Chronicle 18 10 2015

SUNDAY No. 104345

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18, 2015

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $120

Granger says ministers not ‘selfish or greedy’ INCLUDING VAT

Page

- insists new salary structure was needed - Finance Minister sets out reasons for increases

3

Freshwater monster Adventurer Navin Roopnarain proudly displays a giant Lau Lau which was caught during a sport fishing trip last Thursday. The giant Lau Lau is just one of the many freshwater monsters Roopnarain came upon during his adventures to the Essequibo.

The fish was released, unharmed, back into the Essequibo River, which is a usual practice of Roopnarain’s company Adventure Guianas.

Hope Wind Farm could Eddy Grant to perform at 50th save $1B annually - investor anniversary event Page

9 Confusion still surrounds national Diwali celebration Page

- two organisations offer different dates

15

Styrofoam ban from January 1 Page

9

Please inside ►

2

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Gun amnesty nets 186 weapons

THE Guyana Police Force on Saturday said the Firearm Amnesty netted 186 weapons, including 153 shotguns and one AK-47 assault rifle.

The amnesty ended last Wednesday.

In a statement, the

Police Force listed the small arms handed in as 13 pistols, 10 air rifles and nine revolvers.

‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) netted the most weapons with 144 shotguns, one AK-47 rifle, one 9mm pistol, one .32 pistol in addition to 39

rounds for various firearms.

‘A’ Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) location netted five .22 pistols and three magazines, along with 88 rounds .22 ammunition; five shotguns with 49 cartridges; one 9mm Luger pistol with thirtyeight (38) 9mm. rounds; four .32 pistols along with one magazine and 347 matching rounds; five air rifles; one .22 revolver; four .38 revolvers and 126 matching rounds; one .357 revolver, one .32 revolver with seven .32 rounds and 51 rounds .25 ammunition.

For ‘B’ Division (Berbice), there was one .32 pistol with ten .32 rounds; one 16- gauge shotgun with 10 cartridges and four 9mm. rounds In ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara), there were two air rifles; one

Some of the arms previously handed over that were on display at Eve Leary last month .32 revolver with five .32 rounds and three 9mm spent shells; while ‘D’ Division (West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo) netted two air rifles, one .32 revolver, one 9mm magazine, three 16gauge shotgun cartridges, three 20- gauge shotgun cartridges and thirty one .30 cartridges.

Finally, in ‘E’ Division (Linden/Kwakwani), one air rifle was handed over along with one improvised shotgun and two shotguns.

In most cases, the guns and ammunition collected

during an amnesty are destroyed, but Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud stated that once the ballistics experts give clearance that the guns were not used to commit crimes, the Guyana Police Force can apply to the authorities to have them added to its stock.

“We will be advised by our ballistics experts, and we will provide a report for consideration by our policy makers,” he added. Tests, he noted, have already begun on the weapons and, to date, none have been linked to any crime.

The police chief explained that once a

gun has been linked to an offence, the police can and would re-open an investigation into the particular matter.

The commissioner further stated that those who would have surrendered their illegal weapons during the amnesty programme will have absolute immunity.

The immunity, however, relates only to possession of firearms, but not the crime it might have been involved in.

The gun amnesty initiative was launched on September 1 as part of government’s plan to curb the number of illegal firearms circulating in the country.

3

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Granger says ministers not ‘selfish or greedy’ - insists new salary structure was needed - Finance Minister sets out reasons for increases

By Ariana Gordon THE move by Cabinet to increase salaries of ministers was not a “rash or hasty” decision, President Granger said yesterday, refuting claims that his administration was being “selfish or greedy.”

Since Independence, he explained, governments have devised systems to attract talent and “sometimes persons were paid at different rates.”

“This has continued.

What we did is nothing new,” the President said in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Granger said his government inherited a situation where “there was already differentiation in salary payment at some levels.”

“Everyone knows that M s . G a i l Te i x e i r a , D r.

Roger Luncheon, and Anil Nandlall were not paid normal ministers’ salaries,” said President Granger of officials who served under the previous government.

“I would like to emphasise that we did spend quite a lot of time; it was not a rash or hasty decision,” he told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

“It was not a selfish or greedy decision.

“We took time to consider all aspects of this problem and in the final analysis we felt it was the correct thing to do to ensure a quality of governance from our cabinet,” he said.

The APNU+AFC-led administration came in for strong criticism from various sections of society on the increase, which in some cases amounted to 50% for government ministers.

Granger noted that many of the ministers of government are not “in their early careers.”

“They have established themselves in various professions and in public life and it would have been unreasonable to demand they have a sudden or massive drop in income.”

There are five lawyers and many other professionals in the Cabinet, the President said.

As a result, he believes “some consideration had to

be given not to damage the quality of life by drastically reducing their incomes.”

President Granger explained that there are four levels of ministerial appointments.

The Prime Minister is the first level, followed by vice presidents, cabinet ministers and then junior ministers.

In the past, he said there was only one level of ministers.

“What we had is that there was one level and ministers performing different functions, some with heavy workloads.

“Administrative and regulatory or supervisory functions were being paid at the same level as the person they are supervising.”

“There is a precedent issue that every government has had to pay to attract talent and we have talent and many of our people are late career, and it is not as though this is their first job.

“This is a job to which they bring tremendous amounts of experience and knowledge and it is appropriate that they should be adequately rewarded,” Granger told Guyana Chronicle.

Asked why the decision was termed by him as a difficult one, President Granger said his administration recognised that “there would have been some public reaction” to it. He is however hopeful that citizens will understand the rationale behind the increases.

“We hope now that the public understands better

that the time we took to arrive at the decision and the reasons why we arrived at the decision.

He said that while the Public Service Commission

President of Guyana, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger of Inquiry is now sitting, Cabinet decided not to wait, since “the situation that we have at the present time was untenable and we took a decision not to allow that anomalous situation to continue.”

President Granger stressed that not all ministers received a 50 per cent increase.

“All of the changes are not 50 per cent... It is only the leap to move the vice presidents above the ministers that you see that jump. All of the ministers are not getting 50 per cent,” the President said.

Ministers within the ministries have received small increases in their

salaries.

According to an E x t r a o r d i n a r y O ff i c i a l Gazette dated September 25, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo received a 10 per cent increase that will now see him being paid $20,580,000 per annum.

Vice Presidents will receive $11,135,064 per annum while senior government ministers are to receive $10,439,124 per annum. Junior Ministers will receive just over $8,346,492 per annum. The Attorney General will receive the same salary as the Chancellor of the Judiciary; the Speaker of the National Assembly is to receive $10,439,124 per annum.

Meanwhile,the Leader of the opposition will receive $10,439,124 while Parliamentary Secretaries will receive $3,753, 984 per annum. The Deputy Speaker will receive $2,702, 880 and Chief Whip will receive $2, 682, 360 per annum.

Every other member of the National Assembly will receive $2, 402, 532 per annum.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said: “The issue is not whether we waited longer or not; the issue is whether there is a moral or other argument for this salary increase.”

Three reasons have been put forward by Jordan that seeks to justify why the

salary increases were needed.

“There was an anomalous situation that we inherited in relation to the salary structures from the President coming right down. The second was that there wasn’t a vice president structure in the past regime or in recent times, so a salary scale had to be set for vice presidents.

“The third reason was that there are larger ministries and ministerial structures requiring greater responsibilities and so a salary scale had to be set to recognise the new responsibilities that have been given to these mega ministries that were created.”

4

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Migrant crisis: Slovenia army to help police S L O V E N I A’ S a r m y will help police deal with thousands of migrants expected to arrive from Croatia in the coming days, Prime Minister Miro Cerar says.

He said the army would provide support in logistics, transportation, human resources and “some technical areas”.

Around 2,700 migrants arrived in Slovenia on Saturday - some 600 have already travelled on to Austria.

Croatia began sending migrants to Slovenia on Saturday after Hungary

closed its borders to stem the influx.

Many of the migrants - a large number of whom are Syrians and other refugees fleeing conflict in their own countries aim to continue north to Austria and Germany.

S l o v e n i a ’s P r i m e Minister Miro Cerar, speaking after a meeting of the National Security Council, said the government had decided “to include the army in helping police”.

But he insisted: “Slovenia is not in a state of emergency.”

“We are trying to calm

Migrants in Slovenia have to register before they can move on to Austria

things down as best we can. We will try to manage the situation on the border so that the rest of the country is not affected. The country needs to function normally.”

The past month has seen some 3,000 migrants pass through Slovenia, Reuters news agency reported. Slovenia, which has a population of two million has said it was in a position to accommodate up to 8,000 migrants per day.

Hundreds of refugees were bussed across Croatia on Saturday, from its border with Serbia to its border with Slovenia.

A train carrying 1,800 migrants arrived at the Croatian town of Cakovec and they were separated into groups travelling to different border crossings.

The UNHCR at one reception centre on the Croatian-Slovenian border said things were “running really smoothly”.

Unlike other countries, Slovenia had time to prepare... It’s not perfect, but things are moving,” UNHCR spokeswoman Caroline van Buren told the AFP news agency.

Israel-Palestinian violence: Knife attackers shot dead (BBC News) FOUR Palestinians said to have attacked Jews with knives in separate incidents have been shot dead and a fifth is in critical condition.

The incidents came amid spiralling violence this month with near-daily stabbings by Palestinians of Israelis.

Seven Israelis have been killed and dozens wounded in the

stabbings and some gun attacks.

At least 40 Palestinians, including several of the attackers, have been killed in the growing unrest.

The latest stabbings were like many of those which have gone before apparently - not the work of known militant groups but random attacks by individuals acting alone without planning or organisation, says the BBC’s Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem.

In the West Bank city of Hebron, where tensions between Jewish settlers and Palestinian residents are always high, an armed Israeli citizen shot dead a young Palestinian.

As is often the case, the circumstances are disputed, our correspondent says, with the Israeli civilian saying he was the victim of a stabbing attack and some Palestinians saying the dead man was unarmed.

Shortly afterwards a teenage Palestinian girl was shot dead by an Israeli border policewoman after trying to stab her. The Israeli officer said she took no pleasure in how the incident ended.

DATE: 17/10/2015 N 03 08 25 27 22 26 05

17/10/2015

09

10

13

19

20

17/10/2015

2

Some hours later another attempted stabbing of a soldier nearby ending with the shooting of the attacker.

In Jerusalem a Palestinian teenager was shot dead after he pulled a knife on border police who were examining his ID card.

And in the evening, an Israeli police officer killed a Palestinian who attempted to stab him at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank, police said.

There have also been sporadic clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli security forces in East Jerusalem and on the West Bank.

The upsurge in violence began last month when tensions at a flashpoint holy site in East Jerusalem revered by Jews and Muslims boiled over amid rumours Israel planned to relax long-standing rules to strengthen Jewish rights at the complex.

Israel has repeatedly denied such claims.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday on the upsurge of violence.

Opening the meeting, UN Assistant Secretary-General Taye-Brook Zerihoun welcomed repeated assurances by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the status quo at the flashpoint holy compound, known to Jews as Temple Mount and Muslims as Haram al-Sharif, would not change.

But he said that “reckless statements made by Palestinian and Israeli extremist elements reinforced by some mainstream voices as well” had created a different impression.

0

9

17/10/2015

02 07 09 10 13 14

20

5

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Tax man Cometh

By Andre Bagoo

(Trinidad Newsday) FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert yesterday said the State will hire “an army of young people” to be Value Added Tax (VAT) collectors in order to implement plans to make the collection of the tax more effective.

The Minister also disclosed that he is seeking legal advice on the question of whether fresh legislation is needed to allow the State to implement Property Tax which has been in abeyance in recent years.

Imbert was questioned on both matters by Oppo-

sition MPs as the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives continued its examination of the Budget.

On VAT, Imbert was asked whether current staffing arrangements at the Ministry of Finance will be sufficient to implement current plans meant to result in the collection of an additional $6 billion in revenue.

“Does the Minister anticipate that can be properly collected with the same staffing,” Opposition Whip Dr Roodal Moonilal asked.

“Madam Speaker, we intend to implement the adjustments in the VAT

regime from January 1, that is clearly stated in the Budget statement,” Imbert said.

“We will be hiring an army of young people, graduates and others and training them to do VAT collections...Between now and December 31, we will be reviewing the staffing requirements required to enhance collections and we will make appropriate adjustments to the allocation.” While a reduction of the VAT rate has been announced, VAT is to be re-introduced on items that were previously VATfree. Moonilal said a list of which items will now have VAT is yet to be

supplied by the Government. According to the Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure, the initial allocation for the Inland Revenue Division for 2015 was $85 million.

This was revised to $111 million, but the 2016 estimate is now $90 million, a decrease of $20 million.

Imbert also said the planned Revenue Authority is due to commence operations by September 30, 2016 under accelerated plans for implementation, meaning the allocation for that new entity would be reflected in documents for the next Budget.

In relation to Property Tax, Imbert said the State

will be hiring, “another army of people” to do the valuations of properties all over the country. He suggested that recent aerial photography exercises may assist this process.

He said the law has been in force, but not implemented due to Parliament amendments.

He said about onethird of properties have already been identified and levels and rates from 2009 may have to be used for properties already on the rolls.

“What’s going to happen is a combination of old levels and rates and then for new properties we will have to formulate

a rate so there is some sort of equity,” Imbert said.

“In fact, an amendment may be required, that is the advice I have received and I am getting a second opinion on that as to whether we need to amend the legislation immediately in order to allow ourselves to implement the old levels and rates.” Imbert said the appointment of a procurement regulator, under new legislation, has been initiated

by President Anthony Carmona and before the end of the year the new system of public procurement will be in operation.

C’bean exports decreased in first half of 2015 – Study

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A NEW study conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says exports of Latin American and Caribbean goods fell 10.9 per cent in the first half of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

The study, Trade and Integration Monitor 2015, noted that it is the “steepest drop” since the 2009 trade collapse.

The IDB’s said that the contraction in exports, which had begun in mid-2014, has worsened this year as a result of a substantial decline in China’s demand and steep reductions averaging 37.1 per cent in the prices of commodities between June 2014 and June

2015.

The drop in the region’s exports also reflects the overall contraction in global trade, according to the study, presented in San José, Costa Rica at a seminar organised by the IDB and INCAE Business School.

“The favourable conditions that fuelled the region’s exports over the last decade have waned, and so it is crucial to diversify our exports through the implementation of trade promotion policies as well as policies to make use of trade agreements and enhance productivity,” said Paolo Giordano, Principal Economist of the IDB’s Integration and Trade Sector, and coordinator of the report.

Giordano said that, in 2014, the region’s exports had dropped by 2.8 per cent, adding that, in the first half of 2015, “numbers dete-

riorated further”.

The IDB said the South American countries were the most affected (-17.7 per cent) due to a fall in the price of raw materials and a shrinking regional manufacturing market.

The Caribbean countries (-14.9 per cent) experienced this deterioration in a context of overall economic vulnerability, the IDB said.

The report analyses the region’s overall economic situation, characterised by greater exchange rate volatility and prospects of

higher international financing costs, and underlines the urgent need to implement public policies aimed at promoting trade diversification.

The report compiles the most recent statistics, analyses the trade performance of the region, and includes a chapter on the evolution of export diversification over the last decade.

The analysis is based on the indicators provided by INTrade, the IDB’s trade and integration database.

6

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Guyana

What will happen on October 27 when Cuba presents to the UN the draft resolution against the blockade?

EDITORIAL

Government ministers need to go into the communities

THIS current government, which has been in office for a mere five months, has in that short space of time accomplished quite a bit. Every day there are media reports of services being rendered to communities, some of which are now enjoying basic services such as potable water and electricity for the first time. In the area of infrastructure, which in some communities had degenerated into advanced states of disrepair, there has been noticeable improvement.

Georgetown, for example, is beginning to look like the city which we were all once proud of.

The Ministry of Education has been very busy tending to the education needs of the country. There have been some small but significant developments at the University of Guyana, which as we all know needed instant life support. Teacher-training in some critical areas has commenced and there are moves towards addressing other pivotal areas such as transportation, especially in the hinterland areas.

In the area of housing, there is discernable movement to deal with the sore issue of backlog of applications for houselots. The Ministries of Business and Tourism are also busy in those very important sectors as the Social Services Ministry.

Agriculture is another area where we have seen a lot of activities that give hope of better things to come. The President himself has done a remarkable job in defence of our territory. The Ministry of Public Security, in the face of what seemed to be an orchestrated spike in crime, has taken some bold steps to protect citizens.

Yet for all those accomplishments, there seems to be a disconnect between the government and the people. This was borne out by the response of government supporters to the recent 50% salary hike for ministers. Clearly the government was taken by surprise at the ferocity of the pushback among its supporters. One of our columnists has put this down to the apparent disconnect between the governors and the governed. It is not enough to report these things in the media; these reports should be followed up by visits to the communities to explain to and consult with the people.

A government should not govern only from Georgetown or from the halls of government; that is a recipe for failure. In a society where people’s confidence and perhaps trust in government have

NEXT October 27, Cuba will present in the United Nations General Assembly, for the twenty-fourth consecutive time, the draft resolution A/70/L.2 “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

What will the United States do this time is the question that many ask themselves today since last December 17, Cuban President Raúl Castro and American President Barack Obama announced to the public the restoration of diplomatic relations between both nations, after the latter recognised that the isolation against Cuba has not worked.

Small islands, Palau and Marshall, which traditionally used to abstain, also restored relations with our country, so their vote must change. Others say that the great potency will abstain on this occasion.

Cuban President, Raúl Castro Ruz, has reiterated that as long as the genocidal blockade exists, the place occupied by the

naval base at Guantánamo is not returned to Cuban sovereignty, and also the illegal transmissions of radio, TV and programmes against Cuba end, relations between our country and the U.S. may not normalise.

As one of the greatest exponents of the Theology of Liberation, Frei Betto said recently in Cuba, “The U.S. blockade against Cuba, even though it represents material hardships, has not limited the spirituality of this country; on the contrary, it is a factor of resilience”.

During the current U.S. government, the blockade has worsened and intensified its extraterritorial application, by imposing 42 fines on U.S. and foreign entities for the value of US$13,000,279.148,196.

The economic damage caused to the Cuban people by this cruel policy imposed for more than five decades, from very conservative estimates and considering the depreciation of the dollar against the value of gold in the international market, is estimated at 833 thousand 755 million dollars, taking

deteriorated over the years, it is imperative that this government seeks to repair that breach. This government has the historic task of correcting the errors of five decades and more of mis-governance. It has to come to grips with the circumstances in which it is governing.

History has thrust upon this government particular responsibilities. It came to power when the country had hit rock bottom. Government had abandoned the people, was cheating them, and they in turn had lost respect for government. The rise to office of this coalition in May brought with it a renewed sense of engagement with and interest in the affairs of government, at least among government supporters. The massive crowds at the activities during the first weeks, the emotional bond with the new government and the spontaneous cleanup of the country were clear indicators of a populace crying out for attention and wanting to be part of the governance process.

But once the dust had settled, there was a feeling that we were returning to the rejected norm. Except for a series of village forums by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and a few visits by other ministers, there has not been a consistent outreach to the communities.

This has to be corrected as quickly as possible. We feel that constant engagement of the masses by the rulers

into account the reduction in the price of gold compared to the previous period. At current prices, over the years, the blockade has caused damage of more than 121 thousand 192 million dollars.

Considering the aforementioned, among other aspects, Cuba will maintain its claim for an end to the blockade.

The new draft resolution takes into account the current bilateral circumstances between Cuba and the United States by welcoming the restoration of diplomatic relations and recognising the will expressed by the U.S. President to work towards lifting the blockade. These modifications respond to the expectations of the international community regarding this text.

The blockade against Cuba must stop.

It is the most unjust, severe and prolonged system of unilateral sanctions that has ever been applied against any country.

The mobilising role of the international community to lift the blockade imposed on Cuba is essential. The solidarity and

international support received by the island during these long, hard years have played a major role in the change of the U.S. policy towards Cuba.

Cuba reiterates its appreciation for the continued support of Guyana to the demand of the Cuban people to put an end to this illegal, genocidal and extraterritorial policy, which will never prevent the Cuban people from defending their sovereignty and their right to freely choose their future.

The majority support in the votes in favour of the Cuban Resolution this coming October 27, which has been overwhelmingly supported each year, will represent for the Cuban people another resounding victory against the outdated and inhuman monster that is the blockade.

Once again, the government and people of Guyana together with almost universal membership of the UN will stand firm by the Cuban people in this battle.

Julio César González Marchante Ambassador

should become part of the governance culture. It is one of the monumental failures of government in the post-colonial Caribbean which has in turn helped to nurture the authoritarian instinct that has bedevilled the Region. Often, when governments are confronted with the protests of the people, they quickly resort to the weapon of “law and order.”

Dr. Martin Luther King once described protests from the bottom as the “language of the unheard.”

When people are neglected, they resort to the language of the unheard, some of which we have seen these last few days. Guyanese want to be heard. They want to speak directly to their leaders, their representatives. Gone are the days when ordinary people should be lining up to see ministers at their offices.

The ministers need to get out into the communities to report to the people and to hear from them. There was no shortage of community meetings during the campaign; there was a love affair between the parties and the people. But the people, the salt of the earth, should not be part-time lovers. At the end of the day, people have a right to have both an indirect and direct say on matters that affect their lives. Over to the government.

7

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

TRUTH BE TOLD

Debating and Public Speaking

By Professor Daizal Samad SEVERAL years ago, in either New York or Toronto, one of the old timers from the University of Guyana reminisced about seeing and hearing groups of UG students involved in debates. This was in the 1970's, and the debates were informal and held on the pavements and sidewalks of the university. This was not a formal requirement from lecturers, according to this lecturer from back in the days. While the topics could have been anything and the structure was informal, the language and conduct were very formal, very correct. This old-time lecturer claimed that I was part of it, but I honestly cannot remember any of it.

What I do remember was the first formal debate at UG in which I was involved. It was part of a course called ENG. 100. It was taught by Mrs. Joyce Jonas (now Dr. Joyce Jonas), and it was this lecturer who took the initiative to have this in-class debating competition.

It may have been the first such initiative at UG. Dr. Jonas's initiative yielded greater dividends than she may have imagined.

I took that experience with me to New Brunswick, Canada. As a young Assistant Professor at St. Thomas University, I founded the STU Debating Society.

The response from all students, faculty, senior administration and the society was astonishing. The 800-seat auditorium was packed. It took work to train

the student-debaters, including getting them to know the fundamentals of Robert's Rules of Parliamentary Procedure, physical carriage, demeanor, language, deportment, conduct, and so on. It took even more work to train two of these first-year undergraduates so that they could compete in the World Universities Debating Tournament. In that year, it was held at Princeton University. The STU team did not win, but they beat seasoned debaters from Yale and Oxford.

I did the same thing in South-East Asia and Africa.

Dr. Jonas's initiative at UG paid great dividends on several continents. The crowning achievement may have been training the World Public Speaking Champion. This was a very young girl who was not even enrolled in the formal degree programme at the university in Africa where I was Senior Professor. She was in the foundation programme, mostly learning English. English was her fourth language, after French, Arabic and Berber.

At times, the training was unkind, even ruthless. It is no easy thing to stand with no winter coat, with just socked feet in the snow (yes, it snows in Africa!!), the temperature minus 7 degrees, and deliver a speech.

Language is not simply about grammar and syntax. It is about tone, mood, the pitching of the voice without shouting, the modulation of volume...all of it. This girl (she wore the Islamic headwear called the hijab (here, we call it a "kemar"). World Champion! Incidentally, at the World Championship, no microphones are allowed, but every single person in an enormous parliamentary

hall has to hear what you are saying, even if you whisper.

Now to us here in the Republic of Guyana. Can anyone tell me if we have ever sent any single Guyanese to any international Debating or Public Speaking Championship? If we have not, why not?

There is, as we mentioned, the World Universities Debating Championship. One would have thought that someone at what passes for our university would know about this. Even if we knew about it, do we have anyone to train our kids for this level of competition.

How about the World Public Speaking Championship?

Anyone? If no one, why not? Where have all the Jonases and Rickfords and Edwards and Robinsons gone? Who is taking any initiative?

As a Nation, we are excellent at making noise.

From our mouths come all manner of self-indulgent drivel. We mistake babble with being articulate. We mistake volume for intensity. And we are so very good at turning up "music" from imported "sound systems". And yet, we cannot speak. English, we say, is our first language. It is not, really. Maybe we can begin by speaking the English to our children, but how can we if we do not know how to speak the language? Maybe we should begin with our teachers, but can our teachers speak the language?

One person who calls herself a teacher and fancies herself educated asked me: "Wah yuh ah call fah?"

This is not about formal English versus Creolese. It is about conduct and judgement.

Opposition leader on Region 5 outreach OPPOSITION Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is continuing community meetings countrywide

LAST Friday, meetings were held in Region 5, where he spoke about a range of concerns.

The meetings focus specifically on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), how the opposition will be approaching government on major issues in Guyana and Local Government Elections (LGE).

Jagdeo, addressing several traditional “bottom house” community meetings, explained that the party while in opposition plans to execute a comprehensive strategy for regaining executive power following its recent loss at the recently held May 11 Regional and General Elections.

The Opposition Leader emphasised that the PPP and its leaders have had to console hundreds of party members who became worried following the election results, as well as many who wanted to give up hope, given their experiences in the past.

As the meetings commenced, there was excitement and heightened expectations in Region 5 as Jagdeo and others addressed packed bottom houses and meeting centres as residents rallied around them.

Many have also expressed concern over government’s approach to issues of benefit to citizens.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addressing one of the many gatherings during his Region 5 outreach

Five arrested in Essequibo drug bust

RANKS from the Criminal Investigation Department in Georgetown on Saturday afternoon swooped down on a house in Essequibo where they arrested five persons including a woman after three kilogrammes of cocaine were found in the house.

The police, acting on information, had the house

and its occupants under surveillance for some time now.

Among those arrested are a 52-year-old man and 49-yearold woman, who are said to be the main persons of interest to the police. The woman, police believe, was a frequent seller of cocaine and ganja in Essequibo area.

This is the second operation that ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department have conducted outside of Georgetown.

The Guyana Chronicle Newspaper was informed that the other three persons who were arrested happened to be in the house at the time of the Police.

8

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

All police stations to get dedicated vehicles for patrol

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) is in discussions with a donor country to ensure that every police station has a vehicle dedicated to patrolling the areas that fall within the purview of the respective stations.

In the case of the coastland and interior locations, vehicles will be provided, while in the riverine areas boats will be provided.

This was announced by Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud on Saturday, while addressing a ceremony for those who completed several police training courses.

The announcement was made in the presence of senior and junior members of the force as well as relatives of the young men and women who graduated from the courses.

According to the Top Cop, the initiative will be realised by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Persaud also announced a plan by the GPF to look after the welfare of children of policemen and women who died in the line of duty. This initiative is being supported by at least one businessman so far.

Commissioner Persaud explained that at the moment, the Cops and Faith Network in association with the local businessman are seeking to establish a non-profit organisation that will be dedicated to funding the education and general welfare of children of police ranks killed in the line of duty.

That, he said, will commence later this month. Already, the GPF has a system which caters for the welfare of dependants of fallen ranks of the force. With this new fund however, the police are expected to be able to cater even more for those persons and provide additional assistance for them.

The gathering was told that the police are seeing dividends from its investments, in the area of criminal investigation and crime prevention in communities.

TOP performers from recent police training courses (with trophies) pose with Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud (centre) , Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine (left), and Senior Superintendent Paul Williams, Force Training Officer (right).

Police to deploy additional 1,200 ranks by year end AN estimated 1,200 ranks will be sent to the streets by the end of the

year, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud announced yesterday.

The large batch of officers is outside of the usual deployment of additional

ranks during the Christmas period.

He made the comment

A Police recruit demonstrates an arrest technique.

during his feature address at the passing out of recruits who recently completed a six-month training course.

He also commended the Force Training Officer Senior Superintendent Paul Williams and other members of the Guyana Police Force Training School who worked tirelessly with the young people.

During his address, the Commissioner congratulated the ranks for successfully completing the training while alerting them that the public expects much from them.

“You are now at the launch of your career, a career that can see you to the age of 65. Don’t throw it away by forgetting or not applying the laws, regulations and procedures as well as tactics that you would have learnt and most importantly, do not forget your oath of office, it is the lynchpin of your career as police officers,” Persaud told the recruits.

Keeping the members of the public safer remains the job of police officers, Persaud reminded them, while

cautioning that there is no need for anxiety but rather confidence since the history of the Force has shown the need for constant adaptation and resilience to challenges.

Persaud encouraged the Force’s newest members to seek after knowledge and understand that there is no virtue in ignorance: and as such police ranks ought to develop themselves as it will take them through their careers.

Those who live in communities which the police are expected to serve after they are posted, will expect that police ranks protect them from those who mean to bring them harm, while the general expectation is for police ranks to be role models to the children in communities.

The Guyana Police force has been investing tremendously in the training of young police ranks over the years and continues to engage its senior ranks in capacity- building, all aimed at increasing the efficacy of the Guyana Police Force.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Confusion still surrounds national Diwali celebration - two organisations offer different dates

IN mere weeks, Hindus from all across Guyana are slated to celebrate the festival of lights, or as it is more popularly known, Diwali, but confusion still surrounds the date for its celebration.

In any case, the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, has declared November 10 as the national holiday, going against the advice of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, which has provided the date for the last 40 years.

Two dominant Hindu groups in the country - the Viraat Sabhaa and the Dharmic Sabha – proposed different dates.

According to the Viraat Sabhaa, based on their convictions November 10 should be declared as Diwali, based on calculations they say is premised on the knowledge of renowned astrologists Kaushik, Kaashi and Bhaskaar.

The Dharmic Sabha has said the celebration should be held on November 11.

The Viraat Sabhaa is arguing that what is explicit, as contained in the Kaashi Panchang/Patra - an annual publication on astrology and Hinduism - is that Pradosh Kaal, Nisheet and Mahaa Nischeet Kaal (all being auspicious times), are present on November 10.

With Amawasya (dark night) ending on 13:47 hrs on Wednesday, November 11, after which, automatically, a new moon begins, Viraat Sabhaa is arguing that this further confirms November 10 as the official day, since the festival cannot be observed in the new moon but must on the darkest night of the year.

To further support their point, the body noted that the Panchangs/Patras also allude to world zones for these dates. The zone for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, according to them, shows the festival to be observed on November 10. Trinidad’s Swaha calendar confirms this, they say.

As such, after realising that calendars published by the Dharmic Sabha showed the observance of the festival for Wednesday, November 11, and which is reflected on national calendars, they submitted a petition to the government. This petition, the Viraat Sabhaa said, was for consideration of an intervention to have the true date reflected as Tuesday, November 10.

Boasting of their composition, the body explained that the petition was signed by their affiliates, some 70 signatures which are reflective of a vast majority of Hindu representatives in Guyana. The petition, they said, contained detailed calculations and supporting documents for the November 10 date.

Some of the supporting groups of the Viraat Sabhaa include the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabhaa of Region 3 headed by Pandit Balbadar who is a Hindu Philosopher, Sanskrit Teacher and Author; Pandit Chowbay, an academic, from the Par Upkaric Sabha in Esequibo; Pandit Rudranauth Sharma and associates from the Guyana Pandits’ Council; the Maha Sabha; Gandhi Youth Organisation; Cove & John Ashram; and Pandit Prabhu Deo Sharma and others from the Corentyne.

According to the Dharmic Sabha, which is headed

by Dr Vindhya Persaud, Diwali which occurs annually on Amawasya or the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, is the 15th Tithi in the dark half of Kartik and the darkest night of the year.

And according to the Panchang/ Patra, this occurs on November 11.

“This coincides exactly with the western astronomers’ calculation of the new moon which is listed for Guyana as occurring on November 11 at 13:47 hrs. The new moon effect will be experienced as darkness falls, the Dharmic Sabha said, adding that performing Maha Lakshmi Puja on November 11 would, therefore, be on new moon day as prescribed.”

The Dharmic Sabha, maintaining that to celebrate on November 10 would be premature as that would be before the new moon even occurs, further explained that November 10 is Chaturdasi or the 14th day of the month and not Amawasya.

They highlighted too that it has been noted that some of the local Hindu organisations have been citing South Indian astrologers as the basis for their contention that Diwali should be the 10th. However, according to the Dharmic Sabha, South Indian states such as Chennai and Kerala celebrate Diwali on Chaturdasi, whereas Guyana has always followed the North Indian Tradition, which is also India’s national position of celebrating on Amawasya.

9

“It is further noted that Diwali is celebrated over a period of five consecutive days. The five-day festival begins on the 13th day in the dark half of Kartik, and ends on the 2nd day in the bright half of Kartik with each day being a specific observance.

Arguing that they have been calculating Hindu festival dates for more than 40 years, and provided the Government of Guyana with same, the Dharmic Sabha noted that this is done on the basis of the Bhavani Shankar Panchang and the 100- year Panchang - India’s most renowned and reputable Panchangs.

Additionally, the Hindu body revealed that it has always, including in relation to the 2015 calendar, collaborated with the Pandits' Council and other organisations on its dates, and this year was no different.

According to them, they even convened a meeting to discuss next year’s calendar with all the Hindu organisation, and the only organisation that refused to attend was the Viraat Sabha. “Interestingly, even though the Viraat Sabha has been in the forefront on the date change issue, the dates on Viraat Sabha's calendar coincide exactly with Dharmic Sabha’s” the Dharmic Sabha stated.

But the Viraat Sabhaa is refuting the claim that they were the only Hindu body absent from the meeting alluded to by the Dharmic Sabha. In fact, they said no other organisation attended the meeting.

Additionally, in relation to their date reflecting that proposed by the Dharmic Sabha, the Viraat Sabhaa reiterated that this was a mistake, and having recognised this, apologised on various occasions and informed that the true date for this year’s Deepavali celebration is November 10.

“The Viraat Sabhaa wishes to state without any ambiguity that its position on the 2015 date for Deepawali is guided by religious sentiments and not by commercial motives. Despite this being the first occasion where Hindus are publicly disagreeing over the date of one of its sacred festivals, the Viraat Sabhaa urges devotees to be guided by the truth and hopes that this will result in the desired unity that always appeared to be elusive in the past” they said.

Styrofoam ban from January 1 THE government on Sunday announced a ban on Styrofoam from the start of next year.

The Ministry of the Presidency said the ban is part of efforts to support and promote a green economy and environment, which has been a mantra for the Government since their assumption to office.

The ban, the ministry said, will be enforced through a collaborative effort between the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Ministries of Business, Legal Affairs, and Finance, through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

It was revealed that a series of measures to address waste management and to promote the utilisation of biodegradable

materials is in its implementation stages, being spearheaded by the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Granted by Cabinet, was the approval for the immediate development of a legal framework to implement the ban on the importation and use of Styrofoam products as well as a public awareness programme to educate the public on the consequences of its usage and the benefits of the alternatives.

This decision by the Executive arm, came as a result of a series of consultations, which were held previously with industry operators, importers and other key stakeholders. But not limited to these consultations, more consultative sessions are expected to be held to the end of the year.

The objective of this initiative, the Ministry noted, is to

achieve a “significant reduction” in the effects of polystyrene foam products on solid waste management in Guyana and its negative impact on the environment, while leading to the further development of new enterprises in the alternatives sector.

It was highlighted too, that in Guyana, that the waste stream comprises about 2-5 per cent Styrofoam products, with these being popularly used in the food service industry.

As a result, the improper disposal of the single-use item has been, and remains a threat to human health and the wider environment, incurring clean up and disposal costs amounting to millions of dollars, a cost borne by the tax paying public.

10

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

HINDS’SIGHT

Dr David Hinds

It is the government’s turn to trust the people

THE fallout from the salary increases for government ministers is instructive. The arguments and counterarguments have been ventilated. The Minister of Governance asked the people to trust the government.

The President finally weighed in, and not unexpectedly, sought to justify the hike. He, of course, did so in a less strident manner than some of his juniors. He tried to soften the blow; after all the bulk of the resistance came from his own supporters. That is the aspect of this matter that intrigues me the most. How can a leadership and a followership that seemed so in sync five months ago have such divergent views on a matter in such a short period of time? Worse, why is it that both sides so badly misread each other?

The answer, of course, lies in the very nature of our politics and society. Ours is a post-plantation society in which the governed and the governors and potential governors have found common ground against things but never for things. Our history is full of that phenomenon.

The working classes developed an alliance with the emerging privileged classes to fight against and defeat colonial rule. But as soon as independence was achieved, the privileged classes, which marched with the workers against colonialism, began beating and jailing these very workers in the name of national security and law and order.

It became clear very early on that the two groups had different expectations of independence. In the end, the postindependence government, despite attempts at modifying the symbols of the plantation, could not overthrow the social and political relations of colonialism. Next year we will reflect on and some may celebrate 50 years of that independence.

The working classes then found new allies among a newer radical revolutionary leadership which presented itself as an alternative pole to the independence leadership.

In Grenada, where they seized power, they soon turned State guns on the very masses in the name of revolutionary manners. This month we reflect on the 32nd anniversary of

the demise of the Grenadian revolution that promised so much, but in the end came up woefully short. In fact, that revolutionary government ended up at the same place as the so-called reactionary government it displaced.

Here in Guyana, Walter Rodney and his WPA revolutionaries summoned the country to an unprecedented multi-ethnic mass revolution against the excesses of the independence government of the day. The casualties were many and the price was high; we still confront the ghosts of that period. But in the end, the post-dictatorship government eclipsed the dictatorship it replaced—by miles.

Worse, the Indian-Guyanese brethren who had joined their African-Guyanese sisteren to fight the African Guyanese Goliath now stood mostly on the sidelines as the IndianGuyanese Goliath raped and pillaged like the old pirates that Bob Marley reminded us of. The more we change, re-arrange, everything stays the same says the kaisonianpoet, David Rudder.

Enter this new government—a Coalition Government.

Born in the bowels of mass frustration and a determination to yet again overcome, this coalition is a unique historical formation. Its rise is both a rebuke of all that preceded it and a stamp of hope that we can be the noble civilisation which has been denied us. Something stirred in this society starting at the 2011 polls that eventually burst open on May 11.

Again, it was the working people, who Clive Thomas calls the “poor and the powerless” and the Rastafarians describe as the “sufferers” linking their hands with the privileged to lift Guyana to safer ground.

I know many of this privileged class who now sit in power. I have convinced myself that they would not turn the guns of the State on the people. I know David Granger better than I know any of our past maximum leaders and I think he possesses an understanding of our history that would preclude him from repeating the sacrilege of our past leaders.

For, it is in our history that the key to a higher politics lie. A couple of my close comrades of four decades share that seat of power; I have faith in their commitment to the creation

of a dignified politics.

But I would be lying to readers and to myself, if I did not say that I worry. For all the breath of fresh air it has brought to the country, the government has stumbled when it comes to feeling the heartbeat of the least in our midst.

It is not enough to give workers a salary raise and to fix their roads and afford them water and electricity—that is what any and all governments are supposed to do. That this government does it better than the one before should be commended. But it has to do more than that, because more is expected of it.

Our government has to understand its ‘specialness’ and the responsibility that comes with that specialness. Wrongly or rightly, they are the Joshuas of our time; they simply can’t be like the others. Our people have been betrayed too many times; they are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Joe Harmon, one of the political finds of our time, correctly told the discredited PPP that he has no apologies for the 50% raise. But Joe has to understand that the matter of government compensation is bigger than the PPP; it is at the heart of his constituency’s rage. So when he speaks on such a matter, he must know he is speaking to his supporters too, or at least they hear him speaking to them too.

Minister Raphael Trotman’s plea for more trust is not what the doctor orders. The bank account of trust is overdrawn. It is the government’s turn to trust the people. And the way you trust the people is by grounding with them, relating to and seeking to correct their history of government denial, consulting them and embracing them, not as an abstraction, but as living flesh and blood whose right to be is given due value.

(More of his writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com)

PPP wants ‘social protection’ for farmers THE opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has called on the government to implement social protection programmes to help farmers.

“Since most of our rice and other farmers are from the rural areas, the loss of the Venezuelan market will set them back even further if no measures are put in place to assist them,” the party said in a statement for World Food Day. “Given the vital role of farmers in a country whose backbone of the economy still remains agriculture is critical,” the PPP stated.

The party said that social-protection measures linked to agriculture must be put in place to ensure workers and farmers in Guyana can truly enjoy the “good life” promised by the APNU+AFC coalition.

The party noted that World Food Day is meant to raise public awareness about hunger challenges and encourage people worldwide to take action in the fight against hunger.

The PPP said it was satisfied with this year’s theme which recognises the inter-connection and inter-action between agricultural and social protection.

“Farmers in today’s world need access to information, credit, and greater market access.

“Farmers also need to have access to science, innovation and knowledge,’ the PPP stated.

The party pointed to the publication “Achieving Zero Hunger – The Critical Role of Investments in Social Protection and Agriculture” jointly prepared by the Food and Agricultural

Organisation (FAO), the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) in the World Food Programme (WFP).

It said the publication made a strong case for social protection measures such as, cash transfers.

The party said its social-protection measures were on target, especially for residents in the rural communities.

Among other measures, the PPP pointed to its $10,000 per schoolchild initiative.

“The peripheral criticisms notwithstanding, the fact of the matter is that since the poor tend to have more children, they would have benefited more in absolute terms,” the PPP stated.

The cash grant programme was discontinued by the current administration, which dismissed the initiative as a pre-election political gimmick by the PPP.

11

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

– Washington DC

Shaping the new order in GuySuCo – financially THERE is dire need for financial renewal in the sugar belt, if we are to maximise its economic contribution to the nation. The focus has to be on consolidating factories (Albion/Rose Hall, Wales/Uitvlugt) and keeping as many of them grinding with the least possible losses being incurred.

Though some may want to deny it, the sugar belt is intertwined with the economic success of Guyana. If sugar gets the flu, Guyana will get economic anaemia.

Success in sugar has to be grounded in three realities: (1) How we can make the fields and factory more efficient; (2) How we can generate marketable products that can bring greater returns to the industry; and (3) How we can constructively improve the human relationship between the management and the line workers.

It is not an enigma; it is the core solution.

Well-maintained and managed fields, canals and factories are the core solutions. Failure to have these on all estates, along with full attention to minor details, is why GuySuCo is where it is today. If an adverse field or factory issue is identified, administrative managers must be empowered to cause swift resolution.

The opinion of those on the front line in the fields and in the factories must be catalogued, and if they make sense, then action must be taken on them! GuySuCo can survive only if a set of rigid standards are maintained in the field and factory, with a bottom-up approach. Today it is the norm to have “cell-phones”; field managers spend more time away from the field than they ought to.

In Jock Campbell’s days, there was one Dr. Harry Evans, the Agricultural Director of Bookers Sugar Estates, who was tasked with the job of raising the agriculture standard using science. In my reading of a commentary from Jock Campbell in the book “Sweeting Bitter Sugar”, Evans was tasked specifically with examining the “physiology and pathology of the cane plant, and to raise the standard of cane husbandry”.

Who across the industry in GuySuCo has a helicopter view of this kind of knowledge? Which team across GuySuCo is logging the cane husbandry problems, taking action on those problems and facilitating solutions using mostly scientific interventions and commonsense? I was advised there is no team in all of GuySuCo that can talk comprehensively in detail about the state of the field.

This information resides in the head of a collection of numerous people, who have not been sharing notes and ideas. You ask any “cane-cutter” basic scientific questions in layman’s language, and he has a better answer than the cell-phone manager; but yet his basic knowledge is not being catalogued. This is where billions of dollars are

being lost before the canes are even harvested.

Until this is fixed, poor yields will continue to engender skyrocketing operational costs and the industry will continue to be dead on arrival.

This situation at GuySuCo did not happen by magic; it took years of cutting corners on fundamental core practices, such as flood-fallowing (flooding and resting portions of the field) and proper cane husbandry practices to arrive at this destination. It is time to turn back the clock.

What is essential now is a comprehensive businessturnaround blueprint that pays detailed attention to the front end of the business. It is expected that one of the outputs from the Commission of Inquiry will be a “Road Map for the period 2016-2030” as prescribed in their Terms of Reference. It is expected that that document will identify the solutions and the resources to fund the regenerative works in the fields, canals and factories. If not, we have just wasted G$67 million.

One recommendation I am looking forward to is how to divert wasted funds to more productive use. I recommend the establishment of a special Inspectorate Department to ensure that all non value-added activities and all acts of financial waste be identified across the organisation and slashed.

Secondly, cost recovery has to be imposed, especially when it comes to the maintenance of the drainage and irrigation system in the sugar belt. Most people ignore the fact that the coastal plain of Guyana is nothing but a bowl that easily enables flooding. If GuySuCo does not actively fund and maintain portions of this flood-control system, the livelihoods of more than 40 percent of our people will be at grave risk during the rainy seasons. The economic impact of such floods is immeasurable, and if one reflects to 2005, it offers a glimpse of how important GuySuCo is to national life.

It was the Vienna Commission that highlighted the fact that “every square mile of cane cultivation involves the provision of 49 miles of drainage canals and 16 miles of high-level waterways.” In today’s dollars, maintaining these intricate systems of canals and drainage pumps will cost an estimated US$0.07 for each pound of sugar produced. Some of this cost has to be paid for by the Central Government, since all of it is not exclusively for the benefit of the sugar industry. Anything else is totally unfair to the industry.

There must be some cost-recovery system to compensate the industry for services rendered to the nation.

In 2015, the Central Government is scheduled to spend just under G$11 billion on drainage and irrigation

and sea defence works outside of the sugar belt. So to claim that GuySuCo is in receipt of G$12 billion in 2015 is not an accurate assessment of the situation, since part of this is payment for services rendered to mitigate our nation’s natural hydrological defects. The nation has to bear that burden because, if GuySuCo is allowed to collapse, then the flood-control burden will fall exclusively on central government.

We shall continue this sugar series by looking next week at measures to cut non-value added out of the factory. Please feel free to contact me at sasesin1@ yahoo.com with feedback.

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Total National Defence President David Granger’s speech to the Guyana Defence Force - October 14, 2015

THE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT GUYANESE, today, live in a region characterised by uneasiness, uncertainty and unpredictability. Guyana, from the time of the establishment of the Guyana Defence Force in 1965 and the achievement of Independence in 1966, never had the opportunity to enjoy the undisturbed ‘freedom dividend’ like other new states of the Caribbean.

The Venezuelan National Army occupied the Guyana side of Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River, which is the (western) border between the two states, five months after Independence. Guyana has had to defend its territory against a bloody Venezuelan-instigated attempt at the secession of a region of over 57,000 km². Guyana has also had to defend itself against Suriname, in the east, which used armed force to attempt the seizure of the New River zone, an area of over 15,000 km².

Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s territory was settled in 1899. Britain and Venezuela, after a series of hostile incidents occurring over a period of years agreed, on 2nd February 1897, to the Treaty of Washington. This provided for the territorial controversy to be submitted to arbitration, the award of which would be a “full, perfect and final settlement”. The evidence presented to the Tribunal by the two sides was based, essentially, on claims to the territories occupied by the Dutch and Spanish, respectively, since Britain and Venezuela became their respective successor states. The Award of the Tribunal was handed down in 1899 and accepted. The boundaries were surveyed and maps were published on that basis by 1905.

Venezuela maintains its claim to the Essequibo on both strategic and security grounds, apart from its historical rationalisations. With a Caribbean coastline of 2,718 km, Venezuela has always been aware of the geopolitical significance of sea power. Given its strategic location, size, wealth and ideological orientation, it has sought to increase its stature as a 'minor power' in the region. Venezuela’s possession of the Essequibo would enhance its power greatly by giving it an oceanic coast and an undisputed salida al Atlántico ― access to the Atlantic ― making it an oceanic power.

Suriname’s claim is based on a resolution of the Staten to simply change the name of Guyana’s New River to ‘Boven Corantijn’ or Upper Corentyne, in accordance with a so-called

‘Territorial Decree’ of 5th May 1965. The Netherlands, with Britain and Brazil had agreed in 1936 to fix a tri-junction point marking the place where their three territories touched, that is, at the head of the Kutari River. Maps of the three countries, consequently, were published on that basis. The Netherlands however, on the approach of Guyana's Independence, reopened the case, arbitrarily renaming the New River the ‘Upper Corentyne’, alleging it to be the boundary and claiming that the land to the east of that River, about 15,000 km², belonged to Suriname. The main reasons for the reopening of the claim, apart from its historical fiction, were strategic and economic.

President David Granger

DEFENCE POLICY Guyana is in a state of permanent engagement in contrived controversies that have been invented by Venezuela and Suriname, respectively. To survive in such a race means that there must be a plan for ‘total national defence.’ This implies that all the elements and instruments of national power need constantly to be employed in order to protect our territory.

The Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, at Article 197 A (1), stipulates: “The State’s defence and security policy shall be to defend national independence, preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity and guarantee the normal functioning of institutions and the security of citizens against any armed aggression.”

The age of very visible warfare, in the form of harassment on our borders or the intrusion of gunboats into our waters is not yet over. The Border and National Security Committee, established at the start of the ‘Troubles’ in 2001, determined that: “The principal purpose of the Guyana Defence Force is to provide the potential for the application of force to ensure the security of the nation, the freedom of its people and the promotion of the national interest. Defence policy must determine the structure and capabilities of the Defence Force and guide the contribution it makes to the country’s defence and security goals in accordance with foreign and economic policies.”

The Committee stated, further, that:

“Guyana’s national defence strategy should focus on deterrence based on the potential of military force to support diplomatic efforts designed to avoid recourse to armed conflict. It must also attempt to dissuade a potential adversary from resorting to a particular course of action by convincing him that the costs of pursuing it [that course of action] will outweigh the potential gains.”

Guyana, in light of the injunction of the national Constitution, the counsel of the Committee and the aggressive persistence of these territorial claims, now needs to carefully define its policy for total national defence.

Guyana needs a well-commanded, well-trained, wellequipped defence force with the core capabilities to keep our citizens safe and secure. The GDF, in order to fulfil its mission must be multi-role, flexible and fully-integrated with sufficient support weapons. It must be based on five pillars: - Personnel: the Force must be brought up to the Contiuned on page 13 ►

13

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015 From page 12 authorised establishment strength to meet current and unforeseen challenges. A study will be done to examine how the ‘regular force’ could be augmented. The ‘reserve force’ must be re-constituted and maintained at a minimum of 50 per cent of the strength of the ‘regular force.’

- Readiness: the Force must be prepared to deploy to any part of Guyana at short notice in response to Government direction. Readiness refers, also, to the resources needed to conduct training and to prepare units for operations.

- Infrastructure: the Force maintains several large bases throughout the country. The condition of airstrips, barracks, hangars, wharves and other infrastructure must be maintained in a serviceable condition to conduct operations.

- Morale: the Force must maintain its esprit de corps in order to enable troops to support its mission and to function as a unit in order to achieve its objectives.

- Equipment. The Force must have the capacity to maintain adequate combat-ready units with the correct mix of personnel and equipment. Aircraft, road vehicles and maritime vessels, inevitably, will be degraded over time but must be repaired or replaced if efficiency is to be ensured.

THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE FORCE The GDF must change in order to strengthen these five pillars. Changes must start at the top, at the level of the general staff, in order to improve specialization and the quality of service.

- The position of Adjutant General has been restored.

This will allow a dedicated superior officer to pay undivided attention to discipline, the selection and recruitment of personnel, promotions, career planning and troops’ morale and well-being.

- The position of Quartermaster General has been restored. This is meant to afford a superior officer the resources to ensure that finance is provided to improve infrastructure and ensure that equipment is acquired, repaired or replaced, that troops’ living conditions, meals and uniforms are adequate and that munitions and weapons are acquired and supplied in a timely manner.

- The position of Inspector General is meant to ensure that the appropriate superior officer is responsible for maintaining the Force in a state of operational readiness and interoperability with fraternal Caribbean defence forces. This will be achieved through the improvement of training methods and schools and the conduct of training exercises.

Other changes are necessary to enable the GDF to fulfil its Constitutional mandate and to perform its functions. These changes must be designed to develop the Force’s capability to provide continuous surveillance over Guyana’s air, territorial and maritime borders and approaches, to provide search-andrescue services to persons in distress and to provide assistance to the civil authority in response to any threat or disaster.

Greater emphasis will now be placed on the technical corps: - Air Corps: This corps should be upgraded to provide continuous surveillance over Guyana’s air, territorial and maritime borders and approaches and support search-andrescue services to persons in distress.

- Coast Guard: This corps should be upgraded to permit it to provide continuous surveillance over Guyana’s maritime borders and approaches and provide search-andrescue services to persons in distress. Maritime security is a serious matter.

- Engineer Corps: This corps is essential to the restoration of defence and public infrastructure. This Corps once had the capability to contribute to the celebrated Mahdia-Annai and Itaballi-Sand Landing road projects. The non-completion of these projects is partially responsible for the underdevelopment of the hinterland.

Greater emphasis will also be placed on the three auxiliaries.

- The Reserve Force − then called the Guyana People’s Militia – used to be deployed throughout the country, where it could render assistance to the regional administrations in times of floods, threats to public order and other emergencies. It is our intention to re-establish the Militia as a credible reserve in all ten regions.

- The National Cadet Corps is to be re-established to allow boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years in secondary schools to pursue part-time training to prepare them for adult life.

- The Civil Defence Corps is to be established to support the work of the Civil Defence Commission in responding to and managing disasters.

Harmonious civil-military relations must be the bedrock of democracy. The military force, in the final analysis, must be subordinate to the civil authority.

THE SECURITY CHALLENGES

DEFENCE DIPLOMACY

Guyana faces continuous challenges to public security and public order. Changes in the international and national environments made some of Guyana’s old approaches to public order and national security ineffectual. Law enforcement agencies could not respond appropriately to the new threats which, if left unchecked, could allow power to fall into the hands of undesirables.

Criminal activities such as drug-trafficking, moneylaundering, back-trafficking and gun-running are often interrelated; operations cannot be conducted successfully against one to the exclusion of another. There is a need, therefore, for the adoption of a policy of total national defence that will “…implement a national security strategy that employs all instruments of national power in a more integrated way” to meet the challenge faced by Guyana at this time. This would require a much higher degree of inter-agency co-operation than obtains at present, to combine defence with diplomacy, economic development with law enforcement, and the civil authority with the defence force.

Guyana’s defence policy, as proposed in the BNSC Report, should be in accord with the state’s foreign policy and diplomatic posture. Defence diplomacy contributes to building confidence between armed forces and, in extreme cases, to preventing conflict, managing crises and resolving disputes between states.

Guyana has gained much by establishing itself as a reliable partner in regional and hemispheric security and stability. This form of diplomacy should be enhanced. The GDF deployed troops for several months in 2004-2005 to assist Grenada which had been badly damaged by Hurricane Ivan. The Force had previously sent humanitarian missions to Antigua, Jamaica and Montserrat in the aftermath of destructive hurricanes in those islands. The Force also participated regularly alongside other Caribbean defence and police forces in 'Exercise Tradewinds', sponsored by the United States Southern Command. The Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School, additionally, has provided training to officer cadets from Antigua, Barbados, Belize.

PUBLIC ORDER

TOTAL NATIONAL DEFENCE

The Defence Act does, indeed, prescribe for the Force to be charged with the “…maintenance of order” when required.

There must not, however, be an easy recourse to deploying troops in a public order role on the streets and villages. The Force should operate alongside the Police. It must always be in support of and never on its own.

Operations, in future, should have a clear and carefully defined mission. Troops, once their mission has been accomplished, should return to barracks. The Force must not be allowed to become part of the rural landscape. The business of public order and everyday law enforcement, such as catching criminals, is a Police task and should remain so. The Police Force, not the Defence Force, has specific responsibility, under the Police Act, for: “The prevention and detection of crime; the preservation of law and order; the preservation of the peace; the repression of internal disturbance; the protection of property; the apprehension of offenders; and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which it is directly charged…”

The GDF and GPF have operated jointly on several occasions in the past, this was usually done only after a prolonged period of joint training, the establishment of joint operations centres which often included the co-location of troops with policemen in police compounds and, most of all, a clear definition and separation of duties and roles.

This policy – Total National Defence – emphasises the need for all the elements and instruments of national power to be combined to protect our territory. This policy will, on implementation, give our regular and reserve forces the resources they need to perform their mission over the next five years. The long-term objective is to ensure that Guyanese will be able to depend on defence forces, which will ensure the safety of the citizens and the security of the country.

CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS Civil-military relations, that is, the relationship between the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Defence Force, embodies two sets of policies: the ‘institutional’, which deals with the manner in which the civilian administration formulates security policy and the ‘operational’, which deals with the military means employed to meet security threats. The objective of harmonious civil-military relations should be to develop a system which provides the best military security at the least social cost.

14 BABY who ah cry ah house and ah door ah same thing. Is Coretta a fit and proper grandmother?

Jennifer is in for a shock when she tries to embarrass Sherry.

Who is Richard Bovell? Is Shanta taking one chance too many?

Is Sherry prepared for what she finds when she and Ricky return home from work?

Cynthia is on her way back to Guyana to see her new baby niece Abigail, and to bring news from her father in The USA. Will it bring changes to her brother’s life?

Philip makes some serious disclosures to his mother that reveal why Cynthia is hostile towards her.

Don’t miss this week’s episode.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Hope Wind Farm could save $1B annually - investor

By Rabindra Rooplall INTERNATIONAL Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA), one of the investors in the Hope Wind Farm Project, says the 25-megawatt facility can reduce the country’s fuel bill by US$5 million (G$1B) annually The project was stalled under the previous administration, but is now back on the agenda.

IPA is a part of Guyana Wind-Farm Incorporated, which has once again put forward an offer which could see GoldWind of China, rated at least third in the world in the establishment of wind farms, setting up 10 wind turbines capable of generating 2.5 Megawatts of electricity each. The projected cost of the facility is US$42 million.

Lloyd Singh, the proprietor of IPA had long seen the benefits of the project, but said the initiative was frustrated by the PPP, which was in power for 23 years, but lost power to the multi-party APNU/AFC coalition last May. “Why would a former President [Bharrat Jagdeo] who was given the title Champion of the Earth for whatever he was doing on renewable energy not look at a broad base?

“This project could have been easily been picked up when an investor like myself and others came to your door begging for it and you didn’t want to deliver,” he said, in reference to the attitude of former President Jagdeo.

He said that the concept of the project is different from the Amaila Falls project which was proposed by the former administration but has since been put on hold.

“Unlike the Amaila Falls Project where the government is being asked to pay Amaila for the capacity that it builds, our deal was always to pay for the electricity the wind farm generates,” Singh stated.

Singh was at a loss as to why the PPP did not push ahead with the project.

“The Government of Guyana has zero investment, not a cent they have to put in it; [what was needed ] was just the green light and relevant documentation, a letter from GPL stating that all the electricity that the project can generate they will buy at 12 cents per kilowatt,” he said.

It presently costs GPL over 20 U. S. cents per kilowatt hour to generate electricity using heavy fuel oil.

He said that even if the government had to contribute financing for the project, it could have done so with funding from the forest-saving deal with Norway, which provides US$250 million for low-carbon initiatives.

Last year, the then Cabinet granted approval for Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), GPL Lloyd Singh and the then government to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the Hope Beach Wind Farm Project. However, the investor said the terms contained in the MoU were not feasible for the development of a thriving wind farm, since under the Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement the previous government made an unreasonable proposition, whereby the startup was expected no later than a year with a BOOT period of five years.

Now, with a fresh government in place, Singh is hoping the project could finally be realised.

“I am hoping the present administration will move as

An artist’s impression of the 25Mw Wind Farm at Hope Beach, East Coast Demerara

quickly as possible to get this project going.”

He said the project documents on the Hope Beach project is almost 12 years old, so the investors are saying that they need new data.

“We have already invested in a tower there and in another month it will be one year old; that is how long a verification tower is there for the investors. The new finding recently revealed that the new turbine towers don’t have to be 90 metres, since the wind is enough at 80 metres for generation.”

He explained that the wind vein has shown that Hope Beach has a consistent flow of wind like no other part along the East Coast of Demerara.

According to Singh, by the end of the third phase, the project could provide up to 65 megawatts of electricity.

Adding that if phase two and three are implemented, he said 65 megawatts could be added to the power grid.

Renewable energy, particularly wind, is available 24 hours x 7 days a week, throughout a year.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had determined that the project would not have a negative impact on its surroundings.

“The applications have been screened to assess the potential environmental impacts and it has been determined that an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) be conducted for the above-mentioned projects by an independent body for submission and approval by the agency,” a notice published last year in the newspapers stated.

The ESMP detailed specific measures and processes to be undertaken by the company to ensure that the proposed project is implemented in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.

Electricity can be produced by using wind turbines and wind farms. Wind turbines in recent years have become a popular form of renewable and clean energy.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

City clean-up provides new grounds for city kids

petition, played their first game on October 3 versus FE Pollard, registering a nil-all result. Their second game was against Marian Academy last Saturday, when they won handsomely 5-0.

Having expressed confidence in his Pee Wees, Coach Troy Wright has high hopes that they will win the competition come November, 2015.

“This is the boys’ dream and my dream as well.

The teams will be playing for trophies, medals and uniforms,” Wright said. It is the first time St. Agnes Primary registered to play in this competition.

Wright said, even when they are on the field he teaches them black board work, as well as field work and has threatened that anyone who fails to show interest in class work will be taken off the team.

He added that even though they are Pee Wees learning Pee Wee strategies, he also teaches them senior strategies and above all, that they should be disciplined. (Shirley Thomas)

C

Labourers at work cleaning up the Parade Ground as part of the Green City Initiative.

ITY Hall’s current extensive cleaning and draining of the city, as part of its Green City Initiative, has come as a welcome change and a breath of fresh air, especially for youths now benefiting from improved playfields, which were previously dotted with potholes and overgrown with bushes.

The Parade Ground in Middle Street, South Cummingsburg is one such facility to have benefited substantially from this mega clean-up. The exercise which commenced earlier this week entails weeding, levelling, cleaning of drains around the periphery and planting of palms around the playfield.

The ground which is used by several schools in the vicinity is known to have provided a venue not only for recreation, but serious training in various ball games such as football and volleyball for sporting clubs preparing for athletic meetings.

The St. Agnes Football group was on Thursday, the first to benefit from the freshly cleaned Parade Ground, when about 20 under-12 boys, under coach Troy Wright, touched down to undergo coaching sessions.

The group was practising feverishly for the final game in the COURTS Pee Wee Championships against Smith Memorial at Banks DIH Thirst Park.

St. Agnes Primary, new-comers to the Courts com-

St. Agnes Primary Primary Football team using to advantage the newly upgraded Parade Ground during their coaching sessions.

Prospect accident victim still hospitalised - police fail to pursue case

A 37-YEAR-old woman, struck down on the Prospect Public Road by a speeding ‘Pitbull’ minibus, overtaking another two weeks ago, remains hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

She suffered severe head injuries, a fractured pelvic bone, multiple fractures to the limbs and abrasions about the body.

But even though the victim, Odessa Sarabo, was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Hospital that afternoon, the incident seems to have escaped the memory of the investigating police.

Two weeks have now elapsed and the police have never visited her in hospital to take a statement pertaining to the accident.

Could it therefore be a case of dementia or just a plain dispassionate police rank?

Relatives of the injured woman recalled that around 15:45 hrs on September 27, she was at the pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of the Prospect Gas Station, when a minibus stopped to allow her to pass.

As she stepped off, the “Pit Bull” minibus travelling at a fast rate, came from behind, overtook the stationary bus and slammed into her.

On impact the woman was hurled about 10 feet ahead and landed on the roadway. The driver, confused, got out of the bus and did nothing to help the woman in distress, but reportedly began shedding tears and declaring that it was trouble for him, since it was not his bus.

The police arrived on the scene and took the injured and badly bleeding woman to hospital. At the hospital she was stabilised, given oxygen and prepared for evacuation to the GPH. However, her dispatch was delayed since there was no driver on duty to drive the ambulance to Georgetown.

On eventual arrival at the GPH, she was x-rayed and found to have suffered severe head injuries, a badly bruised face, multiple fractures to both legs, bruises to the left arm and the abdominal region. A CT-scan done also showed that Sarabo had sustained

The injured Odessa Sarabo a fractured pelvic bone, the effects of which she is still suffering.

The driver of the minibus that caused the accident was taken into police custody and later placed on bail. Relatives say the driver once visited the patient in hospital, but never returned. The police, on the other hand, never made the time to visit her to take a statement, leaving both the woman and her relatives to concede that they (the police and the driver) have no further interest in the matter, even though no settlement was agreed on.

17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Sweet Kendingo still has class

By Shirley Thomas BRINGING joy to the hearts of senior citizens is what Rudolph Kendall, popularly known as “Sweet Kendingo,” Guyana’s celebrated Calypsonian and guitarist likes best, and so naturally, he puts his all into it.

And since the month of October is designated “Senior Citizens” month, Kendingo for the last three years has been setting aside quality time to visit retirement homes and bring cheer to the hearts of the seniors through musical concerts. His first concert was at the Chase’s Indigent Home, Robb Street, Bourda.

Over the last two weeks, he has held concerts at no less than 10 senior citizens’ homes in the city and in New Amsterdam, Berbice - the county from which he hails. Sweet Kendingo hails from Dingwuall, Corentyne, where he began singing and playing the guitar ever since he was a lad, getting progressively better through years.

This time around, concerts in Georgetown were held at St. Vincent de Paul; Archers’ Home; Byers’ Home; Ivy Hall; Chases’ Home; Good Samaritan Home and the Dharm Shala among others.

And every occasion brings fresh, new experiences, while bringing the deeply appreciative audience abundant joy.

“I enjoy the senior citizens’ company and they in turn love my music. I strum the guitar, they sing, dance and always call for more. You should see the look on their faces. When I get that reaction I am deeply gratified, for I know that my mission has been accomplished,” Kendingo told the Sunday Chronicle.

In fact, the month of October is a period to which the seniors look forward with great expectation, so whatever he does, he’d bet-

ter be sure there’s nothing in the way to prevent him from making those musical visits to the homes.

And particularly when playing for the senior citizens, he finds using the acoustic guitar to have remarkable advantages – such as rising above the challenges posed by blackouts. Then you are able

ist singing. “I made my own drum set, and my father had a Chelo (a huge guitar-like instrument) which I played and had a whale of a time,” he recounts.

Kendingo recalls that as a teenager, he entered a GTM- sponsored music competition – “In Search of A Star” - with Ray Robinson as moderator. Initially he

in 1994 (Getting Ready).

Multi-talented Kendingo is also reputed to have been the only artiste in Guyana to have won the Calypso, Road March and Soca monarchies.

Also, in 1992, the musical icon represented Guyana in a World Soca competition in Trinidad. Again in 1996, he competed in the World Soca Monarchy in Barbados.

treatment, with their photographs appearing on the front page of a Trinidad newspaper, he proudly recalls.

OVERCOMING PHYSICAL CHALLENGES If there is one message that Sweet Kendingo would like to impart to

Seniors at Archer’s Home, ‘bitten by the music’, take to their feet as Sweet Kendingo belts out a favourite tune

to move around and meet and interact with the audience wherever they are.

MUSICAL PERCUSSION But what is amazing about Sweet Kendingo, is his vocal percussionist qualities. Strumming his guitar, he uses his mouth to make just about any sound that approximates, imitates, or otherwise serves the same purpose as a percussion instrument. And so when he begins singing, his audience is sometimes baffled to know that it’s just one man, and not a group of singers or an instrumental ensemble.

“In fact, there are very few people who can play and sing at the same time like I do.” He recalls that at the tender age of about 8 or 9, he developed percussion-

did not do so well, but in year two he made it through to the final, and from then on there was no turning back for him. He also contested and won on Bert Chancellor’s programme, ‘Teen’s Ville’ and later sang alongside the Mighty Spurwing – Patrick Cranmore.

Those were certainly great moments for him, “But admittedly, every time I sing it’s a great moment for me… whether I win or not , as singing brings expressing to one’s inner feelings,” Kendingo said. And incredibly, he has a reputation for being the only vocalist who composed his own songs.

Having entered calypso competitions since the 1980s, Sweet Kendingo has the distinction of having won three titles - in 1984 (Is facts we Facing), in 1992 (We want more Money) and

While in Trinidad, he and four others representing their respective countries were given royal

musicians and prospective musicians, it would be to “Never let physical challenges overcome you.

Keep focused and go for your goal.”

In 1978, while working as a plant operator with the electrical company, he lost four fingers on his right hand. But this did not deter him from pursuing a livelihood or his favourite social activity – playing the guitar, for which the use of his fingers is crucial.

“Yes I can play the guitar even though I have only one finger on my right hand. It’s not a finger thing. It’s what the brain is doing, and the music inside of you.”

He has also inculcated the values of never imposing his wishes on others – particularly his children. It’s okay to try to teach them something, but go around it and allow them to choose what they want to. Of the three children he has, pursuing Masters Degrees, the one who has come closest to music is a daughter who is studying Behavioural Science, but has won a golden award for dancing.

Having weathered the storm and come a long way, Sweet Kendingo now proudly asserts, “I am a technically correct singer. I have class and can sing at any range.

“If music is the food of the soul, then let the music play on!”

Staff at Archer’s Home dance to Sweet Kendingo’s music

18

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

19

20

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

21

22

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

23

24

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 11, 2015

25

26

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Ruthless All Blacks demolish France to reach semi-finals

By Nick Mulvenney CARDIFF, (Reuters)-Julian Savea scored his second hat-trick of the tournament as a ruthless New Zealand, looking every inch the reigning champions, dismantled France 62-13 yesterday to set up a

test by France and will now meet the Springboks, who beat Wales 23-19 in the first quarter-final, at Twickenham next Saturday.

Winger Savea’s triple took his tally to eight for the tournament and there was a brace for replacement Tawera Kerr-Barlow

New Zealand’s Tawera Kerr Barlow (L) runs in a tryReuters / Toby MelvilleLivepic

Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa.

In a repeat of the 2011 final, the All Blacks ran in nine tries for the biggest score ever conceded in a

with further tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder, lock Brodie Retallick, flanker Jerome Kaino and number eight Kieran Read.

French flair flickered briefly but the dominant All Blacks quickly snuffed out hopes of an upset to match those of 1999 and at the same stage in the same stadium in 2007, the only time New Zealand have failed to reach the last four of a World Cup. New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter looked back close to his best and contributed 17 points with the boot, including a single penalty in the fifth minute to open the scoring.

Fullback Scott Spedding had just brought France level with a 54-metre penalty when Retallick charged down Frederic Michalak’s clearance kick, gathered the ball on the first bounce and lumbered to the line to touch down.

Carter added the extras but that was the end of Michalak’s night and scrumhalf Morgan Parra took the short-range kicking duties to reduce the deficit to 10-6.

Parra should have cut it still further, only to miss an easy penalty, and Carter had a drop goal attempt charged down before Milner-Skudder cut inside off his wing and

turned on the afterburners to score his fifth try of the tournament.

SUBLIME OFFLOAD Carter converted and soon created a try for Savea, taking on the defensive line with a dummy, fending off his tackler and producing a sublime backhanded offload to send the hulking winger flying to the line.

France hit back seven minutes later, however, when number eight Louis Picamoles picked up a loose pass and bulldozed his way to the line for a converted try.

But the revival was short-lived and Savea pushed away two tacklers and crashed over the line in the grasp of a third to send New Zealand into the break 29-13 up.

France tore into the All Blacks after halftime but their most promising passage of play ended when Picamoles was sent to the sin-bin for pushing his fist into the face of Richie McCaw. That pretty much ended French hopes of victory and Kaino crossed before he returned with Savea completing his hat-trick with the sixth try before the hour mark.

The All Blacks looked like scoring every time they got the ball for the last 20 minutes and it was Read and Kerr-Barlow, on at scrumhalf for Aaron Smith, who put the gloss on New Zealand’s ninth straight victory over the French.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Bath 09:00 hrs Shadarpour 09:30 hrs Dream Ruler 10:05 hrs Wapping 10:35 hrs Sterling Lines 11:10 hrs Oriental Splendour 11:45 hrs Divine Call 12:15 hrs Kitten’s Red 12:45 hrs Scots Fern KEMPTON 09:15 hrs Oceane 09:45 hrs Lord Lir 10:20 hrs Midnight Shot 10:50 hrs Balinroab

Sixteens teams advance as COURTS Pee Wee prelims conclude THE preliminary stage of the fourth annual COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Schools football competition wrapped up yesterday after three weekends of action at the Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park.

Sixteen teams have qualified for the next round from the six groups with the top two teams advancing along with the four best third-place finishers.

They are St. Pius, North Georgetown, Enterprise, Stella Maris, Winfer Garden, South Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt, St. Stephen’s, St. Agnes, F.E. Pollard, Smith’s Memorial, St. Margaret’s, St. Ambrose, Comenius, St. Angela’s and Tucville.

Another emphatic performance from St. Angela’s led them to top Group F ahead of Tucville. Coming off a 9 – 0 win against Sophia last week, St. Angela’s humbled School of the Nations by a 10 – 0 margin yesterday.

They were led by Keyon Douglas once again who added four goals to the five he recorded last week.

Douglas scored in the 11th, 15th, 16th and 32nd minutes and was supported by his teammates Antonio McArthur (7th & 18th), Nickone Dover (12th & 20th), Kenroy Cadogan (13th) and Seon Carto (39th).

St. Margaret’s out played St. Ambrose 6 – 0 as Makhi Adams, recorded a helmet-trick scoring in the 3rd, 5th, 20th and 32nd minutes while Josiah King (7th & 28th) chipped in with a double.

St. Pius also won 6 – 0 in their encounter against Rama Krishna. Sherwin Nelson and Sherwin Jones both had doubles while Brandon Sellman scored once in the first half and Kishawn Fraser found the back of the net once in the second half.

Comenius and North Georgetown were awarded walk over victories against East La Penitence and St. Sidwell’s.

Enterprise sank St. Gabriel’s 3 – 0 with a goal each from Martin King, Garfield Caesar and Seon Archibald in the second half.

Stella Maris needled Winfer Garden as Keshawn Andrews produced the decider in the 29th minute.

St. Agnes won 2 – 0 against Smith’s Memorial compliments of Daniel Pollard (6th) and Mwange Smith (23rd).

Justin Bovell’s third minute goal was enough to give South Ruimveldt a win over St. Stephen’s while Tucville won 2 – 0 against Sophia. Rayheem Marques and Shaquille Sargeant accounted for a goal each.

F.E. Pollard eased past Marian Academy 2 – 1. Terrence Pearson (4th) and Jamal December (19th) scored for F.E. Pollard while Malik Barker was Marian Academy’s scorer.

West Ruimveldt’s 4 – 0 win over J.E. Burnham was carved on goals from Justin Persaud (10th), Michael Oie (15th), Delon Eastman (30th) and Tyrese Payne (38th).

11:25 hrs The New One 12:00 hrs Walden Prince 12:30 hrs Western Way IRISH RACING TIPS Cork 09:05 hrs Hatch Hall 09:35 hrs Grecian Tiger 10:10 hrs Davids Jewel 10:40 hrs Un Beau Roman 11:15 hrs Guitar Pete 11:50 hrs Flaviana 12:20 hrs Babbling Stream NAAS 08:50 hrs Schubert 09:20 hrs Gainmill Girl

09:55 hrs Lieutenant General 10:25 hrs Joailliere 11:00 hrs Mint Chai 11:35 hrs The ERyes Have It 12:05 hrs Almela 12:35 hrs Noble Inn SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:35 hrs African Dream 09:10 hrs Redcarpet Captain 09:45 hrs Your Worship 10:20 hrs Desert Sunset 10:55 hrs Estimation

27

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Bad light thwarts England as Pakistan claim draw ... Adil Rashid (5-64) helped dismiss Pakistan for 173

By Matt Smith ABU DHABI, (Reuters) England had to settle for a draw in the first Test against Pakistan yesterday after bad light ended the final day’s play with the tourists just 25 runs short of claiming a famous victory.

Chasing a target of 99 to win with about an hour’s batting remaining, England had reached 74-4 but could not beat the fading light.

Spin duo Moeen Ali and debutant Adil Rashid (5-64) had helped reduce Pakistan to 173 all out from 139-4 and Alastair Cook’s then men went on the offensive in a rejigged batting order.

Pakistan counterpart Misbah-ul-Haq responded by dotting fielders around the boundary to limit England’s scoring.

Shoaib Malik trapped Jos Buttler (4) lbw and had Ben Stokes caught on two, while Moeen (11) fell to Zulfiqar Babar as spin suddenly proved lethal on what had been a lifeless Abu Dhabi pitch during the first four days’ play.

Jonny Bairstow smashed 15 off 10 balls before being stumped by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, while Joe Root’s unbeaten 33 was nearly as brisk as England scored 74 off 11 overs. “ We c a n b e v e r y proud,” Cook said in a

television interview afterwards.

“The moment is bittersweet because when you’re only 20-ish runs short we would have liked another

at the crease for the rest of the test.

Cook laid out an aggressive field and started with seam duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad in attack.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid brandishes the ball to mark his five-wicket haul on Test debut on the fifth day in Abu Dhabi.

three overs, but we understand the decision.”

Such a thrilling finale seemed unlikely considering the soporific play that had preceded it.

Pakistan declared on 5238 on Wednesday, England then taking nearly three days to reach 598-9 in their first innings before skipper Cook called on the hosts to bat again mid-Saturday morning.

FINAL DAY Starting 75 runs behind, Pakistan’s task was to remain

Anderson bowled Shan Masood (1) in his first over, the opener scuffing the ball onto his wicket as England’s two dozen boisterous fans serenaded their idol.

Four deliveries later, Malik walked after lofting Anderson’s bouncer to Jonny Bairstow at short leg.

Pakistan’s first innings hero was out for a duck and his team were reeling on 3-2, 72 behind.

Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Pakistan’s record run

Strict security arrangements for Kennard’s Turf Club Boxing Day meet COME December 26, there will be very strict security arrangements in place for the staging of the Annual Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Horse Race meet.

This is according to Justice Cecil Kennard, who in an invited comment told Chronicle Sport that on `Boxing Day’ turfites will not be allowed to encroach the racing track at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to Justice Kennard, there will be additional police presence to prevent what transpired a few weeks ago when the Rising Sun Turf Club staged its President’s Cup meet which saw several persons sustain injuries after they had run into the path of the horses.

Meanwhile, the feature race of the day will be for horses classified `A’ 3 and Lower over a one-mile distance.

The winner will receive $1M while the other top three finishers will earn $500 000, $250 000 and $125 000 respectively.

Four six-furlong races are also on the

day’s card with the first one being for horses classified `E’ and Lower with first prize money worth $500 000. Second-, third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $250 000, $125 000 and $62 000 respectively.

Class `I’ horses will also cover a distance of six furlongs with the winner receiving $220 000. The second-, thirdand fourth-place finishers will earn $110 000, $55 000 and $27 000 respectively.

The other six-furlong race is for horses classified H1 and Lower threeyear West Indies-bred.

The winner will collect $259 000.

A one-mile race is also billed for the day and is open to horses classified `G1’ and Lower with the winner carting off $300 000, while the other top three finishers will receive $150 000, $75 000 and $38 000 respectively.

The races are run under the Rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority and horse owners are being reminded that they must pay at least $5 000 for each horse they enter for a race.

scorer Younis Khan then steadied the hosts as the afternoon session progressed before a misunderstanding and some brilliant fielding ended their 44-run partnership.

Hafeez nicked the ball to the covers and Younis called a quick single. Hafeez fatally hesitated and Ben Stokes dislodged the non-striker’s bails from 20 yards.

Pakistan were now 473. Veteran Misbah, 41, and Younis went defensive, Pakistan making nine runs in the 10 overs following the run out as they reached 102-3 at tea.

The match seemed likely to fizzle out, but then England’s Rashid came to the fore.

The leg-spinner had entered Test cricket infamy in the first innings, his bowling figures of 0-163 the worst ever by a debutant.

Unperturbed, he first drew Younis into lofting an easy catch to Stokes and then removed Asad Shafiq (6) via wicketkeeper Buttler’s gloves.

Zulfiqar Babar (1), Sarfraz Ahmed (27) and Imran Khan (0) were all caught by an agile Anderson at slip off Rashid.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings 523 for 8 decl (S. Malik 245, A. Shafiq 107, M. Hafeez 98; B. Stokes 4-57) England 1st innings (Overnight: 569-8) A. Cook c Masood b Malik 263 M. Ali c S. Ahmed b I. Khan 35 I. Bell c Hafeez b Riaz 63 M. Wood b Riaz 4 J. Root c S. Ahmed b R. Ali 85 J. Bairstow lbw b Riaz 8 B. Stokes b Malik 57 J. Buttler c Shafiq b Babar 23 A. Rashid b I. Khan 12 S. Broad not out 17 J. Anderson not out 3 Extras (b-7 lb-7 nb-11 w-3) 28 Total (for 9 wickets declared, 206 overs) 598 Fall of wickets: 1-116 M. Ali,2-281 I. Bell,3-285 M. Wood,4-426 J. Root,5-443 J. Bairstow,6-534 B. Stokes,7-549 A. Cook,8-563 J. Buttler,9-590 A. Rashid Bowling:- R. Ali 28 - 1 - 86 – 1, I. Khan 27 - 7 - 74 – 2, Z. Babar 72 - 17 - 183 – 1, W. Riaz 37 - 3 - 125 - 3(nb-11 w-3), A. Shafiq 7 - 0 - 19 – 0, S. Malik 35 - 4 - 97 – 2.

PAKISTAN 2nd innings M. Hafeez run out (Stokes) 34 S. Masood b Anderson 1 S. Malik c Bairstow b Anderson 0 Y. Khan c Stokes b Rashid 45 Misbah-ul-Haq b Ali 51 A. Shafiq c Buttler b Rashid 6 S. Ahmed c Anderson b Rashid 27 W. Riaz c Bairstow b Ali 1 Z. Babar c Anderson b Rashid 1 R. Ali not out 0 I. Khan c Anderson b Rashid 0 Extras (b-3 lb-2 nb-2) 7 Total (all out, 57.5 overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-3 S. Masood,2-3 S. Malik,3-47 M. Hafeez,4-113 Y. Khan,5-139 A. Shafiq,6-159 Misbah-ul-Haq,7-165 W. Riaz,8-168 Z. Babar,9-173 S. Ahmed,10-173 I. Khan Bowling: J. Anderson 10 - 3 - 30 – 2, S. Broad 8 - 5 - 8 – 0, M. Wood 7 - 2 - 29 - 0(nb-2), A. Rashid 18.5 - 3 - 64 – 5, B. Stokes 7 - 4 - 9 – 0, M. Ali 7 - 0 - 28 – 2.

ENGLAND 2nd innings (Target: 99 runs) M. Ali c Malik b Babar 11 J. Buttler lbw b Malik 4 J. Root not out 33 B. Stokes c Hafeez b Malik 2 J. Bairstow st S. Ahmed b Babar 15 I. Bell not out 5 Extras (lb-2 w-2) 4 Total (for 4 wickets, 11 overs) 74 Fall of wickets: 1-13 J. Buttler,2-29 M. Ali,3-35 B. Stokes,4-66 J. Bairstow Did not bat: A. Cook, A. Rashid, S. Broad, M. Wood, J. Anderson Bowling: Z. Babar 5 - 0 - 27 - 2(w-1), S. Malik 4 - 0 - 25 – 2, W. Riaz 2 - 0 - 20 - 0(w-1) 5

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Late Du Preez try sends Springboks into semi-finals

By Justin Palmer LONDON, (Reuters)-Captain Fourie Du Preez’s late try sent South Africa into the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after a tense 23-19 victory over gallant Wales at Twickenham yesterday.

The Springboks produced a moment of magic six minutes from time, catching Wales napping when Duane Vermeulen peeled off the back of a scrum and the big number eight’s brilliant offload sent scrumhalf Du Preez scampering over in the corner.

Twice winners South Africa, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals

by Australia in 2011 and began this tournament with a shock defeat by Japan, will meet holders New Zealand or France next weekend.

“It was an awesome

feeling, it was tight game, I’m just delighted,” said Du Preez. “We just needed to keep pushing, I could see some of their guys lying down.

“We’ve got two more games, we’ve learned from the Japan game.”

Flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked five penalties and a drop goal for the Springboks with Dan Biggar landing 14 points for the Welsh, whose brave defensive effort came up just short.

Wales showed more creativity than in their final pool defeat to Australia a week ago, scoring a fine first-half try through Gareth Davies, but their injury-hit tournament finally caught up with them.

“Gutted not to get through but we can leave the pitch with no regrets,” said Wales captain Sam Warburton.

“It was back and forth all match and we knew it would come down to fine

margins or the last five minutes.”

A brutal contest was

Fourie du Preez of South Africa (R) celebrates with team mate Bryan Habana after scoring a try against Wales during their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham in London, United Kingdom, yesterday.

Reuters/Eddie Keogh

surprisingly open from the start, although it developed into a cagey and tense affair.

Pollard’s three penalties gave South Africa a 9-3 lead but Wales hit back thanks to a moment of brilliance from Biggar.

The flyhalf, making the most of fullback Willie Le Roux’s hesitancy, gathered his own up-andunder in the Springbok 22 and, with Davies on his shoulder, offloaded for his halfback partner to crash over after 17 minutes.

Pollard’s fourth penalty from a tight angle put South Africa ahead again as the game became scrappy a Biggar drop goal right on halftime put the Welsh 13-12 up.

The change of ends and a swirling wind appeared to initially affect Pollard and he was twice wayward with penalty attempts before

nailing a drop goal from in front of the posts after Biggar had stretched the lead to four.

Wales captain Sam Warburton came up with a crucial turnover five metres from his line as the Springboks upped their intensity, piling into the rucks time and time again, only to be repelled.

With both sides tiring and somewhat ragged, the decisive moment came moments after an angry Biggar trudged off remonstrating with his own medical staff.

Wales appeared to lose concentration in the ensuing scrum in their own 22 and an alert Du Preez pounced to secure the semi-final place.

“At the end of the day South Africa hung in there, got one chance and they took it and that was the result,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

‘ICL powerless’, Cairns told Adams CHRIS Cairns allegedly told the New Zealand players that he attempted to recruit to his match-fixing operation that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) was powerless to stop their actions, according to Andre Adams, the latest witness to give evidence in Cairns’ perjury trial in London.

Adams, who was speaking via videolink, played for the ICL franchise, Kolkata Tigers, in the 2008 tournament and alleged during his testimony that Cairns had made the remark during a dinner in India, although he could not recall the actual words used.

“I can remember Chris saying: ‘If there was

match-fixing, what can they do? How will they get anyone? It is not a sanctioned event,” Adams told the court. “I cannot remember the exact words but it was something like ‘how will they ever prove it?’”

The prosecution argue that Cairns, who denies two counts of perjury and perverting the course of justice, was so confident of his standing within the game, and among the players he attempted to recruit, that no one would dare to speak out against him.

“For us and beyond he was a leader, certainly one of my heroes,” Adams told the court. “He took time out for me when I was struggling

in 2006-07 and talked to me about my game. In New Zealand he was certainly a hero but in India he was like a god really.”

Adams added that he had subsequently been approached by Lou Vincent at a café in Manchester’s Trafford Centre during the summer of 2008. Vincent, who was banned from cricket last year after admitting to match-fixing, reportedly told Adams of an “opportunity”.

“You do not have to do it but you can make some money here,” Vincent said.

“I do not want you to miss out.”

Vincent, who admitted in his own testimony

Chris Cairns is alleged to have told Andre Adams that the ICL could not prevent match-fixing

Swiss suggest their FIFA probe could take five years ZURICH, (Reuters)-Switzerland’s Attorney General has suggested that an investigation into alleged corruption at soccer’s Swiss-based governing body, FIFA, could take five years.

“Realistically, in all big investigations, longer than five years is bad,” Michael Lauber told SRF radio in an interview broadcast on Saturday. “It always depends on how the parties to the investigations work with the attorney general.”

Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber

Lauber said last month the probe, which began in March, had not yet reached the half-way mark.

FIFA’s awarding of the 2018 and 2022 competitions to Russia and Qatar is one of the strands his office is investigating.

It has also opened a criminal investigation into FIFA President Sepp Blatter, a move that has led FIFA’s ethics committee to suspend him.

Lauber told SRF that the level of FIFA’s coop-

eration with his office had been good but could still be better.

He also said the OAG was currently not investigating the bidding for the 2006 World Cup. The German news weekly Der Spiegel reported on Friday that German soccer officials had used a slush fund to win votes and land the hosting rights, something German Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach denied yesterday.

earlier in the week that he had been suffering from depression at the time, was, according to Adams, in a “pretty fragile” mental state. Adams added that he had not reported his friend because he feared the consequences of such an action.

“I just went along with it really,” Adams said. “I did not feel like it was the time or place to make him feel like he had done a bad thing. Technically our time was up and we were outcasts in internationals ... I just said: ‘Okay, whatever, send it through and I will look at it’, but I never intended to have a look.”

“I felt like if I had reported him ... it might be the straw that broke the camel’s back. I did not want to push him to the edge.”

Kyle Mills, who also took the stand via videolink on Friday, added that he had been “gobsmacked” when Brendon McCullum, the current New Zealand captain, told him of Cairns’ alleged attempt to recruit McCullum to his operation.

McCullum admitted the approach to his then teammates, Mills and Daniel Vettori, in 2009, who two years later advised him to report it to the ICC’s anti-corruption officials following a briefing in Bangladesh.

“I was pretty gobsmacked with that information alone,” said Mills.

“He [McCullum] and Chris Cairns had met and asked Brendon if he could be involved in spot-fixing and that he himself was involved in it.”

Sasha Wass QC, the prosecutor, then asked Mills to clarify whom he had been referring to with the word “himself”. Mills replied “Chris Cairns”.

Though he admitted to have been “taken aback” by the revelation, Mills said that he had left the situation in McCullum’s hands. His brother, Heath Mills, is the chief executive of the New Zealand Players Association, but Kyle Mills said he did not divulge the information to him either.

Under cross-examination by Orlando Pownall QC for Cairns, Mills said that Daryl Tuffey, another player whose name has been linked to Cairns’ alleged operation, was not a cricketer about whom he could remember anything suspicious.

“Not in those games. I have enough to worry and look out for in playing for your country. Nothing was suspected of Daryl in those games.”

The case has been adjourned until 9.30am on Monday. (ESPN Cricinfo)

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Robert Selman is first recipient of RHTY&SC Dolphin Award -Gizmos and Gadgets THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) has officially unveiled its highest club award, the Dolphin Award of excellence with the first recipient being Guyana Beverage Company’s General Manager Robert Selman.

The award, will be handed out to 10 persons yearly who are seen as integral figures in the development of youth and

sport, was officially unveiled shortly before the first was handed to Mr. Selman.

Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the RHTY&SC Hilbert Foster reminded that Selman has been one of the more important figures in the development of youths, adding that the obvious choice was the longstanding administrator of the GBC. In receiving the award, Mr. Selman thanked the RHTY&SC for the way

Guyana Beverage Company’s Robert Selman receives his Dolphin Award of Excellence from Ravi Kissonlall

Ravi Mangar, the proprietor of the Gizmos and Gadgets, receives his Dolphin Award of Excellence from Mark Papannah.

that they have held the company’s name high during sponsored tournaments and wished them well in the future He also indicated that he is committed to continuing the sponsorships of the RHTY&SC and other organisations throughout the remainder of the year and reminded that they are all about developing sports.

Mr. Selman revealed that on an annual basis, the company doles out close to 3

Young Warriors take home Nasir Memorial Trophy YOUNG Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje won the first-ever Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club/Bakewell Naeem Nasir Memorial 5-Overs Cricket Tournament at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

Playing in front of a large crowd, the visitors had to put up a strong fight against surprise finalists Rose Hall Town Bakewell “B” before winning by six wickets with four balls to spare.

Consisting of mainly Under-15 players, Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ had shock victories over Belvedere United and Rising Star Cricket Club of West Demerara in an unexpected path to the final.

Batting first after losing the toss, Rose Hall Town ‘B’ reached 30 for 4 off their allotted five overs as Hector George and Junior Sinclair top-scored with ten each.

Bowling for Young Warriors, Linden Austin and Kassim Khan each claimed a wicket each.

In reply, the experienced

Young Warriors found themselves two wickets down for no runs as the massive crowd erupted as the Rose Hall Town ‘B’ players played beyond their youthful years.

Anderson claimed a wicket each.

Young Warriors received the winning prize of $100 000 and the beautiful Naeem Nasir Memorial Trophy,

Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Hilbert Foster hailed the tournament as a remarkable success and as a perfect tribute to the memory of the late Bakewell

The victorious Young Warriors Cricket Club Opener Martin Singh used all his experience to score 19 not out to lead Young Warriors to 31 for 4 of 4.2 overs.

Kassim Khan was unbeaten on five while Brandon Prashad and Kevlon

Rose Hall Town Bakewell ‘B’ collected $40 000 while Rising Star pocketed $25 000 for the 3rd place. Martin Singh was named Man-ofthe-Final and received a trophy and $5 000.

Secretary/CEO of the

Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

The longstanding Secretary/CEO praised the teams for their discipline on and off the field and also for the high level of cricket played.

million dollars as it relates to sponsorship of sporting events.

Meanwhile, the RHTY&SC handed over its second award to Ravi Manger, the proprietor of the Gizmos and Gadgets business in Guyana.

The third award is expected to be handed to President David Granger next Sunday at a special RHTY&SC ceremony in Berbice.

Windies Women lose to Pakistan in first ODI GROS ISLET, St Lucia, (CMC) –West Indies Women succumbed to Pakistan Women by six wickets despite a patient half century from Merissa Aguilleira in their first One Day International (ODI) at Gross Islet here on Friday night.

Aguilleira, the former captain, compiled the top score of 67 to bring West Indies back into the match after they slumped to 96 for five, sent in by Pakistan.

Javeria Khan hit 90 to guide the visitors as they successfully chased the 223 set by West Indies with eleven balls to spare to take a one nil lead in the four match series.

Openers Kycia Knight (16) and Hayley Matthews (14) got West Indies off to a decent start with a 28 run opening stand but both players lost their wickets in quick succession.

New captain Stafanie Taylor scored 27 and Deandra Dottin 19 to stabilize the innings in a 37 run third-wicket stand before the hosts against lost quick wickets to be reduced to 96 for five.

However wicketkeeper Aguilleira struck five fours in an unbeaten knock to revive the innings and with Britney Cooper, who scored 37, got Windies past 150.

The homeside was able to plunder 66 off the last 75 balls to end on 222 for nine.

Pakistan got off to a solid start with Javeria and Marina Iqbal putting on 54 for the first wicket in 83 balls.

Javeria put on partnerships of 49 and 79 for the second and third wickets with Bismah Maroof (21) and Nain Abidi (31) as Pakistan inched closer to the target.

Dottin was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with two wickets for 44 runs while Stacy- Ann King, who scored 20, leaked 22 runs but ended with the prize scalp of Javeria who was caught by Mohammed.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Herath spins Sri Lanka to big win over Windies ––Herath takes 10 wickets in match

(REUTERS) - Sri Lanka needed less than four days to thrash West Indies by an innings and six runs in the opening Test at Galle yesterday with Rangana Herath leading the victory charge by claiming his fifth 10-wicket haul.

The touring side, who have never won a test match in Sri Lanka, were bundled out for 227 in their second innings in the afternoon session, after being asked to follow on by the hosts.

Herath added three wickets to his previous day’s removal of opener Kraigg Brathwaite (34) after claiming six victims in the first innings to finish with match figures of 10-147.

Three of the 37-year-old’s landmark hauls have come at Galle, the venue for his test debut against Australia more than 16 years ago.

“When I play here, there is always something for me as a spinner,” Herath said after picking up the man of the match award. “That’s the main

reason (for my success).”

Debutant all-rounder Milinda Siriwardana and paceman Dhammika Prasad picked up two wickets apiece in the second innings for Sri Lanka.

Jermaine Blackwood played some delightful shots and showed nimble footwork against the spinners during his knock of 92, his second highest score in Tests, but was the last man out.

After resuming on 67-2, West Indies lost nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo (10) in wily left-arm spinner Herath’s third over and then experienced batsman Marlon Samuels was out lbw off the first ball he faced.

Samuels did not offer a shot to a straight delivery and more surprisingly, decided to waste a review by challenging the umpire’s decision.

The bowler’s hat-trick ball was fended away by Blackwood.

West Indies’ hopes of avoiding a heavy defeat rested on Darren Bravo

(31), who scored a 50 in the first innings, but the left-hander edged Nuwan Pradeep behind after captain Angelo Mathews’ decision to allow the paceman one more over was vindicated.

“We had a lot of things to learn,” West Indies captain Jason Holder, leading the side for the first time in tests, said.

“We did not put enough runs in our first innings total and struggled again in the second innings.

“We did create chances but we just didn’t take them. If we had held our chances I think the game would have been lot different.”

Blackwood and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin (11) stitched together a dogged 48-run stand for the sixth wicket before Siriwardena ended the pair’s resistance when Ramdin edged a catch to Kaushal Silva at second slip.

The second match of the twoTest series starts in Colombo on Thursday.

Jermaine Blackwood fell eight runs shy of a century in a brave effort to avert the innings defeat but the West Indies were bowled out for 227.`

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1st innings 484 (D. Karunaratne 186, D. Chandimal 151; D. Bishoo 4-143) West Indies 1st innings 251 (D. Bravo 50; R. Herath 6-68) West Indies 2nd innings (Overnight: 67-2) K. Brathwaite lbw b Herath 34 S. Hope b Siriwardana 6 Da. Bravo c K. Perera b Pradeep 31 D. Bishoo c Mathews b Herath 10 M. Samuels lbw b Herath 0 J. Blackwood c K. Silva b Prasad 92 D. Ramdin c K. Silva b Siriwardana 11 J. Holder run out (Mathews) 18 K. Roach st K. Perera b Herath 5 J. Taylor lbw b Prasad 5 S. Gabriel not out 7 Extras (lb-3 nb-3 w-2) 8 Total (all out, 68.3 overs) 227 Fall of wickets: 1-18 S. Hope,2-60 K. Brathwaite,3-74 D. Bishoo,4-74 M. Samuels,5-88 Da. Bravo,6-136 D. Ramdin,7-172 J. Holder,8-178 K. Roach,9-189 J. Taylor,10-227 J. Blackwood Bowling: D. Prasad 9.3 - 3 - 28 - 2(nb-2 w-2),R. Herath 22 - 5 - 79 – 4, N. Pradeep 14 - 1 - 28 – 1, M. Siriwardana 12 - 1 - 60 – 2, T. Kaushal 11 - 3 - 29 - 0(nb-1).

Guyana Softball Cup 5…

Steve’s Jewellery continues tradition with MVP prizes ONE of Guyana’s leading jewellers, Steve’s Jewellery, has renewed its commitment to the country’s premier softball competition, the Guyana Softball Cup, by once again providing the much sought-after Most Valuable Player prize.

Two beautiful gold and diamond bracelets, which have become quite iconic of the Guyana Softball Cup, will once again be at stake in the fifth edition of the tournament, owing to the generosity of the Church Street-based jewellery establishment.

The MVP of both the Open and Masters categories will have their wrist adorned with the intricately crafted pieces, which were presented to officials of the competition’s organising body, the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA), by proprietor of Steve’s Jewellery, Steve Naraine, on Saturday.

According to Naraine, the two bracelets have been created using Guyana’s finest minerals, and the lucky players can be assured of being in possession of a quality piece of jewellery.

A former president of the GFSCA, Naraine said his company will continue to support the Guyana Softball

Cup, which will be held from October 30 to November 1 this year, featuring top local and foreign teams.

He wished the players well in their endeavours to cop the coveted MVP award, while he also expressed confidence that the tournament will be

Naraine has always been a staunch supporter of softball cricket, and the Guyana Softball Cup in particular, ever since its inception in 2011.

The GFSCA official also used the opportunity to encourage members of the public

all systems are falling into place, and another successful competition is in the making.

He revealed that a total of 24 teams will compete in the two categories, including top teams from North America, who are expected to arrive in Guyana shortly.

is aiming to surpass the achievements of the previous four years in terms of spectators’ involvement and the handsome rewards at stake for the players.

The champion team in the Men’s Open is guaranteed a whopping $800,000 first prize and a huge trophy, while the losing finalist will have to settle for $200,000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ division, the winning team will pocket $600,000 with the runner-up assured of $150,000. The Man-ofthe-Match in both finals will receive a trophy.

On the day of the final, apart from three return tickets to Barbados, compliments of Survival Travel Agency, there will be lots of hampers and giveaways for spectators.

Wolf ’s Warriors and Floodlights are the defending champions of the Open and Masters categories, while the previous champions were Trophy Stall (Open) and New York Better Hope (Masters) in 2013, NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday October 18, 2015) Proprietor of Steve’s Jewellery, Steve Naraine (left), presents the bracelets to GFSCA member Dharam Persaud in the presence of GFSCA Vice-president, Ricky Deonarain another huge success.

GFSCA executive member Dharam Persaud said the association is extremely grateful for the contribution from Steve’s Jewellery, noting that such a prestigious MVP prize can only serve to inspire the players to perform to their full potential.

Persaud noted that

to witness the games, adding that there will be lots of giveaways for spectators on the day of the finals, November 1, at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.

Meanwhile, Vice-president of the GFSCA, Ricky Deonarain, in giving an update on preparations yesterday, pointed out that

The Guyana Softball Cup commenced in 2011 and instantly became a hit with players and fans alike, attracting massive crowds and also putting some hard earned cash in the pockets of those who entertain with bat and ball on the field.

This year promises to be even better, as the GFSCA

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 Thursday’s quiz:

Jerome Taylor-15 wickets Kumar Sangakkara-918 runs

Today’s Quiz:

What was the margin of Sri Lanka’s first Test victory over WI in the current series?

Who top-scored for SL in the first Test of the current series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE October 18, 2015

Commander Hicken elected GFA President GUYANA Police Force (GPF) ‘A’ Division Commander Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken received eight of the ten votes up for grabs to edge the slate headed by former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Christopher Matthias.

The elections, held at the Sleep Inn International Hotel on Brickdam yesterday had Santos, Sunburst Camptown, Houston Stars, Flamingo, Beacons, Western Tigers, Northern Rangers, Guyana Police Force and .Black Pearl as the participating clubs.

The elections, based on the constitution of the GFA, was done via a slate system with Hicken as president, Aaron Fraser vice-president, Frank ‘English’ Parris vice-president General Secretary Charles Greaves, Althea Scipio as treasurer and assistant secretary/treasurer Lloyd Millington.

Matthias’ slate which lost to the Senior GPF official included Mark Phillips as vice-president, vice-president Akram Sabree, Stephen Joseph General Secretary, Adepemo Peters treasurer, Aduke Woolford in the capacity as assistant secre-

‘A’ Division Commander Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken elected GFA president.

tary and Charmine Wade as assistant secretary treasurer.

Matthias ‘Walk Out’ It was not smooth sailing at the elections and in keeping with the custom of previous GFA elections that all ended in chaos.

Matthias, and his running mate Wade raised a concern about the eligibility of a few clubs whom they said did not reach the requirements set by the GFA to participate at the elections.

However, Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling sited sections of both the present GFA and

GFF constitution which would have suggested the clubs could only not be members if they were expelled from the Association.

Urling’s quote from the GFA and GFF constitution which gave clearance to all the clubs didn’t find favour with Matthias and his group since they told the gathering that they are not withdrawing from the elections but rather leaving the proceedings.

It was interesting to see also, that none of the clubs present made any objection or to back Matthias’ claim and they all, after the former GFF president left,

voted in favour of Hicken.

Hicken in his first address to the clubs after being voted in as President, said that he’s looking forward to working with them all, even the ones that didn’t vote for his slate, to use the GFA to help in the development of the game in Guyana.

He added that under his stewardship, a line of discipline will be drawn and clubs and their players will have to fall in line.

The ‘A’ Division Commander pointed out that a meeting with the new executive will be convened shortly to charter the way forward.

Paul PalmerJr. to lead new-look Jamaica Scorpions in PCL THE Jamaica Scorpions, new name and all, will be lead into the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League (PCL) for the first time

by Paul Palmer Jr. While the team is playing in the league’s second instalment, the unit had no name before and were called the Jamaica Franchise.

The Jamaica Franchise was led by Tamar

Lambert, long-time Jamaica captain, who now finds himself out of the national setup.

There was also no place for Leeward Islands wicketkeeper-batsman Devon Thomas who had sought a pay-for-play contract with the Jamaican outfit. Young Guyana batsman Trevon Griffith was also left on the sideline.

Of the players from other Caribbean islands No place for young Guyana batsman Trevon Griffith

GMR&SC returns to Little Daytona IN celebration of 60 years of motor racing in locally, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will today hold a motorcade to Number 63 Beach in Berbice, where racing in Guyana started.

The motorcade will feature both cars and bikes taking the journey to the 63 beach where they will be on exhibition.

Vice-president of the Club Shairaz Roshandin indicated that enthusiasts are excited about the idea of the return to venue where racing in Guyana was birthed.

He explained, “The Berbice Bridge has come on board with us as a sponsor to give us free passes over the bridge.

However, you must go down to GMR&SC ( Thomas Lands) where you will be given a sticker to put on your vehicle that will allow you that pass.”

“All In all, we expect something like 15 vehicles going up tomorrow and again we must thank the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry for joining forces for this event,” the V-P continued.

The motorcade will depart the GMR&SC’s premises at Albert Street, Thomas Lands, Georgetown at 9:30 hrs today and proceed to Number 63 Beach, Berbice with police escorts.

On returning, the motorcade will stop at the K&K Service Station in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

This will mark the start of the countdown of the club’s premier events, the hosting of the final leg of both the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) and the National Race of Champions (Guyana’s local championship) set for November 14-15.

hoping to get in with the Scorpions, only Kirk Edwards, the 30-yearold Barbadian who has played 17 Tests for the West Indies made the cut.

Palmer, now 23 years old, also skippered Jamaica’s under-19 outfit previously.

The left-handed opener is making his first appearance for a Jamaican outfit at the senior level.

And leads a young team that will look to the likes of Edwards, Carlton Baugh Jr, Nikita Miller and David Bernard Jr for guidance.

The other members of the squad are; John Campbell, Brandon King, Chadwick Walton, Andre McCarthy, Damion Jacobs, Marquino Mindley, Jason Dawes and Nicholson Gordon.

(Sportsmax.com)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

DCC sinks GCC to reclaim Carib Beer T20 title DEMERARA Cricket Club (DCC) defeated the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by 26 runs to reclaim the Carib Beer T20 first division title at the DCC ground, yesterday.

Shurfane Rutherford was adjudged the man-of-the-match for his entertaining performance with the bat and ball. He blasted a quick fire 37 from 20 balls which included three fours and as many sixes in the DCC total of 170 all out, from their allotted overs.

Kevin Boodie (40) top scored for the home team open-

ing the batting with Brian Sattaur (10). Sattuar departed with the score on 19 then Jamal Hinckson (01) followed six runs after. The skipper Christopher Barnwell (10) did not stick around for long either which brought Rutherford to the middle with Boodie.

The two National Under-19 batsmen put on a 66-run partnership that spiked the run rate and made way for another little cameo.

However, GCC claimed three wickets in the space of

The 2015 Carib Beer T20 Champions, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), pose with their accolades after sinking GCC in the final yesterday at the DCC Ground. (Adrian Narine Photo)

St. Angela’s Keyon Douglas tussles to win possession against a School of the Nations defender. (Adrian Narine Photo)

GCC’s Ronaldo Ali Mohammed is bowled by Ashmead Nedd in the Carib Beer T20 final. (Adrian Narine)

three runs as Rutherford was the first to go on 109. Boodie followed with the score on 110 while Jahron Byron (01) was dismissed on 119.

The wicketkeeper Kemol Savory spanked 34 from 13 balls with three boundaries and three maximums down the order to shift the weight of the match even as wickets continued to fall.

Dennis Squires pitched in with 10 while Paul Wintz made 7.

Ronsford Beaton led the bowling for GCC with 3 – 38 while Leon Johnson bagged 2 – 29. Raj Nanan and Devon Lord supported with one wicket each.

GCC struggled in reply after a poor start. Openers Jeetendra Sookedeo (08) and Vishaul Singh (04) along with Johnson (05) were all removed cheaply before Raymond Reifer and Robin Bacchus tried to stage a recovery.

Reifer rounded up 38 from 36 balls while Bacchus was stopped on 20 facing his 19th delivery. Ronaldo Ali Mohammed was removed without scoring while Nanan turned in 17 from nine balls. Reifer fell and took the score to 110 – 7. Not long after the asking rate became more than GCC could offer.

Elon Fernandes battled for his 21 late in the order while Anthony Adams (05) and Devon Lord (01) were unbeaten when the overs expired with GCC on 141 - 8.

Under-15 National Ashmead Nedd, Rutherford and Squires shared two wickets a piece while Barnwell had one.

Sixteens teams advance as COURTS Pee Wee prelims conclude

See story on page 26

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

KEYON DOUGLAS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2015