Guyana chronicle 28 10 14 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103994 TUESDAY OCTOBER 28, 2014

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We have to build strong, informed support for Amaila Hydro Project – President Page

Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, President Donald Ramotar and Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran examining the protective gear and medical supplies at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Finance Minister underscores need for more evidence-based decisionmaking Page

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

Gov’t condemns Kaieteur News …for illegally recording, distorting and broadcasting a Government Minister’s private conversation THE Government of Guyana condemns in the strongest possible language the despicable act of a national newspaper to distort and manipulate a private conversation of a Government Minister whose conversation was illegally recorded, and distorted, and broadcast. We stand by the Attorney General, as the Government of Guyana goes out of its way to foster peace and goodwill. We believe in the integrity and professionalism of the Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, and stand by him.

The Government of Guyana cherishes freedom of the press, but when private media operatives use the power of the mass media to manipulate public opinion, our nation suffers from the negativity. The Kaieteur News has sustained an intensive, vicious attack on members of the Government of Guyana, using its media power to distort even private conversations that it illegally records. Yesterday, to our utter consternation, the public listened to a voice recording and was shocked at what the nation heard. Broadcast on social media, the recording contains a distorted, manipulated conversation between a Minister and

Leonard Gildarie, a reporter from the Kaieteur News. It is abhorrent that someone would be so indecent and immoral to manipulate a loose private conversation, in such a dastardly way. The Attorney General serves the people of Guyana as part of a Government that cares. We respect the ideals of integrity, professionalism and moral decency. These vicious enemies of the Government of Guyana so distorted an illegal recording of the conversation. It is shocking to witness such disgusting behaviour, obviously aiming to manipulate public opinion. We in the Government, serve this country, fostering peaceful devel-

opment, goodwill, and respectful relations. Every Guyanese could see this in how we harbour a free and fair national media landscape, where anyone could publish or broadcast his views and opinions. But we, as a nation, cannot condone this privilege being manipulated to distort and manipulate public opinion. There are many ways for a keen listener to discern the said manipulation. For example, a listener to the manipulated conversation would easily recognise that on many instances, the person’s voice at the other end of the conversation was inaudible. F o r t u n a t e l y, t h e Government’s priorities will continue to be the further development of Guyana and our people. The Government will not be distracted from this agenda by Kaieteur News or anyone else. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

President Ramotar pleased with on-going preparations to tackle any possible Ebola cases PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has praised the efforts being made to address any possible Ebola cases locally. The Head of State had a first-hand look at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) preparations to address the medical requirements of any air traveller suspected of being infected with Ebola. The President said that he is constantly being briefed on developments in the health sector, and Ebola is a major concern for the Government. Health, transportation and security sectors and other stakeholders are involved in the effort, the President said. “I’m very happy that this work is going on, and the seriousness with which it is being taken, as it’s important,” he said. Recently, President Ramotar addressd the nation and called for broad-based support from all stakehold-

ers to help to prepare for the fight against any possible Ebola outbreak. Many have heeded this call, the President said, including the political Opposition. “I have had conversations with the Opposition leader and he has assured me of his full support in this regard. I’ve also spoken to the leader of the AFC (Alliance For Change) who also assured me of their support, and I plan to have meetings later this week with other stakeholders”. The main purpose of his visit to the facility at the CJIA was to check the response of the Government structures to make sure they are fully ready, and taking all precautions to try and keep this disease out of Guyana. In terms of cost, the President said that Government will do whatever is necessary to protect citizens and expressed the hope that any requested budgetary alloca-

tions, if required, are not cut by the political Opposition. The on-going preparations, Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran stressed, were an “All Guyana, national effort”. Hundreds of persons have already received training to deal specifically with any suspected Ebola cases, he added. “We will be having drills from time to time to ensure that we do not make human errors. As we roll out our training, the physical infrastructure is there and being developed along with the human infrastructure,” Dr Ramsaran said. He said too, that every shift at the CJIA will have a doctor to address any potential issues and similar measures are being put in place at the Ogle International Airport and Moleson Creek Crossing, Corentyne Berbice. Also accompanying the President and Health Minis-

President Donald Ramotar, accompanied by Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, visiting one of the medical tents set up at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

ter was Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn. He added that the measures, which followed directives from the Head of State and Cabinet, will go along with the countrywide interventions, in

respect to public health. Guyana has begun putting intensive measures in place to deal with any suspected Ebola cases. Persons, travelling from countries with the virus- borne disease,

have also been barred from travelling to Guyana. Ebola has infected more than 10,000 people in West Africa and several other countries, killing about 5,000. (GINA)

President joins in QC’s 170 anniversary observance

President Donald Ramotar addressing the Queen’s College alumni at the school’s 170th Anniversary celebration

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds; and Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand; along with several Members of Parliament yesterday joined with Queen’s College (QC) students, past and present, and teachers in celebrating the school’s 170th anniversary. Over the years, this prestigious institution has produced many outstanding Guyanese who have distinguished themselves in the fields of politics, government, law, foreign affairs, education, medicine, the social and natural sciences, and in several other professions. President Ramotar, while addressing the large gather-

ing, congratulated the staff and present and past students of the institution for the outstanding work they have been doing. “There is hardly any sector, the economy, culture, politics in which you do not find Queen’s College students… without doubt the students of Queen’s College have made tremendous contributions to the development of Guyana, and it can contend with any secondary institution in the world that can produce people with high calibre as Queen’s College has done,” President Ramotar noted. Queen’s College, he said, should be replicated all over Guyana, and Government is working to ensure that every

secondary school is associated with the institution. Three of the four students who copped the CXC Regional awards were students of Queen’s College, while the fourth student came from New Amsterdam Secondary School. President Ramotar highlighted that fact that the fourth student’s background was very modest, noting that this proves Government’s effort to ensure every other institution is as distinguished as Queen’s College. Science and technology, he

said, also play a major role in today’s society, and all across the world one can find a Queen’s College student. These past students are very much involved in science and technology, he observed. President Ramotar emphasised that education has been transformed in Guyana, so much so that every child in the most remote areas can access education. “For the students of today, I think that you are fortunate to have many role models that

have come out of this institution, that you can follow, but you must not only seek to follow, you must surpass the achievements that they have made… may Queen’s College grow from strength to strength,” the President said. The school was established in 1844 as the Queen’s College Grammar School for boys by Bishop William Piercy Austin, and the first class was held in August of that year, with an enrollment of just 15 students and two tutors.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Iraq bomb attacks leave at least 34 dead (BBC News) AT LEAST 34 people have been killed and dozens injured following two bomb blasts in and around Iraq’s capital Baghdad. The first attack came when a suicide bomber drove a Humvee at a checkpoint south of Baghdad killing at least 24, Iraqi officials said. The second attack, a car bombing inside the capital, killed at least 10 people, officials say. Hundreds have been killed in bomb attacks across Iraq in recent months. The checkpoint where the first explosion occurred was near the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, around 50 km (30 miles) south of Baghdad. The blast targeted Iraqi security forces and Shia militiamen who were manning the checkpoint. The Humvee

used in the attack is likely to have been captured from government forces, reports say. The attackers are believed to be militants from Islamic State (IS), who lost control of the town to government-led forces over the weekend. It is not yet clear who is responsible for the second bombing, which took place near shops and restaurants in the Karrada district of downtown Baghdad. Dozens were also injured in the blast. Battle for town Jurf-al-Sakhar, where the first attack took place, was seized by IS during a lightning offensive this summer, in which the group gained control over a broad swath of territory spanning parts of Syria and northern Iraq. The town is seen as a strategic buffer between the

The Humvee used in one of the attacks is believed to have been captured from government forces

militants’ strongholds in Sunni Arab-dominated Anbar province and Shia-dominated southern Iraq. It also lies along a major pilgrimage route used by Shia Muslims. Government forces and allied militia have spent months trying to wrest back control of the town. The U.S. has been carrying out air strikes since August to help Iraqi and Kurdish security forces drive back IS.

Sisi gives Egypt military new powers after Sinai attack ( BBC News) EGYPTIAN President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has authorised the military to protect state facilities after jihadists killed more than 30 soldiers last week. A spokesman said the

President Sisi has moved to increase security measures in Egypt since last week’s attack in Sinai new law gives the army the right to secure sites like power plants, main roads and bridges. But critics say it allows the army to return to the streets and bring back military trials for civilians. President Sisi declared a three-month state of emergency after the bomb attack in Sinai on Friday. The new decree allows state infrastructure to be defined as “military facilities” for two years, permitting the army to work with police to secure such sites. It also gives the military the right to try people it suspects of launching attacks on those sites. Activists say the law is too broadly defined and could also cover universities,

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where police have been unable to stop student protests. Putting an end to military trials was one of the main aims of the 2011 uprising that ousted the former president, Hosni Mubarak. Presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef insisted the decree was aimed at tackling terrorism, not protesters, and told the BBC it was a limited, proportional response to recent attacks by militants. The law was introduced after President Sisi promised a tough response to what he called an “existential threat” to Egypt posed by Islamist militants. In light of the perceived threat, the editors of 17 newspapers in Egypt have decided to refrain from publishing criticism of the army or the

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state, the BBC’s Orla Guerin in Cairo reports. Human rights groups say it is another sign that the room for dissent in Egypt is shrinking even further, our correspondent adds. Activists arrested Meanwhile, an Egyptian judge ordered 21 activists to be arrested on Monday at the start of their retrial for breaking protest laws during the military’s overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. The activists, who had been released on bail last month, chanted “down with military rule” after the judge read out his decision in court. The court also issued arrest warrants for four of the defendants who did not show up.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Haitian protests over delayed elections in Port-au-Prince (BBC News) THOUSANDS of Haitians marched in the capital Port-au-Prince on Sunday in protest at a delay in the country’s legislative and municipal elections. The polls are already years overdue and were scheduled for Sunday. They were postponed because of an ongoing stalemate between the government and a group of opposition senators over an electoral law. Haiti is the poorest country in the region and is still struggling to recover from a

2010 earthquake. Deadlock Protesters lit piles of wood in the central neighbourhood of Bel Aire before marching to a wealthy hillside neighbourhood, where riot police guarded hotels, shops and Haiti’s elections office. Some demanded President Michel Martelly’s resignation for his “inability to organise elections in the country.” Two opposition activists who had organised the protest were arrested by police

Angry voters showed their identification cards in protest at the vote which was cancelled

Bloody weekend (Trinidad Guardian) FOUR murders and one police killing Sunday marked the start of a bloody weekend. In the first incident, around 2.15 am, two men were walking along Wall Street in Pinto Road, Arima, when they were approached by a gunman. After proceeding to rob both men, the gunman whipped out a firearm and fired at them. One man died on the scene. He remained unidentified up to late Sunday night. The other man, identified as Jason Pierre, of Sangre Grande, was rushed to the Arima Health Facility and later transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where he remains warded. The second incident involved a 16-yearold student from the Arima North Secondary School. According to reports, at around 1.50 am, the victim Anthony Seunarine was walking along Pro Queen Street, Arima, with his friends when a red Kia vehicle pulled up alongside the group. Seunarine and his friends started to run. Seunarine, who was running along De Verteuil Street, was being followed by the car when he tripped and fell. One of the occupants came out of the vehicle and stabbed Seunarine in the neck. The vehicle then sped off. A relative at the scene said Seunarine left home around 4.30 pm on Friday, but did not say where he was going. Meanwhile, in Tunapuna, Kadeem Sawyer, of Achong Trace, was murdered. Reports are that Sawyer was sitting on a chair on the Eastern Main Road, opposite the Tunapuna Market, when two men came to purchase doubles from a nearby vendor. One of the men whipped out a firearm and shot Sawyer, who ran across the road towards the market. The gunman continued firing. Sawyer was shot four times about the head and upper body before collapsing. Police said the gunman then entered a white Elantra car and escaped. The fourth killing occurred in Diego Martin around 11.30 am. Dale Mathias was sitting in his white Nissan X Trail outside TruValu Supermarket, when a gunman opened fire on his vehicle. Mathias was from Rich Plain and is a known community activist. At 2.45 pm, the peace in Prizgar Lands, Laventille, was disrupted by rapid gunfire when police shot and killed Nicholas “Bago” Caines, a shopkeeper. Residents told the Sunday Guardian that Caines, who had marijuana in his possession, was walking in Eastern Quarry, and upon seeing a highway patrol vehicle began running.

Caines ran into a yard at O’ Garro Lane, where he attempted to jump a wall. He was shot once in the leg and twice in the head. Caines died on the spot. Yesterday, residents described the shooting as an “assassination.”

for “public unrest and inciting violence.” Mid-term senate elections in Haiti had been due in May 2012, while the municipal poll is three years behind schedule as Haiti slowly emerges from the earthquake which left much of the country devastated in 2010.

In June, President Michel Martelly decreed that the elections be held on 26 October. The date was set after lengthy talks mediated by the president of Haiti’s Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Chibly Langlois, intended to overcome the political deadlock between the opposition

and the government. But after the National Assembly failed to pass an electoral law in time, the office of Mr Martelly announced another postponement on Sunday. No new date has been set, but the statement said that “President Michel Martelly, in his constant concern to guarantee political stability, promises to pursue consultations with the different sectors of national life in order to hold the elections as soon as possible.” Opposition politicians accuse President Martelly of wanting to rule by decree - a likely scenario if no elections are held before the lower chamber’s term runs out in January. The government argues that opposition politicians are also dragging their feet in the hope of extending their time in office without elections.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Consciences mortgaged to greed BY now it is apparent to the most casual observer that the consciences of the majority of Guyanese have taken an extended holiday, and this is a direct consequence of the immorality and amorality of the PNC administration, when bribery and corruption became the order of the day and a nation that once boasted impeccable standards in scholarship and behaviour deteriorated to the extent where Guyanese became the regional pariahs, a reputation that this nation still cannot live down, which has had severe repercussions with regional immigration officials. The British Guiana Public Service was created in the mould of the British system and Public Servants once straddled the spectrum of high values, absolute professionalism and impeccable integrity. But then the status quo changed and those qualified were no longer deemed qualified for jobs during Burnham’s reign. The only qualification then was a party card – for any office. The consequential decay seeped into the national moral fibre and has become endemic to

the national construct. Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, once issued a warning to doctors who have been trained at taxpayers’ expense but who refuse to serve the nation as, when, and where the need arises. However, despite the fact that scholarship awards are majorly funded by the host governments, Guyana’s Government still expends humongous sums in subsidising the acquisition, at all levels, of education; and in the case of scholarship students there are expectations of returns whereby the requisite capacities are expanded to enable equitable and dependable services in all the sectors that afford accessibility to all those in need, wherever they may reside. Healthcare is a major component of Government’s deliverables that are aimed at optimising the quality of life of citizens countrywide. However, the horror stories told of the laid-back, even arrogant attitude of health workers to patients are highly believable, because they are told by simple people who are not versed in dissembling. Even more, they are most often very much

in awe of what President Jagdeo describes as “these tin gods”. Many nurses who have been trained at Government’s expense and whom are employed at public institutions work at private institutions, delivering premium healthcare to those patients paying hefty sums, and use their duty period at the public institutions as their rest periods and deliver such inferior service that oftentimes it has been alleged that lives have been lost as a result of such negligent care. There was once a regimen in hospitals that ensured nurses worked as per a schedule to deliver optimal care to patients, but today nurses often ignore a bedridden patient requesting help, or are so rude that patients are fearful of asking for help. Former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan had once remarked with his trademark frankness that doctors had become businessmen to whom the welfare of patients was no longer paramount. Unprofessional behaviour and misconduct by most Public Servants has become endemic in Guyana, and they are further encour-

aged by their unions and the Opposition, members of which politicize every issue in the land, to the detriment of the citizens of the land. The proliferation of lawlessness in society is phenomenal and has even infused what should be enclaves of innocence, which are our schools, and it is not uncommon to hear of instances where parents and/ or students have abused a teacher or another student, and vice versa. The incidents of violence, bullyism, thieving, etcetera are rising in direct correlation to the joint Opposition’s continuum of encouragement to the criminal fraternity in Guyana. The Government expends large sums into the various sectors every year in an effort to create facilitating mechanisms to propel upward trends in service delivery and enhance individual lifestyles; yet at every step these efforts are stymied by the doomsayers and naysayers who encourage mutiny – open and secret, by members of the public and joint services. It is apparent that many criminals join the security sector to use as a front for

their covert criminal activities. Of recent times the credibility of the joint services has been taking a battering because of criminal actions of some of the ranks. Gone are the days when the sight of someone in a police uniform provided assurance of safety for members of the society, which is more than sad; it is tragic, because there are many good and decent police men and women, who work in accordance with their mandate to “serve and protect” the nation. Teachers once had a reputation for moulding the minds and the future of the nation – but now in what direction? The callous attitude displayed by the headmistress of a premier institution during a highly-publicised incident seems to be the general trend, where teachers adopt a hands-off attitude; and when they do show care, as in one headmistress who called the police when she could not control a potentially violent situation, which tragically resulted in the incidental death of a student. This headmistress was hounded

by the parents of the very students she was trying to protect. The benefits package of public servants, when added to their salaries, far outweighs wages earned in the private sector, yet they are on a permanent go-slow. Most report late for work, then spend the days lazing away and chatting on the office phones. It is incumbent that these anomalies are addressed, and even though the joint Opposition will oppose for the sake of opposing, all the sectors in the public service need to be cleared of deadwood and decadent employees. And none of the Opposition parties are in a position to cry “foul”, because if they are investigated by the Guyana Revenue Authority, especially those of the legal and medical fraternity, then it would no doubt show how much they are birds of similar feathers, and how much they have in common with those in the Public Service who draw salaries and collect attendant benefits under false pretence.

PPP/C should turn to the International Community for help COMMISSIONER-General Sattaur has alleged that there is collusion between Glenn Lall and ICAG members, citing ‘disturbing’ revelations and ‘glaring’ evidence as grounds for charge. Be warned: Should Glen Lall get away with all what he is doing illegally, there will be a heavy price to pay for members of the PPP. The majority of Guyanese already know that Lall has infiltrated all PPP government-run insti-

tutions, because money talks while BS walks. Guyanese know Lall gets all his info from police in certain matters long before any other media house gets it. Lall gets feedback on all PPP members; so, one slip up, and he will expose it to the world. The PPP must be reminded that it is no other than the PPP itself that made Nigel Hughes bigger than big; so big he is unstoppable now, where the law cannot

touch him, no matter what he does. Of Lall's battery of lawyers in the mix is no other than Nigel Hughes. After the Linden COI, where Nigel Hughes was made to look like a First-Year law student, many Guyanese concluded that certain lawyers have ways and means to purchase justice in order for them to win some impossible court cases. Lall might just beat this

thing, since Hughes will use his usual methods to win this case. The payoff in this case will be mighty, since ‘Mooklall’ is no ‘Mooklall’ when it comes to being filthy rich. If the PPP is incapable of stopping this monster, just wait and see what is in store for Guyanese when Lall gets his own elected President to rule Guyanese. Do not put it past Lall to install his own President, since, like I said, money talks while BS walks. I quote: “How Lall would have exerted his influence on the disciplinary committee members, one of whose mem-

ber is the son of the leading partner of an Accounting Firm is speculative.” He said, “From this major disclosure, it would now appear to any right thinking person to be extremely biased, and that it is evident they have been in direct communication with Lall. It would appear also that they would have promised Lall certain courses of action, which definitely gave him the confidence to have published their decisions before they are taken.” He said, “A report is presently being compiled that will be lodged with the ICAG parent body in the UK, the

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) pertaining to the highly irregular actions on the part of the members of the local Disciplinary body. Clippings of the newspaper article and a letter stating the Council’s decision made on the very same day will be submitted as evidence.” Commissioner-General Sattaur and Co. better know what they are dealing with, and see if the UK can help and take some speedy and serious action against this man. T. KING

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

Reflecting on Janet Jagan’s life in New York ON THE eve of the 94th birth anniversary of the former First Lady and First Female President of Guyana, New Yorkers were amongst those who gathered on Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Richmond Hill, Queens reflecting on the courageous fight, and indomitable spirit of Comrade Janet Jagan. The evening’s proceedings got underway with highlights of a documentary titled, “Thunder in Guyana,” made by Suzanne Wasserman, niece of the late president, who captured the former president in her raw and organic political character, accentuated with clips, interviews and comments on her long political struggle with that of her late husband, in their fight for justice and freedom in Guyana; advocating for independence, fairness and workers’ rights. In essence, the film is a microcosm of the Jagans’ travails, perseverance and relentless dedication over

five decades in the making. Organised under the headline, ‘A Guyanese Cause, A Guyanese Struggle, A Guyanese Sacrifice,’ Chairperson of the proceedings, Faiuze Ali paralleled the uncompromising commitment of Mrs. Janet Jagan with that of renowned political personalities and world events over the course of history that coincidentally shared the month of her birth with the likes of which mirrored the former Guyanese president’s towering devotion to extinguish the flames of naked exploitation. Citing the courageous Guyanese Damon, freed African slave, who was executed for The Essequibo Rebellion advocating for workers’ right in October 13, 1938; the unbreakable spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, born on October 2, 1869, who unshackled the chains of colonial subjection in India; the determined Nelson Mandela, who uprooted racially Apartheid South

Africa, and went on trial on October 9, 1963 for sabotage; the march of women in New York City on October 23, 1915, for the rights to vote; the death of Che Guevara, the fighting symbol of the Cuban Revolution, who died on October 8, 1967; the passing on October 24, 2005, of Rosa Parks, the mother of the American Civil Rights Movement, whose defiance helped dismantle America’s segregated society. He went on to say that “these personalities and events shared more than a month in common; they shared a common thread of a wider fabric of resistance against inequality and exploitation of their respective peoples. In his contribution to the occasion, Mr. Methulall Mangal of GSM referred to Mrs. Jagan as a proud Guyanese and not an AmericanGuyanese, who is today the greatest Guyanese woman. She lived a very meaningful life: she lived for others

-- the poor and suffering masses. She firmly believed in the working masses, and was supremely confident of the success of the struggle for a better life. She declared in 1964: “With the strength of the sun above us, the strength of the earth beneath us, the strength of the ocean before us, and the strength of the people behind us, our fight against injustice will be won.” In 1992, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ushered in the Dawn of a New Era. Janet Jagan was the heart of the People’s Progressive Party; she was always there for activists in time of need, be it in prison or in the picket lines, and never failed to assist, encourage and inspire hope. She was driven by her faith in the masses, and her message was militant and organised. Her prized possessions were the Party Groups nation-wide. A strong believer that government has a very im-

portant role in the improvement of the lives people, as a minister of government, she got the bureaucracy to serve the interest of the masses. Dr. Jagan, it is said, brought the people to Parliament; Janet Jagan took the Government to the people. Janet Jagan’s commitment and contributions should be cherished by all. ACG’s Dr. Raj Singh reminded the audience that the ideals of the Jagans live on in the Party’s core values. Ms. Indra Hardat cast light on Mrs Jagan’s fight for the barriers that subjugate women and relegate their status to second-class citizens to be lifted, and as one the towering achievements of the late president. In an invited comment, Vishu Dutt, who worked with Mrs. Jagan at the United Nations when she served as Guyana’s ambassador, remarks about her joy and appreciation for the modest way of life, citing her gregarious attitude towards

life, and a desire to function like the common folk, devoid of the whims and fancies of her office and titles. The occasion reflecting on the contributions and sacrifice of Mrs. Janet Jagan was truly a felicitous tribute to a woman whose devotion spans more than five decades of unselfish dedication to the Guyanese nation. Organised with the collaborative efforts of the Guyana Solidarity Movement (GSM) and the Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG), the event was attended by known Party supporters, and ex-GAWU organisers and activists. Also gracing the occasion for the admired Guyanese president were two generations of Jagans: Attorney Vrinda S. Jagan, granddaughter; and her son, accompanied by her husband and great-uncle Chuck Mohan, activist and union organiser. FAIUZE ALI

In response to Dr Bulkan’s ‘rather hostile letter’ IN A letter that was kindly published in the Stabroek News (SN 22-10-2014) and the Guyana Chronicle (GC 22-10-2014) Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. and its parent companies provided comprehensive details of our corporate identity and ownership in response to a rather hostile letter from Assistant Professor, Janette Bulkan (SN 15-10-2014). Although we were surprised at the adversarial tone of Dr. Bulkan's original letter, we felt it was the responsible thing to do, as we embark on a very large investment portfolio in Guyana. We also comprehensively responded to Dr. Bulkan's accusation that one of our intended investments, an energy plantation in the Pomer-

oon, was a "land grab," based on her assertions that the crop we chose was unsuitable to the soil and climate in the Pomeroon. It is unusual for any Foreign Direct Investment initiative to be interrogated by random members of the public in any jurisdiction, outside of organised stakeholder engagements. It is even more unusual for business entities to engage in such a comprehensive explanation of their business approach to an individual citizen, or to offer all of their instruments and agreements with the Guyana Government up for public scrutiny to all and sundry. We, however, offered such a comprehensive response because we are a transparent company, which

intends to form, and has already formed many strong local partnerships. No company can, or will, however, entertain a constant inquisition, based on spurious and unfounded speculations in the aggressive and accusatory manner in which Dr. Bulkan has sought to engage us in her second letter in the Stabroek News (SN 24-10-2014). Our scientists have been very clear in their recommendation of the species that we should use for cultivation of the intended energy plantation in the Pomeroon. We intend to spend millions of dollars based on this due diligence. It is our investment to lose or appreciate; we firmly believe we do not need to justify our business decisions to Dr. Bulkan. We

have a very competent Board of Directors, who have piloted our company through many successful ventures. Furthermore, if our very competent team of senior professors and world-class scientists needed help, and we felt Dr. Bulkan possessed the necessary expertise to provide that help, we would have already approached her to be a consultant on our project. Our obligation to the Guyanese public and Government is to respect their laws and regulations, particularly in this instance the phyto-sanitary and environmental regulations, and to maintain our investment activity to the levels we have committed, together with any other stipulations for employment, etc.

We intend to do so, but Dr. Bulkan is not on our staff; nor is she a shareholder. So we will not be justifying our decisions or profit ratios to her. Dr. Bulkan claims that it will be uncompetitive to produce energy pellets in Guyana compared to the Southeastern United States. Perhaps the learned Assistant Professor will provide us all with a comparative economic analysis. We are sure it will make for very interesting reading, but it will certainly not change our business decision-making process. For those types of analyses, we rely on professionals with a track record and demonstrated expertise. Whilst it may be the mandate of Dr. Bulkan to write in the news-

papers attacking investors, it is not within the list of things that we feel are germane to our business, so we shall not be engaging in an academic debate (although, quite frankly, Dr. Bulkan's missives lack the usual courtesy with which academic debate is conducted) with this academic or any others. We have made our decisions, and are complying with our requirements; and henceforth shall treat any such aspersions as interesting reading, unless, in our opinion, it constitutes damage to our reputation; in which case, we shall take the requisite business actions recommended by our Board of Directors. MANU BANSAL Executive Director

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

We have to build strong, informed support for Amaila Hydro Project – President – to ensure no vested interest stands in our way

By Vanessa Narine THE next phase of work, as it relates to the Government’s Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), is to enable the people of Guyana to build strong, informed support for the project to make sure that “no vested interest” stands in our way. This was according to President Donald Ramotar, last Friday, in an address to the nation. “The next part of that work is to enable the people of Guyana to build strong, informed support for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project to make sure that no vested interest stands in their way,” he said. His comments followed Friday’s full release of an accumulated US$80M in payments from Norway, US$45M released in 2013 and US$35M last week, which will be transferred to

“The next part of that work is to enable the people of Guyana to build strong, informed support for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project to make sure that no vested interest stands in our way.” – President Donald Ramotar the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to be used as Guyana’s equity contribution to the Government’s AFHP. ALL GUYANESE TO BENEFIT Mr. Ramotar made it clear that hydropower will benefit all Guyanese, not only one section of the population based on political affiliations. He said, “There is no such thing as PPP (People’s Progressive Party) electricity, or Opposition electricity; nor is there is such a thing as PPP forests, or Opposition forests. “It is the right of all Guyanese, today and in generations to come, to have well

managed forests and affordable, clean energy. As the President of all Guyanese, I stand firm in my resolve to ensure that you realise this right.” MEDIA ROLE The Head of State also addressed the role of the media in the advance of the project, which is critical to the country’s infrastructure.

He said, “Some of what we saw last year in the media discussion on the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, and much of the recent coverage of the LCDS and the Guyana-Norway partnership, have been deeply irresponsible. So I call for the media to play their part in helping the people of Guyana to gain access to facts and evidence.” Mr. Ramotar explained that Guyana has an extremely “vibrant and diverse” set of media houses. He said, “How the media uses its power is not primarily a matter for me as President; rather it is a matter

“Some of what we saw last year in the media discussion on the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, and much of the recent coverage of the LCDS and the Guyana-Norway partnership; have been deeply irresponsible. So I call for the media to play their part in helping the people of Guyana to gain access to facts and evidence.” – President Donald Ramotar

of morality and responsibility for those that lead and work in the media. “…I have fought all my adult life for democracy in this country – and as part of that, I have fought for freedom of the press. That will never change. I remember what Guyana was like when we did not enjoy the democratic freedoms we have today.” The President stressed that the Government’s Amaila Falls Hydropower Project will bring immense benefits for the Guyanese people. SAVINGS His consistent position on the matter is that economies must serve the people, not vice versa, and with an expected saving of $9B in electricity subsidies, as well as savings on the $40B fuel bill, enormous contributions can be made to the infrastructural development,

which is particularly needed in Guyana’s hinterland to aid and accelerate economic progress. Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP) is touted to be able to provide Guyanese with a cheaper, reliable and sustainable electricity supply. It involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden. “We can never make back the time that we have lost, but the Amaila Falls Hydro Project can still be operational by 2019,” Mr. Ramotar assured. Details on the way forward with the project are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Rice exports surpass Sugar production stands 400,000 tonnes mark at over 170,000 tonnes – production over 600,000 tonnes

Rice farmers harvesting rice

GUYANA’S rice industry continues to perform well, recording phenomenal successes, and to date the sector has produced over 600,000 tonnes of rice. This was according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who also disclosed that the export mark of 400,000 tonnes has been surpassed. “As of last Tuesday, Guyana for the first time reached 400,000 tonnes of export,” he said, in an invited comment. The Minister added that this number excludes a number of contracts for rice exports that have to be met. “With the contracts we have to supply, before the end of

December, we have another 137,000 to be exported…we are on pace to surpass 500,000 tonnes in export,” he said. Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that 500,000 tonnes of rice was the 2020 target for production. “Rice is doing extremely well,” he stressed. NEW CONTRACTS The Minster stated too that new contracts for rice exports are also being signed, another boost for the industry. He also acknowledged that despite the successes, there are still challenges facing the sector, but assured that assiduous efforts are being made to address these. “We have to look at things like

managing quick payments to our farmer,” Dr. Ramsammy said. Additionally, he told the Guyana Chronicle that with harvesting for the second 2014 crop almost complete, farmers have already started land preparations for the first crop of 2015. The production for 2013 was 535,212 tonnes, which was far above the original target of 413,000 tonnes, and reflected a 27 per cent increase over the production in 2012. The average production per hectare was some five tonnes. For 2014, production is expected to surpass last year’s target. (Vanessa Narine)

BY the end of this week, sugar production is expected to surpass that of 2013, which was some 186,500 tonnes, as the current total is over 170,000 tonnes. This was according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who also told the Guyana Chronicle that the current weather conditions are favourable and the 2014 target is expected to be met over the next few weeks. “I am confident that we will meet the target within the six to seven weeks to go for production. We have enough cane in the fields and we can make it,” he said. The Minister also expressed the hope that production will not be hindered by non-weather stoppages. The overall target for 2014 was being moved from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. Dr. Ramsammy acknowledged the challenges that face the sector, but stressed that efforts are being taken to address these. $6B ALLOCATION Additionally, a $6B allo-

cation, in the 2014 National Budget, for GuySuCo was approved by the National Assembly. The $6B is expected to cover expenditures that include mechanisation, through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B, tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost of $1B. Moreover, there will be factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B and works to field infrastructure to improve field-to-factory access and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell

loaders, tractors, etc. to account for the remainder of the allocation. Despite the dismal sugar production in 2013, Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the sugar industry and hopes to meet the 300,000-tonne target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020. Despite its challenges, the industry, according to Government, remains relevant to the health of the national economy. In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 per cent of total exports valued at US$112.2M and the industry contributed 3.9 per cent of the country’s GDP. (Vanessa Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo

Crime Chief considers Rodney assassination case closed CRIME Chief at the Guyana Police Force, Senior Superintendent Leslie James, considers the 34year cold case of Dr. Walter Rodney’s bomb blast assassination in Georgetown “closed” because the main suspect Gregory Smith is deceased, James told the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry yesterday. He however, said the Commission of Inquiry is fulfilling such a purpose, of probing the death of Dr. Rodney. Under intense grilling from Counsel for the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Christopher Ram, Senior Superintendent James for the first time appeared flustered and uneasy in the witness stand, and peppered the day parrying pointed, specific questions from Ram with answers like “I’m not sure.” The Presidential Commission for the first time zeroed in on the failures of the Police Force to investigate why famed Guyanese historian and international scholar Dr Walter Rodney died in a shocking explosion in his car when a deadly bomb disguised as a communications device blew up in his lap. Ram’s cross examination focused on the relevance today of the cold case, and sought to probe why the Police failed to consider the plethora of evidence that identified Gregory Smith, a mysterious Guyana Defense Force (GDF) soldier, as the main suspect in the bombing. Ram asked the Crime Chief if the Police Force ever investigated, or even considered, the “conspiracies” of the “State apparatus” to execute Dr. Rodney. The Crime Chief responded; “I’m not sure.” Ram’s line of questioning prompted the Commission members – Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham of Barbados, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam of Trinidad and Tobago and Jacqueline

The Commission discussed how Smith secured two different birth certificates, and how he obtained a passport and how he got a GDF military plane to fly him the morning after the bomb blast on June 14, 1980 to Kwakwani and how and why his fiancé got a diplomatic posting to Canada, after she was a mere confidential secretary, and how the Police neglected to arrest Smith despite publication of his name and picture and other details in the Catholic Standard and how and why the police did not act on Donald Rodney’s statement that Smith had supplied a communications device to Dr. Rodney, which exploded in his lap, killing him in his car, and how the police did not act on Pamela Beharry’s identification of Smith as a GDF solider. Samuels-Brown of Jamaica – to comment on the stunning failure of the Police Force, with Sir Richard asking the Crime Chief if the “extraordinary” failures appeared to be “deliberate”. James said he did not think

Senior Superintendent Leslie James

so.

Appearing uncomfortable and uneasy under Ram’s direct and detailed cross-examination, James sought to avoid direct answers to serious questions that implicated the Police Force’s investigation of Dr. Rodney’s death. Sir Richard asked the Crime Chief if it may be appropriate to consider the questionable performance of the Police Force in the case and look to identify if the Force’s “professional integrity” suffered serious damage. Ram questioned the “State apparatus” that failed, including the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as the fiancé of Gregory Smith showed up as an employee at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, Canada, shortly after Dr. Rodney’s assassination.

The Commission is probing the period 1978 to 1980 in Guyana, when Dr. Rodney and a number of other political activists died violently, including Father Darke, who was stabbed on Brickdam, Georgetown, during a popular street protest against the dictatorship government of the People’s National Congress (PNC). Widespread suspicions over the past three and a half decades hover over the troubled PNC Government as the main executor of the assassination of the populist political activist on Friday, June 13, 1980. The Counsel dealt with Smith’s getaway to the hinterland aboard a Guyana Defense Force (GDF) aircraft, detailed reports in the Catholic Standard newspaper, eye witness accounts of Smith’s sighting after he escaped Georgetown the day after the bombing on Camp Street, and an account by Pamela Beharry, all identifying Smith as a GDF soldier. Ram wanted to know if the Crime Chief thought the Police Force should have investigated if there were conspiracies involving the security forces – the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force and the Joint Intelligence Command, along with other agencies like the Foreign Affairs Ministry to cause Dr. Rodney’s violent death. James told the Commission that Police investigators closed the file on the Dr. Rodney cold case after Smith died, yet the Force never obtained a death certificate for Smith. Smith is reported to have died recently in French Guiana,

where he escaped to, in a mysterious flight from Guyana after the deadly bomb blast transformed Guyana forever. The Commission discussed how Smith secured two different birth certifi-

Counsel Christopher Ram

cates, and how he obtained a passport and how he got a GDF military plane to fly him the morning after the bomb blast on June 14, 1980 to Kwakwani and how and why his fiancé got a diplomatic posting to Canada, after she was a mere confidential secretary, and how the Police neglected to arrest Smith despite publication of his name and picture and other details in the Catholic Standard and how and why the police did not act on Donald Rodney’s statement that Smith had supplied a communications device to Dr. Rodney, which exploded in his lap, killing him in his car, and how the police did not act on Pamela Beharry’s identification of Smith as a GDF solider. Sir Richard noted that reports peg Smith as a military man, and hinted at testimony

at the Commission that fingered Smith as an intelligence officer working as a double agent for the GDF and the joint Intelligence Command, and for the WPA, through Dr. Rodney. In the “mid-1990’s,” the Police issued an arrest warrant for Smith, but it was never executed. Ram worked on the idea that the Police failed to probe Dr. Rodney’s killing, implying that the assassination was a PNC Government conspiracy, and the Crime Chief said that based on all the information that was available to it, the Police Force should have arrested Smith, as “all the particulars” were available in a report compiled by Police investigator, Ignatius McRae, who investigated the bomb blast, but ended up charging the badly wounded Donald Rodney as he lay in a hospital bed. Rodney is the only eye witness to the bomb blast killing of his brother, and is slated to testify at the Commission. James told the Commission the ultimate responsibility for the investigation lay with then Crime Chief, Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts. Donald Rodney was charged instead of Smith, while in hospital on June 26. The Commission expressed the thought that if Smith was an undercover operative of the security forces, he would not have been charged. Records show that the GDF paid Smith’s phone bill, and a passport was issued to him by the PNC Government. In fact, Smith was in Police custody only ten days before the deadly bomb blast, when Deputy Principal of the Rama Krishna School, Harry Persaud, filed a Police report that Smith had threatened him with a gun. The Commission noted that ‘Skip’ Roberts had mentioned this incident. The Crime Chief said “it could be a possibility but not sure” that Smith could have

been involved in the killing of Rodney. Chairman Sir Richard asked him if, given the information available, the security forces may have given Smith the instructions. James said he’s “not sure.” The Chairman said, “Could you rule that out?” The Crime Chief said, “It cannot be totally ruled out.” Chairman: “Given the times is there any evidence the Police looked into that aspect, that Smith (was) carrying out orders from security forces?” Crime Chief: “I’m not sure.” ● Samuels-Brown: Police could have checked if aircraft operated by GDF, but no evidence that investigation was done. Failure of Police to pursue investigation. ● Chairman: Picture in papers that Gouveia recognised Smith as the person he flew on GDF military plane on June 14, 1980, speaks to involvement of GDF aircraft in getting Smith out of jurisdiction. ● Chairman: Can the police ask themselves - did we act professionally, or was our professional integrity challenged? ● Crime Chief: Frankly, there should be some engagement, that call must be made by my superiors. ● Chairman: We got to ask where we went wrong? How did this happen? ● Ram: Conspiracy by state apparatus with Smith to kill Dr. Rodney. ● Crime Chief: not sure. Investigation short of being thorough, although police had capacity. ● Ram: Was there a coverup in the implications of the State Apparatus in the death of Dr. Rodney. Crime Chief: I don’t know of a cover-up. ● Chairman: Would it strike you that these were extraordinary omissions on behalf of investigators. Does it not raise a question that these were, given the frequency and importance of omissions, that they were deliberate? ● Crime Chief: No.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

Finance Minister underscores need for more evidence-based decision-making – at statisticians’ forum

FINANCE MINISTER Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday called for a cultural re-orientation whereby Governments, businesses and individuals alike, rely more on readily available empirical data in every-day decision-making, rather than on anecdotal opinions and accounts which are often far removed from reality. He was at the time delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 39th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) and the 24th meeting of the Regional Census Coordination Committee (RCCC). The event at the Princess Ramada Hotel,

Providence, saw the participation of statisticians from across the Region. The SCCS was established in 1974 to provide sound, relevant and timely statistics in guiding sustainable social and economic development of the Region. This is the first time that Guyana is hosting this meeting since the establishment of the SCCS 40 years ago. There can be no serious policy-making or decision-making in the absence of strong and reliable data. This he said is, and should not be confined to the Government, but also be applied to decisions at the corporate and household levels. Minister Singh informed that the Guyana Bureau of

Statistics is often inundated with requests from the corporate world for a vast array of data which serve to inform future plans such as investment, diversification and expansion opportunities, and/or to better understand demographic and market trends. “The data generated by offices such as yours, literally shape the decisions made in the corporate boardrooms of the Region, and indeed Cabinet rooms of the Region. Yours is an extremely important responsibility, and I am pleased with how this responsibility has been discharged in Guyana,” the Minister said. The Bureau of Statistics was established as a department in 1957, but prior to this, the collection

and publication of statistics was de-centralised and assigned to a few key government departments. In 1990, an Act of Parliament 1990 incorporated the Bureau as a semi-autonomous body, outside the purview of the traditional Public Service. Minister Singh gave the example of individuals pursuing studies at the University of Guyana without taking into account the demands of the labour market. “You are making a decision that will influence the job opportunities that will become available to you, and the income that you will be able to earn…I want to make the call for more of our citizens and corporate entities to make decisions on the richness of data that is available,” Minister Singh said.

Minister Ashni Singh (front row-center) with statisticians from Caribbean countries

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 39th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Caribbean Statisticians and the 24th meeting of the Regional Census Coordination Committee

He also called on the academic community and the media to sufficiently treat with the abundance of available data to better address developmental challenges in the Region and to better understand some of the phenomena that are observed. Assistant Secretary General, CARICOM, Colin Grandison, pointed out that Information Communication Technology (ICT) has to be the tool to power the data revolution. He noted too, that statistics are indispensible in the planning and monitoring of developmental objectives. Meanwhile, Director of the Regional Statistics Programme of the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr. Philomen Harrison, in her remarks, spoke of issues that affect

the work of statisticians in the Region and the world over, such as availability of adequate resources, principles of independence and confidentiality, and the development of the profession. “I would like to urge fellow directors of statistics and chief statisticians to continue to be passionate about your work while being vigilant. There is a lot more to be accomplished by statisticians in serving countries,” Dr. Harrison said. The theme under which these two meetings are being held is, “Data revolution for sustainable development in CARICOM - designing and operationalising a framework for statistics.”

PPP calls for a swift resolution to embarrassing episode in West Indies Cricket THE ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in a statement yesterday, made a call for a swift resolution to the embarrassing episode in West Indies Cricket, particularly the withdrawal of service by the One Day International Team in the middle of their tour of India. According to the party, they are monitoring closely these recent developments which will ultimately have

negative effects on the sport in the Region. “It is now public knowledge, this unceremonious end to the India tour was as a result of a pay fall-out between the Senior Men’s team and their Union, the West Indies Players Association, and eventually, the West Indies Cricket Board,” the party said. The PPP's view is that in any work environment, there will be differences from time to time about

compensation, and it is no different in this case. However, they noted that to bring the sport into disrepute because of the narrow-mindedness of a few individuals, is “unacceptable, immature, poor judgment and simply reckless.” As such, the ruling party wish to remind that cricket is the property of the people of the Caribbean, and has played and continues to play a major role in uniting Ca-

ribbean people at the street, village, community, country, regional and international levels. “We believe these recent issues plaguing West Indies cricket can have a serious negative impact on our reputation internationally. As a matter of fact, it is already impacting cricket fans with India ending all bilateral tour agreements with the West Indies, and the tour of South Africa is in limbo” the

PPP said. According to the PPP too, such complications affecting West Indies cricket at this time, can and will have severe economic implications for the Region, including countries which benefit financially from hosting of international matches. Concerned parties are therefore urged by the party to seriously consider the proposal to the effect that

the Honourable Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, play a mediating role with a view to bringing about a speedy resolution to the serious problem at hand. “The PPP urge that these discussions be mature, frank and resolute so that there could be an amicably resolution to the issues, thus allowing West Indies cricket to shift its focus back on field,” the PPP said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Different positions on no-confidence motion in Opposition camps spotlighted “THE AFC (Alliance For Change) is like a rudderless ship drifting along the sea of despair, hoping for some miracle to save it from sinking as a result of its ‘forced ripe’ no-confidence motion, which, from all indications, appears to be dead in the water.” These were the sentiments expressed by the General-Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Clement Rohee, who yesterday underscored the fact that there seems to be a difference of opinion in the camps of the two Opposition parties. “The AFC is knocking from pillar to post, a sad state of affairs indeed. Political observers would not be surprised if in the not too distant future, the corpse of the AFC’s no confidence motion is found floating in the political wilderness,” he said at a news conference, held yesterday at Freedom House, Robb Street. QUESTION OF PRIORITY Rohee’s comments follow the position statements from the leaders of the combined Opposition over the no-confidence motion. Leader of the Alliance For Change, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, in a prior comment to the Guyana Chronicle, disclosed that the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has indicated to him that the no-confidence motion is a “big” priority. “The APNU has indicated to me that they will not renege from their commitment to support the no-confidence motion. They have also indicated that it is a big priority for them,” he said. However, APNU Leader, Brigadier (Rtd.) David Granger, has made it clear that while his party will support the motion when it comes up for consideration in the National Assembly, it is not a priority for the Coalition. In a comment to a local daily, Granger, in response to a specific question, said the motion is not priority for his 26-seat coalition. Rohee said, “The People’s Progressive Party has noted with interest the widening divergence of views between the AFC and APNU on the issue of the AFC- sponsored no confidence motion by placing its political eggs in one basket and out of desperation, the AFC was forced to ignore and jettison its congress which was scheduled for October 25, but has now been postponed to some unspecified date.”

“The AFC is knocking from pillar to post, a sad state of affairs indeed. Political observers would not be surprised if in the not too distant future the corpse of the AFC’s No confidence Motion is to be found floating in the political wilderness.” – PPP General-Secretary, Mr. Clement Rohee

David Granger DESPERATE ACTS According to the PPP General-Secretary, it seems that the AFC is acting out of a sense of desperation. “It is now becoming abundantly clear that the AFC is acting more out of a sense of desperation rather than any real sense of

Khemraj Ramjattan direction and purpose. Its political bankruptcy has now become all too obvious, as many of its erstwhile supporters and friends continue to desert the party that made too many unfulfilled promises to them,” he said. Rohee also referred to the fact that this difficulty was highlighted in a recent letter by Mr. David Hinds.

“The difficulty faced by the AFC was highlighted in a letter in the Stabroek News, October 24, 2014, by David Hinds, who lamented the lack of consensus between APNU and AFC on the no-confidence motion, and predicted that in the absence of such consensus, the ‘PPP will survive the no-confidence vote’. According to Hinds, despite APNU assurances, it is obvious that they are not on the same page with the AFC, a position which was reinforced by Granger, himself when he said in no uncertain terms that ‘the no-confidence is not his party’s priority’,” he said. The PPP General-Secretary contends that it is clear that APNU will not allow itself to be driven by an AFC agenda. LGE PROTESTS For more than a month now, Granger and APNU members and supporters have been engaged in protest actions in different parts of the country, as they demand that the Government set a date for Local Government Elections (LGE). The protests followed the expiration of an ultimatum given to President Donald Ramotar by APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd), David Granger. Mr. Granger had called on the Head of State to set a date for local government elections before September 15, or face the “mobilisation of national and international” support by the party to ensure the elections are hosted. Before the ultimatum, the APNU had made clear its support for AFC’s no-confidence motion, which, if passed with majority support, could see Guyana heading to early general elections. There have since been calls for the APNU leader to explain what it is his party wants, since if the no-confidence motion is debated and passed, there will be a move to general elections, and as such setting a date for local government elections would be futile. “It is clear that the AFC is swimming against the political tide. Guyanese are fed up with the politics of negativity pursued by the Opposition parties, more particularly the AFC, which seems bent on having its way despite resistance from the vast majority of the Guyanese people who would like to see continuity and political stability,” Rohee concluded.

Port Mourant carpenter warded after falling from house under construction By Shirley Thomas CARPENTER Stephen Seeraj, 38 years, of Miss Phoebie, Port Mourant, is warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital after falling from a dwelling house under construction at Port Mourant. Around 09:30hrs last Friday, the father of three, along with another construction worker, was working on the perimeter beam of the building when tragedy struck. A board on the scaffold on which they were standing broke, causing them to tumble more than ten feet to the ground. Seeraj landed heavily on his left

Injured carpenter Stephen Seeraj at the GPHC

leg before ending up on his seat. In the process he suffered a compound fracture to the leg, breaking the lower tibia and puncturing the flesh, leaving his instep supported only by a piece of flesh. The other worker, called ‘Timmy’, was less seriously injured. He suffered injuries to his right leg, but no broken bones. Their boss, ‘Vijay’ (the owner of the house) was on the scene and hurriedly dispatched the injured men to hospital. They were first taken to Port Mourant Hospital, then New Amsterdam Hospital, and were subsequently admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

SPEAKER PROPOSES NOVEMBER 6 AS DATE FOR HOUSE SITTING The letter was sent to the various parties yesterday.

Raphael Trotman

By Vanessa Narine SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, has proposed November 6, 2014 as the date for the next sitting of the House. This disclosure was made in a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, which was copied to the House’s Chief Whips – A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Amna Ally and Government’s Gail Teixeira. A similar letter has also been sent to the Leader of Government’s Business, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Leader of the Opposition, Brig. (rtd.) David A. Granger; and Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan.

SPEAKER’S RESPONSIBILITY House Speaker, Raphael Trotman is of the firm belief that at the last sitting of the House, on July 10, the fact that the House was adjourned to meet on a “date to be fixed” was an erroneous move. He has, however, accepted responsibility for this error. “I am firmly of the belief that when in fact, on July 10, 2014, the House adjourned to a “date to be fixed”, this was done in error, as a date should have been fixed. And for that I take full responsibility,” he said. The Speaker added that an “open-ended adjournment” is tantamount to a violation of the constitutional mandate for the National Assembly to meet day by day. He said, “In any event, I am also of the opinion that the adjournment to ‘a date to be fixed’ was superseded by the event of the House entering into the annual recess on August 10, 2014. “The next day on which the House should have met should have been Monday, October 13, 2014, as October 12, 2014 was a Sunday,” Trotman declared. He also stated that no direction from the Government or the Speaker is required to

“Recent communication with the Whips and pronouncements in the media attributed to both clearly lend to the view that the positions are intractable and that the likelihood of a date been agreed upon soon is unlikely. There is gridlock, and we are faced with the untenable and unhealthy situation of the National Assembly not meeting since July 10, 2014.” – House Speaker, Mr. Raphael Trotman reconvene the sittings in this regard. “Indeed, to support this view, Committee meetings have resumed without an instruction or direction having to be given. Further, when His Excellency issued the proclamation for the 10th Parliament to be summoned and to commence sittings, it was your office that convened the sittings then and every time thereafter,” he said. On these grounds, the Speaker formally requested that the Clerk makes arrangements for a sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday, November 6, 2014. “This date will provide for the normal notice period for Members of Parliament to be notified,” he said. Additionally, in terms of the Order Paper for the sitting, Trotman expressed the view that the agenda as of July 10, 2014 is the agenda that the House should resume with, together with any additional matters that have arisen during the recess, and subject, of course, to the requisite period

of notice being observed. ADVICE He also referred to the advice he had received from the Clerk of the National Assembly as well as former House Speakers. “I have received opinions from your good self (Mr. Sherlock Isaacs), and Messrs. Sase Narine, O.R., S.C., and Ralph Ramkarran, S.C. With regard to your opinion on the applicability of Standing Order 8 (2), I am in fact in complete agreement with it,” he said. The above notwithstanding, Trotman has maintained his stance on the call for a sitting on the grounds he cited. WHIPS' AGREEMENT The fact that the Parliamentary Management Committee has committed to allowing the Chief Whips to settle on a date for a sitting of the National Assembly was also cited by the Speaker. Trotman said, “Notwithstanding the process in which the Whips were involved, I chose to engage you and the

former Speakers of the National Assembly with a view to enquiring how best we can have the sittings resumed. “…recent communication with the Whips and pronouncements in the media attributed to both clearly lend to the view that the positions are intractable and that the likelihood of a date being agreed upon soon is unlikely. There is gridlock, and we are faced with the untenable and unhealthy situation of the National Assembly not meeting since July 10, 2014,” Trotman said. He highlighted that the status quo cannot be allowed to continue since there is no state of national emergency, or otherwise, that prevents the Assembly from not meeting. “In fact, on the contrary, I make bold to say that there are myriad issues of national import that require our immediate attention. With that said, this cannot mean that the National Assembly cannot be convened unless by agreement or indication from the Government; especially where such agreement appears elusive to even

impossible,” he said. To this end, he reminded that he has “found favour” with the opinion rendered by the former Speakers of the National Assembly, which in effect states that the National Assembly shall meet “day by day”, unless otherwise decided by the National Assembly; and that as the Assembly automatically went into recess on August 10, 2014, so too did it automatically come out of recess on October 10, 2014. Therefore, the House should have been convened forthwith on the first working day thereafter. “This opinion in fact supports one that I rendered in a Ruling, No. 4 of 2012, in which it was stated: ‘Once the President issues a Proclamation to summon Parliament under the powers of Article 69 of the Constitution, the presumption is that the National Assembly will sit every day (except Saturdays and Sundays) after the day of its first sitting. However, a Minister may move a motion for resolution by the Assembly that the “next day” not be the day immediately following,” the House Speaker concluded. Several attempts by the Guyana Chronicle to contact the Chief Whips for a comment on the Speaker’s expressed position proved futile.

Dr Norton claims 95% of GPHC staffers don’t know to properly wash their hands – Let him teach them how, says hospital CEO

Dr. George Norton, Shadow Minister of health

By Ravin Singh CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Michael Khan has responded to claims by Shadow Minister of Health and APNU Member of Parliament that 95 per cent of

Michael Khan CEO of GPHC

the staff members at the hospital do not know how to properly wash their hands. According to the APNU Parliamentarian last Friday at his Party’s weekly press conference, a recent survey at the GPHC revealed that some 95 per cent of the staff didn’t know how to properly wash

their hands. This, he lamented, poses a serious problem at Guyana’s premier public health institution. Responding to this statement, however, CEO of GPHC, Michael Khan in an interview with this publication noted that he was not aware that a survey was conducted to investigate the issue raised by Norton. To this extent, he added that he was never made aware of these statistics and so was not in a position to say whether they were accurate or not. He is calling for the survey to be brought to him directly. In the meantime, Khan made a startling recommendation that the Shadow Minister who made the discovery, should lead the way in teaching the staff how to properly wash their hands. “The survey was con-

ducted and Dr. Norton would have had some part to play in that, which means he has to know how to properly wash hands. Therefore, he should lead the way, if his claims are indeed true, and begin helping the staff by teaching them how to wash their hands. I would be grateful if he could help in this cause,” Khan said. EBOLA RESPONSE TRAINING The CEO also debunked statements made by Dr. Norton that persons currently undergoing Ebola outbreak response training have expressed dissatisfaction and are opting to discontinue the training because they have to share medical equipment and suits. Khan explained that at present there are over 100 suits being used to train persons in this area and there are numerous pieces of medical

equipment. He noted too that efforts are still being made to acquire more suits and equipment to further enhance medical delivery in this area.

In that light, he categorically denied the claims and contended that Norton was “twisting the truth” to suit himself.

Congrats to Suely Campos, Governor-elect of Roraima PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has sent a congratulatory message to Suely Campos on her election as Governor of the State of Roraima. Here is the text of the message: On behalf of the Government and in my own name, I wish to extend warm congratulations on the occasion of your election as Governor of the State of Roraima. Your resounding victory demonstrates the confidence which the people of the State of Roraima have

placed in your able leadership. We in Guyana look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen the existing partnership with the State of Roraima for the mutual benefit of our peoples, especially those in our frontier communities. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest regard and my best wishes for a successful term of office. Donald Ramotar President of the Republic of Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday October 27, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

Prime Minister Samuel Hind

…during disbursement o

A HIGH-POWERED government team Sunday visited several schools in Region 6 to observe the disbursement of the Government of Guyana’s $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ education vouchers. At Rose Hall Primary, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addressed the large gathering, and paid tribute to his parents and grand-parents who

sacrificed so much to give him a solid education. In those days, he said, his parents didn’t have much money. “Like some parents here, they were living largely on what they farmed. But whatever money they had, they made it a top priority to provide us with clothing and sent us to school.” PM Hinds grew up like most children during the 50’s and 60’s.

He went barefooted through primary school, but that didn’t stop him from getting a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick. The Prime Minister urged parents to use the money to send their children to school, and to keep them there. Parents, he said, need to spend more time with their children, and

President Donald Ramotar is surrounded by appreciative parents and guardians

keep abreast with what they’re doing in school. He urged parents to manage the viewing of television for the good of their children, “Parents need to keep the television off during the time when children are studying and doing their homework.” The Prime Minister assured parents that the Government will review the success of this programme

with a view to increasing the amount next year, provided things get better and the economy continues to improve. This was hinted at earlier by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, who said, “As our country grows and the economy gets better, this (grant) too will grow.” A caring Government that invests heavily in

President Donald Ramotar and Minister Priya Manickchand

Nikita Barker crown By Alex Wayne NINE dazzling ladies took to the stage at Pegasus Poolside on Sunday night last to battle for the coveted Miss Guyana 2014 crown. But in the end it was the outstanding Nikita Barker who took the top honours with the provocative Miss Jamzone International, Soyini Fraser, having to settle for the second spot. In third place was the ever-smiling Lakita Mc Phoy. Barker also won the prizes for Best Smile and Miss Intelligence. There was a tie in the placing for Miss Congeniality and this was won by Cardella Hamilton and Rochelle Cheddie.

Miss Guyana Universe 2014, Nikita Barker (left) in the company of outgoing queen, Katherina Roshana

MISS BODY BEAUTIFUL The audience was shocked that the suave and electric Jyoti Hardat despite her stirring showcase failed to make it in the ‘top three’ finalists. In

conversation with at least three judges, even these ladies seemed bewildered that Hardat was not mentioned as a finalist. She, however, won the title for Miss Body Beautiful. The show began just shortly after 20:00hrs with impressive dance pieces by the Classique Dance Company as MC Feleze Robertson created quite a feisty and entertaining atmosphere. Adding much luster to the event also was the talented dancers from Jewan-ka-nritya Dance Company. The delegates appeared on stage in the Introductions Segment, and Hardat was very saucy, evoking loud applause from the audience. Alicia Kirton followed and did well as expected. She made way for Sonia Cummings who seemed a bit timid, but presented a noteworthy performance. Cardella Hamilton infused suave and fire during this segment, and

Rochelle Cheddi took things to the very limit in her showcase. Lakita Mc Phoy was bubbly as usual, and Shonette Cain shone with sensuality. The eventual queen, Nikita Barker came in like a wrecking ball and Soyini Fraser matched her theatrics with a ‘show stopper sizzle’ that worked wonders on the audience. After a spectacular performance by Trinidad’s Soca Sensation ‘Kes’, the delegates took to the stage in their stunning swimsuits and those who rocked the venue were Hardat (Sizzling Siren), Fraser (Tropical Volcano), Cheddi (Provocative Vixen), Barker (Sensual Tornado), and Shonette Cain (Temptress). EVENING GOWNS The crowd simply exploded when the mesmerizing Hardat hit the stage in a body hugging scarlet red ensemble that did wonders for

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

ds pays tribute to his parents

of millions in Rose Hall education and the prudent financial management of the nation’s economy are the reasons Government can now afford to give every child in the public school system $10,000 to help parents with the means to send their children to school, hoping to improve attendance. The response by parents has been overwhelming in appreciation of the financial sup-

relate to parents and guardians

port given by Government. Every day, in excess of twelve million dollars is being distributed to parents and guardians throughout every region in Guyana. The high-powered Government team that observed the distribution of the vouchers in Region 6, included President Donald Ramotar; Education Minister, Priya Manickchand;

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. President Ramotar and the Minister of Education started off at JC Chandisingh Secondary, before meeting with parents at Port Mourant Primary; Rose Hall Primary;

Fyrish Primary and Cropper Primary, where the other Government officials were. The distribution process was well-organised, and parents were able to secure their vouchers rapidly. To date, more than $600M have been given to parents and guardians in every region of Guyana. The campaign continues until

every child registered in the system is accounted for. Parents are reminded that they have until the end of November to en-cash their vouchers at any Western Union outlet throughout the country. Government will stand the cost of all Western Union transaction fees to allow parents to benefit from the full $10,000 per voucher.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses parents and guardians at Rose Hall Primary

ned Miss Guyana Universe 2014 her magnificent contours. This gown allowed for full exposure of the entire back and was further accentuated with a shower of abundant silver costume jewellery that made her the diva of the night. Kirton wore a simple mint green dress with a slit that allowed ample view of her left thigh. This dress was highlighted with hues of blues and other tropical shades. Cummings wore a simple peach gown that allowed exposure of her back, and it was accentuated with gold accessories. Hamilton was the ‘diva of the prom’ with a frothy looking yellow masterpiece that was decorated with gold and light green trimmings. Cheddi was a graceful swan in a body hugging gold outfit, with a mesh effect that left eyes glued to her sultry legs. Mc Phoy’s lush black gown was described as ‘flat’ by many and lacked the customary glitz asso-

ciated with evening designs. Barker was a divine ‘Charlie’s Angel’ in a glorious white gown with highlights that created arresting glitter. The piece allowed full view of her back and ended with billowing skirts and a trail that added evening magic to her attire. Matching her ‘step for step’, Fraser appeared with a shimmering gold figure clinging creation with ‘see through fabric’ that allowed glimpses of cleavage and a well toned back. The flowing skirts and elegant trail truly proclaimed her the queen of the night. And indeed she worked it with the finesse of a Persian Goddess. One has to agree that the three finalists answered their final questions quite effortlessly but the judges found favour with Barker who was declared the queen and will represent Guyana later this year at the international leg of the pageant.

From left to right are 1st Runner-up, Soyini Fraser, new Queen, Nikita Barker, and 2nd Runner-up, Lakita Mc Phoy

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday October 27, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday October 28, 2014

Agri research conference explores new technologies for local challenges LAST week’s first agriculture research conference was a “fantastic” one, according to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who noted that the three-day activity brought to the fore new technologies and findings that will benefit local sector stakeholders. “It was a fantastic conference that brought new technologies and finishes to show that challenges we face here in Guyana can be tackled,” he said. The inaugural agriculture research conference, now expected to be an annual feature, was held last Monday at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) under the theme: ‘Consolidating Food and Nutrition Security in the Region – Increasing Economic Opportunities and Entrepreneurship for Rice and other agriculture’. The Minster stated that a number of issues came out during the discussions on the many research papers presented during the conference. “A number of things came out from the conference,” he said. The presentations made last week addressed several issues, including: The

growth and development of the rice industry in Guyana; The status and prospects for Guyana’s non-traditional exports; Strategies for successful livestock rearing on man-made lowlands, under climate change threats; Extensions’ contribution to rice improvement in Guyana; Macro-propagation of plantain using the stem fragment technique; The role of Bio-available Nutrition (BAN) in sustainable organic agriculture; The role of research and technology in enhancing family farms in Guyana; The use of DSSAT to evaluate the potential effects of climate change on rice production in Guyana; and Antimicrobial activity in the sector, among many others. “It was a good interaction between the stakeholders,” Dr. Ramsammy said.

RESEARCH AGENDA Additionally, before the end of the year, the agriculture research conference, among other influences, will inform a national agriculture research agenda that will be made public before the end of the year. Additionally, these efforts will bolster the goals included in the Agriculture

Strategy 2013-2020 and are based on the F-5 Strategic Approach for Agriculture. The F-5 Strategic Approach is as follows: ● Food Security – Consolidating the End of Hunger in Guyana, ensuring everyone has enough food in every community; ● Fiber and Nutritious Food Accessible by citizens – Nutrition Security for All; ● Fuel Production - helping to develop alternative fuel sources, reducing dependency on fossil fuel and creating a Bio-Energy Industry in Guyana; ● Fashion and Health Products – An Agro-Processing Industry which creates a new industry in Guyana; and ● Furniture and Crafts – An industry which we expect to grow in importance in Guyana. Guyana’s ‘Vision for Agriculture 2020’ seeks to change the view that agriculture is for subsistence living while it also seeks to promote agriculture as a wealth generator and entrepreneurial enterprise, producing food and non-food commodities to meet local and export demands. (Vanessa Narine)

Congrats to Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has sent a congratulatory message to Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff on her re-election. Here’s the text of the message: The Government and people of Guyana join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to you and to the Workers Party on your re-election to office as President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. I wish to reiterate the commitment of my Government to continue to work closely with the Government of Brazil, to further strengthen the ties of friendship and collaboration which happily

President Dilma Rousseff

President Ramotar

exist between our two countries and peoples. Please accept Excellency, my best wishes for a very successful term of office, and for your con-

tinued good health and well-being. Donald Ramotar President of the Republic of Guyana

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Back to back ‘Sufi’ concerts planned by Indian High Commission, GUSIA CULTURAL artists, as investors, have an obligation to spread love and teach others through the arts; these were the sentiments of renowned Indian songstress Indira Naik, who, along with her team, has graced the shores of Guyana, bringing two nights of Indian (Sufi) melodies. The Indian High Commission, along with the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex and the Guyana United Sad’r Islamic Anjuman will be hosting two nights of Indian ‘Sufi’ music concerts at the

Theatre Guild, Parade Road, Kingston, and at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, WCD today and tomorrow respectively, at 6:30pm. Speaking on the origin of ‘Sufi’ music, Naik said that the genre comes from a branch of Islam that focused on the love for the beloved or love for the teacher as someone who takes another to a higher understanding of life. Sufi, she said, is rather a softer part of Islam that has a blend of Indian society. “They believe in the oneness of religion and the oneness

Aries Upsetting news that you receive from far away, perhaps by phone or email, could send you into an emotional tailspin. There’s an aura of uncertainty about what you hear - it may not make sense. Before you pass along the news or panic, make sure you know all the facts. You’re likely to find that it’s been blown all out of proportion. In view of this, you deserve an evening out. Taurus Computer glitches or bank errors might send erroneous information to you about your finances. Perhaps the bank says you have less money than you do or a bill is higher than you thought it should be. If you can, make sure it gets settled today. You won’t want to spend your day under this cloud. You will probably want to indulge in total frivolity. Go ahead, you deserve it! Gemini You and someone close could disagree on an issue that both of you feel strongly about. Stubborn pride on both your parts could keep you from working things out. Let it go. It isn’t worth ruining your relationship. Someone you know might be headed for divorce or moving away, and the news could be a shock to you. This should be a day of surprises - not all of them pleasant. Cancer

Renowned Indian melody songstress, Indira Naik

Tuesday, Ocotber 28th , 2014 - 8:30hrs Wednesday, Ocotber 29th , 2014 - 8:30hrs

of God... [and] there is no single brand of either Hindu or Islam.” Asked whether she would engage in teachings of the concept of “Sufi”, Indira responded in the negative, but the songstress is all but inapproachable, so curious minds would not be turned away. The humble songstress did however say: “My music should speak more than my talking.” The first concert will be held tonight at the Theatre Guild, Parade Road, Kingston at 6:30pm. While the Theatre Guild venue presents a challenge of space, a larger gathering would be accommodated at the Anna Catherina complex for the second night, tomorrow at 6:30pm. Performing with a team of four, Naik who comes from a family of artistes said that the crowd will be serenaded by traditional Indian instruments- tabla and violin. Not to mention the use of the guitar and keyboard for the Bollywood component of the concerts. Ms. Naik expressed gratitude with all the entities involved in requesting her presence in Guyana.

Problems with machines could have your nerves on edge. This may be one day when everything seems to break. Some problems you might be able to fix yourself, but at least one may involve something that has to be replaced. This might be the one you need the most right now. Think of it as a sign from the Universe that you should do something else. That’s the only way to stay sane. Leo Today you might attend a party or group event with some friends, and become separated from them. Don’t panic. You will probably run into them later. You might meet some new friends and hear some news that could interest you. This is a day when cell phones and other handheld devices are likely to come in handy. You will want to record or pass on a lot of information. Virgo A number of surprise visitors could result in an impromptu party of some sort. This could be fun for you, but it could also be a bit irritating. It might interfere with something you had planned. There’s nothing you can do without sounding like Scrooge. Go with the flow, enjoy yourself, and then try to salvage your own plans as best as you can. Libra This isn’t the day to take a trip by air. Everything that can go wrong with such a trip will - delays, lost luggage, obnoxious seatmates. If you have one planned for today, change it to tomorrow. This also isn’t a good day to take a class, since your attention span could be unusually short. What can you do? Relax, read, surf the Internet. A lot of interesting information could spark your curiosity. Scorpio One of your ambitions in life is to be financially independent, and lately you might have made great strides toward attaining that goal. Today, through no fault of your own, you may receive information that indicates there may have been a setback. However, all is not as it seems. Don’t go into a panic until you know all the facts. You’re probably still right on track. Sagittarius A surprising revelation from a friend or acquaintance might wake you up to the fact that you don’t really know this person as well as you thought you did. Information could set you off on a search for knowledge that keeps you occupied for hours. A child or young person could come to you and ask for help. This promises to be a busy but interesting day. Make the most of it! Capricorn Your mind is likely to be going a thousand miles an hour today. Thoughts and ideas are pouring into your head like rain from the sky. Some of them might be confusing and others contradictory. You might be tempted to puzzle over them until you give yourself a headache. Write them down and look at them in a day or two. Your ideas are more likely to make sense to you then. Aquarius An old friend you haven’t seen for a long time may suddenly resurface, perhaps at a party or group event that you attend. This could take you by surprise, but you won’t be any less happy to see him or her again. Surprising news may come to you through email or phone, and this might set you off in a totally different direction from the one you started in this morning. Pisces A sudden, unexpected problem at home could be rather upsetting. This probably relates to plumbing, electricity, or some other kind A home equipment. You will have to handle it, which means you will be housebound for most of the day waiting for a repairman when you’d rather be out. A friend might hear of your predicament and come over to keep your company.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday October 27, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Bangladesh win fifth-ever Test match

TAIJUL ISLAM claimed Bangladesh’s best-ever bowling figures then hit the winning runs as the Tigers claimed only the fifth Test victory in their history over Zimbabwe. The three-wicket success in Dhaka is Bangladesh’s second in the past five years, having also defeated Zimbabwe in Harare last April, with Taijul producing one of his country’s most impressive individual showings. The slow left-armer, playing his third Test, claimed 8 for 39 to skittle the tourists for 114 on the third morning of the first Test. That made him the first Bangladeshi to take eight wickets in an innings, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan and Enamul Haque’s sevenstrong hauls, but his magical day was not done, courtesy of another batting collapse as the hosts set off in pursuit of a modest 101 for victory. The score was a precarious 82 for seven when Taijul arrived but he scored and unbeaten 15, including the decisive boundary to seal the result. The day had started with Zimbabwe five for nought and looking to build a sizeable lead and less than 34 overs later they were all out and on the way to a bruising defeat. Taijul drew first blood in the fourth over, Vusi

Chatara and Tafadzwa Kamungozi with consecutive balls to etch his name in Bangaladesh’s record books. Brendan Taylor, meanwhile, was left stranded on 45 not out. But batting got no easier once the home side padded up, with Zimbabwe striking three times before a run had been scored. Chigumbura accounted for Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque, while Panyangara bowled Shamsur Rahman. Three figures seemed a long way off but Mahmudullah’s 46-run stand with Shakib, during which Nyumbu reprieved both men, restored balance. Shakib was unable to see it through, Nyumbu finally holding a chance off Chatara. Chigumbura returned to continue the charge, dismissing Mahmudullah Mushfiqur Rahim provided the calm head required, compiling 23 not out while Taijul’s for 28 and sending back dream day extended to clipping Chigumbura for four to finish the match. Shuvagata Hom three balls later. mates tour de force when Sibanda nicking behind, attempting a third. At 62 for six, a nervy he had John Nyumbu The spinner was soon and Shahadat Hossain finish looked certain but caught at the wicket, but followed up by flattening running riot, having Regis Taijul finished the job on there was to be just one Hamilton Masakadza’s Chakabva and Elton more wicket - Shahadat his own after lunch. Chigumbura caught in off stump. offering a low catch Tinashe Panyangara Sikandar Raza the slips three balls apart to give Panyangara a fell for a duck and Taijul took the counter- before an lbw decision second success. mopped up Tendai attacking approach in against Craig Ervine gave his 25, launching Taijul him a five-wicket haul. Shakib briefly for successive sixes before being caught interrupted his team-

Racing Tips

K&S Organisation ... From Back Page “We don’t just want teams to turn up and say we are playing in the K&S tournament like in times past, but rather teams must earn their right to play in the tournament, based on their performances in ‘The Knockout’, which means you either win and advance or lose and go home,” said ‘BL’ Aaron. As it relates to the prize money for the actual tournament which will culminate on New Year’s Day, Muhammad said same is being worked out along with other logistics at the moment. Asked about the Inter-Secondary School tournament that was played last year, it was disclosed that same will

be held next year as the K&S Organisation is currently holding talks with the Ministry of Education and the Allied Arts Unit, looking for a slot with Beharry Group of Companies on board as sponsor. “When we looked at the time the InterSchool tournament was played last year, the conditions underfoot was not conducive for the younger players, so we decided to shift that back to a slot that will be decided upon by the Ministry of Education during the year, and leave this year for the seniors.” said Muhammad in closing.

South Africa Racing Tips Greyville 08:15 hrs Sutherfen 08:50 hrs Swanee River 09:25 hrs Poivre 10:05 hrs Rainier 10:40 hrs Buck Shot 11:15 hrs Smart Mart

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09:50 hrs Royal Connoisseur 10:20 hrs Abi Scarlet 10:50 hrs Azrur 11:20 hrs Bulas Belle 11:50 hrs Jolie Blonde 12:20 hrs Pavers Star Windsor 09:00 hrs Navigate 09;30 hrs Searching 10:00 hrs Geordan Murphy 10:30 hrs Mendacious Harpy 11:00 hrs Winning Hunter 11:30 hrs Yul Finegold 12;00 hrs Rockie Road 12:30 hrs Haines Ffos Las 09:10 hrs Fletchers Flyer 09:40 hrs Kapricorne 10:10 hrs Coolbeg 10:40 hrs Audacious Plan 11:10 hrs Matripajo 11:40 hrs No Through Road 12:10 hrs Ghost River

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Stubborn Carter holds up Sri Lanka A MORATUWA, Sri Lanka (CMC) – A patient, unbeaten half-century by Jonathan Carter helped pull West Indies A out of trouble on the penultimate day of the third and final four-day ‘Test’ against Sri Lanka A here yesterday. In a spot of bother at 97 for three, Carter crafted a purposeful unbeaten 69 to help steer West Indies A to 183 for three at the close at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium, as the tourists lead by 166 runs overall, with the

final day today. Carter faced 149 balls and struck five fours, posting an 86-run unbroken stand for the fourth wicket with Andre Fletcher who was unbeaten on 36. Fletcher, a right-hander, had faced 108 deliveries and struck two boundaries in a similarly patient knock. West Indies A got a solid start from openers Assad Fudadin and Kraigg Brathwaite who put on 44 for the first wicket. The lefthanded Fudadin, who hit a

century in the first innings, failed to carry on this time getting 39 from 91 balls with three fours. Brathwaite, meanwhile, hit a brisk 32 off 38 balls with five fours to follow up his first-innings 75 but he and Jermaine Blackwood (2) fell in quick succession to leave West Indies A on 53 for two. Carter and Fudadin put on 44 for the second wicket but when Fudadin was lbw to off-spinner Ashan Priyanjan at 97 for three, Windies

A were not yet out of the woods. However, Carter and Fletcher settled down to frustrate Sri Lanka A’s bowlers and steer Windies A to the safety of the close without further loss. Earlier, the hosts converted their overnight 248 for six into 299 all out, a lead of 17 runs on first innings, with seamer and captain Carlos Brathwaite picking up 3 for 28 while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed 3 for 102.

Feuding parties report ‘fruitful’ discussions in contracts impasse

Chris Gayle

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - Initial talks to resolve the latest spat between West Indies players, their union, West Indies Players Association (WIPA), and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), have been described as “cordial, positive and fruitful”. The three parties sat down in an emergency meeting on Sunday in Kingston to begin thrashing

out the matter that led players to abandon the oneday tour of India two weeks ago, and also scupper the subsequent three-Test series. “The meeting was cordial, positive and fruitful and discussions will continue in an effort to find a way forward following the premature end of the tour of India,” said a joint statement released by the WICB yesterday.

The meeting was attended by WICB president Dave Cameron, Director Don Wehby and their legal counsel Luke Hamel-Smith while WIPA was represented by president and chief executive Wavell Hinds, secretary Wayne Lewis and attorney Patrick Foster QC. Prominent Barbadian QC Ralph Thorne represented the players, along with Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons. Marlon Samuels, who is not a member of WIPA, has also not retained legal counsel, but all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder were present. The talks represent the first move to resolve the impasse stemming from the players’ anger over the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), signed recently between the WICB and WIPA. Players have argued it results in a drastic reduction in their earnings and have called for a return to the old CBA. They have also called for Hinds’ resignation and wrote to inform the WICB that WIPA no longer had the authority to act as their bargaining agent. The India tour was abandoned after the fourth One-Day International in Dharamsala, with a fifth match in Kolkata and a single Twenty20 in Cuttack remaining. The Test series was scheduled to start October 30.

Jonathan Carter

Players involved in pay dispute off to SA league JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CMC) – Four of the players who controversially quit the recent oneday tour of India have signed contracts to play in South Africa’s Ram Slam Twenty20 League. ODI captain Dwayne Bravo, Windies T20 skipper Darren Sammy, along with Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell have all been announced by Cricket South Africa to play in the tournament which bowls off next Sunday and finishes on December 12. International T20 star Chris Gayle, who did not tour India because of injury, has also signed up to represent Lions franchise. “I am delighted to announce that our Franchises have recruited some of the world’s best T20 players,” said tournament director, Graeme Smith. “In my discussions with all the super stars it has been satisfying to note their eagerness to play in the Ram Slam as they regard South Africa as one of the best cricket Leagues in the world.” CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat added:

“We are determined to raise the standard and profile of our domestic cricket and there is no doubt that these top class international players will entertain our fans over the next six weeks.” Bravo will turn out for Dolphins, Sammy will play for the Titans, Pollard will suit up for Cape Cobras while Russell will be on the Knights’ roster. However, Bravo who was at the centre of the recent imbroglio, leading the West Indies players’ fight with their union, WIPA, over the new terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), is set to miss the first match of the series for Dolphins but the other Windies players are expected to be available for the entire league. The players have argued that the CBA leads to a drastic reduction in their earnings and have called for a return to the old agreement. They quit the tour following the fourth ODI in Dharamsala, abandoning games scheduled for Kolkata and Cuttack, and the three-Test series carded to start October 30.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

T&T face fresh WC qualifier after heart-breaking loss to Mexico CHESTER, Pennsylvania (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago will have to take the long route if they are to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup (WC) in Canada, after suffering a 4-2, extra time loss to Mexico in the third place playoff at the CONCACAF Women’s Championship last Sunday. Automatic qualification seemed on the cards when T&T led 2-1 after 78 minutes but Mexico equalised to force a 2-2 stalemate at full-time before Veronica Charlyn Corral netted a brace in extra time, to seal T&T’s fate. T&T will now face Ecuador in a home-andaway playoff next month in their final chance at qualification, and Randy Waldrum believes his side can achieve the feat. “As disappointed as I am not to get it done here this weekend, I’ve said it all along. I still think we’ll go down to Ecuador and get after it,” Waldrum said. “We can win home and away.” The Mexicans led on 24 minutes at PPL Park when Corral crossed from the left side for Sandra Stephany Mayor to convert from 12 yards. Down 1-0 at half-time, Trinidad hit back in the 57th minute through Kennya Cordner who beat goalkeeper Pamela Tajonar with a strong header following Ahkeela Mollon’s rightsided cross. T&T’s hopes of qualification were then given a massive boost when Mariah Shade put them in front 12 minutes from the end, slotting home from close range after a cross ricocheted off Brianna Ryce.

Mariah Shade However, their hopes were dashed a minute later when Monica Ocampo headed in the equaliser for Mexico. In extra time, Corral settled the game and the fate of the Trinidadians, producing a pair of clinical finishes to give Mexico victory, while the United States beat Costa Rica 6-0 in the final at the same venue.

McKinnon wins Trophy Stall Overall Prize SPEED, POWER AND ACCURACY, the three main elements of the practical shooting triangle, were well balanced last Saturday at the Guyana Defence Force’s Timehri Ranges when the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) successfully hosted its Inaugural Practical Pistol Match. The match was declared open by GSSF president Vidushi Persaud and after some brief remarks from vice-president Michael Blake, things got under way. Following the Latest Edition of Practical Shooting Handgun Rules, the competitors enjoyed an afternoon with wonderful weather under cool but overcast skies while safely engaging targets in three dynamic stages. The first stage called ‘Condiments’ required the shooter to hold a bowl and a salt-shaker before the start signal is heard after which he/ she had to engage 5 targets, while avoiding no-shoot/ penalty targets which if hit would attract penalty of 10 points per hit. The second stage ‘Gangway’ was the longest of the day and adjudged the ‘most fun’ stage. It consisted of 12 targets and 2 falling plates, some of which were hidden behind screens and behind no-shoot targets. This stage required shooters to engage targets while on

The respective winners pose with their magazines and trophies, following the presentation of prizes. the move and reload their guns in an effort to cut their overall time and the third and final stage aptly named ‘The Coconut’ saw shooters creatively dropping a coconut they were required to hold for the start position. The mobility of competitors was tested since the second shooting position was a short sprint downrange before they can see the other targets positioned behind hardcover screens and more no-shoots. Breaching any safety regulations on the range and its surrounding area can see violators being disqualified from the entire match. Scoring was tallied by the official scoring software used for the sport and done by Stats Director Pravesh Harry who efficiently released the overall results which are as follows: 1st Place with 223.84 points was Ryan McKinnon,

David Dharry was second with 217.91 points while Persaud copped third with 182.81 points. The match was open to all established Practical shooters, with the Guyana National Rifle Association and the Guyana Police Force being invited. Secretary of the GSSF, Steve Ninvalle, delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the match, which he specifically noted was conducted and duly completed safely. He also expressed thanks to Trophy Stall and its Managing Director Ramesh Sunich for the support and the donation of the attractive trophies. The GSSF also took the time to present copies of ‘Front Sight’ Magazine, the official journal of the United States Practical Shooting Association, to the top three Stage winners in each stage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

Foo misses ton, 50 for Chanderpaul T E M P E R A M E N TA L middle-order batsman Jonathan missed scoring a century yesterday for Johnson’s XI who faced Singh’s XI in their practice encounter at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, as part of their preparation phase for this year’s upcoming West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League. Winning the toss and batting first on a track which had some moisture in it, Johnson’s XI slipped to 22 for 4 within the first hour as they lost Rajendra Chandrika (1), Robin Bacchus (0), Narsingh Deonarine (1) and Trevon Griffith (17) to the bowling of Jeremy Gordon and Raun Johnson. Forty-year-old dependable Guyana and West Indies middleorder batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul 52 (4x4, 1x6) and Christopher Barnwell 27 (2x4) brought some respectability to their team’s total with their 60-run fifth-wicket partnership, before Barnwell was removed by Gordon, courtesy of a Royston Crandon’s catch. The elder Chanderpaul, then added an additional 42 for the sixth wicket with Foo, realising his halfcentury from 104 balls with four fours and a six over mid-on off Anthony Adams, before Crandon held another catch to account for the left-handed Chanderpaul, this time off Steven Jacobs.

Foo, who mixed sound defence with aggression to hit Amir Khan for a hat-trick of sixes, was joined by the in-form Anthony Bramble who failed to get going this time around and was stumped by Jason Sinclair off Khan at 128 for 7. It was a wicket that brought joy to Singh’s XI that was being led by Vishaul Singh and at the same time sorrow, as Foo and his Albion Cricket Club teammate Veerasammy Permaul resisted their bowling efforts to post 93 for the eighth wicket. Permaul struck five fours in his 24, even as Foo

continued after taking 89 balls to post his half-century that was decorated with three fours and the same number of sixes, celebrating after with two audacious drives through extra cover off Johnson, midway the afternoon session. Foo lost both Permaul and Kemol Savory (0) at 221 for 9 but in tandem with Paul Wintz who was unbeaten on 10 (1x4), pushed the score to 240 before he (Foo) was the last man out, caught at deep cover by Anthony Adams off Kemo Paul for 85 (131 balls, 8x4, 3x6). Gordon, a Canada-based

Guyanese finished with 4 for 41 and Adams 2 for 38, while there was a wicket each for Jacobs, Paul, Khan and Johnson bowling for Singh’s XI who at the close of play were 16 without loss. Deonarine grassed an outside edge off the bat of Kandasammy Surujnarine (2) off the bowling of Wintz at 15 for 1 in the penultimate over of the day, while at the other end, Tagenarine Chanderpaul is unbeaten on 9, heading into the second day’s play when the action commences at 09:30hrs.

Well played Johnny! Jonathan Foo of Johnson’s XI plays a forward defensive shot against the bowling of Amir Khan (foreground) yesterday, while from left, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Jacobs, Jason Sinclair (wkp.) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul look on. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Ali wins blitz chess in Suriname

Sheriffa Ali collects her first place trophy after she won the level three (Bishop) category in the Loper Klasse Open Rapid 2014 competition in Suriname last Sunday.

NATIONAL junior chess player Sheriffa Ali maximised on her stay in Suriname with a first place finish in a blitz chess tournament last Sunday in Paramaribo. After helping Guyana to a second-place chess finish in the just concluded Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), the 15-year-old (the youngest in the travelling chess team) won seven and drew one of her nine games (20 minutes each) to win the level three (Bishop) category in the Loper Klasse Open Rapid 2014 competition. “Suriname plays a high level of chess and most of the players were very competitive,” the softspoken youngster stated. Along with the win, Ali has now achieved a blitz

rating but will however have to wait until December for that information, since rankings are updated every three months. At the IGG, Ali won two of her three games. She got past the challengers from French Guiana and Suriname’s B team, but lost to Suriname’s A side. Roberto Neto, who was also a member of the IGG chess team finished third in the level five (Queen) category at the blitz tournament and like Ali, he also won two of his three games at the IGG, while team captain and national junior champion Hai-Feng Su won two games and drew one, with Jessica Clementson being the other member of the IGG chess team with Wendell Meusa coach.

Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic …

Guyanese bodybuilders to boycott future shows By Leeron Brumell LAST THURSDAY, three local bodybuilders namely Godfrey Stoby, Marlon Bennett and Careus Cipriani left these shores to compete in the Darcy Beckles Invitational Classic in Barbados. However, on their return from the show, they have decided to ‘never ever’ enter the event again, even though both Stoby and Bennett competed in the International Classic for the second time, having first done so in 2010. Stoby placed fifth, the best placing by a Guyanese at the event, but according to coach of the team, Videsh Sookram, the decision was a ‘blatant robbery’, while Bennett was placed sixth. Sookram told Chronicle Sport even the home crowd felt the decision was harsh. “I felt Stoby should have placed better, second or third but definitely not fifth. It was robbery, like in your face. Even the Bajans booed when the decision was announced. When Stoby entered, other bodybuilders saw what he had to offer,” said Sookram who added that Cipriani, in his first outing at the event, should have also placed better. The Men’s Physique class in which he competed features athletes, who prefer to develop a less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique. “They gave the title to

Godfrey Stoby a guy who was muscular, so Cipriani said that’s it for him in Barbados,” noted Sookram. The team did not launch any official protest. Instead they are to boycott future Darcy Beckles Invitational events. Despite the setback, Sookram said he thought the trio performed well, adding that the athletes had the chance to interact with Ian ‘The Blade’ Jackson, a former Mr Olympia (2008). Whether or not other local bodybuilders will compete in future Darcy Beckles Invitational Classics which is organised by former Barbados champion Roger Boyce in honour of the celebrated Darcy Beckles, who won every major local and Caribbean contest during his heyday and was the spearhead of Barbados’ assault on the Mr Universe stage from 1976-79, is left to be seen.

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1) Nikita Miller; Leon Johnson; Darren Bravo; Devon Thomas (2)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the first WI to captain the team in an ODI game? (2) How many ODIs Brian Lara played for the WI? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday OCTOBER 28, 2014

2014 GABA OPEN C’SHIPS

GDF retain championship honours on final night … ‘Biggy’ pops Champagne bubble

By Calvin Roberts HAVING set out to retain their championship honours when the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) hosted its National Open Championships at California Square, East Ruimveldt, the Terrence Poole-coached Guyana Defence Force (GDF) gym did just that when the curtain came down on the Championships last Sunday night. Ten fights whetted the appetite of the boxing fans who braved the overcast conditions early in the evening to witness the action, where they saw Imran ‘Magic’ Khan retain his welterweight crown with a classy display over Nandkumar ‘Real Coolie Bully’ Singh. Also victorious on the night was Glenroy Smith who dethroned Eon Bancroft in the 69kg

division, while Aquincy Wright, Dennis Thomas, Desmond Amsterdam and Quincy ‘Biggy’ Small were all victorious, with Small bursting John Champagne’s bubbles in the first round. The night’s action which was witnessed by close to 1 500 patrons saw Tyrone Lashley, Kevin Allicock and Dellon Charles chalk up unanimous points-decision wins over Richard Sabatree, Dwayne Kendall and Stefan Andrews respectively. Khan, who looked rusty in the previous night’s win over Stefan Julian, shrugged off the rust, used some CRC and dished out a boxing lesson to Singh in a contest that was deemed the fight of the championships by those who witnessed all three nights of action. He boxed and moved like ‘Sugar Ray’ Leonard and jabbed like Muhammad Ali, hitting Singh at will, one time rocking the ‘Real Coolie Bully’ with several

combinations to the body and head in the second stanza - punches he withstood to survive and make it through. When the decision was announced, loud cheers erupted around the venue while Singh embraced Khan who retained his title in the process, in a congratulatory hug, a testament of the true sportsmanship not only encouraged by AIBA, but always displayed by Singh. Henry and Keeve Allicock met in the next bout, a 64kg clash and, like Khan and Singh, gave the crowd a treat with their toe-to-toe slugfest during the first two rounds, before a tired-looking Allicock was penalised thrice for excessive holding in the third stanza. According to AIBA rules which the GABA always follows to the last exclamation mark in their championships, the elder Allicock made himself eligible for disqualification after the third warning, which

Andy Murray wins Valencia Open ... Robredo’s reaction in dramatic fashion draws smiles (REUTERS) Andy Murray saved five match points against Tommy Robredo for a second final in a row when he fought back to win 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(8) at the Valencia Open last Sunday and secure valuable points for his World Tour finals bid. The gruelling battle at the cathedral-like Agora arena, at three hours and 20 minutes the longest final of the year on the ATP World Tour, was a repeat of last month’s Shenzhen Open showpiece, when Murray fought off five match points against the Spaniard on the way to a 5-7,, 7-6(9), 6-1 success. A wildcard at the Valencia indoor hardcourt event, which he won in 2009, third seed Murray produced an erratic display against unseeded Robredo but had just enough in the tank to claim a 31st career singles title. After thumping a backhand winner to seal victory, the Scot, who squandered a match point earlier in the third set,

collapsed to the floor and barely had enough strength to get to the net to greet his equally exhausted opponent, whose unconventional approach to the post-match handshake at the net, drew smiles. The win earned Murray, playing his 20th match in five weeks, having also won in Vienna this month, a further 200 points and lifted him to fifth in the race to secure a spot at the seasonending eight-man Tour finals in London. Along with Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov, he will be looking to secure one of the four remaining berths at this week’s Paris Masters. “I played well at the right moments,” Murray told reporters. “I know it was an incredible match,” added the 27-year-old. “The tennis at the end and in the second set was high level.” After an intense first set with Robredo in the ascendancy, Murray upped his game in the second

before failing to convert three break points on the Robredo serve that would have given him a 5-2 lead. The Scot then played a woeful game to hand a break back and home favourite Robredo had two match points in the tiebreak that would have given him a 13th career title. However, Murray dug deep to take the match to a third set and after missing his chance to seal victory with Robredo serving at 4-5 managed to come through the deciding tiebreak by fending off a further three match points. “It was an amazing match, and you have to enjoy it,” Robredo said. “Unfortunately someone has to win and it was decided by a few balls,” added the 32-year-old. “I guess that when I finish the season next week and I watch today’s match against one of the best players we have right now, I will be very happy.”

‘I am the champion, have respect for me.’ This must be going through the mind of Imran ‘Magic’ Khan (right), who rocks Nandkumar ‘Real Coolie Bully’ Singh with several combinations during their epic welterweight clash last Sunday night. the referee duly executed, much to the dismay of the fans, some of whom were unaware of the reason for the premature end. If Bancroft needs to blame anyone for his loss, he needs only to take a look in the mirror, as he never listened to the instructions given to him by his corner men, some of which this reporter was privy to hear, but chose to engage Smith in a slugfest. Same was done by Rhon Smith the previous night when he faced Glenroy Smith and the punches which were thrown to the body of

Rhon Smith and missed, did not miss the mid-section or head of Bancroft, who saw Glenroy Smith take his 69kg title with a unanimous decision victory. Thomas, who was later declared Best Senior Boxer, was too good and strong for Steven Chan who suffered a first-round TKO at 2 mins 30 secs, while Mark ‘Violence’ Pierre was tamed by Amsterdam, his GDF gym mate, who recorded a third-round TKO victory with the fight being stopped at 2 mins 58secs. Pierre needs to thank

the implementation of the Cavilon Cream by AIBA, as it saved his face from being badly battered and bruised from the crisp jabs thrown by Amsterdam, which were used as a lead for the eventual victor’s right hooks and combinations, punches that led to referee Mark Drakes calling off proceedings in the final round, with Pierre winded and beaten. Dellon Gordon has a heart of a tiger, but Trevor King’s heart is that of a lion and the latter proved his supremacy with a stunning first-round TKO win at 2 mins 33secs, leaving Gordon in a crumpled heap on the wet canvas, with blood oozing like a burst pipe from his right eyebrow. The final fight of the night saw a bigger ‘Biggy’ Small take on a mediumsized Champagne, who was given the go-ahead to compete despite the presence of an open abscess on the back of his head and after 2 mins 7 secs, the fight was called off, handing Small an easy victory without breaking a sweat. While GDF claimed the top gym and Thomas the Best Senior Boxer, Rose Hall Jammers Jamal Eastman was named Best Junior Boxer, with Republican finishing as runners-up to GDF.

Sport CHRONICLE

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Foo misses ton, 50 for Chanderpaul See story on page 26

K&S Organisation lays out plans for 25th tournament … ‘The Knockout’ stage to kick off on November 14

Kashif Muhammad of receiving same from the Normalisation Committee CO-DIRECTORS within which will be set up to run the Kashif and Shanghai the affairs of the game. Organisation, Kashif The Normalisation Muhammad and Aubrey Committee was ordered by ‘Shanghai’ Major, and Fédération Internationale their planning committee de Football Association which includes Colin ‘BL’ (FIFA) Head of Member Aaron yesterday morning Associations, Premo briefed the media as it Cavaro, and CONCACAF relates to preparations Director of Legal for their upcoming Affairs, Marco Leal, and 25th annual year end will run Guyana’s football extravaganza tournament. until September 2015. While they have not Prior to such a welcome received official word as it announcement, the K&S relates to being given the Organisation had submitted green light for this year’s to Christopher Matthias, edition of a tournament the ousted president of that has contributed the Guyana Football tremendously in more Federation, their intentions ways than one towards the to organise the annual year development of Guyana’s end tournament, for which football over the past they were given certain two and half decades, the requirements that needed to dynamic duo were confident be fulfilled. By Calvin Roberts

In an invited comment yesterday, Muhammad said that while they had made the application to the-then GFF Administration, they are awaiting the installation of the Normalisation Committee, hoping they won’t have to but still willing to make a reapplication if needs be. “We wrote the-then Christopher Matthias-led GFF with our intentions and got a response outlining the necessary requirements we will need to have along with the various logistics, which we have worked on and continue to work on. From all perspectives, I am quite confident we will be given the nod to host this tournament once again, bringing to footballloving fans the excitement

and camaraderie in a much better way through the Kashif and Shanghai tournament this time around,” said Muhammad. He added, “We have this confidence, based on our contribution to football in previous years through the tournament and with things being stagnant at the moment, we are more than confident we will be the sole owners of this allotted time. We know there is a process that we have to go through with the setting up of the Normalisation Committee. And once football is regularised, we are confident of giving the fans another wonderful tournament and even though we are unaware of the Normalisation Committee

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Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major making the approval of the sub-associations an issue we are still prepared to talk with the sub-associations to avoid problems.” Quizzed on the format which will be used for this year’s edition, Muhammad said his Organisation will be hosting a category called ‘The Knockout’, which will involve all 69 playing first division teams from subassociations affiliated to the GFF. “We, at the K&S Organisation would be funding the playing of this knockout tournament, which will involve all the teams from all the subassociations, which are Georgetown (16), Linden (13), West Demerara (12), East Bank and East Coast (8 each), Berbice (7) and

Bartica (5) and which kicks off on November 14. From this tournament, the best 8 teams out of Georgetown, 2 each from Linden, West Demerara and East Bank, 3 from East Coast and one from Berbice with an alternate also coming from Linden will advance to the actual tournament which gets under way on December 14 with the Crème de la Crop,” said Muhammad. Proceeds from matches contested in ‘The Knockout’ will go towards the sub-association in which the game was hosted, even as the K&S Organisation will provide the prize for the top three finishers of this stage of the tournament. Turn To Page 23

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014