Guyana chronicle 06 08 14

guyana No. 103911 wednesday august 6, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Family Pit Bulls maul woman in her Lamaha Springs yard

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The pair after they had made their mischief

Attendants preparing Carter’s body, right where it fell outside her apartment, to take it to the mortuary

Gov’t says ...

Laurie Lewis Speaker’s ruling exposes wrote, mailed his lack of impartiality Teekah death threat Lisa Punch to party Page 3

––on move to take AFC MPs before Privileges Committee

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with Guyana Festival

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- Crime Chief Leslie James tells Rodney Commission

Stabroek News must accept that Freedom of the Press is not the right to freely assume the readiness of any political party to contest any elections!

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Family Pit Bulls maul woman in her Lamaha Springs yard

By Leroy Smith

TWO vicious male Pit Bull dogs yesterday savaged 51-year-old Joan Carter in the Lot 232 Lamaha Springs and

Henry Avenue yard she had shared with her brother-in-law and his wife.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the woman had moved into

the property approximately three months ago, and had never been fond of the ferocious beasts. She would usually lock herself away from them whenever they were loosed in the yard.

She was reportedly sweeping the yard at the back of the main house yesterday, where she had built herself a small cottage, when tragedy struck.

It is unclear how the dogs got out of their kennel, but according to eyewitnesses, one of the dogs approached the woman and she began fending it off with her broom, and they immediately attacked her.

Eyewitnesses said Ms Carter valiantly fought the dogs, but was overpowered by them, and succumbed to her injuries at her doorstep as she was trying to make her way back into the home.

This newspaper was informed that the woman had had some amount of mental problems, and had indicated to her sister and brother-in-law that she was not very

The pair after they had made their mischief

The house where the incident occurred

see page 13

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Gov’t says ...

Speaker’s ruling exposes his lack of impartiality ––on move to take AFC MPs before Privileges Committee PRESIDENTIAL Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira last evening said that the ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman not to send Alliance For Change (AFC) Members of Parliament before the Privileges Committee is not surprising and demonstrates the Speaker’s lack of objectivity.

Teixeira had written to the Speaker citing reasons why AFC member Cathy Hughes and Khemraj Ramjattan should be placed before the Privileges Committee.

In the letter to the Speaker, details of Parliamentary Procedures and standing order 107 were stated, which says: “A Member of Parliament is not allowed to appear before the Assembly or any Committee thereof as counsellor or solicitor for any party or in any capacity for which he or she is to receive a fee or reward”.

During a press briefing last evening at Office of the President, Teixeira said, in the case of Ramjattan, it was noted that one of the bidders for the Specialty Hospital was his client, and when the bidding process was ongoing he voted for the project in the National Assembly.

Teixeira in her letter to the Speaker pointed out that after Ramjattan’s client lost out in the bidding process, he voted against the project in 2013, and again during the consideration of the estimates for the 2014 National Budget.

“At no point did Ramjattan do what he should have done, which is to declare his pecuniary interest in the matter before the House.”

Without even calling a meeting with the MPs, Teixeira who is also the Government’s Chief Whip said the Speaker issued his ruling stating that no prima facie case has been made out against Ramjattan.

While in his ruling the Speaker acknowledged Standing Order 107, he stated that the matter “is old” and therefore should not be considered.

The Speaker also ruled that a prima facie case has not been made out against Hughes, and while standing order 107 was acknowledged in Ramjattan’s case it was not acknowledged in Hughes’ case.

Teixeira in her letter pointed out to the Speaker that Hughes was handling the Public Relations for Sithe Global, and at no point did she publically declare her position that she was benefiting from such arrangement and her voting pattern in relation to the Amalia Falls project.

“The issue, whether

the public knew or whether the newspaper covered it, the Member of Parliament has to be honourable and get up and say I have an interest and declare it in the House.”

According to the Presidential Advisor, again the Speaker pointed out that this issue occurred a while ago. Teixeira said there is no time frame for which one can raise an issue to the Speaker hence there is no basis for the Speaker’s ruling as it relates to both issues being ‘old’.

“I am not surprised by the ruling. These are his party members and I’ve said and I quote, ‘The mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it’. The Speaker is for the opposition, at no point do I believe that we will be given such an opportunity

to bring matters.”

The Presidential Advisor added that when she penned the letter she strongly believed, and she still believes that there was a case that could be made out that an MP had not been honourable.

“Going to the Privileges Committee is obviously to make complaints to deal with a person’s ethics, and whether one brings the parliament into disrepute or one violates the norms, he has commented and I’m totally unimpressed.”

In response to a question about the Speaker asking for evidence in the matter of both Ramjattan and Hughes, the Government’s Chief Whip said that according to parliamentary procedures, she nor anyone else, when

indicating a desire to have someone appear before the privileges committee is not required to give support evidence or document.

Teixeira pointed out that when the A Partnership For National Unity’s (APNU) Member Carl Greenidge moved his motion against Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh for the restoration of money cut from the National budget he did not provide evidence or documents to support why Dr. Singh should be called before the Privileges Committee.

“I will say we are absolutely shocked and disappointed at the lack of impartiality. We all know how he got where he got too, so he has to be a good Speaker.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Israel withdraws troops, 72-hour Gaza truce begins (Reuters) - ISRAEL withdrew ground forces from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday and started a 72-hour ceasefire with Hamas mediated by Egypt as a first step towards negotiations on a more enduring end to the month-old war.

Minutes before the truce began at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT), Hamas launched a salvo of rockets, calling them revenge for Israel’s “massacres”. Israel’s anti-missile system shot down one rocket over Jerusalem, police said.

Another hit a house in a town near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. There were no casualties.

Israeli armour and infantry left Gaza ahead of the truce, with a military spokesman saying their main goal of destroying cross-border infiltration tunnels dug

by Islamist militants had been completed. “Mission accomplished,” the military tweeted.

Troops and tanks will be “redeployed in defensive positions outside the Gaza Strip and we will maintain those defensive positions”, spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Lerner said, reflecting Israeli readiness to resume fighting if attacked.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the Islamist

Hamas faction that rules Gaza, said Israel’s offensive in the densely populated, coastal enclave was a “100 percent failure”.

Israel sent officials to join talks in Cairo to cement a longer-term deal during the course of the truce. Hamas and Islamic Jihad also dispatched representatives from Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his decision-making security cabinet to discuss the aftermath of the fighting, officials said.

In Gaza, where some half-million people have been displaced by a month of bloodshed, some residents, carrying mattresses and with children in tow, left U.N. shelters to trek back to neighbourhoods where

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Palestinians look at destroyed houses after returning to the Shejaia neighbourhood, which witnesses said was heavily hit by Israeli shelling and air strikes during the Israeli offensive, in the east of Gaza City August 5, 2014

whole blocks have been destroyed by Israeli shelling and the smell of decomposing bodies fills the air.

Sitting on a pile of debris on the edge of the northern town of Beit Lahiya, Zuhair Hjaila, a 33-year-old father of four, said he had lost his house and his supermarket.

“This is complete destruction,” he said. “I never thought I would come back to find an earthquake zone.”

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Visiting International Red Cross President Peter Maurer, responding to local criticism that his organisation was late in helping some victims, said “we were insufficiently able to bridge the gap between our willingness to protect them and our ability to do so”.

The head of Israel’s southern command reassured residents who had fled southern Israeli towns when

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fighting erupted that it was safe to return home, though some remained unconvinced the threat of attack tunnels and rockets from Gaza had been wiped out.

Several previous truce attempts by Egypt and other regional powers, overseen by the United States and United Nations, failed to calm the worst Israeli-Palestinian fighting in two years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

No more Increased cooperation in education between minority MPs China and Jamaica GOVERNMENT next week will debate legislation in Parliament to provide for a runoff poll in elections so that MPs can only take their seats in the Lower House if they obtain more than 50 per cent of the votes

will be elected and who will now come under the revised constitutional provisions for being recalled by their constituents, that they should start their term of office as MPs on the basis of being minority winners. “That will

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal review a document during yesterday’s opening of the fifth session of Parliament.

Photo: Shirley Bahadur

cast in their constitue n c y. P r i m e M i n i s t e r Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced this planned legislation, which only requires a simple majority vote for passage, during yesterday’s opening of the first and last session of the current tenth Parliament. The session is the final one leading up to a general election, nine months off.

On the proposal to ensure all MPs are elected o n a m a j o r i t y, t h e P M said: “This measure reaffirms democracy and ensures the balance of power is always tipped in favour of the people, not the government. “Over the years, we have seen so many candidates get elected to this House on the basis of winning less than 50 per cent of the votes cast.

“It would be unfair to future candidates who

only serve to strengthen any persons who may wish to use the revised recall process for ulterior motives.” She added: “It is necessary to protect against this by having all MPs elected on a majority basis.”

Persad-Bissessar also said legislation for a two-term limit for the Prime Minister, a right of recall of non-performing MPs and fixed dates for elections were coming soon. She said the m o v e s w e re t o e n s u re t h e P e o p l e ’s P a r t n e rship administration kept more of its 2010 manifesto promises Citing background work on the issue by the Constitution Commission, she said the bill to be laid was based on the recommendations and amendments to the Constitution set forth in the commission’s report and post-script report.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- BILATERAL cooperation in education between Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China has advanced significantly since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1972.

China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Dong Xiaojung, said over 600 Jamaicans have either been awarded scholarships to study or participated in training programmes in the Asian country over the 42year association.

Another 11 students have been awarded scholarships this year, and are scheduled to depart the island “very soon”, he said, while adding that “a significant number of Jamaican teachers will be teaching English in China.”

Ambassador Dong was speaking at the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the

Palisadoes Park headquarters of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), which will facilitate the introduction of a Chinese language training programme at the institution.

He noted that Chinese nationals have also benefitted, with six sports coaches receiving scholarships awarded by the Government of Jamaica, to study at the G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sports in St Catherine.

This gesture, he said, was extended by Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, during her visit to China in August 2013. He advised that all six coaches recently completed their training courses and graduated from the college.

Ambassador Dong also highlighted the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus in St Andrew in 2009.

The non-profit educational institution seeks to, among other things, promote the Chinese language and culture, and is the first such established in the Caribbean.

It was officially opened by then Chinese Vice President, Xi Jinping, during a state visit to the island.

“The Confucius Institute has expanded and now it has four affiliated classes in high schools, familiarizing Jamaican students and the general public with Chinese culture. The institute has really become a bridge for mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Jamaica peoples,” the Ambassador pointed out.

He said there have also been exchanges between Education Ministry officials from both countries, with Minister Rev Ronald Thwaites visiting the Asian

country in 2013, and China’s Vice Minister, Du Zhanyuan, reciprocating in June, this year.

Ambassador Dong said that Rev Thwaites’ visit to his country was “fruitful,” which led to the signing of a cooperative MoU when Vice Minister Du visited Jamaica in June.

In addition to the increased cooperation in education, the Ambassador pointed to advances in bilateral trade, and economic and technical cooperation, active cultural and sports exchange, and mutual support in international affairs.

“I am confident that the China-Jamaica people exchange and education cooperation will (yield for) you high (dividends) in the future, (through) our joint efforts,” said Ambassador Dong.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

The correlation between 30 pieces of silver and a seat in Parliament DR. CHEDDI JAGAN delighted in the young Walter Rodney because they both shared similar visions, and both were men of peace who cared enough about their fellow human beings not to pursue the credo that the end justifies the means: so it was highly impossible for Rodney to sanction, as Dr. Jagan never did, a civil war in Guyana, because both abhorred the idea of Guyanese killing fellow Guyanese, even if it meant their reaching their ultimate goal of restoring democracy to Guyana; so the assertion that the WPA was amassing arms for the forcible removal of the Burnham administration is an opportunistic strategy to validate the PNC and the assassination of Walter Rodney for personal gain, and to justify alliance with the persons and the party practically everyone is convinced were complicit with and thus equally culpable of Rodney’s murder.

Rodney was a Pan-Africanist, not an African supremacist, because while he was empathetic to the socio-political and economic demographics of his ancestral forebears, like Dr. Cheddi Jagan, he was foremost a humanist and thus a human rights activist extraordinaire. So it was, as aforementioned, highly impossible for him to encourage or be part of any plan to unleash violence in a country where he was fighting to restore the human rights of the citizens; and he was too sensitive and brilliant not to envisage the destruction to life and property civil war brings to any

country.

This was highlighted in a speech Dr. Rodney delivered in Georgetown in 1976, where he said, inter alia: “… we have had too much of this foolishness of race. No ordinary Afro-Guyanese, no ordinary Indo-Guyanese can today afford to be misled by the myth of race. Time and time again it has been our undoing.

“Does it have anything to do with race that the cost of living far outstrips the increase in wages? Does it have anything to do with race that there are no goods in the shops? Does it have anything to do with race when the original lack of democracy as exemplified in the national elections is reproduced at the level of local government elections? Does it have anything to do with race when the bauxite workers cannot elect their own union leadership? Does it have anything to do with race when, day after day, whether one is Indian or African, without the appropriate party credentials, one either gets no employment, loses one’s employment, or is subject to lack of promotion?

“It is clear that we must get beyond that red herring and recognise that it is intended to divide, that it is not intended in the interest of the common African and Indian people in this country. It is time that we understand that those in power are still attempting to maintain us in that mentality maintain us captive in that mentality where we are afraid to act or we act injudiciously because we believe that our racial interests

are at stake.

“Surely we have to transcend the racial problems. Surely we have to find ways and means of ensuring that there is racial justice in this society. But it certainly will not be done by a handful of so-called Black men monopolising the power, squeezing the life out of all sections of the working class, and turning around and expecting that they will manipulate an issue such as the Arnold Rampersaud affair and get the support of ordinary black people because we will say, ‘After all; is only an Indian. We could hang him. No sweat.’

“Because, as I said before, you start with one thing, you end with another. The system doesn’t stop at racial discrimination.

Because it is a system of class oppression, it only camouflages its class nature under a racial cover. And in the end, it will move against anyone, irrespective of colour. In the end, they will move even against their own. Because, don’t believe if you are a member of that party today, that you will be protected tomorrow from the injustices.

Because when a monster grows, it grows out of control. It eats up even those who created the monster. And it’s time that our people understood that.”

Dr. Cheddi Jagan always believed in shared governance; and that is why, for the general good, he always offered ‘critical

support’ to the despised, unconstitutional PNC administration whenever there was need for collaborative efforts to guard the nation’s interests.

He mourned all his life the destruction of the unity of the Guyanese people by Machiavellian, opportunistic forces – in and out of then British Guiana; and in the emergence of the leadership of the like-minded Walter Rodney he recognised the inherent promise of bridging the divides that inhibits the Guyanese nation from achieving its full potential for progress and prosperity in a peaceful country. The bonds that were forming between the veteran and emerging leaders of the working class, Drs. Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney, threatened the despots who always use the race card to divide the people and retain power, so Rodney was ruthlessly eliminated from the equation; and they did so by winning his trust in the notorious Gregory Smith, who strategised his destruction.

Today he is once more being destroyed by someone he trusted: So what is the correlation between 30 pieces of silver and a seat in Parliament? Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver and Rodney is being betrayed for a seat in Parliament.

Annand Goolsarran never respected Guyana’s Constitution WHEN did Annand Goolsarran become versed in Constitutional matters that now excuses his failure to table Guyana’s audited accounts under the PNC regime?

Goolsarran has been using his weekly column in the Stabroek News as a pedestal of self-aggrandizement.

His latest attempt at self-

promotion has been to speak about the constitutionality of the tabling of the Financial Paper 1/2014. Judging from his dissection of the Constitution I can only conclude that he relied on his friend and fellow anti-Government cohort, Christopher Ram, as Goolsarran himself is incapable of understanding basic legal language and

instruction.

If one differs that Goolsarran had to rely on his friend to write about the constitutionality of the Financial Paper, one just need to look back to the years he was Auditor General under the PNC government. Goolsarran failed, repeatedly to table the country’s audited accounts.

It can only be assumed that

he did not understand his legal obligations in keeping with the Constitution under 223 (3) which mandate the Auditor General to submit his reports to the Speaker to be laid before the National Assembly.

So now that Goolsarran has some understanding of his legal responsibility while he held the post of

Auditor General , maybe he can finally do the right thing and submit to the Parliament those outstanding legal documents!

Unless he fulfills his legal obligations, he should not propagate himself as an authority of any credibility to speak on matters which he has a demonstrated record of failure.

Goolsarran need to remember that his past is so publicly stained, anything he attempts to speak about taints any semblance of credibility.

As the old adage goes: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

ANDREA SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Guyana’s population issues not recent

–Zero, strongly negative growth were features from the mid-1970s

LIKE many others, my attention terval of the last two censuses – the growth rates were 2.8964% for the was caught by Dr. Clive Thomas’ average inter-censal growth rate; 1946 to 1960 period, and 2.2756% article, entitled “Guyana’s recent (ii) the population in 2012, as pro- for the 1960 to 1970 period. Then population bombshell”, which jected from each census year and there is, the significant fall in appeared in the August 3, 2014, the preceding census figure. the growth rate of about 1.5% to edition of the Stabroek 0.7953% over 1970 to News newspaper. I want 1980, and a further fall of Schedule I (Amended) Census 1831 - 2012 to extend appreciation to about 1.2% to - 0.4391% Dr. Thomas for presentfor the 1980-to-1991 peAverage Annual Inter-censal Projected Population ing to us, in his Schedule riod. There is a significant I, the listing of our census reversal of this decline Census Population Growth Size in figures for the census in population growth, of Year Size Rate (%) 2012 years from 1921 to 2012. about 0.8%, to + 0.3402% 1831 98,000 Nonetheless, I proffer over the 1991-to-2002 that on studying those period, followed by a de1921 297,691 +1.2422 915,357 same figures, our populacline of about 0.4% to 1931 310,933 +0.4361 442,350 tion issues are not recent, – 0.0446% over the 2002and the 2012 figure is to-2012 period.

1946 375,701 +1.2694 863,803 no “bombshell”! Zero To e m p h a s i z e t h a t 1960 560,330 +2.8964 2,473,145 there is no “bombshell” and negative population growth rates were fea1970 701,718 +2.2756 1,805,432 in the population decline tures from the mid-1970s. over 2002 to 2012, allow 1980 759,567 +0.7953 978,717 Indeed, if there was a me to point out that, as 1991 723,673 - 0.4391 659,790 “bombshell” in Dr. Thomfar as numbers go, the as’ Schedule I, it would inter-censal decline of 2002 751,223 +0.3402 777,178 have been the indicated -0.0446% over 2002 to 2012 747,884 - 0.0446 747,884 increase from 98,000 in 2012 is just one-tenth of 1921 to 310,933 in 1931. the - 0.4391% inter-cenThis posed so many quessal decline of the 1980-totions that I checked it with the Let us examine the column of 1991 period!

Bureau of Statistics – there was a average annual growth rates beThe biggest decline in growth, transcription error; 98,000 is the tween census years (intercensal, to “bombshell” if you wish, occurred figure for 1831, the census figure use Dr. Thomas’ word). There are during the 1980-to-1991 period. for 1921 is 297,691. two periods of negative growth, all Dr. Thomas’ analysis about the Allow me to reproduce below others are positive.

2002-to-2012 period, would be no a corrected version of Dr. Thomas’ We may take the growth rates less cogent, and applicable to the Schedule I, with two additional as a rather coarse indicator of how 1980-to-1991 period. Indeed, if columns:good people are feeling about the one projects the 1960-1970 growth (i) the calculated, average annual outlook for life in Guyana, whether rate beyond 1970, the 1980 populapopulation change during the in- so or not, the highest intercensal tion would have been hit already

by mid-1974. I make the case that the really exceptional out-ward migration happened during the mid-1970s-to-1991 period.

And so, I proffer this interpretation of our series of census data, after the end of immigration and the repatriation of immigrants from India. “Our population was growing significantly from 1931, with a projection in 1960 of about 2.5 million in 2012. However, growth stalled in the mid-1970s, and reversed unto 1991. Growth resumed over the 1991-to-2002 period, but stalled again and turned to a much smaller negative over 2002 to 2012.” A correlation with what was happening politically in our country was obvious.

The question now is what will happen over 2012 to 2022, and onwards, whether the same degree of out-ward emigration that is indicated for the mid-1970s to 1991, will return – time will tell.

Allow me, as I close, to say that I put forward herein my interpretation of our census data, not primarily to differ with Dr. Thomas (as I do, looking at the long-term trend, rather than limited to the 2002-to-2012 period, as Dr. Thomas preferred), but to generate discussion, and to help incline our minds to questions of our country’s growth and development, a job that we are still to get down to, sufficiently. I join Dr. Thomas in noting “the release by the Indian

Arrival Committee (IAC)” which, using the series from 1960 of per capita GDP figures for Guyana and Singapore, sounded the alarm that we have lost decades in the per capita GDP measure of growth and development.

For me, what was indicated is the need for a wide and detailed study and comparison of Guyana and Singapore, from about the end of World War 11 to the present.

Interestingly, BBC World recently presented a number of items on Singapore. With respect to the subject at hand - population growth and size - it was stated that Singapore, a small city- state, has now a population of about five million, with forty percent (40%) of its citizens being immigrants born in some other country. Perhaps, we should reconcile ourselves to many of our citizens emigrating to seemingly greener pastures, reaching for the stars, sharing their hard-won earnings with and sending us remittances; and we, in turn, can throw open our doors to whomsoever sees opportunity here with us in Guyana, developing Guyana to our mutual benefit, for, indeed, we all do affirm these days that the world is one, and all humanity is one!

SAMUEL A.A.HINDS, O.E., M.P. Prime Minister

COMMENTARY...

Thoughtless and illogical

By David De Groot

DAVID Granger ’s congress speech, delivered as leader of the PNC/R, must be considered as most thoughtless and shamelessly illogical.

How can he speak of: ● Consultation in the National Assembly, when all they have practised in Parliament is outright bullyism and dictation? ● The 2011 Elections showed that the people are dissatisfied with the PPP/C, yet the very PPP/C defeated all other political parties? ● High unemployment and underemployment rates, when he voted against and thereby denied the opportunity for creating vast employment which the Hydro-Electric Amaila Falls Project offered? ● Narco-trafficking and money laundering, when he con-

sistently, without giving reason, fails to support the very bill on money laundering, and in the process exposes the whole country to international scorn and ridicule? ● Illegal firearms, when he failed to support the Government’s proposed legislation on increasing the penalties for the very illegal firearms of which he speaks, especially in view of the fact that a delegate was openly carrying an illegal weapon at the just-concluded PNC congress, and even firing it within feet of Granger?

These are some of the reasons that make the congress speech by the ill-equipped political leader illogical and thoughtless. One either has intellect or one does not; and the speech is certainly without any intelligent input.

Granger and his followers are gravely mistaken if they believe that the electorate can be fooled with attractive sounding dialogue. The sum total of his long diatribe only served to remind all right-thinking, loyal Guyanese of those horrendous 20-odd years of PNC/PNCR misrule over the affairs of this country, which placed Guyana at the very bottom of developmental graphs, alongside Haiti, with economic ruin.

Guyanese, in those horrendous years, have had to contend with shortages of basic food items, like flour,

milk powder, potatoes, split peas; absolutely poor salaries and wages; endemic unemployment in a depressing national environment caused by run-down social services, including health, education, absolutely no housing, a collapsed road network, perpetual lack of transportation services, water woes, electricity shambles. And topping the list of economic woes was a treasury with constant impecunious problems and the entire country running afoul with IMF-established principles.

Indeed, we had a bankrupt country under the rule of PNC/PNC-RIG. What preposterous effrontery these adherents of Burnham’s policies have in presenting themselves as capable personalities to run this country!

What a forlorn hope that is; unless we find ourselves as a nation of masochistic people.

Never again, I say, must we permit this wonderful, beautiful country to fall into the hands of these imposters.

Our country is on the right development trajectory in the hands of the PPP/C. We must recognize that we will be turning back to those awful days of poverty if we subsume our country’s administration to the PNC/APNU.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED

Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo

Laurie Lewis wrote, mailed Teekah death threat - Crime Chief Leslie James tells Rodney Commission

- Confidential Special Branch Memo identifies Laurie Lewis’ handwriting SECRET Police Special Branch files made public yesterday for the first time reveal how and why Guyana sank to rank with Haiti as the poorest country in the Americas under the Government of the People’s National Congress (PNC), leaving the nation still struggling to recover from the stigma even to this day.

Dark paranoia, political conspiracy, death threats and State violence show up in Police files containing secret information of the repressive days of authoritarian rule under the PNC government in Guyana.

Police files that Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Leslie James made available to the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry reveal the depths of shocking paranoia and deep suspicion that underlined how the PNC Government ruled Guyana, and perceived political opponents.

Although Counsels and Commission members at the Presidential Commission grapple with the shock Crime Chief Leslie James of the vast amount of records missing from the Guyana Police Force (GDF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the files that do show up have unearthed how grotesque the PNC dictatorship became in seeking to maintain its grip on authoritarian political power.

Crime Chief James submitted two damning documents to the Commission that show how disturbed and paranoid the PNC dictatorship acted.

James’ Police Special Branch files show that on December 21, 1979, a Confidential Memo, labelled SF 1827, with marking ‘A. C, 100/18/3’, from the Office of the Commissioner, Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, to the Special Branch, said the following, under the letter reference: “Threat letter to Mrs V. Teekah”: “I forward the attached copy letter for your information and necessary action. I ought to let you know that the original, which is with the Asst. Commissioner ‘Crime’ was rec’d from the Post Office and sent on to the Police.”

Below that letter is a hand-written note with the initials “RS”: “This is Laurie Lewis’ handwrit-

ing. Treat as WPA target.” The document bears two signatures, with dates of 20 and 21 December, 1979. The one page is also stamped and dated.

Senior Superintendent James told the Commission yesterday that the ‘Memo’ at reference refers to another document in files found at Police Special Branch. This other document is a handwritten note, bearing the mark 1826. It reads as follows: “Mrs TEEKAH (sic), We are going to kill you just like we did your husband. He was a traitor to the Guyanese people, and he deserved to be shot.

We are observing you, and very soon we will kill you. We will kill all traitors of Guyana. No one will be spared, including Forbes Burnham. Look out for us.”

The death threat is signed ‘The Red Brigade (Guyana Branch)’.

Crime Chief James confirmed, following a direct query from Commission member Seenath Jairam, that the Confidential Memo, labelled 1827, referred to the handwritten note numbered 1826, in identifying the note as Laurie Lewis’ handwriting.

‘Teekah’s husband, Vincent Teekah, died on October 24, 1979 under suspicious circumstances, and widespread allegations ever since have implicated the PNC in his assassination. He was Minister of Education in the PNC Government at the time of his murder.’

The evidence at the Commission has stunned the Guyanese nation, as it reveals that the Guyana State machinery, under the PNC Government, and through the Guyana Police Force and Laurie Lewis, plotted, conspired and executed death threats, and framed others for the crime.

The files tendered into evidence at the Commission point to Laurie Lewis as the one who wrote the death threat letter to Mrs Vincent Teekah, signing it as ‘The Red Brigade (Guyana Branch)’ to frame the crime as someone else’s.

Counsel Latchmie Rahamat questioned Senior Superintendent James extensively yesterday afternoon, and resumes examination this morning.

Yesterday, Counsel Selwyn Peters intervened to ask the Commissioners whether the Crime Chief should be admitted as an Expert Witness, but Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham denied this. Counsel for the PNC at the Commission, Basil Williams, repeatedly objected

to Rahamat’s questions, but failed to establish enough grounds for the Commissioners to deny Rahamat direct answers from the Crime Chief to her questions. This was, however, deferred to this morning’s resumption of the hearing.

The day saw the stunning revelation of the Crime Chief tendering documents proving that Laurie Lewis, then Head of Intelligence for the Guyana security forces, issued a death threat to Mrs Teekah.

LIST OF ASSASSINATIONS Teekah’s husband, Vincent Teekah, died on October 24, 1979 under suspicious circumstances, two months before the Lewis death threat letter was issued. Widespread allegations ever since have implicated the PNC in Teekah’s assassination. He was Minister of Education in the PNC Government at the time of his murder.

Teekah’s assassination joins a list of people killed under suspicious circumstances in Guyana in the 1970s and early 1980s. These assassinations, murders and mysterious deaths were never investigated or probed. They include that of Dr Wa l t e r R o d n e y, who was assassinated when a bomb exploded in his car as he sat in the front driver’s seat, with his brother, Donald Rodney in the seat next to him.

Donald Rodney was wounded in the blast, but escaped and told the world what happened to his brother on that fateful day, June 13, 1980, when the bomb blast rocked GuyLaurie Lewis ana with the worst political assassination in the history of the Caribbean, and plunged this nation into perpetual political turmoil.

That mystery lay dormant for 34 years, until President Donald Ramotar acceded to a special request from Rodney’s widow, Dr Patricia Rodney, to convene a Commission to inquire into how and why her husband, an international scholar and accomplished histosee page 9

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

Former PNC MP James McAllister details how the leadership would rig elections

––but David Granger maintains ignorance of this dubious practice OLD KAI already knows what he will give Opposition Leader David Granger for Christmas, a supply of Ginko Bilboa, to improve his memory until the next PNCR Congress. It appears that everyone knows about the methods employed by the PNCR leadership to rig the outcome of its electoral process, except of course Mr. Granger.

The latest person to come forward is James McAllister, a former PNCR Member of Parliament and a member of the party’s accreditation committee prior to being sidelined because he fell out with the then leadership of Robert Corbin, the man currently seen as the puppet master behind Granger’s leadership.

In an article appearing in the Guyana Times, August 2, 2014 edition, McAllister discloses that, “Once the contest becomes one for [the] party leader, then the entire system becomes highly undemocratic. In this case, Mr. Granger’s team was responsible for processing members’ applications and compiling the Voter’s List.”

We are then told that McAllister disclosed that the system is rigged in favour of whoever is the party leader, in this case Mr. Granger, especially if there is a

serious challenge to his post during a Congress.

The Guyana Times article then goes on to quote him outlining the extent of the rigging, using the troubles of Linden delegates as an example. It was first noted that groups would submit their membership, which is accepted. They would then submit the nominations and once a majority was for Norton, “then the profiling started”.

McAllister added that “…based on the distribution of nominations across the country, membership numbers were adjusted… to ensure that groups that nominated Mr. Granger were entitled to more delegates than that of the groups that nominated Norton .”

So as to out-manoeuvre the Congress Place riggers, he related that “…some of his (Norton) supporters were advised to nominate Granger to avoid the administrative backlash that normally follows submission of nominations not favoured by the status quo.”

However, anticipating this, the PNCR leadership ensured that “…changes were continually being made to the list during the Congress as supposedly Norton supporters were identified.”

This may probably explain why the accreditation committee which was selected by David Granger and his team, only met together for the first time in 2 years, on the day before the actual voting.

It therefore is no surprise that they were all returned to office, after the challengers pulled out citing a flawed electoral process, with Granger and crew on the other hand holding out for dear life that there was no rigging or padding of the voters list.

If Guyanese are to consider believing Granger, he must first answer this question posed by McAllister, “Imagine if the PPP had the authority to identify and appoint all GECOM Commissioners and could change the Voters’ List at their whim, would Mr. Granger call that a fair process? How would he deem an election held under such conditions?”

In closing, James McAllister has an ominous warning for all Guyanese, especially PNC/R members: “It is clear that the process was not fair…for them to arrogantly maintain it was fair and flawless would suggest to some that they are people who, once given power, would hold onto it at all cost.”

Laurie Lewis wrote, mailed ... from page 8 rian, was killed.

The Commission is probing the socio-political atmosphere and conditions in Guyana during the 1978-1980 period in Guyana’s history, when the distinguished professor was killed. He was at the time engaged in a populist mass resistance against the PNC Government.

During testimony on Monday last, Counsel for the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Christopher Ram, put on record during his cross-examination of veteran political activist, Karen De Souza, the fact that the period in question also witnessed the Jonestown massacre, in which 978 Americans died at the hands of a religious cult in the hinterland of Guyana.

These brutal and unsolved mysteries could all see light shed on why they occurred around that time in Guyana’s history, as the Commission of Inquiry unfolds.

The Commission Secretariat and researchers have accessed several hundred pages of secret files from foreign governments relating to the political, economic and social condition

and atmosphere of the 1978 to 1980 period in Georgetown, and the repressive rule of the PNC Government.

Yesterday’s testimony revealed the depths to which the PNC Government stooped, with intense surveillance of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the WPA. Dr Rodney was leader of the WPA when he was assassinated, but the Commission saw testimony reveal several Vincent Teekah other WPA leaders were also under intense surveillance, including women’s activist Joycelyn Dow.

Commission Chairman Sir Richard has asked that records be unearthed to show the list of names of PPP and WPA leaders that the PNC Government, through the guyana Police Force and the GDF, had subjected to shadowy surveillance.

Despite missing Police and Army files, the Commission is gathering steam, and the dramatic heat rises with every hearing.

Evidence has revealed that seven Police files at Special Branch on Dr Rodney are missing, along with Dr Rodney’s overall personal file.

One senior analyst said there is sinister, clandestine reasons why top military and Police leaders maintained files and secret surveillance on restive political leaders advocating for a democratic Guyana, and these reasons would be revealed in due course at the Commission hearings.

The Commission resumes this morning at the High Court in Georgetown, with global live streaming Online through the website of the National Communications Centre (NCN).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Stabroek News has a hidden political agenda –but we are on to them PPP...

THE following is a statement issued by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) condemning attempts by the Stabroek News to deliberately mislead the public as to why the Government is unable to hold Local Government Elections post-haste.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) strongly condemns attempts by the Stabroek News to deliberately spread misinformation and distortions about the facts surrounding the non-holding of the long overdue Local Government Elections.

The Party has noted the newspaper’s Page One comments, and its attempts to besmirch the Party and Government by continuously printing comments and statements from the Opposition political party and other entities which are closely

aligned to the parliamentary combined Opposition political parties.

Stabroek News has been transformed into a political organ, and therefore can no longer refer to itself as an independent daily newspaper. Its postures on critical issues pertaining to local government elections has exposed its efforts at fulfilling the wishes of politicians opposed to the PPP Party and Government.

By utilising its front page, the Stabroek News is pursuing a hard-line political agenda against the Government by publishing statements, and even making declarations about the need for local government elections without sufficiently publishing the facts surrounding the delay in holding these elections.

The P.P.P. is of the firm

belief that the S.N. is in serious breach of the journalistic ethics governing the industry by adopting an outright biased position, thus placing the newspaper objectively on the side of the political Opposition.

It is for this reason that we believe that the classification of the newspaper as an “opposition media” is justified, as it continues to neglect and downplay the Government’s explanation as to why these elections have not been held, and why they cannot be called with haste.

The Stabroek News has ignored the Party’s mounting concerns about the state of preparedness of the Guyana Elections Commission to hold elections in a fair and free manner without causing widespread disenfranchisement to thousands of Guyanese.

In light of these developments, the PPP found it necessary to formulate and publish for the benefit of readers a background brief on the holding of Local Government Elections in Guyana July 30, 2014.

BRIEF BACKGROUND ON THE HOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the PPP/C Government have always, and will continue to agitate for the holding of Local Government Elections. When Dr. Jagan led PPP/C won the General and Regional Elections in 1992, President Jagan, immediately set a target to have Local Government Elections, which were due since 1968, held as soon as possible, POSTPONEMENT OF LOCAL GOVENRMENT ELECTIONS (1997) • Local Government Elections were last held in 1994, the first time under the 1980 Constitution and was constitutionally due again in 1997, the same year in which, National and Regional Elections were constitutionally due.

HOLDING OF GENERAL & REGIONAL ELECTIONS 1997 ► The Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM), based on our country’s legislation, was engaged in preparation for the holding of General and Regional Elections.

Thus, Local Government Elections were re-scheduled to a later date. ► The holding of General and Regional Election takes precedence of Local Government Elections.

AFTERMATH OF ELECTIONS 1997: BAD LOSERS TOOK TO THE STREETS 1997 ► Unfortunately, after the results of the National and Regional Elections were announced, the then PNC Party took to the streets and created mayhem. ► Recall, the number of stores which were looted, buildings destroyed by ar-

sonists, the number of persons who were robbed, assaulted and raped by these so called protestors, parading the streets of Georgetown under the direction of leaders of the PNC. These destabilizing actions, all attributed to losers who misguided their supporters with propaganda of victory, which resulted in the intervention of CARICOM, (3 wise men). ► Consequently, the Hermanston Accord was brokered, which among other things, required that Constitutional Reform be undertaken and completed before the next National and Regional Elections. It must be noted that the Constitutional Term of Government was reduced from 5 to 3 years. It is of extreme importance that we do not lose sight of these facts and the relevance to the holding of Local Government Elections. ► A forensic audit was undertaken by CARICOM. The findings validated the results declared by GECOM. Simultaneously, CARI COM’s “Good Officers” were engaging key political functionaries from the PPP, PNC and other political parties in Guyana.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM (1998-2001) ► The Revised Constitution required that Local Government Reform be undertaken before the holding of Local Government Elections.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE (2001-2008) ► Thus, a bi-party Local Government Task Force was established in 2001, with two co-chairs, one from the PNC and the other from the PPP. ► This Task Force after labouring for 9 years, finally in 2008, indicated to His Excellency, the president of the Cooperative of Guyana and Mr Corbin, Leader of the PNC that it had completed most of its mandate, (not all), but cannot proceed any further due to lack of consensus on some issues.

BILLS TAKEN TO THE 9TH PARLIAMENT (Select Committee) 2009

● The PPP/C Government, once again, conscious of the need to hold Local Government Elections, sought the assistance of the AttorneyGeneral’s Chambers and tabled the following Bills in Parliament in 2009: 1. The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill.

2. The Local Government Commission Bill.

3. The Local Government (Amendment) Bill 4. The Fiscal Transfer Bill.

5. The Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill. ● All these Bills were referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee. ● The first Bill completed by the Committee was the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill. This Bill was assented to by His Excellency in September 2009 and paved the way for GECOM to commence preparation for the holding Local Government Elections. ● It must be noted that since 1997, this was the closest Guyana was to, once again, holding Local Government Elections. ● The PNCR and other Opposition MPs on this Committee were very selective in their attendance at the Select Committee resulting in only PPP/C MPs being in attendance most of the time. ● The Select Committee has completed an additional 2 Bills in approximately one year, as was stated earlier with little or no attendance from the Opposition MPs. ● If these Parties were serious on having the reform process completed then they should have made adequate use of the opportunities provided at the level of the Select Committee and in the Parliament.

PREPARATION FOR THE HOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2007-2010 ► In January 2008, GECOM commenced a new House to House Registration exercise in preparation of an updated National Register of Registrant Data base. This was as a result of the signing of an MOU by the Political Parties in Parliament in the presence of the Diplomatic Turn to page 12

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

GDF Medical Corps partners with UG students in outreach at Plaisance THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Monday said that a six-member Medical Corps team partnered with students of the University of Guyana’s Social Work Unit to bring medical services to residents of Plaisance in the compound of the Plaisance Seventh Day Adventist Church.

A press release stated that the students are members of the Social Work Theory and Practice Course, who are enrolled in UG’s Diploma in Social Work programme.

The release said also that student and Group Leader, Ms. Carol Harding heaped praise on the members of the GDF team, saying, “They

GDF Sergeant Geralda Jeffery as she attends to a visitor at the recent medical outreach partnered by UG students and the GDF

dispensed their duties very professionally.”

During the random blood sugar testing, they demonstrated that personnel in military uniform could be warm and caring, the GDF stated.

“We were very happy with the collaboration, and although we were expecting the dental team, the full participation and professional service of the team on the ground eroded our disappointment,” Course Lecturer, Ms. Barbara Thomas-Holder said. She added that from the reports she received, the partnership with the GDF was definitely a very positive and productive undertaking.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Stabroek News has a hidden...

Community at the Office of the President. ► This updated Database was intended to be used as a base for the holding of Local Government Elections. ► The PPP and the PPP/C Government stood ready to move the process forward so that the Elections be held in 2010, as proposed. This was a further testimony of their commitment to local democracy.

CLAIMS AND OBJECTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS (January – February 2010) ► The Local Authorities

Elections (Amendment) Bill was assented to by his Excellency in September 2009 and paved the way for GECOM to move on with the holding of the Local Government Elections. ► The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development published an order declaring the number of seats on each Council (LAA) and the number of PR and First Past the Poll Seats in each Council. ► GECOM commenced demarcation of Constituency boundaries. ► With 2 Bills remaining at the Select Committee, the PNCR and AFC demanded that the Reform process be

completed before the holding of Local Government Elections. ► The process was discontinued at the request of the then Leader of the Opposition. ► The 9th Parliament ended and only one Bill was fully completed.

RETABLING OF BILLS IN 10TH PARLIAMENT: June 2012 ► The 4 Bills were updated based on the work of the Select Committee and were Re-tabled in the 10th Parliament in June-July 2012. ► Bills were referred to Select Committee, which had a majority of Opposition

members and was controversially chaired by Opposition member, Basil Williams. ► Constant manipulation, unwillingness to heed advice, listen and learn and lack of knowledge of the existing legal framework for Local Government by members of the Opposition resulted in some of the Bills being unacceptable since some of the contents conflicted with existing Laws including the Constitution of Guyana. ► The Select Committee completed its work in July 2013 just before recess.

BILL ASSENTED TO BY HIS EXCELLENCY ► The Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill.

Year 1997 1998-2000 2000-2008 2007-2008 2008 2009-2010 2010

From page 10

► The Local Government Commission Bill. ► The Fiscal Transfer Bill. ► The Municipal and District Council (Amendment) Bill.

BILL ASSENTED To BY HIS EXCELLENCY ► Local Government (Amendment) Bill PRESENT SITUATION ► The PPP and the Government is concerned over the manner in which the Opposition is treating with the Nation’s business, one can only hope that we will not have a repeat of 1997, where GECOM will be forced to commence preparation for National and Regional Elec-

tions and so once again Local Government Elections will be delayed by the “tricks” Opposition Parties. ► Meanwhile, the Hon. Minister of Local Government has repeatedly explained why these elections must be held urgently. The majority of Guyanese residing in Local Authorities Areas are expecting these elections as soon as possible.

The PPP is ready for these polls. ► The PNC in Government delayed the elections for some 24 years and out of government has continued to play a significant role in delaying the holding of Local Government Elections post 1997.

Activities preventing the holding of Local Remarks Government Elections Give way to National and Regional Elections This position was based on the legislation Constitutional Reform Process Based on the Hermanston Accord Local Government Task Force Bi-partisan arrangement based on Constitutional requirements New House to House Registration In preparation of Local Government Elections Claims and Objections Parliamentary and Parliamentary Select The PNCR and AFC MPs attenCommittee dance extremely poor at Select Committee PNCR and AFC afraid to face the electorate Absconded and are now requesting to be re-admitted

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Lisa Punch to party with Guyana Festival

By Derwayne Wills

MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Irfaan Ali, has confirmed that Guyana-born, ABC ‘Rising Star’ contestant Lisa Punch will be joining the festivities as curtains raise on the much-anticipated inaugural Guyana Festival -- Sound, Soul and Taste.

Punch, accredited as one of many Guyanese aiding in the placement of Guyana on the world map, was announced as a contestant on ABC’s first sing-off reality TV show as the vibrant voice of the small Caribbean nation.

Punch survived several weeks in the competition, viewed by millions of Americans, and has received social media endorsements from President Donald Ramotar, Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, and the likes of NBC media veteran Al Roker after her debut performance of Whitney Houston’s “How will I know”.

S h e w a s , h o w e v e r, knocked out of the quarter-final qualifying round after she failed to achieve placement in the top seven. The Guyanese star will, nonetheless, form part of the star-studded line-up for the planned festivities.

Guyana Festival, brainchild of Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, has fired the imagination of big business as well as big talent. As part of the action-packed proceedings, the Guyana Festival National Concert will be held this weekend at the National Stadium at Providence.

Minister Ali had disclosed, “The concert is the headline event in an exciting weekend of Guyana Festival celebrations, which will ensure that the National Stadium in Guyana is the place to be!”

He urges all Guyanese to participate in the event, and has indicated that the festival is already attracting tremendous support.

The ‘Sound, Soul and Taste’ of Guyana will be presented to the world through a spectacular display of art, craft, dance, drama, music, and cuisine; and thousands are expected to converge at the venue to indulge in the treats available, and to delight in the cultural atmosphere.

For the first time, the fusion of six cultures which make up the whole Guyanese experience will collide to form a cultural melting pot reflecting Guyanese diversity.

ABC’s Rising Star contestant, Lisa Punch

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Family Pit Bulls maul woman ... from page 2 comfortable living in the yard with the two dogs, given the history of pit bulls.

Her brother-in-law reportedly discovered her on her knees. He told reporters who had gathered at the scene that the woman is not usually home alone with the dogs, and that since she began living in the yard, yesterday was the only time that she had been left home alone with the animals.

He also indicated that he is strongly considering putting the dogs down following the attack, although he made it clear that he does not see them as a threat to himself or to his wife.

No one reported hearing screams, and it was only when the owner of the dogs returned home that he discovered the dogs at the gate, which was a bit unusual, espe-

Attendants preparing Carter’s body, right where it fell outside her apartment, to take it to the mortuary cially since their mouths were bloodied.

The first thought he had was that another dog had been in the yard, but when he went to the back of the house to investigate, he found his sisterin-law on her knees.

When the chronicle visited the scene of the tragedy, blood was all over the back yard, and on the door and exteri-

or walls of the woman’s apartment, an indication that she had tried to fend the dogs off and get back into her home.

Relatives and friends of the family showed up at the home in numbers after receiving word of the tragedy. And the dead woman’s daughter expressed shock at her passing in such a terrible manner.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

As deadline passes...

Chief Constable fails to provide report on missing stocks

By Ravin Singh CHIEF Constable of the Mayor and City Council, Andrew Foo has reportedly failed to produce an inventory requested by acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba regarding missing stocks, including monies at the City Constabulary after the deadline passed on Monday last.

Sooba said that after it was reported that several hundred thousand dollars were missing from the Constabulary, she requested a report from Foo so as to investigate and address the matter.

S u b s e q u e n t l y, Acting Town Lance Corporal CompClerk Carol Sooba ton Joseph, who was being sought in connection with the missing money, committed suicide

the following week. Prior to this, however, efforts to contact Joseph proved futile after Foo had reported that he had absconded from work.

As a result, Sooba demanded an immediate stock check of the stores by Foo, which would have revealed what was missing from the department. She noted too that Foo is the only person other than Joseph who had access to the stores.

Documents which were presented to this publication by the acting Town Clerk proved that she had written Foo on Tuesday, June 17, which was the first of three requests, requesting that a report be submitted to her. This was followed by a second letter on June 30 and the final one on July 30, one month after the second letter.

According to the acting Town Clerk in her letter, after she had requested the report from Foo, he “impolitely replied that she must ask the Administrative Office for the report.” This, the acting Town Clerk is contending, was an unacceptable response from the Chief Constable since finances of the cash-strapped City Hall are of high importance.

The Chief Constable in a letter dated July 30, however responded to the acting Town Clerk, advising her that on July 29, he was at the doctor and so Superintendent Bailey would meet with her to discuss pending issues of the City Constabulary Department. He made it known that

after returning to office at 13:30 hrs, he advised Sooba that he was not well and could not have met with her.

“The tyrannical approach taken by you in attempting to impose your will, by instructing in writing, that I must attend a meeting with you at 10:00 hrs on Wednesday July 30, and the threat of disciplinary action is obvious of your irrational disposition,” Foo’s letter stated.

On Monday last, Sooba explained that Foo had failed to present the report after six weeks.

She stressed that the deadline for the report was on or before the same day (Monday, August 4) at 16:00 hrs and even this request was not respected

by Foo. One of the letters to Foo had stated that Chief Constable failure to comply will Andrew Foo bring disciplinary actions against him.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

London-based sports enthusiast continues to ‘give back’ ––to N/A cycling fraternity

Franko Crawford (right) does the honours, as Coach Randolph Roberts looks on appreciatively

RAY Millington and Steffon Reece are the latest athletes from the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of New Amsterdam to benefit from the benevolence of overseas-based Guyanese Franko Crawford, who is a former member of the FACC. The London-based sports enthusiast presented shoes and other cycling paraphernalia to the aspiring champions who were lacking the essential outfit to become highly competitive.

Millington has been riding for the FACC for two years, while Reece started to pedal with them for two months. According to Crawford, he sees potential in the young athletes and thinks that it is fitting to make an early contribution to them in order for them to lead successful careers in cycling.

“I would not like these young men to give up on the sport due to the lack of equipment.

I see a bright future ahead for them; and as

they progress and become more competitive, I would be willing to offer them more (equipment),” Crawford told Chronicle Sport.

The cyclists were grateful for receiving the gifts from the civic-minded Crawford who is also based in Nurseville, New Amsterdam.

Coach of FACC, Randolph Roberts, was instrumental in the donation becoming a reality, and is forever grateful to Crawford, who always has his ‘old’ club at heart.

“Thanks to Franko (Crawford) for remembering us always… I coached him and made him into a competitive rider many years ago, and today he is showing his gratitude,” Roberts declared.

Crawford, a self-proclaimed preacher of the Gospel, is a fan of car racing, biking, and cycling in Europe and other countries in the Eastern Hemisphere. (Michael Khan)

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Calls mount for Oscar Clarke’s resignation

By Staff Reporter

CALLS are mounting for Oscar Clarke to resign as General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform, following allegations of a rigged Congress and disenfranchisement of voters.

This is not the first time such allegations are being made against the General Secretary who has overseen several controversial congresses of the PNCR since its former leader Desmond Hoyte passed away back in 2001.

Sources close to Congress Place have confirmed that Clarke made little or no attempt

in the lead-up to the official 18th Biennial Congress to resolve the concerns raised by the Linden constituents, along with other party comrades.

It is alleged that he was forced to call an urgent meeting of the accreditation committee to address these concerns at the last minute, as tempers flared and emotions boiled over at Congress Place.

The sources also confirmed that Clarke was perturbed by a decision to allow Vanessa Kissoon to participate at the Congress and therefore sidelined the processing of several delegate badges for legitimate party members.

Returned leader David Granger has promised to launch a probe into the fiasco, but no effort in this respect had commenced up to news time yesterday.

This newspaper understands that concerns have been raised time and time again about Clarke’s management of Congress Place’s affairs, and his inability, due to age and other factors, to deal condignly with the concerns of party members.

Several complaints have already being levelled against Clarke by party members who found his involvement in proliferation of the conflict to be more than passing strange.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Studies being undertaken to promote rural entrepreneurship

By Clifford Stanley

SMALL business survivability in Guyana is to be examined under a US$200,000 project

by the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the Government of Chile, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has disclosed.

Expressions of interest (EOI) have been requested by the Ministry for consultants capable of undertaking the study.

The EOI have also

been requested for an additional study on the economics of starting and operating a small business in Guyana.

The overall aim of both studies is poverty alleviation among the rural poor through acquiring and disseminating information which can help outlying businesses to become more efficient, competitive and sustainable.

The studies are part of a larger programme targeting the rural poor titled: “Enhancing the economic livelihood of the poor in Guyana.”

DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP It has been described as a development partnership between Guyana and Chile which aims at strengthening

policy options for significantly reducing poverty with emphasis on cottage and linkage industries.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag.), Irfaan Ali and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Coordinator, Ms. Khadija Musa on May 12.

Mr Ali had disclosed that the project will complement the Rural Development Fund which has been funded in the 2014 budget.

The grant provided by the Government of Chile will help to develop and equip rural entrepreneurs with capacity and skill in order to create more efficient businesses.

The project comprises three interrelated areas: eco-tourism develop-

ment, rural enterprise development and coping strategies for the rural poor.

Emphasis will also be placed on how to make businesses competitive by way of training in management, addressing the issue of accessing financing from banks, and decision-making.

It will be implemented by the GOG through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce in partnership with the UNDP and will be supported with technical assistance from the Government of Chile and local and external experts.

The Ministry’s advertisement, suggesting that the project is entering implementation phase, disclosed that the EOI for the two studies are expected to be submitted by August 13 latest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

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Local Gov’t Minister visits regions -to roll out US$150M YEIRP projects

At the recommissioning of the Cotton Field ICT Hub. Seated from left are Regional Democratic Chairman Mr. Parmanand Persaud; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker; UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Chisa Mikami; and YEIRP participant and Chairperson of the day’s proceedings, Ms. Gangadai Persaud

By Derwayne Wills UNDER a US$150,000 Youth Empowerment, Inclusion and Reconciliation Project (YEIRP), Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Mr. Norman Whittaker, ventured to Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) last Wednesday to commission two of the many projects to be materialised through the YEIRP. At Supenaam, Minister Whittaker congratulated YEIRP participant and Chairperson of the proceedings, Ms. Gangadai Persaud, for proposing that a bus shed be erected at the Supenaam waterfront.

Persaud is one of 30 participants who had been exposed to a two-year project with seven modules of training which had been funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Giving an overview of the project was UNDP Programme Analyst Mr. Trevor Benn, who noted that partic-

ipants were asked to design a community project for the benefit of those within their environment.

He congratulated Persaud for her choice of project, stating that the bus shed “is very important for the use of commuters in Essequibo.

With focus in Regions 2 (E/bo Coast), 3 (E/bo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice); The YEIRP is a US$150,000 scheme aimed at addressing the challenges of inadequate youth participation in governance, and persistent social changes that deprive them of their rights. It is being executed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking on behalf of the UNDP, Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Chisa Mikami expressed her organisation’s willingness to aid in projects which invoke

Section of the gathering at the recommissioning of the ICT Hub at Cotton Field, Essequibo

Section of re-commissioned ICT Hub youth and community de- ernance, and the persistent velopment. “The Youth Em- social challenges which depowerment, Inclusion and prive youth of the fulfillment Reconciliation Project aims of their rights,” she said. to address the challenges of Not only will the projyouth participation in gov- ect encourage the youth

to become “protagonists for good social and governance practices”, but it will also, “increase youth participation in development programmes, and

develop a feedback mechanism for youth and policy makers to monitor policy and programme implementation.”

Turn to page 22

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

GGMC spearheads two-day course for blasters in mining industry

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds delivering remarks yesterday at the opening ceremony of the Selective Explosives Blasting course

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Mining School in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Orica Mining Services yesterday teamed-up to host a twoday course in Selective Explosives Blasting at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Multi-Complex Building in Kingston, Georgetown.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds declared the course opened yesterday and spoke on behalf of the mining sector in Guyana.

He outlined critical pointers on enhancing the mining sector and its growth and

welcomed the course initiated by the Government to improve the sector and its stakeholders.

Prime Minister Hinds also talked about mining yesteryear against the backdrop of mining today and its advantages and disadvantages.

Also present was Davendra Kissoon, an attorney, who is a representative of Orica Mining Services in Guyana.

He said he has been in the business from its conception and his father assumed the position of mining engineer which caused him to be more involved in the trade.

Kissoon stated that Orica Mining Services has been operating in Guyana for the

Attendees at yesterday’s workshop

past 46 years and has been continuously supplying the mining industry here from Guymine to Omai and local quarry operators.

He added that they are now working with two new gold mines to ensure blasting is done safely in an environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient manner to enable Guyana to grow quickly.

Kissoon said, “We are very pleased today to offer a refresher blasting training programme where two qualified mining engineers from Latin America are here and who have been practising in the field for 15 to 20 years.

They are here to hone in on skills from blasters, who are already certified and to assist

Members of the head table during the opening ceremony (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

persons who are supervising and dealing with other aspects of the blasting process, so that they are thoroughly updated in safety procedures, transport procedures and technical aspects of the blasting process.�

He noted that the twoday course is one of 15 such courses they have held in Guyana and this is just the beginning of a series of other courses to be done in the future so that they can qualify young blasters.

Kissoon said that one of the most remarkable things about the course is a clear view that persons in Guyana coming from different backgrounds and areas showed up at one place for the course

and that in itself is outstanding.

He noted that stakeholders responded readily to the course and with assistance from the ministry the combined effort saw 100% attendance, including personnel from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), the transportation industry and other users of Orica products and administrators and coordinators.

Kissoon told reporters yesterday that they have sufficient expertise in the industry but the need for more such persons was recognised.

Therefore the Government initiated the course so that the future would be secure with the relevant personnel

since blasters from the past 15 years ago have matured and new people are being trained.

He stated that the course will run for 16 to 20 hours for the next two days and during the third day there will be break-out sessions for specialised aspects such as new techniques, cost efficiency, safety and new products.

Kissoon added that they have 80 participants with 15 to 18 blasters. The two presenters are Adolfo Urritia and Juan Prado, representing Orica Mining Services which is based in 50 countries worldwide.

He said further that participants will receive a certificate of attendance and those who are seeking to be qualified will be assessed for specialised training.

POWER AND PHYSICS Explaining the process of Selective Explosive Blasting, Kissoon said that it is a simple process which uses the element of power and physics.

He explained that energy is put into a hole and that energy is released through an explosive and the by-product of that energy will either be hard rock which will be used for roads or ore which is used for gold mining and that product is then processed to arrive at the end product.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Hicken leads inspection of security infrastructure at Regent Street businesses

By Leroy Smith

FOLLOWING several meetings between the Police “A” Division command and the business community regarding new security postures and the strengthening of the physical infrastructure of business places, a visit was conducted last

week to several stores along Regent Street.

The team included Commander Hicken, Deputy Commander Moore, Divisional Detective Jessemy, Court Superintendent Cooper and Impact Commander De Hearte.

The visit which started at 11:00hrs and lasted for

four hours saw the divisional high command visiting stores between Oronoque Street and Camp Street.

Speaking with the media after the visit last week Thursday, Commander Hicken reported that he was very pleased with the security arrangements which he saw but acknowledged that some

businesses still needed to up their game with respect to their security arrangements.

The police checked the quality of surveillance cameras and video resolution at business places, the ability to enhance footage to identify number plates and individuals, monitoring and storage of recorded footage, and the

positioning of cameras.

However, some establishments are still to install security cameras.

The visit by the police was welcomed by all of the establishments and the commander and his team were commended for sticking to their guidelines of security meetings and follow-up visits.

Following the visit the management of the Gravity Lounge inside the Mega Mall on Regent Street treated the senior ranks to a buffet lunch. The managers of the establishment also expressed satisfaction with the new type of policing the Guyana Police Force has been bringing to the table.

A businessman escorts Commander Hicken to the nerve centre of his business place

This businessman shows senior police officers upgraded equipment to be installed at his business to replace existing cameras

An employee of a store operated by Chinese nationals displays how the surveillance apparatus at the establishment is monitored

Media operatives and the Commander and team following the tour along Regent Street last Thursday

Father accused of incest and indecent assault to know fate today

By George Barclay

JUSTICE James BovellDrakes, presiding in the trial of Rastaman Cecil Smith, for incest and indecent assault allegedly committed on his teenage daughter, will sum up the evidence to the jury today.

Thereafter, he would hand over the case to the jury for consideration and verdict in relation to the offences for which Smith has been charged.

Smith’s daughter, now 20, told the judge and jury that the acts were committed on her in August 2009, when she was just 15 years old.

She said that after she had told her dad that she did not have a boyfriend, he told her that if she had sex with him, she would be able to have a boyfriend, and would get permission to go places.

The virtual complainant testified that she also was made to strip naked for the sex ordeal, and was ordered

to ‘wine’ and kiss her dad.

But under cross-examination by defence counsel Mr. Keavon Bess, the girl admitted that although she told the judge and jury that her father had sex with her on the morning and night of August 17, 2009, she had told the trial magistrate, when the matter was fresh in her mind, that he did not have sex with her in the morning; it was only in the night.

Asked for an explanation, the girl maintained that she

had not lied to the magistrate, nor did she lie to the judge and jury.

Even when Prosecutrix Mr. Tashana Lake intervened to get a sensible explanation, the girl stood by her assertion, so much so that, at the end of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel made a nocase submission, which was overruled.

The accused began his defence by telling the court, in an unsworn statement from the dock, that he was

innocent of the charges. He said that his daughter was a bad-behaved girl, which had caused her mother to send her back to Guyana from Trinidad. After the girl had returned from Trinidad, she had gone to spend some time with a cousin who, because of her behaviour, had to send her back to him with a report.

He said that he had gone to the bedroom where his daughter was, and had flogged her because of the reports he had received; and

he later learnt that it had been reported that he had had sex with his daughter. That, he said, was untrue, and he was asking the jury to find him not guilty.

Defence Counsel Mr Keavon Bess urged the jury to give his client the benefit of the doubt by returning a verdict of not guilty, but Prosecutrix Mrs. Lake asked them to give a verdict in accordance with the evidence and the oath they had taken.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Local Gov’t...

From page 19

“Bus shed commissioned at Supenaam”

Computer PC layout on showcase at ICT Hub’ Also addressing the gathering was Region Two’s Democratic Chairman Mr.Parmanand Persaud, who disclosed that, for some time, passengers traversing the Parika-Supenaam route have longed for a waiting area to shelter from the elements as they await speedboats docking at the area.

He disclosed that he had been involved in some talks with Ms. Gangadai and the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 2, Mr. Sunil Singh, to effectively consider which project would benefit the residents of the region.

The RDC Chairman declared that while there had been much concern and many suggestions on how to utilise the $1M granted to Ms. Gangadai, priority had been placed on the much needed bus shed.

He affirmed that the Regional Administration had played its role in aiding to refurbish washroom facilities for males and females around the area of the waiting shed.

The bus shed, which cost an exact figure of $999,960, will benefit some 700 commuters along the Parika-Supenaam route on a daily basis.

Supenaam resident Gangaram Seosankar expressed appreciation for the shed, considering that some commuters have been forced to brave the elements during the rainy season.

At Cotton Field on the Essequibo Coast, Minister Whittaker moved the day’s proceedings when he re-commissioned the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub at the Cotton Field Multi-Purpose Building, donated by the UNDP through the Local Government Ministry.

In his remarks, Whittaker reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Guyana to facilitating scientific and technological advancements in Guyana. “Our Government determined many years ago that a computer-literate population was essential for accelerating the pace of development and the quality of that development,” he said.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Chisa Mikami declared: “The hub will be a place where technology-oriented individuals gather and bounce ideas around and network for the benefit of their respective communities.”

She said, “The hub will open an enabling environment where (the) community of tech entrepreneurs can grow, and innovative ideas can be born from collaborations through an atmosphere of working together.”

The officials urged the students present to make the best of the centre in advancing their abilities for a professional career, thus empowering themselves to face society’s many challenges.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Broken pole at Ruby causes East Bank Essequibo power outage GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) yesterday said that consumers on the East Bank Essequibo were without power due to a broken pole at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo Affected consumers stretching from Philadelphia to Lookout were without electricity.

Emergency services were working to restore power by 13:00hrs yesterday, following remedial work, GPL said.

GPL also apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Suspect held over stabbing death of Columbia boy A SUSPECT is in police custody following the murder of Alex Narine, 17, of Columbia, Essequibo Coast on Monday.

Police reported that at about 15:00 hrs on Monday, Narine, was involved in an argument with another man over a computer at Drying Floor Ground, Anna Regina, during which he was stabbed to his back.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Suddie Hospital.

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

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Police holds Lindener with marijuana DURING their regular patrol duties in the mining town of Linden, police on a mobile patrol observed that a resident who was walking along the roadway was acting in a suspicious manner.

The Linden resident was seen with a haversack and the police decided to carry out a stop and search exercise on the man along Nottinghamshire Road, Linden.

The search revealed that the man had concealed in the haversack a quantity of seeds, leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The suspect was escorted to the Mackenzie Police Station where the

substance was tested and confirmed to be cannabis. It was also weighed and sealed

in his presence after amounting to 460 grammes. He was taken into police custody and

was expected to appear in court yesterday on a drug trafficking charge.

(Leroy Smith)

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AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud

Linden man to serve sixty-month sentence for robbery-under-arms ––at end of five-month sentence for assault in court WESLEY Griffith of Lot 283 Thomas Street, Mackenzie, Linden, recently jailed for five months for attacking virtual complainant Deryck Halley in Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman’s Court on June 20th last, was yesterday sentenced to sixty months’ imprisonment on a robbery-with-violence charge.

Magistrate Judy Latchman found the 19-year-old prisoner guilty as charged for an offence committed on the said 50-yearold self-employed Deryck Halley on June 26, 2013 at Lot 14 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, when he used violence in robbing Halley of one motorcycle, one Blackberry cellular phone valued at $52,000, one Nokia cellular phone valued at $25,000, and cash amounting to $30,000, besides house keys.

The accumulative value of that robbery was $277,000.

Before handing down sentence, Magistrate Latchman told Griffith that what he had done last year was a terrible thing; and that after she had considered the prevalence and seriousness of the offence; the organized manner in which Wesley Griffith the offence was committed, in that Griffith pretended that he wanted to purchase the motorcycle; the need to prohibit both Griffith and others from contemplating or committing similar offences; she was sentencing him to sixty months’ jail, which he would commence after he had served the current fivemonth jail term imposed on him by Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond for assaulting Halley in her court on June 20 last.

Before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Griffith had pleaded guilty to the assault charge, and had ascribed his behaviour to the effects of stress, even as he apologized for what he The virtual complainant, had done that day.

On June 20 last, in Deryck Halley Magistrate Judy Latchman’s Court, Griffith had lunged from the prisoners’ dock and had attacked Halley, dealing the man several kicks and cuffs about his body before he was arrested and charged for the offence.

During that ruckus, Magistrate Latchman’s orderly had escorted her into her chambers, and another police rank had occupied himself in placing prisoners down the court chute.

There were other prisoners in the dock, and there were also two other ranks in plainclothes in the court, who assisted to bring the situation under control.

He was unrepresented at that trial, prosecuted by Police Inspector Joel Ricknauth.

Griffith has at the Christianburg Court an ongoing $5M armed robbery matter allegedly committed at Amelia’s Ward in Linden along with Ruel Williams, 32, of Lot 657 Industrial Area, Mackenzie and Nellon Brummel, a 27-year-old porter of Lot 27 Lower Kara Kara, Linden.

Griffith faces six charges, along with his alleged accomplices, all of which allegedly occurred on Friday, January 31, at South Amelia’s Ward in Linden, where under arms they robbed a family of a car, cash and jewellery.

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AROUND THE COURTS With Geeta Rampersaud

Amnesiac prisoner jailed, fined ––for attempting to traffic ‘ganja’

IAN Fraser (no address given) appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded guilty to a charge detailing that, on July 24, at the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown, he had in his possession 32 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones informed the court that Ian Fraser, a prisoner, was performing duties at the Camp Street Prison on the day in question. At around 12:45 hrs, when he was to be returned to his cell, a prison warden conducted a procedural search on his person and unearthed the narcotics in his crotch. He was told of the offence, and was arrested and charged.

Asked by the Magistrate for his address, Fraser responded that his house had burnt down and he cannot recall his address.

The unrepresented Fraser had appeared before Magistrate McLennan on a previous drug trafficking charge, and had been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. On this occasion, he was fined $38,000 and was again sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. This new jail term will commence after he has finished serving the current jail term.

Employee in water pump heist remanded FORTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Randolph Nichols of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan, accused of breaking and entering the bond of Dexter Dummel at Kamaka, Mabaruma, in the North West District, on Friday, July 25, and stealing therefrom one water pump valued at $150,000.

He was refused bail, and the case was set for recall before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday, August 8.

Nichols was represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Funga-Fat, who told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) had asked his client to bring out the pump, and after he had left Port Kaituma he was locked up for 10 days.

The defendant said he was an employee of Dummel’s, and that Dummel’s pump had been recovered.

However, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield contradicted the narrative put forward by the defendant and his attorney. He said the VC had secured his water pump in a bond, and discovered it missing some days later. He reported the matter to the police, and based on investigations, a search was carried out at Nichols’s home, where the pump was found.

Technician placed on $50,000 bail

––for wounding female cousin JULIUS Frederick, a 38-year-old technician of Durban Backlands, Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with wounding his cousin, and was ordered to post bail in the sum of $50,000.

The offence to which Frederick pleaded not guilty detailed that on August 2, at Durban Backlands, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Shanette Vyphuis.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones did not reveal any facts of the case, nor did he oppose bail for the defendant.

However, he requested that the defendant be placed on a bond to be of good behaviour.

The matter is set for recall before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on September 4.

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ECLAC says Caribbean expected to recover in 2014 SANTIAGO, Chile (CMC) – THE Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says Caribbean economies are expected to recover in 2014, while lowering the growth forecast for the entire region to 2.2 per cent.

ECLAC has unveiled its report, “Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2014,” indicating that Caribbean economies will grow to two per cent “which implies a recovery from the 1.2 percent registered in 2013”.

Overall, ECLAC revised its projections for Latin American and Caribbean economies, which it said will experience average growth of 2.2 per cent in 2014, “affected by the weakness in

external demand, less dynamic domestic demand, insufficient investment and limited room for implementing policies to spur an upturn.

“These elements have a differentiated impact on Latin American and Caribbean countries and sub-regions, confirming a high degree of heterogeneity in growth dynamics,” said ECLAC in cutting the regional growth forecast for 2014 that was issued last April when it predicted a 2.7 per cent growth.

The study indicates that the economic slowdown observed in the last quarter of 2013 persisted during the first months of 2014, meaning that the region will grow less than the 2.5 per cent recorded last year.

Nevertheless, the report signals that a gradual improvement in some of the world’s major economies should enable the trend to change towards the end of 2014.

“Macroeconomic policies have to take into account each country’s specific vulnerabilities,” said Alicia Bárcena, ECLAC’s executive secretary in presenting the document.

“Without a doubt, it is important in all cases to increase investment and productivity to guarantee structural change with equality in the medium term. Both factors are key challenges for the economic sustainability of development, especially in the current context.”

Ukraine keeps up anti-rebel offensive with nervous eye on Russia (Reuters) - UKRAINIAN government forces, backed by warplanes, kept up a military offensive to claw back lost territory from pro-Russian separatists on Tuesday while casting a nervous eye at Russian military exercises over the border.

Kiev’s military said government forces had clashed 26 times with separatists in the Russian-speaking east in the 24 hours up to Tuesday morning, while fighter jets had struck at rebel positions and concentrations of

military equipment.

But it acknowledged that separatist forces had pushed it out of Yasynuvata, a railway junction near the main rebel-controlled city of Donetsk that it seized from separatists on Sunday.

Tension rose further with Ukraine denouncing Russian war games near the joint border as a “provocation” and alleging violations of Ukrainian air space

by Russian warplanes and drones, as well as cross-border shelling from Russia.

Defence officials said sep-

Wednesday, August 06, 2014 - 13:00 Thursday, August 07, 2014 - 14:00

aratists had also opened fire on unarmed Ukrainian soldiers on Tuesday as they crossed back into Ukraine from Russia, where they had taken shelter from fighting.

Ukraine acknowledged on Monday that 311 soldiers and border guards had been forced by fighting with separatists to cross into Russia. It said they had destroyed their weapons before crossing the border, but the rebels said they had left them behind, enabling separatists to seize them. A military spokesman said there had been no casualties from the attack, though he said three Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and 46 wounded in action against the separatists in the past 24 hours.

Government troops have been battling the rebels since April in a war in the Russian-speaking east in which the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights says more than 1,100 people including government forces, rebels and civilians have died.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of orchestrating the revolt and arming the rebels - something denied

by Moscow. The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia.

Fighting has intensified since the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner last month, killing all 298 people on board - an act the West laid at the door of the rebels. Russia and the rebels blame the disaster on Kiev’s military offensive. Ukrainian forces say they have been making steady gains and have virtually encircled the separatists’ second-largest stronghold of Luhansk, while rebels have declared a “state of siege” in Donetsk, the largest city they hold.

Aries - March 21 - April 19 When dealing with other people today, listen to their ranting and raving with an open mind. Not everyone around you will be able to agree on the right way to go about doing things -- luckily you should find all this bickering quite amusing! Let them vent their frustrations without offering up your own opinion. Amid all the griping, you might find a creative solution to a vexing issue. Aren't you glad you stuck around for this?

Taurus - April 20 - May 20 Rules are made to be broken; everyone knows that. Consider putting your policy of not dating coworkers on the shelf for a bit. Someone interesting is in your cluster of cubicles and the two of you can't keep youR eyes off each other. Just lay down some ground rules before you hop in the sack. You want to have a framework to operate within if things go south. After all, you had this job first -- and you're keeping it.

Gemini - May 21 - June 21 It can either go two ways for you right now, romantically speaking. An existing relationship will become far more intimate or a new relationship will take off like a speeding train. Either way, you'll have to excuse the rest of the world and sneak off to your little love shack. Don't worry, everything will still be here when you emerge next week or whenever.

Cancer - June 22 - July 22 If you really want to be different, why not put your credit cards and your cheque book away, and breathe new life into a garment or accessory you already own? You're always in the mood to shop -- but are you ever in the mood to create something new?

Instead of making more debt, why not explore ways to stabilise your financial future.

Invest in some raw materials. You might end up with a profitable part-time business.

Leo - July 23 - August 22 You need a change of scenery. Sitting still has always been a challenge for you. But at the moment, it's going to basically impossible. Why fight it? Get out there and mix it up. Someone special would like to spend some quality time with you right now.

Whether it's an old friend, a new flame or a long-neglected family member, share yourself with someone you adore. They'll appreciate the gesture and you'll increase your cosmic connection with this person.

Virgo - August 23 - September 22 You're totally engrossed in your work, and that's how it should be. But a certain authority figure has been on your mind lately too, and your thoughts are anything but professional. A crush on the boss? Is the feeling mutual? Perhaps! Tread carefully.

Before you start planning your wedding and considering the names of your children, ponder this: Are you ready to lose your job over this fling? If you don't care, by all means go for it!

Libra - September 23 - October 22 More than anything right now, you're enjoying the intimacy you've allowed yourself to give and receive. Your favourite peeps have confided in you, and you've shared your own secrets with them, too. It's not the intrigue that has you so mesmerised -- not exactly. Although, honestly, that does appeal to you. What you really love is the closeness that opening up your heart brings.

Scorpio - October 23 - November 21 You definitely have a way with words -- but today's astrological additives will magnify your verbal dexterity tenfold. If you you've been meaning to make amends, reveal a secret or just get something off your chest, well clear your throat and start talking.

It couldn't be a better time to set yourself up for success -- you'll triumph in all your communicative endeavours.

Sagittarius - November 22 - December 20 You've been carrying on this behind-the-scenes infatuation for far too long -- it's time to get this show on the road. So treat yourself to romance, extravagance, and nothing but the best, especially when it comes to enchanting someone into your lair. That's your mission, and no one needs to ask you if you're willing to accept it. You're ready and raring to go!

Capricorn - December 21 - January 19 Too much is going on, and you'll miss out on some exciting stuff if you're not careful!

You've been cruising along in the fast lane lately, but today you might want to put on the blinker and ease over to slower traffic. Sometimes it's nice to downshift, get off the main highway and take a more leisurely route to your destination. The landscape is lovely in your life right now -- why not take a longer look and invite a passenger along for the ride?

Aquarius - January 20 - February 18 Your reputation is your top concern right now, so tend to it with a little TLC. Avoid being seen in the wrong places with the wrong people, at least for the time being.

Make sure you come off in a good light. Attention to detail is more important than ever, so reread your professional communiques at least twice and don't underdress for any occasion. Make sure you're polished and smooth at all times -- you never know when the VIPs are watching you.

Pisces - February 19 - March 20 You're in a passive mode today, although you don't have to worry about being anyEverything will go so well if everyone cooperates today -- and they will mostly. Except, of course, for a few diehards. Just ignore those folks. No matter how you shake it, today is a great day to be you. It'll be an even better day if that certain special someone you've been obsessed with somehow materialises in the process. Ah -- you've never had it so good!

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Associations to..

Matthias said while the GFF has not received any submission to date, he is hopeful that all submissions will be received by the due date (tomorrow).

Matthias is of the view that each of the eight associations should own a minibus so as to transport their players to various venues for GFF-organised matches as well as other competitions, organised by member associations.

He said the associations can also use the bus as a moneyearner whereby they can

FROM BACK PAGE

transport commuters on a daily basis in order to earn revenue which will go towards maintaining the vehicles. Matthias said

each association should have competition uniforms, every club player should have his own football, each association should have a valid bank account and all associations should have at least one spectator stand.

The GFF head man said he is expecting the remainder of the US$750 000 by January next year and it will be divided among its affiliates.

Matthias, who was elected to the post of GFF president last year, also wants to ensure each club, the players and

other stakeholders, including spectators, benefit from the FIFA bonus.

Matthias wants each national team to have the right technical and tactical development programme for the game and adequate equipment also.

Asked about the proposed 10-acre training venue for national teams at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, behind the synthetic track, Matthias said he is still to receive word on that project from Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony.

Matthias noted FIFA has stated that the GFF cannot be incorporated and is not in agreement for the land to be leased in parts.

Minister of Sport congratulates Under-19 team BACKED by the Caribbean’s bright stars of the future on show in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional three-day Under-19 tournament, Guyana shone the brightest as the Land of Many Waters went on to capture the title in illustrious fashion.

The accomplishment certainly did not go unnoticed, as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport said that the “outstanding show of sportsmanship by the entire team is an indication that Guyana has a well-stocked nursery of emerging cricketers who are naturally talented and committed to the

Racing Tips English Lingfgield 09:00 hrs Al Fareej 09:30 hrs Latch Onto Blue 10:00 hrs Gharaaneez

sport”.

“Further, this achievement by these young cricketers demonstrated their leadership skills and resilience which saw them secure the winning innings for Guyana. This momentum is also being taken into the One-day matches, and we are confident that the team will be successful again,” the Minister said.

Minister Anthony said that Guyana has been able to produce outstanding cricketers in the past, and as such this achievement is a major score for Guyana since it indicates that the country still have what it takes to make an impact on the cricket scene.

Brighton

Durbanville

09:20 hrs L’etacq

08:15 hrs Colour Nagic

09:50 hrs Crafty Choice

08:50 hrs Varster

10:20 hrs Royal Trooper 10:50 hrs Skytrain

09:25 hrs Chestnut Dancer 10:05 hrs Arachne 10:40 hrs Kirumbo

11:20 hrs Meeting Waters

11:15 hrs Icy Winter Air

11:50 hrs Sir Tyto

American Racing Tips

11:00 hrs Invoke

12:25 hrs Forest Glen

Saratoga

11:30 hrs Meetings Man

Irish Racing Tips Sligo

Race 1 All the Way Jose

12:00 hrs Wintour Leap

12:30 hrs Enter The Priory

Race 2 Moonluck

Pontefract

13:00 hrs Intenser

09:10 hrs Poetic Verse

13:30 hrs Caprella

Race 4 Thirtysilverpieces

09:40 hrs Flash Fire

14:00 hrs Barack

Race 5 Subtie

10:10 hrs Imshvalla

14:30 hrs Marty’s Magic

Race 6 Razia Sultana

10:30 hrs Johnny Splash

10:40 hrs Rocket Ship 11:10 hrs Poyle Vinnie 11:40 hrs Shadowtime 12:10 hrs Faure Island

“We are committed to continue our support for the development of the sport. This is very evident in the recent commissioning of the floodlights at the Albion Community Centre ground in Region 6. We see this as a good opportunity for the surge of cricket in Guyana,” Anthony said.

The Sport Minister said that he is looking forward to seeing more Guyanese cricketers make their mark internationally and in this regard cricketers are encouraged to do their best and to practise the rules of the sport on and off the field.

15:00 hrs Rayna 15:30 hrs Wildcat Kitten South Africa Racing Tips

Race 3 Cease

Race 7 Lawn Party Race 8 Middleburg Race 9 Winning Cause Race10 Copper Cure

Minister Anthony...

FROM BACK PAGE “It is our intention that with the installation of state-of-the-art and internationally standardised facilities, our athletes will be able to train on a higher level which will, in turn, see them reach their full potential in their respective sport disciplines” Minister Anthony also thanked the teams from Suriname and French Guiana, whom he said had travelled a long distance, for sharing their talents, noting that together, they have successfully pulled off a very successful InterGuiana Games.

The second leg of the games is set for October in Suriname.

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Man Utd beat Liverpool in International Champions Cup final MANCHESTER United ended their U.S. pre-season tour unbeaten with a 3-1 win over Premier League rivals Liverpool.

A Steven Gerrard penalty gave Liverpool the lead, but Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard replied for United.

More than 50 000 fans were at the Sun Life Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, to see the International Champions Cup final.

“It’s nice for the fans in the USA and also at home that we beat Liverpool,” said new United boss Louis van Gaal Midfielder Gerrard slotted home from the spot in the 14th minute after defender Phil Jones brought down winger Raheem Sterling.

But striker Rooney, captaining United, scored the equaliser - and his third goal

Man United forward Wayne Rooney is praised by manager Louis van Gaal after the game. of the competition - after 55 minutes from a Javier Hernandez cross.

Mata gave his side the lead just two minutes later and fellow midfielder Lingard rounded off the victory near the end.

Rooney was named player-of-the-tournament and van Gaal singled out the England striker for special praise, describing him as a “win-

ner”.

The former Netherlands boss added: “He deserved to be player-of-the-tournament because he scored a lot of goals and gave a lot of assists.”

Despite the defeat, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased overall with his side, saying: “I thought it was an excellent run-out for us.

“Obviously we’re disappointed to lose the game, but it’s been a great trip.”

Rodgers also confirmed Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 22, had been offered a new deal, adding: “He is someone we want to tie up for a period of time.”

Liverpool beat Olympiakos in Chicago, Premier League champions Manchester City on penalties in New York and AC Milan in Charlotte to reach the final of the International Champions Cup, which featured eight leading European clubs.

United overcame Italian sides Roma and Inter Milan in Denver and Washington respectively, before beating Real Madrid in front of a record U.S. crowd of 109 318 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The new Premier League season starts on August 16. (BBC Sport)

Lyon back but no place for Hughes on Zimbabwe trip SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Spinner Nathan Lyon has been recalled to Australia’s squad for the trip to Zimbabwe after two years out of one-day international cricket but there was no place for inform top order batsman Phil Hughes.

Hughes had pressed his case for a recall last week by setting a new Australian record for a ‘List A’ match with a brilliant unbeaten 202 against South Africa in a quadrangular One-day A-team series in Darwin.

With opener David Warner having decided to skip the tour to remain in Australia for the birth of his first child, Hughes had hoped his hot form might have earned him a call-up.

“We would have loved to pick Phillip but it’s quite difficult to find the spot for him with a strong batting line-up,” new head selector Rod Marsh said in a news release.

“He was in superb form during the recent Australia-A one-day matches, including a stand-out double-century, and (we) will certainly be continuing to

watch him closely.”

Lyon was preferred to Xavier Doherty as the specialist spinner in the 14-man party and looks set to represent his country in a limited overs match for the first time since March 2012, when he played both of his ODIs. “Nathan Lyon has done very well in Test match cricket, but first came under notice through his performances in short form cricket,” Marsh added.

“He bowled well in last year’s (inter-state) competition and having not played an ODI since early 2012, the (selectors) are keen to see him in action again.”

All-rounders Ben Cutting and Mitchell Marsh, as well as seamer Kane Richardson, were all included in the squad as Australia looks to broaden its playing stocks ahead of next year’s World Cup, which it is hosting with New Zealand.

Richardson and Cutting made their international debuts in a defeat to Sri Lanka in Adelaide in January last year, a match that remains the former’s only experience of international cricket.

Nathan Lyon has played only two one-day internationals, both in 2012.

Cutting has played another two matches since, while Marsh has played four ODIs in the three years since his debut.

“Ben Cutting has been in terrific form for Australia-A and bowled his heart out,” selector Marsh said.

“Kane Richardson has been bowling beautifully up in Darwin ... and his figures have been terrific.

“The thing we like most about Mitch Marsh at the moment is his bowling. He’s capable of opening the bowling or coming on through the middle overs and can do so with good pace which is pleasing.”

Australia will face Zimbabwe and South Africa in a triangular series from August 25 on their first trip to the southern African country in a decade.

Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson.

ICC to consider Anderson verdict after India protest (REUTERS) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) will consider a judicial commissioner’s verdict clearing England fast bowler James Anderson of a code of conduct breach after the Indian cricket board expressed its disappointment with the decision.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that it has received and is considering the written decision of His Honour Gordon Lewis AM, the Judicial Commissioner, in respect of his findings ...,” the governing body said in a statement.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson has until Sunday to decide whether to lodge an appeal against the decision.

Anderson and India’s Ravindra Jadeja were involved in a verbal altercation during the first Test at Trent Bridge last month and media reports said the heated dispute continued after they left the field.

B o t h p l a y e r s w e re found not guilty after a six-hour video-conference hearing on Friday and, under the rules, only Richardson can appeal against the commissioner’s verdict.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Patel denied

Chief executive David Richardson has seven days to decide on appeal the game’s most powerful board had requested Richardson to appeal the verdict.

“What we have done is we’ve written a letter to the ICC saying we are not happy with the verdict,” Patel told Reuters.

“We don’t have a right to appeal in this case,” he added.

The spat could have resulted in a four-Test ban for Anderson, England’s second-highest ever wicket-taker, if a guilty verdict had been returned.

The fourth Test of the five-match series starts at Old Trafford, Manchester, tomorrow with the teams level at 1-1.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday August 06, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Chris Gayle & Marlon Samuels

(2) Kevin O’Brien & Adrian Barath-95 (Red Steel vs Warriors, Trinidad, August 09) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first Tridents player to be named Man of the Match in LCPL 2014?

(2) Who is the first Red Steel Player to be named Man of the Match in LCPL 2014?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

37

Ecclestone trial halted after F1 boss agrees to $100 million settlement (REUTERS) - A German court yesterday halted a bribery trial against Bernie Ecclestone in exchange for his paying a $100 million (74.70 million pounds) fee, under the terms of a settlement agreed by prosecutors and the chief executive of Formula One. Such an agreement is possible in German law, depending on the charges.

It means the 83-year-old Ecclestone preserves his innocence and is spared the prospect of a lengthy trial.

Judge Peter Noll told the court the suspicion of bribery against Ecclestone could not, by and large, be backed up in a trial. He gave Ecclestone one week to pay $100 million - $99 million to the state and $1 million to a children’s charity.

“The trial is temporarily suspended until you’ve honoured your commitments and then it’ll be permanently discontinued,” Noll said. “If you don’t honour your commitments, we’ll continue the trial.

I assume we’ll only ever see each other again on

TV.” Ecclestone, 83, replied in English: “Thank you very much. I will honour my commitment.”

Ecclestone went on trial in April over allegations he paid a $44 million bribe to a former German banker to facilitate the sale of a major stake in the motor-sport business eight years ago.

Ecclestone, a former used car salesman who became a billionaire by building the sport into a global money spinner over the past four decades, denied any wrongdoing.

The state prosecutor told the court earlier yesterday that due to Ecclestone’s “advanced age” and “other extenuating circumstances”, they supported the proposed settlement.

“The charges could not, in important areas, be substantiated,” Judge Noll said.

He added that any other charges against Ecclestone that remained were not so serious as to warrant the continuation of the trial.

Ecclestone’s lawyers applauded the settlement after the court heard more than 100 hours of testimo-

ny. “A conviction of Mr Ecclestone could not be expected with any likelihood,” his lawyers said in a joint statement.

Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone arrives back in the courtroom after an adjournment, at the regional court in Munich, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Michael Dalde) They also dismissed the suggestion that Ecclestone had bought his way out of the trial.

“Through this abandonment, the presumption of innocence in favour of Mr Ecclestone remains intact ... The monetary compensation is geared to his income and financial situation.”

India name uncapped duo in one-day squad LONDON, England (Reuters) - India have named uncapped Sanju Samson and Karn Sharma in their 17-man squad for the one-day international and T20 series against England starting later this month.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Samson impressed on the recent India A tour of Australia and leg-spinning all-rounder Sharma has performed well in domestic cricket.

There was no place in the squad for senior left-handed batsman Gautam Gambhir or hard-hitting all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

India will play five one-

day internationals and one Twenty20 against England between August 25 and September 7.

The current five-Test series between the two sides is level at 1-1 after England won the third match. The fourth Test starts tomorrow.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Dhawal Kulkarni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Shami, Karn Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.

Private equity group CVC, the largest shareholder in Formula One with a stake of 35 percent, has said it would have fired Ecclestone if he were

Sanju Samson is one of the two uncapped players in India’s ODI squad:

found guilty.

The state prosecutor added that during the course of the trial it was becoming increasingly clear that the bribery charges would be difficult to prove.

GERMAN LAW If he had been found

panied at the trial by his wife, Fabiana Flosi, who watched from the spectator section of the court.

Despite his age, Ecclestone attends almost every Grand Prix and remains central to the sport’s commercial success. He has always dismissed talk of retirement and has no obvious replacement ready to take over when he does finally quit or get forced out.

The German law is intended to ease the burden on courts of hearing relatively minor cases and to spare first-time offenders a criminal record. The sums agreed under the settlement are often paid to the state or charity organisations.

A c c o r d i n g t o G e rman broadcaster ARD, the procedure was used by ex-chancellor Helmut Kohl in 2001 to end a trial for accepting illegal party donations and by ex-defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg to prevent charges of copyright infringement in his dissertation. Former cyclist Jan Ullrich also paid to halt a German investigation into doping charges.

guilty, the British billionaire could have faced up to 10 years in jail, although a prison term would have been unlikely.

Under German law, judges, prosecutors and the defence can agree to dismiss a case or settle it with a light punishment, although terms for such an agreement are strictly defined.

A spokeswoman for the Munich court, Andrea Titz, said a settlement did not mean there was an admission of guilt.

“With this type of ending ... there is no ruling on guilt or innocence of the defendant,” she told reporters. “He is neither acquitted nor judged - rather this is a special type of ending a procedure which is in theory available to all types of cases.”

Ecclestone is accused of channelling cash to jailed BayernLB banker Gerhard Gribkowsky to smooth the sale of a major stake in the business by the bank to private equity fund CVC, which became the largest shareholder in Formula One in 2006.

Ecclestone was accom-

Burglar who stole Hank Aaron’s baseball rings sentenced to prison (REUTERS) - A man who burglarised the Atlanta home of baseball legend Hank Aaron and stole “priceless” rings destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame has been sentenced to eight years in prison and 42 years on probation.

Isiah Slaton, 24, pleaded guilty late Monday to burglary and theft charges.

He admitted burglarising Aaron’s home last July and taking team baseball rings and two BMW vehicles, the Fulton County District Attorney’s office said.

In a statement, Aaron called the rings “priceless” and said he intended to donate them to the Hall of Fame.

Aaron, who is now 80, broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record as an Atlanta Brave in 1974. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Jury selection was expected to begin yesterday in the trial of one of Slaton’s co-defendants. Charges against a third man are pending.

Baseball legend Hank Aaron

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

Barbados fight off challenge to beat Windwards ‌ Leewards-Jamaica match abandoned

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - Barbados fought off a stiff challenge from the Windward Islands to force a two-wicket win while Guyana romped to an easy 49-run triumph over ICC

Americas in second round matches of the Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday.

Barbados captain Joshua Drakes dug his side out of a precarious position brought

on by a spectacular batting collapse, on the hunt for a small target after Windwards were bowled out for 111 at the Demerara Cricket Club.

Chasing 112 to win Bar-

bados lost early wickets as frontline batsmen struggled to negotiate a fiery opening spell from Sherman Lewis.

Lewis rocked the top order, grabbing three of the first four wickets to fall in the first seven balls and leaving the Bajans reeling.

Windwards kept the pressure on Barbados as wickets fell regularly but Drakes batted responsibly to push Barbados closer to their target by compiling an unbeaten knock of 43.

He received little support except from Shamar Springer 14 and Chad Williams 10 - the only two other batsmen to reach double figures.

Lewis finished with impressive figures of four wickets for 24 runs including three maidens from nine overs.

Earlier, Windward Islands captain Roland Cato hit a top score of 23 before he was caught at long on, attempting to rescue a struggling innings.

Tonis Simon chipped in with 19; Kershaskie Jno

Roland Cato shakes hands with Joshua Drakes after the match. (Courtesy WICB) Lewis 14, and Anson Latchman hit Neil Persuad for two consecutive sixes then lost his middle stump.

Persuad, Williams and Matthew Jones picked up two wickets each for the winners.

Meanwhile, the match between Leeward Islands and Jamaica at Wales Recreation Ground was abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain.

Regional Under-19 One day Scoreboards Guyana Under-19s vs ICC Americas Under-19s GUYANA (50 overs maximum) S. Hetmyer c Kapoor b Phil 21 T. Chanderpaul lbw b Dutta 18 B. Sattaur lbw b Rawlins 8 K. Paul stp. Parikh b Dutta 51 S. Ramcharran c Dutta b Malik 17 A. Homraj c Dutta b Buch 69 B. Baldeo b Phil 0 +K. Savory c Rawlins b Bascombe 19 D. Waldron not out 0 S. Sankar b Buch 8 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, w-14, nb-1) 18 Total: (9 wkts, 50 overs) 229 A. Wallace did not bat Fall of wickets: 1-49, 2-59, 3-65, 4-98, 5-142, 6-149, 7-218, 8-221, 9-229.

Bowling: Phill 7-0-43-2, Malik 10-0-37-1, Buch 5-0-37-2, Dutta 10-1-35-2, Rawlins 10-2-11-1, #Bascombe 8-0-63-1 ICC AMERICAS (target: 230 off 50 overs) A. Joshi lbw b Ramcharran 1 A. Kapoor b Baldeo 4 T. Ross c Hetmyer b Ramcharran 5 N. Dutta run-out 29 F. Malik b Sankar 26 A. Dores c wkp. Savory b Sankar 13 A. Parikh not out 8 A. Buch c Hetmyer b Sankar 8 O. Bascombe c Paul b Chanderpaul 53 D. Rawlins lbw b Ramcharran 1 K. Phill run-out 4 Extras: (b-5, lb-6, w-12, nb-3) 26 Total: (all out, 43.5 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-6, 3-22, 4-72, 5-88, 6-108, 7-131, 8-154, 9-170.

Bowling: Baldeo 10-1-44-2, Ramcharran 7-215-3, Waldron 7-0-48-0, Wallace 4-1-10-0, Sankar 10-0-25-3, #Paul 5-0-16-0, Chanderpaul 0.5-0-11-1

Result: Guyana won by 49 runs Points: Guyana 6.1, ICC Americas 0.5 Â BARBADOS vs WINDWARD ISLANDS BARBADOS (50 overs maximum) L. Gaskin c Burnet b Lewis 3 N. Kirton c Lewis b Henry 12 A. Greenidge run-out 10 J. Drakes not out 33 J. Toppin c Lewis b Smith 13 S. Springer lbw b Smith 0 M. Jones c Burnett b Smith 3 A. Ferguson b Smith 2 C. Williams run-out 5 T. Shorey b Walker 2 N. Persaud run-out 4 Extras: (b-1, w-9) 10 Total: (all out, 36.4 overs) 97 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-25, 3-25, 4-44, 5-44, 6-52, 7-54, 8-76, 9-81.

Bowling: Henry 7-1-24-1, Lewis 4.4-1-10-1, Smith 9-1-27-4, Burnett 6-0-23-0, Walker 7-37-1, Walters 3-0-5-0.

JAMAICA (target: 98 off 50 overs) L. Lugg lbw b Springer 31 O. McCatty lbw b Shorey 0 M. Parchment not out 45 S. Crooks not out 12 Extras: (w-5, b-2, lb-5) 12 Total: (2 wkts, 31.3 overs) 100 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-52.

Bowling: Shorey 8-3-24-1, Jones 8-2-17-0, Williams 8-1-22-0, Springer 4-0-18-1, Persaud 3.3-0-12-0.

Result: Jamaica won by eight wickets (111 balls remaining) Points: Jamaica 6.5, Barbados 0.2 Toss: Barbados Under-19s Umpires: C. Alfred, I. Moakan Match referee: R. King Reserve umpire: D. Nagasar

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday August 6, 2014

39

2014 WICB U-19 LIMITED OVERS

Homraj and Paul hit 50s as Guyana down ICC Americas … Bascombe also scores breezy half-century

By Calvin Roberts

THANKS to half-centuries from Ashkay Homraj and Kemo Paul, hosts Guyana were able to defeat ICC Americas by 49 runs in their second round West Indies Cricket Board Regional Under-19 limited-overs fixture, at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first in hazy conditions, the home team started slowly before ending on 229 for 9, thanks to 69 from Homraj and 51 from Paul who scored his second half-century in as many days, in the face of some disciplined bowling from their opponents.

Skipper Nikhil Dutta, Arsh Buch and Keifer Phil took two wickets each for

35, 37 and 43 runs respectively for the visitors, who in reply were bowled out for 180 off 43.5 overs, with the dreadlocked Onias Bascombe hitting five sixes and one four in his pugnacious 53 before being the last man out.

Shiraz Ramcharran and Steven Sankar ended with 3 for 15 and 3 for 25 while Balchand Baldeo took 2 for 44 for Guyana, whose batting display left much to be desired in the first half of the contest.

On a good batting track, the Guyanese laboured to 65 for 3 off 22 overs, losing their three experienced batsmen in Shimron Hetmyer 21 (2x4) Brian Sattaur (8) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (18), as the ICC Americas used a pace/spin combination to good effect, with left-

arm spinner Delray Rawlins keeping things tight from the North Road End. Paul, whose 50 was scored off 81 balls with two fours and a similar number of sixes struck over long on, off Dutta, and Ramcharran 17 (1x4) pushed the score to 98 before the lanky Ramcharran was caught by Dutta off Farhan Malik (1 for 37).

At Ramcharran’s demise, Homraj joined forces with Paul who began to change gears and they added 44 for the fifth wicket from 5.5 overs, during which time Paul got his 50, before ICC Americas removed Paul who was smartly stumped

by Arjun Parikh off Dutta.

Baldeo (0) followed next, but Homraj and Kemol

Kemo Paul Savory (19) added 69 for the seventh wicket from 9.1 overs, with Homraj reaching his half-century from 44 balls, counting six sweetly-timed fours, before Sa-

Sabina Park lights up on historic night KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica’s Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was among hundreds in attendance at Sabina Park late Sunday evening to witness the first public powering-on of the newly installed floodlights at the venue.

Several minutes before the clock hit 20:00hrs, during the ceremony to commission the lights at the world-famous ground, the prime minister gave the nod by declaring “Let us now have lights,” and within mere seconds, all four towers lit up brightly.

The long-awaited installation of lights will allow for, among other things, night cricket at Sabina Park.

Considerable controversy has surrounded the absence of lights at the ground, particularly since the country spent over US$100M for its part in the region’s hosting of the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The lighting project, powered by a US$2.1M grant from the government of India and a further US$600 000 contribution from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), began in early April

A view of the first of four light towers installed a few weeks ago at Sabina Park in Kingston. and was wrapped up by the end of July.

The state-run Urban Development Corporation (UDC) managed the operation, while the FosRich Group of Companies was the contractor. FosRich is linked with Philips Lighting, an international firm with substantial ties in Europe, Asia and South America.

JCA president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven, who thanked sponsors Digicel, Foska Oats and Busta soft drinks for throwing in a helping hand “at late notice”, said the major focus for stakeholders is to en-

sure that the upgraded Sabina Park can attract significantly greater revenue.

“The only way we can justify this ... is if the park is used, not only for cricket, but for other events ... for shows, for conventions and other activities,” he told those present at the venue.

Natalie Neita-Headley, the minister with responsibility for sport, hailed the pioneering role of Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) board director Dr Akshai Mansingh, who aided in clearing the way for communication between the gov-

ernments of Jamaica and India.

She said the lighting infrastructure is a “furtherance of sports development” in Jamaica. Neita-Headley lauded the teamwork shown by various government ministries and state bodies, as well as the JCA, the Kingston Cricket Club and Sabina Park Holdings, the organisation responsible for managing the venue and its facilities.

The minister also reiterated her gratitude to the Indian High Commissioner Pratap Singh and the entity’s Charge d’Affaires MK Mohan for their influence in ensuring a smooth channel of communication between the parties.

Mohan declared that the partnership is a reflection of the “deep friendship and understanding” between both governments and stressed that India will do “everything possible to consolidate and strengthen the bilateral relationship”.

The grant from India is indicative of the emergence of the Asian country - with a population of over 1.2 billion people — as a quickly growing economic power.

vory was dismissed, while Guyana lost Homraj and Sankar 8 (2x4) in the final over.

In their reply, ICC Americas met an allspin attack consisting of Baldeo, Ramcharran, Waldron and debutant Akil Wallace. Ramcharran removed Aniket Joshi (01) and Trevis Ross (4) while Baldeo accounted for Armaan Kapoor (4), leaving them on 22 for 3.

Dutta (29) and Malik (26) pushed the score to 72 with a 50-run fourth-wicket partnership, before their team slipped to 108 for 6, losing Dutta, Alex Dores (13) and Malik, while Buch (8) was later dismissed at 131 for 7 after 39 overs.

With the run-rate climbing high and having seen Parikh forced to

retire hurt after he was struck on the ankle by Paul at 105 for 5, Bascombe opened his shoulders and struck Waldron for three sixes in two overs, followed by another over the Lance Gibbs Stand, off Ramcharran.

When Phil (4) was runout by Sankar, Bascombe breathed a sigh of relief as the sight of Parikh strolling to the wicket gave him hope of reaching his 50, which he did by hitting Chanderpaul over midwicket for his fifth six, after scoring four the previous delivery.

However, in his attempt to clear long on, Bascombe found the waiting hands of Paul at mid-on, who accepted the offer to seal the win for the home team, leaving Parikh unbeaten on 8.

Battle of the contenders fixed for August 30 WHILE the lack of sponsorship has been plaguing the sport of boxing here, the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) is going full steam ahead with its plans to revitalise the sport with another card scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on August 30.

Four fights are scheduled for the card which will feature some of Guyana’s most prominent boxers coming up against the best from Jamaica, the reggae island.

First bout on the contender card will see Kamal Russell of Jamaica doing six rounds against Winston Pompey in the middleweight division.

In the bantamweight division the underrated Dexter Marques, the magic kid, fighting out of the bantamweight division will match fists with Richard Williamson in a bout that is scheduled for six rounds. The third bout of the evening in the junior welterweight division will see Iwan Azore challenge Dexter Gonzales in an

Dexter Marques eight-rounder.

The main event of the evening will bring together Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings, winner of the contender series against Howard Eastman in April, and Guyana’s Derrick Richmond in a fight scheduled for eight rounds in the junior welterweight division.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday president of the GBBC, Peter Abdool, mentioned that despite sponsorship being an everyday challenge for the board, the card is on and will come off as planned.

(Jadon Samuels)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Homraj and Paul hit 50s as Guyana down ICC Americas See Story on page 39

Associations to submit proposals for FIFA bonus by tomorrow

By Michael DaSilva

GFF president Christopher Matthias.

MEMBER associations of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) have up to tomorrow to submit proposals regarding the spending of Federation International Football Association’s (FIFA) bonus which is expected to

come on stream very soon.

The GFF is expected to receive US$750 000 by January 2015 as a bonus from the just concluded FIFA World Cup. In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, GFF president Christopher Matthias said the eight affiliates of the GFF met last

Thursday and discussed the way forward for local football as well as the disbursement of funds from the FIFA bonus for each association.

According to Matthias, each association – Upper Demerara Football Association, Georgetown Football Association, Berbice Football Asso-

ciation, West Demerara Football Association, East Bank Football Association, Bartica Football Association, Essequibo Football Association and East Demerara Football Association – was asked to submit by tomorrow its proposals regarding funding.

Turn to page 35

Minister Anthony applauds winning IGG contingent

The Guyana Under-19 cricketers celebrate their 3-Day title win. (WICB photo) Athletes and officials from the Guyana team celebrate last Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. (Sonell Nelson photo) MINISTER of Sport Dr Frank Anthony in a release said that he is pleased with the performance of Guyana’s youths who triumphed over their equals from French Guiana and Suriname to win the first leg of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG).

Athletes from the three countries competed in the disciplines of basketball, swimming and athletics, with each component consisting of both male and females.

“Guyana’s outstanding performance in the competition is due to the hard work, commitment and dedication of the athletes and their coaches. In this regard, we at the Ministry would like to say that we sincerely appreciate your effort and are looking forward for con-

tinued success,” said Minister Anthony.

According to the longstanding Sport Minister, his ministry has been diligent in ensuring investments are made into sports development in terms of training opportunities and the installation of facilities such as the synthetic track and the aquatic centre.

The achievement by the Guyana Team, Minister Anthony said is a fruit from the investments made in sports development, adding “While our attention will not waver, it is hoped that our athletes will be encouraged by the provisions made for them and push themselves to achieve greater things.

Turn to page 35

Minister of Sport congratulates Under-19 team

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See Story on page 35 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014