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GUYANA

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TODAY IS D-DAY! No. 104007 MONDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2014

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Rousing sitting of National Assembly expected today

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At the Remembrance Day Parade…

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Majority Guyanese opposed to AFC’s no-confidence motion - NACTA poll Page

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President’s decision is constitutional – Minister Manickchand

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President Ramotar urges recommitment to development and well-being of our beloved country …as the nation remembers the gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars

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Dissolution of Parliament will jeopardise holding of LGE- HPS

President Donald Ramotar places his wreath at the base of the cenotaph.(Photo by Sonell Nelson)

President Ramotar History will be 3 9 must act in made today in accordance with constitutional duty National Assembly However the ‘chips may fall’…

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In face of no-confidence motion…

President’s options outlined Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Rousing sitting of National Assembly expected today MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) meet today in what is expected to be a rousing sitting of the National Assembly.

And while there are several critical pieces of Government business on the agenda, the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion, supported by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is likely to be pushed through by the combined Opposition.

BASIS OF CONTROVERSY The motion was filed with the Clerk of the National Assembly after the tabling of a $4.6B financial paper, which restored monies cut from the 2014 Budget.

The said financial paper, No. 1/2014, a Statement of Excess (Current and Capital Estimates), totalling $4.6M for the period ended 16th June, 2014 is included on the agenda of items to be considered.

The paper was the first in, of what was expected to be a series of papers, to be brought before Parliament in a move to restore important funds cut from the $220B budget for 2014.

Included in the $4.6B was the full return of $6.1B to the

Office of the President. The allocation, for current expenditures, included monies for the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN).

Also $450M was returned to the President’s Office for capital expenditures under the Administrative Services category.

A portion of the capital expenditures under the Ministry of Finance’s policy and administration was also returned and includes $424M for the Low Carbon Development programmes, $225M for the University of Guyana’s student loan funds and $67M for the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The Amerindian Development Fund, $303M, was also returned to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, as was $359.8M for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) project.

The move to table the financial paper in the National Assembly was based on a reliance on the Constitutional grounds and rulings of the Court to initiate an exercise to restore funds voted down by the combined Opposition in the National Assembly.

The hullaballoo over the financial paper has been ques-

tioned in several quarters, particularly since the tabling of the paper is nothing different from what was done in 2012 and 2013 – actions that were supported by both AFC and APNU. No less than President Donald Ramotar has defended the legality of the restorations.

In a prior interview, he said, “There is much distortion taking place in the media…all we do is Constitutional…it is totally within the Constitution.

Everything we do, we do within the Constitution…the Constitution has given us the right to take these matters to the National Assembly “…why are they (APNU and AFC) plugging this line of it being unconstitutional, when they themselves participated in the same process in 2012 and 2013? They did not see it as unconstitutional then. Why are they branding it unconstitutional now?”

ONE-LINE MOTION The no-confidence motion, brought in the name of AFC MP, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, reads, “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.” It was seconded by AFC Executive Member and Member of Parliament (MP) Mrs. Cathy Hughes.

As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution supported by no less than twothirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, (approve); and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”

The first inkling the public had that the AFC planned moving a no-confidence motion against the Government was back in mid-June, when party Vice-Chairman Mr. Moses Nagamootoo hinted at it.

He did so by way of an article published in the Stabroek News and headlined, “AFC considering no-confidence motion against Gov’t.” He, however, acknowledged that to do so would require the support of the Main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

The AFC’s position was strengthened on Tuesday, August 5, when APNU Leader Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger publicly confirmed that his party was fully behind the

no-confidence motion.

OTHER MATTERS The Education Bill 2014, Land Surveyors Bill 2014 and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014 are up for a second reading.

Among the Bills scheduled for a first reading are the: Food Safety Bill 2014 and the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) (Amendment) Bill 2014.

Some 19 oral questions, without notice, are on the agenda related to several issues, including: expenditure incurred by the Office of the President; advances made from the contingencies fund; the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry; the University of Guyana student loan fund; work permits issued to foreign nationals; land allocation to private home developers and the public-private turnkey initiative, among others.

Several reports are also expected to be laid in the House today, including the report of the Auditor General to the National Assembly on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the Accounts of Ministries, Departments and Regions for the fiscal year ended 31st December, 2013; the Mid-Year report on the economic performance of the country; the Annual Report of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for the year 2013; the Annual Report of the Guyana Lands and

Surveys Commission for the year 2013; the Annual Report of the Guyana Gold Board for the year 2012; the Annual Report of the Environmental Protection Agency for the year 2013; the Annual Reports of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for the years 2004 and 2006; the Annual Report of the Guyana Forestry Commission for the year 2013; and the Audited Financial Statements of the Environmental Protection Agency for the years ended 31st December, 2012 and 2013, among others.

In addition the seventh report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the Appointment of Members of the Women and Gender Equality Commission is to be laid in the House.

The appointment of members for the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC) and the Women and Gender Equality Commission is also on the agenda for consideration.

The House has not met since it came out of recess on October 10 and prior to going into its annual twomonth recess on August 10, there had been no sitting since July 10. However, as confirmed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, a sitting in November is not unusual, rather is common, if one were to look at the post-recess sittings in previous years.

Former News of the World editor jailed over phone hacking London, (EFE).- THE former editor of the defunct British tabloid News of the World, Ian Edmondson, was sentenced Friday by a British court to eight months in prison for his role in the phone hacking

scandal that put his former paper out of business.

Edmondson, 45, admitted to the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, also known as the ‘Old Bailey’ his part in the plot to hack phones, becoming the

eighth person from Rupert Murdoch’s now-defunct newspaper to be convicted.

A senior editorial executive at News of the World between 2005 and 2010, Edmondson admitted conspiring with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire to electronically eavesdrop on voicemail messages of sports stars, celebrities and politicians.

During a hearing session, Edmondson said he had lost his home, suffered from

depression and was now dependent on alcohol because of the case.

Edmondson had been present at the beginning of the trial, which saw his former boss Andy Coulson imprisoned for 18 months.

The former editor had been charged with commissioning Mulcaire to carry out 334 hacking incidents, the victims of which included musician Paul McCartney and actors Jude Law and Sienna Miller, as well as for-

mer culture secretary Tessa Jowell.

Edmondson not only hired Mulcaire to hack people’s phones, but also apparently shared private details, including cell phone PIN numbers, with colleagues.

“There was an aggressive news-gathering culture,” prosecutor Mark Bryant-Heron said. “The ends seemed to justify the means to get the story in an extremely competitive market,” he added.

Ian Edmondson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

President Ramotar must act in accordance with constitutional duty GOVERNMENT Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, over the weekend, came out in strong support of President Donald’s Ramotar exercise of his authority, relative to the happenings in the National Assembly.

Below is the full text of his statement: Last Tuesday, November 4, President Donald Ramotar addressed the nation. The President called on the political parties to work together to further the development of Guyana. He specifically called on the National Assembly to accelerate its work and complete long outstanding legislative matters which are critical to the development of Guyana. The President requested the immediate convening of Parliament and provided a list of legislative imperatives that must be pursued with diligence and completed in the interest of our people.

President Donald Ramotar reminded the leaders and the MPs from all political parties that he has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that the Parliament serves to promote development in Guyana and if in his judgment Parliament becomes obstructive, the constitution provides him with two options to remedy the problem: * The President might prorogue Parliament for a period of up to six months to allow the political parties time to work out a way forward or * The President could dissolve Parliament.

President Ramotar made it clear that he respects the

Opposition’s right to pursue a No-Confidence motion to satisfy their personal agenda, but he sees that there are vital pieces of legislation that must be completed as priorities in the interest of Guyana. He signalled his intention that unless the Opposition shows that they will cooperate to complete the outstanding legislative agenda, he will use the constitutional options that is part of his duty.

I am unequivocally in support of the President’s position regarding the Parliament of Guyana. It is his duty to intervene in the present political quagmire and stalemate that threaten to suffocate the development of Guyana. To sit by idly and do nothing would be an abdication of his sworn duty.

As a Member of Par-

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy nomic development under the PPP/C Government.

It is under these circumstances that I absolutely support the President in considering his constitutional authority to end the abuses of Parliamentary privileges and I urge that the President does not delay in using his authority. I am encouraged

“I am unequivocally in support of the President’s position regarding the Parliament of Guyana. It is his duty to intervene in the present political quagmire and stalemate that threaten to suffocate the development of Guyana. To sit by idly and do nothing would be an abdication of his sworn duty.” – Government MP, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy liament and as a citizen of Guyana, I am absolutely disappointed and frustrated by the abuses of parliamentary privileges by APNU and AFC and I am disgusted by the use of Parliament as a weapon to stagnate development as a political strategy to diminish social and eco-

that the President is willing to shoulder the difficult task of carrying out his duties to protect the interest of our people.

WILLING TO COMPROMISE The President was compromising to the Opposition

parties, calling for them to work with him for the good of our people and country.

In spite of his accommodating offer to the Opposition parties, the President made it clear that he would also fully utilise his constitutional rights, responsibilities and duty to protect our people and our country from arbitrary abuse of the Parliament. He assured the country that he would not allow any person, group or political party to deliberately suffocate the brave onward trajectory of development Guyana has experienced in the last 20 years and the longest period of consecutive economic growth in Guyana and in any CARICOM country.

There were two specific and overlapping actions that the President wanted for Guyana. First, the President wanted an early resumption of sittings of the National Assembly. The second is that the President wants the National Assembly to accelerate its work so as to complete a set of legislative actions that are critical for the sustainable development of our country.

Both of these are mature and responsible positions.

The Opposition has publicly stated before and after the President’s address that they intend to pursue a single agenda item in Parliament – a No-Confidence Motion.

This is their constitutional right. But the Opposition must understand that right is not unfettered and the President also has constitutional remedies to respond in an environment of non-cooper-

ation by the Opposition. That right emanates from the same constitution. The Opposition cannot on one hand argue that because it is a right conferred on them by the constitution that they are correct in their approach and then rebuke and challenge the President when he wants to use rights conferred on him by the same constitution.

In strong democracies, the constitution does not allow anyone to wield unfettered power. The Opposition is playing games with the lives of people by abusing constitutional rights. However, the constitution provides the President with options of his own to prevent anyone from derailing national democratic processes.

Compromise is necessary and the President is asking for compromises.

FAILED DISPENSATION There is absolute consensus that the political dispensation that the 2011 elections provided for Guyana has failed to enhance Guyana’s development and, to the contrary, the dispensation where the combined Opposition has one more parliamentary seat is a real barrier to social and economic development for ALL OUR PEOPLE. The new dispensation has not led to more collaboration between Government and the Opposition, but has encouraged the Opposition to adopt an arrogance that has enshrined a parliamentary dictatorship.

The Speaker of the National Assembly dismissed the President’s call for resump-

tion of Parliament within two weeks by saying the President overstepped his bounds. The President is the Head of Parliament which is made up of the President and the National Assembly. The President can prorogue, dissolve, convene meetings to address his matters, etc. When the President feels that the National Assembly is not functioning in the interest of the people he can give directions, as he sought to do in his address to the nation.

Should those directions be ignored, the constitution provides the President with follow-up remedial actions, such as the proroguing or dissolution of Parliament.

The President using his authority and performing his duty instructed that the Parliament set a date for resumption from the recess and gave directions to complete the legislative matters before the National Assembly. This was the President performing his duty as outlined in the constitution. The Prime Minister as House Leader is an officer under the President and the President was properly providing instructions.

The Speaker overstepped his bounds and his arrogance in seeking to restrict the President must not be allowed to stand.

The constitution confers on the President a duty to either prorogue or dissolve Parliament and prepare Guyana for elections when he feels that the country is not moving in the right

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Worst east Ukraine shelling for month as ceasefire looks in doubt (Reuters) - EAST Ukraine’s rebel stronghold Donetsk was pummeled on Sunday by the heaviest shelling in a month, and the OSCE said it spotted an armored column of troops without insignia in rebel territory that Kiev said proved Moscow had sent reinforcements.

A two-month-old ceasefire to end a war that has killed 4,000 people has appeared shakier than ever in the past few days, with both sides accusing the other of having violated the terms of the peace plan.

Reuters journalists inside Donetsk, who have been there throughout the fighting, said the shelling sounded more intense than at any time since early October, a period when a playground was struck killing at least 10 people. Sunday’s strikes appeared to come from territory held by both government and rebel forces.

Ukraine’s military said its standoff with the Russian-backed separatists in the

and without markings or number plates – each towing a 122mm howitzer and containing personnel in dark green uniforms without insignia,” the watchdog said in a statement.

Ukraine said it had no doubt the new troops were Russians.

“Although the OSCE did not specify to whom the equipment and soldiers belonged, the Ukrainian military has no doubt of their identity,” said military spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

“The past week was

Children stand at a giant trident, the national emblem of Ukraine, made of candles during a rally to show support for servicemen on the frontline in eastern Ukraine, at Independence Square in Kiev Russia of sending a column ates in East Ukraine with the blessing of all sides and is of 32 tanks and truckloads east had intensified in the widely seen as neutral. of troops into the country’s past week, which saw the Its statement that it spoteast to support the pro-Rusrebels swear in new leaders ted an unidentified armored sian rebels in recent days. after elections the governcolumn in rebel territory Moscow has long denied ment says violated the terms helps support Kiev’s posiits troops operate in east of the truce pact. tion that Moscow has been Ukraine, although many Ukraine has accused sending in reinforcements have died there. to protect separatist enclaves The Organisation for the Kremlin now refers to as Security and Cooperation “New Russia”. in Europe (OSCE), which In one 40-vehicle conincludes Russia and Ukraine voy, “19 were large trucks as well as the United States – Kamaz type, covered, and NATO countries, oper-

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characterised by an increase in the intensity of shelling and the transfer of additional force: ammunition, equipment and personnel, to terrorist groups,” Lysenko said.

Reuters reporters in rebel-held Donetsk said intense shelling by heavy artillery continued throughout the night and into the early hours, and then picked up again later on Sunday morning. The shelling could be heard in the center of the city, which had a pre-conflict population of more than 1 million.

Iran, U.S., EU nuclear talks in Oman seen going to second day (Reuters) – IRAN, the United States and European Union will hold an unscheduled second day of talks on Monday on disagreements blocking resolution of a dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program, a U.S. official and Iranian state media said.

With two weeks to a deadline for a comprehensive accord, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and EU envoy Catherine Ashton met in Oman’s capital Muscat on Sunday to address a decade-long confrontation that has raised the risk of a wider war in the Middle East.

Reiterating Iran’s official line, Ali Akbar Velayati, a top aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted by Iranian media as saying the Islamic Republic would not abandon its nuclear “rights” but was committed to the negotiations under Khamenei’s leadership.

Western countries and close U.S. ally Israel suspect Iran has covertly sought to develop the means to build nuclear weapons.

Iran denies any secret nuclear weapons agenda, saying it wants peaceful nuclear energy only, but has refused to curb enrichment capacity and has been hit by damaging U.S., EU and U.N. Security Council sanctions as a result.

The discussions aim to put verifiable limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment work - and any other potential path to a nuclear weapon - in return for a gradual lifting of sanctions.

The negotiations at a luxury hotel appeared to be intense. The Iranian, U.S. and European delegations met from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. local time, broke for lunch and consultations, and then resumed three-way talks just before 6 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Both U.S. and Iranian officials said the discussions would continue on Monday, past the time when some of the participants were due to have left.

“Talks will continue in the morning,” a U.S. official said.

“Talks between Kerry, Zarif and Ashton ... will continue on Monday, to narrow the gaps and reach a comprehensive deal by the Nov. 24 deadline,” the official IRNA news agency reported.

Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi gave reporters an upbeat assessment of the talks. “By the level of commitment all parties are showing, we feel comfortable,” he said. “There is no going back ... I feel that all parties are positively willing to reach an agreement.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Protests in Mexico after claims of Guerrero student deaths (BBC News) HUNDREDS of protesters in the Mexican state of Guerrero have attacked government buildings in the capital, Chilpancingo, burning cars.

They accused the government of involvement in the murder of 43 students in the town of Iguala in September.

The protest came after the attorney general said gang members had confessed to the killings.

He said the students were killed by the criminals acting on police orders.

Mexican Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said three alleged gang members had claimed the students were handed over to them by police.

They said some were already asphyxiated and they shot the others dead, before setting fire to all the bodies.

The suspects from the Guerreros Unidos drug gang were recently arrested in connection with the disappearances.

Mr Murillo warned that it

Demonstrators support the families of the missing students in the main square in Mexico City on Saturday would be difficult to identify the charred remains and that authorities would continue to consider the students as missing until DNA tests confirmed the identities.

Mr Murillo showed videotaped confessions by the suspects who said they had loaded the students into dumper trucks and taken them to a landfill site in Co-

cula, a city near Iguala.

About 15 of the students were already dead when they arrived and the rest were shot, according to the suspects.

Mr Murillo said the bodies were then burned with petrol, tyres, firewood and plastic in an inferno that lasted for 14 hours.

The case has shocked

Mexico. The protests on Saturday in Chilpancingo echoed weeks of protests across the country where demonstrators have insisted there is collusion between officials and organised crime, along with government inaction.

A phrase used by Mr Murillo to abruptly conclude his press conference on Friday has gone viral on social media.

He told journalists “Ya me canse”, meaning “Enough, I’m tired”.

The phrase became a hash tag on social networks and is being seen in graffiti, political cartoons and videos online.

Variations of the phrases were tweeted: “Enough, I’m tired of Murillo Karam,” or “If you are tired, why don’t you resign?”.

Other people used it to vent their frustrations, protesting “Enough, I’m tired of living in a narco-state” or “Enough, I’m tired of corrupt politicians”.

U.S. warns of continued progression of Chikungunya outbreak in the Caribbean ATLANTA, Nov 9, CMC – THE United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the chikungunya outbreak in Caribbean and Central and South American countries continues to spread with no sign of slowing down.

According to the CDC “the painful mosquito-borne disease will likely continue to infect travellers to the region during the rest of this year and beyond.”

The outbreak, which began last December, has caused an estimated 795,000 chikungunya cases in 37 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere as of the end of October, said CDC in its latest update.

It said more than 1,600 travellers returning to the United States with chikungunya have been reported, as of November 4.

Before this outbreak, CDC said an average of 28 travelers with chikungunya

fever returned to the United States each year.

CDC estimates that about 9 million people travel between the United States and Caribbean each year.

“During fall and winter, people in the United States might not be thinking about mosquitoes as a risk for diseases. So those who will be visiting the Caribbean or Central or South America should be aware of the risk of chikungunya in these areas this fall and winter and remember their insect

repellent and other tips for staying safe,” it said in a statement.

Dr. Roger S. Nasci, chief of CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch, said the beginning of fall means that mosquito problems in the continental United States will be decreasing.

“However, travelers to areas where the chikungunya outbreak continues are at risk of becoming infected,” he cautioned. “It is important that travellers understand these risks and take appropri-

ate actions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes,” The CDC said preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid chikungunya

and other mosquito-borne illnesses, adding that the mosquitoes that spread chikungunya bite mostly during the daytime.

CDC has advised travellers in high-risk groups to discuss their travel plans with their health care provider before leaving.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

EDITORIAL

President Ramotar should accept this challenge PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar’s first speech in his Chief Executive’s office offered to the joint Opposition and all stakeholders the opportunity for a collective voice on nation-building, but he also warned that he would not allow his Government to be blackmailed into diverting from the chart the PPP/C had drawn for a developmental p a r a d i g m g e a re d t o a sustained upward trajectory. However, his hopes have largely been in vain because, instead of being supported in nation-building endeavours, the President and his Government have had to contend with the sourgrapes nitpicking, griping, misrepresentation of facts peddled to a seemingly gullible public, foreign interference that seeks to once again destabilise and displace a progressive Government, mayhem and destructive protest actions on largely imagined and trumped-up grievances, et al, by the joint Opposition and the perennial doomsayers and naysayers in the land.

The conjoined triplets PNC/APNU/AFC have now reached the ultimate in irresponsibility – calling for a no-confidence vote in Parliament against the Government, triggered mainly by ex-

PPP envious and bilesoaked members, Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo; and fully endorsed by a sanctimonious Granger, who former President Jagdeo unapologetically said “… has the blood of Guyanese citizens on his hands.”

One has to look at the track record of the entire leadership of the joint Opposition, who are offering themselves to lead an alternative Government in this land; then one can recall their performance during the corruption debates a while ago; so the Government should accept this challenge and demolish them in Parliament as they did on national television.

While they ran away from the corruption debates on television, the PNC cannot run away from the House; and it is time that the AFC is exposed for the world to see that miniscule party’s reality.

The PPP/C has never been bested in a parliamentary debate – and the veterans, such as Teixeira and others; as well as the young lions and lionesses could devour them and spit them out like minced carilla.

Moses Nagamootoo is calling the President a coward running from the unholy trio: Well, the President should send his warriors into the fray, fully confident of a victory, as always.

Cheddi Jagan never ran; it is not time for the PPP to start doing so.

Yes, the nation’s business has to take precedence over every consideration; but these stumbling blocks would always impede progress in the nation, so it is time to demolish them once and for all.

Why national television and not Parliament for a public debate on corruption? Because that is mainly the charges the Opposition is levelling against the Government in its new vehicle for subversion – their no-confidence motion; and the Government should accept this challenge, because Parliament is the appropriate forum to set the record straight once and for all.

This time there should be no holds barred in the exposes of the reality of the unpatriotic, anti-developmental and destructive aspiring presidents and their hangers-on, who are using every ploy to find relevance in the socio-political demographics of the country, even if they have to destroy the peace, inhibit the progress, and impede the pathways to prosperity of the nation; and this is the perfect opportunity for the beleaguered Government officials, who have had to implement developmental initiatives under constant and severe attack from a disgruntled Opposition and their support base, especially in the media, the NGOs – ostensibly working for social change while clandestinely furthering their own politi-

GUYANA

cal agendas; and certain sections of the diplomatic community representing countries that once joined with the PNC to plunge this country into purgatory once before, and are seemingly prepared to do so once again, because everyone knows that a defeat of the PPP/C at the polls would send only the PNC in Government – with Granger as President, and Guyanese should take heed of the revelations emerging from the Rodney Commission of Inquiry, during the administration of the PNC, where Granger played a major role. They did not spare even their own “kith and kin.”

The President should take cognisance of the fact that clearing the names of his embattled ministers and other Government functionaries is the people’s business and it is moot as to what should take precedence, because a debate on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion is not to provide satisfaction to grandstanding, disgruntled, envious Opposition members, but to let the nation know the truth about the people purporting to represent them, but who are instead, conversely, wasting the people’s money, time – and worse, opportunities for advancement while they continue to beat drums of war in the nation.

Whether the President prorogues Parliament, or the Opposition wins with their one-seat majority, the end result will be ear-

ly elections, according to Nagamootoo, so President Ramotar should let Parliament proceed with its no-confidence debates and, in local parlance, made famous by Guyana’s Attorney-General, “wha come sah do.”

Let the chips fall where they may. What will be will be. Che sera sera.

In whatever way it is described, let the future take its course, but the Government should not allow this opportunity to best the Opposition at its own game – which it will. The debates would certainly bring the truth of many issues to light, especially about tax evaders, frauds, rapists, paedophiles, and criminals who commit murders, cover up murders, subvert justice, bribe jury foremen, hide evidence in murder cases, plant drugs on innocent people (God knows how many persons are rotting in jail on charges trumped up by a certain notorious duo), among others. Let the public judge the reality of those persons who aspire to govern them, as against who are currently providing them with ev er-increasing opportunities for upward-mobility – advancement in every area of national endeavour.

But the PPP/C needs to beware of GECOM, the diplomatic community, and the destructive forces; because mischief seems to be afoot when the joint Opposition is pushing for early elec-

tions – and they seem confident of victory, with Granger openly declaring that he does not need to do much electioneering.

PPP/C should not forget that GECOM allowed 19 ballot boxes from a PPP stronghold to be discounted and that GECOM employees ejected PPP officials from polling stations; and when PPP/C called for a recount of the votes the British High Commissioner joined with the PNC in the streets as they promised mayhem if this was allowed. They also should not forget Brent Hardt and other U.S.A. diplomats who worked hand in glove with the Opposition to destabilise the Government and empower the Opposition.

They should not forget that members of the security services stood idly by and allowed PPP/C officials and supporters to be openly attacked by thugs during election rallies in 2011, and on election day itself. They should also be wary, because proxy votes could be, and have been manipulated; and the PNC is expert at rigging – even of their own internal elections.

N o t t h ro u g h p ro roguing of Parliament as a Presidential option, but through the no-confidence motion at the Opposition’s intractable coercion, should the nation’s business come to a halt. Let the people see, once and for all the nature of the Opposition beast.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Kudos to the Guyana Government and the Ministry of Education OVER the last few weeks, I’m constantly reminded of the relevance of a once famous calypso by the legendary Lord Canary, “De people will talk.”

Fortunately, most of the people I’ve heard have nothing but praise and gratitude for the $10,000 per child ‘Because We Care’ grant they received from the PPP/C Administration through the Ministry of Education. Only a few misguided fools that choose to see this programme as a gimmick to boost the PPP/C popularity as Guyana edges closer to new elections have had the courage to shamelessly add their names to the few letters and articles of criticisms published in the local press.

From the time this brilliant initiative was made public by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and long before the AFC signalled its intention to table a vote of no-confidence against the PPP/C Administration, I followed the process very closely. It was clear to me that the Ministry of Education had meticulously planned and implemented a strategy to withstand the

most rigorous form of scrutiny that they knew would come from the Joint Opposition in Parliament. Every conceivable precaution was taken by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand to avoid criticisms and to promote full transparency.

Consultations were held with parents and guardians in 55 locations throughout the country, to inform them of this much-needed initiative by the Government, and to hear from them specifically: 1. How they wish to receive this money: In the form of a voucher that they can cash?

Or a voucher similar to the Uniform Vouchers that can only be exchanged for school supplies, and 2. Where do they wish to en-cash their vouchers, at a bank; the post office; MoneyGram, Mobile Money, or Western Union?

Because of the enormous risk and concern for the safety of everyone, taking large sums of money to all the distribution points was ruled out as an option. Except for those remote areas in the hinterland, parents, for one reason or another, voted overwhelmingly to use Western Union to en-cash

the GOG $10,000 Education Vouchers. This process adopted by the Ministry is in keeping with the demands of APNU Member of Parliamentarian, Amna Ally, who urged Minister Manickchand earlier this year, to have consultations first with the recipients, and to expedite the payout of the $10,000 given to each child in the public education system.

As Minister Manickchand said repeatedly, the disbursement of the grant could not have commenced before the first week of October, to allow the registration of thousands of new nursery students that would have been disenfranchised had the money been paid out earlier.

To those who unfairly criticised the distribution of the funds, I observed that the distribution process was largely marked by order, civility and efficiency, and it was the long waiting lines at Western Union outlets that gave the impression of disorder. Let’s be fair here, how can anyone justifiably blame the Ministry of Education for these lines at the Western Union outlets when it was on

the advice of those very parents that Western Union was selected. In addition, parents knew that they have until the 30th of November to encash their vouchers, but most made the deliberate choice to wait in long lines to get their money. I have not seen anyone blaming the parents for being impatient, yet they jump at the opportunity to blame the Ministry for the “chaos.”

I read Lurlene Nestor’s lengthy missive recently with some amusement, as she called the “Because We Care” initiative “a big political gimmick.” This PNC sycophant appeared more concerned with the promotion of this programme as it demonstrates yet another commitment to education by a caring Government that she opposes. Not once did she had the courage to admit that mothers throughout Guyana, especially single parents, and perhaps even members of her own family, have benefited from this money she referred to as “hand-outs.”

The PPP/C Administration did not discriminate either.

Parents that voted for PNC/ APNU and those who voted

for AFC received the same amount as those who support the PPP/C. In her letter, Nestor wrote, “How can this Government even attempt to fool people into believing that their, the people’s own, taxpaying dollars are nothing but gifts from this insipid regime?

People should be reminded that the money they receive or will be receiving is their own.”

Surely Nestor would know that Guyanese have been paying taxes during the reign of the PNC too, and they were never given “hand-outs” from their own tax dollars. As I recall, many Guyanese migrated to other countries during the dark years of the PNC rule, leaving behind the homes they lived in to rot. They could not sell their homes because it was Forbes Burnham’s and his ruling PNC policy that Guyanese leaving Guyana would take nothing with them but for a measly 100 Guyana dollars (US$50 then). Those were the days when, if you had a roll of toilet paper in your home, you hid it and only bring it out

when you have house guests.

Although she was part of the cabal, Lurlene Nestor may have forgotten, or choose not to remember, those days. Because, like so many others, Guyanese now take the development that is evident throughout all regions of Guyana for granted.

The $10,000 per child that parents received was possible because the Guyana economy can now afford it. Former Finance Minister and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo started the recovery, and the challenge to continue the reform was surpassed by the brilliance of our Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, who along with Jagdeo, deserve all the credit for transforming the Guyana economy from a bankrupt state under the PNC (now calling themselves APNU), to what it is today.

As the economy continues to grow, I feel sure that Guyanese of every race, religion or political affiliation can look forward to bigger “hand-outs” from a Government that truly cares!

Harry Gill

AFC’s pillorying of Government ceaseless and senseless VIEWS expressed by Moses Nagamootoo, newspaperman now lawyer, member of the Alliance For Change, Presidential hopeful, formed the basis and the headline “AFC warns of move to govern without Parliament” (Stabroek News, Nov 7, 2014).

Nagamootoo expects that the President, rather than have his Government face the AFC’s “no-confidence motion” in the National Assembly, will, by proclamation, prorogue the Parliament. The remit of this, claims Nagamootoo, would be “an extra-Parliamentary dictatorship”. Continuing to

elaborate, Nagamootoo is reported as saying that were the President to prorogue the Parliament, that would amount to “an underhand method” of dealing with the “no-confidence motion”.

Nagamootoo reportedly observed that for the President to prorogue the Parliament is for him “to meander, to duck, to hide and to avoid the motion.”

So I was troubled that the Head of State would, as Nagamootoo observed, be involved in underhand action to prorogue the Parliament. I asked a UG law student, who told me that Nagamootoo needs a refresher course in

Constitutional law. I was told by this law student that our Constitution clearly provides that our President may, at any time, prorogue Parliament.

I researched my newspaper clippings and I’ve noted that Nagamootoo, in the past, has said that our Constitution is the supreme law of our country. I would like therefore to be corrected if I’m wrong, but if by law the President may, at any time, prorogue Parliament and as Nagamootoo has observed, that if the President opts to prorogue the Parliament the result would be an “extra-Parliamentary dictatorship,” then it must mean that

such a situation is constitutionally permissible and that this flowing naturally from Nagamootoo’s reasoning is what the framers of the Constitution intended. This is the effect of Nagamootoo’s utterances. The law student told me that if the President issues a proclamation to prorogue Parliament, the President would be constitutionally entitled to so do, and his proclamation would be perfectly lawful.

By doing so, is the President avoiding the AFC no-confidence motion? The President himself gave the answer. His Excellency said if the combined Opposition

is going to use their one seat majority in continued opposition to his party’s majority in the National Assembly he will either prorogue or dissolve Parliament. The President laid his cards on the table.

If the President were to prorogue the Parliament, it would be a mark of his politically astuteness. It would occur to a discerning public that the PPP, with a proud history dedicated to working class political struggle, would not be recorded for posterity by defeat on a no-confidence motion. It is just simply a matter of practical politics.

I thought it a little more

than exaggerated, but more hypocritical, that the present configuration in the National Assembly, Nagamootoo is reported to have said that if he was the President he would confront the no-confidence motion head on. In other words, Nagamootoo suggested that President Ramotar should put his neck on the block and invite the AFC/APNU executive to chop it off.

Nagamootoo doesn’t come over as bright as I thought, but then I notice he carries four naughts (0000) in his name.

Romaine DeAbreau

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Guyana featured and Kaieteur News is a weapon promoted in World of destruction and distortion Travel Market catalog

‘GUYANA South America Undiscovered’ was featured and promoted in the official World Travel Market (WTM) catalog, which is distributed to thousands of exhibitors in 150 countries participating at the World Travel Market.

“The WTM is the Bible for travel and tourism, and everyone uses it for appointments, networking, and reference,” GTA Director Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh explained.

The who’s who in travel

and tourism is listed in the official catalog, he elaborated.

Guyana’s new destination brand logo and tagline will now reach the world.

Mr. Haralsingh, in collaboration with the Guyana High Commission, will also be launching the new Guyana brand to a select audience, including prominent Guyanese, tour operators, media, CTO, Commonwealth members, travel writers, etc on Friday at 18:00 hrs.

This will further boost

the new Guyana brand as more awareness is sought for ‘Destination Guyana’. More than 100 persons are expected to be at this launching.

Additionally, the director will do a PowerPoint presentation on investment opportunities in tourism, with the hope of attracting potential investors to Guyana.

The Guyanese delegation presented the destination to the world at the World Travel Market which ran from November 3 to 6 in London.

Trio charged with robbing B/ce Cambio dealer remanded to Nov 3 DARREN Bentick, 22, of Albouystown, Georgetown; Nigel Quely, 21, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara; and David Alder, 22, of Zorg-en-Hoop, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice appeared before Fort Wellington Magistrate, Rhondel Weaver on Thursday, charged jointly with robbery-under-arms.

They were denied bail and were remanded to prison until November 24.

Police Corporal Orin Joseph, prosecuting, said that on Monday, November 3, the trio allegedly robbed Cambio

dealer, Herralall [only name] of foreign and local currencies totalling $1,962,550.00, at Cotton Tree Village, WCB. At about 13:35hrs, the 61-year-old Herralall was motoring through his home village when the defendants, who were in a White Toyota Allion motor car registered as PSS 5406, stopped the businessman whilst flashing a Guyana Police Force badge, as they pretended to be policemen.

Following a search on the person and car of the unsuspecting money changer, the stolen sum was removed

from under the driver’s seat of the vehicle before the bandits escaped.

Herralall reported the matter to the police and a road block was set up at Fort Wellington Public Road, where the suspects were nabbed. A search was carried out on the vehicle, and the cash, a Guyana Police Force Badge, one black toque with eye opening, one metal handcuff and one multicoloured bag were unearthed along with the cash.

The items and the motor car have since been lodged at that station.

IN my previous letter to the press, I wrote about the professional ethics involved and the use of sensational journalism by Glenn Lall and his ‘naked and shameless weapon’ that he calls a newspaper.

By the way the Kaieteur has never published any of my letters since its publisher feels that my letters are pro-governmental in nature and will be counter-productive to his agenda to aid and abet the Opposition in their quest to destabilise the PPP/C Government and get into power.

It should now be clear to all and sundry that the Kaieteur News has stooped to gutter level in order to achieve its agenda. Mr. Gildharie’s admission that he himself did the recording of the private conversation between himself and the Honourable Attorney General has proven this beyond any reasonable doubt. However, in my opinion I do believe that this admission was done in order to avoid the more serious offence of wire-tapping as outlined in the Communications Act 2008. Albeit so, I would like to see the reaction of all those persons who have been agitating so vigorously for the resignation of the AG with regard to this disgraceful act by a senior reporter, who has not only tarnished and stigmatised the journalist profession, but has transcended the bounds of human decency and International journal-

ism ethics and protocol by publishing a conversation which was supposed to be private and confidential in nature. We are not supposed to use technology to tape private conversations with our friends and publish them in the press or the social media. If so, then every person will be morbidly fearful to even answer a phone call in the future!

The Opposition letter writers seem to miss the point when they refer to the use of technology to record calls in their effort to excuse such an unprofessional act.

The pertinent question now should be: Was this reporter acting in his professional capacity at the time of the conversation? Was this an interview of which the AG has knowledge?

Why would anyone record a private conversation from the beginning to the end unless the intention was to elicit a certain response, and publish it if it is ‘fruitful’ to Glenn Lall’s cause? I want to ask the public, if they have the habit of recording the conversations they are having with their friends?

They would do that only if they have a sinister motive!

In this case, the reporter and Glenn Lall did.

At this point, I wish to submit once again that at no time in that private conversation was there an element of threat or knowledge of any plan of an impending attack on the Kaieteur News or its owner. Furthermore, the willful deletion of many parts of Gildharie’s input

would suggest that the AG was led and prompted by Gildharie to respond in the manner in which he did. It was an artful deception to delete Gildharie’s input in that conversation. We cannot make a full assessment of that conversation unless we hear clearly what Gildharie was saying. This is just listening to one side of the story, and we know the many sides a story can have.

Therefore, it strains one’s intelligence to comprehend how some people can arrive at conclusive statements with regard to this infamous tape and can call for the resignation of the AG. But the intention is clear. The Honourable Mr. Nandlall is among the most brilliant minds in the PPP/C Government and he has competently and on points of law defended the Government’s position on numerous occasions when the AFC and APNU have tried to twist the laws to their benefit. He has been the proverbial thorn in their posterior, so they now are seeking an opportunity to get rid of him; but the AG has the support of the masses and they will fail again.

They have tried with the Honourable Minister Rohee and have failed as well. Their ‘no-confidence’ antics will fail also! The ‘holier than thou’ cuss birds in the AFC will have a rude awakening soon!

Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor/Region 6

Police Corporal charged with embezzlement of pound fees WOMAN Police Corporal, Vanessa Byass of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice was charged with embezzlement by a public officer, contrary to Section 191 of the Criminal Law Offences Act, Chapter 8:01.

Particulars of the charge are that between January 12 and 13, 2014, the 41-yearold police corporal, who was then stationed at Fort Wellington Police Station,

West Coast Berbice, embezzled $37,500, pound fees for animals impounded.

Berbice Commander, Brian Joseph said the corporal was on duty on January 12 when several animals were impounded. The cattle owners subsequently visited the station and paid the appropriate fines for the release of their animals, but the record books did not record any such payment, and as a result an investigation

was launched.

Consequent to advice received from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Corporal Vanessa Byass was charged. She appeared before Weldaad Magistrate, Rhodwell Weaver and was not required to plead to the charge, but was ordered to post $50,000 as surety.

The matter is fixed for hearing on Tuesday, November 11.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

However the ‘chips may fall’…

History will be made today in National Assembly a debate on their No-Confidence Motion, I resolve to respond immediately by exercising my constitutional options to either prorogue or dissolve Parliament, paving the way for holding of General Elections.”

President Donald Ramotar

THE National Assembly sits today, one of the most anticipated sittings of the 10th Parliament, and regardless of ‘how the chips fall’ history will be made today.

In different quarters there have been talks about the likely passage of the unprecedented Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion against the current Administration; the view from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that “Armageddon” could be on the horizon; and the President’s options to either prorogue Parliament or move to dissolve the proceedings, paving the way for fresh general elections; as well as calls from the Guyanese populace for maturity among the nation’s leaders.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to garner the views of several major stakeholders on their expectations for today’s sitting.

OPTIONS OUTLINED President Donald Ramotar, last Tuesday, in announcing today as the date for the sitting of the National Assembly, made it clear that there are urgent matters to be addressed in the interest of the people of Guyana.

He said, “I disclose these, my intentions, on the assumption that the post-recess sittings of the National Assembly would proceed uninterruptedly, deliberating on the urgent matters…in the interest of the people of Guyana.

“I also wish to declare that were this not to be so, and I am provided with reasons to believe that the Parliamentary Opposition intends to disrupt Government’s business by forcing

APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger, added his views on the matter yesterday morning while at the Remembrance Day Wreath Laying proceedings at the Cenotaph in Georgetown.

He said, “We can’t engage with a gun at our heads.

This National Assembly is a forum for national debate. It’s the voice of the people. I can’t see how he

of a protest action planned for today outside Public Buildings at noon.

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, leader of the AFC, declined to give a comment on the matter. However, his party, on its Facebook page, also made a public appeal for Guyanese to join a protest action outside Public Buildings, expected to commence at noon.

“Leave your offices early, leave your homes and wherever you are to come out to support the AFC… let us join the call for fresh elections in 2015. We cannot allow the PPP to continue with this destruction,” the AFC’s Facebook post said.

It added that, “Monday, November 10 at 14:00 hrs is a historical day in our country. For the first time a NoConfidence Motion will be read against a Government.”

PLACE OF COMPROMISE Meanwhile, House Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman was unavailable for comment. However, in a

Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger

can expect us to prorogue the Parliament and expect us to have any discussions under duress. The place for discussions is in the National Assembly. If he shuts it down, then he shuts down dialogue.”

Joseph Harmon

PROTEST ACTION Meanwhile, the main Opposition party has also been actively rallying the support of the Guyanese public to come out in support

Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan

local publication, circulated over the weekend, he stated that Parliament ought to be a place of compromise.

Trotman said, “The Parliament of Guyana cannot continue in its traditional role of just having a Government and Opposition.

The results of the last election and the socio-economic make-up of our country demand a different form of governance.

“How can we do this?

The last round of constitutional reform created the mechanism that we have since failed to firmly grip.

Though we stalled, it is not too late. Article 13 of the reformed constitution succinctly sets out the form

of governance we should pursue: ‘The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their

Raphael Trotman

organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that affect their well-being.’ “…We have become mired in blame-throwing and the practice and perpetuation of zero-sum politics. It is a cliché to state, yet still worthy of repetition, that Guyana can never be developed by one man or woman, one ethnic group, or one political party. We have to venture into a more entrenched and delineated form of inclusive governance…. We have to re-organise our Parliament; not just for now, but for all time.”

CONFRONTATION LIKELY Former House speaker, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, on his weekly online blog, ‘The Conversation Tree,’ contends that a “confrontation” today is inevitable.

He said, “A confrontation is likely to be inevitable on Monday, since the Opposition appears to have agreed that the no-confidence motion will be given priority.

Their majority would enable them to suspend the Standing Orders for this purpose or to determine when the National Assembly should meet. The President, presumably, will announce his decision of whether to prorogue or dissolve. “…President Ramotar said in his address to the na-

tion last week that if the Opposition persists with the noconfidence motion, he will ‘prorogue or dissolve’ the National Assembly. These are two completely different options.”

He also highlighted that the Opposition has failed to highlight and promote in the past three years this most critical issue facing Guyana today, which is the need for a political solution.

“It (the Opposition) did not use the opportunity during this period to highlight and maintain at the forefront of political discourse that a place at the executive table is a pre-requisite for stable governance by consensus. They went along with the minority status quo, more concerned about the allegation that all they are interested in is political power and maybe for other political considerations and calculations,” Ramkarran said.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT Whatever the outcome of today’s sitting, Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr.

Ralph Ramkarran

Anil Nandlall, stated that the options referred to by the Head of State, to dissolve or prorogue Parliament, are his constitutional rights.

Nandlall said, “The Opposition has decided to flex their political muscles by stating publicly that they will move a no-confidence motion against the Government. If they proceed along that route, they would be acting in accordance with the Constitution and would be exercising their constitutional right and powers.

If the President dissolves or prorogue Parliament, then he will also be exercising a

constitutional power and a right which the Constitution resides with him.

“Why is it right and dem-

Anil Nandlall

ocratic for the Opposition to exercise their constitutional right and powers but if the President is to exercise his, it is wrong and undemocratic?

Only one set of people in this country has rights?”

Attorney-at-Law and General-Secretary for APNU, Mr. Joseph Harmon, on the other hand holds a different view.

He told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that it is clear that APNU intends to move ahead with its support of the no-confidence motion, and the party expects the President to do as he indicated, either to dissolve or prorogue Parliament.

As it relates to the latter, Harmon said, “It is his right yes, but whether it is a legal right, is another matter. You may have a constitutional right, but it does not mean that right is legal, because it has not been tested…in the present circumstances in Guyana, the right does not exist, even though it is constitutionally provided for. If tested in a court of law you may find that is not a legal exercise of authority.”

The House has not met since it came out of recess on October 10 and prior to going into its annual twomonth recess on August 10, there had been no sitting since July 10. However, as confirmed by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, a sitting in November is not unusual - rather it is common if one were to look at the post-recess sittings in previous years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

President Ramotar must act in ...

From Page 3 direction or that the Opposition is acting in a manner inimical to the interest and welfare of the people and the country. In making his case that either the Opposition collaborate in a compromising environment and move the legislative agenda or that as President he accedes to his duty of proroguing or dissolving Parliament, the President was demonstrating a responsible and mature position.

In fact, should the President show an unwillingness to exercise his constitutional duty in the face of an Opposition which acts every time against the interest of the people, his non-action would constitute a dereliction of duty and an abrogation of his responsibility!

DYSFUNCTIONAL 10TH PARLIAMENT The truth is the 10th Parliament has been dysfunctional and reminds all of us of the dictatorial abuse of the National Assembly by the PNC between 1968 and 1992 (the 1st to the 5th Parliament).

Since the 6th Parliament beginning in 1992, after the

October 5th 1992 General Elections, the PPP/C has led a parliamentary reform process that has transformed the National Assembly into a meaningful institution that drives the social and economic development and that underlines a strong participatory democracy in our country.

The 10th Parliament has recklessly dismantled the many reforms the PPP/C led National Assembly effected between 1992 and 2011.

From the inception of the 10th Parliament in December 2011, APNU and AFC have combined their forces to reverse the many rules and practices that made Guyana’s Parliament a model for participatory democracy.

The list of abuses by APNU and AFC show how they have meticulously use a one-seat advantage through their combined forces to create a dysfunctional parliament, one that serves as a barrier, rather than as a catalyst for development: * APNU and AFC conspired to take both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker position, although tradition as practiced in most democracies and up to 2011 in Guyana is that the Speaker and Deputy

Speaker comes from both sides of the National Assembly. In the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Parliament, the PPP/C enjoyed a significant majority in Parliament, but the Deputy Speaker came from the PNC. * The Opposition attempted to change the composition of the Management Committee which had equal representation for the Government and the Opposition sides with the Speaker as the Chair. The Opposition wanted to change the composition so that they would have 6 members and the Government 4, with the Speaker as Chair. This would have given them a 7 to 4 advantage. * They changed the numbers and the compositional make-up of Special Select Committees and took the Chair position for all Special Select Committees and Standing Committees, except for a few that they did not want to take for strategic reasons. * They changed the composition of the Standing Sector Committees * The Opposition often change the dates set for Parliament by the Government * Non-Attendance and boycotting Special Select Committees has been used to delay the passage of bills

* The reckless suspension of the Standing Orders has led to a Parliament that seems to function without direction * Arbitrary cutting of budget estimates that has resulted in almost $90B cut from the 2012, 2013 and 2014 budgets. These cuts hurt ordinary Guyanese citizens in order for people to turn against the Government.

For what purpose would the Opposition cut the budgets for Cunhia Canal, the Amerindian Development Fund, Amerindian Land Demarcation Programme, One Laptop Per Family, Rural Electrification Program, Solar Panel for Amerindian Families, the Specialty Hospital, the Amaila Hydroelectric Project etc.? * The Opposition blocked support for the Amaila Hydroelectricity Project driving away the investors. How could this serve Guyana, when we all accept that investment in Guyana is vital and that cheaper electricity is an imperative for accelerated development? * The use of their oneseat majority to deny petition rights of citizens and groups.

During the 6 to the 9th Parliament, the Parliament received and presented peti-

tions from various persons and groups, many of which were critical of the Government. But the Government did not prevent the petition from moving forward, as they were constitutional rights conferred on our people. In the 10th Parliament, APNU and AFC have combined to stop petitions from citizens and groups because APNU and AFC did not like the contents of the petition.

The Parliament was used to shamelessly deny freedom of speech to citizens. * APNU and AFC have used the Parliament to promulgate bills and resolutions that clearly were unconstitutional and they knew that they were acting in contravention of the constitution. The Speaker has aided and abetted this abuse of Parliament. * They have prevented the passage of critical legislations just to spite the Government.

The non-passage of the Anti-money laundering bill by having the bill languished in the Special Select Committee placed Guyana under threat for international blacklisting. But they have blocked other bills such as the Firearm Amendment Bill which sought to prevent illegal entry

of firearms and ammunition into Guyana and the Hydroelectricity Bill.

These are just a few examples of how dysfunctional the 10th Parliament has become. I could list pages of other examples to show the absolute abuse of Parliament and how APNU and AFC with the aid of the Speaker have sought to reverse the participatory democracy the PPP/C built in the 6th to the 9th Parliament.

It would be an abrogation of his duty should the President refuse to act to remedy the assault on Parliamentary Democracy.

In a calm, mature and compromising way, the President sought to have all stakeholders to play their part for a way forward. He appealed that stakeholders should cooperate and compromise, short of which he would be forced to use his constitutional authority to perform his duty. President Donald Ramotar urged that he not be forced to resort to his constitutional obligation to either prorogue or dissolve Parliament to end the impasse that presently stands as a barrier to development.

Majority Guyanese opposed to AFC’s no-confidence motion - NACTA poll - says PPP/C likely to return with parliamentary majority THE majority of the Guyanese populace is opposed to the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion and if there is a move to early general elections, the Donald Ramotar Administration could return to Parliament with a majority, according to a North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) poll conducted last month.

Asked if they approve of the Opposition’s noconfidence motion to bring down the Government and hold new general elections, 57 per cent of the respondents said “no” with 26 per cent approving of it and 17 per cent not offering a response.

VIEW ON ELECTION RESULTS According to the results of the poll, released over the weekend, a majority is in support of President Donald Ramotar being allowed to complete his term, noting too that a move to

general elections may not result in a significantly different composition in the National Assembly, which sees the combined Opposition with the one-seat majority.

It added that a huge majority of the voters feel the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) will win re-election, but they are divided over whether the PPP will win with a majority or with a simple plurality and or whether it will lose any seat.

“Voters feel that Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/ People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) will run second in new elections and the AFC third, losing several of its seats and thereby enhancing the PPP’s chance of winning a majority.

Additionally, the poll noted that nearly a third of the voters feel the PPP/C will regain its majority support, which it lost to the AFC in 2011, with a third saying it will garner only a plurality, while a fifth of the respondents contend that the PNCR will win a plurality because

of the division in the traditional PPP base.

Less than one per cent said the AFC will win a plurality with many expressing the feeling that the AFC will pull enough votes from the PPP traditional base to enable the APNU/PNCR to win a plurality and retake power like it did in December 1964.

SNAP ELECTIONS OUTCOME Asked if they think the results of new elections will be significantly different from the 2011 outcome, 52 per cent said “no” with 37 per cent saying “yes” and 11 per cent saying “not sure”.

Asked what they think will be the outcome of snap elections, 30 per cent said the PPP/C will regain its majority with an additional 34 per cent saying the PPP/C will win but with a plurality. Some 21 per cent feel the PNCR will win a plurality and an additional 2 per cent said PNCR will win a majority, with less than one per cent saying the AFC will win the elections. The remaining 12 per

cent expressed no opinion or are uncertain about the outcome.

OTHER ISSUES The findings of the poll also revealed that the African and mixed voter-group are upset with APNU leader, Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger for allowing himself to be “manipulated” and led by his junior AFC partners, rather than take an independent leadership position for his party on several issues, particularly on the no-confidence motion.

Analogously, Indian and Amerindian voters are upset with the AFC for teaming up with the APNU/PNCR, and they plan to register this upset, for what they describe as an “unholy alliance”, at the next election.

Simultaneously, many Indians have expressed anger with the PPP/C for “neglecting them” and attending to the interests of the PNCR supporters, but they are more upset with the AFC than with the PPP/C, saying the AFC has misled them over policy positions it took that

are against theirs and the national interest.

The survey also polled voters to obtain the approval and favorability ratings of President Donald Ramotar and Granger, popular support for the parties in the event of a general election, as well as support for aspiring Presidential candidates of the AFC. CRITICAL ISSUES The poll also showed that voters are overwhelmingly of the view that the three parties should focus on critical issues, such as money laundering, crime, job creation, development, suicide, Chikungunya and other health-related matters, among other issues.

The poll randomly interviewed 610 voters to yield a demographically representative sample – 44 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 16 per cent Mixed, nine per cent Amerindians, and one per cent other races of the population.

The poll was conducted in face-to-face interviews and was coordinated by Dr.

Vishnu Bisram, pollster, newspaper columnist, and educator in New York, United States. The data of the poll was analyzed at a 95 per cent significance level, yielding a statistical sampling error of plus or minus four per cent.

NACTA has no affiliation with any political party and has been involved in several community activities in America, Guyana and other countries. NACTA has been conducting independent polls in Guyana since the 1992 elections. It also has been conducting polls throughout the Caribbean with Messrs Bisram and Ramracha conducting surveys in Guyana and internationally for 25 years. They have extensive experience in writing and conducting research surveys and analyzing politics with direct experience in political affairs having themselves been elected to various executive positions in student government in New York over several years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

In face of no-confidence motion…

President’s options outlined Bibi Shaddick

GUYANA’S Head of State President, Donald Ramotar has three options regarding the no-confidence motion listed on the Order Paper of the National Assembly for today when it reconvenes after recess. This was

explained by Member of Parliament of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Bibi Shaddick during a ‘Political Scope’ programme aired on the National Communications Network on Saturday.

Shaddick explained that the first option was to allow the motion to be tabled and voted on and move to elections within three months.

The second option would be to prorogue the Parliament.

This, Shaddick explained, would allow a period of time during which discussions could be held to determine the way forward. The third option would be to dissolve Parliament which would see the country heading for elec-

Robeson Benn

Dharamkumar Seeraj

tions three months later.

The PPP/C MP stated that indicating his intention to do this during his last address to the nation clearly shows political maturity on the part of the President. She added that in proposing the motion,

the Alliance For Change party has not demonstrated this maturity.

Referring to their constant alliance with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and their attempts to dictate to the Executive,

Shaddick indicated this was an attempt to rule the country through the National Assembly.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, who was also on the programme, pointed to the issue of the political Opposition seeking to obtain power at all costs. He noted that this move was undertaken without regard for the people of Guyana.

The Minister pointed to the cuts to the National Budgets and the contriving of crises to create instability in Guyana. He added that these were attempts to reverse the course of the country.

Minister Benn noted too, that this would affect the economy which has showed

consistent growth over the past eight years and which has changed Guyana tremendously. He however urged that calm should prevail, even as the way forward is being sought.

PPP/C MP, Dharamkumar Seeraj, the third guest on Political Scope, reminded that the PPP/C gained 32 seats, APNU 26 seats and the AFC seven seats.

He echoed the sentiment that the attempt to run the country from this forum has continually proven unsuccessful. Seeraj pointed to the continued success of the economy as proof enough that the combined Opposition has failed in this venture.

Judge admonishes new women lawyers not to talk people’s business – in admission ceremony at Berbice High Court

AT their admission to the Guyana Bar, Justice Bovell Drakes warned new entrants Alicia Robertson and Fiona Hamilton to beware of touts who would want a fee for finding them clients.

Quoting from the utterance of the now late Peter Britton SC, the judge warned the Berbicians not to speak to clients on the road, “but direct them to your chambers, and do not discuss client business with anyone.

“And if you like to talk in your sleep, be certain that you do not talk the people’s business,” he warned, even as the special invitees erupted in laughter within the packed courtroom of the Berbice High Court on Wednesday.

Their former Principal, Ms. Jacqueline Benn, was present at the proceedings.

The female lawyers, both former students of the New

Amsterdam Multilateral School, were cautioned to be aware of clients who go “lawyer shopping.”

“My advice to you is to solicit a consultation fee, as they won’t leave with your knowledge without awarding you.”

The judge also advised the new lawyers to “show respect for the persons who are in charge of the court, whether it is the magistrate, judge or the commissioner.”

“Some lawyers believe that they have the capacity to handle the bench,” Justice Bovel Drakes noted.

He said he finds it difficult when some lawyers opt to sit in the public gallery, rather than in the place designated for attorneys.

“You have earned the right to sit at the inner part of the court, which is reserved for lawyers. Sit there,” he advised.

“In addition, your oath says, you must not be persuaded by lucre, but there are many lawyers who worship money. You may also find a client who also worships money…. You have to be careful. You are the person in charge of your practice, not your client. If they (clients) can control you, you are not the lawyer, you are their servant,” he admonished.

“Adopt a practice of recording everything your client tells you…. You should attend court to see what is happening. You have to see how a witness is cross-examined, how issues are put to the witness,” he admonished.

“I recall Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, who you will never know now. He had an art in cross-examining the witness. He would subtlety befriend his witness before extracting the intended information, even before the

witness realises it…. Cross examination is an art, and you have to learn it. It’s not about shouting…” he declared.

Concluding, the judge advised the Hugh Wooding Law School graduates not to think they have reached the highest point of their careers.

“You have just begun your march, you were exposed to some elements of the law… the law has many elements.

Your clients will come with different elements. You have to do a lot of research, as this law is developing and you are here to make a contribution to that development.”

Attorney-at-law, Mr. Tejnarine Ramroop, presenting the petition of Alicia Roxanne Robertson, said the twenty-six-year-old resident of Lot 68 Lichfield Village, West Coast Berbice had attended the Seafield and Lichfield Primary Schools and, on writing the Secondary School Entrance Examination, had secured a place at the New Amsterdam Secondary School (Multilateral).

At that learning institution, Robertson secured nine passes at the Caribbean Examinations Council CSEC examinations and seven units at the Caribbean Examinations Council Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The latter resulted in her being awarded the best graduating CAPE student for the year 2005.

She subsequently taught for two years at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School,

and was also a part-time tutor at the Berbice Branch of the University of Guyana’s Distance and Continuing Education during the same period, before she entered the University of Guyana and attained the Bachelor of Laws Degree. The petitioner then travelled to Trinidad, where, at the Hugh Wooding Law School, she completed the prescribed course of study and training for the Legal Education Certificate, and was thus awarded on September 5, 2014.

During her acceptance speech, Ms. Robertson said becoming an attorney-at-law had been her aspiration since she was eight years old, because she was intrigued by the peculiar attire and dress of the profession.

However, at eighteen, she realised it was much more than what reaches the eyes.

She has promised to strive to not just be a competent attorney but an exceptional one, exemplifying the highest level of skill, to improve the law and legal profession and to exemplify the legal professional’s ideals of public service.

Attorney-at-law, Adrian Anamayah, presenting the petition of Fiona Ruth Ann Hamilton, said the 24-yearold petitioner of Angoy’s Avenue, on the eastern fringe of New Amsterdam, secured nine subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate and seven subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations. She was adjudged

the best graduating student in Caribbean History, and Food and Nutrition Unit 1 (CAPE).

Apart from striving for academic excellence, Ms. Hamilton excelled in extra-curricular activities, resulting in her being named Female Sports Personality at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School.

Apart from her Bachelor of law degree and the Certificate of Legal Education, Ms. Hamilton was awarded a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Negotiation and Mediation Skills Training from the Hugh Wooding Law School, Anamayah said.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Hamilton promised to employ her energies to preserve the noble and esteemed tradition of the profession, while zealously seeking every available remedy for the cause of her clients.

She also promised to so conduct herself and the practice of her profession before the courts, to further the administration of justice, and maintain the honour and dignity of the profession.

The new attorneys have both expressed profound gratitude to their respective parents -- Ernestine Blair and Charles Robertson, and Lindon and Donna Hamilton -- and their respective churches, namely the St. Jude’s Anglican family of West Berbice and the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, for their assistance and spiritual upliftment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Startling revelations by Hamilton Green

...denies involvement in the deaths of Shirley Field-Ridley, Vincent Teekah

Hamilton Green

Vincent Teekah

By Oscar Ramjeet

ministerial positions. He is currently the Mayor of Georgetown.

Green, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday November 8, is now in Texas for medical attention to his eyes.

In an exclusive interview with me, Green said that he was the leader of a small group which included former Political Adviser to President, Burnham, Elvin Mc David, who worked on President Burnham for years to agree to a national front government, and he had eventually agreed just weeks before his demise,

IF Forbes Burnham did not die unexpectedly on August 6, 1985 the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would have merged or at least have a national front government in order to work in the interest of the Guyanese community.

This was one of the startling revelations made to me by former PNC strongman Hamilton Green, who served as Prime Minister, General Secretary of the PNC and held many

but unfortunately he passed before it became a reality. This, Green said, was the biggest setback of his lengthy political career.

The controversial politician also disclosed that both Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, the architects of British Guiana/Guyana politics, were not racial as some critics feel, but their ideologies were a bit different since Jagan was a more leftist and Burnham was a socialist and was a strong supporter of the Non- Aligned Movement. In support of his contention, Hammie said that when the PPP and PNC split in 1955 several prominent Indos went to Burnham including Dr. Latchmansingh, Jai Narayan Singh and Neville Bissember while Afros like Sydney King (now Eusi Kwayana), Ashton Chase, Brindley Benn, “Cocoa” Wilson and many others remained with Jagan.

He also said that Janet Jagan “was the fly in the ointment” in the merger because she “shot down” many suggestions agreed to between Burnham and Jagan in the 1960s and 1970s.

Shirley Field-Ridley

Green said that Janet never trusted Forbes. She said he was too smart and wondered if he had supernatural power and one time questioned him (Green) if he (Burnham) carried “compelling” seed in his pocket.

In response to questions about the deaths of Vincent Teekah and his wife, Shirley Field-Ridley, the one time powerful politician said that there is absolutely no truth about the false allegations about his involvement. He said he was/is prepared to do a lie detector test in this regard.

He put it this way to me... he said in those days if “a

rat bit a cat” the critics would say it was Hamilton Green - the man who was dubbed as the “axe” man in the Burnham administration. He said that the false allegations were part of the PPP propaganda smear campaign.

He said that he heard of Teekah’s death as well as Walter Rodney’s demise just like any other Guyanese. He said his wife Shirley suddenly became ill while at home with her mother. He said he was with Desmond Hoyte at the time and said that allegations of his involvement were wicked and politically motivated.

T h e f o r m e r p o l i t i cal stalwart, who was in politics for more than six decades in his interview touched on numerous controversial topics and the problems he encountered.

He also raised several issues about the PPP/C administration.

It might be surprising to many that Green is a kind and generous person. He assisted Shivnarine Chanderpaul in his early days. A

party supporter of his from the East Coast of Demerara told Hammie that there was a lad in the village who could bat all day and he should be encouraged.

Hammie brought the youth bat, pads, gloves, etc.

The lad a few years later in the person of Shivnarine Chanderpaul played for Guyana under 19 and later made the national side and moved up to test cricket where he excelled, Hammie said that Shiv was/is always grateful to him and calls him on a regular basis.

He added that he has been following Chanderpaul’s performance and said that he is the only reliable and dependable batsman in the West Indies squad and was disappointed why he is not being selected for the ODIs. It should be noted also that Hamilton Green as Mayor renamed New Garden Street the ‘Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive.’

(More on the Mayor’s interview in subsequent articles. There are quite a few important disclosures to come.)

Scouts mark 105th Anniversary, mourn passing of long-serving member AS scouts from across the country gathered to celebrate the 105th Anniversary of the Scout Association of Guyana (SAG), this year’s observance was dedicated to its long-serving member, Assistant District Commissioner - Cub Scouts, Marcia Jennifer

Dey, who died on Saturday.

SAG President and Chief Scout Ramsay Ali said the passing of Dey was a major loss to the association and to scouting across Guyana. He noted that her hands-on approach and dedication to the scout movement contributed significantly to its growth

and development.

Reflecting on her passing SAG’s Chief Commissioner, Zaida Joaquin, said Dey was not only a scout, but a sister, friend and mother. Dey, she said, was very active in the movement, and led contingents to a number of Caribbean Cuboree events.

The late Ms. Marcia Jennifer Dey receiving, in 2013, an award for exemplary service to SAG from Chief Scout Ramsay Ali

Dey had been a member of the association for well over a decade.

More than 350 scouts across the country participated in this year’s anniversary observance. Fourteen groups with scouts ranging from seven to 19 years old camped out at SAG Head-

quarters on Woolford Avenue. They participated in a rally through the streets of Georgetown on Saturday, then competed with each other in a series of games.

The association also held its annual ‘BBQ and Lime’, in which members of the

public took full advantage of the tasty treats while being entertained by the games.

This year, the association will be honouring long-serving members and those who have made sterling contributions to the growth and development of scouting in Guyana.

Scouts march through the streets of Georgetown in observance of the 105th Anniversary of SAG

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Gladstone turns 103

Gladstone Mack, elegantly seated, wears the 103 birthday crown

GLADSTONE Augustus Mack of Lot 11, ‘A’ Field Sophia, Georgetown turned 103 two Saturdays ago; and from all indications, is set to continue his innings with the aim of scoring another century!

And whereas a lot of men are reluctant to make their age known on scoring the proverbial ‘three-scoreand-ten,’ it is with pride, joy, and an amazing depth of gratitude to God that Mack is making it known that he had attained the enviable age of ‘five-scoresand-three’.

“Today I am 103 years old, and would not want to hide it under a bushel, but I’ll let it shine. I’ll shout it out and let the world know that it is God who has brought me thus far, and has blessed me with health and long life!” the centenarian declared.

“Brother Mack,” as he is familiarly called, was born on October 31, 1911 at Aurora on the Essequibo Coast, but now resides at Sophia, Greater Georgetown with his daughter Violet Crawford and her family.

Having lost his mother

at the tender age of two, and his father at age 14, he eventually migrated to Georgetown; but, as the proverbial saying goes, ‘his navel string was left’ at Aroura, and so, many years later, he gravitated back to that village, where he met and married a wonderful damsel named Viola Fortune.

Their wedded bliss lasted for 66 years, until her demise in 2010.

However, that union, having begun with nine children, gave rise to quite a pedigree: 35 grands, 70plus great-grands and three great-great-grandchildren, all of whom Brother Mack is eminently proud.

Having been brought up in a strong Christian family, even after his parents had died, Mack continued to live those virtues. While yet in Aurora, he served as a Church Steward at the Aurora Methodist Church.

And so, even after his eventual return to Georgetown to take up permanent residence after 2010, his guiding principle in life continued to be that he should maintain a

close relationship with God, and influence those around him to do likewise.

And to this end he has accomplished great success, for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to live in the fear and love of the Lord.

Mack also has a son, Caesar Mack, who is a Church of God pastor in Essequibo.

In celebration of Gladstone’s 103rd birth anniversary, the extended family held a grand birthday Thanksgiving Service in his honour last Saturday.

Scores of relatives, friends and brethren gathered under a huge tent colourfully decorated in the yard at his daughter Violet Crawford’s residence -- Lot 11, ‘A’ Field Sophia -- for a memorable occasion of rapturous outpouring of praise and thanksgiving.

The sermon was delivered by none other than his son, Pastor Caesar Mack, and Gladstone was the proud guest of honour. Decked in a crown of scintillating colours on his head, Gladstone proudly occupied a special chair at the table, beaming throughout the proceedings.

Until today, Brother Mack has a very good memory. His sight is good, and

he eats just about anything edible, provided it is good for his health, as his daughter Violet insists. Generally, he is in good health except for pains he now experiences in the knees, which have rendered him immobile.

And so, on his special day, the family, friends and brethren wished Mr. Gladstone Mack, a Happy Birthday, and they thanked God for his life. They are grateful for his wisdom, strength and support, and for his continuous and unconditional love.

They contend that he is the perfect example of what a dad should be: devoted, loving, caring and dependable.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

President’s decision is constitutional – Minister Manickchand

Priya Manickchand

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar’s decision to exercise his constitutional power if Parliament cannot deal with matters that are of outmost importance to the nation is leading the way to a mature, developed and considered view of what is good for the people of Guyana. This view was expressed by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand who is hopeful that this same kind of maturity will prevail in Parliament on Monday.

The Opposition believes that the statement made by the President in a recent address to the nation of his options if the Opposition proceeds with its no confidence was “cowardly” and the PPP is weak and fearful.

Speaking on a television programme on Televi-

sion Guyana (TVG), along with PPP/C Members of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir and Odinga Lumumba, on Saturday, Minister Manickchand expressed disappointment with some members of the Opposition.

Speaking on the no-confidence motion against the Government, she said, “We have to find a mature way around this ….let us say we go back to an election tomorrow, and the people of Guyana said, you know what, you all haven’t learned your lesson, go back and learn how to work and govern together in the interest of this nation, are we going to call an election next year or the following year?”

She said that no country can sustain growth and development if every year there is an election.

Minister Manickchand added that the hours ahead of Monday (today) will provide an incredible amount of time to let sense prevail, get back to the more mature statesman/ woman like behaviour that should be seen amongst leaders.

Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, said that the time for talking is over and he is supporting the Alliance For Change’s no-confidence motion

which appears on today’s O r d e r P a p e r. M i n i s t e r Manickchand said that the Government is satisfied that it had explored all its options, and if those don’t work, Government is ready to do what it has to.

“People understand why we are here, we have been meeting and talking with them and so we are not afraid. The easier thing to do would be to say, forget all of this, let’s head

Manzoor Nadir

into an election, but that might not be the most responsible, prudent, developmentally oriented thing to do, it might not be what is best for Guyana,” she reiterated.

Guyana has had various different configurations. In the 9th Parliament, more than nine pieces of laws were passed unanimously.

She said that when the Government went into the 10th Parliament in 2011,

it understood the circumstances were going to be different, given that it has never experienced a minority in Parliament.

However, she said that Government was optimistic that the two sides could have worked together, and put the interest of the people at heart.

“When Guyanese went to the poll in 2011, they said this is what they wanted… I don’t think they expected this kind of infantile behaviour, I think they expected of us to find a way to work together to make their lives better,” Minister Manickchand pointed out.

She mentioned Guyana’s first comprehensive education bill which was tabled in Parliament, and which will allow parents the right to see what is going on in the class room, direct the way forward with regard to private and public education, and define the rights of children, parents and teachers. This, she said, is in jeopardy and Government will be failing if it doesn’t find a way forward.

“There is so much scope to work together if we could get rid of this egotistical grab for power.

I believe that the entire Parliament has this incredible mix of experienced men and women,” Minister Manickchand further noted.

Lumumba, who expressed similar sentiments, said that the Opposition has misinterpreted the term “one seat majority.”

He used America as an example and how the Republicans have been working with President Obama and the country continues to function, but in Guyana’s case, it is chaos.

“Once the Opposition does not agree with something, they block it, and that’s not the role of the Opposition, their role is to point out defects in legislation and how it is ad-

Odinga Lumumba

ministered…how can you say a Government can’t manage a country when the Government has a record of creating so many roads, buildings, schools and health centres, coming from the bottom in the Caribbean in education to the top at CXC. We had to be doing something right!”

Lumumba stated.

He said that the Opposition’s behaviour is deliberate political recklessness and a thirst for power. Lumumba said that the PPP has never been weak as it has a history of combating dictatorship under the PNC Government.

“We are not taking

the democratic right from anyone, the President had made it very clear, he intends to have an election in an orderly manner… he is demonstrating his constructive authority that was created by the PNC under Burnham...we did not make this Constitution that (David) Granger never objected to. I would not be with this Government if they chose to oppress people in this country and deny them the right to apply or to work with a democratic system,” Lumumba reiterated.

Meanwhile, Nadir said that the 10th Parliament has been severely tested, and to get on with the issue of national development, cohesion has been a challenging task dealing with a very stubborn Opposition.

There is some amount of dissatisfaction amongst the people, he said. The Opposition has never said anything good that the Government has done.

“Certainly we have enough time to bring back political stability; we should look at the PPP/C’s record, despite the challenges, we have always put the interest of the people first.”

The eight years of consecutive growth the country has had - the amount of wealth that has accumulated, which has put the Government in a position to invest directly into the lives of the people - is testimony that the PPP/C Administration has been moving Guyana forward, he stated. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Don’t forsake the Caribbean …CARICOM SG urges UG graduates

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds conferring the President’s medal on Valedictorian, Joel Joseph

University of Guyana graduates at its 48th Convocation at the Turkeyen Campus

THE graduating class of 2014 at the University of Guyana has been urged not to forsake the Caribbean Region by CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque.

Delivering the feature address at Saturday’s 48th convocation at the University’s Turkeyen Campus, the Region’s top ambassador con-

gratulated them and said that the constraints facing those who graduate from tertiary institutions are well known.

One thousand, six hundred and five students graduated from the faculties of Agriculture, Forestry, Education and Humanities, Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Technology, and

the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Under the Faculty of Health Sciences, the first batch of students graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in Optometry and Medical rehabilitation.

They have now joined the less than 15% of the Region’s citizens who possess a university education, the CARICOM

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Head of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Persaud; and Mexican Ambassador, Francisco Olguin at the 48th convocation of the University of Guyana

head said.

Addressing the graduates, he said they should follow the mission of their Alma Mata, “To discover, generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and of all mankind, within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical enquiry.”

He expressed the hope that the community that the graduates choose to serve is within the Caribbean. He spoke of the advances of the global economy and urged them to apply for the CARICOM skills certificate to serve in any of the 12 countries that are part of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). With some 40,000 such certificates already issued, he expressed the hope that by next year, potential graduates would be able to apply online for same. “This is a good example of what our community, your community is doing. Providing opportunity for skilled citizens to advance their own careers and

pursue their personal goals, while, at the same time, contributing to the development of our Region.”

The newly qualified students were reminded to read

University of Guyana Valedictorian Joel Joseph addressing fellow graduates

constantly and voraciously, in what was described as the “book of life and the book of other people” and not just the books on the library shelves.

Giving the Valedictorian address was winner of the President’s Medal, Joel

Joseph. After thanking his parents, better half and lecturers, he recounted some of his experiences at the University that had the crowd applauding heartily. He quoted the inventor and painter Michelangelo, who said, “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” Noting that Guyana loses around 80% of its UG graduates to other nations, the Linden resident said that corporate Guyana, Government and students have to work together to solve this problem. He called for what he described as various incentives and “other sweeteners” to persuade skilled persons to remain to serve and develop their country.

Graduates also need to adopt a more patriotic and nationalistic approach to serving their country. He added that it is dereliction of duty for all stakeholders not to accept collective responsibility for Guyana’s developmental trajectory.

(GINA)

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

At the Remembra

President Ramotar urges recom well-being of our beloved coun

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips p

Ex-soldiers help wheel fellow disabled former ranks at the Remembrance Day Parade HUNDREDS yesterday assembled at the Cenotaph, outside the Bank of Guyana, to witness the Armistice Day ceremony, and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the two World Wars (19141918 and 1933-1945) so that others left behind might live in peace.

Leading up to the 08:00hrs start of the ceremony, there was much fanfare as several contingents from the military and paramili-

tary, smartly attired in ceremonial uniform, and led by the Police marched along the Avenue of the Republic with a sense of pride of purpose.

The band performed with distinction, regaling attendees and spectators alike, many of whom were children.

Taking up their positions on the tarmac and around the cenotaph, the ranks awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, followed by His Ex-

cellency, President Donald Ramotar.

President Ramotar was met, on arrival, by the Prime Minister, Chief of Staff, and Commissioner of Police who accorded him the presidential salute.

At 07:59 hrs the last post was sounded, followed by two minutes of silence in memory of those men and women who died during World Wars I & II, at the end of which were prayers offered by representatives

CARICOM Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque

of the Christian, Muslim and Hindu religions.

The silence was then broken with the symbolic sounding of cannon, making way for the literally hair-raising sounds of the Reveille which painfully relived the memories of the horrific war periods.

As the programme unfolded, there came the much anticipated item on the programme: the laying of wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph.

Throughout this activity, the

Police band softly rendered appropriate hymns.

His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar was the first to lay his wreath, followed by Prime minister Samuel Hinds; Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips; Commissioner of Police (Ag), Seelal Persaud; the Opposition Leader, Brigadier (Retd)David Granger; and Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase Greene.

The laying of wreaths continued with Members

of the Diplomatic Corps, followed by Heads of other international and regional organisations.

At the conclusion of the wreath laying, President Ramotar read a statement in which he emphasised that mankind is forever indebted to those who made the supreme sacrifice for peace and freedom. “On this Sunday of Remembrance, we meet again to remember all those gallant men and women who gave

The Canadian High Commissioner Nichola Giles

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

ance Day Parade…

mmitment to development and …as the nation remembers the gallant men ntry and women who gave their lives in two world wars

places his wreath

their lives in two world wars.

We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” the President said.

The President also recalled with gratitude those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and pros-

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds places his wreath

perity for all peoples.

“On this solemn occasion we, the citizens of the Republic of Guyana, rededicate ourselves to the search for peace everywhere and renew our commitment to the development and well-being of our beloved country,” the President declared.

Also in attendance was a

visiting contingent of marine soldiers from French Guiana, under the command of Colonel Ducrot Laurent.

On leaving the Cenotaph, the presidential entourage proceeded north along Avenue of the Republic where the presidential salute was taken outside of

State House.

The ceremony at the Cenotaph was followed by a Remembrance Day reception at Coghlan House, Guyana Legion, Carifesta Avenue, beginning at 10:30hrs. The feature address there was delivered

by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

Visiting French marine soldiers. IMG Military and paramilitary ranks on parade at the Cenotaph

Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger places his wreath

Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase Greene places a wreath

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Dissolution of Parliament will jeopardise holding of LGE- HPS – calls for saner heads to prevail HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that the Opposition’s argument that the President’s call for a restoration of parliamentary normalcy is cowardly is patently idiotic and disingenuous.

Speaking on a television programme on TVG 28, the HPS said that while pro-

rogation is temporary, the No-Confidence Motion is permanent and involuntarily removes and denies all possibility of any kind of democratic representation of the people in Parliament, simply because there will be no Parliament.

He said that the Opposition is sadly mistaken if they see prorogation and a willingness to work in the

10th Parliament as a weakness. This he said shows foresight and is a clear demonstration of the PPP/C Administration saying that it is unafraid of putting its political future and its 60-plus years of political acumen at the service of the Guyanese people.

“This is saying that as long as options exist to find solutions, we will ex-

ploit them…the outstanding issues that we have to address do not warrant the perfunctory treatment of a no confidence motion… for politicians, the door is never closed until it is closed,” he said.

He said that the Opposition’s willingness to abandon parliamentary normalcy instead of wanting to work with the Government

Dr. Roger Luncheon

to address issues such as Anti-Money Laundering, Telecommunications and Education Bills, all of which tremendously impact on the lives of Guyanese citizens, really calls into question their motives.

He expressed the hope that within the next 48 hours, caution will be cultivated and saner heads will prevail as political Parties put national interest ahead of partisan agenda.

The Cabinet Secretary admitted that though a minority Government is a novelty in Guyana, some progress has been made in the 10th Parliament and a resort to the polls will essentially forego all that has been achieved so far.

“This is not the time; there are issues which we have to take to finality.

This 10th Parliament that ends in 2016 is the forum where these matters have to be pronounced on definitively…politics is the art of making the impossible possible… positions that we have heard pronounced on in the public and elsewhere can all be subjected to varying degrees of subsequent compromise,” the HPS emphasised.

He recognised that while the ideal for the President and for many right-thinking Guyanese is for the 10th Parliament to reconvene post-recess and finding common grounds to advance the parliamentary agenda, there are those who are ready to pull the plug, discard any possibility of compromise, leaving important things hanging in the balance.

“How do we know that in the 11th Parliament we are not going to be faced with a similar situation?

The notion that we can banish our issues to the 11th parliament is untenable…

I am insisting that we have not exhausted all that can

possibly be brought to play on the resolution of what continues to divide us in Parliament. We are not going to solve that by walking away,” Dr. Luncheon maintained.

Nevertheless, if this cannot be done, then the President has options that are embedded in the Constitution; he could choose to prorogue the Parliament.

Prorogation says to the Parliament and the people of Guyana that the body politic can rise to the occasion, confront its issues and arrive at workable solutions.

The HPS said that what the No-Confidence Motion has provoked in the National Assembly and the country is a certain amount of polarisation.

He explained that political Parties have to face each other and make the kind of compromises that will allow for solutions to be arrived at and this cannot be done through a No-Confidence Motion, but rather it calls for time.

“During the time of prorogation, I see a heightened attempt at making the kinds of compromises that characterise the political class, and that is the hallmark of politics and political activities. This cannot be done on Monday; it hasn’t been achieved since the President took over in November 2011. Prorogation offers additional time for the deliberation and conclusion of issues through engagement of the representatives of the people…election is about political polarisation and extremism,” Dr. Luncheon reiterated.

Prorogation is a presidential discretion that allows for dialogue. It cannot exceed a period of six months. If it is successful, then the President will make another proclamation to reconvene Parliament.

However, if the objectives are not met, then the President’s second constitutional option of dissolving Parliament would come into play.

Importantly, the dissolution of Parliament will jeopardise the holding of local government elections in the second quarter of next year as was announced by the President.

D r. L u n c h e o n c a u tioned that, “if we are confronted with general election and local government elections in an overlapping time frame, the one that stands down will not be general elections.”

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Family of eight homeless after Ogle fire – sparking electrical wire caught fire FIRE ripped through a dwelling house at Water Street, Ogle, East Coast Demerara, yesterday morning, displacing a family of eight.

According to eyewit-

ness, Abekie Dublin she was standing on her verandah next door when she noticed the fire and raised an alarm shortly after 09.00hrs.

She told this publication that the fire started at the

Distraught Evelyn Rupchand (Cullen Bess-Nelson photos)

upper flat rear window of the wood and concrete two-storey house after the electrical wire began sparking and then caught alight.

Dublin said within minutes the electrical wire which

was attached to the house from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility pole was ignited and it fell to the ground and consumed the edifice.

She noted that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) showed up within minutes of the distress call and began dousing the flames and

Home owner Roy Rupchand

contained it to that building.

The house was owned

by Roy Rupchand, who occupied the top flat with his wife, Evelyn Rupchand and a grandson while the lower flat was occupied by Rupchand’s son, his wife and three children.

Roy Rupchand and his wife Rookmin were

at Mandir (Hindu temple) when the fire started and consumed the house but were alerted to the blaze by neighbours, who summoned the GFS. The displaced family was too distraught to speak to this publication yesterday and were staying with relatives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

I am a survivor and I am proud to be a survivor

The ‘Jane Doe’ story that needs your attention

WHEN 52-year-old Jane Doe first felt a lump, although she was advised by her workmate that it might just be her ‘endof-the-month cycle’ doing its duty, she knew to herself that it was more serious and that she had to move right away.

Jane’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer some 28 years ago, and so for her the possibility of being placed in a similar spot was far from imaginary.

Born in the mining community of Bartica in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Jane vaguely recalled her childhood there, but remembered that she had moved to Georgetown with her mother at the tender age of six. Jane’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in her 50s. Jane never lived in fear of the disease, since she was unaware that it could affect her. She however said it was customary for her to check herself to see if there were any strange developments in any of her breasts.

“2011, in June month, I believe it [was] like the 28th

of June, I was right here at the work place and…as customary, checking the breast, because my mother is a survivor for 28 years; so, as customary, I check it and I feel the lump,” Jane said.

She recalled that although she was concerned about the lump, she first sought the advice of her co-worker. Jane works at a senior citizens’ home in the heart of the capital city.

“Anyway, I go and tell a workmate and she said don’t worry, sometimes it’s just nothing, because you know there are different changes in your body at month end.”

Jane took the advice of her workmate, but was once again alarmed by the presence of the lump almost two weeks later.

It was at this point that she realised her best option was to seek professional help. “I didn’t tell nobody, I said it’s time for me to get up and move, because I know my mother have it.”

After placing a phone call to her 30-year-old son, she said that they sought the advice of a doctor at the Woodlands Hospital in Carmichael St, George-

town.

Jane said that after the doctor had examined her and had conducted a needle biopsy -- a nonsurgical procedure for determining whether a lump is cancerous -- “he said it’s cancerous!”

Jane knew that her life had been changed in a split-second, and she couldn’t hold back the tears. She immediately summed up her courage and asked the doctor what the next step would be.

Jane was determined not to let the disease keep her back.

She was lucky to have taken action while her cancer was at stage 2. Jane said her doctor told her surgery would be the next step.

During an interview, Jane burst into tears as she reflected on how she felt when she first got the news that she had breast cancer. “I was mad!” she said, as tears rushed down her face. “I was so upset because I said Why me?!” Jane recalled gaining strength from her son, who gave her continued assurance that she was going to live.

Jane said that although her son remained emotionally strong in her presence, “he used to be crying with his friends [while] telling this story.”

Jane did not hesitate in getting time off from her job. With the support of her son and husband of 20 years, she was put under the knife the very next day of her diagnosis. In secrecy, Jane went into the surgical theatre after speaking with her mother that morning, not informing her of what was about to happen.

“I didn’t even tell my mother, because I know that if I tell her she would break down, because she knows what it is, she passed through it.” Jane gave instructions to her son to not let his grandmother know what was happening, in fear of what the worrisome news would bring to her health. Jane’s mother, now 82 years old, found out about the surgery after Jane had awoken and had requested the presence of her mother. “…the day that I was to come out of the hospital, he [Jane’s son] go and bring her (Jane’s mother), and when he

bring her, he tell her.” During the drive down from the East Coast of Demerara, Jane’s son broke the news to his grandmother that her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jane’s mother could not bear the thought of her daughter being in the position that she was in for 28 years.

“When she came, she said, ‘Man, why is it you didn’t tell me?” Jane said, as she recalled her mother questioning her. Jane told her mother she had preferred to be alone because she also could not bear the thought of seeing her mother grieve.

Jane said her other family members were kept in the dark on what was happening. “About a week or so after I did my surgery, then my sister [found out]…. I didn’t want to disturb anybody.” Jane was saddened that her mother was putting the numbers together at the time, and realised that they had spoken over the phone the very day she had gone into surgery.

“I called her when I was going into the theatre and I say, ‘Mom, don’t expect another call from me until tomorrow, because you know today is Friday and I would be very busy.’” “She said, ‘Yes’, and I said, ‘Okay then, bye-bye,’ and that was it. And they rolled me into the theatre and I did what I had to do.”

Jane’s mother accepted it. At the senior citizens’ home where Jane works, she normally purchases goods on Friday for the residents and staff of the home, and Jane’s mother was well aware of this routine.

While entering the theatre, Jane recalled being gripped by a sudden onset of doubt and fear.

She said she began praying that, by the grace of God, her operation would be successful. Jane’s operation was in fact successful, as she was discharged three days later. She was not in the best of health however, but returned to work in December of 2011.

Jane received chemotherapy treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital, but the effects of the treatment were more visible than she had hoped.

“When I take the chemotherapy, I used to be so sick.

The chemotherapy make me start wear the wig,” Jane said as spoke of her hair falling out during treatment.

A woman whose character is as strong as her faith, Jane’s greatest fear was to be pitied and persecuted for her condition. She spoke of Guyana as a society in which the wider population would number the days left for someone diagnosed with breast or any other form of cancer.

Asked why she held her condition a secret, Jane said: “The reason for me not telling people is because some people are too negative. Because they

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 11-yearold Grade 6 pupil Akeem Boyce of the Josel Education Institute proudly shows his Breast Cancer Solidarity Ribbon

tell themselves that as soon as they hear somebody diagnosed with cancer, well, they dead already! So I didn’t want nobody to break the spirit I had, because I tell myself [that] if my mother could make it, then what happen to me? I could do the same thing.”

Jane was comforted that with the advancements in medical technology, her chances proved better and better. This was not the same for Jane’s colleague, who was also a survivor. “I had a friend, we took the surgery same time, but she died last year June.” Jane’s fellow survivor had already reached stage 5 in her cancer when she decided to go under the knife.

Asked whether it was because her friend had waited too long, Jane said: “She didn’t know; the thing is ‘a silent killer!” Jane recalled that when her friend visited her doctor, she was informed that the cancer had spread rapidly, but she took the risk anyway.

Jane has fortunately returned to her everyday routine, and has a message for women: “I would like to say to any woman out there to make sure, because every day on the television they tell you [that] as soon as you find there is a lump there, move! A lump is not the only sign. Check yourself, because there is hope!”

Jane Doe is currently undergoing treatment and continuous check-ups at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

She has never missed a checkup, and has an appointment every three months. With a shimmer of pride in her eyes, Jane said: “I am a survivor, and I am proud to be a survivor!”

This story is an account of the experience of one breast cancer survivor in Guyana who was brave enough to tell her story. However, in fear of being persecuted by a culture that is not alien to such, she prefers to withhold her identity. For the sake of this piece, she was renamed Jane Doe.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

French Patrol Vessel on port call to Georgetown A FRENCH Naval Vessel, La Gracieuse, from neighbouring Cayene, French Guiana arrived at Port Georgetown on Saturday morning and is docked at the Coast Guard Ship Hinds Wharf, Ruimveldt.

The vessel is commanded by Lieutenant Navy Yann-Eric Noat and has on board 4 Officers, 18 Petty Officers and 8 seamen.

Lieutenant Noat explained that the vessel has come with three missions, the most important of which is to secure the maritime area of the airspace centre in Kourou, Cayene. He further stated that the vessel’s presence forms part of an effort to contribute to the fight against illegal fishing off the Coast of French Guiana. Thirdly, he stated that the French Navy and the Coast Guard have enjoyed friendly relations and as such this visit will serve to build on and strengthen those existing ties.

Sister vessels from the French Navy make annual port calls to Georgetown.

The crew members hosted an informal luncheon as well as a cocktail reception on board the vessel for Chief of Staff Brigadier, Mark Phillips and other Senior Officers, on Saturday.

Before the vessel departs on Tuesday, the French Officers will also pay a formal courtesy call to Brigadier Phillips and the Mayor of Georgetown.

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Aries March 21 - April 19 Money is probably on your mind now. A desire for increased financial security could force you to look for work or investments that would pay off big. Opportunities for one or both of these are likely to come through friends, perhaps someone with whom you’ve worked before. You’re likely to accomplish what you want for now, but it’s uncertain whether you’ll continue on this path in the future.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Don’t expect to spend a lot of time at home today. You’re more likely to be in the car and away from home. There may be errands and social obligations to fulfill. Try to pace yourself in whatever you do or else you might be exhausted by day’s end. Take the time to stop and enjoy yourself. This will ensure a fun rather than tiring day.

The French Patrol Vessel on arrival in port Georgetown on Saturday

Gemini May 21 - June 21 Emotional turmoil on the job could stress you out way too much. Headaches or temporary hypertension could plague you if you aren’t careful. Don’t push too hard. Remember to take breaks, and go for walk on your lunch hour. Don’t be afraid to put off nonessential tasks. You’ll be all right. Why make a day’s work any more difficult than it needs to be?

Cancer June 22 - July 22 This should be a fortunate day for you. Everything you try to do should go fairly smoothly. Relations with others are warm, friendly, and congenial. Any chores or other pending work should be completed quickly and efficiently. If you’ve been planning to start a new project, this is the day to get going. Romance should be intense and passionate now, so make the most of it!

Monday, November 10, 2014 05:00hrs Tuesday, November 11, 2014 08:30hrs

Leo July 23 - August 22 A couple you’ve known for a long time could visit you at your home today.

Don’t be surprised if they tell you how wonderful the place looks. Conversation should be lively and entertaining, though you should sidestep any discussion of controversial subjects. Debates on such matters could get rather heated. It might be wise to treat your guests to food rather than alcohol!

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Today, you might spend a great deal of time in the car running errands in the neighbourhood. You’re likely to see people you know who have interesting news. New businesses may open nearby. Doctors, dentists, and other professionals could open new offices, making your daily routine more convenient.

Some of them might be your neighbours or relatives.

Libra September 23 - October 22 Money that you’ve been earning for a long time may finally come your way today, but don’t be surprised if you have to do a lot of running around in order to get it. Plans for future moneymaking projects could come up, although it’s important to consider everything carefully and not jump in too quickly. This is an excellent time to learn a new moneymaking skill.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 The special someone in your life may be having some trouble with colleagues.

Don’t just comfort him or her. It’s unlikely that your sweetie wants sympathy.

Solutions are needed. If you don’t have any, just be a good listener. It’s important for you to get out and exercise. If the weather is good, take a walk. If not, attend an exercise class. You’ll feel better.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Today you’re likely to be working hard behind the scenes, perhaps preparing a project for others to make public or coaching people for some kind of performance. You’ll expend a lot of energy in the course of completing this chore, yet you’ll probably feel it was all worth it. Don’t expect to go home early. You’ll probably go above and beyond the call of duty.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Friends could entice you to join them for a short day trip, perhaps to the country.

This is a great day to go on such an outing. You’ve probably been working hard and need to get away for a while. Don’t be surprised if there’s a delay, however.

You or one of your friends could be waiting to meet with someone.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Emotions could be intense at work today as important projects approach their deadlines. You may put in more time than usual. Tempers might flare and co-workers clash, so stay calm and keep going. On the positive side, the financial and recognition payoffs for whatever you accomplish today should prove well worth the effort.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Today you should feel especially sexy and relationships with romantic partners should go well. Your passions are intense, the lines of communication are open, and appreciation of one another is running high. There might be talk of taking a long trip together in the future. Plan a cosy evening for two. You’ll want to do a lot of talking - and more!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

ICC warns against West Indies repeat

THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a warning against players taking contractual matters into their own hands, as West Indies did in withdrawing from their tour of India, and hinted that the right to play in domestic tournaments such as the IPL could be removed for those who transgress in future.

West Indies effectively cancelled their commitments in India last month due to a dispute

between the WICB, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and the players themselves. The WICB faces a claim for millions of dollars in damages from the BCCI and could still be suspended by the ICC, with the matter a subject of ongoing board meetings in Dubai.

The ICC, which has previously stated it cannot intervene in disputes over bilateral series unless it receives a complaint, said that players abandoning tours had the potential to cause “irrevocable damage” that could “adversely affect the financial viability of the sport itself”.

The statement continued: “Players who behave in a similar manner in the future will not only risk breaching the disciplinary rules of the relevant member board and being sanctioned accordingly, but may also put in jeopardy their ability to conclude future

contractual arrangements with domestic franchises or clubs in other jurisdictions.”

Several West Indies players, including the ODI captain, Dwayne Bravo, who was at the forefront of the dispute with WIPA, are regular participants in the IPL, although it has previously been suggested that their eligibility would not be affected by the walkout.

The ICC’s chairman, N Srinivasan, said: “It was undoubtedly a sad chapter in our sport. It damaged cricket’s integrity and reputation, as well as affecting confidence within the cricket community, especially that of the

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fans. The ICC board was determined to address this situation and ensure such incidents never happen again. The ICC is working with the concerned members towards finding a positive resolution and is confident that there will be constructive outcomes for our game.”

West Indies’ decision led to one ODI, one T20 and three Tests being cancelled and the BCCI submitting a claim for $42m in damages. The Indi a board has al so suspended bilateral relations with the WICB and threatened it with legal action if its demands are not met. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Shehzad hits century as Pakistan dominate New Zealand

(REUTERS) - Ahmed Shehzad struck his third Test century as Pakistan completely dominated the opening day of the first test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi to reach 269 for one and stay on course for a mammoth first-innings total yesterday.

Shehzad added 178 runs with opening partner Mohammad Hafeez (96) and 91 with Azhar Ali in an unbroken second-wicket stand to frustrate the visitors who used seven bowlers and took just one wicket all day.

…Hafeez falls short of sixth test century

Ahmed Shehzad scored his third Test century against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on the first day.

Shehzad hit 14 fours in his unbeaten 126 and Azhar was 46 not out as Pakistan, who completed a 2-0 series victory over Australia at the same venue last week, look to continue their rich vein of form in the three-match series against New Zealand.

Pakistan captain Misbahul-Haq opted to bat first and after pacemen Trent Boult and Tim Southee had sent

down the first eight overs, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum introduced spin from both ends.

The ploy nearly paid dividends when Shehzad, on 16, came charging down the track against offspinner Mark Craig and misjudged the flight but BJ Watling fumbled behind the stumps and could not collect the ball, allowing the batsman to scurry

White delivers Twenty20 series to Aussies in tense finish (REUTERS)-Cameron White scored an unbeaten 41 and steered Australia to a dramatic two-wicket victory over South Africa on the penultimate ball of the match to clinch the Twenty20 international series 2-1 yesterday.

The hosts needed three runs from the last over to reach their target of 146 and White, despite losing partner Sean Abbott and almost his own wicket in an attempted run out, held his nerve to deliver with a rushed single.

After the side that batted second dominated the first two matches in Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia captain Aaron Finch opted to field first when he won the toss at the Olympic Stadium.

Initially it did not look like an astute move as openers Quinton de Kock (48) and Reeza Hendricks (49) put on 75 runs for the first wicket as the Proteas raced to 84 for one in their first 10 overs.

With all rounder James Faulkner (3-28) to the fore,

however, the Australian bowlers upped their game in the second half of the innings and restricted South Africa to what looked like a below par 145 for six.

Finch led from the front and started the run chase at a canter, firing 33 off 25 balls before pulling a Marchant de Lange delivery straight to David Wiese at backward square leg.

Ben Dunk (14), Nic Maddinson (4) and Shane Watson (5) followed quickly and the hosts were off the pace

on 76 for four at the halfway mark of their innings.

Glenn Maxwell upped the scoring rate in a 15-ball cameo for 23 runs that featured a huge six, a reverse paddle and a reverse sweep for four before a big heave to deep midwicket was caught by Hendricks.

That gave experienced left-arm spinner Robin Petersen (3-28) his third wicket but White soon picked up the pace and held down one end to steer Australia to victory.

home.

India-born leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was unlucky when Hafeez’s outside edge found Ross Taylor in the slips but a TV replay suggested the ball might have bounced before being caught.

Hafeez pulled Southee to bring up his fifty after lunch and Shehzad took two off Sodhi to complete his halfcentury.

All-rounder Corey Anderson denied Hafeez a century, deceiving him with a clever change of pace and

PAKISTAN first innings M. Hafeez c&b Anderson 96 A. Shehzad not out 126 Az. Ali not out 46 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (for 1 wickets, 90 overs) 269 Fall of wickets: 1-178 M. Hafeez To bat: Y. Khan, Misbah-

the batsman gave return catch to the bowler. Hafeez’s composed 137-ball knock contained 10 fours.

Shehzad, however, could not be denied his hundred which he brought up with a single off James Neesham.

Azhar also had his share of luck, being dropped by Watling behind the stumps after fluffing a reverse sweep against the luckless Craig.

McCullum even game himself a bowl at the Pakistani batsman, more in desperation than in any real hope of breaking the blooming Shehzad-Azhar partnership.

ul-Haq, A. Shafiq, S. A h m e d , Y. S h a h , Z .

Babar, R. Ali, I. Khan Bowling: T. Boult 16 - 4 - 38 – 0,T. Southee15 - 2 - 47 - 0(nb-1), M. Craig 17 - 1 - 59 – 0,I. Sodhi 23 - 5 - 68 – 0, C. Anderson 7-1 - 31 – 1, J. Neesham 7 0 - 20 – 0, B. McCullum 5 - 1 - 6 – 0.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

North London nightmare as Arsenal and Spurs lose

By Sam Holden LONDON, (Reuters) S WA N S E A C i t y c a m e storming back from a goal down to sink Arsenal 2-1 while Tottenham Hotspur’s misery continued with a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Stoke City, making it a nightmare Sunday for north London.

Alexis Sanchez struck his sixth league goal in four games to give Arsenal the lead at Swansea but Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafetimbi Gomis replied to hand Arsene Wenger’s team their second Premier League defeat of the season.

Tottenham slipped to their fourth home defeat of the campaign while resurgent Newcastle United recorded their fourth successive league win with a 2-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion. Everton drew 1-1 at Sunderland in yesterday’s other match.

A drab game at the rainsoaked Liberty Stadium sprung into life in the second half when Danny Welbeck cut inside and showed excellent composure to lay the ball off to Sanchez with the goal begging.

The Chile forward slotted his 12th Arsenal goal in all

Stoke City’s Bojan Krkic (R) celebrates his goal against Tottenham Hotspur with Mame Diouf (L) and Victor Moses during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London

competitions this season to give the visitors the lead with 63 minutes gone.

The lead lasted 12 minutes as Sigurdsson powered a sublime free kick into the top corner of the net to spark a Swansea comeback.

Three minutes later, with the home crowd roaring the Swans on, substitute Gomis gave them the lead with one of his first touches, rising high to nod in Jefferson Montero’s cross.

“We threw the game away,” Arsenal manager Ar-

sene Wenger told Sky Sports television.

“You have to win the games you can win and today was one. If you want to challenge for the Premier League you have to be a bit more realistic.”

Victory for Garry Monk’s side catapulted them to fifth in the league with 18 points from 11 games, one place above Arsenal (17 points).

SORRY SPURS Having won at Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League three days earlier, the

rigours of juggling continental and domestic competition again proved too much for Spurs against a Stoke side who had previously won just once on the road this season.

Former Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic scored his first Premier League goal with a brilliant solo effort to give Stoke the lead at White Hart Lane after six minutes. \ Things went from bad to worse for Mauricio Pochettino’s side when Jonathan Walters tapped in Mame Biram Diouf’s pass 12 minutes before the interval.

Spurs desperately tried to mount a comeback in the second half and Nacer Chadli’s powerful drive made it 2-1 with 13 minutes left but it was too little too late for the home team.

“It’s clear from the results that we need to im-

prove, we need to improve a lot,” Pochettino said.

“We need to find a solution quickly. My challenge in the next few weeks is to change the mentality and to find that solution. “The defeat piled more pressure on Pochettino with his team lying 12th in the table on 14 points. Stoke climbed to ninth with 15 points.

NEWCASTLE REVIVAL Goals from Ayoze Perez and Fabricio Coloccini ensured Newcastle’s recent revival continued at the Hawthorns.

Perez scored his third goal in three games with a sublime backheel from a Daryl Janmaat cross to put the visitors ahead on the stroke of halftime.

Netherlands right back

Janmaat then crossed for defender Coloccini to double the lead after 62 minutes with a close-range header.

Newcastle are now eighth on 16 points, a remarkable turnaround for a team that only recorded their first win of the season last month.

Despite dominating possession, Everton fell behind at Sunderland to a stunning 25-metre free kick from midfielder Seb Larsson in the 67th minute.

England defender Leighton Baines equalised with a penalty 14 minutes from time but Everton had James McCarthy to thank for the point after the midfielder cleared Wes Brown’s stoppage-time header off the line.

The draw left Everton 10th on 14 points while Gus Poyet’s Sunderland jumped a place to 14th, three points

Rosberg wins in Brazil to cut Hamilton’s lead

By Alan Baldwin SAO PAULO, (Reuters) GERMANY’S Nico Rosberg won the Brazilian Grand Prix yesterday to end team mate Lewis Hamilton’s run of five successive victories and cut the Briton’s championship lead to 17 points with one race remaining.

Hamilton was second, 1.4 seconds behind, with Mercedes setting a Formula One record of 11 one-two finishes in a season with their 30 podium finishes in 2014 also a record.

“It was a great weekend,” said Rosberg, who started on pole position after lapping fastest in every practice session and phase of qualifying at Interlagos.

“The whole weekend I’ve been feeling comfortable in the car, I was able to attack and control the gap to Lewis in the race so that worked out great.

“There’s still all to play for. I just need to keep this going now,” said Rosberg.

The final race at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit on Nov. 23 will offer double points for the first time -- 50 for the winner -- but Hamilton now needs only a secondplace finish to wrap up his second title.

Hamilton has 334 points to Rosberg’s 317.

The team also equalled the record held by Ferrari and

Winner Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany lifts the trophy during podium ceremony after the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, yesterday.

Credit: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker McLaren of 15 wins in a season, with Rosberg now on five to his British rival’s 10.

The two Mercedes drivers were in a race of their own on a sunny afternoon, with Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg the only other driver to lead during the pitstops.

Hamilton made a big mistake on lap 28 as he pushed to gain an advantage after Rosberg had pitted, spinning and skidding off at turn four. That cost him seven seconds and, he said, ultimately the win.

From then on, the 2008 champion charged back, steadily narrowing the gap until the ‘Silver Arrows’ were just half a second apart.

“It was an amazing race, I had a great time,” said Hamilton, who was hoping to become the first British driver to

win six races in a row.

Brazilian Felipe Massa returned to the podium in front of his cheering home crowd with third place for Williams, 41 seconds behind despite a stop/go penalty for speeding in pitlane.

Massa had only himself to blame for more lost time when he pulled in to the McLaren pits instead of Williams.

Mercedes-engined cars filled the four top slots, with McLaren’s Jenson Button fourth, and Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel fifth.

Ferrari duo Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen were sixth and seventh with Hulkenberg eighth and McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen ninth.

Finland’s Valtteri Bottas took the last point for Williams.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

Clash of CPLs looms next year

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – There’s likely to be a clash of CPLs in 2015 with both the third edition of the Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) and the proposed inaugural Canadian Premiere League (CPL) set to be staged around the same time.

According to reports circulating here, the firstever Canadian Premiere League is set to be bowled off at the Montreal Olympic Stadium on July 12, 2015. It should be noted that both the 2013 and 2014 Caribbean Premiere League tournaments were held in July/August.

Interestingly enough, several key West Indians are reportedly part of the hierarchy of the Canadian Premiere League with former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul said to be a director while current One-day skipper Dwayne Bravo, Test cap-

…several WI players listed for Montreal edition

Dwayne Bravo

tain Denesh Ramdin, and opener Keiron Powell, listed as co-owners.

While Chanderpaul has not played in Caribbean Premiere League to date, Ramdin skippered the Guyana Amazon Warriors who lost to Barbados Tridents in this year’s final, Bravo served as captain of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in 2013 and 2014

while Powell, who missed this year’s competition, led the Antigua Hawksbills in 2013. In addition, current West Indies manager and interim coach Sir Richie Richardson has been named as head of Global Player Operations.

The historical partnership was inked in August following the conclusion of this year’s Caribbean Premiere League, prompting Ramdin to state “I fully support the growth and development of internationalcalibre T20 cricket through the Canadian Premier League and the direction being taken by Roy Singh, the League’s founder and CEO. Roy has the vision, determination and drive to make this League truly successful and sustainable and I am thrilled to be coming on board as part of such a pioneering venture for the

India cruise to ODI series win over Sri Lanka VIRAT Kohli chalked up a successful 3-0 series win as stand-in captain with two games to spare as India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third oneday international Batting first in Hyderabad, Sri Lanka were almost completely reliant on Mahela Jayawardene (118), but the team total suffered as Umesh Yadav got careerbest ODI figures of four for 53 and spinner Akshar Patel (three for 40) dismantled the middle order.

Chasing 243, Shikhar Dhawan led the way with 91 off 79 balls and the result was in little doubt thanks to Kohli’s 53 as India won with 5.5 overs left to seal a series arranged at short notice after the West Indies aborted their tour.

Jayawardene’s first res-

Shikhar Dhawan

cue act came after Sri Lanka were seven for two, as opener Kusal Perera (four) and number three Kumar Sangakkara departed in successive Yadav deliveries.

Tillakaratne Dilshan joined Jayawardene for a 105-run stand that was slow but steady - Sri Lanka reached 100 in the 23rd over - before Dilshan got greedy and was dismissed

for 53 by part-time bowler Ambati Rayudu thanks to a good catch by Ajinkya Rahane.

Patel made merry in the batting powerplay, accounting for Angelo Matthews, Ashan Priyanjan and Chaturanga de Silva to leave Sri Lanka on 154 for six.

Seekkuge Prasanna and Jayawardene put 67 together - after Thisara Perera’s dismissal - which also included Jayawardene reaching his 17th ODI century in the 40th over with Sri Lanka’s first six.

Yadav bowled Prasanna for 29, with last man Nuwan Kulasekara becoming Dhawal Kulkarni’s first ODI wicket.(PA Sport)

North American market.”

Ramdin’s sentiments were also echoed by Bravo who pointed out that “the Canadian Premier League is already creating waves of excitement within the international cricketing community.

What makes the League stand out is Roy Singh’s brilliance and initiative in carving out a niche market in this region and ensuring that the business model surrounding his League is based on longevity that centres on a real passion for growth and development of the game. I am looking forward to being part of this powerful venture.”

Reports further indicated that 10 teams have already been identified to participate in the tournament and they are The Snow Owls, The Hummingbirds, The Condors, The Predators, The Hornets, The Huskies, The Sentinels, The Bobcats, The Spartans and The Wolverines.

CEO Guyanese Singh has also disclosed that T20 specialist Chris Gayle, for-

mer Australian leg-spinning great Shane Warne, and retired Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar have reportedly confirmed their participation, meaning Gayle is also likely to miss the Caribbean Premiere League.

The reports cited the CEO as saying that each team will consist of 15 professional players from across the world and will be involved in a total of 48 games which, he said, have been sanctioned by Cricket Canada and are expected to be televised worldwide.

The reports also pointed out that the Canadian Premiere League will be the owners of all 10 teams during the first two years and thereafter the teams will be available to interested buyers. The league is also in the process of selling ownership stakes to interested investors.

At the August signing, Singh had also disclosed that the Canadian Premiere League was also looking to build a 35,000 seat state of the art indoor

cricket stadium in Canada. If that materialises it would be the first purpose-built covered cricket facility in the world with a natural grass field and a fixed roof, according to those behind the project.

It would be made available for use year-round and host international matches.

“CDN$700 million has already been raised for this,” said Singh, while noting that the group is currently in discussion with economic development officials from various municipalities within Greater Toronto who are extremely interested in having the stadium.

“With this financing we can now move to the next phase of selecting a site and securing further investors for this ambitious project,” he added.

“It’s incredible to think there isn’t a stadium anywhere in North America where an internationally-sanctioned cricket match can be played. My vision is to change this with a world-class show for what we anticipate will be a world-wide television audience.”

Duminy to rest troublesome knee

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) - JP Duminy has been withdrawn from South Africa’s one-day international squad for the five-match series in Australia starting in Perth on Friday to protect a long-standing knee problem that has threatened his participation in next year’s World Cup. Duminy, who captained the side in their 2-1 Twenty20 series loss to the Australians that was completed on Sunday, will be replaced in the squad by middleorder batsman Farhaan Behardien.

“This is the same injury that plagued him during the Tri-series in Zimbabwe and caused him to miss the Champions League T20,” Proteas team manager

JP Duminy

Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa on Sunday.

“The recommendation from the medical committee is that he returns back to South Africa for a six-week period of rest and rehabilita-

tion, particularly ahead of a busy season at home and the ICC World Cup in three months.”

The 31-year-old Behardien, who has played 11 ODI matches, the last against Sri Lanka in July 2013, will link up with the rest of the 50-over squad on Monday when sleading players such as captain AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel return.

Marchant de Lange has also been added to the squad to bolster the pacebowling department.

The World Cup will be played in Australia and New Zealand in February and March next year.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

WICB/WIPA Players dispute

Harper - Regional Heads should have more input

By Leeron Brumell This is a case for regional heads to have more of a say in the governance of West Indies cricket - it comes from the Chairman of Selectors of the Georgetown Cricket Association and former Guyana batsman, Mark Harper.

It is in relation to ongoing WICB/WIPA – players fiasco, the team abandoning its tour on India.

“We always talk that we don’t want government’s involvement in sport but as soon as the West Indies get into any sort of difficulty they (WICB) always run to the ex-prime ministers or prime ministers to help them out, so it’s very amusing,” said Harper in an interview with Chronicle Sport.

“I think this is the time when the governments really need to stand up and say we need a bigger stake in West Indies cricket.”

Harper continued, “The West Indies Cricket Board seems to be a very private board and seems to want to do things their way only and they seem to forget that they don’t have any players and any grounds and anything and they are just custodians of West Indian cricket.”

Harper’s sentiments are shared by the Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.

“It’s ironic because the WICB at some moments would want to consider themselves as a purely independent private organisation

MARK HARPER – a former Guyana batsman and coach but what they do affects the entire region and therefore from time to time other stakeholders would like to have a say, and the current structure does not allow for other stakeholders to be involved, and therefore the models of governance that they have really need to be looked at.”

Dr. Anthony wants the recommendations of the Patterson report into West Indies cricket to be implemented. Guyana has submitted a nine-page document on ways to improve the administration of the regional game.

Harper said it’s a shame WI cricket has reached this

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

stage, but it’s not surprising, given the type of governance he’s seen in recent times.

He believes all parties are to be blamed for the abandoned tour of India.

“The WICB, if they’re true to themselves, will

see it was their responsibility to try everything to ensure that the tour went on and I’m disappointed that Mr. (Dave) Cameron didn’t go to India first thing to encourage the fellows to first finish the tour and when the tour is over sit down and have a discussion on the way forward. I don’t think players should have left mid-tour.”

In September WIPA and the WICB signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It was expected to mark the start of potentially better relations after years of dispute.

W I PA P r e s i d e n t Wavell Hinds pointed out that the document in effect meant that West Indies would adhere to a “pay as you play” system, with different categories of players depending on merit.

In the Wisden India report Hinds said, “I think it is spread out nicely … this document covers everyone in full.”

S Y D N E Y, A u s t r a l i a , (CMC) – A lacklustre all-round display from We s t I n d i e s Wo m e n proved their undoing, as they slumped to an eight-wicket defeat to A u s t r a l i a Wo m e n t o suffer an embarrassing whitewash in the f o u r- m a t c h Tw e n t y 2 0

International series here yesterday.

Entering the contest at Stadium Australia 3-0 down in the series and needing a win to avoid a clean sweep, the Windies Women never hit their best form and surrendered meekly.

Opting to bat first, they were kept to 107 for seven

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Roy Fredericks (WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1973) (2) 170 ODIs Today’s Quiz: (1)Who is the first WI to play against India on his ODI debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

were satisfied.

Talk of Sacking of captains: A few days ago, St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves mediated a five-hour meeting in Port-of-Spain and while he was tight lipped on discussions, told the Trinidad Express ‘‘very good progress had been made.”

But there have been rumours of the sacking of the captains for the three versions – test, one-day and T-20. On this Harper said.

“It’s stupid actually to try and replace the captains because of this incident. If that happens it shows that the board is obviously blaming the players and I don’t think now is the time for that.”

Denesh Ramdin has been sacked as the T&T senior captain and Harper said there seems to be some whisper that a similar fate awaits Guyana’s captain, but “we have to wait and see.”

Harper is however confident that the dispute would be resolved before the Windies’ tour of South Africa.

Lacklustre Windies suffer whitewash after fourth loss

(Monday November 10, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055)

(2) Against which team Dwayne Bravo played his very first ODI game?

“It is important that we put the different categories in place from the start to the professional level.

There is a pay as you play or a minimum salary retainer contracts up to the ‘A’ level that the WICB affords the international cricketers.

“But we think that it must be a meritocracy basis and that you have to earn your keep to get into the different categories.

As the players association, once that was understood from the membership – and of course, we highlighted the fact that it is replicated and practised around the world – the players bought into it and the WICB had a similar vision, so it was easy to come to an agreement.

Some amount of WICB’s revenue would trickle down across to the regional group rather than solely to the international players. “ Cameron stressed that the central theme throughout the document was the success of WICB and the players would be linked, ensuring all parties

Shemaine Campbell ... top-scored with 34 for West Indies Women.

off their 20 overs, with Shemaine Campbelle the only player to pass 20 with a crucial run-a-ball 34.

Seamer Ellyse Perry was the best bowler with three for nine while leftarm spinner Jess Jonassen chipped in with two for eight.

Opener Elyse Villani then led the hosts’ run chase, stroking an unbeaten59 while Player-of-theSeries Jess Jonassen supported with 31, as Australia Women strolled to their target off the first ball of the 15h over.

The series result confirmed the Windies Women poor form on the road, following on from a similar whitewash against New Zealand on the T20 and one-day tour at the start of the year.

West Indies Women once again started poorly, crashing to 36 for four in the seventh over with Perry the main destroyer, snatching three of the wickets to fall.

Campbelle and Shanel Daley, with 19 off 32 balls,

staged a recovery of sorts by posting 24 for the fifth wicket before Jonassen struck twice in successive overs.

She removed Daley caught and bowled before knocking over captain Merissa Aguilleira for seven, to leave West Indies women struggling again on 75 for six at the end of the 16th over.

Campbelle, who struck three fours and a six, then put on 30 for the seventh wicket with Shaquana Quintyne (15) to give the Caribbean side impetus at the end.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Villani and Jonassen put on a fluent 81 off 65 balls for the first wicket, as the Aussie run chase began well.

Villani faced 45 balls and counted five fours and a six while Jonassen struck four fours in a 33ball knock. Though Jonassen and captain Meg Lanning (5) fell in the space of 11 balls, Villani remained steady to see the Aussies home.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 10, 2014

MCYS / EBFA U-13 League prizes handed out ..Threvon Pluck, Kevin Padmore and Nidu Supareddy cop individual awards

Captain Threvon Pluck receives the winning trophy from Ms. Gillian Frank in the presence of his teammates and Coach, Domini Garnett

Antigua banking on overseas players for Caribbean Cup ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – In-form striker Keiran Murtagh leads a plethora of overseas-based players included in Antigua and Barbuda 23-man squad for the CFU Caribbean Cup Finals which kick off in Jamaica tomorrow.

The 26-year-old, who plays for Woking in Eng-

land’s League Conference, scored three goals in the qualifiers to lead the Benna Boys’ frontline.

He is joined by Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock who campaigns in England’s League Championship, the second tier of English football. He has, however, played just once

In-form striker Keiran Murtagh.

No easy run for Conquerors -Coach Dover

ALPHA United’s coach Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover has given his club an `A Plus’ rating for its performance in the round-robin segment of the Georgetown Football Association Stag Beer Futsal competition currently being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Alpha United has played unbeaten so far in the competition and is now one of the favourites to claim the $400,000 first prize. “I am very comfortable with how we have played so far. We have scored more goals than any other team and we have had the widest margin of victory.

Taking all of this into consideration I will have to say that Alpha United is one of the favourites to win this Competition,” Dover told Chronicle Sport yesterday.

Alpha trampled Renaissance 12-1, hammered GDF 5-1 and brushed aside Beacon 4-1 in the round-robin stage

to canter into the knock out stage. National Striker Dwight Peters has been Alpha’s leading marksman and is the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals to his name.

“We have been training specifically for this Futsal tournament. At present there is no other football going on. I think that we have put out a splendid performance which I’ll have to grade at `A Plus.’

We have some young players who are stepping up to the plate. In addition, the older heads such as Peters (Dwight), Ronson Williams and Daniel Wilson have been leading from the front,” Dover said.

Alpha would now turn attention to defending champions Fruta Conquerors who they will meet on Thursday in a quarter- final match up. However, the former Guyana national coach is unperturbed about what looms

Alpha United coach Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover ahead.

“The only team that I think came close to matching our play is Western Tigers. Given the chance I would tell Fruta Conquerors that Alpha United is coming to play the same brand of football that we have been playing throughout this competition. We are going to make it tough for Conquerors and it would not be an easy night.”

this term because of injury.

They will meet up with fellow England-based player Calaum JahraldoMartin who plays for Premiership side Hull City and Josh Parker, who represents Slovenian side Domzale. The squad will be led by Quinton Griffith who plays for Charleston Battery in the United Soccer League.

Five of the overseas contingent – Christopher Cordara-Soanes, Alvin Jarvis and Aaron Tumwa, midfielder Myles Weston and striker Jordon Smith – have been called up for the first time.

Goalkeeper Brentton Muhammad, defenders Zaine Francis-Angol and Connor Peters, Jorrin John and Nathaniel Jarvis are the other overseas-based players.

Experienced striker Peter Byers, who has scored twice in the competition, has also earned his spot in the side.

Antigua will do battle in Group B of the Caribbean Cup alongside Haiti, Martinique and hosts Jamaica.

SQUAD – Molvin James, Brentton Muhammad, Prince Walter, Christopher Cordara-Soanes, Zaine Franics-Angol, Quinton Griffith, Alvin Jarvis, Karanja Mack, Connor Peters, Akeem T h o m a s , A a ro n Tu m wa, Tevaughn Harriette, Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, Jorrin John, Keiran Murtagh, Joshua Parker, Tamorley Thomas, Myles Weston, Dexter Blackstock, Randolph Burton, Peter Byers, Nathaniel Jarvis, Jordan Smith.

GROVE Hi Tech, Herstelling Raiders, Agricola Red Triangle, and Kuru Kururu Warriors along with the top individual performers were all rewarded yesterday when the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport / East Bank Football Under-13 League presentation took place at Grove Playfield.

Grove Hi Tech emerged as champions ending unbeaten in five games with Herstelling Raiders taking the runner-up spot followed

by Agricola and Kuru Kururu Warriors as third and fourth.

Director of Youth within the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Ms. Gillian Frank in brief remarks before presenting the prizes congratulated the youths for their excellent performances during the tournament.

Ms. Frank told the players that her ministry will continue to work in harmony with the EBFA to ensure that the development of the

youths is priority, pointing out that they also sponsored a Youth Academy during the August holidays that attracted over 100 youths.

“We will remain committed to your development and in collaboration with the EBFA will continue to sponsor this tournament.”

The top individual performers were also complimented by Ms. Frank for their performances that saw them being rewarded. She also told the players that they are all winners.

Herstelling Raiders’ Nidu Supareddy was named best goalkeeper, being beaten once by Grove in their opening game.

Threvon Pluck, Captain of Grove Hi Tech, who earned the most valuable player accolade also ended as the joint top leading goal scorer along with club mate, Kevin Padmore; the two ending with 5-goals each.

Best goalkeeper Nadu Supareddy receives his medal from MYCS Director of Youth, Ms. Gillian Frank

Stag Beer Futsal into KO stage

THE Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Stag Beer Futsal competition has reached the knock out stage with two matches scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow evening.

In the opening game, Riddim Squad will sail the tide against Black Water while BK International Western Tigers will clash with Beacon in the other match.

There are also four exhibition games carded for the night. Meanwhile, the competition will continue on Thursday at the same venue with four other teams vying for a place in the semi-finals. In the opener Pele and Santos would renew a rivalry as old as the scriptures. That game is scheduled to kick off at 9 pm.

In a virtual final, defending champion Fruta Conquerors will come up against the might of Alpha `The Hammer’ United. Alpha has brushed aside all three teams in the round-robin segment and to date has scored the most goals.

The competition carries a winning purse of $400,000 and is being sponsored by Ansa McAl, Elaine’s Ville and Hits and Jams.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

No easy run for Conquerors

See Story on Page 31

-Coach Dover

ICC warns against West Indies repeat See Story on Page 26

West Indies withdrew from their tour of India due to a contractual dispute.

Johnson to lead Guyana Jaguars against Leewards on Friday …Assad Fudadin is vice-captain; Raymond Reifer included

Leon Johnson

WEST INDIES Test player Leon Johnson has been named the captain of the Guyana Jaguars who will engage the Leeward Islands franchise in the first round of the West Indies Cricket Board/Professional cricket League which bowls off on Friday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Johnson will have as his deputy, West Indies ‘A’ middle-order batsman Assad Fudadin, while the squad also includes Guyana’s lone foreign franchise player in Raymond Reifer, along with Vishaul ‘Cheesy’ Singh and Rajendra Chandrika.

Dependable West Indies middle order batsman in 40-yearold Shivnarine Chanderpaul is also included in the 13-man squad, but there is no place for his 19 year old son in opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul along with his Guyana and West Indies Under-19 teammate Shimron Hetmyer.

The Guyana Jaguars lineup was selected following two fourday practice matches that were held at the Georgetown Cricket Club and the venue for Friday’s game, with Singh leading his side to a two-wicket victory in the first while the second ended in a tame draw, with left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul picking up 13 wickets.

Permaul along with Windies ‘A’ team leg spinner Devendra Bishoo will control the Jaguars spin department with amicable support from Narsingh Deonarine and Johnson if needed while Ronsford Beaton, Christopher Barnwell, Reifer and Fudadin will control the pace bowling department.

The 13 man squad reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Vishaul Singh, Narsingh Deonarine, Raymond Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Ronsford Beaton. (Calvin Roberts)

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Raymond Reifer

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014