Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

AFC calls for Govt to ungag the opposition ...supports continued action against Rohee Even as the Alliance for Change (AFC) through its leader, Khemraj Ramjattan called on Wednesday for the continuation of the gag order against Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, in the National Assembly, the party’s Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo insisted that the parliamentary opposition must be ungagged.

At the party’s weekly press conference which was held at the Middle Street, Georgetown, Side Walk Cafe, Nagamootoo stressed that efforts are continually made to gag the opposition by preventing it from accessing the state media.

“The AFC is calling on the Government to ungag the opposition from access to the state media...this is part of the problem.”

His deductions were forthcoming even as he cited an article published in Wednesday’s edition of this newspaper which quoted two Government officials, Head of NICIL, Mr Winston Brassington and Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, on Government’s willingness to encourage open debate on any issues of public interest.

The two officials were at the

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC Vice Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo

time speaking at a press conference held at the stateowned television station, National Communications Network (NCN), on Tuesday.

Alluding to the resulting article, Nagamootoo said that there was mention by the officials that “‘we have no issue on having open and f r a n k d i s c u s s i o ns on national issues’.”

It was against this background that the AFC Vice Chairman premised his desire to see the parliamentary opposition be afforded access to the state media. He

made reference to abuse of the state media by Government officials, even recounted how the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, had “gone immediately, as he has done on previous occasions, and other ministers and g o v e r n m e n t functionaries...misinterpreted and misrepresented the decision of the court when the ruling was given by Chief Justice Ian Chang on the gag order.”

According to Nagamootoo, if democracy in Guyana is to be meaningful “we are asking again...to

liberate the media. We have to ungag the opposition and social society from access to media that has been hitherto supported and financed by the state and we intend to pursue this issue.”

In fact, he revealed that the party has already taken representation at the diplomatic level and there are plans to soon contact the business community and those who are interested in freedom in Guyana to show their support by “putting their money where their conscience is.”

Nagamootoo’s utterances followed on the heels of deliberations by the party’s leader, Ramjattan, who told reporters at the same forum that the AFC supports the recent announcement by the

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, to appeal the gag order ruling of the High Court.

According to Ramjattan, there is urgent need to shed more light on the issue as it relates to the extent of the judicature’s entry into the Assembly’s space and an upper court’s ruling, as to where the frontier should be demarcated. Added to this, he said that the AFC would also urge that the Court of Appeal hear the matter with utmost haste and urgency.

“Along with this, we would like to see an interpretation of Article 172 of the Constitution, which on the face of it gives immunity to members from being prosecuted for civil proceedings,” said

Ramjattan.

He added too that “such an interpretation would be most desirable...It would help to stop the flood of litigations against members of parliament which the Attorney General initiates ever so often.”

Ramjattan said that the AFC will continue to support the Assembly’s gag order until such time that the Privileges Committee decides whether there were breaches of the no confidence command of the House by Rohee and how best he (Rohee) can be penalised for such a breach.

It is expected that the Privileges Committee will convene on Monday at which time the issue will be deliberated on.

Engineers warned about substandard work, overpayments

Engineers and regional officials at the workshop Against increasing scrutiny of government contracts, several regional officials on Wednesday met to discuss a growing intolerance to substandard work and overpayments.

During the meeting at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud, warned of action.

The forum was the Regional Engineers Department and Works Committee Workshop.

The aim of the workshop was to ensure more synergy between the various regional engineers departments and the Works Committees so as to ensure that taxpayers get value for money, a government statement said of the forum.

Persaud said that for far too long the “blame game” has been played between these two bodies. He lamented the fact that year after year, the Auditor General (AG) finds evidence of overpayment in all of the 10 Administrative Regions.

“Overpayment in this regard, does not mean that

the Regional Executive Officer (REO) approved payments in excess of the contracted sum; but rather, it means that what was paid for was not completely executed.”

Persaud disclosed that he is currently compiling information that he has received on incidences of extortion at the Works Department in Region 10. He noted that this information will soon be handed over to the police for the necessary action.

He told both elected, as well as appointed officials from the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) that if they find that the salary they are receiving is too small, they should look for other alternatives instead of resorting to extortion.

“Don’t attempt to fleece the contractors; when you try to extort from contractors, it is the quality of work that suffers, and it is the taxpayers’ dollars that is poorly spent,” the Minister reminded.

With regards to complaints of substandard work, Persaud explained that representatives from the political parties form the

Works Committee.

“They are the ones who are responsible for signing the final certificate that the work is satisfactorily done and in so doing, recommend the final payment, which is then approved by the REO. It seems that this fact is lost on the political leaders of this country and so we seek to beat up on the appointed officials and as elected officials, we position ourselves as though we had no relationship with regards to these payments,” the Minister said.

Turning his attention to the appointed officials, he made reference to a series of misdemeanours which have been occurring at the Works Department level. These include drafting of bills of quantities without finalising designs, constructing buildings without making any provision for the installation of doors and windows, and using of bills of quantities that are not reflective of the scope of work. The Minister also reprimanded REOs for not bringing sanctions to bear on errant regional engineers, overseers and superintendents.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Amerindian village loses mining case Amerindian village loses mining case - negative implications anticipated by stakeholders

By Zena Henry As the country’s mining section continues to expand and more persons seek their riches in the ‘gold bush’, Amerindian villages may soon be finding themselves before the courts more often than ever trying to defend the locations they insist are ancestral territories.

In a landmark ruling yesterday, members of Isseneru, a Middle Mazaruni village, lost a case concerning their right to prevent commercial miners from “invading the grounds of our forefathers.”

Justice Diana Insanally ruled yesterday that under the Amerindian Act 2006, the Amerindians, second defendants in the land dispute matter, have no authority or jurisdiction to prevent licenced miners from doing so. The GGMC was also told by the court that they too, under the Act, have no right to prevent or cease mining works without the proper footing.

The matter of the Isseneru community was brought to the attention of the courts in November 2011. This approach stemmed from a Cease Work Order which was passed on miner Joan Chang by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The facts were that Chang, who is attached to Platinum Mining Incorporated and has a mining licence, commenced mining in the Amerindian territory prior to November 2011. The villagers and their council said they saw this act as a violation of their rights to maintain control over their village. As such the miners were asked to cease mining in the area.

That request was however ignored by the miners, leaving the villagers no resort but to approach the GGMC. With the intervention of that mining entity, a Cease Work Order was immediately granted by the organization, citing the law which purportedly gives Amerindian absolute right in determining the control of their titled lands.

Chang, however, felt that the action was wrong, unreasonable arbitrarily, and unlawful among other things.

In an application, the court was asked to reverse the GGMC’s action by removal of the cease work action, making the entity the number one defendant in the matter.

In another request on the same application document, Chang further asked that the village be refrained from interfering or preventing the

- negative implications cited by stakeholders

Village and council members consult with lawyers after the ruling mining works ongoing in the area.

In an almost six-page long decision, Justice Insanally decided that both requests by the complainant were within the confines of the law, and thus ruled in favour of the applicant (Chang). In her introduction to the ruling, she defined a village council and the powers held, according to law. She similarly related the role of the GGMC and identified the powers of the entity.

The Judge then said that it was for her to determine whether the abuse of power was an issue within the move of the GGMC and the community’s village council.

Together with that, the judge had to decide whether the land and its location was in dispute, but ruled it out when she mentioned that the defence had no difference in opinion in that regard.

Another point mentioned by the defence was that the village was at odds with the miners not attaining permission from the village to mine within their boundaries.

They were also upset that the

miner did not seek an agreement with the village, but had without announcement, started work within the territory.

The court in identifying the relevant legislation said that under the Amerindian Act Section Five, miners cannot work on the Amerindian land without permission from the village and under Section 48 of the said Act; agreement must be sought with the council, as is the community’s argument. It was however noted that none of the above were sought by the miner.

Justice Insanally however responded that the above regularities were not necessary, since Chang already had a mining licence prior to the 2006 Amerindian Act coming into effect.

There are provisions, it was made known, for persons already in possession of mining licences to have access to purported Amerindian titled land. In that light, the village does not have right to cease mining work or intervene in the matter, the judge indicated.

In relation to the GGMC,

it was indicated that the agency was not within its powers to grant a Cease Work Order. To this, Anthony Paul was the defendant named in connection to the mining regulation agency, since he issued the Cease Work Order dated 24th November 2011.

Within the ruling, Justice Insanally mentioned, as she

interpreted according to the legislation, that the Amerindians in the matter have the right to consult with the mining company and its agents, not to cease their work. The GGMC in its capacity has the ability, she said, to facilitate those talks and somewhat act in the interest of both parties. She added that a Cease Work Order would be granted for the reasons of protecting the state’s affairs, a private person among other things.

None of those reasons applied in the passing of the order.

The village representatives were disappointed by the ruling, and express their intention to scrutinize the decision with their relevant councils before deciding whether the ruling needs to be appealed. The miner, Joan Avahnelle Chang was represented by Attorney-at-law Abiola Wong-Innis. The GGMC was represented by Senior Counsel (SC) Ralph Ramkarran, while the Isseneru

village had the services of Attorneys Stephen Lewis and David James.

The ruling has sparked much interest in the possible implications that may follow relating to Amerindians rights in terms of their titled land.

“It is a precedent and it means that the titles that were granted to Amerindian lands are flawed. These are deeply flawed as this case has borne out and it also means that miners can work claims in any village,” Attorney James asserted. He opined that the 2006 Amerindian Act must now be taken to parliament for amendment and strengthening.

Head of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) Jean La Rose said that it is clear that politics is at the centre of the matter, since it would appear that the Government is granting Amerindians “shell titles to land.” In effect, it means that communities have no power and miners can do as they please, the APA head charged.

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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

Culture Karma

There is a story that when Charles de Gaulle became President of France, after the horrors of WWII had reduced his country to rubble, he asked his close friend, the intellectual Andre Malraux, what portfolio he would like in his Cabinet.

“Minister of Culture,” Malraux said, much to de Gaulle’s amusement. “Why Culture?” he asked. “Because I can then build cultural complexes in every town,” Malraux told him, “for schoolchildren to visit and see the arts for themselves.

And that, Mr. President, will save your country.”

Even if the story is apocryphal, it illustrates the critical role that culture can play in shaping the minds of the young who can act in a manner that can, “save your country”.

It is a story that bears repeating to our own Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, who is unfortunately presently locked in an unseemly dispute about a unit of his Ministry publishing a book purportedly written by his daughter.

The incident’s only nexus with culture appears to lend credence to accusations that the government routinely practices a ‘culture’ of nepotism.

Art and culture have a powerful potential to excite the imagination of our people, especially the young, to unleash their potential and in the process, raise our nation to the heights we all know that it can reach. Despite the fact that efforts in the field of culture are extensive and multiple, they should never be random.

In order to avoid randomness, the Ministry of Culture should have a strategy underlines that the work it does in the area of culture be goal-oriented, professional, long term and have local ownership.

But instead it has allowed its activities to become nuclei of divisiveness rather than the unity that is so crucial for our progress. Take the present imbroglio over the site for a monument to the 1823 Rebellion. Evidently conceived as an activity to commemorate the UNsponsored, “International Year for People of African Descent (IYPAD)”, the monument was intended to salute the bravery and indomitable spirit of our African forbears as they literally laid their lives on the line so that slavery could be abolished.

B u t s i n c e t h e I Y PA D w a s s u p p o s e d t o b e commemorated since 2011, the question arises as to why the facts behind the event being commemorated are only now trickling down to ordinary people, including youths, through letters in the press from partisans of another site for the monument and government representatives?

If the Culture Ministry had a proper understanding of its role in promulgating ‘culture’ as a nation-building tool, it should have spent the last two years informing the nation about 1823 through a multitude of art forms and activities.

Why was there no collaboration with the Ministry of Education, for instance, to highlight 1823 in our schools?

Why was not the 1823 Rebellion made the theme of our Mash 2012, instead of the same tired and pale imitation of Carnival? Culture is tightly connected with identity.

Identity expressed through culture is a necessity for all human development.

It creates the fundamental building blocks in our personality and in the ties that link us to communities and nation. Culture is embedded in both the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (Art. 27) and in the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Art. 1 and 15).

It does not appear that the Ministry of Culture has a clear appreciation of our cultural diversity and the need to bring the various expressions on a common stage so that they may cross-fertilise each other to produce something uniquely ‘Guyanese’.

We noted with dismay that there is still a narrow cultural repertoire represented in the so-called “National’ Drama Festival, “National” Drama School and “National” School of Dance. There needs to be a more concerted effort to include more art forms.

A free and strong cultural sector will promote other rights and values such as freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in society.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

We must change in our society, not homosexuals DEAR EDITOR, In a letter in Kaieteur News on December 29, 2012 titled ‘Let’s help our Devons’ penned by Dr Sewnauth Punalall, I was disheartened to read his attempt to manipulate a shocking case of murder to launch an offensive attack on our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Guyanese sisters and brothers. I address my Alliance For Change (AFC) colleague, Dr Punalall, because I find some of the language in his letter to have the potential to incite hate against a minority group in our society who are already stigmatised.

In his letter he used phrases such as “sinful or a perverted lifestyle,” “devil’s language,” and even went on to suggest that homosexuals are abusive and homosexuality is indefensible, though Dr Punalall provided no real evidence to support his positions.

Dr Punalall pointed out that “a study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence reveals that 90 per cent of homosexuals surveyed had been recipients of one or more acts of verbal aggression, and 31 per cent report one or more incidents of physical abuse.

Archives of General Psychiatry (Ibid) found that homosexuals are at greater risk for overall mental health problems, and are 6.5 per cent more likely to attempt suicide.

The cited data demonstrates that targeted violence toward homosexuals is common in many societies because of the high social stigma, which often manifests itself in some of the very inflammatory language Dr Punalall has used to describe our LGBT Guyanese sisters and brothers.

Now since discriminatory laws are still on the books in Guyana and there is widespread perception of LGBT persons being “sinful and perverted,” they do experience “acts of verbal aggression” and “physical abuse.” LGBT youth, in particular, suffer rejection by their families when they reveal their true identities and sometimes find themselves homeless, or in other ways rejected by their families.

This kind of discriminatory treatment leads to the mental health issues and suicides, which Dr Punalall highlights.

The issue here is homophobic behaviour which continues to have severe effects on LGBT persons. If heterosexuals experienced the everyday discrimination faced by LGBT people, they too would develop mental health problems, including suicide. In fact, wherever Africans and Indigenous Peoples suffer discrimination it is followed by health and social problems.

Homophobia, therefore, is the problem we must change in our society, not

homosexuals.

Every Guyanese is entitled to fair and equal treatment under law, and in their daily lives.

Laws criminalizing samesex intimacy and crossdressing play a large part in fuelling discrimination against LGBT Guyanese.

This is according to a seminal study titled “Collateral Damage: The Social Impact of Laws Affecting LGBT Persons in Guyana” conducted by Dr Christopher Carrico and published by the University of the West Indies in March 2012. Dr Carrico states that ”in the context of Guyanese society, the existence of the laws examined in this study creates conditions conducive to the violation of all of these basic rights for the LGBT community.

While there would, no doubt, continue to be many sources of homophobia in society even without the existence of these laws, the repeal of these laws would go a long way towards the securing of fundamental rights for LGBT citizens in Guyana.”

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to urge the Special Select Committee of the National Assembly tasked with holding consultations on these matters to take an objective approach and review the striking evidence that discrimination against LGBT Guyanese is undeniable and recommend that these

discriminatory laws which perpetuate stigma and fuel discrimination are repealed forthwith.

To my AFC colleague, Dr Punalall, I say our personal and religious views should never be the reason for us to ridicule and exclude people and treat them like lesser human beings.

In a modern, plural society like Guyana we must afford equal rights and protection to all – especially those who are historically disadvantaged and face discrimination on a regular basis.

The sexual orientations and gender identities of our Guyanese LGBT sisters and brothers do not come into question when they show up at the polls to vote for any political party. In the same way, they deserve to live freely every other day.

Moreover, at this time when we are faced with a corrupt and unaccountable PPP regime that exploits the fears and insecurities of its ethnic base in its quest for total power, we ought not to be picking battles amongst ourselves.

As one people, regardless of our individual persuasions, we must unite to confront and banish the ugliness that has stained our land for the past 60 years, from the time of the suspension of the Constitution in 1953.

Yours faithfully, Gerhard Ramsaroop

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

A good concept, but poor target DEAR SIR, Your Monday 14th January sports edition carried a story on a secondary school football competition of which the sponsors are K&S and

the Beharry Company. There was also a photograph of three secondary school students dressed in football jerseys with the logo and words of Chico sweets which

Goodbye to the cricket killers DEAR MR. EDITOR I read recently that Otis Gibson, the current WICB Coach, plans to leave the lucrative position he presently holds with the WICB. Dr. Ernest Hillarie had earlier departed from the position of CEO and recently, President Julian Hunte suddenly indicated his intention not to seek reelection at the AGM of the WICB scheduled for March 2013.

This must be good news for all decent-minded Caribbean cricket fans. They should not have been there in the first place since they never had the development of WI cricket at heart. Their only purpose was to look after themselves and implant a small island dominance into our cricket.

By establishing Darren Sammy as captain for life, Richie Richardson as

Manager and ensuring that the islands get a huge share of tours and tournaments, particularly in Women’s Cricket, they appear to have completed their narrow objectives President Hunte and his group depart with the WICB/ WIPA impasse still an issue, the cricket still in a mess, and the well-publicised Guyana situation still unresolved.

Like Chetram Singh, Hunte’s erstwhile comrade-inarms, who after 20 years as President of the GCB uncaringly handed over Guyana’s cricket to a cabal of cricketing nonentities who hijacked our cricket, it is the greatest sin inflicted upon our national sport. So, happy riddance to them all; for they will only be remembered by future generations for the dastardly role they played in the demise of WI cricket.

W. G. Boston

A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN

DEAR EDITOR, I have grown up hearing that Georgetown was the Garden City but as I aged I wonder about the truism of that statement. Georgetown today has a multiplicity of problems that no one seems to be addressing.

Let us look at the drainage situation. The Demerara River which serves as the confluence for many of the internal drains and canals in the city and the adjacent communities on both sides of the river is silted up. The river requires dredging in order to increase its capacity to accommodate the rainfall runoff from those internal waterways.

In Georgetown apart of the fact that many of the drains are silted up, they also serve as the receptacles for plastic bags and bottles, Styrofoam food boxes and many other forms of rubbish.

And that is not all; effluent flows in these drains and canals adding stench and pollution to the environment.

Everyone who lives in Georgetown and the itinerant population that frequents, experience the reek that emanates from the garbage

piles around the city.

However, the sinister threat about which I wish to comment comes from the sewer system.

Normally, the sewer system does not function properly. When it is not blocked with rubbish that delinquent users deposit in the system, it is the problem of the pumps breaking down.

The current burgeoning manifestation is the backing up of the system whenever there is high tide. This compression causes commode systems on the ground floors to mal function.

Lavatories cannot deposit their contents in the sewer as the water from the river floods the sewer lines. So, the sewage overflows into homes and in the yards through the chambers.

What can the aggrieved sufferers do? To which agency can they turn for redress? Who are the competent authorities responsible for correcting the above situations? How long must people suffer these indignities? Are we awaiting a calamity to occur before we take action? I hope not.

Hubert C. Roberts

are manufactured by the Beharry Company.

I found this photograph and partnership disturbing. The increasing direct marketing to school age children, in their schools, is of concern to consumers and children advocates globally. Many schools have limited financial budgets and supplement these by allowing corporations into schools through many direct and indirect methods.

The lack of basic necessities in many schools including sporting gear results in school administrators partnering with corporations.

However, there must be some considerations for the health and well being

of the children who are the target of these marketing partnerships.

There is a global epidemic of childhood obesity and the Caribbean region is not spared. There are reports of obese preschoolers in the Caribbean.

Many companies and school administrators recognizing the alarming increase of childhood obesity have excluded high sugar and low nutritional value products and goods from marketing partnerships.

There is now a focus on healthy eating and an active lifestyle, including involvement in sports.

As a matter of fact, there is a charter that was signed by global corporations not to

directly market these products to school age children.

In Jamaica, the local distributors of Pepsi have begun to implement their commitment to that international charter by replacing all Pepsi Cola marketing with Gatorade (an energy drink) in their partnerships with Jamaican schools.

I would therefore implore the Beharry company in Guyana, the K&S (not sure who and what they are) and the school administrators in Guyana to revisit this Chico sweets partnership.

Our children are already, without directing marketing in schools, consuming too many high sugars, low nutritional

value foods.

School is where proper nutrition and a healthy life style should be promoted.

The low nutritional value,the subsequent dental issues that may arise from the over consumption of sweets coupled with limited access to primary dental care in Guyana are matters of concern in this partnership.

I would like to suggest that given Beharry’s excellent line of products this can be easily done.

I am all for the Champion Chowmein secondary school football competition.

Candice Ramessar BV, Guyana Former Consumers International Caribbean Project Coordinator

DEAR EDITOR, I want it; give it to me; buy me it. These seem to be the constant demands of some of today’s youth. Some children feel owed or entitled to get their way. These children demand that the parents pay them to study hard and to do house work.

They are motivated solely by personal and selfish greed.

This writer believes that when you pay children to work, you are paying them to be motivated, and you can’t buy true motivation, desire and drive; so you shouldn’t pay students to be motivated.

While I believe that remittances from overseas Guyanese have helped most local Guyanese, I also believe that those remittances may have made some people dependent, lazy and not want to work.

I know of a 14-year-old girl who sells newspapers every day before she goes to school. Her mother doesn’t give her daughter money to sell newspapers because she gives her food and clothes.

A parent’s responsibility is to provide the children with food, clothes, education, training and preparations for a successful life. After giving them all of that, why should a parent pay them study and do house work?

Furthermore, when you pay children to study and to do house work, they’ll become ungrateful and want more. A parent must never pay children to work, they will grow accustomed to the money and they’ll want the money and not the education; many will end up dropping out of school if any opportunity to make a larger amount comes up. They may be able to make more money as a teen, but they need that education for a chance at making real life changing money later on in life.

For example, this is exactly how I ended up dropping out of school because I started working and making money. I started liking the money more than school. In the short term, the money was good for me, but in the long term getting my education would have

been much better. If we pay children for doing something that benefits them, I’m afraid many of them will make the same mistake that I did.

In the United States some schools are paying children for getting good grades. The schools argued that it motivates the children to study harder. I believe that in the long term, paying children to study will hurt them.

Studying should be something that a child should want to do and enjoy doing for free; they need to learn to work hard for the things that have a benefit for them later in life.

Not just the children, but all Guyanese should not settle for being sidetracked from the intended goal of doing what is necessary for them to not just get by but to get ahead and truly do well for themselves.

The people need to have long term plans and goals and do the things that can lead to personal prosperity and a more comfortable, rewarding and fulfilling life.

If they receive a pay check

for things they do every day for themselves, they may also grow up thinking that the world owes them; which often leads to them to not wanting to work at all for their income.

Make no mistake about it, the development of a “child of entitlement” is exclusively the fault of the parent. It is a parent who teaches children they are entitled to have everything they want.

In closing, I believe such parental ethics are either wellintentioned errors or just simple laziness.

There is nothing better for children than to crash and burn as a result of their own errors in judgment and mistakes, than for them to experience the consequences of their choices that they might learn some valuable lessons early in life.

When you don’t pay them to work, you’re teaching them to give and not always to receive, to look to the future for the reward, to develop what they need so that later they can have what they want.

Name withheld

Why pay children?

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

GT&T announces extensive Wi-Fi for UG, Nat’l Stadium - Diverse mobile money transfers imminent As talks continue between government and the two major telecommunication companies on new legislation to effectively open the market, one of them has announced major plans to introduce several products and services this year.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) has announced that it is rolling out a pilot project on the West Bank Demerara to replace the outdated, fixed wireless telephone systems with technology to allow landlines and high-speed data at the same time.

Soon, too, GT&T will be launching extensive Wi-Fi connectivity services at the University of Guyana and at the neighbouring Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

Similar services will be available for students at the Tain, Berbice campus and at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

These disclosures were made by GT&T’s acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Sonita Jagan, yesterday.

At the campuses, it would cost students as little as $100 per hour to access high speed internet.

This will come despite a holdup in the granting of additional spectrum, which had stopped GT&T from introducing several other new services, including the full use of some smartphones and tablets.

Along with Jagan at the breakfast press conference at Cara Suites on Middle Street, were Chief Executive Officer (ag), Joe Singh, and other senior officials.

Both Jagan and Singh, who once led GT&T for several years before being replaced, were recalled by the US-owned parent company of GT&T, following a scandal last year that saw the sacking of a number of staffers, following the discovery of irregularities in payments.

Earlier this week, GT&T announced that former head of the Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry (GBTI), Radha Krishna Sharma, has been appointed the new CEO, while Justin Nedd will be the CFO. PILOT PROJECT Regarding the pilot project in West Bank Demerara, Jagan explained that work is underway at La Grange, La Retraite, Nismes,

and Bagotsville Public Road, to place the necessary infrastructure that will allow residents to access landlines and internet access via one box.

Stressing that it is a pilot project, the executive said that the US$1.5M initiative could also be taken to Tuschen, Leguan, Wakenaam and the Essequibo Coast after the first quarter period.

It could eventually cost up to $1B. The acting CFO disclosed that the company, because of the delays by the authorities to grant more spectrum, had started to look at alternative measures of introducing services.

GT&T is now working to install equipment for its longterm evolution (LTE) technology, marketed as 4G LTE, that will allow highspeed data for mobile phones and data terminals.

In critical business areas like Stabroek Market in the city and New Amsterdam in Berbice, moves are also underway to possibly introduce Wi-Fi areas.

With data of poor quality, to especially mobiles, and with many persons now

GT&T’s acting CFO Sonita Jagan (second from left) and CEO (ag) Joe Singh (at centre), with other senior staffers during the press conference yesterday. owning Ipads and other tablets, the LTE technology will be more than a welcome addition.

MOBILE MONEY Meanwhile, Jagan was excited about the company’s ‘Mobile Money’ launch in a few weeks. This new service, totally secured and in partnership with GBTI, will allow customers of GT&T to pay utility bills, transfer monies to another phone and even receive cash.

Jagan was insistent that this service is totally secured and even if a cellular phone is lost, it is virtually impossible to steal the money as it is protected by PINs and other measures.

Already, the phone

company has managed to secure agreements with Guyana Water Inc., the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and Guyana Power and Light Inc., to allow for the payments of bills.

The Mobile Money service, she said, will also allow shopping and even transfers of money from remote hinterland locations where banks and other financial institutions are not readily available.

Updating the media on the Emagine DSL service, she also said that work has been completed on infrastructure from the Mahaica, East Coast Demerara to Skeldon, East Berbice corridor. Residents

with landlines can now apply for the Emagine service which was rolled out when the company introduced its new fibre optic cable a few years ago. Emagine suffered several setbacks with the service ending at Mahaica.

With respect to services in the hinterland, cell sites are being built at Annai and Kurupukari and five other areas are being targeted for the year, Jagan said.

The company also has major plans for Mashramani, to sponsor a children’s costume parade; Jingle and Song Competition; celebration of the Indian and Chinese arrival anniversaries; Spelling Bee and a host of other events.

Investigation into teen’s death at West Dem. Hospital still ongoing - CMO An investigation into the passing of 15-year-old Shemar Miggins at the West Demerara Regional Hospital on Saturday is still ongoing.

At least this is according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, whose gazetted authority requires that he lead the probe.

Dr Persaud said yesterday that he is still not in possession of the coroner’s report, which will detail the cause of death of the teenager, who reportedly succumbed after being administered oral medication intravenously. He disclosed that in order to complete a thorough investigation, a request has been made for additional sampling and testing to be done on Miggins’ remains.

This newspaper was informed that the lad’s death resulted from asphyxiation which was caused by food in his lungs. He had reportedly eaten lunch shortly before receiving the medication which according to reports was intended to relieve symptoms of burn stomach.

At a press conference on Monday, Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran said that the nurse under scrutiny

indicated that she had given Miggins the medication in a syringe, but he had in fact administered it himself intravenously.

This explanation, the Minister described as “very strange”, even as he disclosed that an investigation into the incident started almost instantaneously.

According to him, it is “extremely disappointing” that something of this nature occurred at a facility which has been the recipient of significant investments over the past two years. However, he noted that even as investigations continue into the dilemma, moves will be made to look at other aspects of the function of the hospital so that “out of this crisis we can get an opportunity for change and improvement.”

A nursing assistant who was the attending official at the time has since been sent on administrative leave pending the result of the investigation, which once completed, will have to gain the attention of the Guyana Nursing Council, which is tasked with regulating the country’s nurses.

According to Dr Persaud,

the nursing assistant is a registered professional who is supervised by a nurse. At the time of the incident, he informed, a nurse was reportedly supervising the ward.

“We are still trying to put the pieces together and I expect that by this weekend we will be able to provide more information to the media,” the Chief Medical Officer said yesterday.

In addition to gaining the attention of the Nursing Council, the case is expected to be brought to the attention of the entire nursing fraternity, Dr Persaud explained, with a view of identifying where procedures, if at all, were not followed. He disclosed that earlier this week, a review of all documents pertaining to the patient reflected that the medical management aspect was undertaken in the correct way, as were the prescriptions which were all written up in a timely manner. He noted that there are indications that there might have been a breach in the protocol for administering medicines “so that is where the investigation will be focused.”

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Friday January 18, 2013

Speaker rules against Gov’t-proposed amendments - says they violate Standing Orders

By Abena Rockcliffe The Governmentproposed amendments to a Motion tabled by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) leader David Granger, which called for an investigation into incidents of criminal violence from 2004 to 2010, were yesterday ruled against by Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman.

Trotman stated that the proposals are not admissible as it violates Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

The last Parliamentary sitting saw the Speaker’s refusal to allow consideration of the amendments offered by the Government side and presented by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.

The Speaker’s justification as to why he deferred consideration of the amendments was that he hadn’t enough time to review the document but had recognised contents that need further attention.

Earlier this week, at a press briefing, Trotman

Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman dubbed the Amendments “scandalous” and told media operatives that if matters pertaining to those Amendments had gone ahead, “Guyana could have gotten a civil war.” He had also opined that some of the material in the Amendments ought not to have been published.

Further, Trotman stated that the Clerk, Sherlock Isaacs, given the controversial nature of the Amendments,

should have ensured that it was brought to his attention before the 35th sitting of the National Assembly of the first session of the Tenth Parliament was convened.

Yesterday, the Speaker in a statement said that Nandlall’s proposed amendments offend Parliament’s Standing Orders.

Therefore, he advised the Attorney General to make the necessary changes, as recommended by him, or to withdraw the amendments entirely.

Granger’s motion had stated that “this country has witnessed a pattern of unlawful killing of undetermined numbers of persons – including assassinations; executions; murders; extra-judicial killings by members of the Guyana Police Force Target Special Squad and other forms of criminal violence in Guyana during a period of ‘troubles’…

Several of these killings have been of a deliberate and systematic nature – particularly those which

occurred at Agricola; Bartica; Buxton; Eccles; Lindo Creek; Lusignan and Bel Air, Bourda and Kitty in Georgetown – which can be classified as massacres and have engendered alarm and despondency among the population. Some killings involved members of the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force and unidentified criminal gangs in which gangsters were equipped with a variety of electronic ‘eavesdropping’ equipment, weapons and vehicles that were provided with assistance and support by members of the Guyana Defence Force.”

Granger, in his Motion, also pointed out the killing of Government Minister Satyadeo ‘Sash’ Sawh.

Yesterday, Trotman said that “I refer in particular, to

references to sitting and former Members of Parliament, and other former and current leaders and superior officers of political parties and disciplined forces, and their “linkages” to criminal gangs; these, in my considered opinion, offend Standing Orders 26 (b), (c) and (d).”

The Speaker noted that apart from the fact that names of persons are inserted, and that some of them are not present to “mount a defence of their characters,” the amendments also make statements that appear to be “fact” and yet seek to have a Commission of Inquiry inquire into the very matters.

He said the amendments in their present form are beyond the pale of what is expected, and acceptable, as coming from a Member of

Parliament of the National Assembly.

Trotman’s amendments are as follows: “And whereas it was believed that there was a key and critical role and interference by many known figures and some media houses;” “That the President considers including in the terms of reference of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission the following: “Was there any connection between media houses and the criminal gangs? and “Were there any linkages between public officials and the criminal gangs?”

“Was there a cover-up of the assignation of the 1973 Ballot Box martyrs, Father Darke and Walter Rodney?”

Family of electrical mishap victim retains attorney

Asgar Mohamed (saved as jesus 2) The family of Asgar Mohamed has retained an attorney as they seek possible compensation for injuries the 37-year-old man suffered after coming into contact with a severed Guyana Power and Light (GPL) power cable a week ago.

A brother of the victim claimed that they were “forced to take this action” because GPL has failed to contact them about the mishap that resulted in Mohamed losing his left arm. The limb was amputated last Saturday and Mohamed remains hospitalised.

Kaieteur News understands that the family’s attorney has since spoken with an official from the power company.

Mohamed’s relatives are contending that he could have escaped injury had GPL secured the

Stabroek area immediately after the wire snapped.

GPL stated that Police and Fire Service had responded immediately and cordoned off the area and that a male civilian (Mohamed) “forcefully breached the cordon and came into contact with the live wire, which resulted in his electrocution.”

At the time, GPL was unaware that the man had survived. Some eyewitnesses claimed that a GPL crew arrived before the handyman was injured, but did not immediately cordon off the scene or attempt to repair the damaged wire.

However, one woman stated that several people continued to walk in close proximity to the wire, despite appeals by the police that were present.

The GPL release had

stated that a truck came into contact with an overhead guy wire, causing it to snap and fall to the ground. The release said that a section of the wire came into contact with a 13.8 KV feeder, and this caused the guy wire to become energized.

A GPL official had told Kaieteur News that the driver of the truck left the scene immediately after the mishap.

A woman who operates one of the Digicel and GT&T booths near Demico House said that Mohamed, who performed odd jobs in the Stabroek area, was attempting to remove the wire from a vehicle when “the current hit him”. However, other eyewitnesses said that Mohamed, known as ‘Jesus’, was attempting to pick up the wire from the ground when he sustained the severe injuries.

Friday January 18, 2013

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ART IS MUCH MORE THAN A RELECTION OF REALITY It is no wonder that art, in all its forms, in Guyana is mired in mediocrity. If there can be such scant understanding of what art is about, then it should surprise no one that this country has failed to develop its cultural industry.

The purpose of art, be it sculpture, paintings, drama or books, yes books, is not merely to reflect society. Art is not just a mirror of what exists in its raw state. If that was the case, everyone would be an artist, because everyone’s reality would become their art. Art is a way of looking at society and treating with that reality.

The problem in Guyana is that for far too long, the art of social reflection has been allowed to simply become a mirror. It has been allowed to merely reflect, without any attempt at treating this reflection, and/or in so doing, condition a response to this treatment.

Art is not just about being a mirror of our culture. When art – in all its forms – is reduced to this base function, then it loses its potency. And in Guyana everything in the arts now seems to be destined for this lesser fate.

A painting simply becomes a visual drawing. It simply reproduces a scene, neglecting effect or projection of some idea or ideal.

Anything can be painted and everything has been painted.

It is but mere photography on canvas, not art.

Most of the local stage

productions have been reduced to this level of mediocrity. Local playwriting is, in the main, now aimed at entertaining rather than engaging or provoking. No wonder the arts in Guyana are in such disarray. Plays have become a mere reflection of our society, and sometimes a mere lampooning of reality.

The new label is popular theatre, where the audience goes to and laugh at even a tragedy. Popular theatre has become so ingrained that even if today a serious production, treating with social themes and with a strong underlying moral was to be produced, the audience would laugh at almost every line. The problem is that the joke is on them.

Art is supposed to say something, not simply replicate a scene of a development. This applies to paintings and plays as it does too to writing. The writer may see something, but not just what he sees and the lens through which he sees is important, but how he treats with it.

Edgar Mittleholtzer wrote a classic called “Corentyne Thunder.” But he was doing more than simply telling a story. He was digging deeper beneath the surface of relationships between a miserly father and his children or between the bizarre relationship between the weather and the fortunes of a family. It was also about the way one social class saw

Dem boys seh...

Bar Bee beacon don’t shine pun truth A beacon is something that does shine bright. It does direct dem boat that looking fuh somewhere fuh land.

Guyana got a beacon of truth, but this truth is one that only dem scampish people understand.

Imagine that de truth about de drugs wha de government does order fuh de hospital and de place wha Leslie use to control. Somebody use to pay and somebody use to bring in when possible and whenever.

De matter come up in parliament and de same beacon go on like if de people wrang to ask question. De truth is that de beacon decide that it couldn’t shine no light pun that. Instead of exposing de truth de same beacon tun off de light. Now dem boys seh that if thiefing people and scampish people want any direction then dem got to look fuh that beacon.

Is every day it covering up some scampishness and if people don’t believe, just read de paper fun two days. In fact, if people read de papers and

find that dem boys lying then is one whole year Waterfalls paper fuh free.

De funny thing is that de beacon close to de drugs.

This was de same beacon who stand up fuh de Easy Come Easy Go man, but it didn’t tell people that de man got a criminal record fuh thiefing. It couldn’t do that because it does attract thieves in de same way a candle does attack moth.

Dem boys seh that de boss man fuh that beacon is a most honourable man. He don’t like thieves. He love dem. He don’t like crooks; he does welcome dem. De relationship guh beyond like, but de beacon would never tell de people that.

What it actually tell people is how fuh dodge tax.

And dem boys seh that de tax man don’t have de guts or de footballs fuh ask fuh a cent.

He got to tek wha he get. And de beacon don’t shine pun that.

Talk half and don’t try fuh watch de beacon.

another. This was not storytelling, but social commentary using storytelling. This is what art is about. It is not a mere mirror, but an attempt to treat with reality in a certain way. The artist who cannot and does not do this is not engaged in art form.

The good writer goes beyond mere description and reflection. He scours beneath the surface of things, goes deeper than outward appearances to expose what is often discomforting and troubling.

V. S. Naipaul is the master of this craft. He sees beyond the superficial. He exposes the pretence and falseness of

our existence. He is ruthless and controversial in the way he treats with reality. And this is what makes him so despised, because he shows us a part of us that many of us do not like or wish to acknowledge.

We prefer the superficial – that which is often described as brutally frank and real, except that it is really not. It is what we prefer to settle for because delving beneath the surface will unearth the debris of our existence.

The writer aims to also send a message. We may not always agree with this message. But it is important enough for it to engage us.

Take that short story written many years ago about the cat and the milk: the cat who was an interloper, came like a thief in the night to steal the milk that had been so carefully prepared. The writer is free to delude himself that there was milk at all, but what matters is not whether anyone agrees with that message, but the fact that it exists.

There may be different realities to what the author addresses. Those different perspectives or ways of representing this reality are today often referred to as narratives. Everyone and every group has/have their own narrative. For some, their

perspective may be occasioned by the bruises of the loss of political power. But the writer always has the liberty of treating reality the way he or she wishes. After all, is this not what art is about – except if the writing is reduced to a mere base reflection of things; but a mere mirror of society.

That is not art. Art goes beyond such reflection.

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Friday January 18, 2013

=== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ===

La dolce vita starring Papa Cheddi’s protégés Last week, I mentioned to my daughter that Obama should have won the popular vote by a landslide. I said that I could not understand how ordinary Americans could have voted for a multimillionaire like Romney who was unashamed in his support for wealthy Americans.

Then I turned to her and said; “How could poor, working class people vote for wealthy politicians who don’t care about them?” I ended that conversation with my daughter by telling her it is

something about people I will never understand.

A month ago, there was a “house celebration” in Pradoville 2. An invitee told me about the guests and sent me a photograph of the cars parked outside.

If you see the ambience outside that home on that night, and you didn’t know it was Guyana, you would have thought it was the party of a decadent, wealthy American or European whose fortune would feature in Forbes magazine.

The owner of that house

has ambition of leading the PPP into an election and to become the President of Guyana. This wealthy individual belongs to a party whose constitution says that it is a Marxist-Leninist organization. Now if a Marxist-Leninist party can have one of its leaders throw a fantastic bourgeois party in one of the poorest countries in the world, then can some scholar out there tell me what exactly Marxism-Leninism is?

How can people claim to be Marxist-Leninist and display ostentatious wealth that you expect to find among capitalists?

By the way – in 1992 just after the PPP came to power, one of the most ardent supporters of socialism in the PPP leadership at the time bought the latest model Mercedes Benz.

That house-owner in Pradoville 2, to be elected to the presidency would have to secure the votes of (not thousands but) hundreds of thousands of poor, ordinary and working class people.

That of course didn’t happen in France. The incumbent known in the media as the

bling, bling president lost to a more modest, humble opponent.

Nicolas Sarkozy didn’t even try to hide his infatuation with the famous and wealthy and obsession with la dolce vita. One wonders why Sarkozy even thought of running again. In Guyana, the voters are not as unforgiving as in France.

To see the gathering at that house party was to gaze at the most expensive vehicles on display in a Third World country.

I guess some invitees turned up with their ordinary Toyotas and when they saw the richness and largeness of those SUVs, probably felt left out, so they turned back home. Maybe the owners of such cars were not invited in the first place.

These are the things that matter in an election campaign. I was on the campaign trail in 2011 and one of the sharpest moments in the rhetoric of both the AFC and APNU was in the juxtaposition of the houses of people like Bharrat Jagdeo and the ordinary folks who are trying to build a structure

for their families. That image really aroused anger in the attendees.

Whenever the snap poll comes, I have the most definite feeling that the palatial outfits in Pradoville 2 will take up space on the opposition platform.

Papa Cheddi’s protégés live like Rolls Royce owners in a “dankey kyaart” economy. Papa Cheddi never intended for it to happen this way. Leonard Craig of the People’s Parliament explained to me that he found an item on You Tube in which a Canadian journalist interviewed President Cheddi Jagan one month after he became President in 1992.

Craig said he has posted up the talk so the world can listen to what Jagan said.

Papa Cheddi most graphically spelt out a modest level of spending for his government and the need for persons not to ask for big salaries. Jagan went on to offer evidence of corruption his people found after they occupied the ministries.

Papa Cheddi must be turning in his grave. If he found corruption from the

Frederick Kissoon PNC days then what do you call what we have found since 1992 when the PNC lost power. Maybe, Dr. Samuel Johnson, the world famous 18th century lexicographer has to invent a word for it.

In the edited book, “The PPP of Guyana, 1950 -1992: An Oral History”, Caribbean icon Lloyd Best made a faulty mental profile of Forbes Burnham which I think cannot be supported in theoretical studies. Best, in comparing Jagan and Burnham, chose the latter, because he felt Burnham was a “sports” man that loved liquor and women.

Best also made the point that Burnham could be seen late clubbing (my word) while Jagan would be at home.

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Friday January 18, 2013

Fire ruins lower flat of Queenstown house

A fire official taking a report

What is left of the bedroom A mid-afternoon fire of unknown origin yesterday destroyed the lower flat of a two-storey house at Lot 29 Anira Street, Queenstown.

The blaze started around 13:30hrs.

According to reports, the building was shared by Peter Brhamdeow and his son, Shaun.

The older man occupied

the upper flat of the property while his son lived in the bottom flat which also housed a barbershop.

At the time of the fire, the younger Brhamdeow was not at home, but his nephew, Dwaine Brhamdeow, who was at the barbershop, said that he saw smoke emerging from his uncle’s apartment and he immediately called the fire

service, which arrived promptly.

“After I see the fire, I called the fire service and then we try to prevent the fire from spreading,” said Dwaine.

The fire is believed to have started on a mattress.

However, fire fighters are now trying to determine its cause.

Kaieteur News was unable to ascertain the extent of the

losses Shaun Brhamdeow might have suffered.

Peter Brhamdeow told Kaieteur News that he was heading home, when his grandson informed him of the fire. “I hurry and I went and try to throw water on the flooring so that the fire wouldn’t spread upstairs and then I move all the clothes that could have caused more fire.”

Meanwhile, neighbours praised the Fire Service for arriving promptly.

“Most of the time people bad talk the fire service but thanks to them, the fire didn’t cause much damage and we still have a house,” a neighbour said.

“We received a call that there is a fire and we responded with three

appliances, one from Alberttown and two from the Central Fire Service. When we arrived here the entire bottom flat of the building was engulfed in flames. We broke in and found the mattress on fire.

Now we have to investigate what caused it,” said Alberttown Fire Service Officer, Compton Sparman.

Friday January 18, 2013

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2008 Success murder…

Father set free, jury to deliberate on son’s fate

By Zena Henry Latiff Mohamed, the father charged with his son Arif Mohamed in March 2008 for the murder of Jairam Balgobin, called ‘Bark’ was yesterday set free after Justice Navindra Narine upheld a no case submission at the High Court.

The accused walked away a free man after his counsel, Attorney–at–law Peter Hugh reported to the court that the state had no evidence against his client to prove that he was responsible or played any part in the death of the deceased. Mohamed’s son, Arif, was not so lucky when he was made to remain to answer the murder charge. In light of that, the 12-member mixed jury will deliberate today to decide the fate of the accused.

Yesterday afternoon’s session was set for closing remarks. Attorney Peter Hugh stressed that all that existed in terms of Arif Mohamed’s case was hearsay. He told the 12-member mixed jury that the prosecution’s case relied on what his client allegedly told

persons.

Apart from that, he pointed to the evidence which showed that blood was found on Mohamed’s clothing. Hugh said that the police’s investigation of the matter was very poor as none of them could have testified that the substance which they said appeared to be blood, was actually blood. They also could not testify, Hugh said, as to whether the substance on the clothing was in fact human blood or who the blood belonged to.

The lawyer asked the jury to assess the evidence and the witnesses that were presented. Of the persons that reportedly claimed that Mohammed had admitted to killing someone, two were engaged in a confrontation where the accused denied their claims. The decision of the jury, Hugh stated, must be made on their assessment of the evidence and if the evidence does not satisfy them, then the decision should be based on the weight of the prosecution’s case.

Prosecutors Konyo

Thompson and Dhanika Singh on behalf of the state, defended that any case could be heard on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution pleaded with the jury to not cast out the matter as a waste of time due to the type of evidence, but to give the matter careful consideration.

The jury was asked to make the connections with the testimony of the witnesses who said they spoke to the accused, who admitted to murdering someone, and who prior to that, said he would have murdered someone, and who had visible wounds that could be conceived as being received during an altercation with the victim.

The prosecution asked the court to give careful consideration when they deliberate today.

Jairam Balgobin and the accused reportedly had an altercation at Success Squatting Area. It is alleged that the persons were imbibing and a physical confrontation resulted where the deceased was chopped to death.

Chief Witness testifies to seeing sibling’s murder Bibi Alli, sister of slain presidential guard, Nasir Alli, yesterday testified against Mortimer Melville and Jevon Ismond, the two men accused of murdering her sibling.

The East Coast Demerara resident gave her evidence before Justice Dawn Gregory at the High Court.

The woman said that on August 21, 2007, her brother died in her presence. She said on that day, she had visited the man’s home where she was scheduled to have dinner. According to her, the number one accused Ismond, visited the small shop which her brother’s wife operated at their home. The accused, she said, reportedly made a request and left. He returned about five minutes later, Alli remembered, with the number two accused, Mortimer, riding a bicycle.

Again, she recalled, she saw the number one accused enter the shop and

subsequently exit, but while leaving, she said she saw Ismond pull out a silver gun and say, “This is a stick up, y’all tek out alyuh money.”

The other defendant, she said, then came around and started to take off the jewellery of those seated at the table which was in the compound.

All the while, the woman said, the accused had a gun pointed to her brother’s head.

He was the last person to have his valuables taken. But as the gunman sought to collect the items, her brother had placed his hand behind his back and the gunman believed that he had a gun in his possession.

With that, a scuffle ensued between Nasir Alli and the number one accused, the sister said. In the process, her brother was shot. The man was reportedly shot four times before he died. Alli said her brother was then dragged to the gate before having his

gun taken away. The family then raised an alarm.

Attorney-at-law Hookumchand commenced cross examination on behalf of his client, Mortimer Melville. He sought to establish the witness’ location when the incident occurred and her distance at the time.

In the morning session, ex- police Corporal Nandlall Narine testified to escorting Ismond from the Brickdam lock ups to the Cove and John Police Station and placing him in custody in February 2008.

State Pathologist Nehaul Singh also testified on behalf of state prosecutors, Renita Singh and Diana Kaulesar.

He presented evidence that the deceased died from multiple gunshot wounds.

The post mortem revealed that the victim was shot four times.

The matter is scheduled to continue today.

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Friday January 18, 2013

Relatives of murdered Guyanese await word from T&T officials The relatives of 28-yearold Tyrone Achia, a Guyanese man who was gunned down on Tuesday last in Trinidad, said they are still awaiting word from law enforcement of the twin-island Republic.

The dead man’s mother, Shanaz Achia said her husband and another son left for Trinidad yesterday morning to see if they would be allowed to return the dead man’s remains to Guyana.

Last evening, the woman said her husband was unable to see their son’s body.

“They told him that he could not view the body because it was left just as it was after the post mortem and when they visited the apartment, investigators were there too, so nobody told them anything up to now (Thursday evening)”.

The woman said she is still at a loss as it relates to the motive for her son’s

Dead: Tyrone Achia sudden murder. Mrs. Achia said her son last spoke to her on Monday and seemed normal and did not indicate that he was having any trouble. She recounted that her son had been living in Trinidad for the past five years but would return to Guyana at every available opportunity.

He was a supervisor at a Restaurant and Bar. She added that her son

was renting an apartment but moved to another just across the road but would still frequent the initial premises.

“The owner of the apartment asked him to move to another apartment since her mother alone stayed in it and she is an elderly person”.

Mrs. Achia said on Tuesday night her son went to the old apartment to do his laundry as he would normally, and when he was returning to the new apartment he was shot.

“The landlord said he left and went to collect his clothes and he asked her to make a cup of tea for him and after she see that he ain’t coming back she went outside and saw him on the ground.”

Tyrone Achia last visited his home at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, in December, last, when he returned to attend a cousin’s wedding.

Porters held for stealing dead man’s dentures

A bizarre case involving the theft of a dead man’s dentures is engaging the attention of the police and has led to the arrest of two hospital porters.

Kaieteur News understands that the porters, who are contracted employees at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), were detained yesterday evening following the mysterious disappearance of an accident victim’s platinum dentures.

The victim, identified as Rudolph Anthony Ward called ‘Bald Head’, perished on Monday in a motorcycle crash at Houston, East Bank

Dead: Rudolph Anthony Ward Demerara.

It is alleged that when

Ward’s body was taken to the GPHC, two hospital attendants carried the corpse to the hospital mortuary.

There, the porters allegedly ’dug out’ the dead man’s platinum teeth. One of the accused also reportedly took Ward’s ‘Cayenne’ belt.

However, following investigations, the porters were taken into custody and one of them reportedly admitted to using a nail to dig out the dead man’s teeth.

He also implicated his colleague, while handing back the stolen belt to investigators.

They were still in custody at press time.

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Stalled works causing massive erosion on East Coast highway The situation on the stalled section of extension works on the East Coast Demerara Highway continues to worsen nine months after the contract was halted.

Presently, millions of dollars in preparatory steel has been left to rot and to make matters worse, massive erosion is taking place along the shoulders of the existing carriageway.

The original contract was worth in excess of $400M and given the volume of works that will be required upon resumption of the project, the cost could add up to well over a billion dollars.

For one, new preparatory steel will be required, in addition to repreparation of the surface area.

While work is progressing slowly on other sections of the contract, the contentious section runs from Better Hope to Montrose.

In July last year, the Ministry of Public Works terminated the $468M contract of Falcon Transport and Construction Services, citing poor quality works and alleged fraudulent practices

The stalled works have had a considerable impact on the thoroughfare on the part of the contractor.

Transport and Hydraulics M i n i s t e r, Robeson Benn, had confirmed that the Ministry was displeased with the quality of work.

According to the Ministry, completed works did not satisfy its standards.

However the contractor refuted this, claiming that the abrupt termination of

GT&T wants strict monitoring in post-monopoly period - alarmed at illegal bypass, aiming for tax reduction The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) is insistent that a level playing field remains one of its highest concerns as negotiations continue with government on the looming liberalisation of the telecoms sector.

The National Assembly, as early as March month end, is set to consider new legislation that will allow new players to fight for a foothold in what is considered one of the most lucrative markets in Guyana.

However, several attempts to have the matter discussed in the National Assembly have been delayed, with government deferring it amidst continuing negotiations with GT&T and mobile carrier, Digicel Guyana.

Not only does GT&T have a monopoly on international calls but it has the sole licence for operations of landlines.

Digicel, having to route its international calls through GT&T, has been fighting tooth and nail for the monopoly to be broken.

Government, wary of the

legal implications, especially with the fact that GT&T’s parent company, Atlantic Tele Network (ATN) is US-owned and a foreign investor, has been having meetings with the two on the possibilities of reaching an agreement.

Questioned yesterday on the talks, GT&T’s outgoing Chief Financial Officer (ag), Sonita Jagan, was at pains to express that GT&T was not opposed to liberalisation…rather, the company wants a level playing field.

A large part of GT&T’s revenue over the years has been from international calls and this was used to subsidise the cost of landlines to customers.

The official explained that talks included the system of strict monitoring and established systems, complete with qualified personnel, to ensure that players are not given unfair advantage.

“It is not just about having an agreement,” Jagan stressed.

Another critical aspect, she admitted, is the 45% Corporation Tax that

telephone companies have to pay. While a recent law change last year reduce Corporation Taxes to 35%, GT&T and Digicel have been made exceptions.

Hinting that this could be considered discriminatory, Jagan stressed that GT&T has been paying millions in taxes - the 10% difference in tax could easily be reinvested to much-needed technological infrastructure.

GT&T has also been taking a beating on its international calls revenue.

Not only have persons been illegally using multiple SIM cards from mobile phones to bypass GT&T’s system, making cheap international calls, but there has been no help from government.

While GT&T has been attempting to block these “fly-by-night” operators, it is difficult fight, Jagan said.

GT&T officials also highlighted the increasing usage of Skype, an internet application that allows cheap international calls and free computer-to-computer calls.

The bypassing of calls also has security implications.

his contract was in retaliation to his noncompliance with the corrupt demands of senior officials from the

Ministries of Finance and Public Works.

The matter had engaged the cabinet, with Attorney General Anil Nandlall

examining it closely to determine whether or not there were grounds for legal action against the contractor.

The contractor himself had threatened litigation to secure the final payment that was withheld by the government.

In September last year, Minister Benn had explained that interests have been aroused among other contractors to recommence the work, but the Ministry has to assess some technical difficulties before choosing one to replace Falcon.

Whichever company is contracted to execute the project will have a large task ahead.

Dr. Luncheon had said, “ We h a v e h a d s o m e difficulties with the quality of work that has been done which for all intents and purposes suggest that works have to be redone, an d t h e r e f o r e y o u c a n understand how technical the process will be of engaging someone else… another contractor to take over.”

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Cotton Tree farmers take Translated labour laws handed MMA to court over crop losses over to Chinese nationals In wake of reported losses, estimated to be several millions, compounded by threats that they will not be compensated, several Cotton Tree farmers have moved to the court claiming exemplary damages amounting to about $20 million.

This is according to Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Nigel Hughes, who disclosed during a press conference on Wednesday that one day earlier (Tuesday), 28 of the affected farmers filed legal proceedings against the Mahaicony/Mahaica/AbaryAgricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) for negligence in causing the loss of their crops.

According to the Attorney-at-law, he was informed by at least three of the farmers that “after we (AFC members) visited Cotton Tree, the head of the MMA went there and said to them that they would get no compensation because they went to the opposition. That was actually said expressly to them at a meeting between the head of the MMA and the residents of Cotton Tree”.

Hughes pointed out that although damages can only be determined by the court, a nominal figure of $20 million for exemplary damages has been stated. He explained that in the case of exemplary damages “you have to actually have special facts to

justify your claims, and our facts are that the MMA knew that there was going to be flooding and they did not notify any of the residents that they were going to block the dam...and the fact that the MMA said that they will get no compensation because they went to the opposition.”

More than a dozen of the farmers, last month, travelled to the city to air their concerns at the head office of the AFC. Hughes had earlier travelled to Cotton Tree to see the losses first hand after the farmers claimed that they tried to get both the Region Five administration and the MMA to pump water off the land, but they were told that no pump was available.

Sahiboodeen Khan, a farmer, said that in the first place, the pump station at Cotton Tree was “locked off” due to repair works which they later found out about. He said that when farmers asked for a pump there was none available. He pointed out that it was only recently that the pump station was re-opened to let the water out, but by then, all of his crops were already destroyed.

“This is not politics…This is about my livelihood, my daily bread,” Khan told reporters at a press conference hosted by the AFC. Another farmer, Gowkarran Seenarine, said that he has been farming crops such as watermelons

and squash for the past six years. He said that at least two times a year his farmland is flooded due to mismanagement by the authorities, and no compensation is ever forthcoming.

Young farmer, Krishna Rampersaud, who plants bora, sweet peppers and other crops with his father, was among those who travelled to Georgetown and had the same story to tell.

AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan said that it was a “lie” for the government to claim that the farmers were not compensated because of the budget cuts. He asserted that no such monies came for approval in the House.

Ramjattan said that he didn’t think any party in the National Assembly would have a problem with compensation for farmers.

Since the visit of the AFC Chairman to the village, farmers have claimed that activists of the ruling PPP started to swarm the area “like bees” questioning them as to why they took the AFC to the area, and telling them not to attend the press conference.

“They don’t help me. First thing we go to the region, they don’t have a pump,” Khan stated.

He said that activists of the ruling party have promised that they will “look after them” but the farmers say that they don’t have faith in such promises after years of flooding.

Fifth anniversary of Lusignan massacre…

AFC calls for thorough investigation into all mass crimes January 26 will mark the fifth Anniversary of the Lusignan massacre. Eleven persons, including five children, were shot dead even as they slept in their East Coast Demerara homes.

In remembering the day when Guyana was plunged into a state of darkness, the Alliance for Change (AFC) is calling for thorough investigations into all mass crimes.

Moses Nagamootoo, of the Alliance for Change (AFC), during a press conference on Wednesday last at the Side Walk Café, said that apart from early reports of a “vengeance killing” by the notorious “Fine Man”, no one has ever given a definitive account…and, with the death of the alleged killer, these killings would go down as “cold cases.”

The Lusignan massacre remains the most shocking mass killing in Guyana, after the Jonestown incident.

Those who lost their lives

were Clarence Thomas, 48; Vanessa Thomas, 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Mohandai Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; Seegobin Harilall, 4; Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52; Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Ramsingh, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; and Shaleem Baksh, 52.

Several wounded others have survived to re-live the horror.

“These 11 persons were murdered in cold blood whilst they slept in the peace and quiet of their humble dwelling by criminals carrying AK-47 assault rifles.

They would be explained away as the work of criminal and narco-gangsters, just as the Bartica and the Lindo Creek massacres,” Nagamootoo said.

He noted that those who died were caring mothers, father, sisters and brothers – “Few were infants and students.

The elders were champions in their own right

in the little things they did to preserve and protect their families. But they were the poor and the underprivileged.”

“The five children were not allowed to dream or to graduate, to love and live in their own country where criminals and drug-lords settled scores through the muzzle of guns, some of whom were recruited by a frightened state to come to its defence,” Nagamootoo said.

He added that like all multiple killings (extrajudicial and otherwise), the Lusignan massacre represents “a failure by our State to protect our people.”

“The AFC shares the grief and loss of relatives and survivors, and commits itself to ensure that all Guyanese are afforded adequate protection and security, and that Guyana up-root the narco-and-money-laundering gangs and their handlers, who incubate criminals to menace our society.”

Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul (second from right) handing over the laws to a member of the Chinese Association while its Head, Shilong Chow (third from right) and other members of the association examine the document Although Chinese nationals have been operating their businesses all across Guyana for many years now, the Ministry of Labour, only yesterday, handed over a translated version of the country’s Labour Laws to the Chinese community.

At the Chinese Association building on Brickdam, Minister of Labour, Nanda Gopaul, presented the document to the Head of the Chinese Association, Shilong Chow.

Gopaul during his address to the media and members of the Association noted that the Ministry’s aim in doing so is to decrease the number of complaints involving Chinese employers who seem to not be fully aware of the Labour Laws due to the language barrier.

Gopaul said that he hopes that the Chinese nationals would learn and observe

these laws. Among some of them outlined in the document are the working hours of employees.

The Minister explained that the employers must know that their employees are to be paid overtime if made to work beyond the prescribed amount of hours. He also made it clear that all employees are entitled to a daily lunch break, one day of every week, and a total of 12 days of annual leave.

Failure to upkeep these laws by employers will result in them being prosecuted.

Gopaul also pointed out that Guyana has one of the most modern pieces of legislation.

He said that during the last year, the prosecution of a number employers resulted in workers receiving nearly $29M in wages and benefits.

The Minister also explained that the government will be working

to establish a “national minimum wage” so as to ensure that persons are not being underpaid for their labour.

Gopaul said that he was happy with the turnout of Chinese nationals to the workshop, as it displayed a willingness to operate in Guyana, within its laws. He added that over the years, the Chinese have been helping to build the economy in the form of employment.

Gopaul noted that his Ministry is hoping that this initiative would help to reduce the conflicts between Chinese employers and their workers.

Meanwhile, when asked about a translation of the same document for employers of other nationalities like Indians, the Minister stated that the majority of them understand English.

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VENEZUELA MILITARY TO PLAY CENTRAL POWER BROKER CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — In a country riven by political strife, Venezuela’s military often has served as the arbiter of power. It has launched coups and frustrated them and dispatched soldiers to guarantee stability, distributing food, fighting crime and securing oil fields.

Now with President Hugo Chavez battling for his life, the stance of the 134,000strong armed forces again will be crucial.

Divisions within the military have clouded attempts to determine who it might support among Chavez loyalists or if it would side with the opposition. While the military’s leadership is packed with Chavez supporters, the officer corps may not be so loyal. Much will depend on what Chavez’s political heirs do in the coming weeks.

Experts and former military officers agree that the governing duo of Vice President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello has been unable to fill the leadership vacuum created by Chavez’s five-week absence and silence. Without a commander in chief, there is

no one to ensure unity or guarantee continued loyalty through promotions and retirements.

Retired army Gen. Antonio Rivero was one of the first to sound the alarm about the leadership gap when he told the Venezuelan news website Noticias24 that if Chavez didn’t return from Cuba for his Jan. 10 swearing-in, the armed forces from that point on would “not have a commander in chief.” He’s since gone into hiding after state intelligence agents came to his house looking for him.

He said in an interview that he had sparked government ire by accusing it of letting Cubans influence the military.

Maduro, for his part, has repeatedly tried to put to rest any questions about the military’s loyalties by rallying troops and publicly appearing alongside top brass.

On Wednesday, the vice president celebrated the supposed support of hundreds of soldiers gathered at the Fort Tiuna military base in Caracas. At the end of the televised speech, a band struck up a Venezuelan folk song and soldiers clapped in time to the lyrics “Onward, commander!”

“(Chavez) told us to transmit from his heart to the Bolivarian national armed forces all his appreciation for so much loyalty toward him as a humble soldier of this country,” Maduro said.

“Thanks to everybody for so much loyalty and for so much love.”

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles has also trumpeted his military ties, announcing last week in a news conference that he has been in touch with officers and suggested they would step in to ensure leaders follow the country’s laws governing what should happen in a transition.

The military, like the rest of the country, is in limbo, awaiting the outcome of Chavez’s fourth cancer surgery.

Government officials have insisted they can indefinitely postpone the president’s swearing-in, which the constitution had set for Jan. 10, as long as he’s physically incapacitated. Opposition leaders say the move is unconstitutional although it was ratified by the Supreme Court.

“The Armed Force also has a role to play here ... of

T&T magistrate adjourns sentencing of Machel Montano Machel Montano

P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad - CMC – A Magistrate Court has deferred until February 25, the sentencing of Trinidad and Tobago international Soca Star, Machel Montano, who was found guilty late last year of five criminal offences.

A number of artistes, performers as well as fans flocked to the court yesterday where Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor was due to hand down the sentencing on Montano as well as songwriter and producer Kernel Roberts, the son of deceased calypso legend Aldwyn “Kitchener” Roberts.

Montano had been found guilty of of assaulting Russel Pollonais and Brandis Brown.

Montano, 36, also faced additional charges of assaulting Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and for using obscene language.

The charges stem from a fracas outside a nightclub in the capital on April 26, 2007.

The four were first charged on June 4, 2007.

Montano is the headline act for several Carnival 2013 activities that end on Februray 12, including his own show “Machel Monday” scheduled for February 4.

He had previously assured fans that he would be performing this Carnival in the face of his court sentencing.

Roberts, the composer of several of Montano’s hits,

was also found guilty on two charges of assault.

Lawyers representing the two men as well as from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions made legal submissions to the magistrate on whether or not the two convicted men can be sentenced to community service for the offences.

During the trial last year, state prosecutor George Busby questioned the tolerance level of Montano as it relates to him dealing with his fans on a constant basis and the likelihood of his becoming agitated when doing so.

Busby also stated that in Montano’s evidence, he testified that at times he would also become agitated when members of his band, The HD Family, made mistakes during their performances.

“So even after 30 years of making music and performing, he would still lose his temper when the band makes a mistake. So I find it unbelievable that on that night (of the incident) he would have been able to control himself at a time when he wanted to relax and mingle privately,” said the prosecutor.

In this Oct. 20, 2011 file photo, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez speaks to soldiers in La Fria, Venezuela.

(AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File) respecting the constitution,” Capriles said during a news conference.

Throughout his 14 years in power, Chavez has proved masterful at commandeering support both inside and outside the military. With his natural political touch and ramped-up public aid

programs, Chavez has easily won re-election three times, including in October when he defeated Capriles with 55 percent of the vote.

Since taking office in 1999, Chavez has attempted to transform the rank and file into defenders of his socialistinspired policies. After a 2002

coup that included rebellious soldiers briefly dislodged him from power, Chavez returned to the presidential palace only after loyalists within the military stepped in to put down the uprising, and he subsequently promoted allies.

(Continued on page 21)

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Claims of missing Parliament to review Office of Public Defender names from Grenada

Michael Peart Jamaica’s Parliament is to conduct a full review of the Office of the Public Defender.

This follows a wave of criticism of the delayed submission of the interim report on the probe into the May 2010 Tivoli Gardens incursion.

Michael Peart, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who announced plans to conduct the review Wednesday evening, believes it has become necessary.

Mr. Peart, who was speaking on ‘Beyond the

Headlines’, asserted that it will help to determine if intervention is necessary as it concerns the operations of the Office of the Public Defender.

The Public Defender on Tuesday apologized to Mr. Peart for the non-submission of the report into the police/ military incursion into Tivoli Gardens and revealed that the probe is not yet completed.

Mr. Witter said he took full responsibility for the latest delay. He revealed that ballistic work critical to the report is not yet completed.

Mr. Witter conceded that criticisms about his missed deadlines have merit but insisted that the report will explain the reasons for the delay.

International human rights group, Amnesty International, has strongly criticized the continued setback in publishing a report.

According to Amnesty, prolonged delays in the investigation into the killing of approximately 73 people during the incursion could be

letting people get away with murder.

Mr. Peart is aiming to meet with the Public Defender Thursday to get an update on the status of the report on the Tivoli incursion.

He said the meeting should have been held Wednesday but was called off as the Public Defender was ill.

There have also been reports of tension involving Public Defender Earl Witter and members of his staff.

However, Mr. Witter on Tuesday in an interview with RJR News, rubbished those claims, stating, “I don’t know what these claims are…I don’t know what these reports are…I am not going to be drawn on speculation, on rumour. Certainly, I will not be engaged in any public spat with any of my officers or agents, which no doubt would delight so many. The fact of the matter is – and I make no apologies for it – I am a hard taskmaster; I have to be.” (RJR)

voters’ list dismissed

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – Grenada’s two main political parties said they were concerned over a number of names missing from the voters list as the island prepares for a general expected within 90 days.

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) said however it is “confident that the discrepancies which have been identified in the 2012 Consolidated Voters’ List will be resolved shortly”.

The party said that a review of the list “indicated the omission of the names of some previously registered voters.

“In the interest of democracy, the NDC made immediate contact with the Electoral Office to register our concerns regarding the accuracy of the list and emphasized the need for the appropriate steps to be taken to ensure that the final list includes all enumerated citizens.

“The NDC supports a fair electoral process, which honours the wishes of the

Tillman Thomas people through their vote.

We believe that every citizen of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique has the right to cast his/her vote. “ When he announced that he had requested Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean to dissolve the Parliament paving the way for the general election, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas said the election date would be known “shortly” as he wanted to give all nationals who are eligible to vote an opportunity to be registered.

“All such persons who are yet to register are urged to do so now,” he said.

The main opposition New National Party (NNP), seeking to regain power following its defeat by the NDC in 2008, said it too had identified thousands of names missing from the list released last month.

It said “the most pronounced infraction is in the St. George South East constituency” where in the month of September there were 3438 registered voters out of a total 54, 234.

But the party said when the list was released at the end of December last year “this number shrank to 2227, over 1200 names being removed”.

The Parliamentary Election Office is yet to issue a statement on the issue, but the NNP said it was urging the Supervisor of Elections to immediately correct the inaccuracies.

“With the massive expenditure on new technology, this blunder, if indeed it is a blunder, is

PM concerned about visa sharing agreement with US and Canada CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC – Prime Minister Kenny Anthony has expressed concern over the impact of the new visa information sharing agreement between Canada and the United States.

The agreement allows both countries to share information about third country nationals who apply for a visa or permit to travel to either the US or Canada.

The agreement which was signed last month follows a decision made by the Government of Canada in September last year to impose visa restrictions on St. Lucians.

At that time Canada said criminals from St. Lucia could enter the country without being checked and they could also obtain travel documents with new names.

The Canadian officials were also concerned about the high number of refugee claims from St. Lucia.

The Prime Minister said the new visa information sharing pact between Canada and the US represents

another blow to the country.

“I guess somehow that the value of the historical relationship that Canada and the Caribbean shared, that relationship is no longer that important to this current Canadian administration as has been the case in the past.

All of this is really very unfortunate and the tragedy of it all is that we are being punished for problems that could have been resolved at the Canadian end many years ago, but the Canadians did not have the will to act and they have decided to make us pay for what ever weaknesses that existed in their system,” he added.

Dr. Anthony said the new visa information agreement has very serious consequences, as what happens with the Canadians with respect to entry requirements could be adopted wholesale by the US. “It means that once you have applied to the USA for a visa and that visa has been declined, the US will complain to the Canadians that visa has

Kenny Anthony been declined. Likewise if one applies for a Canadian and they deny that application they would then inform their US counterpart and chances are the US will also decline approval for the application.”

The Prime Minister said even more significantly if the US decides to revoke a visa it is likely that Canada under the revocation would disallow entry that person entry.

He said what this means is that when St. Lucians apply for visas from Canada or US they need to ensure that the information is absolutely accurate.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Dudus’ assets seized; Govt. facing legal action from relatives...

Forfeiture claim against Justin O’Gilvie, wife and Coke’s relatives withdrawn Jamaica Observer - The assets of former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke were yesterday ordered forfeited to the State.

The order, made by Justice Lennox Campbell, comes more than two years after the assets were frozen when Coke was extradited to the United States to face gun and drug-running charges.

He is now serving time in a US prison after pleading guilty to lesser charges last year.

The order was made in default, as Coke was not represented in court to challenge the application which was made by the Government’s Asset Recovery Agency.

Coke’s assets include his business, Presidential Click Promotions Limited.

Meanwhile, the Asset Recovery Agency Wednesday withdrew its claim for the forfeiture of the assets of businessman Justin O’Gilvie and his wife, as well as relatives of Coke.

Following the withdrawal, Justice Lennox Campbell gave O’Gilvie, his wife and Coke’s relatives permission to pursue damages resulting from their assets being frozen for more than two years.

O’Gilvie’s assets, including that of his companies, Incomparable Enterprises and Bulls Eye Security Services Limited, those of his wife Maxine; Coke’s mother, Patricia Halliburton (now deceased); and the mother of his child, Stephanie Gayle, were frozen in June 2010.

Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke The assets were frozen following an application by the Assets Recovery Agency, which had claimed that the assets were given to Coke’s relatives and friends to launder.

Coke was, at the time, being pursued by law enforcement personnel to effect an arrest warrant for his extradition to the United States on drug and gunrunning charges.

At the same time, a battle is brewing between O’Gilvie and the National Commercial Bank (NCB), which has given him until January 29 to close the accounts of his businesses and those of this wife and children, his attorney Paul Beswick said.

Beswick told the Jamaica Observer that at the next court date on January 25 he will be seeking an order for the accounts to remain open.

According to the lawyer, he could not see why the bank would want to close the

accounts as his client did nothing wrong. “Not a thing can be attributed to Mr O’Gilvie,” Beswick said. “He doesn’t even have a traffic ticket.”

According to the attorney, five other banks have refused to do business with his client and that O’Gilvie’s businesses would crash if NCB closed the accounts.

He alleged that the alienation of his client was due to his “unfair” targeting by the Asset Recovery Agency and that there must be systems in place to prevent banks from closing people’s accounts without sufficient evidence. “Everybody is at risk,” Beswick said.

Last month, the High Court lifted the freeze on the assets, saying the agency had no case.

Beswick said last month that the two-year freeze had severely damaged O’Gilvie’s once-thriving businesses. He also blasted the Assets Recovery Agency for acting hastily to the detriment of his client, who has been a businessman for the past 25 years.

Yesterday, the court ordered that the Government pay the legal fees of the persons whose assets were unfrozen.

Attorney Chukwueneka Cameron, who is representing the estate of Halliburton and Gayle, said he was awaiting further instructions from his clients before proceeding with action to recover damages as a result of the action of the Assets Recovery Agency.

Grenada Election: February 1 is the Nomination Day ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – Candidates contesting the February 19 general elections here will have to submit their relevant documents on February 1, Nomination Day. In addition, Supervisor of Elections, Judy Benoit, said members of the protective services will cast their ballots on February 15.

Electoral Officials said that voter registration ended on Wednesday ahead of

January 17 in keeping with the provisions of the writ issued

by Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean.

“The system is electronic and if we registered anyone after midnight we will be in violation of the law,” said Benoit.

Many voters flocked to registration offices over the past few days after Prime Minister Tillman Thomas urged them to ensure they are registered in order to cast a

ballot in the election that is likely to be contested by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition New National Party (NNP), the Grenada United labour Party (GULP) and the recently formed National United Front (NUF).

Meanwhile, the police said they would be meeting with the leaders of the various political parties on Friday as campaigning continues across the island.

Page 21

VENEZUELA MILITARY TO...

From page 19 Chavez also has defended officers accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking and blasted what he’s said is fabricated evidence against them.

Chavez’s government is replete with military brass, including seven of 29 Cabinet ministers.

When Chavez’s allies swept the country’s gubernatorial elections in December, 11 of the country’s 23 governorships ended up in the hands of former military officers allied with the president.

If he dies or otherwise leaves power, the country’s constitution requires an election be called within 30 days to replace him, which could unleash a power struggle.

What may ultimately guide the transition is the complex mix of loyalties among both top leadership and lower-ranking officers, said Rocio San Miguel, president of the nonprofit group Citizen Control for Security, Defense and the Armed Force.

A former paratrooper, Chavez enjoys explicit support from his two top military leaders, Defense Minister Adm. Diego Molero and chief strategic operational officer, army Gen. Wilmer Barrientos, both of whom the president appointed.

Cabello, who’s a close Chavez ally and former army lieutenant, can also count on officers promoted by the country’s main military academy around 1987, the year of his class. Retired Adm. Ivan Carratu estimated more than 85 men from that class, out of hundreds of highranking officers, are serving in command posts around the

country.

But while the top leadership is solidly proChavez, the loyalties of some 8,500 to 10,000 middle- and low-ranking officers remain unknown, San Miguel said, and they could determine the military’s posture.

“We are clearly in a transition in Venezuela and what’s to be defined is what is the real alternative to power, first within Chavismo and secondly, with regard to the opposition’s aspirations,” San Miguel said.

Opposition politicians insist that many in the armed forces are unhappy with Chavez for introducing Cuban officials among their ranks and for failing to improve soldiers’ low wages and poor benefits.

Carratu told The Associated Press that more than 100 officers, largely colonels, have been kept out of active duty after being identified as unsympathetic to Chavez’s policies. He added that the authorities hope to retire many of them after two years out of active duty.

Carratu said another batch of officers is not aligned with any political movement and consider themselves loyal only to the constitution.

“There exists a group of soldiers ... where what’s totally and absolutely important is the army,” Carratu said. “It’s where there isn’t visible authority.”

Another question complicating any transition is

a 125,000 person-strong civilian militia that the Chavez government has cultivated as a shadow army defending his programs. San Miguel estimated that about 30,000 of them could be considered armed combatants.

Under the command of a Chavez-appointed army general, the militia represents “a threat to the civilian population that decides to protest peacefully,” she said.

At least for now, the military appears to be playing its historic part by ensuring peace, said Diego MoyaOcampos, a political analyst with the London-based economic consultancy IHS Global Insight.

“In the current scenario of weak institutions in Venezuela, the armed forces plays a role of a sort of constitutional police that guarantees the constitution and the democratic process,” Moya-Ocampos said. “The military is committed to political stability and to the Venezuelan Constitution.”

“There are tensions behind the scenes but not strong enough yet to fragment the armed forces.”

San Miguel, however, suggested the military simply may be waiting until the president’s departure to make any move, as are all the players in Venezuela’s postChavez chess game.

When will it finally reveal its plans? “Not until there’s a real alternative of power,” San Miguel said.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Pakistan urges India to Raid by Assad forces kills cool rhetoric over Kashmir 106 people in Homs NEW DELHI (Reuters) Pakistan urged India yesterday to tone down the “Pakistan bashing” over a spate of military clashes in Kashmir between the nucleararmed neighbors, and again offered foreign minister-level talks to try to cool tensions.

“I think it is important not to let this cycle escalate into something which becomes even more ugly than it is today,” Pakistani High Commissioner to India Salman Bashir said in an interview with Reuters. “Let’s try to see if we can cool down and resume normal business.”

Three Pakistani and two Indian soldiers have been killed this month in the worst outbreak of tit-for-tat violence in Kashmir since India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along a de facto border there nearly a decade ago.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since partition in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region that both claim.

Following public and

Salman Bashir

media outrage after India said one of its soldiers had been decapitated, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said there could be “no business as usual” with Pakistan, and the army chief said his commanders should retaliate if provoked.

Bashir said India could have worked with Pakistan to get to the bottom of what happened instead of “stirring raw emotions and upping the rhetoric”, adding that “Pakistan bashing has become fashionable” in India.

He told Reuters that the killing of the soldiers on the

Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir was not carried out

by Pakistani troops.

“Such heinous acts ... are of course condemnable irrespective of where they happen and when they happen. But to say that these were done by Pakistan, that the Pakistan army was responsible, is something that we cannot agree to,” he said.

India blames the Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) militant group for that attack and says it enjoys official protection in Pakistan. Pakistan denies (Continued on page 24)

Smoke rises after what activists said were missiles fired by a Syrian Air Force fighter jet loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in Daraya in this picture provided by Shaam News Network. REUTERS/Kenan Al-Derani/Shaam News Network/Handout BEIRUT (Reuters) - More than 100 people were shot, stabbed and possibly burned to death in the Syrian city of Homs this week, in what a monitoring group said was a massacre by the army or militia loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

The Britain-based monitoring group said women and children were among the 106 people killed by forces who stormed Basatin alHasawiya, an impoverished district on the edge of town.

Reuters cannot independently confirm reports due to reporting restrictions in Syria.

“The Observatory has the names of 14 members of one family, including three children, and information on other families who were completely killed, including one of 32 people,” Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told Reuters.

“This needs to be investigated by the United Nations,” said Abdelrahman, a Syrian who has

documented human rights violations in Syria since 2006 and now reports on killings by both sides of the 22month-old conflict.

Homs province was the scene in May 2011, of the killing of 108 people, including nine children and 34 women, in the town of Houla, which U.N. monitors blamed on the army and pro-Assad militia.

Homs saw some of the biggest anti-Assad protests at the start of the revolt and heavy bombardment leveled whole neighborhoods and killed thousands of people as the army attacked rebels who moved into the city.

The United Nations sent observers to Syria in April 2011 but after several attacks on their convoys they left in August, complaining that both sides had chosen the path of war.

Abu Yazen, an opposition activist in Homs, said the rebel Free Syrian Army occasionally entered the farmlands of Basatin alHasawiya to attack a nearby military academy.

“Assad’s forces punish civilians for allowing the rebels to enter the area,” he said Another activist said it was unclear which group carried out the attack, but said some of the victims appeared to have been burnt after they were killed - something the opposition says is often done by the pro-Assad shabbiha militia.

However, many houses had been torched during the raid, which could also explain the burnt bodies.

The shabbiha are drawn largely from Assad’s minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam. Homs has seen some of the worst sectarian violence between Alawites and other minorities and Syria’s majority Sunni Muslim population, who are leading the uprising.

The outside world has not been able to stop the violence despite reports and videos of several mass killings, mostly blamed on pro-Assad forces but some also on rebel fighters.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Pakistani cleric ends rally after government deal

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani officials struck a deal late yesterday with a fiery Muslim cleric to end four days of anti-government protests by thousands of his supporters that largely paralyzed the capital and put intense pressure on the government.

The demonstration came at a time when the government is facing challenges on several fronts, including from the country’s top court. The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister earlier in the week in connection with a corruption case, but the government’s anti-corruption chief refused to act yesterday, citing a lack of evidence.

Tahir-ul-Qadri, the 61year-old cleric who led the protests in Islamabad, galvanized many Pakistanis with his message alleging that the nation’s politicians are corrupt thieves who care more about lining their pockets than dealing with the country’s pressing problems, such as electricity shortages, high unemployment and deadly attacks by Islamic militants.

He demanded electoral reform to prevent corrupt politicians from standing for elections.

But his demand that the government be dissolved and replaced by a military-backed caretaker administration raised concerns that he was being used by the nation’s powerful army to try to delay parliamentary elections expected this spring. Qadri has denied any connection to the army, which has a history of toppling civilian governments in military coups and has done little to hide its disdain for the country’s politicians.

Qadri returned late last year from Canada and became a significant political force almost overnight, leveraging support from a large cadre of religious followers in Pakistan and abroad. Tens of thousands of people

responded to his call to hold a protest in Islamabad and camped out in the main avenue running through the city, huddling beneath blankets at night to ward off the cold.

But Qadri was left politically isolated Wednesday when a large group of opposition parties collectively announced that they would not support the protest and opposed any movement that threatened democracy. Their response and suggestions by the country’s interior minister that the government would use force to disperse the protesters might have factored into the cleric’s decision to strike a deal, which appeared to fall short of his demands. The protesters also were being drenched by heavy rain.

The government agreed to meet with Qadri after he announced that Thursday would be the last day of the protest while warning that he would let the protesters decide how to respond if the government failed to meet his demands by the afternoon.

The agreement was reached after hours of negotiation inside a bulletproof container the religious leader was using at the demonstration site.

The bizarre scene was broadcast on TV as cameras filmed the group’s meeting through the container’s window. Thousands of protesters danced and cheered when Qadri announced that he and the government had hammered out a deal and they could now end their protest.

“God has granted you victory, and this is a day of victory for Pakistan,” Qadri told the crowd, as they energetically waved green and white Pakistani flags.

The government agreed to dissolve the National Assembly before its term ends on March 16, leaving time to make sure politicians are eligible to stand for elections under the

agreed to discuss the composition of the Election Commission but made no promises about changing its membership.

Nevertheless, Qadri’s supporters were overjoyed with the agreement.

“I am happy that we achieved our goal, and God willing, we will have honest leadership after the next elections,” said one of the protesters, 22-year-old Ghazala Shaheen.

The resolution of the standoff with Qadri comes as a relief to the government as

it faces a renewed round of conflict with the Supreme Court.

Fasih Bokhari, head of the government’s anti-corruption unit, the National Accountability Bureau, told the Supreme Court on Thursday that the initial investigation into corruption allegations against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz was flawed. He said he needed more time to determine whether the premier should be arrested.

The case involves kickbacks that Ashraf allegedly took when he was minister of water and power.

They were related to projects to build private power stations to provide electricity to energy-starved Pakistan.

The prime minister has denied the allegations.Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry questioned why the anticorruption chief needed more time since the case against the prime minister has been pending for about a year. He grilled Bokhari, who was appointed by the president, and eventually demanded

that he deliver a detailed report on the case when the hearing resumes on Jan. 23.

“There may be some who consider themselves above the law, but let me make it clear there is no one above the law,” Chaudhry said.

The Supreme Court has clashed repeatedly with the government during the past year, especially over an old corruption case against Pakistan’s president in Swiss court. Pakistan’s Supreme Court convicted Ashraf’s predecessor, Yousuf Raza Gilani, of contempt of court for refusing to reopen the case and ousted him from office.

Also Thursday, gunmen riding a motorcycle in the southern city of Karachi killed a provincial lawmaker from the city’s most powerful party, the Muttahida Quami Movement, and one of his police guards, said police spokesman Imran Shaukat. Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan claimed responsibility for the shooting by telephone to The Associated Press.

yesterday a much-anticipated speech on Britain’s future role in the European Union because of the hostage crisis at an Algerian gas plant where Britons are believed to be among those held.

Cameron warned people to expect “bad news” after Algerian forces launched an operation to free the hostages.

“The Algerian armed forces have now attacked this compound,” Cameron told BBC TV. “It is a very dangerous, a very uncertain, a very fluid situation and I think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead.”

His speech, which he had been due to make in Amsterdam, had been eagerly awaited by lawmakers and Britons as well as by officials and politicians across Europe.

“Due to events in Algeria, Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech in the Netherlands tomorrow (today) has been postponed,” his office said in a statement.

Algerian sources said twenty-five foreign hostages escaped and six were killed in a battle with militants demanding a halt to a French military operation against fellow al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters in neighboring Mali.

Britain and Norway,

whose oil firms BP and Statoil run the plant jointly with Algeria’s state oil company, said they had been informed by the Algerian authorities that a military operation was under way.

However, a spokesman for Cameron had earlier said the British prime minister had phoned his Algerian counterpart to express his concern at what he called a “very grave and serious” situation, and said Britain would have “preferred” to have been informed of the operation in advance.

“We face a very bad situation at this BP gas compound in Algeria,” Cameron said.

Tahir-ulQadri

constitution, according to a copy of the agreement. The government also agreed that the caretaker administration, which normally precedes elections, would be chosen in consultation with Qadri’s party, but there was no mention of a role for the military or the judiciary as the cleric demanded.

The cleric also demanded the dissolution of the body that oversees elections in Pakistan, claiming it was biased because it was appointed by political leaders. The government

Algeria crisis forces British PM to delay Europe speech

David Cameron LONDON (Reuters) Prime Minister David Cameron postponed

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Friday January 18, 2013

U.S. troops in Italy quiz Panetta about looming budget cuts (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said yesterday that Congress should “suck it up” and show the leadership needed to fix the fiscal crisis that has thrown Pentagon budgeting into confusion and threatened national security.

Responding to questions from Army soldiers worried about looming spending cuts, Panetta said the Defense Department faced a “perfect storm” in the coming months.

He cited the need for the U.S. debt ceiling to be raised, the Pentagon’s current funding approval due to expire, and $500 billion in spending cuts about to go into effect.

Panetta, on a week-long trip to Europe that is likely to be his last as defense secretary, had few words of comfort to offer the troops if the Pentagon has to implement another $500 billion in spending cuts over 10 years beginning on March 1.

“If I face another half a trillion in cuts, you know, all bets are off,” Panetta told about 150 members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta

“I don’t know what to tell you at that point. We’re all going to pay a hell of a price. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

The Pentagon has begun implementing $487 billion in cuts to projected spending over 10 years that were ordered in the 2011 Budget Control Act, which was aimed at reducing the United States’ trillion dollar budget deficits.

The act also directed the government to implement another $1 trillion in acrossthe-board cuts, including $500 billion from defense, unless Congress agreed on a compromise package of

alternatives that would reduce spending by an equivalent amount.

The cuts, under a mechanism known as sequester, were due to go into effect on January 2. But Congress passed a law on New Year’s Day that delayed the spending reductions for two months to give them more time to hammer out a deal.

At the same time, Congress has not appropriated funds for the Defense Department for the 2013 fiscal year that began on October 1. Instead, it passed a deal to keep the department

operating through most of March, but at reduced funding levels.

And the government has reached the limit of its borrowing capacity and needs Congress to raise it sometime in March to avoid a default.

The timing of the three financial measures has caused some officials to voice concern that the Defense Department cuts may be allowed to go into effect because Congress may be more concerned about the debt ceiling and 2013 appropriations.

“The greatest threat we face right now is continuing uncertainty in Washington as to just exactly what will happen on the budget,” Panetta told the troops.

“If suddenly they cut us and then if this damn sequester goes into effect, we’re facing huge cuts,” he added. “Largely, that would have to come out of readiness and maintenance.”

Panetta said if the cuts bite, the Pentagon would have to send out notices to the department’s nearly 800,000 civilian employees that they may have to take a month of unpaid leave before September 30 to achieve needed spending reductions.

“It’s going to affect us,” he said. While troops preparing to deploy would receive training, for “everybody else, training is going to be cut, readiness is going to be cut ... ships that should go into maintenance

won’t go into maintenance.”

Panetta said the Pentagon needed greater budget stability and the flexibility to make spending reductions strategically, rather than across-the-board as under sequestration.

“This is not an unsolvable problem,” he said. “People have just got to suck it up and take on some of the risk and ... challenges that are required by people in leadership.”

Panetta noted that members of the 173rd put their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“All we’re asking of our elected leaders is to take a small part of the risk that maybe they’ll piss off some constituents. But the fact is that they’ll be doing what is right for the country.”

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe, Tsvangirai agree on new constitution

Pakistan urges India to...

From page 22 supporting the group. Indian officials have accused the LeT of stirring up the recent trouble on the border, a claim denied by its founder, Hafez Saeed.

Bashir said the Pakistani army and government could not speculate on who might have been behind the attack.

Pakistan’s government was plunged into a crisis this week by a Muslim cleric who led a mass protest in Islamabad to demand it resign. Bashir ruled out any

link between the internal strife and the military skirmishes on the Kashmir border.

He pointed to an offer made on Wednesday by Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to her Indian counterpart for talks to ratchet down the tension.

“Pakistan definitely desires de-escalation and definitely feels that the only way forward is through dialogue,” he said.

Indian-Pakistani relations had improved after plummeting in 2008 when

gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in a three-day rampage that India blamed on LeT. However, firing and small skirmishes are common along the internationally recognized 740-km (460-mile) LoC despite the ceasefire that was agreed in 2003.

Government officials on both sides have insisted over the past two days that the latest flare-up will not derail talks to improve relations, and experts say an escalation is unlikely.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe (C) and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo HARARE (Reuters) Zimbabwean leaders Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai said yesterday they had resolved disputes over a proposed new constitution and would soon call a referendum on the charter, a key step before elections due this year.

Mugabe - president since independence in 1980 - and Prime Minister Tsvangirai are bitter rivals but formed a coalition government after disputed elections in 2008, with the tabling of a new constitution a top priority before fresh elections.

The new constitution had looked in doubt last year when Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party tried to overhaul curbs on presidential powers and a strengthening of parliament.

The draft also proposes devolving power to provincial councils.

The coalition leaders met

for nearly four hours at Mugabe’s official residence to clear hurdles on the path to a new charter.

“Sure there will still be some T’s to cross and I’s to dot, but we are generally agreed and the finalization of the draft is now being made,” Mugabe said, flanked by Tsvangirai and leaders of a smaller faction of his MDC party.

Mugabe said a draft would now be produced to be put up for a referendum. “We will be stipulating our road map and stating when a referendum will be held and that will dictate also when our elections will be held,” he said.

The veteran ruler refused to go into details of how the constitutional disputes had been resolved.

“Along the way, there are various ideas given and you pit this idea against the other

and you... find a middle course and compromise,” Mugabe said.

Tsvangirai confirmed the deal, saying the end of the deadlock on the constitution was “a defining moment.”

Funding problems and constant bickering between the coalition parties have delayed the adoption of a new constitution, initially scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Mugabe has previously threatened to call a vote under the current constitution but has been held back by regional leaders eager to avoid a repeat of the violent and disputed 2008 polls.

Despite concerns over his health and age, ZANU-PF endorsed the 88-year-old Mugabe as its candidate for presidential and parliamentary elections expected before the end of the year.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 18, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The spontaneous Aries Moon tempts you with the delicious possibility of immediate gratification if you have the courage to express your needs.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You’re inclined to take sides in a conflict at work today, but you can be more effective if you maintain neutrality.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Even if you’re not trying to lead the pack today, you still may feel as if you are a reluctant trendsetter. You could be worried about being the first one to run into opposition because you can see obstacles ahead that others cannot.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You feel happy when you nurture those you love, but you might do it so passionately today that you run the risk of being overprotective.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) There’s no need to be overly intent on attaining satisfaction today because forcing results can leave you feeling unfulfilled and frustrated.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You’re motivated to give one hundred and ten percent toward your job to ensure a smoothly functioning work environment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Although your energy level is high today, feeling so good could get you into trouble. You may attempt to suppress a strong opinion that might be offensive, only to find that someone else says exactly what you are thinking.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The ardent Aries Moon stimulates the heat of passion, but your sense of propriety prevents you from casually sharing your desires.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) There is an obvious relationship between how much of your feelings you get out into the open today and the amount of resistance you encounter over the next few weeks.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You can accomplish more than you think by concentrating on what’s directly in front of your nose today. Avoid distractions; even if something sounds like a great idea, let it pass for now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It’s tempting to wag your tongue without even considering the consequences today, for whatever you think now slips through your lips without much resistance.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You aren’t completely sure what you want to do yet, but your plan is growing clearer day by day.

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Guides are subjected to change without notice

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CONCACAF appoints Director of Development Miami – The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced on Thursday the appointment of Hugo Salcedo as Director of Development at CONCACAF, effective January 8th.

Salcedo brings extensive experience in the football field as a retired U.S. soccer player and member of the U.S. Olympic and Pan American

team. Furthermore, he has coached at the collegiate level and has spent over thirty years in various executive positions with FIFA, United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Major League Soccer (MLS).

“Development is at the core of CONCACAF’s priorities as our goal is to see the quality of play reach the highest attainable level in our region,” expressed President Jeffrey Webb. “As part of this

essential task, we have invited Mr. Salcedo to be a key player in the evolution of the development of football within our Confederation.”

After a long path as a professional player and executive official at various institutions, Salcedo was appointed by FIFA as a venue General Coordinator for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and since then has been selected for a total of 22 FIFA Competitions, most recently

at the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament in London.

As part of Salcedo’s professional engagements, in 1992 he became responsible for the oversight of the administrative portion of FIFA’s coaching courses.

Finally, he spent two years working for MLS in assisting the development of Hispanic players.

From 2001-2004, Salcedo was the FIFA Development Officer for the region of

Hugo Salcedo

CONCACAF with the task of supervising and helping member associations as they implemented FIFA Goal programmes, as well as noting trends that emerged in their respective areas.

“In my long quest to be an integral part of the development of this region, I

trust my skills and vast expertise will contribute to the expansion and advancement of the sport within the CONCACAF region,” said Salcedo. “It is a privilege to be an intrinsic part of a motivated team of professionals led by such visionary leadership.”

Gayle to play in Caribbean T20 Chris Gayle will join the Jamaica squad in the ongoing Caribbean T20 as a replacement for the injured Andre McCarthy. Expected to fly in to St Lucia immediately, Gayle is likely to be available for selection for Jamaica’s final league match against the Combined Campuses and Colleges on Friday (today).

The Jamaica Cricket Association sought approval for Gayle to replace McCarthy who is unavailable due to an injury. The WICB Caribbean T20 2013 Technical Committee approved the replacement.

Gayle’s inclusion is bound to inject confidence into the Jamaicans, who are currently lying second behind table-toppers and defending champions Trinidad & Tobago, on 13 points. But their batsmen have failed to dominate, with not a single player scoring a fifty.

Gayle would also expect to set his own record for Jamaica straight: in the eight Twenty20 matches he has played for Jamaica, he has managed just 136 runs.

The explosive opener, who topped the run charts in the last two editions of the IPL with powerful batting performances, has been low on form after his below-par performances for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.

Thunder was the poorest team in the tournament, failing to notch a single win in eight matches. Gayle just got one fifty, departing the tournament with 137 runs from seven matches. Still, an aggressive 65, including a 25ball half-century, in the final match would have boosted his morale and that of Jamaica now.

Last month, the Jamaican selectors were forced to omit Gayle from the final squad after the batsman said he would be available in the event Thunder failed to qualify for the knockouts.

According to the tournament rules, the only way Gayle could be included in the squad was a replacement for an injured player.

Currently second on the points table, Jamaica are favourites to qualify for the play-off stage.

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T&T beat Bajans; reach Grand Final Gros Islet, St Lucia – Defending champions Trinidad and Tobago cruised into the final of the Caribbean Twenty20 after nonchalantly dismissing a timid challenge from Barbados here Wednesday night.

Set a woefully inadequate target of 102 for victory at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium, T&T wobbled briefly before getting home by five wickets and finishing their preliminary round campaign unbeaten.

Opener Lendl Simmons top scored with 36 from 23 balls to set up Trinidad’s victory, staging a 45-run, first wicket stand off 32 balls with rookie Evin Lewis who stroked 24 in his first match of the tournament.

While T&T finished atop the standings with 21 points, the defeat Barbados left Barbados with only a slim chance of reaching the playoffs with their third straight loss. They lie fourth on eight points with one game left against Windward Islands on Thursday.

The Windwards and Guyana, who clash in the final

game of the preliminaries on Friday (today), also have eight points but have two games remaining.

Winning the toss and batting, Barbados showed no serious attacking intent and meandered painfully to 101 for six off their 20 overs, with all-rounder Ashley Nurse punching an unbeaten 24 down the order while opener Justin Brathwaite (22) and Shane Dowrich (21) chipped in with useful scores.

Medium pacer Rayad Emrit claimed two for 14 from four frugal overs, with legspinner Samuel Badree also strangling the Barbadian batsmen with four mean overs that yielded just 15 runs. A reshuffled batting order failed to improve Barbados’ start as makeshift opener Carlos Brathwaite (2) edged Badree behind in the second over with the score on four for one.

Dowrich, promoted to number three, joined Justin Brathwaite to add 39 for the second wicket, with both batsmen looking to play positively. The left-handed Brathwaite hit three fours and

a six over long-on off Sunil Narine in the off-spinner’s first over while Dowrich counted two fours.

However, the partnership consumed 46 deliveries and built pressure, resulting in Brathwaite’s run out in the ninth over looking for a nonexistent single and with just eight runs added, Dowrich followed when he squirted Narine to Darren Bravo at point. Captain Dwayne Smith dithered 14 balls over seven before providing Emrit with his first wicket, adjudged lbw in the 15th over at 59 for four while the left-handed Kyle Mayers skied to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin three balls later to fall for four, with five runs added.

With Barbados floundering, Nurse came to his side’s aid, hitting two fours and a six in a brisk 19ball knock, eking precious runs out at the death.

Barbados were always up against it, however, once Simmons and Lewis ensured there was no early loss of wickets. Simmons played with abandon and his 23-ball

Rayad Emrit poses with his Man of the Match trophy knock was laced with four fours and two sixes while the left-handed Lewis hit three fours off 27 balls.

Simmons punched leftarm spinner Sulieman Benn through cover and followed up with a six over long on in the second over that cost 17 runs, and also tore into speedster Fidel Edwards in the next over, which leaked 15 runs.

He was marching along merrily when he upper cut

seamer Carlos Brathwaite in the sixth over for Mayers to take a well judged running catch at third man.

Darren Bravo, with unbeaten half-centuries in his three previous innings, stroked two typically elegant cover-driven boundaries but mis-timed a pull to mid-on off medium pacer Smith in the eighth over to fall for nine at 65 for two.

Smith then created some controversy when he ran out

Dwayne Bravo (3) on delivery as the all-rounder backed up too far. Three balls later, Lewis failed to beat Edwards’ throw from backward point and was also run out attempting a quick single.

Barbados scented a collapse but T&T never appeared flustered, and captain Ramdin (10 not out) and Kieron Pollard (15) calmly carried the score to within one of the target before being separated.

Mc Leods, Julien headline Sea Hawks Splash Brothers Joshua and Abraham Mc Leod, and Kristin Julien are among the 230 plus athletes who have registered to participate in the 4th edition of the Sea Hawks New Year Splash on Sunday.

Centre of Excellence Sea Hawks Swim Club are the hosts of this Annual event, which for the first time would be held at the Marlins 50m Swimming Facility in Westmoorings from 9:00am.

This meet is the first for 2013, and is a qualifier for the CARIFTA and CISC Championships, and the FINA World Junior Championships. With the decision last year by the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) to only accept times swum in a Long Course (50m) pool to qualify for the aforementioned meets, the venue has been changed from Centre of Excellence to give athletes an additional opportunity to qualify.

The meet is expected to be highly competitive with most of the country’s top athletes participating.

Abraham and Joshua Mc Leod of Atlantis Aquatics would be in action for the first time since competing in December’s World Short Course Championships in Russia. Additionally, Kristin Julien of TITANS Swim Club would also make her first swim for 2013, after qualifying in December for the 2013 World Junior Championships in Dubai.

Twelve Clubs would be participating in this one day affair. Following their historic victory in December at the ASATT Invitational, TITANS Swim Club will be hoping to continue with their winning ways for this first meet of the year. TITANS were also the 2012 winners of this Sea Hawks Splash. However it would not be easy sailing for them as they are expected to face a fierce challenge from

Tidal Wave Aquatics, Marlins Swim Club and Blue Dolphins.

This meet features all the individual events in swimming except the 100 individual medley. Competitors are restricted to swim a maximum of five events. There are also five mixed relay events on the day. High Point trophies would be awarded based on the aggregate FINA scores of athletes in their best four events. Trophies would be given to the top 8 swimmers in 10 & under, 11-12 and 1314 age groups. Additionally, trophies would be given to the top swimmers in the 8 & Under, 15 – 17 and 18 & Over age groups, and 15 & Over Swimmers falling within the Top 10 overall, that do not receive 15-17 or 18 & Over awards. Special awards would be presented to the top 3 relay teams in the competitive relay events, top FINA Point swims in the six age groups, and the top Three Swim Clubs.

Friday January 18, 2013

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IOC strip disgraced Armstrong Jawahir leads Upper to of his Olympic bronze medal 5 wkts win over Lower from 2000 Games

Jumbo Jet Auto Sales West Berbice U-23 tourney

The winning Upper West Berbice team The Berbice Cricket Board as part of its efforts to improve the standard of cricket in West Berbice, last weekend organised a two-day match for Under-23 players at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground.

Upper West Berbice defeated their Lower counterparts by five wickets to clinch the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales Trophy.

Batting first after winning the toss, Lower were bowled out for 132; Keon Gravesande top scored with an attractive 42 (5x4), Keon Fraser 34 (3x4) and R. Gossai 12.

B o w l i n g f o r U p p e r, promising leg spinner Kevon Jawahir claimed 6 wickets for 43 runs from 17 overs while left arm s p i n n e r Wa g a r H a s s a n took 2 for 32 from 8.

In response, the host made 169 all out in 56 overs; skipper Deveshwari Prashad led with 45 (2x4), Derick Narine Lalsa Jr. 17 and Abdool Subhan 21. Medium

pacer Keyron Fraser was impressive claiming 5 wickets for 43 runs from 13 overs and Kris Ramnarine 3 for 40.

Batting a second time with a first innings deficit of 37, the visitors were bowled out for 120; Ravi Gossai 39 (3x4), Azib Khan 26 and Quacy Mc Pherson 24 offered some resistance to the bowling of Jawahir, 3 for 39 to end with match figures of 9 for 82.

Wagar Hussain supported with 4 for 40 from 14 overs.

Needing to score 83 runs for victory in a maximum of 15 overs, Upper West Berbice reached 85 for 5 with five balls remaining.

Aviskar Sewkarran was unbeaten on 30 while Nick Ramsaroop supported with 20. Keyron Fraser took 2 for 16 for the Lower West Berbice Team.

BCB Public Relations Officer and Special Events Committee Chairman Hilbert Foster at the presentation

ceremony expressed gratitude to the Management of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales for sponsoring the match.

The two-day encounter was organised as part of the Board’s countywide efforts to get young players to focus on the longer version of the game and Foster praised the youngsters for their commitment, passion and discipline.

He committed the BCB to investing even more in West Berbice while urging the players to work hard at developing their personal game since 2013 promises to be an exciting one in the Ancient County.

The Board has expressed its disappointment that five cricketers selected from the Young Achievers Club to play in the Lower West Berbice did not turn up for the match while no excuses were submitted.

Disciplinary action would be taken against the players very shortly.

Williams, Azarenka into...

From page 38 of Germany, No. 21 Andreas Seppi of Italy and Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis, who beat No. 25 Florian Mayer 6-2, 6-3, 6-1.

Novak Djokovic advanced on Wednesday night, extending his winning streak at Melbourne Park to 16 with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 win over 20-year-old American Ryan Harrison and remaining on track for a third consecutive Australian Open title.

No. 4 David Ferrer, No. 5

Tomas Berdych and No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic all went through on day three, along with No. 20 Sam Querrey, the highest-ranked American left in the men’s tournament.

Women’s No. 2 Maria Sharapova overwhelmed Japan’s Misaki Doi in 47 minutes, becoming the first woman to post back-to-back 6-0, 6-0 wins at a Grand Slam since 1985. She next plays seven-time major winner Venus Williams in the third round.

Sharapova leads the head-to-head series 4-3 against Venus Williams, but Williams has won both of their Grand Slam meetings. Venus is still on the comeback trail after missing seven months after the 2011 U.S. Open to deal with Sjogren’s Syndrome.

Now seeded 25th, she dropped only one game in her first-round win and then went down a break early to Alize Cornet of France before winning 6-3, 6-3.

Lance Armstrong has been asked to hand back his Olympic medal following his confession to doping, confirming what was exclusively revealed by Sportsmail’s Jonathan McEvoy on Wednesday.

The IOC acted after the International Cycling Union (UCI) disqualified all of Armstrong’s results as a consequence of the American rider being found guilty of systematic doping.

Armstrong had 21 days to appeal against the UCI’s decision and once it was confirmed he had not done so, the IOC took action.

An IOC spokesman said: ‘We have written to Armstrong asking for him to return the medal and informed the US Olympic Committee.

‘It was a decision taken in principle at the executive board before Christmas. We were waiting for confirmation from the UCI that he hadn’t appealed against his disqualification.’

The shamed icon was written to by the IOC after telling Oprah Winfrey that, despite years of denials, his seven Tour de France titles were fuelled by illegal stimulants - an admission that prompted the world’s leading crusader against drugs in sport to question cycling’s place in the Olympic Games.

Dick Pound, an IOC member and the former head of the World Anti- Doping Agency, said if the governing UCI are complicit in Armstrong’s doping

Lance Armstrong

offences, ‘the only way they are going to clean up is if all these people say, “Hey, we’re no longer in the Olympics and that’s where we want to be so let’s earn our way back into it”.

‘The IOC would have to deal with it. The UCI are not known for their strong actions in anti-doping. It was the same in weightlifting a few years ago.

‘All of a sudden when you get right up against it things go fuzzy and they say, “Well, we can’t punish innocent athletes in these sports by dropping the sport from the program”.’

The IOC would see the expulsion of such a prominent Olympic sport as a last resort despite claims that Armstrong bribed the UCI. The retention of Olympic cycling would suit

British interests given that the country won 26 medals in the sport in the last two Games combined.

The bleak news mounted up for Armstrong last night with Pound’s former organisation, WADA, insisting that the TV mea culpa will not result in his lifetime ban from sport being overturned.

They told Armstrong that giving evidence ‘under oath’ - rather than to America’s talk show queen was the only conceivable way he could compete again in his favourite post-cycling pursuit, triathlon.

Armstrong is being assailed by lawsuits potentially including one from US Postal, his former team - so we can be sure as ever the fallen star is calculating the cost of his every word. (Mail Online)

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Hooper denies interest in GABA future in clubs hands Bangladesh coaching job -says Vice President, Gomes Carl Hooper has denied any interest in coaching Bangladesh. Earlier this week the BCB had spoken of the former West Indies captain as one of the early candidates.

“I was asked if I was interested, said I wasn’t and that was the last I heard of it,” Hooper told The Advertiser. “I was hoping Bangladesh would retract what they have apparently said that I was ‘interested in the job’. I have not applied and I am not interested. I am happy at Woodville.”

On Monday, BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus had said Hooper was

Carl Hooper one of those interested in taking up the offer after the board had advertised for the position that had been vacated by Richard Pybus in October last year.

ESPNcricinfo understands that Hooper ’s agent had contacted the BCB. However, Hooper said he would rather be interested in other options, especially because he would always put his family first in these matters. “I know there are a few things that might come up in South Australia or the Caribbean. My kids are settled here so I want to stay here if I can.

“There’s a lot of stuff in the air with SACA [South Australia Cricket Association] and the clubs.

I always put my family first.

That is why the Bangladesh thing is so far-fetched.”

By Edison Jefford The future of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) is in the hands of clubs affiliated to the association, the only serving member, Vice-President, Kester Gomes said when contacted yesterday for a brief comment ahead of elections. Gomes is the last man standing following the resignation of new President, David Carto, in April last year, and the resignation of all the other Executives during the course of the year. Gomes had no choice but to rally the association until another election.

“The association is not functioning, all the other members have resigned and there were plans to have an Interim Management Committee (IMC), but no one ever got back to me, so the future of the GABA is in the hands of the clubs,” Gomes believes.

There was a meeting of clubs earlier this week to streamline plans for the elections and the way forward for basketball in Georgetown.

Gomes expressed disappointment that neither he nor his club was invited to

the forum that lacked any real structure. It is unclear who was at the helm of organising the meeting earlier this week.

“I don’t have a problem allowing a formal meeting when the clubs are ready. It is based on them and what they want. I am not interested in running for the Presidency neither will I be seeking to be re-elected to any office, so it is based on them,” Gomes said.

The GABA last held elections in February of 2011 and the constitutional life of the Executive is two years, which means that elections are due next month. The current GABA Vice-President is of the view that the clubs should be formally mobilised as opposed to coups.

Carto had stepped down from the post, citing what others referred to as ‘personal reasons’ when contacted last year. Carto has never given an official interview since his resignation, and it could not be confirmed if he had submitted an official resignation letter.

His move last year came in the middle of an extensive and impressive GABA League, which was aimed at resuscitating interest in the sport in Georgetown. The League was expected to last

Kester Gomes over three months with a super-eight knockout to follow. The League had endured an impressive start with about 14 teams competing.

Four new teams had registered with the association but there has been nothing meaningful from the Georgetown subassociation since, with clubs left to run basketball instead.

Carto had taken over the position in 2011 form popular local designer, Trevor Rose.

Rose was instrumental in taking basketball in Georgetown to new levels after he merged with the entertainment sector.

However, some clubs believed that he was not doing enough for the sport, which brought Carto to the fore for a short stint at the forefront.

Ecuador, Haiti climb to highest-ever slots - Guyana remains at 122

As expected, there are very few changes to 2013’s first edition of the FIFA/CocaCola World Ranking, with football having come to a halt in many places over the New Year period. Only 46 matches have been included in the Ranking since December’s installment, 18 of which took place in 2012, with the remaining 28 being played in the first half of January 2013.

There is no movement whatsoever in the top ten, with Spain still holding a comfortable lead over Germany and Argentina.

Further down, two teams are now in their highest-ever position, namely Ecuador, who have reaped the rewards of some outstanding performances in 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying to move up to 12th, and Haiti,

who are 38th on the back of their successful qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2013.

Only two teams – Uzbekistan (56th, up 11) and Cuba (88th, up 12) – have climbed more than ten places since December.

With Libya (47th, up 7) and Panama (46th, up 5) having replaced Tunisia (53rd, down 8) and Egypt (54th, down 13) in the top 50, the regional composition has changed slightly compared to last month, as CONCACAF now has one more team in the top 50 (4 teams) and CAF one less (7 teams). The number of teams from the other confederations remains unchanged (UEFA: 27, CONMEBOL: 9, AFC 3, OFC: 0).

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 14 February 2013. Guyana remains at 122.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Schools Milo U-20 Football Tournament starts tomorrow Representatives of most of the schools scheduled to participate in the Milo Under20 Football Tournament which is being organised by Petra Organisation were in attendance for a briefing, at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue yesterday. The schools representatives were read the rules that will govern the competition in addition to being given the opportunity to make queries about any issue (s) that they felt needed clarification.

Among those in attendance at the occasion were Nestle Brand Manager Selwyn Bobb, Petra Organisation Directors Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole, members Angeline DyerMcCarthy, Mark Alleyne and Onica Brammer, Ministry of Health Gender-based Violence Co-ordinator Joy Gravesande and Referees Coordinator Wayne Griffith.

Mendonca in his opening remarks spoke about the genesis of the idea which he revealed was to regain the high standard of football that fans had grown accustomed

to seeing at the youth level within the Georgetown environ.

“Persons have consistently been asking the reason for the decline in the standard of play among the players in Georgetown as witnessed during the Digicel Competition and we in the Petra Organisation believe that one of the ways to recapture that past glory is to ensure that the game is reintroduced in schools,” Mendonca stated.

Mendonca said the Organisation approached Beepat’s who’re the agents for Milo and after consultations decided to direct some of the resources into staging a tournament for schools in the Georgetown District.

He noted that a number of schools will not be properly equipped in time for the start of competition this Saturday, but reminded that this event is just the beginning of a programme that will be sustained and the real benefits seen down the road.

Bobb in his remarks stated how eager the Company was

Organisers of the Schools Milo Under-20 Football Tournament (sitting) pose with students yesterday. to see the commencement of competition and wished all the teams well, while urging them to play fairly and exhibit good discipline during the games.

Granesande spoke of how happy the Minsitry is to partner with the tournament and offered her organisation’s assistance to any school wishing to

participate in sessions related to gender violence which according to her is a learned behaviour and could be curbed through counseling.

The top four schools will be rewarded with prizes ranging from $200,000 for the winners, runners-up$100,000, 3rd place-$50,000 and 4th place-$25,000 along with trophies and medals.

The prizes will come in the form of a project choice which is to benefit the school, while the most outstanding players will also receive prizes.

The competition which starts on Saturday (tomorrow) with three matches planned will run on a round-robin basis in the preliminary stages with the top two teams from the six

groups along with the six third placed teams going forward to the knockout phase.

Twenty four teams have been confirmed to participate in the competition and the matches slated for tomorrow are Charlestown versus North Georgetown; Christ Church vs. Ascension and Tucville vs. St. John’s College.

Kick off time is 12:00 hrs.

Page 36

Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Jones defies ‘ring rust’ theory; says he will knockout Cox In boxing parlance, when a boxer on the verge of combat is deemed to be ring rusty it means that he has not fought for a long time and would experience grave difficulties in the coherency of his punches. While this theory has held fast on many occasions, some boxers have defied, and debunked such conventional analysis.

Kwesi ‘Lightening Struck Assassin’ Jones is scheduled to re-enter the ring with Barbadian Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox in a 10 rounds catchweight affair and despite a prolonged hiatus of approximately one year, has promised to knockout his opponent in the latter rounds of their 10 rounds catchweight affair slated for January 24 next at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Jones’ last fought against Berbician; Kelsey George in June last year and it took the former pugilist less than one round to dispose of the latter.

Before that bout, Jones had

snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when, after enduring 8 torrid rounds against Barbados based Guyanese fighter, Cleveland Fraser, he came up with a killer punch that crashed into his opponent’s jaw and turned off his lights.

In reality, therefore, Jones has been out of the ring for approximately 9 months between the Fraser/George bout and another seven months between the imminent bout with Cox. Contrastingly, Cox have been pretty active, disposing of local fighters Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes and the memorable 2nd round knockout victory over former World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite. Further, Cox has engaged World Boxing Organization (WBO) number two ranked cruiserweight, Denis Lebedev, but suffered a second round knockout.

The pundits are advocating that Jones might

have bitten off more than he could chew especially since he will be coming off a lengthy layoff.

Kaieteur Sport visited Jones at his West Ruimveldt home yesterday morning, mere hours after he had wrapped up his morning sessions. “I am not scared of Cox,” he blurted, in response to the first question posed. “I know he calls himself ‘The Sniper’ but you need to remember that I am ‘The Assassin,’ a more deadly proposition,” said Jones.

Reminded of Cox’s devastating knockout of ‘The Big Truck,’ Jones blurted, “I am no ‘Big Truck,’ I have no time for idle gaff; all I know is that I will take Cox into the deep and drown him,” said a super confident Jones. For the uninitiated, Jones was saying that he would take Cox deep into the latter round before finishing him off.

He was reminded of his lengthy hiatus from the ring but scoffed and replied,”I

Jones will attempt to replicate this victory when he poleaxed Cleveland Fraser have not been in the ring but I’ve been engaged in intensive training.” He said that he has had two aborted fights; against Trinidadian Kurt Sinnette and his countryman, Shawn Corbin.

“The fight against Sinette was cancelled after the (Trinidad) authorities ruled that I could not fight because I was not the holder of a Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title.” He said that he believed that Corbin experienced cold feet and opted to fight Braithwaite instead. “All this time I was awaiting my chance so now that the opportunity is here I will not let it slip by,” pronounced Jones.

Our discussion occurred merely two hours after Jones had wrapped up his morning sessions and Jones was getting ready to catch up on some rest. “I commence sessions at around 5 o’clock and engage in lots of conditioning work,” he intimates. This includes sprints, abdominal exercises and rigid calisthenics. Jones said that he has already wrapped up sparring sessions since it will be risky and he might incur

unnecessary injuries. “I’ve been engaged in light sparring sessions recently but with the bout merely two weeks away, my coach has decided to take precaution and ease the glove work,” said Jones. He is confident that he has engaged in enough such activity to prepare him for battle.

Quizzed on his approach to the bout Jones said that he has studied the Cox/ Levedev tape and feels confident of emulating the Russian’s feat. “Cox is an attacking fighter and experiences difficulties engaging fighters of similar styles,” said Jones. He said that he will test Cox’s ability, attacking from the very first bell.

Jones is adamant that despite his robust frame, Cox is incapable of taking a decent body shot and has a weak chin. “I will be exploiting those deficiencies,” assured Jones.

Jones’ confidence cannot be ignored but he must be cognizant of Cox’s knockout propensity; several of his opponents were not around long enough to test the

theory. Out of a total of 16 fights, Cox has surrendered only two but what is most impressive is the fact that 13 of his 14 victories ended well inside the distance and he has compiled an impressive knockout ratio of 83.33.

Meanwhile, Jones is no slouch and has proven that he possess immense punching power and could knock out his man with a single punch; one only have to ask Cleveland Fraser.

Additionally, Jones’ record consists of several abbreviated victories including Edmond Declou, Leon Gilkes, Patrick Boston, George and Fraser, all victims of his mighty punch.

The word is out that Jones, like the modern day Clint Eastwood, is out to avenge Braithwaite’s loss.

“Yes he beat up my countrymen and I will come to take revenge and restore some dignity and respect,” proclaimed Jones. He admits that the Braithwaite lost was a hard pill to swallow. “But Wayne has had his day in the sun; it is now my turn to shine,” declared Jones matter of factly.

West Indies Women Squad for T20 Int. Castries, St Lucia – The West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel yesterday named the West Indies Women squad for the two T20 Internationals against South Africa Women at the Beausejour Cricket Ground this weekend.

The squad comprises most of the members of the team which beat South Africa and reached the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 Tournament in Sri Lanka last year. There is one uncapped player – left-handed middleorder batter Kyshona Knight,

who joins her twin sister Kycia in the T20 squad for the first time.

The two sides will face each other in a two-match T20 International Series on Saturday and Sunday. Both matches start at 4 pm (3 pm Jamaica Time) and will be played alongside the ongoing Caribbean T20 tournament Play-off and Grand Final slated for 8 pm (7 pm Jamaica Time) on both days.

The matches will be broadcast live on ESPN Caribbean – the broadcast partner of the West Indies

Cricket Board. Additional coverage is available on ESPN’s Networks in the UK, Australia, Middle East and Africa. In Canada, fans can see the action via the Titan GSG Media Corporation.

FULL SQUAD: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Stafanie Taylor (Vice Captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shakera Selman, Shaquana Quintyne.

Friday January 18, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 37

WICB President to host WI & SA Women Teams at Beausejour Castries, St Lucia – The players and management of the West Indies and South Africa women’s teams will be the special guests of West Indies Cricket Board President Dr Julian Hunte this weekend.

The two sides will face each other in a two-match T20 International Series at Beausejour Cricket Ground on Saturday and Sunday. Both matches start at 4 pm and will be played alongside the ongoing Caribbean T20 tournament Play-off and Grand Final slated for 8 pm on both days.

“We at the WICB are extremely proud of the West Indies Women’s team and what they have achieved as a team and as individual players. The squad includes some of the most dominant players in the game at the moment and some of the most successful in the history of women’s cricket,” Dr Hunte said.

“We have extended a special invitation to have them join us during the ongoing Caribbean T20 matches at Beausejour. We look forward to hosting the players as well as the management team following their matches on Saturday and Sunday,” The event will be part of a special send-off to the ICC Women’s World Cup in India, which will be played from January 31 to February 17.

Dr Hunte added: “We have also extended the invitation to the visiting South African team, who have been in the Caribbean for few weeks now and played a major part in the enthralling One-Day Series. Both teams will soon be heading off to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Mumbai and we wish them both all the best.

“This will form the official send-off for the West Indies players and management before they depart for India

Windies Women top batswoman Deandra Dottin is flanked by the Knight twins Kyshona and Kycia on Tuesday. We have seen our team develop very well in the last three years and we have full confidence that they will do us proud again on the world stage.”

In the recent five-match ODI series, West Indies

rebounded from 0-2 down to tie the series 2-2. The other match ended in a no-decision due to rain. Stafanie Taylor, world-leading allrounder and two-time ICC Women’s Player-of-the-Year, won the Player-of-the-Series award.

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 18, 2013

Williams, Azarenka into 3rd round in Australia Melbourne, Australia (AP) - Apart from a swollen lip that helped take her mind off her injured right ankle, Serena Williams emerged unscathed from her secondround win at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Summoning all her experience from 15 major titles, including the final two of the last season, Williams lifted her tempo on the biggest points winning an 18-minute game to open the second set, finally cashing in on her fourth break

chance. Nineteen minutes later, she finished off a 6-2, 60 win Thursday over No. 112ranked Garbine Muguruza with an ace at 128.7 mph - the fastest she can remember serving.

Williams couldn’t explain how she hit herself in the face with her racket in the sixth game, a blow that left her bleeding from the lip; she planned to play doubles later with sister Venus, and will play her next singles match against Japan’s Ayumi Morita

on Saturday. As for the injury from Tuesday’s match, she said, it was better to keep it moving and warm.

With temperatures touching 106 degrees late Thursday, defending champion Victoria Azarenka made sure she wasn’t on court long. The top-ranked Azarenka practically danced into Rod Laver Arena for the first match of the day, and said she’s starting to find some rhythm after beating Eleni Daniilidou 6-1, 6-0 in 55

minutes.

Players wore ice vests and were shielded by umbrellas during the breaks in play as the temperature increased during Day 4 after three days of relatively cooler conditions.

The heat didn’t seem to bother 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm, who advanced 6-2, 7-5 over Shahar Peer of Israel. She’s the oldest woman to win a singles match at the Australian Open.

Other women advancing

included former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki, No. 14 Maria Kirilenko, No. 16 Roberta Vinci, No. 20 Yanina Wickmayer and Elena Vesnina, who beat No. 21seeded Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 6-4, 6-2.

Former U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova beat 26th-seeded Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan 6-2, 6-1.

U.S. Open champion Andy Murray had a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Joao Sousa of Portugal. Murray, who ended a 76-year drought by British men in Grand Slam tournaments with his win at

Flushing Meadows last year, didn’t allow Sousa a single break point chance.

Australia’s Bernard Tomic went through to the third round - and a possible meeting with Federer - with a 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (8) win over German qualifier Daniel Brands.

Former Australian finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga pretended to do push-ups to disguise a fall during his 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-3 win over Japan’s Go Soeda.

He advanced along with No. 13 Milos Raonic of Canada, No. 17 Philipp Kohlschreiber (Continued on page 33)

Twenty20 boom no threat to tests, says Lara

Dhaka (Reuters) - The growing popularity of Twenty20 internationals will not harm Test cricket because the two formats of the game can thrive together, former West Indies captain Brian Lara said on Thursday.

“I believe now with T20 cricket a lot more people are watching the game,” Lara told reporters in Bangladesh where he is an ambassador for the country’s T20 Premier League.

“Just remember, we are all entertainers. And if this kind of cricket brings interest to the people, cricketers will be happy to indulge in it.

“Test cricket is still important, so are ODIs (oneday internationals) but T20 should be there too because of the crowd factor,” Lara added.

Lara, who played 131 tests and 299 one-dayers, never had the opportunity to play Twenty20 cricket at which West Indies are the current world champions.

Lara believes the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket will help West Indies generate more interest in the game among the younger generation.

“In the Caribbean we found it difficult to encourage teenagers to take up the

game,” said Lara. “We are now launching our own domestic T20 competition.

We will try to seek more youngsters play the game in the Caribbean.”

“You look at (David) Warner from Australia, (Chris) Gayle and (Virender) Sehwag.

They are strong players in the T20 format. They bring a lot more excitement.

“You look at Warner bat in a test match. He can easily score 150 before tea. That’s what people want to see. And I think the effect will be a positive one,” he said.

Lara, who scored more than 10,000 runs in both tests and ODIs, added that it was unfair to blame the format for bowlers losing interest in test cricket.

“What I think is that the bowlers are pulling away from Test cricket probably due to the amount of work. The money on offer in T20 cricket is an attractive proposition for players,” he said.

“You’ll find a lot more players making themselves available for T20s. But all in all I think test cricket is still very strong.

“This kind of competition (BPL) will make cricket more exciting I believe. Both can go on simultaneously.”

(Yahoo Sports)

Friday January 18, 2013

GCB senior 4day Inter County tourney Rd. 2

By Zaheer Mohamed Half centuries by Vishal Singh and Shaquille Williams and two late wickets by Amir Khan gave Demerara the upper hand against the President’s XI, while Essequibo grabbed first innings points from GT&T Berbice when play on day-3 of the Guyana Cricket Board Senior 4-day Inter County cricket tournament concluded yesterday.

Demerara resumed on their overnight first innings total of 157-5 with Singh on 09 and Zaheer Mohamed who was yet to get off the mark, pacer Brandon Bess made early inroads when he removed Mohamed who was caught behind for 07 and Paul Wintz without scoring to

Kaieteur News

Demerara in driver’s seat against President’s X1, E’bo take 1st inns from GT&T B’ce leave the score at 181-7.

Shaquille Williams then joined Singh and featured in an 8th wicket stand of 131 with Singh reaching his well deserved half century just before lunch which came off 196 balls.

The pair continued to frustrate the opposition with sensible batting on a flat DCC pitch after the interval with Williams pulling medium pacer Elton Baker to fine leg for four to bring up his fifty and celebrated by steering the next delivery to the third man boundary.

He then drove him through cover and mid wicket four consecutive fours in his next over before he was put down at first slip off the very next delivery which went for another boundary; his fifty came off 93 balls.

Pacer Seon Daniels got the break through when he

trapped Williams leg before for 78 (14x4) at 312. Singh and Kellon Carmichael took their team to tea at 352 with Singh on 79 and Carmichael on 18.

Baker then wrapped up the innings after the break by trapping Carmichael in front for 23 (4x4) and then had Singh caught at mid off for 82 as Demerara made 365 in 132.3 overs. Singh’s innings contained seven fours and came off 278 deliveries.

Daniels was the pick of the bowlers with 4-82, while Bess had 3-48 and Baker 216. The President’s XI got off to a good start with Krishna Arjune and the inform Tagenarine Chanderpaul putting together 53 for the first wicket before Amir Khan struck.

He first bowled Chanderpaul for 19 (3x4) and had Arjune caught at the

K&S / Chico U13 Football...

Champions to be crowned on Sunday Following four days of exciting, keen and splendid action in the inaugural Under13 Primary schools tournament organized by the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation and sponsored

by Beharry Group under their Chico Sweets brand, the champions will be crowned on the final day of competition set for this Sunday at the GFC Ground.

On the penultimate day of action, three matches were contested with Tucville Primary opting out after they were found guilty of violating the rules of the competition by playing players who do

not attend the school.

They were told of the infraction and were advised that they had lost the points for the two (2) games that they had earlier won.

The School was also advised that they will not be debarred from the competition but they will continue to participate.

However, they decided not to continue participation denying the school and players a chance of reaching and winning the final and in the process winning lots of valuable prizes on offer for both the school and players.

In the first game on Sunday set to kick off at 14:00 hrs, Uitvlugt Primary and Company Road Primary will play off for 5th place; game 2 which commences one hour later will feature West Ruimveldt Primary and BV Quamina Primary in the 3rd place encounter while the grand final at 16:00 hrs is an all East Bank affair between Grove and Soesdyke Primary schools.

In the preliminary round, Grove defeated Soesdyke 1-0 in an exciting clash and this final game promises more excitement between the two schools.

Kanden re-elected President of Albion Cricket Club Pastor Lloyd Kanden was re-elected unopposed as President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, when that entity held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday last at the Albion Community Centre, Main Hall.

Kanden will serve for his 13th consecutive term and will have Imtiaz Bacchus, a Senior Factory Laboratory Technician at Guysuco Albion Estate as his Vice

Page 39

President.

Former Berbice and Guyana Youth Manager and current Human Resources Manager of Guysuco’s Albion Estate Vemen Walter returned as Secretary while Executive Secretary of the National Cane Farming Committee Muthusammi Permaul will serve as Treasurer and former Guyana Under-19 and Berbice Senior Inter-County off-spinner

Orvin Managru as the Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer. The five Committee Members are Sewnarine Chattergoon, Thirbhuwan Jagdeo, Totaram Harricharan, Puran Mangal and Andy Mohan.

The new Executive will meet shortly to name the Captains, Vice Captains and Managers of the respective teams, together with the SubCommittees.

Shaquille Williams

Mark Tyrell

Vishal Singh

wicket by Joseph Perry for 24 as Demerara slipped to 582.

Jitendra Sookdeo who is unbeaten on 03 and Steven Latcha 01 saw their team to the close at 62-2. Khan has so far taken 2-9 off 6 overs.

Today is the fourth and final day.

Meanwhile, when play finally got underway at the Wales Ground at 12:40hrs, Essequibo commenced their first innings on 123-9 with Mark Gonsalves 10 and Herry Green 03, they took the score

to 140 before Gonsalves was bowled by Gudakesh Moti Kanhai for 17; Essequibo all out in the first hour of play.

Green was left not out on 13; Moti bagged 4-34, Eon Hooper 2-23 and Clinton Pestano 2-39. Pacer Mark Tyrell then removed Sewnarine Chattergoon for 04, Gajanand Singh 03 before Kemo Paul had Ramdeen caught behind for 05 as Berbice found themselves in early trouble at 16-3.

Skipper Assad Fudadin (11) was then bowled by

Anthony Adams who also removed Anthony D’Andrade (11) at 57-5.

Delbert Hincks and Jason Sinclair added 27 for the next wicket before Tyrell accounted for Sinclair for 17 at 84.

Berbice then lost the wickets of Pestano (02), Hicks (29), Hooper (01) and Joseph (00) to be all out for 90 in 47 overs.

Tyrell bagged 6-14 while Adams took 2-35, Green 1-3 and Paul 1-10. Essequibo will start their second innings today.

t r o Sp

Barnwell stars as Guyana beat Leewards by 14 runs in CT20

A

ll-rounder and man-of-the-match Christopher Barnwell hammered 61 off 36 balls as Guyana defeated Leeward Island by 14 runs when the Caribbean T20 tournament continued yesterday at Beausejour Stadium, St. Lucia.

Guyana won the toss, batted and posted a respectable 156-3 off their allotted overs.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul supported with 30 (2x4) and Derwin Christian 28 (1x4 2x6).

Ramnaresh Sarwan fell for 12 while Royston Crandon was not out on 16 as Chesney Hughes took 2-21 off 4 overs.

Leewards then responded with 142-5 off their 20 overs. Devon Thomas was their leading batsman with 46 (4x6) while Keiron Powell contributed 27, J. Liburd and Chesney Hughes 26 each.

Ronsford Beaton, Crandon, Narsingh Deonarine, Devendra Bishoo and Barnwell grabbed one wicket apiece for the winners.

Scores Guyana 156/3 in 20 overs beat Leeward Islands 142/5 in 20 overs. Guyana will play their final preliminary game against the Winwards today and will be going all out for a win.

Christopher Barnwell

BCB/Bobcat of Guyana T20...

Archrivals Bermine and Young Warriors to clash in final

H

istory would be created on Sunday when the Berbice Cricket Board hosts the final of the first ever Bobcat of Guyana T20 competition, the first of its kind to be organised by the Board for teams in the New

Amsterdam/Canje area as part of the entity’s effort to renew the interest of clubs and the general public.

Archrivals Young Warriors and Bermine would clash for championship at the Cumberland Ground from 13:30hrs while

Kendall’s Union No. 19 and Kortheberaadt from the East Bank Berbice will face off from 09:30hrs in the third place playoff.

Young Warriors: Shimron H e t m y e r, Hubern Evans, Mortimer Fraser, Sanjay Khan, Rudolph Baker, Kawal Mangal,

Kassim Khan, Karamchand Ramnarine, Sudesh Dhanai, Cledwin cort, Kristoff Bahadur, Ray Ally. Manager is Sahadeo Singh and Coach, Anil Beharry.

Bermine: Joemal La Fleur, Hakeem Hinds, Nial Smith, Kevin

Pellew, Chris Sulker, Jamally Odle, Gavin Moriah Jr., Daniel Tu e s d a y, G a r y M i l l i n g t o n , Orlando Tanner, Jaleel Jaffar, Charles Shepherd, Zaheer Moakan and Ameer Seecharran.

Manager is Carl Moore with Julian Moore as Coach.

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