Guyana Times International 20-MAR-2020

Coalition cracks – JFAP calls on Granger to “do the right thing” P16

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APNU/AFC, GECOM expose Guyana to sanctions – PPP WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020

ISSUE NO. 491

Page 8

President Trump urges FDA to consider Chloroquine See story on page 5

to treat COVID-19

...Guyana's NEW GPC ramps up production

US sends strong warning to persons involved in electoral Page 12 fraud in Guyana

2 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Commonwealth observers point to serious, persistent electoral malpractice in Guyana polls

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n light of the ongoing electoral fiasco, another international observer mission – The Commonwealth Observer Group, has withdrawn from Guyana, citing serious and persistent electoral malpractice following the March 2 polling day and the failure of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to stop the blatant disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics.

The Observer Group, which was headed by former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, withdrew from Guyana on Sunday, March 15.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commonwealth Mission contended that the tabulation processes conducted by the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, were not credible, transparent and inclusive.

In fact, the Mission noted that the series

Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission to Guyana, Owen Arthur

of events that it observed in the tabulation of Region Four results between March 3 and March 14 were of grave concern. Among the issues highlighted by the Group include the repeated cessation of the tabulation process for

a variety of irregular reasons and the unlawful declaration made by Mingo on March 5, despite the tabulation process being halted.

According to the Commonwealth Group, it did not observe any material or substantive

impediments inside the tabulation room, which might have prevented the resumption of the tabulation process.

“It is the Group’s clear view that robust exchanges between political party agents in the room only occurred when the Guyana Elections Commission repeatedly halted the tabulation process…

The unlawful 5 March declaration of Mr Mingo was undertaken under heavy Police guard; and his departure from the tabulation centre was guided and guarded by six Police Officers,” the missive from the international group stated.

It further outlined the continued failure of the RO to comply with the March 11 and 13 orders and judgements of the acting Chief Justice, Roxane George.

The Group noted that the Chief Justice made it patently clear on March 13 that actual Statements of Poll should be shown to entitled parties pres-

ent, adding that for the avoidance of doubt, she even demonstrated herself how this should be done and enquired “what was the difficulty in doing so” during the contempt of court proceedings.

“However, on resuming the tabulation after leaving the court on 13 March, Mr Mingo refused all requests from those entitled to be present to view the actual Statements of Poll and did not display the spreadsheet being populated. This compromised the process of ascertaining the credibility of the Statements of Poll relied on by Mr Mingo to tabulate the results; and, it was impossible for party agents and those entitled to be present to observe that the numbers being called out were being accurately entered on the spreadsheet,” the observer group stated.

In fact, it went on to say that in multiple instances, the number of votes announced by the RO during Friday’s tabulation differed from those which had previously been agreed by all parties present during the first March 4 tabulation process. In some cases, it added, this resulted in tabulation totals reflecting more voters than were entered on the list of eligible electors for certain polling stations.

“At no point did the leadership of the Guyana Electoral Commission halt or rectify these blatant instances of disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics, despite its vested authority to independently ensure credible elections,” the international observer stressed. The

Commonwealth Group further posited that despite the serious and persistent electoral malpractice observed by the Group from March 3 to march 14, the Group welcomed the Caribbean Community (Caricom) initiative, at the invitation of President David Granger, to deploy a High-Level Team to Guyana to supervise a recount of the ballots.

However, the Group expressed regret that the Team has now departed Guyana having been unable to complete their task.

Nevertheless, the Commonwealth Observer Group commended Guyanese for peacefully exercising their right to vote for the Government of their choice on March 2, adding that this is a sacred constitutional and universal right which will be respected when every Guyanese vote is transparently and credibly counted.

The Group, which was deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, will be submitting its full report to the Baroness, who will then forward it to the Government of Guyana, the Chairperson of GECOM, leaders of political parties, and to all other 53 Commonwealth Governments.

In its preliminary report on March 4, the Observer Mission flagged GECOM over, among other things, its finalisation of Polling Stations and the signing of the Code of Conduct by political parties mere days before Election Day. The Group also highlighted the “urgent need” for constitutional and electoral reforms, specifically comprehensive reforms in the voter registration system, including legislative reform.

The Commonwealth Mission’s withdrawal comes on the heels of the Organisation of the American States (OAS) pulling its Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) last week, saying that it had no option than to withdraw from Guyana, since the ascertainment methodology that was used did not meet the required standard of fairness and transparency.

NEWS 3

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Guyana being held hostage to ‘selfish actions and desires’ of APNU/AFC – Ali P

residential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Irfaan Ali, has called out incumbent President David Granger for failing to uphold the agreement he signed onto for the conduct of a regionally-supervised national recount of the March 2, 2020 polls.

In a statement on social media about the latest delay tactics by the APNU/AFC Coalition, Ali pointed out on Wednesday that it was expected that the agreement would have been implemented without any delays, so that Guyana is not “held hostage to selfish” actions and desires.

He noted that since Tuesday’s events, he has been bombarded with questions as to why the

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali

President would have his party subvert the very

process he signed onto.

On Monday,

President Granger and Opposition Leader

Bharrat Jagdeo signed an ‘aide memoire’ to facilitate a national recount, for which the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, had fielded an independent, high-level, regional team to supervise.

However, without commencing the process, the CARICOM team was forced to withdraw their services three days after arriving in Guyana, following a High Court injunction that was obtained on Tuesday by an APNU/AFC candidate – Ulita Grace Moore – blocking the recount.

On this note, Ali posited that “we in the PPP/C continue to call on all right-thinking Guyanese to ensure that our democracy is secured, and the way to securing this

is to ensure that the recount is done, completed without any further delays. Whatever the result of the recount is, we have to all live by (it). We cannot continue to hold up an entire nation with selfish action. So, it’s time for us to move forward with this recount – a recount that every stakeholder has committed themselves to.”

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate further noted that Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh; the Elections Commission itself, the international community, CARICOM, and the key political players have all committed themselves to this recount. As such, he quesCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

4 VIEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

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EDITORIAL

A large number of Guyanese and other nationalities turned up recently in Toronto, Canada, where they voiced their support for democracy to prevail in Guyana

Rigged elections Former Army Chief urges President in Guyana Granger to ‘call off Dogs of War’

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ost Guyanese refused to believe that David Granger and the PNC – camouflaged as APNU/AFC – would have rigged to keep to power. Very “knowledgeable” citizens insisted that the electoral system had enough robust safeguards to prevent the electoral shenanigans that took place under the PNC regimes between 1973 and 1985. But they were thinking of technical safeguards, such as the integrity of the electoral lists, counting of ballots at the place of poll in the presence of scrutineers and other innovations that were instituted specifically to rectify abuses the old PNC regimes.

However, they forgot that the PNC had also resorted to what is referred to as “brute force and ignorance” in the local idiom to intervene, which left no doubt in the minds of the international community – including Caricom – that they had rigged the elections. This started in 1973, when the Army was mobilised “to protect the ballot boxes”, when in fact the hardwon right of the Opposition parties to accompany the boxes to the Counting Office in their Region, was being exercised.

Two PPP activists were shot and killed by the army when they attempted to accompany the ballot boxes to the place of counting. David Granger was to write in his account of the 1973 army role that the soldiers performed “admirably”. The army, in fact, not only seized the boxes but transported them all to GDF Headquarters at Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, where they were “counted”, out of sight of any civilians.

PNC leader Forbes Burnham had adumbrated a new philosophy for the GDF in 1970. “I do not share with the British the concept that the Army is separate and distinct from everything else and loyal to the government of the day. As Prime Minister, I expect you to be loyal to this Government. If there is any other government, it is a matter for you to decide about that, but as far as I am concerned I don’t want any abstract loyalty…I have now arranged with the Chief of Staff that, in future, all recruits, apart from their military training, will also have to attend a course of lectures on the philosophy and ideology of the government and the Co-op Republic”.

David Granger was then the officer who was responsible for indoctrinating the army in the new philosophy and as he wrote. “The sound political education that the officers and soldiers received during 1971 and 1972 enabled them to act with tact, discretion and firmness in 1973 and saved the day.”

Granger’s career is coterminous with blatant electoral rigging.

In his gamebook, then, the most extreme action can be taken to retain power and as Burnham demonstrated, the regime would be able to survive. Some might say the circumstances that made the world look past the PNC’s rigging have disappeared, but across the world there are illegitimate regimes that have held on to power because they have the coercive institutions of the state at their disposal, to put down any internal opposition challenge.

Granger has brushed off even the condemnation and warnings of the western powers that are supposed to wield so much influence in Guyana. He has done so because he calculates that since his regime will not threaten their interests, they will go along with his illegal seizure of power after a short period of huffing and puffing. He is counting on their historically short span of attention when it comes to “sh*thole” countries.

But in our estimation, Granger has seriously misread the situation. While the rationale for the Western interest – ideology and the Cold War— might have disappeared, their economic interest in our massive oil find and their strategic interest vis a vis their desire to return democratic governance to Venezuela will compel them to apply the same yardstick to Guyana. They cannot, on one hand, support the ouster of Maduro because of his lack of democratic credentials in favour of Opposition Leader Guido and accept Granger’s rigged electionS in Guyana.

Following is an open letter by former Army Major General Joe Singh to President David Granger: Dear Mr President I respectfully pen this open letter to you via the media in the hope that you will realise the national importance I have attached to taking this step.

I am placing my neck on the line that you are being manipulated by persons who do not have the best interests of our beloved Guyana at heart and who are prepared to hold you hostage to their own evil intentions and to manipulate you and the Constitution of this country to achieve their own personal and collective goals, unbothered by the catastrophic impact their actions to date are having on national morale, on the fears and anxieties of all Guyanese, whether or not they are supporters of your political party.

If you may have read my earlier letters, you would have noted that I hold no brief for any political party. By choice, I have never voted in any national and regional elections because I pledged to serve my country and not any political party.

My loyalty is to the Constitution, and you and all of your predecessors as Presidents and Commanders in Chief knew this and respected me as a professional.

How else do you think I was appointed to or held very senior positions in the Armed Forces, then as Chairman of GECOM, as head of Conservation International Guyana, CEO of GTT, Chairman of NAREI, Chairman of the GGMC, Chairman of the Protected Area Trust, and as a non- political Special Assistant to three Presidents, including you Sir, until after having been deemed by you to be not a Fit and Proper Person, as a principle, I chose to resign from all government appointments.

I record these things not to beat my own drum but to emphasise that there are certain principles which must be held as sacred if we are to live our lives in unselfish service to our country and to our fellow citizens.

You are at the crossroads, where you have to now choose between pampering to a Cabal who bode you no good and who certainly do not have the national interest nor your interest at heart.

In their warped, self-centred way, they are manipulating the Constitution, the Supreme Law and their allies in various na-

tional institutions and Services of this land, to serve their purposes.

It matters not to me which political party has the majority votes and forms the government.

What matters to me, and I am sure to all right thinking Guyanese, as well as the regional and international community, is that the electoral process reflects the will of the people. A democratically held elections, managed through processes that reflect transparency, integrity and adherence to the rule of law and to the Constitution.

Mr President, I was puzzled by the fact that an election which, for all intents and purposes, went smoothly on March 2, has degenerated into a witches’ brew of mismanagement by GECOM, misinformation, threats, violence, excessive use of force, manipulation of officers and ranks, and propaganda spun by spin doctors weaving a web of deceit and in which you seem to be entrapped.

The assessments of accredited local, regional and international observers must have been known to you and yet you seemed to shelter under the false premise that because you allowed the GECOM to function without interference, you were somehow absolved of complicity in the deteriorating governance of the electoral process which has made this country the laughing stock of the region, and which is rapidly degenerating into a pariah State in the assessment of those who, rightly or wrongly, are the determinants of what constitutes a failed State.

I was heartened Mr President, when last Sunday In this Season of Lent, and like Saul on the road to Damascus, you had an epiphany, perhaps finally awakening to the realisation, as your courageous son in law Dominic Gaskin did, that something was rotten in the governance of the electoral process and that you needed to act independently and decisively to salvage your legacy and redeem the pride lost.

This was acknowledged in the Statement made by the Chair of Caricom on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.

Hon Mia Mottley stated that the fielding of the Caricom Team had been at your request on Saturday, 14 March 2020 and that “its mission was to supervise the recounting of the ballots in Region 4 of the General and

Regional Elections of 2 March 2020 in Guyana”. She further stated: “Given that the tabulation process has been widely viewed as not being transparent or credible, President Granger and Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, agreed that the only possible solution was by way of a recount supervised by an independent team. This was seen as a significant contribution to bolstering the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process”.

Not surprisingly, the Chair of Caricom yesterday conveyed to us this telling message: “It is clear that there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted for whatever reason”.

And dramatically, she stated: “Any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy”.

Mr President, this statement comes from your colleague the Hon Prime Minister of Barbados and not from some foreign representative of a super power, whom we seem fond of accusing of interference or of “talking down” to us.

In my book, the Chair of Caricom made serious allegations and since you were the one to request the Caricom team to supervise the recounting of the ballots in Region # 4 (subsequently extended to all the ten Districts), I believe we are owed an explanation from you Sir, as to what conspiracy is afoot that would sabotage your laudable initiative which was agreed to by the Leader of the Opposition, and made possible by the Chair of Caricom and her colleagues Heads of Governments, three of whom accompanied her to Guyana to send a strong message of support, care and concern for our country, a member of the Caricom family, and for the wellbeing of all Guyanese.

That such a commendable initiative should be stillborn as a result of an Injunction originating from your own party, sends a worrying message that either you are being Machiavellian, or being manipulated, or you have simply lost control over the actions of members of your own inner circle.

Whatever may be the reason for this embarrassment to you, to us citizens, and to our country’s image, it is no trivial matter.

If the minions who are behind this conspiracy are not identified and excised like a cancerous tuCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

NEWS 5

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

President Trump urges FDA to consider Chloroquine to treat COVID-19 ...Guyana's NEW GPC ramps up production

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ne day after the NEW GPC announced that it was ramping up production of Chloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 persons, US President Donald Trump is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate barriers to getting therapeutics for coronavirus to patients.

He said a drug currently used as an antimalarial — hydroxychloroquine — would be made available almost immediately to treat coronavirus.

“It’s been around for a long time so we know if things don’t go as planned it’s not going to kill anybody,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“We have to remove every barrier or a lot of barriers that were unnecessary and they’ve done that to get the rapid deployment of safe, effective treatments and we think we have some good answers,” Trump said.

The New GPC Manufacturing Plant at Farm, EBD

Early evidence from human cells suggests that chloroquine — which is used to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases — may have some activity against the novel coronavirus.

Doctors in China, the US and other countries have used the drug experimentally in Covid-19 patients, but there is not yet sufficient clinical evidence that it’s effective

in humans.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing company NEW GPC on Wednesday announced that in response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), it has ramped up production of chloroquine tablets.

In a press release, the company said that while there was no vaccine for the virus at this time and one was not ex-

Guyana being... tioned the motive behind the further delaying tactic.

“What do they hope to achieve with these delays? What is in the best interest of Guyana today? The best interest of Guyana today is our democracy. We all as Guyanese have a right to stand up and protect our democracy, our freedom, the rule of law, respect, dignity, being part of the international community and regional bodies, the rights of our people, our economy, our health, the future of our country, avoiding sanctions.

These are things that are key to us as Guyanese and Guyana as a country,” he stressed.

According to Ali, all of these issues can be fixed by ensuring that the recount is done and a legitimate government is sworn in. This, he noted, is all the PPP/C, along with the international community, regional bodies and local stakeholders, including majority of Guyanese, are calling for.

“This is not the time for us to play with our future. This is not the time for us to have selfish desires, this is not the time for divisive politics. After the recount is complet-

ed, whoever receive the seat of government have an important responsibility… These issues are destroying our international reputation, these issues that are making us the laughing stock for the rest of the world,” he posited.

On this note, the PPP/C Presidential Candidate outlined the importance of fixing these issues, particularly in the interest of every Guyanese, and ensuring that they are part of the future of a transformed Guyana – something which all stakeholders should be included in.

“We have to be able to build trust among each other. We have to bring down the barriers of division. We have to find a common ground in which we can work to empower our people to ensure all our people feel as if they have a stake in our country, in our future – a common ground in which threats and high-handed behaviour will not be tolerated; a common ground in which all our people can live in a free society in which they can look forward to a future in a democratic platform, where their rights are protected and their votes are respected. These are

FROM PAGE 3

the things that are key, and to do this, we have to move this process forward and get the legitimate government swornin,” Ali asserted.

Fight for democracy

Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), also took to his social media page on Wednesday to call out the forces seeking to derail the electoral process.

Among those he cited were figures in the Police Force.

“I want to assure Guyanese that we are fighting tirelessly against the attempted coup by the APNU+AFC, GECOM operatives, and elements of the Police Force. We are not alone in this struggle for decency and freedom,” he contended.

Jagdeo further added that, “The international community and many Guyanese organisations and individuals are part of the fight. At some point in time, you too may have to join this fight. Stay calm and await guidance. And please take all the necessary measures to stay safe from the Coronavirus.”

pected for at least another year, chloroquine is one of the drugs that have been cited as an effective treatment for COVID-19.

The drug, NEW GPC said, has tested favourably in the US, Japan,

Italy, France, and other European countries in the front line in battling the pandemic.

“Studies have shown that chloroquine blocks the viral infection by increasing the endosomal pH needed for viral at-

tachment,” the press release said.

Chloroquine is a 70-year-old drug, which as mentioned earlier, is used to fight malaria and autoimmune diseases. It is safe to use and relatively cheap.

NEW GPC is licensed to manufacture this product and has been doing so for many years. This drug requires a doctor’s prescription.

NEW GPC is the Caribbean’s largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. The company has manufactured anti-retrovirals to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Tamiflu to treat the outbreak of bird flu.

NEW GPC is US FDA approved and is licensed by the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department.

Former Top Cop urges Police Force not to “throw away honour to the dogs”

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f o r m e r Commissioner of Police has come out in criticism of the actions of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday evening when they let loose on hapless party agents standing watch over the ballot boxes at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Police were accused of using excessive force when they evicted party agents who had a legitimate right to be there from the compound.

According to retired Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, in an open letter on Wednesday, this is not the rightful purpose of officers and ranks in the Guyana Police Force.

“My thinking and experiences tell me that anti-democratic action of a few in our society cannot bear fruit without support of the Police. Let us not throw our honour to the dogs. It is on the Police that the society must rely for the immediate and effective protection of people’s constitutional guarantees. Let us not fail them,” the former Top Cop urged.

He added that the situation in Guyana was grave and, “as we are aware, political efforts to bring us through have

Former Top Cop Seelall Persaud

failed over and over. It is left to the Police to give life and meaning to the enjoyment of civil rights by the law-abiding members of our society.”

According to Persaud, Guyana is already at the edge of a precipice that started since the drama started at the Region Four Returning Office that led to the fraudulent declaration of the Region Four results by Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo.

“So, it is crucial that you do not act as you did at the Region Four RO’s Office and the Arthur Chung Convention Center when you evicted

people who had a legal right to be there and who were advancing the protection of Construction Rights of the Guyanese People.”

Another step in the direction it was moving since on or about March 3, 2020, he added, will cause Guyana to fall over into “unimaginable consequences from our own society and the international community. Consequences that will not only manifest into hardship and suffering for us but also for our children, elder and younger relatives and our relatives of the future”. CONTINED ON PAGE 9

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Granger will never allow a recount of the Region Four ballots until he makes peace with his loss Dear Editor, David Granger will never allow a recount of the Region Four ballots until he makes peace with his loss; for the ballots will confirm he lost the election and reveal his duplicity of efforts from behind his Chinese wall to subvert GECOM and have himself declared the winner. Ploy after ploy failed and then came the unanticipated divorce from the process by the US/ UK/EU/Canada and the Organisation of American States observer mission. It left Granger with his ‘win’ but no possibility of recognition by any other country in the world. Faced with the promise of “isolation” for himself, members of his Government if he formed one and any accomplices, Granger turned to Mia Motley

and Caricom for what everyone assumed was a face-saving manoeuvre.

This has become a quagmire as in true Granger fashion, he is engaging in wriggling by proxy.

There is also a major problem for those who attempted the ‘Mingo Magic’ trick to achieve the ‘win’.

The EU wrote asking to examine the SoPs used to compile the infamous ‘spreadsheet’; this request cannot be complied with because SoPs with Mingo’s figures do not exist, not now, not ever… Let me explain, The SoPs come with a plethora of security features including one that prevents erasing of penink, it is easier to produce counterfeit money than to fake an SoP. Mingo never complied with the CJ’s court order because there was no doubt what the

outcome would be; Mingo instead scanned SoPs into digital form (pdf/jpeg) and used photo editing software to edit the figures.

Mingo then used a projector with a smeared lens (petroleum jelly) to display his handiwork onto a makeshift screen (tablecloth on cardboard).

Mingo has no ‘doctored’ SoPs to use in an attempt to satisfy the EU request; all Mingo has is genuine, unaltered SoPs that do not match numbers on his ‘spreadsheet. The Chief Elections Officer can easily compare SoPs and decide if Mr Mingo is guilty of heinous electoral fraud.

The CEO also failed to hold Mingo accountable for Volda Lawrence’s signature on his declaration form, to the discredit of GECOM. In the absence of deci-

sive action from the CEO, Mingo held a SoP charade that fooled no sensible person but did pave the way for Mingo to make a declaration of Region Four results and for the Chief Elections Officer to prepare a report for the Commission’s perusal and recommendation.

All was set for Granger to be sworn in as the next President on Sunday night, March 15. Granger did not go forward as expected by his supporters as he was faced with the reality that any Government he forms would not be accorded recognition internationally; Granger is currently engaged in two juxtaposed battles, on one hand, he is seeking to bow out gracefully and on the other to convince his supporters that he won the election. The futility of

the latter exercise lies in the fact that even if he convinces his flock, he cannot then assume the Presidency under threat of international sanctions.

Ironically, Granger cannot thumb his nose at the international community precisely because Guyana is particularly vulnerable economically at this time due to his incompetence.

Editor, I reiterate, David Granger will not allow Region Four ballots to be recounted in a non-GECOM supervised process until he accepts that he has lost the election and is ready to step down from the Presidency.

Given his intransigence, I believe Granger will brave the promise of personal and national sanctions out of hubris. As with all who suffer this malignance, the end will be ignominious.

How many go down with him on this titanic mistake is up to their personal discretion, a few notables have already deserted the sinking ship, one with the golden exit line “and now I must go”, maybe he should have proffered that advice to his revered leader before he exited stage left.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

My observations on the nexus between Very strange and suspicious that Granger APNU and GECOM would request a recount of the votes

Dear Editor, Following the walkout by all the international observers from a reportedly rigged vote-counting process in Guyana, incumbent President David Granger was making plans to swear himself in as an illegal President.

Then boom!

The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) appeared at the eleventh hour to save Granger from his own destruction as well as to sanitize him in the eyes of the rest of the world.

There will now be a recount of the ballots in the controversial Region 4 instead of the compulsory continuation of the validation process based on the Statements of Poll (SOPs).

CARICOM has appointed itself to supervise this new deal.

There is a conspiracy afoot here which the Opposition PPP/C leader

Bharrat Jagdeo could not see and fell blindly for it.

Does this new agreement mean that the results of the SOPs would be discarded? There is now a greater risk that the ballot boxes would be tampered after two weeks of being in possession of the Grangersupportive Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Has Jagdeo been hoodwinked?

The integrity of GECOM and CARICOM have already been tainted. The ballots in the boxes will be stacked against Jagdeo, Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

I do not think that the results of a recount of Region 4 would be any different from that which has been declared by GECOM. For more than a year, CARICOM stood by silently at Granger’s A Partnership for National

Unity (APNU) ruling party’s insistence that 33 is not greater than 32 Parliamentary votes.

That mathematical controversy went to the High Court, the Court of Appeal and The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which APNU lost.

Taxpayers in Guyana were made to pay for APNU's court claims and defences. The PPP had to fund its own legal costs.

Granger is already being repackaged to appear as a fair, honest and decent leader. The CARICOM head has emphasized that it is Granger - not Jagdeo - who has asked for a recount. Do you believe that? After Granger refused to step down when he lost the no-confidence motion in Parliament in December 2018? Very, very strange and suspicious that Granger would request a recount of the votes.

If this is true, Granger has a sinister plan up his sleeve. If the recount is not predicated on the SOPs - which would facilitate verification - then this new process of recounting will be flawed and a farce.

It must be remembered that foreign observers left because GECOM did not want to continue the verification of the SOPs. Let's hope that my predictions are wrong that Granger will be installed as the President, aided by the conspiracy of GECOM and CARICOM. Let’s pray that Guyana would not return to the dark days of the tyranny of Presidents Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, predecessors of the same party that Granger leads.

Sincerely, Dr Kumar Mahabir, Trinidad and Tobago.

Sanctions will affect all of Guyana Dear Editor, A lot of good people are watching in silence, the collusion between APNU/ AFC, GECOM and the police in what seems to be a never-ending series of attempts to rig the elections.

Everyone has seen with their own eyes the duplicitous behaviour of GECOM staffers and Granger’s silly pretence of non-intervention in the operations of the said organisation.

Everyone knows Granger does not have to intervene personally.

All he has to do is pass instructions or stay silent if he approves of what GECOM is doing. The entire world is watching.

Even children are analysing what they, GECOM/ APNU/AFC, will come up with next to manipulate the results to favour the incumbent. I wonder how parents who approve of these actions are going to justify or reconcile what their children are witnessing with right and wrong.

Then again, we have people in this country that believe that 34 and not 33 is the majority of 65.

Many would have also seen the removal of the original SoPs from public places and their subsequent replacement with fake SoPs. They would have turned away and carried on with their affairs.

The good people have witnessed the attempts to deny citizens their right to elect a leader of their choice and have chosen to stay silent. Somewhere I have read that staying silent and doing nothing are decisions, which imply support, tacit or otherwise. Many of these good people are church-going and in a way their silence and inaction is equivalent to bearing false witness.

I wonder how they will reconcile that with the big man upstairs. I also wonder how the Chief Justice sleeps at night knowing that all of this could have been avoided had she treated Mingo

and GECOM condignly.

I wonder if we have more surprises to expect from the now infamous Iron Lady, under whose control GECOM operates. A lot of good people are, therefore, not so good after all. When sanctions come, and that is a must if the results are rigged, every Guyanese without exception, including good people who chose to do nothing, will suffer.

Hats off to Dominic Gaskin, Supriya SinghBodden and others who have spoken up thus far.

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

Dear Editor, I am a local election observer accredited

by GECOM. On election day, I visited 59 Polling Stations, morning and afternoon, and observed the voting process in more than 40 of them. I found order and peace in all except in Sophia Primary School, where there were people not voting hanging out outside the gates, especially around the food vendors. They were tolerated by the police. There were even persons in the compound, who when I asked who they were, replied they were “helpers”.

When I asked to what organisation they belonged they said “no organisation”.

So after close of poll at 6 pm, I decided I would spend much of the evening at that polling place.

At 6 pm all the Polling Stations in the compound took a dinner break for food catered for the staff

by GECOM and the police respectively. No GECOM staffer was not provided for and none were too tired to work. Counting began after 6:30 pm.

During the dinner break, persons wanted to be let into the compound as counting agents, but the security guard objected, until the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) stationed there looked out from her window, far from the gate, and said it was okay. I went to the gate to find out more. It turned out that someone, who identified himself to me as an APNU/AFC candidate, was sharing out letters to persons to enter the compound as counting agents. I asked to see the letters. They were applications addressed to the Chief Elections Officer signed by Volda Lawrence for the named persons

to be counting agents. I pointed out that the letters were only applications, not authorisations, and he acknowledged that fact, but the APNU/AFC “counting agents” were still allowed to enter.

Some of them were from the group of people who I met in the compound earlier in the day and who had said they belonged to no organisation.

A little later, while the APNU/AFC candidate for that area – not the one giving out letters at the gate – and I were sitting together in a strategic position to observe the Polling Stations in the compound, an Assistant Superintendent of Police came by and announced he had prevented the PPP/C candidate from entering the compound because he was causing a disturbance at the gate.

The APNU/AFC candidate next to me said that he should have allowed him to get in. I got up and made my way to the gate where there were lots of people outside, but the PPP/C candidate had already left. The security guard said the PPP/C candidate was causing a disturbance and so was not allowed to enter, but in my opinion, it was the people standing around outside the gate who caused the disturbance, and whose opinion carried more weight with the security guard and the police than the one authorised person’s. The people outside the gate moved away when they saw I was an observer.

It is therefore interesting that Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo said: “no counting agents were properly appointed”. That may be so, but I observed CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Pure incompetence, carelessness, callousness and an inability to grasp the seriousness of COVID-19 Dear Editor, Never has it been more apparent the unacceptable levels of callousness and incompetence in Guyana’s modern healthcare system, than with the post and pre-events surrounding the discovery of ‘Patient Zero’ in the first confirmed case of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Guyana’s shores.

The ruckus that ensued with the family before and after the death of Guyana’s first victim and the baffling health authority decisions that followed, only leaves gaping questions as to whether Business and Accounts Degree holder, Volda A Lawrence and the Health Ministry she runs, were ever prepared to handle this disease with the seriousness it deserves.

To frame the issue, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) describes COVID-19 as a respiratory disease. It is deadly. It is aggressive and contagious.

It is a pandemic of global proportions because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the virus. It is spreading worldwide. We had two months to prepare. We now know it is airborne.

Notwithstanding the fact that ‘Patient Zero’ and other members of her family entered Guyana from New York – an area crawling with a massive COVID-19 outbreak – we learnt through the press that the case was first suspected by a private hospital, which has since quarantined a number of its staff.

The now dead woman was then referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) for COVID-19 testing and based on reports, it was only after authorities at the GPHC were informed of the woman’s travel history, that COVID-19 tests were ordered on a fluid sample taken from her body after she died.

What are the policies or chain of command if any, for local private hospitals without COVID-19 testing facilities to communicate its concerns to the GPHC after referring patients? In addition, what prevented the private hospital in this scenario from reporting its suspicions to the GPHC or even the Health Ministry?

In epidemiology, the branch of medicine which is concerned with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health, the discovery and tracking of ‘Patent Zero,’ is a landmark factor regarding disease control.

As global infection rates and first-world death tolls in Italy, USA, Canada and other European counties rise, images and videos of health authorities grappling to contain the virus now flood our screens.

Europe is now considered the new epicentre of this aggressive and infections virus with its origin in the Wuhan district of China.

A predicament faced early by Italy in particular, was that health authorities were unable to identify ‘Patient Zero,’ early on, hence, an effective strategy to map and track the spread of the virus using data about its local origins proved challenging.

In Guyana, health authorities had the privilege of knowing exactly who ‘Patient Zero’ was, where she lived, when she ar-

My observations on the...

FROM PAGE 6

that this lack of appointment was being selectively applied and did not hinder the APNU/ AFC “counting agents” on my beat. Disturbances were only created when the tried and tested procedures were discarded.

Blaming the disturbances on the complainers cannot be right. Blame must accrue to those who ignored the law and agreed on procedures and courtesies.

It was my further experience when I visited the Region Four GECOM headquarters at High and Hadfield Streets after last Friday that I was unable to get past the police even though I showed my observer badge. This means that the ballot boxes were in possession of GECOM officials like the Region Four RO, who had the keys to all the Region Four ballot boxes, which

were stored out of sight of election observers, under guard by a police force that saw nothing wrong with being partisan and taking instructions from the APNU/AFC party.

Therefore, in view of the long unaccountable time that was available for mischief, I call for a demonstration of just how tamperproof the ballot boxes are. Because of GECOM’s own demonstrated lack of transparency, its voter education mandate must be extended to convince the public that the integrity of their system was independent of their personnel.

Sincerely, Alfred Bhulai Local accredited election observer Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI)

rived in Guyana, where she came from, her immediate family, and to some extent her whereabouts up unto death.

Why then, were the relatives of this landmark first case not placed into mandatory state quarantine?

Why then; that given the relatives of ‘Patient Zero’ were people who did not inform GPHC that they were referred for a COVID-19 test, and who denied both at the hospital and on social media that their relative had the virus, were they entrusted with self-quarantine?

There are reports that the day after his wife passed away, the husband of ‘Patient Zero’ and his son – who has since tested positive for COVID-19 – visited the US Embassy to complain to officials about the wife’s death. There are further reports that a sick child from the home

was sent to school and also makes frequent runs to the shop.

Were these people ever under any surveillance? Who did this man, his son and the child come into contact with? How did they travel? Where else did they go?

Visits to the Good Hope, ECD, home last week by a social media user after the death of ‘Patient Zero’, furnished us with video evidence showing no signs of high-level quarantine or security presence at the home. Rather, the family were entertaining guests and preparing for a ‘wake’, with neighbours walking in and out of the yard.

In essence, a family who should have been in mandatory state quarantine went about their daily lives, travelled, entertained guest at their home, held a wake and in the process, exposed hundreds of Guyanese to this deadly

and aggressive virus.

We know for a fact that those at risk of dying and getting the sickest from COVID-19 are the elderly, older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

We are not short of that in Guyana.

Volda Lawrence and her Health Ministry have ‘dropped the ball’ with COVID-19, and there is no excuse why that happened other than pure incompetence, carelessness, callousness and an inability to grasp the seriousness of this virus and the economic implications it would have should an outbreak happen in Guyana.

Important roles like the Minister of Health should never be appointments based on political merit, rather, should be an established leader with the background and track

record to understand the importance and seriousness of disease control and response, including what logistic measures ought to be in place based on data models and forecasting.

Guyana is now in deep trouble as the latest figures of our confirmed COVID-19 cases according to the Health Ministry is now four, inclusive of the one death with possible hundreds of Guyanese now having unnecessary exposure to the virus because of this one callous family and the inability of health authorities to take action when they had the chance.

Three weeks ago, Italy’s confirmed cases were just three. To date, that figure has grown to more than 24,700 and 1800 deaths as of the week of March 15.

Yours sincerely, Ron O D’Avilar

Former Army Chief urges... mour from the body politic, we will all suffer from the contamination and the penalties we are likely to be faced with are an illegitimate government and being deemed a pariah State.

Mr President, I have always held you in high esteem as a colleague and friend of nearly six decades. I have forgiven you for classifying me and other nominees for the Chairmanship of GECOM as Not Fit and Proper Persons but I will not forgive you if you fail to do the honorable duty of calling off the Dogs of War, excise them condignly from wherever they are hatching their moves and counter moves.

We, long suffering Guyanese, fooled by mirages of a good life, are hurting, are embarrassed and are angry. Let this poisoned chalice pass Mr President.

If you feel you are boxed in a corner and need reinforcements, then there enough Guyanese of Goodwill and Decency who will rise to the occasion and ensure the recount is completed transparently and with alacrity. Whichever political party is finally declared to have the majority votes, must be acknowledged as legitimate and be allowed to form the government. Such government must be prepared to govern in the best inter-

ests of all Guyanese and with such inclusivity and consensus as will facilitate a sustained process of reforms that all have promised yet failed to deliver to successive generations.

Mr President, when the Chair of Caricom was about to depart Guyana, she had an engagement with the media in which she stated to all Guyanese that the stability of our country was in the hands of the Returning Officer of District 4. You know only too well what has transpired since that statement.

It is now your duty to exercise the leadership responsibilities vested in you, and to direct with GECOM, the peaceful and

FROM PAGE 4

orderly completion of the electoral process by ensuring the mission is accomplished, that is, the agreed recount of all ballots cast in the Guyana 2020 General and Regional Elections, in an environment conducive to security, transparency, integrity and the credibility of the results.

If the mission succeeds, it will be a positive contribution to your legacy.

I have high expectations that you will not fail us.

Thank you Mr President.

Yours sincerely Joseph G Singh Major General (retd)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

APNU/AFC, GECOM expose Guyana to sanctions – PPP

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he Opposition P e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has stated that the APNU/AFC coalition’s latest delay tactic in the ongoing elections fiasco has exposed the duplicity of incumbent President David Granger.

On Tuesday, an injunction was obtained from the High Court to block the national recount, which was slated to commence that afternoon and be supervised by the independent high-level Caribbean Community (Caricom) team. Instead, the regional delegation, which was put together by the Caricom Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, upon the request and agreement of President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo respectively, has since withdrawn from Guyana.

Witness the undermining

In a subsequent statement, the PPP/C pointed out that Guyanese, as well as the regional and the international communities, are continuing to witness the undermining of the process

Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield at Court

to finalise the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections that will allow for a declaration and swearing-in of Guyana’s new President – in a transparent and lawful manner.

“The filing of an injunction… to block the agreed recount exposes the duplici-

ty of President David Granger, those around him and those within the APNU/AFC coalition. It was Mr Granger who called the Caricom Chair, Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, to say he did not want to be sworn-in on the basis of disputed election results and requested a

high-level Caricom team to supervise a recount of the ballots,” the PPP/C said in the missive.

According to the Opposition party, although sceptical of the President’s intentions, it nevertheless agreed to this as a political solution to move the country forward and avoid nega-

tive consequences for the nation.

The PPP/C pointed out that over the past two weeks, it has exposed the complicity of some staff of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and certain high-ranking members of the APNU/ AFC coalition to perpetrate electoral fraud on

the Guyanese people, undermine the country’s democracy, and expose Guyana to isolation in the free world.

“Within a matter of days, we have had two fraudulent declarations of election results in Region [Four (DemeraraMahaica)] by a compromised Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, manoeuvres that undercut transparency and credibility in the electoral process and, [on Tuesday], efforts to frustrate and undermine an agreement for a Caricom-supervised recount of votes from the 2020 Elections,” the party noted.

It went on to outline that in addition to the delay in signing the aide-memoire, there have been consistent efforts by Granger’s agents to undermine the Caricom agreement, which he himself requested. The latest episode in this saga, according to the Opposition party, is having Ulita Moore, who is an APNU/ AFC coalition candidate, file the injunction to stop the recount.

Coalition fearful of recount To

this

end,

the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

NEWS 9

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

World Court postpones hearing of Guyana-Venezuela border case

T

he International Court of Justice (ICJ) has postponed the long-anticipated hearing of the Guyana/Venezuela border dispute case that was scheduled for March 23, 2020, citing the worldwide crisis of the coronavirus.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICJ has communicated to Guyana that the oral proceedings that were scheduled to begin on March 23 have been postponed until a new date can be set.

“In the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana V. Venezuela), the International Court of Justice has informed Guyana that the oral proceedings scheduled to begin on March 23, 2020, have been postponed due to the current worldwide health crisis. The Court has further informed that it will give a decision on

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)

a new date in due time,” the statement read.

Since Guyana recorded its first coronavirus case on March 11, there have been three more

confirmed cases.

In a previous notice, the Hague, Netherlandsbased ICJ had informed the parties of the schedules for the upcoming

Linden man knifes woman and lover to death in jealous rage

A

man is in Police custody after he reportedly stabbed his ex-lover and her new spouse to death at the woman’s 177 Prosville, Wismar, Linden home on Wednesday night.

Dead are 49-year-old Imogeme Gordon and 43-year-old Royston John, John is believed to be from Corentyne, Berbice.

According to reports, the victims were discovered motionless with multiple suspected stab wounds to the upper parts of their bodies at the entrance of Gordon’s (deceased) premises about 20:35 hrs yesterday. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Linden Public Hospital Complex and their bodies are presently at De Jetsco’s Funeral Home awaiting autopsies.

A 48-year-old businessman of Prosville Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden who once shared a relationship with the female victim, has since been apprehended and is presently admitted under guard at the Linden Hospital Complex where he is nursing a gaping

public hearings to determine whether the Court has jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The first round of oral arguments was supposed to be held on March 23, 2020, and Guyana would have been presenting its pleadings on that day.

The following day was awarded to Venezuela.

Hearings on both days were to commence at 10:00h and run until 13:00h (Netherlands

time).

Meanwhile, the second round of arguments was slated for March 25 when Guyana would have been presenting from 16:30h to 18:00h.

Venezuela would have then presented on March 27 from 10:00h to 11:30h.

The sessions were to be streamed live on the Court’s website.

Guyana filed its case with the World Court on March 29, 2018, seek-

Former Top Cop...

Community relations

Dead: Imogeme Gordon

wound to his right hand, police say.

The suspect is presently on a sixmonth bond after he was found guilty on March 10, 2020, of threatening to sever the hands of his then lover Imogene Gordon.

An investigation is ongoing.

The Police Force depends in large part on tips from the general public to solve crime. In recent years, the Force’s leadership has worked on building trust between the community and the Police. According to Persaud, however, the Force’s recent actions have gone some way in eroding that trust.

He also noted that it was only in a tyrannical regime that the Police are let loose against ordinary, law-abiding cit-

izens.

According to Persaud, in a free regime, the Police are only used against those opposed to the general good.

“Please note that should your actions at the two places I mentioned continue, you will find yourselves separated from the community.

Such separation will create social distance that will increase the extent to which the Force could be controlled and the extent to which the Police are seen as visible sym-

ing a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between the then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela as is being claimed by the Spanishspeaking country.

The case was filed following a decision by Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in January 2018, that the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the ICJ. The Secretary General made the decision by exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.

However, Venezuela had claimed, in a letter to the World Court, that the Secretary General exceeded his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and therefore, the Court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the lawsuit filed

by Guyana. (Jarrell Bryan)

FROM PAGE 5

bols of the Government and targeted as such,” he said.

The society, he pointed out, took note of the selective deployment of officers and ranks in the Force as well as the use of excessive force by them. “I appeal to you to take professional action and save our dear country from the few dissidents. The society you served had never been so heavily dependent on you in contemporary times. Be our heroes,” Persaud appealed.

10 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

‘Guyana’s future is bright only if it remains democratic’ – US Senator

T

he pressure continues to mount on the coalition Government and President David Granger to keep Guyana’s democracy alive as another United States Senator joined the calls for the Government to adhere to democratic principles.

In a statement via his social media account, United States Senator, Rick Scott addressed the situation in Guyana.

Scott noted that the will of Guyanese, expressed in the votes they cast, is paramount.

“Guyanese authorities must respect the will of their citizens and the courts. Stealing elections will result in nothing but isolation. Guyana’s future is bright but only if it remains democratic,” Scott said, also reposting a joint statement from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union.

In that joint statement, the locally accredited western diplomats had complained of having to leave the Region Four tabulation process on Friday last, as it was clear that a transparent and credible process was

President David Granger

not put in place by the responsible officials.

The ABCE diplomats, United States Ambassador, SarahAnn Lynch; British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee, and the Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Fernando Ponz-Canto, had walked out of the Office of the Region

Four Returning Officer (RO), which is housed in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre located on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

“We must be clear that in the absence of a credible process, as directed by the Honourable Chief Justice [Roxane George], it is our view that any results for Region 4 which will im-

pact the overall results of the 2 March elections will not be credible and a President sworn in on the basis of those results will not be considered legitimate,” they had posited.

The Heads of Missions further outlined in the joint missive their concerns about intimidation tactics they have observed against those seeking to ensure that a credible process is followed.

Reminding that they are all long-standing friends of Guyana, whose countries have supported its development over many decades, the foreign envoys cautioned against leading the country into isolation.

“The betterment of Guyana and its people has always been our interest. In that spirit, we urge all parties to not do anything which could lead to Guyana’s isolation,” the joint statement from the ABCE diplomatic community detailed.

The Heads of Missions, who were all accredited as local observers to monitor the electoral process, had

US Senator Rick Scott

not returned to the tabulation process, which continued on Friday but not without more concerns raised over the methodology used by the Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, who insisted on using excerpts from the Statements of Poll instead of the original SoPs as ordered and reasserted by the Chief Justice.

The ABCE diplomats had previously expressed deep concern over “credible allegations of electoral fraud which may influence the results of this election”.

In a previous statement, the Heads of Mission had called “…on all to ensure proper procedures are in place to yield a credible election result. A fair and free CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

‘This is preposterous’ APNU/AFC... …lawyer says of injunction to block vote recount

M

ere hours after President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, inked an agreement to have a Caribbean Community (Caricom) team of specialists supervise a recount of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, an APNU/AFC candidate petitioned the High Court for an injunction to block the activity.

The injunction was filed shortly after US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo signalled at individual sanctions for persons involved in electoral fraud during the March 2020 polls.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Attorney-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin has since dismissed the injunction as preposterous and intimated that the action points to factions within the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC).

Updating media operatives in the corridor of the High Court on Tuesday, Datadin noted that the injunction was sought and granted by Justice Franklyn Holder

by APNU/AFC candidate, Ulita Grace Moore, for whom an appearance was entered by attorneys B Mayo Robertson and Roger Yearwood.

Injunction

Datadin told media operatives the injunction was filed against the Commission, the Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh and Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

He explained that the ex parte application, which was granted by Justice Holder, whose daughter is married to the personal assistant of Minister of State Joseph Harmon, seeks to prevent GECOM officers from setting aside or varying the declarations that have already been made by the 10 Returning Officers (ROs) until the determination of the action on Friday.

The injunction sought also includes the prevention of authorising on the part of the Commission any action in relation to the agreement that had been inked between Granger and Jagdeo.

He suggested that the development suggests that there are factions in APNU or that the President is “flip-flopping and he is deceiving people.”

Questioning the rationale behind the court

Justice Franklyn Holder

action, Datadin questioned “why would you want to stop the recount” and said that it was within the ambit of Guyana’s laws.

He was at the time responding to an earlier statement issued

by GECOM’s Public Relations Officer which said that the Commission was seeking legal advice with regards to the agreement for a recount between Granger and Jagdeo.

“Why wouldn’t anyone want the will of the people to be respected?”

Datadin questioned before announcing that PPP as an interested party has until Friday to file an application with respect the injunction with a view to having it set aside or discharged.

According to Datadin, “We intend to not let this stand, this is preposterous, how can the leaders agree to something and someone else then go and get someone else to go behind that agreement?”

‘Impersonation’

In a surprising twist to Tuesday’s events, Attorney-at-Law Roger Yearwood, whose name is on the application on behalf of Moore, later took to his social media page, denying any involvement in filing the injunction on behalf of the incumbent coalition.

He expressed surprise at the document, saying: “Saw my name on the record in this election matter in the High Court but I’m not on record in that matter.”

Labelling this act a form of impersonation, he contended that they were ‘profiting’ from his name.

On Tuesday afternoon, the high-level Caricom team along with Secretary General Irwin LaRoque visited the GECOM Secretariat, where they formally withdrew from the recounting – a process in which they would have offered oversight.

This was lat-

Ulita Grace Moore

er confirmed by the Secretariat, which indicated via a statement, “The high-level independent Caricom delegation has indicated that they would withdraw from the process.”

The team was sent under the auspices of the Caricom Chair, Mia Mottley after Chief Justice Roxane George gave her judgement that the Returning Officer for Region Four acted unlawfully when he declared unverified results for that district.

For three days, they would have mobilised to commence the recount, which was obstructed by a mob of delays prior to the injunction.

Orchestrated plan to thwart recount

Speaking to the media after the engagement, Opposition-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj indicated that the Caricom team was highly motivated and showed great interest in resolving the electoral shenanigans.

Gunraj referred to the outcome as an unfortunate one. Events over the past three days were

regarded as an orchestrated plan to thwart the work of the high-level team.

“This is very unfortunate…The will of Caricom as a whole was thwarted by deliberate actions I believe, of persons to prevent these people from doing their work. But that thwarting of the will of the people is not strange.

What we have seen as well from the Guyana Elections Commission itself over the last few days,” the Commissioner expressed.

Gunraj went on to say that there should be mature leadership from all sides, to ensure that the country moves forward, free from sanctions and other limitations.

Meanwhile, Granger in a statement on Tuesday evening said that he is “deeply disappointed” that the Caribbean Community (Caricom) initiative has stalled. However, his statement did not address the fact that Moore was a candidate on his list of candidates for the Local Government Elections.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday contended that the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition is fearful of allowing the recounting process to be conducted.

“The recount is to establish who won these elections. We know who won these elections but we are not fearless about going to the recount.

Our country and the international community are seeing who are fearful in going to this recount… What is it that the APNU/AFC is afraid of in going to the [ballot] boxes, what is it that GECOM is afraid of in going to the boxes? It is clear that they are afraid of something and that is why these delay tactics are being used… we’ve made it clear, we’re not afraid of a recount of any of the box in this country,” Ali asserted.

He went on to remind of the GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh’s public commitment, which was also given to the Court, for a recount of the contentious tabulation of Region Four results, which has been marred with allegations of fraud.

Nevertheless, Ali further reiterated his party’s commitment to fight for democracy and freedom, and the rights of people. He noted that the party’s resolve in this struggle will not wavier despite all the frustrations.

Meanwhile, the PPP/ C’s missive stated that Tuesday’s move has shown the global community the true nature of Granger and his cabal.

“This is now revealed, first-hand, to the leaders of Caricom. They, too, will not be able to recognise his illegal

FROM PAGE 8

and illegitimate regime should he move forward to be sworn in based on fraudulent results,” the Opposition party noted.

In fact, it referred to statements of the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, comments earlier on Tuesday, warning Guyana that regimes, which benefit from electoral fraud and an illegitimate government, will face “a variety of serious consequences” from the North American powerhouse.

On this note, the Opposition said, “Should there be a swearing-in on the basis of fraudulent election results, the People’s Progressive Party will treat Mr Granger’s regime as illegal and illegitimate and will pursue the consequences addressed by Secretary Pompeo to the end, as well as sanctions for the members of the APNU/AFC coalition, their families, their cronies, and their collaborators”.

In the meantime, the PPP/C urges all Guyanese, particularly its supporters, to remain vigilant and calm, adding that they should not be provoked and ensure that no action is taken in contradiction with the laws of Guyana. The party implored with persons to stay home and await further guidance from the party.

The party’s pleas come on the heels of moves by the APNU/ AFC coalition to mobilise protesters across the country, with calls for Granger to be sworn-in as President. According to the PPP/C, this shows the extent to which the “rigging cabal would go to destroy our democracy”.

12 NEWS

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

US sends strong warning to persons involved in electoral fraud in Guyana

T

he Government of the United States of America (USA), in its starkest warning to Guyana to date, since the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, said: “individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate Government, [or] regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States.”

The warning was issued on Tuesday from the highest level of US Diplomacy—US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Speaking at a media conference on South American affairs, Secretary Pompeo told reporters “The United States is closely monitoring the tabulation of votes in Guyana.”

According to the US’ Secretary of State, his country joins with the Organisation of American States (OAS), Commonwealth, the European Union (EU) and “and other democratic partners in calling for an accurate count”.

He also commended the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom’s) role “in seeking a swift democratic resolution.”

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo

The threat of individual sanctions by Secretary of State Pompeo was made amidst allegations of gerrymandering tactics being laid against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to delay or interfere with the tabulation of the elections results.

Several observer groups in addition to a number of political parties contesting the 2020 Elections have lamented a lack of transparency in the process, with at least one set of results declared being thrown out by the courts and a second declaration being set aside in

favour of a recount.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) initiative came into being as a result of the delays and statements by the observer missions and a five-member delegation of Prime Ministers to Guyana on a two-day mission this past week,

“to work with stakeholders to craft a path forward out of the present political situation.”

Prime Minister of Barbados, the Right Honourable Mia Amor Mottley—who is also Chairperson of Caricom— was accompanied by Prime Ministers Dr Keith

Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada and Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The specialist team arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), onboard a military aeroplane on Saturday evening, ahead of the recount and is Chaired by Francine Baron, former Attorney General and Foreign Minister.

Other members of the team include Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada and Cynthia BarrowGiles, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government of UWI. They were also joined by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), Fern Narcis-Scope and Barbados’ Chief Electoral Officer, Angela Taylor.

The international community, including observers and the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union had described the tabulation process for Region Four as one that lacks credibility and transparency.

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Granger’s COVID-19 edict seen as potentially violative of citizens’ constitutional rights A Public Health Ordinance that has conferred Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence with new far-reaching ministerial powers in order to confront the coronavirus pandemic is being met with public consternation and many expressing concern – through social media and other platforms – calling the new measures “overkill”, “draconian” and with the potential to be abused to control the populace for reasons not related to the stated purposes.

The public firestorm led to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams having to defend the move by Government, even as he conceded that the new powers given to the minister would have been unconstitutional without the blessings of the President.

According to Williams, the “very wide powers” that have been given to the Public Health Minister under the Public Health Ordinance is “in the interest of protecting the nation as a whole”.

Williams offered the rationalisation on Wednesday during an interview with the State media and noted that the powers now conferred to the Minister would have been “un-constitutional” otherwise.

The directive authorises the Public Health Minister and other Government function-

President David Granger

aries to commit certain acts, which if there was no exception, would have been breach of citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms, according to the Attorney General.

According to Williams, while many of the powers and measures now in place are already reposed in the Central Board of Health, there can be situations where there is need for immediate recourse.

Such situations, he posits, allow for the Ordinance to have the President assume all of the powers and delegate them to the Minister within the legal framework.

The Attorney General, in responding to the widespread concerns over the draconian nature of the proposals, has since contended the provisions “will not be

utilised whimsically or capriciously.” In view of other abuse of powers by the Administration over the last five years, the assurance was viewed with scepticism by most analysts.

According to the Official Gazette, under the order, the Public Health Ministry shall take measures to “restrain, segregate and isolate persons suffering from the disease, or who may be, likely from exposure to the infection, suffer from the disease”.

Additionally, the Public Health Ministry “shall speedily bury or cremate the corpse of persons that died as a result of the coronavirus in addition to providing curative care”.

More alarmingly, it directed that the Public Health Minister may “remove, disinfect, and destroy the personal effects,

goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease”.

In no other country was any such authority given since the virus only survives on surfaces for a limited time.

The Minister has also been empowered to prohibit or restrict the movement of persons within, to and from an infected area.

The Order also empowers the Minister to call on the Guyana Police Force to provide enforcement assistance, as it relates to its duties under the Order.

The Order has also called on the Ministries of Education and Health to take measures to control the spread of COVID-19 across educational institutions and with respect to immigration matters.

Defending the

Executive Order, Williams cited hypothetical examples where a person could be infected but still allowed to mingle in the population while harbouring infected beddings and surroundings.

The Attorney General suggested that in the national interest, the new powers would allow for the lawful detention of such a person in a designated facility and the destruction of property.

He spoke too of infected persons refusing to be removed from their homes, as among the reasons for the ‘wide powers’.

Asked about the financial aspect of the Ordinance, Minister Williams said Governments could always expend funds from the coffers in the event of emergencies and natural disasters such as breach-

es to the seawall.

Qualifying his position further, the Attorney General noted that in each of the countries currently dealing with the coronavirus a priority in measures is gathering the funds to prevent and control the spread of the pandemic.

Guyana Times International on Wednesday reported that Head of State, David Granger has written a ‘blank cheque’ for the Health, Education and Citizenship Ministries in order to meet expenditure related to meeting the demands of COVID-19.

The move comes under an Executive Order issued by the President under the Public Health Ordinance and was signed by the President on Monday.

According to the order, the Finance Minister shall expend from the Consolidated Fund such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual carrying out of identified measures to be undertaken by the various Ministries.

The Order, which has since been gazetted, states that the “President considers that immediate action is necessary to address COVID-19 and declares COVID-19 as an infectious disease” warranting the special orders.

The Executive Order is to remain in force until withdrawn by the president.

American Airlines suspends flights to Guyana amid COVID-19 concerns

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merican Airlines on Saturday announced that with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020, it will be suspending all flights in and out of Guyana.

The airline stated that it will recommence operations on May 6.

A statement issued by the airline related that the flights that were already scheduled for March 16 will operate as scheduled, while the suspension will take effect afterwards.

It was further announced that the airline will be waiving all change of date fees for those passengers already booked on its service.

“This suspension will last through May 6. This change is in response to decreased demand and changes to US Government travel restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19)”, they said.

Meanwhile, shorthaul flights to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and parts of Central America will continue.

Flights that were scheduled to move off from parts of Europe will also be suspended, and some seasonal flights will be delayed.

The statement further stated that there will be a reduction of flights to several cities across the

United States.

Up to date, Guyana has recorded four cases of the coronavirus. All four cases are linked to one family. It was reported that three of the COVID-19 victims travelled from Queens, New York, to Guyana on a Caribbean Airlines flight.

One of those three persons, a 52-year-old woman, was the first to be tested positive for the virus after she died at the Georgetown Hospital. After that discovery, her husband and her daughter along with another relative have also tested positive for the virus.

The US is now report-

ing close to 3000 cases of the coronavirus in 49 states, including the two cities where American

Airlines operates daily flights to Guyana from.

With Guyana now having four cases of the vi-

rus, health officials say that number is expected to climb.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Mottley says “there are forces that do not want to see votes recounted”

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hairperson of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in a strongly-worded statement said that there are “forces” in Guyana that do not want to see a recount of the country’s ballots from the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Her comment comes after the five-member independent high-level team, which she fielded to supervise a national recount, withdrew their services on Tuesday following an injunction from the High Court to block the recounting process.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, Mottley explained that Caricom has been forced to withdraw the regional team.

“The Caribbean Community has no other choice but to withdraw the high-level team. It is clear that there are forces that do not want

Caricom Chair, Barbados PM Mia Mottley

to see the votes recounted for whatever reason. Any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy,” the Caricom Chair asserted.

On this note, PM Mottley reiterated that it is critical that good sense prevails.

“The preservation of law and order is paramount and all parties must work hard to ensure that there

US Embassy announces suspension of routine visa services in Guyana

T

he following statement was issued by the United States Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, on Monday evening, announcing the suspension of routine visa services: On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

Many areas throughout the world are now taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines, flight cancellations, and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not

been reported may restrict travel without notice.

U.S. Embassy Guyana is cancelling all nonimmigrant visa appointments, reducing immigrant visa appointments, and reducing routine American citizen services appointments in order to comply with Government of Guyana guidance to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The embassy remains open and is prioritizing urgent services, however access to the premises is limited to those persons with appointment only.

Do not visit the embassy without a prior appointment. Email ACSGeorge@state.gov or telephone +592-2254900 x4222 before visiting the embassy.

Many American Citizen Services can be provided remotely.

U.S. citizens experiencing symptoms, or who have reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 are advised for their own health to stay at home, contact the Guyana Ministry of Health at 227-4986/6243067, and follow their instructions.

The Department of State continues to update travel guidance on travel.state.gov, including the global health advisory. The most recent advisory can be found here: https://travel.state. gov/content/travel/en/ traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-3-health-advisory-issue.html.

is peace on the roads and in the communities across Guyana. The Community remains committed to the people of Guyana,” she contended.

Following the declaration of the contentious Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) results on Friday night, which many of the political parties that contested the March elections alleged was marred with fraud, the Caricom Chair intervened and assembled the independent high-level team to supervise the recounting process.

According to Mottley in Tuesday’s statement, the fielding of the high-level team had been at the request of incumbent President, David Granger, on Saturday last.

In response, and giv-

en the urgency of the task, she noted that the team was mobilised immediately and arrived in Guyana in the early hours of Sunday morning to supervise the recounting of the ballots of the March 2 elections.

“Given that the tabulation process had been widely viewed as not being transparent or credible, President Granger and Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, agreed that the only possible resolution was by way of a recount supervised by an independent team. This was seen as a significant contribution to bolstering the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process,” the missive from the Caricom Chair noted.

She went on to explain that this step forward had been anchored by an aide-mem-

oire signed by both leaders on Monday, and the Terms of Reference (ToR) prepared by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Sunday to govern the role of the high-level team for the supervision of the recounting of the ballots in all 10 electoral districts.

However, the Caricom Chair noted that the court order issued on Tuesday granted an injunction restraining GECOM from recounting any ballots of the General and Regional Elections of 2 March 2020, and set aside “any agreement between the President of Guyana and the Leader of the Opposition and or any agreement between the Guyana Elections Commission and the Caribbean Community”.

Nevertheless, PM Mottley expressed appreciation to the members of the regional team for offering to serve at such short notice and for displaying the patience they have displayed over the last three days.

The high-level team was led by former Attorney General and current Foreign Affairs Minister of Dominica, Francine Baron, and included former Finance Minister of Grenada, Anthony Boatswain; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cynthia Barrow-Giles; Chief Electoral Officer of Barbados, Angela Taylor; and Chief Elections Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, Fern Narcis-Scope.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Coalition cracks – JFAP calls on Granger to “do the right thing”

…says vote recount must move ahead

T

he Justice for All Party (JFAP), one of six Coalition partners, on Thursday, issued a call on President David Granger to “do the right thing” by ensuring that the recounting process of the ballots cast in the March 2 polls are done in an expeditious and transparent manner.

Following

is

the

full statement: Several years ago we, Mr Sharma, the Leader of the JFAP and myself Savitree Singh-Sharma, the General Secretary met Mr. Granger and have since held him in high regards. We believe he was and still is a man of integrity. It is on that basis we believe he asked the Chairperson of CARICOM, the Honourable, Mia

‘Guyana’s future is bright...

FROM PAGE 10

process is vital for the maintenance and reinforcement of democracy in Guyana.”

They had also implored with incumbent President David Granger to avoid a transition of Government, which they believe would be unconstitutional as it would be based on a vote tabulation process that lacked credibility and transparency. US officials and

politicians have taken a tough stance on any election rigging in Guyana. United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo himself weighed in on the matter when he discussed Guyana with Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland.

Pompeo, in a tweet, said he spoke about several issues including “support for democratic transition in Guyana”.

Leader of the Justice For All Party Chandranarine Sharma and his wife, Savitri

Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, to assemble a team to supervise the recounting of the ballots in accordance with the ruling of the Chief Justice of March 11, 2020. This we believe is a crucial step given all that has hap-

pened in the past several days.

The JFAP stands for democracy. Mr. Sharma has spent most of his life highlighting the Voice of The People. We believe in the will of the people -irrespective of which party wins.

We believe that the recounting process should be permitted and ALL ballots should be immediately recounted in an expeditious and transparent manner.

Any party that wins through a transparent process will have our

support. We are uncertain of the party dynamics at this time but we appeal to Mr. Granger to do the right thing and allow the recounting process to be immediately completed to honour the will of the people Of Guyana.

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US carrier Jet Blue pushes back Guyana operations to October

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s airlines around the world cut back on flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, JetBlue Airways has indicated there will be a delay to its debut flight to Guyana.

This was revealed

by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson during a COVID-19 National Update programme, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Originally set for April 2, 2020, JetBlue had intended to take to the skies aboard its newly sourced A321neo aircraft for Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with its crew and passengers from JFK, New York.

Minister Patterson stated the major US air-

line has postponed its inaugural flight to October 2020.

On Tuesday, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, (Ret’d) Lt. Col. Egbert

Field confirmed both of the country’s major airports – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport- will be closed to

international flights as of midnight on March 18, 2020.

This measure was taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Both airports will per-

mit outgoing, cargo and medivac flights, in addition to technical stops by aircraft that rely on fuel services. Special authorised flights will also be given the green light.

While local flights within the country to the various Administrative Regions will continue, the Public Infrastructure Minister said passengers should adhere to the health guidelines provided by the Ministry of Public Health to be protected from the virus.

As of Tuesday, March 17, Guyana has five confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections.

President David Granger has issued several measures to be implemented by the Ministry of Public Health and other authorities to protect Guyanese from the pandemic.

These measures are in accordance with the provisions of the Public Health Ordinance Act (Cap. 145) and the country’s Constitution, DPI said.

Guyana’s Private Sector slams Police over growing hostility towards elections observers, party agents

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eaders in the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have come out in criticism of the role played by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in evicting party agents from the location where they were keeping watch over the ballots.

In a video message on Tuesday, PSC Chairman, Retired Captain Gerry Gouveia questioned who gave the orders to the Police. According to Gouveia, party agents had a legitimate right to be at the location and therefore, the actions of the Police are question-

able.

Gouveia noted that up until the fumigation crew and the Police arrived, the process of waiting for the recount was a peaceful one. Some party agents were in the com-

PSC Chairman, Retired Captain Gerry Gouveia

pound while others were camped outside. When the fumigation crew came, however, the first effort was made to clear the area.

The PSC later reinforced its Chairman’s

message in a statement on Wednesday, in which it urged the Police to act in an impartial way. According to the Commission in its statement, it has observed inCONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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Norway withholds climate aid to Guyana ‘until legitimate gov’t in place’ N

orway has put the brakes on the release of NOK 393 million (US$36.2M) climate aid to Guyana in light of the current political situation following the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

Development Today, an independent online journal specialising in political, business and environmental issues, reported that the Climate Ministry in Oslo made this statement on Friday. ““No further decisions will be made on… planning or spending” of this money until a legitimate government is in place,” Development Today reported.

In December 2019, Government had announced that the remaining payments under the Guyana Norway Agreement to the tune of Gy$9.1 billion (US$50 million) had been released, but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had tempered expectations by pointing

out that Guyana will not have access to this money until after the General and Regional Elections.

Those elections were held on March 2, 2020 but the results have been marred by discredited results in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

Guyana had, in 2009, signed with Norway a

historic forest protection accord which saw the country receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions.

A total of US$250 million were to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period.

Some US$200 million has already been paid over, and the final tranche was released in

December 2019. Jagdeo, a former Head of State had led the project under the ‘Low Carbon Development Strategy’ (LCDS).

Of the US$200 million already paid to Guyana, US$80 million has been injected to fund a 100-megawatt solar energy project.

That money was initially earmarked for

the Amaila Falls Hydro (AFH) Project.

The Amaila Falls Hydro Project was the flagship of the PPP’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.

The project was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second-largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line.

It would have assisted Guyana Power and Light to get adequate electricity supply, thus providing cheaper and more reliable power to citizens and businesses. However, the then Opposition (APNU/ AFC), who had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat majority, scrapped the project.

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Heightened security at diplomatic missions in Georgetown …after threats of mass protest

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here was a heavy Police presence outside the offices of some of the major foreign missions in Georgetown on Wednesday morning, following threats of mass protest action against the diplomats, who have been critical of the lack of transparency and credibility in the 2020 elections.

There was heightened law enforcement presence outside the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission, both located on Young Street, Georgetown, and the British High Commission on Main Street, Georgetown.

The ranks had even cordoned off the western carriageway of Main Street in order to secure the British High Commission, diverting traffic from that section between New Market and Lamaha Streets.

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn confirmed to Guyana Times International that the amplified security is just a precautionary measure stemming from the threats on social media.

“In the light of social media comments against the High Commission, we sought additional support from the authorities,” Quinn explained in an invited comment on Wednesday.

This newspaper was told that persons have been threatening persons at the Canadian

High Commission on social media.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Public Relations Officer of the US Embassy, Violeta Talandis, did not comment on the issue, saying the embassy’s functioning was normal.

“It’s a normal business day,” she insisted, adding that the only change was the cancellation of visa services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Threats

Nevertheless, acting Divisional Commander Phillip Azore told this publication on Tuesday morning, “There are threats of mass protests in front of those locations. So, we just put Police there to ensure it’s secure and in keeping in accordance with the law.”

A social media post, seen by Guyana Times International, urged persons to begin a “mass protest… at 9:00am” on Wednesday in front of the British and Canadian High Commissions.

However, no such protest action was held and by midday, the Police had also cleared from outside the diplomatic missions.

Efforts by this newspaper to ascertain whether security will be beefed up thereon outside or around these foreign missions, were futile as the acting Commander redirected the questions.

The Heads of these

diplomatic missions in Guyana have strongly condemned the continued attempts to derail the electoral process in Guyana, particularly during the tabulation process of the country’s largest voting district, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

In fact, the ABCE countries (United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union) have warned of serious consequences if a president is sworn in under these circumstances, which they say, lack credibility and transparency.

A joint statement on Friday saw US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee, and EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto saying that there was clearly no

transparency and credibility put in place by responsible officials for the tabulation process in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

The Heads of Missions further outlined in the joint missive their concerns about intimidation tactics they have observed against those seeking to ensure that a credible process was followed.

Reminding that they were all long-standing friends of Guyana, whose countries have

supported its development over many decades, the foreign envoys cautioned against leading the country into isolation.

On Friday last, the Heads of Missions, who are all accredited as local observers to monitor the electoral process, had walked out of the office of the Region Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, which was housed in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre locat-

ed on High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

The diplomats did not return to monitor the tabulation process, which continued on Friday and eventually ended with the RO declaring the region’s results but not without widespread allegations of electoral fraud from many representatives of the various political parties that contested the March 2 elections as well as from other observers.

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CARICOM could still play a role in mediating Guyana’s ongoing fiasco – Sir Shridath Ramphal

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t a time when it matters the most, Guyana is being denied the opportunity for global respect along with regional and international approval owing to the ongoing fiasco in relation to the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

This was related by longstanding statesman and local voice of reason, Sir Shridath Ramphal when he issued a statement on Wednesday.

“In the darkness of disagreement, Caricom’s helpful intervention in trying to resolve the general elections process at the request of both President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, was a ray of light. All Guyana should have welcomed it, as most Guyanese did.

It is a wholly legitimate role of Community that must not be smothered under any pretext whatever,” he said.

Sir Shridath went on to add, “It is utterly regrettable that despite the highest-level agreement between the political leaders of Guyana and five Caricom Heads of Government acting for the Community, the invited Caricom team to oversee the recount of the votes has had to withdraw. Guyana is being deprived of regional and international approval and the opportunity for global respect at a time when it matters most.”

However, he explained that all hope is not lost, since Caricom has not yet closed the door to proving the preciousness of its familial ties with Guyana, adding that the regional body could still play the role Guyana’s two political

leaders agreed it should.

“What is required now is for all to place the interest of the nation above other narrow considerations that could mar the country’s prospects and retard the strides that the people of Guyana have made collectively. I urge that peace and progress be pursued lawfully and transparently,” he urged.

Ramphal is one of the legal minds on Guyana’s team for the International Court of Justice case against Venezuela on the border controversy. The public hearings in the case were set to commence on March 23, but were postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramphal, a former Commonwealth Secretary General and Foreign Minister of Guyana, has consistently stressed Venezuela’s claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory are simply “baseless”, The boundary between the countries was decided by an international tribunal on Venezuela’s insistence in 1899. Between 1901 and 1905, a mixed boundary commission appointed by the two countries then carried out a survey and demarcation of the boundary.

The claim centres on the Essequibo region, which is rich in resources that have driven some key economic sectors in Guyana over the years.

On March 29, 2018, Guyana filed an application requesting the ICJ confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

Venezuela did not submit a response signalling its participation in the proceedings. The hearings will be held

O

Sir Shridath Ramphal

at The Hague in the Netherlands.

In June 2018, the Venezuelan Government issued an official statement outlining its decision not to participate in the United Nations Secretary Generalchosen procedure regarding its claim.

This announcement followed several months after the decision was made by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to refer the matter to the ICJ as a means of resolving the ongoing controversy.

According to Guyana’s application to the World Court, for more than 60 years, Venezuela had consistently recognised and respected the validity of the binding force of the 1899 Award and the 1905 Map was agreed by both sides in furtherance of the Award.

“Venezuela had only changed its position formally in 1962 as the United Kingdom was making final preparations for the independence of British Guiana

and had threatened not to recognise the new State, or its boundaries, unless the United Kingdom agreed to set aside the 1899 Award and cede to Venezuela all of the territories west of the Essequibo River, amounting to some twothirds of Guyana’s territory,” Guyana submitted in its application to the World Court.

The court document further noted that while Venezuela has never produced any evidence to justify its belated repudiation of the 1899 Award, the neighbouring country has used it as an excuse to occupy territory awarded to Guyana, to inhibit Guyana’s economic development, and to violate Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.

The UN Secretary General’s authority to choose the ICJ as the means for resolving the controversy is rooted in the Geneva Agreement of 1966, negotiated just before Guyana attained independence.

Teen to spend two years behind bars for sexually assaulting boy, 7

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remorseful teenager was sentenced to two years behind bars after he was found guilty of engaging in oral sex with a seven-year-old boy.

The teenager, who was 14 years old when he committed the act, was sentenced by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow when he appeared at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.

The court heard that on December 1 and 24, 2015, the seven-year-old was left alone with the

teenager when the act occurred. The child lat-

Darkness…

er complained to his parents about what he was

forced to do and the parents reported the matter to the police.

Teriq Mohamed and Mandel Moore presented the State’s case while the teen was represented by Folio Richards. Justice Barlow also ordered that the teen undergoes counselling while in prison.

Additionally, he was ordered to enrol in the skills training programme while in prison.

Failure to undertake the programme will result in him serving an additional year in prison.

…at noon in Guyana ver the years after the PNC returned to power in 2015 – under the cover provided by the AFC and a handful of one-man parties – your Eyewitness referred several times to the theme of “Darkness at Noon”. It’s the title Arthur Koestler gave to his allegorical novel that described the imposition of the brutal Stalin’s dictatorship over Russia. It alludes to the darkening of the skies when Christ was crucified at midday; something precious was being sacrificed.

Today, once again, similar darkness has descended over Guyana, with our inalienable right to choose our government being sacrificed on the altar of Granger and the PNC’s insatiable greed for pelf and power.

A year and a half ago, your Eyewitness had written: “After months of clear sunshine in Guyana, there were prophetic dark clouds over Georgetown last Thursday when two Justices of the Appellate Court affirmed Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chairman.” We knew then the local Judiciary was going to bend to the PNC storm. Some months later, readers were reminded of what’s ahead if they didn’t stand up to the PNC juggernaut: “Darkness at Noon” could very well be a portrayal of the nightmare politics of those times under the totalitarian megalomaniac, Burnham. Yes, it was a “dark time, my dear reader”! There was the darkness of the rampant, violent, kick-down-the-door robberies when the homes of Guyanese were violated and their innocent occupants brutally beaten to hand over whatever valuables were left after the Burnhamite state’s depredations.

“There was the darkness of the indignity of standing in “Guy-lines” for hours to BUY an ounce of butter, and the humiliation of dreaming about the taste of bread.

And not least of all, there was the darkness of having your ballots dumped into canals and replaced by new ones filled in by the “Security Forces”. Whose security??

Yes, my friends, life became “nasty, brutish and short”, under the Burnhamite PNC.” But here in Guyana today, Dear Reader, Granger and his PNC miscreants didn’t even bother there wasn’t even a cloud in the skies: they did their rigging in Georgetown bathed in bright sunshine. They didn’t even bother that the ABCE diplomats walked out of the farcical “presentation” of the SoPs in that bright sunshine. If in 1980, the British Observer Group said the elections were “more crooked than barbed wire”, how would they describe this one?? The PNC didn’t even offer a fig leaf to have them wriggle out from the obvious “condemnation”.

But sadly, we should remember that in the international arena, there aren’t any permanent friends, or permanent “principles”.

Just permanent interests. And once those interests aren’t threatened… …and nastiness to the press And if the international observers, the diplomatic corps, the International nation-blocks of the OAS, Commonwealth, and Caricom weren’t enough to satisfy the PNC’s penchant for venting their spleen, yesterday they turned on the press. The reports from the latter were a thing to behold! Most had insisted they were “value-free observers” and went out of their way to take the PNC and their shenanigans with the SoPs at face value. Your Eyewitness used to wonder whether they were just naïve or they are supporters of the Government.

A few were definitely in the latter group – they didn’t bother to disguise their preferences. But the majority tried to dance between the raindrops of the PNC’s vicious and nasty rigging stratagems. Well you ought to hear then now!! Some are affronted that they were attacked by PNC supporters and prevented from covering the counting because of their…erm…ethnicity!!

This, it seemed was the lowest blow! After all, hadn’t they denied ethnicity even existed and insisted they were “Guyanese”??

Ah…the agony of an illusion shattered!!

…and light Guyanese know the PNC’s refusing to show their SoPs ‘cause they’re hiding something. They should do the logical thing and accept the SoPs of the PPP that have been un-contradicted in the public domain for over a week.

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US State Dept bemoans lack of action in addressing corruption in Guyana

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he United States (US) State Department has released a report on Guyana and its human rights record for 2019.

When it comes to tackling corruption at the level of the Government and Police, however, the Department said that despite frequent corruption, there was a lack of action.

According to the recently released report,

there were isolated reports of Government corruption throughout the year. The Department noted that the law provides for criminal penalties for such acts, something that is generally adhered to.

But while there was some response to such reports, the State Department found that there remains “a widespread public perception of corruption involving

officials at all levels, including the police and the Judiciary.”

“Corruption by Police officers was frequent.

There were no reports the Government prosecuted any members of the Police Force during the year,” the 15-page State Department report also revealed.

The State Department also touched on financial disclosure, a sore point through-

6 months later, family of dead geologist still to receive compensation A lmost six months have passed and the relatives of Ryan Taylor are still to receive any form of compensation from the Australian-owned mining company, Troy Resources.

Taylor was killed while working on the construction of a “bench” in a mining pit operated by Troy’s Karouni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) operation on October 8, 2019.

It was reported that a slippage occurred thus leading to Taylor being crushed by fallen rubble.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times International, Taylor’s mother, June Taylor relayed that she has been receiving the “royal run around” from the Social Protection Ministry to ensure that Troy Resources is held accountable for her son’s death and more so, get them to offer a financial settlement since the now dead man was the sole breadwinner for the family.

“All what I do, I in get no help. I am not hearing nothing, nothing, nothing everything just left and that was it. Nobody in coping because he was the breadwinner of the family. He was the breadwinner for the children, he was the breadwinner for me.

I am struggling to get things done. People don’t know, so it is a struggle for me to get finances to get things done. I does work but my salary cannot meet up to it,” the grieving mother stated.

According to her, she met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company on November 8, 2019, who assured her that he would intervene, but since then, no contact

out 2019 as several officials including those in Government and former Members of Parliament were flagged by the Integrity Commission for not declaring their assets. The Department was, however, critical of the Commission, which it said did not appear fully functional.

“The law requires public officials to declare their assets to an Integrity Commission and sets out both criminal and administrative sanctions for nondisclosure. If a person fails to file a declaration, the daily newspapers and the official gazette can publish that fact. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a summary conviction, fines, and imprisonment for six to 12 months.”

“If property is not disclosed as required, the Magistrate convicting the defendant must order the defendant to make a full disclosure within a set time.

Although the Integrity Commission was recon-

stituted

in

February

2018, after a 12-year hiatus, it did not appear to be fully functional. No publications or convictions occurred during the first months of the year.”

In January, the Integrity Commission published a list of a number of public officials who failed to declare their assets last year and among those are a number of Ministers and former Government parliamentarians.

According to the Gazetted list, as of January 2020, a total of eight Ministers failed

to declare their assets between July 2018 and June 2019. Early in 2019, the Integrity Commission had flagged a number of public officials for failing to make their declarations.

President D a v i d Granger was even named as one of the defaulters, having failed to comply with the stipulated deadline of May 20, 2019.

Under the law, any public official who fails to comply with the Commission is liable upon summary conviction, to a fine of G$25,000 and imprisonment for a period of not less than six months or more than one year.

In an interview with this publication last year, Integrity Commission Chairman Kumar Duraisami had committed that they would pursue prosecution against public officials who are delinquent in declaring their assets in 2020.

Guyana’s Private...

Dead: Ryan Taylor

was made with her or any member of the family.

With the entire process being frustrating, the woman explained that she visited the Social Protection Occupational Safety and Health Department but she was told to take a lawyer to fight the case privately.

“I going to take one but who is going to wait until I get something…

I asked the Government to help me but nobody not reaching out to me.

They in give me nothing for me child or they in talking to me and now I have to go to a lawyer and pay big money to get [help].”

She then met with Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who promised to organise a lawyer to handle the case but she never heard back from him.

“A month or six weeks after, he tell me that they cannot do any-

thing for me and that I should go to legal aid.”

This newspaper attempted to contact the Labour Department but it proved futile. On the other hand, the Natural Resources Ministry stated that it will meet with the Social Protection Occupational Safety and Health Department. It is unclear if this materialised since an update was not received by the family.

At least eighteen persons have lost their lives as a result of workplace accidents across the country for 2018 and 2019. Based on reports, out of the 18 work-related deaths, nine were from the mining sector, which recorded the highest number. Six of the deaths in the mining sector occurred for 2019 as opposed to five in 2018.

However, the results of all these investigations remain unknown as the Department of Labour has not been forthcoming.

stances where the Police Force seemed to be acting under direct political instructions.

“In particular, members of the Commission and its Elections Observers witnessed the deliberate and forceful intervention of heavily armed Police in preventing the oversight of the Statements of Poll at GECOM by physically removing accredited political party representatives, accredited observers, including Private Sector observers, and the members of the media.

This resulted in the exposure of the Statements of Poll to possible fraudulent alteration.”

Attempted arrest The PSC also recalled that on Monday night, the Police attempted to arrest a Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Robeson Benn, despite his legal right to be present at the location overseeing the ballot boxes.

It was only recently that Police Commissioner Leslie James had announced that he would have an open-door policy to treat directly with concerns from the general public. Despite this, however, the PSC noted that repeated phone calls to

the Commissioner have failed to get through to him.

“Further, the PSC cites the complete failure of the Police to prevent mass crowds of the governing party’s political supporters actively harassing and threatening accredited observers, party officials, and media professionals in the course of their respective functions both outside of GECOM and at other places.”

“The PSC now calls upon the Commissioner of Police to execute his duties as head of the Guyana Police Force to ensure that every member of the Force acts in accordance with its mandate set out in Article 197 (4) of the Constitution of Guyana and the provisions of the Police Act, Cap. 16:01. The PSC remains ready and available to engage the Commissioner on these matters,” it said, going on to remind of the wide range of organisations it represents.

GCCI The GCCI, which was an accredited observer during the recent elections, also expressed concerns in a statement on Wednesday. According to the Chamber, it is con-

FROM PAGE 17

cerned over the growing hostility from the Police towards accredited party agents and observers.

According to the GCCI, they witnessed the Police threaten party agents with arrest when they questioned why they were being evicted from the Conference Centre. GCCI, which is headed by businessman Nicholas Boyer, therefore, urged the Police to cease the acts of intimidation and exercise restraint, and called on all right-thinking Guyanese to denounce such actions.

“Members of the GCCI’s electoral observer team were present on the evening of March 16th 2020, at the compound of the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre (ACICC) when a group of accredited observers and party agents who had convened a peaceful gathering outside of the building were confronted

by Riot Police and forced to leave the premises.”

The GCCI, added that it could confirm that the observers and party representatives who attempted to question ranks and gain clarity on the orders were subsequently threatened with incarceration.

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ExxonMobil to scale down operations over global market uncertainty

By Jarryl Bryan

I

n the wake of the global uncertainty in financial markets caused by COVID-19, a number of businesses have had to reevaluate their operations. Among these companies are ExxonMobil, the world’s largest publicly traded oil company, which announced on Tuesday that it will seek to scale down its operations.

In a statement from the company, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Corporation, Darren Woods noted that Exxon is evaluating ways to cut back on its investment costs. With a presence in numerous countries including Guyana, this could have serious im-

plications for oil exploration and production, as well as the oil revenues for such countries.

“Based on this unprecedented environment, we are evaluating all appropriate steps to significantly reduce capital and operating expenses in the near term.

We will outline plans when they are finalised,” Woods was quoted as saying in the statement.

“We remain focused on being a safe, lowcost operator and creating long-term value for shareholders,” Woods also said, adding that ExxonMobil has faced numerous market downturns throughout its long history and therefore has experience operating in a sustained lowprice environment.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods

Exxon has a presence throughout the world, from Canada and the United States to Mexico and Brazil, to Australia and Russia and several European, Middle Eastern and African

states. But it is the company’s holdings in Guyana that have lately captured the world’s attention.

After discovering 1.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent for last

year, Guyana took first place for the most discoveries for 2019. So far, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, has made 16 oil finds in the Stabroek Block, some 100 miles offshore Guyana.

Last year, the company made five discoveries. These discoveries have pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion. In addition, Exxon was moving ahead with its Liza phase two project, which will contain approximately 30 wells, after receiving the requisite approvals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

It made one discovery for 2020, the Uaru discovery which was announced in January.

Uaru is ExxonMobil’s 16th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Uaru-1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 94 feet (29 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water.

But the onset of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has had a serious impact not just on lives but also the global economy and specifically, oil. Last week, Brent

crude fell to US$34 per barrel.

This was a steep drop as it was only a day ago being traded at US$48.

Brent crude was being traded at US$66 per barrel when Guyana first started oil production in December 2019. Rystad Energy, a Norway-based research company that has written extensively on Guyana’s oil sector, has projected that the situation will get worse.

Indeed, checks by this publication on the Brent crude price showed that as of Tuesday, the price had dropped to US$28.

According to Rystad in a recent missive, the spread of the coronavirus has dealt a blow to the global demand for oil.

It noted that in February of this year, the demand for crude dropped by 4.6 million barrels per day. China, where the coronavirus had originated, accounts for 2.9 million barrels of this cut to demand.

There has also been talk of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) reaching an agreement to cut production. A recent meeting resulted in no major consensus being reached on how to deal with the issue. Efforts to arrange further meetings have failed to take off from the ground.

India underscores importance of credible, transparent electoral process

I

ndia on Thursday said it is closely following the developments related to elections in Guyana and asserted that it is important that the nation's electoral processes are "credible and transparent".

This is according to Mr Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of India's External Affairs

Ministry.

"We are following the developments with respect to elections in Guyana closely. As a democracy itself, and a time tested friend of Guyana, India would underline that it is important that Guyana's electoral processes are credible, fair and transparent," he said in response to media queries.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Early morning fire leaves 5 homeless in Linden

A

Linden family of five has been left to make alternative arrangements after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their home on Sunday.

The house that was destroyed by the fire According to reports, the fire broke out sometime between 04:40h and 06:10h, causing severe internal damage to the Lot 25 Half Mile, Wismar home which is owned by 53-year-old David Anthony and his wife Ronique Anthony.

Guyana Times International understands that the couple was at work at an interior location at the time of the incident, however, their teenage children were asleep inside the house.

The children recalled being awakened by the smell of smoke sometime after 04:00h as they observed the front bedroom situated on the eastern side of the three-bedroom flat concrete structure engulfed in flames. They

reportedly then exited the house and raised an alarm.

The Linden Fire Station responded and managed to contain and extinguish the fire which by that time had already engulfed the entire home.

The couple has estimated their losses within the millions as nothing was saved during the course of the incident. An investigation has since been launched by the Linden Fire Department.

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Guyana records 5th COVID-19 case

G

uyana has confirmed its fifth case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

This announcement was made by the Public Health Ministry on Wednesday.

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence made the announcement explaining that the country’s fifth victim is a relative of Patient zero – a 52-year-old female, who travelled from New York and brought the deadly virus to these shores.

Lawrence, in a message, noted that the Ministry, through the activated Health Emergency Operations Centre, continues to locate and quarantine other persons who came into close contact with the woman and her immediate relatives.

“To date, due to the diligence of our health personnel who are working assiduously to contain the spread of COVID-19, the numbers have been kept down. We can ill afford to become complacent and in some cases even nonchalant and laid back. The threat is real; it is not discriminatory and so we must all shoulder our responsibility resolutely and be resilient in adherence to the precautionary measures that have been established,” Lawrence noted.

She also emphasised that the COVID-19 situation in Guyana presently remained under control; however, this

does not mean that preventative measures and other mechanisms must be forsaken. She said some measures taken to combat the spread of COVID-19 include the closure of schools for sanitisation exercises, closure of airports to international incoming flights, shift system at workplaces for public servants, and temporary cessation of large gatherings for two weeks.

Guyana’s Patient Zero entered the country on March 5 and travelled to her Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home before becoming fatally ill. Before dying, she visited a private medical institution where she was suspected of having the virus, owing to her symptoms, and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she died on Wednesday last.

Posthumous tests revealed she was positive for COVID-19

which caused an immediate panic in the healthcare system. Further tests have revealed that her husband, child and a relative are all carriers of the virus.

Initially, the Public Health Ministry placed the family under self-isolation. However, there were reports of the family allegedly holding a wake for Patient Zero, which resulted in a number of persons coming into contact with them.

In an effort to contain the spread and better monitor the confirmed cases, the Health Ministry decided to impose a mandatory quarantine on those who tested positive. They are currently being housed in a facility prepared by the Ministry on the West Coast of Demerara.

It was only after four confirmed cases were detected in Guyana that it was announced

that the Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) would be partially shutting down the country’s two main airports – Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Eugene F Correira International Airport.

This announcement was made by GCAA Director General Egbert Field on Tuesday.

The closures took effect from midnight Wednesday.

Priority will be given to outgoing flights, cargo flights, medevac flights or technical stops of aircraft that require fuel, and specially authorised flights.

According to the World Health Organisation, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe

Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and had not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Additionally, the Health Ministry advises that the only facility in Guyana that is capable of testing for COVID-19 is the National Reference Lab operated by the Ministry.

Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 231-1166, 624-3067, 624-2819 or 6246674 and a team would be sent to their location.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Appeal Court throws out SARA appeal against GBTI

T

he State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) has suffered another loss at the hands of the court, with the Appeal Court dismissing its appeal against the throwing out of its case for recovering money from the Guyana

plus interest, from the bank. The claim had to do with the acquisition of land at the Kingston Seawall, where GBTI built one of its branches.

SARA alleged that when the bank bid for and acquired the right to purchase this land, it was

fact that the Agency was not the properly constituted legal entity to bring the case.

The court ruled that since the case was not brought by a Managing Director or Deputy Director, as set out in the State Assets Recovery

the process to appoint the SARA Director was flawed, its locus standi was also flawed.

SARA was created when the State Assets Recovery Act was passed in the National Assembly in 2017. It is mandated to recover unlawfully acquired State assets through civil procedures.

However, the parliamentary Opposition has also maintained that the cases it did pursue were aimed at harassing political opponents.

Both SARA and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which have both been hit by these accusations, have failed to successfully prosecute any case.

In fact, GBTI featured prominently in one of several such cases to be thrown out by the court.

Back in March of last year, contempt of court charges brought

by SOCU against eight top executives of GBTI were thrown out by the Magistrates’ Courts.

The matter stemmed from the matter in October 2017, when SOCU charged the bank’s Directors with contempt based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The contempt proceedings stemmed from the bank’s alleged failure to comply with a production order made by acting Chief Justice

Roxane George on August 29, 2017.

The bank had contended in its application for the variation of the order granted by Justice George that countless efforts were made to gather all the documents requested but it was discovered that some were either destroyed or could not be found.

The documents were pertinent to the US$500 million Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) probe that was being conducted

by SOCU. The GRDB case has also since been thrown out by the local courts.

GBTI was represented by Luckhoo & Luckhoo Law Firm.

Trinidad disconnecting from outside world for two weeks Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

During a session at the Appeal Court on Monday, it is understood that the court dismissed SARA’s appeal against the local financial institution. Moreover, GBTI was also awarded the sum of G$4.9 million in costs.

SARA had been seeking G$274.1 million,

the fourth-highest of 14 bids. SARA had claimed that GBTI’s purchase price of G$224 million is less than the most recent valuation of the property at the time.

However, the High Court had ruled in favour of the bank in November on the grounds that SARA did not present a well-grounded cause of action together with the

Act 2017 that formed SARA, the proceedings filed in the statement of claims were rendered void.

According to the court, such claims can only be brought by either of the aforementioned people. In an interview with this publication, one of GBTI’s lawyers had explained at the time that since

– in coronavirus battle Emergency isolation mode!

From midnight tonight (Monday), non-nationals won’t be allowed entry into Trinidad and Tobago for two weeks, schools will remain closed until April 20 and bars are being asked to close for two weeks to prevent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spread.

“We’re basically disconnecting ourselves from the international community for the next 14 days,” Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said during a press conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, on Monday, after a special Cabinet meeting concerning more plans to deal with the virus.

He said experts have told Government the COVID-19 situation could last until June, with immediate effects up to October.

T&T currently has five cases: two announced last week, two more on Sunday and one yesterday. All five were imported cases. Yesterday, Ministry of Health officials at the briefing, said there are also many people in self-isolation now.

Finance Minister Colm Imbert, among ministers who spoke yesterday, also estimated that T&T could lose $5 billion from the twin “hit” of the recent oil price crash and the virus.

“We’re in a crisis, we’re in an emergency – there’s no gainsaying that,” Rowley said.

The Prime Minister noted that there are 75 elderly nationals up the Caribbean on a cruise ship —which had some COVID cases—and

they’re trying to return.

He said they couldn’t be denied entry as they’re citizens.

“They’re coming home and when they do, they form part of our responsibility,” Rowley said.

He said Government is seeking to shut out the virus from T&T and contain the situation to prevent transmission.

“To do this we have to isolate ourselves from the outside source of the virus,” he said.

He added there could be no solution without some inconvenience and pain, or T&T would end up in a worst case scenario. Decisions being taken were based on policy, he said.

“We will protect your jobs, your families, the economy as far possible,” he said, detailing the following: • From midnight tonight T&T will cease to encourage/accept entry of non-nationals for two weeks, save under exceptional circumstances. Exceptions include healthcare, Caribbean Public Health Agency and other essential workers • All bars where people gather to drink and socialise will remain closed for 14 days to deny virus spread.

• To prevent person-to-person transmission, Government is instructing that gatherings beyond 25 people be avoided at all costs except under unavoidable circumstances.

• Closure of schools and places of learning, announced last Friday will continue until start of the new term on April 20.

National Security Minister Stuart Young said Government was also asking bars to shut operations for the 14 days.

Rowley added that while moral suasion is the solution, “if it’s requested to be legislated, we will.”

“If it can be enforced under existing legislation, it will be—but people of T&T why do we have to be beaten over the head to do the correct thing to save our lives?”

Saying the situation is a very, very serious one, Rowley said bars are places where people go to relax and sip a beer and while the closure call will have a “…certain kind of cultural rub, we’re called on not to do something like (going to a bar) because the consequences can be grave.

Look at what’s happened in other countries.”

He said restaurants aren’t being asked to close but curbside service over in-house dining would be preferable, since in-house dining causes congregating which increases transmission spread.

“This is for a short time … we’re aiming to create a semi-sterile environment, so don’t make it difficult by congregating.”

Several local franchise restaurant companies yesterday announced new measures which suspended inhouse dining in favour of take-away activity.

Rowley said a state of emergency wasn’t part of the solution since this couldn’t make people wash their hands.

(Trinidad Guardian)

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No end…

Y

…in sight our Eyewitness is reminded of the old saw about the fella who thought at long last – after trekking through the dark – he saw a light at the end of the tunnel – only to discover to his demise, it was actually a train hurtling towards him!! And this is how your Eyewitness’ been thinking all night about this Caricom intervention to oversee a recount of all the ballots countrywide.

He has absolutely no problem with the idea of the recount. After all, what could be more logical on a disputed count of anything than starting afresh – in the presence of a referee?? But the present system of counting votes also had its logic, didn’t it?? You start counting at the point of voting, you then agglomerate those totals per region, and then it’s all put together by the Commission and a declaration of the winner is made!

But right in front of our eyes, we saw the system gamed in Reg 4 by the RO and his helpers on the GECOM staff!! And all the while, Granger smirks unctuously about allowing GECOM to operate independently!!

That’s like saying when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, the fellas in Houston had absolutely nothing to do with it!! Your Eyewitness might be idealistic, but he ain’t stupid!! Didn’t Granger inform all of us he was the “man with the plan”?

So the question is, after going to all this trouble to muck up the works to get the fudged declaration on the Reg 4 count – in the face of the anger of the international community – would he now throw in his hand?? Just doesn’t make sense – unless, of course, he’s got something up his sleeve! Just like your Eyewitness’ been saying for years Granger would rig the elections – he didn’t know exactly HOW, but the rig was always in – the upcoming recount would never have been agreed to if Granger didn’t know the outcome. And that outcome would be gamed – just like the Reg 4 SoPs tabulation.

There are so many variables. Remember it was Granger who suggested the move and he picked the Referee – Caricom. Is he also going to pick the methodology? We’re told the boxes are in sealed containers? Wouldn’t these containers have to be moved to one location? Then, after the count by the Caricom, what will be the role of GECOM, since the law says only that body can pronounce authoritatively on the final result?

Suppose they refuse to announce? And we can go on and on ‘cause the PNC and Granger will be going on and on!!

As Burnham said, “Back to back; belly to belly – a done dead a ‘ready!!” …to the Mingoing OK, Your Eyewitness has been around the block – and some on these elections. Even in ordinary social interactions, there’s a certain amount of hypocrisy used. We really shouldn’t tell that buffoon who’s been lecturing you about coronavirus for the past hour that he’s full of sh*t, should you?? We call it “good manners” as we roll our eyes as discretely as we can!!

And, of course, in politics the hypocrisy is on display even more glaringly. Volda Lawrence chairs a party that boasts it introduced “social cohesion” and then goes on to say she only has “wuk for PNC people”.

But this hypocrisy on the rigging of the election in Reg 4 takes hypocrisy to levels that deserve a new name to describe it!! Maybe the word “Mingo” might work since everyone and their (foreign) uncle saw how this fella and his myrmidons insisted they were following the “letter and spirit” of the legislation to tabulate the SoPs while simultaneously committing a blatant heist!!

Aye bai…don’t mingo me!! You t’ink me schupit?? ….to PNC depravity The PNC have destroyed their credibility to such an extent that even some of their supporters on social media wondered if they orchestrated the “first corona virus” announcement as misdirection for their rigging operations!!

Granger, the PNC and power

O

ver the last year and a half, and especially during the post-NCM manoeuvres and elections hijinks, many commentators have either marvelled or bemoaned David Granger’s scant regard for the constitution (the NCM) or democratic institutions like elections (SoP).

Constitutions, of course, are supposed to authoritatively allocate power in a state and elections are supposed to confer authority to a party or coalition to direct the affairs of state as the government for a specified period.

To understand Granger’s seeming “idiosyncrasy” as some put it when he interpreted the constitution as he saw fit, and the unctuous homilies he utters while his myrmidons rape the electoral apparatus to “give David another five years”, we have to dissect his conception of political power. More specifically, we have to understand his mentor’s Burnham’s conception since this was directly transmitted to him as the disseminator of the latter’s political philosophy to the armed forces.

Burnham was very open about his political philosophy for action: Machiavelli’s “The Prince”, was his Bible.

Machiavelli’s teachings have scandalised society ever since he proposed them in the 16th century. He rejected the still prevalent moralistic view that rulers (today, “politicians”) must behave in accordance with ethical norms and earn the authority to rule because of their “virtuous lives”. Today, they would be chosen in elections.

Machiavelli insisted that there is no moral basis for judging between legitimate and illegitimate uses of power and politicians must focus totally on getting and keeping power. By any means necessary. Burnham accepted the centrality of power and is famously quoted as saying, “Politics is all about power and any politician who says otherwise is either a fool or lying.” Machiavelli, as Burnham did in practice, gave short shrift to legalities since they concluded these depend on the force for their application. It is better to concentrate on the force as the basis of power.

And it is for this rea-

son that Burnham built up the armed forces in Guyana to the highest ratio per civilian in the world: Granger has single-mindedly followed suit. The Police and GDF have been boosted to their highest strength, while the People’s Militia and the Cadet Corps have been resuscitated and are at full strength.

In the debate between guns and sugar, with the Machiavellian Granger, the guns, of course, won out.

In the case of Granger and Burnham, historical circumstances conspired to give them power resources far beyond the unchallenged armed forces. There is the bureaucracy, which, like the Police Force, has been dominated by “kith and kin” for more than a century. Newer state institutions like GECOM, which is supposed to be “autonomous”, also suf-

fer from the same proclivity. Most crucially, Granger also possesses “disruptive power”: controlling the potential or likelihood of particular groups looting, burning and committing general mayhem. This is why businesses are presently boarded up in Georgetown.

Power has two major attributes – resources and their mobilisation. From the above, we can see that the resources at the disposal of a PNC leader – especially with one having his Machiavellian conception of power – would see himself in a very dominant position with other competitors for power, who depend on legitimacy through the ballot box for their authority. The latter, in any case, would be very tenuous since it can be challenged at any time – as the PPP was post-1997.

Mobilisation capabilities include the group’s morale, motivation, cohesiveness and strategic ability to cope with new situations. All of these, of course, are summarised by the word “leadership”.

Since he took over the helm of the PNC in 2011, Granger has focused on demonising the PPP in the eyes of his constituency and has succeeded wildly in mobilising his constituency. He has also used Machiavelli’s advice that the leader must be hypocritical and present himself as a person with the highest moral values. Hence the frequent pictures of Granger kneeling and praying in Church, etc..

Machiavelli advised that what we call “cognitive dissonance” today, would not bother the hypocritical leader’s followers. Today, they blindly follow Granger as “honest, decent and suffused with integrity”, even as he oversaw the most blatant rigging of elections in the history of Guyana. And that’s saying a lot.

Granger the Machiavellian knows if he hadn’t rigged, the PPP would get in. He, therefore, loses nothing by “trying a thing”: he at least stands a chance of clinging on with the backing of his power resources. The recount is just a ploy.

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Recount…

S

…or regroup? o, we have an agreement between the Caretaker President and the Opposition Leader that there’d be a full recount of the March 2 votes cast in all the regions by going into the individual ballot boxes. Or do we?? Word had just gotten out about the arrangement when the Government Commissioners of GECOM insisted the “COMMISSION hadn’t been OFFICIALLY informed about any such arrangement” … and in the end it is the Commission that will have to make the decision!!

They truculently lectured Granger on the requirements of the “the law” – as they saw it – on recounts. Since these worthies had been appointed by Granger to represent the interests of his government – were “creatures” of Granger to use Hoyte’s candid phrase – some conjectured we were witnessing a “hard line” faction of the PNC coming to the fore. “Forward ever; backward never!!” keeping power by any means necessary.

Your Eyewitness is neither fooled nor amused: Granger and these jokers are just trying out their “good cop, bad cop” routine! There’s no split or even a crack in the PNC. Don’t be fooled into thinking that as a soldier Granger was out of the PNC shenanigans. Granger himself confessed that he was always a PNC member – going back to 1965 when his career and the GDF were simultaneously launched by Burnham!!

He’d revealed that during an address to the 5th Biennial Conference of the PNCR’s North American Region in Atlanta, Georgia, back in Nov 2017. He didn’t realise the event was being streamed! But his other revelations are even more germane about what’s going down in front of our eyes.

“Whatever you will choose to discuss today and the weeks and months to come, I think there are several questions that you have to ask yourself as you look to the future. You have to ask yourself how did the PNC gain office in 1964. Ask yourself how did the PNC remain in office and what did it do during that period. Ask yourself how the PNC regained office in 2015 and ask yourself how would the PNC retain office after 2020.”

Well, we don’t need a soothsayer to explain what Granger meant!! The PNC got into power in ‘64 in coalition with a small party: so, did Granger in 2015.

The PNC remained in office after that through rigging – and this is what Granger promised three years ago!! So that recount?? The PNC and Granger, its leader, are just regrouping for the next series of blatant manoeuvres to ensure the ballot boxes are “Mingoed”!!

Your Eyewitness repeats: Granger has nothing to lose. America’s not about to land troops here. And he figures he can ride out sanctions.

Never mind the country can’t!! …is Mingoed Your Eyewitness got permission to “hold the press” till the recount began before he completed this piece.

So here it was, at just after 7pm, he sees the leader of the Opposition explaining on TV that the recount still hasn’t started!! Luckily, he hadn’t been holding his breath!! But he would’ve never guessed what stunt the PNC would pull (GECOM, PNC same difference!) to throw a spanner in the works.

The Ministry of Health – headed by (who else?)

Volda Lawrence – ordered that the Convention Centre where the recount was to be conducted BE FUMIGATED for coronavirus!! Can you believe this?? Now this was no “disinfecting” like you have in airplanes that can kill some viruses. Naah, this was malathion that kills pests!!

Earlier in the day, he’d heard GECOM wouldn’t start unless Granger and Jagdeo sign their agreement!!

Imagine that. The day before, they’d said they had to delay, because the decision to recount was a GECOM decision – and there could be no “side deals”.

And now they want a signed side deal!!

And the Mingoing continues!! …the Caricom connection Could Granger and the PNC be so contemptuous of Caricom and its leader Mia Mottley that they could diss them the way they have?

Or is it all a carefully orchestrated tango??

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Guyana partially shuts down airports amid corona virus threat

…outbound, cargo, medivac flights allowed during a press conference by the ministerial task force on Tuesday.

The task force was activated last week when Guyana recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The Civil Aviation Authority in order to slow the process of the virus in consultation with the Ministry of Health has decided to with the approval of the Cabinet task force to close the airports to all international flights,” Field explained.

The closures took effect from Wednesday night but priority will be

I

Director-General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig

n a bid to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Guyana, the Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has partially shut down the country’s two main airports, Cheddi Jagan

International and Eugene F Correira International.

This announcement was made by Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field

Man awaits sentencing for hammering another to death

T

wenty-yearold Christopher Cheong on Tuesday appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Demerara to answer to a murder charge.

Cheong opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and admitted that between July 16 and 17, 2016, he killed James Stewart.

Cheong had told Police in his confession that Stewart had knocked him off his bike, causing him to fall to the ground. He said he went to a friend’s home, borrowed a hammer and re-

turned to where he had last seen Stewart. It was then that he struck the man once to the head with the hammer. At the time of the killing, Cheong was 16 years old.

Stewart’s post-mortem report revealed that he died from haemorrhaging and multiple injuries to the head.

State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy and Nafeeza Baig presented the prosecution’s case. Justice Kissoon remanded Cheong to prison pending sentencing.

He will be sentenced on April 20.

given to outgoing flights, cargo flights, medevac flights or technical stops of aircraft that require fuel and specially authorised flights.

In cases where arriving passengers might have been exposed to the coronavirus, the Director General stated that the authority has been providing the Health Ministry with the contact information for those passengers.

“We have been working very closely with the Ministry of Health providing the necessary information such as pasCONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Director-General of GCAA, Lt Col Retired Egbert Field

36 NEWS

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AmCham Guyana calls for more stringent measures to protect against COVID-19

T

he American Chamber of C o m m e r c e Guyana (AmCham Guyana) has called for stringent measures to protect against the novel coronavirus COVID-19, as the country continues to detect cases among its populace.

On Monday the Private Sector body indicated that while persons have been isolated from schools and other public gatherings, there is still more to be done by the health authorities to ensure that there are strict travel restrictions and quarantine guidelines.

Already, countries within the region have moved to restrict travel at their borders and airports to contain the spread of COVID-19 – a deadly disease that has developed into a global epidemic.

Here in Guyana, family members of the first case of the virus reportedly refused to stay under quarantine after insisting that they did not contract the virus. A few days later, the husband of the woman tested positive and was then iso-

lated.

“We commend the authorities on steps taken to secure our children with the closure of schools and the regular information provided.

However, AmCham believes that more aggressive measures are needed at this time. AmCham calls on the relevant public health authorities to follow the lead of our Caricom neighbours and other world leaders, in imposing strict travel restrictions and following the WHO guidelines on imposing quarantine,” AmCham indicated.

The organisation sought to zero in on the increased statistics of positive cases, stating that preparedness is important in the times to come.

“AmCham Guyana notes with deep concern the growing number of positive diagnosed COVID-19 cases in Guyana. The virus has spread worldwide with devastating consequences for many countries and the Chamber urges the Public Health authorities in Guyana and all citizens to adequately

AmCham Guyana President Zulfikar Ali

prepare for the inevitable spread of the virus…

All precautions must be taken to slow the spread of this disease and protect our most vulnerable members of society.”

Moreover, Private Sector stakeholders were

commended for allowing their employees to work from home or through online means. For this, communication companies have been asked to reduce the cost for data and other internet plans, to bolster connectivity at this crucial time since it is the primary source of communication.

“We call on the Private Sector to support the national efforts by offering alternative work from home arrangements, engaging in sanitisation exercises in all businesses and providing the tools for workers to engage in safe practices. We encour-

age businesses to help make quarantine more comfortable for patients, such as reduced data and phone call charges so that persons can still be in touch with their loved ones, or donations of food, formula, toiletries and cleaners for less fortunate households,” AmCham directed.

On Saturday the Public Health Ministry informed that three other persons tested positive for the virus. This was less than one week after a woman who arrived in Guyana from New York tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus and subse-

quently died. Her husband, child and a close relative have all tested positive for the virus.

Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location.

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also highlighted the far reach impacts which this virus could have on the business community. As such, the Chamber also advocated for measures to address the issue on a national level.

Some of the recommendations called for educational engagements about the virus to reduce panic among the population. Adding to that, authorities should work to end myths by sharing factual information about the virus.

“As leaders, we should be cognisant of the information we share. Verify the credibility of information before sharing to team members and loved ones…The way to fight the COVID-19 virus is simple – keep clean. The WHO encourages organisations to sanitise working environments daily. For business leaders with available resources, we implore you to transfer the vigour of cleanliness to your wider community,” GCCI noted.

Guyana partially shuts down...

FROM PAGE 35

sengers’ information so that the Ministry of Health could conduct their research and review and also gather further information or inspection of suspected passengers.”

More so, he explained that the authority has been conducting inspections at the airports and that the inspections will continue during the closure.

To this end, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has come on board to monitor all passengers going through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F Correira International Airport and other ports of entries.

“First we are providing monitoring and elevation support. To date, we have completed detailed assessment of the process and procedures at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and we prepared a report that we submitted to the Minister of Health and several other agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority, the Immigration, Customs to start taking certain proven measures that had already been implemented at the airport,” Colonel Kester Craig noted.

Moreover, the Authority along with the Public Health Ministry will be working with the ministerial task force to ensure that the 14 days

are adequate and if the situation worsens – the airports will remain closed to international flights.

Guyana joins Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and many other countries in the closing of their airports to international flights.

Domestic flights will continue as per normal.

These will be examined

by GCAA inspectors.

Last week, American Airlines announced that it will be suspending its flights to several locations across the world including Guyana from March 16, 2020, in a bid to slow down the rapid spread of the virus.

(Shemar Alleyne)

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Ramkarran says GECOM’s 15-day deadline to announce results “not mandatory”

T

he 15-day deadline referenced in the Representation of the People Act, within which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must announce results for a General and Regional Elections is directory and not mandatory.

As such, the “swearing-in of the President after the 15-day deadline will attract no legal consequences.”

This is according to former Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel (SC), Ralph Ramkarran.

He gave his views over the weekend in a public social media platform and argued that the 15-day deadline is clearly “directory” and not “mandatory.”

These are interpretations by courts of the effect of timelines when provided for in legislation, according to Ramkarran.

tal results.

Cautiously optimistic

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran

The Presidential Candidate for the recently formed A New and United Guyana (ANUG) qualified his position fur-

ther, saying when a timeline is “directory,” no consequences arise if it is violated.

General and Regional

Elections were held on March 2, 2020, which means GECOM has until tomorrow, to give a final declaration of the to-

With a nationwide recount with specific focus on Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), GECOM would likely miss the 15-day deadline, which Ramkarran has since dismissed as directory and not mandatory.

Speaking to the controversies surrounding the counting of the votes for Region Four, Ramkarran welcomed the initiative by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, to have a recount.

According to ANUG’s Presidential Candidate, “this agreement is of tremendous importance to Guyana because it may help to resolve the impasse over the election results, the fabrication of which threatens to plunge Guyana once again into undemocratic rule and international

sanctions.”

He said ANUG is cautiously optimistic about the recount which would be overseen by Caribbean Community (Caricom) experts, led by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

According to Ramkarran, ANUG is conscious of efforts that have been made to count the votes and declare the results and that “several of these efforts have been done in blatant violation of court orders.”

As such, “the public will understand when we declare that we are deeply fearful and suspicious that the APNU/ AFC will utilise every effort, including intimidation, to derail the effort of Caricom.”

Ramkarran reminded that ANUG had requested a recount within the stipulated time but, as is to be expected, all requests for recounts were rejected.

Guyana Courts to utilise Skype for further remanded prisoners

G

iven the threat of coronavirus, the law courts in Guyana are putting systems in place to safeguard staff and members

response of the court system in safeguarding staff and court customers. It was noted that a decision was taken to have all courts and their

Chancellor, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

of the public.

In a press statement on Sunday evening, the Office of the Chancellor said that further remanding of prisoners would be conducted via Skype. The statement further stated that acting Chancellor, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards convened a meeting of senior court officials to address the

environs fumigated and sanitised. This exercise commenced last Friday and continued over the weekend.

“The weekend was chosen so as to cause minimal disruption to court services. These courts will be open for business on Monday, March 16, 2020,” the statement read. Fumigation of the other courts will be done

at the weekends also.

This exercise will be conducted periodically as necessary.

“Members of the public and court users entering the courts, the registries and offices will be required to sanitise their hands. Sanitisers will be provided and placed at the entrances to all court compounds and in strategic locations at all courts. Judges and Magistrates, as well as supervisors of court registries and offices, will provide further guidance on the attendance of litigants and progress of trials and hearings,” the statement from the Chancellor’s office revealed.

It is advised that members of the public who do not have cases/ matters in court but seek to accompany litigants are encouraged to stay away from the courts.

“A response team has been set up to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies. The team will interface with staff and report to the Chancellor of the Judiciary. Given the nature and characteristics of COVID-19 and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the court, it is expected that there will be scrupulous adherence to protocols,” the release added.

Georgetown Magistrates Court

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

of relatability and also

Amstel Village on the

ometimes finding the right word to ascribe to your feelings of intimacy and vulnerability are hard to find. Sometimes the words escape us and we are just left there with mouths agape and thoughts floating around in our heads.

However, for some of us that almost never happens. Some of us are well-versed in putting our feelings on paper and exposing our vulnerability for the world to indulge.

Our words let them into our worlds and though they’re mere visitors to our isolated paradises, they quite often beg to stay.

Kelwin Gittens has been putting words to paper and baring his soul for the world for a number of years now. He does so through intricately written poems that are like mazes allowing us to navigate our own journeys. His writing invokes a sense

gled but also found happiness in the struggles.

Kelwin’s writings tell us about a little boy who would enjoy every bit of his childhood.

We learn of a little boy who would frequent the seawalls for a splash or just childhood games with his

takes us on his journey.

He bares his soul as he speaks about growing up in poverty in Den

West Coast of Demerara.

He shares with us the fond memories of a little boy who not only strug-

friends. We are told of a little boy who would

S

enjoy every bit of his childhood with his friends whether they would engage in a game of cricket or football at the ‘ballfield’.

W e learn of the struggles of his family as they battled poverty.

“One of the many challenges I faced growing up was the fact that I grew up in poverty. So, it was diffi-

cult financially for us,” he would reminisce.

One thing though, Kelwin never allowed what he did not have to limit him. He reached, and continues to reach to this day, for the stars.

“Growing up in poverty played out in a good way for me, because it made me work harder.

A lot harder too. In difficult times and some of the challenges that I faced as I got older, poverty prepared me for those moments and I am grateful.”

Kelwin attended the Stewartville Secondary School and later ven-

tured to the Government Technical Institute where he studied Land Surveying. He is slated to be sworn in as a Land Surveyor sometime next month after he completes his internship with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

The young man got into writing as a result of the challenges he faced during his childhood.

“I did a few surgeries on my knee and growing up I could not be a part of much physical activities. It would have these football competitions and due to the challenges with my knee, I wasn’t allowed to be a part of those competitions. I realised that I could write and rhyme, and I started writing poetry. I currently go to Ebenezer Congregational Church, so every year we would

normally get concerts and someone once heard I was rhyming and encouraged me to say a poem. So, I wrote one and got a lot of good feedback, so then I started writing.

That was around the age of 12,” he said.

His style of writing is what we refer to as Spoken Word. The pieces do not necessarily rhyme and sound all poetic, but they are very important pieces. Those pieces chronicle experiences as well as speak to societal ills.

“I mostly do spoken word because I h a v e very little

training. As I said, I grew up in poverty and most of my poems come from how I grew up and some of the struggles I went through due to poverty. When I am going through stuff, I let it out. Like poetry is like my way of expressing what I’ve been through or what I am going through. When I am feeling a type ah way, poems help me let out whatever it is that is bothering me. Poem means a lot.

Poems is one of the way in which I does communicate with the outside world. Instead of me going and sit down and talk to somebody I does just put it in my poems and people would understand exactly what I going through.”

Kelwin continues to inspire the younger generation and make his mark in the art world of Guyana.

40

By Utamu Belle

A

t 26 years old, Lindener Taneila Croal has her eyes set on living out her dream as an enterprising Guyanese woman. And nothing is stopping this vibrant young woman from achieving her goals and her shot at success. Though she’s a teacher by profession, Croal is also pursuing her passion of establishing herself as a successful businesswoman and outstanding entrepreneur in the Linden community. Her love for styling hair and nails has led her down the path of launching her own salon, “Neila’s Hair and Nails Empire” and more recently her own line of female lingerie, titled, ‘ADOREmeBAE’.

Speaking with the Sunday Times Magazine, Croal recently gave a glimpse into her successful journey and shared some useful advice for others desirous of venturing into the challenging world of entrepreneurship in Guyana.

“I'm a high school teacher by profession. However, at a very young age, I've always had a passion for hairstyling and now I own my salon”, she mused.

The talented hairdresser went on to talk about some of the services offered at her salon, which include braiding, crocheting, sew-in and interlocking,

amongst numerous others. Her passion for styling hair, Croal explained, grew from an early age as she would skilfully create her own hairstyles and plait her own hair.

“At age 12 I was already braiding my own hair in the 'pinch and plait' method back then.

So, when I was about 14 years old I got my first paid job when I did some braids for someone”, she recalled.

This opportunity would ultimately lead to the development of a full-blown business establishment. Following the route of her passion, she was motivated to open her own hair salon. Ultimately, Croal would take advantage of social media marketing, supplementing her shot at success.

“Over the years, as a teen, I would've had customers who knew my ability as it relates to braiding and they would support me as I perfect my skill. I would usually work in my home at that time. I later built my salon. However, three years ago I decided to use my Facebook platform to showcase my talent. I started my business page, ’Neila’s Hair and Nails Empire’ and my support audience increased”, she noted.

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Though enthused by the response she received from her social media marketing and networking, the young entrepreneur soon learned of the challenges.

“When I decided to advertise my business m o r e , t h e r e were challenges of not being able to be at the service of all my customers because of work. That caused me to become really sad when I had to tell clients I'm unable to render service”, she admitted.

Regardless of the challenges, Croal was determined and persevered. She soon learnt the art of managing her time and remaining focused on her journey through entrepreneurship. Asked where she sees her business platform in the next few years, the entrepreneur was very optimistic about expanding in the future.

“The most ecstatic thing is to see my growth in the work that I do and to have satisfied customers. I have seen progression and perfection in all areas of the services I offer.

I recently established my lingerie line, called ADOREmeBAE which features exotic, comfy Sleepwear. My plan is to develop my business by providing variety, diversity to my prospective and current customers. I want to be able to have my lingerie marketed across Guyana. A few years from now I see myself having a branch of Neila's Beautie Empire in Georgetown. In both my locations I'd be renting stations in my buildings and expand my services”, she related.

Reflecting on how she managed to get her business up and running, Croal shared one of her favourite motivational quotes which have propelled her to go after her dreams.

“A keynote to remember is, 'Nobody owes you anything'.

Simply saying that nobody is obliged to do anything for you.

You have to get up and chase your dreams. If you have something you're good at, a skill, perfect it.

Go ahead and take advantage of the small business loans and grants. Start your own business if that's what you want. Overcome the fears of how successful it might turn out. Do it for the love of it and you'll multiply your blessings”, she advised.

Croal believes that despite challenges, there are opportunities available for young people in Guyana to become entrepreneurs. She advised that they should not be afraid to take advantage of loans and build from there.

“There is scope and opportunities for young entrepreneurs to benefit from in Guyana. The Department of Youth under the Ministry of the Presidency has provided entrepreneurs like myself chances of developing our businesses through grants and loans. This helps to build and develop

businesses. And provides the necessary training and skills one needs to become a business-oriented person”, she stated.

Speaking on the business atmosphere in Linden, she noted that while there are others involved in her line of business there is room for everyone to grow and develop. “ In Linden where I'm from, I see a lot of persons doing what I do as a business. I have my customers and others have theirs. I have my full support and clientele in peak seasons such as weekend, holidays and Linden Town Week season. These moments stimulate that drive for me as a hairdresser to do the best I can”, Croal related.

She is presently in the process of planning an upcoming social and entertainment event to promote her business as well as shed light on other entrepreneurs. Croal gave us an insight into this event which will take place on March 15, as she urged full support.

“So, my upcoming event is one with a major difference. It's called ‘Sip, Puff and Paint’. This event promises to be one of first-class and elegant. If you ever consider attending, you will experience a breathtaking ambience of young professionals and entrepreneurs. Everyone will be doing their individual paintings which they'll take home, and at the same time sipping wine. There will be finger foods provided at a cool, serene atmosphere at the Pegasus Garden Arena...

Supporting this event will be beneficial to all attendees who will be interacting with each other, getting to know each other, sharing ideas and exploring opportunities for developing themselves. It would be a fantastic opportunity for young people. It aims to be mind-blowing and relaxing”, she said.

Croal has some advice for anyone thinking about delving into entrepreneurship. She urges that they work on developing and promoting their skills and making it work for them.

A leap of faith is also required, according to Croal.

“I wish to say this to youths, it doesn't matter what your skill is, or what your dreams are, once you make that start or make that first step, you'll definitely reach the top. That first step along with a leap of faith and confidence in what you do is all it takes. It doesn't matter your business ideas or how you'll get there. Pray, work, trust God... that's how I did it”, she quipped.

NEWS 41

WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Supriya Singh gives up national award over doubts of elections transparency F

ounder of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya Singh-Bodden, who was in 2015 awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour, has chosen to renounce this acclaimed title amid the current doubts about the lack of transparency during the 2020 polls.

The Cacique Crown of Honour is one of Guyana’s highest national honours and was bestowed upon SinghBodden by President David Granger for her exceptional service in the field of youth and women’s empowerment.

In giving the rationale behind her decision to give up the award, Singh-Bodden explained that she cannot “wear this medal with pride” due to the lack of transparency surrounding the General and Regional Elections.

In a statement, Singh-Bodden stated: “I have watched as the world has, the events that have unfolded over

the past few days. I have allowed my sentiments to be heard. You have all read them. I will say no more. As soon as it is possible, I will be making an official handing over of the Cacique Crown of Honor Medal I was given.”

She added: “While doubt hangs in the air about the transparency of Guyana’s elections results and many feel that the will of the people has not been heard. I cannot wear this medal with pride. I have no bias as to who should win these elections but the process must be fair and transparent. The rule of law and the protection of our democracy is paramount at this critical juncture. I have nothing but a voice, hear it if you will.”

Earlier in the month, Singh-Bodden issued a statement on the Facebook page of the Guyana Foundation with the headline “There Is no winner if the electoral process is flawed.”

In that statement,

Founder of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya Singh-Bodden

she cleared herself of

being involved with the

coalition Government during their tenure in office.

Singh-Bodden further used the opportunity to condemn the electoral process which, she said, was not transparent.

“I personally and publicly endorsed Mr David Granger at the 2015 General Elections.

I was not involved in any way with the present elections or the APNU/ AFC Government over their term in office. It was my view then that they were committed to putting Guyana first to lead the country to prosperity and betterment for all.

“I proudly accepted one of Guyana’s highest honours from him.

Pledging to always serve my country. I would like to use this platform to say now with absolute conviction that the recent events surrounding the electoral process are wrong,” the statement said.

present elections and the

Caribbean agriculture Taxi driver accused of raping multiple women ministers meeting to discuss to face High Court trial food security in COVID-19 era

P

r i n c i p a l M a g i s t r a t e Sherdel MarcusIsaacs on Wednesday committed taxi driver Lindon Daniels to stand trial at the Demerara High Court for raping a female passenger.

The accused was in February 2019 slapped with three rape charges for offences committed against female passengers on different occasions.

A Preliminary Inquiry (PI) was conducted into the first charge levelled against Daniels; which stated that the accused on January 30, 2019, at Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), engaged in sexual penetration of a woman over the age of 17. For this charge, Magistrate Marcus-Isaacs ruled that sufficient evidence was presented throughout the PI and thus committed him to stand trial.

Daniels was granted G$300,000 bail until the commencement and determination of the High Court trial.

Two other charges brought against the accused detailed that on February 18, 2019, at New Providence, EBD,

C

Lindon Daniels

he engaged in sexual penetration of a woman over the age of 17.

Moreover, on February 13, 2019, at New Providence, he engaged in sexual penetration of a girl under the age of 16.

These matters are

still being heard at a city magistrate’s court.

It was reported that Daniels on the day in question while transporting the victims in his motor vehicle to their destinations diverted to isolated areas where he committed the act.

a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) agriculture ministers were meeting here on Thursday to chart a food and nutrition security and availability response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat has said.

It said the meeting, via teleconference, comes as CARICOM countries intensify safety measures in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. Several member states have already reported cases of the virus that is blamed for more than 8,000 deaths worldwide.

According to the Secretariat, it will make a presentation on a framework document that deals with the agrifood response and mitigation.

It added that various CARICOM institutions, including the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Caribbean Fisheries Mechanism as well as the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation, and the Caribbean Development Bank will make presentations at the meeting.

The meeting will also

be attended by representatives from partner agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, the World Food Programme and the Caribbean Poultry Association.

“The meeting is expected to conclude with an agreed position on how CARICOM treats with any food security issues that may arise from COVID-19 and to ensure that the necessary support mechanisms are in place both regionally and nationally to safeguard food security for the region,” the Secretariat added. (CMC)

42 BOLLYWOOD

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Ekta Kapoor suspends all Balaji productions amid coronavirus outbreak T

o contain the spread of novel coronavirus, producer Ekta Kapoor on Tuesday announced that she has suspended all administrative and production work cross Balaji Telefilms Limited, Balaji Motion Pictures Limited and ALTBalaji.

In a statement posted on her official Twitter account, Ekta said safety and well-being of the company’s employees, cast and crew is of paramount importance to her.

“In light of the pandemic spread of the COVID-19 virus, all administrative and production work across Balaji Telefilms Limited, Balaji Motion Pictures Limited and ALTBalaji stands suspended till further notice.

“We are complying with all safety and precautionary measures suggested by the government to help contain the situation.

We are confident that together we will show our resilience and bounce back. We urge everyone to be safe and ensure necessary health measures,” the statement read.

Ekta’s statement comes a day

after director-producer Karan Johar’s Dharma Production announced the suspension of all administrative and production work.

On Sunday, various film bodies in India including Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE), Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) and Producers Guild of India decided to put shootings of films, TV shows and web series on hold from March 19 to March 31.

Various events, award functions, interviews, shooting schedules stand postponed or cancelled in view of the outbreak.

India has reported 126 positive cases including 22 foreign nationals. So far, three people — one each in Karnataka, Delhi and Maharashtra — have lost their lives after getting infected with the virus.

The virus, which originated in China’s Wuhan city, has claimed over 7,000 lives and infected more than 175,530 people in 145 countries. (Indian Express)

A

Jacqueline Fernandez: Asim

Riaz is a down-to-earth, talented boy

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a c q u e l i n e Fernandez’s latest collaboration with T-Series and Bigg Boss fame Asim Riaz titled “Mere Angne Mein 2.0” has crossed a whopping 30 million views on Youtube. In this interview with indianexpress.com, the actor reveals why she agreed to do “Mere Angne Mein 2.0”. She also talks about her decade long journey in Bollywood and the Netflix original Mrs Serial Killer.

Excerpts from the conversation: Why did you agree to do Mere Angne Mein 2.0 with Asim Riaz?

Bhushan Kumar actually came to me with Mere Angne Mein some time back. Bhushan told me that it was one song he really wanted me to do. So, we were already planning to do the song.

When I heard the storyline and went through the concept note, I was super duper impressed.

I thought it was amazing and a good mix of the new and vintage. This is the second time I was working with Bhushan.

It is a known fact that he is a hit factory, so I was excited to work on this song.

And then we finalised Asim. It was a great thing for us as well as

Asim had just come out of the Bigg Boss house.

He has a great fan-following, mainly youngsters. So Bhushan had got the formula right. It was great to see everything coming together so

well.

It was great working with him. He is such a down-to-earth boy.

Coming out of Bigg Boss, I think he has really learned a lot. He shared so many experiences with us. I wanted to know how it is like to live in a house with strangers for four months. It was great to hear what his experiences and learnings from that house were. He is extremely hard-working.

He has such a bright future ahead of him. He is so talented. I was glad I got this opportunity to bond, work and collaborate with him.

Mere Angne Mein 2.0

has received some flak too. Why did you say yes to it after your “Ek Do Teen” (Baaghi 2) experience?

It happens worldwide. It is the maker’s way of bringing back a song that was loved in the past.

It is a way to keep the song alive. It could be the maker’s tribute to the song, the performances, the makers of the original song and the actors in it.

However, we have done an entirely new song, with some similar parts. Whenever I do a remake, I never see it as a remake. I see it as a new project to bring the old song back. There are some people who don’t like it, and there are some people who do. It works for them.

You have completed a decade in Bollywood.

How would you describe your experience in the Hindi film industry?

Exciting, unpredictable and a lot of fun.

It has been crazy. My journey in Bollywood is made of my blood, sweat and tears. From literally breaking my bones to not getting any rest, and then working for months together.

I have had the oppor-

Govinda showers praise on Ranveer Singh, calls him ‘superstar’

tunity to meet so many people from around the world. I have made friends and some have become family. I also had a great time portraying different characters.

Your last film Drive, with Sushant Singh Rajput, released on Netflix. And now you are doing yet another Netflix original — Mrs Serial Killer. What’s happening on that front?

Mrs Serial Killer is a very exciting project.

This is something I have never done. It is actually releasing next month. It is like my first solo project. I have been wanting to do something very interesting for a very long time. I wanted to do something that people wouldn’t expect me to do.

When the project came to me, I was excited. I could see myself in that role.

We shot it last year, and I had to do a lot of workshops for it. Actually, a lot of time last year went into prepping for and working on Mrs Serial Killer. I needed this project. I needed this kind of time and space because after having done so many commercial films, I needed something to bring myself out of my comfort zone. I did a lot of introspection. It was a great experience. I am looking forward to doing a lot more work like this.

(Indian Express)

t the recently held Zee Cine Awards, Ranveer Singh set the stage on fire with his energetic performance.

He also stated that Govinda was one of the primary reasons behind his decision to become an entertainer. This statement was met with a lot of warmth by Govinda, who took to Instagram to shower praise on Ranveer.

Calling him a ‘superstar’, Govinda said, “I met you (at an award show on Saturday) and I saw your dance and was moved by the amount of respect you showered on me. It has made me at

a loss for words. I don’t have the words to praise you as a human being and actor. Thank you so much for the respect and I pray to God that you become the next superstar of this industry.

I have said this earlier and I can see you shaping up to be the superstar of India through your films.”

“I feel very good to see you shine and rise higher and higher. May God bless you and all the best!” he added.

On the work front, Ranveer Singh is looking forward to the release of sports drama 83. (Indian Express)

Yaadon Ki Baraat actor Imtiaz Khan passes away

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mjad Khan’s brother and Bollywood actor Imtiaz Khan passed away on Monday in Mumbai.

Jaaved Jafferi shared the news of Imtiaz Khan’s demise. He wrote on Twitter, “Veteran actor #ImtiazKhan passes on. Worked with him in #Gang. Superb actor and a wonderful human being. #RIP bhai.”

Film trade analyst Atul Mohan expressed grief on Imtiaz Khan’s death.

He tweeted, “#SadNews Hindi Film Actor #ImtiazKhan, Son of Veteran Actor

Jayant, brother of late #AmjadKhan and husband of Gujarati Stage – Film and TV Actress Krutika Desai passed away today. He was seen in films like #YaadonKiBaaraat #Dharmatma #Dayavan.

Our prayers with the family.”

Imtiaz Khan starred in movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat, Dharmatama, Dayavan and Noor Jahan among more.

Imtiaz Khan is survived by wife, actor Krutika Desai and daughter Ayesha Khan.

(Indian Express)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

Disney postpones release of Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow T

he release of Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Black Widow has been postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The movie was supposed to release on April 30. A new date for the Scarlett Johansson-starrer is yet to be finalised.

The film’s events take place much before the events of Avengers: Endgame where Black Widow ends up sacrificing her life for the greater good.

Apart from Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow

features Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour among others.

It has been helmed by

Cate Shortland.

Not only Black Widow, but several Hollywood flicks like No

Time to Die, A Quiet Place II and Mulan among more have shifted their release dates in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

As far as the finances are concerned, not all is lost for Marvel and Disney since it has a ton of upcoming and exciting projects to look forward to on Disney Plus, including the likes of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, The Eternals, WandaVision and Loki among others. (Indian Express)

Oscar-nominated actor Stuart Whitman dead at 92

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tuart Whitman, a prolific lead and character actor who appeared in hundreds of film and television productions and received an Oscar nomination as a pedophile in the 1961 drama The Mark, has died.

Whitman died on Monday in Montecito, California, at age 92.

Son Justin Whitman said that he died of natural causes.

Dark-haired and rugged, with enough of a resemblance to Clark Gable that he was sometimes compared to the Gone With the Wind star, Whitman was a steady presence in Westerns, war movies and other action films.

His credits included The Longest Day, Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, The Sound and the

Fury and Ten North Frederick. On television, he starred in the brieflived series Cimarron Strip and also worked on Murder, She Wrote, The Streets of San Francisco and The F.B.I. His greatest acclaim came for The Mark, although he was not the original choice for his role: Richard Burton dropped out at the last minute. The film also starred Rod Steiger and

Maria Schell.

Whitman was a San Francisco native who had wanted to act since childhood. He started out as a Hollywood extra, appearing without credit In the Day the Earth Stood Still, Brigadoon and other movies. In a 1961 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he placed himself in the tradition of actors who relied less on versatility than on an established

persona.

“It’s the image that makes a star. John Wayne is a great example of a super actor. Gary Cooper is another one,” he said. “My image? I think it’s being free and easy and all man. I say to myself I want to become an actor, I want to lose myself in each role. But that’s not the way to become an actor.”

(Indian Express)

Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively donate USD 1 million to hunger relief funds amid coronavirus outbreak

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ollywood couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have donated USD 1 million to food banks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The actors made donation to two hunger relief organisations — Feeding America and Food Banks Canada.

“Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families.

Blake and I are donating USD 1 million to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. If you can give, these orgs need our help. ‘Take care of your bodies and hearts.

Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection,” Reynolds wrote in the announcement posted on Instagram.

Lively added, “Remember the love that can travel through all this. Communities are stepping up — shopping for the elderly, making lunches for children.

We can all do something for one another, even if that’s simply staying home.”

Feeding America operates a network

Vin Diesel working on debut music album

The Matrix 4 production A suspended due to coronavirus

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a r n e r B r o s Pictures has delayed the production on The Matrix 4 as concerns over the coronavirus pandemic continue to rise.

The film was in production since February, and moved from San Francisco to Berlin, where the team was preparing to shoot this week.

According to Variety, the production company decided to indefinitely delay further filming after US president Donald Trump banned travel to and from Europe.

It is still unclear when the shoot is going to resume and if they delay will impact the scheduled 2021 release.

Actors Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be reprising their

roles in the film, while Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Neil Patrick Harris are new additions to the cast.

Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell has co-written the script

with Lana Wachowski, who will also direct the movie.

T h e number of deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic worldwide has passed 7,000, with more than 175,530 cases in 145

countries.

The virus, which originated in China’s Wuhan city, was declared pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) last week.

(Indian Express)

of food banks across the US while Food Banks Canada runs in Reynolds’ native Canada.

Other Hollywood celebrities who have urged people to donate to Feeding America include Justin Timberlake, Natalie Portman, Ben Affleck, Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Cumming, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Josh Gad and Nick Lachey.

Last week, celebrated fashion designer Donatella Versace and her daughter Allegra Versace Beck, had donated 200,000 euros to a hospital in Milan, Italy, to help battle the coronavirus.

Fashion industry giant Giorgio Armani has also donated USD 1.9 million to the Luigi Sacco and San Raffaele hospitals and the Istituto dei Tumori in Milan, as well as the Istituto Lazzaro Spallanzani in Rome.

The virus, which originated in China’s Wuhan city, has claimed over 7000 lives and infected more than 175,530 people in 145 countries.

(Indian Express)

ction star Vin Diesel says he is working on his debut album and has some great original music in it.

During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the Fast & Furious star said his kids Hania, 11, Vincent, 10, and Pauline, four, love his songs.

“I gotta be honest with you James, my kids love when I sing and they love it so much – it’s kind of like JRR Tolkien, he started telling his kids stories about Hobbits and next thing you know he went onto ‘Lord of the Rings’. I have a little bit of that in me!” Diesel said when Corden asked him about his new album.

“I wish I could play all the music for you.

I’m really lucky to have some really original great music. Nothing in the world is better than seeing my four-year-old daughter walking around the house singing these songs that she hears me playing now. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.

To be able to share that, there’s nothing more beautiful than that,” Diesel added.

The actor didn’t reveal any other details about his musical outing.

On the acting front, he will next be see in Fast and Furious 9, which has been pushed to April next year due to coronavirus outrbeak.

(Indian Express)

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‘I would come back to Jamaica if I could’ – UK migrant “I

would come back to Jamaica if I could,” said a terrified Janet, who left the country in search of a better life in the United Kingdom in 2018. The woman, who taught Mathematics at a secondary education institution in Jamaica before migrating to the UK to work as a teacher, found life in the more developed nation country to be pleasurable. However, that was before the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“The prime minister a pretend like it’s normal days.

Right now, I would come back to Jamaica if. I could … . The

Jamaican Government is doing a fabulous job in trying to curtail this pandemic … . The actions are swift. In the UK, things are moving slow. The (traditional) news, along with social media is causing chaos, and I don’t think this prime minister’s strategies are forthcoming,” she told THE STAR. As of March 17, more than 1,500 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK. However, the number of cases has been estimated between 35,000 and 50,000. These numbers are a grave contrast to the Jamaican reality, where there are only 13 confirmed cases.

IKO Karate... clude having special ‘Kinder Karate’ classes that would focus on children between the ages of four and 12 years old; dedicated ‘Teen Karate’ classes that would cater for youths between the ages of 13 and 19; scheduled ‘Adult Karate’ classes for persons 20 years old and above; and specially arranged ‘Senior Karate’ training for mature persons who wish to become involved in, and benefit from, the fitness and self-defense advantages that participants derive from this combat sport.

Additionally, plans

Janet says she is surrounded by chaos and that only fuels her fear. She has been taking extreme measures to protect herself and her children.

Jamaican reality

“I have my two babies here with me, so no visitors in my house, and when I go outside, I have to cover their strollers with plastic. It’s very scary as London is a busy place,” the South London resident said.

Up until Monday, herd immunity was the strategy employed by Britain to fight the virus. This means that the government was prepared to see

FROM PAGE 46

have been put in place to provide special corporate karate training to persons in the private and public sectors, and the expatriate community; training to schools countrywide, both public and private, whereby instructors would visit and conduct training at the schools’ facilities, since Karate-Do is a part of the syllabus of the Physical Education subject of the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council [CSEC]; and the academy would also be providing special training to schools and NGOs, including youth

correctional facilities, orphanages etc.

Because Shihan Wong resides in Guyana, he intends to routinely visit all IKO Guyana Dojos and personally provide expert training to all karatekas, with the assistance of other skilled instructors attending each of the academies all year round, whilst Shihan Ellis shall be making consistent visits to the dojos in Guyana with the key objective being to sustain the high IKO standards throughout the entire local system.

vast numbers of the population affected by the infection until the country builds up a resistance to the disease.

Unlike the other major world players – Italy, France and Spain – the British government allowed people the freedom to travel as they pleased.

However, faced with major opposition to the strategy, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since encouraged citizens to avoid non-essential contact with others, work from home

if possible, and to self-isolate if they are elderly.

Whereas schools have been closed in Jamaica and many other countries around the world, that is not the case in the UK. Teachers are still expected to show up and teach.

“Many of us teachers here in London are very scared because the schools are still operating, and a school is also a social gathering,” Janet said.

She said that she has been following the Jamaican situa-

tion and has seen where tough measures have been imposed by the Jamaican Government.

She is already practising some of them.

“I am staying in for the most part. I’m definitely avoiding crowded areas, I’m going to the supermarket in the middle of the day when there are less people, washing my hands several times, and avoid touching my face. I am just following the WHO guidelines,” Janet said.

(Jamaica Star)

CWI offers to host England Test series in Caribbean

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ngland's home series against West Indies could be rescheduled until September or even played in the Caribbean due to the COVID-19 crisis.

At present the sides are scheduled to play three Tests in England with the first due to start at The Kia Oval on June 4. But with it now all but inevitable that the start of the English domestic season will be significantly delayed and a peak in COVID-19 cases in the UK anticipated in June, it seems highly unlikely the series will proceed as planned.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have held several discussions in recent days. The options under consideration include the possibility of rescheduling the series with September the most obvious time - or staging it in the Caribbean.

It is understood CWI have also offered to host England's three-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to start on July 30.

While there are COVID-19 cases in the Caribbean, the virus would appear, at

this stage, to have taken hold far more in the UK. There have, for example, been only two reported cases in each of Barbados and St Lucia and one in Antigua.

"I've spoken to Tom Harrison a couple of times in the last few days," Jonny Grave, CWI's CEO told ESPNcricinfo, "and assured him that we will be as flexible, supportive and helpful as possible.

"To that end, yes, we have offered to host the series here in the Caribbean if that is deemed helpful. The ECB would retain all commercial and broadcast rights.

"This is not about us trying to take advantage of the situation. It's about the cricket community working together at a difficult time for everyone and, one of the many great things about the Caribbean is, we can play cricket all year round. There has long been a special relationship between the cricket communities in the Caribbean and England and we wanted to make it clear we will do everything we can to help."

England are also scheduled to host Ireland for three ODIs in mid-September. It is pos-

sible, however, that two England squads - one Test and the other limited-overs - could be in action in different places at the same time.

West Indies also have other commitments later in the year. They are scheduled to host New Zealand (in three ODIs and three T20Is) between July 8 and July 19 before South Africa arrive (for two Tests and five T20Is) between July 23 and August 16.

Financially, the series against England is more valuable to CWI, however, so it remains possible those tours could also be rescheduled.

CWI are also understood to be considering the possibility of rescheduling the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to December if necessary. This would see it running for just three or four weeks - probably requiring the need for several double-headers over the Christmas and New Year period and put it in competition with Australia's Big Bash League. In a fast-moving situation, it seems all possibilities will be considered and it is far too early to confirm any details. (ESPNCricinfo)

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020| GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

CWI suspends cricket season amid confirmed COVID-19 cases in Region

Roach relishes sweet success in Guyana

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resh from dismantling five-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars with a match haul of 9-90 at the Guyana National Stadium Providence, West Indies Test seamer Kemar Roach was satisfied with his pink-ball performance.

In his exclusive interview with this publication, Roach noted that the win against Jaguars meant a lot.

“It feels good, it’s been a long season bouncing back from the defeat against Windwards, Pride really put their hands up and kept the team in the winner row,” Roach disclosed.

He rated this bowling performance in the eighth-round clash against Guyana as one of his better spells.

“This is definitely one of the best times I bowled in a while,

the ball came in hand pretty well and the rhythm was pretty well. It’s a good start for the year,” Roach posited.

Roach, who showed his high skill pitching the ball in the right areas for long periods, enjoyed bowling at Providence.

He noted that the pink ball was offering more than the red ball; “once you put the ball in the right area you will get yourself a chance of getting wickets.”

T h e 31-year-old, who played 56 Test

matches for the West Indies, was also proud of his fitness level. “I stood up pretty well, took some rest when I had to and it kept me going for the season,” Roach explained. Having played five games this season and has 30 wickets under his belt, the experienced Test seamer was filled with delight.

West Indies’ next series will be in England; if selected, Roach noted that he is prepared to rock the maroon colours.

“Once I put the maroon colours on, I always take it seriously, hopefully I can take this form into that England series, once selected and hopefully going forward, win some games for West Indies,” Roach highlighted.

After 116 first-class matches, Roach has 372 wickets with 15 five-wicket hauls. The premier Test seamer has 193 Test wickets in his 56 outings for the West Indies. (Brandon Corlette)

Cricketer Alex Hales confirms COVID-19 symptoms, yet to be tested

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lex Hales has confirmed he is self-isolating at home after developing symptoms of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) following his return from the Pakistan Super League.

The PSL's organisers confirmed on Tuesday morning that the competition's semi-finals and finals had been postponed indefinitely after a player had shown symptoms of the virus. PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said "we cannot reveal the identity of that player", but Ramiz Raja, who has been commentating on the tournament, told reporters: "Alex Hales has developed symptoms."

Raja's comments led to inaccurate speculation that Hales had tested positive for the virus, which he denied in a statement.

"In the light of the speculation and rumour that is currently circulating within t h e c r i c k e t world and on soc i a l media, I felt I needed to give a full explanation of my situation," Hales said.

"Like many other overseas players, I reluctantly left the Pakistan Super League early because, with COVID-19 reaching global pandemic status, I felt it was more important to be with my family rather than face a period of lockdown thousands of miles from home.

"I returned to the UK in the early hours of Saturday morning feeling per-

fectly fit and healthy and with absolutely no symptoms of the virus. However, I awoke early on Sunday morning having developed a fever and followed the g o v ernment's advice of self-isolation, a process I am obviously still following having developed a dry and persistent cough.

"At this stage, it has not been possible to be tested although I am hopeful that might be the case later today [Tuesday] so that I can get absolute confirmation of my current health status."

The Guardian reported that Hales spent Saturday socialising with Tom Curran after returning from Pakistan, but that Curran is not one of the six Surrey players confirmed by the club to be in self-isolation on Monday.

Hales had tweeted "Self-isolation begins… TV series to watch please?!" on Monday, but later deleted the post.

All the players and officials of the four teams to have qualified for the PSL semi-finals, as well as broadcasters and staff involved with the games, will be tested for the virus following the competition's postponement.

Salman Iqbal, the owner of Hales' franchise Karachi Kings, told ESPNcricinfo: "I have been asking for it to be postponed for the past two days, as we [PSL] was the only cricket going on. But, anyway, it's a very good decision by the franchise owners and the PCB management."

C

ricket West Indies (CWI), acting on the recommendation of its Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), has taken the decision to suspend all CWI Tournaments and faceto-face group meetings, from Monday March 16, for a minimum of 30 days, a release from CWI stated.

CWI Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Israel Dowlat said: “the health and safety of our players, officials and staff, are of paramount importance to CWI and we have advised the Board of Directors to take proactive policy steps to decrease the growing risk of contamination and spread of the virus”.

Chairman of the MAC, Dr Donovan Bennett, was quoted by CWI as saying: “We are

acting based on medical best practice as well as in an abundance of caution. The ongoing gathering of even small groups of spectators, cricketers and match officials could pose a risk to some persons of contracting the virus and being stranded in quarantine in a non-resident country for a prolonged period.

Clearly this pandemic is still evolving, and we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the Caribbean”.

The following CWI tournaments have been suspended: Final two rounds of the West indies Championship – 26th to 29th March and 2nd – 5th April The Women’s CMI Super 50 Cup, Guyana – 27th March to 12th April Regional Under 15s

Boys Championship, Antigua – 9th to 20th April Regional Under 19s Girls Championship, Trinidad – 6th to 12th April The following upcoming CWI meetings will be postponed, with all urgent CWI Board matters to be addressed via teleconference. More details and logistics will be forthcoming over the coming week.

CWI, Board of Directors’ meeting – scheduled for Antigua 17th & 18th April CWI Annual General Meeting – scheduled for Antigua 19th April CWI has also advised all Territorial Boards and Local Cricket Associations to follow the advice of their respective Ministries of Health.

Gold Cup Qualifying matches suspended – CONCACAF

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uyana’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Golden Jaguars, will have a lot more time to prepare for their race to the Gold Cup 2021 as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Friday announced that the CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualifying matches versus Barbados, scheduled for March 26 in Barbados and March 31 in Guyana, have been suspended as a result of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This move was taken as a result of the

Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) suspending and cancelling a number of their competitions and events for a 30-day period with effect from March 12.

In a correspondence to Member Associations dated March 12, CONCACAF informed that travel prohibitions in some countries have restricted the movement/ access of teams, and thus “alternative dates and options for Gold Cup Qualification” will be discussed and communicated at the soonest possible

time.

The other competitions and events that have been affected by CONCACAF’s precautionary decision are the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifiers, Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifying Round (March FIFA Window) CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, and the CONCACAF Congress.

While the aforementioned events have been suspended, the Presidents’ Meetings are cancelled.

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WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2020 | GUYANATIMESINTERNATIONAL.COM

IKO Karate Academy hosts 1st grading exercise

ith the grand launch of the International Karate Organization’s Karate Academy of Guyana taking place recently at the New Thriving Restaurant on Main Street, Georgetown, local karatekas have already begun to benefit from a much higher level of martial arts training in the country.

The branch of the IKO Karate Academy of Guyana that is located at Springlands, Corriverton, Upper Corentyne Berbice (Region 6), conducted in collaboration with the Radha Krishna Foundation and with more than 50 students who have been training for several months now, held its first grading examinations last Sunday. It was a very successful affair.

Speaking to the karatekas, who were clearly exhausted after a gruelling grading session, the Chief Instructor and Vice Chief Instructor warned the students that, with the IKO

Students of the Springlands Dojo with Shihan Jeffrey Wong, 7th Dan Black Belt, after the grading session last Sunday

Karate Academy, testing would not be a proverbial walk in the park, but students must first have gained the appropriate amount of continuous experience at their current rank, fulfill the certification requirements, and successfully complete the testing procedure before they are promoted.

There will be no undue haste to promote karatekas from one belt

rank to another; there would rarely be the skipping of belts; and kyu rank examinations would be conducted every six months, rather than the three months allowed by some other karate schools.

For the Dan-grading sessions, traditional time requirements would be enforced, like a sixth dan having to wait seven years at sixth dan before being

tested for seventh dan ranking.

The world karate governing body is the International KarateDo Organization that is headquartered in Miami, Florida. It is headed by American Eighth Dan Black Belt Shihan Adrian Ellis, a seven time United States National Champion, World Champion, Gold Medallist in the Goodwill Games, and an

inductee into the Hall of Fame; who has been involved in martial arts for over forty years, and has taken the decision to found a traditional Shotokan karate academy in Guyana to propagate the goals of Master Funakoshi, the father of modern karate.

Unlike many karate clubs and organizations which are currently operating locally with just one or two centrally lo-

cated dojos — a situation which often forces their students to travel long distances in order to train, much to their inconvenience — the International Karate Organization’s Karate Academy of Guyana has opted instead to take karate-do to the people, and shall be setting up multiple dojos in all ten regions of Guyana to make karate-do accessible to all Guyanese.

The dojo in Springlands is just one of several which would be established in Berbice in a relatively short span of time.

The IKO Karate Academy of Guyana has as its Chief Instructor and Chairman Seventh Degree Black Belt Shihan Jeffrey Wong, a respected and highly active Shotokan Karate practitioner and instructor for more than fifty years. He is ably assisted by Professor Aubrey Mendonca, the Vice Chief Instructor and Vice Chairman.

Together, their plans for the new academy inCONTINUED ON PAGE 44

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