Kaieteur News

Page 4

Kaieteur News

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

Editorial

Avoiding Dutch Disease With rising gold prices and production, coupled with the firm conviction that the massive oil deposits – black gold off our shores will soon be flowing, maybe it is time that we look ahead and consider the phenomenon called “Dutch Disease”.

It is primarily associated with natural resource discovery and originated from a crisis in the Netherlands in the 1960s that resulted from discoveries of vast natural gas deposits in the North Sea. Unlike what had been expected, the Dutch economy soon headed downwards than up. In general “Dutch Disease” now refers to negative consequences arising from large increases in a country’s income.

The Dutch economy stagnated because they failed to create an environment where services and manufacturing can flourish — not because they happened to have a gas deposit.

In general it has been shown that mineral rents are actually a barrier to an environment where manufacturing can flourish, even without coups or civil wars (and in fact mineral rents encourage growth in services). That is the essence of Dutch Disease.

There are at least two purely economic mechanisms by which mineral rents (high income from mineral extraction) make the establishment of a flourishing manufacturing industry extremely difficult. The first is the exchange-rate mechanism. Large mineral rents (or any rents, actually) lead to a rate of inflation in the rentier economy that exceeds the rate of inflation elsewhere.

Even in our economy with its “floating” exchange rates, the differential inflation amounts to an overvalued real exchange rate, which makes imports cheaper and exports more expensive. That makes local manufacturing really uncompetitive since exports are artificially expensive to foreign consumers, and domestic consumers would rather buy artificially cheap imports. We have seen that our garment manufacturers have been unable to compete with countries that are supposed to have a much higher per capita GNP’s than us. The deck is stacked against a vibrant manufacturing sector.

The second mechanism has to do with the labour market in the rentier economy. Large mineral rents, again, lead to inflation. But the inflation is higher for non-tradable goods and services than it is for tradable goods and services. This is because tradables face international competition, which keeps prices relatively contained (a flatter supply curve).

Wages follow prices, and as a result the wages rise faster in the non-tradable sector than in the tradable sector. And, as we all know from the present experience of Guysuco, workers follow wages. Since virtually all manufactures are tradable, workers will move out of manufactures and into non-tradables, mostly services.

Do kleptocratic regimes exploit natural resources to pad their bank accounts, buy off opponents, and purchase weapons to intimidate holdouts? Of course they do.

Exploiting, padding, bribing and bullying are what kleptocrats do best. But they are equal-opportunity exploiters. If natural resource rents aren’t available, they’ll find something else — and maybe do something worse to get it. Happily for those countries stuck atop piles of diamonds or lakes of oil, then, it turns out the resource curse must have been enchanted by a pretty feeble witch. Once you look at the evidence more carefully, the usual argument is turned on its head. Countries that rely on natural resources for a large part of their output are indeed cursed — by poor quality government and an institutional environment that stifles the growth of manufacturing and services.

That’s why the most heralded talisman against the resource curse — improving institutions through greater transparency and oversight — makes sense regardless. In fact, because so much of the revenues from extractive industries flow through governments, improved oversight might be a particular help after a mineral find. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, for example, publishes audited statements regarding payments from industry to government in royalties and taxes.

But at heart, they are good ideas because all governments should be more transparent and increase the flow of resources to communities, no matter what is under their land. Blaming gold or oil wealth for poverty, though, is like blaming treasure for the existence of pirates.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

Lindeners on the frontline of a battle for Guyana’s future DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the letter to the editor written by Sharma Solomon [SN 13th August, 2012 “There was a military operation to pre-empt a reasonable outcome to the dilemma in Linden”] It is clear to anyone paying attention that the people of Linden are deliberately being targeted by the current incarnation of the PPP Government. This became quite obvious since the Budget Debates when the NCN switched off transmission to Linden.

The deaths of three protesters on July 18th, 2012, and the subsequent actions of the Government, make it patently clear that negotiations in good faith are out of the question. So there is no point in expecting good faith. The leaders of the nation have no one to blame but themselves for lack of faith in them.

Upon the formation of the new government, people in this country gave the new president every opportunity to distinguish himself and his administration. Read every KN Editorial around that period for evidence of how much people hoped for consensus and for a break from the past. For him to reduce himself and his office to having to write open letters is an indication that he has lost the plot. There is a clear abdication of leadership, yet very menacing and threatening actions are being undertaken.

Under these circumstances, and with the very genuine concerns of Lindeners, what could be the best course of action? If the Government is seeking

conflict, then the best course of action would appear to be not to give it to them. This has to be an unambiguous stance. To stand up to them while they are armed and dangerous, without weapons might not be the best course of action at this time. Go home and stay in your homes.

They know that if they provoke the people enough, there will be protest. This is the predictability that makes the nation vulnerable.

If there is no protest action, then there can be no occasion for evil to exploit.

The habit of protest is the occasion. So, don’t present the occasion by breaking the habit. Is this defeatist? It certainly is not. The absence of open conflict is where the success is to be found. For this is what is threatening the government. If there is no conflict, there is no divide.

When our actions become too predictable, then we become very vulnerable. For example, if anyone wants to distract the attention of the public from any contentious issue in a big city in the world, then simply orchestrate a situation where a white police officer murders a black man and a riot is bound to follow.

It is almost causal. We have to show greater awareness and intelligence of the fact that there are people in the world who benefit from our suffering and not simply languish in it and see only it.

The public is being manipulated - all over the world.

It is my understanding that the conflict in Linden in the 1960s was orchestrated by bigger powers – there were invisible external interests. What could

motivate the PPP Government, or a subset of the Government, to be taking such desperate acts and decisions, the likes of which Guyana has never seen before? Who are the invisible interests? Nations all over the world are aligning themselves one way or the other, so who suffers if the PPP Government leaves office?

The citizens of the nation remain vulnerable to external interests as much as internal greed and corruption. It is this cycle that we have to break by bringing ethics into politics.

It is unclear what Sharma Solomon means by the following: “We urge you to safeguard your interest by ensuring that ours is satisfied by this government and that you do not allow the usual divide and rule practice by those who are responsible for denying Linden, and causing Lindeners to embark on a civil rights movement.”

Who in Guyana is being addressed here? Who in Guyana can ensure that this government does anything?

Isn’t it clear that the government is disconnected from its supporters and is manipulating them and pursuing its own interests?

Who in Guyana asked the PPP Government to impose austerities in Linden?

Let it be quite clear here that this government is not executing policies developed by its supporters. This kind of reasoning is what the PPP Government is hoping for. It is a threat against the citizens of the nation, not a threat against the government. This is rubbish thinking. The threat that Lindeners might have cause to embark on a civil

rights movement is not even a threat. It is what they are hoping for. This kind of thinking is not reflecting an awareness that this problem is not about electricity rates.

It’s a direct provocation.

There is no supporter of the PPP Government who can prevent the PPP from doing anything. Which PPP supporter wants conflict in Linden? Conflict sustains the PPP Government. And it sustains the PNCR as a party.

The people of Linden are on the frontlines of a great battle for the future of Guyana.

There is no room for mistakes, because open conflict can and will be abused and then there will be absence of accountability and this is where we all lose. We have to rely on the law of the land and on the evolution of political representation, parliament and elections. We have to rely on creativity and not fall prey to habit. We must show greater awareness that conflict will not resolve conflict. There will be no progress in Guyana without goodwill.

“This is a people’s struggle for their civil rights.

It encompasses persons from across the racial spectrum, religious beliefs and socioeconomic status. It has within its midst those who are supporters of the APNU, AFC, PPP and the nonaligned. And we will keep it this way.”

As mature as this situation is, we need more.

Sharma Solomon needs to add to this pledge the commitment to dialogue and political process and keeping people out of the line of fire.

This commitment will save Continued on page 5

Normal has to include justice and equality DEAR EDITOR, The Stabroek News of 14 August, 2012 reports that Ms. Gail Teixeira has indicated that “Government will not be engaging with issues in Linden until normalcy is restored’ It is the Government’s version of ‘normalcy’ that the people in Linden have had to raise up against. It is tragic that Ms. Teixeira and her Government have forgotten that even during the ‘normalcy’, the Government was not engaging with Linden and the protests are a response to that lack of meaningful engagement.

A lot of us are comfortable with ‘normalcy’ - quietly adjusting to the oppression.

While children were being tear-gassed over the weekend in Linden, another man privately spoke of his

fear of telling his good news story about other children who did well in the CSEC exams. Normalcy in Guyana, then, is this silence, this quiet acceptance, this fear of even telling good news stories which contradict the Government’s narratives.

This is what Ms. Teixeira wants Linden (and the rest of us) to resume.

The lessons from Linden should be clear for all Guyanese who reject normalcy - that normalcy of accepting corruption, accepting bad governance, normally accepting intimidation and violence, normally accepting domestic violence and the rape of children; of accepting poor standards in education and health care. Normalcy, apparently, is not trusting the police or any of the public

institutions.

Linden, though, is far from the coast where normalcy prevails. So the man who is scared to share his good story is normal - while the people in Linden who have dared to take to the streets to protest are not. Ravi Dev, writing in Kaieteur News on 5 August, 2012, gives his own testimony about Albion in 2001 “As we approached we were confronted by a squad of “Black Clothes” Police. They all had automatic weapons, each with an extra cartridge strapped to their guns. The head of the detail called me forward and told me they had orders to ‘shoot to kill” if we marched on the Public Road in front of the Station. I had no reason to doubt him – there were no teargas or pellet shotguns in sight, just automatic weapons.”

Mr. Dev and Albion then it seems returned to Ms. Teixeira’s normalcy and as he wrote “I persuaded the riled up crowd to march in the street behind the station”. This is what apparently is expected that we do…we bury our dead and forget - as many of us did about Mohammed Shamshuddin.

We all have a stake in how we want to define normal in Guyana. Normal has to include justice and equality.

Normal cannot be accepting that police can kill civilians without any fear of punishment. Normal cannot be tear-gassing children.

Normal cannot be waiting on commissions of inquiry into killings - normal is supposed to be a functioning justice system which holds the state accountable as well.

Vidyaratha Kissoon

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news Does GPL supply the mining town with A highly insulting editorial, electricity? If not, leave it to Bosai fraught with inaccuracies

DEAR EDITOR, The shooting deaths of three protestors by Police in the mining town struck me with a revolting sense of something gone terribly wrong in Guyana. How could this happen? Aren’t police trained properly? Aren’t they supposed to follow the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) which require them to use teargas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse misbehaving protestors?

I believe these shooting deaths should be treated as a stand-alone incident, and should not be tied to the cause of the protest. When four pro-govt. writers sought to connect the deaths to the cause of the protests and raised other equivalency or frivolous issues, they were all trying to mitigate, excuse and absolve Minister Rohee for responsibility for these deaths.

Try as hard as they do, the fact is all Ministers are responsible for things that go terribly wrong in their Ministries under the doctrine of Ministerial Responsbility.

Minister Rohee is a serial failure and it is high time for him to be relieved of his ministerial portfolio. It is the responsibility of president Ramotar not to allow the crisis to simmer, resolve it quickly and stop the hemorrhaging to the economy. Protecting Rohee is an indication of the government’s desire to drag this thing out.

I studiously avoided getting involved with the argument raised, whether it is fair for the government to subsidize the electricity costs for Linden, and have the rest of the country pay higher costs – because this issue has absolutely nothing to do with the violation of SOP rules and the use of live bullets to disperse protestors.

Meanwhile I had mistakenly believed, as were most of the 700,000 citizens who live in Guyana that govt. was indeed subsidizing electricity costs for Linden.

How could this happen, I kept asking myself. How could the parliament or the Utility Company, GPL, have entered such an arrangement? What were they thinking about when they passed this law or set electricity rates?

Lo and Behold! GPL does not supply electricity to Linden. I was stunned when I found this out. (This was revealed to me after reading a letter in SN written by Emile Mervin). How could a govt. impose “tariffs” on consumers for a good/service they did not supply? What is the moral or legal justification for this imposition on Lindeners?

Since the 1800s multinational corporations would secure a franchise or licence to operate a mine in some remote third world country. And, when they launch their operation, they literally create the civilization – they build roads, housing,

Lindeners on the frontline...

From page 4 lives and ultimately even the nation.

I take this opportunity to join with those in Guyana mourning the loss of Mr. Hugh Cholmondeley. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to meet this gentleman and work and participate with him in activities geared toward improving social cohesion.

His passion and dedication to Guyana is unquestionable.

And his hopes for reconciliation and real progress now lie completely in our hands. May he rest in peace and may we do our best while we can.

Sandra Khan

schools, water, electricity, hospitals – everything for the town, and very often at no direct cost to the people.

Fast forward to today – and to Bosai. Bosai is the multinational that is in charge today. And, with the passage of time, some arrangements have changed. Bosai still generates its own electricity to run its operation – and sells the excess megawatts to the town.

So who has the moral and legal right to charge higher electricity rates? The supplier, Bosai, of course. But this is not so simple. All governments (in independent nations) want to maximize their revenue and royalties from these multinational franchisees. As a matter of practical – and politically feasible – implementation of a scheme to raise your revenue from Boasi, why not let Bosai deal with the problem. After all it is Bosai who is supplying the good.

Not government. Let Bosai figure out how to impose higher electricity rates.

There is another more important issue: a gross mishandling that created the Linden crisis: Loss of lives, burning of schools and buildings, interruption of commerce to interior districts etc. This issue strikes at the heart of the whole issue of governance and politics in the country. The government is perceived as an Indian government; the township is African.

We need to fundamentally change the politics of this country; to develop new kinds of politics that would forge a new political culture, one that would allow the citizens to rise above race – and help them to create a new political and social consciousness.

Mike Persaud

DEAR EDITOR, The Kaieteur News Editorial entitled “Hypocrisy in Education” (KN) Sunday, August 12, is highly insulting and fraught with inaccuracies.

Unquestionably, the information provided for the media in 2012 was far more comprehensive than previous years. Each year, there are extensive discussions regarding what should be released and the structure of same. These discussions/ debates within the Ministry, ultimately lead to the acceptance of the need to recognize the hard work of those high achievers, regardless of where they come from, while still giving value to efforts all of our students and teachers throughout the system.

This point was further reinforced at the press conference held. To suggest, as this Editorial does, that Officers of this Ministry conspired to dupe the public in the dissemination of this year’s CSEC results is untrue and highly disrespectful.

Clearly, one has to accept, whether we agree or not, that the nation has grown used to the practice of recognizing the “high flyers”. Even further, these students do deserve praise for their hard work and above average achievements—many in the face of extremely difficult circumstances. That was the extent of the exercise of naming 40 of these 175 exceptional students.

What should be noted, however, is that if the Editor had properly evaluated the list he alludes to, he would have seen that these students are now emerging from institutions spread all across the nation and not all from Queen’s College as he stated.

So the “premier school in the country, collecting the top 1% from the 6th Grades” did not produce the 175 top students at CSEC as was clearly implied.

Students and teachers from Abram’s Zuil, Cotton Field and Anna Regina Secondary, West Demerara, Stewartville and Zeeburg Secondary, Annandale and Hope Secondary, Berbice High and New Amsterdam Multilateral, Skeldon Line Path, Tagore Memorial, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary, Mackenzie High, Central and North Georgetown Secondary, have every reason to be proud of their accomplishments.

To add insult to injury, the editorial goes on to state that the eight or more Grade Ones is what the Ministry deems as a “good” result and as such 99% of this year’s cohort did not make the Ministry’s “cutoff criterion”.

For years, as former Minister Baksh repeatedly declared, and the current Minister reinforced at several public engagements reported on by Kaieteur News, the Ministry has been emphasizing that the matriculation requirements of five subjects including English and Mathematics is our clear focus.

Unfortunately, given the limited time between the release of the information to the Ministry of Education and its public online dissemination, which occurred later the day of the press conference, the computation of this data was not possible. This too was pointed out at the press conference.

On another point of note, the Ministry of Education has never prohibited “extra

tuition on the school premises at no extra cost to the students”. We maintain that students should not pay for lessons conducted in public schools. Even further, we have, as all other territories in the Region, recognized that this year’s performance has deep implications for our approach towards the preparation of our students.

As such, an extensive analysis of this year’s performance is ongoing with emphasis on expanding the areas which have delivered encouraging results and correcting the deficiencies.

No mention was made in this editorial of the dimensions of this year’s performance that are highly encouraging, suggesting that there was no interest in presenting a balanced position in relation to our students’ performance.

The Stabroek News Editorial on Monday, August 13, reflects the quality of journalism one expects from a premier publishing outfit and raises pertinent questions which will be effectively answered over the course of this evaluative exercise.

As such, I agree Mr. Editor that “we will all have to take a deep breath and quit with the gamesmanship”. The Ministry remains receptive to all constructive engagements regarding improving our students’ performance and will continue to work assiduously to that end. The nation deserves better!

Olato Sam Chief Education Officer Ministry of Education

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

11 Lindeners charged with pelting police during protests - one remanded for empty 12-gauge cartridge Stemming from the upheaval in Linden, 10 men were yesterday charged for throwing missiles during protests in that mining town.

Four men, Jamal Somerset, 18, Kareem Asbey, 22, Ivan Webster, 29, and Delson Langkin, 42, were the first four men to face Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. They were all charged with the offence of throwing missiles.

It was alleged that on Friday, August 10, the men, while on the McKenzie Bridge, in Linden, reportedly threw missiles to the annoyance of Andrew Cumberbatch, an Inspector of Police.

The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charge. Attorney-at-law Basil Williams, in association with James Bond, made an appearance for the men.

Williams asked for nominal bail before telling the court that hostile disciplinary action is taking place in Linden, much to the dissatisfaction of the residents.

Williams argued that the alleged incidents occurred around two in the morning.

He wondered how the police could have identified persons throwing missiles in the dark.

The Prosecutor, Burgett Grant, asked for substantial bail.

Glenroy Chapman, 34, and Ulrick Lowenfield, 23, were the next to face the court. They were jointly

charged for reportedly throwing missiles, while Chapman alone had additional charges of assaulting a peace officer and possession of a component of ammunition.

The police alleged that on the same day, the two men threw missiles to the annoyance of members of the Joint Forces. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Bond represented the two men and in this matter asked for nominal bail.

Chapman later heard that on August 12 he had an empty 12 gauge cartridge shell in his possession although he did not have a licence. The other charge against Chapman was that on the same day he assaulted a police officer at the Wisroc Junction.

For these two charges, Williams represented the defendant. He said that the defendant had no previous or pending matters at the court.

In relation to the special reason which is pivotal for the defendant getting bail, Williams said that empty cartridges which the police used to carry out their task are scattered across Wismar.

The lawyer noted that the armed forces were using tear gas, pellets and in some instances live rounds and the cartridge shells could be found even in people’s yards in Linden. The lawyer said his client has no knowledge about the cartridge and he only learnt that he was being charged for the article when he was brought to the police

station in Linden. Williams also said that his client was sitting on the roadside when the police were rounding up persons. He said Chapman was one of those picked up on the roadway.

Prosecutor Grant objected to bail for the accused. She said her facts differed from what the lawyer was saying. She related that on the day in question the ranks conducted a search on the defendant and the article mentioned was found in the left, front pocket of his pants.

Meanwhile, in relation to the assault reportedly committed against the police officer, Williams said that the police were in Linden harassing persons. He said

that the defendant was battered by the police and after being kept in police custody for two days, the ranks decided that they were going to charge him.

The defendant showed marks of violence to the court.

Chapman had a wound on the shoulder and his lawyers argued that although it is no longer visible, the defendant was kicked and beaten about the body by the police.

Next to face Magistrate Octive-Hamilton was Garfield Jones, 44, and Dexter Benjamin 35. The men were charged with throwing missiles which reportedly occurred at Mc Kenzie Bridge on August 10.

Bond, his lawyer, insisted

that the defendants were innocent of the charge and that they were not flight risks.

Ricky Fredricks, 28, was next. He was charged for reportedly using indecent language on August 12 at One Mile Public Road, Linden.

Attorney Bond said the man was not a flight risk and that he was innocent of the charge.

Ron Bovell was last to face the Magistrate for reportedly having in his possession an offensive weapon on August 12. He allegedly had an ice-pick while at One Mile Public Road, Wismar.

The Prosecutor had no objections to bail.

For the offence of

throwing missiles, all the defendants were placed on $7,500 bail. They will face court again on September 17.

For possession of a component of ammunition, Chapman was remanded but was placed on $10,000 bail for reportedly assaulting the police officer.

Fredricks had to post $5,000 bail for indecent language and Bovell was also placed on $10,000 bail for having the alleged offensive weapon. In the afternoon hours another man, 21-yearold Alex Mark faced the Magistrate for allegedly throwing missiles. He was also placed on $7,500 bail and he too will return on September 17.

Guyanese-born JFK plotter ordered hits on lawyers, witnesses New York (Reuters) - A Guyanese man who planned to blow up John F. Kennedy Airport allegedly made numerous threats against lawyers and witnesses involved in the case and even attempted to order hits from his Brooklyn jail cell, according to a letter unsealed Monday in federal court.

Russell DeFreitas, 69, who was convicted in 2010 of conspiring to commit a terrorist attack, is serving a life sentence in federal prison.

But before his trial in Brooklyn federal court, while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center, he apparently told another inmate that he wanted to kill one of his defense lawyers, an unnamed prosecutor and at least two witnesses, the government said in the letter.

The letter, dated March 30, 2010, had been filed under seal to prevent tainting the jury pool, according to a motion filed by the government.

According to the letter, DeFreitas told a fellow inmate that he wanted his defense attorney dead “because she is the reason his first attorney was removed from his case.” The attorney is Mildred Whalen, one of DeFreitas’ courtassigned public defenders.

Whalen confirmed that she was the lawyer mentioned in the letter but said she believed DeFreitas “had never made any kind of threat.”

“I never had any concerns or fears,” Whalen said Tuesday.

In May 2010, the court held a Curcio hearing, which is designed to determine whether there is a conflict of interest between a defendant and his attorney and if a defendant is willing to waive potential conflicts that could arise from the representation.

In addition to addressing the alleged threats, the court heard evidence on whether Whelan could be called to testify about a meeting

An artist’s sketch of Russell DeFreitas in court. between DeFreitas and the government.

The government in its motion denied there was an actual conflict that would prevent Whelan from adequately representing DeFreitas but said it had requested the hearing out of an abundance of caution.

After consulting with an independent attorney, DeFreitas decided to waive any potential conflicts with Whalen, according to a May 28, 2010, letter from his lawyers filed with the court.

Whalen continued to represent DeFreitas through sentencing in 2011.

DeFreitas allegedly attempted to use the same inmate to orchestrate the murder of an unnamed federal prosecutor and a witness, the letter said. In a separate instance, the government said DeFreitas had offered another

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

inmate money to set up a hit on a potential witness.

The threats were never introduced or proven during the trial, and mention of the specific threats, have been redacted out of court filings.

Whalen said it was possible the inmates had fabricated the threats to gain favor with the government.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn declined to comment.

DeFreitas, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Guyana who once worked as a cargo handler at JFK Airport, was convicted in July 2010 following a nine-week trial.

During the trial, prosecutors said he masterminded a plot to detonate fuel lines beneath the airport in an attack designed to rival the damage done by the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center.

The plot ultimately fizzled and DeFreitas was arrested in 2007. He was sentenced to life in prison, as were convicted co-conspirators Abdul Kadir and Kareem Ibrahim. A fourth member of the plot, Abdel Nur, was sentenced to 15 years.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Two Lindeners shot in late night confrontation with Joint Services Up to press time last evening, two more Wismar residents were being treated for gunshot injuries at the Linden Hospital Complex, reportedly following a confrontation with ranks of the Joints Services in the One Mile area, Region 10.

While reports are still sketchy as to what transpired, this publication was told that two men, one identified as Randy Tello, were shot around 22:00 hrs.

Tello, said to be in his early twenties and a former boxer, received gunshot wounds to his back and the left of his face. Up to late last evening he was reportedly undergoing surgery at the hospital.

Reports are that the two men were among a group of persons at One Mile, Wismar when they were shot.

The other man was reportedly shot in his back. The two injured men were rushed to the hospital where they were immediately treated.

There was also a heavy Joint Services presence at the hospital as scores flocked the hospital to get a glimpse of the injured men.

It was not immediately clear if the men were shot with pellets or bullets.

This latest incident comes closely on the heels of last Sunday’s incident during which several other persons including two Guyana Defence Force ranks were injured.

Since July 18th, Lindeners have been protesting a hike in electricity rates for that Region 10 bauxite mining town. On that first day, three Lindeners were killed and several

Ramotar admits collusion among contractors, engineers … debunks ‘corruption’ allegations as ‘great exaggeration’

SHOT: Randy Tello at the Linden Hospital Complex. injured after police reportedly open fire on protesters.

Several buildings, including government offices and a school, have been burnt since then. Talks between the town’s leadership and government have also broken down.

One Mile Primary School fire…

Lindeners furious as one suspect is released An official close to the One Mile Primary School fire investigations has revealed that one of the suspects handed over to the police has been released from custody.

This publication was told that the man was released sometime yesterday as investigators say they have no evidence to continue to hold him.

There are reports that the other suspect is likely to be released as well. Sources close to the investigation told this publication that no evidence has been forthcoming ever since the men were detained on Sunday. This is despite the fact that it has been reported in some sections of the media that the men confessed after being held by residents that they were reportedly paid to carry out the act.

The release of one suspect and the imminent freedom for the other have not

Page 7

gone down well with residents of Linden who feel that the men should be charged.

Chairman of the Region, Sharma Solomon, said he is deeply concerned over this issue. Solomon told this publication that it is very interesting that the police would release the men given that top officials have reportedly been fingered in orchestrating the act.

The Chairman said he is prepared to bring persons forward who will offer all the evidence needed to prosecute the two men. The Chairman cited incidents where other young men from the community have been detained for no apparent reason but are still in the lock ups while police have no evidence of them having committed any crimes.

According to Solomon, there was much talk about the other fires and its perpetrators

being Lindeners. However, now that new evidence is surfacing pointing in a different direction nothing is being done.

The official said he will be relentless in ensuring that the perpetrators and intellectual authors of the One Mile Primary School fire are brought to justice.

Senior police sources in Linden have told this newspaper that none of the suspects in the burning of the school had indicated either verbally or otherwise that they were paid to carry out the act.

One source said that a security guard on duty at the school who was confronted by the arsonists has not come forward to identify any of the suspects.

Early Sunday morning, the school which serves hundreds of children was completely destroyed by fire.

Continued on page 23

Some political circles have in recent days labeled the prolonged Linden fallout a diversionary tactic to shy away from the issue of pervasive corruption at entities such as the National Communications Network and the National Industrial Commercial and Investments Limited among others.

Head of State, Donald Ramotar, has weighed in on the corruption debate. “I think a lot of it in our country has to do with great exaggeration on the part of political opposition but that does not mean that corruption does not exist in our society.”

Ramotar was at the time appearing on state television where he did admit that “there is some collusion between contractors and engineers.”

He says that “these are the things we are fighting against.”

There have been allegations over the years that the engineers who prepare the estimates for various multi-million dollar government projects would d e l i b e r a t e l y, through collusion with specific contractors, inflate contract sums.

This would result in contracts being approved and for which heavy kickbacks were being paid.

Only this past weekend, one such contractor has gone on record alleging high levels of corruption.

According to Ramotar, ever since the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic took

office in 1992, the party has been putting systems in place to stem corruption.

He points to the public tendering system and bidding process utilized by the administration.

Ramotar reminded also of the recent conference organized by the Ministry of Finance where he had expanded on the need for a greater policing of the procurement system.

“They must be more accountable for their actions,” says Ramotar as he spoke to dealing with ‘corrupt contractors and engineers.”

The President insisted that “our system is a very good system,” but concedes that there is “room for improvement.”

Guyana has for several years rated abysmally on international perception indexes on corruption.

The most recent rating that has been attributed to Guyana falls under Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

From being ranked 116 the previous year out of a total of 178 countries assessed, Guyana has now sunk to 134.

Only recently also, Gabriel ‘GHK’ Lall, a re-migrant released a publication titled ‘Guyana: A National Cesspool of Greed, Duplicity & Corruption (A Remigrant’s Story)’

President Donald Ramotar Lall says that what he has written on corruption in Guyana is nothing new and is well known to all Guyanese.

“It is not a story about one crooked public official, or one sleazy borrower, or one counterfeit contractor, or one traitorous family member.

Rather, it is the accumulated, searing revelations highlighted from the journey of one man in the untamed jungles of Guyana,” the Preface informs.

It went further. “Greed and duplicity and corruption in Guyana cut across race – I have had terrible experiences with Indian, Black, Dougla and Amerindian folks: those I had the misfortune to deal with manifested certain common characteristics: a serious lack of scruples, a sense of entitlement and an unwillingness to travel the hard, grueling road of sacrifice.”

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Kaieteur News

Govt. welcomes new tourism figures CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - The St. Lucia government has welcomed an increase in visitor arrivals to the island during the first six months of the year, saying that it is a sign that the industry and the economy in slowly recovering.

Figures released by the St. Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) show that for the period January to June this year, visitor arrivals totalled 158,244, a half a percentage point drop from the same period last year.

Canada recorded the highest increase in all major source markets for 2012, recording a 10 per cent increase over the same period last year. Arrivals from Canada totalled 23,137.

The United Kingdom, the

island’s second largest source market, recorded a 6.3 per cent increase over the 2011 period and that stay over arrivals totalled 37,698 arrivals.

“It is an indicator that the strategies for marketing our destination are bringing a measure of positive returns,’ Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said in a statement.

“Despite the challenges, we have managed a 6.3 per cent increase in stay over arrivals from the United Kingdom, a performance which can be markedly improved if we are successful in having the Air Passenger Duty reviewed,” said Anthony, who is also the Finance Minister.

Anthony said he is hopeful that the second half

Dr. Kenny Anthony of the year will reflect growth in the United States market, St. Lucia’s largest, which suffered a seven per cent decline from the same period last year.

Chile, India to hold free trade talks

Alfredo Moreno

AFP - Chile and India will begin negotiations on a free trade agreement at the end of the year, Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno said in a television interview yesterday. The agreement will “include not only goods, but also services, investment and all the control elements, such as tariff barriers,” Moreno said on CNN Chile.

Chile aims to be the first South American country to have a free trade agreement with India, a market of more

than 1.2 billion people, Moreno added.

The two countries agreed to launch the talks while Moreno was in New Delhi last week for a meeting with his counterpart, Anand Sharma.

A free trade agreement would replace a partial agreement reached in 2007.

Chilean exports to India grew by 45 percent in the first half of 2012 to reach $1.36 billion. Imports from India rose 29 percent in the same period to reach $310 million.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Caribbean states continue digital switch-over talks Antigua St. John’s Antigua & Barbuda and other regional states are pushing ahead with work on a harmonised approach to completely switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the final deadline of 2015.

The issues surrounding the transition are being thrashed out at a three-day forum at the Grand Royal Antiguan Resort in the capital organised by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) and the Caribbean Telecommunication’s Union (CTU).

“I understand that by the end of 2013, if not by the end of 2015, analog-free-to-air signals will be switched off and replaced with digital-only signals,” Minister of Telecommunications and

Broadcasting Dr. Edmond Mansoor told the forum.

“We in the Caribbean will obviously need to move to digital TV to improve the viewing experience, keep up to date with technology and to free up broadcast space for other innovative services like highspeed mobile broadband.”

With the country having a 92 per cent cable television penetration rate, the minister assured that the change will not affect subscribers.

Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Sweden are said to be in the process or have already made the switch.

New and stronger digital TV signals will be available and high-definition channels will become more widely available,” he stressed.

“If we surrender this

JRJ News - Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips says the International Monetary Fund, IMF, has now confirmed the date for the commencement of talks with Jamaica on a new deal.

The announcement comes as ratings agency Standard and Poor’s threatens to downgrade the country if a deal is not hammered out soon.

The stark warning came from Standard and Poor’s is

that Jamaica’s credit worthiness will be downgraded in the near term if the country cannot get a deal with the IMF. This comes eight months after the cornerstone of the new government’s programme was predicated on getting such a deal.

RJR News understands that negotiations are yet to start...as previous visits by the government to Washington and the IMF to Jamaica, were only to get the preliminaries done as a precursor to formal talks.

But Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips indicated to our news centre Monday night that those talks are to start on September 25.

It is hoped from that round, Jamaica will be on the road to getting a new deal with the IMF. Standard and Poor’s says an IMF deal could result in the country getting an upgrade and lifting the gloom that has led it to maintain a

spectrum and make it available to ubiquitous type services, we would be able to use a smaller portion of the spectrum and offer a wider range of services.”

He urged those gathered to come up with a “Caribbeanspecific solution” that would take into account issues such as population size.

He added: “Subject to all the technical information that I have available to me … there are no known health risks specific to digital television.”

This is the fourth such event for the year on this issue involving the CTU. Representative Nigel Cassimire, a telecommunications specialist, said they are seeking to develop a regional policy framework by the first quarter of next year to facilitate the switchover.

Jamaica to hold talks with IMF in September

Dr. Peter Phillips negative outlook on the country. For the moment though, there is no change in the country’s rating.

A release Monday that the short term credit rating was raised from “C” to “B” was only due to a change in the methodology used to assess the ratings...and not a reflection of any improvement in the outlook for the country.

EU red tape obstructs spending development aid THE HAGUE - Suriname and the Caribbean are unable to optimally use development aid from the European Union (EU).

Bureaucratic red tape at the EU obstructed complete use of the 320 million Euros in 2011, yielding only 63 percent.

Suriname received only 5.5 million while it had been promised 10.

Rabin Parmessar of the permanent committee for ACP-EU affairs complains that the EU lacks flexibility to anticipate the need.

The EU 2010 assessment report states that less funds, 83 percent of the promised 360 million Euros, were spent than promised. In 2010 Suriname received a little over 13 million.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

RETURN OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

It seems that there is hardly anything that government does which does not attract immediate criticism. There is a legion of critics out there whose instinctive impulse is to oppose anything that the government does without considering why it was being done and the merits of the action.

There are many things that are done that are noncontroversial but the divisions in our society are as such that reason is thrown out of the window and people go to the extent of manufacturing criticisms where none exist.

Take for example the report that the government

was not allowing some students who sat the CSEC examinations access to the online results because these students had not returned their schools’ books and other materials which were given to them.

Almost immediately this report was met with all manner of critical comments. Yet, since free education was introduced in the mid 1970’s in this country which is over forty years ago, this was always the policy.

It may have not been enforced as rigorously as before but the policy has always been that students would not be able to uplift their transcripts until they received clearance that they

are in no way indebted to their schools. The same applies to the local university.

If you do not have financial clearance and clearance from the university’s library, your transcripts are not released.

At foreign universities, this is the same practice.

So what is the problem with schools refusing to grant students their pass slips unless clearance is granted.

This policy should be supported.

It is doubtful whether the Ministry of Education can block online access to results.

Many students in fact access their results online even before the results were released by schools. The Ministry of Education

Dem boys seh

De Rat cover gone and de light shining Nuff things happen since de Rat gone. He used to sit down pun some things like how Mother Hen use to sit down pun she egg and cover dem. Since he get pull off de only thing he lef behind is nuff nimble and de whole country busy spraying.

Imagine Martin and Fuzzy did sit down under de Rat very comfortable. If he still been deh, dem woulda still deh thiefing. Dem ain’t even pay back wha dem thief and dem got de nerve fuh tell Uncle Donald that dem get wrong treatment. But dem boys seh that Uncle Donald can’t stand thieves suh he shed dem like when bird shedding feather and like wen snake shedding he skin.

De other one who get protection was de Kwame. He get expose long before de Rat lef till de US tek way dem visa but de protection still continue. Uncle Donald get fed up and he mek Kwame end

up in court. De magistrate find he guilty and he tun round and try fuh claim how de magistrate tek sides. Well dem boys seh that he lucky that he ain’t end up in jail… or maybe he was unlucky.

Now dem got others who expose like when underground creatures get expose to sunlight. Dem running looking fuh cover but shade scarce. De Bees get suh quiet that people want to know if dem still deh round.

Brazzy give Fip road contract when Fip never build a pavement. When de light shine pun de project Fip run way wid millions and lef Brazzy wid de rest. He open a night spot dat gat all kinds of wines and wining.

De Rat and all of dem mess up de country suh till no more cricket coming. Imagine Guyana was de leading cricket nation in de region. Now is like if it don’t exist. Hits and Bamsie owe de government

bout $60 million in taxes.

Khurshid like he ain’t see that but he picking pun poor Freddie.

Hits and Bamsie sponsor some cricket tournament fuh bring in big names and fuh mek more money fuh owe more in taxes. Well de West Indies Board seh that dem ain’t sanction de Hits and Bamsie cricket show and all who play gun find wheh barley does grow.

Now de cricket people telling de whole world how dem done wid Guyana and de whole country can keep Hits and Bamsie.

But that de WICB gun keep de cricketers. In a message de WICB write, ”Should you be aware of any players from your territory who are likely to participate in the above mentioned tournament kindly advise them of the above.”

Talk half and look out fuh more than de other half!

therefore is not likely to have control over the online release of results. Therefore withholding the actual results slips is the only leverage that the schools can exercise to ensure the return of public property.

The books that students receive from the schools are the property of the Ministry of Education and are so stamped. They are supposed to be returned at the end of the school year. Many are not and therefore the only means in which the schools have to ensure that public property is not appropriated by students is to insist on their return before results can be had.

Other students require the use of these books and they should be returned. The students that have them in their possession at the moment had themselves received it because some other students had returned the books.

When books are not returned, the government is forced to increase spending to replace these books. The least that can be done is for

those who have the books in their possession to return them so that they can have their pass slips.

The problem is that for many students, the pass slip is less valuable that the books they have in their possession and they would prefer to retain those books to continue private studies rather than surrendering them to collect a pass slip that is filled with failing grades.

There are a large numbers of students who will not pass a single subject at the CSEC examinations. There are large numbers who will be required to re-sit the examination in the future. As such the books come in handy and these students would therefore prefer to forgo the pass slips in preference.

The Ministry of Education should require each school to compile a list of those students who have not surrendered their books and they need to go after these students because they are in possession of public property and this public property should be returned

Page 9

to the school system even if it means turning up at the students’ homes and requesting the books.

The Ministry of Education must therefore be commended for taking the step of withholding the results slips of students who sat the recent CXC examination so as to ensure that public property is returned and other students in the school system can benefit.

Those who want to use this measure as the basis for criticizing the government should be ignored. It is a good policy and it needs more rigorous implementation.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

GHK Lall’s book: A review

On Monday evening, Edison Jefford and Rawle Welch, two KN journalists, loaned me the book on corruption in Guyana written and launched last week by G.H.K. Lall (Guyana: A National Cesspool of Greed, Duplicity and Corruption. A Remigrant’s Story). I was advised that the book should be returned early Tuesday morning. I went home at 22:30 hours which meant I had to read it fast. That I did and completed it five minutes past midnight.

It means then that this

review may not be as thought out as I would like. It would have been better to have digested Lall’s book in less haste as I did. But I honestly think that if I had more time my assessment would have been different.

I had some trepidation in reviewing Lall because he is a writer that has an irritatingly esoteric and exasperatingly recondite style. It is hard to know who or what Lall is writing about.

I once read a column by him in the Stabroek News titled, “The lunatic fringe in

Guyana.” I read that piece three times and still cannot detect who Lall was referring to. Was it people in politics, the media, government, civil society? I don’t believe that the lunatic fringe was spelt out in the article. Lall clearly did not want to identify the entity or persons he had in mind.

So why write about it? It was a waste of nice use of language. I read another piece on medical mistreatment and there was absolutely no indication of what specific acts he had in mind

Two obvious things strike you as you begin the book.

First, it has no date of publication and no printer. I have never met Lall or spoken to him or have seen him. If I have, then I cannot recollect, but I doubt he is a historian.

If he was, he would have made sure the publication acknowledges the printer because for the recording of history that is important.

Secondly, the book’s foreword could end up distorting history fifty years from now. Written by attorney Gino Persaud, the foreword

showers impressive praise on Ralph Ramkarran for speaking out against corruption.

The factual record does not substantiate Gino Persaud. Fifty years from now, readers would think that a man named Ralph Ramkarran was strongly vocal against corruption. Surely, my friend Gino (and we are good friends) knows that Moses Nagamootoo would have been a better choice to quote.

Nagamootoo spoke out against graft while he was a senior Cabinet member.

Whatever faults Lall’s publication has, it cannot be denied that this is a remarkable description of a country that is mired in deep moral turpitude. Lall made sure he told his readers that the account is a personal one, based on his encounters with actual persons. But this book could have risen to great heights if Lall didn’t have his Freudian fears. Broad swipes are taken at many institutions.

Lall was devastating about the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Deeds Registry, UG and GWI, among others Lall’s sin is that he did not want to touch the Government. He avoids like the plague any mention of “Cabinet,” “Minister,” or “Government.” In a book that is 224 pages it is almost impossible to avoid castigation of the Government.

Here are Lall’s words in the entire book about the Government (page 95); “Then there is the government.

What more can be said about that unmentionable entity?”

But one can ask what more can be said about the GRA, UG etc. So why did Lall

Frederick Kissoon write about these things anyway? Was it fear that caused him not to dwell on perhaps one of the world’s most corrupt administrations? I hope not.

Surely, Lall could have done a small chapter (there are many small chapters in the book) on the unspeakable connection between corruption deep within the corridors of power and the underlings in the public sector. Corruption became a nightmare because the high priests in the PPP hierarchy were leading the way and showing their underlings how to enrich themselves.

I refer Lall to my article on the origin and spread of corruption in the PPP Government in the book, “Governance, Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution” edited by Mark Kirton and Cedric Grant (Ian Randle Publishers, Jamaica, 2007).

Why the word “duplicity’ is in the title is hard to explain because Lall didn’t deal at length with the topic. In fact, it is this columnist’s belief that duplicity in Guyana is larger than most countries in the world. Duplicity in the opposition movements, the private media, the churches and civil society is extremely horrible. On the whole anyway, this is a good book to read.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

$400M in roads, drains and water works for Peter’s Hall, Zeelugt Bids for contracts worth almost $400M, under the Ministry of Housing and Water, were yesterday opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the construction of roads, drains, structures and installation of pure water distribution network at Plantation Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, and Plantation Zeelugt, East Bank Demerara.

Regarding Peters Hall, the works were divided into four lots with the Engineers Estimate for Lot (1) $88,057,326; Lot (2) $53,226,671; Lot (3) $104,581,138 and Lot (4) $54,487,460.

The bids opened were:

Bids were also opened for another registration office GECOM office in Mahdia, Region Eight. The Engineers Estimate of $15,414,145. The bids opened were:

Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, a lone bid was opened at the NPTAB for the supply of two new Toyota vehicles. The bids are as follow:

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development received bids for the procurement of office equipment Lot (1) Photocopier and Lot (2) Server. The bids are as follow:

Three bids were also opened for repairs to roads at Kuru Kuru Training Centre, Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The engineers estimate is $1,870,000 and the bids were:

For similar works at Plantation Zeelugt (Phase 2), East Bank Essequibo, the Engineers Estimate was $100,377,340 with the bids opened:

Bids were also opened for the construction of a registration office of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in Bartica, Region Seven. The Engineers Estimate was $14,583,245 and the bids:

Another set of bids were also opened for a registration office of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in Lethem, Region Nine. The Engineers Estimate was $15, 414, 145 while the bids opened were:

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Kaieteur News

Shot suspect in botched Thomas Street robbery still on life support Five days after he was shot, 27-year-old Shane Hinds is still battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Hinds, an alleged suspect during a botched robbery in Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg, was shot several times about his body and has been unconscious since the day he was wounded. The 27-year-old, who is on a life-support machine, is said to be a resident of Lot 193 Middle Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown. The wounded man, who is under police guard, was admitted to the ICU minutes after he underwent emergency surgery at the hospital.

Doctors at the facility said that his condition is “very” critical and his chances of

survival are “slim.” Hinds’ family, when contacted, said that they would not talk to the media until his condition is stabilized. “We will talk to the media but only when his condition improves, we want to protect him,” one of the man’s aunts stated.

On Friday, an armed motorcyclist, identified as Hinds, was shot by police during a botched robbery.

His accomplice managed to escape. Police reportedly retrieved two handguns from the wounded man and also impounded the CG motorcycle he was riding. One of the handguns was reportedly stashed in the man’s underwear.

A Thomas Street resident, Yonette Cummings, who was standing nearby, was accidentally shot in her leg.

She was taken to GPHC and later discharged.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Popular contractor’s son is second person to die in Lima accident Injured: Alan Gildery

Dead: Junior Ramroop Junior Ramroop, son of popular contractor, Roopan ‘Fowl Cock’ Ramoutar, yesterday died following Sunday’s fatal accident at Lima.

He had sustained severe injuries to his face and had a broken left leg and abrasions to his body.

He was the driver of the motorcar, PPP 733. Ramroop succumbed to his injuries in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Suddie Hospital early yesterday.

He was involved in Sunday’s fatal accident which claimed the life of a mother of three, Padmawattie Rajkumarie. Several persons, including children, were hospitalized following the crash.

Currently in the hospital are Alan Gildery, who sustained a broken left leg and fractured right foot and his two-year-old son, Alex Gildery, who has two broken legs and arm and injuries to his head and neck.

Gildery’s wife, Clair

Daniels, suffered a miscarriage, two broken legs and severe injuries to her hip and abdomen as a result of the accident.

The other injured persons are the dead woman’s three children, Geeta Persaud, Narendra Persaud and Satesh Rajkumarie. Their father, Krishna Persaud said that his children are crying a lot and are asking continuously for

their mother.

“They are recovering but very slow,” the father told this publication yesterday.

The driver of the minibus BHH 6901, Vincent Persaud, is said to be in a critical condition.

On Sunday last, one woman was killed and several others injured after a bus and a car collided at Lima, Essequibo Coast, around

12:00 hrs.

Several of the injured were transferred to GPHC, where they are being monitored by doctors.

The driver of the car, Ramroop, who died yesterday, was to have been air dashed to the city but because his condition was not stabilized, he remained a patient in the Suddie Hospital’s ICU.

Bandits grab $7M from clerks heading to bank Investigations are ongoing into a daring robbery yesterday at McDoom in which bandits escaped with over $7M after sticking up two clerks.

According to a company official from the Farm Supply and General Equipment Ltd. at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara, internal investigations were being

carried out into the daring mid- morning robbery that saw two accounts clerks reportedly being robbed.

The incident occurred at around 10:45 hours, according to a police press release. It is alleged that the clerks were on their way to a bank when a horse cart blocked the path of the vehicle the clerks were

travelling in along the Mc Doom access road leading to the company.

Two men, armed with hand guns, reportedly held up the clerks at gunpoint and took away a bag that contained the large sum of money. Police said the men escaped on foot.

Police said investigations are in progress.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

E. C. D four-lane extension…

The controversy surrounding the termination of a contract for the extension of the East Coast Demerara road is intensifying with the contractor accusing the Ministry of Public Works of being less than truthful when it accused him of fraud and non-performance.

The Managing Director of the contracting firm, Falcon Transportation and Construction Services, believes that the Ministry appears to be burying its head in the sand when it comes to taking the appropriate action against the real fraudsters and culprits.

The contractor was responding to accusations made by the Ministry in a statement issued on Monday and carried by this newspaper under the caption “Non-performance and fraud led to contract termination”.

He remains convinced that his contract was terminated in retaliation to his suspension of work on his section of the project over non-payment by the Ministry of Public Works.

This situation he believes arose from his unwavering stance on demands for kickbacks allegedly made by Ministry officials.

The Ministry is maintaining that “In view of the non performance by the Contractor on this project, the advice of the Attorney General’s Chambers was sought and the Ministry was advised to terminate the contract for fraudulent practices.”

The contractor has produced documents to substantiate his claims that his business with the Ministry was above board.

He has also provided this newspaper with names, dates and time to support allegations that he was badgered by officials for kickbacks on the contract he

received.

The Ministry is claiming that the contractor falsified compressive strength test results to prove that the concrete used for drains construction met the required strength.

“The Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana, whose advice was sought, has confirmed that the results of the tests were indeed falsified.”

Not so However, the contractor produced documentation which purports to show that the Head of the Department/ Coordinator of Industrial Testing, Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana, had certified several certificates for three, seven and 28-day strength tests.

The certificates were dated between March and May this year. One of them bore the signature of acknowledgement of a Ministry of Public Works official.

The Ministry had pointed out in its statement that the Contractor was written to on January 26, 2012 and on February 10, 2012, and that meetings were held with him and his representative on January 30 and on May 18, 2012. He did not respond to the claims of falsification.

However, this newspaper has seen a letter from the contractor dated January 27, to the Coordinator, Works Service Group, Ministry of Public Works, informing that an experienced technical person who was working with the University of Guyana had done the testing.

Additionally, the Contractor had written to Minister Robeson Benn, informing him that the Ministry’s equipment for testing the strength of concrete was malfunctioning.

After the tests were certified by the University of Guyana

Cops mum on probe...

(From page 3) men were shot in the chest while one was shot in the back. It is believed that the shooters were standing about 15 feet away from the protesters when they opened fire.

The Force has never denied that police ranks were the individuals who killed Bouyea, Somerset and Lewis and wounded several others. There have been no reports of any civilians being seen with firearms during the July 18 protests.

Some Opposition parties have expressed a lack of confidence in the police being able to conduct an impartial investigation into the tragedy.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has been attempting to bring United Kingdom ballistics expert Dr. David Robinson, to view the police ballistics tests.

While Government and the Opposition have agreed to a Commission of Inquiry, some have expressed the view that police should institute charges before the Inquiry begins.

he was instructed by a ministry official to proceed with concrete works.

The casting of concrete walls, the contractor said, was done in the presence of the said Ministry official on Sunday June 3 with no negative comments.

He added that he is now shocked that the Ministry is raising the issue of non performance.

Where was the supervisor?

“The Ministry is making a lame excuse. How come it took the ‘qualified engineers six months to learn that I was doing substandard work?

This speaks volumes about how the ministry conducts projects with taxpayers’ money,” the contractor told this newspaper.

Another issue raised by the Ministry was what it termed “questionable” invoices submitted by the Contractor.

The Ministry said that five out of 11 invoices submitted by the Contractor from suppliers had blacked out invoice numbers, and claims for the same items (steel) twice.

However, the contractor provided this newspaper with a letter from the supplier, Gafsons Industries Limited, Parika Branch, certifying that the invoices were legitimate.

The supplier even invited the Ministry to contact their offices should it require any further clarifications. It is not yet clear if this was done.

On the question of the Ministry not being informed about the kickback demands made to the Contractor by its personnel, this newspaper has seen a letter addressed to Works Minister Benn informing about the unethical practice by its project supervisor.

Significantly, the Contractor disclosed that the issue of the four percent demand made by a ‘big man’ at the Ministry of Finance is no secret since several senior officials of the Public Works Ministry had discussed the matter at the first project meeting in November last year.

He said that present at that meeting were himself and his company engineer, Ministry officials including Rickford Lowe, Leon Goring, Phillip Bryan, Kelvin Clarke, Jeffrey Walcott, James Lindo, Marlon Ramsamoj and Naipaul Purai.

“All of these people are aware of it,” the Contractor maintained.

He believes that the ministry, based on the unfavourable reports presented by some

A section of the suspended road works on the East Coast Demerara.

“unscrupulous and greedy” Public Works officials, initially delayed payments to him in an effort to undermine his operation.

The Contractor questioned how the Ministry was able to ascertain correctly that his firm was doing substandard work when its supervisor “is not at work on the site on numerous

days”.

The Ministry has even confirmed that it had granted an extension of 68 days due to the constant correction of designs.

On July 2 the contractor wrote to Minister Benn, “Despite several requests for payments since March 2012….my firm has not been paid for approved works

completed. The engineers when contacted say they are working on the payments, or they have some queries and corrections.”

As a last resort he wrote to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon on July 21 for his intervention to ensure that he was paid for the work completed.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Linden protests…

10-year-old shot in face during Linden fracas Time to break the deadlock The People’s National Congress Reform has come out in condemnation of the recent phase of the Joint Services operation in Linden where a 10 year-old boy was reportedly shot in the face by ranks of the Guyana Police force while he was standing in his yard.

The party headed by Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger has lamented that the operation which commenced on Friday last and continues to date “has so far resulted in injuries to several innocent civilians, including women and children, many of whom were in their homes.”

The Party, particularly, “deplored the shooting in the face of 10-year old Nkosi Henry while he was standing in his yard at One Mile Wismar on 12th August.”

The PNCR expressed its alarm at what it calls the sudden and substantial police and military build-up and the violent nature of the ‘offensive’ in Linden “which are out of proportion to the passive resistance by residents.”

The PNCR has since renewed its calls for a reduction of police and military forces which are serving only to incense an already tense population.

The Party says too that it is aware that acts of arson have been perpetrated not by protesters but by “agents” who have been infiltrated in the population.

“It is they who are attempting to stigmatise the protestors and derail the talks aimed at bringing the fourmonth crisis to an end”.

The party reported that its leader Granger was well received by the people when he visited Linden on Saturday last to meet residents at Wismar and Amelia’s Ward, members of the Regional Democratic Council and civil society stakeholders.

Brigadier Granger is reported as telling Lindeners that he was looking forward to the early resolution of the crisis through negotiation and reassured Lindeners of the Party’s continued support for their legitimate struggles. The ‘offensive’ launched by the Government, however, is aimed at deepening the crisis in order

...Opposition Leader calls for resumption of negotiations

Two youths resort to using disposable masks to avoid the tear smoke after the Joint Services invaded Linden over the weekend to forestall a solution favourable to the Lindeners.

The Party has since called on the Administration “to bring an end to the crisis by resuming negotiations which it arbitrarily broke off on Friday, the same day that it decided to unleash the security forces on Linden.”

The Party also repeated its plea for justice to be served on those responsible for the killings, arson and shooting in Linden over the last four weeks.

“The PNCR stands with the people of Linden to ensure that their legitimate demands are met, that justice is served and the crisis is brought swiftly to a peaceful conclusion.”

The Joint Services in their explanation of what had transpired over the past weekend said that the use of tear smoke and rubber pellets was a reactionary measure.

According to the Joint Services Statement, its investigations into the weekend activities so far have indicated that on Monday morning, the Joint Services began clearing blockades set up by protestors at the western end of the WismarMackenzie Bridge, along Burnham Drive, Half Mile, One Mile, Wisroc and along a number of adjoining cross

streets in the Wismar area.

During the clearing of the blockades the police had to resort to the use of tear smoke to disperse large unruly crowds of persons who were in the process of preventing the Joint Services from removing the obstacles.

While clearing blockades along the roadways in the Wismar Old Housing Scheme and One Mile areas, large crowds of persons confronted the Joint Services ranks and began throwing Molotov cocktails and missiles (including bricks, bottles and pieces of metal) at them.

The police resorted to the use of tear smoke grenades, some of which were picked up by the protestors and thrown back at the Joint Services ranks.

Molotov cocktails thrown by the protestors damaged one of the machines used by the Joint Services to clear the debris and one of the rank’s uniform caught afire but was quickly put out.

In addition two ranks of the Guyana Defence Force were accidentally hit by pellets and received injuries to the face and the hand, respectively.

They have received medical attention and have rejoined their unit at Linden.

By Gary Eleazar The talks between the Region 10 Administration and Central Government through Office of the President are deadlocked and a third party to act as an “honest broker” is being called for immediately.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, yesterday weighed in on the current impasse at Linden and told this publication “the situation is crying out for third-party intervention.”

The Speaker says that the people of Linden, “and all Guyana, have had enough of this messy situation and of the blame-throwing.”

Trotman says that in his opinion the Church, (through representatives such as the Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops and Pentecostal leaders) and the UNDP, working together, “are the best poised institutions to enter into the fray and have the confidence and support of the major stakeholders and the wider public.”

Trotman believed that anyone familiar with negotiations would realise that the talks taking place at Office of the President “have become stuck as a result of several predictable factors including fatigue, pride and an overall inability to bring closure to the matters agreed on in principle.”

Trotman is adamant that “the parties must put national interest first and allow a facilitator(s) in.”

He warned that others such as the business and mining sector “will be accused of having an interest to serve” and as such would not allow for the required impact, to be had, by being involved in the process at this stage. “Time is of the essence,” he cautioned, even as he posited that the circumstances currently are such, that “even with the best intentions, resolution will remain evasive.”

Trotman said that “all those who have been struggling to bring an end to the situation, either in talks or by protest; all of whom are understandably wary as to the way forward,” must be commended.

- Raphael Trotman - Speaker calls for urgent ‘Third Party/Honest Broker’ to take over

Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman According to the official, by now it is patently obvious “both sides have tried to reach consensus, but despite their efforts, the end remains elusive.”

He suggests that the road towards a return to normalcy “must see a third group acting as a honest broker...entering the scene as facilitator and to act as a buffer between the two sides who frustratingly keep meeting and coming up empty-handed.”

Trotman says that it is imperative that the talks between the stakeholders recommence, but this must “be supported by an injection of something new and different as a sort of sweetener to bring closure....

At this stage we need to begin thinking out of the box....Third-party intervention is the recommended way to go.”

Following the July 18th killing of three demonstrators at the Wismar/Mackenzie Bridge in Linden, a team headed by Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and Head of State, Donald Ramotar, along with his delegation had been meeting at OP with a view to resolutions.

Those talks broke down on Friday last, mere hours before an anticipated ‘consensual resolution’ could have been inked at

President Donald Ramotar

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon Office of the President.

The Joint Services at the time had moved into the mining town to remove the blockades and another violent clash had broken out in the now besieged community.

Other officials involved in the now stalemate negotiations at Office of the President are APNU’s second in command, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Cabinet Secretary and Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon, former PNCR Member of Parliament, Aubrey Norton, Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, and recently elected Chairman of the Alliance for Change, Nigel Hughes, among others.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Region Seven’s Toshaos blasts treatment at Amerindian conference Toshaos of Region 7 have expressed great displeasure over the conduct of proceedings arising out of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, which according to them has undermined their right to freely speak on issues affecting them.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the Toshaos of Paruima, Arau, Kaikan, Kurutuku, Waramadong, Warawatta, Phillipai, Ominaik, Jawalla, Chinoweng, Kako, Isseneru, Tasserine, Kangaruma, Karatabo, Batavia, Karrau, Dogg Point and Kaburi, the Amerindian village leaders said that the conference has squandered an opportunity to address the concerns of their communities.

According to the Toshaos, the NTC conference which was held from August 6-10 had promised an opportunity for them, as leaders to freely express their views on issues which affect them and would have provided an avenue whereby discussions could be had to arrive at possible solutions which would improve their lives.

However, they said that this is far from what happened.

“We feel frustrated by a process which seemed to have the “favoured” Toshaos raise their concerns, while others, including us have been derailed in our attempts to raise legitimate issues.

Further, the Chairperson of the proceedings appeared to be bent on dictating the proceedings according to his wishes; this should not be the case.”

SHORT SPEECHES PLEASE! They said that from their observations, Toshaos from Region Nine and One were given extra time to make their presentations due to support which they heaped on the government.

“In attempting to tell of our problems, we had our time cut and subsequent attempts to speak up were met with attempts to silence us.

We did not try to monopolise the time granted since we know all Toshaos have issues.

For the past week, we have tried our utmost to have our land and mining issues addressed, this has not happened. Instead, we feel that this was a fruitless exercise in addressing issues and more a campaign for the government to gain the consent of communities to opt in to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).”

President Donald Ramotar interacting with Toshaos on day three of the National Toshaos Council Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre last week. (GINA Photo) According to the aggrieved Toshaos, from the onset of the conference, Village Captains were provided with copies of two draft Resolutions which were assented to on August 9.

One of the resolutions passed dealt with the negative impacts as a result of irresponsible actions which include the budget cuts and the Linden protests.

The other one refers to the draft ‘Opt in’ mechanism under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

“Why should resolutions be drafted before the commencement of the conference?” they questioned.

They claimed that the ‘Opt In’ document was sent to a few communities prior to the conference; however the majority of Toshaos received the document on the eve of the conference.

The draft stipulates that a two thirds majority is needed at the Community general meeting before a community can opt in. In several instances, there was no community meeting; “therefore how can Toshaos take it upon themselves to agree to the draft without the consent of their villages?”

NO CONSULTATION ON MINING “As leaders of villages spanning Upper, Middle and Lower Mazaruni, the common issue of mining close to lands held by Amerindians or those traditionally used by us, is a cause for concern. For far too long, we, as well as our brothers and sisters of other villages have suffered the consequences of mining.”

The Toshaos said that what is particularly alarming is the granting of mining concessions with little regard

to community consultation.

“In practice what happens is a case where applications are processed without Village Councils having knowledge of it. After a decision would have been made on the application, a letter is usually sent to the community telling them of the decision.

What has happened to your right to be part of the decision making process?”

This can be seen in the case of Kako, which community now faces a scenario where a mining licence has been granted for mining to commence in the Kako River, an area which was never open to mining.

The concerned village leaders stated that the community did not know of the application, but letters of notice of approval from the GGMC and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs were sent to the village..

According to the letter, the GGMC was satisfied that there would be no effect on the community, however it is very unclear how this presumption was arrived at or whether there was any Environmental Impact Assessment carried out to determine this.

While it may be said that Amerindians themselves are involved in mining, this approval can be revoked by the Village Council should it be deemed as harmful at any point.

Further, the instances of this practice are few since many communities would like to preserve the sanctity of their environment.

“There are numerous examples where miners empowered with a permit feel that they have the authority to do as they please. Often, they have little regard for the

authority of the Village Councils and the rules of the community and openly say that they have been given permission by the GGMC and that the village cannot do anything about it.”

LAWSUIT “Further, we are also incensed by the continued granting of licences in areas which are part of the Upper Mazaruni lawsuit which is currently before the courts. It is our belief that the areas under contention should not

be leased until the resolution of the suit.”

Arising out of concerns with mining, are the issues of land titling which continue to affect several Amerindian communities.

“With the increase in granting of concessions on lands close to Amerindian communities, how are we expected to apply for extension to our lands? With the lengthy period between titling and the processing of applications for extension, permits can be granted in the same areas so in effect the community will be relegated to holding the piece of land it has. In most cases the areas granted do not take into account the area traditionally used and occupied by indigenous peoples.”

The Toshaos reasoned that in the government’s proposed “development”, Guyana is asking Village Councils to approve their Low Carbon Development Strategy which ‘has not been properly consulted with our communities’.

They said that they are very concerned that the LCDS and its lack of consultation will result in proposed actions that will undermine their fundamental rights as indigenous peoples, especially with regards to lands and resources.

“It has also come to our attention that roads are being built close to our territory. We have demanded information of the authorities about these roads since we have not been consulted nor informed about their construction.

As time goes by, the roads get closer to our communities and will potentially bring with it a host of problems including criminal and social ills.”

“We as Toshaos of Region 7 demand our right to self-determination be respected and reiterate that it is for us to determine what development we want in our territory. We want to be involved in the entire decision making process not merely informed of a decision.

Furthermore, we demand that our right to free, prior and informed consent be properly implemented with regard to mining and other forms of activities intended for areas close to our lands or which will affect us.

Of paramount importance to us is the resolution of the land issues so that we can safeguard ou r l a n d s f o r today and future generations. Our collective position is that our long standing issues must be resolved before we make any decision to opt- in to the LCDS programme.”

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday August 15, 2012

PROPERTY FOR SALE Beautiful middle income ranch style home in LaParfaite Harmonie W.B.D, Has chicken pen Call: 6821256, 622-8409, 611-3674 20X40 Two flat concrete building @ Kitty. Price $22M Negotiable to be seen Call: 668-9512, 223-2570 Bel Air Park $55M Negotiable Call: 619-4682 Prime business spot Public Road McDoom Village, Land 200’x50’with front store & concrete bond 155’x30’Call: 233-0570 1 – 2 Storey Building (Back House), 5 feet passage way New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, price $9M Call: 254-1082 Diamond New Scheme two storey Call: 643-2934 Cummings St $25M, Bel Air Park $45M, Subryanville $46M. Phone: 6216888 South $10M, Newtown $20M, Diamond $9.5M, Nandy Park $23M, Diana 227-2256, 6269382 2 houses on one lot, transported land @ Lot 18 Parika Village E.B.E Call: 6503008 PEN PAL Single male seeks female for serious relationship and possible marriage Call: 6864818

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Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Police: City leads in murder rate for the year The Police’s A Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara) has overtaken the interior and East Coast Demerara divisions as the murder capital of Guyana so far this year.

Figures released by the Guyana Police Force revealed that A Division has recorded 23 out of the total 75 murders committed at the end of July.

This year’s total murder figure is around six percent less than for the same period last year.

In 2011, at the end of July,

A Division had recorded 20 murders.

This year for the same period, the East Coast of Demerara has recorded 17 murders, one more than the interior division which has 16, down from 23 last year.

Berbice, with 10 murders, comes next, followed by West Demerara with seven.

Essequibo remains the safest police division in terms of murders with two so far.

Of the 75 murders, 36 were of the disorderly type, four were committed during armed robberies, 15 were domestic

related and four execution type. The other 16 murders are so far undetermined.

An overall decrease of two percent in serious crimes has been recorded at the end of July this year in comparison to last year, the police said.

The total number of reports of serious crimes made

by July 31 this year was 2,201 compared to 2,257 at the end of July last year.

Some of the offences monitored are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from

the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and kidnapping.

Robbery under arms has increased by 22% in July 2012, with 597 reports compared to 489 for the same period in 2011.

According to the police yesterday, the statistics indicate an increase of 14% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 36% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

Linden will never get back to normalcy – Region 10 Chairman

…as residents vow ‘no retreat, no surrender’ Traffic flow has resumed at the Wismar Bridge but tensions remained high in Linden yesterday.

“Linden will never get back, post-18th July… things are not going to be normal for Mr. (Allan) Lewis’s children and the families of the other men who died. It is not going to be normal for people who lost their legs and eyes.

People died, it is not going to be normal for a lot of us,” Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon declared yesterday, at one of several meetings held across the mining town, to update residents on the current situation.

At the time of making the declaration, Solomon was referring to certain statements being made by Government about getting Linden back to a state of normalcy. “Linden will never get back to normalcy,” he emphasized.

“Let me tell you something, don’t let nobody tell you about normalcy. Let me tell you what they calling normalcy, the seventy percent unemployment you must live with, that is normalcy… the one TV station you must live with, that is normalcy.”

Solomon was alluding to remarks made by Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira, that only when things to return to normalcy will talks resume.

The Regional Chairman was at the time addressing residents at Poker Street, Wismar, where the first of four meetings in the mining town was held yesterday to

update residents on the current state of affairs.

Meetings were also held at Blueberry Hill, the Four Corner and at Amelia’s Ward.

At all the meetings the cry remained the same, “no retreat, no surrender’, as Lindeners resolutely maintained their stance, not to give up “the struggle” until Government accedes to their demands, and withdraws the “imposition” of increased electricity tariffs.

“As Guyanese, we will act in a manner that is dictated by our constitution, which says we can demonstrate and protest, we ain’t doing anything wrong.

“We left Wednesday last meeting saying to the Government, we are aware that there are efforts to derail these talks , we said to them on Thursday, that we were aware that things were going to happen on Friday…do not do anything to disrupt that.

Lo and behold, the Joint Services dropped fliers…we had known it was going to happen, but we had spoken to some key people in the military, and police command, and we told them to hold, let Friday bear fruit, because we were convinced we already had the terms of reference to investigate electricity generation and distribution in Region 10. Because we want to know what BOSAI and

them doing, the historical context, the pensioners these things need to be investigated before we could talk about electricity generation and distribution.”

Expanding on the economic programme, Solomon spoke of persons who wanted to come into Linden and invest in mining, forestry and other areas, and thus create employment in a matter of months.

He spoke of massive investments with the capacity to provide some 2,000 jobs, especially for young people.

The Regional Chairman alluded to efforts being made to ensure that Linden does not get past the state that it

has been in for the past twenty years, and emphasized that Lindeners should not worry about Bosai and the call centre there ‘losing li’l work’.

“Y’all got the potential to have more jobs than what you probably would have been losing.”

Since July 18th, Linden has been in a state of upheaval, with constant clashes between demonstrators and the Joint Services, with the people demonstrating ‘zero tolerance’ for the latter’s tactics in maintaining ‘law and order.’

Three Lindeners were shot dead by police during the first day of protest against the increased electricity tariffs which became effective July 1st.

This led to escalating tension and more protest action.

Several buildings were later torched, the most recent being the One Mile Primary School.

A few persons were subsequently taken into police custody in relation to that incident while several other people, some purportedly innocent, were locked up, for various other offences.

A number of damaged roads, blackened ruins where buildings once stood, and a heavy military presence, all tell the story of a town in turmoil.

Lindeners furious as...

From page 7 The Joint Services said in a statement that the security guard on duty was approached by three men armed with cutlasses who threatened to kill her if she did not remove from the location or if she attempted to raise an alarm.

After the security guard left the compound, the building was broken into and computers stolen and was later seen on fire.

The Joint Services said that later Sunday, residents of the Linden community handed over two men to the police at Wismar Police Station who they claimed were suspects in the burning of the One Mile Primary School.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.

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Vreed-en-Hoop 3 acres Call: 658-0115 LBI $11M, Atlantic Gardens, Happy Acres, South Road, Lamaha Gardens. Phone: 6216888 Large land Bogatville, 37’x732’, Great for poultry or greenhouse farming $6.5M Call: 223-1719

Page 24

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Wednesday August 15, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Try to fit more physical activity into this day. Take the stairs, park at the far end of the lot, or maybe just dance around the kitchen. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Sophisticated language can be a veil to hide what you truly mean but are too afraid to say. But fancy talk can also be a tool to help folks understand what exactly it is that you mean at a high level. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Being by yourself is not going to be your idea of fun right now. The solo life is fun and rewarding at times, but not right now. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): New inventions and justso-crazy-it-could-work ideas will be entering your mind throughout the day, lighting up your attitude and making you feel empowered. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Today, it looks like one of your more frosty relationships is finally starting to warm up a bit. This person is a very sensitive soul, and all this time they were just trying to figure you out before admitting that they like you just as much as everyone else does! ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): When you look into your wallet, do you see neatly organized currency and credit cards? Or do you see a mishmash of scraps of paper, crumbled up dollar bills, and

random phone numbers? ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22):Achieving the perfect harmony in life is next to impossible -- but you need to make the effort today. Pay attention to your 'must haves' in life and fight for them! ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): In pursuing your constant quest for fairness in life, you have quite possibly overlooked the fact that sometimes there is simply a right way and a wrong way. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Putting things in the right order is very important today. If you get out of whack, you will get discouraged quickly. **************** CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): There are many shifts going on amidst your relationships at work, home or school. Luckily, these shifts are creating mostly good results. ckly and joyfully. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You clean your kitchen when it gets messy, you clean your car when the back seat gets cluttered -- and you should clean your mind when it gets filled up with a bunch of negative things. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20):Some people try to distract themselves from problems at home by immersing themselves in work or school. But that tactic is a poor one, since it only delays the inevitable.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Letters to the Sports Editor Shimron emulates Seon but the Chattergoons stands alone as brothers that represented Guyana at the Regional U-19 level since 1966 DEAR SIR, When Berbice Batsman Simron Hetemiah made his debut for Guyana this year in the Regional Under-17 championship in Barbados, he joined elder sibling Seon and continued a proud tradition of Guyanese brothers who have represented Guyana at the Regional Under-19 level.

Since 1966 the trend started with the Kallicharran brothers Stanley and Alvin.

Deryck emulated the two later in 1975 and 1976.

To date, twenty six (26) sets of brothers have represented Guyana at the Regional Under-19 level since 1966 with the Chattergoons, Hemnarine, Sewnarine, Ramnarine and Harrinarine leading this distinguished list.

The only brothers with centuries at the Regional Under-19 level are Mark and Roger Harper, Colin and Andrew Jackman, while the only brothers with five wickets hauls are Andy and Michael Chinsammy.

The only brothers who led Guyana to Under-19

championship honours are Mahendra and Vishal Nagamootoo.

The Charles brothers, Roger and Garfield are the only brothers to share nine wickets in an innings at the Regional Under-19 level.

Roger took 5 for 26 and Garfield 4 for 21 against Barbados at Camp Ayanganna in 1981, the other Barbados wicket went via the run out route.

This feat was only emulated once when the Samaroo’s brother shared nine wickets against Guyana at the T.O. J Ground in Jamaica.

In August 1996, Avidesh took 6 for 76 while Ritesh took 3 for 71. The batsman that was run out on that occasion was Ramnaresh Sarwan for 80.

Please find below Guyanese brothers that played at the Regional Under19 level since 1966.

Alvin, Stanley and Deryck Kallicharran; Keith and Julian Aaron; Gopie and Vinoo Beasmonie; Errol Colin and Andrew Jackman; Mirza and Nabbie Hussien; Reginald

and Tyrone Etwaroo; Godfrey and Kevin Edwards; Rabindranauth and Shivnauth Seeram; Anil and Vinoo Solomon; Robert and David Fingall; Peter and Paul Persaud; Mahendra and Vishal Nagamootoo; Calvin and Cleon Belgrave; Zaheer and Azeemul Haniff; Roger and Garfield Charles; Barrington and Robin Browne; Rovendra and Shivdolall Madholall; Ferose Khan and Imran Khan Hussain; Stanley Michael and Andy Chinsammy; Eugene and Jamal LaFluer; Hemnarine, Sewnarine, Ramnarine and Harrinarine Chattergoon; Seon and Shimron Hetemiah; Assad and Abdel Fudadin.

The Arjune brothers Krishna and Vishal also played at the Regional Under19 level but for the West Indies Development Team.

George and Glen Robinson; Sydney and Ron Matthews; Shivnarine and Tagernarine Chanderpaul are the only father and sons to play since 1966.

Charwayne Walker

Weighing in on the Raphael and Stephney exchanges DEAR EDITOR, I was following the exchanges of Mr. Raphael and Mr. Stephney with interest, and wasn’t surprised at the abrupt end, as Mr. Raphael made three very fundamental points in his presentations.

1. Firstly - he made the point that nine (9) Essequibo Cricket Board representatives plus one (1) Berbice impostor – out of 27 required – was responsible for electing the 2011 GCB Executive.

In any legal, moral or practical organisational setting this must be wrong – unacceptable – illegal!

2. Secondly – That the Essequibo Cricket Board Administration has not prepared their players adequately so that they can be selected on national teams.

There has been no two or three day cricket competition held for over 15 years and funds sent by the GCB instead of being used for Cricket Development was used otherwise.

3. Thirdly – the ECB has been guilty of deceit and dishonesty, since they have been claiming to support the IMC while their every action shows the opposite.

I recall attending the IMC stakeholders outreach held in Essequibo where none of the Essequibo Cricket Board Executives turned up. Could you imagine that ECB’s powerful secretary/treasurer/ administrator Mr. Christiani, who never held a bat or ball in his life at any level of competitive cricket refused the request, of local, Regional and international Cricket Legend, Clive Lloyd, to visit and inspect the GCB sponsored Essequibo Cricket Hostel. Isn’t this the limit?

Maybe he had something to hide.

My information is that the Former ECB President Ahmad attended one and the Secretary Christiani attended two of the many meetings organised by the IMC. They however have sent the loyal Mr. Stephney to provide the smoke screen of Essequibo’s representation.

The fact that the Essequibo Cricket Board could condone the selection of National Teams particularly youths and women without proper preparation and supervision then send them to represent this country is downright irresponsible and unacceptable, and could cause irreparable harm to the

players physically and psychologically. They can be devastated forever with their confidences shattered.

Shame on you Mr. Stephney, Shame on the Essequibo Cricket Board for indulging in self serving lawlessness.

As an Essequibian I am ashamed of your actions.

W. Boston Dartmouth Essequibo Coast

Page 25

Injured Liu Xiang wants to compete again - Xinhua (Reuters) - Former Olympic champion Liu Xiang wants to return to competition after crashing out of the 110 meters hurdles heats at the London Games last week with an Achilles tendon injury, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

“It’s all going well, just another scar for me,” Xinhua quoted Liu as saying on his return home to China after surgery in London.

“I’m mainly recuperating now, as at the moment I can’t move, so I have to rest quietly,” he said, adding that he might be able to start jogging after about two months.

Asked if he wanted to return to the track to compete again, Liu said: “Of course, of course I want to.”

Liu’s Olympic dreams were left in tatters for the

China’s Liu Xiang falls after hitting a hurdle in his men’s 110m hurdles round 1 heat during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

(REUTERS/Mark Blinch) second successive Games when he smashed into the first hurdle in his 110 meters heat in London.

The 2004 champion was forced to withdraw at the start of his heat in front of his home

crowd in Beijing four years ago with an Achilles injury.

Liu’s coach and mentor Sun Haiping added that his return to competition “totally depends on how he recovers”.

Congo athletes, coaches missing after Olympics

- Seven Cameroon athletes also missing DAKAR (Reuters) - A Congolese judo competitor and three other members of the central African country’s Olympic delegation have gone missing in London since the weekend, local media reported on Monday, adding to a list of seven other African athletes, who vanished during the Games.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s, Cedric Mandembo, who lost his only judo match in 49 seconds to Russian, Alexander Mikhaylin in the 100 kg category, disappeared shortly after Sunday’s Closing Ceremony and was not answering his mobile phone, U.N.-sponsored Radio Okapi reported, citing the Congolese Olympic

BOLT A LEGEND?

From page 30 ask for a better champion. “Everyone owes him a debt of gratitude,” said two-time decathlon Olympic champion Daley Thompson, “because he’s the guy who’s bringing the crowds back”.

The Oxford English Dictionary is more helpful than Rogge in trying to understand Bolt’s “legend” claim. It says the word can mean “an extremely famous or notorious person”.

Few people on this planet are more famous than Bolt. But it can also mean “a story”, something recounted over and over.

And that fits Bolt perfectly.

For years to come, we’ll talk not only about his Olympic triumphs, but about the way he won them. The magnificence of him erupting from the blocks and unfurling his muscular 1.95-metre (6-5) frame. The sight of his long legs gobbling up the track. Just awesome, every time. On the biggest stage, he made us gasp, not once or twice but repeatedly. The best there ever will be? Even with Jordan, no one can really tell.

But Bolt is the best sprinter there ever was. Everything he is and everything he has done are stories that will be told and retold. And that, like Jordan, Owens and others, is why Bolt is now a legend.

Committee.

Congo judo coach, Ibula Masengo, boxing trainer Blaise Bekwa, and national technical director of athletics Guy Nkita had also gone missing, according to the report, which said all four had left the Olympic Village with their luggage.

No further details were immediately available in London and a government spokesman said the Home Office did not comment on individual cases.

Olympic officials are also looking for seven

Cameroonian athletes who went missing during the Games. Cameroon officials asked for help tracking down five boxers, a swimmer and a soccer player, and said they were probably seeking to stay in Europe for economic reasons.

The London Olympic Organising Committee said it had notified British Police about the missing Cameroonians, but added that the athletes would not be infringing immigration laws until their visas expired in November.

Guinea and Ivory Coast athletes missing in London (Reuters) - Athletes from Guinea and Ivory Coast have joined several other Africans who have gone missing following the London Olympics, officials said on Tuesday.

Three Guineans and three Ivorians disappeared, adding to a total list of 11 Congolese and Cameroonians suspected to be trying to make new lives in Europe.

“Three members of the delegation have not returned to the Olympic village,” Adama Doumbia, technical adviser at the Ministry of Sports and Leisure in Ivory Coast, told Reuters.

He did not give the names of the missing members of the delegation but said they contained two swimmers and a wrestling coach.

An official on Guinea’s Olympic Committee told Reuters on condition of anonymity that swimmer Dede Camara, judo competitor Facinet Keita and runner Aicha Toure had been missing since Saturday, the day before the closing ceremony. Games officials are already looking for a Democratic Republic of Congo judo competitor, three other members of that country’s delegation and seven Cameroonian athletes.

The London Olympic organising committee said it had notified British police about the missing Cameroonians but added the athletes would not be infringing immigration laws until their visas expired in November.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Profile of Guyana’s swimmers on Goodwill team From page 27

Stephanie Fraser, Head Coach

Jean La Rose, Team Manager

Isabel Couso Fals, Assistant Coach, Works with 12 and above age group

Athena Gaskin, 16 years old; attends the Bishop’s High School; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M breast; 50M free; 200M free; A talented and experienced team player; Bronze medalist in 2011 Goodwill Swim Meet.

Britany Van Lange, 15 years old; attends the Bishop’s High School; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 100M free; 50M free; 50M fly; Most experienced team member; Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist in 2011 Goodwill Swim Meet.

Steffi DeNobrega, 17 years; Best events: 50M breast; 100M breast; Represented Guyana at 2010 Goodwill Meet.

Joseph Seguina, 17 years old; attends the Government Technical Institute, Member of the Dolphin Swim Club; Best events: 50M fly, 50M back, 50M free; A talented and versatile swimmer; Represented Guyana at 3 previous Goodwill Meets.

Omali Dare, 16 years old; attends the MacKenzie High School; Member of the Haimara Swim Club of Linden; Best events: 50M free; 100M free; 50M fly; Talented swimmer with lots of potential; Represented Guyana at 3 previous Goodwill meets.

Angel Rodrigues, 15 years old; attends the Santa Rosa Secondary; Member of the Silver Gliders Swim Club, Santa Rosa, Region 1; Best events: 50 back; 100 back; Talented swimmer with great potential; No previous competitive experience.

Soroya Simmons, 15 years old; attends the Marian Academy, Team Captain, Female Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M back; 100M back; 200M back; Determined swimmer with vast competitive experience; Earned a silver & bronze medals in 2011 Goodwill Meet.

Omari Dunn, 14 years old; attends St. Rose’s High, Team Captain, Male Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M & 100M breaststroke; 50M free; Very disciplined swimmer; Previous competitive experience & represented Guyana at Goodwill in 2010.

Shyka Gonsalves, Assistant Coach, 8 & Under age group swimmers

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Profile of Guyana’s swimmers on Goodwill team Guyana will be taking on swimmers from neighbouring Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados in the Goodwill swimming championship this weekend at the National Aquatic Centre. Here are brief profiles of the swimmers representing Guyana as they hunt for regional glory:

Donna Carter, 8 years old; attends Marian Academy; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M free; 50M back; Energetic & versatile swimmer; recently started swimming competitively; Her first international competition.

Naomi King, 8 years old; attends St. Margaret’s Primary; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M free; 100M free; A strong and determined swimmer; Her first International competition.

Leon Seaton, 7 years old; attends North Georgetown Primary; Member of the Silver Shark Swim Club Best events: 50M fly; 50M free; Disciplined swimmer with a positive attitude; Recently started swimming competitively; His first International competition.

David Scott, 7 years old; attends St. Margaret’s Primary; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M free; 100M free; Loves the ‘fun’ he gets out of competing; this is his first major competition.

Sarah King, 10 years old, will attend St Roses High in the new term; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M back; 50M breaststroke; A strong & determined swimmer with lots of potential; Has previous competitive experience.

Alyssa Nurse, 10 years old; will be attending Queens College in the new term; Member of the Dorado speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M free; 50M butterfly; A strong and determined swimmer with great potential; has previous competitive experience; Her first international competition.

Nkosi Beaton, 10 years old; attends Winfer Gardens Primary, Member of the Silver Sharks Swim Club; Best events: 50M free; 50M breast; A talented young swimmer who likes challenges; Has previous competitive experience; His first international competition.

Nathon Hackett, 10 years old; attends Mae’s Schools; Member of the Silver Shark Swim Club; Best events: 50M breast; 50M free; Very focused and disciplined swimmer; His first major competition and international meet.

Nikita Fiedtkou, 12 years old; attends New Silver City Secondary; Member of the Haimara Swim Club of Linden; Best events: 50M free; 100M free; A dependable team player; First major competition & international meet.

Dylan Nurse, 12 years old; attends the Bishops High School; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club: Best events: 50M back; 50M free; A very focused and determined swimmer; Has previous competitive experience.

Kevin Dare, 12 years old; attends the Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary; Member of the Haimara Swim Club of Linden; Best events: 50M free; 50M back; A versatile team player with great potential; His first major competition & international meet.

Phillip De Nobrega, 12 years old; attends School of the Nations; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club Best events: 50 free; 50 butterfly; A team player with great potential; His first major competition & international meet.

Daniel Scott, 12 years old; attends Saints Stanislaus College; Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best Events: 50m breaststroke; 50m free; Represented Guyana at 2 previous Goodwill meets.

Onika George, 13 years old; attends the Bishop’s High School; Member of the Silver Shark Swim Club; Best events: 50M back; 50M free; Very talented swimmer who can go along way; Represented Guyana at 3 previous Goodwill Meets.

Jamila Sanmoogan, 14 years old: attends The Business School; Member of the Dolphin Swim Club; Best events: 50M breast; 50M free; A determined & talented swimmer; Represented Guyana at 3 previous Goodwill meets.

Hannibal Gaskin, 14 years old; attends Queens College: Member of the Dorado Speed Swim Club; Best events: 50M fly; 50M free; 100M fly; A versatile and proficient swimmer; Represented Guyana at Goodwill in 2010.

Omar Adams, 14 years old; attends the Christ Church Secondary School; Member of the Dorado Speed swim Club; Best events: 50 fly, 50 free; 50 back; A very disciplined and talented swimmer; Represented Guyana at Goodwill in 2010.

Selwyn Miller, 14 years old; attends Santa Rosa Secondary; Member of the Silver Gliders Swim Club, Santa Rosa, Region 1; Best events: 50M free; 50M breaststroke; A strong and determined swimmer with lots of potential; Has no previous competitive experience.

Continued on page 26

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Wednesday August 15, 2012

AAG U-23 Trails Berbice Day of Interaction Standards released attracts large turnout - athletes to take to the track this weekend

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will be hosting their 2012 Youth and Under-23 Trails and Senior Invitational Competition on Saturday and Sunday at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary for all club affiliated athletes, schools and sports districts.

The main purpose of this three in one competition is to select a team for the upcoming

South American Under-23 Games in September in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The competition which is affiliated to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) will see all standard events under starters and officials instruction over the weekend for U-18, U-23 and Open athletes.

All competitors must follow the regulations: age category (16/17 as at December 31 (Youth), 18-22 as at December 31 (U-23) and 23 and older as at December 31 (Open). For this competition, Athletes will only be allowed to compete in their respective age category.

The events for the meet are as follows: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, long jump,

QUALIFYING STANDARDS: Youth Events Females Males 100m 11.80 10.70 200m 24.50 22.00 400m 57.90 49.00 800m 2:14 1:54.30 1500m 4:50 4:10 3000m/10000m 10:15 8:60 5000m NIL NIL Long Jump 5.59m 7.20m Triple Jump 12m 14.15m High Jump 1.63m 1.90m Discus 40.50m 48.10m Shot Putt 12.90m 16.50m Javelin 41.10m 60.20m

shot putt, discus, javelin. The following events will only get underway once there are more than two competitors.

Field event athletes will be given three trials as the required weights will be used for the throws in the respective age categories.

Subject to the restrictions set out above, participants in the Youth category will be allowed to compete in only one event over 200 meters, the U-23 category, two events and the Senior (Open Women and Men) three events.

The release further stated that all athletes must wear the official number which was issued to them from the athletics association on their chest during their events, if not they will not be allowed to compete.

Under-23 Females Males 11.50 10.50 23.80 21.30 54.20 47.00 2:10.00 1:50.00 4:38 3:50 36:50 31:50 17:49 14:30 5.74m 7.62m 12.30m 16.02m 1.70m 2.09m 38.09m 50.20m 12.93m 17.30m 42.15m 63.42m

The above track event standards are electronic times, hence .25 seconds will be subtracted to convert to manual timings for the sprint races (100,200,400m).

Packed itinerary as race walkers take to the roads in month long activities Race walkers would be kept busy for the next few weeks following several races planned by the Cavalier Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC). Activities started last Sunday August 12 with the Forbes Burnham Memorial Race Walk and will culminate with the Linden Race Walk on September 2 next.

The next race, a 10k event, will commence on Saturday August 18 around the Den

Amstel Community on the West Coast Demerara.

Participants are asked to convene at the Old Claybrick Road at 06:30hrs whereupon, they would journey around the village.

The athletes will then move over to the Canal #2 Polder on Sunday August 19.

That race starts off at the road head and culminates at the other end. On Saturday August 25 the walkers will journey to Soesdyke for

another 10k race that starts at Trevor Harry’s Photo Studio, proceeds around the village and back to the place of origin.

Several other races are planned for the month including a 10k event around the Melanie Damishana community on Sunday August 26 and another in the Berbice area from the New Amsterdam Town Hall up to the Guysuco, Rose Hall Canje Estate for the finish.

The grand finale, in Linden commences at Watooka House and culminates at the Linden Bandstand.

Participants are urged to be at the various starting lines at 06:00hrs to facilitate a prompt start at 06:30hrs. Once again, walkers will vie for prizes donated by members of the business community including trophies, medals and other prizes.

It was a festive atmosphere and a large crowd turned up for the Day of Interaction organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission last Sunday at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on the Corentyne.

Approximately fifteen hundred Representatives from seventeen Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, three Municipalities and one Amerindian Council (Orealla) participated in a number of sports disciplines including softball cricket (male and female), football, table tennis, Circle Tennis, Track and Field, Chess, Domino, Volleyball, Netball, Basketball, Track and Field.

After the March Past of athletes and officials remarks were made by Mr. Omeshwar Sirikishun, Culture, Youth and Sport Youth Officer who chaired the proceedings, Mr Faizal Jaffaraly, MP, Mr. Vishwa Mahadeo, MP; Mr. Bill Jagroop, Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Permaul Armogan, Regional Chairman, who expressed his appreciation for the Day of Interaction and welcomed all to the activity and the Region, Mr. Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, who gave a brief background of the Day of Interaction and the Hon. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony who pronounced on the growth of the Day of Interaction and the Ministries’ plans to provide and improve sport facilities for the encouragement and development of sports in Region #6 and the country at large.

He also mentioned the two new initiatives for the National Sports Awards – the best primary and secondary schools and the best community involved in sports.

Port Mourant Neighbourhood Democratic Council was awarded the special prizes for the largest contingent and the best uniformed unit. The special prize for the Best Banner was copped by Canefield Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

Trophies were also presented to participants from Orealla who were involved in a 10 week workshop conducted by Mr. Rai Sharma.

Presently, fifty five (55) young people are involved in the game of Chess and thirty

(30) in the playing of scrabble in the Orealla Community, which is approximately six hours from Corriverton.

Under brilliant sunshine, coupled with breezy conditions, the atmosphere was conducive and the athletes relished the opportunity to perform at their best.

The Sports disciplines were most competitive and held the rapt attention of those present and kept them on their feet.

All the disciplines were played at a high standard.

The females were not out done as they too displayed great knowledge, skills and commitment.

Results of the finals are as follows: SOFTBALL CRICKET (FEMALE) Four teams participated in extremely excitingly semifinal and final matches. In a thrilling final, Karibee Strikers of Macedonia/ JOPP NDC scoring 42 runs for 3 wickets won from Endfield, New Doe Park, NDC who scored 35 runs for 1 wicket.

SOFTBALL CRICKET (MALE) Seventeen teams registered and played the preliminary matches. The final saw Port Mourant NDC scoring 32 for 2 from their 4 overs, losing to Corriverton Town Council who scored 33 for 2 in 3.2 overs.

VOLLEYBALL Four teams were involved.

Port Mourant NDC dominated and its two teams contested the final. Port Mourant Jaguars edged Port Mourant Training school 25 points to 22 in a keenly contested affair.

TABLE TENNIS The Competition attracted thirty two players and was played on an individual basis. The discipline, which is on the rise in Berbice because of the excellent working relationship between the NSC and the Guyana Table Tennis Association, saw a high level of interest and enthusiasm. In the final, the experience amputee, Gibran Sarfaraz defeated h i s b r o t h e r, S h e r w i n Sahadeo, 3-nil. Both players are from Corriverton.

NETBALL Two teams from New Amsterdam played in the competition.

Dovers Netball Club Juniors, trashed their seniors 20 points to 7 in a one sided affair.

CIRCLE TENNIS (MIXED) In the final, Fyrish/ Gibraltar NDC, who scored 71 for 6 from 40 deliveries, were no match for their opponents, Port Mourant who blew them away by scoring 73 for 1 from 13 deliveries.

DOMINOES Of the twelve teams participating, Masadonia/ Joppa NDC ended with 44 games, Kilcoy/Hamshire NDC, 47 games and Corriverton Town Council 50 games in a pulsating final.

CHESS A large contingent from Orealla was among thirty four players in the competition including Shamina Pervex (7 years), Daniel Alexander (6 years) and Waveney Johnson (8 years).

It was noteworthy to observe the youngsters discipline as they concentrated on their moves.

The Persaud brothers of Rose Hall, Shiv and Kristal, battled each other in the final with Kristal being victorious.

FOOTBALL The small goal competition attracted eight NDC’s. After the preliminary rounds, Kildonan defeated Fyrish by two goals to 1.

TRACKAND FIELD Male 100 M Open - Forty persons entered. After the heats, Troy Matison won from Clerroy France.

MALE U-15 – 100M Azad Ramjohn got the better of Royston James.

MALE 200 M OPEN Rolwyn Heywood secured first place with Colwin Thomas finishing second.

FEMALE 100M OPEN Nineteen persons entered. In the final, Tiffany Johnson was first with Keisha Sampson second and Whitney Hooper third.

DANCING Harinarine Omesh Sirikishun won the male category while Christine Paltoo emerged winner of the Female Category.

At the Closing Ceremony, the winners and runners-up were awarded with trophies.

Sports gears and equipment were also presented to clubs and NDCs to assist with the development of sports in their communities.

Special attention was placed on Orealla who were given six Chess Boards among other gears and equipment.

The Minister is also presently looking at the possibility of providing Lights for sports venues at Albion and Port Mourant.

Wednesday August 15, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

JADCo dismisses IOC member’s French footballers to face claim against J’can athletes judge in prostitution probe

Jamaica Observer - THE Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCo) Monday rubbished a claim by International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound that it is difficult to test Jamaican athletes because they are hard find.

In fact, JADCo pointed out that data held by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) show the opposite to Pound’s allegation.

“The claim by Mr Pound that the Jamaican athletes cannot be found for testing is without any foundation whatsoever,” JADCo said in a news release issued Monday evening.

“This is confirmed by the fact that the WADA database (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System ADAMS) holding such information of all tests and missed tests does not confirm his allegation. In addition, JADCo has never received any complaints regarding the athletes not being found for testing,” the commission said.

Pound elicited the JADCo response after he was reported as telling Reuters Television that Jamaican athletes, who dominated the sprint events at the justconcluded London Olympics, should expect more visits from drug testers.

Asked whether he was happy with the way Jamaica tested its athletes, Pound said “No, they are one of the groups that are hard to test, it

Dick Pound is (hard) to get in and find them and so forth.

“I think they can expect, with the extraordinary results that they have had, that they will be on everybody’s radar.”

Jamaica’s athletes dominated the sprint events for the second successive Olympic Games, with Usain Bolt defending his 100m and 200m crowns. His teammate Yohan Blake placed second in the 100m, as well as in the 200m which the Jamaicans swept with Warren Weir placing third.

The Jamaican men also defended their 4x100m title, lowering the world record they set in Beijing four years ago to 36.84 seconds last Saturday night.

In the women’s events, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce repeated her 100m victory ahead of Veronica Campbell Brown, who placed third.

Fraser-Pryce also placed second in the 200m before partnering with Campbell Brown, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to take silver in the 4x100m.

Bronze medals were won by Jamaica’s women’s 4x400m team and by Hansle Parchment in the 110m hurdles. Monday, JADCo said it was acutely aware that the Jamaican athletes, by their high level of performance, will attract the attention of the world.

“Therefore, every track and field athlete representing Jamaica at the recent Olympics was tested In-Competition in June 2012. In conjunction with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), elite athletes were tested more than once. All results were negative,” JADCo said.

In the days just before the start of the London Olympics, word out of the Jamaican camp was that the island’s athletes were being subjected to extraordinarily frequent testing. Sprinter Asafa Powell was said to have been tested thrice in a week.

Pound, a Canadian attorney who specialises in tax law, earned his undergraduate and law degrees at McGill University in Montreal. He was one of the prime candidates to succeed Juan Antonio Samaranch as IOC president in 2001, but lost to Jacques Rogge. After that election, he resigned as chairman of the IOC Finance Commission.

TRIBUTE TO A CHAMP

From page 31 natural for him to gravitate towards the sport of powerboat racing.

One of his brothers, Stephen, remembers ‘Monty’ as a very affable individual who valued

family life.

He said that he was a fierce competitor who ruled the roost in the C Class category at the annual Easter and August Regattas.

“Monty won numerous

Jam Zone Masters Cup not...

From back page were looking forward to him doing the same again this year.

However we know Sean is not too well and needs brain Surgery as soon as possible so we were planning to maybe have donations for him done by fans on the night of the final. So everybody is going to be affected…”

Last year the GCB had written the WICB seeking permission to stage two fund raising T20 cricket festivals with “The Masters’ Cup”, held on the 12th and 14th August 2011 and done in partnership with “Hits and Jams Entertainment” promotion company along with other commercial sponsorships, being the first of the two.

The WICB Director of Cricket Tony Howard in his reply from the WICB wrote; “We refer to your letter received by email, of today’s date July 26th 2011, seeking approval from the WICB for the above captioned tournaments. You are asked especially to note your obligations as set out in Section 6, under the conditions of approval.

The WICB is pleased to approve the events and wish the Guyana Cricket Board success in the organization and execution of these events. The WICB also notes your intention that these events will form part of the annual calendar of cricket in Guyana.”

championships during his career and was a good family man who was committed and caring.”

Monty was so committed to family life that he met and married his childhood sweetheart, Tamara, fifteen (15) years ago. He has one daughter, Tattianna after whom he named one of his boats.

The entire community of Bartica has been plunged into a state of shock and disbelief following Sunday’s tragedy.

Wake for the late Orin Keith Montgomery Belle will be held at his residence 26 Carebesa Hill, Bartica with the funeral service set for Sunday August 19 at the St. John’s The Baptist Anglican Church from 14:00hrs.

He has left to mourn brothers Edward, Clarence, Stephen, Ralph aka Peter, Christopher, Vibert and Alexander. He had one sister, Lynette Collymore who has also passed away. Wife Tamara and daughter Tattianna. My his soul rest in peace.

(Reuters) - French football stars Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema will be called before a judge to answer claims that they paid for sex with a minor, Paris prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich winger Ribery and Real Madrid striker Benzema have been under investigation since 2010 in the so-called “Zahia” affair in which they are accused of paying Zahia Dehar, then 16, for sex in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Investigating magistrate Andre Dandot ruled on August 10 that the duo should testify but did not set a date, the prosecutor’s office said.

Lawyers for the men, who have not decided whether to appeal the magistrate’s decision, requested in November that the case be closed, arguing that the footballers did not know Zahia was under age.

Ribery and Benzema are set to play for France against Uruguay on Wednesday in a friendly international at Le Havre, the team’s first game under new coach Didier Deschamps.

The scandal gripped France ahead of the 2010 World Cup and further tarnished the image of the French squad, whose reputation was already battered by internal bickering and a 2-1 loss to South Africa.

“Karim Benzema is

Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery is pictured during a team photo call in Munich July 30, 2012.

(REUTERS/Michaela Rehle) innocent and will explain himself in front of the court,” Benzema’s attorney, Sylvain Cormier, told Reuters.

A lawyer for Ribery could not be immediately reached.

The offence carries a penalty of three years in prison and a 45,000 euro ($55,400) fine, although a conviction hinges on proving the accused knew the minor’s age.

Zahia has denied being a prostitute but has said she was invited to Ribery’s 26th birthday party in a luxury Munich hotel and paid for sex. She has said she never told him her age.

Ribery has acknowledged the encounter but his lawyers have argued the young

woman would have had to have looked like a minor in order for their client to be found guilty.

Zahia, who shot to fame in France after the allegations came to light, launched her own lingerie line during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year.

Deschamps declined to comment when asked at a pregame press conference about the upcoming court appearance, saying it was a personal matter.

“It’s in the hands of justice. Beyond that, this changes nothing in terms of my demands on them as members of the French team, on and off the pitch,” Deschamps said.

‘Golden Jaguars’ refocuses on World...

From back page such opposition during the 90 minutes, rather than the final score line”, reasoned Shabazz.

Bolivia is ranked 83rd in world and have qualified for three World Cups in its football history. Those years were 1930, 1954 and 1994.

However they did not qualify from the group stage in either tournament.

The Bolivia side colloquially known as La Verde (The Green one), are also using this friendly for their CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier next month against Ecuador.

Meanwhile, veteran Alpha United Striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams will start up front in the game that is scheduled to kick-off at 20:00hrs today. The 32-year-old striker will have his work cut out leading a Guyana attack without several of its foreign based stars the likes of Carl Cort, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson and Captain Christopher Nurse.

However the two new two

foreign born players will make their International debuts, 24 year-old defender Jamaal Smith who plays Sweden based Club Syrianska FC and 21 year-old Central midfielder Nick Millington who ply his trade for the Carolina Railhawks in the North American Soccer League.

Smith was born in Canada to Guyanese parents and will become third player from Canada to be recruited over the past six months following the recent additions of Julien Edwards and Taylor Benjamin.

Both Millington and Smith came through the youth ranks, having played for the USA and Canada’s Under-17 teams respectively.

The Jaguars spent most of the day yesterday resting after arriving at the Bugansvilla Hotel at 03:00hrs.

They did a 70 minute training session at the Stadium.

Despite having only just one session with the full team, Coach Shabazz said he is looking forward to the game.

“We did some work on the

team shape in one session. It is not ideal, but the game itself is a practice so we are thankful. We are eager to see what Smith and Millington would bring to the team and more importantly to evaluate our work with the local based players”, added Shabazz.

Seasoned 28 year-old defender John Rodrigues returns to the Captaincy of the team in what will Starting lineup: Richard Reynolds, Colin Nelson, Jamaal Smith, Walter Moore, Dwight Peters, Kayode McKinnon, Nick Millington, Dwain Jacobs, Anthony Abrams and Vurlon Mills.

Subs: Colin Edwards, Kanata Manning, Sheldon Holder, Kestor Jacobs, Treyon Bobb, Daniel Wilson, Andrew Murray.

Management: Coach: Jamaal Shabazz, Assistant Coach: Wayne Dover, Trainer: Americo Falopa, Manager: Rawle Adams, Assistant Manager: Mark Xavier, Equipment Manager: Trevor Burnett, Physio: Dr. Kerry Dollaway.