Guyana chronicle 19 02 14

GUYANA No. 103744

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014

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

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U.S. orchestrating a coup d’état in Venezuela Page 3

- according to Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana

DPP debunks misleading 11 comments reportedly made

by Nigel Hughes Page

AG says…

Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz

YOUTH SHOT IN GROIN Page 8 DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack

Page 10

- as he rushes to aid friend being robbed by gunman

Teenager

APNU must take responsibility perishes for late submission of proposals as boat sinks - Gov’t wants AML/CFT Bill passed as soon as possible

in riverine Page interior 8

‘DROWNED’: Hassani David

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Rohee says local gov’t elections not dependent only on parties’ readiness

By Vanessa Narine GENERAL Secretary of the ruling PPP, Clement Rohee, has stressed government’s commitment to hosting local government elections.

However, at a press conference held at the PPP’s Freedom House headquarters on Monday, he made it clear that the hosting of these elections is not only dependent on the readiness of the political parties that will participate.

Rohee said, “The Opposition says ‘we are ready’ and they want local government elections by August 1, 2014, latest, but this is not about the readiness of the Opposition only.

“The timing of the holding of the local government elections is a function, inter Minister Clement Rohee alia, of the readiness of GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) to execute the duties and responsibilities relative to fair and efficient preparation and conduct of these elections; the readiness of other political parties, groups and individuals; people’s awareness, education and readiness to be

part of this process.”

The general secretary questioned whether or not the Opposition has engaged GECOM on its state of readiness.

“We of the PPP have been engaging our members and we are best placed to assert that we cannot support the Opposition’s demand that these elections be held by August 1, 2014,” he stressed.

Rohee added that the Opposition’s “sudden sense of urgency presupposes and presumes” the PPP and or the government is in total control of all mechanisms and all the players responsible for ensuring local government elections.

“In so doing ,the Opposition seeks also to usurp the executive authority reposed in the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and clearly set out under Section 35A of the Local Authority Elections Act, which provides that the minister must determine and announce by way of Order a date for the holding of these elections,” the general secretary said.

He made it clear that the ruling party, as it continuously does, extends a hand of cooperation to the Opposition to work together to ensure adequate preparation for local government elections.

“We posit that such an approach would ensure satisfactory and acceptable results welcomed by all Guyana,” Rohee said.

TRACK RECORD The general secretary said, “We reject absolutely and forthrightly any attempt to question the genuineness and the determination of the PPP to hold local government elections.”

He pointed to the party’s track record in the historic struggle for democracy.

Rohee said, “Guyanese who have been following the his-

tory of the struggles for democracy in this country need not be reminded that the PPP has always been in the forefront of every form of democratic struggle in our country to ensure that Guyanese of all races, creed and class enjoy universally recognised basic human rights. “…it is the PPP that agreed to local government reform and set about[it] with urgency, put the required mechanism in place to advance the reform process; while the Opposition PNC did all it could to stagnate the process.

“Recall the frequent absence and lateness of its members to meetings of the Task Force, and later, to meetings of the Parliamentary Select Committee set up to examine the Reform Bills and move the process forward. Recall also their ramblings and irrelevant comments and other negative contributions that did nothing to advance the work of the Task Force or the committee.

“Recall the frequent public exhortations of PNC leaders past and present that the PNC would not participate in local government elections until His Excellency assents to all four Local Government Bills; a position they maintain till today.

“And this notwithstanding the fact that the mandatory Bills that addressed and satisfied the requirements ‘for the election of members of local democratic organs’ as set out in our Constitution had already been met in the Fiscal Transfers Act, the Local Government Commission Act and the Local Authorities Elections Act. “Instead, the Opposition continues to insist on legislative changes, notably to the Local Government Amendments Act that are ultra vires to the Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law of the land.”

The general secretary maintained that the People’s Progressive Party has always been committed in words and actions to the holding of elections, whether at the level of local government or general and regional elections in Guyana.

PAHO/WHO appoints new Country Representative THE Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) local office now has a new Country Representative in Ghanian-born Dr. William Adu-Krow, who on Monday presented his Letters of Credence to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

Dr Adu-Krow’s appointment will allow for continuity in technical cooperation programmes

between Guyana and the PAHO/ WHO, as he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of HIV/AIDS, family and public health, maternal and child health, and reproductive health.

He joined the organisation in 2001, and served in various positions while being assigned in Washington D.C, Barbados, the Philippines, and New York between 2001 and 2010.

Dr. Adu-Krow holds a Doctor

of Public Health Degree and a Masters in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health Programme Management.

PAHO/WHO’s engagement with Guyana dates back to 1967 with the establishment of its country office. Ever since then, Guyana has benefited from several technical cooperation programmes.

Only recently, PAHO/WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, launched the Integrated Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Strategic Plan 2013-2020.

Hence, the Government of Guyana is keen on capitalising on the contributions, which PAHO/WHO could offer in its effort to improve health care delivery nationwide. GINA)

New PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett share a light moment in the latter’s office following his accreditation on Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

U.S. orchestrating a coup d’état in Venezuela - according to Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana who says such a coup is unlikely to succeed since most Venezuelans support President Maduro

By Vanessa Narine THE Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Ms Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, has denounced “destabilising actions” of the Venezuelan Opposition across the country, saying it is “violating” the peace of the nation’s people; and has charged that the “fascist” Opposition is being supported by the United States of America (USA) to orchestrate a coup d’état via

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro “interference” from the U.S. State Department.

Speaking through translator Ms Liliana Tejeda yesterday in an interview with this publication, Ambassador Diaz explained that American support is being offered to Opposition elements through funding and training of youth organisations and civil society to “practice acts of violence”, and create chaos with the aim of overthrowing the democratically elected Government of Venezuela.

She said a coup is unlikely to succeed because the current administration has the backing of the majority of Venezuelans.

EXPELLED She said, “It is important to note -- taking into account the evidence of the interference in the internal affairs (of Venezuela) made by the Government of the United States through its accredited diplomats in our country -- that the Venezuelan Government has decided to expel three consular officers of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.

They were taking actions to promote violent activities to generate chaos and distortion among the Venezuelan people all over the country.”

She said the three U.S. diplomats were ordered on

Monday to leave Venezuela within 48 hours.

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said the expelled diplomats had met student activists at private universities “for training, financing, and creating youth organisations through which violence is promoted” in Venezuela. The US Government has denied this assertion.

Preceding expulsion of the three U.S. diplomats, hundreds of students have spent the past week in the streets of Caracas, alternating between peaceful protests by day and pitched battles with police at night in the massive unrests fed by hardships, which include rampant crime, 56 percent inflation, and shortages of basic goods. Two students and a pro-government demonstrator were killed in clashes on Wednesday, February 12, as tensions were ratcheted up in the clashes in Venezuela.

“There are videos that clearly show who are responsible for these actions,” Ambassador Diaz has said.

FASCIST POLITICS The Ambassador flayed the Opposition for what she described as a play of fascist politics. She made it clear that “there can be no love for Venezuela” by Opposition factions that encourage their supporters, who are financially able, to influence the unavailability of basic goods.

Ambassador Diaz said, “There are several things we can point to: the violence that is encouraged, and the destruction of public and private institutions such as the Attorney General’s Office and the subway stations in Caracas.

Also there is the violation on citizens’ peace and the call for the killing of President Nicolás Maduro.”

She stressed that such actions are reflective of fascist politics, and called for the Opposition to recognise the harm that such hardline positions are causing the country.

“There are different ways to be an effective Opposition,” the Ambassador said. “This is not the way; all that is (being) achieved is the destruction of the country,” she cautioned.

Reports emanating from the Venezuelan media are that Opposition firebrand Leopoldo López yesterday handed himself in to the authorities after coming out of hiding to attend a rally of supporters in Caracas.

The Venezuelan Government had issued an arrest warrant for López, who is accused of “terrorism” for his alleged role in violent anti-govern-

ment demonstrations across the country.

President Maduro has since publicly claimed that López has been conspiring to overthrow the Government with the connivance of university students and the backing of the USA; but López, a former mayor of a district in the capital, has denied the accusations. “I have nothing to fear,” the Harvard-educated politician said in a defiant video address released on the Internet. “I have committed no crime. I have been a Venezuelan with see page 9

Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, and her translator, Ms Liliana Tejeda yesterday. (Sonnel Nelson photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

At least nine die on worst day of Ukraine protest violence (Reuters) - UKRAINIAN protesters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and stones at riot police on the edge of Kiev’s Independence Square on Tuesday, and nine people died in the worst day of violence since demonstrations erupted against President Viktor Yanukovich.

Western powers warned Yanukovich against trying to smash the 12 week-old pro-European demonstrations and opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko, fearing an assault, urged women and children to leave the central square - also known as Maidan “to avoid further victims”.

A police spokeswoman said seven civilians and two po-

licemen had died in Tuesday’s clashes.

Earlier the State Security Service (SBU), in a joint statement with the interior ministry, had set protesters a 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) deadline to end street disorder or face “tough measures”.

Forces loyal to the Russian-backed president broke through front-line barricades near the Dynamo Kiev soccer stadium and advanced to the edge of the occupied Independence Square. They were met after nightfall with a hail of petrol bombs and fireworks, responding with bursts of water cannon.

Fires lit by protesters raged on the fringes of the square to

prevent police advancing as opposition speakers harangued the crowd, interspersed with patriotic music.

The riot police moved in hours after Moscow gave Ukraine $2 billion in aid which it had been holding back to demand decisive action to crush the protests.

Nationwide protests against Yanukovich erupted in November after he bowed to Russian pressure and pulled out of a planned far-reaching trade agreement with the European Union, deciding instead to accept a Kremlin bailout for the former Soviet republic’s heavily indebted economy.

EU Enlargement CommisRenewed clashes in Ukraine spark worst street three weeks pray that he is right,” Fuele told a public event in Brussels. sioner Stefan Fuele said he In what has become a had spoken to Ukraine’s acting geo-political tussle redolent prime minister, who had given of the Cold War, the United assurances that the authorities States and its Western allies are would try to avoid using live urging Yanukovich to turn back firearms. to Europe and the prospect of “For the sake of the Ukraian IMF-supported economic nians and for the sake of the recovery, while Russia accuses future of that country, I will

violence in more than them of meddling.

Clashes raged for several hours earlier outside the parliament building, where opposition lawmaker Lesya Orobets said three demonstrators were killed and taken to a nearby officers’ club used as a medical center. More than 100 people were injured, she said.

Journalist on assignment deaths total 134 last year: report (Reuters) - ONE hundred and thirty-four journalists and media support staff were killed while on reporting assignments last year, most of them targeted deliberately, the London-based International News Safety Institute (INSI) said on Tuesday.

Of these, 65 died covering armed conflicts - primarily in Syria, where 20 were killed, and Iraq, where the death total was 16 - while 51 were killed in peacetime covering issues like crime and corruption, and 18 died in accidents.

The total was down from 152 deaths recorded in 2012, but there was an accompanying rise in assaults, threats and kid-

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nappings directed at journalists which largely go unreported, said the INSI study, “Killing the Messenger.”

The institute, funded by major world news organizations including Reuters, has been issuing the report since 1996. Its main work is providing security training for journalists reporting in dangerous situations.

INSI said local journalists were the main victims, with 123 of the dead killed while covering their own country. Of the 20 who died in Syria, 16 were Syrian nationals.

“Most journalists were targeted, and shooting was the most common cause of death,” INSI said. The report, com-

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piled for INSI by the Cardiff School of Journalism in Wales, showed 85 of the victims were shot.

Others died in explosions, stabbings and beatings, under torture or by strangulation, or in accidents, according to INSI. After Syria and Iraq, cited by the Institute as the most dangerous countries for journalists last year, came Philippines with 14 deaths, India with 13 and Pakistan with 9.

In 2012, 28 reporters died in Syria, 18 in Somalia, 12 in Nigeria, 11 in Mexico and 11 in Pakistan.

The 2013 total for the Philippines, which in past years has seen a mass shooting of reporters as well as individual assassinations, included five who lost their lives in natural disasters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19 2014

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Venezuela opposition’s Leopoldo Lopez hands himself in (BBC News) VENEZUELAN opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez has handed himself over to the National Guard, witnesses say.

It comes as pro- and anti-government protesters take part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas.

Mr Lopez, who is wanted on charges of inciting violence, had said he would lead the anti-government march before handing himself in to the authorities.

Tensions have been running

high in the deeply polarised country; at least three people have died in clashes.

The three - two anti-government protesters and one government supporter - died of bullet wounds sustained during demonstrations last Wednesday.

Participants in a protest in the eastern city of Carupano said another student was killed when he was run over by a car during a march on Monday night.

After a short speech to thousands of supporters, Mr Lopez

handed himself over to what he called an unjust and corrupt justice. He denies the charges against him.

“I present myself to an unjust judiciary. They want to jail Venezuelans who want peaceful, democratic change,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

Ahead of the rallies, Caracas Mayor Jorge Rodriguez warned that he had not authorised Tuesday’s opposition march.

Police and members of the National Guard are out in force.

ACS concerned over violence in Venezuela (Trinidad Guardian) GOVERNMENT is supporting an initiative by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (CELAC) for dialogue aimed at halting violence in neighbouring Venezuela, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran said Monday. In a telephone interview, Dookeran said: “We are in touch with our Caracas embassy which has been giving a full appraisal of the situation as well as the conditions that are difficult in economic terms, reflected in the issue of foreign exchange, rising prices and affecting transportation links between T&T and Venezuela even for diplomats and other officials. “It’s generated a sense of uneasiness among the Venezuelan population and even at the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) meeting held two days ago in Port-of-Spain.” He added: “Government is monitoring

developments closely. We will support CELAC initiatives to bring about dialogue among the relevant parties towards an appropriate de-escalation of the violence.

A CELAC meeting scheduled for Caracas yesterday was being brought forward to Monday night, Venezuelan sources said.. Regional ambassador Mervyn Assam, agreeing CELAC may have a role to play, said Venezuelan stability was important for T&T and the region. He said it appeared the Maduro administration was experiencing problems even after the death of former leader Hugo Chavez. Meanwhile, T&T’s ambassador to Venezuela. Anthony Edgehill, commenting on the growing unrest, said the flow of information about it was being closely “managed” by the Venezuelan authorities. Edgehill, who is based in Caracas, spoke to the T&T Guardian Monday following a week of protests

in Caracas and other cities. It involved clashes among university students and rival groups of Opposition and Government sympathisers as well as law enforcement agencies of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro administration. Protests so far have left three dead—two youths and a member of a civilian militia group—hundreds injured and scores detained, he added. But no T&T nationals have been injured, Edgehill said.

Opposition activists have accused them of trying to prevent them from attending the anti-government rally.

The anti-government demonstration was called by Mr Lopez, leader of the opposition Popular Will party and former mayor of Chacao district in eastern Caracas.

Earlier, he urged his supporters to join the march but asked them to stop short of

Leopoldo Lopez denies committing any crime and says allegations that he incited violence are untrue the Interior Ministry, which is located in a pro-government area of Caracas and where he was planning to hand in a petition.

“I will walk alone. I won’t put any Venezuelan lives at risk. Go Venezuela!” he wrote on Twitter.

The BBC’s Irene Caselli in Caracas says thousands of people - many wearing white and holding Venezuelan flags -

gathered in the east of the city in support of Mr Lopez.

Government supporters wearing red are holding a rival march and heading to the presidential palace for a meeting with President Maduro.

It appears Mr Lopez took the decision not to lead his supporters into the path of the pro-government protesters, our correspondent adds.

Bank addressing US dollars (Newsday) THE Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago will take steps to address problems which arise regarding occasional shortages of US dollars in the country. This was the assurance given on Monday

by Finance and the Economy Minister Larry Howai.

Last week, there were letters to the editor in daily newspapers, in which persons raised concerns about being unable to get US currency.

Responding to some questions from Business Day on this matter, Howai said : “The problem with foreign exchange arises from the fact that we have mainly one source which is the oil companies and they sell directly to Central Bank and then Central Bank injects funds into the system from time to time.”

He explained, “The problem

arises from the timing of the injections which results in some tightness before the funds come in.” Howai disclosed that this matter was raised with the Central Bank last Friday when he met with Central Bank Governor and members of the business community.

“The Governor advised that he would revisit the system although it will take some time to devise a new system,” Howai stated. “I expect though that the CBTT will take steps to address this temporary shortage soon,” he said. Howai said while this

is being done, the population can rest assured that the country has “adequate reserves of close to US$10 billion and another US$ 5billion in the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund.

In its monetary policy report last month, the Central Bank said the domestic foreign exchange market has experienced some tightness since December 2013 due to higher seasonal demand and unexpected lower levels of foreign exchange conversions from the energy sector.

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GUYANA

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Kudos to the Ministry of Tourism --for its rather informative website

Editorial

Nigel Hughes’ threat to sue this newspaper is on shaky ground IN the Chronicle’s editorial of Saturday, February 15, 2014, documenting some of the plethora of illegal activities Opposition leaders have been alleged to have committed, was one of several paragraphs detailing instances of improper and/or illegal conduct allegedly committed by Attorney-at-Law, Nigel Hughes, for which he is threatening to take legal action against the management of the Chronicle.

The excerpt at reference reads as follows: “Fast-track to the Linden unrest in 2012, when Opposition supporters were again instigated to riot by their leaders, including Nigel Hughes, with three of them shot by persons unknown.

“After demanding and obtaining a commission of inquiry that cost the nation millions and bringing in an ‘expert’ to prove the police culpable of the killings under the direction of Minister Rohee, all their claims and allegations were debunked, even by their own ‘expert’; but yet, inexplicably, the commission awarded people who were breaking the law and committing all kinds of atrocities, millions of taxpayers’ dollars.

“As Ramjattan did earlier, it is being surmised that their lawyer, Nigel Hughes, received a huge payout for his representation; so again people breaking the law were rewarded at taxpayers’ expense instead of being punished.”

Where is the libel here? To state that something is being ‘surmised’, based on certain occurrences? Chronicle did not state this as a fact; nor did it make any accusations to the effect that Hughes indeed received a payout for his services, unlike the outright accusations that he made against Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee that were proven to be blatant lies.

If a newspaper could be sued for reporting on the public ‘surmising’ about an event or an action, then all of the ‘perceived’ opposition media outlets, especially the ‘Kaieteur News’ and CNS 6, would have been incessantly sued. But that editorial also reported on incidents that are undisputed and in the public domain, which are far more damaging to Hughes’s personal and professional reputation, and which, in a US jurisdiction, and even by the laws of this land, should earn any lawyer prosecution and consequential disbarment.

These include public charges of land and property fraud; tax evasion; and tampering with evidence in a murder case. These are the charges that Hughes is claiming are libellous. However, all these charges are in the public domain, and have never before been refuted by Hughes; so he is merely trying to hoodwink the public.

Mr. Khurshid Sattaur has himself verified publicly that Hughes has evaded paying millions of dollars in tax. It is also a matter of public knowledge that Hughes removed a surveillance tape from a murder scene in Buxton; and, apart from an earlier allegation of property fraud, Ms. French, of Mae’s Schools, has recently accused him of a fraudulent act regarding a property sale.

THANKS to the Minister of Tourism and his staff for the development of the website, ‘Rediscover Guyana’. I must admit that I see many sites related to different issues related to Guyana, but this one is certainly very informative for a visitor.

I was in the planning stages of a visit to Guyana, along with other members of our family, to celebrate our mother’s 75th Birthday during the Easter holidays. As usual, the topic of where to stay became an issue, since many family members were concerned about quality hotels and, most importantly, our security.

Fortunately, my brother was watching television and he saw an ‘ad’ promoting Easter in Guyana, and further details

were available if you visited www.rediscoverguyana.com.

He immediately called me and suggested that I check out the site, especially since we were concerned about a quality hotel and our safety. The only issue we ran into was that the hotel we loved and hoped to stay at was very small, in terms of rooms, but we were impressed with them all.

We’ve decided, however, to break up into groups and use different ones. If the pictures on their website is truly what exists, then I can safely say Guyana has arrived, in terms of standards and quality.

Pardon me if I sound out of touch, but the real fact is that I have not been home in 35 years, and, like so many other persons like me, we base our thoughts

These are matters of public record, which Hughes cannot refute. It was these actions of his, as well as others, that have led the public to ‘surmise’ that he, like Ramjattan did when he claimed to have represented, pro bono, the teen who had been tortured by policemen, had also taken a percentage of the award issued to Lindeners through his representation. It was a natural conclusion, based on practice by members of the legal profession; and this newspaper has a duty to disseminate the information of that public perception.

Regarding his association with the Foreman of the Jury in the Lusignan murder trial, this is what Hughes had to say: “The Foreman of the Jury, who I represented in a civil action which was concluded in 2008, was a member of the People’s Progressive Party, and was represented by the current Attorney- General in 2011 in an action in which I appeared against him (the Foreman).

“The same foreman, as part of his party duties in 2012 participated in a public picketing exercise against me at the Supreme Court during the hearings of the Linden Commission of Inquiry.

He was there along with senior members of the PPP. A copy of the photograph of the foreman on the PPP picket line is attached for your benefit.

“At the time of the Lusignan trial any relationship which existed between the foreman and myself could best be described as hostile.

There was nothing to disclose.

“Is the PPP saying that I should have disclosed that the Foreman was a PPP member, that he had been represented by the Attorney General two years immediately prior to the trial when I appeared against him in the same case? Is this the non-disclosure they are speaking about?”

Hughes is being, at the very least, disingenuous, if not outright dishonest here, because this was indeed a matter of non-disclosure of prior association with the Foreman of the Jury, which should have at least resulted in a mistrial instead of an acquittal. And, as a lawyer, Hughes is fully aware that disclosing his association with the jury foreman was his duty; and that this non-disclosure of a prior association with the Foreman of the Jury should have earned him the direst of sanctions, if not jail time.

Whether it is true or not that the jury foreman is a PPP supporter, and no-one knows that this allegation by Hughes is a fact, is not the issue; but the fact that the person had been his client and known to him for a number of years is what is relevant, because of the suspicion that the foreman influenced the ‘not guilty’ verdict.

Anyone who believes that Hughes did not remember, and had no relations with someone with whom he had consultations, from whom he most likely received hefty fees, and whom he represented in his professional capacity has to be an outright fool, or is willing to be fooled. But nowhere in his letter did Hughes admit to this association, which, again, is a matter of public record. All he tried to do was link the jury foreman with the PPP. Where is the honesty in this?

Most likely hoping to appease the voting public and probably political backers, Hughes claims: “In these releases, they have made particular appeal to the victims of the Lusignan Massacre, contending that I have been responsible for the release and discharge of those persons who were responsible for the mass murders.

“The people of Lusignan and Guyana appear not to have been made aware that the person who admitted and confessed to being with ‘Fineman’ and participating in the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek massacres, Mr. Dwane Wiliams, was not, and will not be, prosecuted by the State for any of these 33 murders he participated in. He has been granted a free pass, by the State,

and expectations on what we read in the Online tabloids. This website and the programme of activities listed give rise to the opportunity to see places I or my siblings have never ventured to, even though we were born in Guyana.

Through my boasting after sharing the site with a co-worker from Denmark, he and his wife have decided to make the trip with us. We are certainly looking forward to a good time.

We will make time to visit the many places where the excursions are going, and explore some of the night-life.

My only question is: why are there no prices listed for the excursions? Minister of Tourism, please ensure that we know prices so we can do an effective budget and have enough monies

while in Guyana.

I hope many persons will make use of such an opportunity, since it will be good to not only visit home if, like me, you were not there for a long time, besides being granted the opportunity to visit some of the places I only read about or may have seen on a map of Guyana.

It is really good now, with technology, when you can see places and make plans on where or what activities you can enjoy, even before you leave your home.

Thanks again to the Ministry of Tourism. This was a brilliant idea.

Keep up the good work.

My entire family and friends (some 20-25 of us) can’t wait for our arrival.

LEO FERNANDES NJ, USA

for killing not only the people of Lusignan, but those in Bartica and Lindo Creek.

“These are his chilling words, made under oath, during his testimony in the Lusignan trial: “ME AND ‘FINE-MAN’ WERE TIGHT. I WAS WITH HIM IN LUSIGNAN, BARTICA AND LINDO CREEK. LUSIGNAN, 11 PEOPLE WERE KILLED; BARTICA, 12 PEOPLE WERE KILLED; AND LINDO CREEK, 10 PEOPLE WERE KILLED. 33 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN I WAS WITH ‘FINE- MAN’, AND I AM NOT FACING A SINGLE CHARGE.’ “These words were recorded by the trial Judge, Mr. Justice Navindra Singh, and are contained in the appeal record, a public document at pages 256 to 257. Copies of this extract from his testimony are attached.

“He was the State’s sole eyewitness, who was jointly charged for the Lusignan murders. A mere week before the commencement of the Lusignan trial, Mr. Williams had the charges of murder against him mysteriously dropped by the State and he was released.

“Perhaps the people of Lusignan may wish to inquire of the Attorney-General and the DPP why the State, which is responsible for protecting and serving them, would let a self-confessed murderer of 33 citizens go free without a single charge. No other person in the history of this country has enjoyed such a pardon.”

This is what, in Guyanese parlance, is called “taking his doodoo and rubbing it on someone else”. The State had no case against either of the two suspects, and therefore no option but to cut a deal with one of the two self-confessed murderers in order that at least one could be successfully prosecuted.

In the USA, prosecutors do this all the time; they look at the worst case scenario of no grounds for prosecution of either accused murderer as against letting one go on a plea deal, so as to get a witness to enable prosecution of the other. One of the conditions is that the accused who takes the deal, reveals his guilt in court during the trial; hence, his deposition, as per Hughes’s letter.

Hughes took no money to fight the case, and his efforts did indeed free the Lusignan murder accused. Hughes took away the effort and the advantage provided that could easily have brought in a ‘guilty’ verdict, and at least get some justice for the victims of the Lusignan Massacre by fighting for free to release the accused murderer.

So, why did he not, knowing the dire legal implications, reveal that he had a long-enduring association with the jury foreman if there was no collusion? The public is not buying Hughes’s defence and explanation, because, judging from his record, they declare his perceived lack of credibility on social media sites in long-running, heated debates and in letters to the media.

Supporters of the political Opposition, in and out of Guyana, are claiming that they paid all the expenses Hughes is claiming to have paid; and one is left to wonder why someone who did not even pay his taxes, and risk prosecution would want to expend so much money, merely for a political cause.

Incidentally, the Opposition made a lot of accusations that the people murdered at Lindo Creek were killed by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). It is just a matter of self-interest that Hughes is revealing the truth that exonerates the GDF, as related by one of the self-confessed murderers, that the ‘Fine-Man’ gang was responsible for the Lindo Creek killings. So, why is the vociferous Opposition media silent on this revelation?

At best, Hughes’s threats to sue this newspaper is on shaky ground, and he stands a real chance of further defamation of his character if he pursues this vengeful course.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19 2014

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Hughes attempts to justify his actions --PEEPER’s queries laughable

NIGEL Hughes’s response to allegations of criminal conduct in several instances is laughable, because all these things are out in the public domain.

This man, Nigel Hughes, is trying to exonerate himself from allegations of jury tampering by claiming his jury foreman associate is a PPP member because the foreman participated in a public picketing exercise against Nigel Hughes.

Everyone knows that many current AFC members were once PPP members, so, even if this is true, then it still does not excuse him from non-disclosure of the fact that he was associated with the jury foreman prior to the trial of the Lusignan murder suspect, who he represented, free of charge.

Nigel will never say how this was set up; not even old Grandma Sandy will swallow this. Nigel Hughes should have been prosecuted and disbarred from the time he tampered with evidence at a murder scene at the Buxton Gas Station.

Nigel Hughes said, “The same foreman, as part of his party duties in 2012, participated in a public picketing exercise against me at the Supreme Court during the hearings of the Linden Commission of Inquiry.

He was there along with senior members of the PPP. A copy of the photograph of the foreman on the PPP picket line is attached for your benefit.”

How did Hughes come to

the conclusion that this was part of the man’s Party duties and not done through his own convictions? And who were the other picketers? Is this part of a PPP or an AFC picket line? And how does this acquit him from the charge of non-disclosure?

Nigel Hughes and his buddies are not smart in setting up things this way. His wife, Cathy, has a television studio where photographs are easily doctored, and it is an easy matter to insert the man’s likeness through photoshop.

Nigel Hughes could now tell the Guyanese masses who else were there in that picketing exercise.The PPP should find the guts and belly to bring Hughes to trial.

PEEPING TOM has asked KN, “Where are the SLEEPING MEDIA?” However, the very media in which the PEEPER writes his column is a big sleeper, and notoriously anti-PPP Government, so the PEEPER should ask his boss why his newspaper is sleeping on things the PEEPER wants to know; issues such as the ‘baton boy’ allegation, and the 19 polling stations that were not counted last elections, which would have favoured the PPP. The PEEPER said the media are not doing their job thoroughly. The media were quick on the gun in reporting allegations that a young man was sodomized while in police custody, and as a consequence of this assault he had suffered ruptured intestines.

The PEEPER failed to mention the name/s of those sleeping media.

That allegation of sodomy was only raised two months after the act of sodomy causing perforation of his intestines (which would have killed him) was said to have been committed, and after the young man would have had the opportunity to inform the Courts what had happened to him.

The PEEPER does not understand how those who cannot win elections at the polls to govern are brewing a race war.

The very SLEEPING media the PEEPER is talking about were quick to name a police officer of a certain race, stating that he shoved the big, large police baton up the felon’s anus.The local doctors proved this was not the case. Even a former judge in an inquiry said the baton is too big and way too large to fit in the man’s anus; that ‘The Baton Boy’ would not have been able to walk at present had he been sodomised with that size of baton.

The PEEPER said the boy’s handlers sent him to Jamaica for a medical test, which was done and proved that a foreign object was indeed inserted up the boy’s anus, but could not prove when it happened. The PEEPER should have concluded by now that what the inquiry judge said about the size of the police baton: If the POLICE BATON can’t fit, then you must acquit.

The PEEPER said the media

Fed up with service of utility companies I AM writing to voice my continuing disgust and dissatisfaction at the services meted out to hardworking, taxpaying Guyanese citizens by the utility companies in Guyana.

Of recent, I have experienced several instances where, had I not been a level-headed (and I dare say, intelligent) person, I would have undoubtedly lost my temper and landed myself in an embarrassing situation.

I shall begin by telling the tale of my ‘run-in’ with the telephone company; my telephone bill was paid a few weeks ago (without receiving a bill for the last few months), and to my utter dismay, I attempted to use my landline, and as fate would have it, my phone line was cut for non-payment of bills. This meant that I had to take time off from work, visit the utility company, pay a reconnection fee, even though I’d paid my bill a few days prior, and be subjected to mistreatment from the CSR for lodging a complaint.

During the same week, the water company visited my area and proceeded to disconnect my service while no one was at home. What is unjust is that they later learned that they had disconnected service to the wrong address.

I once again made the arduous trip to the utility company; was interrogated for close to an hour; displayed every document in my possession, save for by birth certificate, and still had to pay a reconnection fee.

More recently, a family member called in to the ‘light company’ to lodge a complaint regarding a faulty meter. My relative resides in Mahaica and therefore contacted the office in Victoria, only to be told that they needed to make the trip down to the Head Office, in Georgetown, to make the complaint in person. What a waste of energy and resources!

These are just a few recent experiences, and I have no doubt that members of the public have experienced worse than this in the past. It therefore begs the question: if we live in a modern society, in a technological age, why are the utility companies so inept when it comes to delivery of service, customer service relations, and the overall management of the utility companies?

I dare say I am an honest, hardworking taxpayer, and one of many Guyanese who are totally disgusted with the lack of professionalism and disgruntled by the inability of the various Managers/CEOs, etc, to get it right and to serve the Guyanese public in an efficient manner.

After all, aren’t we required to pay for these services?

C. SINGH

have equally not sought their own independent medical advice to determine whether it is possible, so long after an alleged sodomy took place, for evidence to still be present confirming that act.

Again, the PEEPER must be reminded that it is not in the opposition media’s best interests to print or telecast anything that will favour the PPP Government and the Guyana Police Force. Once the opposition says to the sleeping media that this is so, and that is so, and these are the facts, the anti- PPP media run with it to carry out the opposition’s agenda of trying to create a race war.

The PEEPER asked: “Has[sic] the media already made up its mind as to what took place, and are not interested in examining all sides to this issue?” Again, the PEEPER must be reminded that it is not in the anti-PPP media’s best interests to make the PPP Government and police look good if the media are the conduits in facilitating an opposition-driven race war.

The PEEPER will come to understand that, again, it is not in the anti-PPP media’s best interests to inquire who voted for PPP and in which PPP stronghold votes from 19 ballot boxes were not counted on polling day in 2011. You bet your life the same sleeping media would have awakened, and you would have heard the loud growling, had it been one single PNC polling station not being counted, let alone 19.

The PEEPER asked: “Could it be that these votes that were not counted would have annulled the one-seat majority of the combined opposition? And is this the reason why the media are not highlighting this issue?”

The former President of Guyana and other PPP people said they withdrew their request for a recount and checks of all polling stations all across Guyana because the PNC was threatening violence if they had lost the election.

The PEEPER should ask what is there to stop the PNC from threatening violence again come next elections.

T. KING

Excessive punishment WE hold the view that all violence against children, including the violence of parents and other unwaged caregivers, is wrong and should be outlawed; hence, when we saw the Sunday Kaieteur News headline, ‘Babysitter gets 60 months for assaulting one-year-old’, our first response was that the babysitter was totally wrong to hit the child, and that even if it were her child, she should not have hit her. In other words, first we saw the assault of the child.

Then we were struck by the speed with which the matter was concluded by the police and the Court. Within a matter of days, a 19-year-old was sentenced to jail for an action that the lawmakers of the country do not find it fit to outlaw, and that the police are usually very reluctant to investigate. And this in a country where, as we know from the experience of the organisations we’ve worked with, cases often take years to get TO Court, never mind THROUGH it.

Thirdly, we were struck by the penalty: Five years. This in a country where drug-lords who are destroying young lives are not even arrested, and vehicular manslaughter trials drag out for years, with the guilty out on bail, free to continue endangering lives. Even in a court system where sentences sometimes appear irrational, this one must be the most irrational of all.

But, is it irrational? One must assume that the speed of the response and the harshness of the penalty are related to the status of the offended parents, and the fact that the offender is assumed to be voiceless.

But, on the contrary, she is not voiceless. Magistrate Lovell must reconsider her solidarity with her fellow members of the Bar, and remember that justice must be blind to status and connections.

We therefore call on the Chancellor and other judicial authorities to reverse this inhumane, unreasonable, unbalanced and clearly biased sentence. There will be more to say on this matter later.

ANDAIYE & KAREN DE SOUZA, Red Thread SIMONA BROOMES & URICA PRIMUS, Guyana Women Miners Organisation DANUTA RADZIK & JOSEPHINE WHITEHEAD, Help & Shelter JEAN LAROSE, Amerindian People’s Association

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Rights of the Child Commission moving to enhance National Peer Education Programme

By Ravin Singh THE Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) is seeking to expand its scope in the peer education programme in Guyana.

And towards this objective, the RCC is not only putting a focus on HIV/AIDS education, but is also examining other issues such as health and family life, parenting, relationship skills, sexuality and sexual orientation, gender issues, conflict resolution, stigma and discrimination, music and lyrics, suicide and the environment.

On Monday last, a Peer Educators Stakeholders Consultation was held at Regency Suites/Hotel, Hadfield Street, to discuss the peer educator’s code of conduct. At this two-day consultation, the criteria for selecting qualified peer educators were to be examined.

Addressing stakeholders

at the opening was Committee Mobilization Officer of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat, Mr. Nazim Hussain. In his frank remarks, he pointed to social issues confronting the youths of today, highlighting the case of a 13-year-old Enmore teen who was found dangling from a rope. He also cited the three episodes of schoolgirls fighting which he saw on Facebook.

Hussain then called for urgent measures to be taken to address these issues, while noting that today many youths are ignorant of sex education and the reality of life. However, he is hoping that these issues can be addressed through this newly-implemented programme.

Adding to the presentation was Ms. Marianne Flach who is the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) representative for Guyana and Suriname. In her report, she acknowledged

that Peer Education has evolved as a methodology to convey mainly information on HIV, and has now been expanded to include the emerging issues which children and young people are faced with today, such as gender violence abuse, increasing drug and alcohol use and abuse, teen pregnancy and school drop-outs.

She added that “peer educators have also proven in some cases to be more effective than adults in establishing norms and in changing attitudes, especially those related to sexual behaviour. Young people, especially girls, feel more empowered to talk about sex without the risk of being stigmatised, and this can lead to increased awareness and better sexual health practices.”

Moreover, she reiterated UNICEF’s commitment and support for this programme in ensuring that all children and young people have the right to

Teenager perishes as boat sinks in riverine interior EIGHTEEN-year-old Hassani David of 257 Section ‘C’, South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown perished when the boat in which he was travelling sank in a river in Guyana’s interior on Sunday night.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at her Turkeyen home late yesterday afternoon, David’s mother, Natasha David, said she had last seen her son three months ago, when he left to go and work in the interior with someone known to the family.

The woman said her son had been interested in joining the Guyana Police Force, but had a

‘DROWNED’: Hassani David change of heart and decided to work in the mining industry, expressing more interest in operating an excavator than in being a policeman. He started working with the small mining company as a serviceman, and up to the time of his death he was still

a serviceman, but operated the excavator under supervision.

When family members received, on Monday, the devastating news of what had befallen David, the lad’s father, Clairmont David, immediately travelled to the area and joined a group of men who had begun searching for the teen’s body.

He was not known to be a swimmer, according to his mother.

Late yesterday, the Guyana Chronicle received confirmation that the search parties had retrieved David’s body and were bringing it to the city under police escort. (Leroy Smith)

YOUTH SHOT IN GROIN -

as he rushes to aid friend being robbed by gunman

THE Guyana Police Force has reported that 21-year-old Earl Deokarran was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital last evening after he was shot to the groin when he rushed to assist his 19-year-old friend Travis Edwards, who was being attacked by a lone gunman when they were crossing a bridge at Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

The gunman had reportedly already relieved Edwards of his gold chain when Deokarran rushed to Edwards’s assistance and was shot in the process.

The police are investigating the matter.

Pomeroon man missing following collision between two boats THE police have said that a Pomeroon man identified only as “Blacker”, of Grant Phoenix Park, Lower Pomeroon, was up to late last evening still missing after the boat in which he was travelling on Monday night collided with another boat at approximately 21:30 hrs. It is not clear if either boat was carrying a light.

The captain of the boat has been detained by the police to assist with investigations into the matter, while the other captain is said to have fled the scene.

From left, Ms. Aleema Nasir, Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission; Ms. Marianne Flach, UNICEF representative for Guyana and Suriname; and Mr. Nazim Hussain, Committee Mobilization Officer, NAPS. participate in issues that affect their development.

It was also noted that while peer education can provide significant support to existing school-based programmes such as Health and Family Life Ed-

ucation (HFLE), it can also be helpful in reaching those children who are out of school or those who are most vulnerable.

Meanwhile, only recently it was confirmed that Guyana has the highest suicide rate of

all countries in the Caribbean and South America, with the majority of deaths being among teens. It is hoped that this new strategic implementation will seek to combat such social issues.

CJIA now on ‘moderate’ alert on finding no evidence of security breach

- commits to maintaining a safe environment THE Ministry of Public Works and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) have reportedly lowered the threat level at the airport from high to moderate as of Saturday last.

Both agencies said in a joint statement yesterday that the lowering of the threat level is indicative “that officials no longer think that a disruption is imminent.”

Giving a background into what triggered the ‘high alert’ mode in the first place, CJIA said: “A telephone call was received in Barbados in connection with a specific threat to a Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flight scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2014.”

That call, CJIA said, not only “triggered a full-scale security response to ensure the

Minister Robeson Benn safety of passengers, airport employees and aircraft,” but also saw the minister responsible for Transport, Mr. Robeson Benn, summoning an emergency meeting with key stakeholders and high level security officials on Saturday, February 8, 2014 to evaluate the threat, and put in place the necessary security

measures to neutralise it.”

Though CAL has since advised there was minimal disruption to their flight operations, which are now back to normal, CJIA says “law enforcement officers are vigorously following up on leads from their Barbadian counterparts to pinpoint the origin of the call.”

It also reports that Minister Benn has given all assurances that despite the lowered threat level, stringent security measures at CJIA will remain in place.

In conclusion, CJIA says “The Ministry and Airport Corporation would like to thank all the security agencies and stakeholders for their support in maintaining a safe environment, and the passengers for their cooperation and assistance.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

THE NIGEL HUGHES SAGA

A tale of politics without morality OLD Kai was expecting it: I was waiting for it, and when it came, it brought a weird sense of self-satisfaction, as I had predicted that Nigel Hughes would take the cowardly way out from his latest predicament.

Nigel Hughes has been officially involved in the political arena for less than five years, and already he is regarded as one of the most scandalous politicians in our history. It seems that not a day goes by without another damning revelation in the media involving this individual, who is also a practising attorney-at-law.

Having observed his modus operandi in the media for several years, it is debatable if he will take the above statement more as a compliment than a critique, which underlines the growing perception among Guyanese that the Opposition is drifting down a dangerous road of practising politics without morality.

It came as no shock that Mr. Hughes, rather than breaking his silence on his latest scandal in a contrite manner, decided to come out swinging (albeit through a Facebook post rather than facing the media), attacking the PPP and the PPP/C Government (his usual scapegoats) as he has skilfully done in the past to divert attention from the serious questions being asked of his integrity.

Hence, instead of addressing accusations that he entered into a sale agreement of a property he owned while being aware that the bank had foreclosed on the said property, and someone else had bought it at an auction, he has selectively sought to only focus on the Lusignan Massacre murder trial.

Fair enough, as I will also deal with that. But we cannot give him a ‘get out of jail’ free pass when we are told that because of his actions, some 300 students preparing to write the CSEC exams are now in jeopardy for fear of losing the building which houses their school. These students do not deserve to wake up every day worrying that when they turn up for school, they will see a big padlock on the doors. How could Mr. Hughes nonchalantly ignore the mental anguish his action is causing these innocent children?

And while on the subject of mental anguish, the survivors and relatives of the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek Massacres come to mind. It is interesting how the Opposition politicians have come around to accepting the fact that the Lindo Creek Massacre was carried out by the remnants of the gang which

had entrenched themselves in Buxton despite the wishes of the vast majority of law-abiding citizens there. In fact, many Buxtonians who had dared speak out against their encampment in the village were themselves the victims of these criminals.

Brian Hamilton, proprietor of a Service Station on the Buxton Public Road, was murdered by said criminals in 2003 at his business place. Interestingly enough, Nigel Hughes was accused of turning up at the murder scene and removing the surveillance tape, only to return it several days later.

In his defence, Hughes claimed that the dead man was a far-off relative of his, and that he had accompanied the victim’s father to the scene, where they were granted permission by a police rank in charge of the scene to remove the tape to make a copy of it. He then claims the tape was “sent to a recording studio” with several other references to this unnamed ‘recording studio’. It is interesting to note that Hughes’s wife, AFC Member of Parliament, Cathy Hughes manages a recording studio.

He then admits that he breached the promise he made to the Guyana Police Force of making only one copy of the tape, by making another for a “senior GDF officer” who had requested that the police not be made aware of his request. He does not disclose if this was an official request by the GDF, or whether the army rank had made the request in his personal capacity.

Nevertheless, he admits he was able to make the copy the very day of the murder for the GDF rank (Friday, March 21, 2003) unbeknownst to the Police Force, but could only find time to return what he claims is the original ‘un-doctored’ tape to the Crime Chief the next day (the weekend). Said he, “I personally attended the CID Headquarters for the purposes of handing over the tape to then Crime Chief, Mr. Leon Trim…He was not there. I decided against leaving the original with a sentry for obvious reasons.” Hughes also claimed he visited the CID Headquarters on Sunday, but again, the Crime Chief was not there.

Mr. Hughes clearly found it convenient, and did not have ‘obvious reasons’, to seek permission from a lowly police rank at the crime scene to uplift the tape, but when it was time to return it, he suddenly became aware of his strict protocol of only involving the then Crime Chief. I will also not speculate on the basic practice of using a telephone to call and confirm that

someone is in office before going over (twice), especially if you have already decided that you will not leave the tape with anyone else, including several senior officers, who would have been present at the CID headquarters at the time of his alleged visit.

Further suspicion was fuelled in the ‘evidence tape drama’ when Freddy Kissoon announced on April 12, 2003, that “Two senior policemen, and a well-placed journalist told me (Kissoon) that the tape was altered.”

Suffice it to say, nothing ever came out of the tape, or, to the best of Old Kai’s knowledge, was anyone arrested and charged.

Old Kai may also be suffering from a memory lapse (it happens with old age), as I cannot seem to recall, with all his convenient, vociferous critique of the Guyana Police Force, Mr. Hughes being upset that after all these years, the NIGEL HUGHES killers of his ‘far-off relative’ have not been brought to justice. His silence is deafening!

In an unrelated (or maybe not) matter, we are told by the media that two employees of a prominent attorney-at-law were gunned down the following month, in April 2003. The men, Orin Shultz and Gladwin Fecker, were killed on Joseph Pollydore Street, in Lodge.

It would be interesting to know the identity of this attorney, and if there was any link. Old Kai is equally in the dark as to the identity of this attorney, and what were the circumstances surrounding the murder of the men.

(To be continued...)

U.S. orchestrating a coup ...

From page 3 deep commitments toward my country and my people.”

POLITICAL INSTABILITY Ambassador Diaz has also debunked speculations of political instability in her native Venezuela. She said, “There is no political instability. There is a national government that is working actively in all the programmes that a national government has responsibility for. This includes healthcare, education and housing.

“As for the difficulties with the shortage of basic goods, the Government is fighting this by making these (goods) accessible to the people.”

Ambassador Diaz has stated that President Maduro’s administration is working every day with a commitment to meet the needs of the people of Venezuela. She reiterated that the Maduro Government has the backing of most Venezuelans, as indicated in the December 8, 2013 local government elections; and she said that is only one example of the people’s demonstration of their confidence in the Administration.

“We have won the Parliamentary election, the Local Government elections and the General Elections, all of which prove that the revolutionary government has the support of the people,” Ambassador Diaz posited.

On the issue of foreign relations, the ambassador has assured that, other than those with the USA, the relations with other countries remain unaffected by the protest actions that have gripped the nation of Venezuela for the last week.

Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez gets into a National Guard armored vehicle in Caracas yesterday.

(Reuters/Jorge Silva photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

AG says…

APNU must take responsibility for late submission of proposals - Gov’t wants AML/CFT Bill passed as soon as possible ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall yesterday responded to Opposition Leader David Granger who said last week that his Party is committed to the passage the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill before the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) meets again in May. “Mr. Granger has said nothing that the nation has not heard from him over the last 10 months,” the AG remarked.

He reminded that it was not until the night of Sunday, February 9 (the last night available to the select committee in order to meet the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) deadline that the APNU came forward with proposals. The Attorney General said that inherent in the said proposals was a level of deception.

“From the inception nearly 10 months ago, APNU’s position is that they want a clean Bill and that they have proposals to make to the Bill. However, on

that eleventh hour, when the proposals eventually came, they were not in relation to the Bill; they were to the Principal Act,” Minister Nandlall said.

The Government side

Attorney General Anil Nandlall explained that the Standing Orders state that the committee should confine itself to the matter that is before it.

Their proposals on the other hand, are in relation to the Principal Act and therefore outside of the mandate of the

committee.

At the end of its plenary in Paris, France on February 13, the FATF announced that Guyana must submit a report on the progress that has been made in relation to the implementation of the recommendations, both legislative and non-legislative.

The AG said that, “in terms of the recommendations that are legislative, we are to say whether they were passed into law and a copy of the law must be attached for examination by the plenary.”

It is the fervent hope of the Government that the Bill which has already been approved by the CFATF be passed before February 28 minus the proposals/amendments which were put forward by APNU. Minister Nandlall explained that there is a lack of clarity in terms of instructions to the draftsperson.

As a result those proposals have not yet been reduced into the form of amendments and are yet to be sent to the CFATF for approval. For this reason, the Government is calling for the passage of the current Bill to be proceeded with; while the APNU’s proposals will be addressed when they are properly drafted and approved.

“After all, they must accept responsibility for the late submission for those proposals,” the AG stated.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

DPP debunks misleading comments reportedly made by Hughes DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar AliHack, yesterday, debunked comments made by Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, in an article which was published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News under the headline: ‘Hughes accuses DPP of letting mass murderer to go free - as part of deal for Lusignan trial testimony’.

Ali-Hack pointed out that Hughes’comments were made without any attempt to obtain her position on the matter.

She slammed the accusation that her office is looking at a plea-bargain deal with a man, who admitted to participating in the Lusignan, Bartica and Lindo Creek massacres.

According to Mrs Ali-Hack, at no time did the DPP make any plea bargain deal with the witness Dwane Williams, who was the witness named in the article.

The article also said, “Per-

haps the people of Lusignan may wish to inquire of the Attorney General (Anil Nandlall) and the DPP (Shalimar Ali-Hack), why the State, which is responsible for protecting and serving them, would let a self-confessed murderer of 33 citizens go free without a single charge. No other person in the history of this country has enjoyed such a pardon.”

Ali-Hack maintained that the witness Dwane Williams testified for the State, as is very evident from the article, which itself made contradictory statements.

The DPP noted that the article itself said, “A mere week before the commencement of the Lusignan trial Mr. Williams had the charges of murder against him mysteriously dropped by the State and he was released.”

She said, “This in itself states that Dwane Williams was charged which contradicted other aspects of the article which

Region 4 RDC/ RED team-up to tackle social issues among youths CHILDREN and teachers from several East Bank Demerara schools, yesterday, gathered at the Diamond Secondary School for a youth symposium and folk afternoon under the theme ‘Cultural folklore; celebrating 44’.

The initiative was the brainchild of Deputy Regional Executive Officer Ms. Ameena Hinds, who also brought onboard the Regional Education Department of Region 4.

Yesterday’s highpoint was group discussions which focused on suicide, alcohol and substance abuse, and sex as the topics discussed. Before the topics were discussed, the students began the afternoon’s proceedings with prayers and recital of the National Pledge, followed by the chanting of several folk songs many of which seemed foreign to some of the students.

The event was also attended by Region 4 Chairman, Clement Corlette, and Regional Education Officer, Ms Jennifer Bourne. The facilitators of the programme, who guided the students in their discussion on the three topics, were National Aids Programme Secretariat representative Nazim Hussain, who lectured on sex; and Senior Welfare Officer Holda Scott and Welfare Officer Onica Pearson, who lectured on suicide and alcohol and substance abuse.

The symposium will today be taken to the Quamina Primary School at Beterverwagting, ECD, where several schools from the East Coast will be brought together for a similar activity.

According to Ms. Hinds, the topics are very current ones, and are affecting the core of society. As such, she said, the RDC would be working with the Regional Education Department to address the issues through several initiatives planned for Region 4.(Leroy Smith)

stated that Dwane Williams was allowed go free without a single charge.

“Based on the facts from the investigations, Dwane Williams was an accomplice. It is an old common law practice to allow an accomplice to an offence to testify for the prosecution. It has always been done in the criminal law practice, and continues to be done. It is a lawful practice with which all criminal law practitioners are quite familiar.”

The embattled AFC Chairman, himself, is facing legal troubles, following the court action moved by Mayfield French, the owner of popular city school Mae’s.

French, on January 17, 2014, sued Nigel Hughes, Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Registrar of the Supreme Court in respect of a property located at Lot 29 Subryanville, Kitty,

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack Georgetown, upon which part of the school has been built.

In the court papers which were seen by this newspaper, French is contending that

since February 24th 2006, she purchased the said property from Nigel Hughes for the sum of $20,000,000. She paid $8,000,000 as a deposit and went in possession; transport was supposed to be passed within 8 months and a mortgage on the said property was supposed to be paid off before the passing of the said transport.

In the meanwhile, this property was built up by French with buildings constructed on it as part of the school building complex.

According to French, she spent nearly $400 million on the said property. The portion which was bought from Hughes houses classrooms of Mae’s Secondary School, the canteen and the auditorium offices, washroom and other administrative and learning spaces. However, Hughes never passed transport to her.

Before the sale to French,

Hughes had mortgaged the very property to Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Insurance Company.

French claimed that it was only in December, 2013 that she first learnt that Hughes never paid off a loan, for which this said property was mortgaged as collateral and that Hand-in-Hand Mutual Life Insurance obtained foreclosure proceedings against the property and Hughes since 20th March, 2012. Hughes’s indebtedness to the company stands at over $26 million. The property was levied upon in December, 2013, by the Marshal of the Supreme Court and purportedly sold at an auction.

According to French, Hughes never disclosed that he did not pay off the loan; that he was sued as a result, and that a foreclosure order was obtained against the property. French claimed as a result she now faces ruin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

CCJ pledges to assist the furtherance of judicial education in Guyana THE judicial officers of Guyana and the esteem judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Monday at the Guyana International Conference Centre, engaged in a joint judicial education training exercise facilitated by Justice Saunders of the CCJ. All the judges of the CCJ were in attendance along with

the Magistrates, Registrars, Supreme and Appellate court judges of Guyana. The training exercise was premised on an adaptation of the Shakespearean play ‘The Merchant of Venice’.

The adaptation was first read by a cast drawn from the judicial officers following which there was a lively discussion with a view to identi-

fying themes in the Play that are currently relevant to the delivery of justice in the Caribbean and drawing parallels between the administration and dispensation of justice in 16th century Venice and 21st century Guyana.

The discussion was extremely lively and wide ranging. Dozens of parallels were drawn and these provided a

springboard for further discussion on such diverse issues as: mechanisms for strengthening judicial independence; the role of the rule of law in national development; statutory interpretation and the interpretation of contracts; equality before the law and the protection of minorities; the tempering of justice with mercy; and the utility of alter-

native dispute resolution.

All the judicial officers in attendance expressed deep satisfaction with the training exercise which touched on themes of great topical interest. Sir Dennis Byron, President of the CCJ, noted that the exercise indicated that judicial education could be simultaneously pleasurable,

informative and inspirational. The judges of Guyana re-committed themselves to the establishment of a local judicial education institute that would institutionalise judicial education in the country and in this regard, the CCJ pledged to do all that is possible to assist the furtherance of judicial education in Guyana.

‘Town Hall’ meetings planned to engage stakeholders on Anti-Money laundering bill AS part of Government’s effort to ensure the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill, several Town Hall type public meetings will be held to engage stakeholders.

The first meeting is billed for today at 5:30 pm at the Watooka Club in Linden. The next meeting is slated for tomorrow at the Berbice High School, starting at 4: 00pm. On Friday, Bartica residents will be afforded the opportunity to have their voices heard, at a 1:00 pm meeting scheduled for the St John the Baptist, RC School.

The meetings are intended to inform and educate residents in communities about the AML/ CFT Bill and the need for its passage. The Bill has not been passed in the National Assembly due to delay tactics of the political Opposition.

Guyana has to file a report with Caribbean Financial Action Task force (CFATF) by February 28, 2014 for their review and report to plenary members in May 2014. This report will include Guyana’s plan of action to correct its deficiencies as part of the ongoing process.

Guyana is expected to attach to that report the conclusions on the AML/CFT Amendment Bill No. 22, 2013 which is before the Parliamentary Special Select Committee and a copy of the said enacted Bill to be analysed, correlated to the deficiencies to provide the report to Plenary in May, 2014.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

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Anna Regina fish station getting production boost

By Rajendra Prabhulall MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh has challenged the fish station at Anna Regina to become more productive, producing and supplying additional fingerlings to fish farmers on the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon, so they can boost aquaculture farming in the region.

He issued the challenge during a visit to the fish station while in the region recently. Noting that government is investing millions of dollars at the facility to bolster and develop fresh water fish farming in the region and cannot let a few alligators to stop the production of fingerlings.

Baksh charged fishery officers to be more active.

Permanent Secretary within the ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jarvis, who was with the minister, said there are a lot of concerns at the fish station and government cannot get value for money.

According to him, the expectation from the fish station is to produce and supply fingerlings to fish farmers so the region can develop its aquaculture farming.

Fishery Officer, Ms. Latonia Mentore said the production of fingerlings is being hampered because the fish station is not properly fenced and alligators are entering the ponds and eating the fingerlings.

She said more fishes must be sent to the fish station which has seven ponds.

In response, the Permanent Secretary said a large brood will be sent to the fish station to increase production and the area around the fish station will be fenced to keep out alligators and other predators from entering the ponds.

Minister Alli Baksh and PS George Jarvis inspecting a catch from one of the fish ponds at the Anna Regina Fish Station

Minister Alli Baksh and PS George Jarvis in discussion with Fishery Officer Latonia Mentore and other staff at the Anna Regina Fish Station

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

PPP/C Councillor proposes triple deck market for Charity - wants shabby looking stalls demolished to make proposed Town attractive

By Rajendra Prabhulall PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor of the Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Ms. Vilma Da Silva has called for a triple deck market at Charity, to beautify the area and

Ms. Vilma Da Silva stop vending in the shabby looking place on the river defence dam, road shoulders and street corners.

Speaking at a recent statuto-

ry meeting of the RDC, she said Charity, which is earmarked for township status is, currently, stinking with garbage and is unattractive for tourism.

She said the proposed port of entry gateway to the gold fields in the North West District, Venezuela, Colombia, the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean must be developed and cleaned up to showcase the quality products that Pomeroon produces.

According to her, the picture of Charity now is one of garbage, blocked drains with hundreds of plastic soft drink bottles and shabby looking stalls which are an embarrassment to tourists.

Da Silva, who operates a water coconut bottling plant in the Pomeroon and heads the Pomeroon Women Cottage Industry at Charity, said she is ashamed to take foreigners who come to look at quality products to walk around the area, because of garbage thrown all over the place by vendors.

She said, at the end of the road in Charity, the Puran Brothers Garbage Disposal Company has placed three containers to collect solid waste but the way vendors and business operators are dumping in the containers is an embarrassment to the general public.

Da Silva said garbage is thrown all over the ground and is not cleared regularly by the company. The councillor

‘SERENE’: The beautiful Pomeroon river that has great potential for tourism declared that the site stinks and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Public Health Department are allowing vendors to sell clothes, meat, fish, groceries and fruits not far from

the garbage containers.

She declared that the shabby picture of Charity is killing tourism and something needs to be done, urgently, to correct the situation.

Da Silva said, if a triple deck market is constructed, it will automatically remove the shabby looking stalls and vendors from encroaching on the road and street shoulders and

will make Charity into a town and, eventually, a developed city.

She said the area and the Pomeroon have great potentials for development.

‘UNSIGHTLY’: A blocked drain near the Charity market

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Mahaica murder trial opens

By George Barclay SEETA, the cousin of Lakhram Bishundial, told a judge and jury that she thought she was in dreamland when an armed robber held up their parked pick-up in 2010 and demanded the bag with the money.

The felony murder left Lakhram Bishundial called ‘Mohan’ dead and Bishundial’s family who had been shopping for a wedding, in a state of mourning.

Doodnauth Bishundial of Lot 10 De Hoop, Mahaica, said that Lakhram, now dead, was his eldest son. Doodnauth told presiding Judge Franklyn Holder and the mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes that they were expecting to celebrate the joyous occasion of the wedding of their son, Totaram Bishundial on August 22, 2010.

He had attended the post-mortem which was done

by Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.

Prosecutrix Mrs. Judith Mursalin told the judge and jury in her opening address that on August 21, 2010, Totaram Bishundial left his home at De Hoop and travelled to Georgetown with his cousin Seeta to do some shopping for the wedding. Bishundial also withdrew the sum of $500,000 from Demerara Bank before he left Georgetown to head back home.

On the way he stopped at the Victoria Gas Station to buy gasolene for the pick-up he was driving. He spoke with his brother Lakhram on the cell phone and as he reached Hope, East Coast of Demerara, he saw his brother approaching from another direction driving a lorry.

His brother pulled over and Totaram also stopped, came out of his vehicle and went over to his brother and they began chatting. Then a man approached Totaram from the side of the lorry with a gun and asked for the bag while threatening to shoot.

The man shot Lakhram as he sat in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, then he went to the pick-up where Seeta was sitting with the bag of money and he took the bag and joined another man who was waiting on a motorcycle and they rode off.

Lakhram was placed in Totaram’s vehicle and as he headed towards the hospital in Georgetown, he saw what appeared to be money flying around at Victoria Gas Station and he observed the man with the money bag and gun. Totaram crashed his pick-up to the fence in an attempt to pin the man to the fence.

The man fired shots at him and then ran and jumped into a car that had pulled up.

Totaram took his brother to the St.Joseph Mercy Hospital where he subsequently died.

According to the prosecutrix, that same day the co-accused in this matter, Shawn Thom, was arrested at the Victoria Gas Station in relation to the robbery/ murder incident.

On Monday, 23rd August 2010, Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh performed a post-mortem on the body of Lakhram Bishundial and found that he had sustained one gunshot wound. He gave the cause of death as perforation of the liver and spleen due to gunshot injuries.

On August 26, the deceased was cremated at the Good Hope Crematorium, East Coast of Demerara.

Based on investigations by the police, the number one accused, Orin David, was arrested on September 10, 2010, at Linden. The following day Inspector Parris held an identification parade in which two witnesses positively identified Orin David as the shooter of Lakhram Bishundial.

Shawn Anthony Thom and Orin David are accused with having on August 21, 2010 murdered Lakhram Bishundial, called ‘Mohan’.

Attorneys-at-Law Mr. Trenton Lake and Mr. George Thomas are representing the accused.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

On 109th anniversary…

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent Hardt (second from left) and Rotary Representatives at the event

Demerara Rotary Club hosts World Understanding Dinner

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally THE Rotary Club of Demerara, as part of its celebration of Rotary International’s 109th anniversary, on Tuesday February 11, hosted a World Understanding Dinner at Duke Lodge, in Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. D. Brent Hardt was the featured speaker on the occasion and highlighted the importance of World Understanding and America’s involvement in fostering it.

Rotary members conduct projects to address today’s humanitarian challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water and environmental concerns while encouraging high standards in all vocations.

They also strive to build goodwill and peace and provide humanitarian service in their communities and throughout the world.

Rotary, a global network of community volunteers is one of the largest and most influential international humanitarian service organisations worldwide. Founded in Chicago on February 23, 1905, today over 1.2 million members belong to 33,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Rotary clubs have, often, celebrated the day by participating in service projects, including conducting free dental clinics for senior and low income individuals, mentoring youth and raising funds for polio eradication efforts.

The Rotary Club of Demerara joins Rotary Clubs worldwide to recognise the day, also known as Rotary’s ‘World Understanding and Peace Day.’

Nine petitioners granted $2.2M bail pending hearing of their cases ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S. C. granted nine persons bail totalling $2,295,000 pending the hearing of their cases.

Following is a list of the offences, the offenders and the amount of bail granted to each offender.

Possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking: Camal Grant - $150,000; Mahesh Molion - $100, 000; Deon Supmorn - $250,000; Unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition: Wagdrom Nedd - $300,000; Assault: Javal DeYonge - $25,000; Manslaughter: R. Trotz - $350,000; Unlawful wounding: Shirley Glenda Williams - $60,000; Causing death by dangerous driving: Hafraz Mangroo - $300,000; Attempted murder: Colin Mansohing - $300,000; Robbery under arms: Colin Mansohing - $260,000; and Larceny from the person: Colin Mansohing - $200,000.

(George Barclay)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

In Essequibo‌

APNU Councillor thanks PPP/C for paved Danielstown streets A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) Councillor Prince Shepherd has thanked the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and the Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) Administration for rehabilitating and paving

several streets in his home village, Danielstown, on the Essequibo Coast.

Speaking at a recent statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), he said, last Tuesday, that only one street is left to be paved.

He reported that several other residents of the village said they are very thankful to the Government for the paved streets, which shows that development is ongoing to improve services in the community. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

Region 2 Chairman Mr Parmanand Persaud inspecting a road under construction

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Suspect detained in West Berbice murder

By Michel Outridge POLICE have detained a suspect for questioning fol-

lowing the brutal murder of Dinesh Harrylall, 20, of Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice on Monday.

Sleuths said that, about 00:01hrs on February 17, the victim was involved in an argument with another man, over

a sum of money at D’Edward village, also in West Berbice, during which he was stabbed and struck in his head with a

rolling pin.

The wounded man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital.

His father said that he left home to visit a close friend after receiving a telephone call and he (father) dropped him off there.

After midnight he was aroused by the horn of a vehicle and informed that ‘something had happened’ to his son, causing him to journey to the location where he saw his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood.

According to the dead man’s father, he had been severely beaten with a rolling pin and stabbed several times.

He said his son had gone to the friend’s house to collect some jewels he had loaned him and he was not certain what took place.

DEAD: DINESH HARRYLALL

Ex-US army officer killed in motorcycle accident THE Guyana Police Force is investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 02:00 hrs on Monday, on the Main Road at Clifton Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, which resulted in the death of motor cyclist Vincent Indial, 28, of Cromarty, Corentyne.

Investigations have revealed that Indial was allegedly driving his motor cycle at a fast rate when he lost control and collided with a utility pole.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Port Mourant Hospital.

Indial was a former army officer in the United States and was an avid biker and is survived by his wife and four sons. His KILLED: VINCENT INDIAL family said his death is a blow to them and they are trying to cope.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Charity Hospital gets new ambulance

By Rajendra Prabhulall

THE Government, through the Ministry of Health and the Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Administration, has given Charity Hospital a new ambulance, in its quest to provide quality and efficient care services.

Regional Chairman, Parmanand Persaud, who handed over the vehicle to Regional Health Officer, Dr. Allison Brown and Dr. Afarah Khan of the Charity Hospital, last Thursday, said government continues to invest in the health sector so

as to provide better services to residents.

According to the Chairman, the ambulance is the second one delivered to the Region within two weeks and shows the massive investment in health government is making in the region.

He said it will be based at Charity hospital and used to transport patients to the Suddie Hospital from Charity in emergency cases.

Mr. Persaud called on drivers who will be driving it to care the vehicle and always drive carefully on the public road.

Regional Executive Officer

(REO), Mr. Sunil Singh also urged the drivers to care the ambulance which was purchased by government through the Region’s 2013 Capital Programme.

Regional Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo who also witnessed the handing over of the new vehicle reiterated that it will be used for transporting patients in emergency cases.

He said the region now has two new ambulances and is well equipped to deal with transporting patients in emergency cases to hospitals very quickly.

Region 2 Chairman Mr. Parmanand Persaud (right) and Dr Afarah Khan (second left) during the simple ceremony to hand over the keys to the Ambulance

Schoolboy killed on Good Hope Public Road ANDRE Daniels, a sevenyear-old pupil of Good Hope Primary School, was struck and killed by a hire car at around midday last Friday while running across the road.

Reports said the boy, from Supenaam Creek, also on the Essequibo Coast, had been going to collect his lunch from a cousin.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition and rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he died, some hours later, while in intensive care.

The driver of the vehicle is in Police custody and is expected to be charged and put before the Court shortly.

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The new ambulance that will be based at the Charity hospital to transport emergency cases to the Suddie hospital

Mash vendors urged to prepay for temporary power supply THE Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is inviting all persons desirous of using a temporary electricity supply for the purposes of Mash celebrations on Sunday to contact GPL’s Commercial Office to prepay for this service.

In a press release, yesterday, the power company said that persons, especially vendors along the Mashramani Day parade route, who are desirous of having a temporary electricity supply, can visit GPL’s Commercial Office at 40 Main Street, Georgetown, and prepay for this service.

Persons would be required to provide a copy of proof of identification and the Certificate of Inspection issued by the Government Electrical Inspectorate, the utility company stated.

The cost of the service will be determined by the electrical appliances (freezer, sound system, microwave oven, etc.) indicated by the vendor for intended use.

Prepaying for temporary service will allow the power company to generate the electricity demand for the period. However, persons found guilty of unauthorized electricity supply during the festivities will be prosecuted, GPL warned.

GPL is encouraging interested vendors to apply for their service on or before Friday, February 21, 2014, during normal business hours.

Persons are kindly asked to contact GPL’s Commercial Call Centre on 226-2606 between the hours of 08:00-16:00hrs Mondays to Thursday and 08:00-15:30hrs on Fridays, the release concluded.(Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

UG Career/Open Day leave

By Shivanie Sugrim

THE University of Guyana’s annual Career/Open Day, which was hosted last Friday, saw many private and public sector entities, as well as schools, participating in the ‘whole day event’ with unforgettable memories.

The occasion was staged under the theme ‘Honouring the Past, Moulding the Present,Transforming the Future’ and left a distinct

mark on every student from different schools in Georgetown who attended.

It was described as ‘unforgettable’ by many, because of the heartening and unique displays that unfolded and provided an opportunity to interact with the University’s current undergraduates and staff, to grasp vital and necessary information on facets of life at the institution, whilst exploring one’s career path and learning about an area

of interest.

At the opening ceremony, representatives from organisations were presented with certificates as a token of appreciation for their participation, by UG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi.

There were also remarks by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Phillip Da Silva, who urged the prospective students to choose wisely as it relates to their career.

Similar advice was given by the Public Relations Offi-

cer, Ms. Paulette Paul.

UG’s 2013 Valedictorian Eileen Selina Marray, who was the guest speaker, offered great insights for the future generation.

She made reference to the renowned philosopher, Aristotle and the late Nelson Mandela when emphasising the importance of education.

Ms. Linda Johnson-Bhola, Chairperson of the Open Day function, who is the Coordinator of the School of Earth & Environment

Sciences at UG, noted that the academy will be looking forward to the organisations’ support next year, pointing out that this event is “a reflection of who we are, what we do and where we are going.”

Also on the programme for the occasion were two performances of classical Indian dance by a Cummings Lodge Secondary School student and Jeremy Sobers, a current University student, who performed a piano solo

that awakened the crowd.

MAKE DECISIONS Schools from Linden, as well as Berbice, were also represented and, according to a Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School student: “It was exciting and gave a lot of knowledge and helped to be able to make decisions about our careers.”

As it relates to ‘unforgettable memories’, the Guyana

Eileen Marray addressing her position as ‘guest speaker’ at the Opening Ceremony

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

es unforgettable memories Defence Force (GDF) surprised those in attendance by giving students the privilege to fly over the campus and see the beauty that surrounds the University itself.

Although the Army had a normal booth, it added the helicopter to the scene, making it the initial aviation unit to land an aircraft on the campus and the initiative also served as an informative approach to those who aim to be in the Military.

Aside from education-

al displays, companies like Brusters attracted hundreds and Giftland Officemax offered students VIP shopping cards, with 15 percent discount on stationery, hoping to promote a greater bond with the University.

The Biology Department attracted the majority on the campus showing off an impressive portrayal of ‘forest life’ and other different aspects.

The Medical Technology Department, in collabora-

tion with the National Blood Transfusion Service, condcucted a ‘Blood Drive’ which drew quite a turnout.

The National Communications Network (NCN) and Hits & Jams Entertainment were broadcasting live from the location drawing more crowds.

The day concluded with a ‘Talent Splash’ in which current and former students of UG participated, including Esther Osborne and Gavin Mendonca from ‘Keep your

Day Job’.

The organisations which took part were Accountancy Training Centre, Air Services Limited, ANSA McAL, Banks DIH Ltd, Bruster’s Real Ice-cream, Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC), Giftland Officemax, Global Networks Group, Government

A Section of the gathering at the Opening Ceremony at GWLT (Career Day)

The crowd at UG tarmac on Career Day Friday

Technical Institute (GTI), Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Guyana Oil Company Ltd (GUYOIL), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Prison Service (GPS), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo), Guyana Tele-

phone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), Guyana & Trinidad Mutual Group of Insurance Companies (GTM), Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Harris Paints, Hits & Jams Radio, Institute of Internal Auditors, MACORP, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, National Communications Network (NCN), Pick it Up Guyana, Qualfon Guyana Inc, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, and Scholarship for Advanced Guyanese Education (SAGE).

Students from Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School all the way from Linden, experiencing the feel of Career/ Open Day at the University of Guyana

Coca Cola giving out free drinks to students on Career Day

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

At UG Career/Open Day…

ASL encourages youths

By Clifford Stanley YOUTHFUL participants at the recent University of Guyana (UG) Career/Open Day have been encouraged to become aircraft pilots.

“Becoming a pilot as a career offers excitement, freedom and adventure. What more can you ask for in a career?” asked a female student pilot, attached to Air Services Limited Flight Training School (ASLFTS), Ms. Rebecca Clarke.

ASLFTS participated in the UG programme which was staged under the theme ‘Honouring the Past, Moulding the Present, Transforming the Future.’

The school disclosed that it offers three programmes which consist of both ground and flight training to satisfy the requirements of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The company’s involvement in the Career Day for the second year allowed young persons from all walks of life to be exposed to the ASL booth, which consisted of a slideshow presentation on all aspects of the school including aircraft

to become pilots

Curious youths at the ASL Flight Training School booth at the recent University of Guyana Career/Open Day. cockpit instruments, a model of the Cessna, which is one of the planes used for flight training,

and the various study materials, among others.

THEIR SURPRISE

Viewers were told, much to their surprise, that they could become pilots at just sixteen and

a half years of age.

They can be private pilots within four to six

months, after which they could gain an instrument rating within six to eight months; then qualify for a commercial licence between six and eight months, once they pass the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) written and practical examinations.

Showcasing the school were the Chief Flight Ins t r u c t o r, C a p t . A n d r e w Ebanks, Instructor Capt.

Antonio Kinch, two current female student pilots, Ms. Rebecca Clarke and Ms. Leshaun Berkley and the School’s Administrator, Ms. Olivia Rodrigues.

ASLFTS has been in existence since 2003 and is growing rapidly in its thrust to produce quality trained pilots locally and there are presently 18 students enrolled in the Private and Commercial Programmes.

ASL’s General Manager, Ms. Annette Arjoon- Martins disclosed that the next Private Pilot Programme is scheduled for September 2014, catering for those who will complete the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) just before.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

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Barbados earthquake: Magnitude-6.5 quake shakes Caribbean nation SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck northeast of Barbados early Tuesday, jolting thousands from their sleep but causing no reported damage or casualties.

It also was felt in the nearby French Caribbean island of Martinique.

Barbados Police Constable Chris Greg told The Associated Press by telephone that the earthquake was felt throughout the island.

“It was strong,” he said.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor struck at a depth of 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) at 5:27 a.m. (0927 GMT) and was centered some 106 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of Bathsheba, Barbados.

Dennis Connell, a 55-yearold security supervisor at a local country club, said in a phone interview that he was just starting to wake up when the earthquake struck.

“I felt like the place was spinning,” he said, adding that he didn’t realize it was a temblor. “I thought I was going sick.”

Connell lives at Barbados’ most northern point, and said there was no damage to his home or his neighbors’ houses.

Judy Thomas, director of

Barbados’ Emergency Management Department, said that thousands of people felt the quake but that it didn’t last very long. She said she has received no reports of injuries or damage to infrastructure, and that there is no threat of tsunami.

“We’re advising people to go

about their business as usual,” she said.

The eastern Caribbean was last struck by a powerful earthquake in 2007, when a magnitude-7.4 quake centered just northwest of Martinique’s coastline severely damaged some buildings on the island.

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Aries March 21 - April 19

You might not realise it at first, but whenever you’re in a group of people today, laughing and having a good time, you are actually creating something -- energy, strong support and friendship. Right now, you’ll find that group settings are a great source of productivity, even if the group is a chatty and relaxed one. So try to be as collaborative as possible.

Even if it’s just you and one other person, you’ll get way more done than you would get done by yourself.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Some weird behaviour that has been going on in your social circle right now might be meant to get a rise out of you -- and you simply can’t ignore it anymore. Give it some of your attention today, and push back when the comments get too pushy or provocative.

Set aside time early in the day to start the conversations you need to have. Be bold and honest -- get to the bottom of things as quickly as possible. You will be very relieved when you do.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

New people can add vitality and energy to your life, but they can also distract you from other important things. There are many work or school issues that need your full attention right now. Be careful about accepting too many invitations or going out on too many dates -- you might not have as much free time as you think you do, and it would be a real shame to start something you can’t follow through with.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

Just as one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel, one bad idea (if left unchecked) can ruin a healthy team dynamic. So watch out for unusual, untested theories today. You have to be diligent in your professional role and stay focused on the greater good. Don’t let peer pressure, fancy titles or outright bullying intimidate you into going along with the crowd if you know that the crowd is going in the wrong direction.

Leo July 23 - August 22 For Wednesday February 19, 2014 -05:00hrs For Thursday February 20, 2014 -08:30hrs For Friday February 21, 2014 -08:30hrs

Someone you know who has a huge ego is going to get knocked down a peg or two today -- and you are going to find the spectacle exceedingly entertaining. But seeing another person humbled should not make you gloat. You can be proud of being a bit wiser than certain people -- but if you get too cocky about it, you’re sure to end up making a fool of yourself, too! Humility makes wise people like you seem even wiser.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

If you don’t have anything to look forward to right now, then make something to look forward to -- you need to remind yourself that you’re in charge of your life. It’s time to stop waiting for other people to make things happen! Reorganise your day -- do your morning routine in the afternoon for a while, and see how that feels. You’ll be surprised at how a slight change in your schedule can energise you.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Someone you know very well could be working too hard at having a good time. This person wants to be the life of the party but is perhaps losing sight of what ‘fun’ really means. Try to schedule some time for just the two of you -- create a relaxed situation that will encourage him or her to talk about what’s going on. Your listening skills are needed in this situation, so don’t feel obligated to provide answers. Just offer a sympathetic ear.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Change affects different people in different ways. Expect your reaction to a major transition to be unlike anyone else’s. You have always been open to new experiences, and right now you are very eager to see things get mixed up in your life. This is not the case for everyone close to you, though -- and you must be sensitive to this fact. When the change happens, ask people what their feelings are, and work with them until everyone is on the same page.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

The give and take of ideas is not always an effortless experience -- your ego can get involved, and trying to ‘win’ a debate can distort the exchange. Whenever you share ideas, you need to focus solely on accurately conveying what you think, not on proving that you’re the only person who’s ‘right.’ And you definitely can’t make things personal. If a debate gets too heated today, you should be prepared to agree to disagree, and just walk away before things go too far.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

You can never be sure what the future will hold -- but you should still try to plan for it.

To some extent, you can make your future happen the way you want it to. Today, try to lay the foundation for a few important things you hope to do someday -- whether that means requesting vacation time from work, upping the ante on your retirement savings or figuring out the best time of year for your dream wedding.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

The fact that you’ll have a lot of high energy today will do more than fuel your own productivity -- it could make some inspiring changes within your group of friends. In all your activities, your enthusiasm will bubble up from deep inside you without any effort on your part -- and this enthusiasm will be contagious. Without realising it, you’ll show people options they’ve never considered before. If they decide to follow you, welcome them warmly and lead them fearlessly.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

If you have a somewhat busy day today, make an effort to get things done as soon as you can -- you will need some free time in the afternoon so you can daydream about your future. Sound silly to schedule fantasy time? It’s not -- in fact, it’s just as important as a doctor’s appointment or a staff meeting. Your imagination requires maintenance, and you need to get some imagining done so you can recognise a dream coming true when it happens.

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Johnson to lead ....

From Back Page later at Sabina Park.

Prior to this warm-up match, the players on the squad who were not a part of the Super50 squad in Trinidad, were in an Encampment from February 5 to 7 which gave the selectors an opportunity to look at their fitness level.

Chairman of GCB Senior

Selection Panel, Rayon Griffith, advised that players not selected for the first round must continue to practise and stay fit for likely selection in future rounds of this year’s competition.

After playing Jamaica in the first round, the Guyanese will return home and engage Barbados in the first Day/Night four-day fixture using the pink balls at the Guyana National

Stadium from March 7 to 10.

Their next engagement will be against Windward Islands at the same venue from March 14 to 17, before they travel to Barbados and face Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) under the lights at the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus ground.

They drew a bye for the fourth round before taking on the Leeward Islands in the fifth

round in another day/night encounter at a venue to be confirmed while they host Trinidad and Tobago at the Guyana National Stadium in their final preliminary round match.

Should they finish within the top four, something they were unable to do since 2011, the Guyanese will earn a place in the semi-finals which will be played from April 19 to 22, while victory there, whether by first innings or outright will guarantee them a place in the final, set to bowl off from April 25 to 28.

Young Chanderpaul takes Windies

From Back Page

(Tagenarine Chanderpaul 93, Nicolas Pooran 67 not out, Jeremy Solozano 50, Shimron Hetmyer 39; Keenan Tinto 2-64) Canada 226 all out, 49.3 overs (Nikhil Dutta 62, Nitish Kumar 50, Talha Shaikh 45, Sudeepta Aurka 23; Ramaal Lewis 2-44, Ray Jordan 2-44, Jerome Jones 2-57) Man of the match - Tagenarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) In Group C, South Africa

beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Zimbabwe 198 all out, 50 overs (Luke Jongwe 55, Kieran Geyle 39, Malcolm Lake 22; Justin Dill 4-35, Kagiso Rabada 2-47) South Africa 199-3, 39 overs (Aiden Markram 120 not out; Yaseen Valli 53 not out) Man-of-the-match – Aiden Markram (South Africa) In Group D, England beat New Zealand by 115 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

England 229-8, 50 overs

WEST INDIES UNDER-19s innings T Shaikh run-out S. Hetmyer run-out (Kapoor) 39 (Pooran) 45 T. Chanderpaul c Rao b Tinto 93 K Tinto b Lewis 1 J. Solozano lbw b Kumar 50 A Kapoor c Pooran J. Drakes c Aurka b Tinto 16 b Lewis 0 N. Pooran not out 67 T Manoosingh c Motie-Kanhai B. King not out 5 b Jones 7 Extras: (lb-3, w-14, nb-2) 19 A Joshi lbw b Jones 0 Total (4 wickets) 289 Farhan Malik b Jordan 4 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-157, 3-181, S Rajasingam not out 1 4-258.

Extras: (b-4, lb-6, w-8) 18 Bowling: Tinto 10-0-64-2, Rajasingam Total: (all out) 226 6-0-39-0, Shaikh 5-0-30-0, Kumar 8-0- Fall of wickets 1-35, 2-56,), 3-109, 4-197, 37-1, Dutta 10-0-50-0, Manoosingh 3-0- 5-200, 6-200, 7-219, 8-219, 9-221.

18-0, Malik 8-0-48-0.

Bowling: Jones 10-0-57-2, CANADA UNDER-19S innings Jordan 9.3-0-44-2, McSween S Aurka run out (Solozano) 23 10-0-42-0, Moti kanhai 10-0-29-1, Y Rao c Solozano b Jordan 15 Lewis 10-0-44-2.

N Kumar lbw b Motie-Kanhai 50 Points - West Indies UnderN Dutta run-out (Motie-Kanhai) 62 19s 2, Canada Under-19s 0

English Lingfield 09:30 hrs Kuanyao 10:00 hrs Teen Ager 10:30 hrs Big Kenny 11:05 hrs Witchy Woman 11:35 hrs Narborough 12:05 hrs Monsieur Lavene 12:35 hrs Masterpaver Doncaster 09:45 hrs Master Dee 10:20 hrs Holywell 10:50 hrs Ronaldinho 11:25 hrs Tranquil Sea 11:55 hrs Rev It Up 12:25 hrs Palypso De Creek 12:55 hrs Mont Royale South Africa Racing Tips Clairwood 08:25 hrs Moon Flight 09:00 hrs Rio Carnival 09:35 hrs Rocky Bay 10:10 hrs Blouberg Beach 10:45 hrs Resolution

11:20 hrs Tara Dawn

Off

Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 10:05 hrs Blow The Doors 10:35 hrs Bless N’ject 11:10 hrs Burn And Turn 11:40 hrs Pestal And Mortar 12:10 hrs Killeena House 12:40 hrs Easy Vic 13:10 hrs What Lies Ahead American Racing Tips Tampa Bay Downs Race 1 No Returns Race 2 Rahy’s Place Race 3 Tale of the Dance Race 4 Starship Ballerina Race 5 Herecomesthehawks Race 6 Bluegrass Lucy Race 7 Guam Typhoon Race 8 Rare Race 9 Learn t he Lingo

( Ry a n H i g g i n s 8 3 , J o e Clarke 33, Will Rhodes 31, Harry Finch 30; Brett Randell 3-57) New Zealand 114 all out, 36.1 overs (Raki Weerasundara 41, Shawn Hicks 21; Matthew Fisher 3-18; Jack Winslade 2-23; Rob Sayer 2-21; Rob Jones 2-33) Man-of-the-match – Matthew Fisher (England) In Group D, Sri Lanka beat the UAE by eight wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

UAE 205 all out, 47.5 overs (Shorye Chopra 69, Chirag Suri 24, Shivank Vijayakumar 24, Dan D’Souza 23, Shiv Mehra 22, Moaaz Qazi 20; Binura Fernando 2-38, Harsha Rajapaksha 2-40, Anuk Fernando 2-43) Sri Lanka 206-2, 43.1 overs (Hashan Dumindu 113 not out, Kusal Mendis 45, Hashen Ramanayake 34 not out) Man-of-the-match - Hashan Dumindu (Sri Lanka)

GDF rugby scrums off this afternoon

THE CAMP Ayanganna, Thomas Lands-based Guyana Defence Force rugby football field will be buzzing with activity from 17:00hrs this afternoon, as the GDF’s 48th Anniversary 7-A-Side Rugby competition scrums off.

Four male teams, namely Caribs, Hornets, University of Guyana and the host team GDF, will do battle for supremacy while on the distaff side, Caribs and Hornets will lock horns for supremacy in what is expected to be enthralling action held under floodlights.

Patrons are reminded that firearms are strictly prohibited and a security check prior to entrance to the field is compulsory, while barbecue and drinks will be on sale at the venue.

Persons desirous of witnessing the action are asked to use the J.B Singh Road (eastern entrance).

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

McCullum’s 302 sees NZ to series win over India since 2002

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - New Zealand recorded their first Test series victory over India since 2002 when the second match ended in a draw yesterday after Brendon McCullum had be-

come the first New Zealander to score a Test triple century.

Captain McCullum’s 302 anchored New Zealand’s record 680 for eight declared, setting the visitors the impossible task of scoring 435 runs in 67 overs

to achieve the victory they needed after the hosts won the first Test at Eden Park by 40 runs.

New Zealand had India in trouble early in their second innings with the sniff of an unlikely victory in their nostrils

… Virat Kohli hits unbeaten 105

but once Virat Kohli knuckled down to record his sixth Test century, McCullum and Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to call off the game with 15 overs remaining.

Tim Southee took two wickets after lunch to reduce India to 54 for three before Kohli (105 not out) and Rohit Sharma (31 not out) batted out the remainder of the day’s play to take their side through to 166 for three.

“Without being disrespectful I probably didn’t know the magnitude of it (scoring 300) until the last 24 hours,” McCullum said. “I watched Martin Crowe score his 299 and thought it would have been an amazing feat if he scored 300 but probably didn’t quite understand how much it meant to the whole country.

“I think in terms of New Zealand cricket and moving forward for this team, we have finally broken that 300 barrier and hopefully some of these guys will continue to break that.”

TENSE ATMOSPHERE McCullum resumed with debutant Jimmy Neesham (67 overnight), as the queues formed outside the ground to see what many in the small crowd hoped would be history in the making.

He scored his first run of the day when he pushed an Ishant Sharma delivery wide of mid-off and strolled through for a single, which was warmly applauded, and pulled the bowler to the midwicket fence for his first boundary.

Ishant caused a collective intake of breath when he comprehensively beat McCullum on 293, though the batsman did not get a nick.

Neesham, however, was not getting caught up in the emotion as the tension ramped up with every delivery, every over that McCullum was still at the crease being applauded.

The 23-year-old temporarily stole his captain’s thunder with his first Test century when he tucked Ishant off his hip for two runs.

Neesham’s century came from 123 balls, including 15 boundaries, and was greeted with a massive cheer from the crowd as he raised his arms and celebrated.

McCullum then reached the milestone many had been waiting for when he dabbed Zaheer Khan behind square for his 32nd four and received a sustained round of applause that went on for more than a minute, while his father Stu jumped to his feet in celebration.

The 32-year-old’s innings lasted just two more balls when he feathered a catch off Zaheer to Dhoni.

His triple century was the 28th in Test cricket and the New Zealand skipper became the 24th player to score one.

Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle and Don Bradman all struck two triple tons.

McCullum scored 535 runs in the two-match series, having

NZ skipper Brendon celebrates as he becomes the first New Zealand batsman to make a triplecentury in Tests.

Watling,” Dhoni told reporters of McCullum’s innings. also scored 224 in the first game “Playing 500-odd deliveries in Auckland. itself is very tough, you know.

Neesham was 137 not out Just forget the amount of runs when McCullum declared at he scored.

New Zealand’s highest Test “Playing the amount of score, surpassing the 671-4 deliveries and just to keep gothey scored against Sri Lanka ing ... I think he batted really in 1991 at the same ground. well and I think it was one of “As a cricket fan, I think the good innings that we were he batted really well and he able to see.” was given good company by

Virat kohli reaches his sixth Test ton and adds 112 with Rohit Sharma to steer India to a draw.

NEW ZEALAND first innings 192 India first innings 438 NEW ZEALAND second innings (o/n 571-6) P. Fulton lbw b Khan 1 H. Rutherford c Dhoni b Khan

35 K. Williamson c Dhoni b Khan

7 T. Latham c Dhoni b Shami 29 B. McCullum c Dhoni b Khan 302 C. Anderson c & b Jadeja 2 BJ Watling lbw b Shami 124 J. Neesham not out 137 T. Southee c Pujara b Khan 11 N. Wagner not out 2 Extras:: (b-9, lb-12, nb-7, w-2) 30 Total: (for eight wickets decl.., 210 overs) 680

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-27, 3-52, 4-87, 5-94, 6-446, 7-625, 8-639.

Bowling: I. Sharma 45-4-164-0 (nb6), Khan 51-13-170-5 (w-2), Shami 43-6-149-2, Jadeja 52-11-115-1, R. Sharma 11-0-40-0, Kohli 6-1-13-0 (nb-1), Dhoni 1-0-5-0, Dhawan 1-0-3-0 INDIA second innings M. Vijay c Anderson b Southee 7 S. Dhawan lbw b Boult 2 C. Pujara c Watling b Southee 17 V. Kohli not out 105 R. Sharma not out 31 Extras: (nb-2, w-2) 4 Total: (for three wickets, 52 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-10, 3-54.

Bowling: Boult 16-5-47-1 (nb-1), Southee 16-3-50-2, Wagner 11-338-0, Neesham 5-0-25-0 (w-2, nb-1), Anderson 4-1-6-0.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19 2014

35

Francois returned as EBFA president WAYNE Francois was returned to the presidency of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) when that entity held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Sunday at the Grove Community Centre.

Also being returned were Vice-president Clive Matthews and Assistant secretary/treasurer, Noel Harry.

Former GFF treasurer Dwayne Lovell took over the

reins as treasurer while the other new faces on the executive are Organising Secretary Toralv Munro and Public Relations Officer, Kevin Anthony.

The Audited Financial Statement for 2011 and 2012 were presented and adopted by the members while the statement for 2013 would be presented at a special meeting, shortly.

President Francois thanked the members for reposing con-

fidence in him for another term promising that he would do his best for the continued development of the game in the EBFA for the 2014-2016 term of office.

Clubs represented at the AGM were: Grove Hi Tech, Soesdyke Falcons, Mocha Champs, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Diamond United FC, Herstelling FC and Agricola Red Triangle.

The new EBFA Executive, President Wayne Francois (seated centre) is flanked by Secretary Franklin Wilson (appointed) and VicePresident Clive Matthews (left). Standing from right are PRO Kevin Anthony, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Noel Harry and Organising Secretary Toralv Munro. Missing is Treasurer Dwayne Lovell.

South Africa ponder team balance ahead of second Test (REUTERS) - Whether to stick with an all-rounder at number seven or play an extra batsman to counter Australia’s fiery bowling attack is the vexed question for South Africa ahead of the second Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth starting tomorrow.

The Australians were clearly superior in all three disciplines in their crushing 281-run victory in the first Test in Pretoria last week, the excellent Ashes form of fast bowler Mitchell Johnson repeated at SuperSport Park as he literally hurt the South African batsmen with 12 wickets and numerous body blows.

One of those was to the side of the head of all-rounder Ryan McLaren, who has subsequently been ruled out of the second Test with concussion meaning there will be at least one change

to the Proteas line-up.

It is possible McLaren might have lost his position in any event as South Africa admit they are considering replacing an all-rounder with a seventh batsman in Dean Elgar.

Aside from AB de Villiers’ 91 and 48, the top six South African batsmen managed just 57 runs in the first innings in Pretoria and 68 in the second.

The left-handed Elgar’s Test career, which started with a pair of ducks on debut against Australia in Perth in 2012 when he was bagged both times by Johnson, has been mediocre with a single unbeaten century against New Zealand and a next highest score of 27 in nine innings.

Having chosen not to call up a replacement for McLar-

en to their Test squad, Elgar is the only specialist batsman available for selection.

“There (has been) debate around playing an extra batter,” Proteas convener of selectors Andrew Hudson told reporters.

“Australia went in batting-heavy, relying on their three seamers and their spinner, which they did successfully.

“We need to consider putting in a batter at seven. Then we can go in with the three quicks and Robbie P (Peterson).”

Should they opt for another all-round option then Wayne Parnell will get the nod on his home ground, the left-arm quick unlucky to lose out to McLaren in the first Test.

Australia, who have not lost a Test series in South Africa since 1970, also have a selection poser in the lead-up

to the Port Elizabeth game if all-rounder Shane Watson returns to fitness in time.

Watson exacerbated a persistent calf injury on the eve of the first Test and watched from the stands as new two players both made significant contributions to Australia’s cause in Pretoria.

Shaun Marsh scored a century in his first Test appearance in two years while debutant Alex Doolan came within 11 runs of a debut Test ton as Australia dominated their hosts to bat them inside four days.

“Obviously we’ll have to see what the wicket is like; whether we need the extra bowling option. You’d like him to bowl,” Australia coach Darren Lehman said yester-

Dean Elgar

day, suggesting Watson would not be selected for his batting alone.

“Firstly we’ve got to get him fit, and then we’ll see what happens from there. He’s pretty close; he was running on Sun-

day, but at the end of the day we’ve got to get him fit and ready to play Test cricket at this level.”

The third and final Test will be played in Cape Town from March 1.

Johnson, Edghill dominate Mashramani DCB Over-40 T20 semifinals, Table Tennis Tourney final on this weekend

AFTER a hiatus of two months caused by inclement weather, the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Over-40 T20 competition, sponsored by Raj Singh Insurance Brokers and Trophy Stall, will continue with the semifinals and final this weekend at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The semifinals are set for this Friday and will see Lower East Coast Bulls lock horns with West Bank Demerara Mavericks from 09:00hrs, while from 13:00hrs, East Coast Tigers will clash with West Coast Demerara Seals.

The winners will collide in the final at the same venue the following day from 13:00hrs. The umpires are Mario Nichols and Javed Persaud for the first semifinal while Ryan Banwarie and Edward Bowen will take care of the second semifinal, with Gavin D’Aguiar and Trevor Ritney officiating in the final.

After the preliminary rounds of matches, Bulls finished at the top of the points table with 27 points, followed by Tigers with 26, Seals with 18 and Mavericks fourth on 17, earning their places in the final four.

In addition to their three victories that earned them 12 points, Bulls amassed 11 bonus points for exceptional achievements, even though they had a loss, suffered a tie in another game and had two of their contests ending in no- result.

The Tigers recorded four victories against one loss, two no-result matches while they earned eight bonus points, with the Seals winning three, losing two, having two no-results and four bonus points. Mavericks won two, lost one, tied one, had three no-results and accumulated four bonus points.

NATIONAL junior player Elishaba Johnson gave himself the perfect birthday gift by capturing three titles as the National Sports Commission-sponsored Mashramani table tennis competition continued on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

Also winning three titles was Chelsea Edghill who won the girls U-18 singles and the mixed doubles and girls doubles titles, and Nevaeh Clarkston two titles - the girls Under-11 and U-13 categories.

Johnson, who celebrated his birthday last Sunday won the boys U-15 and U-18 titles defeating Kyle Edghill and Stephan Corlette respectively,

after earlier teaming up with Corlette to capture his first title in the boys’ doubles.

Johnson won his second title when he defeated Kyle Edghill 4-0.

In an entertaining boys U-18 final, Johnson raced to a two-sets-to-love lead only for Corlette to level the match at three sets all setting the stage for the decider.

Johnson eventually prevailed 11-9, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 8-11 and 11-6.

In the semi-finals Johnson went on to defeat Scott Garraway 3-1, while Corlette beat number one seed Shemar Britton 3-2 in a nail-biting finish.

The Mashramani table ten-

Chelsea Edghill nis tournament continues on Friday at the same venue,.with Novices playing from 15.30hrs.

This Saturday tennis wielders will compete in the seniors segment from 11.00hrs, followed by the 21 years and under Open from 17.00hrs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Away wins for Barca and PSG in Champions League last 16 LONDON, England - (Reuters) Barcelona and Paris St Germain claimed impressive victories at Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen respectively in the first legs of their Champions League last 16 ties yesterday.

Spanish champions Barca beat 10-man City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, while PSG cruised to a 4-0 win against a stunned Bayer Leverkusen side who also had a player sent off.

Lionel Messi converted

a 54th minute penalty to put Barcelona 1-0 up after City defender Martin Demichelis was sent off for a last-man tackle on the Argentine.

Barca defender Dani Alves then wrapped up the win by sliding the ball through goalkeeper Joe Hart’s legs in the 90th.

At the Bayer Arena, PSG were barely troubled by a disappointing Leverkusen, romping to a three-goal halftime lead with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic

scoring twice.

Blaise Matuidi opened the scoring in the third minute, but it was Ibrahimovic who stole the show with a penalty in the 39th minute and a superb shot into the top corner before the break.

Bayer defender Emir Spahic was dismissed just before the hour mark after picking up a second yellow card and PSG’s latest recruit Yohan Cabaye rounded off the victory in the 88th minute.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (R) celebrates after scoring a penalty past Manchester City’s goalkeeper Joe Hart (L) during their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England, yesterday (Credit: Reuters/Nigel Roddis)

Dravid: Dhoni needs to take risks to win overseas RAHUL Dravid has said that MS Dhoni’s captaincy has been “defensive in critical situations”. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo after the Wellington Test, which ended in a draw after India had been in a dominant position on day three, Dravid said Dhoni would need to take more risks to win Tests overseas.

“I think he (Dhoni) doesn’t trust his bowling attack as much as I think he should,” Dravid said. “I saw that even in the Test match in Durban, where he didn’t take the new ball till 146 overs. In fact he was forced to take the new ball.

He didn’t trust his fast bowlers to be able to take wickets. He kept playing with the older ball because he wanted to control the runs. So I think that is a slightly defensive mindset that he’s got into.

“I think he’s got to realise this very quickly, that if he wants to win Test matches abroad, he’s got to risk it all.

He’s got to take that chance that he’s going to have to lose some Test matches. The only way you

can win abroad is to take a few risks, take a few gambles.”

Overseas, Dhoni has captained India in 23 Tests, of which they have won five, lost 11 and drawn seven. At home, his record is much better - 21 wins, three defeats and six draws. Asked if he should continue as Test captain, given India’s upcoming Test tours to England and Australia, Dravid said Dhoni deserved a chance to set his record right.

“I’ve always seen this year of Indian cricket as these four big overseas tours, which is South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia, with the World Cup next year in Australia,” Dravid said. “Let’s presume that Dhoni is going to be India’s one-day captain and take India into that World Cup. I think he’s earned the right to do that.

“In Test matches, I always saw these four Test (tours) as Dhoni’s opportunity to redeem what has been a pretty poor overseas record for him as captain.

Overseas Mahendra Singh Dhoni has captained India in 23 Tests, of which they have won five, lost 11 and drawn seven.

He’s achieved everything else. He’s won one-day tournaments, he’s won a World Cup, Champions Trophy, he’s taken India to No. 1, he has a great record in India, (he) just hasn’t had the results outside of India.

And I think he deserves the right, the chance to play out this year, and assess it at the end of the Australian se-

ries. End of that series, we’ll really know where Indian cricket stands and where Dhoni stands, both as a player and as a captain.

“But so far, look, there have been a few disappointments in the way he’s not been able to win, I guess, two Test matches in the last four, (having) been in really really strong positions, but look, you can’t always blame him. It also comes down to the quality of bowling attack that he has, and yes, so I’d like him to have an opportunity to be able to correct that poor overseas record.”

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, said it might help India’s chances of defending the World Cup if Dhoni steps down as Test captain and hands over the reins to Virat Kohli.

“The first thing I think you must do with any side, particularly a Test side, is you must pick the best team,” Crowe said.

“And then once you’ve picked your best team, you pick your best captain from that team. So I guess I throw

out the question that if you didn’t want Dhoni as your captain, then who would it be, and I think Virat Kohli is perhaps a little too young for that. I think he needs to get through the next World Cup. “However, I would say that if India want to defend the next World Cup, I think MS Dhoni needs a rest somewhere, at some point, not necessarily from playing, but maybe it could be by not captaining the Test side for a period leading into the World Cup, to refresh him so that he can hit the ground running for that World Cup. So there are a couple of things to ponder there. I think he’s an absolutely gifted player, a marvel at times, given all the formats that he plays, but I do wonder sometimes about how he regards Test cricket.

Just a point that I’d like to throw in there. Overall, MS Dhoni is an incredible cricketer, and I think that the main fact is that he probably can’t keep doing every format from here on in.”

Dravid agreed that Kohli had the credentials to captain

the side, but said it might be better for him to take over after the tours of England and Australia.

“I think that World Cup is going to be the watershed moment, and two big series in England and Australia, and after that I believe it will be time for (Dhoni), both personally and for Indian cricket, to assess whether it’s time for a new man to take over,” Dravid said. “Luckily, in some ways, we’ve got Virat Kohli, who’s playing beautifully, so it’s not that you don’t have somebody waiting in the wings.

“You’ve got a young player who has, by all accounts, led before. He’s led India Under-19 before, he’s led Delhi before, he’s led North Zone, he’s got leadership experience.

“It’s just that he needs to, like Marty (Crowe) said, establish himself little more as a player and by the time, come World Cup, with two more tough series of England and Australia behind his back, and hopefully with runs behind his back, I think he’ll be ready to take over.

Dhoni steers away from away record

IT’S nearly three years since India last won a Test away from home but captain MS Dhoni prefers to focus on positives after blowing a gilt-edged chance to end the drought.

A draw in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington means Dhoni’s men have a record that reads four draws and 10 losses from their last 14 offshore Tests.

They had New Zealand at their mercy at the Basin Reserve before the heroic 302 from Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum spun the Test on its axis.

Dhoni admits McCullum and wicketkeeper BJ Watling (124) became limpets who India eventually acknowledged they simply couldn’t prise off the benign centre block as they amassed 352 runs across four

full sessions.

“We tried our best, we tried all our fielding positions, we tried three new balls to get them out, and after that you have to appreciate that the opposition can also bat well,” he said.

“We don’t always have to put pressure on our players saying we batted badly or we bowled badly.”

Dhoni had nothing but

praise for the marathon stint put in by his bowlers in unhelpful conditions that also took no spin.

He didn’t want to dwell on any shortcomings of his team outside India, believing they have improved from their previous series away to South Africa.

Dhoni says his young side are still adapting to Test cricket following the departure of

several great Indian players, most notably in the batting lineup where the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag are virtually irreplaceable.

“What I wanted here was for our guys to improve as cricketers.

“Often it’s not about how much runs you have scored. It’s often about what kind of cricket you are playing.”

More disappointing than the 1-0 Test series loss was the 4-0 whitewash in the oneday international series last month, for which he could offer few excuses.

Dhoni says they blew numerous winning chances in that series and need to improve several areas of their game ahead of the World Cup in a year’s time.

(CA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19 2014

37

Thomas, Morgan shine at second cross-country race in National Park CLEVELAND Thomas last Sunday ended in pole position in the male open category of the Medas-King-sponsored Athletics Association of Guyana’s second cross country race inside the National Park .

Thomas, who completed the race in 27:55 seconds, said after the race that this is much needed preparation for the participation at next month’s South America games. ‘”The route was very, very tough; it was very wet and very holey I withstood it because of my hard training and thanks to my coach Julian Edmonds of Running Brave Athletics Club he gave me the inspiration and

Part of the action inside of the National Park last Sunday.

I know I can go out there and do it.”

In second place was Dennis Horatio in 28:03, while Nathaniel Gittens was third in 2:05.

Among the day’s other winners were Alika Morgan who won her second cross country for 2014 in the female open category, with officials unable to ascertain the timing for this event.

However, trailing Morgan were Andrea Foster, Ashanti Scott and Tiffany Wilson in second, third and fourth respectively.

Murphy Nash won the boys U-12 800 meters (2:43:02),

Justin Nurse second in (2:45:06) and Savion Gittens third in (314:07).

The girls U-12 event was won by Shannia Liverpool (2:49:04) Kcaysha Medas-King second in (3:11:08) and Daniella Atkins in third place in (3:15:05).

The girls U-13-17 4KM race was won by Claudrice McKoy, with Delicia Harper second, Kasie Kurton third and Shontel Hinds fourth, while Anfernee Heabecker won the boys event ahead of Joshua McKenzie, Matthew McKenzie and Quacey Blair respectively.

Graeme Swann joins Port Mourant, and J.C. BBC Test Match Special Chandisingh for West Indies tour Secondary schools cop Under-15 titles

RHTYSC/GBTI Inter-Secondary School tourneys

WHEN the curtain came down on the first-ever Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club-organised Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)-sponsored Inter-Secondary School cricket tournaments at the Area ‘H’ ground last Friday, Port Mourant Secondary School (PMSS) and J.C Chandisingh Secondary School (JCCSS) were crowned female and male champions respectively.

PMSS crushed Central Corentyne by nine wickets in the female final while JCCSS made light work of pre-tournament favourites Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS) to win by four wickets in a closely contested encounter.

Batting first after winning the toss, Central Corentyne were bundled out for a paltry 35 in 8.5 overs with only Tiffany Moore’s unbeaten 17 offering any resistance to the PMSS’ bowling attack of Kavita Ramsammy and Erica Lashley who took 3 wickets each for 4 and 8 runs respectively and Shabika Gajnabi 2 for 8.

In response PMSS coasted home to victory in 4.1 overs, with Alima Arokium (12) being the lone player to be dismissed in their innings, as they reached 36 for 1, with Ramsammy (10) and Lashley 5 being the not-out batters for the victors, as Ramsammy took home the Player-of-the-Finals.

In the Male Under-15 final, JCCSS surprisingly asked LCSS to take first strike. They scored 95 for 7 from their allotted 20 overs, with Junior Sinclair topscoring with a patient 30 and he received support from Allaz Ally 15 and Kellon Anderson 10.

Pir Baksh claimed 2 for 14 and Jairendra Kumar 2 for 16 for JCCSS who held their nerves to reach 97 for 6 in 19.2 overs, thanks to Vasladeo Otto who was later declared Man-of-the-Match in the final.

He scored 28 and received good support from Shaide Pir Baksh 15, along with Sinclair’s 3 for 17.

Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC Hilbert Foster hailed the tournaments as an outstanding success, adding that it surpassed the organisers’ expectation.

He disclosed that several new and promising talents were identified especially at the female level, with Foster making special mention of Kavita Ramsammy, Tiffany Moore and Alima Arokium, even as he expressed gratitude to the management of GBTI for their sponsorship of the two tournaments which formed part of the club’s Anti-Drugs and Anti-Suicide campaign for youths.

Former West Indies player and Test legend Basil Butcher advised the youths to always strive for excellence, to develop a culture of discipline and to always listen to sound advice, saying he was proud of the JCCSS students who made it to the final, adding he was able to spot some promising talents for the future.

Manager of GBTI Port Mourant Branch, Mr Mahadeo expressed his satisfaction at the great success of the tournament and the organising skills of the RHTYSC and advised the youths to ‘Say No to Drugs and Suicide’.

Mahadeo said GBTI fully understands its role as a corporate entity and would continue to invest in youth-related activities.

Both winning teams received a trophy and medallions while each player received a personal collection of books and educational materials and the losing finalists received a trophy and collection of pens for their players, while each school also received a large Anti-Suicide banner.

FORMER England spinner Graeme Swann is to join the BBC Test Match Special team for England’s one-day tour of the West Indies starting later this month.

The 34-year-old retired in December, midway the 5-0 Ashes Test series defeat in Australia.

Swann will join West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards, Tony Cozier, Simon Mann, Kevin Howells and Derek Pringle.

“I grew up listening to Test Match Special, it’s an honour to have a chance to work with the team,” he said.

Swann was part of three

Ashes-winning teams and played 60 Tests for England, capturing 255 wickets, a total that put him sixth on the all-time list of English bowlers.

He also made 79 one-day international appearances and took 104 wickets, and played in 39 Twenty20 internationals, taking 51 wickets.

The former Northants and Nottinghamshire spinner was a member of England’s 2010 ICC World Twenty20-winning team and captained England in three T20 games in 2011.

Swann is no stranger to BBC Radio, having co-presented the Sony award winning Not

Just Cricket show on Radio 5 live with Radio 1’s Greg James and fellow England bowler James Anderson.

“It’s an honour to continue my relationship with BBC Radio,” he added. “I am particularly looking forward to returning to the Kensington Oval in Barbados with so many happy memories of our World Twenty20 victory there in 2010.”

Richard Burgess, the head of BBC sports news and radio sport, said: “We’re delighted that Graeme is joining the Test Match Special team in the West Indies.

GSCL Inc. says hearty thanks after successful Republic Cup WITH a grateful heart and tons of appreciation, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL) wishes to say thanks to the many persons, individuals, businesses, clubs, groundsmen and teams, who all in their own way made its inaugural Republic Cup tournament a successful one.

The tournament was contested last week over a period of three days, starting on Friday and culminating with the playing of the Open final under lights at the Everest Cricket Club ground between arch rivals Wolf Warriors and Trophy Stall, in which the former came out on top by seven runs, after Regal Masters had defeated Guyana

Floodlight Softball Cricket Association in the Over-40 category earlier in the day.

Businesses such as Star Party Rentals, Trophy Stall, Five Star Minerals and Reuben General Store out of Bartica, Memorex Enterprise, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Romaine Car Wash, Elegant Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Wolf’s Furniture Store and Mike’s Copy Centre.

Muneshwar ’s Hardware Store, Buddy’s Auto Sales, Rohit Lumber, Hardware Store and Sawmill, AN Electronics, AM Khan and Sons, Shivrattan Moulding Establishment and Digimax, also contributed towards the success of the tournament.

In addition to the above, the GSCL Inc. wishes to thank also the president, executives, members and ground staff of Everest Cricket Club, Demerara Cricket Club and Police Sports Club grounds, while a special Thank-you goes out to Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who issued the challenge to the GSCL Inc. last year at the opening of their second 12/12 tournament.

Up next would be the GSCL Inc. Independence Cup, with information being made available soon for teams who will be interested in competing, as the GSCL Inc. seeks to not only develop the sport further, but also keep teams within their jurisdiction, active.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19, 2014

Topoo Cricket Club receives gear from PPP/C THE recently established Topoo Cricket Club (TCC) at Corentyne, Berbice received a much-needed boost in the form of gear from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The acquisition was made possible through a request by executives of the club to PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jaffarally.

On Monday the MP ventured into the Topoo community and met with the twenty-six members of the club and reminded them of investment that the Government of Guyana is making towards sports and sporting facilities.

“I would like to emphasise that the Government is committed to the development of sports throughout Guyana and our pledge is not only to focus on one particular sporting discipline; our focus is broad-based and we would like you to acknowledge our contribution by making full

use of what is offered to you,” he pleaded.

The donation included: bats. pads, stumps, gloves and balls.

Jaffarally also took the opportunity to remind the players that discipline remains the key to success if the club is to progress.

“Players, you need to remember that discipline plays an integral role in anything that you do and, cricket is no exception. Your attitude will determine how far you go in emulating cricketing heroes such as Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Alvin Kallicharran, who all hail from the Corentyne area.

“For there to be progress in your club, you all need to unite for a common cause and once there’s development, you will grow into becoming a strong team,” he implored.

GRATITUDE President of the club, Majeed Khan Mohamed who

MP Faizal Jaffarally presents the gear to TCC President Majeed Khan Mohamed at the Topoo Ground.

Samuels aiming for ‘positive’ return following injury … Windies face Ireland in first T20 today

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Middle order batsman Marlon Samuels says he is eagerly looking forward to his return to international cricket after injury forced him out of the New Zealand tour last December.

Samuels is back in the West Indies setup as they prepare to play minnows Ireland in a twomatch twenty20 International series at Sabina Park starting today.

The 33-year-old has been recuperating from a minor surgery on his wrist.

“The intention is to make a positive return, as since the operation I have been putting in a lot of work,” said Samuels, following the team’s first training session since arriving in Jamaica on Sunday.

“I have been in the nets

been carrying a hamstring injury since last November and, along with Samuels, was recently passed fit to resume duties.

“It is always a joy playing in front of your home crowd and I know the guys are up and ready to compete,” SamMarlon Samuels batting and have been hitting the ball fairly well, so the hope is that everything will remain the same throughout the series.”

Samuels, whose last game was against New Zealand last December, is set to form the core of West Indies’ batting line-up along with opener Chris Gayle, who is also returning from injury.

The big-hitting Gayle has

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday February 19, 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: 259-Glen Turner (WI vs NZ, 1972) 17 ODI centuries Today’s Quiz: When and where did Joey Carew make his highest Test score?

When and where did Viv Richards first cop the Man of the Match Award in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

uels said.

“Ireland may not be a super power in cricket, but it is Twenty20, and given the nature of the format, it is here that they are more than likely to upset big teams. It means, therefore, that we will need to buckle down and play the cricket that we know”.

The Twenty20 series, which will have its final game on Friday, will be followed by a lone one-day international at the Sabina Park on Sunday.

PCB distances itself from Butt’s ‘sons of pigs’ remark (REUTERS) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved quickly yesterday to distance itself from a “sons of pigs” reference to India, England and Australia made by former chairman Ijaz Butt.

Butt, head of the PCB between 2008 and 2011, made the comment as he came out of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after a meeting with current chairman Najam Sethi to discuss the structural changes at the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruling body.

Pakistan abstained from voting in favour of the changes at an ICC meeting in Singapore earlier this month, and has opposed the reforms which effectively hand control of world cricket to India, Australia and England. Asked on live television what he thought about the ‘Big Three’ boards, Butt said: “Listen don’t quote me, but in my personal opinion all three are sons of pigs.”.

A PCB official reacted speedily to Butt’s remark by saying: “It’s his opinion not the board’s. We have no more comment to make”.

Butt added that Pakistan now needed to safeguard their own interests in world cricket.

“Every board is looking after its own interests and that is what we also must do,” he said.

Sethi has been meeting former heads of the PCB on the ‘Big Three’ issue after taking over as chairman last week. He has made it clear that Pakistan will be reviewing their stance on the ICC changes.

accepted the gear on behalf of his charges, expressed gratitude to the PPP/C and vowed to make full use of their gift.

“I must express profound gratitude to the PPP/C for acknowledging our needs, these gifts are much needed and we will try our best to maintain them and give our best performance on the field,” he stated.

The Topoo Cricket Club (TCC) currently participate in primarily second division cricket competitions and since their establishment, their performances have been commendable even though they haven’t been able to win many games against the established teams on the Corentyne Coast.

The administration of the club promises to change that trend and use the new gear to their full advantage in preparing for matches and working on the weak aspects of their game. (Michael Khan)

Stag Beer/EBFA Division One League

Timehri Panthers, Kuru Kururu Warriors take full points

THE 2014 season of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) kicked off last Sunday at the Grove Community Centre ground with a double-header that saw Timehri Panthers waltz past Mocha Champs 3-0, while Kuru Kururu Warriors eased to full points against Diamond United Football Club 3-1.

The Stag Beer-sponsored division one league, which features eight of the association clubs, got off to an enterprising start with all the teams showing that they are eager and happy to see the return of competitive football to the association, compliments of Ansa McAl Trading through their Stag Beer brand.

Timehri Panthers, playing the feature game against Mocha, never allowed their opponents to become a threat and scored at opportune intervals as they locked out the challenge of the Mocha boys.

Troy Johnson opened the score card for Timehri 19 minutes into the derby and while they would have loved to increase the advantage, Mocha kept up their quest to even the score.

The halftime whistle came and the score was unchanged. Even when play resumed, Timehri had to fight hard to increase the advantage.

That opportunity eventually came in the 65th minute compliments of an Andy Higgins strike. With five minutes to full time the game was put beyond the reach of Mocha with a Seon David goal.

In the opening fixture, Kuru Kururu Warriors proved a bit too much for the yet emerging Diamond United Football Club to handle, the former romping to a comfortable 3-1 win.

The game started with both teams eager to gain the ascendancy but it was the boys from the Linden/Soesdyke Highway who netted the first goal of the season compliments of Ryan Scott, in the 15th minute, the first of his double.

Diamond, however, were not going to allow the Warriors much breathing space and they fired back almost immediately when Eon Glenn tucked one past the Warriors goalie in the 22nd minute.

The first half ended with the scores unchanged.

Second half action was end-to-end but it was Kuru Kururu Warriors who assumed the advantage once again when Scott completed his brace in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later the game was sealed the Warriors way through Cordell Johnson’s 75th minute strike.

More matches will be contested at the same venue on Monday, February 24, a national holiday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday February 19 2014

39

Injury rules Pollard out of Windies World T20 squad ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) Big hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard has been ruled out of a West Indies squad announced yesterday to defend their World Twenty20 title starting next month.

Pollard continues to recover from a knee injury and has not been included in the 15-man squad released for the March 16 to April 6 event in Bangladesh.

Pollard who injured his knee while playing in a charity football match had said that he was hoping to recover in time to be available for the ICC World T20.

However, his recovery did not prove quick enough to allow him to be considered for selection.

All 13 men named for the Twenty20s against Ireland start-

ing today were included in the World Twenty20 squad, along with the batsman Johnson Charles and fast bowler Sheldon Cotterell, Cotterell, 24, had played one Test against India in Kolkata last year but is yet to make his debut in either of the shorter formats for West Indies.

A left-arm fast bowler from Jamaica, he played for the Antigua Hawksbills at the Caribbean Premier League last year and collected eight wickets at 21.75 and an economy rate of 6.44.

Charles has struggled on the recent limited-overs tour of New Zealand but can be a dangerous player at the top of the order.

West Indies are the reigning World T20 champions after beating hosts Sri Lanka in the

Kieron Pollard final in Colombo in October 2012.

West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt.), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sheldon Cotterell, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

R&R International Limited 23rd Annual 11-race programme set for Saturday

… Greaves to defend feature race title NATIONAL cycle coach Hassan Mohamed M.S. will run off the 23rd Annual R&R International Limited-sponsored 11-race cycle programme in the National Park on Saturday, beginning at 09:00hrs.

According to Mohamed, Saturday’s 11-race programme is a continuity of the Annual R&R International Limited cycle race sponsorship in observance of Guyana’s Republic Anniversary celebration.

Last year’s winner is Alanzo Greaves who had clocked one hour 15 minutes 43 seconds in winning the 35-lap event, but this time around, the Commonwealth Games selectee will have to be at his best if he is to make a successful defence of the title, since he will have a host of rivals who will all be seeking to outdo him on Saturday.

Among those Greaves will have to be wary of are; Orville Hinds, Raul Leal, Raynauth Jeffrey, Geron Williams, Warren McKay and Paul De Nobrega, who have all been turning in some outstanding performances since the 2014 cycling season got under way last month with the staging of the Flying Ace’s road race in Berbice and which Hinds

years of age, three-lap races for BMX boys nine to 12 years old, two-lap races for boys and girls six to nine years of age and a five-lap event for upright riders.

Alanzo Greaves won comfortably.

Greaves who chalked up over 20 victories during last year’s cycling season, won the George Cumberbatch Memorial 30-lap Sea Wall Band Stand circuit race on Sunday and might still be brimming with confidence.

Only time will tell.

Another much anticipated race on Saturday will be the 10-lap race for juveniles. That was won last year by Akeem Arthur in a time of 29 minutes 39 seconds.

Junior Niles will be defending his veterans’ over50 five-lap title, while Ozia McAulay will defend his fivelap mountain bike title.

Other races carded for the day include a five-lap race for veterans over 50

Vizion Sounds Goodwill tournament

Alpha United, Slingerz FC and Buxton ready to engage Jamaica’s Boys’ Town FC BEGINNING Wednesday March 5, Guyana’s leading club Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United will join their rivals Slingerz Football Club (FC) and Buxton United, as they engage the visiting Red Stripe Jamaican Premier League club Boys’ Town FC in a series of matches, thanks to local-based International record company; Vizion Sounds.

The opening game will be played at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground where Alpha United will take on Buxton United and the Jamaicans will go head-to-head against Guyana’s top emerging club Slingerz FC. Action continues on Friday, March 7, in Buxton as the hosts square off against Boys’ Town and a must-see clash between the ‘money teams’ Alpha United and Slingerz FC. The curtain is expected to come down on Sunday, March 9, at the GCC ground with a celebrity game featuring Jamaican Dancehall star Christopher Martin, group ‘Voice Mail’ among others, against Guyana’s media and entertainers, while Buxton and Slingerz FC meet for the first time and Alpha United get a taste of the team from the Land of Wood

Vurlon Mills and Water.

“This is something that we have been working on for a long time and we’re happy to see it finally coming off.

Vizion Sounds wanted to do something in football and this is a pilot project, since we want to do a similar thing in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Jamaica,” said Vizion Sound’s Gail Vieira.

“Boys’ Town FC was chosen because of their affiliation to reggae music,” Vieira stated, when asked by the media gathered why Vizion sounds chose the struggling Premier League Club over the others to visit.

She said, “Most of the reggae artistes in Jamaica, especially the older guys, they support that team and Vizion Sound; we have a good relationship with all of them and that was the team that was suggested to us and at the time, they were doing well”.

Regional cricket will benefit more from new ICC structure - Cameron PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Dave Cameron has given the assurance that the regional side will benefit more as a result of the recent changes in the governance structure of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Cameron has insisted that the regional team will be playing more cricket over the next eight years as a result of the changes.

The WICB was one of eight full members of the ICC to vote in favour of the new proposal which was approved at the ICC Board meeting in Singapore earlier this month.

“The amended key principles that cover governance,

financing and structure will allow the game to grow and develop the game in the Caribbean and in the Americas far more robustly and vigorously,” Cameron told a news conference in Trinidad on Monday.

“We can inform you as well that the WICB have already secured commitments from the major countries to play an increased number of matches and series over the next eight years.”

Cameron, however, could not give details of the future tours and home series.

However, he explained that the new financing proposals will allow the WICB to negotiate, on a bilateral basis, tours to other countries from which it will earn direct revenue.

“Currently, the West Indies have the most unfavourable matches based on the Future Tours Programme (FTP) and you would notice that we have been playing Bangladesh, New Zealand every year for the last two or three years and that is why the WICB is set to have a massive deficit at the end of our financial year which ends in September,” the WICB president added.

“The new proposals will allow the WICB to increase the number of profitable tours it hosts while decreasing the amount of unprofitable tours it is obliged to host under the FTP. The WICB will be able to negotiate fees when the West Indies team plays in an away series.”

Meanwhile, for Slingerz FC, the Club’s general manager Collin ‘BL’ Aaron and captain Vurlon Mills both stated that though the tournament is not being played for any monetary rewards their side would be going all out to make sure that they finish with an unblemished record.

“This is being taken very seriously by our club, because at the end of the day, our aim is to be the best club in the country. It’s a Goodwill tournament, but we (are) treating it just like every other competition we played and wanted to win. This is something good for football and it’s something Slingerz FC fully supports,” Aaron said.

“This would give us a chance to see where we are at in terms of our style of play since we would be coming up against a team from Jamaica who is already playing regularly. But I think for Alpha United, this is good because they are going to represent us in the CFU tournament and they, I know, will welcome playing against the Jamaicans,” Mills noted.

Alpha United will seek to once again qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, as the ‘Hammers’ prepare for the CFU 2014 championship where they are grouped with Trinidad’s Defence Force, Suriname’s Notch Football Club and Jamaica’s Premier League number one club Harbour View FC. The GFF Premier League defending Champions begin their CFU journey on March 21 against their Trinidad opponents and as such, Alpha United will be looking to fully utilise the Goodwill series to strengthen their preparation.

However, for Buxton United, the East Coast team through its secretary Eton Moses, said that they would be looking to use the series to gain the much-needed experience as the club goes through its rebuilding phase.

“It’s not every day you get an opportunity to play against Alpha United, Slingerz FC and a team from Jamaica, so Buxton United are looking to use this as a learning experience and at the same time, go out there and give a good performance and represent the people of Buxton well,” said Moses.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Injury rules Pollard out of Windies World (See story T20 squad on page 39)

Johnson to lead Guyana in Regional 4-Day tournament … Warm-up match at Stadium from today

By Calvin Roberts GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) skipper Leon Johnson has been tasked with the responsibility of leading Guyana in the first round of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional fourday match against defending champions Jamaica at Sabina Park.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior selection panel, led by Chairman Rayon Griffith, yesterday afternoon released the names of the 14 players for the first round contest, with Johnson having as his deputy, veteran West Indies Test player Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Also included in the 13man squad for the first game are former Guyana and West Indies skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine and Vishal Singh, while Keon Joseph, who narrowly missed out on being selected for the WICB NAGICO Super50 tournament, finds himself in

Leon Johnson

the 13-man lineup to share the new ball along with Ronsford Beaton.

Johnson was named as deputy to Veerasammy Permaul for last year’s tournament, while in the absence of Chanderpaul for Guyana’s semi-final contest against Barbados in the WICB NAGICO Super50 tournament he also performed the duties of vice-captain to Christopher Barnwell.

Notable absentees from the squad are Rajendra Chandrika and Chandrapaul Hemraj, along with Paul Wintz and Rajiv Ivan, while Wintz, Royston Crandon, Trevon Griffith and Robin Bacchus who were all part of the WICB NAGICO Super50 squad, failed to find favour with the selectors for the Regional four-day tournament.

The 25-year-old Singh, who made his debut for Guyana against Barbados at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, five years ago, was the leading runscorer in last year’s GCB/ Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company/Hand-in-Hand four-day tournament that was won by Berbice.

He accumulated 250 runs in four innings at an average of 62.50, with a topscore of 100 against newly crowned champions Berbice in the first

innings, followed by a resilient 55 in the second, while he scored 83 against Essequibo in the second round.

He last played for Guyana in the 2011 WICB Regional four-day tournament when the team performed miserably, while he averages 17.58 from the nine matches he has played where he aggregated 299 runs with a top score of 66 against Barbados at the Guyana National Stadium in 2011.

In an invited comment with Chronicle Sport yesterday afternoon after he heard of his selection, Singh, who like Johnson plies his trade for GCC said he is looking to transfer his form from last year into the Regional tournament.

“I have been out of the national team for the past three years and was looking to get back there. Now that I have done that, my aim is to produce some good performances in the middle order which is a very big one.

Nevertheless, the selectors have invested their trust in me and whenever I do get the chance to go out there for my country, it is my aim to put my best foot forward and continue in the same way that I during the Inter-county tournament last year,” said

Singh.

Meanwhile, the Johnson-led 13-man squad will engage a Reserve XI in a four-day warm-up fixture commencing from today at 10:00hrs and continuing over the next three days from the same time, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The Guyana squad for the first round reads: Sewnarine Chattergoon, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph and Vishal Singh. The manager is Alvin Johnson and the coach is Easan Crandon.

The Reserve team reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Trevon Griffith, Robin Bacchus, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Royston Crandon, Rajiv Ivan, Jonathan Foo, Zaheer Mohamed, Anthony Adams, Jason Sinclair, Paul Wintz, Raun Johnson, Rayon Fredericks, Collis Butts, Andre Stoll and Ricardo Adams The Guyana squad will depart for Jamaica one week from today and will take on the defending champions in the first round, three days

See page 33

ICC Under-19 World Cup

Young Chanderpaul takes Windies into quarterfinals ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) - Tagenarine Chanderpaul missed his century by seven runs in another thrilling batting display, as West Indies romped to a comfortable 63-run win over Canada in their group C match of the ICC Under-19 World Cup here at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Chanderpaul scored 93, his second consecutive Playerof-the-Match, winning performance, to lead West Indies into the knockout stage of the competition after his unbeaten 84 on Sunday to steer his team to a crushing 167-run win over Zimbabwe.

The young Guyanese batsman struck five fours and a single six and shared in three half-century partnerships that powered the Caribbean side

to 289 for four before bowling out the Canadians for 226.

Chanderpaul added 62 for the first wicket with Shimron Hetmyer who was run-out for 39 after hitting four fours and a six.

He further strengthened his team’s position with a 95-run stand for the second wicket with Jeremy Solozano who smashed three fours in an even 50 before he was trapped lbw.

The West Indies run rate slowed after the loss of Solozano and Jonathan Drakes in quick succession.

However Nicolas Pooran resumed the run flow smashing an unbeaten 67 off 41 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes.

Pooran added 77 for the fourth wicket with Chanderpaul in 10.1 overs, before unleashing the big shots includ-

ing three fours and four sixes and pushing West Indies’ total up by 31 in the last 10 balls.

Canada, who lost the toss and were asked to field, were off to an encouraging start losing just two wickets before crossing the 100-mark.

The Canadians scored slowly with Nikhil Dutta (62) and Tahla Shaikh (45) putting on 88 for the fourth wicket, but once Shaikh was run-out, the next six wickets tumbled for only 29 runs.

Captain Ramaal Lewis, Ray Jordan and Jerome Jones picked up two wickets each while Gudakesh-Motie-Kanhai picked up one.

Yesterday’s results mean that from Group C, South Africa and West Indies have progressed to the Super League quarter-finals while Canada

and Zimbabwe will feature in the Plate Championship and from Group D, Sri Lanka and England will appear in the Super League quarter-finals while New Zealand and the UAE will play in the Plate Championship.

Today, the winner of Pakistan-Scotland match will join defending champions India in the Super League quarter-finals from Group A, whereas any of the two teams from Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh can qualify for the Super League quarter-finals from Group B. Scores in brief from matches: In Group C, West Indies beat Canada by 63 runs at Abu Dhabi Oval 1.

West Indies 289-4, 50 overs

See page 33

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Man-of-the-Match Tagenarine Chanderpaul follows up his 84 against Zimbabwe with a 127-ball 93.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2014