Guyana chronicle 24 02 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103749

MONDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2014

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At traditional flag-raising ceremony...

Guyana welcomes 44th anniversary with symbolic 21-gun salute Page 2

Twas fun galore, steeped in rich folklore,as Guyana turns 44 centre

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ presentation, Spirit of the Rainforest

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

At traditional flag-raising ceremony...

Guyana welcomes 44th anniversary with symbolic 21-gun salute GUYANA’S symbol of nationhood, the Golden Arrowhead, was early yesterday hoisted in the forecourt of the Public Buildings in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar, and other military top brass to mark 44 years of nationhood. Also present was Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Hinds. The standard was raised by a Flag Ensign to the accompaniment of the ceremonial 21-gun salute as members of the Cabinet, the diplomatic corps and the public observed the sombre tradition. Preceding the flagraising was the arrival of the Prime Minister, Mr Samuel Hinds, who was accorded a general salute, followed by the President’s arrival, the Presidential salute and the Inspection of the Guard of Honour. A total of 104 ranks, along with six officers, led by Parade Commander Dale De Mendonca, drawn from the Joint Services, formed the honour guard for the proceedings. Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, Imam Shaik Zakir Khan and Pastor Wendell Jeffrey offered prayers on behalf of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities, while the Guyana Police Force band corps and choir, directed by Major Robert Burns, led the audience in rendition of national songs and the National Anthem. Guyana gained Republican status on February 23, 1970, close to four years after it achieved independence. (GINA)

Everyone, including President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (fourth and third left, respectively), stands at attention as the Golden Arrowhead made its slow climb up the flagpole early yesterday morning on the forecourt of the seat of government, the Public Buildings

‘KEEP GUYANA ON TRACK’ –Minister Ramsaran tells large gathering at Region 4 flag-raising ceremony H E A LT H M i n i s t e r D r. Bheri Ramsaran joined Region 4 residents at the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) office at Triumph, East Coast Demerara on Friday, February 21, to commemorate Guyana’s

44th republic anniversary with the traditional flag-raising ceremony. Guyana gained republican status on February 23, 1970, nearly four years after achieving independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966.

Minister Ramsaran said that while a lot of achievements have been made over the past 44 years, a lot of challenges still exist. He pointed to benchmarks such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to show clearly how many strides have since been made. One major achievement under the MDGs, which constitute a good measure of progress, is attainment of universal primary education; and the country is now poised see page 7

Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran delivers remarks at the Region 4 flag-raising ceremony

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Barticians not in favour of including APNU’s proposals in AML/CFT Bill DURING the final Town Hall meeting on the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Amendment Bill, residents of Bartica, Region 7, expressed strong sentiments against proposals made by the coalition A Partnership For National Unity (APNU). When the meeting was convened on Friday at the St John the Baptist School, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, provided Barticians with critical details of the bill. Minister Edghill, who sought to apprise the mining community of the status of the bill, explained that the Select Committee is currently working towards yet another deadline, in keeping with requirements of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). “Because of our lobbying, we have earned ourselves some more time, and we are slated for a review in May,” he said. “But

that have legislation to start looking with extra care when dealing with businesses from Guyana”. Minister Edghill pointed out to residents how the non-passage of this bill has already started to affect the country in terms of several road construction projects being stalled. “Right now, there is a shortage of stones for the construction of roads. We have awarded 165 contracts to about 35 contractors… There is no stone, and the Ready Mix Company wants to buy stone and he wants to transfer money to St Vincent”. This, the minister said, is just a start of the trickle-down effects the non-passage of this bill would have. “If Guyana is blacklisted, it will affect all Guyanese. All foreign direct investments will be affected. Companies which plan to come and companies that are already operating in Guyana will not stay, because they will have difficulties in their financial transactions,” Minister Edghill said.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill (standing) makes his presentation at the town hall meeting in Bartica. Seated at left is Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, and at right is Region 7 Chairman, Gordon Bradford.

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall emphasises a point during his presentation to Bartica residents. the fact of the matter is (that), in order for us to be reviewed, we have to make a submission on February 28, indicating to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) what steps we have taken to correct those deficiencies in the Bill,” Minister Edghill disclosed, as he added that a commitment has been made to the financial body, and it is expected that the Government would make available in that report an assented copy of the bill. However, should the bill not be passed, “The first thing that will happen is that the CFATF will put out an advisory saying that we are not a country that has sufficient legislation to fight money laundering, and this will cause banks in other countries

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall also emphasised the devastating effects the non-passage of this bill would have on all Guyanese. “It is so important that we come to you in person to clarify any issues you may have about the bill, so that in the end, whatever the outcome, we in the Government must, with a clear conscience, say to ourselves we did our best and all we could have done,” Minister Nandlall said. “The devastation that will befall this country -- the adverse effects that will be unleashed and the economic stagnation that will follow if this bill is not passed -- will not discriminate in its effect,” Minister Nandlall said.

He reiterated that not only will Government supporters be affected, but Guyanese from all walks of life, economic and social standing and geographic location. “Because the world that we live in is a global village, countries can no longer isolate themselves from each other or from the rest of the world. Whatever happens in one part of the world, we feel it here because we all depend on each other. That is how small the world has become,” he reminded the residents of Bartica. Touching on the contentious issue of the recent proposal made by the Opposition, which seeks to give police and customs officers the power to stop, search, seize and arrest citizens found with currency totalling $2M should they have reason to suspect any actual or impending involvement with money laundering, the minister said this is a move to criminalise each citizen. “Why are we going to put that in the law of this country? It is not (in) the law of any country. How can you make money

illegal in your country? I have said we live in a cash-driven society; we don’t have plastic cards… Are we going to criminalise our people for the money that they earned? There was a time this had happened because of what we eat, and now again we are going to be made criminals because of what we earn.” Minister Nandlall told residents that if they do not speak out against the amendment, it will become the law of Guyana. Responding to questions from residents about how they can have their say in the passage

of the bill, the minister told residents that they can get in touch with their political party representatives or pen letters to their leaders in order to have their voices heard. The passage of the AML/ CFT Bill has been in limbo for more than 10 months, receiving very little, if any, support from the Opposition. As part of the Government’s effort to get Guyanese involved in the process of the bill’s passage, two other town hall meetings have been held in Regions 10 and 6. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Ukraine leadership points west as U.S. warns Russia against force By Natalia Zinets and Alessandra Prentice KIEV –(Reuters) - Ukraine’s new interim president pledged to put the country back on course for European integration now Moscow-backed Viktor Yanukovich had been ousted, while the United States warned Russia against sending in its forces. As rival neighbours east and west of the former Soviet republic said a power vacuum in Kiev must not lead to the country breaking apart, acting president Oleksander Turchinov said on Sunday that Ukraine’s new leadership wanted relations with Russia on a “new, equal and good-neighborly footing that recognizes and takes into account Ukraine’s European choice”. A day after Yanukovich fled to the Russian-speaking east following dozens of deaths during street protests aimed at toppling him, parliament named new speaker Turchinov as interim head of state. An ally of the ousted leader’s long jailed rival Yulia Tymoshenko, he aims to swear in a government by Tuesday that can provide authority

until a presidential election on May 25. Wi t h b a t t l e - h a r d e n e d , pro-Western protesters in control of central Kiev and determined to hold their leaders to account, lawmakers rushed through decisions to cement their power, display their rejection of rampant corruption and bring to book officials who ordered police to fire on Independence Square. But whoever takes charge as interim prime minister faces a huge challenge to satisfy popular expectations and will find an economy in deep crisis, even if the EU makes good on new offers of aid that may help make up for loans that Russia has frozen. Scuffles in Russian-speaking Crimea and some eastern cities between supporters of the new, pro-EU order in Kiev and those anxious to stay close to Moscow revived fears of separatism that a week earlier were focused on the west, where Ukrainian nationalists had disowned Yanukovich and proclaimed self-rule. President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, Susan Rice, was asked on U.S.

television about the possibility of Russia sending troops to Ukraine, which President Vladimir Putin had hoped Yanukovich would keep closely allied to Moscow. “That would be a grave mistake,” Rice said. “It’s not in the interests of Ukraine or of Russia or of Europe or the United States to see a country split. It’s in nobody’s interest to see violence return and the situation escalate.” Yanukovich’s flight into hiding left Putin’s Ukraine policy in tatters, on a day he had hoped eyes would be on the grand finale to the Sochi Olympics. The Kremlin leader spoke on Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose foreign minister had brokered a short-lived truce in Kiev on Friday. They agreed Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” must be maintained, Merkel’s spokesman said in a statement. British Foreign Secretary William Hague was asked if Russia might “send in the tanks” to defend its interests among ethnic Russians in the east and on the Crimea peninsula, where Moscow bases its Black Sea

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Fleet: “It would really not be in the interests of Russia to do any such thing,” he told the BBC. Earlier this month, a Kremlin aide warned that Moscow could intervene and accused Washington of breaching their 1994 treaty under which Russia removed Soviet nuclear weapons from Ukraine. It is unlikely the United States and its allies in NATO would risk an outright military confrontation with Russia but such rhetoric, laden with echoes of the Cold War, underlines the high stakes in Ukraine, whose 46 million people and sprawling territory are caught in a geopolitical tug of war. EUROPEAN OFFERS EU officials offered financial aid to a new government and to revive a trade deal that Yanukovich spurned under Russian pressure in November, sparking the protests that drove him from office after 82 deaths last week, many from police sniper fire. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will travel to Ukraine on Monday to discuss economic help, the EU said. The United States has also promised help. But budgets are tight in the EU and Washington, and international creditors like the IMF may remain wary of Yanukovich’s opponents, whose years in government before him were no economic success story. However, concern about instability and a popular desire to be seen backing what looks to Western voters like a democratic movement threatened by Russian diktat may loosen purse strings - at least to tide Ukraine over until after the elections. In Russia, where Putin hoped to count on Ukraine as a key element in a union of ex-Soviet states and might also fear the Kiev uprising could inspire his own opponents, the finance minister said the next tranche of a $15-billion loan package agreed in December would not be paid, at least before a new government is formed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, according to his office, told U.S. Secretary of

State John Kerry the opposition had “seized power” by force by ignoring the EU-brokered truce on Friday that left Yanukovich in office for the time being. Lavrov said that power-sharing agreement should be revived. However, even lawmakers from Yanukovich’s own party voted for his removal on Saturday and issued a statement blaming him and his entourage for the crisis. Business “oligarchs” - rich from control of ex-Soviet assets - also distanced themselves from a man long seen as their representative in the presidency. In a mark of passions dividing Ukrainians along a historic faultline between Russian and Ukrainian cultures, local television in Kerch, in eastern Crimea, showed a crowd hauling down the blueand-yellow Ukrainian flag in front of the town hall and hoisting the white, blue and red Russian tricolor. Yanukovich, whose whereabouts remain unclear but who may be in his home city of Donetsk near the Russian border, accused opponents of a Nazi-style coup and said he remained in power. PARLIAMENT ACTS In a hectic round of voting in parliament, lawmakers rushed in some crowd-pleasing measures against the ousted administration, conscious that those still occupying Independence Square - or the Maidan - remain deeply suspicious of the political class. They stripped Yanukovich of his abandoned country home near Kiev. Its brash opulence, complete with ostrich farm and hot tubs, was put on display within hours and fuelled demands that the rough-hewn former petty criminal from the eastern coalfields be held to account for stealing taxpayer billions. Several officials and ministers were singled out for being removed from office, among them an education minister accused of promoting a Russian view of Ukrainian history. Parliament-appointed security officials announced legal

moves against members of the ousted administration and those responsible for police attacks on the Maidan last week. Newly appointed speaker Oleksander Turchinov, now acting president, said a government should be in place by Tuesday. His ally, Tymoshenko, defeated by Yanukovich in a 2010 presidential election and later jailed for corruption, ruled herself out as interim premier. Freed from a prison hospital on Saturday after more than two years in jail, she may want time to recover and build support before running for the presidency. As prime minister following the largely peaceful Orange Revolution of 2004-05, which overturned a first presidential victory by Yanukovich, Tymoshenko disappointed many in Ukraine who had hoped for an end to the corruption and failed economic policies that marked the aftermath of Soviet communism. “In these days the most important thing is to form a functioning government,” said Vitaly Klitschko, a former world boxing champion and also a possible presidential contender. “We have to take very important steps in order to ensure the survival of the economy, which is in a very bad shape,” he told a news conference. He denied there had been a coup. “Parliament is the last legal official institution in Ukraine,” he said. “Nobody knows where the president of Ukraine is. We tried to find him all day yesterday. His location is unknown. He left the country without a president.” On Independence Square, thousands filed through to pay their respects to last week’s victims. Men were still wandering around with clubs and wearing home-made body armor, helmets and in some cases ski masks and camouflage fatigues. “We’ll stay here to the very end,” said one, Bohdan Zakharchenko, 23, from Cherkasy, south of Kiev. “We will be here till there’s a new president.” Another, Vitaly Servin, 25, from Luhansk, near the Russian border, said of separatists who might divide Ukraine along its historic and linguistic faultline: “There are people who want to split the country in two. We will not allow this.” Yaroslav Stashenko, 36, from, the Ukrainian-speaking western city of Lviv, near the Polish frontier, said as he warmed himself by a campfire on the square: “We want Yanukovich dragged here ... He’s a coward. He’s hiding like a rat.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Mexico’s top drug lord Joaquin ‘Shorty’ Guzman arrested

Demonstrators have called for the release of one of the opposition politicians Leopoldo Lopez

Venezuelan police and opposition activists clash in Caracas

Venezuelan police and opposition demonstrators have clashed at the end of a march that gathered tens of thousands of people in Caracas. Several people were injured, as police fired tear gas and activists hurled stones in the Altamira district. Supporters of left-wing President Nicolas Maduro marched in central Caracas and other cities. Ten people have now died in nearly two weeks of protests, which Mr Maduro has called a coup attempt. He says the violence is part of a strategy devised by rightwing groups, with the support of the US, to destabilise his government. “We have a strong democracy. What we don’t have in Venezuela is a democratic opposition,” Mr Maduro told thousands of his supporters in Caracas. Mr Maduro was elected last April, following the death of Hugo Chavez, who was in office for 14 years. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who was defeated in last year’s presidential election, led a march in the capital He spoke against the arrest, on Tuesday, of fellow opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, accused by the government of inciting violence. Mr Capriles called on his supporters to carry on protesting, but to avoid any form of violence. “There are millions of reasons to protest, there are so many problems, so many people suffering. But his movement we have built must be different,” he said. The opposition’s main grievances are rampant crime, high inflation and the shortage of many staples. It blames the economic problems on the leftwing policies of the past 15 years. Opposition demonstrators also took part in marches in western Tachira and Merida states. The current wave of protests began on 12 February.

Three people were shot dead at the end of those marches in Caracas by unknown gunmen. Daily protests have been held in the capital for the past 11 days. (BBcv News)

ONE of the world’s most wanted drug barons, Joaquin Guzman, known as El Chapo or “Shorty”, has been arrested in Mexico. He was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggles huge amounts of illegal drugs into the US. “Shorty” Guzman had been on the run since escaping a high-security prison in a laundry basket in 2001. He was arrested in Sinaloa state, in a joint operation with US anti-drugs forces. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto used his Twitter account to praise the forces involved in the arrest in the north-western resort of Mazatlan, in Sinaloa state. Guzman was taken to Mexico City and paraded before the media, before boarding a helicopter surrounded by heavily armed troops. He was taken straight to prison, Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said.

Dominican Republic to present bill to help Haitian descendants

WASHINGTON, (CMC) – The Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to the United States, Aníbal de Castro, says President Danilo Medina will this week present a bill to Congress aimed at creating a legal pathway for those born to undocumented Haitians and other foreigners. “It will provide for a path, a quick way to Dominican nationality to those people who can prove they were born in the Dominican Republic, that they have been living there all of their lives, that they have roots in the Dominican Republic,” de Castro told reporters here, stating that Medina will present the plan on Thursday during his “State of the Union” address. “This solution will respect human rights and take a humanitarian approach,” he added. Last year, the Constitutional Court in the Dominican Republic ruled that Dominicans of Haitian parentage, who were born in the country, would be stripped of Dominican citizenship. International human rights groups, leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Haitians, and others, Aníbal de Castro have called on the Dominican Republic to reverse the court ruling. Critics say the September 23 decision, retroactive to 1929, leaves hundreds of thousands of individuals, the majority of them of Haitian descent, “stateless”. They also say the ruling threatens to create a permanent under-class of people in the Dominican Republic. De Castro said the proposed bill is a result of Medina’s promise to CARICOM leaders that he would “implement a clear and transparent migration policy” that would provide legal status to those affected, according to the Miami Herald. The envoy rejected as unfair allegations that the Dominican Republic is a “racist country”. In addition, de Castro said the government also plans to help others impacted by the ruling, including a no-deportation rule. Last week, the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Organization of American States (OAS) signed an agreement that will lead to the issuing of documents to Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic.

The US state department had offered a reward of up to $5m (£3.2m) for information leading to his arres US Attorney General Eric Holder described Guzman’s arrest as “a landmark achievement” for Mexico and “a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States”. “Shorty” Guzman has been indicted in the US on federal trafficking charges. The Sinaloa cartel controls much of the flow of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine to the US.

‘SUCCESS STORY’ Guzman’s arrest is a big boost for the administration of Enrique Pena Nieto, says the BBC’s Will Grant in Mexico City. Mr Pena Nieto, who took office just over two years ago, said he intended to change the “war on drugs” policy of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon, which critics say led to a rise in violence throughout Mexico. But Mexican police and troops have killed or arrested key figures in the drugs cartels since Mr Pena Nieto came to power. The US has also arrested several associates and relatives of “Shorty” Guzman. n May 2012, the US Treasury Department put two of his

Joaquin Guzman was arrested in Guatemala in 1993, but escaped from a high security jail in Mexico in 2001. sons - Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Ovidio Guzman Lopez - on its blacklist of drugs kingpins. Their assets were frozen and US nationals and companies were prevented from doing business with them. Guzman’s father-in-law, Ines Coronel, was arrested nearly a year ago. He was accused of smuggling drugs into the US. Guzman was born in the town of Badiraguato, probably 56 years ago, and became an

important figure in the drug cartels in the 1980s. He was arrested in Guatemala in 1993 and handed over to the Mexican authorities. He was sentenced to more than 20 years in jail, but he bribed officers and escaped a maximum security jail in Mexico in 2001. Since then, he has continued to run the Sinaloa Cartel with complete impunity.(BBC News)

GUYANA

EDITORIAL

Reflections on patterns of national progress

TODAY is a fitting day to reflect on our country’s progress under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government (PPP/C). The current administration has undoubtedly provided excellent stewardship in Guyana over the years of the party being the first democratically elected government since independence. Since 1992, things have become so much better that most of the people take the existing benefits and improved services for granted. The greatest gift to the people of Guyana from the PPP/ Civic, however, is freedom. This means freedom from political dictatorship; from domination by a small clique bent on racial and political oppression; social marginalization; and the widespread violation of human rights. The PPP/Civic, led by Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan, won the first (sort of) free and fair elections, after decades, in October 1992, and put a stop to consistently rigged elections by the PNC, now re-configured as APNU. Free and Fair elections in Guyana were won by the PPP being in the vanguard of that struggle.Besides free and fair elections, there is due process of law; respect for the Constitution of the republic; strict observance of human rights; freedom of association; freedom of expression; full freedom to travel; and unfettered freedom of worship. Under the PPP-Civic Administration, the national economy has performed fairly well, generating positive GDP in most years. Guyana today has substantial foreign reserves; single-digit inflation; booming economic indicators; a thriving construction industry and sector; bumper rice harvests; and increasing exports of agricultural produce, along with timber and mining products. A new wave of prosperity has gripped the hinterland, largely where gold mining is concerned. Government’s sustained battle at home and overseas to rescue the sugar industry against formidable odds is being gradually won, despite the constraints and occasional hiccups. Massive gains are being made in the fishing sector, as well as in the manufacturing sector. The commercial banking sector is thriving and expanding, and is solvent in every way. Apart from the looming threat of FATF blacklisting because of opposition recalcitrance in supporting the vital money laundering Bill, there is no economic crisis in Guyana under the PPP-Civic Government, and the country has largely escaped the economic downturn that is still gripping most of the world, caused by recession in the USA, Western Europe and Japan. Through the instrumentality and vision of the government, Guyana has been spared the ravages of foreign recession. Today, the ordinary people are better housed, better clothed, better fed, better educated; are provided with better medical and health services; are better paid where wages and salaries are concerned. The transport system is rising to the challenges posed by increasing numbers of people acquiring vehicles of their own, with which to commute daily. Our highways are being overhauled and expanded to four-lane status. In addition, sustained efforts are being made to overcome flooding caused by seasonal rainfall and the inadequacy of drainage systems, taking into account

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Culture Ministry’s literary fair well received by public

IN OBSERVANCE of Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG) Library, the National Library, the Book Foundation, Bookland, the National Archives, and the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), hosted on Friday a literary fair under the theme “Reconnecting People to Books”. Held on the Main Street Avenue, the event saw a large turnout, as persons browsed through books on various topics and enjoyed the story-telling and readings on Guyana’s history. This event provided a pathway for readers, and revitalised the love for reading, especially among young people. The fair had been on pause for two years, and it is hoped that the current fair would have bridged the two-year gap. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, expressed satisfaction with the huge turnout, noting that the fair should be promoted and made a feature of the annual Mashramani celebrations, as the ministry strives to keep the reading tradition alive, especially amongst young people. Minister Anthony highlighted that many persons are not aware of the country’s books, and the fair provided them opportunity to be so aware. “It’s not only about reading… I’m not quite sure how many people in Guyana are aware that we have a great publishing tradition, and a lot of people feel that not a lot has been done on publishing in Guyana; but when you walk through the booths, you get a fair sense of what is happening,” Minister Anthony said. He noted that the UG Library also has a good collection of books that are not fully utilised, and he said that bringing out part of the collection to a mass audience makes people more aware of what is available, and where the books can be accessed. Dr Anthony also took opportunity to highlight the achievements of the Caribbean Press, which has a collection of books highlighting elements of Guyana’s history. He urged the gathering to pay attention

to the books containing presidential speeches by past presidents. Those volumes, he said, give a good sense of what was happening in Guyana during those periods. Already completed are speeches of the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, while work has commenced on the speeches delivered by the late Presidents L.F.S. Burnham and Janet Jagan. (GINA)

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, delivers remarks at the Literary Fair on Main Street Avenue

Persons visiting the booths at the literary fair huge swathes of land under cultivation, animal husbandry, housing schemes and industrial estates. It is confidently expected that the Hope Canal, now under construction, will help put an end to this flooding problem in the agriculturally strategic East Coast Demerara area. Social harmony and tolerance in Guyana have been nurtured and encouraged in all spheres of life. All our people, especially our Amerindian brothers and sisters, are an integral part of our development agenda, and share equally in the nation’s prosperity. The rights of, and opportunities for our women have been expanded, and is celebrated here and abroad as a model. The protection of our children and the enhanced welfare of our elderly and other vulnerable groups are today among the proud achievements for our country. In the international sphere, including at the United Nations and other such agencies, Guyana’s reputation is considerable. Under the PPP-Civic administration, Guyana has maintained cordial relations with our next-door neighbours (Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela) and farther afield (USA, UK, Canada, India, Russia, China, Japan). Cordial relations and economic ties have been forged with influential Middle East and African countries, even as we deepen ties with South and Central America.

Guyana’s work in advancing initiatives such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy has won our country and people international acclaim and greater respect. It is a known fact that several main developmental initiatives have been stymied, especially the massive hydroelectric project at Amaila Falls, which was intended to lay the foundations for major industrial take-offs in the economy, and to secure Guyana’s unchallenged superiority in the Region, where industrial productivity is concerned. It was projected that, coupled with this project, should oil and gas be found, the social and economic situation for the Guyanese people would have been tremendously enhanced. Further, with the modernization of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the completion of the Marriott Hotel project, Guyana’s prospect for tourism and other long-standing potential will be realised. Guyana has never been so advanced and well-positioned as it is today as one of the Region’s shining examples of good governance and lasting opportunities for its citizens. The celebrations as Guyana observes its 44th year as a republic mark a progressive course of greater social cohesion and expansion of our socio-economic dynamics, and the general well-being of the Guyanese nation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

‘KEEP GUYANA ON ... From page 2 to attain universal secondary education anytime soon. As regards the health sector, Minister Ramsaran said the health care delivery system has seen major overhauling over the past 20 years, with significant investments, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and human resource development. The sore issue of maternal health has caused the Health Ministry to be heavily criticised. Minister Ramsaran explained that, in 2012, twenty-five (25) women lost their lives in childbirth. This, he said, has been drastically reduced through interventions that have since been made. Last year, only 18 such deaths were recorded, 11 of which had been directly related to pregnancy. Additionally, the Health Ministry has partnered with Canadian charity Guyana Help the Kids to expand the services of neo-natal intensive care in the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden and New Amsterdam hospitals. In terms of eradicating hunger and extreme poverty, another MDG, Guyana received an award from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for being one of 17 countries in the world to reduce hunger and address food security. “I (would) like to encourage us to continue in this harmonious fashion of addressing our differences, respecting our diversity, and building from strength to strength… Guyana is back on track! Let’s keep it there,” the Health Minister said. Region 4 Chairman Clement Corlette said the Region 4 administration is very pleased with its performance in terms of executing its 2013 work programme. Under the region’s current work programme for the financial year ended December 31, 2013, $2.95B was spent, which accounted for approximately 98.49 percent of the finances allocated. Under drainage and irrigation, 98.24 percent of the allotment was spent; whilst 100 percent of the allotment for maintenance of other infrastructure was spent; as were 96.79 percent under public works, 92.19 percent under health, and 99.27 percent under capital expenditure. Corlette added that while the strides made in the last 44 years must be recognised, there are still many issues that need addressing, such as correcting the local government system. (GINA)

The Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at the Regional Democratic Council’s office at Triumph, East Coast Demerara

A large crowd turned out to witness the flag-raising ceremony at Triumph, East Coast Demerara

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Craft producers receive Canadian help to improve output,quality By Ravin Singh THE Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association (GACPA) collaborated in 2012 with

Canadian company TFO and Canadian Executive Service Organisation (CESO) on a project funded by the Canadian Government to take 12

companies into the Canadian marketplace from the home décor sector. What may have been described as an accidental en-

counter with Canadians Paul and Beverly Williams at the Canadian Gifts and Tablewear Association Show turned out to be a blessing. The duo, through

Members of the head table: From left are a representative of TFO, Canada; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Mr. Paul Williams and his wife, Mrs. Beverly Williams; and Head of the GACPA, Ms. Hollingsworth

‘There is power in unity’

A STRONG working relationship between Botswana and the member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would go a long way to ensuring growth and a stronger voice on issues which concern them such as climate change, gender equality and the fight against terrorism and nuclear disarmament, Her Excellency Bernadette Rathedi said on Thursday. Ambassador Rathedi, who was accredited as the first plenipotentiary representative of Botswana to CARICOM, underscored the need for “our countries and Regions” to make greater efforts to work together and strengthen one another in advancing common concerns on the international scene, stated a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. “There is, indeed, power in unity,” she said, during a simple ceremony at the CARICOM Secretariat, after she presented her letters of credence to Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary-General. In his remarks, Ambassador LaRocque highlighted Botswana’s progressive establishment of formal relations with CARICOM member states that began with Guyana in 1978. Botswana, he recalled, was one of few African countries with accredited diplomatic representatives to all CARICOM member states. Those ties have been strengthened through shared membership in the Commonwealth, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the United Nations. The Secretary-General pointed to the similarities be-

CESO, was sent to Guyana to work in the leather sector and assist local craftsmen to take their leather work to the next level. Expert leather craft designers, Paul and Beverly, commenced their leather training workshop on February 3rd and concluded on February 7th. During that time, they would have observed that production costs could have been lower if they had implemented the use of Harris Paints for their pieces. It was discovered that apart from being cheaper than regular dyes for leather, Harris Paints were a waterproof mechanism and were environmentally friendly. Paul and Beverly would also have encouraged other sectors of craft production to incorporate the use of leather into their designs, something which craftsmen have begun to do. For the leather industry, it was realised that focus was placed only on sandals and bracelets; and, as such, craftsmen were encouraged not to limit their scope of production. The closing ceremony for the workshop was held last

Friday at the Umana Yana. It paid tribute to the associated bodies, namely TFO and CESO, for their assistance in helping members of the Craft Industry to exploit their potentialities. The ceremony saw the presence of representatives of TFO, CESO, GACPA and the Hon. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who spoke words of encouragement and expressed proud sentiments for what the Arts and Craft Association of Guyana has achieved. He also mentioned the importance of the craft industry to Guyana, as it produces a sense of identity for our country. Additionally, he said the industry should be able to assist the rice and sugar industries as Guyana cannot be dependent on those alone to keep its economy from going under. The next step for the association is to seek regional markets for local products; and, in time, as quality and costs improve, international markets would be sought so as to expand the C\craft industry.

–says Botswana’s Ambassador to CARICOM

Local craft pieces on display at the closing ceremony

Botswana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Ms Bernadette Rathedi, shares a toast with CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Thursday, after presenting her credentials to him at the CARICOM Secretariat tween Botswana and CARICOM member states, such as their experiences with the global financial and economic crises, the quest to diversify their economies, and economic activities being pursued such as tourism, agriculture and financial services. “As the Community seeks to deepen ties with the African continent, through strengthened relations with individual states and sub-regions, Botswana presents itself as a meaningful interlocutor with CARICOM states in this regard. Your position as the headquarters country for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as a willingness in seeking to strengthen relations at this time augurs well for our close collaboration. Indeed, the two Communities face similar development challenges in the process of regional integration and

cooperation,” he said. Ties between CARICOM and the SADC were also a point of reference for Ambassador Rathedi, who indicated that her country supported the continuing cooperation between the Community and SADC and between the Community and the African Union. Such collaboration, she said, would improve market access between the two Regions, improve opportunities for trade and investment and people-to-people interaction. LIBERATION STRUGGLE The new Ambassador also relayed the gratitude of Botswana and the Southern African Region for CARICOM’s “invaluable contribution to the liberation struggle in our Region”. “We still remember vividly, the active and very bold positions of the Caribbean countries

that contributed to the efforts to end colonialism and apartheid in our part of the world. Today, the Southern Africa Region boasts of relative peace and stability, thanks to the enduring support of the Caribbean Community and that of other friends in other parts of the world,” she said. Comparing the resilience and resistance to colonial rule and apartheid to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Ambassador Rathedi assured the Community that her country commended and supported the Region’s initiative for the construction of a permanent memorial at the United Nations to honour victims of slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. She said the memorial would be instrumental in raising awareness and educating future generations on the history of the slave trade, the release added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

Exposed!

The latest AFC effort at re-packaging IT’S too early for Christmas, so maybe it was intended to be a Mashramini gift, or rather grief of sorts to the nation. The AFC apparently thought it could have fooled Guyanese by re-packaging its ‘politricks of blackmail’ into a package of ‘compromise’. The moment Old Kai read the term ‘compromise’ and the AFC’s name was not far behind, right then and there I knew it was another con-promise. These people are ‘Always Focused on Conning’ our people! I am sure when most Guyanese read the headline about the AFC saying it was now ready for compromise and consensus with the government, they would have collectively sighed, ‘Finally’. Old Kai’s question would have been: why did it take so many years for them to finally come to this position? Why could they have not approached politics in such a manner since 2012, and avoid the destruction they instigated, such as on the Agricola Public Road and in Linden; getting Guyana blacklisted; illegally cutting the budgets and trying to kill transformative projects which will directly benefit our citizens? My next question would have been: does this mean that Nigel Hughes calls for ‘no peace’ in our country would be changed to ‘mo peace’? And the follow-up: can we take this to mean that our people and their future in Guyana are no longer considered ‘collateral damage’? But all these questions and hundreds more are not necessary, as a closer look at what the AFC meant, rather than the big eye-catching headline confirmed that they were trying to pass a ‘6-for-9’ on the Guyanese people. Old Kai’s mammy remarked that they are no better than the ‘pickpockets’ at the bus parks. The headline in the opposition mouthpiece read, ‘AFC compromises on Cabinet’s no-objection clause for PPC’, then the nice, flowery language followed by David Patterson, “We understand that the government has reservations about setting up the commission. We have indicated our willingness to compromise, and reach a mutually agreeable position that best satisfies the needs of the nation.” Then compromise suddenly gave way to the blackmail politics again. “The AFC has said that it is willing to support the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism Amendment Bill, provided that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) is established.” This is followed by the glaring contradiction of the headline, as Khemraj Ramjattan chimes in to reaffirm: “The Procurement Commission shall lie at the apex of the hierarchy. Cabinet, if it feels vexed about a certain award going to a certain person or corporate entity, can complain to the Pro-

curement Commission, and whatever decision the Commission makes is binding.” As usual, complete nonsense coming from Khemraj Ramjattan and the AFC. To take away the government’s ability to offer an objection or no objection to a project in the execution of their plans and policies for our nation--which they were elected to do--is a direct attack on the legitimacy of the State and its various arms, in this case, the administrative component. Let us be reminded that this issue is about more than procurement, as it also serves to support Government’s policies, chief among them being national defence and security. Can you imagine! The Government moving to implement its security policy, but a project approved by the Public Procurement Commission does not meet its requirements! That all it can do is offer an objection! But according to the AFC, this can easily be overruled by the PPC. So, where is the authority and autonomy of the administrative arm of the State in executing its functions in such a scenario? The PPC will now be in charge of dictating Guyana’s security and economic policy! This is what the opposition is hoping to foist on the nation, and is leading people to believe that the Government is being inflexible. The Government is acting in the interest of the future security of the entire State, and it has no alternative but to hold on to its current position. Recently, we witnessed the opposition’s attacking efforts to map our resources in the New River Triangle area and what could be termed strategic support for Suriname, which has laid claim to that section of our territoty. Government has indicated that it will continue to pursue efforts to map its resources in each and every part of our country, as other countries are trying to do. Not engaging in such an assessment would be like jumping on a boat and sailing out to sea without checking on your provisions to know how long they will last you. If we had the AFC’s version of the PPC in place, well then, clearly they would have killed such a strategic move by our Government, and when the Cabinet would have raised an objection, quite possibly it would have been overruled. Need I mention what would have also occurred with the Indian company which employed Khemraj Ramjattan to fight for it to be awarded a contract to build the Specialty Hospital? Clearly, that is not seen as corruption in the eyes of our Opposition. A 2012 report by the Centre for Trade, Economics & Environment (CUTS) in India had this to say about the procurement system: “Public procurement is an activity not merely for meeting day-to-day functional requirements, but also for underpinning various services that are expected from the government, e.g. infrastructure, national defence and security, utilities, economic development, employment generation, social services and so on.”

It goes on to state: “Furthermore, government procurement activities and operations have a direct effect on market behaviour. Governments around the world utilize procurement and distribution activities to stimulate and promote local manufacturing and production capacities; set benchmark prices in essential goods and services; prevent artificial scarcities arising through hoarding and black-marketing; subserve socio-economic policies of governments through extension of preferences to disadvantaged sectors of the economy; sometimes even provide support to priority sectors for becoming more competitive and export oriented. The importance of the subject is becoming increasingly vital.” With this in mind, you can begin to see the dangers of the current AFC proposal. Add this to the fact that this very party, with APNU, illegally slashed over $50B in Government public sector spending from the budget without offering any valid reasons for two consecutive years. Clearly, it is their intention to use the Public Procurement Commission as another vehicle to execute their plan to cripple the local economy, simply to make the PPP/C Government look bad. No concern for our citizens, as when all the above-named sectors are affected, it is the average man and woman out there who will lose their jobs, and witness a decline in their standards of living. The AFC clearly expects the Government will compromise the future economic security of our citizens by giving in to their demands and threats. Getting Guyana blacklisted is their latest attempt to play ‘Russian roulette’ with our nation’s economic well-being. The PPP and the PPP/C Government cannot let them win this dangerous game. In closing, it is fitting for Old Kai to touch on the issue of State control over the procurement system, as a number of major countries have voiced their concerns about the local system we have in place, including the US Ambassador to Guyana. This is what a 2003 report had to say about the procurement system of a particular country: “...the President is responsible for implementing procurement statutes and procurement authorization and appropriations. He establishes government-wide procurement policies and procedures through executive orders; makes political and management decisions relative to procurement programs; and appoints agency heads and other officials who have direct or indirect management control over procurement programs and procurement organization.” Any guess to which country the report is referring in which the head of state exercises so much control over the Procurement System? It is the very United States of America.

Treading on the wrong side of history THERE is no reasonable Guyanese who would not concur with the necessity of having the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT) legislated. Since the ‘Stamp It Out’ campaign that prepared the way for the most comprehensive legislation on Child Sexual Abuse in this country, this is another instance where citizens have been made fully cognizant of not only the necessity of such a Bill in the protection of the nation against transnational crime and other equally serious threats, but also ensuring that the socio-economic progress of the nation proceed unimpeded, while concomitantly upholding the probity of the nation. All these critical factors are known by the parliamentary Op-

position that still continues with its undoubtedly stalling tactics, despite giving assurances about its commitment to such a Bill being finalized. Of course, it is being allowed its contribution to the construct of the final product, but how can it offer amendments that are not in keeping with international standards, as highlighted by the visiting CFATF official. In fact, the amendments have been deemed “risky”. OBSERVER appreciates the fact that, like the Government, the Opposition desires an effective Bill, yet the former has kept within the proposals, but this rule has been definitely missed by both Opposition parties. As a responsible Opposition, its only duty should be to do what

is right for its country, and, as has been pointed out in a previous column, it must be careful not to be on the wrong side of history. All Guyanese expect this legislation to be completed by February 28, as mandated, for surely Guyana must not be placed in any of the three tiers for reasons of non-compliance, as again reminded by the visiting CFATF official. Citizens are now fully informed as to the larger problems that will induce hardships for all, for, it is astonishing, when one listens to the senior Opposition spokespersons who have been speaking about deadlines being announced so as to create fear. These people’s representatives seem to reside on another planet!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Professor Clem Seecharan tells of finding himself through history –at Moray House lecture By Michelle Gonsalves

PROFESSOR Clem Seecharan, here at the invitation of the Ministry of Culture, read from his works in an evening titled “To Write is to Learn”, at the Moray House Trust last Friday evening. Hailing from Palmyra, East Canje, Berbice, Professor Seecharan has been based in the UK for the last 25 years. An historian of the Indo-Caribbean experience and of West Indies Cricket, Professor Seecharan has written several books on both topics. In summer 2011, on a previous visit to Guyana, he read extracts from “Mother India’s Shadow over El Dorado: Indo-Guyanese Politics and Identity, 1890s-1930s”, to a small

gathering at Moray House Trust shortly before the Trust was formally launched. At the “To Write is to Learn” lecture, Professor Seecharan discussed the works and impacts of early Caribbean intellectuals such as L.E.S. Scholls and Blyden. He made note of the early West Indian cricket team and stalwarts such as Joe Solomon, Basil Butcher and others. Professor Seecharan attended the Sheet Anchor Anglican School, the Berbice Educational Institute, and Queen’s College. He studied at McMaster University in Canada, and taught Caribbean Studies at the University of Guyana before completing his doctorate in History at the University of Warwick in 1990. He joined the staff of the University

Dr. Clem Seecharan during Friday night’s reading at Moray House

of North London (Now London Metropolitan University) and was head of Caribbean Studies for 20 years. In 2002, he was awarded a Professorship in History at the London Metropolitan University, where he is now Emeritus Professor of History. He is the only person in the UK to teach a course on the history of Indians in the Caribbean, and the History of West Indies Cricket. His main publications include: Indo-West Cricket (Hansib, 1988) with Frank Birbalsingh; India and the shaping of Indo-Guyanese Imagination: 1890-1920 (Peepal Press, 1993); Tiger in the Stars: The Anatomy of Indian Achievement in British Guiana, 1919-1929 (Macmillan Caribbean: 1999); Bechu: ‘Bound Coolie’ Radical in British Guyana (UWI Press, 2001); Sweetening Bitter Sugar; Jock

Campbell, the Booker reformer in British Guiana (Ian Randle Publishers 2005) which was awarded the Elsa Gouveia Prize by the Association of Caribbean Historians; Muscular Learning: Cricket and Education in the making of the British West Indies at the end of the 19th century (Ian Randle Publishers, 2006), and many others. “To Write is to Learn: Finding Myself through History” is the title of a forthcoming book which will be published later this year by Peepal Tree Press. Moray House Trust, a legacy of the late David de Caires, is a cultural initiative to foster and preserve artistic expression in Guyana. Since its inception, the Trust has hosted a series of book readings, book launches, poetry recitals, lectures, concerts, and art exhibitions in pursuit of its mission.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Is trouble brewing around Organo Gold’s dream investment opportunity? By Ravin Singh WHILE many believe that the newly birthed Organo Gold Company provides a great investment opportunity for people wishing to start their own business, others are skeptical of an opportunity that is seemingly too good to be true. Bernardo Chua, veteran of the network marketing industry, founded Organo Gold in 2008. Chua works alongside co-founder Shane Morand, who supervises the company’s direct-selling platform. The Organo Gold Company operates with what it calls a Scientific Advisory Board. Organo Gold does not offer its products through retail stores or coffeehouses, but individual distributors purchase products from the Organo Gold Company on a wholesale basis. Through their own efforts, these distributors sell the products and earn a commission on sales. Chua’s product blends gourmet coffee beans with a mushroom known as ganoderma, made into a traditional Asian herb. The Organo Gold Company claims the herb ganoderma lucidum, also known as reishi,

helps control cholesterol, has antiviral qualities, and makes their coffee healthier than typical coffee. Besides coffee, the company produces ganoderma-blended green tea, ganoderma-blended hot chocolate, ganoderma supplements and a ganoderma-infused latte blend. Described as a MLM (Multi-level marketing) system, Organo Gold was launched in Guyana in June of 2012. However, the business failed to get the public’s anticipated response and consequently folded. It resurfaced last year, and has been holding weekly colloquiums at various venues, not only marketing Organo Gold products to the Guyanese society, but highlighting the benefits of recruitment. A substantial number of Guyanese have fallen prey to what has been described as an investment opportunity. However, it must be noted that even if the company is not trying to sell a glorified pyramid scheme to our country, it is still acting in breach of the laws of this land. Speaking with an Organo Gold representative, this newspaper was made to understand that the company is fully aware

that the business is not registered, and consequently should not be operational. Organo Gold branches in Jamaica and Trinidad are also not registered as a company. The Organo Gold representative added that she doesn’t see it possible that the company would register the business anytime soon. However, according to the Business Names (registration) Act, Chapter 90:05, Clause 4: “Where a firm, individual, or corporation, having a place of business in Guyana carries on the business wholly or mainly as nominee or trustee of or for another person, or other persons, or another corporation, or acts as general agent for any foreign firm, the first mentioned firm, individual, or corporation shall be registered in manner provided by this Act, and, in addition to the other particulars required to be furnished and registered, there shall be furnished and registered the particulars mentioned in the Schedule: (Schedule) Provided that where the business is carried on by an assignee in insolvency, or a receiver or manager appointed by any court, registration under this

section shall not be necessary.” With the company not being registered, it has also been evading taxes. But this won’t be the first time the company would be experiencing this kind of trouble. Internationally, lawsuits have been filed against this company for numerous reasons. One was filed some time ago by one of the originators of the Organo Gold Company named Jay Noland. He or someone taking his side created a website where you can listen to recordings of Jay Noland making accusations against his old partners still at Organo Gold. Mr. Noland makes serious allegations about the company, and says that Organo Gold changed the in-

gredients of the product without telling anyone. JAY NOLAND CALL #1 “Integrity has been breached in this company… I regret to say these words to you tonight… Based upon the advice of my attorney… I’ve had to file a lawsuit against the other founders of Organo Gold on the advice of my attorney after he sorted through all the evidence…” Jay Noland says that Doctor Bartell tested the product and found that it did not contain the same ingredients as were claimed by the company originally in the product. What about Jay No-

land himself? It was found through research that the US Federal Trade Commission website (http://www.ftc.gov/ opa/2002/07/bigsmart4.shtm) says that Mr. Noland was at one time charged with operating a pyramid scheme. A pyramid scheme is a fraudulent scheme in which people are recruited to make payments to the person who had recruited them, while expecting to receive payments from the persons they had recruited. When the number of new recruits fails to sustain the hierarchical payment structure, the scheme collapses with most see page 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

‘West-Dem’ Arya Samaj helps boost stocks at the National Blood Bank By Michelle Gonsalves THE West Demerara Arya Samaj, in collaboration with the United Federation of Arts and Culture (UFAC), held its 6th National Blood Donation

Drive Friday at its Vreed-enHoop office on the West Coast of Demerara. The Ministry of Health coordinated the drive. Concerned with rendering service to all humanity, the West Demerara Arya Samaj’s

previous blood drive was held in November, when more than 60 units of blood were collected and turned over to the National Blood Bank. Other humanitarian projects are also in the works. The

–with another of its regular blood drives

building currently hosts exercise classes by the ISHO Guyana Chapter as part of community health outreach activities. Another project planned by

the Arya Samaj organisation is to make food and clothing available for the destitute and underprivileged. When the Guyana Chronicle visited the site early in the day, the drive had already accumulated 20 units, but was hoping for as many as 100 before the drive concluded. The drive was well organised, and the well trained staff did an excellent job of easing donors’ fears. They did their job with efficiency and courtesy. Apart from the usual refreshments given to donors on such occasions, the Arya Samaj issued donors with a beautiful framable 8X2 coloured certificate and a discount card for purchases to be made at the Bounty Supermarket. Explaining that the Arya Sa-

maj is concerned with looking out for humanity, Bandhu said that donating blood is one of the best gifts a person can give, because it saves lives. The Arya Samaj is one of 29 affiliated and 10 associated branches spread across the three counties of Guyana. The Guyana Central Arya Samaj is the parent body. This faith-based, non-governmental organisation is registered under the Friendly Societies Act of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is managed by a central executive committee that administers and coordinates nationwide Arya Samaj activities across Guyana. The organisation has three established regional branches which coordinate various regional and national activities in their respective regions.

President of the West Demerara Arya Samaj and the UFAC, Mr. Vishnu Bandhu, donating his pint Friday

Is trouble brewing around ... From page 11 of the participants losing the money they had put in. It is designed in such a way, that only those at the peak of the pyramid would gain. Organo Gold, however, claims not to be a pyramid scheme but a multi-level marketing company. This is debatable, since the company possesses all the characteristics of a pyramid scheme in disguise. On the surface, it’s hard to tell the difference between a legitimate MLM and a pyramid scheme. That’s because they’re both built on the business model of “multiple levels” of distributors and recruits. A Pyramid scheme includes the following characteristics: * Pyramid schemes offer money for simply recruiting people. This money can come as a commission from the sale of a starter kit, or as a recruiting “bonus.” * A pyramid scheme puts much greater emphasis on recruiting salespeople than selling the actual product. * They charge steep startup costs for joining, including

mandatory training, a starter kit and training fee. * All pyramid schemes are sold through high-pressure motivational events. All of the above characteristics fit the Organo Gold Company quite perfectly, and were confirmed by members of the public who were all approached by some representative trying to sell this investment opportunity by way of word of mouth. In their defence, the previously mentioned representative of the company claimed the company was not operating a pyramid scheme, since the company is collaborating with other internationally recognised companies, such as Visa and Mercedes. Again, these facts are not fully supported with evidence, but are merely “wordof-mouth” persuasions. It must be emphasised that this newspaper is in no way trying to convey an impression that the company at issue is a fraud, but prospective investors are simply being urged to explore beyond the boundaries of a “perfect opportunity”, and this advice is intended to make the public aware of this investment opportunity.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Czerda Frank: Guyanese high flier maintains winning streak in foreign institution of discipline and excellence By Shirley Thomas

IN an environment where it literally takes ‘only the best’ to ‘stand amongst the best’, at the tender age of 18, Guyanese Midshipman, Czerda Frank, stunned the US Naval Academy and indeed the Guyana Defence Force, when he emerged winner of the 2013 NRA Free Pistol Individual Championship, in the Intercollegiate Pistol Championships at Fort Benning, Georgia, making way for the Naval Academy to take the team title. With such a performance, Frank has indeed put Guyana on the map once more, and indelibly etched his name in the annals of history, as being one of the few young men of colour to have taken the prestigious accolade. Those Championships were held in March 2013. And more recently, now 19, he has again excelled: this time, emerging top scorer for the Navy Pistol team at the NRA Intercollegiate Pistol Sectionals held in Benning last weekend. Participating in the Sectionals were four Colleges: The Citadel; The US Naval Academy; College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and the University of Virginia (UVA). Midshipman Frank, who shoots in three disciplines, namely: Standard Pistol; Free Pistol and Air Pistol, emerged with the following scores: Standard: 554; Air 569 and Free Pistol 523. The scores

CZERDA FRANK IN HIS UNIFORM he amassed for Standard and Free, represent his Personal Best for those two disciplines. Intercollegiate Sectionals is an NRA-administrated, national-level competition for Collegiate Pistol shooters. It also serves as a qualifier for the Intercollegiate Pistol Championships in Ft. Benning, GA.Location: Accordingly, Midshipman Frank has twice swept the Naval Academy to victory in two Pistol shooting championships in just under one year (March 2013 and February 2014). Undoubtedly, the NRA’s challenge to ‘be the best’ in order to ‘stand amongst the best’, must have resonated powerfully in the mind and physique of the young Guyana Defence Force Officer Cadet, Czerda Frank, who was determined to do just that. DETERMINED RESOLVE Frank admitted in an interview with this publication, that on the afternoon before the 2013 championship, he was not feeling ‘at his best’. But considering the importance of the championship, he took a conscious decision to put his feelings behind him, took the proverbial ‘bull by the horns’ and rose to the challenge. Recounting those hours leading up to the championship, Frank told the Sunday Chronicle, “I said to myself, I’ll go for it. After all, I can only do better,” he recounted. And being firmly grounded in Christianity, he whispered a

prayer and on the day of the championship, proceeded with confidence. Undoubtedly, infused by the power of the Holy Ghost and under a mighty anointing, he ‘went for it’, and came out on top. It must have been a hair-raising moment. With two hours to fire 60 shots from a distance of 50 metres, Frank firmly gripped the .22-calibre rim fire pistol and fired his way to a semi-final total of 521. As the championship progressed, in the final round, he was reported to have “grabbed the lead for good, taking the final shot with a cool, calm demeanour” and incredibly amassing an overall score of 615.2. This response precisely typifies the character of young Frank, who is known never to back down, but absolutely loves a challenge. Demure, not much taller than five feet, but definitely focused, he aims for the stars, and putting his best foot forward, never stops until he reaches his goal. NATIONAL AWARD Perhaps, it was this indomitable will and character inherent in him that led Frank, within his first six months of attending the US Naval Academy, to perform such a feat. And towards this end, proud and appreciative fellow Guyanese CZERDA FRANK through this publication, are calling on the Government of Guyana to confer on the young Midshipman, a national award at this year’s investiture ceremony. But as excited as he is about soldiering at this time, as a boy he wanted to become either a pilot or architect. His fascination with flying aircraft, he feels, must have come from his early experience as a child, flying with his father’s friend who was a pilot and the fact that his father, Courtney Frank, is a Senior Air Traffic Control Officer (Training Division), Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). HIGH-FLIER TRAIL “He (my father’s friend) took me on quite a few trips with him, and so I was introduced to airplanes ever since I was about nine years old.” Therefore, it would appear Frank was a ‘high-flier’, both literally and figuratively ever since he was a boy. His two younger siblings, Chelsea and Curtly both attend Queen’s College also, while his mother Mrs. Dionne Frank is Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Guyana. At age 17, he opted to become an Officer Cadet and was admitted to the Standard Officer Cadet Training Course #45 at the Ulric Pilgrim Training School on the basis of academic qualifications and performance at the interview. Now proud to be a Midshipman and on the way to achieving greater heights, it would seem there is no turning back in sight for him. Frank’s stellar capability was detected ever since he wrote the Common Entrance Examination and was awarded a place at Queen’s College, one of Guyana’s premier secondary schools. In 2011, he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and was rated amongst Guyana’s top performing 100 candidates. He secured passes with top ratings in 14 subjects.

This was for him, the breakthrough to unlocking in rapid succession, the doors to amazing new possibilities, bolstered by his determined resolve to overcome challenges wherever these present themselves. His successes within the next 12 months of graduating from Queen’s College were phenomenal, ranging from him being enlisted as an Officer Cadet in the Guyana Defence Force Standard Officers’ Training Course #45, to being awarded a scholarship to read for a BSc degree in Engineering at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. The scholarship was awarded with sponsorship from the Guyana Defence Force, in collaboration with the US Government. And, maintaining his winning streak, this time around he has emerged victorious again. The good news of Frank’s selection for a scholarship to attend the US Naval Academy, Annapolis Maryland, came shortly before his 18th birth anniversary and he departed for the US in June, 2012. It was for him, one of the greatest birthday gifts he could ever have received. PRESIDENT’S CALL FOR ENGINEERING SKILLS This move, by young Frank, of opting to pursue studies in Engineering, is but a step in the right direction, since there is proportionately a paucity of engineering skills in Guyana, and with science and technology on the upswing, such skills are greatly needed if our country is to progress technologically. Reading for a BSc degree in Engineering, Frank is majoring in General Engineering and is expected to graduate in 2016. Now into his second year of academic studies, he is working feverishly towards graduating with good grades, while looking steadfastly towards returning to Guyana to serve in an engineering capacity within the Guyana Defence Force. Meanwhile, at the Fourth Annual Engineers Conference held at the International Conference Centre two weeks ago, President Donald Ramotar underscored the importance of encouraging more people to become engineers, stating that those already in the field, are quintessential to the process of economic development. He added that sustained economic development is dependent on engineers. The Head of State said that, given Guyana’s development trajectory, this [now] is “an exciting time” for engineers, particularly since they have the opportunity to be a part of it [Guyana’s development]. Reflecting on his emotions as he entered the unfamiliar environment at the US Navy, Frank modestly asserted, “I was excited … I really was, and I’m grateful to the Guyana Defence Force and the US Government for making it possible for me to be granted the scholarship.” GREATER ENDURANCE Having begun with a six-week Plebe Summer Induction, it wasn’t long before he’d settled into the new life. And whilst studying for 14 subjects at CSEC exams in Guyana would have been demanding, he soon found out that such was just about the tip of the iceberg, and that it required greater endurance when studying for a degree at the Naval Academy. “Once we got down to academic studies, I found it to be an altogether different study culture. It was challenging, but I love a challenge and so I was able to adjust and cope.” Life at the Academy, as he sees it, is structured, well rounded and allows time, not only for academic studies and military training, but essentially for religious activities and recreation as well. Of the good times he’s spent there, his most memorable moment he agrees, had been the day he won the 2013 NRA Free Pistol Individual Championship. It was a glorious moment, as his colleagues literally lifted him above their heads in celebration, he recalled.

Four held in Friday’s armed robbery at Nismes gas station ACCORDING to the police, around 22:30 hrs on Friday, February 21, five men armed with a handgun, ice picks and knives attacked and robbed 25-year-old pump attendant Hassan Khan of an undisclosed sum of cash, and three men who were with him watching television were robbed of a total of $13,600 and two cell phones. The robbers escaped in a motor vehicle. Subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of a

man and detention of the vehicle at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, and to the arrest of three other men in a minibus at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and another man at Hunter Street, Albouystown, Georgetown. The two stolen cell phones were recovered, and the detainees are still in police custody assisting with the investigation. (Michel Outridge)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Twas fun galore, steeped in ric By Shirley Thomas

THE biggest, ‘baddest’ and best musical bands in town came out ‘pon de road’ yesterday, and for some seven hours straight filled the air and quaked the streets with steady, pulsating rhythms along the Mashramani parade route. From lower Church Street in Cummingsburg to the National Park at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, thousands of revellers loosened up, threw inhibition to the wind, and got onto, into, and behind the bands to ‘Mash down town’ in inimitable Guyanese style. It was the celebration of Guyana’s popular Costume Band and Float Parade, the Number One annual Mashramani Day activity, held this year under the theme, “Cultural Folklore: Celebrating 44”. Costume Bands ‘took to de road’ from 10:00hrs, each charting the course for hundreds of revellers who proudly displayed uniquely designed costumes in rampant colour and audacious glitter as they depicted scenarios chosen by individual competing entities, but in keeping with the national theme. There were revellers of all hues and configurations (contours) displaying all manner of shapes and sizes as they ‘strutted their stuff’ in wild abandon, evidently unmindful of what their skimpy costumes revealed. So reverberating was this

infectious mood that, after a while, even the traffic lights along the route ceased to change colour and began pulsating in bright red to the beat of the powerful music sets. And, as usual, tens of thousands of resident and visiting Guyanese and tourists to the country lined the parade route in true picnic style, their attention captivated by the revelry, especially along upper Church Street and on Irving Street and Vlissengen Road, where the hub of the attendant celebrations took place. It was an admirable display of true Guyanese patriotism to see folk brave the sun’s sweltering heat in their determination to participate in, or simply witness the costume band and float parade; be involved in the ubiquitous picnics on the grass verges; or indulge in whatever other activities formed part of the cultural festivities of this auspicious day. What it simply implied was that neither rain nor sun, cold nor heat, good times nor bad times, or whatever negative or adverse circumstance confronting the Guyanese nation could make the Guyanese nation not celebrate its national occasions, secure in the confidence that “we can work it out and be overcomers”. EUPHORIA No less than 35 floats came out on the road to regale the

delighted and euphoric crowds. Quite a few of them (such as Banks DIH) did not go into the National Park to be judged, because they simply wanted to add to the national revelry whilst they participated along the parade route. They headed back to their starting points, where they “performed” for the remainder of the day. Of the competing bands, the crowd’s favourite was clearly DICICEL, proudly celebrating seven years in Guyana, and presenting a fusion of colour and glitter in a 400-strong band of Arabian and Egyptian knights (revellers), who were minimally clad in pink and wore gold headwear that portrayed a theme from “The Arabian Nights”. The band, carried by the Arabian Queen, also portrayed Alladin carrying the Magic Carpet, and Kijana Lewis carrying the golden Genie’s Lamp, symbolic of the golden intentions DIGICEL has for the Guyanese people, just waiting to be revealed with the passing of the Telecommunications Act. “It could be likened to uttering the magical term, ‘Open Sesamie’. At the moment, we are stifled and can only offer a limited range of the vast amount of services on which we have our fingertips. So what we are calling for is telecommunications liberalization so that the Genie’s lamp can begin to churn out services to the people,” a DIGICEL representative said.

The costumes were professionally designed, from headwear to footwear. They were par excellence, and the revellers modelled them with enviable grace and ease. And DIGICEL, living up to its slogan, “The Bigger, Better Network”, somehow managed to amass a sizeable group of Amazonian women who did the band justice as they energetically gyrated without showing the slightest sign of becoming tired. It was amazing to see the kind of goodwill and partnerships that Mash activities have been able to foster among erstwhile competing entities. Incredibly, the DIGICEL Costume Band and parade assembled and got itself organised outside the GT&T Church Street offices; some revellers even took shelter under the GT&T telephone booth at the roadside as they

awaited the commencement signal; and coincidentally, the DJ on the DIGICEL band belted out Charlene Blackman’s song, “Gie Dem Mo’ Fe Talk”.

CROWD FAVOURITES Other crowd favourites were the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s 300-strong presentation; the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ “Spirit of the Rainforest”; Region Three’s “Caressing the River, Romancing the Fort, Rebirthing Tourism”; Region Four’s “Agriculture, Industry and Commerce and Village Life”; Region Six’s “Heartbeat of Preserving Berbicians/Guyanese Cultural Identity”; Region Ten’s “Folktubia”; and the Health Ministry’s costume band which depicted Makonaima taking precautionary measures against becoming infected with various

lurking diseases. As for Banks DIH, which this year participated under the slogan “Friends of Banks”, a mobile party atmosphere was promoted, as the company invested heavily in the show and catered for about 600 revellers, who were free to wear appropriate Mash attire of their choice. Using one big music set, Banks provided what the set’s name implied: “Pulse Entertainment”. The route from Vlissengen Road to the National Park was virtually converted into a gigantic picnic ground, as vendors manning scores of booths offered for sale some of the most delectable cuisine, snacks, beverages of various kinds, games, music, and art and craft. It was fun galore as Guyana, in national solidarity, highlighted her cultural folklore in celebrating 44.

DIGICEL’S Genie’s magical lamp

Fas tak

The Amerindian Affairs Ministry

Crowds throng the streets to get a good view of the Floats

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

ch folklore,as Guyana turns 44 ‘Pon De Road’ yesterday

The Ministry of Human Services presentation

scinated by Ministry of Culture’s Float, this Chinese national could not resist king a photo with the revellers.

inistry of Culture’s Old Higue – Ball of Fire

The Ministry of Education’s float

Masquerade bands steal the show

DIGICEL’s Arabian Nights

Two armed bandits relieve WCD taxi driver of his vehicle – but police track down and arrest the bandits TWO men who had hired taxi driver Narine Bahadur to travel from Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika, attacked and robbed him of his motor vehicle at about 15:45 hrs on February 21 at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. The men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, held up the 52-year-old driver of Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara, and took away his vehicle. The police responded to the report, and recovered the vehicle at a location in Vreed-en-Hoop. Further investigations led to the arrest of the perpetrators in a restaurant at Harlem, WCD, and the recovery of an unlicensed .38 Taurus revolver. The men are in police custody assisting with the investigation. (Michel Outridge)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

TPL trains staff in use of new flooring technology By Michel Outridge TOOLSIE Persaud Limited (TPL), in association with MAPEI Americas, hosted a one-day seminar on Floor Coatings at its Georgetown location at Lombard and Sussex Streets last Friday. Representatives from MAPEI Americas conducted the lectures and demonstrations of the products, which were introduced to Guyana for the first time. During the morning session, Mike Daniels of Technical Support briefed the gathering on the know-how regarding the application of floor coatings. He also talked about the company’s products and their standards. Roger Taylor, Sales Manager of MAPEI Corporation for Belize, Suriname and Guyana, said that MAPEI is an Italian/European company

which uses American technology and has laboratories all over the world, the closest of which is in Florida. The company uses electron microscopes, and has lots of technology (machines) which detect colours for grout by means of the latest equipment, Taylor said. He said the company’s focus is on floor coatings, tiling adhesives, and concrete restoration products (CRP) for repair, using different types of cement to make it stronger than usual. Taylor said that among the company’s various products are tiling adhesives for all types of tiles, and water-proofers for showers, water tanks etc. He declared that MAPEI products make tiles stick better, and said the company is here to work with TPL to introduce some of its products

with the intention to see how installers are using it for building. Taylor said the company would stand by its products and offer back-up services, with guaranteed services which include warranties of up to 15 years duration. He said MAPEI has a variety of products that are adhesive, and that within recent times he has been impressed with the change in the building landscape, wherein office buildings are different. From small business to global leader Several decades ago, young businessman Rodolfo Squinzi set out to carve his niche in the building industry, and founded MAPEI as a small family business in Milan, Italy. It was his vision to fill what he perceived as a void in the local construction industry

MAPEI Corporation Sales Manager, Roger Taylor, with Mike Daniels of Technical Support, enlightened the participants of MAPEI products (Photo by Sonell Nelson)

by manufacturing interior and exterior paints and masonry repair products for commercial buildings, hospitals and airports. MAPEI opened its doors on February 12, 1937 with a three-person workforce. Under Mr. Squinzi’s guidance, MAPEI expanded its manufacturing to adhesives for laying floors and floor coverings. The company’s first adhesives were for linoleum, and this was followed by setting materials for ceramic tile, stone, carpet, PVC and wood. Specialization became a hallmark of MAPEI. Always forward-thinking, Mr. Squinzi made it a personal mission to identify trends in the building and flooring industry, and to stay a step ahead of those trends by bringing to market innovative products that immediately met the newfound demands. As the flooring industry grew, especially the Italian ceramic tile market, MAPEI recognized a need for setting materials that would make tile installation faster and more secure. MAPEI then started to develop products that provided customers with time saving processes, more reliable installations, and better yields.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

NCN 05:00 Inspiration 05:30 Newtown Gospel 06:30 Voice of Victory 07:00 Guyana Today 08:00 44th Republic Flag Raising Ceremony (r/b) 09:00 Stop the Suffering 09:30 Cartoons 10:00 Movie 12:00 The Naked Truth 12:30 NCN Newsbreak 13:00 Dharma Vani 14:00 Panorama Steel Band Concert 15:00 Children’s Mash Special 16:00 Disney XD 17:00 NCN Live with Wanita 18:00 NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30 Political Scope 19:00 Al Jazeera 19:30 Mash Masquerade (r/b) 20:00 3d/daily millions/play de dream/lotto draw 20:10 Farmers Connection 21:05 Calypso finals (r/b) 22:30 Caribbean Newsline 23:00 Movie

GUIDE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Aries March 21 - April 19

Your involvement in an evolving tradition or routine is necessary today. You have an opinion about where the current culture is headed, and you have a right to help alter that course if it is not to your liking. This is a great time to get active in a cause that matters to you. If you can’t give your time, then consider giving some of your hard-earned money. Standing up (and sacrificing) for what you believe in can make you feel better than you’d think. You can make a difference.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 For Monday February 24, 2014 -12:30hrs For Tuesday February 25, 2014 -13:30hrs For Wednesday February 26, 2014 -14:30hrs

While you might not have clairvoyant powers, today you will have a knack for predicting the future. Friends will want to know which risk is safe to take, which person is most interested -- even which stock to buy. You don’t have to divulge the fact that you’re no psychic and cannot tell the future if you don’t want to. Amaze them with your powers -- and enjoy letting them temporarily escape the burden of having to make all their own decisions alone.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You are ready for seriously bold action today! It’s time to step up and make the grand gestures you know you can make. If you have been beating around the bush with someone you have growing feelings for, today is the day to bite the bullet and confess your true emotions. It’s now or never. If you have been contemplating a travel adventure, today is the day to book the tickets and commit to going. Time is slipping away, you need to act now to get what you want.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

If you are feeling a bit blue today, put yourself in the service of someone else. Reaching out to help solve the problems of other people will help take your mind off of your own problems ... or at least put them into perspective. Everyone has their own cross in life to bear, and no one gets the luxury of selecting it. Get a new perspective on someone else’s cross, and you might find yourself grateful for the one you’ve been given. Plus, you’ll find a new idea regarding how to deal with it.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Quick reasoning will help you keep a bright and sunny outlook today -- and you will be in total control of every move you make. Plus, you will help other people out of some particularly sour pickles. In the end, you’ll be the recipient of many glowing compliments. What appears to be an impossible situation will be a simple puzzle for you -- one that you can solve in seconds. You will have a lot of fun blowing people away accomplishing things that are terrifically easy for you.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

In romantic situations right now, it is best to take things slowly. Easy does it! You might want to rush down the aisle -- or at least rush ahead to take things to a more serious level -- but you really can’t. Now is not the time to focus on the future. Now is the time to just enjoy where the two of you are in terms of your relationship. It is what it is, not what you want it to become, that’s important -- at least for now. Today, remember that things worth having are worth waiting for!

Libra September 23 - October 22

Today will be another breezy day with plenty of fresh air and sunshine to enjoy. You need to be out in wide-open spaces to open your mind. This will in turn allow new ideas, new people and even a few new adventures to enter your life. If you spend more time with less conventional people, you’ll be giving your mind the stimulation it needs. So say ‘hello’ to the folks you meet while you are out exploring the world.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

A person from your past might be holding you back from enjoying your present -- or rather, the memories of this person are keeping you from moving forward. Are you stuck in the past? Yes, it’s important to understand how old relationships or old choices can affect you today, but you could run the risk of getting stuck in nostalgia. Not much can get done when all you do is compare your current life to the life you used to have. Put away the photo albums and decide to live your life walking forward.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Is there something you have been noticing about yourself that you want to improve? It is admirable to want to rid yourself of bad habits, and best of all, it is always an attainable goal. The key is perseverance! Start turning over that new leaf today, but do not put too much pressure on yourself to achieve overnight perfection. Give yourself plenty of space to stumble along the way. Pat yourself on the back as you take that step in a new direction!

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

It takes a lot of time to learn something new, so don’t be impatient with yourself right now. Each time you uncover a new aspect of your current challenge, you will also uncover a new obstacle. This is disheartening, but it is also very normal. Just keep going and keep learning! It will all start to gel soon. You are on your own schedule, so do not compare your progress to the progress of someone else. Stay focused on what you need to do.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Friends can be more than partners for good times and giggles -- they can be the greatest teachers you will ever meet in your life. But to learn their lessons, you have to listen without getting defensive. Remember that when someone you trust offers you some honest (if a bit painful) advice today. Upon hearing what they have to say, don’t get defensive and tell them to mind their own business. Hear them out.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Jump right in to an intimidating situation today -- and prove to yourself that you can do whatever you decide to do. You should immediately take control -- don’t worry, no one around you is going to mind. In fact, a lot of people are curious to hear what you have to say. They have been talking about you and are quite eager to see what you can accomplish. So why not show them? You will be very glad you took the chance -- and took the control.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

Smith, Powell lay platform for Windies four... From Back Page

knock, aware that Ireland’s first priority was to use up their overs. He struck just three boundaries in his 96-ball stay but engineered a stand of 61 in 11 overs with Thompson. Ireland may have had visions of a total approaching 220 but could not quite find a final push for the innings as the

IRELAND 202 all out (49.2 overs) *William Potterfield c +Denesh Ramdin b Miguel Cummins 25 Paul Stirling b Jason Holder 4 Ed Joyce c Jason Holder b Dwayne Bravo 25 Niall O’Brien c +Denesh Ramdin b Dwayne Bravo 12 +Gary Wilson c Kirk Edwards b Darren Sammy 62 Kevin O’Brien c & b Nikita Miller 22 Andrew Poynter c + Denesh Ramdin b Nikita Miller 3 Stuart Thompson c Kieran Powell b Jason Holder 33 Max Sorensen b Jason Holder 1 George Dockrell c & b Dwayne Bravo 1 Tim Murtagh not out 2 Extras (lb 2, w 7, nb 3) 12 Total (10 wkts; 49.2 overs) 202 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-54, 3-69, 4-78, 5-123, 6-132, 7-193, 8-198, 9-199, 10-202 Bowling: Jason Holder 9-1-43-3 (2w), Miguel Cummins 6-1-42-1 (3nb, 1w), Dwayne Bravo 9.2-0-

English Musselburgh 09:50 hrs Katachenko 10:20 hrs Rocky Stone 10:50 hrs Dingo Bay 11:20 hrs Pass Muster 11:50 hrs Hawaii Klass 12:20 hrs Blue Cascade 12:50 hrs Morning With Ivan Wolverhampton 11:00 hrs Top Cop 11:30 hrs Brownsville 12:00 hrs English Summer 12:30 hrs Honey

last four wickets fell for nine runs after Wilson sliced Darren Sammy to point. For Ireland attention now switches to the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh although they will leave the Caribbean with the nagging thought that with a little more from their batting they could have gained greater success . West Indies, meanwhile, move into a three-match oneday series against England in Antigua before Twenty20 preparation against them in Barbados. (ESPN Cricinfo)

36-3 (1w), Darren Sammy 8-0-29-1, Nikita Miller 10-0-30-2, Marlon Samuels 7-0-29-0 (2w) WEST INDIES 205 for 6 (36.4 overs) Dwayne Smith c +Gary Wilson b Stuart Thompson 55 Kieran Powell st +Gary Wilson b Paul Stirling b 57 Kirk Edwards run out 2 Darren Bravo c+Gary Wilson b Stuart Thompson 1 Dwayne Bravo c Stuart Thompson b Max Sorensen 35 Denesh Ramdin lbw George Dockrell 15 Marlon Samuels not out 26 Darren Sammy not out 1 Did not bat: Jason Holder, Miguel Cummins, Nikita Miller Extras (lb 5, w 8) 13 Total (6 wkts; 36.4 overs) 205 Fall of wickets: 1-100, 2-105, 3-108, 4-160, 5-172, 6-190 Bowling: Max Sorensen 4-0-34-1 (2w), Tim Murtagh 6-1-41-0 (1w), George Dockrell 9.4-1-48-1, Paul Stirling 10-2-42-1, Kevin O’Brien 3-018-0, Stuart Thompson 4-0-17-2 (1w).

Of A Kitten 13:00 hrs Arantes 13:30 hrs Fitzgerald 14:00 hrs Angel Cake Plumpton 10:05 hrs Civil War 11:10 hrs Clonusker 11:40 hrs Ballyvoneen 12:10 hrs Torran Sound 12:40 hrs Rising Teal 13:10 hrs Virtuel D’oudon South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Master Polly 08:50 hrs Sarge Tattoo 09:25 hrs Jagerbomb 10:00 hrs Wolf’s Girl 10:30 hrs Mountain Rush American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Pin and Wined Race 2 Kissed and Missed Race 3 Starship Elusive Race 4 House On Toilsome Race 5 Alpaca Fina Race 6 Between the Lines Race 7 Anaphylaxis Race 8 Uman Candy Race 9 Jazzminegem

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24 2014

Fiery Steyn bowls South Africa to crushing 231-run victory By Nick Said

(REUTERS) - Dale Steyn produced a ferocious spell of fast bowling to inspire South Africa to a crushing 231-run victory over Australia in fading light on day four of the second Test yesterday. With rain predicted for Monday, Steyn charged in and took four wickets, including the key scalp of Australia captain Michael Clarke, as the tourists lost 10 wickets for 90 runs having looked comfortable at 126 without loss chasing a record 448 for victory. Only opener Chris Rogers showed any real resistance with a fine 107, this third ton in four Tests, as he shared a century opening stand with David Warner (66), but for the remainder it was a procession as none of the other batsmen reached double figures. The result left the threematch series level at 1-1 with the third test starting in Cape Town

Opener Chris Rogers was the only Australia batsman who met the seamers’ challenge, and safely negotiated his way to a fourth Test ton. on Saturday. Then began the Steyn onAfter JP Duminy had reslaught as Clarke (one) was brilmoved Warner and Morne liantly caught by Faf du Plessis Morkel grabbed the wicket at second slip and Steve Smith of Alex Doolan (five), Shaun trapped lbw first ball. Marsh picked up a pair in the That wicket showed evmatch and now has six ducks idence of reverse swing and in his last 11 test innings. He Steyn produced more as he was lbw to Vernon Philander.

clattered into the middle stump of Brad Haddin (one) for the second time in the match. Mitchell Johnson was the fourth lbw victim of the innings when he was struck on the pads by Philander. Ryan Harris (six) was also trapped in front of his stumps but the key moment came when, with just seven minutes remaining in the day’s play, Rogers was run out trying to take a quick single to substitute fielder Alviro Peterson. Nathan Lyon (zero) was the final wicket to fall, lbw to Dean Elgar and although replays showed he had hit the ball, Australia had used up their reviews. South Africa earlier declared their second innings on 270 for five as Hashim Amla plundered an unbeaten 127, his 21st test century to move joint third on South Africa’s all-time list with Gary Kirsten, still behind Graeme Smith (27) and Jacques Kallis (45).

Red-hot Sturridge keeps Liverpool title bid alive By Josh Reich

HEAVY TOUCH

LONDON -Reuters) - England striker Daniel Sturridge scored for the eighth consecutive Premier League match to keep Liverpool right in the thick of the title race with a thrilling 4-3 home win over Swansea City yesterday. Fourth-placed Liverpool are four points behind leaders Chelsea and six points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur who are fifth after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat at struggling Norwich City. Robert Snodgrass eased the pressure on manager Chris Hughton with a second-half goal, hurting Tottenham’s bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League in the process. In the day’s other game, Newcastle United ended a threematch losing streak when Loic Remy’s stoppage-time effort sealed a 1-0 home win over Aston Villa. Sturridge, who matched former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy’s feat of scoring in eight straight Premier League matches, netted in the third minute at Anfield. Jordan Henderson quickly made it 2-0 before Liverpool old boy Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfried Bony drew Swansea level by the 27th minute. Sturridge was on target again before the break, only for Bony to equalise once more from the penalty spot. Henderson clinched the points for Liverpool 16 minutes from time, giving his side 56 points with 11 matches to go. Arsenal occupy second spot, one point behind Chelsea. Manchester City are a further two points back in third place and have a game in hand. “A wonderful victory for us. Swansea played really

Emmanuel Adebayor had two good opportunities to draw Spurs level but was let down by a heavy touch that allowed keeper John Ruddy to clear the danger. The Spurs striker also turned provider on 65 minutes for Roberto Soldado but he hit the side-netting. Spaniard Soldado also went wide with a header while Ruddy was again to the fore with 10 minutes remaining, keeping out a closerange effort from Nacer Chadli. Snodgrass then crashed a long-range free kick against the crossbar. But Norwich still claimed victory to earn some respite for Spurs old boy Hughton at the end of a week when a high-ranking club official said his job would be under threat if they slipped into the bottom three. The win lifted Norwich to 14th place, four points above the drop zone. “I certainly felt we deserved it,” said Hughton. “We had other opportunities and probably could have taken a little pressure off ourselves which has probably been a little bit the story of our season. “What I’m delighted about mostly is that we kept up the level of our performance.” Newcastle, who had not scored in four games, appeared to be on their way to another disappointing result before Remy, returning after a three-match suspension, struck with moments remaining at St James’ Park. Having hit the base of the post after 88 minutes, the onloan Frenchman made no mistake when the ball fell to him in the box, giving Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan no chance with Newcastle’s first home goal since late December.

Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge (L) scores past Swansea’s Michel Vorm during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England, yesterday. Credit: Reuters/Darren Staples via Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, before the hosts regained well especially when we were the lead with Sturridge’s 16th 2-0 up to come back into the league goal of the season having game,” Liverpool manager been set up by strike partner Brendan Rodgers told Sky Luis Suarez. Sports television. Swansea were level soon “An outstanding result for after the restart, Bony grabbing us that again typified the charhis second from the penalty spot acter of this team.” after being pushed by Skrtel. Suarez, who has not scored RANGEL ERROR in his last four league matches, Liverpool opened their was unable to find the target account when Raheem Sterafter a sublime ball from captain ling took advantage of an AnSteven Gerrard but Henderson gel Rangel error to send an netted on the rebound to keep inch-perfect pass to Sturridge Liverpool on course for a first and he skipped past keeper MiChampions League appearance chel Vorm to score. since 2009-10. After a period of Swansea Tottenham, who had to dominance Liverpool doubled travel to Ukraine for a Europa their advantage through HenderLeague fixture on Thursday, son who curled a delightful shot looked sluggish in the first half into the top corner. and were thankful Norwich Rodgers’s team may have lacked a cutting edge up front been expected to push on but with Sebastien Bassong and 12th-placed Swansea are a Ricky van Wolfswinkel spurntougher nut to crack under ing decent opportunities. new manager Garry Monk Snodgrass capitalised on the and they hit back through next decent chance however, Shelvey with a well-taken shot latching on to a slide-rule pass from the edge of the box. by Johnson soon after the restart The visitors were level afand calmly beating keeper Hugo ter 27 minutes when Ivorian Lloris. Bony glanced home a free kick,

Dale Steyn further enforced South Africa’s advantage by collecting the scalps of Michael Clarke and Steve Smith in successive deliveries

SOUTH AFRICA first innings 423 & Australia first innings 246 South Africa second innings (192-4 overnight) G. Smith b Johnson 14 D. Elgar c Haddin b Siddle 16 H. Amla not out 127 F. Du Plessis c Haddin b Siddle 24 AB de Villiers c Haddin b Johnson 29 Q. de Kock c Clarke b Lyon 34 JP Duminy not out 18 Extras (b-2, lb-6) 8 Total (for five wickets, 64 overs) 270 Fall of wickets: 1-20 2-42 3-112 4-167 5-231 D i d n o t b a t : W. P a r n e l l , V. Philander, D. Steyn, M. Morkel Bowling: Johnson 15-1-51-2, Harris 13-1-74-0, Lyon 17-2-48-1,

Siddle 19-2-89-2. Australia Second innings C. Rogers run out D. Warner lbw Duminy A. Doolan c Smith b Morkel S. Marsh lbw Philander M. Clarke c Du Plessis b Steyn S. Smith lbw Steyn B. Haddin b Steyn M. Johnson lbw Philander R. Harris lbw Steyn P. Siddle not out

107 66 5 0 1 0 1 6 6 3

N. Lyon lbw Elgar 0 Extras (b-2, lb-17, w-2) 21 Total (all out, 73.4 overs) 216 Fall of wickets: 1-126 2-152 3-153 4-156 5-156 6-166 7-197 8-209 9-214 10-216 Bowling: Steyn 20-5-55-4 (w2), Philander 17-3-39-2, Morkel 15-6-46-1, Duminy 14-3-33-1, Elgar 7.4-0-24-1

Sri Lanka seal ODI series whitewash KUSAL Perera scored his maiden one-day international century to guide Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dhaka and a 3-0 series triumph on Saturday.. Chasing 241 for victory in the third and final ODI, opener Perera stuck five sixes and six fours in his 106 to lay the foundations for an ultimately comfortable Sri Lanka victory. The 23-year-old shared in a decisive 138-run stand with Dinesh Chandimal (64) for the third wicket, although neither could carry their side across the finishing line as they fell within

two overs of each other as the tourists passed the 200-mark. That gave Bangladesh a brief glimmer of hope, but Angelo Mathews and Ashan Priyanjan quickly quashed any chances of a late turnaround with an unbroken 41-run stand, the Sri Lanka captain finishing things off with a six as victory was secured with 15 balls to spare. Earlier, Bangladesh made 240 for eight off their 50 overs after being sent in to bat at Shere Bangla National Stadium. Mominul Haque topscored with a run-a-ball 60. Five other batsmen managed to make starts, but without going on - all of them falling for scores between 23 and 38.

Kusal Perera’s maiden ODI ton helps Sri Lanka to victory over Bangladesh.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24, 2014

NACAC griefs the death of young Jamaican athlete SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, , (CMC) – The North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) said the death of Jamaican teenage athlete Cavahan Mckenzie has shocked the track and field family. McKenzie, an 18 year-old student of St Jago High School, collapsed and died after competing in the NACAC Cross Country Championships in Tobago on Saturday. “On behalf of the whole NACAC Athletics Family and

Cavan McKenzie collapsed and died after competing in the NACAC Cross Country Championships in Tobago on Saturday.

the IAAF we would like to express our most sincere words of condolences to Cavahan McKenzie’s Family, to the Jamaican Athletics Family and to the People of Jamaica,” said NACAC President, Victor Lopez. “This is an extremely sad moment for all of us in the NACAC Area and we will mourn Cavahan passing forever. On behalf of the NACAC Council and the IAAF Family we would like to express our deepest sorrow and grief in this unfortunate occasion.”

Lopez said that he has been in touch with the National Association of Athletics Administrations of Trinidad and Tobago and the Meet Director of the NACAC Cross Country Championships, Allan Baboolal. “He gave me a report on what happened but he will keep me informed tomorrow (Monday) after he visits with the doctors and they are able to give him more information about the cause of the death,” said Lopez. Prime Minister Portian Simpson-Miller also expressed

grief on the passing of McKenzie. “Our grief is heightened because Cavahan was taken from us at such a young age and while competing on behalf of his school and country,” read a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on Saturday. “The Government will lend support to the family through this difficult time,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister offered condolences to his family, school community and friends.”

Regional 4-Day Tournament begins Friday ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) advised yesterday that this year’s Regional 4-Day Tournament will begin this coming Friday, February 28, with two matches. Jamaica will open the season on home soil, when they face Guyana at Sabina Park, five hours later Windward Islands host defending champions Barbados at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia in the first of nine day/night matches to be played this season. Leeward Islands and Combined Campuses & Colleges then start their season the following day at Warner Park in St Kitts. This year, the tournament will see the introduction of a batting and bowling points system in an effort to encourage positive play. Teams will be awarded batting and bowling points for performances in the first 110 overs of each first innings only and retained whatever the result of the match. A maximum of five batting points will be awarded based on runs scored by each team as

follows: 200 to 249 runs – 1 point 250 to 299 runs – 2 points

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday February 24, 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 Saturday’s quiz: Zimbabwe 119-WI vs ENG, Trinidad, 1998 Today’s Quiz: Who is the first WI player to score 8000 Test runs? Against which team did Ireland contest its first ODI game? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

300 to 349 runs – 3 points 350 to 399 runs – 4 points 400 runs or over – 5 points A maximum of three batting points will be awarded based on wickets taken by each team as follows: 3 to 5 wickets taken – 1 point 6 to 8 wickets taken – 2 points 9 to 10 wickets taken – 3 points The WICB also advised that the teams will be playing for two trophies this year. The team that accumulates the most points following the seven preliminary round matches will be awarded the WICB President’s

Trophy and will qualify as one of four teams for the semifinals of the tournament to play for the George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy. Barbados claimed an unprecedented 21 regional firstclass titles, following an innings and 22-run victory over long-standing, sporting arch-rivals Trinidad & Tobago with a day-and-a-half remaining in the Final last May on home soil at Kensington Oval. ES

SCHEDULE of MATCH-

(All scheduled start times are local times; NOTE–Jamaica is 1 hour behind the Eastern Caribbean) ROUND 1 Friday, February 28 to

Monday, March 3 Windward Islands vs Barbados – Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia (15:00hrs daily) Jamaica vs Guyana – Sabina Park, Jamaica (10:00hrs daily) Saturday, March 1 to Tuesday, March 4 Leeward Islands vs Combined Campuses & Colleges – Warner Park, St. Kitts (10:00hrs daily) ROUND 2 Friday, March 7 to Monday, March 10 Trinidad & Tobago vs Windward Islands – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad (10:00hrs daily) Guyana vs Barbados – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (15:00hrs daily) Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – Warner Park, St Kitts (15:00hrs daily) ROUND 3 Thursday, March 13 to Sunday, March 16 Guyana vs Windward Islands – Guyana National Stadium (10:00hrs daily) Friday, March 14 to Monday, March 17 Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Barbados – Three Ws Oval, Barbados (15:00hrs daily) Trinidad & Tobago vs Leeward Islands – Queen’s Park Oval (15:00hrs daily) ROUND 4 Friday, March 21 to Monday, March 24 Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Guyana – Three Ws Oval (15:00hrs daily) Jamaica vs Windward Islands – Sabina Park (10:00hrs daily) Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago – Kensington Oval, Barbados (10:00hrs daily)

ROUND 5 Friday, March 28 to Monday, March 31 Jamaica vs Barbados – Sabina Park (10:00hrs daily) Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica – Queen’s Park Oval (15:00hrs daily) Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – Queen’s Park, Grenada (10:00hrs daily) ROUND 6 Friday, April 4 to Monday, April 7 Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica – Queen’s Park Oval (15:00hrs daily) Windward Islands vs Combined Campuses & Colleges – Arnos Vale Multiplex, St. Vincent (10:00hrs daily) Leeward Islands vs Guyana – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (10:00hrs daily) ROUND 7 Friday, April 11 to Monday, April 14 Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago – Guyana National Stadium (10:00hrs daily) Leeward Islands vs Barbados – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (15:00hrs daily) Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Jamaica – Three Ws Oval (10:00hrs daily) SEMIFINALS Saturday, April 19 to Tuesday, April 22 Semi-final 1: 1st vs 4th – To be hosted in the territory of 1st Semi-final 2: 2nd vs 3rd – To be hosted in the territory of 2nd THE FINAL Friday, April 25 to Monday, April 28 Semi-final: 1 qualifier vs Semi-final 2 qualifier – To be hosted by higher placed team from the preliminary round

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 24 2014

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup..

Pooran’s magnificent ton not enough as Australia reach semi-final A MAGNIFICENT century by West Indies’ wicketkeeper-batsman Nicolas Pooran went in vain as Australia reached its third successive ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 semi-final with a comfortable five-wicket victory in front of the Star Sports cameras at Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Pooram, who came out to bat in the fourth over of the morning with the West Indies tottering at seven for three, was the last batsman out after scoring a scintillating 143 that lifted his side to 208 in 49.5 overs after it had collapsed to 70 for eight. However, the target proved to be a small one for the Australians who achieved the victory in 46.4 overs for the loss of five wickets after openers Matthew Short and Jaron Morgan put on 107 runs for the first wicket. In Wednesday’s second semi-final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Australia will go head to head with South Africa which carved out a one-sided nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan. Justin Dill’s four-wicket burst helped bowl the Asian side out for 197 and then opener and captain Aiden Markram hit an unbeaten 105 to guide his team home in 39.2 overs. Today, former champions England and Pakistan will lock horns at Dubai International Cricket Stadium for a place in the final. The match will start at 1200 (local time). The West Indies’ decision to bat first after winning the toss badly backfired when they plunged to 70 for eight in the 27th over. At that stage, Pooran, who was batting on 38, changed gears and went on to play one of the finest knocks in the history of the tournament. Pooran clobbered 14 fours

nal – South Africa beat Afghanistan by nine wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium Afghanistan 197 all out, 49.5 overs (Nasir Jamal 61, Usman Ghani 36, Ihsanullah 30; Justin Dill 4-40, Yaseen Valli 2-26, Kagiso Rabada 2-32) South Africa 198-1, 39.2 overs (Aiden Markram 105 not out, Kirwin Christoffels 56 not out, Clyde Fortuin 32) Man of the match – Aiden Markram (South Africa) Super League Quarter-final –Australia beat West Indies by five wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium West Indies 208 all out, 49.5 overs (Nicolas Pooran 143, Jerome Jones 20; Guy Walker 3-44, Ben Ashkenazi 2-37, Thomas Andrews 2-57) Australia 209-5, 46.4 overs (Jaron Morgan 55, Matthew Short 52, Jake Doran 49 not out,

Nicholas Pooran of the West Indies in action durin his magnificent 143 against Australia.. the loss of five wickets. and six sixes in a 160-ball inMorgan hit eight fours nings and added 136 runs with and a six in a 66-ball 55, number-10 batsman Jerome Short’s 62-ball 52 included Jones (20). Pooran’s 50 came four fours while Doran scored from 76 balls and included six 49 not out from 64 balls with fours and a six, while he reached three fours. his century from 133 balls with Pooran, reflecting on his eight fours and five sixes. Out innings, said: “At 70 for eight, of his final 43 runs that came off I wasn’t thinking much. I just 27 balls, 30 were scored through wanted to do what my coaches boundaries. had said, which is to bat, bat Pooran’s innings was fiand bat, and occupy the crease nally ended by fast bowler as much as possible. Guy Walker who finished as “I was kind of surprised the pick of Australia’s bowlers with the kind of support I got with three for 44. Ben Ashkefrom Jones because he’s a guy nazi (two for 37) and Thomas who likes to play his shots. Andrews (two for 57) were the “Definitely this is one of the other wicket-takers. best innings I have played to Australia, in their rundate, but I am disappointed that chase, was never in trouble after we did not win. When you make Short and Morgan provided runs, you want to see your side their side a 107-run first wicket to win rather than lose.” stand in 21 overs. Even though Australia captain Alex both the openers departed in the Gregory praised Pooran when space of five balls, Jake Doran he said: “Pooran played an ensured there we no hiccups outstanding innings. He was as the three-time champion Aiden Markram led with an unbeaten 105 to take South Africa to the in control the whole time and reached victory in 46.4 overs for semifinals. to switch his attention to the Ben McDermott 29; Ray Jordan played some outstanding shots.” semi-final against Australia 2-29, Bryan Charles 2-41) The captain was delighted when he said: “We played AusMan of the match – Nicolas with his side’s performance tralia in India in September. Pooran (West Indies) and form. “It’s a great moment They always manage for all the boys. We lost to Afto field a very strong side. Plate Championship ghanistan, but it’s great to get There’s nothing that can be Quarter-final – UAE beat a win here in the quarter-final. taken for granted against a Scotland by seven wickets at “(Guy) Walker and (Billy) side like that. Being a semi-fiZayed Cricket Stadium Stanlake were very good earlier nal, it will just add to it. We’re Scotland 119 all out, 37.4 on. They bowled fast from the very excited, and we’re going overs (Andrew Umeed 23, word go and that’s what you to be up for the challenge.” Omer Mohammed 4-24, Pankaj need your fast bowlers to do.” Prakash 3-45) Previewing the semi-final Talking about the rivalUAE 124-3, 32.1 overs against South Africa, Gregory ry between the two sides, (Shiv Mehra 41, Shivank Visaid: “South Africa is a very Markram said: “You could jayakumar 28 not out, Shorya strong team and we just need to say it does add a bit more to Chopra 26, Abdul Sabri 2-31) put out and perform and hopeit, but I don’t think it really fully it will come good for us.” affects us that much as we Plate Championship South Africa captain Aidhaven’t played them often Quarter-final – New Zealand en Markram carried on from enough to develop that rivalry beat PNG by six wickets at where he left in the previous yet. I think it is like that in the Abu Dhabi Oval 1 match against Zimbabwe when senior team, because they’ve PNG 186 all out, 48.3 overs he followed up his 120 not out played each other for quite (Kiplin Doriga 50, Hiri Hiri 37, Members of the > GCUC executive standing from with 105 not out as the African some time. Riley Hekure 35, Tom Willie right are Heuvel Cunha, Dawchand Nagassar, side beat Afghanistan by nine 27; Brett Randell 3-23, Raki M. Yo s e f - Yi s ra e l and Zah eer M o h am ed. wickets with more than 10 overs “They’ll be some rivalry Weerasundara 3-23, Henry ColSitting from right are Shannon Crawford, to spare. and some heat, but at the end lier 2-14) Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, Eddie Nicholls and Markram hit nine fours of the day, we are here to play New Zealand 190-4, 46.2 Areligh Rutheford. Missing are Zabeer Zakier in a 118-ball innings and feacricket and just do what we overs (Robert O’Donnell 57 and Nigel Duguid tured in an unbroken 158 love.” not out, Ken McClure 51, runs second wicket stand with Scores in brief Henry Collier 33). (ICC webthanked the members for their ecutive to work together for Kirwin Christoffels, whose Super League Quarter-fisite) confidence and urged the ex- the development of the council.

Somwaru retained as GCUC president DHIERANIDRANAUTH Somwaru was re-elected unopposed as president of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) when the body held its Biannual General Meeting at the Georgetown Cricket Club on Saturday. Shannon > Crawford returned as the vice- president while Nigel Duguid retained his position as the secretary. Eddie Nicholls will serve as treasurer and Arleigh Rutherford is the new assistant secretary treasurer and Zaheer Mohamed the Public Relations Officer. The committee members are Heuvel Cunha, Zabeer Zakier, Dawchand Nagassar and M. Yosef-Yisrael. Speaking after the elections, president Somwaru

contribution was 56 not out from 87 balls with three fours. Earlier, Afghanistan, batting first after making the right call on the spin of the coin, was rocked by Dill and was bowled out for 197 in 49.5 overs. Dill bagged four for 40, his second four-wicket haul of the tournament, while Yaseen Valli took two for 26 and Kagiso Rabada claimed two for 32. Afghanistan’s innings revolved around captain Nasir Jamal who scored 61 from 95 balls with four fours. Usman Ghani (36) and Ihsanullah (30) were the other notable run-getters. Markram thanked the families of the players who came to support the side. “My mum and dad are here. We are fortunate to have quite a few parents that have come out, and it is awesome to have their support and we really appreciate it a lot,” he said. The right-hander was quick

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Pooran’s magnificent ton not enough as Australia reach(See story semi-final on page 27)

Smith, Powell lay platform for Windies four-wicket win

Dwayne Smith and Kieran Powell gave the West Indies a solid start with an opening partnership off 100. Smith made 55 and Powell a top score of 57.

Man-of-the-Match Dawyne Bravo is being congratulated by Jason Holder after collecting one of his three wickets. (Windiescricket photos) Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

IT was a far from smooth performance from West Indies, but they held themselves together well enough with bat and ball to overcome Ireland by four wickets at Sabina Park, yesterday. After restricting the visitors to 202, contrasting half-centuries from Dwayne Smith and Kieran Powell set the base in the chase as West Indies finished with more than 13 overs to spare Smith, who was only drafted in for this match and for the games to follow against England, after Chris Gayle was ruled out with a back problem, did a passable impression of the man he was replacing by clubbing 55 off 53 balls in an opening stand of 100 with Powell. Playing his first ODI since December 2012, Smith hit the first two deliveries of the innings for four and later added three sixes before getting an outside edge off Stuart Thompson. Ireland took the chance to bring themselves back into the contest by removing Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo as West Indies lost 3 for 8, but the captain Dwayne Bravo quelled their excitement with a boundary-filled 35 while Powell played at his own pace to bring up a controlled half-century from 72 balls. Dwayne Bravo was showing the form that brought him 217 runs in the one-day series against New Zealand last month - including an 81ball 106 in the final match in Hamilton - but just when he was seemingly taking West Indies to their target in a hurry he was superbly caught on the cover boundary. Neither could Powell finish

the job, being stumped off Paul Stirling, but the flying start provided by the openers meant West Indies were not under any run-rate pressure and although Denesh Ramdin went lbw, Marlon Samuels finished the game with a flurry of boundaries. The spinners, George Dockrell and Paul Stirling, tried their best to haul in the innings and did enough to suggest Ireland had not been too far away from a very competitive total. William Porterfield opted to take first use of the pitch, perhaps expecting it to get slower as the T20 surfaces did, and lost his opening partner Stirling in the third over when he was bowled by an excellent delivery from Jason Holder. After that, however, Ireland accumulated steadily in the opening Powerplay as Porterfield and Ed Joyce worked themselves into the 20s only to fail to convert. Porterfield became a maiden international wicket for Miguel Cummins, the 23-year Barbados fast bowler making his debut, when he was caught down the leg side during an over that had included three consecutive no-balls with two of resulting free hits being hit for six by Porterfield. Joyce drove Dwayne Bravo to mid-off and Niall O’Brien, who had been brought into the side after missing the T20s, became Bravo’s second wicket shortly afterwards to leave Ireland uneasy on 78 for 4. Niall’s brother, Kevin, helped steady the innings alongside Gary Wilson, the Surrey wicketkeeper-batsman, as the pair added 45 in 12 overs but two quick wickets for Nikita Miller put Ireland on the back foot again heading into the final stage of the innings. Wilson played a controlled

See page 24

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014