Chronicle 11 18 2015

GUYANA

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ACDA blasts PPP’s ‘racial profiling’ of GECOM staff Page

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SPEAKER of the National Assembly Dr. Barton Scotland chats with students of the West Demerara Secondary School during a tour by the Parliament Office in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara on Tuesday (Delano Williams photo)

Odeen Ishmael:

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UNASUR must speak out against Venezuela’s aggression

Roger Khan could bring down PPP 2 Page

-U.S. cable

Roger Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Wikileaks cable...

U.S. said: Khan could bring down PPP - saw links among him, Luncheon, Gajraj

CONVICTED narcotrafficker Shaheed Roger Khan can potentially cause great embarrassment to, or even bring down, the People’s Progressive Party, whether in or out of office, by revealing his links with them and the skeletons in their closet.

This is according to a leaked cable from the United States Embassy here, dated June 29, 2006, some 14 or so days after Khan was captured in neighbouring Suriname while fleeing local lawmen.

The US Embassy was quoted in the June 29, 2006 cable as saying that Khan not only enjoyed political protection from high-ranking PPP government officials, but that at a minimum, former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj and long-time Head of the Presidential Secretariat, D r. R o g e r L u n c h e o n collaborated with him.

The embassy also said that Gajraj, who was initially forced out of office but later posted to head the

Guyana Mission in India, “allegedly orchestrated Guyana’s “death squads” in 2002-03 -- certainly in close collaboration with Khan.”

The embassy further alleged in the cable that Luncheon, then Head of the Presidential Secretariat, “is known to have intervened, and ordered the authorities to release Khan, and return his equipment when they were seized by the Guyana Defence Force years earlier on the East Coast Demerara.

The cable also made mention of the fact that eyewitnesses had allegedly seen Khan leaving former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s office.

crimefighter had led.

President David Granger, back in August of this year, had given his administration’s clearest signal that he fully intends to investigate the Bharrat

thing, we would be sure to be disposed to cooperating within the framework of the rule of law.”

He said that a lot of times, the requirements for such requests are pretty high,

drug charges, the PPP had tried assiduously to distance itself from him. “Khan was the brashest of Guyana’s narco-criminals, but he was by no means the only one. Others will certainly

Roger Khan

Roger Luncheon

Ronald Gajraj

Jagdeo-era killings. It’s a signal that the U.S. received loud and clear, as new U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway was quoted as saying recently that Washington would facilitate handing over testimony given by Khan during his trial.

Holloway had told reporters that there are certain agreements that exist through the UN, the OAS, “and quite possibly Guyana, (which) do allow that in certain cases, if the rules and regulations of the agreement are done with Guyana, or we have signed up under the UN or OAS to allow for such a

for what you have to be able to provide, to be able to go further.

“We don’t allow fishing expeditions,” Holloway said. “We actually need something sort of concrete, and (that) we could see on paper and touch. But within the agreements that we have (and we have done multilateral or international forums), we cooperate with any country in the world.”

try to fill the void left by Khan’s departure from the local scene. Two leading candidates are Bramhanand (Brammanand) Nandalall and Clayton Hutson,” the US Embassy said, adding: “Older than the upstart Khan, they have been active in drug trafficking for many years. Nandalall is the “godfather” of organised crime in Guyana; Khan and Hutson both worked for him before setting up their own criminal organisations.”

Additionally, according to the cable, former US Ambassador here, Ronald Bullen had met with then Home Affairs Minister, Gail

U.S. OFFER Back in October, the Guyana Government had said it would take the United States up on its offer to access the testimonies given by Khan, in order to open local investigations into the ‘Phantom Squad’, which the self-confessed PPP government-backed

DISTANCE SELF Meanwhile, the cable also noted that ever since Khan’s May 2006 indictment in the U.S. on

Teixeira on June 23, 2006 to discuss Khan and other matters.

It so transpired, again according to the cable, that she was only too willing (“eager” is the word that was used) to share her views on the risk and instability that Khan’s capture caused in Guyana. The exact words used in the cable were: “She guesses Hutson might become the next ‘kingpin’.

She said that Nandalall is keeping very quiet, and is rumored to be cooperating with the U.S.” The US cable said, too, that Teixeira had warned that Khan’s departure from the scene opens the door for the criminal situation to become more political, in that “it will no longer be about just narcotics, but about ethnicity as well. She fears that if Hutson uses this opportunity to assume a larger role, then he and his accomplices will pose a serious political threat, with the help of drug and gun trafficking.”

Bullen, in his comments to Washington, said that the then PPP government was comfortable with Khan, because they felt he was on their side. “The possibility of a new ‘kingpin’ allied with the political opposition makes them very nervous indeed.”

According to Bullen, other sources had indicated that Nandalall was more likely than Hutson to take over as Guyana’s Number One narco-criminal.

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UNASUR must speak out GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

… against Venezuela’s aggression - Odeen Ishmael

RETIRED diplomat and former Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela Odeen Ishmael has flayed the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) for what he describes as its lukewarm response to the recent flareup of the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. He said, too, that the organisation’s approach of staying silent appears to be losing its effectiveness.

Ishmael, in a column appearing in this newspaper, said that in light of all that has been happening in Venezuela’s relations with its eastern and western neighbours, one would have expected that the South American Defence Council (SADC)—comprising UNASUR’s ministers responsible for defence and security matters—to at least call for peaceful solutions, the easing of tensions, and the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of aggrieved member states. “It must be noted that the main objectives of the SADC is, inter alia, to support the establishment of a zone of peace in South America, and reinforcing regional cooperation for the sovereign control of natural resources,” Ishmael wrote.

Querying how effective is UNASUR in dealing with these border problems, Ishmael said that a few years ago, most of the members agreed to remove visa restrictions against each other, and there was much optimism that political integration would eventually lead to the disappearance of border disputes and controversies.

“But this does not project itself as a premier objective of the integration process any longer. There is also disinclination by the more powerful members from taking leadership roles in dealing with developing crises in border regions. Actually, strong leadership within the bloc seems to be sorely lacking.

Brazil, previously regarded as a power-player, and Argentina have been relatively quiet, and having abstained from the OAS resolution in August, may not want to involve themselves in helping to smooth out regional border issues.”

He said that by remaining silent on Venezuela’s expanded claim to Guy-

ana’s territory, UNASUR appears to be losing its effectiveness and vibrancy in pronouncing on crucial issues affecting its members. “It did act when the presidents of Ecuador and Uruguay mediated the meeting between Maduro and Santos in September, even though no immediate solutions were achieved.

However, a similar action relative to Guyana and Venezuela has not been forthcoming. Is it because Guyana is a relatively small country in physical size, population, and economy that a threat of usurpation of its territory is ignored, because no one wants to tread on the toes of the larger and more powerful Venezuela? Or is it that the legitimacy of Guyana’s territorial and maritime boundaries is influencing the organisation to adopt a “hands-off” position?”

Ishmael asked.

He said that taking into consideration Colombia’s failure to get the OAS foreign ministers to intervene on its border crisis, UNASUR no doubt may adopt a similar position if Guyana makes a formal request to the organisation.

“And since UNASUR generally requires consensus before it acts, an opposing opinion from Venezuela will result in the rejection of any such request. But Venezuela was prepared for UNASUR’s

Odeen Ishmael involvement back in July, when Maduro optimistically announced that a meeting was proposed to be held last August. Thus, there is no visible impediment in the way of the continental bloc, and the citizens of both Guyana and Venezuela continue to wait expectantly to see what will happen,” Ishmael shared.

Guyana has so far received support from a number of organisations and

countries as it pushes to safeguard its territorial integrity. Notable among those organisations are the Commonwealth and CARICOM. Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, who will be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting later this month, said that the body is set to consider and ratify a declaration in support of Guyana’s stance at the meeting in Malta, from November 27 -29. The declaration is one compiled by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) comprising foreign ministers from nine member countries. He explained that it was assembled after Guyana had reached out in May of this year to the Commonwealth. Guyana had reported to the group that Venezuela had issued a decree which purported to annex all of Guyana’s territorial sea, its exclusive economic zone and its continental shelf. “...these

are illegalities and therefore, we drew it to their attention and the Commonwealth Secretary- General condemned the action; he restated the Commonwealth’s support for borders of Guyana which is based on a treaty that Guyana itself was a party to, and which Venezuela falsely tells the public that it is a treaty that is null and void,” Minister Greenidge said.

He noted that, “Nobody has decided that the treaty is null and void except for Venezuela, and till such time as a lawful body pronounces on it, Venezuela has no right to be making these claims.” For its part, Greenidge noted that the Commonwealth, having been apprised of Guyana’s controversy with Venezuela, has over the years included on its Heads of Government meeting agenda as a matter of form, the issue of the controversy.

“We do not have to arrive each year and ask for it to be

examined, it is on the agenda and, they have been reporting biennially,” he said. He expressed that what makes this forthcoming meeting different is the declaration that would be laid by the CMAG. Minister Greenidge explained that this group had looked at the matter and reported on it on the margins of the UN General Assembly. He said that they then prepared a declaration that was approved and, this he said, is the declaration that is now to be presented at the Heads of Government Meeting for consideration. He pointed out however that on the basis of the events that would have taken place since September and October, when the report was compiled and reported on at the UN General Assembly, in considering the declaration at the Heads of Government meeting; chances are that the declaration may be modified.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

France, Russia strike Islamic State; Hollande, Putin to meet (Reuters) FRANCE and Russia bombed Islamic State targets in Syria on Tuesday, punishing the group for attacks in Paris and against a Russian airliner that together killed 353 people, and made the first tentative steps toward a possible military alliance.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a coordinated onslaught in Paris on Friday and the downing of a Russian charter jet over Sinai on Oct. 31, saying they were in retaliation for French and Russian air raids in Iraq and Syria.

Still reeling from the Paris carnage that killed 129 people, France formally requested European Union assistance in its battle and British Prime Minister David Cameron edged closer to extending military action against Islamic State in Syria.

Police investigating the worst atrocity in France since World War Two discovered two locations in Paris where they believe the militants launched their assault. Underlining the widening scope of the probe, police in Ger-

many said they had arrested seven suspects, including two women.

In Moscow, the Kremlin acknowledged that a bomb had destroyed a Russian airliner last month, killing 224 people. President Vladimir Putin vowed to hunt down those responsible and intensify air strikes against Islamists in Syria.

“Our air force’s military work in Syria must not simply be continued,” he said. “It must be intensified in such a way that the criminals understand that retribution is inevitable.”

Syrian targets hit by Russian long-range bombers and cruise missiles on Tuesday included the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa.

In a separate action, French warplanes targeted Raqqa for a second day running.

Paris and Moscow are not coordinating their operations, but French President Francois Hollande has called for a global campaign against the radicals in the wake of the Paris attacks.

The Kremlin said Putin spoke to Hollande

by telephone and had ordered the Russian navy to establish contact with a French naval force heading to the eastern Mediterranean, led by an aircraft carrier, and to treat them as allies.

“We need to work out a plan with them of joint sea and air actions,” Putin told military chiefs.

Russia began air strikes in Syria at the end of September. It has always said its main target is Islamic State, but most of its bombs in the past have hit territory held by other groups opposed to its ally, Syrian President Bashar

al-Assad.

Hollande will visit Putin in Moscow on Nov. 26, two days after the French leader is due to meet U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington to push for a concerted drive against Islamic State, which controls swathes of Syria and Iraq.

A French presidential source said Hollande also spoke by phone to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who backed calls for a united front against the militants. Iran is Assad’s closest ally.

People observe a minute of silence at the Trocadero in front the Eiffel Tower to pay tribute to the victims of the series of deadly attacks on Friday in Paris, France, November 16, 2015. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Accused gunmen pointed out at ID parade

THE Robb Street, Bourda, murder trial of Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris yesterday continued in the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury with several policemen and a prison officer testifying.

Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Simon Reid told the court that he conducted two police identification parades in which two of the four accused, Orwin Hinds and Roy Jacobs were pointed out by Fitzroy Fiedtkou, brother of the deceased as the two men who were in the yard the night his sister was gunned down at her Lot 42 Robb Street home.

Defence Counsel George Thomas sought clarification on the description of the suspects who were placed in two separate identification parades along with seven other men of the same height, skin tone, age and weight.

Reid said he was given a brief description of the suspects and his story was

not a fabricated one as he was there to ensure the identification parades were done correctly.

Maxwell Mc Kay in his cross-examination said that his client Roy Jacobs did not object to being placed with other men in an identification parade after he was told he was a suspect in the murder on June 30, 2011.

Reid, when questioned, could not say who were tasked with gathering the other seven men to be placed in the said identification parade since he was simply the holder of the parade and the men were presented to him.

Roy Jacobs, called ‘Black boy” and “Chippy” after being pointed out as one of two men who entered Fiedtkou-Parris’ yard on the night in question said, “I was on the road, Troy was in the car, Dutchie went in the house and shoot the lady.”

Another police witness, Detective Constable H. Deonarine, told the court that he was present to witness the identification parade

conducted by Simon Reid in which Roy Jacobs was picked out at Brickdam Criminal Investigations Department via a one-way mirror.

Meanwhile, Corporal Dharmendra Inderpaul said he was also present during the same identification parade in which Orwin Hinds called “Redman” was pointed out by the brother of Fiedtkou-Parris. After that Hinds is alleged to have said, “I didn’t went into the house, I was on the steps when Dutchie went into the house and kill the lady.”

Prison Officer Mervin Tyrell and police witness Corporal David Hunte also testified.

Orin Hinds, called “Redman,” of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevin October called, “Troy,” of Second Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Cleon Hinds, and Roy Jacobs called “Chippie” or “Black Boy” of Evans Street, Charlestown, are facing trial for murder.

According to the indict-

Gun, ‘ammo’ find lands man in trouble FORTY-five-year old Keshawn Williams of Lot 54 Bent Street, Wortmanville yesterday appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to a charge of possession of firearm and ammunition.

It is alleged that on October 16 at Alberttown, Georgetown he had in his possession of one .45 pistol with nine live matching rounds. Williams pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

In a bail application, attorney Eusi Anderson noted that his client was not in

physical possession of the items nor was he the owner of the vehicle in which it was found.

Meanwhile police prosecutor Corporal Keri Boswick in his objections told the court that the accused in a caution statement admitted to having the items in his possession. He said he found it and decided to keep it for safety.

Magistrate upheld the prosecutor’s objection and remanded Williams until November 27.

Two held in hotel remanded on cocaine charge TWO men recently busted by the Customs Anti -Narcotic Unit (CANU) allegedly with cocaine in a room at the Alpha International Hotel at Ogle, were remanded to prison after being jointly charged for conspiring to traffic the illicit drug.

Making their first appearance before City Magistrate Judy Latchman was 35-year-old Dwayne Adams of Middle Street, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara and 44-year-old Hubert Smith of Lot 3464 North Ruimveldt, both of whom pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that the two men on November 13 at the Alpha hotel conspired with each other to traffic in 848 grams of cocaine.

Adams had attempted to plead guilty to save Smith, who he claimed had no knowledge of the drug and was sleeping at the time. But his lawyer, Mr. Peter Hugh, instructed him to do otherwise.

According to the lawyer, he ordered his client to enter a not guilty plea, since Adams should have been charged for trafficking and not indicted on a conspiracy charge.

The prosecutor, Corporal Keri Boswick, objected to bail on the grounds that Adams through a caution statement admitted to having the drug after he told CANU officers he had ingested 25 pellets. He was then taken to the Woodlands Hospital where he excreted the substance.

Magistrate Latchman upheld bail and both men were remanded until December 7 when they will make their second court appearance.

According to a report, ranks acting on a tip-off were able to swoop down on the hotel last Saturday and arrested the two suspected drug mules as they were preparing to board a flight to New York.

ment, the four men murdered Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris pursuant to an arrangement whereby money was to be passed from one person to another.

On the evening of June 30, 2011, two men went to Fiedtkou-Parris’s Robb Street home asking for ‘Auntie,’ a title by which she was called. They went directed up a side step and as Fiedtkou-Parris emerged from her bedroom, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot her several times to the upper part of her body.

The men then jumped into a waiting car while, the injured woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The trial continues today.

Gun charge against policeman dismissed

THE victim who was shot after a police constable’s firearm went off has declined to give further evidence against her police friend.

Shaqueena Johnson gave sworn testimony before Magistrate Judy Latchman that she did not want to proceed against Dwayne Charles.

Johnson under oath told the court that she was not forced or threatened by anyone and was giving the evidence on her own free will.

In the light of this testimony, the matter was dismissed and the police officer was free to go.

At Monday’s court proceeding, 25-year-old police constable Dwayne Charles was placed on $150,000 bail for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Charles pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on April 22, at Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Johnson.

The prosecution facts revealed that on the day in question the accused and another person were playing with the firearm when it accidentally went off and hit Johnson in the abdomen. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Guyana

The PPP will not give up opportunities to fatten themselves EDITORIAL

Dear editor, IT has been reported that the People’s Progressive Party Members of Parliament have taken a decision to “donate their salary increases to their party”.

On October 19, PPP parliamentarian Charles Ramson Jr, boldly declared the following on facebook: “I certainly won’t be accepting any salary increase.”

Now, a mere month later, Ramson Jr and his colleagues have done a complete 180 and are now accepting the salary increases and dumping it into the coffers at Freedom House. The question is whether they are using Freedom House as a storage bond for these monies which will be drawn down at some later date. After much hue and cry and hemming and hawing by the PPP about the salary increase and after vehement declarations that they will not accept the 100% increase in MPs salaries, the nation is confronted

by the barefaced opposition PPP lapping up the increases and diverting it to their party headquarters where it is perhaps going to be held in savings until the issue blows over and it can be quietly withdrawn.

This matter must also be seen against the fact that the de facto PPP head and Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo has refused his parliamentary salary in favour of his much larger presidential pension which amounts to almost $2,000,000, being 7/8ths of the salary of the sitting President. All of these signal to the people of Guyana that despite 23 years of pillaging the treasury, the PPP officials are still unsatisfied and remain money-hungry entities who will not let any opportunity slip to further fatten their party.

The PPP charge of ethnic bias in GECOM Caricom must respond quickly

THE PPP General Secretary’s request that GECOM publish the ethnic profile of its employees at the last elections has once again brought the issue of ethnicity into the national spotlight.

The GECOM Chairman has correctly called the PPP’s request for what it is — a further effort to tarnish the credibility of the commission, and by extension the 2015 elections. The government, through its Social Cohesion Minister, has responded with the usual charge that the PPP is appealing to race and, in the process, frustrating our shared nationalism.

The PPP’s game-plan is clear; it is doing everything it can to delegitimise the government in the eyes of PPP traditional supporters. This is the context in which the attacks on GECOM’s credibility have to be seen. The ultimate target is not GECOM; it’s the government. The problem for the PPP -- and for Guyanese politics in general -- is that it is difficult to engage in political manoeuvres of any kind without confronting the uncomfortable presence of ethnicity. Time and time again, the PPP has found that it is almost impossible to affirm its exceptionalism or attack its traditional opponent, the PNC, without recourse to ethno-racialism.

While the PNC has generally been restrained in its resort to overt ethnic appeals, the PPP has not exhibited such restraint. One remembers the annual Babu Jaan speeches in recent times, which have been quite graphic in appeals to ethnic solidarity and hostility. The most recent one by Opposition Leader Jagdeo was perhaps the most extreme in this regard. In that speech, for example, the ethnic identity of the PPP was, for the first time, explicitly declared.

The argument is not being made here that the PPP sets out to invoke ethnicity. Rather, it is being contended that the PPP’s brand of politics cannot be properly executed without overt resort to ethnicity. As uncomfortable as it is, the nation has to get used to that reality. Unlike its nemesis, the PNC, which seems to have disavowed the agenda of dominance, the PPP has reiterated its commitment to the politics of dominance. Pursuit of party-political dominance in our ethnic context is by definition an embrace of the politics of ethnic dominance. This is the slippery slope the PPP has embarked on.

Yet we cannot ignore the fact that ethnic representation

Yours sincerely, ABEL SEETARAM

to needs of private sector

Dear Editor: THE future is now. Caribbean nations must recognise that “Opportunity” is the most perishable commodity and if opportunities for trade, investment and other development initiatives are not expeditiously exploited, others will seize these opportunities. Caribbean governments need to respond quickly to the needs of their private sectors so that private enterprise can take advantage of the many opportunities arising from the challenges in today’s global economy.

The foregoing sums up the consensus among participants in three events held in the United States over the past week- Invest Barbados; the 4th Annual Conference of the National Association of Haitian Professionals (NAHP); and the 39th Annual (Miami) Conference on the Caribbean put on by Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA).

Participating in these meetings were government, private sector, civil society, media officials and academics from several countries from various parts of the world. The consensus among participants in the various discussions at these meetings is that governments need to be predictable in their policy formulation and execution, thereby generating trust among stakeholders at home and abroad; need to fight and eventually eschew corruption; and deal effectively with the issue of security/public safety. in sensitive areas of power must be a primary concern. In this regard, the PPP is hypocritical. No government has been as guilty as the PPP was in populating the corridors of power with its ethnic constituency while simultaneously marginalising the opposite group. It is this hypocrisy that makes it very difficult to take the PPP seriously regarding many of its complaints against the government.

The larger meaning of requesting the ethnicity of GECOM’s employees is hardly hidden. The PPP wants to argue that the fact that the majority of the commission’s employees were African-Guyanese means that there was a built-in bias against the party in the conduct of the elections. Implicit in that logic is that African-Guyanese are incapable of fairness. This is one of the ugly consequences of the PPP’s tactics.

The appeal to Indian-Guyanese of their being victims of an ethnic conspiracy that is grounded in an innate culture of unfairness is hardly helpful to improve an environment for national reconciliation.

A session at the Haiti conference entitled ‘Foreign and Diaspora Direct Investment in Haiti ‘ and the several sessions at the Miami Conference which was themed ‘Cuba, the Caribbean and Central America’ pointed to the importance of foreign investment in regional economies, concluding that “investors are not our enemies” neither should size be an impediment to expanding regional economies.

In the words of Jamaica’s Richard Bernal in his presentation at the Miami Conference: “Small developing economies including many in the Caribbean have firms that are internationally competitive if not global leaders in some sectors and in cases where they cannot manufacture the entire product or provide an entire menu of services, they can be part of the value chain”. In my view this is indeed the case in Guyana and we need to focus on joint ventures, especially among our small artisans and entrepreneurs.

Further, our private sector it seems need to pay greater attention to the Cuban market notwithstanding the difficulties with logistics and linguistics. The Cubans participating in the Miami Conference made it clear that notwithstanding the move toward normalisation of relations with the U.S., Cuba will continue to ensure that opportunities for trade and investment are available to CARICOM member countries.

Ruben Ramos Arrieta, Minister in the Economic and Trade Office at the Cuban Embassy in the U.S., in responding to my intervention said that Caribbean trade with Cuba is valued around 100 million dollars annually and that there is scope for greater advantage to be taken of opportunities for exports to Cuba, noting that in recent times Trinidad and Tobago and The Dominican Republic have been very aggressive with their exports to Cuba. He said Cuba had circulated a list of some 50 products which the Caribbean could export to his country. Guyana, he said, previously supplied lumber and some rice but he was unsure whether these products were still being exported.

Editor, I share this information on the discussions at these meetings because I am of the view that it is relevant to Guyana and it is important that the Guyana government and private sector get a sense of the nature of the discussions taking place which could impact our economy. There is a certain urgency at this time with which many small economies like ours are pursuing their economic development through linkages and leverage in a global context. The train is leaving the station and Guyana, in my view, notwithstanding the future prosperity that oil may bring, cannot afford not to be aboard!

REGARDS, WESLEY KIRTON

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

UNASUR’s lukewarm attitude to border crises

By Odeen Ishmael DURING this year (2015), two major territorial and border issues flared up between Venezuela and its neighbours to the east and west. In May, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro issued a decree claiming almost all of Guyana’s maritime space, as well as a portion of Colombia’s offshore waters, and instructed the Venezuelan navy to supervise control of the expansion.

Subsequently, the decree was replaced by another, but that did not reverse the spurious claim. Both aggrieved countries issued strong objections to this highhandedness, but these did not force Venezuela to retreat from exercising this aggressive tactic.

With respect to Colombia, three months later, Venezuela closed a number of border crossings, and expelled thousands of Colombians allegedly residing illegally in Venezuela.

This resulted in what Colombia, as well as the United Nations, described as a “humanitarian crisis.”

DETERIORATED GUYANA-VENEZUELA RELATIONS The Venezuelan actions resulted in a drastic deterioration of relations with Guyana.

The Guyanese government in June halted the flights of the Venezuelan airline, Conviasa, on the grounds that the airline had not paid its security deposit to assist in reimbursing stranded passengers should the carrier cease operations suddenly. Soon after, Venezuela announced that it would not renew the contract to purchase Guyana’s rice, the market for which was the most lucrative for Guyanese rice farmers.

The PetroCaribe agreement by which Venezuela sold oil to Guyana on favourable concessionary terms floundered around the same time.

Guyana extended its protest to regional and international organisations, and immediately received support from CARICOM. But during the current year, some members of the sub-regional body, who have been receiving financial and other forms of assistance from Venezuela, have not been as vocal in voicing their condemnation of the transgression on Guyana’s territorial integrity.

On July 16, President David Granger informed the Summit of Mercosur, held in Brazil, of this latest Venezuelan claim to Guyana’s maritime space. At the end of the meeting, Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro announced that a special meeting would be convened by UNASUR in Paraguay during August to address the ongoing border controversy.

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge stated that Guyana was never formally invited to any such

meeting. But, despite Maduro’s announcement, neither the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) secretariat, nor its pro tempore presidency, held by Uruguay, made any announcement of such a meeting. Actually, the meeting was never held.

At the same time, there

Dr. Odeen Ishmael has been, so far, no formal high-level diplomatic conversation between the two countries, even at least to re-establish a semblance of cordiality aimed at mending the existing fractured relations; something which is necessary, and will eventually have to happen.

On September 22, 2015, the Spanish news agency, EFE, reported that sources of the Uruguayan government stated that the border issue was “not on the agenda” of the continental body. “UNASUR is not dealing with this topic. In the interest of the party countries, we have rather made efforts to keep this as a bilateral issue.

That’s the information we have now,” the sources added. They also indicated that they were unaware that the two countries requested UNASUR to intervene. By taking a hands-off position, UNASUR has largely supported Venezuela’s position that the border issue is a purely bilateral matter. This is indeed a very weak stance by a regional body which should be more pro-active, as it has previously done in dealing with previous tense situations between member-states.

COLOMBIAVENEZUELA BORDER CRISIS With regard to Colombia, during August, Venezuela closed six key crossings along its border with that country, thus shutting down critical sections along the 1,450-mile boundary. Ostensibly, this action was aimed at curbing smuggling, particularly of inexpensive Venezuelan gasoline and other subsidised consumer products across the border. However, much to the consternation of the Colombian government, thousands of Colombians residing illegally—and even legally, in many cases— on the Venezuelan side of the border, particularly in the states of Zulia, Apure and Táchira, were expelled, with many of their houses bulldozed by the Venezuelan

military, leading to the obvious results of economic disruptions and break-up of families, and bringing about a state of tension between the two neighbours.

From August 21 through September 7, more than 20,000 Colombians living in Venezuela returned to their home country; of those, 1,467 were deported, and another 18,619 returned on their own, albeit under claims of intimidation

by Venezuelan security forces in many cases, according to a September 8 report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The exodus prompted Fabrizio Hothschild, who headed the United Nations mission in Colombia, to describe the situation as a “humanitarian crisis.”

Colombian authorities asked the OAS on August 31 to intervene, and called for a meeting to discuss the Colombia-Venezuela border dispute.

Despite Colombia’s attempts to push for the meeting, it fell one vote short of the 18 votes required to get OAS ministers of foreign affairs to convene.

Bolivia, Ecuador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela voted against the meeting, and 11 countries—including Argentina, Brazil, and most of the Caribbean countries—abstained.

Subsequently, UNASUR, under the management of Secretary-General Ernesto Samper (the ex-Colombian president), and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) arranged a meeting between Maduro and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for September 21 in Ecuador.

The meeting was mediated by two presidents: Ecuador’s Rafael Correa, and Uruguay’s Tabare Vasquez. In the end, they agreed, inter alia, to (1) conduct a background investigation in the border area; (2) discuss at ministerial level sensitive issues in the affected region; (3) work on a progressive normalization of the border; (4) achieve the coexistence of economic, political and social models between the two nations; and (5) appeal to the spirit of brotherhood between the two countries. Despite this agreement, the borders remain closed (and will remain so for the rest of the year), and almost nothing was said of the mistreatment reported by the deported Colombians. The Colombian magazine, Semana resignedly editorialised that “probably in Quito, there were no winners or losers.”

CAN UNASUR DEAL WITH BORDER PROBLEMS? In the light of all that has been happening in Venezuela’s relations with its eastern and western neighbours, one would have expected that the South American Defence Council (SADC)—comprising UNASUR’s ministers respon-

sible for defence and security matters—to at least call for peaceful solutions, the easing of tensions, and the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of aggrieved member states.

It must be noted that the main objectives of the SADC is, inter alia, to support the establishment of a zone of peace in South America and reinforcing regional cooperation for the sovereign control of natural resources.

How effective is UNASUR in dealing with these border problems? A few years ago, most of the members agreed to remove visa restrictions against each other, and there was much optimism that political integration would eventually lead to the disappearance of border disputes and controversies. But this does not project itself as a premier objective of the integration process any longer. There is also disinclination by the more powerful members from taking leadership roles in dealing with developing crises in border regions. Actually, strong lead-

ership within the bloc seems to be sorely lacking. Brazil, previously regarded as a power-player, and Argentina have been relatively quiet, and having abstained from the OAS resolution in August, may not want to involve themselves in helping to smooth out regional border issues.

By remaining silent on Venezuela’s expanded claim to Guyana’s territory, UNASUR appears to be losing its effectiveness and vibrancy in pronouncing on crucial issues affecting its members.

It did act when the presidents of Ecuador and Uruguay mediated the meeting between Maduro and Santos in September, even though no immediate solutions were reached. However, a similar action relative to Guyana and Venezuela has not been forthcoming. Is it because Guyana is a relatively small country in physical size, population and economy, that a threat of usurpation of its territory is ignored because no one wants to tread on the

toes of the larger and more powerful Venezuela? Or is it that the legitimacy of Guyana’s territorial and maritime boundaries is influencing the organisation to adopt a “hands-off” position?

Taking into consideration Colombia’s failure to get the OAS foreign ministers to intervene on its border crisis, UNASUR no doubt may adopt a similar position if Guyana makes a formal request to the organisation.

And since UNASUR generally requires consensus before it acts, an opposing opinion from Venezuela will result in the rejection of any such request. But Venezuela was prepared for UNASUR’s involvement back in July when Maduro optimistically announced that a meeting was proposed to be held last August. Thus, there is no visible impediment in the way of the continental bloc, and the citizens of both Guyana and Venezuela continue to wait expectantly to see what will happen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Fmr. UG Deputy VC robbed of motorcar at gunpoint RUTHLESS gun-toting bandits on Monday night robbed former University of Guyana Deputy ViceChancellor Tota Mangar of his vehicle.

The incident occurred just outside Colgrain House on Camp Street, in downtown Georgetown. ‘ A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken yesterday confirmed that no one has as yet been arrested for the crime, nor has the vehicle, a silvergrey Toyota Escudo, been located.

When contacted yesterday by the Guyana Chronicle, the former GNNL Board Member said he was still traumatised by the whole ordeal.

He explained that he had been invited by longtime friend and fellow Essequibian Roy Brummel, to a ceremony at Moray House to launch two of his books.

Brummel has recently

returned from the United States of America (USA), Mangar said, and as such he was happy to see him. Not only are they close friends, but they also studied together at UG, and played cricket together too.

Mangar said that after the ceremony, he collected copies of the books, chatted briefly with Brummell, Paloma Mohammed and Vanda Radzik before leaving.

He’d gotten as far as opening the door to the vehicle, which was parked outside Moray House on Camp Street, and placing the two books and his cellular phone on the back seat, when he was simultaneously accosted by two men.

“The one at the back door come in quickly and put a knife to my throat, and the other one come and put a gun to my face,” the traumatised Mangar said.

Having complied with

their request, he said, they quickly drove off with his vehicle, leaving him stranded.

“Immediately I ran across the road and alerted them (at Moray’s House),

Tota Mangar and the police were contacted,” he said.

Mangar said he was caught by surprise, since he never expected such a bold approach in an area where traffic is always heavy. He had not noticed anyone

around when he approached his vehicle, he said, or he would not have opened his car.

“This thing happened so quickly. The one with the knife was quick to put the knife to my neck,” he said.

“They weren’t around the vehicle when I approached it. They were probably lurking around that avenue, waiting for a victim and they saw me at that time.”

He said he had purchased the Suzuki Escudo online from a Japanese company while h e w a s D e p u t y Vi c e Chancellor at the University of Guyana, and the vehicle is rare in the country.

“I don’t know if the motive is to do some robbery with it, or if they just want to strip the car,” he told the Chronicle. He said the slick operation of the bandits left him with the impression that they are seasoned criminals.

(Shauna Jemmott)

Tapakuma cassava-processing factory recommissioned - has potential to be major supplier of cassava products

By Rabindra Rooplall CASSAVA serves as an important food and cashc ro p , f a m i n e re s e r v e , industrial raw material, and livestock food. It remains a major source of calories and is in fact the third most important staple internationally, after rice and corn. Research has shown that cassava is one of the leading staples across the developing world.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has recommissioned a cassava-processing plant in the Amerindian reservation of Tapakuma Village on the Essequibo Coast in Guyana’s Region 2, Pomeroon/Supenaam. The recommissioning was done on Monday, November 16, and Minister Holder said that the goal of the Agriculture Ministry is to support the production of cassava to meet burgeoning demand outside of its traditional users. Increasingly, cassava products -- namely farine,

cassareep and cassava bread -- are becoming important parts of the Guyana market.

“The recommissioning of this factory will see villagers meeting an increasing

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder demand for such products,” he asserted.

The potential impact such a factory can have in generating wealth at the

village level, by adding value through cassava processing, has not escaped the minister’s attention.

Minister Holder s a i d I I C A’ s C o u n t r y R e p r e s e n t a t i v e Wi l m o t Garnett had alluded to a study that was completed between 2005 and 2009, which pointed to the untapped potential that lies in cassava production.

Recommissioning of the cassava-processing plant, he said, is a step in the right direction to ensure that cassava reaches its rightful place in the world market.

The village had, in 2014, benefited from this $3.378M refurbished facility through partnership with IFAD, IICA and the village council.

“This is a step in the right direction, as the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from our development partner,the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), will be pushing ahead with our

work programme of further expanding the local cassava industry. By resuscitating the cassava industry, we will be working to improve the social and economic welfare o f Ta p a k u m a Vi l l a g e , ” the Agriculture Minister emphasised.

He said government is cognisant of the existence of a number of constraints which need to be adequately addressed if the cassava industry is to move from a subsistence level to an actual industry. One such constraint remains the lack of markets and the necessary tools for value-added production. “ To d a y i s j u s t the beginning. With commitment and dedication, we can put this village of Tapakuma on the world map as being a major supplier of cassava and its by-products. Together, we can ensure that the lacklustre approach to cassava production becomes a thing of the past,” he emphasised.

Duncan refuses to repay GPL FORMER board member of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. Carvil Duncan has said that the transfer of monies from the coffers of the company to his personal bank account was in order, and approved by the Board of Directors.

Duncan made the comment yesterday after he was approached by reporters on the matter, which is now under investigation by the police.

He made it clear that he has no intention of repaying the funds, since, according to him, he worked for 10 years with GPL, but was paid for only 48 months.

Duncan and former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashlar Deonarine had reportedly paid themselves some $28M in back-pay they felt they deserved.

On Monday, he had promised to turn himself in to the police so as to assist with their investigations, Carvil Duncan which he did yesterday.

Duncan also reportedly provided the police with a statement in the matter, after he was told specifically about the allegations against him.

This publication showed up at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday to speak with Duncan about his meeting with ranks, but never got the chance to do so, as he had just exited the building, entered his heavily tinted vehicle, and drove out of the compound with the windows rolled up.

Meanwhile, there has been no confirmation yet on the whereabouts of Deonarine, who is also accused of moving funds from the company to his personal bank account.

Back in August, it had been reported that Deonarine, who had left the jurisdiction, had requested time to repay the money, as it had been transferred to his personal bank account in the United States.

Last week, the police were handed the documents pertaining to the findings of an internal audit at GPL that discovered the illegal removal of funds from the company’s coffers.

The files also include the recommendations in the audit report, after the illegal acts were uncovered. One of the recommendations was that the former DCEO be sent on immediate administrative leave.

French Consulate opens Book of Condolence for Paris victims

THE French Consulate in Guyana on Tuesday opened a Book of Condolence for the victims of the attacks in Paris.

The Book of Condolence is open to members of the public in the Honorary Consulate of France at 276 B Peter Rose Street, Queenstown, Georgetown from 09:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs The activity will conclude on Wednesday (today).

In a statement the consulate said: “This tragedy in France was a result of Paris being targeted by six (6) terrorist attacks which provoked 129 deaths and 352 injured. This attack represents a hit for “all the humanity and our universal values.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

9

GTU President warns ...

Non-payment of debunching funds can cause industrial unrest

By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT’s nonpayment of debunching money promised to teachers will be dealt with accordingly. Industrial action will loom if nothing is done to facilitate hardworking teachers countrywide, Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) President Mark Lyte has warned.

“Teachers are so agitated about this payment, that it can lead to the resumption of industrial action that was suspended May last,” he advised. “Let it be known that the GTU is committed to having everyone receive their debunching funds.”

Ly t e s t r e s s e d t h i s message yesterday at a press conference held at the GTU Headquarters on Woolford Avenue to underscore many issues facing teachers.

He explained that the Education Ministry has a multi-year agreement that spans 2011-2015, which is near closure. Many issues were highlighted in this agreement under the previous, and now the

present, administration.

“A number of meetings were held with the Ministry of the Presidency, and we were told, prior to Monday, that this matter would have to be dealt with by the Cabinet, since an announcement will have to be made in relation to debunching payments,” Lyte said.

Ly t e s a i d t h e G T U r e c e i v e d o n M o n d a y, correspondence that now points the issue back to the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry.

“GTU is worried that this matter seems to be revolving -- going from place to place. We would like the Education Ministry to know [that] teachers all across Guyana are anxiously awaiting the disbursement of the debunching funds, and calculating how teachers are to benefit from debunching has been completed a very long time ago; and we do not understand why, at this point and time, a definite pronouncement cannot be made as to when our teachers, who serve

this country diligently, cannot be granted their debunching monies,” Lyte

GTU President Mark Lyte fumed.

Underscoring that the GTU would be meeting with the relevant officials this week in relation to the issue, Lyte said teachers countrywide should understand that the union is working tirelessly to promote their interest, as the executives of the body will not be accepting excuses from officials.

He noted: “Teachers are intelligent people, and their patience is running out. We

Mark Major freed of cousin’s murder A VERY elated Mark Major walked unshackled out of the High Court a free man on Monday afternoon after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the murder of his first cousin, Orin Forde, on January 6, 2012.

The charge had alleged that on January 12, 2012, at a slaughterhouse at Helena #1, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Mark Major murdered Orin Forde.

After a few hours of deliberation Monday, the jury returned with a unanimous verdict and Madam Justice Roxane George told the accused, “Mr Major, you are free to go.”

Amidst cries of joy and relief, Major’s relatives embraced him and led him out of the courtroom.

Major, a slaughterhouse employee, alleged that following an argument over money his cousin had borrowed from him, his cousin had attacked him with an axe handle, causing him to arm himself with a knife. Forde allegedly died as a result of injuries sustained in that encounter.

During the trial before Justice Roxane George and a mixed jury, it was related that $6,000 lent by one cousin to another in a verbal agreement eventually resulted in murder.

The alleged money lender was Mark Major, who contended that his cousin agreed verbally to repay the debt with interest, amounting to a grand total of $10,000, but had repaid only $5,000 in total.

State Prosecutor Shawnette Austin, in association with Orinthia Schmidt and Tamieka Clarke, told the jury in her opening address that the killing was neither an accident nor provocation, but was intentional. She said the evidence indicated that what had happened that day did not occur in self-defence.

She had called 15 witnesses to testify from the witness box, and had said: “They [witnesses] will tell you a story that the accused, Mark Major, and the deceased, Orin Forde, were cousins; and that on the 6th of January, 2012, the deceased and the accused had an argument over money.”

Defence lawyers Clevaun Humphrey and Jermaine Jarvis premised their case on self-defence (Michel Outridge)

cannot be talking to different people on every occasion, and when you finish a set of talks thinking that you’re getting to the end, you’re again being referred to another group of people or individual to commence talks again. Example, debunching: every time we have to speak to someone new, we have to re-submit all the documents afresh and explain what is debunching, and the process starts over again.”

The union had, last May, instituted industrial action in the form of ‘work to rule’ and participating teachers were expected to do the very minimum in terms

of their work, and were expected to return home if their working conditions were not acceptable. The industrial action was brought to an end after the elections which saw the coalesced APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) being elected to office.

The APNU+AFC government has reportedly put on hold payment of the debunching money and duty-free concession pending the outcome of ongoing investigations of the previous government’s activities.

Even as the GTU

prepares to meet with the Education Minister to discuss its many concerns with the system, reports are that it is recommending that working groups be established to deal with the outlined issues with a view to having them placed into categories and addressed by specific groups consisting of representatives of the GTU and the ministry.

The minister is likely to be receptive to the recommendations of the union. Since assuming office, Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has committed, on multiple occasions, to working closely with the GTU.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Cops nab three for Tucber robbery … Berbicians praise efforts

THE police in Berbice have arrested three suspects f o r S u n d a y ’s ro b b e r y of a Tucber Park, New Amsterdam businessman even as Berbicians praise the lawmen’s efforts in solving some of the recent crimes in the region.

The suspected bandits were arrested at a New Amsterdam Hotel as

investigations into the robbery where one of the suspects was apprehended and injured by the householder continue.

According to Deputy Commander of B Division, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, based on information they went to the Church View International Hotel where three men and three

females all associated were found. Watts noted that two of the men fit the description of the two who were in the businessman’s home on Sunday.

Following the capture of suspect Brian Dhanphat at the home of supermarket owner Nicholas Harrinandan on Sunday morning, police were provided with the

names of the two who had escaped following the failed robbery attempt. Watts said the men are also wanted for a series of armed robberies including one involving A. Ally and Sons where a deposit bag contained G$3.7 million and US$2300 was taken from a clerk as she was about to enter a commercial bank to make a deposit.

B u s i n e s s m a n , Harrinandan had suffered chop wounds to the face and head and was later taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment.

The police in a release had said at about 01:20h Sunday three men, one armed with a shotgun and another with cutlass broken into the home of Harrinandan who armed himself with a cutlass and attacked the bandits during which he was chopped about the body.

He however managed to inflict injuries on one of the bandits. The other two perpetrators escaped, but in their haste to do so abandoned the shot-gun which was recovered by the police, the release said.

Reports are that Harrinandan was on his verandah sleeping when the men climbed into the house by using the verandah. He later got into a scuffle with one of the bandits during which time he was injured.

At the time the men entered the house the supermarket owner and his wife were at home alone.

Reports are that Dhanphat received injures to his legs, face and forearms.

Meanwhile, Dhanphat who was discharged from hospital and is currently in police custody told the media in the presence of the police that he was at Harrinandan’s home on Sunday morning because of a drug-related incident, but he provided no further details.

Harrinandan back in April 6, 2014 was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with some 7.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in cheese rolls, pine tarts, mittai and in the soles of a pair of shoes.

According to Watts, two of the men arrested on Monday evening are also suspects in

other matters including the New Amsterdam Market Stall robbery last Thursday.

Before the three men were arrested at the hotel, police had discovered a motorbike parked at a gas station which

that they are cognisant that the majority of crimes in the region are of a petty nature.

Following efforts by certain sections of the media to describe the crime situation as “out of control,”

Brian Dhanphat in police custody on Tuesday is adjacent to the hotel and have since linked it to that which was used in the A. Ally robbery and also last Thursday’s robbery in the New Amsterdam Market.

CRIME SOLVING Meanwhile, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s Region 6 envoy Gobin Harbhajan, has reported that residents in the East Berbice/ C o re n t y n e re g i o n a re praising the coalition government’s intensified efforts to fight crime.

Harbhajan said the residents lauded VicePresident and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan because in most of the cases, the criminals were apprehended within weeks. This, Harbhajan reported, was very different to what the residents were subjected to in the past when crimes went routinely unsolved.

In addition, he said that during his many interactions with residents, they explained

Harbhajan said he decided to go on a fact-finding mission on the ground in Region 6. “I decided to visit with prominent persons from the region to validate whether the crime situation was spiralling out of control as we have been reading in one newspaper in particular,” Harbhajan said. “I made visits around Corentyne, Berbice, where I gathered information from respectable individuals in the community such as former President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce David Subnauth; Vibert Welch, Chairman for the Cop and Faith Community and the Berbice/Corentyne District Chairman for the Community Policing Group Abdool Nasir.”

The Prime Minister’s representative reported that, “They all agreed that residents experienced petty crimes.” Further, they believe that with the expected picking-up of the economy, such crimes will definitely take a downward turn.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

ACDA blasts PPP’s ‘racial profiling’ of GECOM staff

THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has accused General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee of “dividing this nation along racial lines.”

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo The accusation comes in the wake of Rohee’s recent call on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for information on the ethnic make-up of those who worked for the body in the May General and Regional elections.

Already, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally and the Guyana Government have come out with statements condemning Rohee and his party on the move.

Said ACDA Executive Director, Dr. Eric Phillips on Tuesday: “To suggest that even if the majority of employees in GECOM Headquarters were not Indian; that those employees had any power to change anything, given all the systems in place; given all the international groups that came here to

observe; given how the votes are counted….to even suggest that, shows that he is continuing along [the] PPP’s path of racism and division of the nation.”

Phillips made it clear that he does not mind the request, primarily because it has no validity or impact on the results of the 2015 elections. What he’d like him to do, however, is to make some disclosures himself. “I would like for Mr. Rohee to tell us what is the racial composition of the many State agencies…”

Instead of attempting to divide the country on the basis of race, Phillips said it would pay Rohee better to use the time “to increase his intellectual capacity, his intellectual IQ, and his emotional IQ.” Maybe then, he said, he would be in a better position to effectively contribute to the development of Guyana.

“The people in the streets are much smarter than Rohee,” Phillips said, “Maybe 99.9% of them are smarter than Rohee; he is not conning them; they know the truth…”

DIVISIVE NARRATIVE As to what he makes of the situation, Phillips said all he sees Rohee doing is continuing the divisive narrative created by former President Bharrat Jagdeo in the lead-up to the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections.

He recalled that while at Babu Jaan, on the Corentyne, Jagdeo had told supporters: “They shout about racism of the PPP, but they practise racism; they whisper cam-

Police issue wanted bulletin for murder suspect THE Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for Trevor Anthony Amsterdam, in relation to investigations into the murder of Jermaine Simon which occurred on November 10, 2015, at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.

Amsterdam’s date of birth is listed as December 18, 1983, he is of African descent and his last known address is

paigns. In the last elections, they went to some of the Afro-Guyanese villages and beat some drums at 6 O’clock in the morning, and say, ‘Let us throw out these coolie people. Get up, go out and

Head of ACDA, Dr. Eric Phillips vote; throw out the coolie people.’

“That’s the kind of language they use. Anybody from our party who uses that sort of language, we will kick them out.” The latest on this matter is that Jagdeo is currently before the courts. According to Phillips, in other countries, persons are jailed for making such statements.

But, as if making such loose remarks at Babu Jaan were not enough, Jagdeo, in his capacity as Opposition Leader, is now using projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydro-power Project and the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to stir up trouble and division among the people. “He knows that even if Amaila Falls is technically a good project, it is a very corrupted

WANTED: Trevor Anthony Amsterdam

Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara.

The Police said anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Trevor Anthony Amsterdam is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2256411, 227-2128, 226-1389, 226-7065, 226-9941, 225-8196, 911 or the nearest police station.

It assured that all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

project, where he and his friends would benefit.”

What it all boils down to, Phillips said, is that Rohee and Jagdeo’s determination to push this racist narrative is a clear indication that they have no intention of participating in the development agenda of the David Granger administration, which will ultimately move the country forward.

He also charges that while in power, the PPP/C had undermined Afro-Guyanese by empowering their own, whether qualified or not. “Now that the PPP/C is out of power,” he said, “the party is using another strategy by crying victimisation.”

DESIST Late last week, Surujbally had appealed to all political parties in Guyana to desist from promoting ethnic division, in his response to Rohee. Any attempt to create an ethnic divide, he warned, will not be tolerated under his watch, as he called on all political parties to provide facts to substantiate their claims.

The Opposition party has requested, among other things, that GECOM disclose the ethnicity of approximately 12,000 persons who worked during this year’s general elections.

That request, which was made by Rohee, is seen as an attempt “to embarrass this

entity called GECOM,” Dr. Surujbally said.

Noting that Rohee strongly believes there was an ethnic disparity amongst GECOM’s employees during May’s general elections,

PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee Surujbally said this was why he was seeking to enquire about the perceived ethnic imbalance.

But Rohee needn’t worry, he said. “GECOM has a procedure; a process. We do not employ Afro-Guyanese; we do not employ Indo-Guyanese. We employ Guyanese,” he said, adding that ethnicity was never an issue for the Commission.

“Let us stop this ethnicity thing,” Dr. Surujbally stressed, adding that it is high time that the stereotyping of persons, based on their ethnicity stops. “Because, if you are of a particular group,

there is a feeling that you are ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ a certain party.

“Obviously, anybody who has been proven to work inimically to the interest of GECOM or a political party, I cannot see how we will continue to employ them.”

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE One day after Surujbally did, Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, on behalf of the government, also rejected what she described as the “irresponsible and divisive query” made by Rohee.

In a press release, the minister said, “It is sad that the PPP has chosen to once again divide this nation on the basis of ethnicity.

“The sooner politicians realise that we are all Guyanese and resist attempts to divide Guyana along ethnic lines, the sooner Guyana will be taken to a higher level in fostering social cohesion.

“It is indeed unfortunate that the PPP’s General Secretary resorted to the politics of division in his examination of the employment practices at GECOM. “The labour laws of Guyana are clear, there must be no discrimination in hiring based on race, gender or religious beliefs. We are confident that GECOM has followed and continue to follow the law of the land.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Guyana strives for 100% vaccination coverage - Dr Norton commits to equal, quality health access to all

By Tajeram Mohabir THE 31st Expanded P ro g r a m m e o f Immunisation (EPI) managers meeting opened yesterday at the Marriott Hotel with Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton committing Guyana to 100 per cent coverage in the next few

years.

The immunisation programme has been Guyana’s most successful, with coverage of over 90 per cent. Every year about two per cent of the health sector budget goes towards immunisation. “ [ We ] Wa n t m o r e money to be spent on this programme. [We]Want 100

per cent coverage of the immunisation programme.

We r e m a i n c o m m i t t e d to the immunisation of Guyanese children,” Dr Norton told participants at the confabulation who are drawn from 29 countries in the English, Dutch and French-speaking Caribbean.

The vision of the government, he said, is for

all Guyanese to enjoy an improved quality of life; equal access to primary, secondary and tertiary education; better health outcomes; and to be gainfully employed.

These, the minister said, will allow citizens to contribute in a more meaningful way towards the development of Guyana.

The primary focus of the Public Health Ministry is to build capacity in the primary health-care system.

Guyana needs a sound primary health-care system, Dr Norton said.

But aside from this, he told the confabulation that Guyana wants its “hinterland and coastland to benefit from free, quality health care” and for health to be a “component of all policies”.

Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Guyana Representative Dr William Adu-Krow also spoke at the meeting and c o m m e n d e d G u y a n a ’s immunisation programme.

He pointed out that a global survey has placed Guyana third among 75 countries in immunisation coverage.

“This is a laudable feat, because a lot of our nurses are working really hard,” he said as he praised the efforts of all, but singling out those in the hinterland regions for special mention.

Underscoring the importance of early immunisation, the PAHO/ WHO representative said Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of girl age 10 to 13 protects against cervical cancer.

In Guyana, two common types of cancer have been cancer in cervix and breast cancer.

A WHOLE GENERATION Vaccination of girls ages 10, 11, 12, 13 with HPV protects them from cervical cancer, and by extension, protects a whole generation.

The EPI is a top priority of the PAHO/WHO. The

United Nations Child Fund (UNICEF) is also a major partner in the immunisation drive.

The Global Vaccine Action Plan endorsed by 194 nations of the World Health Assembly in 2012, provides the framework to prevent millions of deaths by 2020, through more equitable access to existing vaccines for people in all communities.

This plan is currently being implemented in countries the world over.

The EPI focuses initially on a number of infectious diseases which are preventable such as measles,

in children, the PAHO/WHO representative said.

In the 1970s, the programme started to vaccinate against six diseases, namely measles, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, diphtheria and tuberculosis; and in 2012, additional antigens a g a i n s t y e l l o w f e v e r, hepatitis B, mumps, heamophilus influenza, rubella, rotavirus and pneumococcal, meningococcal and Human Papilloma Virus were introduced.

At the end of 2014, the EPI programme in Guyana had provided protection against 16 vaccine

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton

PAHO/WHO Guyana Representation, Dr William Adu-Krow

paralytic poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and tuberculosis.

These diseases were selected because they would be prevented by immunisation and had high global occurrence rates with corresponding morbidities, disabilities and mortalities.

Polio transmission still remains a challenged area globally, Dr Adu-Krow said.

In September, PAHO/WHO provided Guyana support in the introduction of IPV vaccines to infants at two months, in keeping with the plan of the Polio Endgame Strategy.

EPI Guyana has had success with its immunisation programme over the past decade.

This has come about with the strategies used to combat preventable diseases

preventable disease.

In addition, chicken pox vaccines were also introduced to vulnerable groups with the support of PAHO/WHO. “This success has also been made possible through the PAHO/WHO Revolving Fund in making vaccines easier to obtain, safe and reliable. There has been significant progress towards this end in protecting the public from vaccine preventable diseases.

EPI has moved from a childhood programme over the last decade to include adolescents, and now the entire family,” Dr Adu-Krow said.

The participants at the meeting which will on Friday include representatives of the U.S. and PAHO/WHO Regional Office in Washington D.C.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

DDL hikes minimum wage by 20% - after intense collective bargaining

By Ravin Singh FOLLOWING intense negotiations, three workers’ unions - Guyana A g r i c u l t u r a l Wo r k e r s Union (GAWU), Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and Guyana Labour Union (GLU) - yesterday signed a collective labour agreement on behalf of their members employed at the privatelyowned Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

The five-year collective agreement which expires in 2019 was ratified yesterday at the Ministry of Social Protection, Department o f L a b o u r, f o l l o w i n g negotiations which were described by Chief Labour Officer (CLO) Charles Ogle as “mature” as there was no need for intervention by an arbitrator.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING “Collective bargaining is well and alive in Guyana; this is proof of collective bargaining and its four parties… we [the Ministry] are glad that you can reach an agreement without third party intervention,” Ogle told the three unions and DDL yesterday.

According to the agreement, there will be an increase in the minimum wage moving it from $49,000 to $60,000, which represents a 20 per cent increase for workers who were receiving minimum wages. The current minimum wage for private sector companies is $35,000.

Other labour benefits to be granted include fridge and travel allowances, annual increases to their salaries and the granting

of necessary equipment relative to their department of work. Consideration was also given for workers to still benefit should external factors such as inflation cause the economy to dip.

If this happens, workers still stand to benefit due to the formulation of the agreement.

Leading the negotiation process prior to the signing of the agreement was GAWU, whose General Secretary Seepaul Narine revealed that the agreement arrived at resulted from fruitful negotiations between the participating bodies.

Noting that this achievement is a historic one, given the nature of industrial relations in Guyana, Narine underscored the importance of membership of the unions, which he says play a critical role in negotiating.

Enough HIV kits to last until gov’t receives stocks - Minister Norton

PUBLIC Health Minister Dr. George Norton in responding to a recent letter in the Stabroek News titled: "There is a shortage of HIV testing kits in Guyana," said with the assistance of the Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), the ministry made efforts to buy kits from a particular agent.

He told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that “Cabinet has approved of such, and we are in the process of actually receiving them."

Minister Norton is assuring persons that there are enough kits to last until the ministry receives the items.

He further noted that the system of acquiring these items has changed, and that there will no longer be sole-sourcing, where one company was given 100% payment upfront for procurement of drugs. The intention is to create a level playing field for the procurement of drugs and the distribution of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, through competitive bidding.

“That is going to take some time before it kicks in, but in the meantime, measures are in place for those shortages that appear,” Minister Norton reiterated.

The bargaining power, Narine added, is reflected through the membership, where employees vest their confidence in these unions. “ We b e l i e v e t h a t membership of unions play a critical role in agreements such as these. And before drafting this agreement, we held numerous consultations and discussions with workers and they agreed. So they [the

workers] are eagerly awaiting these benefits and increases,” the General Secretary said.

Carvil Duncan, President of the Guyana Labour Union, (GLU) also weighed in on the issue, offering that the negotiation process is not one which is intended to flow freely or smoothly.

Rather, disagreements

and objections are needed so that all parties in the process benefit.

Representing DDL was Ms. Manita Singh-Bird who said that even though DDL demands much of their staff, they remain committed to providing social benefits and attractive remuneration packages for their employees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Universal terms are serious and must be treated with deserving respect

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N developing terms that impact universally and nationally on society, there are always agreed definitions and such must be sought after in order to achieve the objectives.

Yet it has become customary in our society to hear terms bandied about and abused; maybe they sound appealing and those users think it is a successful ploy in giving the impression that they are committed to the terms used.

The nation has been bombarded that Guyana had seen the “restoration of democracy” in 1992.

But from 1992 successive governments have violated laws, international charters and conventions with impunity; court rulings against the government have been disregarded; there have been no local government elections in more than 15 years, though they are constitutionally due every three years; citizens/ workers’ rights have been trampled with impunity by government, whose foremost responsibility is to the people; National and Regional Elections were vitiated by the High Court; a party was awarded a parliamentary seat it did not win; this nation has witnessed its highest amount of extra-judicial killings; there have been State-sponsored death squads; media suppression; the nation’s patrimony distributed among a clique, and so forth.

In a society where democracy is valued/practised, these characteristics would not have been features, much less prevalent, but citizens are being conditioned to accept that democracy has been restored in 1992 when the pillars for democracy have been treated with contempt daily.

Now having been conditioned to accept a reality as favourable, the society is now being bombarded with terms such as inclusionary

democracy, national unity, shared governance and social cohesion, buttressed by simplistic arguments that cannot withstand scrutiny in keeping with international principles and what the constitution prescribes.

Social Cohesion as seen by the United Nations, “Is the glue that holds society together.” Its analysis, seen through three values speaks to: i) social inclusion; ii) social capital; and iii) social mobility. It means in pursuit of social cohesion these three pillars must inform national conversations, policies, actions and implementations. On shared governance the constitution is explicit in its spirit, intent and application. In the nation’s highest decision-making forum, the National Assembly, there is a government and opposition side, where it allows proposals from the two sides, checks and balances, and consensus.

The parliamentary sectoral committees further facilitate the sharing of legislative responsibilities and management of the business of the State.

In the Executive, according to the constitution, the Leader of the Opposition is referred to as a member. This is also enforced in this instrument, where several issues require meaningful consultation and in some case agreement between the president and opposition leader before decisions are arrived at. The opposition shadows the Executive, inclusive of the president and ministers, since this office is supported by a shadow cabinet who are members of parliament.

There are three tiers of government, namely national, regional democratic council and local government in the form of neighbourhood democratic councils and municipalities.

Since 1992, no political party has won all 10 administrative regions, nor all the

neighbourhood democratic councils and municipalities.

This is a real-life example of shared governance in action. Yet for more than 15 years this nation awaits local government elections that would devolve power to the grassroots. Further, we await legislation to deepen and strengthen the regional and local organs to pursue their own self-determination in addressing the development of their communities.

National unity is another term bandied around, seemingly not from what is enshrined in the constitution, but from a standpoint of attractiveness. The constitution recognises the diverse strain in society and requires celebrating our racial and cultural diversity to end discrimination and in the creation of a perfect society, protecting the right to freedom of association and dissent, and guaranteeing protection from discrimination on the grounds of race.

These are the basic foundations in forging national unity, yet we see them being observed in the breach.

Then there is inclusionary democracy. The term is ensconced in the constitution at Article 13 which is the Principal Political Objective of the State, and placed there in 2001 as a result of constitutional reform.

This article expressly states: “The principal objective of the system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being.”

Serious examination of this article will reveal that this too has been observed in the breach. For instance, respect will see meaningful involvement of stakeholders in national, regional and

local government planning, respect for the will of the people in regions not won by the executive branch, and efforts taken to engage groups on matters that have direct impact on their lives.

But the fanciful and preferred notion that inclusionary democracy constitutes members of the opposition being co-opted into the Executive, devalues the seriousness that led to the creation of this article to bring about national unity through social cohesion. For one to agree with the application of inclusionary democracy

being bandied around, then Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan, who have all co-opted persons from the party of their rivals were ahead of their time.

It would also mean since the enactment of this article in 2001,that Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar have been practising inclusionary democracy. And if they all have, then there is no need for making this a focus for development to rally the nation around and forge national unity,

social cohesion and shared governance. What I am saying here is that the seriousness within which the named terms have been developed, they are not being respected, applied and implemented. What is obviously happening here is that though structures exist to make real the terms thrown around, there is an absence of understanding political will and commitment to bring to life the spirit and intent of these structures and make them work for the people.

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Death driver gets 20 years - will serve only five

A TRUCK driver was on Monday sentenced to a total of 20 years imprisonment after being found guilty of a Coverden, East Bank road accident which took the lives of four in October,2013.

At the Providence Magistrates Court, Magistrate Leron Daley handed down four five-year terms but the defendant Bhagwandin, will serve only five years

because the sentences will run concurrently.

The 22 year old was indicted for driving a motor lorry recklessly, thereby causing the deaths of Felix Marc, Corretta and Delroy Evans and Poolmattie Samaroo .

A t M o n d a y ’s c o u r t proceedings, Bhagwandin’s lawyer Mr. Bernard de Santos, had made an application for his client

to be released on bail since he had moved for an appeal at the High Court.

However, the request was rejected by Magistrate Daley.

According to a police report, Bhagwandin was driving a lorry at a very fast rate and attempted to pass another lorry which was parked on the roadway.

However, in doing so he ended up in the path of a

Senior police officer released on $100,000 bail

- for sexual assault matter

(Truck driver) Ritesh Bhagwandin minibus.

It was stated that after the collision, Felix Marc, who was the driver of the minibus, and Delroy Evans died on the spot, while six passengers received injuries and were all taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Laurette Evans and Phulmattie Samaroo died while receiving treatment.

ASSISTANT Superintendent (ASP) Deneshwar Mahendranauth on Monday made his way to the Georgetown Magistrates' Court to answer to a sexual assault charge which was laid against him.

The incident is said to have occurred some two months ago at Lethem, and was awaiting the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

It is being alleged that ASP Mahendranauth summoned the junior officer to his quarters and made sexual advances to her, which she resisted, and later reported the matter to a family member, who is also an assistant Assistant superintendent in the Superintendent Guyana Police Force.

Deneshwar After pleading not Mahendranauth guilty to the charge before city Magistrate Judy Latchman, Mahendranauth was placed on $100,000 dollars bail, and his matter was adjourned to December 10.

Rape convict sentenced to- to 23 years imprisonment serve four years concurrently for assaulting victim JUSTICE Jo-Ann Barlow on Monday sentenced 23-year-old Calvin Ramcharran to 23 years imprisonment for rape and assault causing bodily harm, committed on an adult female at a dance at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara on July 22, 2012.

The sentence was imposed after a 12-member jury deliberated and returned with a guilty verdict on both charges.

The first charge stated that on July 22, 2012, in the county of Demerara, Ramcharran engaged in sexual penetration of an adult female without her consent. The second charge is that, on the same date, he assaulted the young woman causing her actual bodily harm.

After the verdict was read to him, a clearly disappointed Ramcharran said, “I am innocent of this matter, and forgive those of what they don’t know.” He was immediately led out of court to prison, where he will spend the next 23 years.

Ramcharran’s four years for the second charge of assault causing actual bodily harm will be served concurrently.

Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar in association with Tuanna Hardy represented the state, while Sonia Parag was Ramcharran’s defence counsel. Pariag had asked the court to be lenient with her client Ramcharran, whom she said was still very young, but Justice Jo-Ann Barlow pointed out that the jury had found him guilty of both charges, and that the maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment.

The evidence in the matter shows that the young woman had been violated and assaulted (beaten), Justice Barlow reminded defence counsel. She said that despite Ramcharran’s age, society was hoping that its voice could be heard through the court.

According to the evidence in the case, on the date in question, Ramcharran was at the same dance at which the young woman was present with some friends. She went to urinate and he followed her, asking if she was “doing business”, and she said no. Although he had heard that, he still assaulted the young woman and raped her.

(Michel Outridge)

Wounded during washroom incident

A POLICE Constable was on Monday placed on $150,000 bail after he was charged with the unlawful wounding of Shaquina Anderson.

Twenty-five-year-old Constable Dwayne Charles appeared before city Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer the charge, which stated that on April 22, 2015, at 30 Albouys Street, Albouystown, he unlawful wounded Anderson, causing bodily harm.

According to the police file, Charles had asked to use Anderson’s washroom and handed his firearm to one of his colleagues to keep. When he was collecting it, the gun went off.

After investigations and advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Charles was charged.

The police prosecutor did not object to bail, but asked for some conditions to be met.

The magistrate ordered the defendant to report to the Clerk of Court Three every Monday, pending an outcome of the matter.

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CARICOM countries urged to begin talks - on advancing regional drug regulatory system

THE Caribbean countries are being urged to start national consultations on the establishment of a unified monitoring process for medicines, in a move to improve access to and availability of medicines across the Region.

This proposed establishment of a Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) for medicine was presented to the 41st meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development, held November 12-13, at the Pegasus Hotel in Guyana.

Barbados's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and this year’s COTED Chairperson Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean, explained that such a system would lead to improved access to and cost of medicine, facilitating manufacturers’ access to the market and product surveillance in the Region.

The Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) has deemed the Caribbean Public Health agency as the competent regional body for the implementation of the CRS for medicine. According to McClean, following the presentation and discussion, COTED is urging all its member states to conduct national consultations on the proposal ahead of the next regular meeting, for a decision to be made, as it relates to the CRS for medicine implementation.

The CRS for medicine, McClean, said, was among health matters of importance considered at the 41st COTED meeting. She explained that matters impacting on the Region’s health were given special prominence during the meeting, in recognition of the cross-sectoral linkages and the need for action to confront issues such as Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which are having a deleterious effect on the health of the Region’s workforce, and which also have the potential to affect the Region’s competitiveness.

According to McClean, focus was placed especially on child obesity, and COTED agreed to have further consultations on matters which fall within this purview, including mandatory nutrition, labelling on all packaged foods, recommendations on measures to encourage the consumption of healthier foods, nutritional standards and guidelines, food marketing, and portion sizes, and the level of harmful ingredients in food products, trade and physical measures.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

ICT- asHubs, Wi-Fi for Schools gov’t rolls out countrywide programme

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HE e-Government Unit has begun rolling out Wi- Fi networks in schools, while hinterland and remote areas are expected to benefit from internet access by the end of the first quarter of 2016. e-Government Adviser Floyd Levi, in an invited comment, said that at present the e-Government Unit is focused on facilitating the implementation of the infrastructural networks – the transmission and the data networks and the setting up of ICT Hubs across the country. * ICT Hubs and Wi-Fi for Schools Levi disclosed that the government was focusing on having the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hubs and Internet Access Points operational by the end of 2016. The ICT Hubs are especially critical for the Wi-Fi networks to become operational. These are expected to benefit all Guyanese but more so, the remote and under-developed communities.

The roll out of Wi-Fi in secondary schools has begun at the President’s College, following a visit by President David Granger to the institution in October. Levi said this is the first project in this category and it will be treated as a pilot to determine the exact needs and requirements for the other schools to benefit.

“What it does is that it gives them access to the e-Government network, not just for internet access but for all government applications that we will publish on the network. We are using this eGovernment Advisor, as the pilot project, to ensure that we are able to fulfil the Floyd Levi demands and requirements and then we move on to the other schools. We expect that this can be done within the first quarter of 2016. We have been mandated to provide internet access to all tertiary educational institutes, such as the Cyril Potter College of Education, the University of Guyana (UG), all of the Technical Institutes and Secondary schools,” he said.

Additionally, all government ministries, agencies and public buildings will be outfitted with Wi-Fi networks for visitors and consumers to access during their visits.

The adviser to the e-Government Unit assured that usage of the Wi-Fi service is monitored, so as to ensure students’ safety and control.

“At President’s College, they have a strict regime. The Wi-Fi comes on at 6:00am and goes off at 10:00pm and what we have done is to install a “white list” of sites. This blocks them from visiting sites which are not approved by the administration or is deemed inappropriate. This is in keeping with international guidelines so there is control,” he said. * Wi-Fi for Hinterland, Remote Areas Levi went on to disclose that the unit was actively pursuing a similar project, this time to service students in the hinterland and remote areas, who have limited or no access to internet.

To this end, he said that work has already commenced in the Paramakatoi, Region 8 area.

“Some of the subjects that are taught at the CXC level require that School Based Assessments (SBAs) are submitted online and the students who live here at are a disadvantage with that, so we are trying to fix this. The groundwork is currently being done and we are working towards getting all elements in place. We have a very ambitious plan for the hinterland and remote areas,” the adviser said. * Support from Microsoft The adviser several weeks ago, had met with regional representatives of the Microsoft and CISCO Corporations to discuss support for the planned Information Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives.

According to him, plans are under way to consolidate internet access and email services for ministries, by way of an agreement, which would soon see email addresses for these agencies being moved to the gov.gy domain. Levi explained that the collaboration between the two organisations was crucial to the overall success of that unit.

“What has happened since then is that we’ve gotten trial versions so that we can have a clear understanding of what is being offered. We will go for a central hosting of government websites under Microsoft as well as government emailing systems and we will be signing an agreement with them very

soon on this,” he disclosed. * One Laptop Per Teacher The One Laptop Per Teacher (OLPT) project which will replace the One Laptop Per Family is also managed under the e-Government Unit. Asked about the status of this, Levi said that the first shipment of laptops, which are being acquired under a grant from the Government of China is currently undergoing several tests to ensure that they are not problematic as was the case with the previous batch which was sent.

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Gov’t commends community effort to rescue Arapaimas

MINISTER of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman, has commended the successful effort led by the North Rupununi communities and the Iwokrama International Centre to rescue a group of endangered Arapaimas, during this last week.

He said the rescue clearly underscores the strength of multi-stakeholder collaboration in conserving our endangered species and effecting positive change.

The Arapaima, the world’s largest fresh-water fish, is found mainly in Guyana, Brazil and Peru and is noted under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) in Appendix 2, which controls the trade of this specie to ensure that they are utilised in a manner that ensures their survival.

Communities’ recognition of the importance and value of protecting the animal and plant species within their environments, particularly those of national importance and those that are endangered, is necessary for the wholesome management and protection of the environment on which we depend.

According to a statement yesterday from the Ministry of the Presidency, Trotman congratulated the communities involved on their proactive response in this most recent rescue effort.

He also implored residents living in droughtprone areas to be on the lookout for animals in distress and render assistance where possible.

Citizens can also call the Wildlife Management Division on telephone

number 223-0940 or the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment on telephone numbers 231 2506-11 to report any such situations.

THE RESCUE

was informed of the stranded Arapaimas on November 2 by officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and sent a monitoring team the next day, led by the Head Ranger to investigate.

enced in that region due to the El Nino effect, the partners soon realised that if the fish were not moved from the pond, they would perish.

Consultations were quickly held with relevant partners, including the North

applied to ensure safe transfer to the river.

The Arapaima is the largest fresh-water scaled fish in the world and is legally protected in Guyana.

Members of the Rescue Team were:

6. Bernard Williams, Iwokrama boat captain/ Fair View 7. Rojas Jonas, Fair View Village 8. Dora Jonas, Fair View Village 9. Lucy Marslowe,

‘TO THE RESCUE’: Kevin Edwards, Everton Allicock, Rojas Jonas and Stephanu Honorio with the second adult arapaima that was rescued and later released into the Essequibo River (Lakeram Haynes photo) Two adult and 25 juvenile Arapaimas were safely moved from a drying pond located upstream the Essequibo River from the Iwokrama River Lodge.

The dedicated team of Iwokrama staffers and c o m m u n i t y re s i d e n t s spent the day of November 10th, 2015 carefully transferring the fish to the river body.

Iwokrama management

The Iwokrama Centre said one adult Arapaima and several juveniles were seen in the pond that was drying out and very muddy.

Concerned Fairview residents, who reside within the Iwokrama Reserve on 22,000 hectares of their titled land, later reported that they had seen not one, but two adults in the pond.

With the critical dry season currently being experi-

Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) community experts, the Fisheries Department, EPA and researcher Dr Lesley de Souza to come up with a rescue plan.

An expert team of local fishermen from Fairview, Kwatamang and Rewa Villages and Iwokrama staffers executed the rescue mission on November 10. Iwokrama said special protocols were

1. Micah Davis, Iwokrama, Head Ranger (Toka Village) 2. Kevin Edwards, Iwokrama, Tourism coordinator (Kwaimatta Village) 3. Lakeram Haynes, Kwatamang Sr. Council and NRDDB treasurer 4. Stephanu Honorio, Rewa Village Council 5. Dennis Edwards, Iwokrama boat captain/Fair View

Toshao, Fair View 10. Everton Allicock, Fair View Village 11. Ivor Ignacio, Fair View Village 12. Samantha James, Iwokrama, Outreach Manager/Kwatamang Village 13. Rockland Leo, Fair View Village 14. Deon Bernard, Fair View Village 15. Carmella Williams, Kwatamang Village

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Sixteen headteachers to receive duty-free concessions

By Rabindra Rooplall

SIXTEEN headteachers will now benefit from duty-free concessions to purchase vehicles, and the Finance Ministry is currently processing more than 30 names to receive this facility, according to the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald.

At a press conference held yesterday at the GTU headquarters on Woolford Avenue, McDonald said, “Approval has been given, and

GTU General Secretary, Coretta McDonald very soon, they [teachers] will be driving their cars along the streets of Georgetown, Essequibo, Berbice, Linden, Bartica and other places.”

Among those teachers are: Kamal Persaud, Kathlene Armstrong, Magna Bethune, Zailmoon Samad, Gwenette Sam, Bernadette

Lewis, Chandradee Kanhai, Paul La Cruz, Susan Rhius, Vernell Razack-Giles, Deborah Greenidge-Hinds, Juliet Mattis, Avril Lake, Georgieanai Lewis, Paulette Merell and Beverly Henry.

To qualify for duty-free concession, a teacher must have been a headteacher for at least three years, and have at least five years of employment before retirement.

McDonald said the outstanding list has been going back and forth, but has finally received approval from the relevant authorities. “We are still awaiting final approval for a final 30 to complete this, but we are hoping [that], pretty soon, in some days ahead, we will be able to receive these names.”

She said there are other head teachers who are awaiting their duty-free concessions, and said that theirs was not as tedious as the present set of 45.

She admonished the Education Ministry and the relevant agencies and officials who would be dealing with the duty-free concessions and approvals not to make the process seem cumbersome, since the process can entirely be finalised in two weeks.

“We should be able to finish this whole business of duty-free when we submit names in a matter of two weeks, because GTU has information on our teachers, the Education Ministry’s Personnel Department has the same information we do, so we should not have that long-drawnout period,” McDonald said, adding: “It is sometimes very frustrating and fatiguing when headteachers have to be going back and forth and going here and there; so we are asking to sit together as partners, and complete the list at one end, so when we send off to the other end, which is the Ministry of the Pres-

Zailmoon Samad, headteacher of the Leonora Primary School, with four of her five students who secured a place at Queen’s College this year. Teacher Samad is among 16 headteachers who have been approved to benefit from duty-free concessions

idency, that we would be able to cut back on the time it usually takes to have the duty-free concession issue dealt with.”

The Guyana Teachers Union has, over the years, submitted several lists of the names of teachers who have qualified for a one-off duty-free concession. The union has, since 2009, been behind the Education Ministry to obtain duty-free concessions for eligible head teachers

who have been within the teaching profession for over 30 years.

Teacher Samad, the head teacher of the Leonora Primary School, said she was “ecstatic” at the news, since she has been waiting since 2009. “God is always in charge! I was looking out for this for a long time, since 2009. But, you know, God is in charge and the time is right,” she said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Baramita’s health issues being addressed

GOVERNMENT has taken aggressive action to better the health-care delivery in the hinterland community of Baramita, Region 1. This is according to Minister of Health Dr. George Norton, who recently visited the community and interacted residents,who had voiced their dissatisfaction with the health services they are receiving.

With a population of over

3,000, Baramita has only one health centre which is manned by a medic and a Community Health Worker (CHW). Minister Norton told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the health centre is broken, as there is no running water and no proper facility for treating patients.

He said, however, that the residents of Baramita can expect better health-

care services over the next two years, as government will be addressing the issues that the community is facing.

The Public Health Minister noted that the intention is to condemn that centre and construct a new cottage hospital. “We wanted to hear from the residents themselves, so we consulted with them…They need all the services. The hospital

might not be able to provide any major surgery, but at least delivery can be done and other minor operations and other services offered.

Adequate beds will also be put in place, so that patients will be able to rest, until they are treated and sent home,” he explained.

Minister Norton also revealed that the Public Health Ministry will be facilitating the training of

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton

more CHWs, medics and midwives to man the hospital.

In the interim, the minister handed over two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to the community. These will be used to conduct medical outreaches in the community and surrounding areas.

Baramita will also benefit from a mortuary which is catered for in the 2016 regional budget. (GINA)

Wednesday November 18th, 2015 - 09:30 hrs Thursday November 19th, 2015 - 10:30 hrs Friday November 20th, 2015 - 12:00 hrs

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Taylor steers England to 2-1 English football fans salute ... series lead over Pakistan From back page

(REUTERS)- JAMES Taylor made a calm unbeaten 67 to lead England to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan in Sharjah yesterday and a 2-1 lead in the four-match one-day international series.

Taylor shared an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 117 with Jos Buttler (49 not out) to steer the visitors to their target of 209 with nine overs to spare after Pakistan’s debutant spinner Zafar Gohar had caused early problems.

Pakistan, who won the toss, slumped from 132 for

two to 208 all out off 49.5 overs, including three comical run-outs.

Mohammad Hafeez topscored with 45 and Wahab Riaz added a handy 33 not out with the tail as rightarm seamer Chris Woakes took 4-40 for England.

The touring side struggled to 27-2 after losing Jason Roy for seven and Joe Root for 11.

Root had just reached 2,000 runs for England in all three formats of the game in 2015 when he swept a low full toss off left-armer Gohar’s fifth ball to Iftikhar Ahmed at deep square leg.

Alex Hales hit 30 in a 60run third-wicket partnership with captain Eoin Morgan before Gohar forced him to

edge to Mohammad Rizwan at slip.

Morgan, who earlier took an Irfan bouncer on the helmet and was dropped by Gohar on two, fell in the following over for 35 when a sharply spinning delivery from Shoab Malik clipped his off stump.

But England’s middle order knuckled down to take the sting out of the Pakistan attack.

Taylor compiled his seventh one-day international 50 and hit six fours and two sixes off 69 balls while Buttler enjoyed a welcome return to form after a poor run with an unbeaten 49 off 50 deliveries.

The final match in the series takes place in Dubai on Friday.

Rain washes out third straight day in Bengaluru (REUTERS)- WET weather and soggy conditions ensured play was called off without a single ball being bowled for the third successive day in the second Test between India and South Africa yesterday.

After two days were lost to rain, the downpours relented in the morning but the wet outfield, especially along the run-up areas, remained a concern for the umpires.

The match officials initially ruled out any action in the morning session but seemed optimistic of play resuming after lunch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

They returned for a third round of inspection and decided play would start at 2 pm local time (8:30 GMT) but it started drizzling again, snuffing out prospects of any play in South African AB de Villiers’ 100th SHIKHAR DHAWAN test match.

“The play has been officially called off. Another day lost to rain. If weather permits, tomorrow the play will start at 9:15 AM,” the Indian cricket board tweeted.

India, who lead the four-match series 1-0, will resume on 80 without loss after dismissing South Africa for 214 on the opening day of the test.

With a better weather forecast for Wednesday, Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan will hope to bat himself into some form before the third and penultimate test in Nagpur from Nov 25.

Dhawan has not been in great touch of late, scoring a pair of ducks in the first test at Mohali but remains unbeaten on 45, with Murali Vijay (28) looking solid as usual at the other end.

“Shikhar Dhawan made good use of the early dismissal of South Africa by batting confidently and, more importantly, spending valuable time out in the middle,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar wrote in a column in Tuesday’s Times of India.

“As he grew in confidence, he was punching the ball through the covers like the Dhawan of the old, which is great news for India,” the former opener said.

the beginning of the worst attack on Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings.

England manager Roy Hodgson said the warm welcome for the French team, who have generally had the upper hand over England in recent years, was designed to show how appalled they were with the events in Paris.

“The French team and the French Federation were very keen that the game should go ahead just to make certain that the terrorists don’t win,” he told broadcaster ITV before the match.

“We see the game as a show of solidarity and we see it also as a show of defiance.”

A friendly match between hosts Germany and Netherlands in Hanover was called off less than two hours before its start yesterday for fear of a bomb attack while a tie between Belgium and Spain was postponed for security reasons.

That match had been due to take place in Brussels, where police have carried out raids in the wake of the Paris attacks.

“THE KILLERS WON’T WIN” Prime Minister David Cameron said it was important for Britain to stand side-by-side with its neighbour, the world cup winners from 1998.

“Now, more than ever, we must come together and stand united and carry on with the way of life that we know and that we love,” he told parliament. “This match is going ahead.”

The players were led on to the pitch by Prince William and the two team managers who carried wreaths.

“Liberté, égalité, fraternité’ were beamed on to the side of the stadium while the words of the French national anthem were displayed on large screens for fans.

The two teams have close ties, with 13 of the French squad of 23 either currently or previously playing their club football in England.

French international Lassana Diarra, who lost a cousin during the attacks, came on as a substitute during the second half, receiving warm applause from both sets of fans as he ran on to the pitch.

Common in European countries like France, armed police are generally rarely seen in Britain although they did patrol the London Olympic Games in 2012 and have taken on more of a high profile in recent years due to fears of attacks.

“We’ve all got to come together against terrorism and they’re not going to stop us living our lives and being who we are. They won’t win,” Paul Lloyd, a 52-year-old England supporter wearing a red England shirt, said before the match.

France’s captain, Hugo Lloris, thanked England’s fans for their support. He said his side had struggled to concentrate but added that it had been important to show courage.

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37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Departing Johnson strikes twice in Perth draw

By David Gray PERTH, (Reuters)- The second Test between Australia and New Zealand fizzled out in a draw yesterday but not before Mitchell Johnson gave one last reminder of his bowling prowess on the day he announced his retirement from international cricket.

New Zealand’s pursuit of 321 runs for victory in 48 overs already looked unlikely to succeed but after rain cut 90 minutes out of the fifth and final day at the WACA, the spoils were destined to be shared.

The tourists had made 104 for two when bad light brought an end to the game, leaving Australia 1-0 up in the series going into the third test in Adelaide courtesy of their 208-run win in Brisbane last week.

Johnson, who made his announcement before the start of play, summoned up two last bouncers to dismiss both New Zealand openers and was chaired off the pitch by his team mates.

“They were the sort of wickets I’ve been getting for the last couple of years, I really wanted to rip a couple in and the body let me do it,” said Johnson, who finished with figures of 2-20.

“There is a fair bit of emotion when the boys picked me up. It has been

great. I have really enjoyed myself. I can walk off and be proud of my career.”

Australia skipper Steve Smith had declared for the fourth time in four innings in the series an hour before tea after the hosts had made

not out), was named Manof-the-Match.

GUARD OF HONOUR Centuries from Smith and Adam Voges in the last two sessions on Monday put Australia back in front

... Johnson takes 2-20 in final Test innings Tim Southee (4-97) after lunch with Peter Nevill (35) following him back to the dressing room.

Martin Guptill (17) was Johnson’s 313th and final Test victim when a fast rising delivery saw him spoon the ball to Joe Burns at short leg.

“It was a really good game of cricket,” said New Zealand captain Brendon

McCullum.

“Both teams showed a lot of resolve. Adelaide is going to be a whole new challenge. We showed some fight and we’re happy to finish up here from where we started.”

SCOREBOARD Mitchell Johnson is clapped off by team-mates even as the rain comes down 385-7.

An uncharacteristically docile WACA pitch had allowed batsmen from both sides to showcase their skills in a run-fest of a match over the first four days.

A double century from David Warner spurred Australia to 559-9 in their first innings and 290 from Ross Taylor helped New Zealand to 624 in reply, a lead of 65 runs.

Taylor, who finished unbeaten on 36 in the second innings alongside New Zealand’s other batting hero Kane Williamson (32

but the runs finally stopped flowing so freely on Tuesday morning.

Smith (138), Mitchell Marsh (1) and Adam Voges (119) all departed in an opening session in which Australia were only able to add 73 runs to their overnight tally of 258 for two.

Johnson was welcomed by a guard of honour of applauding New Zealanders when he came out to the crease and illustrated his batting skills with a bright 29 from 45 balls.

The 34-year-old was the first of the two batsmen to depart caught behind off

started to organise weekly matches against male players for Guyana’s only female hard ball team, the RHT Metro Females.

The team led by West Indies all-rounder Shemaine Campbelle, easily defeated a Demerara Cricket Club Under-15 (fifteen) Developmental 11 (eleven) by seven wickets, at the DCC ground, and then got the better of the GUYSUCO Training Centre Under-19 (nineteen) team by five wickets at the area ‘H’ Ground.

Playing at the DCC ground, the visitors invited the home team to take first strike and ‘skittled’ them for 113 (one hundred and thirteen) in 23.5 of their allotted twenty-five overs.

B. Mootoo 18 and J. Jones 19 were the only players to reach double figures, as extras contributed a healthy 36 (thirty-six); West Indies pacer Evra Giddings 4 for 10, Shaunda Vanderstoop 2 for 7, and Plaffina Millington were the main wicket takers.

In response, Rose Hall Town Metro raced to 115 for 3 in eighteen overs, with West Indian player Shemaine Campbelle striking an attractive unbeaten fifty-eight (58) with six boundaries, while her cousin Sherica Campbelle’s 26 and S. Vanderstoop’s 22 (twenty-two) not out offered support as Dereck Greaves

It was not too long before Smith’s loud whistle called Mitchell Starc (28 not out) and Josh Hazlewood (2 not out) in to get ready to take the new ball.

Johnson led the Australians back onto the pitch on his 73rd and final test and had bowled eight deliveries without conceding a run before the rain forced an early tea.

He resumed after the delay and soon sent Tom Latham (15) back to the dressing room after an attempted hook ended up in the hands of Josh Hazlewood at long leg.

AUSTRALIA 1st innings 559 for 9 decl (D. Warner 253, U. Khawaja 121) New Zealand 1st innings 624 (R. Taylor 290, K. Williamson 166; M. Starc 4-119) Australia 2nd innings (Overnight: 258-2) J. Burns c Taylor b Southee 0 D. Warner c Latham b Boult 24 S. Smith c Watling b Boult 138 A. Voges lbw b Southee 119 M. Marsh lbw b Bracewell 1 P. Nevill c Watling b Southee 35 M. Johnson c Watling b Southee 29 M. Starc not out 28 J. Hazlewood not out 2 Extras (b-4 lb-3 nb-1 w-1) 9 Total (for 7 wickets declared, 103 overs) 385 Fall of wickets: 1-8 J. Burns,2-46 D. Warner,3-270 S. Smith,4-277 M. Marsh,5-294 A. Voges,6-355 M. Johnson,7-366 P. Nevill Did not bat: U. Khawaja, N. Lyon Bowling: T. Southee 25 - 4 - 97 – 4, T. Boult 19 - 2 - 77 – 2, D. Bracewell 20 - 5 - 62 – 1, M. Henry 20 - 7 - 53 - 0(w-), M. Craig 18 - 1 - 81 - 0(nb-1) NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 321 runs) T. Latham c Hazlewood b Johnson 15 M. Guptill c Burns b Johnson 17 K. Williamson not out 32 R. Taylor not out 36 Extras (b-4) 4 Total (for 2 wickets, 28 overs) 104 Fall of wickets: 1-34 T. Latham,2-44 M. Guptill To bat: B. McCullum, B. Watling, D. Bracewell, M. Craig, M. Henry, T. Southee, T. Boult Bowling: M. Starc 6 - 1 - 33 – 0, J. Hazlewood 6 - 3 - 3 – 0, M. Johnson 6 - 2 - 20 – 2, N. Lyon 7 - 0 - 35 – 0, M. Marsh 3 - 0 - 9 - 0

RHT Females defeat DCC development 11 & GUYSUCO U-19 teams

THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Cricket Developmental Committee, as part of its programme to develop female cricket, has

Notable Dates SHAWN `The Heat’ Garnett turned out to be too hot for opponent American Ernest `The Stinger’ Strohman when the two met on November 18, 2000 in Maryland, USA. The Guyanese pounded out a Unanimous Decision in the six-round contest to improve his record to 5-1-1.

Based in Canada, Garnett continued to make a name for himself in the USA when he defeated American Philip Thrasher on January 11, 2001 at the Sands Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Southpaw Garnett won the six-round fight via a Unanimous Decision.

His professional career started on shaky ground back in November 1998 when he lost a four-rounder to Charles Clarke. However, he would make a forceful comeback, winning his next 10 fights. He was crowned New York State champion in December 2002 following a 5th round TKO of Ukrainian Andrey Tsurkan.

The next year brought more success for the Guyanese as he added the World Boxing Council Latino light middleweight title to his collection, when he won a unanimous verdict over Colombian Epifanio Mendoza.

Garnett had his last fight on June 26, 2009. He lost the eight-round contest by unanimous decision to Austin `No Doubt’ Trout, who would later become the WBA middleweight champion. Garnett’s record comprises 11 victories, six defeats and two drawn fights.

The RHT Female team after winning the tournament. claimed 2 wickets for 26 runs for DCC. On Sunday last at the Area ‘H’ Ground, the GUYSUCO Training Centre were all bowled out for 101 in 20 overs, as the Metro Female bowlers were backed by brilliant fielding.

Altaf Mohamed 21, Fizal Ali 12, and A. Brijkumar 17 were the top scorers for the visitors, as Evra Giddings claimed 2 wickets for 23 runs (5 overs), medium pacer Sherica Campbelle 3 for 15, Melanie Henry 2 for 22, and Sheneta Grimmond 2 for 13.

RHT Metro reached 104 for 5 in response off 21.2 overs, as Shemaine Campbelle top scored with 30 and received support from Melanie Henry 16, Sherica Campbelle 20, and S. Vanderstoop 15; bowling for GUYSUCO Training Centre, N.Charran took 2 wickets for 12 runs.

Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC Hilbert Foster disclosed that the club will be investing heavily in its female section in 2016.

The section presently has 14 players and efforts would be made to attract at least another six players.

He also expressed disappointment that no other club in Guyana has a female section, and this is forcing the RHTYSC to organise matches against males for the RHT Metro team.

Present members of the RHTYSC female team are: Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Melaine Henry, Sheneta Grimmond, Marian Samaroo, Diana Prahalad, Shaunda Vanderstoop, Jackie Singh, Niketa Toney, Aleema Arokium, Diana Pertab, P.Lynch, Sherica Campbelle and Alisha Hicks.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Guyanese badminton players participating in Suriname Invitational GUYANA’S two top male badminton players Sunburst Champion Narayan Ramdhani & Nicholas Ali are currently in Paramaribo for the Suriname Invitational from November 16-20, 2015, at the Isamay Van Wilgen Sporthal.

Both players are in the qualifying rounds for the singles and if they advance, should they win their draws last evening.

Once they overcome that hurdle, they will then be entered into the main draw.

For the Men’s doubles they are both in the main draw.

This will be the last international tournament this year for the Guyanese players had quite a few tournaments throughout the year.

Narayan Ramdhani just back from the World Juniors in Lima Peru taking his team to 39th in the World Rankings will also get a very high singles world ranking after the Suriname open and will be moving up from the 152 that he placed before the World Juniors.

Suriname International will see a lot of International senior players who will be using this tournament to gain higher world ranking points for Olympics next year.

Narayan Ramdhani & Nicholas Ali

PCL Regional 4-day points table ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Following are the Official Points Standings after the second round of matches ended on Monday in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament.

Abbreviations: Pts-total points, M-matches, W-won, L-lost, T-tied, I-incomplete match, A-abandoned match, DP-Abandoned match due to dangerous pitch, MR-match referee awarding match, Bat-batting points, Bowl-bowling points

Red Force escape with a draw BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force escaped with a draw as little fireworks materialised on the final day of their second round game of the Regional First Class Championship against Barbados Pride here Monday.

Set 298 for victory, the visitors finished on 182 for four at Kensington Oval, to walk away with six points from an encounter in which they always trailed and at no point ever threatened the hosts.

Left-handed opener Evin Lewis struck a top score of 41, Narsingh Deonarine got 38 while Yannic Cariah chipped in with 37 not out.

The innings was never really in any danger after Lewis and Kjorn Ottley, who scored 24, put on 64 for the first wicket after taking Red Force to lunch on 32 without loss.

Lewis’s innings was typically breezy, containing five fours and a six off just 55 deliveries

while Ottley hit three fours in a 64-ball knock.

When Lewis and Kyle Hope, who made 19, fell in quick succession to leave Red Force on 95

SHAMARH BROOKS for three, Pride perhaps entertained thoughts of a victory.

Lewis was caught at forward short-leg by Shai Hope off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican while Hope, a Barbadian, was bowled off-stump by

seamer Kemar Roach for 19.

However, Deonarine and Cariah then came together in a 64-run, fourth wicket stand to make the match safe for Red Force, taking their side to tea at 116 for three.

The left-handed Deonarine faced 103 balls in 129 minutes and hit four fours while Cariah batted 114 deliveries in 2-1/4 hours and also struck four boundaries.

Earlier, Shane Dowrich stroked an unbeaten 40 as Pride, resuming on 171 for three, declared their second innings on 243 for five after an hour’s play.

The right-hander struck a four and two sixes in a busy 31-ball knock while Roston Chase got 23 from 37 balls.

S h a m a r h B ro o k s , unbeaten on 51 not out overnight, added just four runs before holing out to Deonarine at longoff off leg-spinner Imran Khan who finished with two for 90.

‘Shark’ Huggins late strike pushes Milrock to 2-1 win A last-gasp goal by Clarence ‘Shark’ Huggins on the 90th minute saved the night for Milerock who edged past Amelia’s Ward Panthers 2-1, while Topp XX off a 66th minute strike from Shawn ‘Dash’ Daniels secured a 1-0 win over Net Rockers when the Upper Demerara Football Association’s First Division League continued last Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

The initiative was taken early as Milerock opened their scoring in the 2nd minute through a nice clip over an advancing Amelia’s Ward goalkeeper, by Andel Mendonca, for them to secure a 1-0 advantage at the time when the first half ended.

However, the Ward side would respond, and were rewarded ten minutes from the end of regulation play, through Nelson Walcott who shot well from just inside the 18 yards box to score for the Panthers, and levelled things.

With the game heading for a stalemate, the Milerock side on the stroke of the whistle, it

seemed, from a ball sent inside and cleared only to see the head of a rising Clarence Huggins direct the ball into the back of the nets in the 90th minute and earned Milerock a 2-1 win, much to the disappointment of the Ward side.

Earlier in the evening Topp XX would come away with a 1-0 win through the in-form Shawn ‘dash’ Daniels who registered a spectacular shot that scored in the 66th

minute. This was enough for the Topp XX side which came away with the scores in their favour 1-0.

The competition continues today with another double-header at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

The first game is at 18:00 hrs between Silver Shattas and Blueberry Hill and at 20:00 hrs Winners Connection face Botafago

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 18, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Lasith Malinga & Nuwan Kulasekara Dwayne Bravo-4 wickets

Today’s Quiz:

Which SL had the best bowling figures in a single game of the recent WI/SL T20 series?

Which WI had the best bowling figures in a single game of the recent WI/SL T20 series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 18, 2015

Lady Jags one win away from CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers -Play Puerto Rico today

GUYANA’S senior national women’s team, the Lady Jags are one win away from entering the Confederation of North, Central American Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) Olympic qualifiers.

The ladies, who go into their game this evening against Puerto Rico at Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago in the final round Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Olympic Qualifier, are upbeat about their chances.

Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, along with Puerto Rico had qualified for the ‘four-team playoff’ by coming out on top of their respective groups and the ladies are more than pumped pushing forward to the finals on November 20 should they beat the Latin American side .

In the final round, the four teams will play a single-elimination tournament. The two finalists and the winner of the third-place match will qualify for the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship as CFU representatives.

Just recently, head coach Mark Rodrigues said the side is “definitely the underdogs heading into the championships as a result of the other countries who encamped their players several weeks ago, but it’s a position that we have found ourselves in before and somehow we always managed to find some deep resolve to get the job done.

This time will be no different. Admittedly we will have

to dig very deep as the teams we will face are the best in the Caribbean and are now in the top 10 best within the 41 countries that make up CONCACAF” Meanwhile, the Guyanese ladies will have to take the field without English based striker Otesha Charles, who sustained an injury and did not recover in time to suit up for the Lady Jags in Trinidad.

However, the team will now have the service of former NCAA standout goalkeeper Chante Sandiford. The 25 Jags Head Coach year-old who had a stellar Mark Rodrigues career in the US collegiate system with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), is making her senior international debut, after having ‘call-ups’ by the USA for several youth tournaments.

With stints in several professional leagues around Europe, Sandiford now plays with UMF Selfoss in Iceland and Rodrigues believes that her inclusion will certainly boost the team’s chances of reaching the CONCACAF round of the qualifiers.

Some districts short on athletes for National Schools Championships SEVERAL of the districts set to take part in next week’s annual National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, which begin next Monday, will not be fielding full teams to the championships.

As all of the differing districts look forward to putting their best foot forward next week, for most teams that means maximising on participation as much as possible, however for some teams, particularly those from the interior regions of Guyana, that will not be the case.

Each of the 15 districts set to participate at the Championships is allotted a maximum of 110 persons, this figure includes both athletes and officials, however, only a few of the districts are ever able to make this number. According to numbers, this year’s smallest team will be District 8 which will comprise of 56 persons.

According to Competition Director for the Championships Ceon Bristol, over the years it has been a challenge for some districts to field the full team and participate in all the varying segments of the championships.

Particularly for Districts 1, 8 and 9, Bristol said these teams usually do not have a cycling team, while they also hardly participate in the field events segment.

The issue has been going

Competition Director Ceon Bristol on for some time now.

“You find mostly interior districts don’t come with the full team. I’ve been at the head of the championships since about 2006 – 2007, and this has been going on prior to that. That’s the norm. They would just do mostly the track events.

They don’t do cycling. Dis-

trict 1 doesn’t have cyclists, District 8 only has one cyclist, and district 9 has none,” Bristol said.

This none-participation stems from a number of factors not the least of which some districts lack the prerequisite equipment. Bristol says that the districts don’t really have any bicycles to use, neither is he aware if the athletes of the district know how to ride.

Transportation for the bicycles would pose another problem for the districts to travel a great distance to make it to the championships, which this year will once again be held in Georgetown.

In the case of the field events, Bristol noted, that efforts were made to supply field events equipment to Rupununi, District 9, however he was later informed that distance constraints left the equipment confined to only one area within the district, restricting the number of students that could practise with the implement.

Because of this, many of the students are unaware of the proper techniques in the varying field events.

According to Bristol the issue is not only relegated

to interior region districts, or just in the cycling championships: Corentyne - District 6, which would normally dominate in the cycling championships, struggles with the swimming championships. Districts 4, and 14 also find it challenging to have athletes in this area.

“Corentyne, District 6, will have a handful of swimmers, Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 1, 11, and 12 will have full teams, Districts 4, 5 and 8 have teams, but not maximum athletes.

Most of the districts, which are closer to the Georgetown area are expected to field maximum teams in all of the different competitions of the championships.

The five-day championships begin from 9:00 hrs on Monday and ends on Friday. Athletes are expected to begin arriving on Sunday, at the Games Village. The Games Village has been designated to Woolford Avenue with the teams being housed at Tutorial High School, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary Schools, Richard Ishmael Secondary and Stella Maris Primary.

Reinstated Simmons could provide motivation for Windies FORMER Windies opening batsman Bryan Davis hopes the re-instatement of coach Phil Simmons will provide the team with added motivation ahead of a difficult series against Australia.

The regional team are coming off a difficult series against Sri Lanka, where they only narrowly avoided a whitewash by winning the last Twenty20 match.

The young team, captained by Jason Holder for the Test and ODI’s, on debut, and coached by stand-in coach Eldine Baptiste, hardly made an impact on foreign soil and will PHIL SIMMONS have been concerned by being badly outclassed in the majority of the games.

Davis hopes that the re-addition of Simmons, known as an excellent motivator, will make a difference.

“I’m happy to see him back because I think he has the kind of personality that the West Indies team needs at this stage,” Davis said.

“What we learnt from his outburst was that the chairman of selectors (Clive Lloyd) and the captain (Jason Holder) were on his side, which is something that every coach would like to have.

“I believe that he would make a difference as the coach.

“It is a pity that he had to miss out because that Sri Lanka (tour) would have helped him for the Australia tour.

“I think it was a sad moment for our cricket because of the suspending of the coach before a tour like that.”(SportsMAX.COM)

Cotto stripped of WBC title before Alvarez pay-per-view (REUTERS)-Miguel Cotto has been stripped of his World Boxing Council middleweight title four days ahead of his big pay-per-view bout against Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas, the sanctioning body said yesterdayy.

The hotly anticipated Cotto-Alvarez clash, pitting aggressive veteran Cotto (40-4) against young slugger Alvarez (45-1-1), will proceed despite the WBC withdrawing championship recognition of Cotto over a refusal to sign the fight agreement.

According to sources who spoke to ESPN, the 35-yearold Cotto balked at paying the World Boxing Council a $300,000 (£197,167) sanctioning fee in a bout that could earn him up to $30 million.

The 25-year-old Alvarez, the former unified junior middleweight champion, would claim the WBC middleweight crown should he defeat Cotto, the WBC said.

There was no immediate comment from the Cotto camp.

“The WBC’s decision is premised on the fact that Miguel Cotto and his camp are not willing to abide by the governing WBC rules and regulations,

MIGUEL COTTO and the specific conditions the WBC established to sanction thee fight,” the WBC said in a statement.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a piece on the boxing organisation’s website that Cotto’s decision not to sign the agreement for the Las Vegas fight was sad and disappointing.

“The fight is still there, it’s a sellout and they’re going to make millions and millions,” Sulaiman said.

“Unfortunately, the sport was disrespected. If Canelo wins, he’s the champion, if Canelo loses, we will move forward.”

Sulaiman said that if Alvarez wins, his next fight would be against WBC interim champion Gennady Golovkin (34-0) of Kazakhstan.

Sport CHRONICLE

Lady Jags one win away from CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers -Play Puerto Rico today See story on page 39

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

Guyana edge Trinidad and Tobago to retain CMRC Country Title -Elliot Vieira; Kristian Jeffrey Snag Individual Titles

By Stephan Sookram GUYANA fought tooth and nail Sunday to retain their coveted country title of the Caribbean Motor Racing Association’s Championships on Sunday following a tense

Caribbean this year.

CMRA Chairman Ray Rahaman, who declared the winner, noted, “In four legs, both teams (Guyana and Trinidad) were able to amass over 900 points. That is an amazing feat.”

Elliot Vieira collects his Superbike Champion Trophy (Samuel Maugh Photo) year of action.

A mere eight points separated Guyana (936) from the returning ‘Tigers’ team of Trinidad (924) who had a strong showing throughout the

“Added to that, to have eight points separate the two top teams just goes to show that the CMRA competition is not always a run away and we expect more competition in the

future,” continued the CMRA Chairman.

He hinted at the possibility of two new countries, Suriname and the Cayman Islands, fielding full teams to the championships next year.

Barbados, 660 and Jamaica 269 were the other countries in the championship while the lone contender for the Cayman Islands Gary Barrett racked up 158 points and Suriname’s Oliver Tjin Leip Shie 25 points.

Meanwhile, Kristian Jeffrey successfully retained his Group 4 championship after a successful year.

The Guyanese two-time champion picked up 225 points from an almost perfect season leaving his nearest competitor and only competition Trinidadian Kristian Boodoosingh second on 152 points.

Way down in third was Trinidad’s Gerard Carrington with 58 points.

At the Group 2 level, Trinidad’s Marc Gill carted off that title after amassing 189 points from the four legs of competition while Barbadian Mark Thompson could only produce second (118 points after just two legs of competition) and Guyana’s Shairaz Roshandin 3rd with 84 points.

The Group 3 end of

Two-time Group 4 champion Kristian Jeffrey poses with all his accolades (Rohindra Mahase Photo)

things also featured a Trinidadian representative in Paul Vieira, who carted off 169 points from three legs while Cayman Islands Barrett, who was awarded the most consistent and competitive driver of the CMRC 2015 picked up second (138

points.)

Barbadian Kurt Thompson ended 3rd with 104 points while Guyana’s Danny Persaud ended 4th with 82 points.

On the Superbike end of things, Elliot Vieira produced the ride of a lifetime to be crowned the youngest

CMRA Bike champion after his cousin Stephen had suffered some amount of injuries a few weeks before races.

He ended with 161 points, clear of Stephen’s 143 and Matthew Vieira’s 100 points.

English football fans salute France by roaring out the ‘Marseillaise’

By Costas Pitas and Mike Collett

LONDON, (Reuters)-English football fans saluted France yesterday by roaring out the ‘Marseillaise’ national anthem at a friendly match watched by British politicians and royalty in a show of solidarity just days after Islamic State militants struck Paris.

As armed police looked on, David Cameron, Prince William and London Mayor Boris Johnson joined England fans in an emotional rendition of the French anthem at Wembley Stadium which was lit up in the blue, white and red of the French flag.

England won 2-0.

In an impassioned display of support for France after the killing of 129 people in Paris, 71,000 fans applauded at the

opening of the match as the two teams ignored the etiquette of standing apart to mingle into a single line, their arms draped around each other’s shoulders.

Fans observed a minute of silence for the fallen. Later, supporters from both sides waved the French tricolour, some with posters reading “Pray for Paris”.

“Seeing Wembley in blue, white and red gives me goose pimples,” said Eric Lavaud, a 55-year-old France supporter.

“We are not scared,” said Lavaud, who had draped a French flag around his neck and had been at the Stade de France on Friday for the friendly with Germany.

Explosions at that match between France and Germany on Friday signalled

Fans in the stands display a banner before the match. Reuters / Dylan Martinez

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See page 36 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015