindian Village, Sophia, and saw 67 youths graduate, having completed their secondary education under the programme at various schools in the city.

“Improve on what we did; do better than what we did, cause we are giving you a higher level to start from,” Prime Minister Hinds said. He noted that his generation laboured to bring progress to Guyana, and

if youths join together when it is their turn, then they could consolidate and bring greater advancement to this country.

He urged that the youths not underestimate the challenge that developing the country would bring, noting that the contributions of his generation are being impeded by not rising to this challenge of coming together.

He added that if in the future the present day youths can rise to the challenge of building the country, and simultaneously rise to the challenge of coming together as a people, then growth and development in Guyana will be unparalleled.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai dubbed the exercise another in

line of those that manifest the benefits of Government’s investment in education.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme provides support to 427 plus students today, when in the beginning a mere 6 youths were awarded scholarships to attend schools in Georgetown. “This programme is a manifestation of Government’s commitment to increase equal access to education among hinterland students,” Minister Sukhai said.

Through investments in expanding access and improving the delivery of secondary education, Government is strengthening and improving the quality and the capacity of the country’s human resource capital to ensure the country’s future, she said.

7

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times International, Industrial Site Ruimveldt Georgetown, Guyana or guyanatimesint@gmail.com

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

President, US Ambassador demonstrated statesmanship

Dear Editor, I would like to commend our President and the US Ambassador for their statesmanship and open-mindedness that made them able and willing to forget any differences which they had encountered in relation to the democracy project. This has led them to start cooperating in other areas of our political apparatus,

as in the establishment of the DEA office in our country.

The efforts of our most important leader, His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar, and the most influential diplomat, US Ambassador D Brent Hardt, clearly provide a shining example to others in the various sections of our political system, as well as the rest of our society, to override any

misunderstandings which may develop and work towards the overall betterment of our affairs.

It demonstrates that we should always avoid making any judgments on other people’s actions, consider that any rifts that may develop in our interactions may have come about as a result of some misinterpretation of what trans-

Gov’t committed to relocating CJIA squatters

Dear Editor, The Public Works Ministry is extremely disappointed with the biased nature of an article published in another section of the press headlined, “Timehri farmers losing valuable crops as airport expansion moves apace”.

The article is centred on Patrick Gray – a farmer squatting on Government lands for over a decade – and his fear of losing his livelihood as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion moves ahead. The article leaves readers with the perception that there is no regard for the farmer’s plight.

To this end, the Ministry seeks to shed some light on the prejudiced missive.

First and foremost, the Ministry and Airport authorities have held meetings and engaged in one-on-one conversations with squatters since 2008 on the airport expansion and relocation options.

Furthermore, the Ministry encouraged each of the farmers to apply to Lands and Surveys for suitable alternative farming lands; however, most of them have failed to take up this offer.

In Mr Gray’s case, he has been approached on no less than 10 times, repeatedly with officers from the Guyana Police Force, to desist farming on airport vested lands.

Mr Gray was advised that suitable land would be provided for him to relocate where he may

continue to cultivate his cash crops, since his farm is in the project’s immediate construction path. However, in all instances, Mr Gray has blatantly refused to even engage the Ministry and Airport authorities in any discussion.

The airport expansion is crucial to Guyana’s development. In this light, the Ministry and Airport authorities are committed to assist squatters, including Mr Gray, to relocate to suitable farming areas so as to ensure their source of income/ livelihood is sustained; despite claims by some of being bullied and disenfranchised.

Aneka Edwards, Public Relations Officer CJIA Corporation

CoI report vital Dear Editor, It was in the Guyana Press dated July 22, 2013 that US Professor Linden Lewis (Barbadian origin), Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bucknell University, USA was currently compiling data with regard to writing a biography of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (1923-1985).

I am not sure who the resource persons in Guyana are, assisting this Professor with

his data, but with the current Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of the late Dr Walter Rodney, I am hoping that the Professor is contacted and following the proceedings of this Inquiry.

When that final report is drafted and made public, it should be a very vital reading for the Professor before he completes his research for publishing of Burnham’s biography.

On the other hand, I have been following

some reports and am in shock to witness some of the persons who were subpoenaed to take the stands. In brief, this CoI of Dr Rodney reminds me of the classic movie “A Few Good Men” starring Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

The late Mr Gregory Smith was only taking orders/instructions from his superiors as any soldier is expected to.

Yours faithfully, T Pemberton

pired in any situation, and work towards reestablishment of a cordial relationship.

What has resulted is that two projects, which undoubtedly can significantly improve our dealing with problems in our administration, will come on stream, and the relationship between our country and the USA will continue to be one of cooperation and mutual

respect.

If only the other actors in our political structure can adopt this broadminded approach to their interaction with one another, then I believe that our country will, once again, be on the real path to harmony and progress in our affairs.

Yours sincerely, Roy Paul

Time to increase jail time for traffickers Dear Editor, It is high time to increase the period of incarceration for drug traffickers. I make this bold suggestion in light of the prevailing circumstances. In today’s society, persons seek every conceivable way to traffic this stuff, especially going the North American route. This route is most lucrative; hence, individuals will seek out all sorts of ways to get the drugs through.

As one drug trafficker remarked, “the hardest thing is to get the stuff past the watchful eyes of the Caribbean, in this case Guyana’s drug enforcement”. Once this is achieved, the rest is “easy pickings” which is interpreted as – the situation in the North is not so stringent. To sum it up, some people would literally sell their souls to the devil to sell drugs.

There are old folks, very old folks, young folks, middle-aged folks,

preachers, common folk, some use their sons, and others would even use their young babies to avoid detection.

The list is endless as the innovative ways are: in the weaving of your hair, in the soles of your shoes, in the handle bars of your suitcase, in ochroes, in cabbages, in pepper sauce and in passion fruit juices; on your person as well as in your person.

It is amazing to know the places drugs are being trafficked.

So, as these desperate innovative ways abound, how should our courts deliver justice? I would say increase the jail time significantly, the innocuous time given is no deterrent.

What the present harmless jail sentencing does is act as an incentive to traffickers and wouldbe traffickers. Our sentencing is a big joke.

Take for example the time given to that father who coaxed his son into trading in cocaine,

he got a paltry three years which in essence would amount to 27 calendar months – an incarceration year is nine months.

So, taking into consideration good behaviour, that father might very well be out in a calendar year’s time; a strong healthy man of 42 years ready and able to carry on with his nefarious trade. Fantastic!

I would agree that in a previous letter my request for a 20-year jail term might have been too draconian, but I would adamantly hold to my view of 10 years.

This is enough time to teach him a lesson while sending a strong message to the wouldbe traffickers out there – not to try the trade.

My call to the powers would be to increase the jail time for traffickers. It is the only way to send home the message that this trade would not be tolerated.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

8

news

week ending July 6, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Latest Census shows Guyana’s Caribbean Airlines pilots back on the job population declined slightly

C

aribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) pilots are back on the job one day after they protested poor working conditions by staging a ‘sick-out’, grounding several of the airlines’ planes and stranding hundreds of passengers at the Piarco International Airport, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Although the operations have recommenced, there are still however several flights which have been affected. News coming out of Trinidad and Tobago revealed that all of its national planes are back in the skies after an agreement was struck with the pilots. The agreement was not made known but according to sources, there were about 15-20 concerns raised by the pilots.

Some of the concerns have been the absence of a revised compensation package for pilots for a number of years and hectic working hours, which add additional strain on crew members. As of late Tuesday evening, the pilots were assured that the concerns will be addressed after an intervention was made by

several top officials of the Government and the airline. The source told Guyana Times International that there were some delays with respect to departure, but it was merely due to the shut down on Tuesday.

He added that once the back log is cleared, all services will return to normal. When checks were made with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, the flights had some delays but operations were ongoing as per normal.

Attempts to contact officials in Trinidad proved futile.

Hundreds of Guyanese passengers travelling to and from Georgetown were stranded at Piarco International Airport, Port of Spain, on Tuesday after a number of Caribbean Airlines Limited pilots staged a sick-out.

As a result, all flights

scheduled to depart Port of Spain were severely affected. This setback would have affected both international and domestic flights.

In a release issued on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of CAL, Michael DiLollo related, “We are naturally concerned firstly for the health and welfare of our pilot body since this is an unprecedented occurrence”.

He added that the unfortunate situation has disrupted their scheduled services at the beginning of the critical summer season, during which they count most on their operational crews to demonstrate reliability and service for our loyal customers. Caribbean Airlines apologised to its loyal passengers for any and all inconvenience caused by the delays and gave the assurance that all will be done to correct the problem.

Staffers of the Guyana Bureau of Statistics showing the country’s population on their jerseys as of September 15, 2012

By Svetlana Marshall

G

uyana’s population has dipped by 3339, the Guyana Bureau of Statistics revealed on Monday as it unveiled the preliminary findings of the 20012 Population and Housing Census.

The findings unveiled by the Deputy Census Officer Vanessa Profitt, indicate that Guyana had a population of 747,884 persons on Census Day September 15, 2012 compared to 751,223 persons when the previous census was taken in 2002.

This represents an annual negative growth rate of -0.04 per cent.

However, Guyana would have to wait until the second quarter of 2015 for the final report when disclosures will be made on the ethnic makeup of the country and data on the employment and unemployment rates within the country.

Coastal region

In her presentation at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Profitt disclosed that the coastal regions accounted for 89.1% of the population while the hinterland regions such as Regions 1, 7, 8 and nine accounted for 10.9% of the population.

Though Region Four constitutes just one percent of the land mass, it accounts for 41.9 per cent of the population, the Deputy Census Officer said, noting that Demerara-Mahaica is followed by Regions Six and Three, which account for 14.6 per cent and 14.4 percent of the population respectively.

More females

Additionally, the 2012 Census Report confirmed that there is a higher percentage of females than males in the country. On September 15, 2012, there were 372,547 males when compared to 375,337 females, thus giving an estimated sex ratio of 99 males per every 100 females in the 2012 Census. “The evidence is now giving precedence to what our men folks have been saying all these years, that the females are outnumbering the males.”

However, in the hinterland regions, the sex ratio for males exceeded 100 while it was low in the Coastal Regions, particularly in Region 4 with an estimate of 96 males to every 100 females.

But not only did the population reduced at the time of the census; according to the preliminary report, the national average household size decreased from about 4.1 persons per household in 2002 to 3.6 persons per household in 2012. “The highest average household size was recorded for the four Hinterland regions (Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9) combined, which yielded as estimated 4.7 persons per household, down by an absolute 0.7 person when compared to the 2002 census results.”

However, the National Building Stocks increased by 16.9 per cent, Profitt said. It was explained that the number of buildings in the country moved from 187,696 in 2002 to 219,509 in 2012.

“Government policy

of making land available for home construction as well as increase in the development of both Government and private housing schemes was seen as the main reason for the growth.”

The Deputy Census Officer also disclosed that the number of dwellings was reported as 221,741 in the 2012 census, up by 16,624 dwelling units when compared to 2002 figure of 205,117 dwelling units.

Approximately 214,999 of the total buildings were occupied while the remaining 6,742 dwelling units were vacant and unoccupied.

Before a small audience from across the various sectors, the Chief Statistician and Census Officer said the 2012 Census was not completed without its challenges.

The 2012 Census marked the 17th National Census of Guyana and Guyana’s seventh PostWar National Census of Population and Housing.

In conducting the census, Guyana joined the regional movement led by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat, in compliance with the United Nations’ mandate to execute the 2010 Global Round of Censuses.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Caricom Secretariat Deputy Statistics Programme Manager Barbara Adams and Demographic Consultant Sonkarley Beaie were among officials present at the launch of the 2012 Preliminary Census Report.

2012 Building Stocks being compared with 2002

9

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

10

NEWS

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Canadian envoy says UG lecturers must have at least a criminalisation of same-sex Master’s Degree – Vice Chancellor relationships is discriminatory

U

Some of the attendees at the LGBT Pride Month reception

By Vahnu Manikchand

T

he Criminal Law Offences Act which criminalises same sex relations in Guyana speaks to the issue of male-male relations only and does not address relationships between consenting adult females, Presidential Adviser on Governance, Gail Teixeira has said.

As a result, she said, lesbianism is not illegal, but she urged a Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the recommendations out of the 2010 Universal Periodic Review on samesex relations to speed up its work. Teixeira made the observation while addressing a forum in observance of World Pride Month which concluded on Monday.

Teixeira, noted that the first Gay Pride March held in Toronto, Canada over 30 years ago caused great consternation and even led to violence. However, that era has passed in a changing world; one that is slowly learning to accept LGBT persons. “The Government [of Guyana] will continue to use the

model it developed over the last 20 years to bring controversial issues, including that of gay rights to the National Assembly with the hope of winning consensus and forward movement wherever possible,” she stated.

Teixeira pointed out that there is no fast-track way in convincing people to see these changes and support these rights for LGBT persons.

At the event, Canadian High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles, also made a passionate call for Guyanese to be more tolerant of the change revolving around lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) persons. Addressing the gathering, Dr Giles noted that the observance of Pride Month is a platform for change and for LGBT persons to be accepted.

She noted that promoting the human rights of LGBT persons plays an integral role in Canada’s foreign policy and priority. “Canada stands up for human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the

rule of law around the world. Canada seeks to protect and promote human rights for minorities such as LGBT persons.

Canada believes that human rights apply to all people – regardless of nationality, race, gender or sexual orientation,” she pointed out.

The Canadian High Commissioner noted that the criminalisation of same-sex relationships between consenting adults portrays discriminatory practices as she commended the Guyana Government for taking a stand against such practices by establishing a Special Select Committee to review the recommendations made at the 2010 Universal Periodic Review process which includes the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Dr Giles urged other countries not to use sexual orientation as the basis for criminal penalties or other ill treatment of LGBT persons. She highlighted the importance of everyone working together to promote the safety, legal protection and safeguarding the freedom of expression of LGBT persons in Guyana.

niversity of Guyana’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi has said that the institution will not be hiring any lecturer without a Master’s Degree in the area they wish to teach.

The Vice Chancellor, who was at the time speaking at the series of consultations which was hosted by Guyana’s premier tertiary institution last week over a proposed tuition fee increase, related that there were presently 87 lecturers, both part-time and fulltime, who were teaching at the institution but were only in possession of first degrees in their area of knowledge.

Opadeyi noted that such a reality was highly unacceptable and ‘ridiculous’ given the fact that these were the individuals who have been tasked with educating and moulding the minds of the nation’s children.

It was on this note that he disclosed that the University’s administration took the decision about the Master’s Degrees, since they believe that the standard of the education being offered can be immensely

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi

improved if this is done.

“We don’t want persons with only first degrees teaching here.

You have to be properly qualified to educate and mould the minds of those you are teaching. Which university has people with first degrees teaching? We want to improve the services and the quality of education currently being offered at the University and we think this is the best move in that direction. No person will be hired without their Masters from September,” Opadeyi said.

Lecturers with first degrees to further studies

As it relates to those who are without their

Master’s Degree and currently in the employ of the University, the Vice Chancellor related that they will not be relieved of their duties, since the University will be putting several measures and programmes in place to address this.

“We will be scheduling some programmes and putting systems in place for those lecturers to further their studies, to advance their education while teaching here at the University.

We will not ask them to leave; we won’t throw them out,” Opadeyi assured the gathering at the consultation.

The five days of consultations were held last week to address the proposal which was made by the administration to hike tuition fees. Dr Opadeyi said he has signed a threeyear contract with the Government of Guyana, and the institution will be undergoing transformation. He maintained his position that if the institution is to rise to the occasion and continue to function, investments must be made and, as such, the tuition increase was necessary.

Prisoner charged for cannabis in rectum F

orty-eight-yearold Roger Samuels made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman on Tuesday

Accused: Roger Samuels

after he was charged with the possession of narcotics.

According to the facts of the charge as read by Prosecutor Joel Ricknauth, it is alleged that on June 27 upon returning to the Georgetown Prison from the Police Sports Club, the accused was observed by Police ranks walking in an unusual manner.

He was subsequently taken to medical person-

nel, who examined the defendant, and found a white plastic bag containing cannabis in his rectum.

The cannabis was weighed and it amounted to 65 grams. The father of three pleaded guilty to the offence and was given a fine of Gy$10,000 along with 48 months imprisonment.

Samuels was serving time at the prison for a simple larceny charge.

news

11

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Limacol introduces Cool Fan award for CPL

By Avenash Ramzan

“G

et in the game” is the message the Limacol brand is sending to cricket fans ahead of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches set to bowl off on July 11 in Grenada.

Limacol is encouraging patrons to get “extreme and outrageous” in their apparel, depicting the Limacol brand or

the Limacol CPL. “We will have our local management team at the ground and they will be looking for the fan with the most extreme and outrageous outfit or costume that portrays one of the two teams playing or the Limacol brand,” she pointed out.

The fan adjudged to have best portrayed what the panel is looking for will be US$100 richer and will also have his/

Lavasti Bhooplall

any of the two teams playing on any given day.

Lavasti Bhooplall, the Marketing Associate of NEW GPC Inc, the producers of Limacol, said during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International on Wednesday that the aim of the Limacol Cool Fan award is to get fans intricately involved in the whole excitement that is associated with

her claim to fame by being displayed on the massive screens that will be erected around the various venues.

Andrew McKend, the Media and Marketing Officer of Limacol CPL, highlighted that the promotion will not just take place in Guyana, but all the venues earmarked to host matches during the July 11 to August 16 tournament.

“At every venue that a

match is being played Limacol will make available one hundred US dollars for the Limacol Cool Fan, so we will have at the end of the tournament 30 Limacol Cool Fans,” McKend said.

When action bowls off, the Chris Gayle-led Jamaica Tallawahs will put their title on the line against last year’s runner-up Guyana Amazon Warriors, Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

Limacol is urging fans to be “extreme and outrageous” in their apparel for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League

12

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

13-year-old says he was Sooba vs King forced into prostitution court case….

A

13-year-old boy who was allegedly forced into prostitution by two females will make his first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, July 4 for the commencement of his trial in camera (closed to public and press).

Guyana Times International was informed that the teen might be charged with wandering and that matter is before the Court.

It appeared that when the teen was apprehended, he made the allegations of being forced into prostitution.

The child told this publication that back in April of this year he be-

friended a woman and her cousin and subsequently began residing with them, and it was then he was forced into the sex trade. He alleged that the two women, whom he named, would usually dress him up in female apparel and send him out at night to “work” on King Street, Georgetown. He said he was forced to have oral and anal sex with sometimes up to five men in one night in a city hotel. He said at one time he was paid a sum of Gy$30,000 for half an hour with one of his clients.

The boy, who hails from a village along the East Coast of Demerara, also alleged that he

would not be given any monies when the men were finished with him.

He revealed that he was constantly sexually molested at the age of 10 by a neighbour, but a settlement was reached with his parents and the matter was aborted. It is alleged that this incident is one of the reasons the minor ran away from home.

The teen, who will celebrate his 14th birthday this week, also told this newspaper that he contemplated suicide several times, but did not follow through with his thoughts since he decided that it was pointless.

The young man, who dropped out of a city

public school in Form Two, said he would like to move on with his life and further his studies, as he has hopes of becoming an attorney one day. When asked about what kind of home he would like to be placed in, he remained adamant about being placed in a home without the presence of a male or children and was reluctant to give a reason why.

Reports reaching this newspaper suggest that the Police are aware of the incidents involving the child and are familiar with the persons who allegedly forced him into prostitution and these persons are yet to be placed before the Courts.

– Judge denies Sooba’s application for extension of stay

A

Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba

cting Town Clerk Carol Sooba will have to remain the de facto Town Clerk after the extension of stay filed in her name was refused on Monday.

The decision was made by Appeal Court judge, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

Sooba’s Attorney Roysdale Forde had filed a ‘stay of extension’ against acting Chief Justice (CJ) Ian Chang’s ruling which allowed her to act as the de facto Town Clerk, however, the stay would have allowed her to once again become the official Town Clerk, putting a hold on the CJ’s ruling.

The application was filed on April 24 and named Royston King the first respondent along with Attorney General Anil Nandlall as the second respondent. Along with the stay of the CJ’s ruling, Sooba is also asking for any other effects taken as a result of the CJ’s ruling, to be stayed until the hearing and completion of this appeal.

An affidavit in answer to the applicant was filed on May 14 by respective attorneys for the defendants followed by an affidavit in reply on May 21.

The presiding judge then heard arguments from the parties on May 22.

During this, Attorney Forde presented three grounds to support his application for the stay.

They were: the ‘status quo’ of the situation at City Hall, ruination and irreparable damage suffered by Sooba, and the appeal being nugatory if the stay is not granted.

Attorney Nigel Hughes, representing Royston King, argued against these grounds.

He pointed out that Sooba would not suffer any ruination or damages if the stay is not

granted, since she was unlawfully appointed by then Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud.

He had stated that if there is any issue of the loss of remuneration, then Sooba could be repaid retroactively.

However, Forde responded saying that it is not a matter of money but if his client is prevented from functioning as the Town Clerk, then that would be her ruination.

Hughes went on to say that there is no issue of the appeal against the acting Chief Justice’s decision being nugatory since all that can happen is the assurance of the position. In his counter argument, Forde explained that if the Council, which appointed King as the acting Town Clerk, is allowed to do what they want in the administration of the City Council, then the appeal would be nugatory.

Attorney Hughes had further stressed that there is no basis upon which Sooba applied to the Appeal Court for the stay when the acting CJ’s ruling is in fact allowing her to function as the de facto Town Clerk.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, was represented by Attorney Anderson Smith in this matter.

Justice CummingsEdwards had taken some time to consider the arguments presented on the matter and delivered her ruling on Monday in Chambers at the Appeal Court. In the court document of the decision, which was seen by this newspaper, Justice Cummings-Edwards stated that “… upon mature deliberations thereupon had, it is ordered that this application be and is hereby refused.”

It was further ordered that the necessary costs being sought be paid.

news

Thousands of Jamaicans rally against “homosexual agenda” - LGBT rights advocate says trend “frightening” the prime minster.

Meanwhile, Jamaican LGBT rights lawyer Maurice Tomlinson said the rally in support of Jamaica’s buggery law was a “very frightening” moment.

Tomlinson, a legal advisor of marginalised groups at AIDSFree World, referred to Sunday’s event by saying: “They really poured a lot of money into this, which to me is of great concern”.

K

Jamaican LGBT rights lawyer Maurice Tomlinson

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Thousands rallied in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday in a massive showing of support for preserving the nation’s sodomy law, which prohibits samesex intercourse, and standing against what religious leaders have deemed as the “homosexual agenda.”

The rally was organised by Jamaica CAUSE (Churches Action Uniting Society for Emancipation), a coalition of religious groups, and took place at one of the city’s busiest intersections, Half-Way-Tree.

According to reports in the Jamaica Observer newspaper, an estimated 25,000 Jamaicans turned out in their black, green and gold to support the mass rally, which called on Jamaicans to stand up for strong and healthy families, righteousness and justice as well as to resist the “homosexual agenda” and the repealing of the buggery act.

"I think this initiative is very good because it is important that we have a voice, because a lot of different things have been happening in Jamaica and we have to stand up," said Camille Morrison, while adding that it not just goes against God's will but against humanity, and in terms of homosexuality, biologically "di ting don't mek sense and as such it should not be imposed upon people as if it is something right."

United front

After a short praise and worship session, the chairman of the rally, Alvin Bailey spoke to uniting every Jamaican, church, temple, and oth-

er institutions.

"Our emancipation means standing up for strong families, our emancipation means standing against the homosexuality agenda, emancipation for us means standing up against the repealing of the buggery law," Bailey told the crowd, much to shouts of agreement.

Organisers said that there would be a series of talks and prayers to make people aware of what is happening.

"Jamaica's children belong to Jesus," rang out the cry of advocate BettyAnn Blaine, who invited the crowd to shout as she took the stage. She also encouraged the audience to spend more time with their children.

Blaine said that there has been a 72 percent increase in buggery among children and as such "there is no way we changing the buggery law".

She told the crowd that "we not teking that kind of sex education to our children," and urged parents to ensure that their child know that their body was the temple of God and that sex should stay until they have a career and get married.

"The battle is about your child. Let us declare again that Jamaican children belong to Jesus.

We are going to fight, dem nuh see me fight yet, we are going to fight for our children, they will not get our children," Blaine said before exiting the stage.

CAUSE volunteers invited people to sign a petition against the repealing of the buggery law which will be sent to

13

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

14

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Myles Munroe regrets missing Men’s conference in Guyana

B

ahamas-based Motivational Speaker, Dr Myles Munroe has expressed regret in not being able to attend last weekend’s National Men’s Conference in Guyana, organisers said in a release.

“I have never before cancelled a booked trip over the past 30 years,” Dr Munroe said in responding to developments last weekend which resulted in the cancellation of the National Men’s Rally scheduled for Sunday, June 29. The cancellation was as a result of miscommunication between the flight operations teams.

Dr Munroe expressed his disappointment and regret for not being able to make the trip to Guyana as planned.

He remains committed to the engagement in Guyana in the interest of men’s growth and development and the impact that would have on families and the nation.

Chairman of the National Family Commission, Dr Kwame Gilbert, confirmed that planning continues for the intervention and a

date would be announced shortly. The National Family Commission is coordinating Dr Munroe’s visit with funding being provided by a broadbased coalition of supporters. Included in the coalition are religious groups, corporate entities and individuals, all of whom share the same concern for the men in Guyana.

Dr Gilbert also said, “I anticipate that, with the additional time available, our coalition will grow rapidly and the National Men’s Rally 2014 would be bigger than the almost 10,000 men who attended the 2010 rally. Given the crisis facing our families in Guyana, as demonstrated in an unprecedented spike in domestic and sexual violence, Dr Munroe’s intervention remains both timely and necessary.”

Organisers said they are confident that news of a new date for the National Men’s Rally and other activities with Dr Munroe would be met with great anticipation by men and women, from all walks of life in Guyana.

ACDA launches Emancipation programme

T

he African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) on Tuesday launched its annual Emancipation Day Festival to be held at the National Park on August 1.

The theme for Emancipation 2014 is: “Reparations: Broken Chains, Golden Dreams”, in recognition of the indomitable spirit of African ancestors to demand justice and their rights, and the promise of recapturing a great past while transforming that into a golden future.

In a statement, ACDA promised that this year’s festivities will be better than ever as they plan to celebrate the African culture like never before. This year’s activities include a children’s Emancipation Day parade and a freedom race, commencing from the 1763 Monument and concluding at the National Park. A wide variety of cultural performances will also be featured on this day and a showcase of African foods, fashion and history.

As part of the tradition, ACDA honours an African country every Emancipation Festival by building an educational booth for that country. For 2014, the country to be honoured is Angola. ACDA says it celebrates an African country annually because most Guyanese of African descent, cannot retrace their ancestral roots to a particular African nation.

“That’s why we choose one country every year to educate young and old about their groundings and roots.”

One of the greatest entrepre-

A scene from a previous Emancipation event in Guyana

neurial acts by freed Africans in World History was the village movement, which started in 1839. Freed Africans combined their resources to buy villages so they did not have to return to the Plantation life and cheap, punitive labour.

Queenstown Village honoured

For Emancipation 2014, ACDA will honour Queenstown Village on the Essequibo Coast.

In 1840, Mr Carberry, a planter, purchased three adjoining estates on the Essequibo Coast, Dageraad, Mocha and Westfield, creating a small town.

He put in streets, and divided the front lands into half-acre lots which he sold for Gy$100, Gy$150 and Gy$220 each, depending on their location in the town.

On September 1841, at the request of the villagers, Governor Henry Light christened it, Queenstown. This was the beginning of the proprietary village

systems under which each villager held title to his individual plot of land. This initial success led other planters to follow suit. By the end of 1841, about 18 plantations were offering land for sale or lease on the Essequibo Coast and the practice soon spread to the counties of Demerara and Berbice.

Not all of the planters agreed with that policy. The shrewder amongst them recognised that if the ex- apprentices could live on land on or near the plantation, enough to satisfy their desire for a home, but not enough to grow food to support their families, then they would have to continue to work on the nearby plantation.

By the end of the first year after apprenticeship, about 267 cottages had been constructed on plots half to one third of an acre in size.

As expected, the ex-apprentices continued to work on the nearby estates.

news

15

week ending July 6, 2014| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Overfishing, piracy big threat to sustainability of Guyana’s fisheries sector

O

Fisherfolk receiving tokens from the Agriculture Ministry

verfishing and exploitation of fisheries resources in Guyana, as well as the longstanding issue of piracy are significant threats to the sustainability of the sector, Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy warned fisherfolk on Sunday.

He was at the time addressing a gathering at the Port Mourant Community Centre in observance of International Fisherfolk Day 2014.

Dr Ramsammy spoke about the importance of the fisheries sector to Guyana’s economy, stating that fishing is an integral part not only in the lives of Guyanese but to the country’s development. He said, “Guyana’s development has always depended on a number of things, and fishing is one. It has always been important and, indeed, fishing contributes about six per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution from agri-

culture for Guyana and that in itself is a very significant contribution,” the Minister said.

Surging demand

A recent report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said more people than ever rely on fisheries and aquaculture for food and as a source of income, but harmful practices and poor management threaten the sector’s sustainability.

According to the latest edition of FAO’s “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture”, global fisheries and aquaculture production totalled 158 million tonnes in 2012 – around 10 million tonnes more than 2010. The rapid expansion of aquaculture, including the activities of small-scale farmers, is driving this growth in production.

Overfishing

Dr Ramsammy told the gathering about the impact of overfishing, noting that it has caused a

Manickchand roasts US Ambassador ...

from page 3

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand delivering her speech at the US Ambassador’s celebration of his country’s 238th Independence Anniversary

the US’s Independence with Manickchand, the outgoing Ambassador said that was quite a send-off. Nevertheless, he stated: “Everything we have done and continue to do is designed to advance a partnership with Guyana that is built on prosperity, security, safety, democracy and public health.” He challenged the Government or anyone else to identify areas in which he has

fallen short in achieving those goals.

In his earlier Independence Day remarks, the Ambassador said it was critical for Guyana to move forward right now to “re-establish its long-neglected elected local government system.” He said the people of Guyana are crying out to be part of a tangible agenda that aid in them solving local problems.

drastic decline in fish production “and this is something that all Caribbean countries must work closely to protect”. “That is why Guyana is so important to the fishing industry of the Caribbean and we are concerned how we protect the fishing resources… this industry indirectly provides employment of approximately 20,000 residents.”

PPP confident of prospects in case of snap poll

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it has been covering all the necessary grounds in preparations of any National Election, and is confident of its prospects.

The Party’s General Secretary, Clement Rohee, made the comments when asked to respond to an article by former PPP Executive Ralph Ramkarran indicating that should there be another general election any time soon the results may be similar to those of the 2011 election in which the Opposition achieved a one-seat majority.

Rohee said the Party is confident that this will not be the case at all. He said Ramkarran, like every other citizen, is free to

give his prognosis based on his analysis. “What I have said is not in contradiction of what the President has said. He (Ramkarran) gave his views. What I’m saying is on the part of the PPP, we remain entirely optimistic of our possibilities or prospects at any future elections in Guyana,” Rohee told media operatives at the Party’s weekly press briefing at Freedom House.

This optimism, he said, is grounded in the work being carried out by the Party. The feedback the Party has been receiving especially in areas where it had suffered losses has been overwhelming, Rohee said. He noted that “we have been doing some targeting. Our work

is more concentrated and more results oriented”, although the work is not being done at the expense of the routine political work.

He said the Party is also depending on the decisions of persons who have lived through the results of previous elections under the current administration. Rohee pointed out the PPP is not an electioneering Party and although it is set to fight the election, it has not become lethargic in that regard.

According to him, members are always on the ground working painstakingly. “We are set to fight election yes, but we don’t go to sleep after election and then wake up after the election bell is rung.

We are always on the ground,” he said. .

16

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

news

17

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Over 4000 Guyanese migrate to US annually - application for non-immigrant visas almost trippled

By Jomo Paul

W

ith more than 4000 Guyanese leaving the country for the United States permanently every year, the country’s population growth rate has remained stagnant at 0.04 per year since 2002, the just released Census report has said.

Figures released by the US Embassy in Georgetown have revealed that since 2004, it has issued 46,540 immigration visas to Guyanese.

According to figures seen by this newspaper, the Embassy has been issuing an average of 4500 immigrant visas per year since 2004, with 4572 issued last year – in excess of 500 more than the previous year’s.

Noting that both applications and issuance of this type of visas has been constant, US Ambassador to Guyana, D Brent Hardt told Guyana Times International: “People see good prospects here and most people want to stay, they want to eat the food they like.”

Ambassador Hardt

Table showing the breakdown of visas issued during the period 2004-2013

explained that there is a “congressionally mandated” limit on the number of persons that can be granted US Immigrant Visas. He further related that the limit may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and depend on the bilateral relations between the United States Government and the Government of that jurisdiction.

Table showing the breakdown of visas issued during the period 2004-2013

According to the Census findings, Guyana’s population growth rate had continued to fluctuate. It was estimated at 0.43 per cent per year during 1980-1991, and 0.34 per cent between 1991 and 2002. However, this has reversed once again with negative growth for the period 2002-2012. The four Hinterland regions recorded an annual growth rate of 1.44 per cent per year while the coastal regions had a de-

cline at the rate of -0.20.

Tripled

Meanwhile, regarding non-immigrant visas (visitor visas) Ambassador Hardt said the number of Guyanese nationals applying for this type of visas has almost tripled over the last three years. Speaking with Guyana Times International in a recent exclusive interview, Hardt said what he has noticed during his tenure as US Ambassador

to Guyana is that there has been a steady increase in the number of persons applying for visas to visit the US, whether for business or personal reasons. He explained that in 2011 at the commencement of his posting to Guyana, there were approximately 13,000 recorded applications for non-immigrant visas. However, in 2012, that figure increased by over 7000, reaching 20,000 by the end of 2012.

However, the increases did not stop at that point, as he further related that in 2013, the 2011 number had almost tripled, reaching 35,000.

The Ambassador, however, explained that this number does not reflect the number of persons who would have successfully applied, since only about 60 per cent of those who would have applied for visas were granted non-immigrant status.

These numbers, however, do not necessarily reflect a negative impact in Guyana’s development, since those persons would have just applied for visitor visas

which means that they are not travelling to the United States to reside but rather to conduct business, vacate or a host of other similar reasons.

Ambassador Hardt told GTI that US officials are still attempting to determine what caused the significant rise in the number of applications being processed.

However, he noted that contributory factors may include but are not limited to more competitive air fares owing to a number of airlines operating the Georgetown/ New York route and also increased business opportunities. He said too that the increase is a sure sign of enhanced bilateral ties between the US and Guyana which will positively impact both countries.

“It is a sign of closeness between our countries and… you know so many family ties, business ties… I think that it is a very positive thing for bilateral relations… there is a greater degree of prosperity,” Hardt said during the interview.

18

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Green denies being used to East Bank tailor burn down PNC HQ in 1979 robbed, shot to death - says will not testify at Rodney CoI

C

ity Mayor and former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green has denied orchestrating the burning down of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Secretariat back in 1979 which set off a wave of violence aimed at members of the Working People’s Alliance who were accused of carrying out the act.

During his evidence in chief at the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry last week, WPA Executive Member Tacuma Ogunseye said at the time of the arson, it was rumoured that Green might have orchestrated the blaze to give the Government of the day legitimacy to go after the party.

However, when contacted on the allegations on Sunday, Green rejected the statements.

When questioned by Guyana Times International on whether he would be taking part in the Inquiry, Green responded in the negative, stating that the Commission had written him and he had already told them that had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the political activist. “I know nothing about how Rodney died, they wrote me… and I told them I can’t help…

I will not testify; I know nothing of Rodney’s death,” Green stressed.

City Mayor and former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green

Elaborate surveillance network Following the burning down of the National Development Building, that had also housed the Secretariat of the PNC, then President Forbes Burnham had employed an elaborate surveillance network with undercover cops being set upon political activists, some with instructions to kill. GTI was told that State surveillance during that era was so pervasive that ordinary citizens were spied on, creating an atmosphere of tension across the country.

Burnham himself had declared publicly at the party’s Third Biennial Congress in August 1979 that the arson happened, because “we had not

activated our full intelligence services that are part of the State Apparatus”.

Both Dr Rodney and Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, along with other WPA activists, were arrested and thrown in lock-ups for the incident.

Addressing party faithful at the August 22-26 Congress, Burnham said: “While we number thousands, they number at most a few hundred. Therefore, we should be in a position to have a proper intelligence service which I shall discuss with you at a group level.”

He continued: “We have already infiltrated them, so much that Dr Walter Rodney does not sleep in the same place any two nights in succession; so much so that when he has his conspiratorial meetings, he shifts from downstairs to upstairs, but let him know that walls have ears where the People’s National Congress is concerned.”

Burnham had charged his members then to be vigilant.

“We must be suspicious and all details must be reported.

Up to now I would say that about 75 per cent of the WPA consists of PNC members, I do not want any more. But that 75 per cent there plus others must be reporting from time to time and we must ferret these mice out of their holes.”

A

26-year-old, Grove, East Bank Demerara man was stabbed to death during a robbery on Tuesday evening while on his way home from work.

Dead is Bharat Pitamber, called Vickey and Tailor of Lot 1401 Section C Block Y, Golden Grove. According to information reaching the Guyana Times International, Pitamber was on his way home when he was reportedly attacked by several persons. The incident occurred around 19:30h; however, his body was discovered a while later.

This newspaper was told that the father of one had sold a bird earlier in the day for Gy$45,000 and had the money on him while he was returning home.

The man was riding along the Grove New Scheme main road just after crossing the ‘Achieduck’ when he was confronted by several persons at a dark spot.

The men proceeded to rob him, but he fought back resulting in him sustaining cut wounds, on his hands. His body also bore stab wounds including the fatal one to his heart. Reports indicated that no one saw the ordeal and Pitamber was left at the corner of the road where he died.

His body was discovered sometime later by a passerby who immediately summoned the Police.

The distraught mother of the man related that they were at home when two of her son’s friends went to their house around 20:30h and informed her

Bharat Pitamber

that he was dead.

The woman said that she did not believe at first but the men told her that they saw his body.

The family was then escorted to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where Pitamber was already pronounced dead on arrival.

Pitamber was almost attacked two nights ago when he was on his way home using a different route. Friends and relatives of the deceased are suspicious of the person whom he sold the bird to.

His distraught mother cried that the perpetrators could have taken the money and left him alive.

“Why they had to kill my son, they coulda take the money and break he hand or foot or something at least he woulda come back to us,” she cried. The 26-year-old man, who owns a tailor shop in Grove, leaves to mourn his six month-old daughter, wife Menadai Persaud, two brothers, a sister, and his parents.

News

19

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Killing of Rodney an act of terrorism – Westmaas also tells of narrow escapes from PNC “thugs”

By Tajeram Mohabir

W

orking People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive, Professor Nigel Westmaas said the killing of party leader, Dr Walter Rodney, allegedly by the 1980 Forbes Burnham-led administration, was an act of terrorism.

The African Studies Professor expressed the view while testifying before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Monday. He also told a story of frequent harassment and beating up of WPA members and supporters.

According to Dr Westmaas, during the 1977-1980 period, citizens believed to be WPA supporters were arrested randomly and placed before the court, without being charged. It was during this period June 13, 1980 that the world renowned Historian was killed by alleged People’s National Congress (PNC) Government agent Gregory Smith.

Professor Westmaas told the Commission that on many occasions, the Police were unaware of

what grounds they were making arrests on, pointing out that suspects were picked up at will, taken to the station and questioned.

Many were released within the 72-hour period, and many of the cases brought before the Magistrates’ Courts were dismissed as frivolous, the witness said.

He related that frequent arrests were a tool used by the Burnham regime to harass and perhaps ‘wear down’ WPA members and supporters, as he pointed to three incidents he personally experienced during the 1977-1979.

Public meeting

Dr Westmaas, who joined the party when he was about 20, told the Commission that the episodes happened at Campbellville, Georgetown; La Grange, West Coast Demerara; and Linden Region 10.

Speaking of the Campbellville incident which occurred in August 1977, the academic who was an ordinary WPA member at the time, said a public meeting was held at the community as part of the Civil Rebellion, but

Professor Westmass (at left) hugs a party member as other WPA executives look on

could not recall if permission was given by the Police. He recalled the Police came equipped with batons and charged towards the crowd, beating some supporters and arresting a few.

Westmass, who played a part in the organising of the meeting, said on seeing the ruckus created by the Police storming the crowd, members dispersed in groups, pointing out that he was in the group with Dr Rodney, which had about 15 persons.

Scaling of fence

He said as they darted from the scene, the Police followed in hot pursuit, and were unable to catch up with them and they quickly disappeared from sight after they scaled a fence in a yard and hid behind a house, and saw the Police passed by.

Dr Westmaas disclosed that while behind the house, most of the members relaxed on a septic tank and Dr Rodney pulled out a pack of cards and they played a few games of Trump.

He said while behind the house, Dr Rodney also gave the members a brief History lesson.

Professor Westmaas, recalling the incident, said though the group with Dr Rodney managed to escape, WPA member Mosses Bhagwan was not so lucky, disclosing that he was hauled from a chicken pen and given a sound thrashing.

When the Police had finished with him, the WPA Executive member said a still stoic Bhagwan was left with

a broken arm. It was this incident, he recalled that Burnham had referred to at the party’s third Biannual Congress when he said, the “big revolutionary” Dr Walter Rodney, should be sent to the Olympics.

Burnham had said that Dr Rodney could not only run, but “jumped a fence and cleared it”.

At that forum, the PNC leader had also said that WPA members should “write their wills” as the PNC “steel is sharper now” while contending, “Comrades, we are now in the Roman Amphitheatre. The lion and the gladiator cannot both survive; one must die, and we know that the PNC will live.”

These statements, the WPA leadership had taken seriously and catapulted the three-month Civil Rebellion. The other incident, Professor Westmaas said occurred on September 4, 1979, at another public meeting he had organised at La Grange.

He told the Commission that on reaching the meeting continued on page 21

20

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TravelSpan sees Guyana as a “hub” - GM says airline is here for the long haul

“T

ravelSpan is here for the long haul,” General Manager Vanita Jagnarain told Guyana Times International. The company is celebrating 19 years in business and has a proven track record, demonstrating its ability to withstand the challenges in the aviation sector.

It has accomplished this by building 3 layers within the company: Travel Agencies, Air and Hotel Packages and its own Airline seats.

During the ongoing recession and challenging times, the company relies on its established customer base and diverse revenue streams to ensure stability.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Jagnarain said last year TravelSpan’s return to the local airline industry was deemed a step in the right direction as Guyanese at the time were paying exorbitant prices to visit the US and other destinations.

“Caribbean Airlines and Fly Jamaica were the only two carriers operating here at the time and we thought it best to return,” Jagnarain said.

Value of experience

But since December 2013, Guyana’s aviation industry has been rapidly expand-

Questioned whether the current fare could substantiate the operational cost of the airline, she responded in the negative. “It is not a price that could sustain airlines,” the General Manager posited.

New prices

Executives of TravelSpan from Left: David Goberdhan, Rob Binns, John Sawyer, Bill Acor

ing with an influx of carriers, thereby creating greater competition much to the satisfaction of the Guyanese populace.

In addition to TravelSpan, Fly Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines, there is Dynamic Airline, InselAir and Suriname Airways operating flights to the US; Panamanian Copa airline is expected to commence service shortly. However, only TravelSpan and Dynamic Airways offer non-stop flights to the US. The unfortunate experience of Dynamic Airlines with its inaugural flight from Georgetown to New York, which had extensive delays at departure and a ground

handling snafu at the John F Kennedy Airport, USA, causing its aircraft to be grounded and forcing the cancellation of the returning flight and the stranding of passengers, evidently illustrate the importance of experience with the run.

As Nohar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of TravelSpan explained, “TravelSpan has built its operations from the ground up. Meaning that with our travel agencies, we are directly involved with the passenger from the beginning of the process to the end with getting them to their hotel destinations. We are all over the Caribbean.”

“When we branched out into the airline business, it was a synergistic arrangement whereby we combined our knowledge of handling people with the owners of aircraft that were experts in flying them to their destinations.”

But increased competition has led TravelSpan to drop its prices to US$565 from Georgetown to New York and US$499 from New York to Guyana, tax inclusive.

Additionally, between July and August, flights to Trinidad and Tobago will cost US$283.

“It’s all about being competitive,” Jagnarain said, but it was agreed that competition can also be “deadly”.

“When you minus the taxes paid to the US and Guyana Governments, you are basically left with a fare under US$400. But in addition to that, you have to take into consideration the cost of fuel, terminal fees, employee costs and additional expenses, US$400 just doesn’t cut it,” she explained.

According to Jagnarain, TravelSpan has introduced the new prices in its quest to stay ahead of the game. “Those prices are not feasible but we have matched those prices just to remain in the market. It’s all about competition.”

“It is our hope that the new entrants into the market will appreciate the history of airlines into Guyana, as we have, being there since 1994.

Predatory pricing disguised in the name of competition will get us nowhere and it is our expectation that this will be acknowledged by all players as not being positive for the longterm development of the aviation industry in Guyana,” said Nohar Singh.

NEWS

21

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Killing of Rodney... Brazilian miners in Guyana

from page 19

place, the WPA members observed some strange people who came in a Land Rover milling about, and as they were about to set up their equipment, the strangers zeroed-in on them.

Dr Westmaas recalled that the strangers tried to take away their equipment, but WPA Executive Tacuma Ogunseye, who was a karateka, quickly put his skills into action, causing some of the vandals to retreat.

At this point, Dr Westmaas said WPA leader, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, who was slated to speak, along with Dr Rodney, Eusi Kwayana and others, told him that they have to flee the scene. He said him and Dr Roopnaraine managed to board their vehicle with the equipment onboard, and sped away, but the persons who he identified as “thugs” sent from the Regional Development Ministry, followed them in their Land Rover.

The academic recalled that Dr Roopnaraine was behind the wheels while he was the lookout man, but noted while close to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, their vehicle started to experience mechanical problems.

He said this caused him to look back to see how far was the ‘enemy’ and to his fear, they were not far behind, and axe handles and cutlasses were seen protruding from the windows of the Land Rover.

Dr Westmaas related that on seeing the

dreadful sight, he and Dr Roopnaraine decided to take a street through La Grange which had a low wooden lintel with the hope that the big Land Rover will not make it through, but to their horror, it did.

And while it was about 100 yards from their vehicle, Dr Westmaas said he and Dr Roopnaraine fled their vehicle, jumped into a trench and swam to safety to a nearby canefield.

Dr Westmaas told the Commission that he ran at top speed, covering about two miles, and survived the day by having a meal of cane and fresh canal water.

When night had stepped in, he said he dug a hole and hid in it, and on the break of dawn, he made his way through the canefield and onto the road, where he took a taxi and reached safely to the party’s office at Tiger Bay, Georgetown, where he was welcomed by Dr Rodney and other WPA comrades.

A search party was immediately launched for Dr Roopnaraine, but they did not find him as he had also made a safe escape, arriving at the party’s headquarters after the party set out to search for him. But the search party did find the vehicle in a burnt state in a nearby trench.

The other incident he recalled occurred in the early 1980, which was less eventful, when he, Dr Rodney and party member Bonita Harris were going to Linden to have a meeting there.

complain of victimisation, police excesses

T

he Brazilian Mining and General Association says some of its members have complained of victimisation and is calling on the Government, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to look into the situation.

Secretary of the Association, Antonio Szala, speaking at a consultation, last Thursday, said he is disappointed with the treatment often meted out to Brazilian miners in the country.

He explained that there are some Mines Officers and Police officers who are in the business of taking advantage of Brazilian miners, and in some cases, according to him, are blatantly robbing the Brazilians of their earnings.

Szala told the gathering that he has received reports from a Brazilian national who claimed that he was stripped, searched and had his gold taken away by men who claimed to be Mines officers.

The Secretary noted that the Government has continuously made calls for nationals from other countries to come to Guyana and has consistently said that they welcome the Brazilians, but the treatment which they are receiving is far from welcoming.

“The President and the Minister, Robert Persaud, always saying they have no problem with the Brazilians coming and work here, that they are welcome here at anytime but the treatment that they are getting is not showing that,” Szala said.

Brazilian Mining and General Association Secretary Antonio Szala

The man noted that he has had to- on numerous occasionsvisit the Police stations and outposts to post bail for some of his Brazilian friends and members of the Association for no particular reason.

Harassed

“They come with work permits yet they are being harassed.

The Police pick them up if they are walking on the roads and lock them up just to get money.

If they don’t have work permit is the same thing and the process to get work permit for them is so long and drawn out. I don’t know what is happening. Some system needs to be put in place to address this.

The policy needs to be reviewed and reworked. The Brazilians are making such a valuable contribution to this country but not everyone knows that. They are teaching us how to mine, we are always learning from them,” the man

stated.

Szala also suggested to Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Chairman Patrick Harding, that the Association facilitate talks with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Natural Resources to implement a system that can see Brazilian miners being granted their work permit in a shorter time than the one which currently exists.

“In Suriname, you as a foreigner can get your work permit in three days. Here, the miners have to wait forever to receive theirs and in the process, they are harassed and taken advantage of, especially due to the language barrier which exists. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Natural Resources Ministry should facilitate a system where the miners can pay maybe a small fee for it to be quickly processed and they too can get their permits in three days or a week,” he told the Chairman.

As a result of the harassment from the Police and the long process of accessing work permits, it was communicated that several of the Brazilian miners have begun leaving the country with the view that they cannot continue to work under such situations.

He made it clear that the Brazilian Mining and General Association would not sit idly by and allow persons to take advantage of Brazilian miners, especially since many of those being harassed are the ones operating in Guyana legally, and are selling their gold to the Guyana Gold Board.

Jamaica’s ‘One Love Festival’ in Japan draws massive support

T

OKYO, JAPAN: Not even morning showers on the second day of the One Love Jamaica Festival in Tokyo could detract from the event's success.

Thousands turned out to celebrate Jamaican culture at the June 21-22 renewal of the annual showcase.

The vibe was indeed mellow, as patrons thronged booths selling Jamaican goods and stalls with Jamaican cuisine, as well as food from Africa and Brazil.

This year's celebrations, organised as usual in collaboration with the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo, took on added significance. It is one of the events marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Japan.

A section of the audience at the One Love Jamaica festival in Tokyo, Japan (Jamaica Observer photos)

Jamaican dance troupe L’Acadco entertain those who came out for the One Love festival in Japan

The list of artistes was headed by the L'Acadco dance company, which made its maiden visit to Japan as cultural ambassadors specifically for this event.

The line-up also in-

cluded multiple Festival Song Contest winner Eric Donaldson, roots singer Kiddus-I, as well as Japan-based Jamaican singers Monique Dehaney and Mackaruffin. Also putting in special appear-

ances were top Japanese reggae acts Rankin Taxi and Pushim.

L'Acadco, on both days, put on a stirring exhibition spanning the range of Jamaican dance. This included traditional folk forms like

the dinky mini and revival, to the latest dancehall moves, all executed with verve and flair.

In one of the pieces, the dancers depicted the excitement and euphoria that greeted Jamaica's Independence in 1962.

Another reflected life in Jamaica's inner-city areas with everything from the ubiquitous domino games, to cat fights over men. Donaldson ran though his catalogue of Festival songs, among them ‘Sweet Jamaica’ and ‘Cherry Oh Baby’.

He had members of the Jamaican community, in particular, rocking and singing along.

Jamaican dancers Raddy Red and Damian 'Gana Gana' Young showed off their moves.

Dehaney, Black Blood and Mackaruffin also lit up the stage with outstanding sets, while former Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus vocalist, Kiddus I, served a sizable helping of roots-reggae, backed by a group of Japanese Rasta drummers.

The One Love Jamaica Festival underscored yet again the enduring popularity of Jamaica and things Jamaican, in the Land of the Rising Sun. (Jamaica Observer)

22

news

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

History created as new Caricom song is launched H

istory was created for the Caribbean Community with the debut of the Caricom song titled “Celebrating Caricom”. The occasion was the opening ceremony of the 35th meeting of the Caribbean Community Conference of Heads of Government.

Caricom Heads, Diplomats and Delegates converged at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resorts and Spa for the ceremony which was addressed by Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque; Outgoing Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines; and Incoming Chair of the Conference of Heads of Government, Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

Winner of the Caricom Song Competition, Michele Henderson accepts her award from Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

The Triennial Award for Women 2014 was also presented to Marion Bethel of The Bahamas during the ceremony.

However, the evening

could not have come to a close before talented songwriter, vocalist and flautist Michele Henderson of Dominica put on a rousing performance of

“Celebrating Caricom”.

The performance was supported by dancers from the National Dance Theatre of Antigua and Barbuda, while Henderson’s vocals were accompanied by a high-quality regionally produced sound track that was prepared specifically for the event. The song has been recorded on CD and copies will be given to Caricom Heads.

Following her performance, which had everyone singing and dancing in their seats, Henderson was presented with a cash prize of US$10,000 and a plaque

by Secretary General LaRocque. Beaming with pride, Henderson was all smiles as she accepted the award. She said she had always wanted to make a significant contribution to regional integration as well as to the history of the Community and this opportunity had given her

US says TIP report on Guyana accurate E

the medium to do exactly that.

The song, which will be used at ceremonial and Community events, was written and produced by Henderson in collaboration with her husband, Roland Delsol Jr, as well as her band and other music colleagues in Dominica.

The Caricom Song Competition was launched in April 2013 as part of the Community’s 40th anniversary celebrations. The goal was to facilitate the involvement of Caricom countries in choosing a regionally and internationally recognised song that promoted unity and inspired Caricom identity and pride. A regional panel of judges comprising independent experts in music was nominated by Member States and the Caricom Secretariat to choose the Caricom Song. The competition was conducted in

three rounds, where 63 entries were condensed to the final three, of which “Celebrating Caricom” was chosen as the winner.

The second-place entry titled “My Caricom” came from Jamaican Adiel Thomas and the third-place song was titled “One Caricom” by Carmella Lawrence from St Kitts and Nevis. In moving the vote of thanks at the closing of the ceremony, Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to Caricom, Clarence Henry expressed delight that “the Caribbean Community finally has an anthem”. He also seemed very excited about the song selected and remarked that he felt like getting out of his seat to dance during Henderson’s performance.

The 35th meeting of the Caribbean Community Conference of Heads of Government will conclude on Friday.

Culture, sports vital to students’ allround development – Minister Anthony

T

he US is standing by its 2014 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on Guyana, Ambassador D Brent Hardt said, even as the Government contends that it is laden with inaccuracies.

US State Department 2014 TIP Report said the Government of Guyana should put the requisite systems in place to ensure convicted human traffickers are held accountable.

According to the US, three traffickers were set free after being sentenced to a maximum of five years imprisonment.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, the US Ambassador said the granting of bail to convicted traffickers after they were sentenced, creates an unfavourable environment by sending the wrong message. While Guyana has made progress, Hardt said corrective steps should be taken to protect persons residing and operating in vulnerable communities.

“I think it is really vital for the Government to step up its effort to make sure that people on the frontline have training,” he said, positing that the judicial system should be equipped with the requisite information to guarantee full prosecution.

The US is also calling on the Government to strengthen its relationship with civil organisations, which have set out clear objectives to fight

Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster

human trafficking.

“The only way the fight will be effective is if the Government taps into the efforts of civil society groups like the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO),” Hardt claims.

Alluding to the issue of inaccuracies, the US Ambassador said extensive investigation and research were conducted before compilation of the report. According to him, Guyana was slow in its response to the US when key information was sought on the TIP fight.

Rejection

“We were late in getting information and we did not get all the information we would have wished to have had.”

Despite the challenges faced, Hardt said the US is convinced that the report on Guyana is accu-

rate.

“We are very confident in the contour of our report… we don’t put in things that we cannot back up,” he added.

The Government has been repeatedly rejecting the US TIP Report; however, Ambassador Hardt remains adamant that the report is accurate.

On Friday, Human Services and Social Security Minister Jenifer Webster said the US State Department 2014 TIP Report on Guyana misrepresented the scope of human trafficking in Guyana.

Representing the Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Person Clement Rohee, Webster said the Guyana Police Force thoroughly investigates cases of human trafficking.

ducation is a jour- called on the students to Pandit Haresh Tewari ney that may use the knowledge they called on the Grade Five take a number have gained, and will students to use the gradof years; however, that gain, to aid in improving uating class as an exjourney is not complete their communities and to ample of what is expectwithout two important help humanity. ed of them. He stressed components: sport and Minister Anthony that there are two things cultural activities/expe- commended the admin- needed for success; and riences. istrators of the school those are hard work and This concept was em- for promoting their cul- prayers. He emphasised phasised by Culture, ture; this is in recogni- that the school seeks to Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony at a graduation ceremony hosted by the Valmiki Vidyalaya in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The graduating class started with 21 students, but one migrated.

The Minister recognised that for a small class, they have all achieved places at the top The 2014 graduating class of the Valmiki Vidyalaya School secondary school in the city and on the East Coast. tion of the fact that in provide education alongAccording to reports, some schools this impor- side good values.

40 per cent of the stu- tant component – culBest graduating students attained senior tural awareness – is ne- dent was Amit Dass, who secondary schools, while glected. While a lot of shared his experiencthe other 60 per cent ob- emphasis is on numera- es of being in the school tained schools with a five cy and literacy, more fo- for eight years. He exor six-year Caribbean cus should be on cultural pressed appreciation to Secondary Education literacy in the education his parents, teachers and Certificate (CSEC) pro- system, so as to ensure fellow students for their gramme. that Guyana’s cultural support.

Minister Anthony heritage is not lost.

Special awards were emphasised that the stuClass teacher, given to Madhav Tewari, dents are now taking a Hemanchal Singh, in who sat the National step into higher educa- his remarks emphasised Grade Six Assessment tion. It is therefore im- that he was pleased to one year before his time; portant that at this stage have worked with the he was ranked among they assess their weak- students in Grades Five the top 100 students nesses and improve on and Six regardless of the in Guyana. Kampta them, so as to attain fu- challenges faced. While Persaud and Alicia ture success. In this re- sharing his experiences Harriram were recoggard, the Minister noted with the students, he in- nised for their all-round that he would like to see dicated that he was not performance; Savitri all the students complet- surprised with the re- Narine for her display of ing secondary school and sults. honesty and excellence moving on to university.

While congratulat- and Roberto Thomas for The Minister also ing the 2014 students, his excellence in sports.

news Local airline announces special tour offer for Guyana Festival

I

n anticipation of the large influx of tourists and overseasbased Guyanese heading our way for the Guyana Festival slated for August 8-10, Air Services Limited will be offering special aerial tours for that period.

This announcement was made by ASL General Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins who said the company was inspired to offer the tours after it facilitated several trips into the interior and other exotic parts of Guyana for documentaries and similar work.

Speaking from ASL headquarters at the Ogle International Airport, Arjoon-Martins said this idea was be-

ASL General Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins

ing pursued in order to “maximise opportunities” and options for patrons at the festival to be held at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

In addition to the city tours originating from the Providence National

Stadium, the company is also set to increase its weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls and for the first time, the company will offer one-day trips to the majestic Shell Beach in Region One. The commercial air company will also be offering four weekly trips to Kaieteur Falls, the largest single-drop waterfall in the world.

“We are positive about the potential for growth in tourism in Guyana, we have so much to offer that is unique, and even though we’re adding these services because of the festival, our plan is to keep them going year round,” said the General Manager.

She explained that

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014

23

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

The fleet of helicopters that will be used for the tours

the tours around the city will be done via helicopter and will start seven days before Guyana Festival.

“Niche tourism activities have been happening with the helicopters over the past year and we thought we’d want to offer that to Guyanese,” ArjoonMartins said.

Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, who was present at the launch, lauded the company for continuously pushing the frontiers of tourism in Guyana, and hence playing a funda-

mental role in the development of Guyana’s tourism product.

“They have constantly invested in the resources and equipment needed that would bring new opportunities to the tourism product… which strives off the adventure aspect,” said Minister Ali. He said too that the management of ASL have decided to be a part of the festival in a most “dynamic and versatile” manner, noting that there was some issue – with enough flights not being available to take

tourists to the Kaieteur National Park.

He has contended that the Guyana Festival has taken on a “life of its own” and has already been generating much excitement. “The excitement of Guyanese rekindling with our country is enormous,” said Ali. The city tours will cost Gy$8000 and the tours to the Kaieteur Falls will be Gy$29,000.

The prices for tours to shell beach are customisable and depend on the number of persons taking the trip.

APNU’s Vanessa Kissoon lands before disciplinary committee

P

eople’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary Oscar Clarke said Party Member Vanessa Kissoon will be given the opportunity to present her case to the Disciplinary Committee.

Speaking with Guyana Times International, Clarke confirmed that Kissoon’s membership has been suspended from the PNCR, but declined to divulge details on what would have led to the suspension.

Reports indicate that a fierce argument between the two might have led to disciplinary actions being tak-

PNCR General Secretary Oscar Clarke

APNU Parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon

en against Kissoon. “I am not at liberty to discuss,” Clarke told this newspaper.

Nevertheless, with the charge lev-

ied against the Region 10 representative, the Disciplinary Committee led by Bishwaiswar “Cammie” Ramsaroop will soon convene a hearing to pronounce on the matter. Clarke said during that hearing, Kissoon will be giv-

en the opportunity to exercise her constitutional rights in keeping with the PNCR’s Constitution.

On Friday at the Leader of the Opposition’s Office, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Chief Whip Amna Ally said in her limited response to questions posed by reporters that the issue is an internal matter.

“If there is a matter, it has to be investigated. We cannot go out into the public and use speculations,” Ally told reporters. According to her, when the matter is thoroughly investigated, “if there is some-

thing to be said, people will know. There is no secrecy in our party”.

However, she assured media operatives that the matter involving Kissoon will be dealt with in accordance with the party’s Constitution.

“Our party is governed by a Constitution which is well known to aid its member… and if there is a matter, I can assure you that the way it is being dealt with will be by the party’s Constitution.”

When Guyana Times International spoke with Kissoon on Friday, she was not in receipt of an official notification of her suspension.

However, she said

it would be a breach of the party’s Constitution to take disciplinary action, without following the procedures of the day. She made it clear, that at no point she was consulted on the matter or given an opportunity to defend herself before the Executive.

But this is not the first time; the PNCR/ APNU took actions without notifying her.

Earlier in the year, Kissoon was demoted.

Without her knowledge, Kissoon was moved from the second row in the National Assembly and given a back seat.

Kissoon has been representing the people of Region 10 since 2006.

Stay out of matters relating to your family – Home Affairs Minister warns Police ranks

P

olicemen and women were on Friday warned not to get involved in investigations relating to their relatives and cautioned that they must at all times uphold the integrity of the Force as this was a aspect of the fight against crime and to maintain the credibility of the Force.

“I believe that the possession of a high degree of integrity by members of the Force is a guarantee for closer collaboration between the Police and the public. In the absence of public trust, you, as Junior Officers, will find it difficult to gain public support,” Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee told a group of

middle-level officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

He said as a matter of necessity, ranks need to ensure that they carry out their policing functions with the highest degree of integrity. “Simple missteps could put you in trouble and damage the reputation of the Guyana Police Force. For example, if your relative or an associate of yours is involved in a matter that requires intervention by the Guyana Police Force, you should know by now that you should recuse yourself from the investigations into such matters.”

Similarly, “if your relative or close friend is a victim of a crime, you

should not be part of the investigations; neither should you be involved in directing the investigations because conflict-ofinterest issues will arise.

The Police Standing Orders and the Police Discipline Act provide guidelines in such matters, but I am unsure of the extent to which members of the Force are cognisant of these guiding principles.”

Improving image

Rohee recommended that this issue should be discussed during the training course, especially in light of a recent incident that is still being investigated. He said his Ministry has championed the reform process of the GPF and the other

agencies under its remit, noting that one of the main objectives of the reform is to improve the image of the Force. “I am of the strong view that if the public has a favourable assessment of the Force, it will gain more support in fighting crime and addressing related issues. You should remember that, to a large extent that you function as members of the Force with the consent of the public. Therefore, public acceptance of the Force is tied in with your ability to be successful in maintaining Law and Order.”

“You should get familiar with social contract theory because it underscores the role of Police

in society. The authority of Police is derived from the public through a social contract. Briefly, social contract theory holds that the purpose of the state is to better protect the rights that people already naturally possess: those of life, liberty and property.

Citizens enter a bargain in which they agree to give up their power to enforce their own rights to the state and trust that the state will use this power to benefit the public. As an agent of the state, the Police are bound by this social contract. Their power is held as a public trust. I, therefore, suggest that the integrity of Police ranks and the image of

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

the Force in the eyes of the public could impact the extent to which more public support could be garnered by you,” Rohee outlined.

24

News

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014

| guyanatimeSinternational.com

Toronto-based Qaseeda singers thrill Guyanese audience

W

ith a packed lecture hall, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Leader of the Opposition David Granger Torontobased, international recording female Qaseeda singers, Guyanese-born, Nazima Hossain and her mother, Sakina Hossain, last Sunday wowed the audience as the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) held a special thanksgiving programme marking the completion of Phases One and Two of the facilities.

Nazima and her mom, Sakina, along with another sibling – Shameeza, formed the group that originated from the island of Leguan. They started singing at the Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan as part of a play. The play – “Glimpses of Islam through the Ages” depicted through the eyes

of the Prophets of Allah, from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Muhammad (SAS).

This play was performed throughout Guyana at many masjids and also at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown. It grew in popularity over the years and with the migration of Nazima and family in 1993, to Toronto, Canada, it folded. However, they continued to sing their beautiful qaseedas, mostly in English.

They caught the eyes and ears of Pakistani-born music producer, Nadeem Ali and through Avenger Productions of Toronto, produced their first album in 1995/96, fittingly named“Glimpses of Islam”. The catchy tunes on this album soon became very popular in the Caribbean and North America, and in Guyana, the song “Whether you go

Opposition’s cry of constitutional crisis an “expression of paranoia” – Nandlall

Canadian-based international recording Qaseeda singer Nazima Hoosain

to Churches, whether you go to mandirs” soon became a household song for Guyanese. All the lyrics for these songs, and for the other albums are produced by Zaman Mirza and Rafeek Mirza (formerly of Endeavour, Leguan), now residing in Canada and USA respectively.

The singers credit the patriarch of the family, Sheikh Nazir Hossain; the Razack family; the Mirza family; the late Imam Fazal (Amsterdam Masjid, Leguan) and family; Buddy Boy (Shafdar); the late Ramatally; Farouk Amin and family; Alim Shaw; Hajji Rahaman

(K Rahaman and Sons); Khaleel Rahaman and family (Ruby, East Bank Essequibo); present Imam of Amsterdam Masjid, Shaikh Shahiroon Mohammed; Teacher “Zed” and John Khan and family; as well as their Producer Nadeem Ali and Avengers Productions of Canada, for their tremendous success as singers.

The duo appearance at the famed ACIC, Guyana’s leading Islamic centre and hub for the international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world, was a first for them in Guyana, since their migration.

Commissioning of forensic lab set for next week A

fter much delay, the commissioning of Guyana’s first Forensic Laboratory is set for next week, according to Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

When contacted by the Guyana Times International for an update on the opening of the state-of-the-art facility, he said the lab will be commissioned in the “second week of July”. This comes some three years after the contract was initially signed for the construction of the lab, which experienced several delays in its completion. In early June, the Minister had informed this newspaper that there were some “small technical work to be done” on the building before it was completed.

The commissioning of the multimillion-dollar laboratory was scheduled to be completed 12 months after the contract was signed in April 2011; however, it was pushed back and delayed on several occasions. A new deadline was set in April 2013, but that additional one-year extension was not sufficient.

The new date for completion could not be achieved since the contractor, Courtney Benn

The Forensic Laboratory located at Turkeyen

Contracting Services, had experienced some unforeseeable setbacks.

Following this, there were several additional deadlines missed, including four for this year alone. One was in February and another in April. The latter date was announced by the Home Affairs Minister during his presentation of the 2014 Budget Debate. The Minister had stated that due to several technical delays, the lab was not completed by late last year as was expected.

Multiple deadlines missed

Another deadline was given, in May, but again it was not achieved; as such, what was supposed to be the very last deadline for the completion of the lab, June 17 was given. With delays being missed a norm for

projects in Guyana, fingers were crossed for the lab to be finally commissioned on the new date given by the Minister.

The equipment and furnishing for the building, which is located in the University of Guyana’s compound at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, have already been procured and installed. In December 2012, a US$1.6 million contract was signed between the Home Affairs Ministry and Western Scientific Company for the supply of scientific equipment for the state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory.

Meanwhile, a director has also been identified and several positions have been filled.

Rohee had stated that a few months back that at least 31 applications

were received for the 21 positions available and an interview panel was set up to select the best candidates. “The interview panel was set up because the competition is high, because we have received 31 applications and only have 21 positions available…,” the Minister had said.

The lab is a project under the Citizen Security Programme (CSP), initiated by the Government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This programme has three aspects: institutional modernisation of the Home Affairs Ministry, the Community Action Component (CAC), and modernisation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), which includes strengthening its forensic capability.

A

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ttorney General Anil Nandlall has described the frequent use of the term “constitutional crisis” by some politicians as “a pretence at profundity”, and “expression of paranoia”, or both.

The Attorney General was referring to a statement from parliamentary Opposition party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had accused the Government of “provoking a constitutional crisis”.

According to Nandlall, APNU in the release had outlined the provocation in three examples: Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh was restoring monies which had been withheld by the joint Opposition during budgetary deliberations in the National Assembly; the President non-assenting to Opposition Bills in the National Assembly; and the Attorney General challenging “certain actions” by the Opposition in the National Assembly via the High Court “on the ground of their unconstitutionality”.

According to Nandlall, there was compliance with each of the above processes, since the Government had “acted in conformity with express provisions of the Constitution”.

He, therefore, questioned “how can the resort to constitutionally authorised processes result in the provocation of a constitutional crisis is a matter which only those who are articulating this novel concept can explain”.

The Attorney General referred to Article 218(3) of the Constitution that authorises the restoration of monies by Minister Singh.

Article 218 (3) of the Constitution provides thus: “If in respect of any financial year it is found – (a) that the amount appropriated by the (a) Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for

expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act ; or (b) that any monies have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate or, as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the National Assembly by the Minister responsible for Finance …”

He also reiterated that the latter “had acted in accordance with and in obedience of the letter and spirit of the said Article, contending that Alliance For Change Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo is in a greater state of confusion “as he is still grappling to understand the distinction between the Contingencies Fund and the Consolidated Fund”.

On the issue of the President not assenting to Bills, the Attorney General pointed to Article 170(2) that allows the Chief Executive such powers.

“When a Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.” And on the third instance of resorting to the High Court, the Attorney General said that “anyone who feels that the Constitution is being infringed, or is likely to be infringed, can approach the Court for appropriate redress”.

This is a fact which he said every law student knows.

He also said that having to “resort to the High Court to complain about a constitutional breach is a legal right”, and such an “invocation can never result in a constitutional crisis”.

Instead, he said that “it is the type of conduct which engenders greater constitutionality”.

News

Caretaker of Berbice orphanage charged for sodomising teen

T

he caretaker of the Berbice Orphanage was on Monday placed on Gy$200,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Issacs-Marcus in a New Amsterdam Court on a charge of sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Mohamed Deen is accused of committing the act between January 1 and May 24, 2014 at the orphanage. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Platter told the court that Deen was in a position of trust in relation to the Virtual Complainant (VC) namely by being a caregiver at the orphanage. He said Deen knew or reasonably could have been expected to know of the position of trust he held in relation to the VC. The 37-year-old Deen told the court that he has been employed with the orphanage for the past seven years. Attorney-atlaw Marceline Bacchus, in a petition for bail, told the court that Deen was never accused of criminal activity before and now lives several miles away from the accused. He asked for reasonable bail to be granted.

25 Gouveia denies flying Smith out of Guyana

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

… although reports say aircraft he used was seen

By Tajeram Mohabir

F Mohamed Deen

Platter did not object to bail, but asked that serious conditions be imposed. He said the accused is still residing at the orphanage where other juveniles are housed.

Magistrate IssacsMarcus in granting bail ordered that the accused must not come within 20 feet of the VC or his place of residence. Deen is also ordered to report to Central Police Station every second Friday.

The Prosecution’s case is that between January 1 and May 24, 2014 at the Berbice orphanage Deen allegedly sexually molested the juvenile.

He will have to return to court on July 14.

ormer Army Pilot and retired Captain Gerry Gouveia last Friday held out that he did not fly the plane on July 17, 1988 that would have probably aided Dr Walter Rodney’s suspected killer Sergeant Gregory Smith’s escape from Guyana.

Under cross-examination by Attorney for the Walter Rodney Commission (CoI), Glenn Hanoman, Gouveia related that if he did, it would have been recorded in his log book, but it was not. Gouveia had told the Commission on Thursday, that he had flown a man on June 14, 1980 who he subsequently found out through the Catholic Standard newspaper bore a likeness to Smith, along with a woman and children, under the instruction of his superiors, to Kwakwani.

He said in the line of duty, he carried the instructions handed down to him with pride and dignity.

Former Army Pilot and retired Captain Gerry Gouveia

On July 14, 1980 Captain Gouveia flew the nine-seater Highlander bearing registration number 84GEE with the reported suspect Smith, his wife and their children from the Timehri International Airport to Kwakwani.

According to reports, from Kwakwani, Smith made a safe passage to French Guiana, reportedly with the help of the Army, which was under the control of the Forbes Burnham

Administration. Several eyewitness reports were read to Gouveia by the Attorneys representing Rodney family members at the Commission and the Commissioners that the aircraft under the command of Gouveia, 84GEE, was seen at Kwakwani, three days after dropping the reported suspect Smith, the woman and the children there.

Gouveia said the Army planes look quite the same, and the eye-

witnesses would have made a mistake in what they saw, reiterating that he did not fly the plane, and never saw the man looking like Smith again in his life.

Flight logs were kept by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Operations Centre at Timehri, but Gouveia had told the Commission that their logs were disposable after six months. However, he did confirm that during his tenure as a Pilot in the Army, he had flown outside of Guyana, naming Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Suriname as the countries he had flown to.

It was revealed to the Commission, that on June 14, 1980 the retired Army Captain flew to Kwakwani without a co-pilot, but he explained that this was not strange, as the other Army Pilots also did so. Gouveia told the Commission that the Army used to fly Government officials, soldiers, dignitaries and civilians to Kwakwani and from continued on page 26

26

NEWS

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Opposition parties ‘targeting’ public servants unjustifiably

A

mid an apparent well thought out plan by Opposition elements to attack National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Executive Director Winston Brassington, President Donald Ramotar stressed that Brassington does not manage the entity on his own.

He pointed out that the Executive Director takes directions from a Board of Directors.

NICIL’s handling of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project and the Marriott Hotel being constructed in Kingston, among other negotiations, has seen Brassington being subjected to scathing criticisms from the Opposition and certain sections of the media.

Opposition Leader David Granger recently labelled NICIL as a “rogue” company.

“Brassington is a member of the Board of NICIL; he takes direction from the Board… NICIL Board is chaired by the Minister of Finance [and] the Cabinet passes all these things, so I think it is very unfair to public servants.”

The Directors for NICIL, at the end of 2012

NICIL’s Executive Director Winston Brassington

were Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon; Finance Ministry Budget Office Director Sonya Roopnauth; Amerindian Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall; and Brassington.

President Ramotar said it is not only Brassington who is often targeted for unfair criticism, but any public servant who seems to be acting professionally.

Brassington, he said, just happens to be a victim of what appears to be a well thought out policy to attack certain people working with Government.

Audit

“I myself have spoken about it on more than one

occasion, that this demonisation of public servants is a dangerous thing and I think it is just an attempt to try to frighten people to (not) work with the Government, because they are going to want to attack them in all sorts of ways,” President Ramotar stated.

On the question of the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) recent call for a forensic audit of NICIL, President Romotar pointed out that the audits were laid in the National Assembly up to 2012, and he is yet to hear any criticism of it from the Opposition.

The AFC last Friday issued a release with 10 demands, which it said must be met by Government to avoid a no-confidence motion being tabled against them in Parliament. One of the demands was that the Government performs a forensic audit of NICIL. The AFC’s call for a forensic audit of NICIL follows a similar call made in 2012 by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

According to President Ramotar, it is clear that the Opposition has been inventing all kinds of issues, which the media seem to turn a blind eye to.

from page 25

Gouveia denies flying Smith out...

there to Georgetown, but through instructions from the top brass.

No appearance

He related that the suspect did not appear to be an Army Officer, and during his time as an Army Pilot, he would have flown civilians to different parts of the country, noting that flying civilian passengers was not a strange assignment.

The retired Army Captain pointed out that in 1980, he made a total of four flights to Kwakwani and as an Army Pilot, he had flown Government officials to even Jonestown, the secret hinterland community, where members of the Peoples Temple once resided.

On November 18, 1978, the 918 members of that community committed mass suicide by drinking a poison-filled Cool-Kid drink on the instruction of their leader Jim Jones.

Hanoman grilled Gouveia on why a smaller aircraft was not used to transport the reported suspect and the other persons on July 14 or

land transportation was not utilised, which would have been cheaper, more so since he flew solo to Timehri after making the drop at Kwakwani .

The seasoned Pilot responded that he was executing orders from his superiors, and to this, Hanoman suggested to him that he is not telling the whole truth to the Commission.

The comment provoked some annoyance in Gouveia, who fired back, pointing out that he came to the Commission to tell the truth, contending that his integrity was never questioned before.

On this point, Commission Chair Sir Richard Cheltenham informed him that it is not his integrity that was being questioned but the accuracy of his recall.

Hanoman continued by asking the retired Army Captain if he was aware that assisting in the escape of a murder accused is a serious offence, to which he responded that he does not know the law.

Questioned by the CoI Attorney that he

did not report his observation of transporting a man suspected to be Smith to then Guyana Defence Force Chiefof-Staff, Major General Norman Mc Clean, because he and Mc Lean were involved in the secret plot, Gouveia responded with a emphatic no, contending that during his years as a Pilot in the Army, the now retired Major General never gave him instructions to fly.

He also denied that the Army was involved in secret flight operations.

Gouveia pointed out too that he has great admiration for Mc Lean, but said for the many years he knows the now retired Army Chief, his relationship with him was never personal but professional.

Under cross-examination by Hanoman, he also told the Commission that at the time, based on the information that he had received, he did not believe that Dr Rodney was murdered and even to today, he has never drawn a conclusion on his death.

27

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

28 NEWS

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Barbados launches Crop Over 2014 with grand display

B

R I D G E T O W N , BARBADOS:A potpourri of culture was on show on the streets of Bridgetown last Saturday evening as the National Cultural Foundation in association with Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited hosted the Crop Over City fest and Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes.

Hundreds of Barbadians attended activities held between Jubilee Gardens and Heroes Square in front of the Parliament Building. There were gospel concerts, gaming areas, a skate park and a fashion show.

The highlight of the evening was the parade through the streets of Bridgetown by a number of groups including members of the Sons of God Apostolic Church [Spiritual Baptist], the 151-year-old Barbados Landship Association, Dancing Africa, various stilt walkers, tuk bands, and other characters.

Hundreds of Barbadians attended activities held between Jubilee Gardens and Heroes Square (Barbados Today photo)

Minister of Culture, Stephen Lashley noted that Crop Over symbolized the islands cultural heritage, and presented enough creative space to celebrate its many facets.

Speaking during the official launch of the festival, he noted that the decision to stage the opening ceremony at the end of June in the heart of Historic Bridgetown was not coincidental.

“Being here is therefore not accidental, but rather one of the initiatives the Ministry, through the National Cultural Foundation will be pursuing to develop Bridgetown into a cultural hub.

To this end, we are currently planning what would be known as the Bridgetown Arts Festival.

“This will be hosted early in the New Year and will feature cultural expression at its best along the streets of the city and within the cultural venues located within the UNESCO property.

(Barbados Today)

Private sector warns against no-confidence vote A mid threats by the Opposition that they will be moving a noconfidence motion against the Government, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Monday warned about the implications of political instability.

“It will be very unfortunate if such a motion is passed as it would signal political instability to our foreign investors, financiers, customers and suppliers.

This will further increase the political risk premium added to the cost of capital when overseas funding is sought by private entities and can negatively impact our economy,” the PSC said in a statement.

According to the PSC, for progress to be made in a dispensation where a minority Government and a majority Opposition exist, the political culture should consist of dialogue and compromise on issues of national interest and development.

“This culture has been very much absent since our last General Elections in 2011, as both sides of the House have exposed their limitations in dealing with such a dispensation,” the umbrella business body said.

It added that the call-

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

ing for elections prematurely is signalling that only in a “winner takes all” environment can progress be made.

This does not auger well for a plural society such as Guyana, the PSC contended.

“The PSC is not hopeful that General Elections will automatically resolve many of the problems facing the country. However, if elections are to be called, we hope that they would be conducted efficiently and effectively.”

The PSC said it is also hoping that whatever the results, that they would be ac-

cepted by all and that the country can move forward so that every member of the population can be guaranteed a better life.

Also weighing in on the subject, Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Kit Nascimento said that elections at any time have serious implications for not only the tourism sector, but also the economy as a whole.

“The nation tends to hold its breath… from the tourism point of view, elections is never good for the economy… but they are a necessary part of democracy.”

However, the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) and Blue Caps are of the opinion that early General Elections might just be the solution to the issues that are plaguing Guyana’s 10th Parliament and affecting some major developmental projects.

CAIC President Ramesh Dookhoo said that people are losing faith in the current Government structure, where there is a minority Government and a frequent stalemate in Parliament.

“People are losing faith, whatever needs to be done, has to be done,” stressed Dookhoo.

Feature

29

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

C

ecile Nobrega was a teacher who spearheaded a 15-year campaign for England’s first public monument to black women.

Nobrega, who died at age 94, was the driving force behind the first statue of a black woman to go on permanent display in England.

Cecile Elise Doreen Burgan was born in Guyana (then a British colony) on 1 June 1919 to Canon William Burgan and his wife Imelda; in 1949 the Canon would become the first black man to preach at Westminster Abbey.

At Bishops High School, in Guyana, Nobrega showed herself a gifted child — she had composed classical music and written poetry from an early age, and later produced a choral work called Twilight which was performed by national choirs in Guyana and Cuba.

In Guyana, she started two schools — a kindergarten and a vocational school for teenage girls. She also wrote plays, one of which, Stabroek Fantasy (also known as Carib Gold), was particularly success-

The late Cecile Nobrega

ful.

In 1969, however, she found herself professionally at odds with the Guyana government and emigrated to Britain, where she retrained as a specialist teacher, working in Hertfordshire and Brent. She was active in the National Union of Teachers and in the Adult Literacy Programme, and campaigned for children with severe learning difficulties.

Her work with the International Alliance of Women (IAW) and the Commonwealth

Countries League gave her the opportunity to travel, and it was at IAW conferences in New York, Kenya, Greece, Japan and India that she began to shape the idea for her sculpture, The Bronze Woman.

The Bronze Woman — a 10ft-tall monument to motherhood, showing a black woman holding aloft her baby — was unveiled in October 2008 in Stockwell Memorial Gardens, south London.

The original artist was to have been Ian Walters, creator of the statue of Nelson Mandela in

London’s Parliament Square, but he died after completing only the clay maquette. The project was taken on and completed by Aleix Barbat, then still a student at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea.

Nobrega — a Guyanaborn teacher, poet and playwright — had campaigned for “The Bronze Woman Project” since 1994. Although she did not describe herself as a feminist, she felt that women — particularly women from the underdeveloped world and those descended from the victims of the transatlantic slave trade — received insufficient recognition for their contribution to the family and to society in general.

She launched the project as a charitable organisation and set about raising the money needed, subsequently enlisting the help of an organisation called Olmec, originally set up as a charitable subsidiary of a south London housing association.

The unveiling of the statue, on 8 October 2008, came shortly after the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade, and the 60th an-

niversary of the arrival at Tilbury of the first Caribbean immigrants in the steamship Empire Windrush.

A resident of Lambeth, south London, for her last 22 years, Nobrega slowed down towards the end of her life, giving up driving, her computer, and playing the piano; but she re-

mained active in her local pensioners’ group and in tai chi classes.

Her husband of 52 years, Romeo Nobrega, an accountant, died in 1994, and she is survived by their two sons and one daughter.

Cecile Nobrega died on 19 November 2013.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

'The Bronze Woman'

30

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Feature

31

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

A group of young advocates aims to raise awareness for a litter free environment through education and community participation.

West Coast Berbice, but the organisation meets at different locations.

The organisation has been able to change that attitudes of students as it relates to the caring of their environment, bring about change in the way adolescents and youth think about education and promote access to education To date, Berbice

B

erbice Shines is the Regions Five and Six component of the Guyana Shines Project, an initiative started by the American, British, Canadian and European Union missions in Guyana.

The group, made up of young advocates, aims to bring together the populations of Berbice especially young people to raise awareness about issues relating to their natural environment.

Berbice Shines works with schools, organisations, government agencies, individuals, local government bodies, religious groups and other groups, whether for-

Shines has had projects in Regions Five and Six in various communities - New Amsterdam, Weldaad, Seafield, Yeoville, Bath, and others.

Persons and organisations can contribute to any of the group’s projects. Call 621-2768 or 694-8004 for more information. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

A few of Berbice Shines' members

mal or informal, so that there is a comprehensive programme to making Berbice shines – free of litter.

The group was started by Mark Ross, Abbas Hamid and Rondha Lam-Singh. The inspiration for the formation of the group came from the fact that the United Nations designation of the year 2010-2011 as International Year of Youth was not celebrated in Guyana.

Berbice Shines was officially launched in February 2011, but registered on 21 June 2013.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Mark Ross said that the project will

be an ongoing one and volunteers, organisations and agencies can join at any time to contribute in cash, kind, labour or whatever way possible.

He added that currently the organisation has 40 registered members, ten registered organisation volunteers, but over 50 volunteers for different projects they are undertaking and a Facebook reach of over 1000 on the organisation’s group as well as a Berbice Shines Project page.

“The following projects are currently being undertaken: Berbice Shines Environment Project; Backpack

Project; Community Health, Environment and Recycling Project; Community Mercury Education and Awareness Project; Weldaad Youth Friendly Space Enhancement Project; SRH Project for girls; Zero Discrimination Campaign; Community Health Awareness Project (diabetes, breast cancer); Diamond Special Needs School Enhancement Project; Community Youth Enhancement Project for Disabled Persons; and a road safety project,” he outlined.

Berbice Shines is legally registered at 17 Public Road, # 41 Village,

Members cleaning walkways in Berbice

32

Arts & Culture

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

U

S based-Guyanese fine artist Dudley Charles’ work is an expression of events and images encountered in his life, reflecting the multicultural, multiracial society of the

Artist Dudley Charles

old and new world.

It is his practice to work loosely on a floor, cutting and re-arranging materials on his canvas.

Using wood, dust, paper, pulp and acrylic gel, he creates a textured effect

that moves between figuration and abstraction.

As his inspiration, he draws upon a spectrum of cultural influences from his native Guyana, the Caribbean, South and North America.

Armed with these images, myths, and folkloric figures, he then evokes a magical landscape leading the viewer into a world wherein he meets the ancestors. Because of the premise on which his work is being made, the appearances of the images on a textured surface often force the viewer to complete the images in their own mind.

“I am lucky to have been blessed with the talent of an artist. If I were given another avocation I am sure that I would have been unfaithful to God, the world and myself,” he said in a past interview.

The following is taken from the catalogue for ‘Contemporary Expressions: Art from the Guyana Diaspora’, an exhibition US basedGuyanese artist Carl E. Hazlewood organised for the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Summer 2011. He wrote, in part, “Outstanding Guyanese artist Dudley Charles has contributed greatly to the development of recent art in Guyana, both as practitioner and producer. Having been brought up at a distance from the recognized 'hot beds' of innovation and activity in contemporary art, Dudley, a mostly self-taught painter, experienced the world of Picasso, Matisse, Wifredo Lam, and others, mainly through books. Thus, left to his own devices, as it were, the artist fashioned

This painting is from the 'Anancy' series and was painted in Guyana in the early 80s before the artist moved to the US

This is a painting done by Dudley in the US that still bears some evidence of his 'Old House' series, which was very influential for Guyana art and artists back in the 1970s and early 80s

Dudley's paintings vary between outright abstraction and a teasing representation of nature, especially images that evoke the Guyanese environment where he grew up

a mythopoeic art that was responsive to his immediate environment, its folklore, physical, and psychic character. And somewhere along the way, he was able to reconcile his native sensibility with a mastery of those concepts which provide the raison d’être for contemporary artists working today.”

Hazlewood added, “Yet, despite the artist’s considerable ability with quintessentially modernist media such as collage and acrylic polymer emulsion, his technique is put in service of an honest vision modulated by the artist's spe-

cific cultural language.

Painterly, faceted, abstracted, the landscapes Dudley conjures into being seem inhabited by elusive presences, kept alive only by racial memory, waiting in the crepuscular hide-and-seek of textured shadows. Mr Charles has represented Guyana at the XII Sao Paulo Biennial, and has shown his paintings in Africa, Japan, Venezuela and Great Britain. His work is in Guyana's National Collection at Castellani House, plus many public and private collections around the world.” (Photos by Carl E Hazlewood)

33

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Times Notebook

Highschool flashbacks

K

L

By Anu Dev

ast Thursday, I attended my little brother’s graduation. (Incidentally, he isn’t so “little” any more: even though 14, at 5’ 8” he towers over me – and doesn’t let me forget it.) And it was so strange, seeing all of these kids whom I’d known when they were first form “babies” running around, now ready to graduate from 5th form.

But it was even stranger NOT sitting in the “student-half” of the auditorium, surrounded by my friends. Stranger in a strange land! This time, I was seated with the adults, wearing a dress instead of my QC uniform.

It was all so familiar but yet so very, very strange at the same time. Eerie. Somewhere in the back of my mind I kept expecting my old buddies to turn up and we’d all sit together like we did every Monday and Friday for seven years at assembly.

Walking around Queen’s, what struck me was that though most things seemed the same, there were enough differences to give me pause. The auditorium was decorated differently than I’ve ever seen it before and even the chairs were differentseemingly small things that shouldn’t matter made an impression on me because I suspect I’d gotten used to seeing things pretty much the same way day after day for seven years.

But it was nice seeing the Class of 2014 graduateanother wave of QC students ready to tackle University, 6th form or the world of work. Ready to pursue their dreams. It took me back to my own Graduation. At every Graduation, two persons from each of the graduating classes (5th and 6th Formers) are selected to go up on stage to reflect on their time together as a class at QC. I enjoyed listening to the reflections by the students as they remembered those moments that really meant something to them.

The recurrent theme woven through the reflections was that by the end of it all they’d become a family.

And now I’ve realised that there’s no avoiding it: I’ll definitely be one of those 50-something year olds who stop random QC children in Austin’s to chat about QC and to find about how E house is doing!!

I guess what I’m saying is that you can take the girl out of QC but you can’t take the QC out of the girl. No matter how old I get, stepping into that stuffy QC auditorium will always take me back to those days when I was a little schoolgirl with my hair neatly plaited with a ribbon.

Meeting certain teachers will always make me do a mental check to make sure I’m not breaking any rules (Am I walking on the right-hand side of the stairs?

Yes. I am. Good. Oh wait, I’m wearing nail polish.

Oh no. Hang on, I’m an adult now, adults are allowed to paint their nails. Breathe, Stand straight, QC girls don’t slouch. You look fine, go say “Hi” now. “Oh Hi, Miss! How are you?”)

I was so proud to see my brother graduate on Thursday, all grown up and wearing the familiar black and gold gown. And it was nice to sing my old school song again.

And I’m getting all mushy again. Got to go!

Fideles Ubique Utiles.

udos to President Donald Ramotar for asking the US Ambassador if reading people’s emails and spying on people is a hallmark of a democracy.

Citizens of Guyana and everywhere else in the world reject the notion that extensive spying by NASA on behalf of the US Government is a tenet of a strong democracy.

The Ambassador has never dared to tell us what he thinks of America spying on its own citizens and on leaders of other democratically elected governments.

It appears as if Ambassador D Brendt Hart’s concerns about Guyana’s democracy represent a case of “do what I tell you, not what I do”. The USA needs to take a good, hard look at itself, and its representatives should not throw stones while they live in a glass house.

The other day, Hart deemed the blackmail politics of the Opposition in Guyana as the “very essence of a democracy”. But blackmailing a government is never the same as compromises. In America, Republicans joined the Democrats to support President Obama’s health insurance law, after many compromises. The Opposition in Guyana agreed with all the provisions in the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. Even when they brought in additional amendments to the parent law, the Government eventually agreed. The Government’s example is compromise.

But the Opposition brought in external things to bargain and risked Guyana being blacklisted and all citizens suffer. This is blackmail politics, not compromise.

There are many reasons why local government elections have not been held for almost 20 years. The Opposition stopped local government elections from being held when during the Herdmanston Agreement in 1998, they demanded that local government elections not be held until constitutional revisions were made.

Among the new constitutional provisions in 2001 is that local government elections must be held under a different system. It is this agree-

ment that led to the setting up of a special bipartisan committee to propose the new system.

Under their recommendations, new legislation was completed between 2011 and 2013.

The new system requires setting up of special constituencies and wards.

Government and all stakeholders should ensure that all provisions are in place for the earliest holding of local government elections.

Hopefully, the Ambassador is paying attention to the challenges of holding local government elections.

If he wants to play a positive role in encouraging the early holding of local government

elections, then he must be fair and ask for compromises on all sides.

Instead, his pronouncements are consistent with taking sides with certain stakeholders and being part of an anti-government platform.

The US Ambassador must realise too that the principle of government of the people, by the people and for the people equally applies to the USA. The use of Presidential Order is another example of how democracy can be subdued, by-passing the people. American presidents have used Executive Orders on an average 44 times per year since 1900.

In lieu of a new system needing more time

before local government elections are held, the President has the Executive Power to order the elections with the existing system or he can await the readiness with the new system.

The US Ambassador joined in chastising those engaged in trafficking in persons for the sex trade. Sex trade trafficking is a huge problem in America too.

Both countries have not perfected their democratic institutions and systems. There is ample evidence that both countries are committed to building the strongest possible democratic state.

R e c o g n i s i n g Guyana’s weakness and ignoring the obvious deficiencies in America seems to suggest that the US Ambassador chooses to lecture us and to ignore his own country’s murky place in practising democracy.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times.notebook@gmail. com.

34

Feature

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Theatre Guild of Guyana

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Bonita Marissa Lowden Executive Director

T

he Theatre Guild of Guyana has been and continues to be the nurturing ground for amateur and professional dramatic talent and productions.

It has, over the years, inculcated the values of the creative industries of the spoken word, music, dance, fashion, art, culture, lighting, sound and related disciplines to thousands. Although there was a period of dormancy for nearly a decade, the ancient saying that “if you take care of the roots, the tree will survive”, holds true as far as the Theatre Guild is concerned. The Theatre Guild has had a major restoration that has resulted in a concomitant revitalisation of the dramatic art form and even a fledgling cinematographic industry.

The Theatre Guild’s role is therefore one of forging, fashioning

catchment area that pulls in most of the capital city within a ten-minute drive radius and is an acoustically, modern theatre space with stateof-the-art lighting, proscenium arch, movable modular stage and over 300 seats.

The Guild has a

and refining the skills of young, old, amateur or professional dramatists, dramaturges, playwrights, choreographers, film-makers, directors, producers, set designers, and the whole gamut of those who take care of the roots of culture.

Spatially located in the small, prestigious, and elegant ward of Kingston in Georgetown, the Guild is a stone’s throw from prominent hotels and embassies and across the way from premier secondary institutions. It serves a

pleasant gallery type foyer and on-site and offstreet secure parking.

The Theatre Guild of Guyana was established in 1957, and its playhouse was created in the early 60s.

Through its training and productions over the last 53 years, the Guild has created several figures in culture who were important to Guyana or the world beyond. For instance, Eguene Williams, who was a member of the Guild in the 1970s, is now Director of the Jamaica School of

Famous local actor Mark Kazim during one of his dramatic performances at the Guild

Drama, which is considered the premiere drama school of the region.

His sister Pat Liverpool has remained faithful to the theatre and was an important part of its rebuilding fund. She still serves as Guild treasurer.

Henry Mutoo, also a member of the Guild around the same time, was a founder and is now CEO of the Cayman Islands Foundation for the Arts. Malcom Defreitas, Alieen Hintzen and Enrico Woolford have all remained with the Theatre and have served on its first board since the re-opening in 2008.

Daphne Rogers , who served as costume mistress and administrator of the Guyana National Cultural Centre for over 20 years, Margaret Lawrence, CEO of Merundoi, Desiree Edgehill, CEO of Artistes in Direct Support, Henry Rodney, Godfrey Naughton, Director of the Ministry of Culture’s National Drama Festival, Desiree Whyles, Director of Allied Arts, Mariatha Causeway, Theatre Manager, Simeon Dowding, Board Member and CEO of GreenHeart Children’s Theatre, Ron Robinson of the Theatre Company, Russell Lancaster, first chair of the new Guild, Aileen Hintzen, as well as Dr Paloma Mohamed, current Chair of the Guild, all began their careers in the arts at the Guild.

These are just a few of the scores of important artists spread around the world whose first place of expression was the Guild. Many of these artists maintain contact with the new Guild.

Since the massive rebuilding effort, which culminated in the rebuilding of the Theatre and its reopening in

2008, the Guild has offered training workshops for various aspects of the theatre. Workshops are conducted every Wednesday between seven and nine in the evening.

The Theatre Guild is a non–profit organisation that funds its training, performance and outreach activities through the service of volunteers, members and also through rents, receipts from performances, sales of services, and membership dues.

Funding from about 10 corporate sponsors has been consistent and has greatly supported the work of the Guild since it reopened in 2008. These are GT&T, Republic Bank, AnsaMcAL, GBTI, Noble House, DISINCO, McCORP, Stabroek News, Citizens Bank, John Fernandes Ltd, and the Government of Guyana.

Since it reopened its door in 2008, the theatre has produced over 15 major productions, many

by Guyanese writers. It has also produced over 11 new playwrights and over 100 dramatists.

The national and international importance of the Theatre Guild cannot be overstated as evidenced; however, there is an important personal dimension to the work of the Guild that often goes unrecorded. For many young people, it is their only source of positive expression, interaction, training and output.

The Theatre Guild supplies 90% of the trainers in the Ministry of Culture’s two-yearold National School of Performance and about 75% of its current students. Given the importance of this institution both nationally and internationally, there is still much to be done.

However, current signs of new life are truly inspiring. Though facing many challenges, the Guild, with the help of its friends, is expecting to fulfil its role in the cultural life of Guyana for at least another 100 years.

The heart of Theatre must beat on.

The Guild is staffed almost completely by volunteers and fund raisers to run all its programmes. The Guild is currently accepting applications for new members and volunteers.

For more information call 592-225-4033.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

A

s a child, Marissa envisioned herself becoming a “grand humanitarian who would somehow rescue the world from all of its ills”.

Although the road has led her down to other career paths, that dream still remains alive and Marissa is adamant to continue to seek to fulfil it in any way she can.

Marissa attained her secondary education at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.

Subsequently, she moved on to read for her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Relations at the University of Guyana (2008) and thereafter, pursued a Master of Science Degree in Global Studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2011).

She joined the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry in May 2012 in the capacity of Advocacy and Research Officer, but today she now serves as the Executive Director. This is a key leadership position in the Chamber. Under the authority of the Council, the Executive Director assumes complete responsibility for carrying out assigned policies and regulations. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for running the day to day chamber business and the full range of activities of the Chamber, organisational structure and procedures, employment, training and direct supervision of staff, coordination of volunteers, income and expenditures, membership services and retention, interpretation of policy, and maintenance of facilities.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Marissa attained a range of work experience while working with other organisations, which has moulded her into a strong and wellrounded individual today. The professional also possesses training in the areas of Conflict Management, Project Management, Gender

Sensitization, Family Planning, Advocacy and Community Mobilization, and Project Proposal Writing.

One of her major achievements is the publication of her Master of Science Thesis titled, “Climate Change and its Implications on Guyana’s Foreign Policy” by the University of West Indies, St. Augustine, in a book titled “Selected Essays on Contemporary Caribbean issues: An International Relations Perspective”.

This young professional believes that “climbing the ladder to success requires persistence, hard work and a strong mind”, traits she learnt early by observing her parents, other notable individuals, participating in youth activities, and volunteering her time towards various causes.

The Executive Director credits her parents for her success. Also, she is grateful to her many teachers and lecturers who have shared their knowledge and nurtured her while she was in school so that she could become the responsible and independent individual that she is today. Additionally, she is thankful to those who have supported and guided her throughout her career, education and selfdevelopment, notably, her boyfriend, Tariq Williams, and her dearest friend and role model, Clinton Urling.

“My future goals are to continue to be persistent, never settle, aim for excellence, live an honest life and build my empire. I will seek to do so in such a way that gives back to the society.

Too many things are wrong in our society and these ills are responsible for fuelling my drive to make a change. Even if I am not successful, the mere effort to do will help me sleep better at nights. I may not be the most patriotic person but I owe my nation and the future generation that much,” she declared in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

35

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Simply the Truth

Trashing history… …by AFC Sam Cooke famously confessed in song: “Don’t know much about History…”. But with a voice like Sam’s, it didn’t matter much. Not the same for the rest of us who have to deal with snake-oil salesmen.

History’s taught as a subject for us to learn what those who came before us did in particular circumstances.

And in the present, to the extent the circumstances are similar or analogous, we may act accordingly depending on prior outcomes.

We hear then, about the “lessons of history”. But in Guyana, unfortunately, there are some who’re either ignorant of those lessons or deliberately twist them. Or both.

Take, for example, the recent excursion by AFC’s Ramjattan, equating the rise of Hitler to the PPP/C Government. “The Reichstag of January 1933 saw over 50 per cent of those who held seats being against the Nazi Party. What could have happened that resulted in Germany shortly thereafter having one of the most infamous dictators (Hitler) of all history?”

But rather than analysing the circumstances/ factors that led to the rise of Hitler and then comparing them to our situation, the wanker disingenuously went off on a detour and frolic describing characteristics of dictatorships and arbitrarily pinning them on the PPP/C. Is Ramjattan saying that any party starting with less than 50 per cent seats in Parliament will create a dictatorship??

The entire exercise was to throw in the name “Hitler” and PPP/C in the same article.

Well, the cap he placed on the PPP/C’s head could as easily fit the AFC’s or APNU’s head – they each have less than 50 per cent of Parliamentary seats. In fact, like the AFC, Hitler started with a mere couple of seats in the 1920s. And like the AFC, used extremist rhetoric and actions to build his support base.

Hitler rose to power by exploiting the resentments of Germany – which is precisely the AFC’s modus operandi.

Remember the AFC’s racial incitement at Linden – over free electricity – right after the 2011 elections, leading to mass protests, arson, sabotage, strangulation of the interior and killings? Well, Hitler staged his infamous “Beer Hall Putsch” in 1923 by inciting German resentment at the deprivations caused by the Allies after WWI. And this has been the AFC’s Hitlerite strategy since – to polarise the Guyanese people and by stoking resentments.

For a while, before he self-destructed in his greed and avarice, Nigel Hughes was the propagandist comparable to Hitler’s Goebbels. Remember the man’s naked racist appeals to African Guyanese? As his buddy friend would say, Ramjattan’s Freudian slip was exposed when he invoked the name of Hitler. …of the WPA That same buddy friend also thrashed history when, according to the Muckraker’s report, “He posited that anti-colonial politics… was led by the mainstream middle class whose ancestral antecedents came from the house slave stratum.

These were people steeped in European tradition and were the inheritors of status and wealth.” What a load of revisionist piffle!!!

Anti-colonialist politics in Guyana was led by Cheddi Jagan who returned in 1943. He did not come from “the house slave stratum” and certainly wasn’t an “inheritor of status and wealth”. Those politicians who came before Jagan and warranted the characterisation were not “anti-colonialists” – they merely aspired to be selected by the colonialists to be part of the ruling clique.

It didn’t matter what their ethnic origins, whether they were members of the League of Coloured Peoples or the British Guiana East Indian Association – the colonial-era politicians rejected root-andbranch change.

Jagan’s contemporary, Burnham, was also in that reactionary mould – hence his willing betrayal of the anti-colonial movement of Jagan. …through silence The PPP/C is miffed that Granger’s refusing to testify before the Rodney CoI. Don’t they realise Guyana doesn’t have the US 5th Amendment where Granger can say, “I refuse to answer on the grounds my answer would incriminate me?”

T

he New Jersey Arya Samaj under Pandit Suresh Sugrim initiated a “Humanitarian Mission” about three years ago in Babu John, Port Mourant.

As the then Director of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC), it was my pleasure to facilitate in every way possible. The various Toronto Chapters of the Arya Samaj also came on board.

The result of this collaboration is the realisation of a dream. From what I have seen of the building at Babu John, it is nothing short of impressive. What does this “Humanitarian Mission” intend to do? Several Pandits and members of the Arya Samaj explained in detail to me from the beginning.

The complex at Babu John is meant to house a skills/training centre (sewing, information technology, basic mechanics, etc) for youths, especially but not exclusively.

It is also meant to be a refuge for victims of domestic violence as well as for pregnant teenagers who have been set adrift.

The building will also have a counselling centre for victims of all sorts.

Very importantly, it will also serve as an educational resource centre, open to the general pub-

lic.

This is the kind of noble thing that we should all recognise. It is all done from North America, including the raising of funds. A great deal of time and energy is spent by groups of individuals, all of it on a voluntary basis.

The New Jersey and Toronto Chapters of the Arya Samaj held a meeting in Toronto this week.

Some 20 people attended, all Guyanese of different genders and ages.

I was invited by Pandit Sugrim and gladly attended.

It was refreshing to me that vile things were thrown away: there was no stink of racism, no narrowness of regionalism, no stench of gender bias, no religious latrine bigotry.

And there was no mention of petty party politics, that venomous thing that continues to poison Guyana. Instead, there was much concern about the state of the young in Guyana and what can and must be done to help.

The entire meeting was centred on ways to create a more skilled and civil Guyanese society.

The professionalism of those in attendance set an example, and the behaviour of all was consistently pleasant and civil without being stuffy.

There was clean laugh-

ter. Not one voice was raised in anger or selfrighteousness. I made bold to speak about things that may be useful to this mission.

First, we need to involve the Guyana Police Force by training recruits from the Felix Austin Police College, as well as active ranks in relevant disciplines.

UGBC did this for years, but that has been thrown away now.

Second, there must be a concerted effort to reach out to all of Guyana (that sentiment was expressed by others several times), but especially to the Forgotten Region, as they now know themselves to be –Region 5.

Third, the Mission can involve in informal ways students who are reading for degrees in Social Work. We know that volunteerism is still almost a foreign thing in Guyana. This needs to be strengthened and encouraged in real ways.

One of the other impressive things at this meeting that seemed more like a gathering of friends was the honest recognition that Guyana has become a begging bowl (or barrel) society.

One of the Pandits actually quoted Confucius’s famous, “Do not give them fish; teach them how to fish”. The underlying idea of the mission is to enable and educate!

Professor Daizal Samad

Educate and enable every single willing member of Guyanese society, even if the Mission is located in Berbice.

This is a grand vision as much as it is a noble one. It will not be easy, of course, since red tape strangles many good initiatives. But one must admire the spirit and the work done thus far.

Guyana is not known to honour good work in official ways. Quite to the contrary; official Guyana seems dedicated to rewarding the sub-mediocre.

It would be such a wonderful thing should Ministries hop on board.

All too often, it is people who wish to serve who approach the Ministries begging for a chance to make a difference.

People like me would be pleasantly surprised if the relevant Government Ministries make an overture to organisations such as the Arya Samaj in a “helping to help” way.

Of course, this takes humility, which is itself in short supply.

Defying the odds

T

here were many workDr Julie Doobay ing diagnoses, so I didn't know what I was in store for. Since the doctors didn't know what I had I figured that they weren't certain about my prognosis. I was told many things ranging from never being able to walk again to never being able to practice as a chiropractor. I just knew that I would regret not even trying to get better. There were many instances when I felt like giving up and that I was angry, frustrated or sad. Deep down inside I kept asking myself what was the worst thing that could happen by trying and pushing myself,” she revealed.

Overcoming her illness was not an easy feat, but with the concrete support from her family, Doobay triumphed.

“Both of my parents devoted College in 2009 (in Toronto), my all of their time and energy to me and my recovery. My family father would drive to Toronto and practically lived at the hospital for back to Ottawa every few weeks the first three months that I was so that I could spend some time at in the hospital. My mom spent home. I had a lot of love and supmost of her days taking care of me port, which encouraged me to keep and driving me to various medi- trying.

“I now see life as an opportunical appointments. While struggling with my mobility and inde- ty. You may not be able to choose pendence, my sister tried to make the circumstances of your life but sure that I had a social life and you can choose how you respond to got me out of the house. When I life. Life never turns out the way decided to return to Chiropractic you had imagined but when you

Continued from last week

open yourself to new possibilities things you never imagined do become possible.”

Drawing on both her professional and personal experiences, Doobay has developed a unique and effective five-step programme entitled, “Dr. Julie’s Abilities Realization Process”, which guides patients through a process of healing that begins with discovering how their body holds stress, trauma and perceived limitations and ends in believing in and realising their own unique abilities and gifts.

Every day, her story, her courage, her compassion and her ability to help others to see what is possible is a source of inspiration to those who work with her.

And every day, her passion and commitment to enable people to “discover your will, raise your standards, and make life worth living” is renewed by the healing and progress she sees in those under her care.

“If someone is facing a challenge, they must keep in mind that ‘this too shall pass’. The situation may seem hopeless and painful but I promise you that it will not feel this bad forever, this feeling is not permanent,” the doctor encouraged. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

36

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

This week's Crossword

J k es The preacher's donkey

A man bought a donkey from a preacher.

The preacher told the man that this donkey had been trained in a very unique way, (being the donkey of a preacher). The only way to make the donkey go was to say, "Hallelujah!"

The only way to make the donkey stop was to say, "Amen!"

The man was pleased with his purchase and immediately got on the animal to try out the preacher's instructions. "Hallelujah!" shouted the man. The donkey began to trot. "Amen!" shouted the man. The donkey stopped immediately. "This is great!" said the man. With a "Hallelujah," he rode off very proud of his new purchase.

The man travelled for a long time through some mountains. Soon he was heading toward a cliff. He could not remember the word to make the donkey stop. "Stop," said the man. "Halt!" he cried. The donkey just kept going. "Oh, no...

Bible!....Church!...Please Stop!!" shouted the man. The donkey just began to trot faster. He was getting closer and closer to the cliff edge.

Finally, in desperation, the man said a prayer.

"Please, dear Lord. Please make this donkey stop before I go off the end of this mountain, In Jesus name, Amen."

The donkey came to an abrupt stop just one step from the edge of the cliff.

"Hallelujah!� shouted the man.

Pull, Buddy

This week's Puzzle

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse, named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.

Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.

Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try."

The wedding

Two antennas meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

Chihuahua

see solution on page 46

Two men were walking their dogs together.

The first guy with a Chocolate lab and the second a Chihuahua.

The first guy says, "Hey, you want to get something to eat?"

The second guy replies, "Yeah, but they all have signs that say 'No Dogs Allowed'."

The first guy with the lab puts sunglasses on and hands the other guy a pair. "Follow my lead," he says.

As he walks into the restaurant a waiter stops him and says, "Sir, no dogs allowed."

The man replies, "It's O.K., this is my seeing eye dog." The waiter apologizes and leads the man to a table as the second man enters.

The same waiter stops him but the guy says, "This is my seeing eye dog. I'm with the other guy."

The waiter replies, "Sir, you can't fool me, you have a Chihuahua."

The man freaks out and says, "A Chihuahua?

They gave me a Chihuahua?!"

37

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

38

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

feature

39

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

the shaping of guyanese literature

By Petamber Persaud

Cont’d from last week Extract of an interview with Colin Babb, June 2014, Georgetown, Guyana. Babb is the author of “They gave the crowd plenty fun”. He has worked as a journalist for the BBC and as a radio and online content producer.

PP: Some publishing houses were birthed from those very issues like New Beacon Books, BogleL’ouverture Publications and Hansib Publications, giving the minorities a voice.

CB: I can talk about Hansib which was set up in 1970 by Arif Ali who is Guyanese.

PP: Hansib has produced numerous books on cricket by Clem Seecharan and Frank Birbalsingh who are also Guyanese.

PP: You said earlier that you are doing another book on cricket.

CB: What I’m actually doing is a revised edition of “They gave the crowd plenty fun”, which in my opinion will be bigger and better because it will in-

clude more interviews, more stories. The book is not just about cricket, it’s about me growing up in Britain, my experiences with cricket and telling that story. A lot of it is about fun, it not about the serious, sociological nature of cricket, or implication for the sport, it’s about me having fun with cricket and the joy of cricket and how that joy connects with the community.

The new edition will include an interview I just did with Basil Butcher, here in Guyana; we had a real-real gaff, as you would say. I also spoke at length with Lance Gibbs, Tony Cozier, Dicky Bird, so I am not taking to and about West Indian, I am talking to people who have a connection to West Indian cricket whether they are umpires, writers, players, commentators, and fans PP: They all bring something to the table.

CB: I’ve also spoken to English fans in England and to find out what they thought when the West Indies was playing there – about the atmosphere and the noise because when the West Indies was play-

ing there it was a different atmosphere from what the English fans were used to in terms of the chants, and the shouting and the type of foods they brought into the stadiums which is why the West Indians came to matches in England because they can recreate a

sense of being West Indian in a cricket ground.

PP: And that’s the essence of your book – cricket giving the people plenty fun.

Let’s now close this book by starting from the top. The table of contents is divided into three

parts namely ‘The Origins of West Indian Cricket’, ‘The Rise of West Indian Cricket Dominance’ and ‘The Decline of West Indian Cricket Dominance’...

CB: Yes, this book is split into three parts but the next book will be expanded, there will be more chapters, it will be more diverse, for instance, I talk about how cricket has not regained that hold on the West Indian community in Britain, and there are many reasons for that, I can’t list them all but I will just focus on the more important ones...

PP: A quick summary will suffice.

CB: I think the results haven’t helped in the last 20/30 years especially in the test matches, the results produced by the West Indian team have been disappointing but there had been some success in the shorter formats of the game like the 20/20 World Cup win in Sri Lanka. This leads to another question of whether the West Indian would be more successful in the limited overs cricket and not test cricket and how that plays out in the diaspora.

Also we have a situation not only in Britain but also in Canada and America where there are people of West Indian heritage but they are second, third, fourth, fifth generation so their connection with the West Indies is rather limited. So when the West Indies come now to England, it doesn’t really connect to the current generation as it did in the past...

Additional, the current generation looks to other sports for their thrills and spills. Like soccer and athletics...

PP: So one of the reasons for the decline of the popularity of West Indian cricket can be found in the rise of their supporters’ interest in other sports...

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com What’s Happening: You are invited to repeat performances of ‘Expressions’ – a new forum for poetry on Thursday, July 10, at Theatre Guild, school show at 1pm, public show at 8pm. ‘Expressions’ is a Gems Theatre Production.

40

feature

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

By Matt Hallett

T

he rainy season is now upon us and vast changes are taking place across the landscape of the Rupununi region.

Over the course of the last three weeks, the Rupununi River has risen over 20 feet, sending water cascading out across the region. Water now floods over the banks and into formerly dry savannah, creating the seasonal wetlands where wading birds forage for food. Creek beds and small ponds that dwindled to almost nothing in the dry season are now filled with the rush

of fresh water, opening up spawning grounds for countless species of fish.

Puddles form in every depression, as the earth and roads are covered by flood waters as the rainy season changes the way that we travel and the way we live.

The drastic seasonal changes to the natural environment are an important part of the lifecycle of the thousands of species found in the Rupununi; but take just one walk in the evening you will quickly come to realize which species characterize the rainy season: frogs (in addition to mosquitoes). In and around water sources

from puddles, to ponds, lakes and rivers across the Rupununi, frogs are congregating to mate.

Here, female frogs will leave their delicate jellylike eggs to develop into fully aquatic tadpoles before metamorphosing into adults who leave these breeding pools behind to repeat the cycle all over again. But finding the right pond or puddle in which to mate can be a challenge with so many to choose from. This means that, with the exception of furore music coming from a village party, evenings here are dominated by a symphony of frog calls.

As you stroll down

An interestingly coloured frog in the Rupununi

any path in a village like ours in Yupukari, you can listen for the unique calls of each species and identify them without actually seeing them.

There is the “hom… hom…hom…hom” call of the Columbian foureyed frog (Pleurodema

Gladiator frog (Hyla boans) perched on a branch near Mapari Creek

Surinamese oval frog (Elachistocleis surinamensis)

Scinax ruber

brachyops), the mechanical clicks and chirps produced by the twostriped tree frog (Scinax ruber), the repetitive, high-pitched humming of the burrowing toad (Rhinella granulosa), the call of the Amazon milk frog (Phrynohyas venulosa) resembles a bow slowly being pulled back and forth across the strings of a cello.

The call of the lesser tree frog which sounds like the clacking together of two marbles (Hyla minuta). Each species expertly plays their part like a musician contributing to the creation of an overall harmony characterizing the amazing diversity of the region.

Although the Rupununi is known as the land of giants, it is the presence of small species like frogs and toads that serve as an indicator of the health of our natural environment.

A combination

of biology and natural history has left frogs intricately connected to their aquatic beginnings, as their slimy skin allows for gas exchange, making them especially susceptible to human impacts on the environment. As frogs across the globe face the threats posed by climate change, disease and pollution, the symphony of frog calls that can be heard on any rainy evening in the Rupununi is a signal of a healthy and thriving natural environment that we hope continues to persist long into the future.

If you would like to see more of Rupununi and what is experienced during the rainy season search for Rupununi Learners on Facebook.

Of course, the best way to really experience the amazing diversity of the interior is to come and see it firsthand.

(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)

Feature

41

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Limited and Dr Rohanie Maharaj, chairman (ag), Food and Beverage Industry Development Committee.

Tang Yuk said the show “represents a critical mass of potential for our local manufacturers.”

The Summer Fancy Food Show is North

N

One of the TT's booths at the event

EW YORK, U.S.: There has been a constant stream of visitors to the TT Pavilion at the 60th Summer Fancy Food Show at the Jacob Javits Centre in New York. They are sampling a range of local treats, including aloo pie with condiments, sugar cake, Carib, Mackeson, Shandy, tamarind and pepper sauces with pholourie, as well as roti and a dipping sauce and other food items.

These are being displayed by the 13 TT companies participating—Carib Brewery, KC Confectionery Ltd, National Canners Ltd, Associated Brands

Industries Ltd, Vemco Ltd, Smaks Luxury Group Ltd, RHS Marketing Ltd, Chatak Food Products Ltd, The Roti Factory, Asma’s Roti, Flavour Me Rite, Jus Rite Creations and Tobago’s Gourmet Granola.

TT’s Trade Minister Vasant Bharath, who is part of the TT delegation, said he was pleased to see “the stunning presentation of our country’s manufacturers on the world stage.”

Also in attendance are Joel Jack, Secretary for Finance and Enterprise Development in the Tobago House of Assembly, Robert Tang Yuk, chairman of exporTT

America’s largest specialty food and beverage event. It brings in more than 40,000 attendees from more than 80 countries with more than 260,000 innovative specialty food products on display.

Sunday, Bharath, Neil Parsan, Ambassador to Washington, and

Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam, TT’s Consul General to New York, distributed samples and shared details on the local products displayed.

Bharath also met with a potential investor from Palm Ventures LLC. The TT Pavilion features overhead pictorial dis-

plays of bright, vivid scenes of the country’s treasures, including its food, national buildings, beaches, festivals, musical instruments, and culture. There are displays of professionally packaged products; with branded countertops. Exhibitors were able to create business linkages. (TT Guardian)

42

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Travel & Tourism

43

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com A dugout canoe on the river by the Kissing Rocks

The river leaving Mabaruma on the way to Hotoquai, Hobodeia and other villages

Boathouse on the creek

Main road straddled by rubber trees

M

abaruma, in north-west Guyana, was built high above the forest on an enormous hillock of green. Up there, running along the ridge, is an avenue of stately rubber trees, and a pleasing sprawl of orchards, paddocks, tiny wooden farms, and tobacco-coloured cows.

Located in Region One (Barima/ Waini), Mabaruma is about a one-and-a-half hour flight from Georgetown.

It is also located close to the Venezuela border.

One of Mabaruma’s attractions is the Kissing Rocks. The hike from the main road of Mabaruma to the Kissing Rocks takes approximately 45 minutes by foot. During this hike it's likely that you'll hear and perhaps even spot some monkeys climbing in the trees surrounding the path. Once there you can cool down in the river or climb onto and around the rocks.

It is said that each person of a couple would stand on one rock and lean to try to kiss their partner... If they could reach it meant that their relationship would be a successful one. There are other stories, tales and myths associated with the Kissing Rocks.

In Mabaruma, there is a large population of Amerindian people who continue to live off of the land. People paddle in dugout canoes rather than drive cars and people grow their fruits and vegetables rather than buying them at the supermarket.

44 News TravelSpan’s Flight Attendants ready to provide real Guyanese service WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

NY community activist highlights plight of homeowners in Queens

Albert Baldeo points to another foreclosed home in the Queens community, symbolic of a greater problem, which has gotten worse since 2009

M

T

The newly-certified Flight Attendants pose with company officials and other partners at a reception in New York

ravelSpan’s management and staff, recently celebrated and introduced their newly graduated all Guyanese Flight Attendants with some media and travel partners at the NanKing Restaurant in New York.

The enthusiasm was shared by all the flight attendants in thanking TravelSpan for this great opportunity to service their fellow Guyanese travellers. They all ex-

pressed how excited they are to begin this endeavor.

Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Nohar Singh, talked about TravelSpan celebrating 19 years in business, and congratulated all those involved for making it possible.

The Flight Attendants are now certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will be working on the TravelSpan

Flights operated by Vision Airlines to New York, Port of Spain and Dominican Republic.

Passengers can now look forward to be greeted onboard by Yannick December, Collis Campbell, Christine Camacho, Lauristan Choy, Ruqayyah Boyer, Roselyn Sewcharran, Candasy Layne Tondicka Austin, Vanetta Forsythe, Kathrina Fung-a-fat, Christina Perreira, Sandra

Saccoor, Kimberly Bisnauth and Shivanie Latchman.

TravelSpan in collaboration with Vision Airlines currently offers a Wide Body 767/200 and 767/300 aircraft for its nonstop service between Georgetown and New York. The company reiterates that its commitment to Guyana is clearly demonstrated by its investment in the training and development of the Flight Attendants.

illions of Americans have lost their homes, and Queens has felt the full scourge of the foreclosure crisis.

District Leader Albert Baldeo has been at the forefront in highlighting the issue. In a recent interview with this publication he said; “We rank very high in the list of foreclosure capitals of the USA. One in nine homeowners in Queens is currently delinquent 90 days or more on their mortgage, or is in foreclosure. More time and resources must be dedicated exclusively to pre-

serving the American Dream of home ownership in our community from all levels of government - City, State and Federal.”

Baldeo added that the economic and social impact of foreclosed and abandoned homes is ravaging and devastating on communities.

“Crime and social evils increase, while public safety, tax revenues and home values correspondingly decrease.

Foreclosure prevention helps save money, keeps families together and preserves the pristine beauty of our communities,” said Baldeo.

news

45

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Medical missions saving Jamaica several millions De long haul mek some people bawl

N

ot too long ago, people coulda hardly get outta Guyana to go any where. All de airlines had start to leff Guyana one by one. De one that call dem self Caribbean Airlines was de only one leff at one time. And some times that was a nightmare even in de day time.

If yuh tink de Bajans does treat Guyanese bad, check out de Trinis. People don’t call dem Trickidadians fuh nutten. When ever yuh meet de airport in Tee-T, it was always a stand up, shut up, open up and a feel up before you could get to go up to de other flight.

Now it look like is airlines galore in Guyana.

One by one dem airlines start to line up and set up shop. From TravelSpan to Fly Jamaica to Dynamic to Insel. Every one of dem seh dem come fuh de long haul. And Guyanese always ready fuh de long haul.

Especially when dem gettin haul to de US. Most times it don’t matter who haulin dem. But by de time dem get haul to de US, dem already haul in de Yankee accent, includin some of dem flight attendants.

But plenty of dem who tek de haulin to go gon never tek de haulin to come back. Except if de US send de ICE people to haul dem back when dem over stay dem welcome. Or if de people who dem goin to done haul in other people wid dem. But that is a different kinda haulin.

One man haul he self to de US Embassy and he get he visa. Right away de man haul he self to de airline and pay fuh de long haul to Queens to meet he queen. By de time he meet deh, some body else was haulin de queen as he own queen, and de queen she self was haulin some ting fuh nine months.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, that was when all de man haulin turn to bawlin and he start crawlin back to wheh he come from!

K

One of the medical missions which work for free in Jamaica to assist those in need (Jamaica Observer photo)

INGSTON, JAMAICA: In the last two years, medical missions to Jamaica have slashed just under Ja$170 million from the island's medical bills. In fact, this amount accounts for only medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, it does not include the medical professionals was visited and the skills they brought with them.

At a press briefing in early June to welcome a medical mission

that has been visiting Jamaica twice yearly for the past 14 years, Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson said that although Jamaica had been holding its own, medical missions are a "great contributor" to the health sector.

"In a real sense, in 2012 we had 172 medical missions. Against that background Jamaica saved somewhere in the region of US$637,000, just for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies... that is 60-odd million

Jamaican dollars," Dr Ferguson said.

"In 2013, we had again 197 medical missions, and those missions saved Jamaica US$990,000, again almost Ja$100 million," he stated.

At the beginning of June, the public health sector received a gift of medical supplies valued at more than Ja$60 million from American gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, almost equalling the amount the country saved in

2012.

Dr Ferguson stressed that with his ministry operating 24 hospitals and more than 300 health centres amid limited fiscal space and with an International Monetary Fund arrangement, medical missions are "good for Jamaica".

The Health Minister admitted that there are gaps that are being closed by these missions and that the country is "eternally grateful".

Last year, an advisory body think-tank was established to deal with the diaspora and medical missions, allowing for a more structured approach to treating with missions.

Questions have been raised about the standard of care meted out by medical missions, but, before missions can visit the island, certain standards must be met.

Minister Ferguson insisted that standards must be maintained in order to be consistent in the things accepted, and that these things are actually meeting the island's demand. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

46

history

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

C

irca 1759 Cornelius Leary applied for and was granted a tract of land to cultivate cotton and coffee near the mouth of the Demerara River. When he died the estate was inherited by his wife, Eve Leary. In 1796, when the colony was captured by the British, the garrison officers established a village on the Eve Leary estate.

Built by the officers at the garrison, Kingston with its small cottages set amid gardens resembled a little English village.

Some claim that Kingston was named in honour of Lieutenant Robert Kingston who constructed Fort St George, while others claimed that it was named after King George. The name of streets such as Parade Street, Fort Street, and Duke Street (was named in honour of one of the Royal Dukes, son of George II) are a reminder of the military heritage of this ward of the city of Georgetown.

Landmarks

The Immigration Agent General Office housed from its institution in 1838 the officials responsible for Indian immigration into the colony. These immigrants provided the first successful substitute for the enslaved Africans after Abolition in 1834 and Emancipation in 1838.

The Teachers Training College was also housed in this building, which is

Austin House

the office of the National Centre for Education Resource Development.

The Wai Wai Indians, from Konashen in the southern Rupununi Savannahs, constructed the Umana Yana in 1972 for a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Non - Aligned nations. Its structural members are lashed together with bush ropes.

The conical shaped roof is a combination of troolie and ite palm leaves.

The Guyana Marine Turtle Monument, illustrating life as a newly hatched Leatherback turtle crawls out of its shell, was erected by the Guyana Marine Turtle 2001 Conservation Organization to sensitise the public of their natural heritage.

The Lighthouse is approximately a quarter mile from the port of Georgetown; it is situated at the mouth of

the Demerara River.

The foundation stone of the present building was laid in 1830, replacing a wooden lighthouse, which was constructed by the Dutch in 1817.

The Canadian High Commission was previously the main home of the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana. In 1977, this building was purchased by the Canadian government some 13 years after Canada first established her diplomatic mission in Guyana.

The Red House or Kamana Court was once the official residence of the Colonial Secretaries and prior to that was occupied and owned by Sir Eustace Woolford, a former speaker of the legislature. Dr Cheddi Jagan lived there while he was the premier of British Guiana. The Red House may be described as a serviceable structure of good proportions rather than as elegant.

It is covered with wooden shingles on all sides.

It appropriately houses The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.

Austin House, formerly Kingston House is the residence of the Archbishop of Guyana.

This traditional timber house with characteristics of Victorian architecture was located much closer to the street.

However, it is rumoured that the Bishop's nine children threw objects at people passing, thus the house was moved westwards to its present location.

Colona building

1831 at Kingston as a branch of Trinity in Werk- en-Rust.

The churches were established in consequence of the early efforts of the first Methodists that

Umana Yana

The Guyana Marine Turtle Monument

Kingston Methodist Church was opened in

arrived in the colony to educate the enslaved Africans.

The Inter-American Development Bank is an excellent example of the traditional architecture characterised by the Demerara windows and Georgian six paned windows, a testimony to the artistry of Guyanese builders.

Colona House: the first catholic hospital of the city was established

in 1945. The Catholic Central Committee purchased a private nursing home together with the existing equipment from Dr Romiti to be used as a hospital.

The Round House is of 19th century origin.

It was a lookout point with guns commanding the entry to Port Georgetown.

The Bandstand is another amenity that complements the surroundings of the area.

It was erected by public subscription in 1903 in memorial to Her Majesty Queen Victoria who died in January 1901.

British Military Cemetery was established circa1824 when Eve Leary was bought for and burial grounds were laid out on this land. Subsequently, new barracks were laid out on this land and soon Eve Leary became a fashionable burial place.

It became a custom to allow the burial there of any person holding military rank. Walter Rupert Durban, the son of one of Guyana's colonial governors is buried there.

Eve Leary barracks were constructed circa 1825 at the order of Governor Durban to house the military forces. It is believed that the officers' quarters derived its name 'Eve Leary', from a young European girl who committed suicide by throwing herself over the eastern block. (National Trust of Guyana)

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Government House circa 1950-1959

news

47

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Banality… …of Burnham’s evil The philosopher Hannah Arendt, not coincidentally a German Jew who’d escaped the Nazi Death Camps, spoke about the “banality of evil” after seeing the innocuous- looking Nazi SS officer Eichmann, who oversaw the extermination of the Jews. Shorn of his state powers, he was just a petty, ambitious nothing. With the testimony coming out and around the Rodney CoI, this is the picture coming out of Burnham.

We suspect if he’d survived the operation on his throat at the Georgetown Hospital in 1985, he’d be something like Hamilton Green today. A buffoon and pretender to his faded, feared powers. Back in the day, Green was feared even more than Burnham.

Bereft of Burnham’s patina of urbanity, Green’s was all about brute force and ignorance.

One old Burnham apologist, Abu Bakr, all the way from Gay Paris, informs us that when Burnham heard about Rodney’s death he was “shocked and angry”!! That fits right in with the testimony up to now, no? What’s that testimony? Rodney was infiltrating the army – Burnham’s main bulwark of power – the protector of the rigging. Armies were overthrowing Third World governments left, right and centre. But even though Granger, the then newly appointed Burnhamite head of the army said this was threatening – Burnham was “shocked and angry” at the removal of the threat.

The banality enters from the testimony of Ogunseye who spoke of Burnham’s “vindictiveness”.

Burnham was petty enough to remember that as a schoolboy Rodney was more of a “Queen’s boy” than he could even be. He mocked Rodney’s prowess at scaling fences when pursued by baton-wielding House of Israel goons. Rodney was a champion high jumper at Queen’s.

Burnham liked to equate his superficial glibness with “intellectualism”. Rodney exposed his pretensions to strut on the world stage. At 28, Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” had already shaken up the leftist intellectual world that Burnham tried to impress with his descriptive platitudes. Rodney had a firm grasp of Marxist intellectual theory. Burnham never forgave him for the easy international recognition Rodney, two decades his junior, received.

If Burnham chafed at the achievements of his erstwhile student at Queen’s, Martin Carter – read about Burnham’s pettiness to Carter during the gathering of intellectuals in Georgetown in 1970 – imagine how Rodney’s achievements must’ve irked him. Burnham could never perform the intellectual rigour of writing a book – Rodney produced the groundbreaking, “History of the Guyanese Working Peoples” – in his spare time while fighting the Burnhamite dictatorship.

But after warning Rodney and the WPA to “write their wills” and that his “steel was sharper” Burnham, was “shocked and angry” at Rodney’s death!!

Puleeeese!!! …of Opposition’s evil on FATF They say “no news is good news”. We hope that’s the case with the FATF’s silence at their recent conclave to review Guyana’s compliance with their global financial rules. It would appear that Ms Teixeira was able to persuade that Guyana’s lack of compliance was not for lack of trying on the part of the government.

We’re sure the exhortations of the entire local private sector, Caricom, the entire diplomatic corps etc. to plead with the Opposition to quit using the AML/CFT as blackmail didn’t go unnoticed. These supranational organisations don’t normally get involved with internal politics – but this position of the Opposition is obviously so egregious and unprecedented that the FATF had to take administrative notice.

What the Opposition has done however, is that while there aren’t official sanctions announced, as Republic Bank recently informed us, private banks will be tightening up their scrutiny whenever “Guyana” appears on any cross-border financial transactions.

The Opposition’s banal blackmail to get their hands on power, will still damage Guyana.

'Jamaican Mafia’ film has official world premiere

D

Co-producer of the film 'Jamaican Mafia', Orville Matherson (right), shares a moment on set with actress/artiste D'Angel and lead actor Mykal Fax (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Since the release of a 53-second teaser in March of this year, many have been waiting with bated breath for the release of the official trailer for the original movie, ‘Jamaican Mafia’. Well, the wait is over, and the trailer is now available for viewing via YouTube.

Unlike the release of the teaser, which was also uploaded to YouTube, organisers decided to debut the trailer via social media and made the announcement on their official Facebook page.

When questioned on this decision, co-producer Orville Matherson said it was a no-brainer.

Users were encouraged to log on to the movie's official Facebook page, where they were given a link to view the video on YouTube.

Since its release, the three-minute-long trailer has amassed more than 8,000 views. Mattherson told Jamaican media since that last Wednesday, he has had positive feedback on the film. Based on these reactions, the co-producer expects the film to do extremely well both locally and internationally.

"I'm confident that this movie will win numerous awards and it will go all the way to the top," he said.

Anxious viewers may not have long to wait before they see the film in its entirety, as the official release date is fast approaching. In the coming months, producers will be turning the wheels on the promotional bus a bit faster, as the highly anticipated movie is set for an

August debut.

Additionally, several tour dates have been set as the film is expected to be shown in cities across the United States. The tour kicks off on August 8 and will run until September 2, making stops in New York, Boston, Miami, Washington, and Atlanta. (Jamaica Gleaner)

De Prezzie can do it

e Nagga Man wanna do some ting. At least he seh he wanna do it. Is a long time now he wanna do some ting. De last time he try to do some ting, he get a kick. That was a kick out. He get kick staight out de party. And he couldn’t do nutten since then.

That kick was different from dem other kicks whah he does get when he reach home after a certain time. Or whah he does get when he fall down wid a bottle in he hand by de shop near to wheh he live.

Nagga Man still wanna do some ting now, but he still ain’t able till now. De other day he tell Rum Jhaat he gon do it. But Nagga Man need Rum Jhaat help to do it, because Nagga can’t do it alone. De problem is that Rum Jhaat he self can’t do it either. Not alone, nor wid Nagga Man. Nor wid any body else.

Now, de whole of Parliament know that both Rum Jhaat and Nagga Man need No Gel Hughly help to do it. And No Gel know that he bigger than both of dem put together and dem friken if he do it. After all, dem can’t do it wid out No Gel. And No Gel does do it any way wid people just like he, wid out Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat.

But this is wheh de next problem come in. None of dem – from No Gel to Rum Jhaat to Nagga Man – can’t really do it properly wid out Green Jah and Green Bridge. And if any body know these two Greens, both of dem old, but one short and one tall, so that is more problems fuh all of dem to do it together.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! Well, de Prezzi hear bout all of these plans to do it. But Prezzi been doin it a long time now and he know dem can’t do it. So he tell dem if dem wanna do it, just do it. Is now Bell Crier know, none of dem can’t do it!

48

Bollywood

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Preity Zinta’s complaint against Bollywood not predictable, me is false, says Ness Wadia as he says Annu Kapoor presents witnesses’ list to police N

I

ndustrialist Ness Wadia wrote to the Marine Drive police station on Wednesday, naming nine individuals who are said to have witnessed the alleged incidents of molestation and verbal abuse involving actor Preity Zinta at the Wankhede stadium on

May 30.

A senior police officer said that a single page letter signed by Wadia and addressed to the investigating officer at Marine Drive police station was delivered by a Wadia Group representative on Wednesday afternoon.

It states, “We are hereby providing a list of persons who were present at the Kings Eleven vs Chennai Super kings match at Wankhede stadium on 30th May, 2014.

We believe these persons who were present would be able to provide independent and truthful facts about the events that took place at the stadium on that evening, with regard to the false complaint filed by Preity Zinta against me.”

The officer said that the police would communicate to the individuals named and ask them to record statements.

Ravindra Shisve, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone I, confirmed that the letter had been received. “We will examine its relevance in our investigation,” he said.

(Indian Express)

ational Award winning actor Annu Kapoor admits that of late sex comedies have done well in Bollywood, but he insists there is no “formula for success”.

“Remember one thing, anything related to sex always titillates people and sometimes it works. However, there is no formula for any film to be a success.

Nothing is predictable in Bollywood. Just because Inder Kumar’s ‘Grand Masti’ worked, that doesn’t mean each and every film will work,” Annu, who will be seen in “Shaukeen”, a remake of Basu Chatterjee’s 1982 film that revolved

around three lecherous old men, told old IANS. The actor, who won National Award for his performance in “Vicky Donor”, has almost completed “Shaukeen” shooting. Director Abhishek Sharma is wielding the megaphone for the remake and he has roped in seasoned actors like Anupam Kher, and Paresh Rawal along with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar and actress Lisa Haydon.

“Being part of ‘Shaukeen’ remake was like a get together. We had a great time shooting for the film,” the 58-year-old said.

From “Mr India” to “Vicky Donor”, Annu has

When Katrina Kaif called former flame Salman Khan for help

‘My songs express natural feelings within me’ - Ankit Tiwari

S

inger Ankit Tiwari, whose “Sun raha tu” in “Aashiqui 2″ turned out to be a chartbuster, has hit the right note with “Galliyan” in “Ek Villain”. He says that he tries to keep his music “pure”.

Asked why is there so much angst in his singing and composition, he responded: “I wouldn’t say it’s angst. I’d say it’s just the natural feelings within me,” he said.

“Luckily, I’ve the ability to express my music exactly the way I create it because I sing my own compositions. I suppose that is why ‘Sun raha hai

tu’ and now ‘Galliyan’ have come out sounding so heartfelt.”

The acoustic version of “Galliyan” is sung by the film’s leading lady Shraddha Kapoor. Ankit says getting her to do a version of this haunting melody was a masterstroke.

“It was Mahesh

Bhatt Saab’s idea to get Shraddha to sing ‘Galliyan’. I was all for it.

I hadn’t met her until the music release function of ‘Aashiqui 2′.

Recalling the recording of “Galliyan”, Ankit said: “We called Shraddha with the intent of trying out her voice.

If it hadn’t worked we would have re-recorded her voice. But when she sang ‘Galliyan’, I immediately knew she owned it. There was a purity in her voice. That’s the quality in my music that I cherish. Good or bad, doesn’t matter. (Indian Express)

‘I don’t get to meet my wife much now’ - Anupam Kher

V

eteran actor Anupam Kher, whose wife Kirron Kher won the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket this year, says that she is so dedicated to people of the city that she doesn’t get time to even meet him.

Kirron had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2009 and was fielded from the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat in 2014 general elections.

“I used to meet her sometimes before; now I don’t get to meet her… which is good and not very good also. I don’t get to see her because she is now in Chandigarh and Delhi and even when she is in Mumbai, she is sort-

ing out Chandigarh peoples’ lives. She is an actor and an actor’s wife, she gets calls for Salman Khan’s number also,” Anupam said.

The actor, who supported his wife during the poll campaign too,

says she feels she needs to do “concrete work”.

Asked if he would also join politics, he said: “I’ve never said no but for next 10 years I don’t think I’ll be interested.

But you never know.”

(Indian Express)

always proved his talent and says when an actor’s work is appreciated with an award, it encourages him or her.

“Awards always encourages any artist… it’s the recognition for your craft by the government or by the people, so there is no question of doubting it,” he said. (Indian Express)

T

hey may be former lovers, but Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have absolutely no bad blood between them, In fact the duo are still very good friends and

it’s plain the actress doesn’t think twice when it comes to reaching out her ex-beau.

The ‘Dhoom’ girl was recently shooting at Film City when she en-

countered a bit of a problem. The Cine Costume and Make-Up Artists Association arrived on the sets and protested her working with makeup artist Daniel Bauer who apparently is not registered with the association, as he is not of Indian origin.

Katrina Kaif, who was determined to continue working with Daniel Bauer, immediately called up Salman Khan to ask him for his advice on the issue.

Reportedly, the protests ceased immediately after a phone call from Salman Khan. (Indian Express)

‘This is the best birthday gift I could’ve given my mother’ - Shah Rukh Khan

S

hah Rukh Khan, who was conferred the Knight of the Legion of Honour — France's highest honour on Tuesday, said that the event coincided with his mother's birthday and if she were alive, she would be proud.

"She would have been extremely happy that her son has got the most prestigious honour in the world. This is the best birthday gift for her. I accept this award not as an individual but on behalf of hundreds of filmmakers," said the Bollywood superstar, who was seen without glasses after his eye surgery to correct myopia. "Now I can see far and wide," he said displaying his trademark wit.

The distinction was conferred on the actor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world.

SRK, in fact, is the second actor from the Hindi film industry, after megastar Amitabh Bachchan, to be bestowed this honour.

Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is the highest award given by the French Republic for

outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipient. "The French people hail Shah Rukh Khan's talent and generosity," said Laurent Fabius, the French minister of foreign affairs and international development.

(TIO)

Hollywood

49

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Courtney Love warns Madonna: Stay away from London

C

ourtney Love has put out a word of caution for her rival Madonna, asking her to maintain her distance from London, once she moves there permanently.

The rocker, who hurled a compact mirror at the Queen of Pop at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards, revealed she wanted to ditch Los Angeles for the English countryside. And she warned her bitter foe Madonna, who recently relocated to New York, not to come near the capital.

"Madonna had better stay the hell away from London when I move here to live! There's no room for us both, the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

"Buckinghamshire is where I want to go. I'm fed up with L.A. It's full of crazy people. People criticise Britain but it is still a cleaner, safer place to live than Hollywood, she added. (TOI)

I have become fearless with age: Cameron Diaz

A

ctress Cameron Diaz says she is not stressed after reaching her forties. Diaz, 41, said she was enjoying her new carefree attitude, reported Contactmusic.

“I like being 41. I love it. So much just falls away. Fear, mostly. It’s the best age. That’s when a woman knows how to work things, or she doesn’t care about that anymore. You just stop being afraid,” she said.

“You don’t worry about what men think. You just don’t worry that time register is anything awful”, she added.

The star has currently been dating guitarist Benji Madden. (Indian Express)

Kendra Wilkinson spotted Injured Harrison Ford back on feet without wedding ring

A

ctor Harrison Ford, who broke his leg while shooting "Star Wars: Episode VII" around three weeks back, is now back on his feet following a surgery.

The 71-year-old movie star recently underwent surgery. Just days after he was photo-

graphed in a wheelchair, he is showing signs of making a quick recovery.

Over the past weekend, the "Blade Runner" star was seen walking here with his left limb bent at the knee and strapped into a supportive crutch.

His lower leg and foot were wrapped in a white cast. (TOI)

Megan Fox finds Ellen DeGeneres sexy

A

ctress Megan Fox says talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is attractive because of her sense of humour and attitude to Hollywood.

"I think Ellen is sexy. Maybe it's the way she gives off the impression that she's anti - 'the business' even though she's engaging in it. And humour is always sexy," femalefirst.co.uk quoted her as saying.

The 28-year-old, married to Brian Austin Green, also believes men find "strong and powerful" women attractive.

"Women don't have to be desperate and try so hard. Allow yourself to be strong and powerful and men will be crawling on their hands and knees," she said.

Shia LaBeouf not in rehab, says representative

K

endra Wilkinson has been spotted without her wedding ring following her husband's alleged

affair.

The former Playboy model has sparked rumours she's going through marital problems with her spouse Hank Baskett after she stepped out in Los Angeles on Tuesday (01.07.14) without the band on her finger.

Kendra's missing ring follows earlier reports that she flushed it down the toilet after discovering that Hank had allegedly cheated on her with a transsexual model.

A source told Us Weekly magazine: ''She thought it was ridiculous [but when Hank didn't try to clear his name] she became suspicious and started snooping.''

The 29-year-old beauty - who has four-year-old son Hank Jr. and sixweek-old daughter Alijah with her spouse - reportedly ''flipped out'' after she found an unexplained charge on his bank statement.

The couple's marital woes came last week after Ava Sabrina London claimed that Hank had promised to ''take care'' of her and visited her just two weeks after Alijah was born to give

her cash in exchange for keeping their encounter secret.

Ava - who passed a voluntary lie detector test before coming forward to tell her story of a sexual experience with Hank - also confirmed he agreed to pay her $2,000 to deny she ever met with him and he further offered her $5,000 to not talk publicly about their encounter. (TOI)

Pierce Brosnan likely to join 'Expendables' franchise

S

hia LaBeouf’s representative has revealed that the troubled actor is seeking treatment for alcoholism in the wake of his arrest last week.

There were reports that the 28-yearold ‘Fury’ actor was getting help at a celebrity-frequented treatment facility in Hollywood. “Contrary to previous erroneous reports, Shia LaBeouf has not checked into a rehabilitation facility but he is voluntarily receiving treatment for alcohol addiction,” the rep said in a statement.

“He understands that these recent actions are a symptom of a larger health problem and he has taken the first of many necessary steps towards recovery,” he added.

The ‘Transformers’ star was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and harassment last Thursday at the Broadway show ‘Cabaret’.

H

o l l y w o o d star Pierce Brosnan may add his weight to the "Expendables" franchise.

He says he's been offered a role in a sequel and he is up for it.

If the deal gets sealed, Brosnan will be the first

James Bond actor to sign on for the series, which will see him working with British actor Jason Statham, reports independent.co.uk. Brosnan made the revelation to Shortlist magazine, saying that talks about his role have already taken

place with his "Survivor" producer Avi Lerner.

"Oh, the offer has come in for the next 'Expendables'. I just worked over in Bulgaria with Avi Lerner who makes them. He said, 'Would you like to be in The Expendables? I'd love to have you', and I said, 'Why not?' So we'll see," he added. The actor is so far clueless about which instalment of the franchise will he be part of.

"I have no idea which one it would be," he added. "I just said yes. It could be ('Expendables 7')!" Brosnan is currently starring opposite Aaron Paul in comedy "A Long Way Down".

Meanwhile, "The Expendables 3" is ready to hit the screens in August.

50 Sport Guyana Amazon Warriors getting ready for battle WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Corey Anderson

By Rajiv Bisnauth

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors on Tuesday began an eight-day training programme as part of preparations for the July 11 start of the much-anticipated Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) T20 tournament.

Six of the 15 members, along with the six Under-19 players, started the training camp on

Sport Feature

B

razil’s World Cup has been played in the style that so many hoped for once football’s showpiece was

Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium under coach Roger Harper.

New Zealander Martin Guptill, Pakistani Mohammad Hafeez and Guyanese Leon Johnson were missing on Tuesday but are expected to join the squad during this phase of preparation.

Also, captain Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Krishmar Santokie and Sunil Narine, along with local star Christopher Barnwell, will unite with the squad at the end of the West Indies/New Zealand T20 series.

New Zealand and West Indies will play two T20 internationals on July 5 and 6 and those players are expected to feature in that series.

In an invited comment, Harper, the former West Indies vice-captain, said the camp is vital for the continued development of each player and he wants to focus on the basics.

“The purpose of this camp is to get the play-

Six of the 15 members along with the six Under-19 players during Tuesday’s training at the Guyana National Stadium

ers together, to get them in the best possible shape physically, technically, tactically and mentally ahead of the CPL. We wanted to get the players together so we could do remedial work on their game and continue to set plans going forward and what is expected of them,” said Harper.

Speaking on the spe-

cific areas of target during the various sessions with the respective cricketers, Harper explained that “With individual players there will be areas that we will naturally look to zoom in on but generally we want to gear the players and the squad as a whole for T20 cricket.

We want to ensure that we do the basic things

pertaining to T20 cricket as efficiently as possible and then there are some key areas as well that we think we need to take to a different level”.

Further, Harper is optimistic for a smooth transition where the squad can build from last year’s team spirit and team work.

The Warriors have re-

tained 10 players from last year’s edition and have already become a force to be reckoned with.

“I know what to expect and what we have to look for from certain players.

Since last year everyone gelled well and showed good team spirit so we are expecting a good transition this year”, he concluded.

Who holds the balance of power of world football?

awarded to the country regarded as the home of the game’s free spirits.

The last three weeks have provided a consis-

tent narrative of fast, attacking football and excitement – exactly as the game’s rulers would have imagined it when they

A wonderful World Cup in Brazil has delivered a straight fight for supremacy between Europe and the Americas

handed the tournament to Brazil.

Even the line-up for the last eight has a balance that brings pleasure to the purists, as four teams from the Americas are complimented by a quartet from Europe – all of them group winners.

The destiny of this World Cup will be decided in the iconic surroundings of the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday week but all quarter-finalists have the opportunity to show where the balance of power lies between the two continents.

The seven World Cups held here in the Americas have failed to produce a European winner. On the flip side, Brazil are the only nation from the Americas to achieve a win on European soil – when they triumphed 5-2 in the final against hosts Sweden 56 years ago.

So for Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, France’s Didier

Deschamps, Germany’s Joachim Low and the Belgian Marc Wilmots there is the dual opportunity to make history for their countries and exert European domination.

For the likes of Luiz Felipe Scolari, attempting to win his second World Cup with Brazil, and Argentina’s Alejandro Sabella in particular, there is the chance to send Europe home empty-handed once more.

At this stage Europe has often dominated.

When Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay reached the last eight in South Africa four years ago, it was the first time representation from the Americas had been so strong since the Mexico World Cup in 1970.

So a similar number here represents a continued resurgence and an advance on the dark days of 1990 and 1994 when only one nation from the Americas reached the last eight – although Brazil did what

mattered in the United States and claimed the trophy against Italy on penalties.

It was an era when the great Diego Maradona was critically on the wane for Argentina, even though they advanced to lose a desperately dull final to West Germany at Italia 90 – the South Americans showing they could still usually get one team in at the World Cup’s sharp end.

The figures started to stack up a little more attractively with two teams from the Americas at this stage in 1998, 2002 and 2006 – and now we have the face-off here in Brazil.

So do these figures represent a lasting shift in the balance of power back towards the Americas, or are there just geographical forces at work?

Germany coach Low believes tournaments held in South America hold a special appeal for those born there. continued on page 53

SPort

51

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Yaw not attending World Juniors – AAG still to select full IGG squad

Q

uarter miler Jason Yaw will not be attending the World Junior Championships despite being in receipt of a ticket by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has opted not to send the talented athlete due to other meets being around the same time.

AAG President Aubrey Hutson revealed to Guyana Times Sport that due to Yaw having to attend the Youth Olympics he will not be in “possession” of his passport around the time World Juniors is in progress. Yaw will be without his passport because of the processing period his passport will have to go through in order to attain his visa to head to China for the Youth Olympics.

Jason Yaw

Aubrey Hutson

Meanwhile, Hutson also revealed that the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) athletics team is still pending because they are looking at the best combination of athletes for the team. While it is two persons per event it does not necessarily mean that first and second for every event will make the cut.

“The team does have a number of constraints and because some ath-

letes did not turn up we have to look at athletes who can run a good 400 and throw the javelin or vice versa,” Hutson mentioned.

However, Hutson assured that the AAG is assiduously working to come up with the best possible team to represent Guyana at the IGG which is set to run off the first weekend in August in Guyana. (Treiston Joseph)

Williams among key performers in Jamaica’s field events

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA: Defending national triple jump champion, Kimberly Williams, put in one of several decent performances by athletes competing in field events at the four-day Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships, which came to an end on Sunday night at the National Stadium in Jamaica.

The former Vere Technical athlete, a finalist at last year's World Championships, came in the event with a season best 14.56 metres, which was established while finishing second in Hengelo a few weeks ago.

Williams jumped a shorter distance to win the National Trials 14.07 metres, finishing ahead of two-time National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division One champion, Shaneika Thomas, with 13.54 metres, while former Camperdown high jumper, Nickeiva Wilson, captured third with 13.18 metres.

Former women's long jump champion, Jovanee Jarrett, who has represented the country at the highest level, regained her national title.

Plagued by injuries over the past three seasons, the 31-year-old Jarrett won with a 6.38-metre effort.

Former

Danniel Thomas competing in the women's shot put at the JAAA Supreme Ventures National Senior Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium in Jamaica on Sunday (Jamaica Gleaner photo)

World Youth champion, Chanice Porter, a finalist at this year's NCAA Division One Championships for the University of Georgia, was second with 6.25 metres, while top local schoolgirl, Claudette Allen of Edwin Allen High--the Penn Relays champion--was third with 6.09 metres.

Kellion Knibb and Danniel Thomas were the star performers in throws among the females.

Top male performer

Among the men, World Indoor shot put representative, Odayne Richards of MVP Track Club, had the best performance at the Championships.

A former World University Games cham-

pion, Richards, easily turned back the challenge of G.C. Foster College's Raymond Brown to win the event with a heave of 20.56 metres. Brown took second with 18.38 metres, while former Calabar High thrower, Chad Wright, was third with 18.19 metres.

Wright and Jason Morgan were involved in a very interesting battle in the men's discus.

Morgan, who took the lead early with a throw of 62.29 metres and looked like taking the event, had to settle for second in the end as Wright took the lead with his final effort of 62.69 metres. Shaun Haughton, also formerly of Calabar High, was third with 52.45 metres.

(Jamaica Gleaner)

Nicolette remains at 19 in unchanged top 20

T

he Caribbean’s premier squash player Nicolette Fernandes has remained at a career-best number 19 in the July 1 rankings issued by the Women International Squash Players Association (WISPA).

The Top 20 has remained unchanged from the June 1 rankings, with Malaysia’s Nicol David maintaining her position as word number one.

The constant rise up the ranking is a remarkable turnaround for Fernandes, who only at the start of 2009 was rated a lowly 249 after a recurring knee injury had keep her out of competition for a protracted period of time.

Since returning from injury, Guyana’s most decorated squash player has been on the rise and

Nicolette Fernandes

has significantly moved up the ranking with each passing competition.

Such was her outstanding performance that at the end of 2009 Fernandes, who is based in England and is under the expert guidance of award-winning coach Carl Ince, had taken her ranking below 100, ending the year at 88.

Ever since then, it has been a steady climb up the ladder for the multiple Sportswomanof-the-Year, consistently racking up points and making her way up the WISPA leaderboard.

Meanwhile, David is within touching distance of her 100th month at the top of the Women’s World Squash Rankings after establishing her 96th month in a row and her 99th of all-time.

The 30-year-old from Penang, who first

reached number one in January 2006, maintains a healthy lead of more than 1,000 points ahead of England’s Laura Massaro, the reigning World Champion, who is celebrating her 16th successive month as the world number two.

Egypt’s Raneem El Welily is in third place, while New Zealander Joelle King is at number four.

The highest ranking to change in the new list is number 40- the new incumbent being Egypt’s Habiba Mohamed Ahmed Alymohmed, the 15-yearold from Alexandria, who in November became the youngest ever WSA World Tour title winner (at 14 years, five months) and last month won her third successive Tour final at the inaugural Paderborn Open in Germany.

52

Sport

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

TT’s Amber Thompson shines in Canada P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: At the tender age of just 15, Amber Thompson enjoyed the equestrian opportunity of a lifetime when she spent one month in training and competition in Canada at the Millar Brooke Farm, home to Canada’s most accomplished family in the sport—Amy, Ian and Jonathan Millar.

Under the guidance of Amy, Thompson spent two weeks competing at the Caledon Equestrian Park, where the Pan American Games are scheduled to be held next year.

In April, while in Wellington, Florida, for the Group IV Show Jumping Challenge, Thompson was introduced to Amy by Emily Kinch, Barbados’ latest equestrian to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. Impressed with Thompson’s potential, she was then invited to train at Millar

TT rider Amber Thompson and her leased horse ‘Vertigo’ (TT Guardian photo)

Brooke Farm, which presented an exciting opportunity for the young rider. She hopes to continue training at Millar

Guyanese Chris Guyadeen wins Tiburn golf tourney in USA

Chris Guyadeen is seeking qualification for the USA National golf tournament in October 2014 in Arizona

F

L O R I D A , U N I T E D S T A T E S : Overseas-based Guyanese golfer Chris Guyadeen recently overcame a strong field to win the 2-day Tiburon Amateur Championship at Naples in Florida.

Guyadeen continued his winning streak on the Golf Channel Amateur Tour with a first round shot of +1 and a second round score of +7 to finish with a best score of 8 over par.

The field of golfers on the Amateur Tour number more than 200 from across the United States, Canada, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland Mexico, Puerto Rico and of course Guyana.

“The competition was very intense; extremely competitive similar to what is played on the PGA tour. Every one

that plays in the competition is there for one purpose and that is to win, so the pressure is very high. The nerves and brains are under serious strain,” Guyadeen said.

The Guyanese golfer and businessman, who resides, works and plays golf in the USA, has been playing on the Golf Channel AM Tour for the past four years and has won several times “The experience playing golf in America is one of a very honest and competitive nature. Coming from Guyana is always an underdog situation which in itself is an additional pressure, but as long as you are sound in your mind and have a great game you can be successful, as long as you stay focus and don’t get upset if you make a mistake,” he stated.

Brooke Farm as her medium term goal is to qualify for the CAC Games and represent TT in 2018.

Thompson’s first two weeks were spent in Perth, Ontario, training with Millar and getting used to her leased horse, a thoroughbred named Vertigo.

During this time, she also rode many other horses every day under Millar’s watchful eye. Then for the following two weeks, Thompson moved four hours west to the Caledon Equestrian Park to compete in classes that had no less than 30 competitors in each class, with a mixture of both junior and adult riders. In the first show, she rode in a junior/adult class with heights up to one metre.

In this competition, the junior and adult prizes were divided and here she earned two first place positions, a second and a fifth finish and emerged as the second placed Reserve Junior Champion in the first show.

In the second show, the heights of the jumps were raised to 1.10m also with a mix of both junior but mainly

adult riders.

She earned a second place and two third places, but for this show, the prizes were not divided and she proudly emerged as the overall champion in first place for this competition.

Coach Millar was suitably impressed with her standard of riding and reminded her at the end of the two weeks of competition that every round she rode was clear, meaning she never knocked down any of her jumps and was edged out only by time.

Quite an accomplishment for one so young, over two weeks of steady and heavy competition. Back at home now, Thompson is working toward her next local competition, training hard at the Saddle Valley Stables, in Santa Cruz for the FEI Show Jumping Challenge, under the wing of her TT coach, Patrice Stollmeyer. (TT Guardian)

TT water polo teams medal in Florida

P

ORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD: Trinidad and Tobago’s water polo teams had an inspirational showing at the Sunshine State Games in Coral Springs, Florida, on Saturday, as the three representing squads all secured podium finishes in their respective divisions.

The red, white and black was flown at the U.S. tourney by TT’s boys Under-16, Under-18 and Men’s Open teams. However, it was the Under-18 outfit that showed sheer class on the night winning gold after a flawless run against all opponents.

Up against Riptides in the championship match, TT led for most of the game and blasted the deciding goal past the Riptides keeper with just three seconds to play. This sent the score to 13- 12 in favour of the national squad.

The team built quite a momentum winning each of its 10 games played this year in all tournaments.

Coach Alan Too a Foo, while proud of his charges, urged them

All three of TT’s representing squads secured podium finishes in their respective divisions in Florida on Sunday

to keep focused on the main goal which is World Championship qualification through the achievement of a top-four finish at the coming Pan American Games.

Meanwhile the Under-16 unit also showed worth and notched a silver medal by going down to Colombian team, Club Belen, 7-3 in the final. Their only loss en route to the final came at the

hands of Club Belen in the previous rounds, the TT Under-16s falling 6-5.

Coach Too a Foo explained that this team would most likely be TT’s representative at the Pan Am Youth Tournament next year. He also noted that these tournaments are crucial for preparations for upcoming major competitions.

Additionally, The Open Men lost their semi-final clash against eventual champs Tolima of Colombia, 8-5, to set up a bronze medal game with hosts South Florida. This game was pure adrenaline and eventually ended 6-6 in regulation time forcing penalties.

TT however, came out on top, grabbing bronze with a score line of 4-3 on penalties. Coach Andrew Francis was philosophical in reference to his young team and noted the outfit always took one game at a time, learning from their experiences. This squad will also represent the nation at the CAC games later this year and this preparation was deemed crucial on their journey. (TT Newsday)

Guyana Amazon Warriors merchandise on sale on Friday

L

imacol, the title sponsor of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), is making it easier for fans to acquire Guyana Amazon Warriors merchandise ahead of the second staging of the League, starting next Friday.

The Main Street branch of Courts (Guyana) Inc, an official sponsor of the exciting Limacol CPL, will be the venue for this Friday’s programme which will commence at 11:30h and conclude at 14:00h.

Media and Marketing Officer of the Limacol

CPL, Andrew McKend, speaking to this publication on Wednesday, encouraged members of the public to come out and be part of the activity.

“People have been calling from all over the world about team merchandise, tee-shirts, cups, bats and balls and that kind of stuff…what we’ve decided in collaboration with Courts, we’re going to have a day out at Courts where we’re going to have these merchandise displayed,” McKend said.

He added, “We’re going to have some cricketers who are going to be

on standby to autograph those things that members of the public would buy. It’s going to be a day of fun, a day when you can get some good bargains.”

Lavasti Bhooplall, the Marketing Associate

of NEW GPC Inc, the producers of Limacol, said that for Friday only, Guyana Amazon Warriors’ merchandise will be available to members of the public at “a special price.”

There will also be Limacol CPL giveaways on the day, Bhooplall added. The promotion is geared towards getting fans involved in the game ahead of the start of the ‘Biggest Party in Sport.’

The Limacol CPL will bowl off on July 11 in Grenada and conclude with the grand final on August 16 in St Kitts.

Sport

53

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Who holds the...

As he prepared for an all-European quarter-final against France, he said: “The South and Central Americans – Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica – have certainly shown that on their continent they want to show their class. They want to show the entire world ‘this is where we’re playing, this is our continent and we will do whatever is necessary to satisfy our fans and our countries’.”

The continued influx of South American players into Europe since those struggles in the early 90s has bred familiarity with the style and demands, producing more rounded players and perhaps helping in the World Cup environment. The three superstars of the tournament so far – Brazil’s Neymar, Lionel Messi of Argentina and the emerging Colombian James Rodriguez – ply their trades at Barcelona and Monaco respectively.

South America football writer Tim Vickery also believes the continent benefited from a change in the qualification process.

“There can be no doubt that the socalled lesser nations in South America have made dramatic strides since the introduction of the marathon World Cup qualification format in 1996,” he said. “Regular competitive games and guaranteed income has allowed them to appoint good coaches and build proper sides.”

The South, Central and North Americans have also bought into the fast-flowing, high-tempo styles that have been a feature of this World Cup. The African sides such as Nigeria and Algeria have shown the way too. It would be wrong to suggest defence has become a forgotten art but the most successful teams have embraced the mood of swift, counter-attacking intent.

from page 50

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic, whose team created such a fine impression before going out to Germany in extra time in the last 16, believes the demands of the European leagues have also given the Americas an opportunity to make their mark here.

He believes this particularly applied to the dramatic decline in holders Spain, who were expected by many to fly the flag for Europe once more as they attempted to break through the South American barrier and retain the trophy.

“There was a lack of ambition,” he said.

“They won absolutely everything in the last decade and I think they were not willing to fight any more.”

One element that has always been regarded as having a significant influence is the heat of the Americas, in particular the fierce temperature of two tournaments held in Mexico.

Former England winger Chris Waddle said: “Of course there is an advantage for players who have been brought up in hot climates, but I think with modern sports science and preparation techniques it is not as much of a factor as it was. “I played in Mexico in 1986 and that was really hard. It was played at altitude and the temperatures were up about 35 to 40 degrees.

“In some ways we were the guinea pigs back then and now, in the modern era, you’ve got dieticians, sports scientists and all manner of people who give you advice on how to get the most out of your body. I think it is a more level playing field for European teams coming to places like Brazil now.”

And on that level playing field in Brazil, a wonderful World Cup has delivered a straight fight for supremacy between Europe and the Americas.

(BBC Sport)

Guyana routed in opening game of CBC Championships

G

Gordon Klaiber top scored for Guyana with 17 points

uyana were given a rude welcome to the British Virgin Islands at the Men’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) championships at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Tortola Tuesday night, as the hosts crushed them 9963 in their opening game.

The game was a contest until the second half, when the BVI turned up the heat and went on an 18-6 run that effectively put the game to bed.

Guyana’s tame resistance was led by Gordon Klaiber with 17 points and captain Rawle Marshall who finished with 12 points and five assists. Andrew Ifill and Akeem Kanhai had eight

points each.

The BVI were inspired by Halstead “JR” Chiverton, who went on a 15- point, first quarter rampage, including hitting five of eight attempts from down town and some dynamic defending to see the home side ahead 30-22 in the first period.

Also for the BVI, Rasheed Cann finished with16 and 9 assists, Norville Carey 12 points, Steve Parillon 13 with 8 rebounds and Dione Blyden 11 points, including a solo display of two and three- point shooting at the end, which had the crowd whipped into a frenzy and up on their feet cheering and waving flags.

Guyana were sched-

uled to play the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) at 16:00h on Wednesday. The USVI began their campaign on Tuesday with a 66 -53 defeat of Barbados.

Cuthbert Victor had a game- high 19 points, while Phillip Jones added 11, and both Aaron Brown and Craig Williams scored 10, with Williams adding 9 assists. David Gill led Barbados with 10 points; Akeem Marsh scored 10 with 6 rebounds and Andre Lockhart 10 points with 3 assists.

The CBC Men’s Championship got underway with the much fancied Bahamas routing the well supported St Vincent and the Grenadines, 84-53.

54

Sport

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com

Tickets for Limacol CPL now on sale

E

xcitement levels across the Caribbean are reaching fever pitch, with the news that online ticket sales for the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is now on sale via CPLT20. com and Kyazoonga.com/ CPLT20. Tickets are also available to fans of the Biggest Party in Sport via stadium box offices and Courts and Digicel outlets in all eight host countries.

With prices starting from as little as US$8, the high-octane T20 tournament is set to be bigger than ever, featuring global cricketing superstars, Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Dwayne Bravo, Ross Taylor, Saeed Ajmal and Kieron Pollard, as well as a concert from hip hop megastar, Rick Ross, and ‘Beefy’s Bash’ – the all-star charity game – both of which take place during finals week in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO Limacol Caribbean Premier League, said: “We’re looking forward to seeing packed stadiums once again across the Caribbean.

The great value of tickets for every match, and the world class stars on show, will ensure we’ll see bigger and more exciting crowds than ever before, guaranteeing we live up to our reputation as the Biggest Party in Sport.”

The CPL, which thrilled sell-out crowds across the Caribbean in 2013, is once again looking to excite fans with high intensity T20 cricket and an even bigger and better tournament in 2014. Grenada, known for its vibrant culture and hospitality, will serve as the opening venue on July 11th when the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Antigua Hawksbills at the National Cricket Stadium.

55

WEEK ENDING July 6, 2014 | guyanatimeSinternational.com