2014 11 16

SUNDAY No. 104013 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2014

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

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President Ramotar: ‘I am going back 3 for my majority, bigger than before’ Page

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

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‘I have no new Page 2 powers’ by proroguing Parliament

– President Ramotar

Chief of Page 12 Staff (COS) briefs troops on political situation -emphasises operational readiness

Lumber truck kills carpenter on Pearl Public Page 19 Road, EBD

Accident victim Ramdhalar Dhanraj

NBS ‘alleged’ $69M fraud…

DPP insists she was appointed to act and Page 13 confirmed by Judicial Service Commission -not former President Jagdeo

Construction progressing well at Guyana Goldfields Inc. Aurora gold Project, Region 7 (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

‘I have no new powers’ by proroguing Parliament

– President Ramotar “I have acted within the Constitution, legally and democratically.

The accusation that this (prorogation) is creating a dictatorship, or semi-dictatorship, doesn’t give me new authority that would turn me into a dictator.

This (untruth) was designed to fool the gullible. I cannot rule by decree, I cannot pass laws by myself, if I could have done I

would have passed all these laws that I find important.”

These were the sentiments of President D o n a l d R a m o t a r, a s he debunked the many “misconceptions” he contends are being peddled by Opposition factions.

At a news conference on Friday, the Head of State emphasised that his decision to prorogue Parliament last Monday

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

was done in the best interest of Guyana and the Guyanese people, not to arm himself with additional powers – an act that is impossible through prorogation in any event.

“It makes no sense, prorogation gives me no additional powers…I have no new powers,” he said.

His decision was carried out by way of a prorogation proclamation, which essentially means that the current session, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.

M r. R a m o t a r a l s o debunked the criticisms

that he has created a constitutional crisis.

“I could not create a constitutional crisis if I acted within the Constitution,” he said.

According to the Head of State the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue among political parties, while keeping the 10th Parliament alive.

However, the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and the AFC have since closed the door to any possibly of dialogue.

D e s p i t e t h i s , M r.

Ramotar, as well as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, have since indicated that they are still optimistic that this position will change, terming it a “first” reaction.

Noteworthy too is the fact that the President Ramotar has said that if talks fail with the combined Opposition, he will not hesitate to move to early general elections, since he has no intention of reproroguing Parliament.

The President has been clear on his course of action, if dialogue is to fail.

He said: “I have taken this step with the hope that the time gained would be used for the benefit of our people….were these entreaties of cooperation by my Government to be unsuccessful, I would then take the necessary steps for the holding of early General Elections so that the democratic will of our people can be freely exercised. “…my motivation to get some kind of agreement moving forward…what I have done in a way is to take everyone off the hook, wipe the slate clean and have a possibility of going forward again… if we can’t then election is it.”

The last general elections were held in Guyana on November 28, 2011.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

President Ramotar: ‘I am going back for my majority, bigger than before’

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar feels the combined Opposition’s threats, made in their initial response to his decision to prorogue Parliament, can only be solidified if they win the next general election – something he is confident will not happen.

“The Opposition will have to win the elections to do so (make good on their threats), which I doubt they will be able to do, because this time I am going back for my majority bigger than ever before,” he said.

Mr. Ramotar made these comments while addressing the media corps at a news conference on Friday at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpal Drive, Georgetown.

The Head of State also expressed confidence that he will be the presidential

candidate for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) at the next general elections.

He added that he is not afraid of the electorate, since the Guyanese people are perfectly capable of judging the accomplishments made relative to national development and their improved livelihoods.

The PPP/C has won every general election since 1992; however, at the last elections the combined Opposition gained control of the National Assembly by a one-seat majority, in a 33-32 split.

The General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, has indicated in recent comments, that the party stands ready to return to the polls and face the Guyanese people.

Additionally, the Chairman of

the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, last Wednesday declared that the Commission is ready for snap elections, as well as Local Government Elections, the latter having an established 180-day work plan, regardless of the date set.

President Ramotar has indicated that Local Government Elections will be held in the first quarter of 2015.

Early general elections are also a much anticipated next step for Guyana, since the Head of State’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

Mr. Ramotar announced his decision, in an address to the nation last Monday, to prorogue Parliament, which essentially means that the current session is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in

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Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.

The Head of State also made it clear that his intention was to give dialogue a chance to address the impasses that have characterised the political arena since the 2011 elections, rather than have Parliament dissolved, as promised by the combined Opposition, via the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion.

However, the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have said that there will be no dialogue during the prorogation period.

While there is still some optimism in the Government camp that the APNU/ AFC position will change, the outcomes of fruitful dialogue remains to be seen as the situation plays out.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Western leaders confront Putin at G20 with threat of more sanctions

By Alexei Anishchuk and Jane Wardell (REUTERS) - WESTERN leaders warned Vladimir Putin at a G20 summit on Saturday that he risked more economic sanctions if he failed to end Russian backing for separatist rebels in Ukraine.

Russia denied any involvement in an escalation of the separatist war in eastern Ukraine, where more than 4,000 people have been killed since April, but faced strong rebukes from leaders including U.S. Pres-

ident Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“I guess I’ll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: you need to get out of Ukraine,” Harper told Putin at the summit in Brisbane, Australia, according to his spokesman Jason MacDonald.

Putin’s response to the comment was not positive, MacDonald said in an email, without elaborating.

A source in Putin’s delegation told Reuters that the Russian President would leave the summit early,

skipping a working breakfast on Sunday, because he needed to return to meetings in Moscow.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any such plans, saying: “This is wrong. The President is taking part in all the (G20) events.”

Western nations have imposed successive rounds of sanctions on Moscow, accusing it of sending troops and tanks to back pro-Russian rebels fighting to break away from Ukraine. Russia denies the charges.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) is welcomed by Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott upon his arrival for the G20 summit in Brisbane November 15, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Alain Jocard/Pool

Dempsey says battle with Islamic State starting to turn

By Phil Stewart (REUTERS) - THE Unit-

ed States’ top military officer told American troops on a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday that the momentum in the battle with Islamic State was “starting to turn”, but predicted a drawnout campaign lasting several years.

Iraq’s army chief General Babakir Zebari (R) meets with U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the defence ministry in Baghdad November 15, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/ Stringer

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General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was visiting Iraq for the first time since President Barack Obama responded to Islamic State advances this summer by ordering troops back into a country they left in 2011.

Hours earlier, an Iraqi army colonel said security forces appeared close to retaking the country’s biggest refinery at Baiji,

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which has been under siege for months by Islamic State militants.

Obama last week authorised roughly doubling the number of American ground forces as the military expands the reach of its advisers after slowing the militants’ advances with U.S. air strikes.

Dempsey told the troops the U.S. military had helped Iraqi and Kurdish forces “pull Iraq back from the precipice.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Brazilian police arrest 18 in Petrobras corruption raids (BBC News) BRAZILIAN police have carried out a series of raids and arrested 18 people as part of a corruption investigation into the state-run oil firm Petrobras.

More than 300 police and 50 tax officials were involved in the operation across five states, as well as in the capital Brasilia.

Police said 11 searches took place in major Brazilian companies, including some leading construction firms.

Petrobras is also being investigated by U.S. authorities.

The company, which is majority-owned by the Brazilian government, is one of the largest oil businesses in the world.

Its reach extends far beyond South America; Petrobras has interests in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

In the past few months, Petrobras has been rocked by corruption allegations made by a former executive Paulo Roberto Costa, who is giving evidence to police as part of a plea bargain arrangement.

Petrobras has been rocked by allegations of corruption and money laundering.

High price of keeping Colombians alive

BOGOTA (AFP) - WILSON Borja has 13 bodyguards to protect him from people like the paramilitaries who once tried to kill him, an intimidating security detail funded at great expense by violence-wracked Colombia’s government.

Borja, 62, a former Congressman known for championing left-wing causes, was ambushed by a team of gunmen outside his home on the morning of December 15, 2000.

He is now one of the 7,500 people the Colombian government pays to protect, at a total cost of $600,000 a day -- a hefty sum for a country where the average person earns about $20 a day.

U.S. to grant refugee status to some children (WASHINGTON (AP) — THE U.S. government will launch a programme in December to grant refugee status to some minors under the age of 21 who live in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador and whose parents legally reside in the United States.

U.S. officials say parents can ask authorities free of charge for refugee status for their children in the Central American countries, which are plagued by poverty and vicious gang violence. The programme does not apply to minors who have arrived in the U.S. illegally.

Vice President Joe Biden is set to announce a programme later Friday at the Inter-American Development Bank, where the presidents of the three Central American countries will present a plan to stem child migration from their countries.

Agents of Colombia’s National Protection Unit (Unidad Nacional de Proteccion, UNP, in Spanish) train in La Calera, on October 22, 2014 (AFP Photo/Eitan Abramovich)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

What dictatorship?

THE Opposition has embarked on a frantic and desperate campaign to create an impression that since the prorogation of Parliament by the President, Guyana has descended into dictatorship.

Well nothing could be more bizarre than such a blatant distortion of reality which seems to be the trademark of the Opposition in their futile attempts to hoodwink the Guyanese people.

They have not succeeded to do so in the past and will not succeed in

the current situation. What they would certainly succeed in doing is revealing to the Guyanese people their true treacherous nature.

Like the President correctly took pains to point out that prorogation has not given him new powers. All that has happened is that the Parliament has been temporarily suspended. But more importantly the President has explained that he took such a decision to pave the way for dialogue, which many have been clamouring for, but strangely have categor-

ically rejected, while others have remained mysteriously silent.

Instead of trying to hoodwink and mislead the Guyanese people into believing that we now have a dictatorship, the Opposition should let them know in no uncertain terms that had it not been for the no-confidence motion, the President would not have had to take such a step. The AFC, which tabled the motion, in particular should explain that to the people.

But the Opposition has

chosen the prorogation as the Trojan Horse to incite chaos and confusion to stall development.

One speaker at the Opposition rally at the Square of the Revolution last Friday spoke in revolutionary rhetoric about “building an ocean of resistance” as if he was talking during the days when he had to flee for his life from PNC thugs; when political opponents of that regime were killed and subjected to all forms of harassment; when press free-

dom and human rights were flagrantly violated, when the PNC flag was flown over the courts; when journalists lost their jobs when they did not toe the political line of the PNC, etc.

Perhaps he is suffering from selective amnesia or he is experiencing hallucinations and is therefore haunted by the “jumbie” of

the past.

Any decent Opposition which puts country first would have certainly seized the opening by the President to engage in dialogue in the interest of development and progress.

Unfortunately we do not have such an Opposition in this dear land of ours.

AG thrashes Opposition’s branding of PPP/C as undemocratic and dictatorial “IT is important to remember that while the prorogation mechanism has been with us since Independence, the No-Confidence power, enjoyed by the Opposition, was only inserted in the Constitution, during the 1999-2000 Constitutional process. This process was engineered by and took place under the tenure of a PPP/C Administration, in our quest to enhance our democratic process and conferring greater power to our Parliament.”

This incisive and pellucid declaration from Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, effectively nullifies any claim that the PPP/C Government, via President Donald Ramotar, is being undemocratic and dictatorial.

The constitutional move, on November 10, by President Donald Ramotar to prorogue Parliament, has now become the hub of senseless controversies, with most of it lacking tenable explanations, especially legal ones.

The fact that the PNC

régime was not amenable to a no-confidence provision clearly establishes its inherent undemocratic and dictatorial attitude, now so fraught among members of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) now the blanket for the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). The flip side of this is that the PPP/C comes over as magnanimous, in addition to be very much unlike its predecessor, the PNC. Putting aside this pivotal reality, the Guyana Constitution clearly provides for Prorogation of Parliament, and President Ramotar clearly functioned within his legal ambits: “Now, therefore, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Article 70(1) of the Constitution, I do hereby prorogue the Tenth Parliament of Guyana on 10th day of November, Two thousand and Fourteen.” As per law, the proclamation was published in the Official Gazette, as is required under

the General Clauses of the Laws of Guyana, Chapter 10: 0, Section 21.

Surprise The AG encapsulated the sentiments of the learned as “undecipherable shock” since several lawyers are within the Parliamentary Opposition. He intoned that there must be other factors at work, explaining the wave of volatile and vitriolic outbursts that promise imminent violence.

Speaking during a television programme, on the National Communications Network, titled “The 10th Parliament and the Way Forward,” AG Nandlall exhorted on the possibilities that the Joint Opposition may not have been prepared or they were unable to ascertain that prorogation would have been an option for Government.

“Mr. Joe Harmon’s reference to the prorogation, rendering the Opposition homeless, is most misleading. Prorogation is but a temporary suspension of the sittings of the National

Assembly. Dissolution-that is, the termination in its entirety of the 10th Parliament, would have been the irreversible consequence of the No-Confidence Motion (this) being pursued by the opposition. So (ironically) it is the No-Confidence Motion that would have rendered the Opposition figuratively homeless; not the prorogation,” Nandlall firmly stated.

He also expounded on the Joint Opposition’s dogmatic mantra: “our way or no way.” With regards to dialogue with Government, Minister Nandlall described this Opposition motif, as taking a most “unfortunate position.” He said however, that the population will judge for themselves, noting that stakeholder high-level meetings have been ongoing, and the call there, is also for dialogue, and at the soonest possible time.

According to Nandlall, this adamant aversion for dialogue betrays an important fact, where the Opposition is concerned; it exposes the real nature of the leaders

therein. “The people of Guyana have heard repeated pronouncements made by the Opposition parties to the effect that they want dialogue, and that they are interested in building consensus and a harmonious relationship with the Government for the public good; that very public will now see an Opposition who, when perhaps it matters the most, is rejecting dialogue and constructive engagements with the Government.”

As for actual threats being made by the Political Opposition and their calls for protests, the Minister delineated a poignant difference where the PPP/C is concerned.

“We acknowledged and recognised that as a constitutional and lawful power, which the Parliamentary Opposition enjoys, and of course we reserved our right as Government to respond by employing similar constitutional and lawful methods, and we have done so.”

In this vein of respecting the Rule of Law/Governance

by Constitution, Minister

Nandlall said that the right of the Opposition to voice disagreement with the action taken by the President (to prorogue the Parliament) must be accepted; however the very action taken by the Government is permissible by the very constitution, and that too must be equally respected, fully honoured and totally accepted.

Benefits

On the issue of the huge benefits of the prorogation, the minister highlighted some of the good and prudent possibilities that could be garnered in the immediate offing, as prorogation remains extant.

“Constructive engagement and dialogue in an effort to find compromise are what the prorogation presents … every political leader should have these qualities, and (every leader) is now presented with a great opportunity to

See Page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

A Dream that could materliase one day

By Keith Burrowes I HAD a dream recently.

Like most dreams, I had only a vague sense of where I was, and the time the dream was taking place. I knew that I was in Guyana, and that it was sometime in the future, but I’m not sure exactly how far in the future it was.

This future Guyana wasn’t a Utopia. People still had problems. There was still some crime, as there is bound to be in most societies; there was still some amount of poverty.

Yet this future place in my dream was a beautiful place to be in.

It was a place where political parties still existed, but where the dialogue between them was without any sort of acrimony or vindictiveness, or ad hominem attacks. The debate in Parliament focused on timely, pertinent issues, and when consensus came, it was based on sound, objective judgment and moral fortitude.

On issues of national interest, even the partisanship that is expected in the average democracy faded away, and short-term political gains were sacrificed on the altar of the greater good,

as opposed to the other way around. There was, in that Guyana of the future, the delicate but strongly held balance of informed, critical dissent and true national unity.

In this future, society was a place in which people treated each other well.

It was a place in which consideration and respect for the elderly weren’t just part of our collective attitude, but something that was built into virtually every institution and agency with which that senior citizens had to interact. It was a society in which men cherished and protected the women in their lives, and the papers went for months without carrying a story of a man being charged with so much as verbally abusing a woman, a society where the combined voice of every civil society organisation, no matter their main mandate, finally put the monster of domestic violence to rest.

In this future Guyana, even the poorest child had access to a sound, quality education, from nursery to university. The tools and opportunities that are available now to young people in the developed world were available to all young people here; the infinite world

of knowledge that is the Internet was accessible to each and every child. The youth of this place went into the world of adulthood, confident that the world they inhabited was one constructed for them, and one they were equipped to build further upon, for their sake as well as the sake of their own children.

This Guyana of the future, the Guyana in my dream, existed in a world in which fairness and balance prevailed over special interests. It was a world in which the global leadership arose, not out of the bankrupt concept that ‘Might equals right’, but from the understanding that no nation, no matter how strong, should be above the laws mutually agreed upon and established by all. It was a world in which the strong understood that with their power came with an inherent trust of responsibility, and that every breach of that trust they committed would be a sign to the worst among us that justice is corruptible and malleable.

On awakening, on coming back to the reality of present-day, I realised that the world we live in is both at the cusp of reaching that world I dreamt of, as well as far away from it. For exam-

ple, the politics of the future can be extrapolated from the politics of today, and while there have been signs of recent that the general tone of political debate can change from the usual vitriol, these signs have been few and far between.

When it comes to the development of our people, our youth in particular, our programmes are innovative, well thought out, and well intended. From the ‘One Laptop Per Family Project’ to enhanced sports facilities, to the hydropower project coming onstream, to the pending access of our oil resources, the future of our young people seem to be bright. But the execution will come to less if consensus on the way forward is not reached; if key stakeholders insist on stalling the process, often not for partisan gains, but just to score partisan damage.

We are still very far away from anywhere close to an acceptable situation with regard to domestic violence, with too many of our women being beaten and maimed and murdered on a daily basis. Yet strong and concrete steps have been taken for us to begin to tackle this scourge as a society, and I am confident that we can beat it.

Keith Burrowes On the world stage, the ity. A better future is ahead future looks uncertain and of us, once we are willing to bleak in terms of the estab- make it so. lishment of a truly demoIn closing I wish to recratic global community fer to a recent discussion that has been the dream of that I had with a Governso many since the League ment minister who stated of Nations was established very clear and infinitively almost 100 years ago. Iron- that the Government does ically, and perhaps prophet- not embrace any kind ically, the very things that of public private partplagued that failed organisa- nership. This was surtion – bullying from stron- prising since on several ger nations and compromise occasions both the Presifrom weaker ones – are dent and other ministers those that are plaguing the embracedthis concept in international system now. the context of economic We all have dreams, development. As a result sometimes about things that of this I do intend to run we have no control over, it’s from next week a series of true, but mostly things that articles that I previously human agency is the key done on public/private factor in bringing to a real- partnership.

AG thrashes Opposition’s branding of ...

From Page 6 demonstrate them.”

Nandlall evoked Australia and Canada; they have had prorogation by their leadership and they emerged as exemplars.

Speaking of the impending protest, promised by the Joint Opposition, Minister Nandlall appealed for maturity and wisdom.

He querried if demonstrating, though legal, is the best recourse at this crucial time, pointing to the fact that mayhem and chaos always leave massive losses, all of which could be avoided when dialogue is engaged in. “Dialogue is an essential cog in the democratic wheel. We have not even had an attempt to engage Government on the issue of dialogue,” he added.

Learning from the past The Attorney-General rolled back history when he advocated for dialogue.

This was occasioned with the Opposition Leader’s call on the security forces not to interfere with any peaceful protests.

Nandlall recapped that Brigadier (rtd.) David Granger served in the military, and he admitted to being a member of the then ruling PNC Party, who epitomised dictatorship for decades, prior to 1992. The statement made by the late PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte was also conjured up; Hoyte appealed to the race factor w hen he called on the security services to be cognisant that protestors were their “kith and kin.”

“Why was this statement

necessary in the first place?” the AG asked. “Over the last 20 years, our Administration has never attempted to interfere with our armed forces in the discharge of their duty.

All we have demanded is that they act professionally, and demonstrate their allegiance to the Constitution which they took an oath to uphold.”

Following President Ramotar’s decision to prorogue Parliament on Monday, November 10, there was a desperate attempt to gather protestors at the Parliament Buildings, but the strenuous effort proved futile, giving hint that the populace is not that enamoured with the Opposition parties, especially when they seem bent on disruption.

On the positive side, the AG went on and highlighted Guyana’s economic growth

over the last nine years. He showed the many gains in various sectors, noting that “these are not propagandistic statistics.”

He added that, “Where we are as a people (today) is the best that we have ever seen in this country”. The AG added that even though poverty is not totally eradicated, it is at a far lower level than what the Political Opposition is trying to get people to imagine. Persons are more concerned with their economic well-being, and have moved past the stage of public protests, he opined, further describing such actions as a “retrograde step.”

“Unfortunately it would appear as though our people are ahead of the leaders.

They have seen their lives improved. The protestors of 1997 now own their own

homes; some of them have their own vehicles; some have jobs; some have businesses; and are now not prepared to engage in protest actions that can easily be avoided by their leaders, engaging the Government in dialogue.”

“The Government’s door is always open for dialogue,” the Minister concluded, stating that whilst both sides had demands, action must be for the good of the country; for example, the need for the passage of the all-important Anti-Money Laundering

Bill.

The AG also reflected on the warning from the Joint Opposition that they would not support the upcoming National Budget. He explained that there was nothing new in this threat, as “They (did) cut the 2012 budget, the 2013 budget, and the 2014 budget, (even) when prorogation was not a factor in the political matrix. So I am not surprise; it obviously shows that the Political Opposition is not of the frame of mind to lead this country in the future,” the AG opined.

HENRY SINGH

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GUESSING GAME ON APNU/AFC ‘COALITION’ -after ‘anti-govt’ rally at Square of Revolution

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Analysis by Rickey Singh

ODAY completes the first week of the prorogation (suspension) of Guyana’s Parliament by Head of State, Donald Ramotar, while the combined APNU/ AFC Opposition continue to flex their political muscles against engaging in invited dialogue with him on the way forward to resolve outstanding differences on governance.

In addition to informed commentators on multiparty democracy and constitutional democracy, both the Secretary General of

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR

JOSE MIGUEL INSULZA

the Organisation of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza and Speaker of Guyana’s National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, have separately concurred that the authorised prorogation by the President was based on his constitutional powers.

The maximum period for such a suspension of Parliament could be for some six months. However, with varying emerging political signals, the current impasse may well be over after the coming Christmas holidays and quite possibly before February next year.

Much depends on both the Government and Opposition agreeing to the modalities and agenda for the desired dialogue in the national interest and the expected roles to be played by private sector and leading civil society representatives.

A significant difference that emerged last week was that while OAS Secretary General Insulza opted to encourage a soon return to the normal functioning of Parliament, Speaker Trotman had dashed off a letter to Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, urging him to send a delegation to Guyana to intercede in the dispute

between the Government and Opposition. This did not happen.

Speaker Trotman was to subsequently tell the local media that President Ramotar should have “dissolved”—end the life of the current 10th Parliament—instead of opting for prorogation, blended with an open invitation to the Opposition for dialogue, as the basis for resumption to deal with outstanding political issues.

For their part the accredited diplomatic representatives to Guyana from the USA, Britain and Canada, having been approached by an Opposition delegation for involvement in the controversy, shied away from any public condemnatory statement and, like the OAS Secretary General, expressed instead their hope for an early resumption of Parliament.

Those acquainted with the norms of a functioning parliamentary democracy in Guyana—as has been the case since the restoration of internationally supervised national elections since October 1992-would have had good reasons for questioning the threatening statements and general political posturing by the leadership of APNU and AFC in relation to claims about the Government moving towards a “dictatorship.”

SQUARE OF REVOLUTION RALLY It was in that militant anti-dialogue, antigovernment mood that the leadership of APNU and AFC went about organising last Friday’s political rally at the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown

RAPHAEL TROTMAN

KHEMRAJ RAMJATTAN

to mobilise popular support against the suspension of Parliament.

In contrast to the defiant rhetoric from the main speakers, headed by APNU’s David Granger, President Ramotar chose to reaffirm his commitment

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

for dialogue with the Opposition to determine the future of the currently suspended Parliament. He is now in the process of identifying a proposed negotiating team for the proposed dialogue.

One of the quite surprising developments at the Square of the Revolution rally was the passionate call for boycott of state-owned print and electronic media by Dr. Rupert Roopnarine of the Working Peoples Alliance, speaking as deputy to APNU’s chairman, Mr. David Granger, (leader of the main Opposition (PNCR).

As reported by the local media, Roopnarine identified for boycott not just state-owned media, like the Guyana Chronicle, but also the independent privately-owned ‘Guyana Times.’

Ironically, the “boycott” call to punish the

DR RUPERT ROOPNARAINE

DAVID GRANGER

media enterprises disliked by the articulate WPA’s leading representative came Friday evening from a political platform that was created to expose what participating parties claim to be a drift towards “dictatorship” under President Ramotar’s governing PPP/C. That was one of the more surprising and disappointing developments of the joint PNCR, AFC WPA anti- government, anti-dictatorial rally at the Square of the Revolution. Another would have been the failure by either of the two leading figures of the AFC—Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo to speak, as expected, at the meeting.

The surprise was more intriguing since prior to the event, mounted as an “anti-dictatorship” initiative, spokespersons for APNU and AFC had pointed to moves being pursued for a “coalition” and that such a development was “on the table.”

Little wonder that by yesterday, amid all the militant anti-dictatorship rhetoric flowing from significant elements of both APNU and AFC, the guessing game about a likely “coalition” of the two continued with increasing doubts and cynicism.

(Rickey Singh is a noted Caribbean journalist, based in Barbados).

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

The many faces of …good prorogation and bad

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Column first published in The Misir Post at the URL: themisirpost.wordpress.com THE prorogation or temporary suspension of parliamentary activity in Guyana is real and is a historical first. It is a done deal. But the view on whether or not prorogation is a good thing depends on who you are talking with. And, indeed, the feelings about the suspension of Parliament are strong, in that there are sections of the electorate who support it and other sections of the electorate who oppose.

In this case, one could argue that the electorate is divided on the matter. And so the logical option is to call a general election. Hypothetically, you have this election, results are out, and again you have a divided electorate where some sections vote for the winning party and other sections vote for the losing parties. Are the after-effects, that is, emotions and arguments for and against, of the prorogation and an election not fairly similar?

Yet the winning party in an election proceeds

a constitutional provision, but they did not intend for any President to use it; for its effect will make the elected representatives voiceless.

That is a strange argument, for if a provision is clearly articulated in a constitution, a good probability exists that it will be utilised if the circumstances warrant it.

Without reliable and valid evidence, how would those who promote this view know about the intentions of these founding fathers? They have not presented any evidence of the framers’ intentions?

Well, those resisting prorogation have primarily

“Yet the winning party in an election proceeds to form a Government. In the end, given that the election is free and fair, sections of the electorate opposed to the winning party eventually adjust to living with the outcome. In addition, we should note that in a democracy, both the principles of prorogation and an election are grounded in constitutional provisions and constitutional conventions. If people on the whole live with the election results, notwithstanding their dissatisfaction with the results, why are the Opposition politicians spinning the prorogation as some kind of evil, or that the President has committed an unconstitutional act? The proclamation for proroguing parliament is constitutional.” to form a Government. In the end, given that the election is free and fair, sections of the electorate opposed to the winning party eventually adjust to living with the outcome. In addition, we should note that in a democracy, both the principles of prorogation and an election are grounded in constitutional provisions and constitutional conventions. If people on the whole live with the election results, notwithstanding their dissatisfaction with the results, why are the Opposition politicians spinning the prorogation as some kind of evil, or that the President has committed an unconstitutional act? The proclamation for proroguing Parliament is constitutional.

But this recent prorogation has invoked the wrath of the combined Opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). There is this argument now that the President by proclaiming a prorogation has committed an undemocratic act, even though the act is constitutional.

In fact, what the AFC and APNU are saying is that Parliament represents the will of the people who have now become politically voiceless, and as such the act of prorogation itself is undemocratic.

The Speaker of the National Assembly also shares this view. In pursuing this line of thinking, some opposed to the prorogation contend that the framers of the constitution inserted prorogation as

focused on outcomes or effects; these include, among others, the following: the minority People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will spend outlandishly, or will engage in some kind of spending spree; the will of the people will not be advanced; the emergence of a dictatorship.

But little attention is focused on the causes of prorogation. What brought about the prorogation in the first place?

On the face of it, it appears that prorogation occurred because of the no-confidence motion against the PPP/C Government; the combined Opposition would have won the no-confidence vote against the ruling party PPP/C, by virtue of the Opposition’s numeric majority of one in the National Assembly.

In three Canadian cases, two federal and one provincial, the Governments that prorogued parliament were all minority Governments (Horgan, 2014, p.465); suggesting that minority Governments may be more inclined toward invoking prorogation, in order to sustain its legislative agenda and capital programmes and

projects.

However, in Westminster-style parliamentary systems, prorogation is used as a legitimate parliamentary device when a Government legislative programme ends, or when it wants to institute a new legislative programme (Horgan, 2014, p.457).

The ruling party has a legislative agenda for the remaining two years or so of the 10th Parliament, and these include, among others, the following: Supplementary Appropriation (No.1 for 2014) Bill 2014; Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013; Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2013; Procurement (Amendment) Bill 2013; Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2013; Telecommunications Bill 2012; Public Utilities Commission (Amendment) Bill 2012; Recording Of Court Proceedings Bill 2014. Any ruling party and the PPP/C is no exception, will want to execute its legislative agenda as part of its nation building mandate.

And with several bills not current and languishing in Parliament, and combined with a practically dysfunctional committee system, there is definitively parliamentary gridlock inimical to development and democratic growth.

This prorogation period which could be six months or less, presents parliamentarians with an ample opportunity to find ways to break the parliamentary gridlock. Gridlock exists because people have conflicting ideological perspectives and power interests and have no proclivity to compromise. Conflict resolution requires, for starters, meaningful interaction through parliamentarians’ consciousness of their public role, their responsibility and accountability to the people.

Indeed, prorogation like so many things has many faces of what is good and what is bad; and given the constant parliamentary gridlock, an evil phenomenon, and the urgency for its resolution, why not seek out the goodness in prorogation as a possible means toward permanently ending the parliamentary congestion. And even if prorogation is as bad as the antagonists contend, beneath its pathology, there is goodness.

References: HORGAN, G. W. 2014. Partisan-motivated prorogation and the Westminster model: a comparative perspective. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 52, 455-472.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Female pioneer pilot impressed with transformation of local aviation industry LUCILLE Dawsey, Guyana’s first female pilot to fly in the country’s airspace, arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on November 12 for a twoday visit, and was high in praise of all entities involved in transforming the country’s aviation sector relative to female involvement.

The 72 year-old, Ms. Dawsey explained that the last visit to her homeland was in 1979, when she was honoured by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on November 13

locations, and you who have been before us give us strength to go on,” he said.

Ms. Dawsey’s son, Stanislaus, revealed that despite the challenges she had faced, his mother “kept her strength, (which) I have not seen in anybody else I have come across.”

He noted also that her vitality for life is another quality he admired, and he thanked Minister Benn and guests for honouring his mother in the way they had done.

Ms. Dawsey expressed her overwhelming sentiments

Ms. Dawsey receiving an appreciation plaque from Minister Benn

Ms. Lucille Dawsey greets a fellow female pilot, Captain Feriel Ally at the Silhouette Restaurant.

Speaking briefly at the Silhouette Restaurant, Ms. Dawsey said, “I am very, very impressed to see other women more active in the local aviation sector. I have only been here for a short time, and what I saw at Ogle and Timehri is very unbelievable in terms of human and physical development.”

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, in honour of Ms. Dawsey’s contributions to aviation, presented her with a plaque, and remarked that it was an exhilarating experience to meet Ms. Dawsey, a mother of five. He added: “We have to remind ourselves to engage and to learn from her experiences as a pilot in Guyana.”

He noted that, during the early 21st Century, it was a pioneering event for a woman to be licensed as a pilot; and he pointed to the evolution of the previously maledominated field.

“We must know that we not only stand on the shoulders of men, but on the shoulders of strong, brave women.

We need to be reminded of how far we have come in our country. Our aviation sector is boundless,” Minister Benn stated.

And Chairman of the Board of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Mr. Hugh Denbow, declared that GCAA has always paid tribute to the sector’s trailblazers.

“We get strength from those who have done a good job. We are still in the primary mode of developing interior

to all: “I did not expect all of this!” she admitted. “I just expected somebody to come and say ‘Hi!’.”

‘Lucy’ as she was fondly referred to, flew several Cessna aeroplanes after receiving her pilot’s licence in 1961. She flew the Cessna 172, 180 and 206 in the hinterland region, where she and her husband, George Golas, were engaged in precious minerals’ operations.

Noting that several personal tragedies caused her to migrate to Trinidad in 1974, Ms. Dawsey said she had returned briefly in 1979.

Ms. Dawsey explained that she presently travels extensively, especially to Costa Rica, the USA and Canada, where her children reside.

Ms. Dawsey, who arrived with her son Stanislaus and grandson on November 12, was pleasantly surprised with the warm welcome she received.

Ms. Paula McAdam, former Director, Aviation Safety Regulations, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), now Chief Accident Investigator; and Monica Bipta, a GCAA staffer, greeted Ms. Dawsey and her family upon her arrival at the Timehri facility.

Ms. McAdam chaired the ceremony honouring Ms. Lucille Dawsey. Ankar Dubay, acting Director General of the GCAA; Astel Paul, a Director on the Board; Courtney Frank and Dorris Sammy were among the GCAA officials present at the ceremony.

Ms. Lucille Dawsey at the CJIA

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Work at Aurora gold mine progressing well WORK at Guyana Goldfields Inc. Aurora Gold Project in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) is progressing rapidly to ensure that operations commence in mid-2015.

The Canadian owned company which has been carrying out operations in Guyana since the year 1996 to date primarily focuses on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana.

The project is expected to become one of the largest contributors to Guyana’s tax base and will generate employment for approximately 750-800 persons.

(Look out for full story on the Project in tomorrow’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle).

11

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Chief of Staff (COS) briefs troops on political situation -emphasises operational readiness CHIEF of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, recently briefed GDF officers and other ranks, on the current political situation, particularly as it relates to President Ramotar’s prorogation of Parliament, highlighting the security implications.

Mr. Phillips, while emphasising the security implications which currently exist because of the country’s political climate, underscored the need for a sustained state of readiness to execute

duties, in keeping with the mandate of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

He further supported this statement by acknowledging Section 5, Chapter 15:01 of the Defence Act in the Constitution which states that, “...The Force shall be charged with the defence of and maintenance of order in Guyana and with other duties as may from time to time be defined by the Defence Board.”

In his address

t o t h e t r o o p s , M r.

Phillips stressed that their approach to their duties must be with the aim of ensuring the highest degree of professionalism at all times. He entreated the troops not to become emotional but to remain vigilant and task oriented.

“We have a role to play as providers of our nation’s safety and security” he said, while noting that all Officers, other Ranks and Civilian employees of the Force

are expected to be in a state of readiness to ensure a professional commitment to their national role.

As befits its role to aid the civil powers in the maintenance of order, the GDF is committed to working in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force and other members of the Joint Services.

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips

Army ranks on parade

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

NBS ‘alleged’ $69M fraud…

13

DPP insists she was appointed to act and confirmed by Judicial Service Commission -not former President Jagdeo THE Director of Public Prosections (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack has broken silence following a report from the Ombudsman’s Office seeking to implicate her in the ‘alleged victimisation’ of former New Building Society (NBS) Director, Maurice Arjoon.

Ms. Hack, in a statement to the media, strongly condemned assertions by former NBS Director, Arjoon in an article “Case of $69M fraud NBS managers suffered ‘grave injustice’Ombudsman” appearing in Stabroek News on November 13, 2014 where

SHALIMAR ALI-HACK it was said that the DPP was quickly appointed by then President Bharrat Jagdeo after “the DPP wrongfully charged me [Arjoon] and the two managers…”

The DPP however denounced the statement saying she was “both appointed to act and subsequently confirmed as DPP by the Judicial Service Commission, not the President.” She stressed that her appointment was “the first DPP in Guyana to have been appointed as DPP by the Judicial Service Commission.”

The 2001 Constitutional amendments made provisions which removed the power of the President to appoint persons to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. That responsibility, according to Article 203 (2) of the Constitution was given to the Judicial Services Commission, where the Commission can both place someone to act and confirm the appointment of that person to the position.

On another matter, the DPP responded to a similar claim that

she had acted to make charges against Arjoon and his colleagues with “insufficient evidence” of their criminal involvement. A claim which the DPP responded to saying she “reviewed all statements in the police file and found that there was strong and compelling evidence to institute charges against the employees as advised.”

A stalling point for three and a half years, the case against Arjoon and others was dismissed since the victim, Bibi Shamila nee Safi Khan had migrated to Canada. The DPP made it clear that her office was not responsible “for the fact that the victim did not attend court to testify against these persons.”

“What the DPP did was to give legal advice, based on the evidence in the police file and the Laws of Guyana, which I am constitutionally bound to do,” the DPP’s statement read, adding: “No person can challenge this act of the DPP except a court of law and only where there is evidence that the DPP acted contrary to the Constitution or statute.”

Following the dismissal of the case, Maurice Arjoon filed against the DPP Shalimar Ali Hack in the High Court claiming that she had abused her office in administering charges to the defendants.

The DPP in her statement confirmed that this was so, “such a challenge was done and the High Court of Guyana via Justice Dawn Gregory did not find that the DPP acted contrary to the Constitution or statute by advising the Police to institute the charges, but rather acted in accordance with the law.”

The Office of the Ombudsman was filled earlier this year by attorney-atlaw and former High Court Judge, Winston Moore. The office had not been filled for eight years prior to Moore’s appointment.

The Ombudsman under articles 191 through 196 of the Constitution is expected to investigate all matters relating to complaints by citizens against Government departments and their officials.

The DPP on this ground has challenged the intervention by the Ombudsman in a matter which did not involve a Government agency or official. “While the Ombudsman’s functions are expressly stated in Article 192 and 193 of the Constitution, Article 193,” she said, “specifically states the excluded matters of the Ombudsman.” “ F u r t h e r, b a s e d o n t h e newspapers’ writings, the Ombudsman used an incomplete file to make his report, yet, uncannily, he was able to pronounce that the persons have suffered grave injustice when they were charged,” the DPP questioned.

NBS main office

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

MoHA issues advisory on persons trained at different forums in Oct

THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has issued an advisory regarding persons who have been/are involved in training programmes that commenced in the month of October 2014.Details are as follows: MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS 1. The Honourable Clement J. Rohee, MP, Minister of Home Affairs, and Brigadier Mark Phillips, MSM, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, attended the “XI Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas”, held from October 12 – 14, 2014 in Arequipa, Peru. That Conference focused on reinforc-

ing regional dialogue at the highest level to strengthen the role of the Council Defence Ministries of the Americas as one of the main mechanisms for consensus in defense matters.

2. Ms. Kavita Bhowani, Research Officer, attended the “Fifth Meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) on Preventing Crime by Focusing on At-Risk Youth and Vulnerable Populations”.

That meeting was held in Suriname over the period October 22/23, 2014, and the focus was on societal factors that place youth at risk for crime, violence, and a criminal lifestyle.

Rev. Kwame Gilbert, MP, Community Development and Social Policy Advisor in the Office of the President, also attended that meeting.

GUYANA POLICE FORCE 3. Sergeant 14327 Christopher Rose, Corporal 18596 Allan Paul, Corporal 20942 Devaugh Jarvis, Lance Corporal 17949 Kevin Josiah, Constable 20588 Seon Grannum and Constable 20887 Andrew Ramkissoon attended an “Intelligence Training for Police Ranks” from October 12 – 22, 2014 in Bon Fin, Brazil.

4. Inspector Chabhinauth Singh attended a “Regional

Training Exercise in Kidnapping/Hostage and Extortion Negotiation” in Jamaica from October 26 – 31, 2014.

That training focused on the roles and methods of operation within crisis negotiation teams; victim and family management; communication; conversation and social rules; initial response to a covert case; negotiation in red centre, and negotiation in a covert response to kidnapping.

5. Sergeant 16321 Lakeram Deochand attended a training programme on “International Police Cooperation at Airports”, from October 27 – November 7, 2014 in Brazil. The programme provided an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and information in the field of criminal investigation at international airports, focusing on the repression of international drug trafficking.

CANU 6. Mr. James Singh, Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), attended the “3rd Regional Global Container Control Programme” (CCP) from October 22 – 24, 2014 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

That programme focused on joint port control units working structure; anti-corruption; supply chain security management; UN sanctions, and arms trafficking.

Distribution of 2015 Old Age Pension booklets begins tomorrow

THE Social Security Department of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will tomorrow start distributing 2015 Old Age Pension booklets to all eligible pensioners across the country.

All pensioners are reminded to bring along their 2014 Old Age Pension booklets and National Identification Cards or their passports. Pensioners are also advised that they cannot authorise anyone to collect their Old Age Pension booklets; officers will deliver those to pensioners who are unable to visit the centres to uplift same.

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security has made every effort to place distribution centres closest to pensioners. A list of the distribution centres and the dates and times those will be operational will be published in Guyana’s four newspapers (Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, Stabroek News and Kaieteur News) on Sunday, November 16, 2014.

The distribution list has been published in all four newspapers today, and persons are advised to kindly check the schedule carefully and present themselves at the distribution centre catering to persons in their catchment area in order to uplift their booklets. For queries or additional information, kindly contact the Social Security Unit on telephone numbers 223-6027, 225-6545, 227-0129 (Georgetown); or your District Offices at 771-4311 (Region Two); 264-2690 (Region Three); 256-3674 (East Coast Demerara; 221-2571/232-0952/3 (Region Five); 333-3970 (New Amsterdam); 333-3318/337-2667 (Corentyne); 455-2964 (Bartica); 440-2272 (Kwakwani); or 444-6330 (Linden).

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Chronicle Weekend Roundup with Telesha Ramnarine November 10-15, 2014

Monday 10

Former News of the World editor jailed over phone hacking

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. ...........................................................................................................................................

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

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 the 48th convocation at the University’s Turkeyen Campus, the Region’s top ambassador congratulated 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. ...........................................................................................................................................

Gladstone turns 103

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-scores-and-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. ...........................................................................................................................................

Tuesday 11

PRESIDENT SUSPENDS PARLIAMENT

ARMED with a few options but with back-against-the-wall and recognition that his Government’s exhaustive ‘olive branch’ approaches and appeals to the Parliamentary Opposition to exercise political maturity have “fallen on deaf ears,” President Donald Ramotar issued a Proclamation to Prorogue (suspend) the 10th Parliament of Guyana. The move to Prorogue Parliament, which puts a damper on the Opposition’s affirmation and commitment to go ahead with their controversial “no-confidence” motion against the Government, was well thought out in the interest of the country and the Guyanese people. It was also widely anticipated and, as the President pointed out, well within the exercise of his Constitutional powers conferred on him by Article 70 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana. ...........................................................................................................................................

Dairy Queen Grill and Chill is here CAMEX Restaurants Inc., franchisee of Church’s Chicken, Mario’s Pizza, Quiznos and Dairy Queen recently opened their new ‘Dairy Queen Grill and Chill’ outlet at Middle and Camp Streets, Georgetown.

The new location is housed in the same building as Church’s Chicken holdings. Dairy Queen was founded in 1940 and today boasts close to 6,000 restaurants worldwide. DQ is one of the most popular chains of soft serve ice cream in the fast food industry. The opening of their Grill and Chill concept in Guyana will be the company’s first in the Caribbean and South America. The Grill and Chill offers a variety of delicious hamburgers, hot sandwiches, chicken strips, hot dogs and their famous ice cream treats. ...........................................................................................................................................

Gold Board General Manager resigns

GENERAL Manager of the Guyana Gold Board, Mr. Anantram Balram has resigned after he was sent on five-months leave in March. A source told the Guyana Chronicle that Balram was sent on leave in June in order to facilitate a full investigation into a multi-million fraud at a GGB sub-office in Bartica.

After the multi-million dollar fraud at the Bartica sub-office, it had shut its doors which remain closed.

The Natural Resources Ministry said a meeting has been convened with the GGB, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), licensed dealers and other stakeholders to ensure that this matter does not disrupt the overall trading of gold, particularly in the Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) location. ...........................................................................................................................................

Wednesday 12

Murder accused gets three years MURDER accused, Kevin Hintzen, 25, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after confessing to hiding 78 grammes of ‘ganja’ in his crotch. The ‘stash’ was unearthed during a routine search at the New Amsterdam prison. Additionally, the convict was fined $30,000 with an alternative of sixty days’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to trafficking narcotics. “Sometimes I does sell it, and sometimes I does give them (prisoners) for free,” Hintzen admitted. The labourer was initially incarcerated for the unlawful killing of Jagdat Ramcharran during a robbery at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice.

Plucky pensioner attacks gun-toting bandit with cutlass A businessman was shot to the right arm by one of two bandits who invaded his business place

(Style Palace General Store) on King Street in Georgetown demanding cash. Hospitalised is Inshan Ally, a licensed firearm holder of Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, who received his injuries when the gunman was distracted by a pensioner and he (Ally) attempted to reach for his firearm. When the men entered the store and demanded cash, Ally’s 60–year-old wife, Rakeema drew a cutlass to challenge the gun- toting bandit, even as her husband attempted to come to her rescue by whipping out his weapon.

However, after realising that the businessman was armed with a firearm, the bandit turned his attention away from the pensioner with the cutlass and focused on Ally, who was shot before he could have used his weapon .The bandits then fled the area.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Chronicle Weekend Roundup with Telesha Ramnarine November 10-15, 2014

GPHC issues advisory against bringing meals/beverages for patients THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has issued a press release advising persons to desist from bringing meals for relatives/friends who have been admitted to the hospital, specifically diabetic patients. The release said those who wish to bring meals for patients should first seek the advice of doctors and nurses before they so do. It said the hospital provides well balanced diets to patients.

Persons have also been advised against bringing aerated beverages to patients; coconut water and pure water are advised instead. ........................................................................................

Traffic Chief again appeals for considerate use of roadways

TRAFFIC Chief, Hugh Denhert told this publication that speeding, drunk driving and inconsiderate use of the roads continue to be the major contributory factors fuelling road fatalities. His statement comes in the wake of recent road accidents that have claimed the lives of several persons. The Police Traffic Department Headquarters reported that, for this year, the police have recorded 111 road accidents in which 120 persons lost their lives, including 15 children. ........................................................................................

Thursday 13

Guyana will head to ‘snap’ elections if dialogue unsuccessful

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has no intention to prorogue Parliament a second time, after having done so on Monday, but will move straight into “snap” elections if another genuine attempt by his Administration at dialogue with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) fails. This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who made it clear that the reason for the prorogation was to attempt dialogue in the interest of the Guyanese people. As a result of prorogation, the first session of the 10th Parliament, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution. ........................................................................................

Government to increase monitoring offshore exploration

IN an unprecedented move to create a vibrant oil and gas sector

by increasing governance and monitoring of offshore explorations, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister, Robert Persaud announced the approval, by Cabinet, of Guyana’s Upstream Oil and Gas Policy. This comes at a time when, according to Persaud, Guyana’s “potential [of producing]… more than 15.2 billion barrels of oil” has seen the country “considered to be the second most attractive exploration basin in the world.” Explaining the ‘across the board’ potential for Guyana’s new policy, Persaud said: “It must be recognised that Guyana’s legal, regulatory and contractual framework is attractive for petroleum investors, while simultaneously ensuring that there are maximum benefits accruing to the people of Guyana.” ................................................................................

Heir to wealthy gynecologist killed in early morning motor cycle accident

A FATHER of one was killed when he fell off his motorcycle while reportedly riding at a fast rate.

Dead is 43-year-old Jonathan Validen of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara. Police sources said that the man died sometime when he lost control of his motorcycle, CD 7919, while heading home along the Montrose Public Road. Jonathan Validen’s presence in Guyana came about when his father 76-year-old Specialist Obstetrician/ Gynecologist, Dr. Charles Clarence Validen’s partly decomposed body was found in his Agricola Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara home by his maid in 2012. When the young man got word that his father in Guyana had died, he travelled here to identify the remains and arrange the burial.

Jonathan Validen remained in Guyana and got married to a woman and they had a daughter. Validen was able to inherit several estates and other wealth his father had, including a bank account with more than a hundred million dollars. ........................................................................................

Friday 14

GL&SC to set up enforcement arm –will target squatters

AN enforcement arm will be established by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) which will target squatters. Following the Commission’s petition for support and agreement for the creation of an enforcement unit, Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of the unit. This was announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon. The HPS explained that such a unit

already exists for the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and works in close conjunction with the Ministry of Housing and Water. ..............................................................................................

MV MALALI completes dry docking

THE MV MALALI ferry, which usually plies the ParikaWakenaam-Supenaam-Parika route, completed its dry docking at the E.C Vieira Investment Ltd Dry Docking facility on October 9, 2014 after extensive rehabilitation was done on the vessel. The vessel entered the dockyard on September 1, 2014 after dry- docking and rehabilitation works were awarded to the E. C Vieira Investment Ltd at a cost of $118,952,000. Dr. Clinton Hazel was assigned as the project engineer. Some of the repair works included the construction of a new canteen on the passengers’ deck, and an opening at the Port-Side Bow was converted into a sailors’ cabin. In addition, seven cabins were reconstructed for the crew, hull works, the installation of Anodes, replacing of the water tank, among other works were also completed. ........................................................................................

New British High Commissioner appointed

HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon has announced the appointment of a new High Commissioner to Guyana from the United Kingdom. The HPS stated that James Gregory Quinn has now assumed the post, and would be residing in Georgetown. High Commissioner Quinn replaces Andrew Ayre, who had served in Guyana since September 2011. High Commissioners from Britain have been serving in Guyana since the country attained independence in 1966. .........................................................................................

Saturday 15

President to invite Opposition for talks within days

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has said he has been working on putting together a “negotiation team” and will be making an invitation to the combined Opposition parties for dialogue within the coming days.

“I have been working on my own negotiation team and very soon I will be inviting the Opposition in within a matter of days. I will be inviting the Opposition in for dialogue,” he said, speaking during a news conference. This move comes four days after the Head of State announced his decision to prorogue Parliament. ........................................................................................

ExxonMobil to invest over US$200M in oil exploration

THERE are high expectations of Guyana becoming a petroleumproducing nation as ExxonMobil formally announced its exploratory offshore drilling plans. The company is partnering with strategic organisations such as Youth Challenge and the Volunteer Youth Corps as part of its corporate responsibility push. The company’s local headquarters is located at 99 New Market Street, Georgetown.

Mobilisation will begin in the first quarter of 2015, and drilling and exploration, initially at the Liza location, will commence in the second quarter of 2015. The total area allotted to Exxon covers 26, 806 square kilometres. ................................................................................

Two cops under close arrest for brutalising, dumping man in lockups

THE Guyana Police Force on Thursday confirmed that two officers from the West Demerara police district were placed under close arrest following reports of police brutality meted out to Sunil Lall of La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD. Under close arrest are a constable and a sergeant after a case of police brutality, in addition to an allegation of extortion. Statements have already been taken from the virtual complainant who is also a contractor and father of five children.

In addition, the two officers and those who were on a mobile patrol when Lall was arrested were also required to give statements.

17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Prorogation solution creates space for real collaboration

By Shaun Michael Samaroo

W

E suffer in this nation f ro m a d i f f e re n c e i n perspectives. Nothing else divides us, cripples our social space and confuses us more than the fact that we look at the Guyanese society through two different lenses.

On the one hand, since 2011, the Opposition holds the view that it should wield political power over the democratically, freely and fairly elected Executive Branch of Government. When it fails to so do, it resorts to stifling development projects, including starving Amerindian communities of capital and denying students at the University of Guyana access to affordable tuition.

Ask any Opposition leader to explain this astonishing foolishness, and he or she would resort to the blame game, scapegoating Government, citing vague allegations of various misdeeds.

Nobody says the Government is perfect. Government daily confronts problems of mammoth proportions and our nation cannot solve these unless we come together as one people. In fact, a lot of the existing problems existed for decades, including corruption and inefficiency.

This Government is open, authentic and real, and, given time and cooperation, will transform the existing situation.

The Ramotar administration engineered a paradigm that seeks to create a national space of inclusivity and workability. But, like life itself, those who are arrogant, selfish and prideful should not expect the President to bow to them.

Government insists that the Opposition is causing Guyana to be almost ungovernable.

These two views clash with explosive impact, leaving the citizen in a state of bewilderment and confusion.

Of the two views, one would be inclined to sympathise with Government, for the simple reason that Government, in its own interest, would only want development to take place. It would be to Government’s detriment were it to stifle development in the country.

So, of the two opposing sides, any reasonable analysis would show that Government wants development to happen, while the Opposition sees its role as one of opposing, just for the sake of opposing.

Maybe our democracy is yet too immature for us to expect maturity from elected Members of Parliament. Maybe we’re still learning how to be a democratic nation.

The Opposition would jump up and shout with loud cussing that Government wanting development to happen is not true, claiming with little rational argument that Government is preventing the society from developing.

At the end of the day, a political party exists because it wants to exercise political, economic and social power over the society. So it would be ingenious for the Opposition parties to pretend that their

motive is altruistic and without selfish ambition.

So here we are today, with a tragic face-off between a Government that must confront a host of serious challenges affecting the society, and an Opposition that celebrates with glee the crippling of the society’s socio-economic development.

How could we solve this crisis?

On the one hand, we see the Opposition resorting to threats to tear apart the social fabric, to disrupt the peace of this Christmas season, with street protests, and on the other hand, Government resorts to the prorogation of Parliament in its effort to circumvent the Opposition’s constant opposing.

Since 2011, the Guyanese society has suffered immense harm and damage.

One would have thought a Minority Government would have injected sense and a new paradigm into our political system. Instead, Opposition leaders adopted an arrogant, prideful, chest-beating self-glory to trump their triumph at national polls.

Is this the way to deal with national affairs?

In the scenario where some of these leaders, influential and with a platform through the independent media, see it with rage and lust for vengeance for perceived wrongs to them in their original roles in the ruling Party, the irrationality we saw emanating from Parliament had nothing to do with Government’s performance, but simply with these leaders’ quest for personal revenge.

They seem oblivious to their own inner rage, and to the fact that they are destroying our nation’s progress.

The Government wants to govern.

Any sensible person would admit that any Government wants to improve its image, to develop the society, and to win the hearts of the people. It’s human nature.

Government would be the first to admit that it faces immense challenges.

The national brain drain is not an easy challenge to tackle. Across the land, Government has to live with the paucity of skills, lack of expertise, a low national Budget of less than US$1 billion, and the re-building of the society after the decades of collapse under the Government of the People’s National Congress (PNC). These are facts, the ‘what is so’ situation of today, the circumstances that limit us.

But the Guyanese nation is one of amazing possibility. We could become the breadbasket of the Caribbean, especially now that we’ve achieved Housing, Clothing and Feeding of ourselves.

Today, we stand positioned to become the great nation that we could become.

Throughout our history, the world has looked at us astonished that we’ve got so much potential and natural resources, yet we fall so short.

Today, we are at a pivotal point. And we look to President Donald Ramotar to lead, to exercise the mandate he’s received through free and fair elections to govern the society for five years, or more, if he is elected to a second term of office.

We want the President to lead, to

take decisive action, to exercise his powers according to the Constitution so that anarchy does not prevail, so that the Guyanese nation does not become ungovernable.

Should an Investigative Reporter inquire into the origin and process that the threat of the No-Confidence Motion became the talk of the country, the nation would see how pettiness and irrationality crippled the Guyana Parliament.

Since 2011, Guyana faced the immense problem of an unworkable national stage.

The political quagmire, lack of the spirit of compromise, stubborn Opposition disrespect for Government, an ugly determination to refuse collaboration with and good faith in Government, and a national private media inconsiderately damaging the morale of citizens day in day out, fuelled a serious problem across the socio-economic space of this land.

Someone had to act, and act with courage and strength, to find a solution to this problem.

This is what President Ramotar did: he came up with a constitutional solution to break the cycle of demoralisation that was

crippling our nation.

Now that the President stood up as a man, a leader, a defining father-figure, to initiate a space whereby we must collaborate, converse, cooperate and come together, the onus is on all of us, citizens and Opposition and Government leaders, to be responsible, and together work to heal this land.

We see even within the Opposition parties in-fighting, distrust and corrupt practices.

The Guyanese society has enormous challenges to overcome. And if we divide into two camps, each looking at the Guyanese nation through its own lens, refusing to see the other’s point of view, where would we end up?

Here we are today, with Parliament prorogued, and with street protests.

That’s a problem the citizen does not want to encounter. President Ramotar offers the nation the solution: let’s sit down and talk. Let’s consider each other’s perspectives, with full mutual respect and consideration, seeking how, together we would move the nation forward.

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Leguan Cane Garden sea defence project almost completed THE Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) yesterday said the Cane Garden sea defence project at Leguan has seen some 750 metres of Rip-Rap completed to date, and works are expected to end by December 2014.

Project Engineer, Dennis Ramsingh said that approximately 1,000 metres of sea defence has been subjected to severe erosion, resulting in loss of all the mangroves within this stretch; therefore, the earthen embankment had been fully exposed to the ocean.

He iterated that all phases of the project are expected to be completed in December 2014.

Albert James, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of the Enterprise/Leguan area, said the Project began at a slow pace, but significant strides have so far been made.

“Initially, the contractor was progressing (slowly) on the project; but, to date, the residents are happier, and would like to

see completion of the work in a timely manner.”

Some residents have expressed gratitude to the Government for the improvement on the land since the project started. Mr. Sheik Ayube said that farming is made easier now that flooding does not occur. “The water has eased tremendously, and we can now have access to the land without worrying about the water coming in. We would like to thank the Ministry of Works for assisting us in this regard,” he said.

Another resident, Mr. Lachhman Dwarkha, said the contractor executing the project deserves a medal for the work done so far.

“We are very pleased and satisfied with the work completed to date, and the Contractor truly deserves to be rewarded for satisfactory work. We now have dry land to work on, and thanks to the Government of Guyana for their input,” he said.

This project is funded by the Government of Guyana.

The Rip almost completed

Miner fatally stabbed at Snake Creek,Cuyuni River

By Michelle Outridge THE police are investigating the murder of miner, Dennis Creme, 35, of Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), which occurred around 18:30 hrs on Friday at Snake Creek, Cuyuni River.

Investigations have revealed that Dennis Creme and another man were imbibing at a shop when he was stabbed to his neck. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital.

The suspect has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

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Lumber truck kills carpenter on Pearl Public Road, EBD

FIFTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD carpenter Ramdhalar Dhanraj, aka Eddie, of Lot 8, Pearl, East Bank Demerara died on the spot yesterday a short distance from his home after a lumber-laden truck heading north in the direction of Georgetown suddenly crossed lanes and ran him over on the Pearl Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Dhanraj was on the eastern side of the road when he

Accident victim Ramdhalar Dhanraj in happier times

was struck down.

Dragging Dhanraj and his bicycle, the truck came to rest in a drain more than 100 metres from where the accident had occurred. Dhanraj’s head was crushed.

His wife, Talakmattie Dhanraj, commonly called Bobby, said she had last seen her husband alive shortly after 17:00 hours yesterday, when he left to meet with some workers a short distance away. She was on the way to her daughter’s residence when relatives called her to say that her husband had been struck down.

“Dem girls tell meh that meh husband get knock down and meh tell dem meh didn’t believe. Then he niece call and she tell meh that if meh hear Uncle Eddie get knock down and meh seh ‘no’, and she seh ‘yeah, he dead!’ and then I walking coming down and I beg a car man to give meh a drop,” she said at the scene, amidst a gathering of sympathising neighbours and inconsolable relatives.

Eyewitnesses said the driver and porter of the truck appeared to be intoxicated, but this could not be verified.

They were, however, taken to the Timehri Police Station.

Another eyewitness said that while the truck had not been speeding, it was swerving as it proceeded along the road.

Dhanraj leaves to mourn his wife, three children and five grandchildren.

Talakmattie Dhanraj, wife of accident victim Ramdhalar Dhanraj

Stepfather allegedly sexually abuses siblings -mother reportedly shielding him

VILLAGERS at Charity on the Essequibo Coast are crying shame at a mother of three, whom they claim are shielding a stepfather who allegedly has been sexually molesting her daughter who is now in her early 20s and a teenage son.

The story blew asunder on Wednesday last when another son in his early 20s stumbled upon the stepfather sodomising his 16-yearold brother in a mining camp in the interior and stabbed him (the stepfather) repeatedly about the body.

According to reports, the stepfather dealt the older brother a blow to his head with a piece of wood, but the lad made good his escape and travelled to Charity where he reported his discovery to his mother. It was said that the stepfather, afraid of the outcome should his deeds come to light, travelled to Charity immediately after the older lad, who villagers said has been desperately trying to tell the weeping mother another story.

According to reports, the stepfather has abandoned the 16- year-old boy in the mining camp somewhere in the interior.

Sources said that the devastated woman took a flight to the mining site on Thursday to bring her teenage son to safety.

A close associate of the mother told this publication that despite the fact that they had pleaded with the mother to report the matter to the police, she has bluntly refused. The informant said that several years ago there was a similar case where the woman’s daughter, who was then a teenager had told her that the stepfather was sexually molesting her and the woman in turn had “shushed the child” for fear of disrupting the family.

Some residents have informed this publication that the woman fears loss of financial assistance from the man, should she expose him. The stepfather has gold mining operations in the interior.

Sources are suggesting that the man has been molesting the teenage boy from an early age and had recently taken him into the interior to work with him, so that he could have free access to execute his evil deeds.

Some said that the couple would normally take young males from the village to work with them in the interior but are often unable to pay the workers when the time arises, even though they make record gold findings.

Some have alleged that the couple is operating an illegal goldmining unit in the hinterland.

The body of Ramdhalar Dhanraj lies covered at the feet of relatives and friends

The Lumber truck that killed Ramdhalar Dhanraj came to a stop in a drain

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Togetherness de First Lady 40-y

C

By Shaun Michael Samaroo OURAGE, inner strength, a deep resolve to take the tough road when necessary, these abilities delineate the defining leader, the one who rises up to shape society.

What qualities prepare a man, a woman to become the one who

leads his people?

We asked President Donald Ramotar and First Lady, Deolatchmie Ramotar to outline for the Guyanese nation the foundational family values that made President Ramotar the man of the moment in our nation’s history.

Today, he faces a monument of challenges, with his courageous move to prorogate Parliament, with grotesque treats of street protests in Georgetown, with a political quagmire so stifling his nation, that his decisive, visionary, courageous leadership, in this moment, could forever define the six peoples of this land.

The First Lady’s insight into her husband’s character provides a crucial glimpse into the kind of man he is, and the kind of leader who stands at the helm of the ship of State as we navigate these rough, stormy waters.

The Guyana Chronicle sat down with the President and First Lady at State House last week for an informal chat, as they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, one of the most successful marriages in the history of Guyana. In the annals of the line of Presidents in this country, the First Couple rank with the best in family life, in the league of only President Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan for stability and exemplary domestic accomplishment.

President Ramotar sang the praises of a deep family culture, noting that the family forms the foundation for society, as the first grounding of social units. Out of the family grows a village, and a city and a nation, he said, underlining his conviction that family comes first.

Mrs. Ramotar said though 40 years of marriage seems “like a long time, it doesn’t seem like that to us,” noting the fact that she remembers every detail of those first years of them getting to know each other, and the early days of the marriage, when they rented a place in Alberttown, Georgetown, and prepared to battle life’s stormy journey, together, always upholding each other.

“It seems like just yesterday,” President Ramotar said, expressing a kind of “surprise” that so much time elapsed in their life.

He looks on his accomplishment as nothing major, as not even an accomplishment, because he said it just happened, with the years rolling by. This attitude of humility, of never taking the credit or seeking self-glory, characterises President Ramotar. He approaches life with a sense of service, of giving, of opening his heart to possibilities.

“I think when we got married we set out to live a successful marriage, with children who succeed, and with understanding between us, where there’s no major domestic issues and so on,” Mrs. Ramotar said, outlining how simple, how with a kind of noble ordinariness, the couple set out on their journey of life together.

This extraordinary ability to embrace ordinariness, to maintain a constant hold on the simplicity of daily

living, comes across strikingly from the Ramotars. One wonders at their powerful performance as a couple, for they achieved the dream life, now serving their nation as the First Couple. Yet, for them there’s no grand dream, no selfish ambition, no major aspiration to be the best.

They seem to simply flow with the tide, and yet their life speaks volumes of their profound influence on their world.

Today, they hold Guyana in their hands, they play a defining role in the Commonwealth Caribbean and in South America through the President’s foreign policy initiatives, and they determine what role Guyana plays on the world stage, through the United Nations and other global organisations of nation states.

Talking to the Ramotars, one would think they would be brimful of big ideas and grand plans, but their absolute humility and selfless beauty showcase a 21st century leadership style that is different, engaging and suitable to the new world order.

President Ramotar comes across as your friend, talking to him. The First Lady is open, cool, pleasant and candid, authentic and real in conversation. She pours out her heart, in a warm homey way.

The President laughs easily, sitting relaxed and informal, bantering easily in Creolese if need be, and shows a consciousness of his surroundings, a presence of mind, that makes you forget he is the most important person in the nation today. Even their accomplishments as a family leave them with a sense of awe, in gratitude for a life blessed with dreamlike beauty. “I must say that our togetherness is more than I expected. Our children are good to us. But I hope we soon have grandchildren,” Mrs. Ramotar said with a pleasant laugh, But that word – “togetherness” - echoes across the interview. They work for togetherness, with President Ramotar showing early in their marriage a progressive attitude towards her as a woman. The First Lady worked full time as a nurse, and the President played the role of homemaker, taking care of the three kids as babies, feeding them, changing them, putting them to bed at nights, when she went off to nurse the infirmed at hospitals.

He joined her in the kitchen, helping prepare meals.

“Family life is important. On reflection, because I never gave it much thought, but I think it’s extremely important to have a good family life. It’s a good background. All my family life I’ve been involved in politics, being away from home a lot, and so I think if I didn’t have a sound and stable family life, I would not have been able to give as much as I gave to the political struggle of the Party and the country. It allows me to focus,” the President said, his voice somber. “My family facilitated me giving so much to my country,” he said.

The First Lady said she enjoys “a life on my own.

It’s important that you keep your independence, and have a life as your own. I think me being away, working, coming home, and him coming home after working, it made us stronger, bonded us. When we got married, we both learned to cook together. He would keep me company in the kitchen, because I disliked being in the kitchen alone.”

When they got married on November 5th of 1974, they had no idea what the road ahead looked like. “When we got married we had no idea I would be President. All I wanted to do was make a contribution to the political

struggle. I’ve never set a goal that I would be President.

All I wanted to do was make a contribution, as much as I could. My only motivation, in joining the Party, was to make a contribution to the struggle for free and fair elections. As a boy growing up, I attended the St Andrew’s school opposite the Parliament, in a very troubled time in Guyana, after the 1961 elections. I developed my political consciousness quite early. And I was conscious of how, as a boy growing up, quite early,

President Ramotar and First Lady all sm even in my own village in Karia Karia itself that the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) had the interest of the country at heart, and it would be the Party that would see our country come together. I joined the Party to free our country because I felt the Party was the one that would change our country for the better,” the President said.

He met Mrs. Ramotar at the Guyana Technical Institute, where they both studied, and he tried his best to woo her, but his advances were “robustly rebuffed,” he said, laughing heartily as the First Lady smiled with fond memories.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

efines President, year marriage But then it seems divine fate interceded, as the two had parted ways, proceeding overseas to study.

However, both happened to return home at the same time in 1973, and happened to be on the Demerara River ferry, spotting each other. This time, Mrs. Ramotar approached him, and said hello. And that was that. The two got married a year later.

He had joined the PPP at the age of 17, “as a card carrying member,” and dedicated his life to the political

miles on their 40th wedding anniversary struggle of securing free and fair elections for his nation.

It was to be a long, hard, sacrificial struggle, with the Party achieving it only in 1992.

He grew up in a remote hinterland community, Karia Karia village, where his mother was born. His father, from the West Coast Demerara, met his Mom in Karia Karia while working in the timber industry in the then remote community. Mrs. Ramotar, born and raised in Essequibo, moved to Georgetown at the age of 19, and there met the President, the two lives converging into the togetherness of their single journey into the history

books, and into the annals of human destiny, as First Family of a 21st century nation, shaping and defining us, Guyanese, on a quest to overcome the divisive, antagonistic dysfunction that bedevils the society.

The President saw political persecution early in life, when the Government of the People’s National Congress (PNC) asked his Dad to stop his affiliation with the PPP, or lose his timber grant. His father made the economic sacrifice, and moved to the West Coast, where he opened a shop, but struggled immensely, with President Ramotar working as a young man in Georgetown to support the family, including younger siblings. His Dad had to give up life in Karia Karia, and it pains the President to have gone through that experience.

So the political struggle became a personal quest, to free his nation of such injustice, that his Dad had suffered.

So one of the serious talks he had with Mrs. Ramotar, who is still “not a card carrying member of the PPP, but a supporter of the Party,” was to emphasise that they would never migrate, but that he would dedicate his days to the political cause.

Mrs. Ramotar said the President is not a man “you could ever be angry with. He’s the one who would smooth things off. He has that ability to communicate well. Very peaceful, calm, he would never stress you out. Even with the children, he’s the force that would get things done.”

Yet, the President never thinks of himself as a role model, he says. He believes in being humble, never portraying himself as someone people should look up to. He said everyone’s circumstances are different, and so this philosophy of respecting and understanding each person’s unique outlook on life, and considering each person’s different situation, highlights how he relates to people.

President Ramotar’s hobby is singing. His deep, resonating voice lends itself well to entertainment, and with his well-trimmed white beard, he passes for a Guyanese Kenny Rogers. He enjoys country music, and Georgetowners could hear him around town at karaoke sessions, singing with a smooth, professional style. In fact, one gets the impression he could easily have been a professional singer.

Multifaceted, talented, determined, steely strong and courageous, yet coming across as familiar, soft and easy-going, the Guyanese President is a man of many facets, of a multi-dimensional character that could be a leadership study in its own right. He rises to lead men and women, to shape and define his world, and yet comes across as the humblest, most amazingly simple soul in the room. It’s an astonishing thing to behold.

Mrs. Ramotar said he’s kind, considerate and humble, and even now, people who know the President call him “Uncle Donald,” rather than refer to him as President. He maintains a homely, familiar style in his relating with people, never showing arrogance, pride or selfish authority.

Approachable, easy-going, considerate, humble, the President comes across as a soft personality. Yet, analysing his life accomplishments reveals a deep inner strength and resolve that is solid as steel. With a woman like Mrs. Ramotar at his side, his accent up the ladder of success seems a natural course. The two, holding hands,

talking in sync, laughing, pleasant and agreeable with each other, seem made for each other, divinely fashioned for a time like this, for this moment in the history of their nation, when they could together guide us into a new future.

The First Couple opens the door into their private world, and it showcases the character of the leader in whose hands our nation looks for direction and guidance in this troubled hour.

His philosophy is simple: he believes in togetherness, humility and keeping the world in perspective. For example, they don’t believe they are living a dream life. Rather, as the First Lady said, “this is reality.”

Their role as First Couple, he as President, her as his support, supplying her compassion and simple humanity and warm heart to him as he makes profound choices and decisions, her nursing of his ability to meet the challenges of wresting our nation to a healthy sociopolitical space, promises to deliver our nation to a healthy social space.

They noted that most of their lives they always lived contented, surviving on small salaries - even now seeing his Presidential pay as more than enough - but this prepared them for a life of thankfulness rather than one of celebrating their achievements.

With three grown children, all professionals, and looking forward to grandchildren, with their service at State House and the Office of the President, the First Couple comes across as engaging, friendly and familiar, full of laughter and pleasantries. Guyanese who get to know them cannot help but love them.

In fact, after 40 years of marriage, the two remain very much in love with each other, they both said.

The ideas they believe in, their personal philosophies, seem ripe for the times: togetherness, humility, simplicity of service. They absolutely believe in that idea of togetherness, with the President highlighting the word umpteen times after the First Lady raised it.

Encountering them is a pleasant experience in itself, hearing them talk of their years in the then Czeckoslovakia, their early years bringing up the kids, their building of a successful domestic life and political career and nursing lifestyle, and such a conversation leaves one with the sense that below the surface the President and First Lady are strong, courageous, confident and secured. They know how to overcome. They refuse to allow obstacles and challenges to keep them down. They are winners, and winners who come off their podium to walk and talk among mere mortals, always conscious and considerate that they are blessed, not because of their own efforts, but because of the mysteries of fate and the vagaries of destiny.

They rose to lead the Guyanese nation in this 21st century, to chart us into a future of togetherness and consideration for each other and into that realm of national achievement that we see in their domestic life.

The President’s courage, resolve, inner steel, heart of warm love for this nation, that’s the kind of man the First Lady revealed President Ramotar to be.

That’s the man who leads the Guyanese nation today, who is our President, the man of the moment for a Guyana of togetherness and overcoming strength.

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DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH MESSAGE

How to care for your feet when you have diabetes

By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj DIABETIC patients usually suffer from nerve and blood vessel damage in their lower extremities.

This can make their feet vulnerable to many problems, such as infected ulcers (sores), joint deformities, fungal infections, ingrown toenails, excess build-up of callus etc.

A diabetic foot complication and poor care can be a recipe for an amputation (loss of limb). My humble appeal to all diabetics is to take proper care of their feet.

Please find below some tips on how to take care of your feet. %%%%%%%%%%%%%% Keep your blood sugar in your target range as much as possible, to prevent infection, speed healing and prevent further damage to blood vessels and nerves.

Wash your feet with mild soap and warm water every day. Dry the areas between your toes and around nail beds to prevent fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

Inspect your feet carefully every day, and especially check between the toes. Use a mirror if needed to detect any problems such as cuts, blisters, red spots, or swelling.

Cut toenails straight across, and not too short.

You should be able to see a small rim of white nail beyond the pink nail bed. Have a trained professional trim your nails if you cannot do it yourself. This is to avoid ingrown toenails and to avoid cutting your toes.

Be more active, and do activities like walking. Wiggle your toes and rotate your

Dr. Kumar Sukhraj ankles for a few minutes several times a day to help blood flow to your feet.

Apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of your feet daily. Do not apply lotion between the toes (you may apply powder between the toes if desired) to prevent the skin from cracking. Try lotions like Uremol, Neutrogena, Lubriderm, or Keri.

Moisture between the toes can cause fungal infections like athlete’s foot.

Wear socks with loose fitting elastic. Avoid kneehigh stockings. Change socks often if your feet sweat a lot. Tight elastic bands cut off blood circulation. To prevent fungal infections , keep the area between your toes dry.

Check the insides of shoes daily before putting them on. Use your hand to check for cracks, sharp edges and loose objects. Any objects or rough edges in your shoes can cause blisters or breaks in the skin of your feet.

Shop for shoes late in the

day, when your feet are most swollen; and make sure they fit well. To avoid injuries like corns and blisters, take off both of your shoes at every doctor’s visit. Your doctor or nurse should check both of your feet.

Contact your health care provider immediately when you find a problem like broken skin. Most foot problems are much easier to treat when they are treated right away.

Tips for buying shoes for

diabetics Have your feet measured periodically, because the size of your feet changes over time.

Shop late in the day for shoes, because your feet swell throughout the day, especially if you have heart disease and kidney problems.

Have shoes fitted with the socks you’ll be wearing with those specific shoes.

That way you’ll know they will fit properly.

The distance between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe should be ½ of your thumb’s width, so you have the right amount of space to fit your feet.

When you buy a new pair of shoes, break them in before wearing them for a long period of time. Wear them for one to two hours, then check your feet for any cuts or blisters. Wear them three to four hours the next day, and so on, until they feel comfortable P l e a s e f e e l f re e t o send an email to kumarsukhraj@yahoo.com, or call 622-8032 for further enquiry and discussion on this topic. Patient educa-

tion plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and any other illness.

Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health issues in the next publication.

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ARIES One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life. Be conscious of the fact that there’s a great deal of momentum building in your mind now. Once the dam breaks, you may soon have a giant flood on your hands. Be careful about releasing all this energy at once, even though you may not seem to have a choice.

TAURUS It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren’t quite ready for. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly and learn more of the facts before you jump into the fray. Position yourself in such a way that you take control of the situation rather than become a victim of it.

Sunday, November 16, 2014 – 13:00hrs

GEMINI Move forward with your plan of attack today. There’s an anxious rumble within you that’s urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need, so don’t hesitate any longer. The power of the word is with you. You will be smooth, collected, and confident even in the most nerve-wracking situations. Words will flow off your tongue with ease.

CANCER Add spark to your life today. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren’t challenging yourself enough. Remember that you’re responsible for lighting your own fire. You have the perfect opportunity to get something started today, so go for it. Feel free to get other people to help.

LEO People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way. There’s a distinct advantage to listening to the whole spiel before you react with your own facts and emotions. The problem is that you’re going to be tempted to argue instead of calmly resolve the matter.

VIRGO Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others. There’s a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet. Be aware of overextending yourself when it comes to issues of the mind. You may be so anxious to prove your point that you end up losing sight of the reality of the situation.

LIBRA Don’t take no for an answer today. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There’s a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature. Don’t let others throw you off course with their views on how things should be done.

Be confident and don’t worry about taking things over the top. There’s no such thing as excess today. “The more the merrier” should be your motto.

SCORPIO Don’t take no for an answer today. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There’s a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature. Don’t let others throw you off course with their views on how things should be done.

Be confident and don’t worry about taking things over the top. There’s no such thing as excess today. “The more the merrier” should be your motto.

SAGITTARIUS Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will. Let others know that you won’t be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important, and they need to be heard by the people who matter the most. Have faith that whatever you say has the power to come true, especially when you enlist the help of those around you. Opportunity lies in joining hands with others.

CAPRICORN Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is. Don’t sit and wait for everyone else to go first. If you know it’s your turn, be bold and make your move. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to signal others that you’re going ahead. People might not be used to you taking such an aggressive role.

AQUARIUS People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across. Be careful about making promises you can’t fulfill.

It could be that you’re so adamant about your point of view that you make up hyperbolic situations just to get your ideas across.

PISCES Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, but you may now find that it’s time to seek a new platform for your ideas. Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself. Break out of the old mould and try something new. Once you start in a brand new direction, there will be a great deal of support encouraging you to continue along that way.

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NCN condemns Opposition consistent, unwarranted attacks on state media

THE National Communications Network Incorporated (NCN), has expressed extreme disgust at the “unwarranted attack on the state media”, made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentarian, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, last Friday during a public meeting at the Square of the Revolution.

According to the state media, “Mr. Roopnarine’s call for a boycott of sections of the media, inclusive of NCN and its sister agency, the Guyana Chronicle flies in the face of Press Freedom and exposes the hypocrisy of the political opposition.”

As such, NCN views this call for a boycott of the state media as another attempt at “silencing” them on their “fearless

reportage” on matters of national importance.

The media entity is also contending that this is not the first attempt launched by the political Opposition at attacking the state medias.

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, budgetary allocations according to NCN were cut. They further noted that just recently during the 2014 National Budget Debate, the Opposition attempted to forcefully remove their Member of Parliament from one of NCN’s live programmes, while accusing them (NCN) of not providing coverage for the Opposition.

Added to this, was a series of attacks launched on journalists who had been attached to the same media outlet, by the Opposition.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014 It was further noted that Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan recently verbally abused a senior journalist in the same state media, inclusive of profanities when he (the journalist) sought a comment on a matter of national importance.

“Additionally, APNU’s Joseph Harmon attacked one of our young female reporters during a news conference because she asked him a tough question. As a result, this young journalist was attacked and physically assaulted by an APNU supporter during their protest outside Parliament on November 10, 2014, a matter that is currently engaging the police,” NCN related.

As such, the media agency, through these manifestations, have realised that these “orchestrated attempts” by the Opposition, are aimed at “silencing” them.

“We however wish to state categorically that we will not be bullied, intimidated or silenced by the Opposition, but will continue to execute our duties in a professional manner. We therefore call on all Guyanese to reject outright, the calls for boycott of the state media and any attempts by the joint Opposition to attack Freedom of the Press” NCN stressed.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

TOURISM AND WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING your next vacation? Thinking of all those interesting places you’ve never visited before? For sure you thought about all the necessities you will need to take along, the list may be quite lengthy.

Tourism is a booming sector in the world economy. It has become a popular global leisure activity as the average person loves to travel and enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer.

Tourism, however, also has implications on countries which openly avail themselves to the travelling public.

How often have you thought about the amount of waste that you generate on your many travels? If this thought never even crossed your mind, it should, since the waste you generate does impact the environment.

“Responsible travel is about the attitude you take and the choices you make when travelling- to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment!”

Travellers can generate a lot of waste and contribute to pollution, even with the best intentions. But it isn’t hard to make a few changes that can help us avoid a lot of trash and to otherwise green our time away from home.

Activities that generate waste in tourism include travel, accommodation, and food service most of which are contracted for commercially and provided by third parties.

The baseline needs of eating, drinking, sleeping and bathing are catered to in a context removed from home and probably on the move which may generate more waste than is typical in the home setting.

A good tourist is one who is environmentally conscious.

This person is aware and responsible ensuring that he/ she takes responsibility for safely guarding the environment when travelling.

“Take away only memories and leave only footprints”.

Many tourists have a “use and throw” mindset; they have no investment in the community. They pollute the environment without a second thought to repercussions. It is a lifestyle issue, tourists want to travel light therefore they use disposables –more plastics, more Styrofoam, more waste, no recycling. The local communities now become either waste absorbers or waste managers. New forms of tourism such as medical tourism and disaster tourism even increase the amount of toxic waste. In tourism all the ordinary challenges of waste management are multiplied two-fold.

BE A TIDY TOURIST We urge you to become more environmentally conscious when planning your next vacation by following these simple guides to eco-friendly tourism: • Plan your travel properly whether you are flying or going overland to avoid delays and unnecessary spending.

• Don’t bag it: plastic bags can take up to 500 years to biodegrade, so why not take a re-reusable shopping bag when you travel.

• Pack light: as we all know every pound counts, the more weight on a plane, the more carbon emission it produces.

Pack only what you need.

• Car Pool: taking public transportation is another great way that you can do good for your environment, plus

you can enjoy the trip with great friends which also helps to cut cost.

• Avoid bottled water: plastic bottles account for a lot of waste.

• Be at home in your hotel: A great tip is to act as you are at home while away from home- avoid getting clean towels when not necessary, don’t take overly extended showers, and hold on, remember to turn off lights, TV and air conditioners when you

leave your room.

The environment is everybody’s business • Let us take action to safeguard our children!!

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com http://www.intrepidtravel.com/about-intrepid/ responsible-business http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document. html?gid=11351 http://journals.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/ story/59121/Worldwide/Top-10-Tips-for-Environmentallyfriendly-travel

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

French Racing Tips Auteuil 08:25 hrs Celtino 09:00 hrs Petillo 09:30 hrs Shoban Du Mathan 10:08 hrs Ultra Lucky 10:40 hrs Dulce Leo 11:10 hrs Sainte Sophie 11:40 hrs Altesse Desbois South Africa Racing Tips Kenilworth 08:50 hrs Indaba 09:25 hrs Royal Folly 10:00 hrs Varikate 10:35 hrs Hammie’s Hooker 11:15 hrs De Sol A Sol 11:50 hrs Classy Fighter

English Racing Tips Cheltenham 09:00 hrs Jayo Time 09:35 hrs Emerging Talent 10:10 hrs Sgt Reckless 10:40 hrs Simply Ned 11:15 hrs Vaniteux 11:50 hrs Aqalim Fontwell 08:45 hrs Bredon Hill Lad 09:15 hrs Wizards Bridge 09:50 hrs Incentivise 10:25 hrs Knight Of Pleasure 10:55 hrs Lord Of House 11:30 hrs Southway Star 12:00 hrs Bobby Dove Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 08:35 hrs Sea Light 09:05 hrs Alelchi Inois 09:40 hrs Very Wood 10:15 hrs Jezki 10:45 hrs Outlander 11:20 hrs King Vuvuzela 11:55 hrs Aret Of Security

Persaud, Mark ...

From Back Page

Nikhil Seereeram had a sensational day yesterday and will start on pole today in the CMRC Super Sport Bike while Matthew Vieira who keeps showing that ‘age is just a number’ will be right behind on grid.

The local ‘Valentino Rossi’ Stephen Vieira will have a lot of catching up to do if he is to live up to his name today.

Meanwhile, the star studded line-up in the ‘Group 4’ cars didn’t get to complete their run since an oil spill put a damper on their run.

Oil leaked from one of the cars during a time trial and had caused Vishok Persaud to use his skills to avoid a major accident after sliding on the track.

According to the GMR&SC, after the lap of honour today which is slated for 08:00 hrs the Group 4 cars will have their qualifiers.

In the drivers’ Championship, Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey leads the field with 85 points, followed by fellow countryman Danny Persaud (74) and Paul Vieira (43) to round off the top three.

Trinidad and Tobago leads the chase for the ‘Country’ championship with 308 points with Guyana (297), Barbados (296) and Jamaica (151) trailing.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Bangladesh close in on whitewash B A N G L A D E S H a re o n course to whitewash Zimbabwe in their Test series despite some late-in-theday resolve from the tourists.

Declaring their second innings on 319 for five, Bangladesh set a fanciful target of 449 that looked even more improbable when Zimbabwe lost Brian Chari four runs into their chase on day four.

But Sikandar Raza (43 not out) and Hamilton Masakadza (26 no) got the visitors to 71 for one at the close, meaning Bangladesh will at least have to dig deep to wrap up a 3-0 clean sweep.

A fourth Test hundred from rising star Mominul Haque did for them in Chittagong on Saturday, the 23-year-old posting a fourth century in only 12 Tests.

He was unbeaten on 131 when his side were called in, having done more than enough damage.

Resuming on 23 without loss, Bangladesh were keen

Mominul Haque’s 131 helped Bangladesh set Zimbabwe a steep target of 449 runs on the fourth day of the Chittagong Test . to crack on and so they did, despite Imrul Kayes going for 15, edging Tinashe Panyangara behind.

That brought Mominul to the crease and he and Ta-

mim Iqbal put on 113 for the second wicket in just over 30 overs.

Tamim, a first-innings centurion, made a well-crafted 65 before he was cleaned

Senegal head list of Nations Cup qualifiers

By Mark Gleeson DURBAN South Africa, (Reuters) - Senegal led a list of six countries into the African Nations Cup finals yesterday as they eliminated record winners Egypt with a 1-0 win in Cairo to qualify for January’s tournament.

Senegal ensured they would finish in the top two in Group G on a busy day of qualifiers which also saw Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa and 2012 winners Zambia book their tickets with six more berths to be decided on the last day of qualifiers on Wednesday.

A 2-0 win in Congo for

defending champions Nigeria helped them revive their chances but Ghana lost in a surprise setback in Uganda and must win in midweek to be sure they qualify.

Mame Biram Diouf returned to Senegal’s lineup after injury last month to score the eighth-minute goal that sealed qualification and knocked out seven-times champions Egypt.

South Africa were the first side on Saturday to add themselves to the list of finalists which already had Algeria and the Cape Verde Islands through last month.

Tunisia advanced on Friday

and Equatorial Guinea were included in the field as new hosts after Morocco’s pull out because of Ebola fears.

Goals from Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie ensured a 2-1 win in Durban for South Africa over Sudan and top place in Group A. Nigeria will finish second if they beat South Africa when they host them on Wednesday after goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel secured Saturday’s victory in Pointe Noire over the Congolese.

TOP PLACE Vincent Aboubakar scored the only goal of the game for Cameroon 20 minutes from

GTTA’s Digicel schools tournament to continue today

THE Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)/ Digicel schools tournament will continue today at 10:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The divisions to be contested include: 13 years and under, open singles final, (between Khalid Ninvalle and Tyriq Saunders), 15 years and under open singles group matches and 18 years and under open singles group matches.

In results of the tournament so far, Mae’s `A’ won the 11 years and under Primary division, while Mae’s `B’ placed second and the GTTA’s Developmental team placed third.

In the 13 years and under category, Mae’s `A’ finished in the top position ahead of Central High, Mae’s `B’ and ASH Educational Trust respectively.

In the 15 years and under category, Mae’s `A’ came out

on top of Queen’s College, Marian Academy and ASH Educational Trust respectively, while in the 18 years and under category, Queen’s College won ahead of Mae’s `A’, Bishops’ High and The Business School.

The 11 years and under singles was won by Kaysan Ninvalle of Mae’s. St Rose’s Niran Bissu was second while Isaiah Layne of St Pius and Kristian Sahadeo of Mae’s finished third and fourth respectively.

up by Natsai M’shangwe.

M o h a m m a d Mahmudullah joined Mominul and they added a 50 stand, before he went for 30, the second man to nick Panyangara to the keeper.

Shakib Al Hasan added 17 and departed to M’shangwe, but it mattered little as Mominul continued, reaching his hundred off 156 balls.

Mushfiqur Rahim made a rapid 46 from 30 balls alongside him but after he went, the captain was in no mood to see Shuvagata Hom build a stand and soon called his men back in.

Mominul ended with 131 from 189 balls and was soon celebrating with his teammates in the field as Rubel Hossain trapped Chari leg before for a five-ball duck.

Raza and Masakadza at least made for a more comfortable night’s sleep, but the writing appears to be on the wall.(PA Sport).

BANGLADESH 1st innings 503 (I. Kayes 130, T. Iqbal 109, S. Al Hasan 71) Zimbabwe 1st innings 374 (E. Chigumbura 88, S. Raza 82, H. Masakadza 81, R. Chakabva 65; J. Hossain 5-96) Bangladesh 2nd innings (Overnight: 23-0) T. Iqbal b M’shangwe 65 I.Kayes c Mutumbami b Panyangara 15 M. Haquenot out 131 M. Mahmudullah c Mutumbami b Panyangara 30 S. Al Hasan c Ervine b M’shangwe 17 M. Rahim c M’shangwe b Raza 46 S. Hom not out 3 Extras (b-8 lb-3 w-1) 12 Total (for 5 wickets declared, 78 overs) 319 Fall of wickets: 1-36 I. Kayes,2-149 T. Iqbal,3-204 M. Mahmudullah,4-237 S. Al Hasan,5-308 M. Rahim Did not bat: T. Islam, S. Islam, R.

Hossain, J. Hossain Bowling: S. Masakadza 7 - 0 - 28 – 0,T. Panyangara 12 - 3 - 31 – 2, S. Raza 25 - 0 - 114 – 1,N. M’shangwe 18 - 2 - 77 – 2, E. Chigumbura 9 - 2 - 19 - 0 H. Masakadza 7 - 1 - 39 - 0(w-1), ZIMBABWE 2nd innings (Target: 449 runs) S. Raza not out 43 B. Chari lbw b R. Hossain 0 H.Masakadzanotout 26 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total (for 1 wickets, 19 overs) 71 Fall of wickets: 1-4 B. Chari To bat: B. Taylor, C. Ervine, E. Chigumbura, R. Chakabva, T. Panyangara, N. M’shangwe, R. Mutumbami, S. Masakadza Bowling: Sh. Islam 4 - 0 - 8 – 0, R. Hossain 3 - 1 - 16 – 1, T. Islam 6 - 1 17 – 0, J. Hossain 2 - 0 - 12 – 0, S. Al Hasan 3 - 0 - 16 – 0, S. Hom 1 - 1 - 0 – 0.

time at home against the Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure top place in their group.

Only one goal was needed to settle the top two places in Group C as Gabon’s goalless draw in Angola confirmed their qualification, along with that of Burkina Faso who had won 1-0 earlier in Lesotho with Jonathan Pitroipa

scoring after three minutes.

Zambia made sure of their progress with a 1-0 away win over Mozambique in Maputo as Given Singuluma scored midway through the second half.

Ghana remained top of Group E despite losing 1-0 in Uganda while a hat-trick from Seydouba Soumah saw Guinea win 4-1 in Togo for

whom captain Emmanuel Adebayor got a consolation goal from the penalty spot.

Qualification places from the group will be decided in the last round of matches.

The top two in each group qualify plus the best placed third team. The finals are in Equatorial Guinea from Jan. 17-Feb. 8.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Carlos Brathwaite wrecks Red Force top order

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – An incisive burst from seamer Carlos Brathwaite wrecked Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s top order and left them in tatters on the second day of their opening round match against Barbados Pride here yesterday.

Responding to Barbados’s 360 all out, T&T were playing positively at 22 without loss before Brathwaite intervened with three quick wickets to rock the innings.

The hosts never recovered and stumbled to the close at 89 for seven, still 271 runs behind on first innings.

Brathwaite has so far taken three for eight from nine immaculate overs while West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach has picked two for 25, including the precious wicket of West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin without scoring.

Yannick Cariah has so far top-scored for Red Force with 26 while opener Lendl Simmons scored 24.

When bad light stopped play, Imran Khan was not out on 13 and captain Rayad Emrit, on two.

Earlier, captain and opener Kraigg Brathwaite

… Kraigg Brathwaite dismissed for 182

Carlos Brathwaite extended his overnight 115 not out to 182, as Barbados imposed themselves on the contest at Queen’s Park Oval.

Resuming the day on 209 for four, Barbados flourished through Brathwaite and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who made 76. The pair added 217 runs for the fifth wicket, a partnership that put the game firmly in Barbados’ favour.

Overall, Brathwaite faced 361 balls and batted just over 7-1/2 hours,

BCC to host T20 fund raiser today BLAIRMONT Cricket Club will be hosting its inaugural fundraiser called “Clash of the Champions” T20 one day carnival today at the Blairmont Community Centre ground, where two exciting matches will whet the appetite of cricket loving fans in the West Berbice area.

The three participating teams are Universal DVD Berbice Titans, Young Warriors and Blairmont Blazers and when the action bowls off at 11:00hrs, Young Warriors and Universal DVD Berbice Titans will do battle in a virtual semifinal encounter, with the winner meeting Blairmont Blazers from 14:30hrs in the final.

Players such as the Hetmyer brothers in national opener Shimron Hetmyer and Seon, Kevin Ramdeen, Linden Austin, Balram Samaroo, Vishal Mohabir and Suresh Dhanai will don the blue and yellow for Young Warriors.

Universal DVD Berbice Titans is the champion T20 team in Guyana and the Ancient County, and with players in the calibre of national leg-spinner Amir Khan, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Romario ShepherdDeJonge, Rajiv Ivan, and Eugene and Joemal LaFleur set to appear on their behalf, Young Warriors will have their work cut out for them.

Not to be outdone, Blairmont Blazers have known to spring upsets in this form of the game time and time again and if they can do so in the final today, then such players as Nick Ramsaroop, Kevon Jawahir, Waqar Hassan and Avishkar Sewkarran, amongst others, will definitely have to bring their ‘A’ game.

Music, drinks and food bar, and side attractions will be in attendance during the course of the day’s activity.

counting 17 fours while Dowrich, resuming the day on exactly 50, struck ten fours in an innings consuming 207 balls and lasting a shade over four hours.

When Dowrich and Carlos Brathwaite (0) fell in the same over to leg-spinner Imran Khan, Kraigg Brathwaite

anchored two small partnerships to see his side past the 300-run mark.

He first added 33 for the seventh wicket with Jason Holder (17) and then put on a further 48 for the eighth wicket with Ashley Nurse who blasted three fours and two sixes in an attacking 29.

Speedster Marlon Richards finished with three for 51, Imran Khan picked up three for 75 while leftarm spinner Akeal Hosein claimed two for 56.

Carlos Brathwaite then took centre stage, sending back Evin Lewis for ten and Yannick Ottley for a first ball ‘duck’, both to catches at the wicket as T&T crashed to 22 for two.

The West Indies A captain then bowled Jason Mohammed for three to send T&T to tea at 43 for three.

Off the first ball after the break, Simmons was caught

at first slip by Dwayne Smith off Roach and two balls later, Ramdin was bowled by one that swung back from the Windies pacer.

Tottering at 42 for five, T&T tried to fight back

Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago BARBADOS 1st Innings (overnight 209 for four) *K Brathwaite c Khan b Hosein 182 O Phillips c wkp Ramdin b Richards 9 D Smith c wkp Ramdin b Richards 10 J Carter c wkp Ramdin b M Richards 0 R Chase lbw b Gabriel 24 +S Dowrich c Lewis b Khan 76 C Brathwaite c Simmons b Khan 0 J Holder c and b Emrit 17 A Nurse c Simmons b Hosein 29 K Roach not out 1 J Warrican st Ramdin b Khan 9 Extras (b1, lb1, w1) 3 TOTAL (all out, 126.2 overs) 360 Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-36, 3-40, 4-44, 5-261, 6-261, 7-294, 8-342, 9-349, 10-360.

Bowling: Gabriel 19-3-61-1, Richards 21-8-51-3 (w1), Emrit 16-3-49-1, Hosein 25-7-56-2, Khan

through a 20-run, sixth wicket stand between Cariah and Hosein, who made nine.

However, off-spinner Nurse prised out Hosein to set T&T back again.

24.2-3-75-3, Mohammed 7-2-22-0, Ottley 4-0-7-0, Cariah 6-0-23-0, Simmons 6-0-14-0.

T&T 1st Innings L Simmons c Smith b Roach 25 E Lewis c wkp Dowrich b C Brathwaite 10 Y Ottley c wkp Dowrich b C Brathwaite 0 J Mohammed b C Brathwaite 3 Y Cariah c Phillips b Warrican 26 +D Ramdin b Roach 0 A Hosein c Holder b Nurse 9 I Khan not out 13 R Emrit not out 2 Extras (nb1) 1 TOTAL (7 wkts, 40 overs) 89 To bat: S Gabriel, M Richards.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-22, 3-34, 4-42, 5-42, 6-62, 7-84.

Bowling: Roach 9-4-25-2, Holder 9-5-17-0, C Brathwaite 9-4-8-3, Nurse 8-0-22-1, Smith 3-0-7-0, Warrican 2-0-10-1.

Position: Red Force trail by 271 runs with three wickets intact.

Better Hope and Enterprise battle for ECCB U-19 title today AFTER a hectic season of outstanding youth cricket competitions on the East Coast of Demerara, one which saw many youngsters excelling, especially, with the professional training programmes and the East Coast Cricket Board’s (ECCB) Annual Academy, Better Hope Sports Club will clash with Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club in the Under-19 final at the Better Hope Community Centre ground today.

A large crowd is expected

since both teams have played unbeaten thus far; they both possess a number of upcoming quality players and received good support throughout the tournament, making this match an enthralling one to witness.

The Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club team will be chosen from Vivian Albert (Captain), Bhaskar Yadram, Sewchan Gangadin, Andy Dowlatram, Afzal Rohoman, Shivnarine Gobin, Pradesh Balkaran, Satyanand, Ramkumar,

Troy Mangal, Zaman Rasheed, Danesh Ally, Besham Khemraj, Arafat Khan, Bashkar Deodat and Navin Chand. The manager is N.K. Omar and the coach is Latchman Yadram.

The Better Hope Sports Club team will come from Jai Dev Mannu (Captain), Reaz Mohamed, Prakash Debidayal, Sulvan Roopaul, Kishan Sukhram, Chandra Mohan, Randy Singh, Vickram Paul, Alexander Persaud, Tichand Gopaul, Kishan Badal, Anand Sama-

roo, Nashta Persaud. Manager is Clive Rampersaud and the Coach is Mustapha Azimulla.

The umpires for this contest are Robert Adonis and Dhand Raj with the match referee being Judister Rampersaud, and play is expected to start promptly at 10.30 hrs, while any further information can be sought from Chairman of the ECCB Competitions Committee Raymond Barton via telephone numbers 220-1636 or 626-0223.

West Watooka face Muritaro in T20 final today Muritaro Young Warriors and West Watooka will vie for supremacy today when the final of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association / Andrew Forsythe sponsored T20 cricket competition gets underway at the Maria Elizabeth ground, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice).

Scores of spectators are expected to flock the venue as the home team, Muritaro, will start as favourites .

Results of the final set of matches last Saturday in Group B at the Christianburg ground were as follows: Christian burg defeated Dora - batting first Dora scored 137 off 18 overs, with Lawrence Rampersaud topscoring with 61. Bowling for Christianburg, Dorin Lowenfield, Hilton Morrison and Ricardo Anderson took three wickets apiece.

Christianburg overcame their opponents score making 141

for 6 off 16 overs with Theodore Morrison blazing the way with a top score of 82.

Bowling for Dora, Lawrence Persaud took 2 for 18 off two overs, Patrick Cornelius 2 for 24 from four overs and Sherwin Henry two for 4.

To reach the final in Group A, West Watooka defeated Christianburg batting first West Watooka made 115 all out in 19.4 overs with Travis Polius getting 32 and Rickey Gan-

garam 21 being the top scorers. Christianburg’s best bowlers were Nigel Brisoport, 2 for 25 from 4 overs and Travis Morrison, 2 for 25 off 3.3 overs.

Replying, Christianburg were shot out for 108 from 17.3 overs with Travis Morrrison 23 and Nigel Brisport 12 being the leading scorers. West Watooka’s Darren Black took 3 for 13 from 3 overs and Travis Polius 3 for 15 from 4 overs.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Payless Variety Store/Starr Party Rentals Cycle Programme Niles wins feature 35-lap event

VETERAN cyclist Junior Niles, yesterday, won the feature 35-lap event of the Payless Variety/Starr Party Rentals sponsored 11-race cycle programme in the National Park, in the absence of defending champion Raynauth Jeffrey who is currently in Mexico on national duty.

Niles returned a time of one hour 22 minutes 34.6 seconds in winning the event ahead of Jeban Crawford, Jaikarran Sookhai, Romelo Crawford, Jamal John and Mark Harris respectively.

Niles, John and Harris won two prime prizes each while Romelo Crawford and Jeban Crawford won one prime a piece.

From the start of the feature 35-lap event, the six top place finishers went to the fore and maintained the lead, all the while interchanging the lead with Stephan Fernandes, C hristopher Persaud and another rider went in pursuit but never connected and was lapped after 20 laps of the 35-lap event was completed and they opted out of the race as the six leaders had established a huge lead which the chasing trio was not able to close in on.

The leading bunch opened a two minute lead on the chasing trio after 15 laps were completed and extended it as the remainder of the laps went by.

With four laps remaining, Sookhai attacked the leading pack but it was short lived as Niles went in pursuit and was followed b y Jeban Crawford and the two overtook him and opened a lead of more than 600 metres before the final lap.

In the end, Niles jumped Jeban Crawford approximately 150 metres from the finish and steered clear from his nearest rival.

Sookhai finished a distant third while Romelo Crawford held on for fourth.

In other results from yesterday’s activity, Rakeem Blair won the boys and girls 12-14 years three-lap race ahead of Amunike Gomes and Tes-

Sammy fails to inspire as Titans remain winless

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, (CMC) – Darren Sammy’s appointment as Titans skipper did little to change their fortunes as they crashed to their fourth straight defeat in the South African Ram Slam Twenty20 League on Friday.

Sent in, they were held to 135 for six and Knights, with West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell on board, cantered to victory by eight wickets with 22 balls remaining at Chevrolet Park.

Sammy’s poor run of form continued as well, with the right-hander dismissed for two, as replaced captain

Henry Davids top-scored with 45. He put on 70 for the first wicket with Theunis de Bruyn who got 38.

Russell went wicket-less in his four overs of seam which cost 26 runs.

Opener Reeza Hendricks then top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 48 balls to carry Knights home, as Sammy sent down two ineffective overs for 14 runs.

At the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, West Indies big-hitter Kieron Pollard failed with the bat as his Cape Cobras crashed to a 47-run loss to Lions, who were

without opener Chris Gayle.

Pollard scored 13 from 16 balls as the Cobras were restricted to 94 for nine in pursuit of 142.

He had earlier taken two for 26 from his four overs.

In Port Elizabeth, West Indies one-day captain Dwayne Bravo also found himself on the losing side as Dolphins went down to Warriors by seven wickets off the last ball of the game.

Bravo managed just 21 from 25 balls in his side’s total of 142 for six, and took two for 20 from his overs as Warriors scraped home.

Pele leaves hospital after kidney stones removed RIO DE JANEIRO,(Reuters) - Brazilian football legend Pele was discharged from a Sao Paulo hospital on Saturday after doctors removed kidney stones that had been obstructing his urinary tract, the hospital said in a statement.

The 74-year-old was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital on Wednesday with abdominal pains that forced him to cancel a book signing event in Santos, where he lives.

Tests showed he was suffering from kidney and ureteral stones that were removed on Thursday morning.

Known as “the King of football” in Brazil, Pele is

Brazilian soccer legend Pele widely regarded as the finest and a “national treasure” by player to grace the sport. He Brazil’s government. was named “Football Player Pele played in four of the Century” by the world World Cups and helped football body FIFA, “Athlete Brazil win the global tourof the Century” by the Inter- nament three times, the last national Olympic Committee in Mexico in 1970.

Prize winners of the various categories of the Payless Variety Store/Starr Party Rentals cycle programme strike a pose with Payless’ Managing Director Joseph Ramkumar extreme left and race organiser Hassan Mohamed extreme right, yesterday. hawanna Doris respectively.

Shameer Baksh made a successful defence of the veterans under- 50 years five-lap title ahead of Niles and Wilbert Benjamin respectively.

The veterans over-50 fivelap race was won by Linden Blackman. Second was Virgil Jones, while Maurice Fagundes was the winner of the five-lap race for veterans over 60 years of age.

The 10-lap race for juveniles was won by Romelo Crawford. Second was Jaheel Jackson and third was Ka-

muel Nurse.

Seon Budhan won the fivelap race for mountain bikers ahead of Shamar Das and Adrian Sharma respectively, while Jerimiah Harrison was the winner of BMX Boys six to nine years old two-lap event. Second was Christopher Goring and third was Alexander Leung.

The BMX Boys nine to twelve years old three-lap race was won by Sherwin Sampson. Second was Jonathan Jagdeo and third Jeremiah Harrison.

Rokeem Blair won the

BMX boys 12-14 years threelap race ahead of Amunike Gomes and Doris respectively.

Prior to the presentation of prizes to the respective winners, race organiser Hassan Mohamed thanked the Managing Director of Payless Variety Store Joseph Ramkumar and Starr Party Rentals’ Lennox Cush for making the third annual event a reality and said he hopes that come next year, the two entities will come back on board. Cush was absent from yesterday’s activity due to other commitments.

Improved Reggae Boyz trounce Antigua 3-0 ..Haiti beat Martinique to take full points MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, (CMC) – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz rebounded spectacularly from the dour stalemate in their opening game, to hammer Antigua and Barbuda 3-0 on Friday and move into joint top spot in Group B of the CFU Caribbean Cup. Held by French side Martinique on Wednesday, the hosts made no mistake the second time around, as they easily dismissed the threat from Antigua at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday.

At the same venue, Haiti also secured full points with a 3-0 win over Martinique as they too hit back after their opening draw with Antigua.

With all eyes focused on the Reggae Boyz, Kemar Lawrence and Darren Mattocks ensured the home fans were not disappointed as they put the hosts 2-0 up at half-time before Rudolph Austin added another goal in the second half.

Jamaica were ahead on the half-hour mark when Austin put a free kick into the box and Lawrence pivot-

Darren Mattocks ... scored his second goal in as many games. point blank save to deny ed to beat goalkeeper Molvin Richards in the 78th.

James with a clinical finish.

His luck finally ran out in Two minutes from half- the 88th, however, when Austime, Mattocks scored his tin eluded his marker to nod second goal of the tourna- home, with time expiring. ment after Dane Richards put In the other game, Kerin a low cross from the left. vens Belfort netted a brace After the break, Ja- as Haiti turned on the presmaica pressed for a third sure in the second half to goal and it was only the easily get past their French brilliance of James in the counterparts. uprights that kept Antigua Following a goal-less from going further behind. first half, Wilde-Donald He saved a stinging Guerrier put the Haitians volley from Jobi McAnuff ahead in the 52 nd before in the 65th, rejected Simon Belfort struck in the 63rd Dawkins 11 minutes later and 90 th minutes to seal before producing a brilliant victory.

38

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

Bobb keeps Windwards alive but Jamaica on top KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Alston Bobb’s 11 - w i c k e t h a u l k e p t Windward Islands Volcanoes in the match but Jamaica were still in command at the end of the second day of t h e i r W I C B P ro f e s sional Cricket League first round match yesterday.

The left-arm spinner followed up his six-wicket first innings haul with five for 46 as Jamaica, leading by 98 runs, fought their

Left-arm spinner Alston Bobb ... has taken 11 wickets in the match.

way to 148 for nine in their second innings at Sabina Park.

They lead by 246 heading into today’s penultimate day.

Nkrumah Bonner has top-scored with 41 while wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh stroked 31 and tailender Damion Jacobs, 29.

Seamer Mervyn Mathew supported Bobb with three for 19, and it was his new ball burst that left Jamaica in disarray at 23 for three inside

the first six overs of the innings.

He removed Shacaya Thomas for one with his first ball of the new innings, before claiming both Jon-Ross Campbell (15) and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood without scoring, in his third over.

Bonner then counter-attacked with three fours and two sixes, adding 43 for the fourth wicket with captain Tamar Lambert who

scored 11.

Baugh followed suit, striking five fours off just 26 deliveries.

Earlier, the Windwards were dismissed for 110, after resuming the day on 16 for three.

Bobb made his presence felt with the bat by top-scoring with 38 while 19-year-old fast bowler Marquino Mindley finished with five for 35 and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, four for 25.

Former Atoms Athletics Club coach Foster Sampson passes on

By Leeron Brumell FORMER head coach of the Atoms Athletics Club, Foster Sampson has died.

Sampson was the last coach for the club that trained on the Queen’s College ground back in the 90s, before he migrated to the U.S. The club is no longer in existence.

He died earlier last week.

He coached a number of this country’s top track and field athletes in the Payne’s Neema and Tai, 200m and 400m specialist Mera Belisle, former national 200m and 400m champion Kwame Caesar and long distance athlete Vish Sookmangal and numerous others.

Sampson also coached his nephews Kevin and Kester Abrams. The former, one of this country’s top 400m athletes and the

Former Athletics Coach Foster Sampson latter a long, triple and high jumper.

On Facebook, one of his charges Rory Forde posted, ‘Today I awoke to the sad news that a giant had passed on. A coach not only on the track but also in life.

A man who saw the potential in me and numerous others and who nurtured that potential with genuine interest and concern. Here’s to you

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday November 16, 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) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Lance Gibbs-28 wickets (2) 98 (vs ENG, 1974) Today’s Quiz: (1)How many times Shiv Chanderpaul and RamnareshSarwan played together in ODIs? (2) How many ODI centuries Chris Gayle has scored to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Foster Sampsonand every life that you have touched.

The greatest coach ever, big brother, mentor...’

Belisle’s status read ‘Foster Sampson! Made a positive impact, was loved by so many and will be missed tremendously!

Sampson coached when Claude Blackmore was president of the then Amateur Athletics Association of Guyana.

He was an IAAF certified level II sprints and hurdles track coach.

Before he migrated, Sampson studied engineering at the University of Guyana and had a master’s degree in international business from Kaplan University in the USA.

He leaves to mourn, his wife Michelle and two sons.

In Baltimore, Maryland where he resided, he also authored his first book - We Did It, Personal Empowerment and Awakening, Triumph over Perceived Obstacles and Setbacks’.

In it, according to his website, he felt purposefully driven by his life’s experiences to address the most pressing issues of our time in the hope of creating a better world by shifting the human consciousness to the level of its best self.

Some of his former athletes are planning a memorial service in his honour.

JAMAICA 1st Innings 208

Miller 18-6-25-4, Bernard 7-2-24-1.

WINDWARDS 1st Innings

JAMAICA 2nd innings

(overnight 16 for three)

S Thomas c Currency b Mathew 1

Devon Smith c Campbell b Mindley

J Campbell c Ambris b Mathew 15 6

41

11

S Ambris lbw b Mindley

b Mathew 5 *T Lambert c Smith b Bobb 0 D Bernard Jr c & b Bobb

R Currency st Baugh b Miller

19 C Baugh Jr c Ambris b Bobb

31

N Miller c Peters b Sebastian 3 D Jacobs c (N/A) b Bobb 6 M Mindley not out

29

T Theophile st Baugh b Miller

N Bonner c & b Bobb 24 J Blackwood c Theophile

A Fletcher c wkp Baugh b Mindley

*L Sebastian c wkp Baugh b Bernard +L James c Campbell b Miller A Bobb not out

11 3 0

6 2 TOTAL (9 wkts, 39.1 overs) 148 4 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-23, 3-23,

K Peters lbw b Miller N Pascal lbw b Mindley TOTAL (all out, 48.2 overs)

0

36 K Wallace not out 0 Extras (b1, lb2, nb3)

M Mathew c Bonner b Mindley

Extras (lb3, nb2)

0

5 4-66, 5-70, 6-104, 7-105, 8-131, 110 9-147.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-12, 3-12,

Bowling: Pascal 5-0-37-0, Mathew

4-46, 5-53, 6-64, 7-75, 8-82, 9-103,

7-1-19-3, Peters 3-0-17-0, Bobb

10-110.

15-3-46-5, Sebastien 9.1-2-26-1.

Bowling: Mindley 16.2-6-35-5,

Position: Jamaica lead by 246

Wallace 6-1-23-0, Jacobs 1-1-0-0,

runs.

Central American and Caribbean Games open in spectacular fashion ..Gaskin is first Guyanese athlete to represent the Golden Arrowhead in Mexico HANNIBAL Gaskin was the first athlete to represent the Golden Arrowhead in the field of swimming when the Central American and Caribbean games got underway in Mexico yesterday.

According to President of the Guyana Hockey Board who is also coach of Guyana’s women’s hockey team that is a part of Guyana’s contingent, the Games’ opening ceremony set the tone for a spectacular Games as the hosts, Vera Cruz, put on a

dazzling display of music, pageantry, lights and fireworks.

The games were then officially opened by Cabinet Secretary, Senior Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who welcomed the participants and visitors and encouraged a spirit of competitiveness and togetherness.

The finale threw the crowd into further frenzy as it was capped off by a surprise performance from international Latin superstar Ricky Martin.

The Guyanese contin-

gent was well represented by chef-de-mission, Deion Nurse, flag bearer Gabriella Xavier of hockey and the small but vociferous contingent of Guyanese athletes.

With the games being open, it is now down to business for the athletes as competition began yesterday.

For team Guyana, young Hannibal Gaskin was first to compete in the sport of swimming as he took to the pool in the 50m and 100m butterfly

events (results are still to be provided).

The table tennis team event was also to take place yesterday morning as the Guyanese team awaits the final draw to determine their opponents.

In hockey, the Guyana ladies were to take on semi-finalists of four years ago, the Dominican Republic, in their opener at 13:00hrs (12:00hrs Guyana time).

See results in tomorrow’s edition.

39

SUNDAY CHRONICLE November 16, 2014

WICB/PCL 4-DAY

Guyana Jaguars in sight of full points against Leewards

By Calvin Roberts

THERE is an old saying in Guyana, ‘When you catch a pacu yuh bust he back and fill it with salt’, and certainly the Leon Johnson led Guyana Jaguars did just that in their first round West Indies Cricket Board/Professional Cricket League four day encounter against the Leeward Islands yesterday.

Playing at the Guyana National Stadium where they resumed the second day on 230 for 5 with Narsingh Deonarine on 73 and Christopher Barnwell 24, the home team rallied to score 343, with Deonarine hitting an unbeaten 110, his 10th first class ton.

The Jaguars bowlers, led by a fiery Ronsford Beaton and spin twins Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, then did the trick with the ball taking three wickets each, as they dismissed the Leeward Islands for 94 in 47.1 overs, as Anthony Martin topscored with 25.

Asked to follow-on with a deficit of 249, the Leewards reached 4 without loss off one over of left arm spin from Permaul and faced a herculean task in wiping off their target on a track that is beginning to show signs of wear and tear, midway through the day’s play yesterday.

When the Jaguars was dismissed 34 minutes after lunch off 126.5 overs, Beaton hurriedly left the field and returned like a

-Deonarine chalks up 10th ton

Congratulations Jhonny Ringo! Guyana Jaguars’’ Narsingh Deonarine salutes his teammates after chalking up his 10th first class ton yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium against the Leeward Islands. (Photo

by Adrian Narine) when he removed Jahmar man possessed, moving the Hamilton without scoring, ball around the Leeward which was followed by Islands openers body before the wicket of Thomas and sending back both Austin Jacques Taylor (04) who both Richards and Akeem Saun- fell to Bishoo, while Permaul ders without scoring at 5 for removed Tonge (07) at 56 2 in the 3rd over. for 7.

Lyndell Richardson got At this stage, it did not three fours in his 14, one off look as if the visitors would the fourth over from Raymon reach 75, but Martin and Reifer, who shared the new the left handed Yannick ball with Beaton but lacked Leonard who was unbeaten the pace in comparison to on 13 when the innings the bean-pole Essequibian, was over, fought back with and two off Beaton, before their 37 runs ninth wicket he looked to chalk up his partnership, weathering fourth four off Beaton and the guile of Bishoo and Perpicked out Permaul at gully maul and later the pace of at 24 for 3.

Beaton.

Skipper Devon Thomas Martin had three fours, (13, 2x4) and Orlando Pe- including a sweetly timed ters (18, 4x4) pushed the straight drive off Permaul, score to 44, with Peters before he became over-conhitting Reifer for two fours fident and was caught at the in one over, while Thomas wicket by Anthony Bramble, opened his account with a while a Shivnarine Chanderfirst ball four off Beaton paul throw to Bishoo found before the introduction of Kelbert Walters short of his Bishoo saw the demise of crease before he had faced Peters, who was bowled by a ball. a flipper.

Permaul had 3 for 18, Permaul got into the act Beaton 3 for 26 and Bishoo

Central American and Caribbean Games open in spectacular fashion See Story on Page 38

The Guyana contingent during the opening ceremony of the Central American and Caribbean Games in Vera Cruz, Mexico yesterday.

3 for 31 for the Jaguars, whose solitary over in the Leeward Islands’ second innings, yielded four byes in fading light.

Earlier in the day, the Jaguars lost Barnwell within the first hour of play, lbw to a faster delivery from Martin at 248 for 6, with his contribution being 33, an innings that included five fours, with Deonarine unbeaten on 81 as Bramble strolled to the wicket.

The Albion Cricket Club pair added 67 for the seventh wicket, with Bramble hitting Martin for a four along the ground, followed by a six over extra cover, while Deonarine inched to his ton, which he got off 257 balls with nine fours whilst batting for 356 minutes.

Shortly after, Bramble picked out Leonard at long on off Taylor, while Tonge removed Permaul (04) on the stroke of lunch which was taken at 320 for 8 with Deonarine on 101, and even though Bishoo contributed 14 to the total, Tonge (4 for 60) and Taylor 2 for 71 ensured the home team did not pile on the runs after the break.

Deonarine faced 278 deliveries while batting for 400 minutes during which

time he struck nine fours for his 10th first class ton, which was an unbeaten one.

Leeward Islands 2nd innings

A Saunders b Beaton

00

O Peters b Bishoo

18

A Richards not out 00 Guyana

D Thomas lbw b Bishoo

13

Jaguars 1 innings (O/night 230 st

for 5) R. Chandrika run out (Thomas) 31 A Fudadin lbw b Peters

N Deonarine not out

b Permaul

00

J Taylor c&b Bishoo

04

06

G Tonge lbw b Permaul

07

Y Leonard not out

13

31

A Martin c wkpr Bramble

L Johnson c wkpr Thomas b Tonge

J Hamilton c wkpr Bramble

110

S Chanderpaul c wkpr Thomas b Taylor

45

R Reifer lbw b Tonge

18

C Barnwell lbw b Martin

33

A Bramble c Leonard b Taylor 46 V Permaul lbw b Leonard

04

D Bishoo lbw b Tonge

14

R Beaton lbw b Tonge

00

Extras (lb-3, nb-1, b-1)

05

Total (all out off 126.5 overs) 343 Fall of wicket: 1-14 (Fudadin,

b Permaul

25

K Walters run out (Chanderpaul) 00 Total (all out off 47.1 overs) 94 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Richards, 2.5) 2-5 (Saunders, 4.5), 3-24 (Richardson, 10.4), 4-44 (Peters 19.5), 5-45 (Hamilton 22.5), 6-45 (Thomas, 23.1) 7-56 (Tonge 28.3), 8-56 (Taylor 29.2), 9-93 (Martin, 47), 10-94 (Walters 47.1).

Bowling: Beaton 11-5-263 Reifer 4-1-15-0 Permaul

7.4), 2-62 (Chandrika 27.1),

15-9-18-3, Barnwell 1-0-4-0,

3-86 (Johnson (34.3), 4-169

Bishoo16.1-4-31-3

(Chanderpaul 69.5), 5-199 (R. Reifer 80.5), 6-248 (Barnwell 97.5), 7-315 (Bramble 116.4), 8-320

Leeward Islands 2nd innings A Richards not out

(Permaul 117.5), 9-341 (124.2) Bowling: Tonge 23.5-6-60-4 Walters 13-1-31-0 Peters 18-2-48-1 Leonard 18-2-74-1 Taylor 26-3-712 (nb1) Martin 28-12-55-1

00

L Richardson not out

00

Extras (b-4)

04

Total (without loss)

04

To Bat: A Saunders O. Peters *+D Thomas J Hamilton J Taylor

Leeward Islands 1st Innings

G Tonge Y Leonard A Martin K

L Richardson c Permaul b Beaton

14

A Richards lbw b Beaton

00

Walters Bowling: Permaul 1-1-0-0

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Guyana Jaguars in sight of full points against Leewards See Story on Page 39

CMRC championship

Persaud, Mark Thompson and Seereeram to start on pole today Leeron Brumell & Rawle Toney GUYANESE fans heading to the South Dakota Circuit today can be assured of nothing short of excitement and thrilling racing as the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) plays host to the third and final round of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC).

Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have all

Danny Persaud and his Mazda Miata during yesterday’s time trial (Leeron Brumell photos) sent their best speedsters and while behind him will be his their machines to Guyana to ‘Bajan’ teammate Kenrick set up a classic showdown Husbands (39.012), followed and one that will certainly go by Guyana’s Mohamed Roshandin (39.216) and Shan down in history.

A record 150 competi- Seejattan (39.304 seconds).

Nikhil Seereeram during his run yesterday tors will feature today and see page 34 based on the scores of people who turned up yesterday at the track just to witness the time trials, one can only imagine the crowd expected at the famed circuit.

Mishaps and surprises were the order of the day at the time trials.

Danny Persaud and his Mazda Miata will start on pole today in Group 3 after the Banks Beer and Buy Me Auto Sales sponsored driver clocked the fastest time (35.717 seconds).

The Guyanese will start ahead of Barbados’ Kurt Thompson (36.919 seconds), Vishal Sawh (37.629 seconds) and Rameez Mohamed (38.024).

Mark Thompson will start on pole in Group 2, running CMRC Drivers Championship leader Kristian Jeffrey leads his father a time of 38.792 seconds Kevin and Andrew King.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMVER 16, 2014