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Kaieteur News
Friday February 1, 2013
Fire Prevention Seminar growing in stature – Advisory Board Chairman Yesterday several stakeholders participated in a Fire Prevention seminar hosted by the Guyana Fire Service, the Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance, the Fire Advisory Board and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The forum was aimed at sensitising the business community and raising awareness of the importance of fire prevention and general safety issues. Among the areas of discussion were: Fire Prevention issues; Fire Safety & the business community; the role and responsibility of the business community in Fire Prevention; the Chemistry of Combustion; Evacuation Procedures; Housekeeping; Storage Procedures; and a practical demonstration on the Use and Operation of Fire Extinguishers. During the opening session, Chairman of the Fire Advisory Board, Mr. Raj Singh, said the agencies involved should be lauded for the initiative as it has grown since its commencement in
November 2010. According to Singh, when the seminar first started there were only 25 participants, in 2011 there were 50 and yesterday’s event attracted just over 100 participants. “We have now outgrown this venue, this augurs very well for the importance that this particular issue of fire prevention and fire safety plays in our everyday lives” Singh pointed out. He added that fire prevention is a very commonsense and proactive issue and its results are very difficult to measure since it is well nigh impossible to measure the cost that is saved when an accident is prevented by good housekeeping measures and such other simple fire prevention techniques. “A fire avoided by prudent measures cannot be measured if that event never actually happened by the exercise of good fire prevention habits and techniques.” Singh further thanked Hand-in-Hand for its sponsorship of the event and the GCCI, AINLIM and
A section of the participants at yesterday’s Fire Prevention Seminar DOCOL for their contribution. “This public/private sector partnership continues to be very strong and hopefully will continue to grow in the years to come and continue to play a very pivotal role in the calendar of educational activities of the Fire Advisory Board” Singh added. Further, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who also made a presentation at the seminar, lauded the efforts of the Private Sector for what he describes as good corporate citizenship. Rohee said that over the years the Chamber of Commerce has been a strong
supporter of the ideas of fire prevention and its Chairman, Mr. Clinton Urling, has made a significant contribution. The Minister pointed out that not only has the Chamber been making contributions to the Fire Advisory Board but it has also been integrally involved in policy making. According to the Minister, it is the public’s perception that his Ministry is more focused on Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service, but this is not the case. “The challenges that the Guyana Fire Service face are peculiar to the challenges of
the other two organizations, but these challenges are being dealt with, with a aim of correcting them.” To this end, the Minister said that efforts will be made to have more public relations done for the Guyana Fire Service since a lot is being done within and for that organization. “Daily we see articles about these organizations in the news, but one needs to be fair while they seek to highlight the negatives, they should also highlight the positives as we are seeing developments.” Rohee further pointed out that only recently officers from the Guyana Fire Service
and a team from his Ministry were on a retreat where discussions were held about the challenges and the way forward. “Over the two days we came up with a number of recommendations and action to be taken, and this will constitute part of the action plan for this year and onwards of the Guyana Fire Service.” Rohee concluded by opining that the Fire Prevention Seminar should be emulated by other sectors. Also yesterday, the winners of the Fire Advisory Board School’s Essay Competition were presented with their prizes. The competition was held during July and September of last year and was run under two age categories - 10-13 and 14-16. Several schools participated, with the following persons being announced as the winners in each category: 10-13 age group: Regina Lynch -St Margaret’s Primary, Talisha Rawlins Success Elementary, Aaliyah Seeram Success Primary; 14-16 category: Marian Khan - St. Stanislaus College, Akshaya Bankay - St Stanislaus College and Alisha Singh - St. Stanislaus College.
DO YOU KNOW THAT JAGDEO’S BEST FRIEND IS THE ONLY PERSON IN GUYANA TO OWN THREE MEDIA HOUSES ... Radio, Television and Newspaper?
Dr. Bobby Ramroop
1) Channel 28 now TVG 28 2) A radio station - 89.5FM 3) Guyana Times newspaper
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
Friday February 1, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Linden COI…
Relatives of deceased testify By Latoya Giles Relatives of Shemroy Bouyea and Allan Lewis, two of the three men who were fatally shot on July 18, 2012, during a protest at Linden, testified yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry. No one was present for Ron Somerset, but it was disclosed that a family member is expected to be available to testify today. First to take the witness box was Jacqueline Bouyea, Shemroy Bouyea’s mother. Mrs. Bouyea told the court that her 24-year-old son was a labourer who worked at the market and earned a salary of $10,000 per week. She explained that he would give her $5000 to help look after his two other brothers, ages 15 and 29, who had some mental disabilities and are not employed. Ms. Bouyea told the commissioners that although she worked as a security guard, and made about $30,000 monthly, she would still depend on her son for financial support. The woman stated that
Relatives of the deceased at the Commission of Inquiry yesterday her only other source of income was through Public Assistance, a total of $11,000 for her surviving sons. When asked whether she had received any compensation for her son’s death, answered in the negative. Next to testify was Clyde Lewis, 46-year-old A l l a n L e w i s ’s b r o t h e r. According to the witness, his brother was not employed with a company but worked as a mason and
carpenter. He told the commissioners that at the time of his death, his brother was living with his elderly mother. The brother further noted that Lewis, a father of two, would normally work in and around the community of Linden. He said that just two weeks prior to his brother’s death he was working and had given his mother (who attended the hearing) some
$40,000. The man said that Lewis would always maintain his mother, Daphne, who is a pensioner, and two sons, Rodwell, 21, and Orlando, 19. The dead man’s brother told the Commission, “I would call him a man of many skills, an all-rounder.” Allan Lewis’s eldest son, Rodwell, was also present at yesterday’s hearing and was called to the witness box. According to the young man,
his father was a “major contributor” to him. He explained that he’s currently reading for a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Guyana. He said that he lives at the dormitories which the university provides and his father was the person who paid for that. He also said that his father would normally give him a weekly stipend to help buy food among other things. “My father would help with the rent which is $10,000 and he would also give me another $10,000 weekly to help with food, handouts and other things,” Rodwell Lewis testified. He said that he is not employed and would depend solely on his father and mother. Lewis was then asked if his father would always give him money weekly and according to him this was not always the case, but he (his father) did ensure that his needs were met. “Sometimes I didn’t always get the $10,000…Sometimes he would give me $8000… He always made sure that I had
money for school,” the man’s son maintained. It was also noted that Orlando Lewis wrote the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) last year. Commission Chairman Justice Lensley Wolfe sought to question attorney at law Nigel Hughes about whether he had filed formal applications for compensation for his clients. However Hughes informed the Commissioners that there had been no formal application made to the High Court for compensation, in light of the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry. He explained that this was done to ensure that there were not parallel proceedings determining compensation and entitlement. Hughes also notified the commission that the last witness, who is Ron Somerset’s mother, migrated to Suriname, since the incident. According to the lawyer, the woman has managed to raise her travel fare and is expected to be at the commission today.
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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
That sugar lifeline Guyana’s beleaguered sugar industry was thrown a lifeline by the European Union (EU) when that trading bloc announced that it would be extending its sugar quota to the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) up to 2020. Guyana is a member of the ACP and this means that Guyana can count on a duty-free base price of around 380 euros for up to 197,000 tonnes of its raw sugar. When the EU sugar sector reforms were initiated in 2005 with a 36% cut in prices by 2012, it was widely assumed that the EU prices would still remain above world market prices. And that would ensure that the EU remained the market of choice for ACP producers. From 2006 to 2008 this was the case. However, in the 3 years, 2009–2011, average world market prices rose by 46%, 68% and 113% respectively, compared to the previous year. This saw EU Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) prices below world market Free On Board (FOB) prices in 8 of the 16 months to January 2012, and more than 3 US cents/lb above the world market price in only 2 of these 16 months. This meant in essence that those countries like Guyana that remained locked into the EU quota arrangement lost a golden opportunity to make a windfall. Even at our continued high production costs, precipitated by the implosion of sugar production and the Skeldon Modernisation Project, Guyana could have still made substantial profits rather than losing money during that period. The rise in the world sugar prices served to undermine the planned functioning of the EU sugar market, by generating a substantial gap between projected ACP sugar exports to the EU market (3.3 million tonnes for the 2011/12 season) and actual sugar exports (only 1.7 million tonnes for 2011/12). In the course of 2010 and throughout 2011, sugar shortages began to emerge on the EU market. This was in part a result of traditional ACP/LDC sugar suppliers directing sugar exports to more attractively priced non-EU markets. According to the Committee of European Users of Sugar (CIUS), this created a situation where in the 12 months to September 2011 EU sugar supplies were ‘1.1 million tonnes short of demand’. By the end of 2011, raw sugar prices in New York had fallen some 27% from the 30-year high of 36.08 cents/lb reached in March 2011. During 2012, world market prices averaged 24.85 cents. Many analysts believe that the shortage of imported sugar that characterised the EU market in 2010–11 could then re-emerge. Indeed, in the medium term, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) argued in mid-2012 that it will be difficult for the EU market to attract imports under current conditions. This will be compounded by growing demand for sugar in sub-Saharan Africa. This scenario of increased competition for supplies of sugar is consistent with the shift in global demand for sugar, and led the OECD to warn that failure to revise the EU sugar quota system ‘risks a repeat of the shortages seen [in 2010/11]’. With its extension of the sugar quota to the ACP countries, the EU is obviously giving a high priority to establishing a policy framework that can meet the challenge of global sugar price volatility. And just as obviously, the EU believes it will be able to import between 3.4 million and 4 million tonnes of sugar per annum up to 2020. Once quotas are abolished, the EU’s two-tier pricing system for its domestic beet sugar will no longer be able to operate, exerting a downward pressure on EU prices for sugar destined for human consumption. This will lead to EU and world market sugar prices becoming much more intimately linked, since quota abolition would also remove any WTO impediments to exports of EU refined sugar during times of high world market prices. For Guyana, the present world price of 18 cents/lb illustrates the volatility of the sugar market and the EU quota is a good bet for us. But the day of reckoning has only been delayed.
Friday February 1, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
Kissoon is highlighting the fact of racism
DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the story in the Stabroek News “Kissoon Cites Stats to Support Position on Jagdeo Presidency” (SN 29 1 13), and would appreciate the opportunity to comment. Guyana appears now to be awakening to a reality of stupendous proportions. This is good for the national conscience, and we used the words of Professor Davies on page 1 of the online article “Greed, Genocide … and now ‘Green’: Corruption and Underdevelopment in Guyana” (http:// w w w. s c r i b d . c o m / d o c / 17958657/ Greed-Genocideand-now-Green-Corruptionand-Underdevelopment-inGuyana ) to illustrate that these issues must be confronted, not hidden or avoided. Racism in every form must be condemned ... or else we are all living a lie! We are all safe in a social-policy space delineated by a respect for fact, truth, detail and evidence! It is in anticipation of the slew of hate-mail against Kissoon that will now appear in the local press that this comment is offered. It is also paradoxical, and a testimony to this stupor-like “awakening”, that the words and work of Frederick Kissoon ... and not, say, Lincoln Lewis’ graphic outline of “economic genocide”, or Ronald Austin’s tragic essay on the killing of young Blacks in “Genocide”, or Dr. Kean
Gibson’s “Cycle of Racial Oppression in Guyana” ... that has now captured the public eye while the issue of “ideological racism” is contemplated. Even more paradoxical is the fact that it is now happening in court! We remember, too, the many attestations of the then GPSU that what Frederick Kissoon is now detailing was indeed happening in post1992 Guyana ... and the studied and callous silence that accompanied national and regional observers. Nowhere was this silence and callousness more obvious than in the hallways and dungeons of the Guyana’s own Ethnic Relations Commission which somehow over time managed to produce many “studies” saying that all was well even in issues like scholarship allocation. As the national conscience kicks in, the authors of those “studies” may yet be less “cooperative” than the prosecution expects, and illustrate just how the “results” were determined within the walls of the ERC. In that not-too-distant and cataclysmic event-paradox, Bharrat Jagdeo’s efforts to ruin Frederick Kissoon become the instrument of his own exposure! Former President Bharrat Jagdeo may well rue the day that he forgot that Satya Meva Jayate (“Truth Alone Triumphs”) and that even the most hardcore of the “jati” in Guyana would one
day come to the inescapable position that the level of overt and covert racism heaped upon Afro-Guyanese post 1992 was unsustainable and wrong! Kean Gibson started an honest debate on this issue in “The Cycle of Racial Oppression in Guyana” and Frederick Kissoon has obviously (and to his credit) been “transformed” since. While he is delicately trying to side-step the core sociological/cultural premises of the racism Gibson outlines by characterizing the (same) racism as “ideological”, one senses that there is no significant distance between their analyses and conclusions. What he mentions in this short Stabroek News story and in the similar story in the Kaieteur News (http:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2013/01/29/kissooncontinues-to-detail-reasonsfor-calling-jagdeoideological-racist/ ) is already summarized in brutal frankness in Dr. Gibson’s small book and its sequel “Sacred Duty:” The article in David Granger’s Guyana Review of July 1999 “30,012 Gun Licences” illustrates that the rot preceded Jagdeo. What is mysteriously absent from Kissoon’s presentation thus far is the reality of the unprecedented killings of hundreds of Black youths in post-1992 Guyana, a tragedy that informs the eloquent and painful essay “Genocide” by former Guyana
Ambassador Ronald Austin. Kissoon’s detractors will be hard-pressed to find another instance in Guyana’s history when killings on this scale occurred or deny that such killings speak to the “ideological racism” that Kissoon is articulating. It is an equally compelling tragedy that this article by Austin is being systematically removed by persons unknown from every online berth, and Mr. Austin should publish it again. Kissoon’s unanswerable expose’, like the events outlined in part in the online article “Greed, Genocide ... and now “Green”: Corruption and Underdevelopment in Guyana” (http:// w w w. s c r i b d . c o m / d o c / 17958657/Greed-Genocideand-now-Green-Corruptionand-Underdevelopment-inGuyana ) illustrate that this terrible convergence of overt and covert social-policy degeneracy is unprecedented in Guyana’s history, and a slap in the face of all those who cherish the words and intent of the National Motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. There is still time for us to forgive each other, and live out the true meaning of that creed! As Professor Ali Mazrui once said, it is fortunate indeed that for a sizeable portion of Guyana’s population, their memory of hate is not great! Roger Williams
Friday February 1, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The NFMU must provide answers DEAR EDITOR, From the perspective of Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s / Broadcasting, it is extremely important that everyone ought to be interested in what is available, or has been allocated by the NFMU, or in use in the “airwaves sector”. To me it is analogous to Land Distribution and must be done in a fair, equitable and transparent manner. We have heard that the airwaves (the electromagnetic radio spectrum) is a limited national resource (although the digital compression of frequencies may have changed that somewhat), and it must be managed efficiently and effectively. The Mission Statement of the National Frequency Management Unit calls for, inter alia, transparency and thus in the interest of transparency could the NFMU say who is allocated or operating on what frequency in Guyana for Radio and Television broadcasting or over the air cable broadcasting and what frequencies are available for allocation? Specifically in the case of Linden, the records of the
NFMU and its predecessor under the Guyana Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Corporation (GTC) should be able to answer who had the Frequency for Channel 13 in Linden when Green Construction was broadcasting to the community and to whom was Channel 13 passed, and who now possesses it? In the interest of the economic and or commercial development of the sector and the concomitant creative/ information/ technology/ communication industries, the NFMU needs to indicate what is available for development and growth on the electromagnetic spectrum throughout the country. The NFMU cannot be seen as and is not a Revenue Collection agency but an agency intended to promote the growth and development of Radio/Television and Telecommunications in the country. The Mission Statement of the National Frequency Management Unit of Guyana declares “To efficiently and effectively manage the
electromagnetic frequency spectrum and to administer the number resources of Guyana; being proactive, customer oriented, transparent and keeping abreast with global technological developments in the telecommunications sector, thereby fostering an environment conducive for investment and where the deployment and use of ICTs can be optimized for the social and economic development of Guyana.” As is the wont in this country, my appeal may either be dismissed as partisan or shunted off to the “New Guyana National Broadcasting Authority” that is largely responsible for licensing. I suggest that we deal with the issues I have raised; basically what is state of the Radio Frequency Spectrum at the moment so that we can know what can go where in the future. At the same time, perhaps we can also get a report on the stewardship of the Office of the Director of Telecommunications. Enrico Woolford
A tricky situation DEAR EDITOR, For a number of years commuters have had to endure hardships at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling just to please a few bitter Route 32 minibus operators. There are a lot of wrongs being perpetrated by these operators who behave as if they are doing commuters a favour by transporting them to their destinations. They force the commuters to travel in conditions of overload, on uncomfortable seats, with rude behaviour. My main problem is that in the past, minibuses would take passengers right to the stelling. Now passengers are forced to disembark a far distance from the stelling because a few operators are claiming that when the bus goes there they collect passengers without joining the minibus line. That, in my opinion, is wrong but then again, the condition of the buses and attitudes of the operators would deter anyone from travelling with them, especially tourists and commuters must be free to
make their choice with what or who they want to travel with. What bothers me is that sometimes a parent might have children who will have to either brave the hot sun or rain until they reach the stelling because there is nowhere that people could shelter properly. Some minibus operators would express their anger when this happens, but they always claiming that if they only do that, the illegal monitor that is there for the Route 32 buses would report them and they will be arrested, charged and taken to court where they will then pay a fine. I cannot understand who or when that law was passed but it is not fair. The so called monitor collects money from
the buses in the line when they start to work and most time he attends to his newspaper business whilst the buses have to figure out who is behind whom in the line. He is being paid to do that. If the operators or those in authority have no intention to find a remedy for this situation, I am appealing to them to show some sort of kindness and allow the buses to take the passengers to the stelling when the rain is falling. One day someone might just decide to sit in the bus with their children until the rain is finished and that might cause a confrontation especially if the bus has to take passengers elsewhere. Sahadeo Bates
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Friday February 1, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
No way to treat the terminally ill DEAR EDITOR, I will like to bring to your attention, the treatment my cousin (name given) is having in the women’s Surgical Ward. She is a cancer patient who requires constant care due to her condition. My cousin was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital on January 22, 2013. To my dismay the information I received from my reliable source, in confidence, left me dissatisfied with the care that is provide. My cousin is a dear friend, a sister, a mother, and a grandmother loved by everyone. It grieves me beyond
belief. Her family is grief stricken and hurt to see their loved one in such condition. She was seen to be covered in her vomit; her bed clothes were filthy, and she was running a high fever. She is unable to help herself because she is on saline and oxygen. She seldom gets the care and attention she requires because, according to my reliable source, the nurses are ether sleeping or busy gossiping. Because of her severe condition, she requires water to drink, her bed clothes need to be changed often. I made a call to the women’s Surgical
Ward to inquire about my cousin’s present condition; I give all my information, my name telephone and where I was calling from. I was rudely interrupted by the nurse on duty on the evening shift on January 29, 2013 at 7:15pm. The same thing happened the following day at 9:30pm. Both nurses refused to give their names, and by the tone of their voices, I am a shocked that they are in such a profession. My cousin needs comfort, and if she is dying, she should be treated with dignity and compassion. Guyanese Canadian
Worse than before DEAR EDITOR, I wish to draw your attention to the huge square hole that was dug by workers of the Ministry of works. This digging to reach the metal plate of the bridge at Vryheid’s Lust railway embankment was necessary to facilitate repairs to the metal structure. However, it has been a month now since they’ve done the repairs and now the bridge is worse than how it used to be, before the repairs. Before the repairs, we wrote, “Traffic is backed up
for miles in the morning rush hour since severe damage to the vehicle can occur. It is a daily challenge for students and workers to get to Georgetown, all because of a simple thing that can and should be fixed. Please note, also, that the NDC office is located less half a mile away at the said Railway embankment in Plaisance, the neighbouring village. “I would stop to make a complaint but they are not open at 8am, at which time I would already be late by 1/2
hour, neither can I stop by at 4:30 as they are usually closed by then also.” Please sir, your newspaper is our only hope for progress in this country and it boggles the mind of how hardworking citizens and taxpayers are treated with disdain. What a shame that a simple patch cannot be done to avoid miles of traffic jams and more so, serious accidents as a result of everyone rushing. Residents of the East Coast
Drivers find GRA difficult to access DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me space in your newspaper to ask a few questions that I’m sure many other Guyanese would like to ask. My first question is what was the thought process that went into selecting the GRA location in Camp Street? And was taxpayer convenience a consideration in this decision? I recently visited the “new” GRA location to get a TIN for my daughter. My
frustration started even before I was able to enter the building. There was absolutely no parking available to taxpayers. The busy Camp street area was overcrowded with vehicles on both sides. After ten minutes of circling the area I noticed a GRA parking lot. When I tried to park there the guard told me that I couldn’t because that lot is reserved for the staff only. Much to my frustration I
had to continue looking for a spot. I finally got one close to Church Street. Is this fair to taxpayers? Is it safe for me to have to leave my vehicle unattended so far away? What does the GRA, with all the millions of dollars it collected last year, plan on doing about the parking situation? I hope the powers that be at the GRA can answer my questions. Nadia Burke
Friday February 1, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Family seeking assistance Unconscious patient not ‘dumped’ at institution - GPHC to find elderly man Having left his D’Urban Street Housing Scheme (Scheme Yard), Georgetown home around noon on Tuesday last, 83-year-old Winston DeHaarte has not been seen since. According to his granddaughter, Tamara Austin, she only learnt of DeHaarte’s disappearance yesterday and became very concerned. She reported that the man who has lived at the aforementioned address in excess of 20 years was living there with his nephew, Sean Greaves, at the time of his disappearance. According to Austin, considerable efforts are made to ensure that her grandfather does not leave the premises since he is known to suffer from senility.
Missing: 83-year-old Winston De Haarte DeHaarte who answers to the name Winston or Grandfather, is of mixed race and has grey curly hair. He is slimly built and stands at
approximately five feet, seven inches. Although the family has not yet filed a missing person’s report, Tamara Austin said that search parties have been organised among family members to check out a number of places that he has been known to frequent in the past. “He would usually get flashbacks about places that he knew when he was young, but when he goes there he forgets how to get back home, so we are hoping to look for him for a while before we report his disappearance to the police.” Anyone who recognises Mr. DeHaarte from the accompanying photo can contact Tamara Austin on telephone numbers 218-3127 or 618-3370.
CARICOM expresses sympathy over Brazil night club disaster The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has empathised with the people of Brazil in the wake of the tragic incident on 28 January, 2013, in which more than 230 people lost their lives. In a message following the disaster in Santa Maria, Brazil, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, said the loss of life was particularly poignant, given the relative youth of the victims. The CARICOM Secretary-General said that
“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has learned with great sadness of the tragic loss of life in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, where reports have indicated that more than 230 people have lost their lives and many more were seriously injured during the early morning of 28 January 2013. While the loss of life is difficult in any circumstance, this tragedy is particularly poignant given the relative youth of the deceased and the injured, most of whom
were reportedly university students. The People of the Community empathise with the people of Brazil as they mourn the loss of life and extend heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of those lost and injured,” The Community also expressed support and solidarity with the Government and People of Brazil as the country seeks to deal with the outcome of this disaster and its effect on national life.
Continuous enforcement exercises are having significant impact – Traffic Chief Newly appointed Traffic Chief Superintendent Hugh Denhert has stated that road death figures for 2012 and the previous year have indicated that continuous enforcement exercises are having significant impact. As regards figures for last year, there was a total of 102 accidents resulting in 110 deaths, and in 2011, the force recorded 106 accidents resulting in 115 deaths. According to Denhert, so far for the year the force has recorded 6 accidents resulting in 7 deaths. The Traffic Chief believes that the decrease is as a result of the Force’s vigilance on the roadways. He however noted that a number of motorcyclists were killed and further investigations revealed that most were unlicenced. “What we find is that persons have a tendency to just go to a friend knowing that they do not have a licence and they would say ‘I’m just borrowing your bike
Newly Appointed Traffic Chief Superintendent Hugh Denhert to make a spin’ and then there is an accident.”
Denhert explained that they will be stepping up their campaign against unlicenced motorcyclists. He added that the Force’s statistics also showed a high number of occupants in vehicles being killed as a result of the noncompliance with the seatbelt law. “We have been enforcing the seatbelt law, but persons don’t seem to understand the importance of the seatbelt in a vehicle and we find that this is a major problem.” Further, the Traffic Chief said the Force will continue with its many road safety awareness campaigns which include the road safety talks in schools, radio programmes and other outreach exercises.
Do you know this man?
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), via a statement has indicated that an unidentified male patient who is currently in its Intensive Care Unit was not dumped there as reported, but was instead picked up by an Ambulance from the Ogle Airport. According to a previous article carried in this publication “Security staff at
the hospital failed to ascertain the identity of the people who brought the man to the hospital.” However the hospital stated that the patient who has only been identified as ‘Porridge’ was escorted to the GPHC by a nurse from the Port Kaituma Hospital. The Hospital further stated that the ambulance number which
took the man to the hospital was also recorded. The GPHC reiterated its call for assistance in identifying the individual. Reports are that the man was picked up in an unconscious state around the Big Creek area in Port Kaituma and taken to the district hospital before being transferred to the city.
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Friday February 1, 2013
Friday February 1, 2013
Kaieteur News
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NICIL IS NOT THE GOVERNMENT An attempt should be made, by those concerned, to disabuse the public of the notion that what is taking place at present in the Commission of Inquiry into the events at Linden of July last year, amounts to an assessment of losses and damage suffered as a result of that tragedy . If there are individuals who believe that it is the responsibility of the Commission to pay compensation to the Linden protesters, then those persons need to be told in no uncertain manner than it is not the remit of the Commission to be compensating anyone or in fact to be specifically assessing claims for compensation. The Commission established to inquire into the events of July 18, 2012, is not required to offer compensation. The terms of reference of the Commission merely require the body to, where necessary, make recommendations for compensation for injury, losses and damage. If the Commission recommends that persons who suffered injury, losses or damage be compensated, a separate mechanism would have to be established to deal with this assessment of the losses and the sums to be paid. At this stage it is premature to assume that compensation will be recommended and it is also
premature to assume who will be held legally or morally liable to pay this compensation. It is therefore advisable that it be made clear that the Commission’s mandate is limited to making recommendations about compensation and is not about assessing specific losses or damage or awarding compensation for same. The Commission may well decide that there should be an administrative mechanism to deal with this issue; or it can opt to recommend that those who have suffered pecuniary losses seek recourse through civil action via the courts. They may, of their own accord and in their own judgment, decide on whether it is the State that should offer compensation or whether such compensation should be sought by persons outside of the State who may have been vicariously liable for what took place. There is nothing, of course ,wrong with persons giving evidence as to their losses. This can only help the Commissioners in deciding on the gravity of injuries and losses suffered and just what to recommend in their final report. There is therefore nothing wrong with persons being asked to give evidence about the pecuniary losses they would have suffered. But just as how individuals can be allowed to give evidence as to their losses, so too should corporate entities which also
Dem boys seh... Burke planning to collect from Bar Bee and Kwame People gun now know if de Chronicle got money. Of course, de paper couldn’t pay any bonus last December and it always complaining how paper ain’t selling. Well de management got to find some good money because it tek lead up from Kwame and carry some story bout a man who does mek life rough fuh Jagdeo whenever he travel to New York. Now Burke minding he own business but people couldn’t lef he in peace. Some one of dem friends tell dem how Burke get arrested fuh identity theft. Right away Kwame call Chronicle, NCN, de Hard Times Paper and de Hard Times television station. De surprising thing is that nobody who wukking in dem place didn’t check. Dem run de story. Burke clap a lawsuit pun dem but he leff out de Hard Times paper and de TV station, but only fuh a while. Bar Bee start fuh get worried when he hear bout de lawsuit because he know is he got to find de money. Lawsuit like that does mek dem judge hand down heavy compensation. When Kwame hear bout de lawsuit he tell heself that Government gun pay, but Donald seh that de same money he got to pay de people. Ash Knee done seh that de opposition does cut money when de government go to demand more and this was not money that de government budget for suh is back to Bar Bee. But then he seh that is only Jagdeo can mek he put out some money . Then he ask dem boys if dem ain’t realize why he busy trying to sue de Waterfalls paper. One thing though; when dem boys ask Burke wha he gun do he seh that he ain’t got a problem wid who pay, once he get he money. And is a good small piece he gun get. Every one of dem who print de story got to pay. Nigel gun mek sure and he got de goods pun all of dem. Now dem boys got a quiz question. Is who in dem right mind would print a story without checking? De answer? Only Kwame and Bar Bee. Talk half and watch Burke collect Bar Bee money.
suffered as a result of the events of July 18, 2012 protest, be allowed to adduce evidence. Amongst those corporate entities that claimed to have suffered losses is NICIL and it is irrelevant whether this is a public corporation. NICIL has a right, like all the individuals who have so far given evidence establishing that they suffered losses as a result of the protests in Linden, to give evidence. The issue of the government making a claim against itself should never arise. For one, it is not yet known if the government will
entertain claims, and therefore it cannot be said with any certainty that claims would have to be made against the State. Secondly, and more fundamentally, however, is the fact that even if it is the State that will be required to make compensation, the issue of compensation for NICIL is not a case of the State making a claim against itself. As a body corporate, NICIL has a legal personality that is separate and distinct from its owners. NICIL as a corporation is different from a public service body since it has the capacity for perpetual
existence, its ownership is transferable - and transferable even to the private sector as in the case of privatisation and it enjoys limited liability. When it acts, it acts in its own name. Lord Denning in Tamlin V. Hannaford (1950) has this to say: “In the eye of the law the corporation is its own master and is answerable as fully as any other person or corporation. It is not the Crown and has none of the immunities and privileges of the Crown. Its servants are not civil servants and its property is not Crown property…(it) is not a
government department nor do its powers fall within the province of the government.” As such it is irrelevant that the government is the sole shareholder of NICIL. That body is its own master, and therefore, like any other individual, is entitled to make a claim for compensation if such a need arises.
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=== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ===
One of the men accused of planning Rodney’s murder In response to the motion by the Opposition Leader for an official inquiry into the period of violence between 2002 and 2005, the ruling PPP has suggested a Truth Commission (TC) to start from the seventies. The strange working of the IQ of the collective minds of the occupants of Freedom House never ceases to amaze the Guyanese people. First, it was from the halls of the WPA that the call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission first emerged. Secondly, the Government could have upstaged the PNC by moving to set up such a commission and let the world judge who didn’t want it. But suppose the PPP itself does not want a TC and is only into
grandstanding? Which of the two major political powerhouses (PPP and PNC) stand to lose more by a TC? Another question is; of the two, whose psychology will take more bruising and who are more likely to be shattered by the testimonies? I find that more PNC personnel and more African Guyanese are willing to concede that Mr. Burnham did harmful things and the PNC Government did a lot of wrong to Guyana. The opposite obtains in the PPP camp and among East Indians. From the sixties onwards, all PPP inductees have been insanely indoctrinated with the myth that Guyana’s political history is about a great, humane PPP being traumatized by the PNC.
At a very deep psychological level, they accept this good guy versus bad guy fiction. It is quite possible that everything that Ralph Ramkarran published recently about the fears the PPP has of the PNC, he honestly believes. Mrs. Jagan spent sixty years forcing down the throat of all PPP senior and junior leaders the destined role of the PPP and the evil forces bent on destroying the PPP. A sizeable section of the East Indian population sees the PPP’s politicians as far better than the PNC’s. The colossal problem for the PPP that will emerge with a TC is that it will shatter the illusion and delusion that they were and are better than the PNC. In other words, the
PPP has more to lose than the PNC with the holding of a TC. African Guyanese on hearing what Burnham did will probably say, “Tell us what we don’t know.” Indians on the other hand, on hearing of the nasty acts of the PPP will say, “We never knew this.” The PPP, then, will never implement a TC because it has to keep infusing in Indians the good guy versus bad guy opiate. One can start with the bad PNC guys who did so many wrongs to this nation and are now the intimate (not close, but real intimate) buddies of the top PPP leaders. How will Indians react when they hear testimonies about the men who were accused by the WPA of planning and executing of the assassination of Walter Rodney, one of which is a top, top confidante of a top, top king in the corridors of power? And it is not that the PPP leaders didn’t know. WPA people would have told them since 1980 when the PPP and WPA were really close, as to
who the planners were. All those with close connection to the WPA party know about this fellow. WPA personnel have shared this information with PPP stalwarts. No one can tell me, (and I refuse to believe it if you bring it to me) that Rupert Roopnaraine between 1980 and 1992 did not tell Gail Teixeira who was this man. These two politicians were close politically (still are up to this day) during this period. It was Gail Teixeira, through Rupert Roopnaraine, who asked that I be removed from the WPA delegation to the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy in 1985 and the WPA agreement was conveyed to me at my home by Tacuma Ogunseye and Dr. Joshua Ramsammy. The saga about a Truth Commission is that what we think are evil secrets of the PNC are actually public knowledge. The PNC’s diabolical role is well documented and is known to most Guyanese. The witnesses will tell Guyanese
Frederick Kissoon what Guyanese already know about Vincent Teekah’s death, etc. Do Guyanese know all the dimensions of the murder of ‘Sash’ Sawh? And for sure the brother-in-law of Sawh will testify. How is the PPP going to face the world when testimony about the circumstances involving five men who were charged for treason under the Desmond Hoyte Government comes to light? Who in the PPP were in contact with these men? Can the PPP endure the testimony about its friendship with Roger Khan? Will the PPP survive a Truth Commission?
Presidential guard murder trial…
Region Two starts to pursue healthier lifestyles via health education
Mr. Ide Wilson demonstrating a First Aid exercise to the students of Abram Zuil Secondary School The Region Two Department of Culture and Youth has collaborated with the President’s Youth Award Programme to promote healthier lifestyles in the region, throughout this year. Several activities are being held under the theme “It affects me! Involves me!” One of the activities was a First Aid Training session at the Abram Zuil Secondary school. The program which was headed by the President’s Youth Award Field Officer Mr. Ide Wilson, and was put together by the school’s staff. The session sought to target fourth and fifth formers of that school. After a demonstration was done on how to resuscitate someone who had fainted after choking, the students were given instructions and then put to
the test; they had their shot of saving someone’s life. The practical was done on actual students. After many attempts and asking lots of questions, the students seemed to have finally gotten the hang of resuscitating a person. This is expected to particularly benefit those pursuing Physical Education as a subject area at the upcoming Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams. In addition to this, the Region Two Department of Culture and Youth also hosted a number of other training sessions across villages on the Essequibo Coast. Some of these included sports activities; health talks on all kinds of issues like the effects that smoking has on the human body.
Leader of the Department of Culture and Youth team, Mr. Herald Alves has said that the Ministry along with the President’s Youth Award programme has the primary objective of helping persons to see the reasons why they should be pursuing healthier lifestyles. He added that the response from the public towards the programme has been pleasing thus far. The Project kicked off earlier this month with a sensitisation exercise. The programmes also helped youths establish possible job contacts. The two parties also participated with the Board of Industrial Training Programme. The session sought to educate youths about the services that the Board of Industrial Training have to offer to the youths.
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Burke sues Chronicle, NCN over identity theft story President of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) Rickford Burke is seeking a whopping $20M apiece from the state-owned Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network (NCN) over stories accusing him of identity theft in the United States. He has also slapped the PPP website Newguymedia.com with a defamation lawsuit. Burke is being represented by Attorney-atLaw Nigel Hughes who is also demanding that the state-owned entities issue apologies to his client. The alleged defamatory
article was aired on January 30 on NCN and published in yesterday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle. “We have been consulted by Mr. Rickford Burke in relation to an article entitled “APNU official Rickford Burke charged for identity theft in New York,” Mr. Hughes said in letters issued to the two entities. “The direct references to our client coupled with the allegation of a charge of a serious criminal nature are untrue and amount to a very serious libel. All the allegations are untrue. We have to request you to submit to us a draft of a very clear and unqualified apology and
retraction for publication in an equally conspicuous position in the next edition of the Guyana Chronicle,” Hughes added in reference to the Chronicle publication. “Further, having regard to our client’s position as a businessman, a social and political activist, the gravity of the allegation made and your paper’s wide circulation, our client is clearly entitled to substantial damages as well as an apology. “We are instructed to demand, as we hereby do the sum of $20,000,000.00 (twenty million dollars) as damages for the aforementioned libel. Failing a response within forty eight
hours our instructions are to issue a writ. In the meantime our client reserves all his rights.” The legal action stems from the publication of what Burke said were false and slanderous allegations that he was arrested in New York for identity theft, when he was in fact the victim of identity theft. In a statement yesterday, the Institute’s Director of Commutations Jevon Suralie described the articles as “fabricated sleaze” and said the Guyana Chronicle and NCN TV were “utensils of filth and racist PPP propaganda.” Pointing to false and malicious comments from
Cotton Tree murder accused sentenced to death
Twenty-one-year-old Nazrudeen Jahoot, called ‘Buddy’, of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, who was on trial for the August 25, 2008 murder of fellow villager Kemlall Mangal called ‘Ochro’ and ‘Dereck’, was yesterday sentenced to death by hanging. Justice Brassington Reynolds handed down the sentence after a mixed jury found Jahoot guilty in the Berbice High Court. Justice Reynolds had earlier taken about two hours to sum up the evidence to the jury, guiding them on various aspects of the law. The jury then took just over two hours, having retired around 12:00hrs and returning just after 14:00 hrs. The foreman answered in the affirmative when he was asked if the jury had reached a unanimous verdict. When asked by Justice Reynolds whether he had anything to say, the accused answered in the negative. Defence Counsel Attorney at law, Charrandass Persaud, then asked the court to exercise some leniency on the accused. He stated that his client was under 18 and a juvenile at the time when the crime was committed. In response, prosecutor
Murdered: Kemlall Mangal attorney at law, Prithina Kissoon, stated that the prosecution’s burden was to prove the case. She stated that the accused was 17 at the time of the commission of the crime and he was not a juvenile according to the Young Offenders Act. She also stated that the penalty for such an offence was laid down by statutes. Justice Reynolds then ruled that the accused would be sentenced as an adult. The entire court was asked to rise as the judge announced, “You have been found guilty of the offence of murder and are to be taken to a place of
Sentenced to hang: Nazrudeen Jahoot is led away by a prison officer lawful execution and hanged by the neck until you are dead. May peace be on your soul.” His mother, Bibi Rahaman, who was in court, broke down in tears as the accused, who was also emotional, was lead away by a prison guard. Kemlall Mangal was stabbed to death around midday on August 25, 2008 during a fight with the accused. The men ended up in a trench, where Mangal was
The mother of the accused Bibi Rahaman being consoled by a relative in court
stabbed repeatedly. He allegedly came out of the trench and sat on a bench under a shed in front of his house where he bled to death. He was found in a sitting position. The accused, who was 17 at the time of the crime, fled to Lethem and was cohabitating with the victim’s daughter in Lethem when he was arrested. He gave a statement telling the officers how he killed ‘Ochro.’ The accused was having an affair with the 14-year-old daughter of the dead man, much to the displeasure of her parents. The two used to meet secretly and the accused was accosted on a number of occasions by the girl’s parents. A number of relatives of both the accused and the deceased were in court. The case brought an end to the session which saw five convictions from six completed matters. There were three death sentences and one committal at the pleasure of the court.
President Donald Ramotar’s communications officer, Kwame Mc Coy, Suralie accused Guyana’s Office of the President of peddling smear. “It is also inconceivable that President Donald Ramotar would allow his office to operate as a cesspool for slander.” Burke stated that he had a recent encounter with NYPD officers which resulted in the issuance of a traffic violation summons for “unlicensed driver.” “My vehicle was properly registered and licensed. My driver’s license had multiple suspensions due to other person/s driving in my name and accumulating various violations under my name unbeknownst to me, hence the summons,” Burke added. According to the CGID President, an Internal Affairs investigation had ensued as Burke was exiting his parked car and not driving at the time. The incident led to the discovery that someone or persons have been driving under his name and that he was the victim of identity theft. The perpetrators accumulated multiple unpaid summonses, duplicate DMV records and SCOFFS laws violations and judgments under Burke’s name, resulting in multiple license suspensions. They also opened an HSBC Bank credit card account. Police and DMV officials are investigating. A copy of the summons has been released. The Guyana Chronicle, NCN TV and Newguymedia on Wednesday alleged Burke was arrested for identity theft in the purchase of a motor vehicle. “To lend credibility to this
CGID President Rickford Burke falsity, they hacked into his Facebook page and downloaded and published a photograph of him standing next to a vehicle he previously owned but traded in two years ago,” Suralie said. Brooklyn Attorney Donnell Suares has written to owner and publisher of Newguymedia, Clinton Dubissette of 3123 Beverly Road Brooklyn, New York, demanding an immediate retraction. Attorney Nigel Hughes has demanded retractions from the Guyana Chronicle and NCN TV. “Rickford Burke is the victim of identity theft. DMV officials are working to sanitize his driving record. It is inconceivable that the ruling party in Guyana and its supporters in Queens can, out of desperation, turn these facts on their head and fabricate and publish such evil lies with intent to smear and defame. No nefarious acts will deter Mr. Burke or CGID from speaking out against racism and corruption in Guyana,” Suralie contended.
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Children’s homes must conform to minimum – Minister Webster standard or face closure Failure on the part of operators of Children’s homes to conform to the minimum standard of operation as recommended by the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security could see action being taken. This was the assertion of Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, who disclosed yesterday that there is a likelihood that some homes could even face closure for non-compliance. Currently there are a number of children’s homes scattered across the country, mainly in sections of Region
Three, the Berbice area, the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown. Some, according to the Minister, are operated by charitable institutions, while others are managed by private individuals. In order to ensure that the operations of these homes are of an acceptable standard, the Minister revealed that towards the end of last year, moves were made to institute a Committee oversee the operations of these facilities. As part of the mandate of the Committee’s responsibility is the visiting of the various children’s
homes currently in operation. “The Committee has started its work...and a number of homes have been visited to see whether the minimum standards are in place,” said Minister Webster who disclosed that based on visitations, a number of homes have been formally notified to put measures in place to improve their operations. “They have to put certain things in order in accordance with things that the minimum standard requires,” intimated Minister Webster. She noted, too, that this year the
Committee will continue its visitation drive and in some cases efforts will be made to scrutinise these homes through the Child Care and Protection Agency to ensure full compliance is realised. “If they are not compliant based on the recommendations that we have made for them, some of these homes might face closure,” assured the Minister. Government, through the Ministry, has been operating three Children’s homes, namely the Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Drop-In-Centre,
one at Sophia, Georgetown and the Mahaica Children’s home. The latter mentioned operation will soon be moved to an upgraded multi-milliondollar facility which is currently under construction, compliments of Digicel Guyana. The mobile company’s local Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James, recently indicated that there is yet more the company intends to do to in the area of youth and development. “Along with the (Human Services) Ministry we will be looking at other projects and other homes. We haven’t made any specific decisions as to which one it is going to be as yet, but yes, we do look forward to doing another project to ensure that our children are in a safe environment and that is our primary objective, because the children are the future of the country,” James stated.
Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster It was highlighted by Minister Webster that the majority of children accommodated at the children’s homes are those who would have been abused. She also revealed recently that “we have more than 200 children in our care, including 12 young girls with babies from the hinterland programme.”
EZjet’s Toronto passengers refunded - NY still waiting Suspended low-cost carrier, EZjet, says that it has completely refunded affected passengers out of Toronto, Canada. There is no word on the status of the refunds at the New York, US and Trinidad locations - other destinations that EZjet had been flying to. The company was suspended by transportation regulators in the four destinations in November after a US-based aircraft operator complained to the Department of Transportation (DOT) there, that it is owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding payments. EZjet’s founder, Sonny Ramdeo, was sued and, in a separate case, is now facing fraud charges for stealing more than US$20M from a US hospital chain where he was working as a payroll manager. A statement from EZjet’s Toronto office yesterday said that it has fully settled payments for undelivered travel service to all passengers that booked travel service. These included passengers who paid EZJet directly or had used a travel agent. “It was a challenging experience, however strong management skills, perseverance and professionalism guided the refund process to completion in a timely manner,” said Nadira Persaud, Director of the Canadian Operations. She apologized for the
In Jail: Sonny Ramdeo inconvenience. “To the Canadian customers, who planned and anticipated, spending time with loved ones at Christmas, I am truly sorry, please accept my humble apologies for the inconveniences caused to you and your families because EZJet was unable to fulfill your travel needs during the critical holiday season.” Ramdeo allegedly used some of the monies to pay for EZjet’s operations, US prosecutors said in their case against the Guyana-born businessman. FBI agents had tracked him from Florida to New York where he was arrested in December in a basement where he had been holed out. There were numerous questions about Ramdeo and his source of funding for the airline when it took to the skies in December 2011.
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Republic Bank rewards “outstanding” UG graduates Republic Bank, through its “power to make a difference” initiative, done in partnership with the University of Guyana, yesterday rewarded two “outstanding” students who last year graduated with distinction from the University of Guyana. Rebecca Persaud and Saudia Majeed both received awards and given monetary gifts. Persaud graduated with a Degree in Sociology. Her Grade Point Average (GPA) was 3.8 which earned her the Republic Bank Chairman’s Award for the Best Graduating Student with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Majeed received the Republic Bank Award for the Best Graduating Student with a Diploma in Banking and Finance for her topping the programme with distinction. She also received a monetary gift. This ongoing yearly initiative, initiated by Republic Bank, objectifies to ignite the potential of Guyana’s youth through varying rewards and developmental programmes.
Vincent Alexander, Registrar of the University of Guyana during brief remarks, noted the importance of good governance and ethics, as it relates to the educational system. He also raised the issue of more males than females attending university. Alexander noted, “We are cognizant of the fact that we probably need to do something to ensure, not that males get the awards, but in fact that there are more males in the tertiary education system. Further, he said “the numbers are decreasing yearly in a proportionate term and we probably need in the work we do, to collectively see how we can address this problem as well.” The UG Registrar called for efforts to be made to ensure that more males take advantage of educational opportunities at the country’s publiclyowned university. The Bank’s Managing Director John Alves quoted Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States “Learning is
not attained by chance; it must be sought with ardor and diligence.” With that cited, Alves attributed the girls’ academic achievement to dedication, discipline and “drive.” He said that the Bank deems such activities as obligatory in the quest to support the continuous development of the nation. Alves sought to place emphasis on the importance of the Social Sciences. “Always remember that your studies in the Social Sciences are very important and key as this discipline aids in the creation of better societies. As such, you have a role to play in your part of the world, to help design and contribute to society with commitment and integrity,” he said. He also reminded the gathering, especially the awardees, of Nelson Mandela’s quote that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”. Awardees were urged to indeed use their knowledge for the betterment of themselves and by extension Guyana.
Seated: Saudia Majeed (L) and Rebecca PersaudStanding, from right: Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) John Alves, School Boards Coordinator at the Ministry of Education, Melcita Bovell, Republic Bank Manager Denise Hobbs and Registrar of the University of Guyana Vincent Alexander.
Capita-Symonds Group to start working in matter of days - Rohee By Zena Henry The implementation of the much-anticipated security plan may very well get underway in a matter of days. Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has revealed that the British team that was sought to assist in making significant beneficial changes in the nation’s police force will start their work soon. Rohee made the assertion during an interview earlier this week, shortly before formally signing a contract to engage the Capita-Symonds Group. He said that the foreign group was already in the country and ready to commence activties. According to Rohee, the team is expected to work in several areas of the force including administration, succession planning, probity, integrity, public relations and communications. The group
is further expected to work with key persons in the organization, as well as the 10 persons who will be chosen to work on the Strategic Management Committee, Rohee said. The processes by which the strategic plans and special implementations will be carried out had already been worked out, the Minister highlighted. In relation to the Strategic Management department, Rohee related that after advertising for the various positions many persons have started applying for the job. “Ten civilians will hold key positions in this strategic management department, which will now be a department of the police force, and they will work together with the police force to ensure that the plan will be implemented.” “At a later stage a panel of distinguished persons will be appointed to
go through the application and determine who is the best qualified for each of the positions,” Rohee continued. The Minister said that he is very enthusiastic and confident that the relevant persons would do a good job. He is optimistic about the new security implementations for the country, but is adamant that the support of the relevant stakeholders is pivotal for the initiative’s success. He called especially on the Opposition parties to see the plan as a benefit to the country and to not make the issue, “about Clement Rohee.” “It would have been better if the opposition was on board and wholly supportive of the plan and the Ministry of Home Affairs under my stewardship.” He insisted that “If the plan is good for Guyana, which is the main issue, then forget the individual. All the allegations that have been made against me have not been proven”. It is now time to wait on the Commission of Inquiry, he said, to prove whether he or his agents had any part in the Linden situation. Rohee is facing stiff criticism in the National Assembly with the House expressing “No confidence” in his abilities to effectively function as the Home Affairs Minister. Facing a “gag order” which seeks to silence him in his ministerial capacity, Rohee presented an elaborate plan that would see, among other things, significant changes within the Guyana Police Force and other entities under the purview of his Ministry.
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Slain presidential guard‌
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Need for education in the George McDonald is Coprison system imperative Managing Director of Banks DIH - Survey reveals Although massive strides have been made the world over to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, health officials have been able to deduce that a number of prison inmates in Guyana are still in dire need of education. At least this is based on the deduction of Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Dr Shanti Singh when she delivered a revealing presentation at a high-level meeting which was aimed at focusing attention on health in prisons. Having conducted an HIV/AIDS Biological Surveillance Survey (BBSS) within the prison system, Dr Singh was able to conclude that while most of the 96.3 per cent of the respondents indicated that they had heard of HIV/AIDS, only 56 per cent were convinced that there was a difference between HIV and AIDS. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which progressive
failure of the immune system allows lifethreatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a syndrome (also a collection of symptoms/illnesses) caused by the most advanced stages of HIV infection. Of a total of 513 inmates involved in the BBSS, HIV results were made available for 458 persons of which 434 were showed negative results and 24 were positive. The prevalence of 5.24 per cent is more than double of the overall prevalence. Dr Singh’s findings also revealed that one-fifth (64/328) of the participants were of the belief that mosquitoes can transmit HIV while 45 per cent (148/ 329) of them expressed fear that they were at risk of contracting HIV while in prison. In fact approximately 15 per cent (49/329) were of the opinion that persons can get HIV by sharing a meal with someone who is infected. The Programme Manager’s report also revealed that 83 per cent (153/427) of the respondents had heard of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) with 35.8 per cent experiencing
gonorrhea with there being a significant gender difference of males accounting for 40.2 per cent and females 10.9 per cent. There were 9.6 per cent of them (41/427) with sores on the vagina and penis. Of a total of 513 respondents 11 (2.1 per cent) never had sex and the age of sexual debut for male respondents was 15 plus while girls were 16 plus. Twenty-nine per cent of the respondents (146/ 502) claimed they had sex for favours and of these only 53 per cent used a condom during these encounters. A mere two per cent (10/502) admitted to having sex in prisons, with one claiming to have had a forced relationship. Nine were reportedly engaged in such relationships voluntary. Condom use was reported among 69 per cent (301/502) and 29 per cent (88/303) of the respondents felt that condoms should be made available in the prisons. It was also revealed that 57 per cent were previously tested with a greater among of women being those previously tested. However, there were also 87.8 per cent who reported that they would be willing to use a Voluntary Counseling and Testing Service.
In a release issued on Wednesday, Banks DIH Limited disclosed that Mr. George McDonald is now the company’s Co-Managing Director/Marketing Director. The appointment took effect from 19th January 2013, one day after it was confirmed at the statutory monthly meeting of the Board of Directors. The company revealed that he will work along with Mr. Clifford Reis, who is both the Chairman and Managing Director. Mr. McDonald has held several portfolios within the group for over four decades, starting as a clerk on October 1, 1972, in the brewery section and moving rapidly up the ranks over the years. Within four years of his employment as clerk in the brewery section in 1972, McDonald was granted a company scholarship to read for a Degree in Economics at the University of Guyana. Consequent upon his graduation, he was transferred to the Sales Department in 1981 as Sales
George McDonald Manager for Soft Drinks. His tenure within the Sales Department next saw his appointment as General Sales Manager (ag) and then his confirmation in 1983 as Sales Manager. In 1991, McDonald was appointed to the position of General Marketing Manager…a position he held until 1995 when he was confirmed in the position of
Marketing Executive. In 1997, Mr. McDonald was selected to attend the Western Executive Programme at the University of Western Ontario, Canada and upon his resumption of duties he was appointed Marketing Director. Banks’ Board of Directors appointed him as Assistant Managing Director/ Marketing Director on April 29, 2010. Mr. McDonald is also a Director of Citizens Bank Guyana Inc. and Banks Holdings Limited (Barbados). “The Board of Directors joins with the Management and Staff of Banks DIH Limited to congratulate Mr. McDonald on his appointment and to wish him every success and blessing for a long and successful tenure.” With its Coca Cola and Banks Beer lines, the company commands a significant portion of the drinks market in Guyana and has spread its wings into banking, signaling recently of more heavy investments.
Rise in credit demand boosts Republic Bank’s first quarter
The Republic Bank Group has recorded a profit attributable to shareholders of TT$285 million for the first quarter ended December 31, 2012. This represents an increase of 5% over the corresponding period the previous year, the bank said yesterday. The group’s assets are now TT$54.2 billion, which, when compared with that of December 2011, reflects growth of 10% as well as a 5% increase over the year ended September 2012. The bank’s Chairman, Ronald Harford, in announcing the results, noted, “While we continue to be challenged locally by high liquidity, falling interest rates and minimal investment opportunities, we are encouraged by the upswing in credit demand, reflected in the 5% increase in our advances portfolio year-on-
Republic Bank Group’s Chairman, Ronald Harford year.” Harford said that the bank’s success in its bid to purchase the non-controlling interest in Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited, resulted in a 98.6% shareholding as at
December 31, 2012, with the remaining 1.4% shareholding to be transferred in the second quarter. “The year has started off with the promise of increased economic activity, which bodes well for the future.” Republic Bank has 11 locations throughout Guyana but is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago. On October 13, 1997, Republic Bank Limited of Trinidad and Tobago became majority shareholder of the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited after purchasing 47.5% shares from government and National Insurance Scheme and 3.5% from individuals, giving it controlling interests. On June 5, 2006, the official name of the Bank (National Bank of Industry and Commerce) was re-branded to Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited.
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Resentment rises over Jagdeo’s unlimited benefits Revelations that Members of Parliament (MPs) are being paid a measly $420 (US$2.10) monthly for telephone and entertainment allowances while a former President is being allowed unlimited benefits and a more than generous pension, are not going down well. Last Friday, Government stoutly resisted efforts by the Opposition in the National Assembly to cap the benefits that a former President is entitled to. Among one of the areas that the amendment to the Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill was centred on was that of the telephone allowance which should not exceed $5,000. The issue of what seemed like an unlimited pension and benefits package for a former President has been a burning one and the Opposition had promised in the lead-up to the 2011 General and Regional Elections that it will be looking at ways to amend or even repeal it. The Opposition used its one-seat majority to muscle the controversial Bill through the National Assembly. It was under former President Bharrat Jagdeo that the original Bill was passed by the government using its
Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo
House Speaker, Raphael Trotman
AFC’s MP, Moses Nagamootoo
majority at the time. Jagdeo readily assented to it, making him the first to benefit. Legal observers are saying that even if President Ramotar assents to the recent amendments, it is unlikely that it will affect Jagdeo, as law changes are not retroactive. The Opposition had claimed that the pension and benefits added up to almost $3M per month, more than even what other Heads of State in even some developed countries are receiving. There were accusations that the 2009 Bill was deliberately worded to allow any future President unlimited benefits, including duty free concessions, medical care,
security and plane tickets. MPs, on an average, receive some $125,000, after taxes, and inclusive of allowance. This translates to a tenth of the basic pension of a former President. Some on the Opposition side have been complaining that they are hard pressed to conduct their outreaches to their constituents because of the costs. They have to use personal monies. Moses Nagamootoo, an MP for the Alliance For Change (AFC), made it clear that many of his colleagues are accepting the “piffle” that they receive, as part of the sacrifice and duty to the country.
Police have detained a Norton Street, Wortmanville resident in connection with Wednesday’s shooting death of 47-year-old Allan Lloyd Profitt. There are reports that the suspect, who is known to the police, was taken into custody after surveillance cameras on a nearby residence recorded the confrontation between Profitt and the gunman. However, the motive for the shooting is still unknown. Profitt, who made a living from selling scrap metal, was shot dead at around 07:00 hrs during a row with another man
Dead: 47 year-old Allan Profitt
at the corner of D’Urban and Hardina Streets, Wortmanville, by a lone unmasked gunman. One eyewitness said he saw Profitt and another man arguing before the man drew a handgun and shot the labourer in the head. The killer then walked unhurriedly away. Profitt did odd jobs around town and stayed with his father in East Ruimveldt. Another relative said that although the victim was a ‘junkie’ he was not considered to be a troublemaker.
NO COMPLAINTS FROM GOVT. “The allowances of MPs were set at a time when Guyanese had to tighten their belts and when they saw the need to be frugal,” he explained. Most MPs, of especially the government side, would not protest too much over the lowly allowances as they would be receiving “super special salaries as advisors, consultants and serve on statutory state boards”. Nagamootoo said that when Government made the indecent proposal to up the benefits for former presidents, it could have visited the allowances of MPs, to protect the dignity of their office. “It must be to the honour of MPs that they have not made demands for more than $20 per month as telephone allowance, but it exposes the hypocrisy of the defenders of multi-million-dollar benefits and other facilities that MPs don’t count in sharing the bonanza. Had MPs fought for decent allowances I am afraid they would have been nailed by (Attorney General Anil) Nandlall and other defenders for “milking” the Treasury. But these same people justify a few thieving the whole cow.” Attorney-at-law/ Chartered Accountant,
Hyptilall Ramadin, also known as ‘Buddy’, the suspended boat captain who was assigned with the Region Two Administration, has been charged with manslaughter stemming from the death of six persons, on December18, last. Ramadin will make his first appearance at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court, today. Police in the Region recently received the file which was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. H a r r y n a r i n e Bhagwandeen, 40; Vincent Singh, 42; Zelda Rodriguez,
50, Shawn Anthony, 14; Amrita and her brother Rajkumar Singh, all of Abrams Creek, in the Upper Pomeroon River and Charity Housing Scheme, died as a result of a boat collision on the aforementioned date. Initial reports have suggested that the Region Two boat piloted by Ramadin was proceeding south while Bhagwandeen’s boat was traveling in the opposite direction. Ramadin’s boat collided with and ran over Bhagwandeen’s boat. Ramadin was taken into
Suspect held in D’Urban Street shooting probe
Pomeroon boat captain charged with manslaughter
police custody subsequently, but was released on $60.000 bail. The lone survivor in the mishap, 12-year-old Ornan Rodriguez, sustained head injuries. The child who lost both his mother, Zelda, and brother, Anthony, is in the custody of his uncle, Pastor Sherman Lyte. He currently attends the Kabakuri Primary School. Counseling was guaranteed to him by senior members of the Alliance For Change who recently visited the grieving family.
Christopher Ram, had a somewhat different take. He believes that the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 violates Article 181 of the Constitution. “That article has two parts…the first of which entitles a serving President to salary and allowances. The second part allows a former President pension or gratuity, period.” Ram admitted that it is perfectly acceptable for former Heads of State to get some kind of police protection and there is no reason for the National Assembly to intervene. The decision as to how much protection should be left to the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, he said. “That is very different from what then President Jagdeo, the members of his Cabinet and his party’s MP’s did in 2009. And it was he who signed the Bill into law.” LAW NOT RETROACTIVE? Ram believes that Carl Greenidge, an MP for A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), and who tabled the Bill, was being gracious and generous in asking for an amendment rather than a repeal. “Mr. Jagdeo gets a taxfree pension equivalent to seven-eighths of the serving President. It is dishonest of members of the Government, including its luminaries, to talk about vested rights and that kind of nonsense. Some persons who I expected to know better are even reported to have said that the Bill passed to amend by capping the benefits, even if it becomes law, cannot affect Mr. Jagdeo; Prime Minister Sam Hinds who is himself a former President and President Donald Ramotar. An unconstitutional Bill is void to begin with, and therefore of no legal effect.
On the other hand, Jagdeo’s pension is not an issue.” APNU’s MP, Jaipaul Sharma, said that Government’s “attempt” to divert the issue in the National Assembly by comparing the pensions and benefits of a former President to that of the Opposition Leader was like comparing apples and grapes.”One is currently on the job while the other is on pension.” MPS’ BENEFITS REVIEW Meanwhile, Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, said that he has undertaken the task to have the allocations to MPs reviewed. The issue has been engaging his attention and that of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, since last year. Trotman said that research is ongoing to compare the allowances of Parliamentarians in other countries in the region. This, he said, will be examined in consideration with the economy. He admitted that all constitutional office holders should be taken care of. Currently, a special select committee is reviewing the allowances and the Speaker said he intends to make a presentation to that committee on behalf of all MPs. Consideration is also being given to the welfare of past MPs, he said. MPs, to do their work, are allowed duty free concessions for a new vehicle. The Opposition in amending the former Presidents’ benefits had voted for two vehicles to be owned and maintained by the state, as opposed to the unlimited number allowed under the 2009 law. The new Bill has also puts a cap on medical benefits for children of the pensioner to $200,000 annually.
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Friday February 1, 2013
Friday February 1, 2013
Kaieteur News
CLICO malls for sale Govt. seeks to recoup losses from $19b bailout
Larry Howai Trinidad Express - CL Financial (CLF) is hoping to raise more than $300 million with the private sale of two of the conglomerate’s malls — Valpark Shopping Plaza in Valsayn and Atlantic Plaza in Point Lisas as well as the Holiday Inn Express, its hotel at Trincity. The Express understands that a local conglomerate has also put in a bid to acquire the Long Circular Mall, St James and the Tru Valu chain of supermarkets. The assets are all owned by Home Construction Ltd (HCL), which is a subsidiary of CLF. The CLF empire, once owned by former insurance executive Lawrence Duprey, has been under Government management since January 2009. The sale of the malls has not been advertised. Instead, the Express learnt that CLF, currently chaired by former finance minister Gerald Yetming, engaged advisory firm Ernst and Young to invite selected bidders for the assets a few weeks ago. The CLF board is set to meet tomorrow to determine the successful bidders of the assets. “You couldn’t put advertisements in the newspapers because people would believe there was a distress sale. Several businessmen have been in touch with us and have expressed an interest in certain assets. “What we did is give the names to Ernst and Young and they went out to the
market generally to scout for investors,” a source close to the negotiations told the Express Thursday. Questioned on whether the sale appeared selective and discriminatory, the source admitted: “Of course it was. We wanted to make sure we got the best opportunity to get the best price. For instance, with the sale of Holiday Inn, Ernst and Young went abroad as well as to the local market. As it is, many people believe there is a distress sale. People are calling and asking when we are selling assets. There is a limited group of people with capital and we don’t have the capacity or access to everybody who has an interest,” the source explained. The Express understands that bidders were selected based on their interest in the investment market. Among those bidders were the ANSA McAL Group of companies, Issa Nicholas Holdings Ltd, the Hadeed Group of Companies, MovieTowne’s Derek Chin, Bhagwansinghs and the Gopaul Group of Companies. The Express understands that at least five companies put in bids for the Valpark property. Asked if the sums expected from the sale seemed low for the assets, the source explained that HCL had already done valuations on the properties so they had a fair idea about what they expected. In September last year, CLF sold the Jamaican sprits company Lascelles de Mercado (LdM) for US$546 million, which was initially purchased by CLF for US$700 million. Then, CLF had hired UBS Investment Bank out of New York as its exclusive financial advisor which subsequently invited 20 international companies for bids. This multi-million-dollar transaction was broken into two parts: Campari would acquire the spirits part of the business for US$415 million at US$4.32 per share for the ordinary units and US$0.57
St Kitts deputy PM resigns BASSETTERE, St. Kitts CMC - Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor yesterday announced his resignation from the Cabinet with immediate effect, citing recent developments as his reasons for stepping aside. Condor said the recent developments pertaining to issues of good governance and constitutional integrity have caused him to tender his
resignation with immediate effect. He said he remains committed to serve and to do the best that he can for the people of St. Christopher 3 and of the Nation in general. Condor has served for more than 20 years as a parliamentarian and as a government minister for over 17 years.
for the preference shares while all other LdM interests would be divested for about US$80 million. Since the Shareholders Agreement between the Government and CLF shareholders was signed in June 2009, the government has sought to recoup its investment from the illiquid company. Finance Minister Larry Howai said the government has spent some $19 billion on the CLICO bailout and another extension to that Shareholders Agreement was negotiated for the government to recoup some of the sums owed. Three State entities—the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), the National Insurance Board (NIB) and banking group First Citizens—were beneficiaries of the Lascelles sale. In 2011, CLF’s energy company Primera was the first asset to be sold to Canadian oil company Touchstone Exploration Inc for US$50.7 million (TT$326 million). Primera has 16 oil and gas properties comprising seven onshore producing oil and gas properties, one onshore exploration property, one offshore exploration property and seven undeveloped properties. The Government intervened and bailed out CLF in January 2009. The Shareholders Agreement allows the sale of CLF assets to pay off CLICO policyholders.
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Colombia rebels seize oil workers, kill four soldiers BOGOTA (Reuters) Colombia’s FARC rebels kidnapped three oil contractors and killed four soldiers in the nation’s south, military sources said yesterday, in a sign the group is stepping up pressure during peace talks. The kidnappings and other violent incidents on Wednesday came days after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, made clear during peace negotiations in Cuba that it would continue to capture armed forces, possibly muddying the talks. The workers, contracted as engineers by Canada’s Gran Tierra Energy, were laboring near the border of Cauca and Putumayo provinces in southern Colombia when they were seized, according to the company and the Colombian air force. The air force was hunting for the contractors, it said in a statement. They were believed to be Colombians. There have been several kidnappings of civilians in recent months that are suspected to have been at the hands of the FARC, but the group has never claimed responsibility. Last year, Gran Tierra quarterly profit fell nearly 59 percent in the second quarter as production was hit by pipeline disruptions. The FARC regularly attack oil lines. President Juan Manuel Santos’ government and Marxist rebels have been engaged in peace talks in
Havana since November, trying to reach an end to a decades-long war that has killed tens of thousands and defied all past attempts for resolution. In the southwestern Narino department, a key drug route to the Pacific ocean, FARC rebels killed four soldiers in combat in the municipality of Policarpa. Narino department is representative in many ways of the major security challenges facing Colombia rebel groups and drug gangs sometimes fight or collude to move shipments of cocaine where the government’s presence is weak. At the start of talks in November, the FARC declared a two-month unilateral ceasefire, which ended on January 20 with the rebels attacking oil and mining facilities, including two pipelines and a coal rail line. The government refused to join the ceasefire, calling it a sham by the FARC to gain international attention. The army kept attacking the group and carried out several aerial raids that killed at least 34 rebels. The FARC, the biggest and oldest armed group in Latin America, seized two police patrolmen in a southwestern province last weekend - the first kidnapping of security forces since April, when it released all officials under its control. In the first specific rebel response to the two policemen, chief FARC negotiator Ivan Marquez, one
of the group’s seven top leaders, said on Thursday that: “Right now we don’t have any official report on that incident, if it was or wasn’t the FARC.” While the FARC has said it would halt kidnapping to fund its war against the government, it never said it would stop taking members of the armed forces as “prisoners of war.” The government on Wednesday asked rebels to make it clear they are not wasting time at peace talks in Cuba and genuinely want to end the five-decade conflict. An escalation of hostilities could affect the progress of the peace discussions in Cuba. Santos has said he wants to achieve an agreement within a year. “We’re willing to stay at the table until we find a path that leads us to peace. That’s why we said that we will not get up from the table until the desire of the people in Colombia is fulfilled,” Marquez told journalists in Havana. The rebels took up arms in 1964 as a Marxist agrarian group fighting against social inequality and the concentration of land among a wealthy elite. But they later turned to drug-trafficking and kidnapping to finance their activities. Santos is credited with some of the harshest blows against the FARC, first as defense minister and then as president, including killing the group’s leader, Alfonso Cano, in 2011.
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IMF says overall fiscal position in St. Kitts Nevis stronger than expected WASHINGTON - CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that despite a “difficult economic environment,” the overall fiscal position of St Kitts and Nevis through the end of September last year was “stronger than expected.” After undertaking the fifth review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), the Washington-based financial institution said on Wednesday that the latest update on the twin-island federation was “due to buoyant non-tax revenue and lower-than-expected capital outlays.” An IMF mission, led by George Tsibouris visited St. Kitts and Nevis from January 21 to29, assessing recent economic developments and program performance, along with progress in structural reforms, and discussing policies and the outlook for 2013. Tsibouris said while the estimate of economic growth for 2012 has been revised downwards – from -0.7 to -0.9
percent, reflecting a decline in tourism in the third quarter – “an expected pick-up in tourism and the launching of several construction projects in 2013 will contribute to a recovery in activity. He projected economic growth at nearly 2 percent, adding that inflation has eased to 0.3 percent at the end of 2012. “The authorities remain committed to the policies and objectives of their homegrown program, aimed at consolidating public finances and putting public debt on a sustainable path,” Tsibouris said. Discussions with the authorities have been positive, and the IMF is fully committed to working with them as they proceed with the finalization of the 2013 budget and supportive policies…it is hoped that these discussions would be concluded as soon as practicable,” the mission head said. During its visit, the Mission held meetings with Prime Minister and Minister
of Finance Dr. Denzil Douglas; the Premier of Nevis Vance Amory; senior officials of the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Tourism, and Sustainable Development; the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB); and representatives of the private sector. The latest IMF assessment comes as ECCB Governor Sir Dwight Venner on Tuesday called on stakeholders in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to provide the collective effort to help the sub-regional countries put their economies on the path to growth and development. In a radio and television broadcast to member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), Sir Dwight said the sub-region had endured four years of negative economic growth as a result of the impact of the global economic and financial crisis “which has affected all facets of our economic and financial systems.
Friday February 1, 2013
Opposition concerned about WTO approval over internet gambling
Gaston Browne ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC - The opposition Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ALP) has expressed concern about the stance being taken by the Baldwin Spencer led administration concerning the Internet Gaming Dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In a statement yesterday, ALP Leader, Gaston Browne said the country is on a collision course with the United States. “This collision course is not only with the US government but with several
important and wealthy organizations that represent tens of thousands of copyright holders in the United States. These include the National Music Publishers’ Association, and the International Intellectual Property Alliance that represents seven trade associations, including the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America and the Business Software Alliance. According to Browne the organisations have indicated that they will retaliate. In public statements, they have made it clear that they “will work to ensure that Antigua’s eligibility to participate in any U.S. trade assistance or benefit is withdrawn…. Further, retaliation will not be limited to trade benefits and assistance. It will include ease of travel into the United States, banking relationships including money transfers, and help to institutions such as the coast guard. He said if the Government proceeds with plans not to
pay copyright to US copyright holders, the government can expect to be sued in US courts by powerful copyright organisations. “Judgements against the government could result in Antigua and Barbuda’s assets in the US being seized, including payments by tour operators and travel agents. Beyond all of this which is bad enough, Antigua and Barbuda has copyright obligations by binding international treaties apart from the WTO.” The opposition leader stated that the ALP rejects “this disastrous course on which the UPP seems determined to set our country, and we will hold the UPP responsible for its consequences should they proceed.” On Monday , the Government of Antigua and Barbuda announced that it had been granted authorisation by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend certain concessions and obligations it has under international law to the United States in respect of intellectual property rights.
Brazil nightclub fire prompts inspections SANTA MARIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian authorities inspected and shuttered night spots around the country yesterday as part of a crackdown on unsafe public spaces after a deadly nightclub fire left 235 people dead and shocked the nation. The action comes just a week before annual Carnival celebrations start across the country, filling streets and venues with revelers. Inspectors in the Amazon city of Manaus have ordered the temporary closure of
some 58 bars, nightclubs and other public buildings there, the city’s Em Tempo newspaper reported. Owners of the affected night spots staged a protest yesterday outside City Hall to denounce what they said were arbitrary closures, the newspaper said. It added that fire code irregularities have been found even inside Manaus City Hall, including faulty emergency lighting and nonfunctional fire extinguishers. In Rio de Janeiro, officials
said they were studying the possible closure of some of the dozens of cultural centers operated by state and local governments, including theaters, libraries and museums said to be operating with expired licenses. Nine out of 10 municipal theaters in Rio have expired fire inspection certificates, the O Globo daily reported yesterday. It also said two nightclubs in the Rio neighborhood of Barra de Tijuca have been closed.
United States visa applications to remain in Jamaica KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC - The United States Embassy in Jamaica has moved to clear the air following the recent announcement of the decision to close is Citizenship and Immigration Services Office. On Wednesday, the embassy sought to address concerns raised about the decision of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to shut down its Kingston field office. A statement from the Embassy said it will not be closing and its visa and other consular operations will
continue as normal. These include tourist, student, official and immigrant visa applications and American Citizen Services. It explained that the USCIS will close on March 1. The USCIS is a specialised government agency that oversees matters of lawful immigration to the United States. With the closure of the Kingston Field Office, the USCIS Field Office in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic will assume Kingston’s former jurisdiction. All other departments of
the U.S. Mission, including the Consular Section, Paul Robeson Information Resource Centre, United States Agency for International Development, Peace Corps offices and the U.S. Consular Agency in the western city of Montego Bay, will remain open. The Kingston Field Office had jurisdiction over Jamaica, Anguilla, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bonaire, B r i t i s h Vi rg i n I s l a n d s , Cayman Islands, Curacao, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.
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Government scraps term limits for expatriate workers HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC - The new One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) government has scrapped the island’s term limit policy, introduced by the previous administration 12 years ago, in a move aimed at boosting the sluggish economy. Announcing the policy change during a media briefing on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said “We believe that the elimination of the policy will help spark economic growth and create employment opportunities for Bermudians. “I want to assure the people of this country that this was not a decision that was taken lightly. We will continue to ensure that the rights of the Bermudian worker are a priority for this government.” The policy imposed a sixyear limit on most work permits for expatriates in an effort to curb long-term residency. In the lead up to the December 17 General Election, the OBA announced that it intended to suspend the limits for a period of two years. Earlier this month, Fahy said the policy might be scrapped entirely. He said after meeting with stakeholder groups, the decision was made to end the policy effective immediately, calling it a barrier to job creation. “The ministry obtained some time ago legal advice that demonstrated unequivocally the law, as it currently exists, was sufficient to limit reasonable expectation of permanent residents,” he said. “Term
limits are not required in any way to do that. Period.” He stressed that work permits, not term limits, are aimed at protecting Bermudian jobs, and said that the elimination of term limits in combination with training programmes will provide Bermudian workers with greater opportunities. Unemployment among Bermudians currently stands at 10 per cent. “I want to reassure all Bermudians, particularly those Bermudians who are currently seeking employment that the elimination of the term limit policy, otherwise known as the policy to inhibit longterm residency, will not result in an added burden or obstacle for you as you continue to seek employment,” he said. “In fact, it will likely be one of many tools that this government uses to create more employment opportunities for Bermudians.” Fahy said Opposition Leader Marc Bean had expressed support for the abolishment of term limits during a recent talk show appearance, albeit with some caveats. But a spokesman for the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) which ran the country for 14 years before being ousted in last month’s election, said the statement Bean supported the removal of term limits was “erroneous and disingenuous at best”. “Mr Bean has not declared support for this move in any forum and Minister Fahy is irresponsible for suggesting this,” the spokesman said. “Please be
Opposition Leader Stephenson King is calling on the St Lucia government not to join the Venezuelan oil initiative, PetroCaribe, saying it could bring the island into further debt. “Let’s not get involved in this matter. This is not one for the government as it’s not a situation where fuel is being sold to the country at a cheaper rate. The fuel is being sold at the very rate that we are currently purchasing it from Trinidad or elsewhere,” King said. Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said plans were
announced to expand the PetroCaribe pro-gramme under which several Caribbean countries have so far benefited from an estimated US$800 million in investments. Under the initiative launched in 2005, countries receive oil from Venezuela on concessionary terms, and although St Lucia was among regional countries that signed the accord it has not benefited from the initiative. Anthony said he has instructed his energy minister to prepare formal documentation for Cabinet to consider the matter. (CMC)
St Lucia opposition says no to PetroCaribe
advised that the Progressive Labour Party has not released any statement citing a revision to our existing view of term limits.Prior to the December 17 election, the PLP had committed to widespread immigration reform, and those discussions continue within the party caucus. “Our primary concern is the need for there to be opportunities for Bermudians
to ensure career progression and development. “The Progressive Labour Party understands the need for expatriate workers in Bermuda and supports the policies that make it more accommodating for them to set up employment and to relocate to Bermuda, however, we also must strike a balance between this accommodation and ensuring
opportunities for qualified and capable Bermudians are provided. “Once the PLP discussions on Immigration reform are complete, a statement will be released from the party stating our position.” Expatriates account for roughly a quarter of the island’s workforce of around 36,000.
Michael Fahy
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Syria warns of “surprise” response to Israel attack BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syria warned yesterday of a possible “surprise” response to Israel’s attack on its territory and Russia condemned the air strike as an unprovoked violation of international law. Damascus could take “a surprise decision to respond to the aggression of the Israeli warplanes”, Syrian ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul-Karim Ali said a day after Israel struck against Syria. “Syria is engaged in defending its sovereignty and its land,” Ali told a website of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Syria and Israel have fought several wars and in 2007 Israeli jets bombed a suspected Syrian nuclear site, without a military response from Damascus. Diplomats, Syrian rebels and regional security sources said on Wednesday that Israeli jets had bombed a convoy near the Lebanese border, apparently hitting weapons destined for
Hezbollah. Syria denied the reports, saying the target had been a military research center northwest of Damascus. Hezbollah, which has supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as he battles an armed uprising in which 60,000 people have been killed, said Israel was trying to thwart Arab military power and vowed to stand by its ally. “Hezbollah expresses its full solidarity with Syria’s leadership, army and people,” said the group which fought an inconclusive 34-day war with Israel in 2006. Israel has remained silent on the attack and there has been little reaction from its Western backers, but Syria’s allies in Moscow and Tehran were quick to denounce the strike. Russia, which has blocked Western efforts to put pressure on Syria at the United Nations, said that any Israeli air strike would amount to unacceptable military interference. “If this information is confirmed, then we are dealing
with unprovoked attacks on targets on the territory of a sovereign country, which blatantly violates the U.N. Charter and is unacceptable, no matter the motives to justify it,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Iranian deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian said the attack “demonstrates the shared goals of terrorists and the Zionist regime”, Fars news agency reported. Assad portrays the rebels fighting him as foreign-backed, Islamist terrorists, with the same agenda as Israel. “It is necessary for the sides which take tough stances on Syria to now take serious steps and decisive stances against this aggression by Tel Aviv and uphold criteria for security in the region,” Abdullahian said. An aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that Iran would consider any attack on Syria as an attack on itself, but Abdullahian made no mention of
An Israeli soldier looks on as a United Nations jeep drives past the Quneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria, in the Golan Heights, on the Israeli side of the 1973 ceasefire line with Syria yesterday. REUTERS/Baz Ratner retaliation. Hezbollah said the attack showed that the conflict in Syria was part of a scheme “to destroy Syria and its army and foil its pivotal role in the resistance front (against Israel)”. Details of Wednesday’s strike remain sketchy and, in parts, contradictory. Syria said Israeli warplanes, flying low to avoid detection by radar, crossed into its airspace from Lebanon and struck the Jamraya military research centre. But the diplomats and rebels said the jets hit a weapons convoy heading from Syria to Lebanon, apparently destined for Assad’s ally Hezbollah, and the rebels said they - not Israel - hit Jamraya with mortars. The force of the dawn attack shook the ground, waking nearby residents from their slumber with up to a dozen blasts, two sources in the area said.
“We were sleeping. Then we started hearing rockets hitting the complex and the ground started shaking and we ran into the basement,” said a woman who lives adjacent to the Jamraya site. The resident, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity over Israel’s reported strike on Wednesday morning, said she could not tell whether the explosions which woke her were the result of an aerial strike. Another source who has a relative working inside Jamraya reported that a building inside the complex had been cordoned off after the attack and that flames were seen rising from the area after the attack. “It appears that there were about a dozen rockets that appeared to hit one building in the complex,” the source, who also asked not to be identified, told Reuters. “The facility is closed today.” Israeli newspapers
quoted foreign media yesterday for reports on the attack. Journalists in Israel are required to submit articles on security and military issues to the censor, which has the power to block any publication of material it deems could compromise state security. Syrian state television said two people were killed in the raid on Jamraya, which lies in the 25-km (15-mile) strip between Damascus and the Lebanese border. It described it as a scientific research centre “aimed at raising the level of resistance and selfdefense”. Diplomatic sources from three countries told Reuters that chemical weapons were believed to be stored at Jamraya, and that it was possible that the convoy was near the large site when it came under attack. However, there was no suggestion that the vehicles themselves had been carrying chemical weapons.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s top court yesterday summoned the government’s anti-corruption chief over a letter he wrote criticizing the tribunal’s judges, the latest in an ongoing tussle between the judiciary and the country’s political leadership. The development is also an indication that the anticorruption chief, Fasih Bokhari, could be charged with contempt of court. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry yesterday issued a court order for Bokhari to appear before the tribunal on February 4 to explain the letter, which the official wrote earlier this week to President Asif Ali Zardari.
In the letter, Bokhari accused Supreme Court judges of trying to influence Pakistan’s upcoming parliamentary elections. Chaudhry said the letter amounted to interference in court matters and was an effort to incite against the judiciary. If we don’t react to this adequately, “people will lose confidence in the courts,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court wanted to know why Bokhari went to such lengths as to write a letter to the president. Chaudhry stressed that the top court fully backs the holding of free and fair elections, and that no one will be allowed to derail the
democratic process. Bokhari’s clash with the judiciary stems from his refusal in mid-January to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf over a corruption case involving kickbacks allegedly taken by the premier. Bokhari refused to arrest Ashraf, citing lack of evidence. The Supreme Court has repeatedly clashed with the government over the past few years. The court last year convicted the prime minister’s predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani, of contempt and ousted him from office for refusing to reopen an old corruption case against the president.
Pakistan court summons anti-corruption boss
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Defiant Iran plans to speed up nuclear fuel work VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran has announced plans to install and operate advanced uranium enrichment machines, in what would be a technological leap allowing it to significantly speed up activity the West fears could be put to developing a nuclear weapon. In a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran said it would introduce new centrifuges to its main enrichment plant near the central town of Natanz, according to an IAEA communication to member states seen by Reuters. The defiant move will increase concerns in the West and Israel about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Tehran says are entirely peaceful, and may further complicate efforts by big powers to negotiate curbs on its enrichment program. Enriched uranium can fuel nuclear power plants, Iran’s stated aim, or provide material for bombs if refined to a high degree, which the West suspects is Tehran’s underlying purpose. A new generation centrifuge could, if successfully deployed, refine uranium several times faster than the model Iran now has. “It is certainly a provocation to increase any enrichment capacity at all,” a senior Western diplomat said. It was not clear how many of the upgraded centrifuges Iran aimed to put in place at Natanz, which is designed for tens of thousands of machines, but the wording of the IAEA’s note implied it could be up to roughly 3,000. Analysts say U.N. sanctions have limited Iran’s access abroad to special steel
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) visits the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, 350 km (217 miles) south of Tehran, April 8, 2008. REUTERS/Presidential official website/Handout and other components needed to produce sophisticated enrichment machines in larger numbers. Iran says it is able to manufacture them domestically. Iran has for years been trying to develop centrifuges more efficient than the erratic 1970s IR-1 model it now uses, but their introduction for fullscale production has been dogged by delays and technical hurdles, experts and diplomats say. Iran’s announcement coincides with wrangling between Tehran and six world powers over when and where to meet next, delaying a resumption of talks aimed at reaching a negotiated deal and avert a new Middle East war.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who handles contacts with Iran on behalf of the big powers, said in Brussels yesterday that she was “confident there will be a meeting soon,” without elaborating. The powers - the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China want Iran to scale back its enrichment to ensure it remains within peaceful dimensions and submit to stricter U.N. nuclear inspections. “We along with the other U.N. Security Council members have called upon the Iranians to freeze enrichment work during negotiations,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as
UK bank bosses face MPs in standards probe (Reuters) - The bosses of HSBC, Barclays and Lloyds have been called to testify before UK MPs next week as an inquiry into standards in banking intensifies after a string of scandals. Britain’s Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards (PCBS) has this month switched its focus to standards and culture after spending most of the past three months assessing structural reform. It is likely to grill executives on mis-selling, pay and what is being done to improve risk management and culture that have been shown to be flawed. Lloyds CEO Antonio Horta-Osorio and Chairman Win Bischoff will appear
together before the panel on Monday, followed by new Barclays CEO Antony Jenkins and Chairman David Walker on Tuesday. HSBC CEO Stuart Gulliver and Chairman Douglas Flint will appear on Wednesday. All three banks have had problems in the past year. A $450 million (£283.6 million) fine for Barclays in June for rigging Libor interest rates unearthed longstanding concerns at the regulator about its culture, and HSBC was fined a record $1.9 billion by U.S. authorities for weak anti-money laundering controls. Both banks have faced criticism they are too big and complex. Lloyds has been slammed for too aggressively selling
retail products, which has left it with a far bigger bill than rivals for compensating customers mis-sold insurance products. All banks have been criticised for their PPI (payment protection insurance) sales policies - the industry may end up paying more than 20 billion pounds in compensation - and banks may have to pay out billions more after the UK regulator yesterday found they had mis-sold complex interest-rate hedging products to small businesses. Mark Carney, the future governor of the Bank, is also likely to face questions on his views on banking standards when he appears before UK politicians next Thursday.
saying by Interfax news agency. Western states have intensified the sanctions pressure on Iran over the past year, targeting its lifeline oil sector. This has inflicted increasing damage to Iran’s
economy but its clerical leadership is showing no sign of backing down. Israel, believed to be the Middle East’s only nucleararmed state, has hinted at possible military action against Iran if sanctions and diplomacy fail to resolve the nuclear stand-off. Signaling impatience, Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said: “While the world continues to talk about setting a time and place for the next meeting with Iran, Tehran continues to race toward building a nuclear bomb.” Iran asserts a right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and has repeatedly refused to halt the work, a stance underlined anew by its new centrifuge plans. Centrifuges spin at supersonic speed to increase the ratio of uranium’s fissile isotope. Iran said it would use the new model at a unit in Natanz, where it is now refining uranium to a fissile concentration of up to five percent, according to the IAEA’s communication. The IAEA “received a letter from the Atomic Energy
Organization of Iran (AEOI) dated 23 January 2013 informing the Agency that ‘centrifuge machines type IR2m will be used in Unit A22’ at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz,” it said. The IAEA said it had asked Iran, in a letter earlier this week, to provide technical and other information about the plans. A unit can house more than 3,000 centrifuges. About 10,400 IR-1 centrifuges were installed at Natanz late last year, an IAEA report said in November, but diplomats in the Austrian capital said they expected a jump in that figure in the next update from the U.N. agency due around February 22. The nuclear watchdog, whose mission it is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the world, regularly inspects Natanz and other, declared Iranian nuclear sites. Nuclear expert Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank said that employing more efficient centrifuges at Natanz could be “a most unfortunate game changer,” depending on how many there were.
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Cameron says Britain will train Libyan security forces
David Cameron TRIPOLI (Reuters) British Prime Minister David Cameron used a surprise visit to Tripoli yesterday to pledge Britain’s help in training Libya’s security forces, part of broader European efforts to counter Islamic militancy in North Africa. In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers approved the outline of a mission to help Libyan authorities tighten border security to combat armssmuggling and stop militants crossing the border. The training and advisory mission
is expected to involve about 70 civilian experts and to be launched by summer. Concern over security in the vast tracts of the Sahara has grown after Islamic militants seized hostages earlier this month at Algeria’s In Amenas gas plant. Up to 37 foreigners died after troops stormed the complex to end the hostage crisis, which saw the killing of 29 hostagetakers. Cameron flew into Tripoli from Algiers, where he also pledged to cooperate on security and intelligence. In the Libyan capital he visited a police training academy and Martyrs’ Square. He has called North Africa and the Sahel a “magnet for jihadists” and warned of a “generational struggle” against them. However, he has shied away from a major military response and instead espoused empowering regional governments to take the lead in security and bolstering the rule of law and democratic institutions. “There is no true freedom and no true democracy, without security and stability as well. We are committed to
helping with that both here and also in your neighborhood,” Cameron said at a news conference with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. “We’ve agreed a package of additional help from Britain to Libya - increasing the military training we are providing, increasing the police advisers ... We’ve also discussed how we can help build the institutional capacity of the new Libyan government,” he added. Cameron last visited Libya in 2011 along with then French President Nicolas Sarkozy after rebels ousted former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi with French, British and U.S. backing. At the time he called Benghazi, the cradle of the uprising against Gaddafi, an “inspiration to the world”. Since then, Libya’s second city has been disrupted by violence and become a base for Islamist militant groups. Last September an attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans.
Friday February 1, 2013
Senators assail Obama’s Pentagon nominee, question judgment
Chuck Hagel WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers harshly attacked Chuck Hagel yesterday at a contentious hearing over his nomination to become the next U.S. defense secretary, questioning his judgment on war strategy and putting him broadly on the defensive.In one of the most heated exchanges, influential Senator John McCain aggressively questioned Hagel, interrupting him and talking over him at times. He openly voiced frustration at Hagel’s failure to say plainly whether he was right or wrong to
oppose the 2007 surge of U.S. troops in Iraq. “Your refusal to answer whether you were right or wrong about it is going to have an impact on my judgment as to whether to vote for your confirmation or not,” McCain said. Hagel, who like McCain is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, declined to offer a simple yes or no answer, responding: “I would defer to the judgment of history to sort that out.” As President Barack Obama’s choice to lead the Pentagon in his second term, Hagel may yet win Senate approval with help from majority Democrats, but he appeared to pick up little fresh Republican support as his hours-long hearing wore on. Hagel’s fellow Republicans dredged up a series of his past controversial statements on Iran, Israel and U.S. nuclear strategy, trying to paint him as outside mainstream security thinking. Even in polarized Washington, the grilling was highly unusual for a Cabinet nominee. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina laid into
Hagel for once accusing a “Jewish lobby” of intimidating people in Washington, comments Hagel repeatedly said he regretted. Asked whether he could name one lawmaker who had been intimidated, Hagel said he could not. It was one of the many times he appeared uncomfortable. “I can’t think of a more provocative thing to say about the relationship between the United States and Israel and the Senate or the Congress than what you said,” Graham said. If he is ultimately confirmed, Hagel would take over the Pentagon at a time of sharp reductions in defense spending, but with the United States still facing major challenges, including China, Iran and North Korea. Hagel, speaking publicly for the first time since the attacks against his nomination began, at times seemed cautious and halting. He sought to set the record straight, assuring the panel that he backed U.S. policies of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and supporting a strong Israel.
French unions test Hollande in public sector protest
(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of public sector workers marched through Paris and other French cities yesterday to demand better pay in the first street challenge to President Francois Hollande’s deficit cuts since he was elected last May. Under pressure to curb spending and reduce a debt swollen by the economic downturn, Hollande’s Socialist government has refused to lift a public sector pay freeze imposed by his conservative predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy, in 2010. The CGT labour union said 150,000 people took to the streets nationwide. Thousands of state employees stayed off work. “This is a first step,” Baptiste Talbot, spokesman for the public service branch of the CGT, told reporters in the French capital as a modest crowd marched under drizzly skies. Public services minister Marylise Lebranchu stood firm, saying the 5.2 million people on the public payroll who according to polls tend to vote more than the national average - had an interest in helping with cost control. “If deficits are too big and
Francois Hollande we lose some financial independence, this will be painful for public service staff as well,” she said, using the government’s argument that if France does not clean up its public finances it risks higher borrowing costs on financial markets. France’s public sector wage bill is expected to total 80.6 billion euros in 2013, a year when the government is looking to cut its deficit from 4.5 percent to 3 percent of gross domestic product, or by roughly 30 billion euros ($40.7 billion). The government reported a relatively small average
strike rate, saying less than 7 percent of public servants stopped work. That rate was slightly higher among workers in state hospitals and schools. More than 1 in 10 stateemployed teachers stopped work, but no schools shut, the education ministry said. Thierry Lapaon, the man taking over shortly as leader of the CGT union, one of the two biggest, said state employee wages had on average fallen 13 percent in the past decade and the situation was becoming untenable for many lowgrade employees. His union had called for people to vote for Hollande last May but had seen no improvement under the first Socialist president in almost two decades, he told RTL radio. “People were fed up with Nicolas Sarkozy, his policies and his government. But what’s changed since? Not a lot as far as wage-earners are concerned,” he said. Lebranchu, who is due to hold talks with the unions on February 7, said a 1 percent rise in the index used to determine public sector pay would cost around 700 million euros.
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Gold miner slain in Meadow Brook house 33-year-old gold miner and close associate of Ricardo Rodrigues was riddled with bullets at around 20:00 hrs last night by at least two unidentified gunmen who stormed the Pine Grove, Meadowbrook residence in which the victim was staying with friends. Jason Wills, called ‘Teddy’, of Mahdia, was shot at least seven times at close range with what appeared to be an M-16 assault rifle and a .45 automatic pistol as he sat watching television in the bottom flat of the two-storey house. Kaieteur News understands that the father of seven was shot once behind the ear, twice in the armpits, once in the left shoulder and also in the abdomen. A close friend of Wills, and the friend’s mother-in-law were the only other two occupants. They escaped unharmed. Several bullet casings from an assault rifle and a pistol were retrieved from the scene, while bulletholes were clearly visible in the living room. Kaieteur News understands that the occupants have suggested that the gunmen scaled the fence and entered through the open front door. A source said that Wills’
friend told police that they were all watching television when he and his mother-inlaw went into the kitchen. The friend alleged that he was dishing out a meal when he heard gunshots and he reportedly immediately took cover behind a gas stove. After the gunshots ceased, the two persons ventured to the living room where they found Wills’ bullet-riddled corpse. “When I heard the shots I knew it was not squibs, and it was rapid shots. I got flat on the ground. But I didn’t hear any vehicle move off, so I did not go outside to look,” one neighbor said. A female resident of the area told Kaieteur News that she was in her house when she heard two loud explosions. There was a brief lull, which was followed by a barrage of heavy gunfire. She said that many of the residents immediately switched off their lights and the area took on the look of “a ghost town.” The woman said that she called 911 and Force Control, but got no response. The woman said that she then called the East La Penitence Police Station and the phone rang once before being cut off. She finally contacted
Jason Wills police ranks at IMPACT Base, Brickdam, and ranks arrived at the scene within ten minutes. Close associates of the slain miner revealed that Wills operated a dredge and a truck at Mahdia. He travelled from Mahdia two Saturdays ago. Kaieteur News was told that the slain man’s mother returned to the United States yesterday morning. She has since been informed of her son’s death. The sources confirmed that Wills, a deportee, was a
close associate of Ricardo Rodrigues, who was slain in almost similar fashion late last year. He is survived by his reputed wife and seven children, with the eldest aged 12 and the youngest, one year. Wills’ father, Tony Wills, was also executed at Roxanne Burnham Gardens in the late eighties. Wills’ death comes on the heels of the executionstyle murder of 38-year-old Intaz Mohamed, who was slain two Thursdays ago in a West Ruimveldt hotel yard. On March 16, 2012, Leonard
Mahadeo, 37, of Diamond, New Housing Scheme was drinking in the Soca Paradise Sports Bar located at Old Road Eccles, East Bank Demerara, when two gunmen walked in and riddled him with bullets. They then calmly left the scene. Mahadeo had survived a similar attempt on his life five years ago. Also in March, Giovani Leitch, 21, of Tucville was gunned down aback of the Plaisance Market. On April 30, 2012, Renie Williams, a 25year-old taxi driver and former policeman, was sitting with his wife in a car outside their King Edward Street, Albouystown home when a man clothed in black with a 9mm pistol shot him twice in the back, killing him almost instantly. Four days later, Albouystown resident, Aman Lalchand, called ‘Randy’ was smoking a marijuana joint in a poorly-lit Sussex Street area, when the occupants of a white car pumped several gunshots into his body. Close associates said that Lalchand was targeted for execution by an individual who reportedly collected a $1M down-payment to carry out the hit. In June 2012, Pest Control Plus owner Mohamed Baksh was sitting in Flava’s Grill, a
Thomas Street business place, when a car stopped near the premises. A gunman then entered the restaurant and shot Baksh twice in the head. He succumbed the following day at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. In late August, the bulletriddled body of 25-year-old taxi driver, Sean De Freitas Sookdeo, was discovered at Thomas Lands, near the National Park. Sookdeo’s body bore gunshot wounds to the head, hands and abdomen and there were signs that he was also tortured. On October 15, Ricardo Rodrigues, a close associate of convicted drug dealer Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, was riddled with bullets from high-powered rifles as he sat at a table at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club compound on Albert Street. Jean Le Blanc, a Canadian, was also wounded and succumbed several days later. Sixteen days after Rodrigues’ execution, his associate, Marlon Osborne, aka Marlon Scott and ‘Trini’, was gunned down in a brazen daylight onslaught while sitting in a vehicle near the junction of Peter Rose and Laluni Streets, Queenstown.
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DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. GMA 10:00hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 11:00hrs. The Ricki Lake Show 12:00hrs. The View 13:00hrs. Prime News 13:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 14:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 15:00hrs. The Talk 16:00hrs. Steve Harvey 17:00hrs. The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:00hrs. World News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News
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21:00hrs. The Vampire Diaries (New Episode) 21:42hrs. Beauty and the Beast (New Episode) 22:22hrs. Supernatural (New Episode) 23:00hrs. Sign Off MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 05:30hrs Dharan Kai AwazThe Voice of Dharma 06:00hrs Islamic perspective 06:30hrs News Update 07:00hrs DAYBREAK – (live) 08:00hrs Dabi’s Variety music break 08:30hrs Avon Video & DVD 09:00hrs BBC World News 09:15hrs Top Notch music Break
09:30hrs Caribbean temptation Music Mix 10:00hrs Amanda’s Costume jewellery Musical 10:30hrs Clairan’s Ent. Music hour 11:00hrs National Geographic 12:00hrs The View 13:00hrs Village Talk 13:30hrs The Young and the Restless 14:30hrs Days of Our Lives 15:00hrs General Hospital 16:00hrs The Bold and the Beautiful 16:30hrs Cartoons 17:00hrs Birthdays and other greetings 17:15hrs Death
Friday February 01, 2013 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Small trips will favor happy encounters. Love at first sight is possible and even probable this time. Moderating your contrariness could be difficult, but if you don't you should expect serious trouble. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Friends may disappoint you today. But don't be spiteful, especially given the weaknesses of human nature. If you must negotiate a delicate business or discuss a contract, ask competent people for their advice and beware of your current hazy ideas. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): The probability of a dramatic turn of events could well serve your projects and hopes. Whether it be food, love or finances, you'll be very much inclined to excess, though you'll regret it afterwards. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your nerves will be under strong pressure and you'll risk reacting to people and situations with aggressiveness or impatience. Beware of easy money, and don't count on instant gains to help you stabilize your budget. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Beware of wasted effort and difficult contacts with others! You aren't strongly favored in the judiciary field. A new love may bring some freshness to your life. Don't overload your liver or your stomach. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Get away from your normal routine by taking part in political movements or charity organizations. Your increased vitality and better combativeness will allow you to show your more daring and
self-assured side. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): You'll spend a day rich in various possibilities and endless options. Show determination and enlarge your field of action. Avoid withdrawing into yourself and cutting off contacts with others. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): Be careful about your friendships; a lack of discretion on either your part or theirs may give rise to unhappy events. The circumstances will be favorable for both the launching and the successful completion of many of your projects, but you'll have to carry out all your routine tasks first. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Exceptional opportunities will present themselves to you at work. You'll be overflowing with imagination and creativity, and you'll be in a position to launch original projects. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Everything should go well today. You'll efficiently control your energy and you'll succeed in launching great projects, although you'll need to exert yourself physically. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): You'll be in top form, but this should not be a reason for leading an anarchic life and indulging in food and other excesses. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20):Work to end hesitation and procrastination; when a decision has been made, act immediately. You'll notice a sensible increase of your current income, partly thanks to an improvement of your professional situation.
Announcement/ In Memoriam 17:30hrs Sitcom 18:00hrs Charran’s Radiator Video Hits 18:30hrs Kingdom Voice 19:00hrs Soul Melodies 19:30hrs News Update 20:30hrs Clear Water Music Hour 21:30hrs Music request Hour 22:30hrs Sitcom 23:00hrs News Update 23:30hrs Movie: Medallion Sign off
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Bush Lot United Turf Club Season Opening $8.5M Meet - preparations almost complete; over 75 horses on board so far With just a few days to go before the opening bugle sounds at the first Race Meet of the 2013 Horse Race Season, the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) has almost completed preparations for the big day which is slated for Sunday February 3, at the club’s, Sea View Park, Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, track. When Kaieteur Sport visited recently, workers were busy putting the finishing touches to various areas in the arena. The stands, the officials box, the paddock, the scale house, the lavatory facilities, the fence and rails and the various stables were all being spruced up and looking brand new while some heavy duty machines were busy putting some finishing touches to the track which has been uplifted, relayed and rolled for the big day. Coordinator Lakeram “Buddy” Sookdeo assured that being the first meet of the year the club is trying to make sure that everything is in place, noting that they want to set a standard for the rest of the clubs to emulate. The BLUTC has made tremendous strides since it returned to racing about two years ago and was hailed as the most improved race track for 2012. An accomplishment which Sookdeo stated they cherish and are willing to go even further to be among the best, if not the best. The nine Race Meet with over $8.5M in cash, trophies and other memorabilia up for the taking has so far attracted over 75 horses and with some late entries anticipated that figure could well increase significantly over the next few days. Turfites will be happy to know that once again the
Bush Lot Turf Club Race Track
feature event on the day’s card is for horses classified B and lower with a winning take of a sumptuous $1.2M from a total purse of $2.3 and trophy over 1400M. Among the animals entered and looking for the early season advantage are Score’s Even, The Message, Grande Roja, Renia Del Café, Got to Go, Diamond Dazzling, Who Is on the Case and Diamond Illusion. Other animals aiming to burn up the track on the day are Pixie Fire, Sleeping in Town, Majestic Windy Killer, Obama, Technology, Settle In Seattle, Third World, Captain Crook, Windy War, Serenity, Storm In a Tea Cup, It’s My Turn, Silent Lizzy, Another Jet, I want Revenge, Rosanna, Wonder Flower, Gold Rush, The Girl Them Sugar, Indian King, Ameera’s Joy, De Gump, Alana, Secretariat, Mr. Kool, Flying Object, Mona Lisa, Silent Flight, Flying Baby and Spice among others. The event for three-yearold Guyana and West Indies Bred horses which will see the winner running away with $500,000 and trophy over 1400M and among those entered are Wild Grinder, It’s My Turn, Another Jet and
GCA competitions continue this weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) 2-day competitions will continue this weekend with matches in the Hadi’s first division and Noble House Sea Foods 2nd division. In the Hadi’s tournament, Demerara Cricket Club will host Guyana National Industrial Corporation with Ryan Banwarie and Eddie Nicholls in charge, Police will entertain Malteenoes Sports Club with Horstence Isaacs and Cyril Garnet calling play while Transport Sports Club
will travel to Camp Ayangana to face the Guyana Defense Force with Shannon Crawford and Montgomery Chester officiating. In the 2nd division tourney, Police will tackle Transport Sports Club at GYO under the watchful eyes of Delvin Austin and Randolph Rose, Third Class will face Vikings at MYO with Clyde Layne and Linden Mathews officiating. GNIC will entertain Georgetown Cricket Club, Mario Nicholls and Edward Bowen will be in charge.
Block Bay. Stormy Flame Red and Lovely, Quiet Storm, Miss Karina, Home Bush Baby, Top of The Line, Traditional Man and Fresh Again while Diamond Dazzling, Diamond Illusion and Renia Del Café are also expected to compete for the $450,000 and trophy in the D and lower over 1400M. There is an event for animals classified F and lower for a first prize of $400,000 and trophy over 1200M. The G class race will be a 1200M affair with the animals running for a winning purse of $350,000 and trophy. There is also $350,000 and trophy available for the winner of the Guyana Bred three-year-old event which will be a 1400M affair. The race for I class horses has a taking of $200,000 and trophy over 1200M. J class event will see the animals racing for a winner’s prize of the $150,000 and trophy in another 1200M contest while the K class match-up will see the winner pocketing $120,000 and trophy over 1200M. The individual performers including top jockey, stable and trainer will be presented with trophies compliments of The Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. Among the sponsors on board are Banks DIH, Eron Lall Civil Engineering and Construction Company, Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff of the Shariff Racing Stable, Lakeram Sukdeo, Rommel Jagroop, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Inshan Bacchus, Buddy Shivraj, Shano Seenarine, Phagoo General Store and Balbadose Sue Sankar of West Berbice among others. Persons interested in more details can contact coordinator and Treasurer Lakeram B. Sukhdeo on tel. nos 232 0558; 672 0810 or President R. Jagit on 232 0231. Bugle time is 12:30hrs.
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Graham’s focus is on Rose Hall Town Pepsi to clash youth development N&M Intermediate 50-overs final...
with D’Edward on Sunday
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he Albion Community Centre Ground will be a hive of activity this Sunday when the final of the inaugural Neal & Massy Intermediate / Berbice Cricket Board 50 overs tournament is played. Rose Hall Town Pepsi is set to clash with surprise finalists D’Edward in a game that is anticipated to be very close since D’Edward have proven to be no easy opponent, developing a reputation as the ‘Silent Killer ’, recording victories over powerhouses Albion and Young Warriors. Rose Hall Town Pepsi is seeking to add another championship trophy to their already large collection and would be spearheaded in the batting department by Captain Ravi Narine, Delbert Hicks, Dominique Rikhi, Jason Sinclair, Eon Hooper, Askay Homraj, Devin Baldeo and the experienced Michael Hicks. Pacers Jamal Jarvis and Ingram Dey would share the new ball for Rose Hall Town but the bulk of the bowling is expected to be done by off spinners Hooper, Baldeo, Rikhi, Arif Chan and leg spinner Ravi Narine. D’Edward’s strength has been their ability to chase large scores with powerful hitting and on the large Albion ground they will depend on skipper Jaipaul Heeralall,
Keith Fraser, Eon Abel, Romesh Boodram, Barratt Persaud, Roshan Gafoor, Heralall Bridgelall and Govindraraj Khan. Their bowling would be led by medium pacers Keith Fraser and Navindra Rampersaud with support from spinners Romesh Boodram, Derick Narine Lalsa Jnr, Eon Abel and Roshan Gafoor. The Winning Team will pocket $60,000 and the beautiful Neal & Massy trophy, the runner up of $30,000 and the player-of-thefinal $6,000. Senior Management officials of Neal & Massy Group of Companies will meet the teams before the final and assist with the presentation of prizes. The match starts at 09:30hrs. Teams - Rose Hall Town Pepsi: Dominique Rikhi, Devin Baldeo, Jason Sinclair, Delbert Hicks, Askay Homraj, Michael Hicks, Eon Hooper, Arif Chan, Ravi Narine, Jamal Jarvis, Ingram Dey, Brandon Prashad, Daniel Lewis. Manager: Patrick Lewis, Coach: Michael Hyles Franco. D’Edward: Romesh Boodram, Barratt Persaud, Roshan Gafoor, Heeralall Bridgelall, Jaipaul Heeralall, Givindraraj Khan, Lakeraj Sookra, Derick Junior Narine, Keith Fraser, Eon Abel, Navindra Rampersaud, Nashad Gafoor, Rakesh Ivan, Christian France and Derick Lalsa.
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ewly-elected Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) President, Haslyn Graham has indicated that his focus will be on youth development and creating a stronger nursery of players in the Mining Town over the next two years. “I have recognised that there is need for a new breed of players to take up the mantle when the present ones are gone and, for this, there must be a programme for the continued strong showing of Linden to make an impression,” Graham said. As a result, the LABA will have competitions for Under-15, 17, 21 and 23 levels along with tournaments for senior and open categories. “We must make an impression and we have to encourage people to see the game,” he continued. Graham, who was previously the Organising Secretary in the last administration, and who was
Haslyn Graham elected Tuesday night, cited the need for the game to be integrated among communities, which will ultimately bring more fans to the sport in Linden. With that in mind, Graham said there will be no room for any indiscipline, be it among players, officials or spectators. He thanked the basketball community in Linden for having confidence in him to lead the sport forward as he outlined his plan. “We must enforce the laws of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and as such there will be programmes to improve the areas of
coaching, refereeing and the general administration of the clubs in particular,” he noted. Touching on recent incidents of indiscipline, Graham made it clear that the association will do all within its power to ensure it does not become a trend; he said matters of misconduct will be dealt appropriately in an atmosphere of goodwill. He thanked the Mackenzie Sports Club, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market in Georgetown, BOSAI Minerals (Guyana) Inc. and beverage giants, Banks DIH Limited, who contributed in a big way to make the last season a success. Both Linden and Georgetown subassociations have had elections over the last two weeks with new Presidents being elected to manage basketball affairs in the two strongest basketball-playing blocks in Guyana. The national federation elections are also imminent.
Friday February 01, 2013
Kaieteur News
Figuiera says he will embrace transparency, accountability
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rospective candidate for the Presidency of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Jermaine Figuiera believes that football has the potential to be the vehicle to bring about social transformation and encourage moral improvement. According to Figuiera the sport has the potential to become the driving force that can create racial harmony and institute discipline among our youths and adults. There are also great prospects for the creation of jobs for our footballers and other stakeholders. In giving his thoughts on the way forward for the Association and its role in assisting in the further development of all those associated with the sport, he feels that the time has come for the UDFA to be more accountable to its membership. “It is my belief that accountability and transparency should be the hallmark of the association. It should be one in which information is disseminated to all involved and not just a few and the decisions being made must feature the input of the primary stakeholders (Clubs). Further, it is my view that there should be a restructuring of the association, starting from the executive level. At present there are first, second and third vicepresidents post, all of which have no detailed responsibility outlined and I would institute a similar initiative to that which was
Jermaine Figuiera adopted by the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) which is to have vice president of administration, vice president of competition and vice president of technical and tactical development. This helps to provide a more direct role and responsibility for the holders of these positions and makes it easy for clubs, players and others to seek information and assistance whenever there is a need.” H e added that the association must have a realistic and workable structure and system that would cater for all levels of those involved in the sport, from senior football, junior football at club level and schools, women football, coaching and refereeing. According to him, it is essential that the involvement of all primary stakeholders be instituted in piloting the structure and system to be executed by the association. “I believe it is imperative that the UDFA play a more integral role in working collaboratively with the department of education to
develop a programme that would see more properly structured and competitive football played at the school level. When you look at the clubs, most of them have some difficulty in putting together a second string team and I would propose that each one of them adopt a school and work with a programme under the guidance of the association, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders so the best result could be achieved.” He said he believes that the promotion of school football will in the near future contribute significantly to lifting the standard of the sport on and off the pitch. “The smarter players we have the better the football will be. Topp XX FC to date has the most successful reign in the Kashif & Shanghai Tournament, not primarily because of the players skills, but because most of the players were high school students. Collie Hercules, arguably among the best strikers Guyana has produced, attended Mackenzie High School, one of the leading high schools in the country,” Figuiera contended. Finally, according to him, efforts should be made to produce a brand that is marketable, adding that it is time we start seeing footballers on billboards and in television ads. Figuiera felt that there is a strong need to ignite the interest of prospective spectators so that they could be motivated to come and watch football.
ECB congratulates Adams and Beaton
Ronsford Beaton
The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) has congratulated Fast Bowler Ronsford Beaton and AllRounder Ricardo Adams on their selection to the Guyana four-day and 50 Overs teams that will participate in upcoming Regional tournaments. ECB Public Relations Officer Nazeer Mohamed told Kaieteur Sport that the duo’s selection will serve as a motivator for the other players in the Cinderella County of Essequibo and the
Ricardo Adams Board wishes them every success in the tournaments and the future. Beaton is an exciting fast bowler who plays for Central Essequibo while Adams hails from Wakenaam.
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GMR&SC Endurance Race Meet...
Seejattan, Allie, Ali outstanding
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National team in control against Rest XI - leading by 202 runs with 5 wkts in hand
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number of outstanding performances were recorded when the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club held its season opening Endurance Race Meet last Sunday, at the South Dakota Circuit. Among the drivers who produced some impressive performances were Overall winner for the day Shan Seejattan, Afraz Allie and Roshan Ali. Below are the winners in the respective groups: GP1: 1 Place-Roshan Ali + Team Fullworks, 2 place-D.Permaul + Team, 3 place- Kassim Hussain + Team. GP2: 1 place- Shan Seejattan + Team, 2 placeKemal Seebarran + Team, 3 place-:Mohammed Ali + Team. GP3: 1 place- Aaron Bethune + Team, 2 placeRafeek Khan + Team, 3rd
Friday February 01, 2013
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Afraz Allie place- Afraz Allie + Team. GP4: 1 place- Damion Etwaru + Team, 2 placeAriff Shaw + Team, 3 placeAdrian Fernandes + Team. Best Time of the Day (Lap Record) was done by Afraz Allie, who registered 1: 21.60. The Overall winner was Shan Seejattan, who recorded 118 laps, while the runner-up was Roshan Ali with 109 laps. st
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ed by a six wicket haul from skipper Ve e r a s a m m y Permaul, the national team are in a formidable position against the Rest XI when play on the second day of their 3-day warm up match ended yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. In reply to the Guyana team’s first innings score of 144, the Rest XI resumed on their overnight total of 98-8 with Royston Crandon on 18 and Jason Sinclair on 09. Crandon only managed to add 2 before he was bowled by Permaul. Pacer Ronsford Beaton shortly after accounted for Sinclair for a top score of 31 (2x4 1x6) leaving Anthony Adams unbeaten on 19 as the Rest XI were bowled out for 143 in 38.4 overs. Permaul finished with 6-25, Beaton 325 and Paul Wintz 1-2. In their second turn at the
crease, openers Rajendra Chandrika and Tagenarine Chanderpaul added 33 for the opening stand before the former was caught off left arm spinner Anthony Adams for 15 while Robin Bacchus removed Chanderpaul (15) 12 runs later. Leon Johnson and Stephen Jacobs put together 53 for the 3rd wicket before Jacobs who faced 61 balls and hit four fours was leg before to Adams for 31. Assad Fudadin soon followed caught off Crandon for 04 before part time spinner Trevon Griffith accounted for Johnson at 155. Johnson labored for 125 balls and slammed three fours and one six in scoring 48. Christopher Barnwell who is unbeaten on 45 off 83 balls decorated with five fours and Derwin Christian, 21 not out (1x4 1x6) saw their team to stumps on 192-5 after
Christopher Barnwell Leon Johnson
67 overs. Adams has so far taken 2-51 for the Rest XI.
AAG unveils Coaching Structure
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he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) met on Wednesday with Coaches to set up the Association’s Coaching Structure where the country’s most qualified athletics coach, Upper Demerara’s, Wanda Richmond was appointed Chief Coach. The following persons were appointed as well: Cornell Rose (Assistant Chief Coach), Police Progressive Youth Club’s, Lyndon Wilson (Head Coach, Sprints), Guyana Defence Force’s Robert Chisholm (Head Coach, Middle & Long Distance), Rawle Griffith (Head Coach, Jumps) and Mercury Fast Laners, Christopher Gaskin (Head Coach, Throws).
Friday February 01, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Edulji slams ‘discriminatory’ BCCI, says women’s game dying ESPNcricinfo - Diana Edulji, the former India Wo m e n c a p t a i n , h a s c r i t i c i s e d t h e “discriminatory” attitude of the BCCI and said the board is not interested in running women’s cricket beyond paying “lip service”. She warned that the women’s game in India is in danger of dying out if the current situation persists. Edulji, one of India’s pioneering woman cricketers, was on the BCCI’s women’s committee and was also manager of the Indian Women team in 2009. It was a “dream” when the BCCI took over women’s cricket a few years ago- in line with ICC regulations - but now the bubble has burst. “The BCCI is running women’s cricket because they have to run it, because the ICC is now running both m e n ’s a n d w o m e n ’s cricket,” Edulji told ESPNcricinfo. “Otherwise, there is no women’s cricket. They cannot play under any other banner. I would say it is an insult to women’s cricket to be treated this way.” She was scathing about the gender-based double standards prevalent in the game’s administration. As an example, she spoke about how the India Women team preparing for the Women’s World Cup had been put up in a centrally-located but budget hotel before being shifted to the luxury Taj Mahal Palace hotel a couple of days ago. “I was driving and on Marine Drive I saw this whole bunch of red t-shirts coming. I realised it was the India Women team,” Edulji said. “They were walking from Sea Green [the hotel] to the Wankhede [Stadium]. I stopped my car, and the way they greeted me, I felt nice, but I also felt that this is the Indian national team, and they are walking on the
street? “And where are they playing? Police Gymkhana, Hindu Gymkhana, Bombay Gymkhana? Would any men cricketers play there?” India’s international and domestic women cricketers had to make do with significantly lower match fees and other benefits, Edulji said, and combined with a sustained lack of exposure, there was little motivation to take up the game apart from pure love of the sport. “The players should be getting the maximum. The irony is, in women’s cricket it is the other way round; the selectors get the maximum, then come the match referees, and then come the players. So how are you going get girls to come into cricket? And what is the domestic match fee? Rs 2500 (US$ 47 approx). Where are you going to eat, if you stay in a four-star hotel? And for T20 it is even less, Rs 1250.”Despite consistently being among the top-ranked players in the world, Edulji said India captain Mithali Raj had little chance of being recognised in public due to the lack of visibility of women’s cricket in India. “I may be boasting. Still, when I go to movies or restaurants, I am still recognised. But I am sure if Mithali is with me, she won’t be recognised. It is sad. I still feel nice when someone comes up to me and introduces me to their children. And why shouldn’t these girls get the recognition? Jhulan [Goswami] is a Padma Shri [winner], she’s an Arjuna awardee, so is Mithali.” H o w e v e r, R a t n a k a r Shetty, the BCCI’s chief administrative officer, said the board was giving women’s cricket adequate support. “Women’s cricket has come under BCCI’s wings in 2006. Since then, the board has done an
GTC to hold Gymkhana Horse Race Meet
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he Management of the Georgetown Turf Club (GTC) will be holding a grand one-day Gymkhana Horse Race Meet on Sunday February 10 at Mocha Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara. There will be two major events, U Classified and One Cart Horse over a distance of 6 Furlongs. The event will commence at 12:00hrs. As such the Management of the Club is seeking the kind support of the sporting public for the success of this event and the reinvigoration of the sport in Demerara. Among the horses listed to take part are Obama, Cat Thief, Red Dragon, Shane, Red Lightening and Blessed Child.
excellent job with it,” he said. “We have extended the best of facilities to women cricketers. All the state associations have thrown open all their training facilities to the girls. Besides, virtually every team has all the requisite support staff, including a coach, a physio and a trainer. “All the girls are very happy with these facilities. The board is focussing on
shorter formats for women’s cricket because almost all the international calendar revolves around T20s and ODIs. And the women’s committee’s suggestion of splitting the inter-state competitions into Plate and Elite group has been accepted. Next year onwards, top 10 teams will play each other, thereby increasing the level of competition.”
Diana Edulji: “When I go to movies or restaurants, I am still recognised. But I am sure if Mithali [Raj] is with me, she won’t be recognised. It is sad.” © ICC/Solaris Images
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Friday February 01, 2013
‘Mix Up’ are Wiltshire Theresa London and dominoes champs Akesa Arokium leave for T&T national boxing tourney
‘Mix Up’ female player Travis Cameron collects the first place trophy from Leroy Brentnol of Boss Construction.
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eam ‘Mix Up’ totaled 73 games to emerge winners of the Mark Wiltshire Dominoes competition when the final was contested recently at Transport Sports Club. B 6 followed in second place with 70 games while Lions ended third on 65. Gilbert Mendonca who took the Most Valuable Player award marked a maximum of 18 games while Wiltshire supported with 17 for the winners. Faye Joseph was B 6’ leading player with 16 games and Kevin
Boston marked 15 for the third place finisher. ‘Mix Up’ collected $200,000 and a trophy while B6 received $100,000 and a trophy and Lions $40,000. Speaking at the presentation, Organizer Mark Wiltshire thanked the teams for participating and the sponsors for their support while recognizing the winners. The competition was sponsored by Boss Construction, Faye Joseph, Golyn and Sons Stabroek Market and Corwin Chapman.
Theresa London (left) engaged in several hectic rounds with Mervin Ageday in preparation for duties in Trinidad and Tobago.
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resident of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, is adamant that immense talent r e s i d e s i n t h e d i s t a ff fraternity that could be unearthed with the right applications and strategies. To this effect, more emphasis has been placed on these pugilists and two of them, Light/Heavyweight Theresa London and Light/Flyweight Akesa Arokium will depart Guyana this evening to compete in the Trinidad and Tobago N a t i o n a l O p e n Championships following successful negotiations with M r. N i n v a l l e a n d h i s Trinidadian counterpart.
The two boxers will enter the ring tomorrow night and their opponents will be known after the weigh-in process which will be conducted tomorrow morning. T h e y w i l l b e accompanied by National Coach, Wensel Thomas and Secretary/Treasurer of the GBA, Kesa Chase. To u r n a m e n t D i r e c t o r (GBA), Terrence Poole said that the local boxers’ participation in the Trinidad Nationals is due to the ongoing cooperation between the two countries. He reminded of two previous occasions when Guyana accepted an invitation from the
Trinidadians to field a fourman team to box in Trinidad and Tobago which GBA officials reciprocated by hosting a similar number of Trinidad boxers to oppose their counterparts in a subsequent edition of the Guyana Friday Night Fights. He said that the GBA executive is examining the possibility of initiating similar exchange programmes with other Caribbean countries as they continue to hone the skills of local boxers in preparation for the 2016 Brazil Olympics. London and Arokium return to Guyana on Monday.
Friday February 01, 2013
Kaieteur News
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India v West Indies, Women’s World Cup, Mumbai...
Kamini century sets up India’s huge win T hirush Kamini became the first Indian woman to hit a World Cup ton as they beat the West Indies by 105 runs in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup opener. Deandra Playing in Mumbai’s Dottin Brabourne Stadium, the hosts hit their highest World Cup total, ending their 50 overs on 284-6. The Windies’ run chase started badly when Kycia Knight was run out after two balls. And, despite a cameo of 39 runs from 16 deliveries from Deandra Dottin, the tourists were all out for 179. India’s Jhulan Goswani was impressive with the ball,
Campbell still upbeat despite heavy loss Mumbai, India – Sherwin Campbell said he was confident that West Indies Women’s would rebound from their heavy defeat in their opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013. The Windies Women’s Coach said he felt his side had the resources to fight back, after hosts India Women beat them by 105 runs on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium. Deandra Dottin followed up a steady spell of 3-32 from four overs with a typically pugnacious 39 from 16 balls that included three fours and four sixes, but the visitors failed to successfully chase 285 for victory. “We have two days of practice before our next match and this will give us some more time to work out what we need to do going forward,” said Campbell. “We need to win our next match to keep our chances alive of reaching the next stage, so we need to look back and see the areas in which we can improve and look to pull out all the stops against Sri Lanka Women.” Campbell said the Windies Women would have to ignite their bowling and fielding skills in their remaining matches. “You always enter any competition looking to start well and make it easy for yourself going forward from
Sherwin Campbell there, but this has not happened,” said the former West Indies men’s opener. “We didn’t turn up with the ball and in the field in this match. We did not catch very well and we were not as consistent as we should have been with our bowling.” Campbell added: “We had sound preparation in our home series against South Africa Women, but we are playing in different conditions and the players need to understand they have to adjust to the conditions quickly, and work out what are the best options for them in terms of batting and bowling. “The outfields are quite fast and the grounds are a decent size, so the bowlers will need to find a way to contain the opposition batting, and our batters will have to find a way to hang in there and bat long.”
taking two wickets and going for 13 runs off her 9.3 overs. She then hit 36 off 21 balls with the bat after being sent in at number three by captain Mithali Raj. Defending champions England, who are in Group A with India and the West Indies, start their campaign against Sri Lanka on Friday (today). (BBC Sport)
Thirush Kamini
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BCB and Ansa Mcal unveil Berbice Test Cricketers Billboard T Ansa Mcal’s Regional Manager Mark Bhikhai (2nd right) shake hands with BCB President Keith Foster as he officially hands over the Billboard in the background in the presence of other officials.
he Seventeen cricketers from the Ancient County of Berbice who represented the West Indies at the Test level, between 1948 to 2012 were honoured on Wednesday when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and Ansa Mcal under its Carib Beer brand unveiled a 16 x 8 Billboard which portrays the photographs and names of the players. The billboard stands near the historic Port Mourant Cricket Ground which has produced seven of the seventeen players. BCB Special Events Committee Chairman, H i l b e r t F o s t e r, w h o spearheaded the Billboard
Project said that it was another historic moment in Berbice cricket as members
of the public would now be Yusuf disclosed that the better informed of their Billboard was undertaken by heroes. her Company as one of its The main aim of the 2 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y billboard, the veteran cricket celebration Projects. Ansa administrator informed was Mcal, she stated was pleased to honour the achievements to be associated with the of Berbicians who played at BCB in honouring the Test the highest level. BCB players who she described as President, Keith Foster true role models to the expressed gratitude to Ansa younger generation. Mcal and its Managing Berbice Regional Director Ms. Beverley Manager Mark Bhikhai in Harper for the investment in brief remarks praised the Berbice cricket w hile outstanding work of the expressing the hope that Board in its continuing younger players would draw efforts to develop the game inspiration for greater in the Ancient County while success from the seventeen stating that his company was heroes. totally dedicated to playing a President of the Port role in that development. Mourant Cricket Club The seventeen Berbice G o d f r e y P e r s a u d a n d players who played Test Secretary of the Albion Cricket for the West Indies Community Centre Cricket are John Trim - Port Club Vemen Walter both Mourant, Rohan Kanhai complimented the project Port Mourant, Basil Butcher noting it was a brilliant - Port Mourant, Ivan Madray initiative. - Port Mourant, Roy Walter, whose club has Fredericks - Blairmont, Joe five Test players, expressed Solomon - Port Mourant, confidence that the Billboard Alvin Kallicharran - Port would encourage junior Mourant, Leonard Baichan players to emulate players Rose Hall Canje, Sewdat the likes of John Trim, Shivnarine - Albion, Clayton Rohan Kanhai and Basil L a m b e r t Bermine, Butcher. Mahendra Nagamootoo Persaud stated that his Port Mourant, Sewnarine club was delighted that the Chattergoon - Albion, Billboard was erected in Port Brendon Bess - Blairmont, Mourant while he also stated Narsingh Deonarine that he was sure that the 17 Albion, Devendra Bishoo heroes would appreciate the Albion, Assad Fudadin gesture of the BCB and Ansa Rose Hall Town Youth & Mcal to honour them. Sports Club and Public Relations Officer Veerasammy Permaul of Ansa Mcal Ms. Darshanie Albion. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210