Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

Online readership yesterday 88,741

February 23, 2013 - Vol. 7 No. 08 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Real Marriott plan exposed - Govt. to give hotel to unnamed private investors Queen Dairy

Young Bill Rogers

De Professor

- Roger Luncheon

Brassington wobbles over Guyana Stores privatization

kept documents 2013 Calypsos banned from airwaves, - Brassington away from investor because they criticize govt. officials Speaker ends Rohee gag saga...

Rules that Minister can speak APNU demands immediate Canadian citizen says Army Major suspension of sodomized her, police slow to act CCTV’s channel Calypso Stella

Lord Canary

Lady D

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

APNU demands immediate suspension of CCTV’s channel Parliament’s largest opposition body, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), has called for the immediate suspension of Channel 27/Cable 78, which is dedicated to China Central Television (CCTV).

APNU, which is a coalition of 10 parties, and which commands 26 seats in the National Assembly, said that it is convinced that the allocation of “channels 27/78 to CCTV is not above board and is in violation of the Broadcast Act”.

CCTV started broadcasting two weeks ago, immediately sparking questions over what procedures were used to grant it the authority to operate, in the first place.

After several conflicting statements from officials, Government took the stance that CCTV needed no licence to operate as it was broadcasting on a channel dedicated to the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN).

The issue of TV and radio licences has been a burning one with accusations that government was only issuing the licences in a partisan manner to its friends.

Weeks before he finished his constitutional term in office back in November 2011, the administration of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, issued several radio licences. Both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, two independent dailies, were ignored in the granting of those licences.

The newly established regulatory body, Guyana National Broadcast Authority (GNBA) has since said; it will not be recognizing any old applications and that new ones will have to be submitted.

Chairperson of GNBA, Bibi Shadick, a Member of Parliament for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), had initially, said that there was no record of CCTV’s application for licences on file. She later backed Prime Minister Sam Hinds who said that no licence is necessary for CCTV as it was only transmitting on NCN’s channel.

However, both APNU and Alliance For Change (AFC), have been demanding answers how NCN was allocated that channel, in the first instance.

According to APNU,

yesterday, it is aware that the broadcast authority on Tuesday made a number of decisions, at its meeting.

One of these decisions included GNBA awaiting an application from NCN (with accompanying plans etc.) before it can address the propriety of the CCTV arrangement. A March deadline for submission was set.

APNU also said that it is aware that the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) will no longer communicate with stations during the transition period to absorb it within the GNBA. GNBA also reportedly decided that it can only proceed with the Linden TV matter when an application is received from the Regional Democratic Council.

APNU said that it is important that the GNBA is taking steps to assert its authority since, even in the midst of “some imperfections in the Broadcast Act” of 2011, “it still represents a positive step in the direction of regulating, supervising and developing the national broadcast system”.

APNU pointed to a recent

CCTV’s facilities at NCN.

statement of the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday where it was said that the assigning of channels 27/78 to CCTV is a business arrangement with NCN. “We are aware that NCN, as a company, has been plagued by incidents of irregularities which are still to be addressed by the Minister of Communication, His Excellency the President.

We have written to the Office of the President requesting a complete copy

of the report of the investigation of NCN and have had no positive response which addresses the recommendations contained in that report.”

APNU questioned how NCN could have entered into a business agreement with a foreign entity when its “agreement with local personnel has been tinged with illegality?”

Government spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, initially said that CCTV’s appearance

in Guyana dated back to nearly a decade when Guyana and China signed a bilateral agreement.

In addition to the political parties and broadcasters, criticisms of CCTV’s sudden appearance have also come from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a powerful grouping of businesses in the capital city.

The CCTV facilities are housed in the NCN’s compound.

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

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 3

Gov’t bans 2013 Calypsos Chinese businesswoman shot and robbed on NCN airwaves

Government has banned the playing of those 2013 Calypsos that poke fun at Government officials and criticize the government from the National Communication Network’s airwaves.

A Government spokesman said that one calypso featured unfavourable comments of Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon.

According to Dr.

Luncheon, he has not personally heard the Calypsos but was told that his presentation was subjected to unfavourable comments.

In fact, it was this year’s Calypso Monarch who sang the unfavourable lyrics.

Dr. Luncheon said that he was unaware that certain calypsos were banned from the airwaves but “what I am aware of, I can digress to say, is that a

rendition was interrupted.”

However, on February 20, management of the stateowned National Communication Network (NCN) informed staff via notice that “With immediate effect No 2013 Calypso must be played on air”.

These calypsos were compiled for the annual Calypso Competition that is a feature of Mashramani.

Many Guyanese are fond of the topical stories including politics that are transmitted through the lyrics and catchy rhythm.

According to Dr. Luncheon, following the banning of the calypsos he mounted an inquiry to find out what exactly happened. “I am getting information from my colleague Ministers and from NCN about a sequence of events that took place; that interrupted that rendition,” he added.

In light of the lyrics of the Calypso being approved by the judges he said, “We repose quite a bit of confidence in the judges…there is a code that is given to all of the Calypsonians to which one would expect them to adhere.”

Dr. Luncheon said that the judges are there to ensure that adherence takes place and it would be invidious of him to second guess the judges who apparently allowed these renditions to become part for the Calypso Competition.

Sports betting shops to resume operations shortly The licences of Sports betting entities were revoked

by Government, recently. On Wednesday the government decided to rescind its decision and to reissue the licences.

The result is that the betting shops (and not the horse racing salons) will soon recommence operations, but they will have to ensure their businesses are conducted only at the premises from which they are licenced to operate.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon made that announcement yesterday at post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President.

Recalling that some licences were revoked by the competent authorities after the matter was raised at Cabinet and it was seen as a legislative matter.

Consequently, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall was tasked with reviewing and revising the legislation to reflect Government’s

administrative policy that pronounced on restrictions both nationally and geographically on betting, gambling and access to betting and gambling.

The betting shops that were licenced and in operation did not have their licences revoked, Dr. Luncheon said.

He added, “With specific reference to the licence that was most recently revoked, Cabinet’s intentions are to withdraw the revocation specifically and exclusively; from who were licenced and then disadvantaged.

The decision is to ensure t h e a p p l i c a n t s c o n d u ct their business only at the premises that were licenced and nowhere else in Guyana.” The revocation of licences or the clamping down on entities operating illegally by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is nothing new says Khurshid Sattaur, Commissioner-General of GRA.

It was recently reported that GRA had shutdown several betting shops that were not following the proper procedures. GRA had put a temporary closure on a gaming shop, SUPERBET, which is situated at Sandy Babb Street in the Kitty area.

According to Dwayne Scott, Operations Manager of SUPERBET, the licence for SUPERBET was never revoked but the entity was closed to allow proper procedures to be put in place.

Scott said that this is the first entity of its kind in Guyana and so Government needed time to streamline certain operational procedures that the entity would have to follow. He added that the procedures under which the entity operated were not too clear and so Government wanted to ensure there is transparency on both sides.

He assured that the company has complied with all the requirements of Government.

The injured Ling Ling at the GPHC yesterday A 26-year-old Chinese national is currently nursing a gunshot wound to her left side hip which she sustained during a daring daylight robbery in front of her business place, Celina’s Resort, Kitty seawall.

The victim has been identified as Zhang Ling Ling.

The incident occurred around 14:00 hours as the woman was about to enter her vehicle which was parked in front of her resort when she was confronted by two men armed with a gun.

The men reportedly grabbed the

businesswoman’s purse containing $30,000 and two cell phones then shot her in her hip before escaping on a motor cycle.

The woman was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by her cousin,Wu Hauishan.

At the hospital yesterday, Wu was reluctant to speak but later claimed that he was inside the resort when he heard a gunshot and upon checking he saw his cousin sitting on the roadway.

He said that he rushed her to the hospital, where she

remained a patient in a stable condition. Police in a press release stated that there is an ongoing investigation into the incident.

L a s t N o v e m b e r, a Chinese couple was attacked by two youths on a CG motorbike as they were about to enter their car after locking up their store on Regent Street, in the vicinity of the now burnt out Lucky Dollar store.

The man, John Tianxiang was shot to his left side and was admitted to the GPHC where he remained in a critical condition for several weeks.

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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

Burnham remembered The 90th birth anniversary of former President Forbes Burnham passed almost unnoticed on February 20, last.

Burnham died on August 6, 1985. He was 62. He was preparing for the Biennial Congress of the party he founded—the People’s National Congress—when he opted to undergo what was supposed to be a minor surgical intervention for plaque in his throat. He never left the hospital. Burnham is almost all but forgotten in Guyana because the current political directorate once projected him as a dictator who destroyed the country with policies that some found questionable. But that apart, Guyana was one of the founders of independent Guyana. He returned from law school and with Dr Cheddi Jagan , founded the People’s Progressive Party that was to lead the country to its first ever control of the parliament.

Together, these two great men mobilized the country against the colonial masters. They took Guyana to its first elections under Universal Adult Suffrage and literally swept the polls. This happened even as the so-called free world was battling what it saw as the communist bogey. The British masters did not like what they saw emerging and suspended the constitution.

The history of Guyana is still being written and in some pages Burnham would be accused of sparking the racial division that still exists in the country. He broke from the PPP and formed his own branch of the PPP that was later to become the People’s National Congress. Up came the 1957 elections and Dr Jagan’s party won.

And the clash between the two parties began only to escalate into naked violence in the early 1960s. For four years Guyana existed under conditions akin to a civil war.

There are those who would say that Burnham sided with the colonial masters to wrest power from Jagan whom it was felt would always win an election in Guyana once there was the race vote. Burnham took Guyana to independence following a coalition with the then United Force and remained at the helm of the country until his death in 1985. In that period the nation saw the attainment of its independence, the modernization of the infrastructure—a road linking the city to Linden, a new airport terminal building, a modern hotel (Pegasus), the Corentyne road link, the West Demerara Road link, the Demerara Harbour Bridge and a series of schools that would allow for the development of technical education.

Perhaps Burnham was way ahead of his time. He tried to drag Guyana long with his vision and incurred the resentment of many. He had already expanded the city to unbelievable limits; he initiated Carifesta and in the process began the housing development of southern Georgetown.

Burnham way back then recognized that Guyana could not depend on fossil fuel and so he pursued the establishment of a hydroelectric facility. That endeavour was not supported by Venezuela which to this day continues to lay claim to Essequibo. In the end the financial support was not forthcoming and the project collapsed.

Today, forty years later Guyana is once more pursuing the establishment of a hydroelectric facility in the Essequibo.

For all that he tried he could not escape allegations of corruption. There was a report that he was the fifth richest man in the world, a claim that could not be substantiated.

Suffice it to say that Burnham could not have been accused of condoning corruption.

He may have been many things but he respected the law, being a lawyer himself and he never intervened in any decision be it against the government or otherwise. He was keen on education and caused the establishment of what was intended to be a school of excellence. He did not live to see President’s College open its door but what he left was an institution that produced rounded persons, all of whom have done exceedingly well as adults. He also pursued a food self sufficiency policy and earned even more criticisms.

There was the Guyana National Service that was another institution that came in for criticism from the political opposition but which provided skills training for many young people. Many of what he created have been dismantled but decades later we see the country reverting to many of the things that Burnham started. His was a life of vilification and only history will judge him.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news Letters...

Mashramani - A true Guyanese celebration DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese are gearing up today for what is likely to be the biggest Mashramani celebration ever. As is common knowledge, the celebrations are held every year in the month of February to celebrate Guyana’s attainment of Republican status. As is known, Guyana attained Republican status on February 23, 1970, and the celebrations have always been held to coincide as far as is practicable with that date.

For those unfamiliar with our political history, Republican status preceded the country’s attainment of independence from Britain which took place on May 26, 1966. One would have thought that the attainment of political independence was much more significant than republican status which, for all practical purposes, was more symbolic rather than substantial.

The struggle for independence was much more intriguing and eventful than the attainment of Republican status which, as mentioned earlier, was a mere symbolic gesture by the British government. It is now part of documented history that the British government deliberately withheld the granting of independence to the then colony because of political/ideological considerations.

Both Britain and the United States feared that an independent Guyana under a Jagan-led PPP government could be problematic and despite an earlier pledge by the British Government that whichever party won the elections of 1961 would take

the country into independence, that pledge was honoured in the breach.

The PPP won the 1961 elections, but the British Government waited until the removal from office of the PPP government in the elections of 1964 and then hastily agreed to grant political independence to the colony two years later in 1966 under the PNC-UF coalition government.

The above is not intended to detract from the celebratory nature of the Republic Day celebrations even though Independence Day in any colonial territory that attained its independence status from a metropolitan power is much greater cause for celebration. Guyana’s independence celebrations were embroiled in geopolitical and big power politics and therefore did not benefit from the collective joy of the Guyanese people.

By the time of granting of Republican status in February 22, 1970, the democratic fabric of the Guyanese society was already ruptured by the PNC regime, which by then had already kicked out its junior partner the United Force from the coalition on the eve of the 1968 ‘elections’ which was massively rigged in order to return the PNC to power. The celebratory mood of the Guyanese people was further tempered by the undemocratic nature of the subsequent PNC regimes.

The above notwithstanding, Mashramani has undoubtedly become the biggest cultural extravaganza of a national character. It is an event that is looked forward to by Guyanese from all walks of life. It is perhaps

the only festival that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries and is embraced by peoples of every colour and creed. It is getting bigger and better every year, bringing out in the process the creativity and ingenuity of the Guyanese people, especially in the cultural domain.

One gets the feeling, however, that some way has to be found to curb the unbridled ‘overexuberance’ of some participants in the Float Parade on Mashramani Day. This admittedly is easier said than done, but the sexually suggestive gyrations and public display of scantily-clad men and women could be a source of embarrassment for those with family members, especially children.

Mashramani has certainly come of age, and even though it still has some catching up to do with the more established carnivals such as those of Trinidad and Brazil, it has become quite a spectacle to behold. In our Guyanese context, it was meant for us to celebrate after hard work, which has greater

relevance today than at any other time in our political history.

Guyana has cast aside its past stigma as an undemocratic state and today is a proud member in the international community. We are no longer a pariah state and have graduated from an impoverished nation to a more developed status. The huge foreign debt which was once an albatross which stifled our development potential has been removed and the country is now firmly on the course of sustainable development. In short, we have every reason to celebrate.

A happy Mashramani to all Guyanese, including those living abroad - more particularly those who come home from abroad to share this glorious moment with us.

Commendation is in order for our hard-working and dynamic Culture Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and the entire staff of the Culture Ministry for the good work they have been doing to keep the Guyanese creativity and spirit alive and flourishing.

Hydar Ally

Asian influence in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Two recent letters in your column gripped my imagination.

One asked the question whether China’s strong presence in Guyana represented a ‘new Imperialism’. The other mentioned “a growing Indian ...narrative where there is a huge appetite to condone and in some cases promote official policies aimed at perpetuating Indian domination of all spheres of life in Guyana”.

The Indians referred to are Guyanese born-and-bred. This means that with Chinese and Indians dominating all sections of the community, we have a powerful Asian - according to the American use of the term - presence, which may eventually result in a nation of entrepreneurs and scientists.

Food for thought.

Geralda Dennison

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Charity begins at home, Mr Hydar Ally DEAR EDITOR, During the past six weeks several letters by a VIP, Mr Hydar Ally, give the impression that the contributor is very concerned about social issues, and has great compassion for the oppressed and the working poor. If these letters represent an expression of genuine empathy, they are not only most welcome, but extremely pertinent to economic and social realities in Guyana. I would, therefore, seize the opportunity to urge this well credentialed VIP to walk the talk, and to use his good offices to bring some measure of relief to the oppressed and working poor in Guyana.

Mr Hydar Ally has held some very important positions: Permanent Secretary/Chief Executive Officer in the Ministries of Education and Health; and, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet. I am made to understand that he is a member of the Central

Committee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and also the Editor of the Party’s organ – the “Mirror”.

As a consequence of his several experiences and present responsibilities, he is uniquely positioned to assist in the improvement of the quality of life in Guyana.

Even as his contributions draw our attention to issues in distant places, I have no doubt that he would be in complete agreement with the principle that ‘charity begins at home’, and that it is foolhardy to think globally unless one is prepared to act locally.

In Guyana, economic and social conditions are dire for scores of thousands (probably, grossly underestimated), of Guyanese. Economic growth (4% plus) is touted, but it is skewed towards the conspicuous consumption of a small elite, and the building sector (the huge mansions of the new rich), but there is hardly any development.

Development implies

relatively uniform growth, and improvements in the quality of life throughout all areas of the society.

Could you imagine what you would look like if your arms or head continued to grow at a much faster rate than the rest of your body?

The result would be grotesque – a monstrosity!

This is exactly what has been taking place in Guyana for the longest while. The grossly unequal distribution of wealth has led to widespread hardship and unhappiness.

In most failed States, there is abundant evidence in advance that the State is in trouble. In Guyana, this evidence has been going unheeded far too long. It is extremely critical to the survival of our emerging democracy and our future development as a nation, that Guyana take heed now and recognize the impending threats, understand the full implications of those threats, and come up with appropriate and adequate alternatives in

the conduct of our affairs.

As you are well aware, learning disabilities in children can have the most tragic consequences. They are no less tragic in communities and societies.

As a consequence, the Government of Guyana should make every effort to become a learning organization as quickly as is humanly possible.

Recall that one of the PPP’s campaign promises in 1992, was the return of democracy. For present purposes, democracy is defined as “that system of community government in which, by and large, the members of a community participate, or may participate, directly or indirectly, in the making of decisions which affect them all.”

Participation is the key notion in the definition.

Despite the claim by many that the PPP has returned democracy to Guyana, in reality our democracy is still a work in progress. There is still much more to be achieved before full or complete

democracy can be attained.

In addition to the breadth of democracy (for example: one man, one vote), and the ‘sanctity’ of the polls, attention needs to be given to both the ‘depth’, and the ‘range’ of democracy.

No one who is knowledgeable about the history of the working class struggles in Guyana would deny the exceedingly important leadership roles of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, and his wife, the late Ms Janet Jagan in the late 1940s, and 50s. The PPP needs to reclaim the original vision of the Jagans for a free and democratic Guyana, in which every Guyanese, not just selfappointed elites, would freely be able to participate in decisions which affect all of us, be happy, and enjoy a satisfactory quality of life.

But, this has to take place first within the PPP itself, before it can become manifest in the wider Guyanese society.

Within recent years Dr Jagan’s vision for Guyanese

workers has been hijacked, and the ‘hijackers’ have imposed structural limitations upon the ‘breadth,’ and ‘depth’ of democracy within the PPP. When a portion of the regular PPP membership feels intimidated in making decisions that concern all, then democracy within the Party is structurally imperfect.

This, in all probability, explains the government’s penchant for the imposition of Interim Management Committees (IMCs).

I am sure that Mr Hydar Ally, a member of the PPP’s Central Committee, and Editor of the Party’s organ – the “Mirror”, is in a unique position to assist the PPP in becoming a more democratic organization.

When grass root democracy, that is: full and active participation by the working class, is restored within the Peoples’ Progressive Party, then, and only then, will the PPP be equipped to facilitate the development of true democracy in Guyana.

Clarence O. Perry

its departure. One has to seriously consider whether the illogical actions of the PPP government in response to the Jagdeo incidents pushed a wavering Delta out of Guyana. Frankly, the PPP government’s actions in creating a diplomatic furore over Jagdeo’s luggage searches were improper, excessive, reckless, economically short-sighted and lacking cost-benefit analysis.

Some may blame Bharrat Jagdeo, the ordinary citizen and former president without any special diplomatic or other immunity, for filing a complaint with his government over a matter that really was standard airport and airline security procedure and practice. I don’t. Any citizen is entitled to report what he or she feels is an affront on their dignity.

It is the government that decides whether that complaint has any merit or is worth pursuing and the manner in which it should be pursued. What I blame is this myopic PPP government that created an international diplomatic incident over the Jagdeo luggage searches against an airline that was wavering about whether it would stay or leave Guyana.

This stupid action was inconsistent with the PPP’s push to bring more airlines to Guyana, since it simply solidified one carrier’s decision to leave.

As a former President, Bharrat Jagdeo is nothing more than a regular citizen who used to be President of Guyana.

As far as I know, neither international nor aviation law grants any special immunity to an individual who is really and truly a regular citizen to avoid or circumvent the laws relating to airport security and searches.

Every day millions of passengers get searched, scanned and their luggage probed by airport officials.

Guyanese airport and airline officials do the same at home.

The standard is applied across the board. As a country that is a drug trafficking safe haven, luggage is routinely scanned, searched and examined in Guyana before it leaves. Because airlines can be charged by foreign countries for drugs found on their planes, they have a duty to ensure they do not break the law.

Jagdeo’s administration implemented some of these very stringent search measures at our airports.

So, for the PPP government to foolishly, egregiously and densely launch a diplomatic protest with the US Government through its State Department and Embassy is just staggering idiocy for several reasons. One, as a regular citizen and regular traveller, Jagdeo is no longer entitled to any special or preferential

treatment by airport or airline officials with respect to a search of his person or his luggage. Obviously, Jagdeo went through the airport scanners on both of these incidents but there is no evidence he complained about this search and screening process as he did with the search of his luggage.

As a regular citizen subject to the laws of the land, Jagdeo is no different from the millions of travellers worldwide and the hundreds of Guyanese flying to and from Guyana who are subject to these searches of their person and their luggage.

It is improper and a terrible waste of resources for any government to launch a diplomatic protest over an airport or airline official doing fundamental aspects of their job by searching the luggage of a traveller.

If this is a protestable matter, then the PPP government should issue protests for every single Guyanese who is subject to such a search of his/her luggage and feels slighted by the process. This is the absurdity of the PPP government here.

That absurdity apparently caused the US State Department to question Delta over the matter. Now, Delta is gone and the PPP is kissing the derrière of Suriname Airlines to try to fill the Delta void.

Donald Ramotar’s lack of backbone is again demonstrated with this matter by failing to tell the former president that he should have privately reported his concerns to the airline, but the Guyana government cannot create a diplomatic issue out of it, not when that issue

could cause a wavering Delta to leave and in doing so, kill many Guyanese jobs - and when it will affect tourism and revenues from tourism.

The PPP government should not have allowed this affair to take flight. Donald Ramotar should have stopped being his supine self and insisted Jagdeo’s complaint did not rightly warrant an international incident. I blame the PPP government for its actions which likely has accelerated Delta’s departure. In its rabid, frothing-at-the-mouth senselessness to defend a single man in an international diplomatic frenzy, the PPP left many penniless and unemployed in a country where the same PPP has the filthy gall to defend foreign labour taking jobs away from the Guyanese people.

M. Maxwell

The government’s actions after Jagdeo’s luggage searches may have pushed Delta to leave Guyana DEAR EDITOR,

Several media sources have reported that former President Jagdeo was searched by Delta on two occasions late last year and that Jagdeo was upset over the treatment. The media has speculated that this was a major factor behind Delta pulling out of Guyana.

No one knows what factors prompted Delta’s pullout. Delta itself said it is financials that prompted its pullout and that is very likely the primary reason for its pullout, given the PPP’s decision to grant national carrier status to Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) which enjoys fuel subsidies and given Delta’s recent acquisitions, may have triggered a refocus on other routes.

However, these financial exigencies are countered by other financials that pulled Delta to remain in Guyana. Its passenger load rating was high, it had a strong presence in a dwindling market with only a single major competitor in CAL (which many Guyanese will not use) and the recent merger of US Airways and American Airlines to form the world’s biggest airline, has just impacted Delta’s bottom-line.

In such an environment, there were more factors favouring a wavering Delta’s continued presence in Guyana than those favouring

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Real Marriott plan exposed …Govt to give hotel to unnamed private investors The story of Government’s decision to plunge billions of dollars in the Marriott Hotel, has taken a new spin with disclosures yesterday that it is the intention to hand the hotel to private investors some time after it is completed.

The disclosure would take the public by surprise now as government has gone full steam ahead, amidst criticisms, risking billions into a project in the absence of other investors.

There have been harsh questions why Government in the first place is investing taxpayers’ dollars in what is considered a traditionally private sector initiative.

At first, Government said it was a public/private partnership (PPP) initiative.

In 2011, without finalizing who its partners in the project are, Government advanced Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), the Chinese contractor, US$10M ($2B).

Recently, more than one year later, Government said that it is still finalizing details with the investors. This is despite the fact that construction is in full swing at Kingston, Georgetown.

Yesterday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, may have contradicted Government’s stance on investing in commercial or private sector activities.

During his weekly media briefings, the Government spokesman was asked whether government was considering investing again in a national airline following news that Delta Airlines, one of two main operations running the critical Georgetown to New York route, is planning to leave by May. According to Dr. Luncheon, the Cabinet of Ministers has not placed any “significant attention” to another Guyana Airways or a similar “Government-owned, Government-controlled” international airline.

He went further. He said that Government has had “experiences” in economic activities that would compete with players in the same sector. This stance, he stressed, would be reflected in privatizations of state companies which show a clear withdrawal from private sector activities by Government.

Sold!

Asked to justify the Marriott against this stance, Dr. Luncheon then disclosed that Government has no intention to hold on to the Marriott once it is completed, up and running.

Dr. Roger Luncheon

government is stubbornly pushing ahead with the project.

Private investors are expected to contribute US$27 million of the US$51M needed.

GUYANA LOSES… The government has some special arrangement that guarantees the private investors that they would get their money if the project folds. So, if in a scenario where the project fails and the value of the property depreciates to a value below what the investors have plugged, then the investors will get back their money, and there would be nothing to return to NICIL. Taxpayers’ dollars would, essentially, go down the drain.

The government will participate in the project by way of equity, in the sum of US$4 million. This will be

committed through NICIL, one of the investment arms of the government which holds its assets.

The reality is that the investors would get the hotel.

The equity contribution determines the government’s strength in Atlantic Hotels Incorporated – the company created to see the project through. As it stands, the government is currently the sole shareholder in the company.

However, apart from the equity contribution, financing for the project would also come from “subordinate loan stocks” of US$15 million invested by NICIL. Adding the US$2 million, NICIL will end up spending in development costs for the project, including design and other preliminary studies altogether, US$21 million.

So, in total, the amount of

money the government is pushing into the project is just about what it should cost in Guyana to complete the project, industry experts say.

The additional US$40 million remains a mystery to industry experts.

Recently, news that SCG had imported Chinese labourers without using locals, triggered several protests across the city.

Government, in its defense, said that it is the contractor’s right to hire its own labour force. Government had promised 200 jobs would be created when the hotel is completed…but never made it clear when.

Anger mounts from the Parliamentary opposition who felt that the monies for the project should have come under the scrutiny of the Members of Parliament.

Government, refusing to release the feasibility study which justified the building of the hotel, had instead accused the opposition of not wanting investments and of defending Pegasus Hotel,

A 13-year-old schoolboy faced the court yesterday charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The child, a resident of South Sophia, Georgetown, faced Magistrate Leslie Sobers at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. The allegation is that on February 20, last, at Alliance Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the lad had a quantity of

marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

At yesterday’s court proceeding, the lad, a student of Tutorial High School; pleaded not guilty to the charge. Although the boy had no legal representation, his mother was present at the hearing. She stood as his lawful guardian.

After the reading of the charge, the lad was placed in the custody of his mother.

Police are currently conducting further investigation to ascertain the location of the other persons involved. Kaieteur News understands that police, acting on a tip off from a reliable source early Wednesday morning, went to Timehri and found the schoolboy clad in his uniform at the entrance of Alliance Road. This publication was told that ranks held unto the

Construction underway at Marriott Hotel.

“Marriott is clear,” he said. There have never been any indications or declarations that Government intended to maintain or own the Marriott Hotel, the official made clear.

“As a matter of fact… to the contrary. The financing of the Marriott and closure of the deal anticipates private sector… a non-government hand in the mature situation.”

He explained that Government would initially be involved with the management before the final transfer of the hotel into “non-governmental hands.”

The government is still to name the private investors.

Before yesterday, there was never any talk of the government giving the hotel to any investor. But the media, in general, and Kaieteur News in particular, was telling the nation that the Marriott was a scheme designed to defraud taxpayers.

Kaieteur News also said that former President Bharrat Jagdeo was using the government to front the hotel for the benefit his friends who would be hiding in the background.

The National Assembly, controlled by the Opposition, has not given its blessings for the project as the taxpayers’ dollars being used, are controlled by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, a controversial governmentowned company.

In late 2011, former President Bharrat Jagdeo officially turned the sod for the construction of the hotel with the promise, that the project will create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase, and beyond when it becomes operational.

The 197-room hotel and entertainment complex is expected by February 2014.

Despite pressure by opposition parliamentary parties and a Parliamentary motion to halt Government funding for the project, the

NICIL’s Head, Winston Brassington

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo located nearby of the current Marriott Hotel site, because of partisan interests.

Local hoteliers have over the years been reporting that there are too many hotel rooms. A number of hotels built for Cricket World Cup in 2007 have since been sold or turned over to new management, including Buddy’s Hotel (now Princess Hotel and Casino) in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

teenager and conducted a search of his person and belongings.

A quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be marijuana, was found concealed in a black plastic bag in a compartment of his backpack.

He was subsequently taken into custody where the substance was weighed and tested. It was positively identified as cannabis.

Schoolboy, 13, on drug charge

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Kaieteur News

ImmigrationINFO Immigration News For Our Community Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com.

Question #1: My mother is a US citizen; she applied for me and my family (I’m married). Our priority date is 6th February, 2011. Could you please say how long we have to wait?

Answer #1: I n response to your question, visas are being issued for petitions filed on or before July 2002 - so you may have a nine-year wait.

Question #2: I am a naturalized US citizen, since March 2012; My parents are currently living and working in Jamaica; If I file for them via I-30 Petition for alien relative will they be required to file yearly taxes on income they are earning in Jamaica?

My parents plan to work and live in Jamaica for at least five more years. However, in the event of the desire to move to the states or need to

seek medical attention, I would love for them to become US citizens.

Saturday February 23, 2013

‘G’ Division says farewell to retiring commander

Answer #2: If you file for your parents and they obtain a green card, they are required to be living in the U.S. (not Jamaica). If they return to Jamaica to work and live with the green card, they will most likely get the green card taken away at port of entry into U.S. Question #3: I sponsored my husband since February 8, 2011 can you tell me how much longer he has to wait to get a visa.

Answer #3: If you are a U.S. citizen then it takes about one year - if you are green card holder then it takes two to three years.

Question #4: M y daughter’s fiancé is living in the U.S.A. She is having a valid visa for the U.S.A. The question is, can she go to the U.S.A and marry her fiancé right away and remain until she gets her permanent residence? I would also like to know the procedure to get her married in the U.S.A Answer #4: I n response to your question,

Attorney Gail S. Seeram, she can marry and remain in the U.S. and file for a green card in the U.S. if her fiancé is a U.S. citizen. Procedures to get married depend on the state she will be living in.

Question #5: How long does it take when a permanent person files for the wife and kids? How many years?

Answer #5: F o r spouse of a permanent resident, right now visas being issued for petitions filed on or before July 2010 – so about a two to three-year wait.

Question #6: My son was born in the US. Is it possible that I can file for citizenship without him sponsoring me or should I just continue to visit as normal and wait until he turns 18 to fully sponsor me?

Answer #6: Your U.S. citizen son has to wait until he is age 21 before he can sponsor you.

Ranks comprising every fraction of “G” Division held a simple ceremony to say farewell to Assistant Commissioner, Claire Jarvis, who is proceeding into retirement. The event was held Thursday evening, at the Richard Fikhal Training College, at Suddie.

Jarvis chalked up 36-years of sterling service to the Guyana Police Force.

Before she addressed her junior colleagues, ranks from various sections of “G” Division took time to express their gratitude, sang songs and recite poems.

In her address, Jarvis first explained that her primary reason for joining the Force

in 1976 was basically her love and motivation for policing.

Jarvis added that due to the fact that her father was a policeman and having had the experience being exposed to various police stations at a young age, her motivation more or less was to become a police officer.

Assistant Commissioner Jarvis told her colleagues that operating as a police rank in those days, one of the primary focus was more on “quality”.”Everything the men did women had to do.”

The senior female police officer added that, they must decide whether they have joined the force either as a career, or because they hadn’t

anything else to do, or to become rich.

A policeman’s integrity and conduct are critical, she said. Police ranks must at all times operate in the area of professionalism. She argued if all police officers operate professionally, especially to members of the public, reports against police officers will be few.

The senior police officer added that while there were a few female officers who would have attained her position to date, her journey was tough but she is proud to have completed it.

“Don’t be caught being corrupt”.

GT&T loses stay in court

MONOPOLY MAY BE IN JEOPARDY The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has lost its request to stay the enforcement of the order of Justice Rishi Persaud pending appeal. Justice B.S. Roy, rendering a decision yesterday, refused to stay Justice Persaud’s June 19, 2012 Order, which directed GT&T to pay entrepreneur James Samuels $1 million in damages. The court also declared that the GT&T was enjoying an unlawful monopoly.

Mr. Samuels, who was previously represented by Charles Ramson, S.C., is currently represented by Attorneys-at-law, Mr. Parmanand Mohanlall, and international attorney, Dave Kissoon of Cozen O’Connor with Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick, S.C. Mr. Timothy Jonas is representing GT&T. Samuels had applied for and was provided with DSL internet service by GT&T in

2006. GT&T holds an exclusive licence for national and international voice and data transmission under the Telecommunication Act 1990.

After the internet service was installed on the plaintiff’s computer located at his residence in Georgetown, he subscribed to a Voice Over Internet Protocol Service (VOIP) provided by the Vonage Company of the United States of America.

Vonage enables a subscriber to send and receive voice communication electronically over the internet by use of a personal computer.

Mr. Samuels had written GT&T to inform them of his intention to utilize the VOIP service in Guyana, to which GT&T replied advising him that under the terms of his contract with the defendant, he was prohibited from utilizing the DSL service for international telephone activities or for international

telephone bypass.

The telephone company proceeded to block Mr. Samuel’s internet access thereby disrupting the DSL service which was provided to him. GT&T contended that the disruption of the service was justified since the plaintiff was unlawfully operating an unlicensed telecommunication service in contravention of the provisions of the TelecommunicationsAct -Act 27 of 1990 (‘the Act) and of the Defendant’s contract and licence with the Government of Guyana.

As a consequence, Mr. Samuels instituted these proceedings seeking, inter alia, a declaration that there is a breach of the contract executed between himself and GT&T for the provision of the DSL service for his premises at 292 Church Street, Queenstown, with respect to his use of VOIP equipment.

After a trial on the issues,

Justice Rishi Persaud not only awarded Mr. Samuels damages, but stated,”I accordingly uphold the plaintiff’s submission on this issue and find that the licence granting an exclusive right or monopoly to the defendant [GT&T] to provide telecommunications service or to control or regulate voice and data transmission on the internet is unlawful and void.”

When asked for comment, Mr. Samuels stated, “It is unfortunate that GT&T continues to expend time and resources on a position that I and the courts believe to be clearly without merit.

G u y a n a ’ s telecommunications sector must be immediately liberalized and I will continue to fight for the good of my fellow citizens.”

GT&T has indicated that it intends to approach the Full Court to revisit the issue of a stay.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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MASH HAS BEEN KEPT ALIVE BY THE PPPC Mashramami is far bigger, far better and far more diverse than it ever has been. And yet there were many who felt that under the Peoples Progressive Party there would have been a deemphasizing of Republic Day celebrations.

Had the PPPC government abandoned Mashramni it would have withered away just like cooperative socialism did.

Admittedly there is still a far way to go.

The costumes that are on parade can be much more elaborate and the tea shirt bands need to be retired; they are from a bygone age when revellers could not have afforded to buy the materials for elaborate costumes and therefore settled for a colorful jersey as their costume.

The floats can also be much improved. Those behind this quest must make a greater commitment towards higher standards.

This in turn means spending more money on individual floats.

Revellers also have to understand that the days of freeness will eventually grind to a halt and if you want to Mash and look good , money will have to be spent to purchase costumes from the bands.

While Mashramani has grown and blossomed under the PPPC government, it is time that this celebration be

handed over exclusively to the private sector.

There will always be a limit to state-funding of such events and also a limit to what can be achieved by State funding.

If Mashramani is to become an authentic expression of the cultures of Guyana, it has to continue to grow and diversify for it to be sustained after it would have achieved these things, require greater private sector participation.

Major corporate companies have in fact come on board many of the events that are being held and this is a sign that the entire festival can now be handed over to the private sector and can thus be driven by private enterprise.

When this happens, Mashramani will find authentic expression and allow for greater public participation directly in events that are hosted for Mashramani.

The government for its part has ensured the celebrations have become more diverse. There is now a Chutney competition and there are now educational lectures.

The steelband competition once a marquee event is being resuscitated and the Schools Mash Day celebrations continue to attract a great deal of support and participation.

Dem boys seh...

Chris got to write Marriott part three in advance Whatever do in darkness must come to light. Old people seh suh and dem had to learn that from de Creator.

Scampishness and skullduggery and duttiness does come out in de open. De Marriott still building and de story come out.

From day one Jagdeo seh that de Marriott was PPP project—not de party project. He tell de nation was a publicprivate-partnership. He didn’t tell dem was a public-privatepassing over thing. Now mouth open and de story jump out.

In fact, dem boys seh that this story fly out Luncheon mouth.

When dem boys ask he if government would pick up de slack wha Delta dropping off by creating a government airline he seh government don’t compete with private sector businesses. Right away dem boys ask he how come de government building de Marriott hotel. Luncheon get basody and expose de deal that dem boys d know from Day One. He tell de nation that government only fronting fuh some secret private people but dem boys know is couple Bees— Brazzy, Barbie, Bar Rat. Luncheon seh that de government gun hand it over to dem as soon as it start fuh wuk.

Dem boys want to know if de government can do that fuh de Marriott, why dem can’t do that fuh de airline and give de airline back to some private person like Sonny. De same Sonny who got to stay in jail till he lawyer done he other wuk.

Sonny was gambling wid de Guyanese people. He was playing three card wid dem. Now he playing three card in prison. Brazzy, Bar Rat and Barbie playing three card wid de Guyanese people and dem money too. Dem gun end up like Sonny. Dem boys not only tun up de card in dem hand dem boys skin up dem hand wid de card.

Dem boys seh that if dem come out of jail dem gun skin dem and hang dem from a tree fuh de people of Guyana to see.

Christopher Ram just write part one last Sunday. Now Luncheon mess up de part two. He got to write part three in advance.

Talk half and let de Bees write de other half.

But more importantly under the PPPC a number of side events are now being held and these can become institutionalized as part of Mashramani observances.

This weekend there are a number of entertainment activities that will be staged, including mega concerts.

Even the PNCR has something going down. This allows for greater options for the public.

But these options are still not enough. There is a need for more family-styled entertainment as part of the Mashramani observances.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce needs to be commended for the remaking of the Main Big Lime. While it was not as big

last year as in previous years, it did offer something that the entire family could enjoy and this is what Mashramani needs- more events in which the entire family can be involved.

Providing this diversity should be the responsibility of the private sector.

There are tremendous business opportunities in having more family-styled events and it is for the private sector to take up that challenge and allow for the organization of events that is wholesome for the entire family.

Mash Day itself is a day in which many families go out to admire the floats and the revellers. But not all families want their children to see the

semi- nudity, the lewdness and the heavy consumption of alcohol which has come to characterize Mash Day activities.

There is also the need for more regional events. Each region should eventually be able to host their own Mash Day celebrations and compete for attendance from outside of their region.

For these things to be successful however, what is required is less government involvement and more private sector participation.

There is therefore no reason why the entire gamut of activities for Mashramani cannot be hosted and funded exclusively by the private sector.

The government has

helped to keep these festivities alive at a time when the private sector was now emerging from a difficult period of economic stagnation.

Now that there is a vibrant private sector and given all the signs that the private sector is now stronger and more involved now than ever before, there is no reason why the entire Mash Day activities should not be handed over to them.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Tain residents fear leaning transmission antenna Residents of Tain, Corentyne are concerned about a leaning television transmission antenna belonging to Ali’s Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). They fear that this antenna could collapse on their houses.

A section of the 250-foot structure seems to have got loose from its joints and is leaning precariously to one side. It appears to be held in place by the steel wires that are grounded to the earth from the base. There are several houses around the location of the antenna, including the ABC-owned Guyana Business School located in the ABC transmission compound, and the owner’s residence.

To the east, there is the University of Guyana Berbice Campus and the Tain Housing Scheme. To the west, there is the Tain Public Road.

Residents are nervous that, at any time, the structure could collapse.

Badnarine Balkarran, one resident whose house would get the direct impact of the leaning tower, stated that he has been sleeping out of his home for the past week for fear of the tower.

“Three nights I didn’t sleep at my house, so imagine how terrible this thing is. If any one of the two cables cut there, we done! Yesterday

with the breeze blowing, if you see how many [paint] flakes falling. Look how many flakes on my house”.

“You have a business school here…should this thing fall, you can kill those children. This thing is really, really hazardous”.

On Wednesday, owner of ABC-TV Raymond Ali, promised to heed the concerns of the residents. He added that he agreed that the structure is posing a hazard but begged the residents to bear with him for “two weeks” more until a new tower is imported and installed.

But the residents asked him what he will do about the old tower during the two to three-week wait. He asked the residents to arrange for a crane to take the tower down.

He said that he would welcome the initiative. “If I can go up there and take it down, I would”, Ali said.

“I doubt whether this man will rectify this. I am talking from experience. I am afraid because my life and children’s lives are in danger. I built a new house the other day which [is] worth over $20M and this thing [the leaning antenna] will cause a lot of confusion. I am not having rest. I am sleeping at people’s homes”, said Balkarran.

Another resident, Mike Persaud, stated that “If the persons in authority right now

can see that they have the people’s concerns at heart, they will put some system in place to see that the tower is rectified as soon as possible”.

“He [Mr Ali] has been sleeping out for the past week. Mr. Ali doesn’t sleep at his house too. His security watchman got his phone number to make contact with him should the tower fall”.

“This thing becomes a hazard for this neighbourhood. This thing [the antenna] had to be showing itself long now and like no attention has been paid.

If it falls on either side, it will damage property. I studying what might happen—it might not be me; it might be children”.

The residents stated that they also informed the police.

“If this thing should fall on the electrical wires, imagine current will be all over the place. The negligence! It is negligence on behalf of the Ali family who is running this TV station. They have no regard for this neighbourhood and community.” said Persaud.

Several efforts to contact Head of the National Frequency and Management Unit (NFMU), proved futile since he was out of office. Up to press time, no action was taken on the leaning structure.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

East Canje sugar workers strike over NIS benefits The sugar woes for the New Year may have just begun. More than 300 sugar workers from two gangs attached to the Rose Hall Estate in East Canje yesterday congregated at Adelphi in solidarity with several workers who have not received benefits from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) after proceeding on sick leave.

One worker in particular, Fazil Ally, 35, a cane harvester said that the National Insurance Scheme has “no money to pay him”. “The government has reluctantly failed to intervene with the funds of the NIS and disqualifies people with payment for any good reason”.

A chain-cut accident he endured several years ago injured his eyes in 1992; he was a weeder back then. The accident was reported and he proceeded on a month’s leave. But his eyes got worse a year later and then he started to get hassle from the scheme.

“The Estate doctor gave me some leave and a paper to go to the hospital and the hospital doctor recommended that I do a surgery. I went and do the surgery and carry in the claims and they said I cannot get no pay. Then they

The workers on strike yesterday

said that they will pay me for the hospital surgery, but they changed their minds and said they will not pay for the surgery too.”

For the past seventy days, Ally has been on disability leave. The sole breadwinner for the home, he has two children and a wife

to maintain. He is worried.

The workers said that they would not return to work unless some payments are made to Ally.

“If he ain’t get pay, we ain’t going back to work”, said one worker. “If we get good justice, we gonna go to work”.

“If the doctor give you twenty-one days, they at NIS calling you in and say that they gonna only pay you for seven (days)—they don’t pay you what you deserve— they do me that already”, said another worker.

Other workers had similar complaints. Rajesh Persaud stated that he appealed after a fall, injuring his stomach since last year, and proceeded on 56 days leave “and no response”. He claimed that the NIS doctor rejected all the medical papers from the doctor. “After 35 days, he called me and tell me that he won’t accept any claim. “ They argued that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is “not doing anything for sugar workers.

They ain’t representing sugar

workers—they just taking people money!”

Another worker, Jaimangal Dhanai, claimed that since last year May, “I went on seven days sick leave and up to today I didn’t receive any payment. They said I have to appeal.

Yet another worker, Buddy Dayal, “performed a cyst operation—received two sets of 14 days sick leave from a New Amsterdam Hospital doctor, but was turned down by the NIS doctor when he applied for more sick leave.

He was told that he would only receive NIS pay for the first fourteen days of leave.

“The NIS doctor slice my days to fourteen [days] and he told me fourteen days were enough; and asked me to go back to work. He said I won’t get pay for the other fourteen

days”.

“Let we sign a vote against them to get them (GAWU out). We want to form a new union! Komal Chand and the government is like so [putting two fingers together].”

“Komal Chand is representing the government, and not sugar workers!” shouted the workers.

Steve Braithwaite, another worker, said that he suffered an accident at the back dam and was referred to the NIS doctor by N/A Hospital.

“Within weeks of the treatment, [the] NIS doctor called me back, stopped my leave and stopped my payment. [He then] forward me to the NIS medical board, where four specialists released a payment [for me]. I come back in Berbice, NIS keep pushing me around [for the payment]. They paid me only 10 per cent of my disability claim.

“The estate’s medical board medically discharged me. I can’t work with this hand I am suffering with the hand. The hand cannot straighten,” he lamented.

An individual standing in solidarity with the workers, said that “There is the lack of funds and the money is being diverted to different projects unknown to the workers and to the people of Guyana.

Show me where the money of the NIS is. “Chris Ram indicated vividly, that by 2015, NIS will not have any money whatsoever if the trend continues.”

Efforts to contact the National Insurance Scheme for a comment proved futile.

The workers said that they will continue industrial action until the aggrieved workers receive the NIS benefits due them.

Corentyne man on $1M bail for Liverpool fatal accident

A Bush Lot, Corentyne man appeared before Magistrate Krishendat Persaud at the Springland’s Magis t r a t e ’s C o u r t f o r causing death by dangerous driving.

Rajendra Bisram, 24, was charged for the death of 15year-old Zani Munroe of Liverpool Vi l l a g e , Corentyne on Wednesday.

Zani Munroe of Lot 33 Liverpool Village and a Fourth Form student of the Manchester Secondary School was riding her bicycle just after 17:00 hrs.

Bisram, who was transporting reef sand on truck GLL 8938, registered in the name of G. Heeram of Friendship, Corentyne, was heading to New Amsterdam, when he hit

the child; exited the vehicle and fled the scene upon close examination of what had happened to the child.

Villagers ran after him to give him a sound thrashing, but were unsuccessful, so they started to destroy the windscreen of the vehicle in anger and retaliation.

He was placed on $1M bail and ordered to return to court on March 19, 2013.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Mashramani Anniversary Messages PPP The People’s Progressive Party joins with all Guyanese as we celebrate our 43rd Republic Anniversary as a nation.

This period is indeed a time for reflection of our journey as a people and is also one of celebration for our remarkable achievements.

Our Republic Anniversary this year is given more significance as it marks the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Rebellion.

The conditions under which fore parents of Afro Guyanese and then later on, Indentured servants lived and worked must not escape us as it started a struggle for freedom and betterment which we as a nation enjoy today.

This significant part of our history must be a constant source of inspiration for our people to build on the foundation already laid so our future generations may enjoy a better Guyana.

We must also draw lessons from some of the difficulties encountered by Cuffy and his revolutionaries with the most important being the need for unity and discipline in achieving our goals.

Guyanese must also be constantly vigilant to protect the gains of our nation against the threat to our development and democracy by the opposition both in and out of our Parliament.

During this period, each of us must reaffirm our commitment toward working together to overcome the challenges which still confronts us.

FITUG’S REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE 2013

That aside, our 43rd Republic Anniversary finds our nation as the most developed than any other part of our history, where our people are empowered, and enjoy liberties which our fore parents could have only dreamt about.

Positive transformation is not isolated to one part of our country but all across our nation, making it the most exciting period in our relatively short period as a Republic.

Guyanese have a lot to celebrate on Saturday, February 23rd 2013 and the PPP wishes everyone a Happy Mashramani!

It has been forty-three (43) years since most Guyanese – leaders and followers in 1970 – opted for the Constitutional and Governmental status of Republicanism. Guyana became a Republic on February 23, 1970 still retaining membership in the Commonwealth of Nations – the grouping of former British colonies. But Guyana was quick to shed everything “British” from its political, independent psych. Nationalism was to take root from February, 1970.

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) warmly welcomes this weekend’s observance and celebration of our Republican status. As the premier majority workers grouping in Guyana, FITUG is concerned, in a sustained manner, with what these anniversaries mean for our working class. These national observances also make time and opportunity for workers’ representatives to ponder upon how much was or was not achieved for those who kept the economy going and the nation afloat, all these decades, so that such anniversaries could be a reality.

FITUG cannot but salute the efforts of the current political and government managers in authority as they endeavour to craft policies, then programmes with budgets to keep the Republic on the path to prosperity. FITUG urges other stakeholders, especially the political opposition, to put the Republic first and seek meaningful dignified compromise so that development in the citizen’ interest and welfare, could continue.

The government must carefully manage the exploitation of our natural resources lest they are all expropriated by our welcome foreign investors. A careful, equitable watch must be kept on all contracts crafted with interested investors – whether they are Brazilians, Canadian, Chinese, American, British, or Asians from further afield. Legislation should be crafted to ensure joint ownership with Guyanese investors having a large share.

FITUG will be on the road, in the Union headquarters, in the workplace as we celebrate Mashramani and the Republic’s 43rd Anniversary. Best wishes to all workers and all Guyana!

OFFICE of the LEADER of the OPPOSITION

THE PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM

I am happy to extend warm ‘Republic Day’ greetings to you on the 43rd Anniversary of Guyana’s becoming a Co-operative Republic. Change is coming.

A Partnership for National Unity, in declaring 2013 the ‘Year for Youth’, took a bold step to restore young people’s faith in the institutions of our country. Our nation is now looking forward to the future with increasing confidence.

The National Assembly, now with an opposition majority, has assumed its rightful role in the Republic.

The Legislative branch - for the first time in two decades - is better able to hold the Executive branch to stricter standards of scrutiny and accountability. It has demonstrated its resolve to assert its constit u t i o n a l authority in the state.

The National Assembly has seized the democratic opportunity to deepen the representative process and to demand that the executive branch of government implements measures aimed at creating a good life for all Guyanese.

A Partnership for National Unity salutes Republic Day 2013 as another milestone in our political evolution. It finds our nation further along the road to consolidating our parliamentary democracy, insisting on improved governance and to making Guyana a better place for all.

Happy Republic Day!

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all of the people of Guyana as we celebrate the 43rd Anniversary of our Republican status.

The anniversary of the Republic, apart from the national celebration of Mashramani, is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation, 43 years after Guyana was declared a Republic. In that regard, it must be evident to all that we, as Guyanese, need to undertake a frank and honest evaluation of whether our nation is headed in the direction that would bring us all, particularly our young people, progress, and prosperity.

Our Party has joined our partners in APNU to declare and dedicate our energies to making 2013 the Year of Youth.

However, we are conscious that, as a nation, we are challenged to remove the threats posed by the scourge of criminality and violence; corruption; the continued lawlessness in high places; the intolerance of views, other than those expressed by the Administration; all of which contribute to infusing a sense of despair and the feeling of hopelessness that is currently afflicting the young people of this nation.

Accordingly, the PNC/R wishes all of the Guyanese people a Happy Republic holiday, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love, and unity will dwell among us on the 43rd anniversary of our Republic.

GUYANA TRADES UNION CONGRESS The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) calls on all Guyanese to engage in serious thought and introspection as the nation commemorates its 43rd Republican Anniversary. For while the thrust behind republican status marks another milestone in the fight for self determination that came with severing all ties of colonial control, the people must today stop and ask if the government (executive and legislature) is working consistent with the principle of self-determination as protected in Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution.

Mashramani, an Amerindian word, means celebration after hard work. Yet it is ironic that as efforts are made to celebrate many are without work and many know not where work will come from. The dreams of self determination, ensconced in a patriotic song, speak to the people’s aspiration to “build this land that belongs to me.” In our culture work is deemed an honorable aspect of human existence and critical to survival, development and nation building.

WOMEN’S PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION The Women’s Progressive Organization (WPO) extends greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Mashramani which is being held under the theme “Reflecting Creativity, Embracing Diversity”.

This event has truly evolved into a national celebration where thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life are coming together to take part in the various events and entertainment.

We are pleased with the involvement of the various entities over time, and we are truly gratified by their support.

We welcome our Guyanese brothers and sisters from the Diaspora who have supported us over time and we welcome new friends and well-wishers alike. WPO believes that Mashramani, like all other national events, must seek to bring us even closer as a nation in the patriotic task of building a cohesive nation. Happy Mashramani!

PYO February 23rd 2013 marks forty-three (43) years since Guyana’s attainment of Republican status. Becoming a Republic represented the final step in our nation’s journey to full independence and nationhood. It meant that our Head of State was no longer a representative of the Monarch. Instead, he was an elected citizen of Guyana.

From 1970 to now, we have had many struggles, but only in the latter half, our Republic has managed to establish strong democratic values in our society.

This is the foundation upon which we advance our country’s development. It is very important for us to live and work together in peace, dignity, and harmony for the good of the nation. After all, the festival of Mashramani is one that depicts, through costumes, songs, and floats, the Diversity and Unity of the Guyanese people.

But today it seems that the real freedom which our great leaders fought for are becoming elusive. While it is true that the Queen Victoria statue no longer commands the Law Court compound, our beloved country seems to be at a juncture where all that a Republican status stands for are being violated.

Instead of working in cooperation and partnership with our Government for continued national development in all spheres of life, we have political leaders who continuously try to selfishly use a paper thin one-seat majority in the National Assembly to stymie progress. With this sentiment in mind, the PYO calls on the opposition in the National Assembly to recognize that they owe a duty and responsibility to the country and people to make Guyana better and not to use their paper thin majority to politick.

They have to refrain from pursuing the petty, partisan agenda that has been adopted.

Do not hinder progress.

We in the Progressive Youth Organization wish to use this occasion of our Republic Anniversary to call on all Guyanese to work in concert with our Government for the continued growth and development of our nation – let not the struggles of our leaders who courageously fought for our freedom go down in vain.

The PYO urges all Guyanese to participate safely and responsibly in the celebrations that mark Guyana’s 43rd Republic anniversary. Happy Mashramani to ALL GUYANA!

GAWU In 1966 and before there was national political consensus that British Guiana must become Independent Guyana. By 1970 as it was again agreed – between the two political giants of the time, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham and their followers – that the four (4) year-old Independent State of Guyana should completely rid itself British identity and become a Republic.

Political leaders of that period, though having their rigid positions and disagreements over power, its use and our national development, submerged differences to join together to fashion the Birth of a Republic.

We generally agreed to abandon the British Monarchy as Head of State, the Privy Council as our highest Court and we assumed full responsibility for our military defence. Most of all Guyanese assumed a psychology of being independent in the nationalistic sense.

In 1970 February, they wondered whether their leaders would justify the new Republican status and lead them into the national prosperity the country’s natural resources promised.

It is against those reflections that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the nation in celebrating the forty-third anniversary of our Republican status.

As a workers’ representative body, the largest such organisation here, GAWU is, however, motivated to ask: what has 43 years of Republicanism brought to us, the citizens of the Republic?

GAWU will not answer for everyone but would urge Guyanese to reflect upon the work of the architects of the Republic, the leaders and their political parties, their work in Government and Parliament over the four-plus decades. What role did we as citizens and workers play within the context of what the leaders and their governments provided us?

Two sets of administrations managed our present and our destiny since 1970. For twenty-two (22) years the People’s National Congress prevailed. Now it is twenty (20) years since the PPP/C has governed, sometimes against great unfair odds.

GAWU urges Guyanese, amidst the merriment of parades, floats, song and dance, to reflect on the role of all these players.

GAWU also urges citizens to really begin to influence elected and other leaders to do our will – not theirs. Let’s make Republicanism meaningful. The very word means “power residing in the people”.

Merry Mashramani as we celebrate Republic Day.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Brassington wobbles over Guyana Stores privatization Winston Brassington, the man who signs off on Government’s privatisation deals faced the heat in the High Court yesterday as he was grilled over his handling of the privatization of Guyana Stores Limited (GSL).

Businessman Tony Yassin acquired the property in October 2000 and agreed to pay the sum of US$6 million.

However, the government is suing him for an outstanding balance of US$2 million.

Brassington was the key negotiator in the privatisation, being the Executive Secretary of NICIL, the arm of government that controls the sale of state assets.

In the court yesterday, Brassington admitted that he kept crucial documents away from the investor.

Manniram Prashad, who was chairman of GSL before it was privatized, had warned that the company would face a serious cash flow problem if the company went ahead and paid out the interim dividend that Brassington ordered – an authority which he didn’t have in the first place.

Prashad had said that if the dividend of $358 million was paid out, it would have implications for the company’s debt status, that cash flow would be affected

to put in a bid.

However, Brassington insisted that the information which he provided could not have been relied on by the investor to put in a proposal, but yet he vouched for the accuracy of the information he provided.

Brassington said that the investor was required to do his own investigation to verify the accuracy of the documents.

Things took another turn when Brassington vowed to have shown Yassin a document that the net current assets as of May 23, 1999 was $200 million. While the investor has denied receiving the information, Brassington said he could produce a copy with the signature of a representative of the investor.

He agreed to provide the court with the letter.

However, investors were

told of the company having net current assets of $603 million. And while Brasington revised that to say that certain assets were hived off to a company called Property Holdings Limited, reducing the net currents assets to $200 million, at a board meeting in December 1999, he presented the company as having $624 million.

It was at that meeting that Brassington ordered the payment of dividends. Asked

by Senior Counsel Luckhoo if he would recommend payments of dividend even if it meant having to borrow to repay it, Brassington said, “Yes, in certain circumstances.”

Brassington returns to court on Monday.

The case is being heard

by Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire.

NICIL is being

represented by Rafiq Turhan Khan, while Yassin is being represented by Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay and Edward Luckhoo.

In an affidavit signed by Mr. Tony Yassin, he admitted that on October 4, 2000, he entered into an agreement with National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) to purchase the shares in Guyana Stores Limited which was owned by the Government of Guyana.

Furthermore it was stated that before entering into the agreement with National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited, Yassin was given various information memoranda on June 5, 1996 and packages in March 1999 in respect of the matters and facts which were peculiarly within the knowledge of the NICIL, the Government and Privatisation Unit.

To these, the defendant stated, he had no access method of verifying through his own investigation and inquiry.

In 1966 and before there was national political consensus that British Guiana must become Independent Guyana. By 1970 as it was again agreed – between the two political giants of the time, Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham and their followers – that the four (4) year-old Independent State of Guyana should completely rid itself British identity and become a Republic.

Political leaders of that period, though having their rigid positions and disagreements over power, its use and our national development, submerged differences to join together to fashion the Birth of a Republic.

We generally agreed to abandon the British Monarchy as Head of State, the Privy Council as our highest Court and we assumed full responsibility for our military defence. Most

of all Guyanese assumed a psychology of being independent in the nationalistic sense.

In 1970 February, they wondered whether their leaders would justify the new Republican status and lead them into the national prosperity the country’s natural resources promised.

It is against those reflections that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins the nation in celebrating the forty-third anniversary of our Republican status. As a workers’ representative body, the largest such organisation here, GAWU is, however, motivated to ask: what has 43 years of Republicanism brought to us, the citizens of the Republic? GAWU will not answer for everyone but would urge Guyanese to reflect upon the work of the architects of the Republic, the leaders and their political parties, their work in

Government and Parliament over the four-plus decades.

What role did we as citizens and workers play within the context of what the leaders and their governments provided us?

Two sets of administrations managed our present and our destiny since 1970. For twenty-two (22) years the People’s National Congress prevailed. Now it is twenty (20) years since the PPP/C has governed, sometimes against great unfair odds.

GAWU urges Guyanese, amidst the merriment of parades, floats, song and dance, to reflect on the role of all these players. GAWU also urges citizens to really begin to influence elected and other leaders to do our will – not theirs. Let’s make Republicanism meaningful.

The very word means “power residing in the people”.

Merry Mashramani as we celebrate Republic Day.

A Bush Lot, Corentyne man is on trial in Berbice High court for attempted murder.

Harrylall Mankarran, of Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice, is on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court where he is facing two charges.

He is accused of wounding Shamee Basoo on November 13, at Bush Lot,

Corentyne with the intent to murder him.

He is also charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or to maim, disfigure or disable the virtual complainant.

After the indictment was read by prosecutor Dionne McCammon and the jury was sworn in; no opening statement was read.

Defense a t t o r n e y, Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, asked for an adjournment stating that he needs to consult with his client on certain elements of the case.

No opening address was read and Justice Reynolds adjourned the matter to Tuesday when the opening statement will be read and the matter will continue.

…Court hears assets dipped by $400M before deal …Brassington kept key documents away from investor

Winston Brassington and working capital would be reduced.

A certain Mr Sharma, the Finance Manager, had also written about the negative impact on the financial status of the company.

Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo, Attorney for Yassin, asked Brassington if it wouldn’t have been important to hand those documents over to the investor before the deal was signed.

Brassington said that while he did not include the

document, the matters were “discussed” and that Yassin was aware of those issues.

Brassington further said that while he “partly” found the complaints by Prashad and Sharma to be serious, he did not necessarily respond in writing, even though he is most times a “careful and methodical” person.

Brassington denied that he deliberately kept the documents away from Yassin because he did not want him, Yassin, to know what was happening.

The Privatisation Unit had submitted a bundle of documents to the investor for him to consider when submitting a bid for the property, but Brassington said that the documents were not to be relied on.

Pressed further by Luckhoo, Brassington first said that the documents were not meant to “enable” the investor to make a proposal.

He had to eat those words when he was directed back to the documents which said exactly that the documents were meant to “enable” the investor to make a decision

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

Corentyne man on trial for attempted murder

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Burnham remembered

Saturday February 23, 2013

Doobay Renal centre expansion to target non-communicable diseases Although good health care is not lacking in Guyana, ambitious plans are in the pipelines to introduce a health facility which caters to the treatment of a wide range of non-communicable diseases at a greatly subsided cost.

It is hoped that even patients who are unable to afford good quality medical care can access the facility which is intended to represent an expansion of the service offered by the Doobay Renal Centre at Annandale, East Coast Demerara.

Speaking to media operatives earlier this week Founder of the facility, Canada-based Vascular Surgeon, Dr Budhendranauth Doobay, said that “we want to expand our facility to make it a little hospital here so that we can give affordable care to all Guyanese.”

With specific focus on diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart diseases, Dr Doobay is confident that the lives of many Guyanese can be saved as all of these conditions can be treated allowing for a better quality of life.

He expressed the view

- even as Health Ministry intensifies fight

Dr Budhendranauth Doobay

The Doobay Renal Centre

that many Guyanese when diagnosed with a heart condition, for instance, can illafford to spend a great deal of money to access the

required treatment. “When a Guyanese suffers from any of these conditions they either have to go and die or pay the very high cost...these require

very expensive medical management,” the Vascular Surgeon who has been treating patients with renal failure at the East Coast Demerara facility at arguably the lowest cost in the country.

The renal failure care offered there is supported by expert medical practitioners at the McMaster Medical Centre in Canada who offer their service on a voluntary basis.

“I am hoping that it would be possible for us to get this facility that will be opened to everybody across the country...Even if they don’t have money they must have proper medical care,” stated a very confident Dr Doobay.

Financing for the proposed facility, according to him, will be exclusively through fundraising activities and donations from benefactors some from right here in Guyana and overseas too. In fact, it is on this basis that the operation of the clinic has been premised since it opened its doors during the latter part of 2011.

“We get quite a bit from people; we have our own set of benefactors right here and many others who are helping us out,” Dr Doobay disclosed.

It is however his hope that the efforts to make available an expanded facility to the Guyanese populace that Government will make available subsidies. Once subsidies are made available, particularly for items, such as filters and lines, to facilitate the ongoing dialysis treatment, Dr Doobay is optimistic that the service which is offered at $9,000 per session could be greatly

reduced.

“This is what I am hoping for. This is my objective...but at the moment we are begging for money in Canada and we are begging for money here that is the only way we can do it right now...”

The Doobay Renal Centre since its commencement has been seeking to work in close collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and has even performed a few of its operations on renal failure patients there.

In its attempt to bolster the relation Dr Doobay disclosed that a total of four (dialysis) machines were donated to the hospital which allowed for the commencement of a dialysis clinic there. It is expected that further collaboration will be realised whereby subsidies and tax breaks will be afforded the Centre.

The expansion plans at the Doobay Centre are being pursued in earnest even as a bold stance is being taken by the Ministry of Health to place high on its agenda plans to address NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

According to Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran, during an interview with this publication; this strategic move is aimed at addressing the various forms of cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic pulmonary diseases as well as cataract. He disclosed too that the threats that support or promote these diseases will also be amplified as part of the health sector’s mission to bring health “right down to the community

level.”

Minister Ramsaran pointed to the fact that NCDs are usually fostered by the abuse of alcohol, tobacco smoking, sedentary (inactive lifestyles), and bad food choices such as those laden with fat, salt and sugar.

NCD is in fact a medical condition or disease which by definition is noninfectious and nontransmissible between persons. They maybe chronic diseases of long duration and slow progression or they may result in more rapid death and can even lead to sudden stroke.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has outlined that in order to reduce the exposure of populations and individuals to the risk factors for NCDs, there is a dire need for different factions of the society to be considered for action. Schools, households and communities could play a crucial role, WHO has highlighted, even as health financing is sustained by innovative approaches such as earmarking revenue from alcohol and tobacco taxes.

Policy implementations measures needful to address NCDs could include the protection of people from tobacco smoke, the enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; raising of taxes on tobacco and alcohol and restricted access to retailed alcohol and enforcing bans on advertising, according to WHO. Further still, it has been listed as crucial to promote public awareness about salt intake and salt content of food, the replacement of trans-fat in food with polyunsaturated fat and the promotion of public awareness about diet and physical activity.

It was against this very background that Minister Ramsaran said that “my Ministry is putting on the front burner the fight against the epidemic of NCDs.”

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Canadian citizen says army major sodomised her …police slow to act A Canada-based Guyanese woman, home on vacation, is alleging that she was sodomized by a Major of the Guyana Defence Force.

The woman, 35, is contending that though she willingly rendezvoused with the military man at an East Bank Demerara hotel and permitted vaginal sex; anal intercourse was a no-no from the inception.

According to the alleged victim, who was once married to the accused brother, the two checked into the hotel during the predawn hours of Valentine’s morning.

She said that intimacy

was going the conventional route until the officer inserted his finger into her anus. “I told him to stop and reminded him of our previous talks that I am not into that and he said ‘I gah get this bamsy’ then I begged him to stop but he continued.”

The Ontario-based woman said that immediately after foundling her, the officer proceeded to sodomise her.

The alleged victim, a telephone operator by profession, said that she almost “passed out” during the ordeal. She also noted that her forehead was consistently being banged

Dellon Yorrick, 27, a miner from Timehri is suffering from a severely damaged eye following a beating by the hands of a gang of men which included a member of the Guyana Police Force at an Imbaimadai landing.

Yorrick is still trying to figure out the reason for what he described as, the unjustified pounding he received almost two Saturdays ago.

“I don’t know is what happen. Me and nobody ain’t got no problem. I de just talking to a girl pun the landing when a set a men start beating me. One was a policeman; me ain’t know he because he new in the area.

They jook me all in me eye wid a bottle.”

The man claims that he was unable to retaliate because he was knocked unconscious during the encounter. He said that although he cannot name the policeman who brutalized him he is sure to point him out. “ After they beat me they throw me inside the lock up

without seeing a medic. Is not until the next day that I had to fly out and get to Georgetown hospital quick. I still trying to mek sense of this thing cause I never had problems with no police or so.

I does wuk up (Imbaimadai) for years now,” Yorrick lamented.

The father of two is looking to the relevant authorities for assistance to ensure he gets justice.

Yorrick claims that since the incident he has undergone an emergency surgery for his damaged iris and received at least 13 stitches to regions of both eyes. He was unable to get any assistance from the police in locating his assailants.

“I can hardly see. I got to keep running to the doctor and I feeling plenty pain in my skin. I can’t understand why I going through this sort a thing I don’t get problem wid people.”

The resident of Hyde Park, Timehri, says that he has been mining in the Imbaimadai

against the bed during the “painful” torment. Bumps were still visible in her forehead.

She was at pains to, but bravely informed Kaieteur News that the accused asked her to remove herself from next to him and told her to bathe.

During the bath, she said that the officer pulled the shower curtains, looked at her and uttered “You see what I did for you? It (the anal intercourse) got you glowing now.”

The woman opined yesterday while at the Brickdam Police station, that the officer showed no remorse for his actions as he refused to answer her

Miner beaten at Imbaimadai landing

Dellon Yorrick shows injuries to his eyes community for more than ten years and wants to continue his trade without any further conflict with the police or otherwise.

“I got to keep checking wid the doctor cause I ain’t really getting to see well now.

I got to get assistance from my family to move around. I get medication so I hope it get better.”

Yorrick said that his livelihood is at stake since he can possibly lose his sight.

subsequent calls.

“I was calling him to find out why would he do this to me, and he didn’t even answer,” she said.

The alleged victim reported the matter to the Leonora Police Station the next day. The matter was then transferred to the Brickdam Police Station Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where it is being investigated.

According to the telephone operator, the Major was summoned to the station but did not go. She said that she was informed that this was because he was heading a course.

A confrontation was arranged and the Army rank admitted to all the allegations but contradicted her statement that the anal act was not consented to.

The officer was accompanied by two lawyers; one male and one female.

During the confrontation, the victim reportedly burst into tears. She said that she has been given the “royal run around” and is afraid that the matter will be swept under the carpet.

Executive member of the women’s rights organization, Red Thread, Karen De Souza signaled plans to raise the

matter with the GDF’s Chiefof-Staff, Commodore Gary Best, who could not have been contacted yesterday by this newspaper.

De Souza said that as it stands now; the complaint by the woman is “in limbo” simply because the amended Sexual Offences Act has not been assented to by President Donald Ramotar.

De Souza added that by virtue of those amendments, it is unlawful to order a confrontation between the alleged victim and accused.

“She shouldn’t have to be repeating the ordeal all the time.”

The women’s activist said that her organization was concerned that the officer was a flight risk. “He is a pilot and he operates mostly in Timehri and the bush; so it is easy for him to just disappear.”

A copy of a medical examination conducted at a West Coast Demerara Hospital seen by this publication, states that hemorrhoid was seen but there was no tearing, bruising or active bleeding of the woman’s anus.

The Ontario-based woman told reporters that the officer is known to her about 12 years. She said the man had gained her trust and had never

disrespected her before.

The man, she said, told her that he has anal sex with all of his women and that she did not really know him.

According to the woman, she had placed so much confidence in the man that she had planned to send her teenage daughter to spend time with him. Now, she said she is happy she did not because he could have done the same thing to her.

Though she did not volunteer information that she was married to the alleged rapist’s brother, the woman later told Kaieteur News that she had annulled a marriage with the accused brother after six months on the call of him being unfaithful.

Asked what caused her to become intimate with her ex husband’s brother, the woman said “we were friends and he had been nice to me over the years.”

The alleged victim said she is willing to return to Guyana to testify against the officer.

I just want it to be done fairly because a lot of times things have been done by people in the army and the police force and things can be pushed under the carpet, that’s the system in Guyana.,” said the woman.

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Kaieteur News

Repairs at the Moruca Bridge are not satisfactory - AFC

By Latoya Giles Member of Parliament for the Alliance For Change, Valerie Lowe, yesterday raised concerns about the $28M renovation of a bridge at Moruca.

According to Lowe, information which was conveyed to the party by residents of Moruca, including our AFC Regional Councillor, Mrs. Dolores Abraham, is that works being carried out on the bridge are not to their satisfaction.

Lowe said that some of the complaints are that the bridge rail is fragile; and persons cannot lean against it as they were accustomed to before. Now they risk falling into the river. The materials are not properly prepared and splinters are piercing people’s hands.

Further, Ms Lowe said that residents say that the San Jose end of the bridge is sinking and the explanation that the Regional Engineer gave to residents was that the materials used have curves;

that is why it looks like it is caving in.

Lowe said that residents are now asking for a Clerk of Works to visit and examine the works done on the bridge.

She explained that the Moruca Bridge, since its existence, does not only link one island to another, but it is a favourite spot for relaxation for the community. Lowe stated that adults and children sometimes stand on the bridge just to enjoy the scenery.

She noted that one would

expect from the amount of monies being spent on this project that residents should have no cause to complain about substandard work being done, substandard materials being used and fear for their safety.

Lowe has called on the Minister of Local Government, Ganga Persaud, to look into this matter since the residents of Moruca do not want to experience the same disaster as the Kumaka revetment project that keeps falling into the river.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Man jailed for robbery under arms Sherwin Campbell has been sentenced to two years in prison for a crime which was committed on Faye Anne Lewis in March 2011.

The ruling was made by Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Campbell was found guilty of robbery under arms.

He robbed the woman of

over $83,000 worth of gold jewelry on March 21, 2011.

The prosecution summed up that there was sufficient evidence against the accused for him to be convicted for the crime.

Campbell who is said to be a labourer attacked and robbed Lewis of the quantity of gold jewelry while in the vicinity of Laing Avenue Georgetown.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Diamond Hospital treated 80,012 patients last year By: Romila Boodram The East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital saw a total of 80,012 patients for last year. Of that amount; the hospital reported that 7,966 visited the eye clinic for treatment and 443 were referred to the Ophthalmologic Center for surgery. This was disclosed to Kaieteur News on Wednesday by the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Mana.

According to the CEO, the response from the general public is overwhelming. He said that persons from Linden, Canal, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, Parika, Leguan and even St. Cuthbert’s Mission are visiting the hospital for treatment.

Kaieteur News understands that the hospital’s Outpatient department sees the largest number on a daily basis. For 2011, a total of 57,796 patients visited that department. Of that, 3,222 were admitted to the Observation Wards and the Intensive Care Unit.

Commenting on the hospital’s performance, Mana said that “the response

is overwhelming. Sometimes you would find this facility using a comparable amount of medication to GPHC (Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation) and sometimes even more.”

He noted that a single doctor would see more than 140 patients per day, “…For the week ending February 14, last, 1601 patients visited the General Outpatient and one of the things that we don’t do at this facility is turn away patients who are not from this Region.”

The Regional hospital is said to be the only facility on the East Bank to offer free dental care. For last year, 4,743 persons took advantage of the service while 2,240 utilized the services offered by the health institute’s Gynecologist.

Diabetes, Asthma, Hypertension and Skin Infection are more frequent. Last year, the hospital saw a total of 3,188 diabetic patients, 2,983Asthmatic patients, 4,526 persons with Hypertension and 4,477 persons who were affected with some sort of skin infection.

Legal battle ensuing in murder P.I in de-scalping of US citizen Special prosecutor in place A legal battle is ensuing in the Magistrate’s court between the defence being led by attorney-at-law Mursaline Bacchus and the prosecution, headed by special prosecutor, attorney Ganesh Hira as the preliminary inquiry continues into the murder of United States citizen Abdool Shakeel Majid, 43.

The man’s battered body, with scalp missing, was found on April 27, last year, on the Number 56 Village, Corentyne, foreshore.

Two women, including Hemwattie Abdulla, called “Anita” Nazeema Khan” 37, who is the wife of the deceased and formerly of Albion, Corentyne, and of Ozone Park, New York, and her accomplice Surojinie Tirmaul, 43, of Belvedere New Housing Scheme, Corentyne Berbice are on trial before Magistrate Krisendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

They were charged with murdering Majid on April 26, 2012 at No63 Beach, Corentyne.

When the trial continued, yesterday, attorney at law Bacchus who is representing the two women, objected to the statement purportedly given by the accused.

Retired detective sergeant Charles Joseph was called to the stand by Hira. He was

crossed examined by Bacchus on the procedure of obtaining the statement.

Detective Corporal Harvey was next on the stand.

He was also cross examined

by Bacchus on the role he played in obtaining the statement. The two officers had testified to witnessing the taking of the statements.

During that cross examination attorney Bacchus made an application to have Harvey’s statements made available to the defence after it was learnt that the witness had refreshed his memory from them just before taking the witness stand. After some legal arguments this was done.

The matter will continue on March 11 when Harvey will once again be grilled by the lawyer.

The Police were able to crack the case after the woman who had returned to the United States after the man went missing, returned to Guyana to identify her slain husband’s body. She was promptly arrested.

On April 27, the body of a man was found with his scalp missing and other injuries at the Number 56 Village, Corentyne foreshore around 07.40 hrs.

Majid had reportedly taken out a US$1 million insurance policy in the United States and had also been recently awarded a hefty

Seerojni Permaul

Hemwattie Abdulla

settlement after he was injured in an accident.

Majid’s battered body, with scalp missing, was found on April 27 at the Number 56 Village, Corentyne foreshore.

The remains were only identified on May 16 last, when a brother visited Guyana after becoming suspicious about the wife’s behaviour.

It is believed that the man who was a former New York taxi driver was murdered shortly after he arrived in Guyana on one of his many visits. The victim and prime suspect married in December 2011. After the marriage, the woman reportedly made frequent visits to Guyana.

On April 22, the couple visited Guyana for a holiday, and on April 25, Majid and his wife travelled to Berbice in a car that the victim often rented from a young friend.

Majid allegedly telephoned his sister the following day

and informed her that he was heading to Suriname.

His relatives did not hear from him again and during the interim the wife returned to the United States. The brother in the meanwhile had made a missing person’s report and had informed the NYPD. He was advised to visit Guyana and he made a report at the Eve Leary Police Station, but was surprised that the police at Eve Leary had no information on any missing body.

Meanwhile, detectives were alerted that a car that the victim had rented was returned by the wife. The owner had observed that the vehicle had several dents.

The wife had reportedly left some money to have the damaged vehicle fixed. It is understood that the car had sand and bloodstains inside.

The wife’s driver’s permit was also reportedly found in the car.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Dilma Rousseff

BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil’s 2014 election season got off to an unusually early start this week with the unofficial launch of President Dilma Rousseff’s re-election campaign by her mentor and predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Celebrating his Workers’ Party’s 10th year in power, Lula laid to rest speculation that he would run again by anointing Rousseff as the party’s best option to stay in power.

The main opposition party PSDB went on the offensive and attacked the decade of Workers’ Party (PT) rule for undoing its work in laying the basis for Brazil’s financial stability under former President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

“They can get ready, they can organize, but our reply will be the re-election of Dilma

in 2014,” Lula said on Wednesday in a packed Sao Paulo hotel ballroom.

The day before, Rousseff announced that she has almost met her promise to eradicated extreme poverty by expanding social programs started by Lula. She spoke under a banner that looked decidedly like a campaign slogan: “Ending poverty is only the beginning.

Despite her failure to match the rapid economic growth enjoyed by Lula, Rousseff’s popularity is in the high 70s and she is facing weak opposition.

Barring a major scandal in her government or an economic downturn that brings high inflation and unemployment, she is seen as the odds-on favorite to win the 2014 vote.

Rousseff has vowed to continue the PT’s social plans

Brazil’s 2014 election campaign gets off to early start aimed at improving the quality of life of Brazil’s poor, though her government has turned to private business to help rebuild the country’s dilapidated infrastructure.

Some of her policy moves, such as in the energy sector, have shaken investor confidence.

A PSDB victory in 2014 would restore more liberal policies that laid the ground for economic stability in the 1990s.

Rousseff’s most likely opponent, PSDB Senator Aecio Neves, accused her of putting more effort into her reelection than governing the nation.

Neves took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to attack her, saying she had not delivered economic and industrial expansion, failed to draw investment that Brazil badly needs to upgrade its dilapidated infrastructure and undermined Brazil’s fiscal credibility by juggling some government accounts.

He also criticized Rousseff for “destroying” state companies like Petrobras and Eletrobras that suffered big falls in share prices due her government’s delay in raising gasoline prices and by forcing a cut in electricity rates on power generators.

Under Brazilian electoral law, campaigning is not allowed until three months before the October 5, 2014 election. But the two main parties have good reason to start brawling early.

“By putting Dilma out

Manning released from hospital

Patrick Manning Former prime minister Patrick Manning has been discharged from hospital and

is “resting comfortable” at his home in San Fernando, east of here, after collapsing at his constituency office on Thursday.

A statement from Manning’s San Fernando East constituency, said that the 66-year-old former government leader, had suffered a seizure and is now “very alert and responding to

Page 21

people”.

Manning had suffered a stroke in January last year and had become “partly paralysed” from what his office said then had been a “minor stroke”.

He was flown to the United States for further medical treatment and has not been in Parliament since January 2012. (CBC)

Gov’t likely to extend National Debt Exchange KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government will extend the National Debt Exchange (NDX) for another week to allow additional bondholders to subscribe.

The new deadline for submission is Thursday, February 28, a release from the Ministry of Finance and Planning said today.

The success of the debt exchange, which was announced on February 12, is one of the nation’s prior actions needed to move forward with a new deal with the International Monetary Fund.

there, Lula is uniting the party and the governing coalition around her re-election, while silencing rumors about him wanting to run again,” said Joao Augusto Castro Neves, an analyst with Eurasia Group in Washington.

By launching Rousseff’s re-election campaign, the PT is also pre-empting negative media attention it will likely get when three of the party’s leaders are sent to jail this year in Brazil’s biggest political corruption scandal over bribes to congressmen during the early days of Lula’s first term.

The opposition PSDB will have its work cut out trying to defeat Rousseff, and needed to take the offensive early.

The first to do so was former president Cardoso, who released a video on Tuesday attacking the PT. “They think Brazil started now, but that’s not true. In my government I changed the course of Brazil,” Cardoso said.

The PSDB’s chances against Rousseff could

improve with the entry of a third candidate with a lot of votes, such as former presidential candidate Marina Silva.

A founding member of the PT who resigned as Rousseff ’s environment minister due to policy differences regarding deforestation, Silva founded the Green Party and won 20 million votes to come in third in the 2010 presidential election.

Last weekend she announced the formation of a new party, the Sustainability Network, with the intention of running again as an alternative to the two leading parties. Silva has to gather half a million signatures to establish the party and it is not clear whether she can retain the support she had in 2010.

“I am skeptical. Her party seems like a non-party with no clear message,” said Castro Neves. “She has environmental credentials, which will draw the green vote, but she is also a hardcore evangelical who is

against abortion.”

Another possible spoiler is Eduardo Campos, the governor of Pernambuco state and leader of Brazil’s fastest growing party, the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB).

The center-left PSB is a member of Rousseff ’s governing coalition of 17 parties, but could break away for a presidential bid by Campos, an effective administrator who has drawn foreign investment in big industrial projects in his fastgrowing state.

Some members of his party think that would be premature and say Campos, who is only 47, should wait until 2018.

During a speech to mayors in his home state on Thursday, Campos was interrupted several times by cries of “presidente.”

He told local media that Brazil’s future has nothing to gain from the “old feud” between the PT and the PSDB, suggesting that the country needs a different kind of leader.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Cuba’s Raul Castro mentions possible retirement HAVANA (AP) — Cuban President Raul Castro has unexpectedly raised the possibility of leaving his post, saying yesterday that he is old and has a right to retire.

But he did not say when he might do so or if such a move was imminent.

The Cuban leader is scheduled to be named by parliament to a new five-year term tomorrow, and Castro urged reporters to listen to his speech that day.

“I am going to resign,” Castro said at a joint appearance with visiting Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

“I am going to be 82 years old,” Castro added, the hint of a smile on his face. “I have the right to retire, don’t you think?”

When reporters continued to shout questions about his plans for the next five years, Castro replied: “Why are you so incredulous?”

He said to listen carefully tomorrow.

“It will be an interesting speech,” he said. “Pay attention.”

Castro’s tone was light and his comments came in

informal remarks at a mausoleum dedicated to soldiers from the former Soviet Union who have died around the world.

The Cuban leader has spoken before of his desire to implement a two-term limit for all Cuban government positions, including the presidency. He has also alluded to the limited time he has left to overhaul the island’s weak Marxist economy.

That has led many to speculate that this upcoming term would be his last, though term limits have never been codified into Cuban law.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland had no comment on Castro’s remarks.

Most Havana residents had not heard about the comments, which were not shown on Cuban television, although other footage from his appearance with Medvedev was shown. Many reacted with skepticism.

“Who would they put in?” asked Marta Alvarez, a 45year-old housewife walking through Old Havana. “But I don’t think it would be now.

It would happen in five years.”

Castro will be 86 when his next term ends in 2018. Up until now, all eyes had been on who would emerge as Castro’s first and second vice presidents during tomorrow’s proceedings.

The positions are currently occupied by two loyal octogenarians who fought in the 1959 revolution.

Putting someone younger in one of those roles would be the first sign that Castro was settling on a potential next-generation successor, something he and his brother Fidel have never done, even as many comrades have succumbed to old age.

As far back as December 2010, Castro began to reflect on his responsibility, and that of his aging generation, to right Cuba’s economy, noting that the actuarial tables leave them few remaining years.

“The time we have left is short, the task is enormous,” he told lawmakers in his yearend speech that year. “I think we have an obligation ... to set (the country) on the right course.”

When Raul Castro does

Cuba’s President Raul Castro cups his hand to ear his ear to better hear a reporter’s question outside the Internationalist Soviet soldier mausoleum where he attended a tribute with the visiting Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev in Havana Cuba yesterday. (AP Photo/Franklin Reyes) leave the political stage, it would end more than a half century of unbroken rule by the two brothers, who came to power in 1959 at the head of a revolution against U.S.backed strongman Fulgencio Batista.

Armando Gutierrez, a 78year-old Cuban-American lawyer in Florida and veteran of the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, said he hoped Castro wasn’t joking about retiring, but doubted that whoever follows would bring

true political change.

“Can you imagine 54 years?” Gutierrez said. “Not even the Roman emperors lasted that long.”

Relations with the United States have been sour since shortly after the revolution.

One of the key provisions of the 51-year U.S. economic embargo on Cuba stipulates that it cannot be lifted while either of the Castros is in power.

Castro has implemented a series of economic and social

reforms since taking over from his ailing brother in 2006, but the island is still ruled by one party. Fidel Castro is 86 and retired, and has seemed increasingly frail in recent appearances.

The elder Castro was also visited by Medvedev, Cuban state-run media reported.

Communist Party newspaper Granma reported that the two countries signed an agreement on restructuring billions of dollars in Sovietera debt Cuba owes.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Prime Minister denies existence of “Flying Squad” PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar says she has absolutely no knowledge of the existence of a “Flying Squad” within the Trinidad and Tobago Police service adding that the matter has never been discussed at the National Security Council which she chairs.

Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley called on Persad Bissessar to shed light on whether or not her administration has given the backing to the establishment of the unit as the Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute (TTTI) said it too was examining reports on the issue.

Rowley made reference to various media reports about the re-instatement of the unit and allegations by former Flying Squad member, retired police inspector Mervyn Cordner, that he had been approached by National Security Minister Austin “Jack” Warner to re-establish the unit.

Rowley told reporters that he was not prepared to have such a unit in operation, especially under the control of Warner and likened the Flying Squad to the dreaded Mongoose Gang in Grenada and the Tonton Macoute in Haiti.

He called on the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to conduct independent investigations into the matter.

Warner has consistently denied Cordner’s claim. The director of the National Security Operations Centre (NSOC) Garvin Heerah, whom Cordner claim was his contact person, is also distancing himself from the matter.

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has also denied knowledge of the unit.

But Rowley told reporters that Persad Bissessar must address the issue on her return here from Haiti where she had been attending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Inter-Sessional summit.

Ruling Party wins general election

Freundel Stuart BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC - Barbadian voters kept with tradition and provided the incumbent party with a second consecutive term in power following a nerve jangling general elections Thursday.

According to the preliminary results, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) won 16 of the 30 seats in the elections with the remainder going to the main opposition Barbados Labour Party (BLP). In the 2008 general election, the DLP won 20 seats.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart in thanking supporters for the narrow victory said, “we are not here tonight celebrating the victory because of any sponsorship or support from the ...fortune tellers of Barbados, the dividers or event the obeah men of Barbados.

“We celebrating tonight because of the confidence which ordinary men and women....who have not

arrogated to themselves the right to what the future holds,” he told supporters, adding “we are celebrating because this organisation during the last five years touched actual lives by its policies and programmes, not to any sample, but to the population itself”.

The results are in stark contrast to the opinion polls that had predicted that the BLP, led by 63-year-old former prime minister Owen Arthur, would have won as many as 20 seats, while the DLP would have gained 13 seats at most.

“The people have spoken ...we accept the will of the people,” Arthur said, adding “we were up against a number of factors”.

The results could also change as a recount has been ordered in the St Michael South East constituency where Santia Bradshaw of the BLP won over Patrick Tannis by less than 10 votes.

Prime Minister Stuart reminded supporters “we are not governing in easy circumstances. We had to govern in the context of the worst crisis the world had seen in over 100 years”.

He said he was always confident that the voters would have rebuffed the policies of the opposition and told supporters that with the election over “we are not going to embark on any revenge”.

“The government now has difficulty in convincing the population, no matter what you may think about the officers, cranky, crazy or otherwise, what is in the public domain is a mixture of fact and fiction and it is in the public interest to separate the fact from the fiction,” Rowley said.

But Persad Bissessar said that while there have been headlines “suggesting that some persons may have erroneously perceived a sanctioning of the infamous

Flying Squad of the past.

“I have already directed the Minister of National Security (Jack Warner) to prepare a full report on this matter for the attention of the National Security Council (NSC) and myself as Chairman of the Council.

“What I can categorically state at this time is this matter of any ‘new’ Flying Squad was never discussed with me or brought to the National Security Council,” she said.

“Any such initiative as a

revival or creation of any such police unit must be reviewed by the NSC and must be fully considered and endorsed by the Commissioner of Police who is himself a member of the Council”.

Prime Minister Persad Bissessar said that any endeavour by her administration to address the crime problem will be fully within the Law. “We will not support the establishment of any ‘rouge’ police or para police unit or security entity, which is not

Kamla PersadBissessar within the jurisdiction, and control of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago and of the Police Service and the Commissioner of Police,” she added.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Outcome of Italy election deeply uncertain (Reuters) - Italy’s election campaign drew to a close yesterday with the weak performance of outgoing premier Mario Monti key to a deeply uncertain and potentially unstable result.

Political leaders were holding their final rallies before a campaigning ban ahead of two days of voting tomorrow and Monday, and analysts said the result was too close to call.

“This vote is not at all certain. One percentage point either way could lead to chaos or a clear winner,” said one pollster who asked not to be named because of a ban on the publication of opinion surveys in the fortnight before voting.

Analysts are divided over whether centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani, who was five points ahead two weeks ago, will be able to form a stable majority capable of pursuing the economic reforms that an uncompetitive Italy needs to exit recession.

Bersani is thought now to be just a few points ahead of centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi but is still seen with a good chance of the

winner’s bonus of parliamentary seats that will give him comfortable control of the lower house.

However, the election will revolve around the much more complex Senate race, where winners’ bonus seats are awarded on a region-byregion basis.

The centre-left and centre-right are close to a draw in several battleground regions, including industrial powerhouse Lombardy, which returns the most senators. Berlusconi formed an alliance with the federalist Northern League because of the importance of populous northern regions in the Senate race.

Monti, a technocrat former European Union commissioner and economics professor who has led a lacklustre centrist campaign, is believed to be fading but analysts disagree about the implications.

Electoral expert Roberto D’Alimonte expressed concern that Monti may fall below the 8-percent threshold to win Senate seats in some regions and said this could be disastrous for Italy.

“What is really important is that Monti does not fall under eight percent in several regions,” he told Reuters.

“The future of Italy and the euro zone depend on this variable.”

The most likely - many say the most stable and proreform result from the election - appears to be a governing alliance between Bersani and Monti, which would require the outgoing premier to win enough senators to boost the centre-left. Bersani has suggested he wants to form an alliance with Monti to give his government credit with the financial markets and a strong law-making mandate, even if the centre-left wins a majority on its own.

However, some other analysts believe that Monti is fading particularly in the “red centre” of Italy where the votes he loses will go to Bersani’s Democratic Party (PD), increasing the chances of a strong centre-left government which will be able to drive a hard bargain with a weakened Monti over policy.

One of the unstable scenarios after the vote would be a government ranging from

leftists to a strong, centrist Monti; that could become entangled in constant policy disputes.

“If Monti doesn’t do well in the Senate, it will be to the benefit of the Democratic Party,” Maurizio Pessato, vice president of SWG pollsters, told Reuters.

“The key with this electoral system is not Monti, it’s the PD winning Lombardy ... If the centre-left wins the Senate outright, it will make an alliance with Monti from a position of strength. There will be a government and stability.”

Pollster Nicola Piepoli told Reuters: “Bersani will gain. He is the principle beneficiary of Monti’s crisis.

“This makes it more likely that he can win in the Senate.”

Whatever government emerges from the vote, it will need to address Italy’s deeply uncompetitive economy, in its longest recession for 20 years and effectively stagnant for two decades.

The biggest danger for Italy and the euro zone is that the election produces a weak government incapable of decisive action, spooking investors and igniting a new debt crisis.

The disappointing performance by Monti, darling of the markets and of other European governments, has been a feature of a bitter campaign that has also seen a stunning resurgence by Berlusconi and major success for Genoese comic Beppe

Silvio Berlusconi and Mario Monti Grillo, who has exploited huge public anger over the economy and a rash of corruption scandals.

The latter two factors have whittled away the centre-left’s commanding 10point lead since December and made the election result increasingly uncertain.

Yesterday evening, tens of thousands attended the final rally on Grillo’s “Tsunami Tour” of the country in Rome’s San Giovanni square.

The charismatic comedian whipped the crowds into a frenzy as he railed against the establishment.

Berlusconi cancelled a planned appearance at a rally in Naples, citing an eye problem. But in an interview on his Canale 5 television channel he made a last-minute promise to raise the lowest retirement pensions to help vulnerable old people.

Monti replaced Berlusconi in November 2011 after the media tycoon had taken Italy towards a perilous debt crisis and became

embroiled in a series of scandals. He shored up Italy’s credit abroad and sharply reduced the country’s borrowing costs.

But he has made a poor candidate in his first election.

Experts say he was badly advised, including by U.S. consultants who have worked for President Barack Obama, and clumsily attempted to join in with political mudslinging instead of retaining the aloof, professorial demeanour that has marked his time as prime minister.

“If he was seen by Italians as a robot, then he should have been a robot in the election campaign,” said Antonio Noto, head of the IPR polling company. “If you change behaviour then you are not seen as genuine.”

Monti was also an easy target for both Berlusconi, whose campaign centred on attacking the prime minister’s hated new housing tax and Grillo who nicknamed him “Rigor Montis”.

Defence cuts jeopardise NATO’s effectiveness, Panetta warns (Reuters) - European defence cuts and U.S. budget gridlock are jeopardising NATO’s effectiveness, outgoing U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned yesterday.

Leaving his last NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, Panetta joined those warning of the effects of deep defence cuts in many Western countries and said it would be an “irresponsible act of political dysfunction” if the U.S. Congress permitted sweeping across-the-board defence cuts to take place.

Many NATO governments have responded to economic crisis and budget pressures by slashing defence spending, creating a growing gulf between U.S. and European military capabilities.

Some $46 billion (30 billion pounds) in U.S. budget cuts are scheduled to take effect from March 1 that would slash

Leon Panetta nearly every U.S. military programme or activity unless Congress acts to avert them.

Panetta formally notified Congress on Wednesday that the Pentagon plans to put civilian defence employees on unpaid leave this year if the cuts take effect.

President Barack Obama’s administration is pushing Congress to avert the cuts, known as sequestration.

Panetta said that if the budget cuts happened, “it

could impact not only our readiness but frankly the role that we would play with regards to the readiness of NATO as well.”

“There’s no question that in the current budget environment, with deep cuts in European defence spending and the kind of political gridlock that we are seeing in the United States right now with regards to our own budget, (it) is putting at risk our ability to effectively act together,” he told a news conference.

“As I prepare to step down as secretary of Defence, I do fear that the alliance will soon be - if it is not already stretched too thin,” he said.

Panetta said he hoped Congress would not allow the across-the-board budget cuts to take place.

“I think it would be frankly a very shameful and irresponsible act of political (Continued on page 26)

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Court grants Pistorious bail PRETORIA (Reuters) - A South African court granted bail yesterday to Oscar Pistorius, charged with the murder of his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, after his lawyers successfully argued the “Blade Runner” was too famous to flee justice.

The decision by Magistrate Desmond Nair drew cheers from the Paralympics star’s family and supporters. Pistorius himself was unmoved, in marked contrast to the week-long hearing, when he repeatedly broke down in tears.

Nair set bail at 1 million rand ($113,000) and postponed the case until June 4. Pistorius would be released only when the court received 100,000 rand in cash, he added.

Less than an hour later, a silver Land Rover left the court compound, Pistorius visible through the tinted windows sitting in the back seat in the dark suit and tie he wore in court.

The car then sped off through the streets of the capital, pursued by members of the media on motorcycles, before it entered his uncle Arnold’s home in the plush Pretoria suburb of Waterkloof.

At least five private security guards stood outside the concrete walls, keeping reporters at bay.

Under the terms of his bail, Pistorius, 26, was also ordered to hand over firearms and his two South African passports, avoid his home and all witnesses, report to a police station twice a week and abstain from drinking

alcohol.

The decision followed a week of dramatic testimony about how the athlete shot dead model and law graduate Reeva Steenkamp at his luxury home near Pretoria in the early hours of February 14.

Prosecutors said Pistorius committed premeditated murder when he fired four shots into a locked toilet door, hitting his girlfriend cowering on the other side. Steenkamp, 29, suffered gunshot wounds to her head, hip and arm.

Pistorius said the killing was a tragic mistake, saying he had mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder - a possibility in crime-ridden South Africa and opened fire in a blind panic.

However, in delivering his nearly two-hour bail ruling, Nair said there were a number of “improbabilities” in Pistorius’s version of events, read out to the court in an affidavit by his lawyer, Barry Roux.

“I have difficulty in appreciating why the accused would not seek to ascertain who exactly was in the toilet,” Nair said. “I also have difficulty in appreciating why the deceased would not have screamed back from the toilet.”

By local standards, the bail conditions are onerous but it remains to be seen if they appease opposition to the decision from groups campaigning against the violence against women that is endemic in South Africa.

“We are saddened because women are being

killed in this country,” said Jacqui Mofokeng, a spokeswoman for the ruling African National Congress’ Women’s League, whose members stood outside the court this week with banners saying “Rot in jail”.

However, Nair said he made his decision in the “interests of justice” and argued that the prosecution, who suffered a setback when the lead investigator withered under cross-examination by Roux, failed to show Pistorius was either a flight risk or a threat to the public.

Roux stressed the Olympic and Paralympics runner’s global fame made it impossible for him to evade justice by skipping bail and leaving the country.

“He can never go anywhere unnoticed,” Roux told the court.

Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated in infancy forcing him to race on carbon fiber “blades”, faces life in prison if convicted of premeditated murder.

Prosecutors had portrayed him as a coldblooded killer and said they were confident that their case, which will have to rely heavily on forensics and witnesses who said they heard shouting before the shots, would stand up to scrutiny at trial.

“We are going to make sure that we get enough evidence to get through this case during trial time,” a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority told reporters.

In court, lead prosecutor Gerrie Nel was scornful of Pistorius’s inability to contain

Cardinal: Married Catholic priests a possibility LONDON (AP) — Roman Catholic priests should be allowed to marry and have children, Britain’s most senior Catholic cleric said yesterday.

Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who heads the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, said the requirement for priestly celibacy is “not of divine origin” and could be reconsidered.

He told BBC Scotland that “the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests should marry — Jesus didn’t say that.”

He said that “many priests have found it very difficult to cope with celibacy,” and while he had never considered marriage himself, “I would be very happy if others had the opportunity of considering whether or not they could or should get married.”

O’Brien, 74, will form part of the conclave of cardinals

that chooses the next pontiff, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Benedict announced earlier this month that he will step down Feb. 28 — the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.

The cardinal said that the next pope would be free to consider changing church policy on issues, such as celibacy for priests, that were not “basic dogmatic beliefs.”

He said that “we know at the present time in some branches of the church — in some branches of the Catholic church — priests can get married, so that is obviously not of divine origin and it could get discussed again.”

In recent years a number of traditionalist Anglicans opposed to the ordination of women and other changes

Cardinal Keith O'Brien have joined the Roman Catholic Church. The pope granted special dispensation for married Anglican clergy to stay married and be ordained in the Catholic Church.

O’Brien also said it was time to think seriously about having a pope from outside Europe. He said he would be “open to a pope from anywhere if I thought it was the right man, whether it was Europe or Asia or Africa or wherever.”

his emotions. “I shoot and I think my career is over and I cry. I come to court and I cry because I feel sorry for myself,” Nel said.

In his affidavit, Pistorius said he was “deeply in love” with Steenkamp, leading Roux to stress his client had no motive for the killing.

Pistorius contends he reached for a 9-mm pistol under his bed because he felt particularly vulnerable without his prosthetic limbs.

According to police, witnesses heard shouting, gunshots and screams from the athlete’s home, which sits in the heart of a gated community surrounded by 3m- (yard-) high stone walls topped with an electric fence.

In a magazine interview a week before her death, published on Friday, Steenkamp spoke about her three-month relationship with the runner, who won global fame last year when he reached the semi-final of the 400 meters in the London Olympics despite having no lower legs.

“I absolutely adore Oscar.

I respect and admire him so much,” she told celebrity

Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock during his bail hearing. (AP) gossip magazine Heat. “I don’t want anything to come in the way of his career.”

Police pulled their lead detective off the case on Thursday after it was revealed he himself faces attempted murder charges for shooting at a minibus. He has been replaced by South Africa’s top detective.

Pistorius’s arrest stunned

the millions around the world who saw him as an inspiring example of triumph over adversity.

But the impact was greatest in South Africa, where he was seen as a rare hero for both blacks and whites, transcending the racial divides that persist 19 years after the end of apartheid.

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Saturday February 23, 2013

Russia accuses U.S. of double standards over Syria MOSCOW (Reuters) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States yesterday of having double standards on Syria, saying it had blocked a U.N. Security Council statement condemning a car bomb attack in Damascus.

Washington denied it had blocked the statement and said it had only asked for balance.

The disagreement was likely to sour the atmosphere before Lavrov meets newly appointed U.S. Secretary of

State John Kerry next week in Berlin.

Lavrov told a news conference Washington had disappointed Moscow by blocking a statement condemning “terrorist attacks” near the Russian embassy in Damascus that killed more than 50 people and that Washington was threatening international unity in the “war on terror”.

“We believe these are double standards,” Lavrov said after talks with China’s foreign minister.

“And we see in it a very dangerous tendency by our American colleagues to depart from the fundamental principle of unconditional condemnation of any terrorist act, a principle which secures the unity of the international community in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. mission at the United Nations said it had not blocked any statement of condemnation but had sought to balance the text with criticism of Syrian

President Bashar al-Assad’s forces, which it said Russia had rejected.

“We strongly condemn all indiscriminate terrorist attacks against civilians or against diplomatic facilities,” said Erin Pelton, spokeswoman for the U.S. mission.

Ties between Washington and Moscow have worsened since Vladimir Putin returned to Russia’s presidency last May. The passage of U.S. legislation intended to punish Russian officials accused of

Sergei Lavrov

human rights abuses and a Russian ban on American families adopting Russian children have also contributed to the deterioration in recent weeks.

Lavrov made his comments at a joint news conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi after talks that underlined the closeness of their views on policy in Syria and North Korea.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, have blocked attempts by the West to mount pressure on Assad to end the violence in the nearly two-year-old conflict that has killed some 70,000 people.

The two ministers condemned North Korea’s nuclear test last week but said that any response should go through the U.N. Security Council.

China and Russia had agreed that it was “vitally important not to ... allow the situation to be used as a pretext for military intervention,” Lavrov said.

North Korea’s latest test, its third since 2006, prompted warnings from Washington and others that more

sanctions would be imposed on the isolated state.The U.N. Security Council has only just tightened sanctions on Pyongyang after it launched a long-range rocket in December.

The North is banned under U.N. sanctions from developing missile or nuclear technology.

Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of the magazine Russia in Global Affairs, said the alignment of Russian and Chinese positions was meant to give them more leverage when negotiating with the West.

“Chinese and Russian positions so far on a global level are almost identical.

This is an important factor, because if Russia were alone it would be much less powerful.

This is a factor Western powers cannot ignore, that Russia and China act together,” said Lukyanov.

He added: “China is ready to support Russia in the Middle East on issues which are politically important for Russia, so when it comes to questions of vital importance to China, like North Korea, of course it expects reciprocity that Russia endorse China’s position.”

Defence cuts jeopardise...

From page 24 dysfunction if in fact that were to occur. The American people would be justly outraged to have people, who they elect to office to protect them, harm them by allowing sequester to take place,” he said.

Obama signed the Budget Control Act in 2011 requiring $487 billion in defence spending cuts over a decade. The law also put in place another $500 billion in mandatory, acrossthe-board Pentagon cuts.

The cuts were never meant to go into effect, but were intended to coerce Congress and the White House into agreeing on more selective budget reductions. That deal never happened.

Panetta’s comments were reminiscent of the warning given by another departing U.S. Defence secretary, Robert Gates, who said in Brussels in June 2011 that NATO risked “collective military irrelevance” unless alliance members took action to reverse declining capabilities.

Obama nominated former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to succeed Panetta, but Republican lawmakers succeeded last week in delaying a Senate vote on confirming Hagel as Defence secretary.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Spain, France to miss debt goals as euro zone stays in recession (Reuters) - The euro zone will not return to growth until 2014 and struggling Spain and France will be among those who miss debt-cutting targets as a result, the European Commission said yesterday.

Paris and Lisbon said they would seek more time from Brussels to reach their deficit goals. Madrid has already indicated the same.

The EU’s executive said the euro zone economy, which generates nearly a fifth of global output, would shrink 0.3 percent in 2013 after a 0.6 percent fall last year, blaming a lack of bank lending and record joblessness for delaying the recovery.

That represented a marked downgrade of the Commission’s prediction from November that the euro zone would grow this year.

The euro slipped on the back of the forecasts.

The currency bloc is consolidating its public finances to regain market trust after excessive government spending, real-estate bubbles and lack of competitiveness triggered a sovereign debt crisis.

“The ongoing rebalancing of the European economy is continuing to weigh on

growth in the short term,” EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said.

Under EU budget rules, sharpened at the peak of the crisis in late 2011, euro zone countries can face fines if they fail to take action to meet deficit targets set by EU finance ministers.

Progress is uneven among the 17 countries sharing the euro.

The main laggard was Spain, which badly missed the 6.3 percent of GDP target for 2012 with a result of 10.2 percent. While that included 3.2 percent of GDP cost to recapitalise banks, even at 7.0 percent the deficit was above target.

This year, Madrid will have a deficit of 6.7 percent rather than the 4.5 percent set for it.

And unless policies change, Spain will have a gap of 7.2 percent in 2014 against the target of 2.8, the Commission said.

Euro zone countries whose economies perform much worse than expected can count on an extension of deficit deadlines.

But they need to show that while they missed the nominal deficit target because of recession, they have still

cut the structural deficit, which strips out the effects of the economic cycle and one-off effects.

French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said he would talk to Brussels about pushing back the deficitcutting timetable and now aims to hit 3 percent of GDP in 2014 not this year.

Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho also chipped in, saying Lisbon needed an extra year to get its budget deficit under 3 percent given a weaker than expected economy.

Rehn said decisions would be looked at in May but others were less charitable, particularly towards Paris.

European Central Bank board member Joerg Asmussen urged Paris to take “concrete and measurable” steps to cut the budget deficit, saying France faced a test of its credibility and had to come as close as possible to its 3 percent goal this year.

Michael Fuchs, a senior lawmaker in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party, referred to France as a “problem child” that was badly trailing its

Obama says across-the board cuts are not inevitable

Barack Obama

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama said yesterday he does not believe it is inevitable that Congress will let deep automatic spending cuts go into effect March 1.

Obama and congressional Republicans are at loggerheads over government spending and taxes, and do not appear to be on track to prevent the cuts, known as sequestration, from going into effect as scheduled.

Obama said that if allowed to take place, the reductions would slow the U.S. economy, with a ripple effect on growth around the world.

However, the spending cuts are not likely to cause a shock to the world’s financial system, he said during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

partners on economic reform.

Madrid looks much further off track.

Spain, in recession last year and seen shrinking again this year, was asked last July to cut its structural deficit by 2.7 points in 2012 to 4.3 percent of GDP and by 2.5 points in 2013.

Commission data showed it came nowhere near doing so, and will fall short again in 2013.

Yet Rehn signalled Madrid’s efforts may be seen positively when the Commission decides in May whether to grant more time to governments or to step up disciplinary action.

“In the case of Spain, it seems that the structural fiscal effort has been undertaken and there has been also an unexpected shortfall of growth,” he said.

One of Spain’s main problems is a record high level of unemployment which is to reach almost 27 percent of the workforce this year.

Joblessness in the whole euro

Olli Rehn

zone is set to peak at 12.2 percent, or more than 19 million people, in 2013, the Commission said.

Germany will remain the motor of the euro zone economy, expanding 0.5 percent this year and 2.0 percent in 2014, while the second biggest economy of France stagnates and third biggest Italy only emerges from recession next year.

France will also miss its nominal deficit targets - this year’s shortfall will be 3.7 percent rather than the 3.0 percent agreed with the EU, because of the weaker than expected growth.

But Paris hit its nominal

deficit target last year and cut its structural deficit by more than required. It could repeat that feat this year.

Commission forecasts showed Portugal’s headline budget deficit rose to 5.0 percent of GDP last year from 4.4 in 2011 and will only ease to 4.9 percent this year, unless policies are altered.

But Portugal’s GDP is now seen shrinking almost twice as much as previously this year — 1.9 percent instead of 1 percent.

“I think it would not be surprising if there was an opening on behalf of the European Commission,” Passos Coelho said.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23, 2013

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55 hrs. Sign On 09:00 hrs. Power Ranger Samurai 10:00 hrs. Supah Ninjas 11:00 hrs. Saved by the Bell 11:30 hrs. Prime News 12:00 hrs. DTV’s Festival of Biblical Movies for the Lenten Season: “The Ten Commandments” 17:00 hrs. The Baptist Hour 18:00 hrs. World News 18:30 hrs. Nightly News 19:00 hrs. Greetings and

Kaieteur News

Announcements 20:00 hrs. Alliance on the Move (Live) 21:00 hrs. Indian Movie 00:00 hrs. Sign Off NCN CHANNEL 11 03:30 – BBC 05:00 – Inspiration 05:30 – Newtown Gospel 06:00 – NCN Late Edition (R/ B) 06:30 – GINA Presents 07:00 –Ebenezer Praise Time 07:30 – The Truth

08:00 –Weekly Digest 08:30 – Flag Raising 09:00 – Focus 10:00 – LIVE- Coverage Costume Band 17:30 – Choices 18:00 – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30 – Pulse Beat 19:30 – President’s Diary 20:00 – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05 – Video Hitlist 21:00 – Bollywood Hits 23:00 – Movie

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Saturday February 23, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Even if you aren’t the jealous type, you may be ready to swing into action today so you can demonstrate just how much you care about someone special.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may be treated as royalty by your family, only to find that your good intentions don’t go as far once you’re out in the real world. You are more likely to gain the respect of others if your actions are aligned with your life purpose.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today seems busy with the lively Leo Moon moving through your 3rd House of Distractions. Although you may prefer to kick back and relax, the universe has different plans for you now.

You are being drawn into someone else’s drama and you might not be able to escape it.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you have been putting off money-related chores, it’s a perfect day to catch up on paperwork with the Moon visiting your 2nd House of Personal Resources today.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might be facing your own fears of being vulnerable, but hiding them doesn’t help matters in the realm of love and romance.

Your desires are quite strong today while the Moon is in your sign, and, thankfully, you’re able to project yourself in a favorable light.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be gentle with yourself today, even if you realize that you made a mistake. No matter how much you currently have to do, make time for your own needs.

Being alone for a while can accelerate your healing process.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Fulfilling responsibilities by delivering on your promises may be the highlight of your day, even if you have more exciting plans in mind. Creative play is an important part of your life and it may be extra frustrating if you don’t have the time for it now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may receive recognition today for a job well done, but you can be so tightly wrapped up in your emotional world that you don’t realize how much others value you.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Your natural enthusiasm keeps your head above water now, even if the seas are very stormy. However, it’s difficult to know whether your optimism is based on real potential or on unrealistic fantasy.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Moon’s current visit to your 8th House of Joint Finances indicates that someone could come to your rescue today, even if you aren’t looking for help.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You are at a major crossroads today and your current choices will have important repercussions down the road. Although you may be satisfied with clinging to an old dream and continuing along on your present path, reviewing your goals could lead to a positive change of direction.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your imagination continues to run away from reality as the Sun aligns with otherworldly Neptune in your sign. You are seeing your world through rosecolored glasses, placing practical decisions out of sight now.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Shiv Chanderpaul, Nicolette Fernandes head Sports Awards list Guyana’s International Squash player, Nicolette Fernandes was yet again awarded the ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ award for 2012, while West Indies batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul owned the award again in the ‘Sportsman of the Year ’ category yesterday when the panel deliberated and voted.

Powerlifter, Dawn McCammon–Barker, the 2011

Sportswoman of the Year, won the runner-up 2012 award in that category, while Winston Stoby of Powerlifting fame captured the male runner-up award in the senior category.

Described as “exciting and outstanding” in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Press Release, table tennis player, Chelsea Edghill won the ‘Junior Sportswoman of the Year’

award for a second time.

Badminton player, Priyana Ramdhani, and Squash player, Mary Fung-a-Fat was adjudged joint runner-up winners. Ramdhani won the 2011 ‘Junior Sportswoman’ award.

Cyclist, Paul DeNobrega, described as “a young and promising junior cyclist who lit up the tracks n a t i o n a l l y a n d in the Caribbean” won the 2012

Junior Sportsman of the Year award with Powerlifting’s Gumendra Shewdas taking the runner-up award.

In other awards, Most Improved Association: The Guyana Squash Association.

Special Award for Person with Disability: Gibran Hussein Sarfaraz (Table Tennis).

Female Sports Official: Stephanie Gomes–Fraser

Nicolette Fernandes

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

(Swimming).

Male Sports Official: Peter Abdool, President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control.

Sports Coach: Carl Ince (Squash).

Sports Team: Guyana Junior Squash Team.

Sports Journalist Photographer: Orlando Charles (Stabroek News).

Sports Journalist Non Print: Avenash Ramzan (Channel 28)

Sports Journalist Print: Calvin Roberts (Chronicle).

Sports Association: The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation.

The Panel comprised: Conrad Plummer, Cecil Kennard, Frank DeAbreau, Steve Ninvalle, Neil Kumar, Sonia Roberts, Sharda Veeren Chand, Carlton Joao, representative of Chronicle, representative of NCN and representative of Guyana Times.

Former national athlete Victor Benjamin...

From page 35 Trainer / Instructor for most of the national teams, Benjamin felt that another way in which Guyana‘s cricket could return is through the re-introduction of the game in schools along with consistent coaching at the junior level.

The former Guyana Defence Force Officer, who captained the Force’s team to seven consecutive titles at the First Division level, said that during the McLean led administration cricket coaching and competitions were vibrant and that gave rise to a high standard at the senior level hence Guyana’s outstanding performances in regional tournaments.

For someone who captained the likes of former national players Milton Pydanna, Leslaine and Clayton Lambert, Mark Grenville, Vibert Johashen, Sydney Matthews, Jerry Anjus, Orin Bailey, Dennis Hewitt, Charles Crandon and others, Benjamin also cited other related components as crucial for the holistic redevelopment of our cricket such as good ground and pitch preparations, competent and qualified umpires, affordable prices for equipment, adequate period of encampment prior to tournaments and regular competitions.

Born on the 5th of May, 1945 at Courtland Village, Berbice, Benjamin informed

this newspaper that he is willing if called upon to serve his country of birth in whatever capacity that the authorities see fit, be it in coaching or fitness training and even urged them to initiate contact with those who’ve retired, but are still capable of making fruitful contributions to the development of sports locally.

All this, he believed could be accomplished with an administration that is willing to engage former players with the requisite experience and knowledge of the game, and those who came through the era that Guyana performed with distinction and provided a number of players to the West Indies team.

Benjamin was high in praise of McLean, who he described as one of the best administrators of his time and someone who the WICB had high regards for.

“We still have a load of talented players here, but unless their talent is complemented with a strong administration and competent resource personnel then all that will happen is what you see happening right now, that is some of them reaching to a certain level and sticking right there,” Benjamin noted.

The former national athlete also gave his thoughts on the state of Track and Field in Guyana and that will come in a subsequent issue.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Cooperate Guyana and entries pour in for Rising Sun/ Banks - Over 95 horses on board Classic Mash horserace meet With race day upon us a number of cooperate entities have confirmed their sponsorship as entries pour in for the Rising Sun Turf Club in collaboration with Banks DIH limited annual Mashramani one day mega horserace meet at the club’s entity at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

Over 95 horses have been entered so far for what is anticipated to be a packed day of racing. Seven races are listed on the day’s card and with prize money totaling over $6M in cash, trophies and other goodies up for the taking a sizzling day of racing is anticipated for the meet which is the first for the RSTC 2013 horserace season.

On Thursday business magnate Mohammed “Nankoo” Shariff Business Enterprise of No 4 Village West Coast Berbice with businesses in general construction, trucking, transportation, gas station, cattle and rice farming and racing stable handed over a hefty sponsorship package to the organisers at the business establishment’s cattle ranch and racing stable at No6 village West Coast Berbice.

Doing the honours was trainer Glendon Sooklall who

Trainer Glendon Sooklall of the Shariff racing hands over the sponsorship deal to jockey Daniel Flores of the Rising Sun Turf Club. expressed the company’s pleasure in associating with the RSTC. He stated that his boss is always willing to assist education, charity, youth and community activities as long as they are tangible and has good accountability.

Among the other sponsors on board are Banks DIH Limited, Shariff business enterprise and racing stable, Jumbo Jet, Inshan Bacchus Business Enterprise, Colin Elcock racing Stables, Chester

Veterans football match postponed The veteran football match between former Guyana and Suriname national players that was slated for Sunday at the GFC ground has now been rescheduled for the 31st of March.

According to the organisers another game has been fixed for the 2nd of April at the same venue. Lack of sponsorship and the unavailability of the ground were sited as major reasons for the postponement of the game.

Fry Chicken of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, Habla Meat Centre, Romell Jagroop Construction, Abary and Rising Sun Cattle ranches and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Rohit Lumber yard, Kris Jagdeo Construction and Simple Royal racing Stables among others.

With the line-up completed for the days meet the list of event and entries are as follows; The feature Banks DIH B and lower 1400M event with a sumptuous $1M and the Banks DIH trophy available for the winners will see the, likes of Score’s Even, California Strike, Mission King, Grande De Roja, the Message, The Bailiff, Renia Del Cafe, Dubai Duchess, Who is on the Case, Lovely Linda and Miss Karina.

The line-up for the F class 1400M event has 15 horses entered for the event which has a pole position taking of

Bowlers, Dottin set up West Indies win

Deandra Dottin ESPNcricinfo - West Indies began their tour of Sri Lanka on a good note, beating the hosts by four wickets in the first ODI in Dambulla on Friday. Sri Lanka chose to bat, but struggled through their innings. While the top four all managed to get starts, no one was able to carry on. The West Indies bowlers, mediumpacer Shakera Selman in

particular, kept a lid on the scoring rate. Selman finished with a miserly 10-5-8-2. A lower-order collapse didn’t help matters and, at 127 for 8, it looked like Sri Lanka would fold for a small total. However, a 34-run partnership between Sripali Weerakkody and Dilani Manodara, dragged the Sri Lankan total past 150.

The World Cup runnersup never looked in much trouble during their chase of 164, even though they lost a few wickets in a cluster at the end. Natasha McLean and Juliana Nero put together a solid 41 for the first wicket, before McLean was dismissed for 17. Stafanie Taylor, in her first match as captain, fell cheaply to the medium pace of Chamani Seneviratna. West Indies,

however, were in a spot of bother as Nero fell for 30 with the score on 76.

The impetus for the West Indies chase came from a 73run, fourth-wicket partnership between Deandra Dottin and Kyshona Knight. Dottin played a typically belligerent knock, as she hit two fours and four sixes, scoring 43 of 39 runs. Kyshona played a more composed knock; her 36 coming off 54 balls. West Indies stuttered a little towards the end, losing Knight and Dottin in consecutive overs, but West Indies were able to successfully chase the target.

Scores: West Indies 165 for 6 (Dottin 43, Knight 36) beat Sri Lanka 164 for 9 (Selman 2-8, Campbelle 213) by four wickets.

$340,000 and trophy available; among them are Swing Easy, Traditional Man, Sleep in the Town, Rosetta, Fairy landing, Ready to Score, Quiet Strom, Dubai Duchess, Top of The Line, Silent Lizzy and Sweet Licks.

The three year old race for animals bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies with a winner’s pocket of $400,000 and trophy also over 1400M has the likes of The Wild Grinder, Another Jet, Gold Princess, Sent from Above, Monsoon, Set for Fame, Gold Rush, Flying Baby, Funny factor, Reaming Colours and Black Box. The G and lower showdown with a winning purse of $300,000 and trophy in another 1400M encounter. Among those entered are Traditional Man, Classic, Feels like Gold, Treacle, Silent Lizzy, Third World, Ready to score, The Bailiff, Indian King, Princess Kiara, Gold Majesty, Super Bowl, Dream Girl, Quiet Storm, Ready to score and Summer Classic.

Some of the animals entered in the three year old

event for animals bred and born in Guyana which has a winning prize of $300,000 and trophy over 1400M are Silent Night, Dream Boy, Easy To win, She So Special, Angel Flyer, Miss Katrina, Cat Massiah, Famous Pride and Spice. There are 14 horses entered in the ‘I’ class gallop over 1100M for a winners take of $200,000 and trophy.

The J and lower race has 15 entries and will see the winner receiving $150,000 and trophy. Among some of the other animals in action are Strom in a Tea a cup, Joyful Victory Intruding Account, Feels like Gold, Diamond Dazzling, Dream Girl, Stormy Lass, Mona Lisa, I want Revenge, the Gump and

Savion.

The top individual performers including jockey, stable and trainer will be presented with accolades compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall Bourda Market. The Race will be held under the rules of the Rising Sun Turf Club and Bugle time is 13:00 hrs.

Persons interested in being a part of the day’s action can make contact with Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry at Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 2320232 or 648-6522, 6577010, or Inshanally Habibulla on 6234495, and 623-5453 or 2323295, Donald or Zaleena Lawrie on 225-4530 or 2254565. (Samuel Whyte)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

Linden vs. Georgetown basketball clash is official

By Edison Jefford The always intense and combative Linden versus Georgetown basketball clash scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) next Saturday was impressively launched yesterday at the New Palm Court, Main Street.

The New Palm Court and Ansa McAl, under its Mackeson Brand, are among the major sponsors of the duel that gets underway from 7pm. Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas stated that the brand is proud to be associated with the contest.

President of the Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC), Cecil Chin chaired the launch and rightly stated that the coming together of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) and Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) to give players a national platform to perform indicates a step in the right direction.

“The fact that we have so much representatives of

teams present here today is testimony that we are eager to see basketball move forward and the LABA and GABA are intent on making this a possibility,” Chin told the media.

He said that the rivalry between the two basketball powerhouses usually necessitates the best of referees and as a result, GBOC is committed to providing such. Chin revealed that the referees and officials are undergoing continuous training to improve their quality.

The game next Saturday will feature Linden’s under-19 team against their Georgetown under-19 counterparts in the first game.

The senior representative teams will then take the court for what is built as a feature encounter between the basketball giants.

President of the Georgetown sub-association, Michael Singh urged supporters from the two representative communities to come out and support their team. “We need your support and the teams need your

GABA President, Michael Singh (second, right) addresses the media yesterday at the New Palm Court while LABA Secretary, Joe Chapman, GBOC President, Cecil Chin (left), and Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas (right) share the head table.

support next Saturday,” Singh said.

He said that the initiative will be ongoing to coordinate efforts from the subassociation to ensure that players are competitively exposed.

According to Singh, yesterday’s forum also launched the GABA Division I and III Leagues that starts

following next Saturday’s game.

Representative from the LABA, Secretary, Joe Chapman said that his association is happy to be associated with the GABA in ensuring that their respective players play quality basketball. He is of the view that the exchange is necessary for development.

“The Georgetown vs.

Linden clash is something that basketball fans look forward to and we look forward to hosting the GABA in Linden when we launch our season,” Chapman said throwing the challenge back at Georgetown, which could mean that if Linden were to lose on Saturday in the City, a re-match would be imminent

in the Mining Town.

Chapman said that consistent relations between the two sub-associations are necessary for overall advancement of basketball in Guyana.

He said that the two young Presidents of the subassociations have a lot to offer the sport and should be supported.

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

GCB executives give green light to Lloyd’s request Executives of the Guyana Cricket Board on Thursday voted in favour of supporting Clive Lloyd’s nomination for the WICB Presidency. Mr. Lloyd had made a formal request to the body authorised by the WICB to administer and manage cricket in the territory of Guyana, the Guyana Cricket Board.

As Kaieteur Sport had reported earlier, Clive Lloyd’s biggest hurdle may be to secure a Territorial Board to second the GCB nomination.

The WICB articles require that two full members must make the nominations and the candidate then provides the board with an acceptance letter.

Mr. Lloyd may not have time on his side as the nominations closed yesterday and he may not have secured a second full member’s signature. Inside sources have confirmed that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and Barbados Cricket Association had made some commitments to Lloyd when he met those bodies during last week.

Many also felt that only the TTCB may be able to second his nomination as all the other territories have been committed to the other two candidates as Lloyd may have signalled his intentions

Clive Lloyd too late.

Yesterday, after the Special Executive Meeting of the GCB Kaieteur Sport was told by the Board’s Secretary and WICB Director Mr. Anand Sanasie that members expressed their views but generally supported Mr. Lloyd because he is a Guyanese icon and made a request to his country’s cricketing body for consideration. Sanasie also said that all of the Executives responded to the request except for the President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Mr. Keith Foster.

Some cricketing pundits are now baffled that Mr. Lloyd publicly said that the GCB is illegal yet sought their nomination for the WICB

Presidency. It just cannot be that the local cricket board is legalised conveniently. On the other hand, the WICB has continuously maintained that the GCB is the recognised body, in Guyana, to manage and administer cricket. This is yet another spin in the ongoing cricket saga.

Kaieteur Sport also understands that recent changes to the WICB Inc. Articles of Association prohibit Directors from representing their territorial boards. This was one of the recommendations of the famous Wilkins report on governance that the Members accepted at their last meeting.

If this is indeed true, then this is the first time that no director will represent their territory at the WICB Annual General Meeting.

squeeze out the second set 15-13 with the final and deciding set going down to the wire 15-12.

The GTC/PM good showing against the seasoned Yellow Bird combination was credited to excellent team work, with Creston Rodney however being credited for his all round play; for his serve, blocks, spikes and good defence.

GTC/PM then took on Lyzecks and lot (0-2) in two close games with the scores being 13-15, 13-15 and again Rodney and Quacy Matterson were the stand outs.

According to the club, “There were a lot of lessons learned during the tournament which exhibited a high standard of play and organizing.” It stated that, “The Dutch teams were better prepared but, GTC/PM was

Hemraj awaits his chance Middle order batsman Chanderpaul Hemraj is confident of doing well if given an opportunity to represent Guyana in the 2013 West Indies domestic competitions. The Everest left hander caught up recently with Kaieteur Sport at the Flex Gym in Thomas Street, Kitty where he trains. He said he is working very hard to maintain a high fitness level. “I train three times a week in the Gym and I also practise three times a week at home with a bowling machine that I acquired recently,” he said.

Hemraj, who scored two centuries in the 2012 West Indies U-19 tournament, stated the bowling machine helps to improve your technique. “You have to be more watchful when batting against the machine, the ball comes on to the bat quickly and bounces a lot so it is very helpful especially when you go on the faster pitches,” informed Chanderpaul who is on the standby list.

He thinks Guyana has a good team. “We have a balanced team, the guys are talented but I think they need to focus a bit more,” he opined.With the Guyana team performing below par at the moment his chance may come sooner than expected.

KEEPING FIT! Chanderpaul Hemraj going through his paces in the gym under the watchful eyes of trainer Robert Brumell.

Guyana’s top cyclists in action today in Berbice’s Benjamin Mashramani event Cyclists will be in action today in the Ancient County when the Flying Ace Cycle Club in collaboration with former cyclist Wilbert Benjamin stage their Mashramani 40 mile road race.

The annual race will be sponsored for the first time by

GTC/PM returns home after participating in the Yellow Bird 50 Anniversary Volleyball competition in Suriname Samuel Whyte Top Guyana Volleyball club The Guysuco Training Centre/ Port Mourant (GTCPM) recently return from Suriname after taking part in the Yellow bird Volleyball Club 50th Anniversary volleyball tournament which was held in Paramaribo Suriname.

All though they did not win they performed creditable and won the hearts of Dutch supporters which were enough to keep their heads and Guyana Flag high.

According to a release from the club, “The team was placed in the group of death and did not make their way out but gave a creditable performance as they gave all their opponents a run for their money.”

GTC/PM first came up against top team and host Yellow Birds of Suriname and went down (1-2) in a nail biting cliff hanger in what was described as one of the best games of the tournament.

After losing the first set 1115. GTC/PM bounced back to

Page 33

given a lot of support from the Dutch crowd for their fighting spirit.” Participating teams were drawn from French Guiana, Martinique, Trinidad, Brazil and host Suriname.

GTC/PM by virtue of being the best placed finisher for local teams in the last GVF/ Trade Wind Tankers International Tourney last November was invited to represent Guyana. The team was coached by former Guyana National player and present Head Coach Levi Nedd. The Manager was Godwyn Allicock.

GTC/PM next tournament is set for Sunday 10th March when the Club will host a fundraising competition for teams in Berbice to aid in its planned tour to Trinidad which is schedule for the Easter Weekend.

Benjamin. It was previously held for cyclists of the Flying Ace Club only.

However this year it will be opened to cyclists throughout the country and defending male and female champion Andrew Hicks and Marica Dick will be hard pressed to retain their titles since the best riders in the country will be throwing down the gauntlet against the Berbice riders in their quest for glory. The race which was also previously sponsored by the Regional Administration was in danger of not being held this year as the regional body showed no interest in sponsoring the event this year.

This is the second event to be held in Berbice and the

second to be sponsored by the former national champion cyclists.

There will be prizes for the first six finishers, the top two juniors and the first two females to cross the finishing line. Prizes will also be available for the top veterans, masters, juveniles, mountain bike and BMX riders taking part while there will also be eight sprint point prizes up for grabs. The Mountain Bike riders will cover 20 miles, the ladies 10 miles and the BMK cyclists 5 miles.

Coordinator and coach of the Flying Aces Cycle Club Randolph Roberts was confident the coveted title will remain in Berbice since his riders are all rearing and

ready to hit the road.

R o b e r t s s t a t e d that his riders have been in tremendous form and from their performances at practice will be hard to beat, especially on home turf. He also stated that Marica Dick should be an easy winner among the females.

Benjamin owns the “Benjamin Sports” in his native Fyrish Village Corentyne home town. He along with his older brother Gary, who still rides in the veteran category, will be taking part in the race and will be looking to roll back some of the years in their pursuit for glory. Cyclists are reminded that they must ride in their club colours.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday February 23, 2013

>>>Letter to the Sports Editor<<<

Dr Thakur’s statement must be condemned in the strongest terms DEAR SIR, The entire cricketing public should out rightly condemn the alleged statement of Dr. Rishi Thakur to the Special Select Committee on the Guyana Cricket at Parliament Building on Monday.

Member of Parliament and Presidential Adviser Odinga Lumumba should be congratulated for his forthright stand on Dr. Thakur ’s statement that Parliament should condemn and withdraw the statement.

Dr. Thakur’s statement that 70% of the Berbice Cricket Board’s Management was drawn from the African community is not only untrue by libelous.

The eight elected Executives of Berbice Cricket Board consist of five IndoGuyanese (Anil Beharry, Angela Haniff, Raymond Haniff, Romash Munna and Shabeer Baksh, two MixGuyanese (Keith Foster and Hubern Evans) and one AfroGuyanese (Julian Cambridge).

The five appointed executives consist of three Indo-Guyanese are Shameer Khan, Dennis D’Andrade and Mohamed Azim making it eight out of thirteen executives of the Berbice Cricket Board. The 1st Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Asst Secretary and

Asst Treasurer positions are all held by Indo-Guyanese.

Additionally the chairman of the Berbice Cricket Board Junior and Senior Selection Committees are both IndoGuyanese (Leslie Solomon and Dhieranidranauth Somwaru) while the Special Events Committee headed by Hilbert Foster consists of seven Indo-Guyanese out of a total of ten. Seven of the ten members of the Junior and Senior Selection Committees are Indo-Guyanese.

Comrade Editor, Dr. Thakur should issue a public apology to the hard working executives of the Berbice Cricket Board who has transformed Berbice Cricket to its highest state ever.

The Berbice Cricket Board since January 2012 to present has completed a record breaking 190 programmes/ activities while sponsorships have been obtained for 25 cricket tournaments at all age levels. Over 500 activities/ programmes have been completed since 2008.

Dr. Thakur also alleged to have stated that the 70% of Africans composition of Berbice Cricket Board was responsible for the under development of Berbice Cricket. One is left to wonder if Berbice Cricket is under developed what can be said

of Demerara and Essequibo and even the rest of the Caribbean. I would like to challenge Dr. Thakur to find one Cricket Board in the Caribbean that can match the Berbice Cricket Board track record over the last decade.

At the same time can Dr. Thakur inform Berbicians of his contributions to Berbice and Guyana cricket in his entire lifetime?

Please Dr. Thakur can you inform us of why you backed away when a recommendation was made by the Berbice Cricket Board for you to head a committee to raise funds to construct a new office for Berbice Cricket.

The remarkable progress that is taking place in Berbice Cricket is the result of a dedicated bunch of cricket lovers whose only mission is to develop the game we all love so dearly.

We see ourselves as Berbicians and Guyanese and do not view each other through the texture of our hair nor the colour of our skin.

I wonder if the Guyana Cricket Board would still keep the goodly doctor on their Cricket Development Committee after his alleged statements.

All Guyanese must condemn the alleged statements.

Angela Haniff

Former national athlete Victor Benjamin vexed with current cricket imbroglio He is undoubtedly one of the most decorated athletes to have originated from this land, winning multiple medals at various athletics Meets at home and around the world, but Victor Winston Churchill Benjamin, a former outstanding athlete and cricketer, in an interview with Kaieteur Sport recently, expressed vexation with the current imbroglio in Guyana ‘s cricket.

Benjamin or ‘Benjie’ as he is familiarly called said the decline in the standard of cricket in Guyana is due primarily to the quality of administration that followed after the departure of the Brigadier General Norman McLean management.

“The decline really started in the mid 90s’ when the previous President Chetram Singh took over and I think it was due to bad planning and I can safely say this because if one is to look at the period 1970-1992, cricket was vibrant and successful, but after that

Victor Benjamin it was a slow and steady decline,” Benjamin recalled.

According to the former national athlete and cricketer, during those years, the leadership in cricket was exemplary and praised McLean for his astute supervision of the then administration.

He pointed out that owing to McLean’s administrative proficiency which was complemented by individuals with similar abilities, Guyana used to have excellent representation on the West

Indies Cricket Board (WICB) a feature he says is lacking presently and that is making it difficult for them to advocate on Guyana’s behalf.

Not wanting to go down the road of gloom, Benjamin said that the current scenario could be corrected, but it must start with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) arming itself with the quality of personnel that are competent and willing to articulate our own issues at the WICB level.

“I feel personally that if we want to revist those years when we had real success at the local and regional levels, the current administration would be well advised to take pages out of McLean’s book.”

Benjamin was adamant that should they do that, Guyana’s cricket could once again reach the heights that it reached not so long ago and be a force to reckon again in the Region.

A former Coach, Physical (Continued on page 30)

Saturday February 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 35

t r o Sp

Tons for Charles and Bravo as Windies crush Zimbabwe R

euters) - Johnson Charles and Darren Bravo struck stylish centuries as West Indies easily beat Zimbabwe by 156 runs in the opening game of their one day series in Grenada on Friday.

The Caribbean side made 337 for four from their 50

overs and Zimbabwe limped to 181 for nine after a poor start.

Charlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 130, which follows his maiden century in Melbourne earlier this month, came off 111 balls and featured 12 boundaries and four sixes as the opener made the most of a modest Zimbabwean attack.

Charles and fellow opener Kieran Powell put on 168 for the first wicket as West Indies sent out a firm message at the start of a tour which features two more one day games, two Twenty20 fixtures and a pair of test matches.

Zimbabwe finally removed Powell for 79 when

he was caught by Craig Ervine in the deep off a short delivery from Chris Mpofu but there was no respite for the tourists as Bravo came in and quickly settled.

A yorker from Mpofu, who had been expensive, finally ended Charlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fine innings but West Indies continued to build a big score

Darren Bravo hits out during his 71-ball century (WICB Randy Brooks).

Johnson Charles hits out during his 130 (WICB Randy Brooks). thanks to the strokeplay of edged Sunil Narine off his Bravo. pad to Powell at short leg.

The Trinidadian leftRoach then pulled off a hander settled himself in great diving catch to dismiss quickly and then accelerated Hamilton Masakadza off p a s t h i s h a l f - c e n t u r y, Narine before Brendan reaching 92 before the final Taylor drove Tino Best into over. Bravo blasted Kyle the hands of Narsingh Jarvis over midwicket for six Deonarine. on the penultimate ball of the A solid 41 from Ervine over and then a single off the and 51 from Malcolm Waller last ball secured his first one avoided a slump and gave day international century. some respectability to the Chasing a victory target Zimbabwe innings but the of 338 was always going to run-rate was well out of b e a t o u g h t a s k f o r reach as the African side Z i m b a b w e a n d t h e i r ended up 181 for nine, response never got going Narine finishing with three after a poor start with four for 28 from his 10 overs. wickets falling for just 34 Scores: West Indies 337 for runs.

4 (Charles 130, Darren Vu s i S i b a n d a w a s Bravo 100*, Powell 79) beat trapped lbw by the pace of Zimbabwe 181 for 9 (Waller Kemar Roach and then 51, Narine 3-28) by 156 Chamu Chibhabha inside- runs.

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