Guyana chronicle 28 02 14

GUYANA No. 103753

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2014

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

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Countering financing of terrorism…

Guyana misses another CFATF deadline Page 3

Cricket Board serves writ over Cricket Administration 8 Bill in Parliament Page

Talks 10 progressing steadily on proposed Guyana-Brazil ‘hydropower’ project Page

Vehicle in –Gov’t to meet shortly with hit-and-run fatal local stakeholders on matter accident found 2 Guyana first in Caribbean to in GWI compound amend free movement legislation centre

Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in Parliament yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Guyana first in Caribbean to amend free movement legislation

By Vanessa Narine THE Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) (Amendment) Bill 2014 was passed unanimously in the National Assembly, yesterday, following a move for its reading by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

And the minister noted that the Bill’s passage makes Guyana the first in the Caribbean Region to pass such legislation, which Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States are all required to enact.

She stressed that this move sends a signal that Guyana maintains the lead and is setting a trend relative to its commitment to regional integration.

The Bill amends the 1996 Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Act and now allows for spouses of the certified persons to be able to work in the same country, allows the certified person to apply to the subject minister to verify his or her

certificate, and allows the certified person to work while his certificate is being verified – a process that takes up to six months.

Rodrigues-Birkett made it clear that this step by the National Assembly assists Guyana in meeting its obligations under regional agreements.

RECIPROCAL ACTION The minister also acknowledged the need for reciprocal actions in other CARICOM countries, in the interest of advancing regional integration.

She stated that the issue of free movement evokes different reactions by different grouping, particularly when it comes to the question of equitable treatment across the Region.

Rodrigues-Birkett said Guyanese nationals have complained of discriminatory treatment and stressed that the current Administration has highlighted these incidents and made representations for

the Guyanese people.

“Insularity exists, but we must not cease to ensure that the integration movement benefits all people,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.

The minister referenced the Shanique Myrie judgment and stated that this set a precedence for action in areas where “insularity” exists.

Last year, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled in favour of Jamaican Shanique Myrie, who alleged that she was discriminated against because of her nationality when she arrived in Barbados on March 14, 2011.

The 25-year-old also said

she was subjected to a de-humanising body-cavity search and placed in an unsanitary cell before being deported the next day to Jamaica.

The Barbados Government denied the claims and argued at the trial that Myrie had been untruthful to immigration officials.

Myrie wanted the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment for CARICOM citizens moving within the Region under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. She asked the CCJ to award her almost US$500,000 in punitive damages for the treatment she received on her visit to

Barbados. She also wanted the regional court to award costs and special damages.

Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that work must not cease towards advancing the regional integration movement to benefit the Guyanese people.

The minister said, “Guyana is striving ahead to meet its obligations.”

OPPOSITION SUPPORT A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) both expressed support for the Bill.

APNU’s Africo Selman

noted that her party’s support is premised on the fact that free movement of certified persons and their families are key to development of a common market.

AFC Member of Parliament Cathy Hughes endorsed the Bill and pointed out that the challenges Guyana faces with ‘brain drain’ can be countered with the incentive for foreign nationals to work in Guyana and have their dependents with them.

After expressions of support, the Bill was considered in the Committee of Supply, clause by clause, and passed.

Duo put on $300,000 bail each over $3.8M break-in at Guyana Stores A DUO charged with a $3.8M break and enter and larceny at the Home Furnishing Department of Guyana Stores in Georgetown was placed on $300,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday.

Taxi driver Troy Harris of Lot 548 ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown and Adrian Dailey of Lot 198 Charlotte Street, Georgetown, both pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars of the charge, between February 22 and 25 at Guyana Stores Limited, Home Furnishing Department, Water Street, also in the city, they broke and entered the business place and stole a quantity of items which include 19 flat screen TV sets, 9 DVD players, 2 microwaves, all to the value of $3,825,840.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said on February 22 around 14:30 pm the manager for Guyana Stores Limited secured the Home Furnishing Department by the means provided, leaving the articles mentioned in the particulars intact. He along with the

workers left for home and on February 25 around 07:30 am they returned to work at the store and discovered that the padlock was cut off. Upon checking they discovered that the items were missing and the matter was reported to the police.

Ranks acting on information went to a house at South Ruimveldt Gardens where they saw five persons, including the two defendants.

On seeing the police, the persons ran away. However, the police gave chase but only managed to apprehend the two defendants. They were taken back to the house where some of the articles belonging to Guyana Stores were recovered.

An attorney-at-law representing Harris made a bail application on behalf of his client. The prosecutor objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the defendants may pose a flight risk. He added that the investigations are incomplete.

However, the prosecutor’s objection to bail was overruled and the case was put off to April 2.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Countering financing of terrorism…

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Guyana misses another CFATF deadline THE Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill was not taken to Parliament yesterday, resulting in Guyana missing a critical deadline, as previously indicated by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) advisor, Mr. Roger Hernandez.

The Parliamentary Special

Select Committee reviewing the Bill failed to complete its work yesterday and adjourned to March 5, after meeting for just under an hour.

The adjournment followed the indication by Chief Parliamentary Counsel (CPC), Mr. Cecil Dhurjon, through a letter to the Committee’s Chair, Ms. Gail Teixeira, that he was unable to complete the drafting of

amendments.

Dhurjon, at the Committee’s meeting on Wednesday, received oral explanations and clarifications after posing several questions with respect to the constitutionality of some of the proposed changes by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), as well as their compatibility with the provisions of the Principal Act and related

legislations.

The CPC was requested to complete the draft of APNU’s amendments in time for the 11:00 hrs meeting yesterday.

Guyana, today, is required to submit a report to CFATF tomorrow, which must include a copy of the enacted Bill, which will, after analysis, be correlated to the deficiencies identified by the body at its No-

vember 2013 plenary meeting, before it reports in May 2014.

That submission has to address Guyana’s plan of action to correct its deficiencies as part of the ongoing process, as well as the conclusions on the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill.

Between February and May, it is expected that there will be dialogue and discussions with CFATF and the current Admin-

istration, with regards to the preparation for reporting to the CFATF Plenary.

If the May Plenary is dissatisfied with Guyana’s progress, CFATF’s November 2013 statement already provides the decision for the country’s referral to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which meets again in June 2014.

MPs react to missed deadline

By Vanessa Narine GUYANA was unable to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill yesterday as hoped.

And Members of Parliament from all three represented political parties expressed varying views on the delay, which has affected Guyana’s ability to properly report to the Caribbean Action Task Force (CFATF).

Guyana is required to submit a report to CFATF on February 28, which must include a copy of the enacted Bill,

which will, after analysis, be correlated to the deficiencies identified by the body at its November 2013 Plenary meeting, before a report is made in May 2014.

Government Chief Whip and Chair of the Special Select Committee, Gail Teixeira, reviewing the Bill, noted that, “Guyana will be submitting its report; however, Guyana will only be able to report on the non-legislative moves we have made to date.

The report will be minus the legislative recommendations made by CFAFT, minus the Bill, which is about 80 per cent of the requirements of

the body.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, said, “We have to report to CFATF that the Bill has not been passed.

“What else will be contained in the report is still to be decided.”

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, stressed that Guyana’s inability to report on compliance with the legislative recommendations is unfortunate.

He said, “Our inability to report on this aspect is largely because the Committee was unable to complete its work, which is due to the amend-

ments put forward by the Opposition.

“This should not have happened. The reasonable position would have been to bring back to the National Assembly the Bill, on which there is unanimous support, in order for Guyana to be compliant.”

Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, told the Guyana Chronicle that at this stage the content of the report is what is to be decided.

He said, “Up to yesterday (Wednesday) we met with the President and sought to come to an agreement, but the Gov-

Majority support needed for PPC motivated AFC’s support for APNU LEADER of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday explained that its demand for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) cannot be met without the cooperation of all three political parties in the National Assembly.

“Our position has not changed,” Ramjattan said at a press briefing held in Committee Room number 2 at Public Buildings.

According to him, the establishment of the PPC will only be possible with the support of a two-thirds majority in the House and he noted that this was a major consideration in his party’s move to call for a tripartite agreement that will allow for a consensus to be reached on the main Opposition’s amendments.

The three amendments seek to change the entire governing apparatus of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU); remove the Attorney General wherever that name appears and replace it with the FIU; and vest a police officer or customs officer with a power to seize currency from any person, anywhere in Guyana, if those officers have reason to believe that the currency is

the proceeds of crime or will be used to finance crime.

The AFC Leader acknowledged the pronouncements by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) advisor, Roger Hernandez, as reported in the media, that the amendments were “risky” ones.

Ramjattan noted that the amendments should be passed with the Bill and the final legislation be allowed to be reviewed by CFAFT. “They will check them out,” he said, reiterating his call for a compromise.

Hernandez last Friday said, “The concern that we have is that the amendments being put forward may make those areas that were formally compliant, non-compliant.

There is a risk with that,” he said.

He explained that there are two major risks in the amendments as presented: one that Guyana could become non-compliant in areas the country has already been deemed compliant; and two, that their implementations present several challenges in terms of effectiveness.

T h e C FAT F o f f i c i a l stressed that these “observations” were made known to

all the Committee members for their consideration.

R a m j a t t a n , h o w e v e r, maintained his call for compromise to result in a “winwin-win” situation for all three political parties.

“We need APNU’s support,” the AFC Leader said.

Ramjattan added that his party’s position on the Government’s insistence has been made clear, and while the AFC is unprepared to support this, it has forwarded an amendment to the

Government, which reflects a reasonable compromise.

“We are willing to compromise,” he said.

The Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the AML/CFT Bill is expected to meet again next Wednesday, March 5, at which time further light will be shed on the fate of the Bill and the way forward for Guyana in terms of avoiding international blacklisting.

ernment was inflexible.

“As such we were unable to reach a solution.”

APNU’s Shadow Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, echoed similar sentiments.

He said, “I think we have reached an unnecessary point. The Government has to understand the situation in which they are working, they are not a majority Government, but a minority Government and concessions have to be reached with the other political parties in the House.

Deputy Speaker and APNU front-bencher, Basil Williams, also commented on the Committee’s inability to complete its work.

Williams said, “It appears that the Government has dropped the ball on the drop dead date. Our position is that we want the amendments; however, the CPC (Chief Parliamentary Counsel) was unable to complete the draft for the Committee’s consideration.”

The Alliance For Change

(AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, stressed that the missed deadline will now validate comments made by the political parties.

“I am waiting to see heaven come down,” he said.

He stated that if the Select Committee by the next meeting, scheduled for March 5, can complete its work the Attorney General can still make representations to CFAFT to indicate that Guyana is compliant.

Guyana, with the current state of event, is likely to be recommended for international sanctions by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in addition to already being blacklisted regionally by CFAFT.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Baghdad motorbike blast, other attacks kill 42 in Iraq (Reuters) – AT LEAST 42 people were killed Wednesday as a motorcycle rigged with explosives detonated in Baghdad’s Sadr City and militants targeted mostly Shi’ite neighborhoods around the country.

The motorcycle was parked in a second-hand market in the Shi’ite Muslim neighborhood that sells used bikes and was filled with people, mostly young men, when it exploded late Thursday afternoon, killing 31 and wounding 51 others, Iraqi medical and police sources said.

Blood covered the ground, storefront windows were shattered and shoes and motorcycle parts were strewn around the market, according to a Reuters’ correspondent at the scene. Dozens of people were screaming for information about their relatives.

A wounded man, who identified himself as Ahmed, rested in a nearby hospital. “I was about to leave the market when a huge explosion happened,” Ahmed said. “I was hit in my face and my hands and when I got up, everyone was screaming and running towards me away from the blast.”

It was not clear who was behind the bombing but violence against Shi’ites is often blamed on the Sunni Muslim Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al Qaeda-linked group.

Baghdad has been hit by wave after wave of bombings since April as the precarious peace enjoyed since the end of Iraq’s sectarian war in 2008 has unraveled.

Explosives and suicide bombs have been favored by Sunni extremists as they seek to target Shi’ite areas and intimidate their own religious community.

The latest bloodshed comes as Prime Minister Nouri Maliki wages a war against Sunni militants in western Anbar province neighboring Syria, and has become a base for ISIL. Despite the offensive, the pace of attacks around the country goes on undiminished.

In other violence Thursday, four people died from bombs on two different mini-buses in Shi’ite sections of Baghdad.

A militant smashed his explosives-packed vehicle into a checkpoint, killing three soldiers and wounding six others in Mushaada, a Sunni district, in northern Baghdad, police said.

In Salahuddin province, a pro-government Sunni-manned checkpoint in the town of Shirqat was hit by a bomb that killed two fighters and wounded four others, police said.

Also to the north in Tuz Khurmatu, a bomb in an outdoor marketplace frequented by Shi’ite Turkmen killed two people and wounded 11 others.

Masked Sunni Muslims gunmen take position with their weapons during their patrol in the city of Falluja, 70 km (43 miles) west of Baghdad, February 26, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Stringer

Russian spy ship makes surprise visit to Havana (Reuters) - A RUSSIAN spy ship slipped into Havana Bay for an unannounced visit during a period of turmoil in Ukraine and displays of military strength elsewhere in the world.

The Viktor Leonov SSV-175, part of the Vishnya class of intelligence ships, quietly entered Cuban waters earlier this week and was docked at a cruise ship terminal on Thursday, its crew casually taking in the view of the old colonial section of the Cuban capital as passers-by gawked.

Russian warships have come and gone in Cuba since the collapse of the Soviet Union, usually with much publicity and the opportunity for Cubans to visit the ship. This time there was no mention in the Cuban state-run media.

Russia has been stung by recent unrest in Ukraine, where a pro-Russian government was ousted in favor of one seeking an alliance with the West, and where Russia has a major naval base near Sevastopol on the Black Sea. Russia on Wednesday put 150,000 troops on high alert in Central and Western Russia, including areas bordering Ukraine, in a show of strength. Moscow denied the drill was linked to events in Ukraine.

On Wednesday in Moscow, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia planned to increase its military projection abroad, including in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

The Russian Navy intelligence vessel in Havana was commissioned by the Soviet Union in 1988 near the end of the Cold War, outfitted with electronic surveillance equipment and missile defense systems and is a signals intelligence asset of the Russian Navy, according to the Russian government.

The 94-meter (309-foot) ship was receiving food, but no maintenance or fuel, port employees said.

A Russian embassy official described the visit as “friendly,” saying members of the crew joined Havana officials in laying a wreath at a monument to Soviet soldiers.

“It was scheduled to stay three or four days. It should leave tomorrow,” said the embassy spokesman, who declined to identify himself.

The former Soviet Union and communist-run Cuba were close allies for decades, and the Soviets built a major intelligence base on the outskirts of Havana that was closed soon after the demise of European communism.

During the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, two U.S. ships including the USS Mount Whitney sailed into the Black Sea as part of U.S. security measures.

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Threat for Gangs crave peace: West Kingston Leroy Clarke factions want end to violence Artist Leroy Clarke has received a threatening phone call, warning him his public denunciation of homosexuality could damage his career. “It was a semi-threat. It was not a threat against my life but my livelihood,” Clarke told the T&T Guardian in a telephone interview Wednesday. “Somebody called me on my telephone. I did not recognise the voice. He said I have a career and to watch it. I could damage it,” he said. Clarke said the indirect message was that the gay community would no longer be patronising him.

“I am not taking on those things. I believe in what I said,” he added. Clarke ignited the anger of the gay community when he said homosexuality was threatening the arts. In a subsequent T&T Guardian article, he elaborated on the statement, saying it came from his belief in a God he did not know, the Scriptures which condemned homosexuality and his upbringing. “I grew up understanding it was so and I am convinced it is so. I grew up with the Bible, God’s Word, but it looks like God’s Word is not important anymore.”

He added: “My view is not popular with a certain sector. It is unfortunate that sector moves mountains in certain areas of business. “There is a community and it’s strong enough, big enough and influential enough.

Certain power bases are lobbying for constitutional recognition and it’s very possible such a move will become inevitable. “Now people want to harm you. They told me to watch my career but I don’t have a career.

I have a life. They can’t stop me from painting.”

Clarke said he was totally against violence against anyone because of his persuasion. “I don’t hate anybody, period. But

one needs to be assertive about his beliefs,” he said. His main concern was that homosexuality was interfering with African identity, he added. He said his telephone had been ringing almost non-stop since his declarations and there was a good balance in the calls. About half of the callers did not like his statements on homosexuality and half was very supportive, he said.

A lot of support came from happy Christian pastors who thanked him for speaking out like that, he said. Concerning his

LEROY CLARKE comments about homosexuality and gangs, Clarke said: “People actually said those things to me.” He said despite what people feel inclined to do, there was an in-built sense of right and wrong inside them. He said humanity was going through a terrible time when distinctions were no longer made, including in the area of gender.

Clarke said there was a need for T&T to review its stand on a number of positions, including that which he abhored. “We have to define our approach to settling the question. We should not pretend it does not exist,” he said.

Bharath: T&T eyes deals in China (Trinidad Express) CHINA has great potential for opening new markets for Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturers and service providers and this country is determined to ensure that its economic horizon expands to the Far East.

This is according to Trade Minister Vasant Bharath Wednesday as he delivered an address at the opening of the first Business Forum held at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) hosted by invesTT in Beijing, China.

The Business Forum, the first of three to be held in China this week, attracted some 140 Chinese businessmen and investors, the Ministry of Trade said.

“We believe that joint ventures and strategic alliances will be important modes of engagement for our firms for increasing their competitiveness and developing new products. Likewise your firms can benefit by using Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic location to access the enormous markets within the Americas,” Bharath said.

Two more meetings are scheduled to be held in Guangzhou today.

(Jamaica Gleaner) AFTER nearly two years of bloodletting in sections of western Kingston that claimed scores of lives, law-abiding residents are keeping their fingers crossed for better days as alleged gang members are reportedly signalling that they are weary of the feud and are prepared to lay down arms.

The first in a series of meetings, involving members of the community and men allegedly aligned to at least eight gangs which have been battling in the communities, was held in Denham Town Wednesday .

Desmond McKenzie, member of parliament for Western Kingston, signalled Wednesday that he was prepared to engage in any peace process, but warned that this would not exonerate gang members who are wanted by the police.

“After many efforts to bring the warring factions to understand the reason for the violence, loss of lives - including those of pregnant women and children - they have realised that it is not working,” said

Legal ganja could benefit tourism — McNeill (Jamaica Observer) WITH a groundswell building up for the Government to decriminalise ganja, Tourism and Entertainment Minister Wykeham McNeill says the move would be good for tourism.

McNeill, who was responding to a question posed by the Jamaica Observer at the post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston yesterday, said if the law were structured properly the country could benefit.

“I think from a tourism perspective, it would be good.

The issue that we have is that we have to be careful how we do it,” he said.

Earlier this week, McNeill’s Cabinet colleague Phillip Paulwell announced that legislation to allow for the decriminalisation of ganja should be passed through the House of Representatives and become law by year end.

The world view on marijuana as a gateway drug has shifted radically in the past decade and several US states, European countries, and Uruguay, have legalised the use of the plant for medical purposes.

Jamaica, said to grow one of the more potent varieties of the weed, also has its eyes on the medical marijuana industry, which is worth billions.

The female plant is used for smoking and has a high level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which creates euphoria and heightened senses in the smoker. THC can also induce hallucinations, cause delusions and is linked to certain mental health problems.

On the other hand, marijuana smoking is known to ease discomfort in cancer and AIDS victims.

McKenzie.

“They called me over the weekend saying that they are tired of what is taking place and they want to put an end to it.”

Added McKenzie: “I explained to them from the outset that peace doesn’t necessarily mean that those who are responsible for the mayhem, killing and shootings will be excused.

“Anybody who, within the last two years, has been responsible for the taking of innocent lives must be brought to justice … . Peace for perpetrators can’t be wiped out just like that.”

As McKenzie spoke, heavily armed members of the Jamaica Defence Force combed the area, while men and women sat on the street side, obviously accustomed to their presence.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting expressed satisfaction on Tuesday with welcomed news that there were no reports of murders in that day’s data sheet sent to him by the leadership of the security forces.

Residents say there has been little to no violence in the area over the past week.

Said McKenzie: “I think that based on the discussion, they understood the position that I have taken, and while I am not giving any substance to criminality, I can’t ignore, as member of parliament, any attempt by them to broker peace in the constituency.”

He disclosed that he has been in discussion with the justice ministry as well as the national security ministry and the Peace Management Initiative.

“We have experienced untold violence over the past two years in the constituency,” said McKenzie. “The violence has claimed more than 100 lives, including the elderly, both males and females, children, and at least five pregnant mothers.

McKenzie, who has had a long history in Western Kingston as a resident, councillor and parliamentary representative, characterised the bloodletting as the worst in more than 20 years.

“Not even in the days of the political divisiveness between the People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party have we seen so many innocent persons being killed,” he said.

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GUYANA

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Commander-in-Chief underscores ‘integrity and commitment to duty’ at GDF Officers’ Conference - Coast Guard and Air Corps being beefed up

By Michel Outridge

EDITORIAL

Vedanta: Self-realisation and its application to existentiality VEDANTA is a school of universal thought encapsulating the concepts and precepts of the greatest literature in the world, with nine primary goals, one of which is that no person should be left without modern educational equipment, merely for want of funds.

Another is that the impartation of knowledge should take into account not only the full growth of a student’s academic personality, but also the existential development, to the highest plane of which he or she is capable, through the nurturing of their immortal soul.

In other words, great intellectual achievement without full self-realization of the ultimate capabilities for goodness and capacities for love and tolerance for the human world, with all its imperfections, is unfulfilled and incomplete education.

Vedanta reaches beyond Man-made concepts and precepts, and is a quest to light the universe with intellectual and spiritual knowledge that would elevate Mankind to an existential plane that could very well evolve into a universal family, where each being recognizes that every living creature was created by God, and thus everyone has the same rights to the earth’s bounties.

It’s, however, a school of thought that also teaches that those bounties must be striven for, and that food on the table, and the fulfillment of material needs must be achieved through honest toil, and not by covetous greed for the fruits of someone else’s toil and sacrifice.

It is a universal school that transcends religion to encapsulate the sphere of humankind in totality, while recognizing and respecting the individuality of religion and the sovereignty of global nation states.

But Vedanta teaches that Man also has a greater responsibility; and that is to explore the divinity within his own soul, and to nurture that divinity to its fullest potential for enlightenment and self-realization, and then, as the light of one candle can be applied to other candles to create an incandescence to rival sunlight, likewise one evolved in spiritual thought can guide others to achieving their own potential for divinity.

Within the Guyana context, great good is evolving out of the greatest acts of evil, as the light of day follows the darkness of night, which is the coming together of religious leaders of varying faiths under the spearhead of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO); not of varying religions, but of one common faith, because the philosophies of every religion is based on a common threadwork of faith, which is that God’s goodness resides within every soul, and that the potential for glory is greatest when one embraces the concept of the brotherhood of Man. However, this quest for self-realisation must be a genuine attempt to evolve into a better person in word, thought and deed, instead of under the pretext of being godly while yet one’s actions and utterances are counter-productive to the fostering of good to Mankind and promoting, instead of the Brotherhood of Man, divisiveness within the society.

Regular attendance at church, and the ability to quote from the scriptures without the attendant goodness of heart and caring for the welfare of one’s fellow Man degrades instead of uplifts individuals, and ultimately degrades the society, because the implications and consequences are extensively destructive.

The multi-stakeholder forums also evolved out one of the most heinous acts: The wanton killing of the innocents, in a wholesale way. If there are genuine attempts at conciliation in the nation that transcend the egoistic machinations and utterances that initially created the miasma within the society, then those acts of evil would

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar yesterday in his feature address during the opening of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) two-day Annual Officers’ Conference 2014 underscored the importance of integrity and commitment to duty, even as he warned against “associating with disreputable elements for financial rewards.”

In his address at the Officers’ Mess, Base Camp Ayanganna, he said, “I want to emphasise this as being very important, integrity and commitment to duty among all officers and ranks of the GDF. Conflict of interest must be avoided at all costs or when observed dealt with condignly. Zero-tolerance

while they themselves display other traits.

He encouraged ranks to upkeep the credibility of the army so that young and talented individuals will be willing to enlist for patriotic and selfless service and not for narrow, short-term reasons.

The president also stated that the government and citizens of Guyana expect all officers and ranks to perform their duties in accordance with high standards of discipline and professionalism.

Ramotar also declared that he was confident the army would be dynamic in the face of changing and evolving social, regional and hemispheric realities, particularly in the security sector. And he urged that this conference be utilised to develop such competencies to address

activity without facing the possibility of raids in their camps, ambushes along interior trails and acts of piracy along our coastal fishing zone and I hope that the newly- acquired vessels that will be at your disposal shortly will go a far way in bringing some of these activities to an end,” said Ramotar.

He also announced that as part of efforts to boost the Air Corps, the GDF would shortly decide the fate of the troublesome large Bell 412 helicopter that experts say is best suited for search and rescue operations in Guyana’s rugged and densely forested interior.

“The Bell 412 helicopter will during March 2014 undergo a thorough and independent inspection in order to facilitate informed decision-making as to the future of that aircraft,”

Heads of the Disciplined Services seated with Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds should be enforced (towards) officers and ranks frequenting facilities used by persons of questionable repute and associating with disreputable elements for financial rewards.”

President Ramotar added that the leadership of the GDF must be seen as setting the right example and not only exhorting their subordinates to perform

the challenges ahead.

NEW PATROL VESSELS Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said he hoped that the new patrol vessels would help fight piracy and crimes in the gold and diamond-bearing interior.

“Our miners and fishermen must be able to pursue their

have served a divine purpose: That of bringing together the nation, politically, religiously, and socially, in a cohesive unit that could very well catalyze a healing of the wounds on the soul of the nation, and eventuate in an unprecedented framework for co-existence and national unity.

But for the leaders to suppress ambition and ego to attain a common national good would entail embracing the school of thought of Vedanta, so as to realise the divinity within oneself and then strive to explore that potential for enlightenment within others, where self-interest is subsumed for the greater good of families, of society, of nation states and, ultimately, of the world.

The teachings of Vedanta is being posted on the World Wide Web so as to enable international linkages of the universal family, and encourage exploration of the individual being towards elevation to a higher plane, where one can realise his own potential for self-realization and spiritual growth, and an expansion of that growth to embrace universal Mankind.

As our country faces a crisis that could determine our collective future, may the spirit and precepts of Vedanta prevail, and evil not hold sway over it.

he said.

Ramotar disclosed that government would replace “on an affordable basis” the fixed and rotary wings of the Air Corps to improve its effectiveness, especially in the areas of search and rescue, medical evacuation and support of ground forces in border operations.

In his address, Chief of Staff (COS), Brigadier Mark Phillips, addressing his first conference as COS, declared that, “We must be ready to defend Guyana and not depend on third party protection of our sovereignty.”

The COS noted that for the past 48 years the army has sustained the integrity of Guyana and assisted in the maintenance of law and order when required to do so and also contributed to national development.

NEW ROLES The Brigadier noted that virtually all governments require help to manage natural

disasters and to deal with complex emergencies and with the advent of insurgency, illicit trafficking and terrorism, this placed enormous pressure on governments to use military forces for new missions and perhaps new roles. However, he said these new threats to national security have forced governments to blend military capabilities with civilian efforts to protect their society.

He added that the role and mission of the military must now be more dynamic than ever and the employment of the GDF in the defence and maintenance of order requires the officers and ranks to develop both a fighting mentality on one hand and a law enforcement mentality on the other.

Brigadier Phillips said also that the Coast Guard and Air Corps are being beefed up to assist in border patrols and internal security such as combating piracy and crimes in the interior. He disclosed that the army has acquired three vessels through the United States (US)-sponsored Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) and the Guyana government has also purchased two additional vessels to beef up inland patrols.

He also announced that two more patrol boats have been purchased by the Guyana government and would be delivered to the Defence Force in July 2014.

The CBSI’s assistance has been provided under the rubric of combating transnational crimes like drugs and arms trafficking. Moves to improve the Coast Guard and Air Corps are also in keeping with recommendations by the Disciplined Forces Commission held several years ago to also suppress illegal fishing and smuggling of items to evade customs, Phillips said.

He noted that the commission had also cited the need for better arrangements for recruiting and retaining pilots and engineers in which 800 applications were received by the GDF for the Standard Officers’ Course this year which will start in March. The GDF acquired two Bell 206 helicopters.

Also making remarks were chairman Lieutenant Colonel Wilbert Lee and 19-year-old newly commissioned Second Lieutenant Lawrence King, who delivered the vote of thanks yesterday, during the opening ceremony of the Annual Officers’ Conference under the theme: “Towards greater operational readiness for national defence and security”.

Present also at the ceremony yesterday were heads of the Disciplined Services and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

7

Venezuela crisis and CARICOM/USA responses --recollections of anti-Aristide coup Analysis by Rickey Singh IT WAS inevitable that as the political crisis situation worsened in Venezuela, the government of President Nicolas Maduro, which feels threatened by external interference, would have identified the United States of America with involvement.

At the time of writing, the US State Department was yet to respond to President Maduro’s public plea late last week for “high level dialogue” between the governments in Washington and Caracas.

But the Georgetown-based Caribbean Community, though aware of its limited clout, has

sharp response from Mr. Kerry, who called on President Maduro’s administration to “step back from its efforts to stifle dissent through force, and to respect basic human rights…”

Already there have been reports of at least 50 (fifty) known deaths, and scores of injured during recurring street protests between thousands of rival anti and pro-government demonstrators. But the US government, known for its dislike of the administration in Caracas, is yet to signal any serious interest in bilateral talks.

The BBC’s Latin America and Caribbean service has reported Maduro as urging President Barack Obama for

PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO,

SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN KERRY

commendably led the way among regional and hemispheric-wide organisations in denouncing the spreading political violence in Venezuela, and urging all parties to return the country to ‘peace and calm’.

Significantly, this call by CARICOM on February 18 came amid growing concerns over foreign interventions, and with Defence Ministers of the 12-nation Union of South American States (UNASUR) warning against any such development.

For its part, Guyana, which has a colonial-inherited problem with Venezuela’s claim to some two-thirds of this nation’s 83,000 square miles of sovereign territory, was the first CARICOM member state to denounce the violence, and urge peaceful dialogue in the national interest of the Venezuelan people.

The political turmoil, now in its third week and primarily located within the ranks of the opposition party of Leopoldo Lopez, wants to see the back of the socialist-oriented Bolivarian government of President Nicolas Maduro, first choice of his late mentor, Hugo Chavez.

Last year, Maduro led his party in retaining the presidency, though by a narrow margin.

Subsequently, he was to convincingly win, against the odds, local government elections. Yet, an assurance signalled in 2013

by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, after Maduro’s presidential triumph, for improved Washington’s relations with the government in Caracas remains elusive.

Worse, amid the current widening protests, President Maduro’s administration was to openly link US-backed involvement and sent packing three officials of the United States embassy in Caracas for claimed subversive activities.

That development drew a

Washington and Caracas to engage in “high-level dialogue” at which, he said, “the truth will be put on the table...”

He also stressed that the dialogue “will be difficult and complex, until the US government accepted the full autonomy and independence of Latin America…”

For his part, Carl Meacham, director of the Americas Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, in analysing the bloody confrontations beyond Caracas, has questioned whether the Obama administration “is

turning a blind eye to chaos in Venezuela…”

CARICOM government leaders, diplomats and top officials familiar with Washington’s involvement under then President George W Bush in orchestrating a 2004 coup against the democratically-elected President of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, would appreciate the current principled stand by the 15-member Community in moving, with alacrity, to denounce the spreading violent confrontations in Venezuela, and appealing for “a return to peace and calm…”

The critics of CARICOM may cynically question the political clout of the regional economic integration movement in rushing to make the appeal for an end to violent confrontations with the very relevant observation that “no democratic society can reasonably pursue disorder, or any unwarranted subversion of democratic institutions…”

HAITI’S 2004 COUP After all, those not suffering from expedient political amnesia, could well recall CARICOM’s strenuous efforts to dissuade foreign political interferences in fomenting widespread disturbances, including murder, designed to oust President Aristide from power.

The former Prime Minister of Jamaica, P J Patterson, then Chairman of the Community, as well as Edwin Carrington, then Secretary-General, can hardly forget how efforts were frustrated by foreign governments -- those of the USA and France in particular -- determined to oust from power the democratically-elected Aristide.

Documentation of complicity in the coup against Aristide would include how he was influenced into signing the ‘letter of resignation’, prior to being placed, along with his family, under armed escort on a military aircraft and flown into exile via, ironically, Jamaica, and ultimately to South Africa.

Driver on causing death charge gets $250,000 bail

By Geeta Rampersaud TAXI driver, Wendell Sukhlall of Lot 353 Cummings Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was Wednesday granted $250,000 bail by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry when he appeared before her on a causing death charge.

The 21-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge that on February 18, at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, he drove motor car PPP 6592 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Quacy Leigh.

His defence attorney, Ms Kendaise Rodney, told the court that her client has no prior conviction and is not a flight risk. He has been cooperating with the police since the incident.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, said the defendant was driving his motor car west along the southern carriageway of Homestretch Avenue whilst Leigh was heading in the same direction on a pedal cycle. But Sukhlall was driving at a fast rate, and collided with the rear wheel of Leigh’s cycle, which caused Leigh to fall. He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but succumbed to his injuries on the following day.

Grant did not object to bail being granted Sukhlall, and the case was put off to April 1.

Masked demonstrators engaging riot police Wednesday in Valencia, some 105 miles west of the capital, Caracas (Photo courtesy of AP) But to return to the present dangerous political scenarios in Venezuela, which -- as happened in Haiti to President Aristide’s democratically elected government that the then Bush administration strongly disliked -- now faces a serious survival threat involving foreign interference.

President Obama’s administration is yet to signal any serious interest in dialogue with President Maduro’s government.

While awaiting other hemispheric bodies and governments

to speak up in support of political sovereignty and respect for democratically-elected administrations, let it be noted that CARICOM, our comparatively small regional economic integration movement, has done what’s politically correct in taking a principled stand on the current situation in Venezuela.

This early stand by CARICOM should not be wrongly confused with preferential financial benefits member states derive from the concessions provided by Venezuela’s fraternal arrangements under the

Hugo Chavez-inaugurated Petro Caribe project that’s currently being endangered by the prevailing domestic political problems.

Objectively, it could well be viewed as a small but very principled stand by CARICOM in favour of the preservation of political and territorial sovereignty, as well as democratic governance.

There should be no repeat in Venezuela of what happened in 2004 to the democratically-elected government of President Bertrand Aristide.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Cricket Board serves writ over Cricket Finance Minister was Administration Bill in Parliament AG dispels ‘intoxication’ rumour ...

never asked to take breathalyser test –on night of accident

THE following statement was issued yesterday by the Office of the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General, Mr. Anil Nandlall, clarifying a misconception regarding the sobriety of Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Sunday night last when he was involved in an accident.

“AT or about 21:00 hrs on 23rd February, 2014 at the junction of Garnett and Delph Streets, Campbellville, Greater Georgetown, the Honourable Minister of Finance was involved in a vehicular collision with a motor car.

“The minister was taken to a city hospital for medical attention shortly after the accident. An associate of the minister facilitated the driver of the vehicle and the lone passenger to be taken to a city hospital for medical treatment. The matter was duly reported to the police and is being investigated.

“Without prejudice to the rights of all the parties to seek legal recourse, the Attorney-General met with the driver, the owner of the vehicle, and the passenger with a view of exploring the possibility of bringing the matter to an amicable end.

“Allegations that the Minister of Finance was intoxicated and failed to submit himself to a breathalyser test are rejected. Indeed, the minister was not invited to take a breathalyser test by anyone, and in fact, the occasion to do so did not present itself.

“It is hoped that this disclosure will bring to a swift end the speculations and inaccuracies which are being peddled in the public domain in relation to and in connection with this matter.”

Speaker refuses Felix’s question on Finance Minister’s conduct

By Vanessa Narine MEMBER of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Winston Felix, yesterday raised a ‘question without notice’ in the National Assembly relating to the conduct of Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and his involvement in an accident on Sunday evening.

However, Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, after conferring with the Clerk of the House, Sherlock Isaacs, noted that the question was in contravention of the Standing Orders that guide the proceedings of the House.

Trotman allowed the question to be put to the House, as he did not have an opportunity to be briefed on its content, as is the regular procedures for ‘question without notice’.

The Speaker allowed this on the basis of the understanding that if the question was inappropriate it will not be entertained for a response.

SPECIFIC MOTION He explained that no Member of Parliament (MP) could question the conduct of a colleague MP, unless it is via a specific motion.

Felix referred to reports in the local media but was told that a question premised on statements in the media or statements from private citizens cannot be fielded in the House under ‘questions without notice’.

The APNU member queried whether or not government MPs were “exempt” from the rule of law.

This comment attracted a point of order, which was raised by Government Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who noted that questions without notice are confined to the relevance of the sitting’s business for the day.

“It is a general comment,” she said, “I believe we are stretching the practices of this House into realms of unacceptability.”

Teixeira maintained that the Standing Orders are clear.

The Speaker took on board her comment and reiterated that on the basis of his explanations the question should not be answered.

By Clifford Stanley SPEAKER of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony have been served writs of summons by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to attend court in relation to the correctness of the National Assembly considering the Cricket Administration Bill.

The Speaker disclosed the action of the GCB during the sitting of Parliament yesterday.

He said that he received the summons yesterday morning and he felt he needed time to

go through the document and to seek legal assistance before pronouncing comprehensively on it.

In light of the summons and the contents not being properly scrutinised, the House which was supposed to consider the Bill yesterday deferred consideration to a later date.

Speaker Trotman said it was his firm opinion that the court has no authority to prevent the National Assembly from debating the Bill and passing the law.

He stressed: “The court cannot place a bar on this House and its ability to proceed with this Bill.”

The Cricket Administration Bill was tabled by government in December 2011 in a bid to end an impasse over the national game.

It provides constitutions for the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and is divided into five parts with one schedule giving respective boards the powers to effectively manage the affairs of local cricket.

Minister Anthony had reported that the Bill had been subjected to exhaustive discussions at the level of a Special

Select Committee of Parliament.

That Select Committee, as previously reported, comprised four members from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), one member from the Alliance For Change (AFC) and four members from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

The members of the Select committee as previously reported were Christopher Jones, Joseph Harmon, Basil Williams and Dr Rupert Roopnarine of APNU; Khemraj Ramjattan of the AFC; and Dr Anthony, Odinga Lumumba, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Neil Kumar for the Government.

Defendants prosecuted by GPL in double jeopardy discharged MAGISTRATE Rabindranauth Singh, on Tuesday at Albion Court, reprimanded and discharged two Guyana Power and Light (GPL) customers after he observed that, although they had cleared their respective accounts, they were still fined by the utility company.

Attorney-at-law, Mr. Ryan Crawford, who represented them, argued that GPL cannot fine them for an offence and, in turn, take them to Court.

“It’s double jeopardy, because they are the only provider, so whatever they decide, the consumer has to pay or be without electricity,” the lawyer submitted.

On February 2, at Number One Road, Corentyne, also in Berbice, GPL officials went to the home of Budranine Surattan where

they carried out routine checks on his meter.

According to Surattan, the outer seal was intact but when the meter was opened, the inspectors claimed it had been tampered with.

That defendant, being a businessman who relied heavily on electricity to manage his business, said he did not argue with the inspectors but quickly complied by paying the required fine.

The other defendant, Willira Naidu, of Hampshire, also informed the court that he, too, was fined by the utility and had entered into an agreement with it to make monthly payments.

Both defendants produced documents to support their claims.

Particulars of the offences stated that, on February 2, 2014, the defendants, fraudulently, obstructed electricity supplied by GPL, to be diverted to their respective homes.

In Republic Anniversary parade…

Digicel wins Best Float for seventh consecutive year DIGICEL Guyana Inc, for the seventh consecutive year, was declared the best float in the large category at Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary National Costume Parade Competition, on Sunday, by the Mashramani Secretariat.

The company ventured out with the intention of copping the prize, from among close to 400 revellers.

The pink and gold costumes and floats were designed by Olympia Small Sonaram and that, in itself, was an advantage.

Digicel also copped the first prize for the medium semi-costume band and the best male individual prizes.

Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and the Health Ministry tied for second place.

Following closely behind was the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in the full costume band segment. It was also adjudged the best non-commercial float.

The Tourism Ministry won the top place in the medium full-costume band category, while the Labour Ministry came in second and the Amerindian Affairs Ministry took the third

Part of the Digicel Mash Day float and costume parade spot.

In the small band group, the Education Ministry came out victorious, followed by GT Recyclers and the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, respectively.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won the semi-costume large category and the Federation of Independent

Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) placed second. The Amerindian Affairs Ministry got both the king and queen titles, with the female individual title going to the Tourism Ministry.

In the regional competitions, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) revelled its way to the top, followed by Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica)

and Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), second and third in that order.

Region 5 was the only small band entry in the regional competition and it was awarded the first place. For the individual pieces in the regional competition, the queen title went to Region 3, while Region 4 was adjudged the king.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

One always suspected the ‘Once-Upon-a-Time’ newspaper had criminals in its employ –now we know for sure it does OLD Kai always wondered how the ‘Once-Upon-a-Time’ newspaper would get all the latest breaking stories and inside details of certain crimes occurring in society.

There has been a lot of speculation, but these people always seem well connected. They would get intricate details about a crime that no other media house could access. “How it is they achieved this?” I would constantly ask myself. It seemed a mystery.

That is, until the secret US cables revealed that the owner of the newspaper had his finger firmly on the pulse of Guyana’s criminal underworld. During the crime-wave, the newspaper published conversations it had with notorious criminal, Rondell ‘Fine-Man’ Rawlins, said to be the leader of the gang which carried out massacres in Lusignan, Bartica, Agricola and Lindo Creek.

Was there an established relationship or at least an understanding or a point of contact which made this wanted criminal so comfortable to liaise and make his disclosures to an individual(s) over at that newspaper and no other else?

In fact, there were several incidents during the crime-wave, where the people from this newspaper would turn up at a crime scene way ahead of the security forces; in some cases just a few minutes after the incident. It even reached a stage where they were warned and charged with interfering with a crime scene.

How was this possible? What kind of intelligence system could they have possibly had in place to predict, or at least have their people ready to arrive on a scene within minutes of the commission of that crime?

Many Guyanese have been scarred for life during the crimewave; they saw gruesome images they will never forget; they lost loved ones; they were the victims of assaults, including sexually; some of them even have lifelong debilitating injuries.

Parents lost children; children lost parents; even the animals were slaughtered.

Today, they are still seeking answers. Ever since that period, there was concern that certain members of the media had established relationships, some very personal, with these

criminals. The counter argument was that these media individuals had a professional duty to tell the story, and, in so doing, could not be pressured into revealing their sources.

But how professional was this relationship, when one female journalist at the time literally moved into the village of Buxton, and could be seen by eyewitnesses being ferried around by one of the 2002 Mash Day prison escapees on a bicycle?

There are several other damaging revelations regarding the criminals and certain media personalities, including other eyewitness accounts that Old Kai cannot reveal at this time, as it will surely expose his sources.

However, what all this brings us back to is the shocking revelation that an employee of the ‘Once-Upon-a-Time’ newspaper has been arrested, based on damning evidence that he was involved in the armed robbery and assault of former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clinton Conway on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at his home.

We are told that the newspaper employee’s ID card was found at the crime scene, and it is believed that it fell from the perpetrator during his scuffle with Mr. Conway.

If this is indeed the case, we are left to ponder how many victims of this gunman are out there, and whether there is a greater role or link that has been uncovered with this revelation. Is there anyone else with a sketchy or criminal background that has been employed by this particular media house?

While there is nothing wrong with employing someone who would have probably done his time and has reformed (not the PNC-type of Reform), employing persons who are still involved in criminal activities, particularly at a media house which is exposed to an array of sensitive information, has its fair share of danger.

There is a further twist to this saga when consideration is given to the fact that just a few weeks ago, another employee of this very newspaper was reportedly attacked and shot by gunmen while sitting in his car. Is there more to that story?

How can we also forget that it was this very newspaper that gunmen inexplicably targeted during the crime-wave, and killed five of its employees. Up to this day, we still do not have a motive behind the slayings of these men. Which brings me to the point that there is need for proper oversight of the operations of the media in Guyana, as is the case in the United Kingdom, following the phone-hacking

scandal involving News of the World, which was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ for citizens in that Confederation.

If the media in Guyana is going to be taken seriously as the Fourth Estate, there are certain responsibilities which come with the territory. So far, there are sections of the media which operate with a ‘wild-west’ mentality; they usually make scandalous statements, and then try to support it later; but when it is convenient, and their actions come under the microscope, they suddenly invoke ‘sacrosanct’ privileges of the profession.

We will all recall when the editor of the ‘Once-Upon-a-Time’ newspaper inferred that a leading female public figure was a ‘prostitute’, among other disparaging remarks he had to make about other females in society.

Yet the women’s groups who are usually vocal, including in their most recent support for a 19-year-old female who severely beat and attempted to strangle a one-year-old child, have remained stone cold silent against these negative stereotyping of females, and such crass public attacks.

In all of this, the Guyana Press Association has been dismantled beyond recognition through incompetent leadership. The most Old Kai will expect is a belly-up groan by the GPA after the people over at ‘Once-Upon-a-Time’ would have asked their friend(s) in the Depressed Association to attack this article, and you will see a release declaring their unwavering commitment to “fight in the interest of the free and independent media” against such ‘attacks’ emanating from the State media. Then they will go into hibernation once again, until they are called up again to dust off their ‘swords’ and try to deflect attention.

There is also another association: IMAG. They too seem to have gone out of circulation ever since Tony Vieira took them to Court over use of the name. The Television Owners Association, or something to that effect, only exists the moment there is a challenge to their profits.

So, basically, none of these entities responsible, or purporting to be responsible, for the media profession in Guyana are functioning. The media basically goes unchecked when they, by admission, are trying to keep those in authority and society ‘in check’.

So, who is watching them while they are watching us? No one! The time for media regulations is now!

Strangers hold vigil for abused one-year-old

By Leroy Smith STRANGERS to the parents of the one year old baby who was allegedly abused by her babysitter last evening again gathered in front of the Human Rights of Guyana Office where they held a vigil in solidarity with the defenseless baby.

Last evening, the Guyana Chronicle visited the vigil and observed that among those expressing frustration at the development were political and social activists, children, police officers, city constables and other concerned persons, including media workers.

Speaking on behalf of the persons who showed up last evening, Sarah (the only name given) who has been organising the vigils, told the Guyana Chronicle that the incident is one to be condemned by ev-

eryone and while persons are focusing on the sentencing of the baby-sitter, there is little thought for the abused baby.

Another woman told this publication that the incident moved her since she could not believe that someone would be so harsh and angry as to strike a child. The woman said that she is certain that there was no reason or no incident at the home of the parents of the babysitter that could cause her to want to ill-treat the couple’s baby.

There were approximately 50 persons who showed up at the vigil last night.

At present the babysitter is on court bail after she was sentenced to five years in prison by magistrate Sueann Lovell. She told the court that she hit the child after the she refused to put on her pampers and would not stop crying.

This section of the crowd featured mostly children below the age of twelve who came out in solidarity with the one year old last night at the vigil Following the decision by the magistrate, several groups who days before marched through the streets

of Georgetown protesting violence against women and children and called for stiffer penalties for those

found guilty of such acts, protested the jail sentence, saying it should have been stiffer.

Today the vigil continues in front of the Guyana Human Rights Building on Hadfield Street.

10

‘Vanilla’ wins Road March Queen title,again

Talks progressing steadily on proposed Guyana-Brazil ‘hydropower’ project –Gov’t to meet shortly with local stakeholders on matter

By Clifford Stanley

2014 Road March Queen, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts MELISSA ‘Vanilla’ Roberts copped the Road March Queen title, again, in this year’s Mashramani Parade with her song ‘Yada Yada’.

This is the fourth time she has won the prize after 2007 with ‘Queen of the Band’, 2008 with ‘High’ and 2010 with ‘Rude’.

Vanilla has taken the Road March monarchy away from Adrian Dutchin, who won it in 2013 with ‘Jook’, after winning seven times previously and was vying for his eighth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

GOVERNMENT will be meeting shortly with local stakeholders to discuss the commissioning of the prerequisite feasibility studies needed to be done with respect to the development of a joint hydropower facility in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni.

According to Foreign Minister, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, the proposed meeting is in keeping with a number of arrangements agreed between the Governments of Guyana and Brazil with regard to joining forces on the development of key infrastructural projects here.

She told the National Assembly yesterday, while bringing members up to speed on the proposed project, that on December 5, 2012, Guyana and Brazil had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on infrastructure development with the aim of stimulating projects in four key areas of interest.

That MOU, she said, established a Guyana-Brazil Joint Technical Working Group, with a mandate to produce proposals for concrete actions, as well as timetables for the implementa-

tion of four projects, namely: The construction of hydro-electric plants; construction of transmission lines needed to distribute the energy to be generated eventually; improvement of the Guyana-Brazil road link; and the construction of a deep-water port.

After four meetings of the Joint Technical Working Group, three of which were held in Georgetown, and another in Boa Vista, the group submitted its report to both President Donald Ramotar of Guyana and President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil last July.

In that report, she said, the Guyana-Brazil Joint Working Group had made several recommendations with respect to the proposed projects, whereby in terms of the Linden-Lethem road, it was recommended that an engineering design of the road be completed in order to advance the project.

With respect to hydropower development, the Group recommended that pre-feasibility and feasibility studies be carried out at two sites in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni in order to make a final determination on the way forward.

Concerning the development of a deep-water port, Min-

ister Birkett reported that the Group recognised that though separate, the road and port projects are interrelated, because the latter will be dependent on goods coming out of Brazil, mainly the city of Manaus. The Group reportedly estimated that this route will reduce time and costs associated with export from the north of Brazil.

It was suggested that if there is positive movement with the road and hydropower development, there will be automatic interest in the port by the private sector.

She said that both Presidents Ramotar and Rousseff endorsed the report, and then approved the establishment of a

Joint Commission for the development of infrastructure projects in Guyana, which would monitor the progress of the projects agreed on.

This Commission, whose work is ongoing, is being chaired on the Guyana side by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

According to Minister Birkett, efforts at joint collaboration between Guyana and Brazil are not new, having commenced soon after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1968. She said that several Memoranda of Understanding have since been signed by successive Governments.

She said that the latest development is that the Government of Guyana will in the next few weeks commence briefings with the parties represented in the National Assembly as well as other stakeholders with respect to the feasibility and pre-feasibility studies which are required for the proposed Mazaruni hydro.

Those to be consulted will include the communities in the Middle and Upper Mazaruni.

Government will also be briefing the media.

“Needless to say,” she said, “these are pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and no decision will be taken until these studies have been completed.”

Woman found murdered in interior shop THE police in Bartica, Region 7, early yesterday morning travelled to the Cuyuni Backdam to investigate the suspected rape and murder of a woman whose body was discovered at a shop in the area.

Information reached the police yesterday morning stating that the body of the woman was discovered in the shop and she might have been killed sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

No one claimed to hear anything during the course of the night, and up to late yesterday afternoon the police had not yet returned with the body nor was any information being filtered from the area.

This publication was informed that because of the terrain, the ranks who left yesterday morning for the area to investigate the incident were likely to return late last night or early this morning.

More cocaine busts at CJIA …

Two cosmetologists on separate cocaine-in-achar and cocaine-in-liqueur charges

By Geeta Rampersaud A CANADIAN-GUYANESE woman who was allegedly nabbed with cocaine-in-achar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, was refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday.

CANADIAN citizen, Ashery Corbin of 2944 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto, Canada, and also of Lot 125 Bagotville, West Bank of Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the offence of trafficking in narcotics.

According to the charge, the 41-year old cosmetologist, on Wednesday at the CJIA, had 6.116 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah said that Corbin is Guyanese-born but left for Canada in 1993 and on the day in question was an outgoing passenger to Canada.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant was in Canada when she reportedly received a phone call from Wayne Williams, requesting her to come to Guyana and take back the prohibited substance to Canada. Corbin told him that she was financially unable to book the flight and he offered to take care of that and also pay her US$10,000.

The prosecutor said that the defendant arrived in Guyana on February 19 last and was scheduled to depart for Canada on February 24. Williams reportedly informed the defendant that she would

miss the flight on that day and he would re-book a ticket for February 26.

Massiah said further that Williams organised a taxi to take Corbin to the airport and during procedural checks, ranks using the scanner observed strange objects in her luggage. She was summoned to identify her suitcase and a subsequent search was conducted, which revealed two Ziploc bags containing achar with a seed like substance that tested to be cocaine.

Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry informed the unrepresented defendant that no special reason was provided for her to be granted pretrial freedom. The case was transferred to Providence Magistrate’s Court, also on the East Bank of Demerara.

Cocaine-in-liqueur Meanwhile, on Tuesday last, another cosmetologist, Tishana Edwards, of Lot 2 Victoria Road, Sparendaam, East Coast of Demerara, faced a similar charge and the case was also transferred to Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Edwards, a mother of one, was charged with having in her possession 2.092 kgs of cocaine for trafficking on Mashramani Day at the CJIA. During procedural checks, ranks manning the scanner detected two bottles of cream liqueur that contained strange objects.

The defendant was an outgoing passenger on a Jamaica Airways flight destined for the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Man charged with marijuana possession granted $20,000 bail EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Jairam Singh, who is charged with being in possession of four grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana), denied the charge before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, at Albion Court, Corentyne, Berbice,

on Wednesday.

He was granted $20,000 bail after claiming that six policemen barged into his home but not before assaulting his mother to get to him.

However, he was advised to make a complaint to the Police Complaints Authority.

Meanwhile, Police Sergeant Phillip Sherrif, prosecuting, said the defendant, also known as ‘Johnny’, was seen acting in a suspicious manner in a pig farm at Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant, Corentyne.

As a result, police ar-

rested him and, following a search of his person, a ziplock transparent plastic bag, wrapped in an aluminum foil was removed from his left side pants pocket.

The case has been transferred to Whim Court, at Corentyne, too, for April 7.

GPL explains widespread Tuesday outages GUYANA Power and Light (GPL) has explained the reason for periods of outages in several city wards on Tuesday.

The utility said two main distribution feeders were burnt but have since been fixed and current was restored to affected areas.

GPL reported that, at approximately 12:39hrs on Tuesday, burnt jumpers on two main distribution feeders (F8 & F9) caused a disruption in service supply to sections of Georgetown.

GPL engineers worked to rectify the issues encountered

and power was restored to all affected areas at 16:10hrs.

The areas that were affected are Alberttown, Croal Street, Bourda, Woolford Avenue, Kitty/Campbellville and Prashad Nagar.

Several sections of the capital were plunged into darkness after a loud explosion, accompanied by smoke at the Kingston Power Plant location on Tuesday, caused businesses, too, to be without electricity for several hours.

GPL extends sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused.

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Defendant who dangled penis in front mother discharged SIXTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Balram Ramkhalawan, who, allegedly, dangled his penis before his elderly mother was spared another jail term on Tuesday, after the octogenarian woman decided not to go ahead with the case.

“I am sorry for him. Two years ago, he tripped (acted as though he had an unsound mind),” said Regina Ramkhalawan to Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at Albion Court.

She said she had taken the defendant to Dr. Mayda (a psychiatrist), but, after then, he refused to take his medications at times.

On December 12, her son returned home in a drunken stupor and she rebuked him.

However, he became annoyed and an argument ensued between them, resulting in him dragging her by her long braids out of a hammock, whilst dangling his penis before her.

His action caused her much alarm and distress, resulting in her going to Albion Police Station where the incident was reported.

Consequently, he appeared at Albion Court where he pleaded guilty to assault but denied the additional charge of exposure of his genitals.

In a previous court case, the woman had stated that her son was in the habit of beating her whenever he was under the influence of alcohol and, on that occasion, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Peace and harmony needed to move Guyana forward - Minister Baksh tells Region 2 residents at flag raising ceremony

By Rajendra Prabhulall

MINISTER in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh has told Essequibians that peace and harmony is needed to move Guyana forward.

Speaking at the flag rais-

ing ceremony on Saturday night at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, Minister Baksh said he has seen a bright future for all Guyanese under the PPP/C Government but peace and harmony is needed among Guyanese to continue push-

ing the wheels of development.

Reflecting on the country’s 44 years as a Republic, Minister Baksh reminded Essequibians that the country has made significant progress, especially under the ruling People’s Progressive

Party/ Civic Government.

Looking back at the 70s, Minister Baksh said from the time Guyana became a Republic on February 23rd, 1970, it entered a difficult period, especially from 1970 to 1973. According to Minister Baksh, from 1970 to 1973 the country entered a phase of undemocratic rule during the dictatorship because of the denigration of democracy under the government at the time.

RIGGED NATIONAL ELECTIONS He noted that many Guyanese will remember the rigged elections of 1973 when many people lost their lives because of the brutal dictatorship by the government. He recalled that many peo-

ple were on the streets to resist what was going on, adding that national elections were continuously rigged from 1973 onwards under the dictatorship and this led to a battered economy, shortage of basic food items and deterioration of the country’s infrastructure.

The minister reminded Essequibians that when the PPP/C Government took over in October 1992, democracy was returned to Guyana and the country began moving along the path of development and the economy has grown tremendously, paving the way for growth of middle income families.

He pointed out that in Region 2 development has been taking place in all areas and

cited the establishment of the Guyana Agriculture School at Cotton Field and the Technical Institute as important developments in education to train young people in trade skills and agriculture science.

On his arrival at the Community Centre ground, Minister Baksh was welcomed by the Commander of ‘G’ Division and other top Disciplined Services officials and escorted to inspect the guard of honour on the tarmac.

Before the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted to usher in the country’s 44th Republic Anniversary, a grand cultural programme featuring dances, dramatic poetry, songs and African drumming was held to entertain the crowd that had gathered for the special occasion.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Young man remanded over robbery at Good Hope

By Odella Patterson A YOUNG man, who police suspect to be behind a number of armed robberies committed along the East Coast corridor, was slapped with another indictable charge on Tuesday at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court.

Satesh Deonarine, 19, who allegedly committed robbery with aggravation, was remanded to prison. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Deonarine appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Alli at the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court where police are alleging that on February 20th at Good Hope, East Coast of Demerara, being armed with an offensive weapon, robbed Anthony Emmanuel of one gold chain, one Motorola cell phone, one black wallet, one wrist watch and one pair of sneakers, all to a total value of $133,000.

Police Inspector John Singh, prosecuting, made an application that the accused be denied bail, citing the prevalence of the offence and the fact that the accused has other matters of a similar nature before other courts. The prosecutor said also that if granted bail, the defendant poses a flight risk as he might want to evade the course of justice.

The application was granted by the presiding magistrate and Deonarine was remanded to prison. He is expected to make his next court appearance on March 20th.

Taxi driver lands in court after overtaking motorcycle at Enmore

By Odella Patterson TAXI driver Anil Rohaman was placed on $45,000 bail when he appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Zamilla Alli at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court accused of driving without due care and attention.

It was alleged that on February 11th on the Enmore public road, Rohaman drove a motor car without due care and attention.

The man pleaded guilty to the charge but after his explanation, the presiding magistrate decided to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

According to Rohaman, he was driving along the Enmore public road, heading west, when he overtook a car and a motorcycle that were heading in the same direction at a very fast rate.

He went on to tell the court that a few minutes later the motorcycle ended up hitting his car, which led to him being

charged and placed before the court.

After listening to the man’s story and reviewing the prose-

cution’s particulars, Magistrate Alli released Rohaman on bail.

He is expected to return to court on April 8th for report.

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Minister Rohee informs…

Forensic Laboratory to be ready by April

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014 THE Forensic Laboratory now under construction in Georgetown may be ready to serve the public by April, Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee said.

He gave the indication in his latest update on the project following many delays and pushing back of completion dates.

Rohee told media operatives that the facility is 95 percent complete and the other five percent of the works include the installation of some very critical and technical pieces of equipment along with some fine works now being done by the contractors.

It was pointed out that the installing of the equipment cannot be done simultaneously with the works contractors are doing and would have to be undertaken when they are finished and are out of the building.

According to Rohee there are some difficulties being experienced, which are contributing to the delays.

“Hopefully, we will be able to get out of those so that we can go on to the next level, which is to ensure that the highly sophisticated pieces of equipment are installed without

any hindrance so that the lab can be commissioned before April,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Rohee has expressed displeasure with a police report on the theft of computers from the Forensic Laboratory at Turkeyen.

Not pleased He said he is not pleased because it does not give him any indication or clear idea of when the computers were stolen from the premises and how.

In response to questions, the minister said it is not his view that the items were taken all at one time but rather “sniffed out” of the premises over a period of time, box by box.

He stated that the security company which was tasked with securing the premises will have to provide answers on how the computers just vanished from the facility.

Rohee said the computers are worth a large amount of money and while there were no special features on them, they would have been specially tailored for the special functions they were to perform.

Paradise couple comes to blows over ‘sweet woman’ issue – court hears

By Odella Patterson A WOMAN and her reputed husband who were involved in a fight over an infidelity issue ended up in the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on separate charges after they had come to blows.

Magistrate Zamilla Alli heard that on Friday February 21st, 25-year-old Rhonda Barnes of Lot 54 Paradise, East Coast of Demerara, unlawfully and maliciously wounded Kerron Tappin so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

According to the young woman who pleaded guilty to the charge, she was on many occasions subjected to her husband’s abusive behaviour which would stem from him allegedly having a ‘sweet woman’. Barnes concluded that last Friday was no different, except that she decided to rebel and defended herself against his abusive behaviour by beating him with a piece of wood before he turned it on her.

After listening to the woman’s explanation, the magistrate entered a not guilty plea and decided that the matter would have to go to trial.

Police Prosecutor John Sign had no objections to the woman being granted her pre-trial liberty.

She was then released on $45,000 surety by Magistrate Alli.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant was issued for the arrest of Kerron Tappin who was a no-show to answer to similar charges.

The matter will be called again on the March 18th for report.

Man accused of theft remanded after he returns stolen items THIRTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD, Anil Roopnarine who allegedly stole one toolkit and its contents, among other items, but subsequently returned them, was on Tuesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Zamilla Alli at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court after he pleaded not guilty.

Roopnarine was accused of stealing one tool kit and its contents valued at $35,000, one battery valued $50,000 and one welding plant valued $150,000, a total value of $235,000.

According to Police Prosecutor John Singh, the defendant between Sunday 2nd and Wednesday 5th February, 2014 at Belfield, stole the aforementioned articles, all being the property of David Cristy.

However, Roopnarine informed the court that he, in the company of the police and another man, had returned all of the items to the virtual complainant at the station. He then pleaded not guilty to the charge and requested bail.

The prosecutor objected to bail and the father of two was remanded to prison by the presiding magistrate.

Roopnarine is expected to return to court on March 18th for report.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

After complaints review...

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Seminar hosted for importers, distributors, retail outlet operators THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), in association with the Ministry of Health, hosted a one-day seminar yesterday, for importers, distributors and operators of retail outlets.

Conducted at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, the programme was about the importance of proper storage of food and other regulatory requirements.

GA-FDD Director, Marlan Cole said it was organised, after they reviewed the complaints received, to sensitise importers, distributors and operators of retail food outlets to endorse and implement safety practices

in food preparation and storage.

He told the participants that unacceptable practices have repercussions to businesses and they should desist from such and, instead, fulfill their requirements for customer satisfaction.

Mr. Cole also highlighted the work of the GA-FDD, its enforcement activities, requirements for importers, distributors and retailers, storage and their responsibilities.

MOST FITTING In the feature address during the opening ceremony, Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Per-

saud outlined the importance of food preparation and noted that the occasion was the first of its kind locally, which was most fitting.

He added that, since the local food industry is very large and serves everyone, much emphasis should be placed on the foods consumed, because, sometimes, the very things people eat makes them sick and can, at times, even lead to death in allergy related cases.

Persaud urged participants to bypass the shortcuts in the industry and go the right way in food preparation to ensure that it is wholesome for consumption.

He encouraged adherence

Consumer alert sounded over counterfeit ‘Del Monte’ corn product THE Government Analyst Food and Drug Department is alerting consumers about a counterfeit ‘Del Monte’ gold and white corn product with a gold coloured cap.

The original product has a silver cap, is hard to the touch and difficult to place an indentation on the can but the counterfeit brand can be easily indented, placing consumers at risk of poisoning by chemicals or micro-organisms, a press release from the Food and Drug Department said.

The manufacturer, Del Monte Foods/ Del Monte Brand of San Francisco, USA has distanced themselves from this gold coloured cap product. They have also confirmed that the sole authorised distributor of their product in Guyana is Toucan Industries Inc. The counterfeit brand is labelled ‘Super Foods’ on the carton, which states that its contents have been manufactured by Super Foods Inc. In the meantime, the department is strongly advising wholesalers and distributors

of this product to immediately remove it from their shelves, while it has commenced an investigation to determine the exact location where the counterfeiting is being done.

The Food and Drug Department is calling on the general public to provide any information on the above mentioned canned product and they can be contacted at the University of Guyana Campus or via telephone number 2228857, the release concluded.

to health regulations in food preparation so that germs do not get into people’s bodies, foods have different effects on people and can cause long term diseases and, eventually, lead to changes in bodies.

Persaud said the very foods consumed can cause varying diseases, such as high blood sugar, among others, and people should desist from using products with additives and preservatives, since those can lead to deformities in babies and cause cancer in adults.

He noted that the country can restrict certain food products from entering the local market and related the

case in which powder milk was banned after it contained chemicals which are harmful to bodies and children who consumed it died.

WAS NECESSARY Persaud said the seminar was necessary to enlighten participants on safety regulations on foods and food products.

He, however, urged the stakeholders to properly label and present their products to ensure people are getting healthy foods and food products, since most are processed and produced locally.

Persaud said people should avoid genetically modified foods and be aware of the types consumed.

In opening and welcome remarks, GA-FDD Senior Analytical Scientific Officer, Tandeka Barton said that the forum was to sensitise those participating on several topics of interest which is necessary.

Those discussed included fire safety requirements for storage facilities, the conditions, temperature control, cleaning and disinfection, design and construction of buildings, pest control, and quality assurance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Thousands flock Anna Regina to ‘celebrate 44

By Rajendra Prabhulall AN atmosphere of love, brotherhood, unity and joy per-

vaded the Essequibo township of Anna Regina on Sunday, February 23, as thousands of Essequibians, all dressed up in gaudy clothing,

Members of the Regional Administration were in the thick of things during the float parade at Anna Regina

A large crowd flocked the ‘high bridge’ to watch the

Students of the Essequibo Technical Institute revellin Sunday’s float parade

Capoey Village in action with their float,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

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4’ as Mash fever hits Essequibo flocked the community centre ground to participate in the feisty celebration of Mashramani Essequibo-style.

e passing floats

ng on the public road during

“Bush Doctor”

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, accompanied by Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud and Vice Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo, started off the float parade from Three Friends village in the south of the coast just after 10.30 am. Hundreds of ecstatic revellers swarmed the float parade, which proceeded slowly along the public road, drawing hundreds of excited well-wishers out of their homes to line the public road as they watched the beautiful floats pass by with their concomitant revellers.

These, dressed in brightly coloured and dazzling costumes, eagerly competed with each other in spontaneous dancing competitions as the sweet sound of catchy soca music blared from huge boom boxes mounted on trucks wending their way along the public road to the commercial centre of the town.

Among the floats on show were those from Capoey village, which displayed “bush doctor”; the Department of Education, Regional Administration, Vish Turbo Contracting Services, Jaigobin’s Supermarket, the Ministry of Health (Suddie Hospital), New Opportunity Corps, Walton Hall Sports Club, Essequibo Technical Institute, and Anna Regina Multilateral School.

The atmosphere was euphoric as the floats entered the commercial centre of the township of Anna Regina. Hundreds of residents, some clutching eager children, flocked the High Bridge to get an advantageous view of the float parade and its accompanying revelry. And hundreds more lined both sides of the parade route to watch the spectacular road show as

it passed through their village.

A celebratory atmosphere, enhanced by the blaring of catchy music and the laughter and rejoicing of a large but relaxed crowd, pervaded the community centre ground as the floats entered and their revellers hotly competed for top prizes by

‘strutting their stuff’.

It was carnival in Essequibo during the latter part of that auspicious Sunday, as Guyanese of all races and from all walks of life shed their inhibitions and did their thing to celebrate the country’s 44th Republic Anniversary.

Staff members of Vish Turbo doing their thing on the public road at the Essequibo Coast float parade

Vehicle in hit-and-run fatal accident found in GWI compound

By Michel Outridge

THE police were summoned yesterday when relatives of the victim of a hit and run fatal accident showed up outside the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, after they found the vehicle involved parked in the compound.

The victim has been identified as Claud Derrick Mc Pherson, called “Chippy”, 45, a food vendor of 169 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.

Sister of the deceased, June Seaforth, told the media yesterday that through their own private investigation they found the getaway vehicle, a silver grey Toyota Hilux Surf parked in the water company’s compound.

The grieving woman added that she only arrived in Guyana on

June Seaforth with wife of the deceased, Aboila Mc Pherson yesterday.

Sunday last for a family re-union after four years and she demands justice be served for her loved one.

She said that the father of six, who is a roadside vegetarian food vendor, operates a short distance from his home and at the time he was on his way home when he was struck down and run over by the vehicle.

Seaforth, who is a registered nurse in the United States, said that her brother was dead before he reached the hospital.

The woman summoned the police and said she is willing to arrange a meeting with officials of the utility company; but yesterday when she showed up she did not get to meet anyone.

She stated that her brother’s body was dragged more than four hundred yards from the point of impact. The driver did not even stop, but told officials of GWI that he had hit down a horse. after they noticed the condition of the vehicle.

The driver could not be located yesterday at GWI but the police showed up and removed the vehicle.

GWI Public Relations Officer, Timothy Austin yesterday said that all he can say is that they are fully cooperating with the police and a press release will be issued.

A relative, Sarah Chase told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that several relatives were with her as they staged a peaceful picketing exercise outside the GWI compound in their call for justice for their loved one, who was described as a family man.

Dead: Claude Derrick Mc Pherson.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

CONTACT NO: 604- 3518/ 616-0301

GUYANA’S GOLDEN GIRL GIVES GIFT TO RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION

Katherian Roshana keeps the Golden Arrowhead flying high every time almost instantly, as she continues her religious and humaniS KATHERINA Roshatarian support in Guyana. na, Guyana’s famous Having heard that the BrickMiss Universe contestant, dam Mosque, the famous Maswho has also won the Miss jid Dar-us-Salaam (Abode of India Guyana pageant and Peace) was without a proper the Miss India Worldwide public address system, and that pageant’s Most beautiful Skin the members were inconveaward, and has been lovingly nienced during prayers and on nicknamed by Guyanese as special occasions, Katherina Guyana’s Golden Child, has sprang into action, sourced her just returned to Guyana and personal funds and purchased a is making her presence felt

M

state-of-the-art public address system for that organisation.

She said she is moved by people and also religions; being a spiritual being and a religiously inclined person, her purpose is to serve forever, not merely during her reign as a multi-beauty queen of Guyana.

She said she loves all the peoples of her great country, and knows that Guyana has huge potential for greatness, as have all the people.

The Beauty Queen presented the public address system to the leaders of the masjid on February 14th, during the Friday Service; and she told the members there that she had not attended that mosque for over a decade, but was happy to be there that day to make this tangible presentation of an item which the mosque needed.

She recalled the time when, as a child, she taught Arabic there, and was involved in personal spiritual activities.

Miss Guyana Universe says

Katherina and her proud dad Roshan Khan hand over gift items to religious representatives overseas Queen visit their communities, a Christian organization or churches, temples, schools or she plans to soon make a prechurch. She feels they need an clubs to meet the people or sentation of an alarm system alarm system because they are youths, or present motivationto a Hindu organization and often vandalized. al talks, etc., can make contact She also plans to make spewith Katherina Roshana via cial visits to various areas in her personal Assistant, Ms Guyana in order to get closely Annmarie, at 226-7541, on acquainted with all ethnicities, her Facebook: Katherina Roand to help to build that bridge shana, Georgetown Guyana. of goodwill, love and humanity The Queen says she wishes to as an International Ambassador make a positive impact on the of World Peace, and a Goodwill lives of peoples, particularly Ambassador of Peace in Guyana. the vulnerable, the disabled Organizations and groups stage area to the Bazaar, where and the needy, but will serve wishing to have the Beauty numerous food stalls will be all. offering a variety of sumptuous dishes and sweets; mehndi booths; games for all, as well as great shopping deals on everything from Indian clothes and jewellery to Phagwah supplies to cellphones from Digicel.

Alcohol will strictly be disLINK Show 30 will now be moving back to the National allowed on the premises. Tickets Cultural Centre on Friday, February 28th, and will run until cost $800, but children under Sunday, March 2nd.

5 years old will be given free After a four-night run, between February 20th and 24th, at Parc admission. Paid parking will be Rayne, the producers have decided to move back the show to the available within the compound NCC because Parc Rayne cannot seat large audiences. of the Conference Centre. PaWhen the decision was made to use Parc Rayne, the seating trons can also choose to park capacity was about 1150, but because of the relocation of the stage outside for free. area, that number was reduced. The Link Show attracts over 20,000 The Sabha wishes to thank persons on an annual basis.

Digicel, GBTI, NTN, Rent-aThe producers are working with the management of the NCC Tent, Shaline’s Flower Shop to get mobile cooling units and fans to cool the building. Addiand E-Networks for their kind tional sound equipment used at Parc Rayne will be added to the contributions towards the current system to ensure audibility. event.

There will be nightly giveaways of small home appliances Tickets are available at from Lucky Dollar; gemstones from Kings Jewellery World, and Red Mango on Robb Street; gift vouchers and shopping bags from Bounty Supermarket and Bhagwan’s in Water Street; Germans Restaurant. Other prizes are from Nigels Supermarket, E-Networks in Camp Street, Hurakabra River Resort, Arrowpoint Nature Resort and Splashand the Dharmic Sanskritik mins Resort Kendra in Prashad Nagar.

Tickets are already on sale at Giftland, Nigels, Ashmins Tickets can also be obtained by and National Cultural Centre for $2000 & $1500. calling 227-6181 or 219-1900.

March 8 is date set for Dharmic Sabha’s Phagwah Mela, Bazaar and Folk Dance Festival THE Guyana International Conference Centre at Lilendaal, East Coast Demerara is the place to be on Saturday, March 8, 2014, when the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha hosts its spectacular annual Phagwah Mela, Bazaar and Folk Dance Festival.

Gates open at 4pm!

The Sabha is very happy with the great interest expressed by dance groups across Guyana, and looks forward to witnessing some electrifying performances from groups coming from Essequibo, Berbice and Demerara.

All of the dancers have been working hard on their performances, and all are excited to be part of the folk dance festival. Keen competition is expected for the top spots.

In the past two years since the festival’s inauguration, the top spots have been won by the Saraswati Dance Group of Essequibo and the Jewanka Nritya Group of West Coast Demerara.

The first prize is $50,000

Phagwah festivities

LINK SHOW 30 RETURNS TO THE NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE

plus a trophy, second prize is $40,000 plus trophy, third is 30,000 plus trophy. Other participating groups will receive cash awards and trophies.

The Sabha wishes to thank GBTI and Digicel for their generous contributions towards the hosting of this competition.

In addition to the Folk Dance Festival, more than 30 dancers from the Sabha’s own Dharmic Nritya Sangh will be presenting several new and

exciting choreographies.

Music for the event will be provided by the E-Networks Orchestra. Singers Rekha Singh, Sookrane Boodhoo, Mona Gowkarran, Aarti Sookhai, Govinash, Arisha Pooran and others will add to what promises to be a truly entertaining evening for the entire family.

The grounds of the Conference Centre will be transformed, and patrons can move freely from the beautifully decorated

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28 2014

Bombshell’s hottest Babes…

Intoxicating Guyanese ‘Tequilah’

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‘Tequilah’ is red hot with that special Asian sauciness SHE is red hot and explosive as she prepares to burst forth with supreme vocal power, even as she brings to the fore that rich, intoxicating flavour of a rare ‘Guyanese Tequilah’ that will leave you reeling from its intensity.

This sexy song diva is tearing down the barriers and stigma that dictates that pop, rap and dancehall music is reserved for Afro artistes only. With a voice like liquid honey and a body that matches her sultry tones, ‘Tequilah’, as she prefers to be called, is the next big ‘Indo Rap Sistah’ to invade the local shores.

Read up on her profile when her entire story is featured in our next issue.

Behave yourself, guys! Tequilah is marketing her music, not anything else; so stop salivating, and don’t you dare ask for a number!!

Isn’t she a dreamy Temptress?

Top 10 finalists selected in Miss World Guyana 2014 THE ten (10) finalists to vie for the crown of Miss World Guyana (MWG) have been selected. They are Jovan Wilson (24), Kelly-Ann Latchman (18), Rebekah London (19), Gericia Francis (22), Ayana Whitehead (18), Tiffany Megnath (21), Rafieya Husain (21), Cherese James (23), Denicia Williams (19), and Atisha Gaskill (19).

The ladies will compete for the title on Independence Day - May 26, 2014. During the pageant, the contestants will each represent one (1) of the country’s 10 administrative regions. There will be competition in the three (3) pageant areas: the Interview, a Special Skills Competition, and the Grand Coronation Show.

The interview is a 12-to-15-minute conversation with the judges, and contestants would be required to prepare resumes/curriculum vitae on the opening job position of Miss World Guyana.

The Special Skills Competition will have five specialized segments, namely fitness and sports, top model, talent, beach beauty, and humanitarian, which will allow contestants to earn bonus points towards their preliminary scores.

The Grand Coronation Show will feature the final talent, swimsuit, and evening wear. Preliminary scores for the interview and special skills competition will be added to the final round.

In preparing for the pageant, the contestants will receive training/coaching using the MWG online training resources portal in various areas, inclusive of public speaking, etiquette, yoga, image preparation, runway walking, and the like. Training has commenced in some areas.

Participation in MWG 2014 will see contestants being awarded various prizes. The queen’s package is inclusive of a US$5,000 to US$10,000 scholarship for entry into college, or for continuation of a degree programme for which the candidate presently has a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or more; spending money and wardrobe for the Miss World Contest; magazine spreads and photo shoots; smart phone and/or tablet for international usage; and other enhancement packages, inclusive of image, travel, tourism, beauty and care, and business.

Hits & Jams launches Mash Awards

HITS and Jams Entertainment will soon launch an exciting initiative that will see local artistes being recognized for their outstanding contributions, especially as the nation celebrate 44 years of republican status.

This initiative is being done in an effort to reward local artistes during the Mashramani season.

The nation’s number one entertainment group will unveil its HJ M-As, which will see the viewers of HJTV and the listeners of 94.1 Boom Fm voting for the artiste of their choice; the person whom they feel has the best song and music videos.

There will be a number of prizes to be won in various categories. These include Best Groovy Soca; Best Power Soca; Best Collaboration; Best Producer; Best Music Video; and the Song of the Season.

Apart for the soca songs and videos, the calypsonians will not be left out, since there will also be an award for the Best Calypso.

The young chutney singers will also be included, as an award is set aside for the Best Chutney Song.

There will also be an award for the best songwriter.

Since Guyana’s Mash celebrations have taken on a new dimension over the past years, the directors of HJ feel that the time has come to add some spice to this year’s celebration, thus the awards.

As we all know, Mash is about soca vibes, costumes, gyrating, and having a grand time; and this new initiative will boost the local music industry in a very big way.

Remember, listeners and viewers can only vote for the songs and the music videos that are played on HJTV and 94.1 Boom. They can vote via social media, including Facebook and twitter.

Once the winners are selected by an audited account of the votes cast, they will receive their Mash designer Olympia Small-Sonoram receiving a previous award from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony prizes on March 16 at the “94.1 Turns One” concert at the National Park arena.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Miss Bootilicious 2014 is just ‘around the corner’

I AM QUITE sure you guys would remember all the excitement and, of course, raging controversy stirred up last year when Sukerpunch Promotions hosted the third leg of the hilarious Miss Bootilicious Reloaded lingerie pageant for the very curvy women.

Patrons coming from very far and wide flocked the venues to soak up the scandalous routines and very provocative presentations, as very sexy, creative and curvy contestants demonstrated on stage who is best at entertaining her mate in suggestive (but not vulgar) ways to keep the mate from the clutches of wanton vultures.

Last year, the ladies took to the stage in some of the sheerest and most revealing lingerie, and in most cases smothered their male counterparts with the smouldering intensity of their showcases.

Patrons saw an alluring flurry of sexy school teachers being transformed into raging sirens; nurses by day becoming erotic dancers by night; and not to mention coy and seemingly harmless librarians and cooks morphing into some of the most captivating divas of the night.

The choreography was electrifying, and the air was alit with sensual chemistry.

Now, folks have been clamouring for a repeat, and they are about to get what they asked for.

Promoters have already begun preparation for Miss Bootilicious Reloaded 2014; and, come this year, the pageant will feature ten ‘boombastic contestants’ and their equally mesmerizing male models.

Promoters are urging interested persons to contact them on phone numbers 616-0301 for more information and guidance. Promoters wish to remind that this pageant is more associated with the curvy ladies who are ready to affirm that one can be ‘big yet bold and sexy’.

Meanwhile we showcase some of the ‘electrifying ladies’ from the very first Miss Bootilicious lingerie pageant.

Miss Bootilicious 2012

International DJ ‘Baby Face’ heads to Club Next

CLUB Next (inside the Princess Hotel) has been really chalking up notable points on the entertainment charts with its impressive party concepts and leisure time ventures.

Tonight the club is pulling out all the stops to host another creative initiative, dubbed ‘International Love’. This time around folks, the promoters are bringing to the forum International Guest DJ ‘Baby Face’, who will certainly set the place on fire with his raunchy style and captivating ‘party know how’.

That aside, the club is hyping the event even further by allowing our female dancehall hotties free entry and a mind-boggling complimentary cocktail.

The doors will be opened at 10pm sharp, and everyone will receive free shots of Skyy vodka.

For reservations, please call phone number 616-5220.

Admission is magnificently

‘EASY’.

Dres code is, of course, elegantly casual.

Then, come tomorrow night at the same venue, the ‘party steam’ will be broiling higher as DJ Baby Face teams up with Guyana’s # 1 DJ, Bevaughn, to ignite an entertainment fervour that will leave patrons reeling from its intensity.

Again, there will be complimentary shots of Skky vodka all around, while those on the guest list will be admitted FREE!!

That is before 11pm folks! To

get on the guest list, patrons can text their particulars to BBM PIN # 794D8596. If you are on WhatsApp, then the contact is 674-7516.

Tickets are available at the Princess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

And for those who prefer the Internet, send your names to email address getmelisted@ yahoo.com Doors will open at the above mentioned time, and the dress code changes to casual.

Some of the contestants from the first Miss Bootilicious lingerie pageant

Route declared for Buxton/Foulis Mash 2014

VILLAGES on the East Coast of Demerara are feverishly preparing for the much-anticipated Buxton/Foulis Mash festivities, and promoters have just announced the official route mapped out for the Mash Tramp and Costume Parade.

Speaking exclusively to Bombshell, Promoter Ian Havercone announced that, this year around, a large contingent would be coming from Plaisance village and will join the awaiting revellers at the Buxton Railway Line. They would then ‘tramp down’ to the Melanie Damishan Market Square and circle the entire Buxton Village before congregating for the ‘Night Time Revelry’ at the Buxton Community Centre Ground.

The Buxton/Foulis Road Parade and Soca Bacchanal is slated for Sunday, March 16, 2014; and while the promoter

remains tight-lipped about his choice of international artiste for this year’s festivities, Bombshell has managed to garner from him that he has planned a thrilling line-up of local artistes, while two surprise international acts are expected to perform.

Music for the event will be supplied by Fusion Sounds, Stereo Sonics, Determine Sound

System and TRS Sounds. A riveting face-off is expected between the Super Ray and Venom one-man bands.

Sponsors for this exciting event are, so far, Star Party Rentals, 94.1 Boom FM Radio, HGP TV, ANSA Mc AL Trading, NCN, Junior & Sons Art Shop & Auto Window Screen Repairs, and Money Max Jewellery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28 2014

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Let’s tell it like it is….

The greedy and covetous will never see their way This covetous designah ain’t get no shame

NO wandah some designers does nevah see deh way or move up de laddah of success. Dat can nevah happen as lang as deh continue to be greedy and covetous, hurting innocent clients in de process ah dem accumulating things by dere nasty ways.

Well, I received the shock of my life when I heard the story of how a so-called designer well and truly robbed a Canadian-based entertainer who had come back home jus to enter the

Mash Day Float Parade.

Listen people, dis designah ah talking bout is de same designah wha dem de name in a big showdown wid a colleague some time ago, and de colleague de accuse he of robbing de daylight outa wan ah dem big time beverage company, and flying out to a twin-island wid a certain lover friend. Well, ah tell yuh what!! What a dutty shame dis story is!!

Dis time, I get all de facts from de proverbial horse’s mouth itself, and it tare me

apart tuh see dis poor man and he wife weep as deh tell de story of de good ‘Guyanese rigging’ deh received from dis cackish designer dis year around.

Well, this entertainer/singer flew in to Guyana on February 15; and, of course, stayed at one of the finest hotels in the land.

But while he was overseas, he was in constant contact with a talented male who works with a print media company, and the guy, who is employed in the Graphics Department, did some really beautiful sketches for this year’s Mash Costumes.

All the while, this designer was showering praises on the sketches that were sent to him, and promised to do a really good job of preparing the costumes accordingly.

The first thing that went haywire was that, on the very day of the parade, this designer turned up very late with the costumes in two bags, and everyone was definitely worried.

The entertainer and his wife almost went into a ‘Guyanese coma’ when they saw what was distributed to the revellers and supporters.

This thieving designah mek some cheap nansense from fake leatherette, and none of it was in de colours dat dis Canada-based man had suggested. De female costumes didn’t have de majestic wings as de sketches had indicated, and dem poor ladies wuz forced to wear de same farce

Look how dem poor people ah weep fuh dem hard earned dollars dat wuz made fuh de males.

De colours dis man use wuz all different and certainly nat in keeping wid de theme and colour scheme suggested. And to tap things off, much ah de suggested pieces wuz absolutely missing!

And dis designah ain’t gat no shame. He stand dere smiling cockishly, another lover pon he arm, sharing out de ‘flimsy pieces’ to revelers, who were obviously greatly disappointed.

No wandah de entertainer and

Club Next makes way for Chutney Sensation ‘Rikki Jai’ AND as Club Next (Princess Hotel) continues its 2014 Party Drive, it is setting the stage for the likes of Chutney sensation Rikki Jai, who will be performing there on Saturday, March 08, 2014.

Poised and ready for action, the chutney phenomenon will be performing several of his hit selections with the usual hyped and high energy versatility that he is known for. Come on ladies, quit wasting time…. You can gain free entrance and get on the guest list by texting your names to BBM PIN # 794D8596. If you are on WhatsApp then the contact is 674 7516. Or you can make your reservations by calling phone number 616-5220.

Patrons will certainly be treated to one cocktail, definitely ‘on the house’ Doors will open at 10pm, and limited tickets are available at the Princess Hotel.

he wife was so cold going down de road on Mash Day. Dey wuz obviously suffering from a severe case ah ‘Mashramani shack’!

Well, yuh ain’t want fuh hear de amount dis designah charge de poor couple for de ‘shim-sham jhab he duh….

Fraud!!! Fraud!!! Fraud!!!

Dis is de most graphic case ah high noon rabbery ah ever did see. Well, only he and de Devil wha ah rule he can tell what he did wid de people money. De poor couple crying in deh hotel room, and complaining to everyone since Mash Day. Dis designer seems not to know dat de evil wha ah man do will

always falla he, and I declare dat he sins gon tek he tuh he grave and lead he tuh eternal judgement tuh!

Ah just wandah how he can sleep at nights. He nah gat wan conscience?

Well, is only time before he meet he meetah, because he gon mess around wid de wrang person and somebody might guh tuh some Mama fuh he, and yuh gon see how dem green frags gon deh jumping out ah he big ugly pat-belly.

Shame on yuh, cack designah!! Mend yuh evil ways or deh gon surely reserve ah place fuh yuh in de devil fireside.

Jah Cure & Sean Paul for Easter in Guyana JAH Cure and Sean Paul will be performing in Guyana on Easter Sunday. This was confirmed by entertainers Kerwin Bollers and Steve Ninvalle of McNeal Enterprises; however, their lips are sealed on the third performer.

The other big act to be added to the show will most likely be Machel Montano or Bunji Garlin.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Machel Montano would be available to perform in Guyana on Easter Sunday.

Jah Cure

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PI date into Donna Taylor murder to be set on March 24

By Geeta Rampersaud ABIOLA Jacobs, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) private who has been charged with the murder of Agricola resi-

dent Donna Taylor, allegedly committed on January 31, will return to court on March 24 for report and fixture for the preliminary inquiry (PI).

The 22-year-old had last

appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on February 5, when she had not been required to plead to the capital offence. On that occasion, the police had asked for two weeks’ time to complete investigations into the incident.

Wednesday, Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, asked for an additional three weeks’ time to complete the file.

Below rates for February 27, 2014 Currency

Buying

Selling

G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

205.98375 342.44798 185.02724 281.16782 101.62031 75.27431 31.85690

208.43594 346.73319 187.16270 284.72349 102.63906 76.02894 32.17626

For Friday February 28, 2014 -14:30hrs For Saturday March 1, 2014 -05:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

Enough with being good. You’ve been there, done that and gotten your free t-shirt. Now, after stashing it in the bottom of your undies drawer for who knows how long, you’ve just ironed it and put it up for sale on eBay. Needless to say, you’re ready for a change.

The universe is feeling just as restless, so you won’t need to be worried about monotony.

Several astrological energies will be on duty all day to be sure that you’re far from bored.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Stop worrying, even though it’s one of the things you’re best at. You’ve followed all the rules and done things right, even in the eyes of those higher-ups who were looking to find fault with you. In short, you’ve been tested and found to be right on top of your game. So if one of the powers that be seems to be acting oddly, force yourself to relax. Who knows what’s going on in their world?

Gemini May 21 - June 21

ACCUSED ABIOLA JACOBS Jacobs, of Lot 55 Evans Phillips Park, Agricola, is now represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. Adrian Thompson, who said the time requested by the prosecution is too long.

Police report that Taylor’s body was found aback her Agricola home on Friday, January 31, with her throat slit and her hands bound behind her back.

The official result of a post-mortem examination conducted by pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh on February 3 gave the cause of Taylor’s death as shock and haemorrhage due to multiple injuries.

Samantha Sabat, Taylor’s friend who had been a guest at her home when the incident occurred, was injured when she jumped from the window of Taylor’s two-storey house at Lot 16/17 Public Road, Agricola because persons had invaded the property.

Sabat, a citizen of the United Kingdom, had been hospitalised after she was found lying unconscious in the yard with bruises about her body, particularly her head. She has since been discharged from hospital, and has allegedly gone into hiding.

If you can dream it, you can do it -- that’s what you’ve always been told, what you’ve always believed and now what you’re about to prove. As if your already substantial intellectual prowess weren’t enough to get you started, the stars are on your side. They’ll be waking you up this morning with the vivid memory of a dream -- the kind that will stay with you all day, constantly making you wonder ‘what if?’

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You may be surreptitiously worrying that the steamy and passionate roll you’re on is about to come to an end. But that’s just not the case. The stars are simply telling you it’s time for privacy, please -- especially since with this current influence, one never knows what you might be thinking of doing behind closed doors. Or of whom you’ll easily entice to join you there!

Leo July 23 - August 22

When it comes to relationships, you’re not up for anything even remotely resembling routine. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll try to entice a current partner to dangle from the ceiling -- although you might be a bit more ‘open’ with someone new if you’re single -- but it certainly does mean that you’re in the mood to try something different. The good news is that you won’t be at all afraid to mention this to whoever you’re with -- oh, and you’ll have an extremely receptive audience.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You’re not losing your mind. You’re right to feel a bit worried about exactly what might come of this -- especially because things have been going so darned well lately. But you can drop that worry like it’s hot. The stars are on your side even though -- no, especially because -- your current situation is so unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Relax.

Even diligent, meticulous types like you are entitled to an exciting new kind of action.

Libra September 23 - October 22

The stars have set up shop in your house of lovers, and since love and romance are your absolute, number one favourite things about life here on planet number three, you’re tickled that they’re there -- and so is your lucky and charming companion. Since the heavens are emphasising quirks and eccentricities, however, you may feel the urge to do something different. Get permission before you put Plan A in motion. It’s only fair.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Your emotions have been in quite an uproar lately, so needless to say, whatever you’re feeling is going to be quite obvious to one and all. With the stars emphasising startling and eccentric behaviour, your behaviour may also be a bit ‘odd’ -- okay, odder than usual -- in the minds of the dear ones you associate with on a daily basis. Better get them ready for this, and spend a bit of time in the mirror preparing yourself, too.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

For the most part, you’re pleased, happy and extremely proud of yourself when you say or do something that shocks and amazes the crowds -- in fact, the more, the merrier. So with the stars emphasising startling modes of communications and playing up your urges to let fly with whatever crosses your mind no matter where you are or who you happen to be with, you ought to be happy. For some reason, though, you’re worried. What’s up with that? Relax and enjoy it.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

It’s not usually easy to part you from your hard-earned pesos, even if you have a good excuse to shop, like a birthday, the holidays or some such special occasion. So when you wake up today with the urge to spend some serious money, go for it. If anyone can afford to splurge, it’s you. And if a dear one’s along for the ride, try and prepare them for this temporary turn of events. You know what you want, you’re after it and that’s that.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Right about now and for the next couple of days, you really should be wearing a warning label, because you’ll be anything but ‘objective,’ ‘unemotional’ and ‘detached’ -- the qualities that your sign is ordinarily famous for. Go ahead and let your feelings out. But if you want to be just a tad considerate of dear ones, try to let them know in some subtle way that you won’t quite be yourself -- before you reach for the Kleenex.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

You’re famous for being the very soul of discretion. In fact, when it comes to secrets, let’s just say that they’re your specialty. So when a particularly delicious mystery comes along, you can definitely be counted upon to keep it under wraps -- even if you do walk around with a rather smug look on your face for an afternoon. Still, you should try your very best to be discreet. No use blowing your cover, right? Right?

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ENGLISH Lingfield 09:30 hrs Windlass 10:00 hrs Officer In Command 10:30 hrs After The Storm 11:00 hrs Desert Strike 11:35 hrs Captain Secret 12:10 hrs Welsh Sunrise 12:45 hrs Benandonner Newbury 09:45 hrs Ninepointsixthree 10:20 hrs Pink Gin 10:50 hrs Umberto D’olivate 11:25 hrs Ultimatum Du Roy 12:00 hrs Daveron 12:35 hrs Bincombe 13:10 hrs No Pushover Doncaster 10:10 hrs Ergo Sum 10:40 hrs Free Thinking 11:10 hrs SIgn Of A Victory 11:45 hrs Croco Bay 12:20 hrs Pass The Time 12:55 hrs Shadows Lengthen 13:25 hrs Short takes South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:15 hrs Ashton Park 08:55 hrs Simply Uncanny 09:30 hrs White House 10:10 hrs Yoshie 10:45 hrs Virtual Emblem Irish Racing Tips Dundalk 14:15 hrs Sylvan Mist 14:45 hrs Hellenistic 15:15 hrs Cheers Buddy 15:45 hrs Akasaka 16:15 hrs Shabra Charity 16:45 hrs Little Arrows 17:15 hrs Waving American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Fade to Black Race 2 Brother Bob Race 3 Masasi Race 4 Star Magnolia Race 5 Your Time Is Up Race 6 Killer Crossover Race 7 Mrs. Bean Race 8 Little Rocket Race 9 Pegasus Tiger

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28 2014

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GABF ‘Road to Series decider could be S. Africa’s crowning glory Mecca’ set to bounce

By Nick Said CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) - Crushing victories for either side in the first two matches have set up a potentially thrilling decider when South Africa host Australia in the final Test at Newlands in Cape Town tomorrow.

The tourists blazed their way to a comprehensive 281-run victory in the opening game in Pretoria, but South Africa proved their resilience with an equally emphatic 231-run success in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

The Proteas are now seeking a best series win over Australia in 44 years on a ground where they have lost just once in 12 years and 16 matches - to the Australians in 2006.

A worry for the home side is the form of captain Graeme Smith, who has scored just 37 runs in four innings, but Proteas coach Russell Domingo has backed his skipper to come good on a ground where he averages 52 in Tests.

“Graeme’s record speaks for itself; it is rare he goes through a series without making a contribution with the bat. His contribution as captain is always huge. He has just found ways of getting out; there have been some strange dismissals.”

Australia have a similar problem. Captain Michael Clarke has not gone past 24 in

Shane Watson goes through a training drill in Cape Town abeth that his side had actually his last 11 Test innings and is the taken 28 wickets in the Test givonly one in the top six not to get en their high number of spills.

For Domingo, though, it significant runs in this series.

South Africa will hope to was no laughing matter and be more clinical in the field, he called it a case of anxiety where they have put in two getting the better of the players.

“We have always prided nervous performances in the ourselves on our fielding and series so far.

Smith joked at the post- generally we have fielded well match presentation in Port Eliz- in the past,” Domingo said.

“But if you put one or two down, there is some anxiety that comes in and it leads to more errors. It’s part of the game and nobody does it on purpose.

It’s the same with referrals to the third umpire, if you get some wrong you begin to doubt yourself.”

Both teams face selection posers. For South Africa it is who to replace the injured Wayne Parnell and whether to bring in a specialist spinner.

Domingo praised the work of part-timers JP Duminy and Dean Elgar in Port Elizabeth, suggesting it is unlikely Robin Peterson would be recalled.

“I was very happy with the spinners in PE, being a spinner in South Africa is a tough job, it is more of a holding role. I think JP and Dean did a very good job.”

Australia will offer a late fitness test to all-rounder Shane Watson, who will be selected only if he is able to bowl.

If he clears the test, Watson would likely replace Shaun Marsh, who picked up a pair in Port Elizabeth.

“We’ll make the decision when we see the wicket but he’s got to be fully fit,” Australia coach Darren Lehman said.

“Watson will play as long as he is bowling well and fit.

It’s a question of waiting to see. It’s a conundrum for the selectors.”

Akmal century inspires Pakistan Asia Cup win PAKISTAN got off the mark in the Asia Cup with a 72-run bonus-point win over Afghanistan in Fatullah.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s men were in trouble in the early stages and slipped to 117 for six before Umar Akmal hit an unbeaten 102 from 89 balls to guide them to 248 for eight from their 50 overs.

Afghanistan started well but quickly crumbled once the top order was dismissed with Mohammad Hafeez taking three for 29 to help skittle them for 176 as Pakistan bounced back from their opening defeat to Sri Lanka.

Mohammad Nabi won the toss and elected to field and that looked a decent decision as the Pakistan openers were restricted to just 39 runs from the first 10 overs.

Sharjeel Khan hit the first six of the innings in the 11th over, but he was to fall shortly after for 25 as he swept a Hamza Hotak delivery straight to Noor Ali at mid-wicket.

Hafeez (10) was next to go as Nabi caught him off the bowling of Mirwais Ashraf and Pakistan were labouring somewhat at 80 for two after 20 overs.

It got worse shortly afterwards as first Ahmed Shehzad

Umar Akmal’s second ODI century set the platform for Pakistan’s bonus-point win against Afghanistan fell two balls after making his fifty, inside-edging onto the stumps from a Samiullah Shenwari delivery, and then Misbah was run-out without facing a ball.

Sohaib Maqsood drove into the covers but a mix-up with

the call meant that both batsmen found themselves at the same end to leave Pakistan 89 for four.

That brought Akmal to the crease but his impact was not to be instantaneous and when Maqsood (13) and then Shahid Afridi (six) both fell the score

was a precarious 117 for six.

Akmal was yet to pick up the pace and survived a scare on 28 as Shenwari dropped him off the bowling of Shapoor Zadran.

He and Anwar Ali put on 60 together before the latter fell for 21 with 7.2 overs remaining, bringing Umar Gul to the crease who helped push the score beyond 200 with 15 off 12 balls.

Akmal had been going at around a run a ball up to that point but he opened his shoulders in the final two overs, each of them yielding 13 runs, and pushed Pakistan towards a target Afghanistan were never likely to reach.

Mohammad Shahzad hit the first ball of the reply for four and that set the tone for a brisk start with Afghanistan going at around a run a ball before Shahzad (nine) fell off the final delivery of the fifth over.

Billy Bowden adjudged he had nicked Gul behind to Akmal and, while the opener was not convinced, he had to go leaving his side 32 for one.

Shahzad’s exit saw the run-rate slow to below four and Ali’s exit for 44, lbw to Saeed Ajmal, brought Nawroz Mangal to the middle.

off tomorrow

… Federation hoping for great fan support

By Rawle Toney THE ultimate goal is to send the best possible team to represent Guyana at the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in July but for that to happen, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) would first have to see some of our best local prospects on show.

Hence, the ‘Road to Mecca’ - a faceoff among 16 of the country’s top basketball clubs with the aim of putting together a team for the July 1-5 Championships which is set for the British Virgin Islands capital of Tortola.

The tournament which bounces off tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will fetch a $400 000 first prize and is being played on a ‘win or go home’ format. Four games are set for the opening night.

Game one, at 18:00hrs, Georgetown number seeded Colts come up against Rose Hall Jammers, followed by Linden’s Retrieve Raiders and Smythfield Rockers, then another city club Dyna’s Ravens face New Amsterdam Warriors.

The opening night’s curtain will come down with the clash between Linden’s number one club, Kings, and Georgetown’s number five-ranked team, Republic Bank Nets.

The tournament then continues on Sunday, where another four games would be played to close off the round of 16 matches.

Georgetown’s Sonics play Canje Knights in the day’s opener from 18:00hrs, wildcard qualifiers Plaisance Guardians will have to show their mettle against the formidable Victory Valley Royals of Linden in game two, after which, another club from the mining town; Amelia’s Ward Jets, will attempt to give Fyrish Black Sharks the boot.

And Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s (GABA) number one-ranked team Pacesetters certainly will be put to the test against Linden’s Half Mile Bulls.

“No team will go home empty-handed and our prize structure reflects that the GABF wants to make sure that all the teams are rewarded,” stated GABF president Nigel Hinds. $200 000 will go to the second place team while the clubs that are knocked out at the semifinals stage will each receive $100 000.

Teams knocked out at the quarterfinals round will pocket $50 000 and for those who get the axe during the round-of-16, $16 000.

Asked about sponsorship for the tournament, Hinds pointed out “Most of this is coming from out-of-pocket and believe it, it’s not deep, but we are grateful for those who have so far come on board. Ronald Percival Construction Agency, National Hardware, ECV Vieira Investments and Vulkan Mining are few of the entities so far on board with us.”

He pointed out that several other companies have also made a commitment to come on board, including Gizmos and Gadgets, Church’s Chicken, Chetson’s Clarks Store, Gravity Lounge and Palm Court.

However, apart from getting back on the good side of corporate Guyana, the GABF is hoping to garner the support of the general public.

Over the past couple of years, the sport has suffered from poor attendance and while it cannot be explained why fans just simply turned away from one of the most popular sports in the world, the GABF is of the view that the ‘Road to Mecca’ tournament is a good enough brand to appeal to the basketball-loving public.

First CPL boosts regional GDP, says ...

From Backpage

Jamaica, US$10.65M; Trinidad, US$12.85M, St Lucia US$7.3M. “These findings back up what people have been telling us for months, that the CPL has been brilliant for the region,” said Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the League.

“This year we’re committed to building on our initial success, with more sold-out crowds, fantastic entertainment and a high standard of cricket.”

This year, the Limacol CPL returns in July and August where Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28, 2014

Santos to face Silver Shattas as Banks Beer Premier League resumes SANTOS will face Silver Shattas from 18:30hrs today at the Georgetown Football Club ground, as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Banks Beer National Premier League resumes with a lone match after a break for Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary celebration.

Georgetown team, Santos, are currently placed ninth in the points standing with 14 points from 11 matches.

They have so far won two of their matches outright, lost four and drawn five and have scored 13 goals while conceding 17. They will be looking for a win this evening to propel them higher in the ranking.

Three of Santos’ matches were decided by way of a penalty shoot-outs.

Silver Shattas, on the other hand, are currently placed 11th in the points standing with 13 points.

They won three games, lost five and drew three, one in a penalty shoot-out.

They have so far scored 16 goals and conceded 21.

A win for the Linden-based team would see them climb higher also.

So with both teams seeking victories, this evening’s lone match promises much excitement.

To date 84 matches have been played in the 16-team

Bangladesh win fourth Plate Championship title Leading Banks Beer Premier League goalscorer Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson

Powell to know his fate in April

Asafa Powell

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday February 28, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: WI vs ENG, The Oval, 1991 DevendraBishoo and Carlton Baugh Today’s Quiz: How many Test matches Lawrence Rowe played?

How many centuries he scored?

What is the highest individual score made by an Irishman in an ODI game to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

league with 257 goals scored.

Twelve red cards have so far been issued.

The leading goalscorer is Alpha United’s Gregory `Jackie Chan’ Richardson with 14 goals to his name from 11 matches. He is being followed closely by his team mate Manasseh Primo who

has scored 12 goals from a similar number of matches.

Den Amstel’s Delon Lanferman is next with 11 goals from 11 matches also, then Delroy Fraser, who started the League playing for Rosignol United but is now playing for the Guyana Defence Force, has 10 goals to his name.

Alpha United lead the points standing with 33 points having not lost any of their 11 matches. BK Western Tigers are second and the Guyana Defence Force third.

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - Jamaican sprinting star Asafa Powell will know his fate in early April when the Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel announces its decision on his doping violation case.

This announcement follows Wednesday’s closure of the athlete’s doping violation case at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

Powell’s attorney Kwame Gordon has asked the three-member panel to consider a light penalty for his client.

However his counterpart Lackston Robinson, who blamed Powell for gross negligence on his part, has recommended full two-year suspension, during final submissions.

A decision is expected to be announced on April 10.

The athlete has been facing the panel since January, after testing positive for the banned substance Oxilofrine at last year’s National Senior Championships at the National Stadium.

BANGLADESH defeated New Zealand by 77 runs to win their fourth Plate Championship title at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup UAE 2014 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Opener Shadman Islam scored 97 and Litton Das contributed 79 as the two batsmen put on 124 runs for the second wicket to propel Bangladesh to 223 in 47 overs. Off-spinner Mosaddek Hossain then returned figures of 10-4-23-4 as New Zealand finished at 146 for nine after Brett Randell followed up his two for 22 with 51 not out.

Bangladesh had previously won the Plate Championship in South Africa (1998), Bangladesh (2004) and New Zealand (2010).

Shadman, who hit 13 fours in a 113-ball innings, finished

with an impressive series aggregate of 406 runs. He leads Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan by 36 runs, with South Africa captain Aiden Markram occupying third place with 304 runs. Both Imam and Markram will feature in tomorrow’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 final which will be broadcast live by Star Sports.

Afghanistan, playing in their third World Cup, finished at an impressive seventh position after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets at ICC Academy 2. This was Afghanistan’s second big victory in the tournament after they upset Australia by 36 runs. They had also come very close to beating the West Indies before they went down by nine runs.

Usman Ghani took three for 21 and Sayed Shirzad bagged

three for 33 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 114 in 34.3 overs.

In turn, Afghanistan raced to victory in under 22 overs for the loss of five wickets with Ihsanullah scoring 37 not out.

Zimbabwe finished 11th in the 16-team tournament when they defeated hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 84 runs.

Today, England and Australia will clash in the third/fourth position playoff at the ICC Academy 1. At the ICC Academy 2, Pakistan and South Africa will prepare for tomorrow’s final and will hold their prematch media conferences at the ICC Headquarters at 13:15hrs and 13:30hrs, respectively.

T h e p re s s e r s w i l l b e followed by captains’ photo-shoot with the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 trophy.

Shadman Islam scores 97 to help Bangladesh seal a 77-run win over New Zealand.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 28 2014

31

Trophy Stall/EBFA U15 to kick off tomorrow FOOTBALL action on the East Bank of Demerara will switch to youths, come tomorrow morning at the Grove Playfield when the inaugural Trophy Stall-sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 League kicks off.

Trophy Stall’s Managing Director Ramesh Sunich, in handing over the trophies and medals to EBFA secretary Franklin Wilson, stated that he is very elated to be associated with the development of the game on the East Bank especially at the level of youths.

“We at Trophy Stall are pleased to be a partner with the East Bank Football Association in this venture which prepares our youths for future national teams and to also represent their association.

We are committed to making this tournament an annual one for the youngsters and we wish the teams well.”

The first-, second-, thirdand fourth-placed teams will receive trophies while the top three teams will also be presented with gold, silver and bronze medals.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be rewarded with the Golden Ball Trophy; Highest Goalscorer will walk away with the Golden Boot Trophy; Best Goalkeeper the Golden Glove while the Most Disciplined team will win the Fail Play Trophy.

The coach emerging as the best will also be recognised by Trophy Stall. The competing teams are Soesdyke Falcons, Grove Hi Tech, Diamond United FC, Agricola Red Triangle, Herstelling and Mocha Champs.

Facing off in the first game at 10:00hrs will be Herstelling and Soesdyke Falcons followed by the feature clash between Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech

… Herstelling, Soesdyke, Agricola and Grove Hi Tech to play

Trophy one of

Stall’s Managing Director Ramesh the trophies and medals to EBFA

Prior: Dressing room a better place without Pietersen

By David French DUBAI - (Reuters) - England’s dressing room will be a better place without Kevin Pietersen after the controversial batsman was sacked following the dismal Ashes tour of Australia, wicketkeeper Matt Prior said yesterday.

Prior, the tour vice-captain, said Pietersen’s ability should have made him “the best England cricketer to ever walk this planet” and the decision to dispense with him would not have been taken lightly.

When asked if the dressing room would be a better place without the South African-born batsman, Prior replied: “Yes, it will.

“I think one of the biggest things they (the ECB) want to rediscover is the value of playing cricket for England, the honour and the pride you need to show as an England cricketer.

“And they only want people in that dressing room that are going to be passionate about England winning and performing,” said Prior during a Q&A session at a cricketing event in Dubai.

Pietersen was released from his ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) contract earlier

Kevin Pietersen this month in the aftermath in the squad after the latest of the 5-0 Test whitewash by Ashes series.

Australia.

Prior, who has played in 75 The ECB said captain Tests and hit 3 920 runs at an Alastair Cook needed to be average of 40.83, missed the able to trust and rely on the last two Tests of the Ashes series support of all his players. after being dropped because of Pietersen scored 8 181 runs poor form. in 104 Tests and 4 440 runs in He said that being omitted 136 one-day internationals but when he was vice-captain, was never far from controversy. in the middle of a big series, He was briefly dropped in “quite literally wrenched my 2012 following media reports heart out” but added he was he had sent “provocative” text determined to regain his place messages about England players for the home series against to members of the South Africa Sri Lanka and India later squad during a series involving this year. both teams.

“I have more passion now than I have ever had to get HEART-WRENCHING back in that team, turn things More reports surfaced around and get back to winabout Pietersen’s divisive role ning ways,” Prior explained.

The wicketkeeper also predicted that opening batsman Cook would bounce back in style from England’s humbling in Australia.

“He will break records and he’s a phenomenal cricketer,” said Prior. “He will score the most runs for an Englishman in Test cricket, no doubt, and he’s a phenomenal bloke as well.

“To read some of the criticism he’s got has just been incredible, as anyone who knows him respects him.

“When it comes to captaincy he’s a big enough bloke to admit he’s not the finished article yet. He’s still very young in his captaincy and he needs to learn and needs to grow into the position,” said Prior.

“There are certain things I think a captain needs. I think being such a nice person is one thing which doesn’t stand him in good stead as a captain and the best thing about him is he accepts that and he knows he has to improve.”

England begin their limited-overs tour of the Caribbean when they meet West Indies in the opening game of the three-match series of oneday internationals in Antigua today.

Sunich (right) hands over s e c r e t a r y F r a n k l i n W i l s o n .

All schools to close today for knighting ceremony of cricket greats THE Antigua/Barbuda government says all education institutions in the country will be closed to allow students to attend the knighting ceremony of three local cricketing greats today.

This includes public and private schools, Antigua State College and ABICE. The Education Ministry is urging pupils not to miss the opportunity.

Former Antiguan and West Indian cricketers Andy Roberts, Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson will be knighted during the lunch period of the first One Day International (ODI).

Meantime, lawmen are warning that failure to comply with stringent traffic regulations in place for the ODI series will result in vehicles being towed away at the expense of owners.

The Windies are hosting England in the first of the three ODIs today at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.

Police spokesman, Senior Sergeant William Holder says lawmen will be out in full force to ensure tight security and help motorists use the designated parking areas.

The Sir Sydney Walling Highway will be the designated route for Emergency Service vehicles and will also be used should there be a mass evacuation from the stadium. (Antigua Observer)

Andy Roberts

Sport CHRONICLE

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

GABF ‘Road to Mecca’ set to bounce off tomorrow … Federation hoping for great fan support (See Story on page 29)

NCN Bringing Live coverage (Radio/TV) of West Indies/ England Series

INTERNATIONAL cricket coverage will be back on local Radio and Television starting from today.

The National Telecommunications Network (NCN) yesterday announced it will be bringing ball-by-ball Radio and Television coverage of matches between the West Indies and England dubbed ‘We vs Them’ Series.

For more than five months local cricket fans were starved of international cricket coverage.

Last year the state media (NCN) reported its inability to bring live coverage of cricket matches involving the Caribbean side due to Broadcast rights being awarded exclusively to Cable Networks.

Coverage on NCN’s Radio and Television stations begin at 09:00.hrs

India survive Chanderpaul century to beat West Indies by 46 runs SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (CMC) - India survived a courageous century from Tagenarine Chanderpaul to beat West Indies by 46 runs and clinched 5th place in the ICC Under-19 World Cup at Sharjah Cricket Stadium here yesterday.

Chanderpaul scored 112 to inspire a run chase in response to India’s 340 after they had won the toss and opted to bat.

The young Guyanese batsman hit eight fours and a six from 136 balls as West Indies reached 294 for eight.

India’s Ankush Bains (74), Sanju Samson (67) and Shreyas Iyer (66) batted well to help India post 340 for 8 in 50 overs, the highest team total of the tournament.

For the West Indies, Gudakesh Motie picked up three for 52 and Preston McSween bagged two for 74.

Opener Chanderpaul batted through most of the innings except for the final five deliveries, sharing in two half-century partnerships as he spearheaded an ambitious run chase after India’s strong batting display.

His lengthy occupation of the crease ended when he was trapped lbw to Vijay Zol in the second ball of the final over.

Chanderpaul put on 91 runs for the second wicket with Tristan Coleman who hit five fours and two sixes in a knock of 45 and partnered with Nicolas Pooran for a 5th wicket stand of 89.

Pooran continued his prolific form with the bat as well hitting an impressive 54 which included four fours and four sixes.

Chanderpaul finished the tournament with 293 runs with one century and two half-centuries.

Charma Milind was the top Indian bowler with two for 50.

GABF president Nigel Hinds (3rd from right) and vice-president Michael Singh, flanked by players and MC Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine during yesterday’s Press Conference.

First CPL boosts regional GDP, says UWI study PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - The inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has generated a combined figure of US$105.6M across the region, a study by the University of the West Indies has found.

The study by the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), UWI, says the competition boosted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in some countries by as much as 0.7 percent.

The CPL was launched last year to huge crowds, with over 250 000 spectators attending matches across Anti-

… provides US$105M to region

Damien O’Donohoe, gua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia.

“With the region still feel-

ing the effects of the global financial crisis, CPL has been a real shot in the arm for the Caribbean,” said Professor Densil Williams, UWI. “The tournament could trigger an even bigger revival, because as it grows and the brand becomes more recognised, we anticipate that the impact on the economies will be much greater.”

A release from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) said the report established that

last year ’s tournament had wide-reaching benefits in the six host countries across several different sectors ranging from transport and communication, to government services, hotels and restaurants including health care and financial service sector.

The estimated total economic impact of CPL 2013 for each host country is -Antigua, US$7.35M; Barbados, US$9.1M; Guyana, US$4M;

See page 29

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Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit eight fours and a six in his 112 from 136 balls.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014