Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

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January 26, 2013 - Vol. 7 No. 04 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

House votes to slash benefits … does not affect for former presidents Jagdeo’s pension A senseless accident

The Toyota Premio was heading east along Thomas Road when it collided with the Toyota 212. Reports are that the driver of the 212 failed to acknowledge the right of way utilized by the other driver and proceeded to drive across Thomas Road to enter the National Park. No one was injured.

CeCe Winans is here

Mazaruni River crash…

Death toll rises to nine, final

count uncertain Execution in hotel yard…

Businessman ignored warnings about killer lurking outside

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Amerindians continue to protest court ruling Members of Amerindian villages stand opposite the OP in protest

T

he Amerindian community continued to demonstrate its dissatisfaction towards a ruling in favour of a miner giving him rights to mine in what is supposed to be Amerindian titled land or “ancestral territory.”

The country's first people gathered at the Office of the President yesterday chanting slogans and waving placards to air their dissatisfaction. The Amerindians are furious

over the court ruling which said that, prior to the 2006 Amerindian Act being passed, miners holding licenses have the right to mine in the designated areas.

They are further furious at what they say is the powerless legislation that was passed in their favour.

The Amerindians are calling for a review of the 2006 Act and to cease work of all mining in Amerindian t i t l e d l a n d s . Va r y i n g organizations including the Amerindian Peoples

Association (APA) have aired their discontent with the ruling and 'the now proven lack of power' the legislation holds in protecting the nation's indigenous people.

Earlier this week, the Amerindian community staged vigils and protest action outside the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Office of the President.

The people said they have planned more of these events in order to have their voices heard.

GT&T Jingle and Song competition launched - “Remember your line endings”

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he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) yesterday launched its reality show that has over the years been bringing to life the dreams of numerous young people across Guyana- the annual jingle and song competition.

Even though the company has maintained the competition’s four main judges from last year, it was stressed upon, that much has changed with regards to the prequalification requirements of applicants and way of registration.

GT&T officials noted that prospective participants will now have to make use of the company’s new process to register which is by way of a text “only from a GT&T number.”

Applicants are required

to text the region he or she is from to 620*. Linden, the town that won the competition two consecutive years, will be the first to audition to enter the competition.

Also, it was announced that one of the new coats the competition is wearing involves the internet.

Interested persons are open to utilize an available online competition that will see its winners based on the likes of Youtube and Facebook. The weekly winner or winners will be given one Blackberry.

Charmaine Blackman, Sean Bhola, Gordon Moseley and Joel Gansham are all set to grace the judges’ panel again this year.

Gansham said that he is very excited to be a part of the competition again and pledged his impartiality as a

judge.

Bhola, the senior judge, noted that GT&T is doing its best as it relates to the prizes and urged that potential participants should consider GT&T’s offered prized and match that with talent.

While Mosley referred to his popular comment from last year “It’s past your bed time” and noted that he has no need to make such comments this year as the age requirements has been modified to no less than 16 years old.

Blackman, the lone female on the judges’ panel expressed gratitude to GT&T and sought to encourage all interested and prospective winners to come on board. With that, other judges used the opportunity to encourage all applicants to “remember your line endings.”

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 3

House votes to slash benefits for former presidents … does not affect Jagdeo’s pension The National Assembly last evening passed a Bill to slash benefits to former Presidents, but it is unlikely that President Donald Ramotar will put his signature to it and make it law.

The government voted against the Bill, with Parliamentarians of the ruling PPP/C arguing that it strips former presidents of their dignity, and that it was a vindictive act targeted at former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jagdeo was the first to benefit from the handsome retirement package.

The Bill passed yesterday does not affect in anyway, the pensions of any former president, which at current calculations add up to $1.2 million per month.

The new Bill was designed to deal with benefits additional to the pension, or, the “perks” as Opposition Parliamentarian Moses Nagamootoo put it.

The Bill is intended to repeal a 2009 Act which gives former presidents like Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo unlimited staff and resources. For example,

the 2009 law only says former presidents are entitled to vehicles and staff, without specifying a number. The new Bill intends to make the benefits specific.

The Opposition argued that the Bill was not vindictive, but that it was premised on “social justice.”

Nagamootoo placed it in this context – “You cannot live in a donkey cart economy and want to live a life driving a Mercedes or a Cadillac.”

The amended Bill limits a former President to two vehicles to be owned and maintained by the state, as opposed to the unlimited number allowed under the 2009 law.

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine of the opposition alliance, APNU, said that the Bill had to be seen in the context where the rich are being enriched and the poor are being starved.

Nagamootoo said that dignity is weighed in quantum of money; it is also weighed on the basis of the multitude of sufferings. He said that the dignity of ordinary Guyanese is being stolen when money

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo is being used to fatten the already well-endowed instead of giving more to pensioners and public sector workers, such as nurses, Policemen and teachers.

Carl Greenidge, of APNU, said that the Bill was intended to correct “lawlessness and abuse of power.”

Greenidge piloted the Bill and saw it through its eventual passage in the House. He said that it was

intended to remedy the deficiencies in the old bill and was not meant to touch the pension of former presidents, which currently amounts to 7/ 8 of what a serving president collects.

Greenidge said that the quantum of the pension is exceptionally generous, and would not have required supplementary benefits, but he said that since the benefits are already on the books, the opposition merely wanted to streamline these.

He said that the 2009 law was badly drafted since it committed unlimited and uncapped facilities and services to former presidents.

Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, said that the Bill would serve to discourage others from pursuing the office. But Dr. Roopnaraine dismissed that assertion, saying that benefits should not be one of the reasons a young person aspires to serve the public.

Ali said that it was utter disrespect and disregard for former presidents that the new Bill allots just $5,000 to cover

water, electricity and telephone expenses.

However, Dr. Roopnaraine said that looking at the benefits in full, the former President could use some of the money from his pension.

Mr. Nagamootoo also dismissed Ali’s contention, saying that no one cries foul over the fact that Parliamentarians only receive $20 to cover their electricity, with no provision for their telephone or water bills.

Ali was contending that the amount stipulated in the new Bill would mean that former presidents would only have “two light bulbs” and, as PPP/C Parliamentarian Bibi Shadick muttered from her seat, he would have to cook on “fireside.”

Ali argued that the Bill also sought to muzzle the President, since it says that if he earns from work done, he would have to give up his benefits.

Dr. Roopnaraine however rebutted that the provision was meant to ensure that former Presidents do not abuse the provisions for partisan political interest.

The Housing Minister was up in arms about the fact that the Bill does not allow for medical care for children that might become dependent on the president, such as if he adopts, or if he marries a woman who already has children.

The new Bill entitled a former President and his spouse and children to free medical attention and treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred.

The Bill says that the medical benefits would apply to “natural children” of the former presidents and spouse, below the age of 18 years. The new Bill puts a cap on that medical benefit for children to $200,000 annually.

Dr. Roopnaraine said that the intention of the Bill was not to deprive any child, and he suggested that that part of the Bill could be amended; but it was not amended.

Regarding catering for children former presidents may have, Nagamootoo said it would be best to deal with the situation now and (continued on page 14)

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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

The rivers and the new pilots In the past two months there were two major river accidents. Combined they claimed at least fifteen lives. They both occurred in Essequibo, albeit at different points and in different rivers. And in a carbon copy of each other, two boats heading in opposite directions collided head-on; all the dead were in one boat, while the people in the other boat escaped serious injury.

In this country, with the rivers playing a major role in transporting people to the hinterland, the authorities ensured strict adherence to the rules governing travel on the waterways.

The Maritime Administration Department, in anticipation of problems on the rivers, sought to ensure that before a boat was licensed it should be properly fitted.

Of course, the decision to ensure that the boats that transport commuters be fitted with sheds was met with cries and complaints and even protests. It is to the credit of the administration that the Maritime Administration remained unmoved. This simple development has already saved lives on the waters.

There is also a law that stipulates that after dark, vessels that ply the waterways must be fitted with the necessary lights. Captains have to be certified before they could be awarded a licence to operate on the waterways and perhaps, more important, the vessels have to be certified as worthy to travel on the waterways.

Many of these boats have indeed been certified, but the problem is that having been certified two years ago, and having travelled a lot, were they actually presented for certification? The same questions should be asked of the people who pilot these vessels. For sure, because they operate in the hinterland, many captains know that there are not too many licensing centres, and certainly not enough inspectors.

The result is that they encourage even those who were never certified to pilot the vessels.

This is a recipe for disaster. Indeed many people in the riverain communities would pilot vessels in the same way that coastal Guyanese would use a bicycle. By virtue of doing so from a very young age and because they know the river, people would single them out not only to act as guides, but also to transport them. After a while these people become fixtures along the rivers.

What is not recognized, is that these people are not licenced; neither are they aware of the established rules of river travel. Vessels overtake on the left. If they are heading in opposite directions then they pass each other on the left.

There is also a regulation that the captain should have a clear view ahead. More often than not, because the waterways are not congested, one would often see captains with their prows high in the air above their line of vision.

Some of them do have lookouts.

Had this practice been adhered to, then there would not have been two collisions to claim so many lives. In one case the weather was said to be bad, in that it was raining heavily. The rules were simply not adhered to—travel within the limits of your visibility.

In the second collision, the reports are that both vessels were approaching a blind turn. For the accident to be so severe they had to be approaching the turn at high speeds.

Again, inexperience and lawlessness would combine to cause a most horrific accident.

There was a time when boats in the riverain areas were propelled by small outboard engines. Not anymore. The gold industry has seen money galore and an influx of people.

This has seen larger boats to transport more people and of course, larger engines.

We have seen the effects of the collisions and to make matters worse, we have seen the impact on human lives.

These two accidents should be eye openers, because they could signal a trend on hinterland rivers.

It may be necessary for the Maritime Administration to establish monitoring points in the riverain communities so that the various operators could be checked out. But then again, we could hear about a paucity of the human resource.

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Where are the defenders of the PPP fighting those who have hijacked the party?

DEAR EDITOR, Three seminal events happened in this country in the past two years.

The first was the PPP’s loss of majority power. Not only did this shatter the party’s political invincibility, it also captured the inner rage of a country starting to overcome fear and the politics of cowardice in confrontation of a corrupt regime.

The second event was the internal democratization of that pariah of dictatorship, the PNC. This rejuvenated that party and led to political restoration in 2011.

The third moving force that shook this country in the past few years is the descent into outright tyranny by the PPP. Senior legends of the party were harassed and kicked out. The Stalinist leadership seized the party and hijacked it away from the rank and file membership by cancelling internal elections and by demonizing those who stood up to them. It is despicable that in a world gripped in a growing tsunami of democracy filled with Arab springs, African democratic renewal and South American political stability, that the PPP has become a party of repressive shame.

For all his maniacal power paranoia and his rigging, at least Forbes Burnham maintained a ludicrous pretension of elections and a masquerade of democracy. At least he still gave a handful of seats to the PPP. At least he still listened to Cheddi Jagan and his atrociously destructive ideas of nationalization and other communist claptrap that, combined with Burnham’s

socialist idiocy, sunk this country to a laughing stock.

Not so for this current version of the PPP. It is no longer a case of not listening.

It is a case of debilitating deafness, the loss of the ability to hear.

There is not even an attempt to lie, deceive and beguile here like Burnham with his election day circuses.

This is obliteration of the voices of hundreds of thousands of PPP supporters.

This is summary execution of democracy for a group that held steadfastly onto and nourished on the notion of democracy for 28 years. This is outright and callous disintegration of an entire group of people that support the PPP party. This is a blatant denigration and flagrant dismissal of the psychological attachment the traditional supporters have felt for the PPP. This is theft of PPP supporters’ right to vote, their right to representation and their right to be heard. For it is this very right the PPP laid its life on the line for 28 years and reminded its supporters that this was the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the heart and the soul of their very existence. Now, look at what the tyrants are doing to this sacred value they so worshipped.

What makes this even more soul-destroying is that these same PPP supporters sent a warning to this PPP leadership on November 28, 2011. Yet, the hijackers of the PPP continue this relentless ideological, cultural, psychological and emotional destruction of those who support the party.

The truth is that the PNC is now more democratic than the PPP. This annexation of the PPP by a handful of largely Jagdeoites and their backers has disconnected the PPP from its working class base. That base is humming the profound sound of silence.

They have gone quiet.

There is no baring of teeth or frothing of valour. There is no resistance or revolutionary boiling. There is only grave silence and a harrowing apathy. No stampede to battle the takeover of a party by a few, only echoes of those running away.

On what moral basis can PPP supporters demonize the PNC today when the PNC practices internal democracy and their own party practices despotism? At least when the PNC fell from power, there was a struggle within the party to save the party. Out of those wars has come better internal democracy.

The PNC fought for dear life when it faced political death. On the other hand, the PPP is going gently into that night with barely a whimper.

There is nothing but debilitating silence to this theft of the PPP. How do you condone internal dictatorship but claim justification to revoke external dictatorship?

The old trickery of blaming the PNC bogeyman, even from Ralph Ramkarran, will not work anymore when moral legitimacy has eluded the PPP. How is the PNC, which has held its own recent democratic internal elections, to be blamed for electoral robbery within the PPP? How does fear of a party practicing internal democracy lead to electoral destruction and rampant

authoritarianism within another party? Don’t these fallacies suffocate PPP supporters, members and backers and awaken them to the truth?

Where are the PPP fighters? This is a party of Cheddi Jagan, Balram Singh Rai and Moses Nagamootoo.

Where are the men of courage who will stand up to the rape of people’s rights?

Freedom starts at home.

Dictatorship at home will lead to dictatorship out of the house. Those who rig and deny democracy at home are likely to do so outside of the home. Freedom does not emerge without sacrifice and courage.

The grandest irony is that any group that replaces the PPP in power could see this lack of will, fear and waffling weakness from the PPP supporters in battling their own despots as evidence of an inherent tendency to capitulate in the face of wrong and tyranny.

This staggering silence from PPP supporters to the hijacking of their party is a stain on their cultural, emotional and psychological template, a stain that could be used to justify authoritarianism when the PPP loses power.

If this crop of PPP leaders can do this to their own supporters, they will sacrifice them for power when faced with losing it.

They will have no problem subjugating them for national power just like they have for party power. If PPP supporters continue this sound of silence, we are headed for a deafening explosion in this country.

M. Maxwell

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Page 5

Letters... Where your views make the news

A prisoner in my own home

DEAR EDITOR, It is regrettable that I had to use this medium to bring to light a situation that has been in existence for some time with no relief in sight.

First, I must say that I believe our Constitution avails every citizen many rights, one of which is the right to operate a business, but I am also aware that one person’s rights must not infringe upon those of another. This is my predicament.

I know without a doubt that my rights have been compromised since my family has been subjected to a number of atrocities perpetrated by a particular business owner. The situation to which I am referring is a scrap metal establishment being operated in Norton Street.

This business has no stipulated operable hours as it operates seven days per week at any given time much to the annoyance of me (and

many others I am sure) whose house is adjacent to this business premises and bears the brunt of the annoyance.

Imagine scrap metal being thrown around as you are trying to get some much needed rest, or get some studies done during the week and even on the weekends.

At the very least it is quite nerve-wracking and nobody should have to be subjected to this. My house is invaded by mice, roaches, and mosquitoes etc., as a result of

DEAR EDITOR, Peeping Tom, you’ve done a great service bringing to attention the sad fact that Guyana has practically neglected its historical sites, monuments, and buildings. St Barnabas Baptist Church and St. George’s Cathedral, as you eloquently highlighted in your column, are metaphors for Guyana’s neglect of her history.

Here are my observations, albeit partial, from a recent visit to the country (after many years): 1. No statue of Archibald Leonard Luker, the English Anglican priest who wrote the words of Guyana’s national anthem, in New Amsterdam; not even a plaque commemorating his contribution: Disgraceful.

2. The New Amsterdam

Public Hospital on Alexander St: A beautiful example of Victorian architecture that gave character to New Amsterdam: destroyed.

3. New Amsterdam market: run down 4. The old churches in New Amsterdam and the sound of evening bells: Disappeared.

5. St Joseph’s Anglican Church in Port Mourant: State of disrepair 6. Queen Victoria statue on Avenue of the Republic: A one-armed Queen with weeds growing around her.

7. The Parliament Building: Garbage and litter about the fence.

8. The Sea Wall in Georgetown: Dirty with litter and garbage 9. Streets of Georgetown, especially after a heavy

shower: Words cannot express 10. Fort Nassau: No site being maintained.

11.

Magdaleneburg Plantation (site of the Berbice Slave Rebellion): No site being maintained I visited the Georgetown Museum – a pale comparison of the Museum I knew in the 1960s – only to discover that it’s not a proper museum with objects that tell about the country in a richly enlightening way. The “management” might well have produced a thin brochure for visitors.

Might I say these buildings and sites are historical and belong to all, regardless of “colour or creed”. I am not hopeful of a change in attitude.

Name Withheld

It’s a shame that Georgetown is in such a sorry state DEAR EDITOR, I wish to commend the decision taken by the Ministry of Local Government to come to the rescue of the City Council to rid the city from the piles of garbage that have been accumulating in the city. It is a shame that Georgetown which was once described as a ‘Garden’ city has been allowed to deteriorate to such a sorry state. Georgetown has now been reduced to a ‘Garbage’

city.

This does not speak well of us as a country, especially in the eyes of tourists and visitors. It is clear that the City Council is incapable of removing the garbage which has now become not only unsightly, but a major health hazard. What is needed is a stakeholders’ approach to cleaning the city involving the City Council, Central Government, the business community and private

citizens. In this regard, credit should be given to the Minister of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali for beautifying the place adjacent to the Parliament Building which has been transformed from an eye sore to a beautiful recreational site. Parliament Building, and for that matter the entire surroundings have been greatly enhanced by the beautification works done by the Housing Ministry.

Hydar Ally

the iron reserves that are piled up and made a breeding ground for these pests. The cost of trying to control these pests is significant since repellants are expensive and have to be used frequently, not to mention the significant health risk that is posed.

In addition, passersby use this establishment as a garbage dump and wantonly dispose of whatever refuse they are in possession of at the time, making an already bad situation even more deplorable.

The path to my stairway is constantly blocked by vehicles, horse carts, bicycles and other vehicles which transact business with this establishment. This gives the impression that the business

is taking place at my residence. The workers attached to this establishment, as well as its patrons, trespass on and urinate beside my stairway quite frequently. They also dump whatever litter they accumulate from snacks and other activities in the nearby drain, clogging it.

On several occasions I have attempted, in vain, to reason with the business owners.

I am at my wits’ end to get some form of relief from this situation; hence I sought to bring it to your attention.

It is my understanding that people must conduct business, but not at the expense of, and not without consideration to others, as is

the situation in this case.

I am also questioning the authority who would have given permission for a business of this nature to be conducted in a residential area, considering its implications on residents. To make matters worse, Norton Street is very heavily traversed by buses and other vehicles, making the threat of accidents very real.

Finally, I am subjected to extreme temperatures in my home owing to the fact that I cannot open my windows, since to do so would mean subjecting my home to dust and rust pollution from the iron.

It feels like I am a prisoner in my own home.

Frustrated taxpayer

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

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

The deal for a campus-wide Wi-Fi zone at UG must be openly reviewed DEAR EDITOR, The announcement that telecoms giant, GT&T, is preparing to launch a campus-wide Wi-Fi zone at the University of Guyana (Turkeyen Campus) was made with great pomp and fanfare.

On the surface of it, this latest endeavour joins a long list of timely initiatives made by the company to the

resource-strapped university.

However, an objective and dispassionate analysis of the proposed fee structure [$100 per hour] and, overall formulation of the deal between UG and GT&T, ought to be conducted to determine whether or not students of the university are getting a fair deal.

Based on the limited information provided, several

points of fact are cause for worry: A) The University of Guyana administration was reportedly approached by GT&T to set up the infrastructure to provide feebased Wi-Fi service.

The point of rumination is this: was GT&T automatically deemed to be the lone company capable of providing the said service? If not, were other proposals invited from other wireless internet providers to assess whether the service to be provided by GT&T would be provided on the most competitive terms?

B) The cost structure, looked at on the basis of the limited information provided, is suspect. Is $100 per hour the most affordable price at which GT&T can offer this service to students?

Compare the $100 per hour service charge to the average cost per hour enjoyed by consumers hooked up to GT&T’s 1 Mb E-magine broadband service

(which, at $10,000 a month, amounts to around $13 per hour). It is said that UG would be receiving 2 Mb of internet speed meaning that even at twice the speed, $100 still seems disproportionately high.

Understandably, GT&T is a private enterprise, and their over-arching mandate is not to provide internet as a public good (i.e., at the lowest cost possible to ensure widespread access to foster such externalities as research and further reading among students).

Rather, GT&T are inherently profit-seekers. We are not wont to begrudge them the profit incentive.

However, there’s a fine line between profit-making and profiteering.

What is the level of capital and operating expenditures, and, therefore, what is the size of the profit margin being earned? These are questions that must be answered if consumers are to be assured that they’re being given a fair deal.

C) GT&T enjoys a monopoly on all fee-based internet services on campus: at both the Centre for Information Technology and Rabindranath Tagore Centre.

The same could be said for the private internet access provided to the faculty members.

Are the reciprocal benefits which accrue to the university sufficient enough to justify the sustained maintenance of GT&T’s defacto exclusive rights to provide internet access?

What’s in it for UG should they proceed with this latest deal with GT&T which will almost certainly increase the monopoly profits being earned by the company from their enterprise on campus?

D) Lastly, can’t a company of GT&T’s magnitude demonstrate a higher level of corporate social responsibility by p r o v i d i n g h i g h - q u a l i t y, high-speed internet access free of cost? The local private sector is not without precedent when it

c o mes to initiatives of tremendous social magnanimity. Bounty Farms Ltd. maintains a sluice in the Soesdkye environs while Guyana Seafood Ltd. maintains a pump on the East Coast.

Mind you, inasmuch that GT&T has played a historic role in upgrading our telecoms infrastructure since the 1990s, it has, by virtue of a longstanding monopoly status in the provision of many crucial telephone services, reaped windfall proceeds in the process.

The University administration and GT&T need to demonstrate greater openness and transparency in order to assure students that their interests are being genuinely considered.

As such, a technical panel, intellects for which can easily be found on campus, that will openly review this deal, needs to be convened.

Saieed I. Khalil Alexander Defreitas Sherod A. Duncan

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

MARK VIEIRA, STANLEY MING JNR. RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACING AWARDS

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

The attached photographs show Mark Vieira and Stanley Ming Jnr., with their awards in the company of Mr. Jose Abed, Vice President of the F.I.A. On Saturday, January 19, 2013 the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (F.I.A) America hosted a prize-giving ceremony in Panama. The F.I.A is the World governing body for Motorsports

including Formula One racing.

Recipients included the most distinguished Motorsports Champions for 2012 from South America, Central America and the Caribbean countries.

The prizes were presented during a Gala Dinner which was held at the five-Star rated “Riu Plaza Hotel” in Panama City. The Guyana recipients were Mark Vieira as Champion driver, and Stanley Ming Jnr. as Champion Karter.

Page 7

Question #1: M y husband had his interview in December 2011 in Guyana but the embassy did not issue him his visa because he required a few documents. He submitted these documents in December 2011.

His case went into pending administrative processing. It’s been over one year since his case is in administrative processing and we have not heard anything from the embassy. My question is, do you know how long does administrative processing does take?

Answer #1: Usually when a case is in administrative processing, it means that the Embassy is investigating the marriage or conducting background checks. One year is a really long time so I suggest calling the Embassy or going into the Embassy to follow-up directly with a person. Also, if you are living in the U.S., try contacting your Senator’s office, explain

your case and they can followup directly with the Embassy on your behalf.

Question #2: I was interviewed at the US Embassy in Guyana. I married a U.S. citizen and at the end of the interview I was told that I’m temporarily denied a visa by the U.S. embassy. They stated I have to reschedule for a joint interview involving me and my spouse. Do you think I should carry my new set of pictures with me for my next interview date?

Answer #2: T a k i n g pictures to your interview at the Embassy is always helpful. But, oral testimony or your answers to interview questions are taken into consideration more than pictures. It’s a good idea to take any phone bills, letters, emails, joint bills or receipts for you and your husband – evidence to prove the relationship.

Question #3: I was sponsored by my sister, a U.S. Citizen, in 2003. How much longer do I have to wait? Only the case number was received in 2003. I am also married with a daughter. Can I take them with me?

Answer #3: Visas are being issued for petitions filed on or before April 15, 2001 for brother/sister of a U.S. citizen.

Gail S. Seeram So, you have about a twoyear wait. Yes, your spouse and daughter would be allowed to come with you assuming you are legally married and your daughter is under age 21 when visa available.

Question #4: I am an American citizen. I am trying to sponsor my parents from Guyana and my underage brother who is 16. Will he be able to migrate together with them or will it take longer for him to get here?

Answer #4: As a U.S. citizen, the petition for you filing for your parents will take about nine months to one year for an immigrant visa to be issued.

However, your brother would not be considered an immediate relative like your parents but will be a separate F4 preference petition and the wait is about 10 to 12 years. But, when your parents become lawful permanent residents, they can file for him and it will take about two years for him to get an immigrant visa.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THE HARASSMENT OF THE GCB HAS NOT ENDED All Guyana felt proud over the performance of the national cricket team during the recent T20 regional showpiece hosted in Trinidad and Tobago and in St. Lucia. The performance of the team, particularly in that remarkable run chase against Jamaica, lifted the spirits of the entire nation.

When Guyana does well in cricket, it uplifts the morale of the nation. There was not anyone who was not overjoyed by the scintillating performance of the local team in reaching the finals. Their performance in the semi-finals was something special and had the entire nation abuzz with excitement.

At the conclusion of that semifinal match, both the President of Guyana and the Leader of the Opposition dispatched well-deserved congratulatory messages to the team indicating how much the performance of the team meant to the entire nation.

That performance was all the more special considering the state of administration of local cricket. The Guyanese cricketers had not had the sort of cricket under their belts because of the problems that have developed in the administration of cricket, problems which must be laid solely at the feet of an interfering government which wants to take control of local

cricket.

Local cricket has been badly affected by this crisis which has seen court actions being filed, searches of the homes of the executives of the GCB, padlocking of their offices, the imposition of an Interim Management Committee on local cricket and recently the tabling of legislation to govern cricket, the first time in Guyana’s legislative history that something of this sort has been ever attempted.

The government seems determined to bulldoze the GCB out of existence.

In the process, it is unperturbed by the serious damage it is doing to local cricket. The Guyana team selected for the recent tournament was more or less selected on the basis of the past record and reputation of the selectees because there have been problems organizing local cricket because of the harassment that the government has unleashed on the governing body for cricket in Guyana.

It was the mischief of the government that has led to the present problems in local cricket. The crisis has seen Guyana being sidelined from hosting international cricket matches. Had it not been for the efforts of the embattled Guyana Cricket Board, Guyana would have by now been banned from

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo is a selfish big man Dem had big argument in Parliament de other day. De opposition seh that Jagdeo pension and benefits too big.

Dem in de government seh that it just right. Jagdeo got unlimited security guards, but de opposition seh that dem must have a limit.

De Jagdeo Bill mean that he could got how much car he want, and dem didn’t have any limit to he light bill, he water bill, he phone bill and all dem things that poor people got to pay. But what really get de government people vex was when de parliament seh that if a president getting all that money and if he continue to wuk then de money must cut.

Well Donald seh that he ain’t signing de new Bill. Dem boys want know if he suh greedy because dem never see he as a man like that.

But Jagdeo didn’t have dem scruples. De same parliament send other Bills to he fuh sign and he refuse or he tek he own sweet time. But as soon as de Pension Bill fuh he benefits reach he desk he sign. In fact, de boys seh that he sign even before de office assistant lef de office.

He was planning a benefits bill fuh Brazzy too and one fuh Bar Bee but Ah Kneel tek too long fuh do de draft. If he did wuk fast all de Bees woulda enjoy a benefits Bill and poor people woulda stay poor. None of dem don’t need a pension. Dem got more money than dem can spend in five lifetime and dem same people don’t even pay people what li’l pension dem deserve.

Imagine dem other people in parliament does only get $20 fuh pay all dem Bills. But as dem old people seh “Moon does run till day ketch it.”

Imagine a sports reporter from de Waterfalls paper run and lef a writ that de Demerara Cricket Board was sending to de paper. De man claim how dem want serve a writ. Well dem boys seh that he had a chance to run, even if it was fuh nutten. Dem got people who ain’t suh lucky.

Talk half and wait fuh de backlash.

participation in both regional and international cricket and many of our players who have been fortunate to be given berths on the regional team would have had to languish at home or be relegated to playing in minor leagues abroad.

The government simply does not get it: the West Indies Cricket Board is not going to recognize any authority that emerges outside of the structure of the Guyana Cricket Board. And without the sanction of the GCB, Guyana will not see international cricket or will local teams be allowed to play in regional tournaments.

The cricket team that

represented Guyana at the recent tournament was a creature of the Guyana Cricket Board. The government of Guyana allowed this team use of the Providence facilities to train in preparation for the participation in the tournament. This action was seen as granting a semblance of legitimacy to the team, something that caused ripples within its own appointed Interim Management Committee.

The later congratulatory call the President made to the team after its resounding victory in the semi-finals was a call of congratulations to a GCB team and not an IMC team.

It represented a glimmer of hope that the troubled relationship that exists between the government and the GCB would be brought to an end. Such hopes were misplaced. A new round of harassment is about to begin.

It had long been hoped that the accession to office of Donald Ramotar would have been characterized by a new type of politics within the government, but it now seems as if nothing has changed.

It is disgraceful and unbecoming that under a Ramotar government, the continued harassment of the GCB continues. He should bring an end to this campaign of harassment against the

Guyana Cricket Board that is being orchestrated from within his government.

It would be regretful if he does not.

But at least the Guyanese people will be left in no doubt as to where he stands and the hopelessness that is likely to characterize the future of his presidency.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kissoon details why he called former President ‘ideological racist’ With the Bharrat Jadgeo libel case making its first call for the year, defendant, and Kaieteur News columnist Frederick Kissoon yesterday returned to the witness box for the continuation of his evidence-in-chief before presiding Judge Brassington Reynolds at the Supreme Court.

Kissoon, and National Media and Publishing Company, publisher of Kaieteur News, and Editor-inChief Adam Harris, are being sued for over $10M, by the former head of state who is claiming libel in one of Kissoon’s daily columns published in 2010.

Under the direction of Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes who is partnered with Attorney Christopher Ram, Kissoon started to explain how he came to term the former President an “ideological racist.”

With investigative research materials which have already been provided to the court, Kissoon said he has based his conclusions on his findings.

The columnist and former

University of Guyana lecturer stated that from 1978, when he commenced research on Guyana’s political economy, it was revealed that there were two major ethnic communities, distinct in spheres and existence. He said they were the Afro-Guyanese and the Indo-Guyanese who were manifestly different in culture, religion, politics and economy.

From historical data, AfroGuyanese, he said, maintained an existence with administration of the state, including state activities, education, the Arts and related activities.

With this, Kissoon said, came derived Afro-Guyanese power, authority and influence, while the more land and property based IndoGuyanese derived their power from their physical possessions and wealth.

Kissoon said the two ethnicities, by (named) political theorist and sociologist, were described as “the Plural model” which provided social stability since each ethnic community was

content with their sphere of influence. Additionally, Kissoon said that the ethnic communities found protection for their future existence in their own political parties.

But from the period of 1966-1992, Kissoon said the “Plural model” worked. That was until the 1992 General elections and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) came into power.

He said prior to that, the ethnic communities saw no perceivable threat to their sphere of existence and thus continued in their varying ways of life.

Subsequent to the 1992 elections to modern day, Kissoon charged that research has shown a “Fundamental shift, pregnant with disastrous possibilities.”

It was the attempt by the Administration, Kissoon claimed, to do away with the, “Plural model,” a practice he said, that continued up to the conclusion of his research in June 2010.

During the tenure of the Plaintiff, Kissoon said that it was clear that, “98 percent

possession of land, commerce, financial houses, the import and export trade and in general, wealth,” belonged to Indo- Guyanese.

This phenomenon, Kissoon said, occurred with the increased presence of IndoGuyanese in state sectors and “by decreasing most manifestly the Afro- Guyanese presence in totality in state sectors.”

Kissoon continued that various sectors were included in his research including, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Customs and Excise office, the University of Guyana Council among others.

In looking at GuySuCo, Kissoon said that research showed, statistically, that under Jagdeo’s watch, IndoGuyanese predominance was facilitated into the upper echelons.

Sixteen Afro-Guyanese administrators all being replaced by Indo-Guyanese.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kissoon said his research showed that 15 AfroGuyanese administrators were removed and replaced with Indo-Guyanese workers.

At the Customs and Excise office, Kissoon again, with the use of research material, said that at about 42 Afro-Guyanese holding pivotal departmental

positions were replaced by Indo-Guyanese.

Kissoon went on to say that the University of Guyana Council is encompassed by four non-state appointments and those chosen by the Government. Apart from those not chosen by the Government, Kissoon said all state-appointed members are Indo-Guyanese.

For these examples, the defendant provided the court with names and designations of those who were terminated and those who were implemented.

Prior to Kissoon’s pronouncements, the former UG lecturer p r o v i d e d research on a specific programme that service the

totality of state sectors in Guyana which is the Diploma and Degree in Public Management, branching from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

From 2000-2009, Kissoon said that research showed that less than 10 percent of East Indians graduated in that field yet the vast majority of persons sitting in the upper echelons of total state systems are by IndoGuyanese.

This, he said, showed a “graphic and preponderant imbalance in ethnic representation,” which led to the conclusion that Indo –Guyanese were being favoured to operate in the upper echelons of state sectors.

The hearing will continue next Monday when Kissoon is scheduled to take the witness box again.

Naresh Ramballi, of 26 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, who is awaiting trial for murder; Amas Amzad, of Lot 6 Rosignol, a convicted prisoner; and Rawle La Fleur, of Lot 9 Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice are all 17 years old.

On Friday they were remanded to jail by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo when they appeared before her at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court and pleaded not guilty

to the charge of Buggery.

They are accused of sodomising Ramdeo Ramkissoon, who was a fellow inmate at the prison at the time. The incident reportedly occurred on July 1, last year, while they were all inmates of the New Amsterdam Prison.

Prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Sheriff told the court that the men were housed in the same cell. During the day the three conspired with others and held down

Ramdeo and raped him.

Ramdeo subsequently reported the matter and the men were held for questioning. Ramdeo was in the meantime sent for medical examination.

A file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public prosecution and it was advised that they be charged.

Some of them have since been released from jail; one is still on the run.

The matter will be called again on February 18, 2013.

Kaieteur News columnist Fredrick Kissoon Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Three teens charged with sodomy rape in jail

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Renowned medical specialist visits Guyana …focus is on female reproduction and health Dr. Sterling Williams, who is the Vice President for Education at The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), is currently in Guyana visiting the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr. Williams arrived here last week and is expected to be here until January 27, 2013.

The visit comes at the request of Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, the Programme Director for the WONDOOR Global Health Programme at Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio.

WONDOOR is the programme through which the inaugural Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation (GPHC) has been established.

Dr.Williams is currently overseeing the delivery of the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) exams for the first class of Obstetrics and Gynecology residents at GPHC. The (CREOG exams) are the annual exams taken by all US Ob/Gyn residents as a benchmark of their progress and competency. It is an honour that the residency programme in Guyana, is allowed to participate in the exams. According to hospital officials, that programme commands a lot of respect overseas.

The hospital said that it

was especially an honour to have Dr Williams here to administer them.

During his stay Dr. Williams is expected to teach the residents and general medical officers at GPHC on Ward rounds and in lectures.

Dr. Williams delivered a CME lecture on We d n e s d a y a t G P H C regarding “The Future of Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology”. The lecture focused on the importance of setting and maintaining standards of medical education and continuing education for doctors in training in medical.

Additionally, Dr. Williams participated in a television

Gunmen strip businessman of jewellery in brazen daylight robbery Having experienced what he described as a near death e n c o u n t e r, a businessman of Success, East Coast Demerara, is claiming that he is now living in fear since even the police, according to him, have not been seeking to effectively deal with the matter.

Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, 54 year old Fizul Ali, of First Street, Success, East Coast Demerara, and owner of Fizul and Sons Tyre Mart at Success Public Road, said that he was brazenly robbed in full view of several residents and is still waiting for police to take action.

He recounted that he was covering the engine of a vehicle outside of his First Street home around 13:15 hours, Sunday, when two men rode up to him on a black motorcycle.

The man said that before he realised what was about to happen, the pillion rider jumped off and placed a gun to his head, at the same time removing a chain from his neck.

The chain, according to Ali, is valued at some $400,000 and has been in his possession since 1994. “I didn’t even know what was happening because I de kinda bend over covering the engine with a tarpaulin so by the time I see them, was a gun to me head,” the man recounted.

The incident, he said, was witnessed by at least eight residents one of whom had a cutlass in his hand at the time.

“Nobody couldn’t do nothing how these men pull up...Is like they had this thing really well planned.”

He said the act was carried out within a matter of seconds then the men made good their escape the same way they came.

Neither of them, according to Ali, was disguised in anyway.

“If I see them again I would know them because them men ain’t even try to hide them face how they so barefaced.”

“I understand that them ride past me and then ride back and come straight to me...I nearly get a heart attack when I realise what happening.”

Although encouraged to pursue the men using his car, Ali said that he decided not to since he quickly recollected that a relative of his had died while trying to resist being robbed a few years ago.

“I seh no sense I fight up with them because this man done crank up gun an’ everything and I know he woulda shoot me if I de try anything,” said Ali. This is the third time that the importer of tyres and trucks has been the victim of brazen robberies none of which have been investigated by the police, Ali said.

Following the latest robbery, he said that he

immediately called the Beterverwagting Police Station to report what had happened. He claimed that a female officer answered his call and instead of action being taken he related that the officer started asking “‘What can we do for you? Where are you calling us from?’

I calling them from Success you mean the police don’t even have caller’s ID?” queried Ali. He said that he eventually went to the station and gave a statement of the occurrence.

“If the police de only come I sure they wouldn’t catch them men,” said Ali; who said that he is now fearful for his life.

“I even scared to sleep at nights because I studying that man that got killed the other day even though he had he gun he still get kill...me ain’t got none and it wouldn’t be any better for me and on top of that the police not doing anything,” said Ali. He noted that there “is no security for the small business people.

I truly count myself lucky that me ain’t get shoot. Right now I just thinking about packing up and moving away,” the business man added.

Decomposed body Police discovered the remains of a man who had gone missing for two days, after neighbours alerted police to an unusual scent emanating from the man’s Bush Lot home. He lived alone.

The man, whose sister identified him as 54-yearold, Hiralall, a/k Ashook, formerly of Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, sometimes would venture out to sea.

The man’s death was deemed to be of natural causes since no marks of violence were discovered on his remains.

interview with Dr. Madan Rambarran, the Director of Post Graduate Education and Director of University of Guyana School of Medicine and Dr. Ruth Derkenne, the Assistant Residency Director, Ob/Gyn. The interview discussed the growth of specialty training in Guyana, in particular in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and its integral role in improving the health of the people of Guyana.

Other visitors to GPHC this week included a team from Case Western who will be reviewing the midwifery care and training at GPHC to see how it can be involved in improving these services.

The WONDOOR programme has bought great improvements for the doctors and infrastructure at the maternity hospital (including the opening of the new Obstetric operating theatre), and they would also like to extend these opportunities to include the Midwifery staff.

Ms. Rachel Kay, a midwife from Case Western, who is involved in Midwifery education; Tenisha Gaines, the Coordinator of case Western’s antenatal care program and Katie Might, the

Dr. Sterling Williams

Programme Coordinator of WONDOOR; have been here for one week spending time in the wards at GPHC, visiting the Nursing school, meeting Guyana’s leaders of Nursing and Midwifery training, delivering lectures on midwifery topics and running

demonstration group antenatal classes.

“GPHC is very grateful for the support of its international partner, WONDOOR, for helping to improve the way we care for the women of Guyana,” Dr Rambarran said.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

GTUC and GPSU sign communiqué Heads of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have embarked on a partnership to tackle what the parties indicated are public servant woes. The two unions yesterday signed a Communiqué, making official their collaborated effort in dealing with the various issues which they said pose difficulty in the execution of union business.

GPSU President Patrick Yarde, GTUC head, Norris Witter and executives of the respective unions penned their signatures before exchanging in partnership, the binding document at the GPSU head office.

While the communiqué in detail communicates the legislation under which such collaboration could be made and the objectives and functions of the union’s by law, it was also stipulated the objectives of the parties in their combined venture.

Under this new partnership, the unions will seek to work together on “Upholding and restoring collective bargaining/ agreement in the public sector; the protection and

enhancement of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); the universal campaign promise of the three parliamentary political groups that they would address the Value Added Tax (VAT) with a view to having it reduced be honoured; rectification of the wanton misuse and abuse of contract workers; the appointment of Public Sector Appellate Tribunal consistent with the oath of the office taken by the President; the repeal of the 1999 amendment to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Law,” among other pivotal issues the union said.

The agreement highlighted, “The identified initial issues form the prerequisites toward equitable development, and good governance, employer/ worker relationship, and the parties have so committed to embracing an effective strategy to realize the said agenda over a sustained period.”

Before the signing, GTUC General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, told media operatives, “The GPSU and the GTUC had embarked on a new phase in their relationship.”

Union officials exchange the communiqué after affixing signatures in consent He said, “The signing of the communiqué outlining the two parties’ common relationship in moving forward, is premised on rights and justice, fair play and the rule of law.”

He noted that while the growing trend in today’s society is the disregard for Law and its attending rights, the unions feel strengthened in partnership to combat the persistent misconduct.

Lewis however, said that the parties “are not naïve to believe that what we set out to achieve will not come without a struggle, or it can

be achieved in a sweep, or without attracting detractors and agent provocateurs.”

What the secretary said the parties are assured of “Is that our unity of purpose and aspiration, which we held true by the principles of the communiqué, will help us to overcome the challenges, achieve goals, which will ultimately bode well to creating a better environment for all.”

Norris Witter said that the partnership “Is of great significance, not only to the parties and who have affixed their signatures, but to the

labour movement generally.”

“The fact of the matter”, he said, “is the objectives of the movement, the objective of trade unions, whether in confederation or individually, is constant and immutable”.

The parties may adopt different strategies and tactics in the attainment of their objectives. The two entities have reached a juncture where it is believed that it is critically important to work collaboratively to address what has been festering problems, impacting on labour for too long, Witter said.

He added that the new relationship is cherished and it is hoped that as time goes on the partnership would only strengthen.

Patrick Yarde said that the GPSU has been consistently attempting to bring about an environment contributing to trade union unity.

Yarde said that the initiative has always been among the list of priorities focused on by his organization. The GPSU, he said has consciously decided to collaborate and cooperate with all organizations focused and genuine in fighting to improve workers rights.

Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.

It will be facilitated by Ms. Sandra Del Pino, Specialist in Human Rights Law at the PAHO Washington D. C. headquarters. Among the objectives of the meeting, according to Hamilton, is to summarise current mechanisms to maintain health in prisons in Guyana even as efforts are made to discuss the main challenges and gaps faced in the country in the context of health and human rights in prisons.

The forum will also serve as a medium to present an overview of the recent activities developed

by PAHO in the context of health and human rights in prisons as

well as to identify the next steps to be taken in order to develop joint activities/programmes engaging all relevant ministries to improve health and human rights conditions in prisons, in line with PAHO Resolution CD50.R8.

The PAHO Resolution urges that efforts be directed to strengthening the technical capacity of health authorities in member states so that they can work with corresponding governmental human rights entities such as ombudspersons’ offices and human rights secretariats to evaluate and oversee the implementation of the applicable international human rights instruments related to health.

Moves are likely to be made to support PAHO’s

technical cooperation in the formulation, review and if necessary, reform of national health plans and legislation, incorporating the applicable international human rights instruments, especially those related to the protection of groups in vulnerable situations. As a result, the hosting of the high level meeting was premised on the notion that there are three basic relationships between the health of groups in situations of vulnerability, which includes persons deprived of liberty and their exercise of human rights.

“The enjoyment of health and the exercise of human rights are synergistic. Thus, a certain degree of physical and mental health is necessary to exercise internationally recognised

human rights and fundamental freedoms and consequently be able to participate in a state’s fundamental freedoms are essential to genuine physical and mental well-being,” a statement from the Health Ministry outlines.

It was amplified, too, that violation of, or failure to enforce, human rights can adversely affect the physical, mental and social well-being of all people, including persons deprived of liberty.

For this reason the Ministry of Health has recognised that public health policy, planning and legislation can serve to protect basic human rights and fundamental freedoms or can hinder the exercise of basic rights related to physical and mental wellbeing.

Prisoners’ health and human rights for high level meeting Prison inmates are likely to receive an improved level of health care as part of a strategic move by the Ministry of Health. The programme will be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Prison Services.

This move, according to the Ministry of Health Parliamentary Secretary, Joseph Hamilton, could see nurses and even some doctors visiting the prisons infirmary to closely attend to inmates. He explained, though, that servicing the prison population in the infirmary will be undertaken under the necessary security prescription.

According to Hamilton, “Some nurses were not trained to understand that, that is part of their remit so we have to go back to refining the thought process of Florence Nightingale, that intervention was not only about the fancy white uniform; it was among the lepers, soldiers and people with all kinds of conditions...” This strategic development is expected to be further deliberated on when the Health Ministry convenes a high level meeting on health and human rights in prisons. The meeting, which will be hosted in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), will be held next Wednesday at Cara

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kitty youth gets 4 years Corriverton 12-year-old claims for assault weapons pastor abducted, fondled her

A 21-year-old Kitty resident has been ordered to spend the next four years in jail together with a fine of $100,000. Cornel Atkinson, who had been remanded on June 1, last, for being in possession of two assault weapons without licence was found guilty of the charge by the court yesterday.

The ruling was handed down by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, On May 29, last, police ranks, acting on information, proceeded to conduct a search on the then 20-yearold vendor’s Lot 29 Railway Embankment, Kitty home.

The ranks found one .243 Smith and Wesson rifle and one rifle with telescopic lens hidden in a rubbish heap.

Atkinson could not produce a licence for the weapon hence; he was charged and placed before Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton for an initial court hearing.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law Sonia Parag who contended that the guns were not found in her client’s yard but were taken from the yard next door.

Cornel Atkinson The woman claimed that there is pictorial evidence that will show a policeman removing the guns and placing them in her client’s yard.

However police prosecutor, Kerry Bostwick, in his final submission urged that the court take into consideration that there is

sufficient evidence that points to the defendant having knowledge of the assault rifle that was found hidden in his backyard.

“I want yuh call me sister and meh mother and tell them I get find guilty,” a visibly saddened Atkinson told police ranks after hearing the outcome of the case.

A 12- year-old girl of Rampoor, Corriverton is claiming that a 23- year- old pastor-in-training picked her up two Tuesdays ago on her way to school, held her against her will, took her to a house in the area, locked her in, fondled her and even took photographs of sexual poses on the bed.

The child (name given), stated that she was returning to the Skeldon High School for the afternoon session around 11:45 hrs when the driver of a Spacio (name given) “pulled up to me and said that he was going in the same direction”.

The child said that she knew the boy since he was a Bible student and young pastor in the village, so she decided to take the ride but she got more than she bargained for. “He told me that he will take me straight to school….I knew him by seeing him and as a trained pastor—the car turned into Baljit Street (not the direction of the school)”, and she began to question the diversion.

“I asked him why he turned into that street and he didn’t answer me and he took me straight to his uncle’s house and drive straight in.”

The child continued to relate what happened. “He held on to my hand tightly so I could not have escaped and he pulled me straight upstairs in the back house and locked me up inside the house so I couldn’t get to come out.

“I asked him to get me out of the house because I want to go back home and he didn’t allow me to leave. He locked the door and had the key. He pulled me into the room and put me on the bed and started to fondle me”.

The child stated that they did not have sex.

He then left her in the house at 15:30 hrs for Bible Class. She then called for her father who came and picked her up. The man (name given) was shocked to discover his daughter lying on the bed.

He also discovered a cell phone, presumably belonging to the pastor, which is believed to have been used to shoot nude photographs of the child, photographs the father discovered in the phone. He has since confiscated the device as evidence.

The girl’s father took her to the Springlands Police Station, made a report and then visited the Skeldon Hospital where the child was medically examined. The father is claiming that the suspect is still roaming freely and the police are not taking on the matter seriously.

He even made reports to the Domestic Violence personnel in Skeldon but to no avail. The pastor, who is originally from Georgetown, is

From page 3 not look at “events unforeseen and events that may not mature.”

Regarding security, the Housing Minister argued that the law should not dictate the level of security for the former president, since that is for the Police to decide.

The new Bill limits former presidents to two security personnel.

Dr. Roopnarine argued that the Bill has to be seen in the context where thousands are living futureless lives, with poverty spreading in all parts

of the country, while a narrow circle of overnight millionaires are thriving.

Nagamootoo stated that when the former president’s benefits are computed, it would amount to $3 million a month, and that sum was “objectionable” and a “shame.”

Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall stated that since the 2009 Act was in place, Mr. Jagdeo is vested with the right to receive the benefits the law provides for, and the law could not be reversed.

No one contested that fact.

Clyde Forte has been remanded to prison until Friday 15. Forte appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on four charges of discharging a loaded firearm with intent and one charge of robbery under arms. He pleaded not guilty to all five

charges.

On December 20, 2012 at Georgetown, while armed with a hand gun Forte reportedly robbed Sherwin Duncan of an $800,000 diamond ring, a $350,000 gold chain and other items.

During the robbery the

defendant reportedly discharged a loaded gun into a crowd, something that was potentially harmful to innocent bystanders and those that were in the company of the victim.

According to the prosecution the accused and the complainant are known to each other.

On the day in question at about 23:30 hrs the victim was sitting on a bench when the accused and two others went up to him and pointed a handgun at him. The gunmen relieved Duncan of the articles and escaped.

However, Forte was identified as the person who committed the act. As a consequence, he was placed before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday.

believed to be in the city.

The girl’s father also claimed that the pastor’s uncle visited his house three times to coerce him to take a bribe and settle the matter. “I picked up the phone and still has it as evidence and the uncle came to me on three occasions and offered me a bribe to settle the matter—He wanted me to call the price but I did not agree since he could have used that against me in court and tell the police that I want to use my daughter to do prostitution work”.

“The uncle is a billionaire and he got a lot of contacts, plus he is a superintendent of the Neighbourhood Policing Group,” the father stated.

“If they (the family) did not have contacts at the Springlands Station, this matter would have been done long already—They (the police) would have called up Brickdam (Police Station) and put roadblocks and made checks.”

He needs justice, for both himself and especially his daughter.

House votes to slash ...

Armed robbery accused denied bail

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Execution in hotel yard…

Businessman ignored warnings about killer lurking outside

By Michael Jordan Businessman Intaz Roopnarine would almost certainly have escaped Thursday’s execution-style attack had he heeded repeated warnings from a security guard that a suspicious character was lurking outside the Cool Breeze Hotel.

Instead, Roopnarine reportedly drew his firearm, said that he was the “baddest man around ” . H e w a s walking through the hotel gate when a tall, slim gunman confronted him, chased the 38-year-old businessman to the back of the hotel compound and then shot him dead. Videos show that Roopnarine, despite having his weapon drawn, did not even try to defend himself.

Kaieteur News understands that the chilling confrontation between killer and victim was captured on surveillance video. However, no cameras were located in the area where Roopnarine was slain.

Sources said that the

daring attack and other information provided to investigators suggest that the gunman badly wanted to kill the Mandela Avenue businessman. According to a source, the killer scaled the high hotel fence to get at Roopnarine who had just placed a female companion in a vehicle.

However, the motive for the killing remains unclear and investigators are still to make any significant progress with the case.

Roopnarine was a frequent visitor to the West Ruimveldt hotel and booked into Room Seven during the early hours of Thursday.

According to reports reaching Kaieteur News, passersby had observed the gunman, with cap pulled down, sitting on a culvert some 50 metres north of the hotel some time after 05:00 hrs on the morning of the shooting. The man was also using his cell phone.

This newspaper also learnt that the on-duty security

Dead Intaz Roopnarine guard had also observed the strange man lurking near the hotel and became suspicious.

Around 05:30 hrs, Roopnarine and his female companion exited their room and went to the front gate, which was locked. They then

Merlin Udho presents credentials in Brazil

Merlin Udho (left) and Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff Merlin Udho presented her Credentials as Ambassador of Guyana to Brazil to Dilma Rousseff, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil on Wednesday January 23, 2013

Prior to taking up this appointment in Brazil, Ambassador Udho served as Ambassador to Suriname.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in December 1968 Guyana and

Brazil have developed and maintained very close ties.

The presentation of Ambassador U d h o ’s Credentials represents the further strengthening of these relations, the Foreign Ministry stated.

stood at the gate waiting for their taxi to arrive.

The security guard, according to sources, informed the businessman of the stranger’s presence and cautioned Roopnarine repeatedly to remain in the hotel.

However, Roopnarine reportedly drew his firearm, waved it in the air, and told the guard that he was “the baddest man around.”

Some minutes later, a taxi arrived for the businessman and his companion. The hotel guard then unlocked the gate and the woman exited.

According to sources who viewed the camera footage, Roopnarine was about to follow his companion when the tall gunman scaled the hotel fence. Reports are that the guard and Roopnarine immediately took evasive action.

Kaieteur News was told that the gunman discharged a shot at his fleeing target.

However, that first shot

missed and struck one of the hotel windows.

According to sources, there were several open rooms in which Roopnarine could have taken cover. Instead, the apparently panic-stricken man fled down a passageway leading to a dead end at the back of the hotel compound.

There, the gunman shot him in the head.

According to a source the killer ran to the front of the hotel, scaled the high hotel fence again and fled in a northern direction. At that stage, a white car drove slowly in the opposite direction. The driver then stopped outside the hotel, and reversed in the direction the killer had fled.

It is believed that the killer escaped in that vehicle.

Roopnarine was reportedly wearing several pieces of expensive jewellery at the time and Kaieteur News understands that one of the slain man’s gold bands and a gold chain were missing.

However, investigators are

convinced that robbery was not the motive, since they feel that the gunman could have escaped with more of the victim’s valuables as well as with Roopnarine’s firearm, which was left near the corpse. There is no evidence that the gunman took any piece of jewellery.

Hours earlier, Roopnarine had been partying at the Edge and at Palm Court. He reportedly got into a confrontation with someone at one of the nightspots.

Meanwhile, management at the Cool Breeze Hotel yesterday reassured customers about the presence of 24-hour security at the premises, and expressed the hope that the incident would not deter them.

“The shooting had nothing to do with Cool Square…We have 24-hour security and we only open our gates when customers arrive,” the manager of the popular West Ruimveldt spot said.

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Muse or Amuse

Bauxite companies to Lemons or rotten eggs? present plans for 2013 today A woman went to apply for a job in a fruit farm. The owner interviewed her, “Miss Lady” said the owner, “yuh have any experience fuh pick lemons?” The lady replied, “Yes, yes. I’ve been divorced three times already.”

Many people have experience at picking lemons.

They pick them all the time.

Some of them pick the wrong bf or gf. But sometimes, we pick the wrong country. USA, Canada, Antigua, Trinidad, etc. And they turn out to be lemons. Things are bad in all the countries. When the USA or Canada sneezes, the Caribbean catches cold. And, things are going from bad to worse in the USA. There is no way the economy will suddenly flourish in the next decade.

Guyana, on the other hand, will continue to be a land of opportunities the problem is, that only a few persons get the opportunities. Whether we like it or not, a third of our population lives in poverty.

The rest are shafted, and the other problem is that, in Guyana, we, the general public, don’t even get lemons, we are handed rotten eggs.

But the select few - they benefit from the state handouts; from the shares of land at Turkeyen (by the seawall) to shares at Providence. Look at the names of the persons “awarded” land for “development”.

There are also some deals that should be made public.

The Government is giving a large sum of money PLUS

land to one religious body for a project. The religious body then gives a piece of that land to a member of its dynasty to put up a private investment.

Meanwhile, there are members of that religious grouping, like everywhere else who needs food and clothing. Government is also giving money to yet another religious group to create a TV station. Meanwhile, there are people suffering and starving in the country.

Then there are the large complexes being built around the town, like the one on Camp Street that supposedly belongs to a miner.

There was the new mall in Regent Street whose owner was absent from her own opening. There is the huge mall at Camp and Lamaha Streets that belongs to a PPP elite who handles election campaigns. Then there are the complexes going up at Providence. Let’s see a list of the owners. In fact the newspapers would do well to publish a list since these things are gazetted.

Then, look at the radio and TV licenses. One man got the entire gamut that the rest of Guyana can only hope for. Mr. Gamut has TV, Radio and on top of it all, gets the contracts to pay off for everything.

With the way the Government does (and encourages) businesses, the select few persons are creating a nightmare for the real entrepreneurs.

Regardless of how one looks at it, the name and image of the real investors gets

tarnished by the activities of the select few who get the gift of state.

And, in the meantime, those who are poor will remain poor.

When Cheddi was around, he used to say that the poor man must become the real man. But, his party is ensuring that the poor man remains the really poor man.

What’s the use of handing a poor man a laptop when he cannot pay for the electricity?

Then the poor people struggle to send their children to school and university and they have to find tens of thousands of dollars to pay for electricity, phone and internet. To top it off, the telephone company turns up internet for the university students and without any regulation is super-overcharging the poor students.

If 400 students use the internet for six hours per day, the company makes $7.2 million in 30 days and $86 MILLION in a year. And the poor will remain poor.

What must a poor child do to find $600/day for internet? Are we so desperate that we are sending the message to our kids to do whatever they have to do to find such money?

A rotten egg is what we have as poor Guyanese. The rest, a group of selected individuals and protected companies, runs the affairs of this country.

President Ramoutar is gagged and blindfolded. He cannot do a thing to stop it all. No, in Guyana we are not handed lemons. We are handed rotten eggs.

I will pray this Saturday night at the Gospel festival. I will pray because I am willing to give up my rotten eggs for a lemon. At least with a lemon, I can make lemonade.

I am not amused.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment will host a strategic review of the bauxite sector in Linden, today, to highlight achievements, challenges and projections for the sector.

The review will witness presentations by Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. and Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (RUSAL), after which an interactive session with the regulatory a g e n c y, t h e G u y a n a Geology and Mines Commission to discuss e n v i r o n m e n t a l commitments and compliance of the Mining Regulations.

Last year, bauxite production improved significantly, from 1,827,555 metric tonnes in 2011 to 2,034,811 metric tonnes at the end of November 2012, an overall improvement of 25.7 percent relative to the 1,618,483 produced in the period January to November 2011.

The Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. produced 1,416, 287 metric tonnes of bauxite in the period January to November 2012, some six per cent more than that which was produced for the whole of 2011 (1,337,057 metric tonnes). Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. (BMGGI) produced 618,524

metric tonnes between January and November 2012, some 26 per cent more than for the whole of 2011 (490,498 metric tonnes).

Bosai announced that it will invest close to US$100M to expand its operations in 2013.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, senior management of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and top executives of Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc. and Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. will be present and share experiences towards the sustainability and expansion of the bauxite sector.

Police blamed for inaction as ...

Mahdia accident driver walks away with slap on the wrist Relatives say that the police action leaves much to be desired. There should be a thorough investigation into the works of the Guyana Police Force especially the police stationed at the Mahdia Police Station, they say.

These comments have come from the relatives of a man who was killed on November 21 last in a gruesome accident in the mining community.

Keith Paul, called “Link up”, 40, was one of two persons killed in a gruesome accident that took place when the driver of the car in which he was travelling, lost control of the vehicle and turned turtle killing him and the driver’s father.

Paul, of Number One Road, Corentyne, Berbice, was one of three passengers travelling in the Toyota Allion car PNN 8226 around 06:45 hours on November 21. The driver, Trevor Smith, an unlicensed taxi driver, was

driving at a rapid rate lost control of the vehicle near the Mahdia Airstrip and crashed killing two of the occupants.

R e l a t i v e s have now come forward to question the attitude of the police during the investigation. They are querying the failure of the police to charge with causing death by dangerous driving.

Instead Trevor Smith was charged with driving without a licence and for breaching the insurance regulation of the motorcar that he drove. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

He was fined $20,000 on each of the two charges or alternatively, serve two concurrent terms of two weeks’ imprisonment.

They are viewing the entire incident as a big cover up. They said that it is a big lie to state that Trevor Smith senior was driving and got tired. “He was never at the wheel. He only arrived in the

community a few days ago and did not even know the place,” they said.

The car took off with Trevor Smith Jr. at the wheel with Keith Paul in the front with him. Smith Sr., Shawn Simon, and one Barnes were in the back seat.

The driver who was unhurt after the crash got out of the car and ran away, leaving the others including his father still trapped in the vehicle. They said that Smith hid and was not found for days.

They stated that it was the second serious accident involving Smith and although it is known that he is an unlicensed driver he is seen driving unperturbed through the Region. No statements were taken from the injured or witnesses.

They want the Commissioner of Police or the Minister of Home Affairs to come forward and give answers to what they see as blatant corruption.

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EU funds 200 new homes for sugar workers Jamaica Observer - More than 200 new houses are to be built with European Union (EU) funds for sugar workers living in dilapidated barracks in Golden Grove, St Thomas.

Two contracts valued at $308 million were signed Thursday for the infrastructural work to begin ahead of construction of 225 one-, two- and three-bedroom units for the 486 persons living in the barracks, which were built in the 1920s.

The Barracks Relocation Project, which is being financed under the Sugar Accompanying Measures Programme, will see each recipient getting a house on Excluded Estate lands and a registered title in their name.

This will be at no charge, except for a processing fee of between $30,000 and $40,000 for the land titles. Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, in addressing the large turnout of sugar workers, residents, union officials, and political representatives at the ceremony in Hampton Court, noted that the Government would have been irresponsible were they to ignore the social ills that have

persisted for these persons living in the barracks.

The Barracks Relocation Project, she said, was conceived to build decent houses and communities for the current generation of occupants, thereby removing the stigma associated with living in barracks and correct a historic wrong which has persisted for too long.

“This exercise here today gives me hope that, even within the limits of fiscal constraints and amidst the current economic challenges, we can transform lives and provide meaningful service to our people,” Simpson Miller said. The prime minister pointed to that initiative, as well as some of the other projects slated to come on stream in the parish shortly, as evidence of the work her Government has done and continues to do in its first year in office.

“For all those who say the Government is doing nothing and Portia is doing nothing, check this,” she said to thunderous applause.

Simpson Miller said she was determined to see persons relocated from the

barracks as part of her contribution to national development and a positive transformation of the lives of the people. Barracks were introduced in the sugar industry to provide temporary housing for migrant workers who came from all over the island to work in cane fields and factories, particularly during crop time.

However, what was intended to be temporary housing, with communal facilities, evolved over time into permanent homes where generations of families have been raised.

Head of operations for the Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica Jesus Orus Baguena, in his address, said it was of vital importance that as Jamaica’s sugar industry is moved forward, those who toiled to develop the industry are not left behind.

“The [sugar support] programme would have failed its objectives if it would not have catered to the needs of the people affected by the restructuring of the industry and shown gratitude to those whose work has allowed the sugar industry to thrive,” Baguena said. Meanwhile,

PM Portia Simpson Miller (left) and Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke break ground for the new housing development for persons who live in the sugar barracks in Golden Grove, St Thomas. Sharing in the moment are head of operation at the Delegation of European Union Jesus Baguena (right) and Ambassador Celsa Nuno while others look on. (Photo: Marlon Reid) the prime minister announced that an agro-park will be built on a section of the former banana lands known as Plantain Garden River in eastern St Thomas. This, she said, will be done in the 20132014 financial year and some $60 million have already been earmarked from the Sugar Transformation Programme to undertake critical infrastructure work

associated with the agro-park.

Additionally, Simpson Miller said 15 kilometres of road will be rehabilitated in the parish as part of the programme at a cost of $100 million, as well as major drains in the cane-growing areas at a cost of more than $80 million. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has made provision to resettle some 876 residents of sugar

estate barracks islandwide in some 400 housing solutions at seven relocation sites in four sugar parishes, at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion.

The size of houses allocated will vary based on the size of families to be resettled. The proposed form of tenure is freehold with a restriction on sale or transfer of properties for a minimum of five years.

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Call for Jack to quit as TOP leader Trinidad Guardian - If defeated Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack remains at the helm, he will sink the party much deeper into the hole the Tobago electorate has dug for it. He has no choice but to resign and even if the TOP does not want him to resign, he should insist.

This was the verdict of political scientist Dr Winford James, a Tobagonian, as he responded to questions on what it would mean for TOP if Jack remained its leader in the wake of the party’s defeat in last Monday’s Tobago House

of Assembly (THA) election.

The Tobago PNM Council, led by incumbent THA Chief Secretary Orville London, gained an historic win when it took all of the island’s 12 seats.

Jack, in conceding defeat at the TOP’s headquarters at Old Market Square, Tobago, after the announcement of the results, said he would decide on his role in the party and in politics “over the next 48 hours.” More than 48 hours have passed and word is still to come from him. He told the T&T Guardian yesterday he was in a

Ashworth Jack meeting and to call back.

Several attempts to reach him after that proved unsuccessful.

EU providing budgetary funds to St Kitts/Nevis BRIDGETOWN, St. Kitts - CMC - The European Union says it has provided Euro 15 million (One Euro = US$1.34 cents) in budgetary support to the St Kitts-Nevis government over a three month period last year.

An EU statement said that the grant aid is aimed at assisting the country in diversifying its economy away from sugar into value added and competitive areas.

“These payments, in particular, were made based on St. Kitts and Nevis attaining targets related to macro-economic stability, public financial management reform and the implementation of its National Adaptation Strategy,” the statement said.

Recently appointed European Union Head of Delegation, Mikael Barfod, said that “the high level of achievements made by St. Kitts and Nevis in the implementation of the Sugar

Budget Support Programmes reflect the strong commitment shown even within the context of the present downturn in the global economy”.

The EU statement said that the Denzil Douglas administration has created the policy basis for a number of key reforms ranging from sector strategies to public and economic affairs including increase in provision of State land to farmers for agricultural use, and the maintenance of the share of budget expenditures social services at levels at least as those of 2007.

It said that Euro 36 million of direct budget support has been paid to the St Kitts and Nevis under the Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol countries during the period 2008-2013.

“This assistance has gone towards supporting the implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy

Mikael Barfod aimed at enhancing economic diversification and social development in response to the closure of the sugar industry.”

In addition, the twin island Federation and the EU have been formulating a follow-on Budget Support programme in the area of poverty reduction and social protection, private sector development and employment and human resources.

Sources said the Prime Minister held a secret meeting with Jack and members of the TOP executive at Rovanel’s, Bon Accord, Tobago, after the inauguration of the new THA assemblymen. The PM and Tobago-born government ministers Christlyn Moore, Delmon Baker and Vernella Alleyne-Toppin were present at the inauguration. The TOP received six invitations, the T&T Guardian was told, but Jack was absent.

James said resigning would actually help revive a little of Jack’s lost credibility.

He added: “He had four seats and he lost all, including his own, some by a wide margin.

Obviously, his credibility would be at stake here. The honourable thing would be for him to resign. I don’t think he has a choice really.”

While some are looking at the possibility of Minister of Tobago Affairs Delmon Baker leading the TOP, James does not believe there are any successors to Jack. He agreed with the consensus of Tobagonians on the ground that if Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had not taken over the party’s campaign, the TOP would have won the election. “I agree. It’s part of what I believe,” James added.

Why did the assistance of

the PM and National Security Minister Jack Warner hurt the TOP’s campaign so much? It all has to do with Tobago pride, James said. “Jack lost his autonomy, his leadership of the TOP. The party was seen as part of the People’s Partnership. He became subordinate to the PP in a way Tobagonians would not countenance. They felt he would not lead in the interest of Tobago and would take orders from unseen people,” he added.

James believes Tobagonians did not vote on the PNM-led THA’s performance over the last 12 years but on the PM and her team leading Tobago. “Jack was seen as allowing the Prime Minister and Warner to take over the campaign. It suggested he is weak and a puppet or felt it was the best strategy,” he added.

Asked if London did not allow the PNM, a Trinidad party, and its leader Dr Keith Rowley, who also campaigned with the Tobago Council during the elections, to do the same, he said they worked behind the scenes.

“That’s the key. You can resource from behind but should not take over. Rowley spoke but London always took centre stage. PersadBissessar hugged centre

stage.” he said.

James said the Prime Minister’s most brazen act was daring to lay a bill in Parliament on self-government for Tobago. Dr Bishnu Ragoonath, a Trinidad-based political scientist, was cautious when asked to comment on the implications for the TOP if Jack stayed on.

He said: “That is a decision for Jack and his party. We can’t say whether they should remove him or not. I can’t say whether it would be better for the TOP if he stays.”

Ragoonath felt Jack was “demonised” as a puppet of the PM. “He will have to break away (from the Government) if he wants to transform the image of the TOP,” he said.

Chief Secretary Orville London, commenting on how Tobagonians voted, told the T&T Guardian last Tuesday no single factor was ever responsible. He agreed the close link between the TOP and the PP played a part in the defeat of the TOP. The issues surrounding Jack himself, including his multi-million-dollar house, also added to his demise, he added. London believed, however, that people did not only vote “against” in an election. “Many believed we performed creditably,” he said.

Japanese team to discuss funding Barbados sugar industry BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – A Japanese delegation is due here on Monday for talks with Agriculture Minister Dr. David Estwick on the possibility of funding the restructuring of the sugar cane industry.

A government statement said that the delegation from the Japanese company Marubeni Corporation have expressed an interest in funding the project.

It said the Barbados Cane Industry Corporation, (BCIC) with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, is in the process of implementing the project which aims to convert the existing sugar sector into a sugar cane and renewable energy industry.

“This new thrust will result in the processing of over 330,000 tonnes of sugar cane to produce 15,000 tonnes of raw sugar, 12,000 tonnes of refined sugar and 24,000 tonnes of molasses, the statement said, adding “in addition to the bagasse byproduct from the processing of sugar cane, a further 150,000 tonnes of River Tamarind biomass will be

Dr. David Estwick used to generate over 170,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity”.

The facilities are expected to come on stream in January, 2016.

BCIC project manager Carl Simpson said that the proposed funding for the project would be delivered in two phases.

“The first phase of field improvement and factory transition will ensure that the agricultural requirements for the Cane Industry Restructuring Project are achieved. Support funds will be supplied to sugar cane growers to assist with farming improvements and to

encourage an improvement in national sugar cane production levels.

“The first phase of funding will also pay for the temporary upgrade of the transition factory at Portvale, fund the Portvale Factory operations during the transition periods 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 and continue the research and development of the River Tamarind and other biomass materials.”

He said the second phase will be that of factory refurbishment and will support a multi-purpose facility at the existing Andrews Sugar Factory site which will also house bulk storage and packaging facilities.

“The expanded and refurbished facility will meet international food grade and environmental standards and allow for cogeneration of heat and electricity in a 25 megawatts base load power generating plant,” Simpson said, adding that planning for the project was at the stage of final outline design and preliminary capital estimates for both phases.

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Government issues warning International jurists call for resumption of trial of President Bouterse to sole electricity company CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - The St. Lucia government says it will amend existing legislation governing the operations of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), the sole electricity company, as it moves to provide consumers with relief from the high electricity rates.

“LUCLEC has to understand when there are good times, they enjoy the good times but when there are bad times, it too must make the adjustment for the sake of the people of the country.

“It’s an issue I have raised with them. It is well known that I have said that LUCELEC can no longer enjoy any longer statutory comfort for specific profit levels. This is not the era for that kind of statutory arrangement,” Anthony said.

Anthony said that his administration would be forced to amend the existing legislation in addition to exploring alternative forms of energy if the company maintains its high rates to consumers.

In a statement following his recent visit to Venezuela where he discussed accessing the benefits of PetroCaribe, an initiative through which Caracas offers oil on concessionary terms to participating countries, Prime Minister Anthony said that as far as he is concerned LUCLEC’s electricity rates whatever the logic maybe, are

Dr. Kenny Anthony unacceptably high.

In addition to being the sole provider of electricity here, LUCELEC by reason of the Electricity Supply Act No 10 of 1994 is guaranteed a return on its investment through an electricity surcharge.

LUCELEC shareholders include the Canadian-based Emera, First Citizens Bank Ltd. National Insurance Corporation, the Castries City Council and the St. Lucia government.

In a statement posted on its website late last year, LUCELEC said electricity rates in St. Lucia were among the lowest in the Caribbean and quoted the “latest Tariff Study Report produced by CARILEC, the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation” to support its position.

It said the CARILEC report showed that for the first half of 2012, St. Lucia had the lowest electricity rates for residential customers among

the 14 reporting countries.

“Residential customers using 100 or 400 kilowatt hours (kWh) or units in St. Lucia enjoyed better rates than their counterparts in the other OECS territories, Curacao, Barbados, St. Marten, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Turks & Caicos Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Bermuda which were among the countries submitting data for the study,” it said.

Prime Minister Anthony said moving to amend legislation governing LUCLEC’s operations would be just one aspect of the government’s intervention to bring about a change in the current electricity rates.

“At the same time too we would want to explore what LUCLEC calls alternative sources of energy. Of course the kind of fuel you get from Venezuela does poses some challenges because often the turbines that they (LUCELEC) use to provide electricity may require specific kinds of fuel and one would have to make certain adjustments to determine whether if we import the fuel from Venezuela adjustments would be required by LUCELEC. “But given the larger picture and given what is likely to happen to the Hess transhipment terminal (here) it is vital that we ensure that we pursue our strategic objectives and in all of this we have to work together,” he added.

CBU Secretary General gets management award BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Secretary General of the Barbados-based Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU), Patrick Cozier has been named a Chartered Manager (C Mgr) with the Londonbased Chartered Management Institute.

A CBU statement said that CMI is the only professional body in the United Kingdom, dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leaderships.

It is incorporated under Royal Charter.

“The Institute has over 90,000 members in eighty (80) countries worldwide, and has awarded the Chartered Manager qualification to 2556 executive worldwide and only fifteen (15) in the Caribbean and Central Americas region.

“Qualification for the

Chartered Manager designation requires demonstration of appropriate academic attainment, excellence in management and leadership performance, attestation by peer executives of the members achievements, and culminates with a written evaluation of the candidate’s skills, qualifications and achievements, followed by an in depth assessment interview with CMI designees,” the statement said.

Cozier in accepting the

designation said he hoped that management and leadership will be firmly at the front end of the resource development agenda for the region, “as we seek to effect the strategic transformations necessary to ensure the viable future of Caribbean economies and Caribbean businesses”.

Cozier presently holds an MBA in Strategic Planning, is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute and a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

PARAMARIBO–The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has expressed its concern about the ongoing delays in the trial against President Desi Bouterse and 24 others accused of the murder of 15 citizens. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the ICJ expressed its dissatisfaction with the continued uncertainty on the applicability of an Amnesty Law that could threaten the status of the trial.

Last December 8 2012 it was 30 years that 15 prominent citizens – journalists, lawyers, professors, businessmen, soldiers and labor union leaders- were murdered at the historic Fort Zeelandia. They were political opponents of Bouterse’s –who was then the military leader of the countryand he is accused of having been present on 8 December 1982 at the military barracks of Fort Zeelandia, where the killings took place. The murders were never properly investigated but in November 2007, the trial against the President and fellow

suspects began.

The case came to a standstill last May, when the National Assembly passed an amendment to the Amnesty Law, which could see the suspects pardoned. The case was postponed so the Prosecutor’s Office could research how to continue, but at its resumption last December it was announced that only when a Constitutional Court is established would it be possible to judge whether the amnesty law indeed impedes the case. The postponement stands as long as there is no clarity about the status of this institute.

No public statement has been made by the Suriname Military Court since the judges hearing the matter decided to suspend the trial of President Bouterse in May 2012 and leave it to the public prosecutor and an undesignated court to decide whether President Bouterse and the other accused should benefit from the country’s Amnesty Law. “It is unacceptable,” said ICJ Secretary-General Wilder

Desi Bouterse Tayler. “Justice has been denied for more than three decades and it is in everyone’s interests, both the accused and the families of the victims, that this trial should proceed without further delay”.

The ICJ had noted in its report of 29 May 2012 that there are a number of unresolved questions regarding the legality of the Amnesty law.

The commission had sent a mission to Suriname, to observe the trial last year May. (DevSur)

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Syrian troops and militia push to take Sunni Homs areas AMMAN (Reuters) - The Syrian army has stepped up an offensive on opposition Sunni Muslim strongholds in the central city of Homs, bringing in ground forces and loyalist militia to try to secure a major road junction, opposition sources said yesterday.

Around 15,000 Sunni civilians are trapped on the southern and western edge of the city near the intersection of Syria’s main north-south and east-west arteries, crucial to let the army travel between Damascus and the Mediterranean coast, opposition campaigners in Homs said.

Rebels said they had moved into new areas of Homs this month to grab more territory, which could explain the offensive.

Activists said that rebels had asked them not to report on the advances because it could provoke retaliatory strikes.

But activists in Homs said a barrage of army rocket,

artillery and aerial bombardment had killed at least 120 civilians and 30 opposition fighters since Sunday.

In the south, eight members of Syria’s military intelligence were killed by an Islamist militant car bomb on Thursday night near the frontier with the Israelioccupied Golan Heights, opposition activists and a violence monitoring group said on Friday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bomb was planted by AlNusra Front, a rebel unit fighting to oust Assad that the United States has labeled a terrorist group.

“We think the blast might have killed a colonel who has been leading the fight against rebels in the area,” Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Britain-based Observatory said. The building targeted is in the town of Saasa, 14 miles (23km) from the frontier with the Golan Heights, he said.

Syrian authorities have

banned most independent media, making it difficult to verify such reports on the ground.

The nearly two-year-old conflict has now killed an estimated 60,000 people and a military stalemate has formed while hundreds of thousands of refugees flood into Syria’s neighbors.

The Syrian Interior Ministry called on Thursday for Syrian refugees to come home and said they would be guaranteed safety.

A statement on the state news agency SANA said the government was “offering guarantees to all political opposition sides to enter the country ... (and) ... take part in the national dialogue without any query.”

Few who left have returned, especially opposition supporters, and Assad said in a speech this month that he would not talk with opposition members he said had betrayed Syria or “gangs recruited abroad that follow the orders of

A Free Syrian Army fighter fires his rifle during heavy fighting in Mleha suburb of Damascus yesterday. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic foreigners”.

The war has reached every province in the country and fighting has encroached on the heart of the capital Damascus, with residents reporting the daily thud of artillery being fired on rebelheld districts in the outskirts.

U.S. ambassador to Syria Robert Ford told CNN on Thursday that Assad’s

mother Anisa Makhlouf and his sister Bushra had both moved to the United Arab Emirates. It is not clear why they left.

Activist Nader alHusseini, speaking by phone from the western sector of Homs, said at least 10,000 proAssad shabbiha militiamen had been brought from the coastal city of Tartous to back

up the regular army.

“They go in infantry formations behind the soldiers and their specialty is looting and killing civilians,” he said, adding that among dozens killed by the shabbiha were a family of five in the village of Naqira.

Husseini said 100 wounded civilians were (Continued on page 24)

Israel Ultra-Orthodox unite to foil centrists joining coalition JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israeli Ultra-Orthodox parties said yesterday they would band together to fight for inclusion in any coalition government forged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his rightist Likud party’s narrow win in a January 22 parliamentary election.

The move stands to complicate an already formidable process facing Netanyahu of blending two vastly different sectors of Israel’s population into a government after the polls.

Leaders of the Shas and Torah Judaism factions told Israeli media they would combine forces to resist a powerful new centrist party that seized second place in Tuesday’s poll on a campaign pledge to deny fervently religious communities traditional perks such as mass exemptions from military duties.

“We intend to unite into one negotiating team,” Rabbi Ovadiah Youssef, told members of his Shas party, of a plan to combine the two parties’ 18 seats in the 120member parliament, to compete with political newcomer Yair Lapid’s, whose Yesh Atid or “There is a Future” party won 19.

Moshe Gafny, veteran lawmaker with the Torah Judaism party, also said, “we

Rabbi Ovadiah Youssef intend to forge a common bloc”, the Ynet news Web site and the Haaretz Web site said.

Their remarks came a day after Netanyahu launched informal talks with Lapid, but it may take weeks until a government is formed to succeed the current rightwing coalition.

Formal negotiations may only be launched once President Shimon Peres designates a prime minister, with Netanyahu an obvious choice, a step anticipated in a matter of days, after Peres meets party leaders.

Lapid, a former television star now seen as a senior partner of Netanyahu, campaigned on a promise to change policy on the highly emotive draft issue in a country where most men are called up for compulsory

military service at 18.

He has also pledged to improve the lot for Israel’s taxburdened middle class including by forcing more of the ultra-Orthodox to join the work force instead of living off stipends for religious study.

While also calling for a renewal of peace talks with the Palestinians frozen since 2010, such issues took a back seat in Lapid’s election campaign to bread-and-butter economic concerns.

The ultra-Orthodox have long rejected any changes in draft or labor policies for their constituents as a threat to their beliefs, though their political leaders have also not ruled out Lapid as a governing partner, suggesting they may compromise.

Netanyahu, whose party won 31 seats on Tuesday is also seen as partnering with the 12-seat far-right Jewish Home or “Bayit Yehudi” faction along with Lapid’s party, which would give him a majority of 62 in Israel’s parliament.

Although he can technically rule without the help of ultra-Orthodox allies, Netanyahu is seen as likely to try to include them as well, to cushion his majority and enjoy the freer hand they tend to give him on foreign and security policy matters.

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Court: Obama appointments are unconstitutional WASHINGTON (AP) — In an embarrassing setback for President Barack Obama, a federal appeals court ruled yesterday that he violated the Constitution in making recess appointments last year, a decision that would severely curtail the president’s ability to bypass the Senate to fill administration vacancies.

The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said Obama did not have the power to make three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board because the Senate was officially in session — and not in recess — at the time. If the decision stands, it could invalidate hundreds of board decisions made over the past year.

The court said the president could only fill vacancies with the recess appointment procedure if the openings arise when the Senate is in an official recess, which it defined as the oncea-year break between sessions of Congress.

The White House had no immediate comment but is expected to appeal the decision. The same issue is currently before several other federal appeals courts.

The ruling also threw into question Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Cordray’s appointment, also made on Jan. 4, 2012, has been

challenged in a separate case.

The court’s decision is a victory for Republicans and business groups that have been attacking the labor board for issuing a series of decisions and rules that make it easier for the nation’s labor unions to organize new members.

“With this ruling, the D.C. Circuit has soundly rejected the Obama administration’s flimsy interpretation of the law, and (it) will go a long way toward restoring the constitutional separation of powers,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. GOP House Speaker John Boehner welcomed the ruling as “a victory for accountability in government.”

Obama made the recess appointments after Senate Republicans blocked his choices for an agency they contended was biased in favor of unions. Obama claims he acted properly because the Senate was away for the holidays on a 20-day recess. The Constitution allows for such appointments without Senate approval when Congress is in recess.

But during that time, GOP lawmakers argued, the Senate technically had stayed in session because it was gaveled in and out every few days for so-called pro forma sessions.

GOP lawmakers used the tactic — as Democrats had done in the past —

specifically to prevent the president from using his recess power to install members to the labor board and the consumer board.

They had also vigorously opposed the nomination of Cordray. The White House argued that the pro forma sessions — some lasting less than a minute — were a sham.

The three-judge panel, all appointed by Republican presidents, ruled that during one of those pro forma sessions on Jan. 3, the Senate officially convened its second session of the 112th Congress, as required by the Constitution.

“Either the Senate is in session or it is in recess,” Chief Judge David Sentelle wrote in the 46-page ruling.

“If it has broken for three days within an ongoing session, it is not in ‘the Recess’ described in the Constitution.”

Simply taking a break of

BEIJING (AP) — Washington and Beijing agreed yesterday that any North Korean nuclear test will lead to North Korea’s further isolation and set back efforts to restart regional talks, a U.S. envoy said.

After talks in Beijing with senior Chinese officials, U.S. envoy for North Korea Glyn Davies said that both sides are opposed to North Korea’s conducting a nuclear test and said ridding North Korea of nuclear weapons remained a condition for bringing stability to the region.

“We reached strong consensus that a nuclear test will be troubling and will set back efforts to de-nuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Denuclearization is a necessary precondition to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula,” Davies told reporters. He said that North Korea has a choice to test and further isolate itself or return to the regional talks that involve South Korea, Japan and Russia as well as the U.S.

and China.

“We judge North Korea by its actions, not its words,” he said.

Davies’ Beijing parlay comes amid visits to South Korea and Japan to discuss what to do about North Korea. His tour also comes as tensions are rising and China is showing signs it wants to rein in its North Korean ally.

Beijing fell into rare agreement with Washington this week, allowing the U.N. to tighten sanctions against North Korea as punishment for last month’s rocket launch.

In response, the North Korean Defense Commission, which commands the military, said it is prepared to conduct a nuclear test and made clear its missiles are capable of reaching the United States.

Another nuclear test by North Korea would pose a challenge to Beijing’s newly installed Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, unsteadying South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Relations between the three

and Beijing are strained, and their trade and investment help to keep the buoyant Chinese economy growing.

Asked about Davies’ visit, China’s Foreign Ministry said that given the current tensions, all sides need to keep calm. “The current situation of the peninsula is complicated and sensitive. We hope the relevant sides can stay calm, strengthen dialogue, avoid any acts that will escalate tension and jointly maintain peace and stability of the peninsula,” ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a routine daily media briefing.

China provides all of North Korea’s fuel and a good deal of its food and accounts for an increasing share of trade and investment. But in more than a decade of recurring missile launches, two nuclear tests and other provocations by North Korea, China has been reluctant to use its economic leverage, fearing it could destabilize its neighbor.

Barack Obama

US, China oppose North Korea nuclear test

an evening or a weekend during a regular working session cannot count, he said.

Sentelle said that otherwise “the president could make appointments any time the Senate so much as broke for lunch.”

The judge flatly rejected arguments from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, which claimed the president has discretion to decide that the Senate is unavailable to perform its advice and consent function.

“Allowing the president to define the scope of his own appointment power would eviscerate the Constitution’s separation of powers,”

Sentelle wrote.

Sentelle was joined in the ruling by Judge Thomas Griffith, appointed to the court by President George W. Bush, and Karen LeCraft Henderson, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush.

“I think this is a very important decision about the separation of powers,” said Carl Tobias, a constitutional law professor at the Virginia’s University of Richmond.

“The court’s reading has limited the president’s ability to counter the obstruction of appointments by a minority in the Senate that has been pretty egregious in the Obama administration.”

If the ruling stands, it means that hundreds of decisions issued by the board over more than a year would be invalid. It also would leave the five-member labor board with just one validly appointed member, effectively shutting it down. The board is allowed to issue decisions only when it has at least three sitting members.

Obama used the recess appointment to install Deputy Labor Secretary Sharon

Block, union lawyer Richard Griffin and NLRB counsel Terence Flynn to fill vacancies on the labor board, giving it a full contingent for the first time in more than a year. Block and Griffin are Democrats, while Flynn is a Republican. Flynn stepped down from the board last year.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, urged the NLRB to continue conducting business until the Supreme Court rules on the issue.

“Today’s circuit court decision is not only a radical departure from precedent, it ignores the fact that President Obama had no choice but to act,” Harkin said.

“Throughout his presidency, Republicans have employed unprecedented partisan delay tactics and filibusters to prevent confirmation of nominees to lead the NLRB, thus crippling the Board’s legal authority to act.”

If Obama’s recess appointment of Cordray to the newly created consumer board is also ruled invalid, all the regulations the consumer board has issued, many of which remake the mortgage business, could be nullified.

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Obama to launch immigration push in Nevada next week (Reuters) - President Barack Obama plans to launch his second-term push for an immigration overhaul during a visit to Nevada next week in a bid to win congressional approval of a reform package this year, the White House said yesterday.

Obama, who met leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, plans to use a trip to Las Vegas on Tuesday to “redouble our efforts to make to make comprehensive immigration reform a reality,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

He said Obama’s proposals would largely be based on a “blueprint” the president put forth in a policy speech he delivered on the border near El Paso, Texas, in 2011, but which never made it into legislation.

Immigration reform, an issue that was largely sidelined in Obama’s first term, is part of an ambitious liberal agenda the president laid out in his second inaugural address on Monday. The chances of a bipartisan agreement to revamp the U.S. immigration system are looking brighter despite the

strong political passions that surround the issue.

Obama wants a deal and so do Republicans in Congress, after having seen Hispanics vote overwhelmingly for the president and his fellow Democrats in the November 6 election. Republicans have alienated many Latinos with hardline rhetoric on how to deal with illegal immigration.

“We are encouraged by efforts under way in Congress to move forward on this issue, to address it in a bipartisan way,” Carney told reporters.

“It is certainly a top legislative priority for the president.” Carney said Obama, in his Las Vegas appearance, would push the broad proposals he laid out in 2011 and which have long been embedded on the White House’s official Web site.

“The president’s commitment to immigration reform has been very clear for some time,” Carney said.

Obama’s earlier plan called for creating a path for some of the 11 million illegal immigrants already in the United States to earn citizenship.

Some Republicans have argued that this would amount to amnesty for lawbreakers, but administration officials have denied that, saying it would include fines, payment of back taxes and other hurdles to obtain legal status.

Obama’s previous proposals also called for strict border enforcement, tough penalties for businesses that hire illegal workers and creation of a guest worker program to meet agricultural labor needs.

Last summer, Obama took executive action so that the federal government stopped seeking to deport certain illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children - a dramatic change that was celebrated in the Hispanic community and was seen as key to his re-election hopes that November.

At his White House meeting with Democratic Hispanic lawmakers, Obama said “there is no excuse for stalling or delay” on immigration reform and promised to lead on the issue.

“The president will be traveling to Nevada on

Tuesday to redouble the administration’s efforts to work with Congress to fix the broken immigration system this year,” the White House said in a statement after the meeting. U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra of California, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said afterwards: “Immigration reform is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’ Now is the time

and this is our moment. After today’s meeting, it’s clear that President Obama is determined to fix our long broken immigration system.”

Senator Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who has been part of Senate talks on immigration reforms, was also present.

Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican often mentioned as a future

presidential contender, has also begun work on the issue and the White House has voiced interest in hearing more about his ideas.

Some political analysts have said that Republicans must seize the chance to help achieve immigration reform or else forfeit the chance of gaining significant Latino electoral support for a generation or more.

Iranian nuclear talks face further delay

(Reuters) - The next talks between six global powers and Iran on its nuclear programme are likely to be delayed until February, a diplomat said yesterday, after European officials accused Tehran of stalling on fixing a time and place for a meeting.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is coordinating efforts by the powers to persuade Iran to scale back nuclear activity that the West suspects is aimed at developing the capability to produce nuclear weapons.

The long standoff over Tehran’s nuclear programme has fuelled concerns Israel could attack Iran’s nuclear installations and thereby unleash a broader Middle East war.

Nuclear diplomacy between Iran and the United States, China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain has been deadlocked since a meeting in June last year that ended without a breakthrough.

Talks had been expected to resume soon after last November’s re-election of U.S. President Barack Obama, possibly in December or January.

EU diplomats and Iranian officials have held intensive discussions on arranging a new round. But EU officials say Iran has been dragging its feet on fixing a date and

location.

“It seems more likely now that the next round will take place in February,” a European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. “There is still no agreement on the next round, but contacts are ongoing.”

The diplomat voiced disappointment that there was still no agreement on a meeting. “We showed flexibility when it came to date and venue. We want to present our refreshed offer (to Iran) but didn’t get the opportunity to do so,” the diplomat said.

At talks in Baghdad last May, the six powers put forward a proposal aimed at stopping Iran’s production of higher-grade enriched uranium in return for supplying Iran with fuel for a reactor.

The diplomat gave no details of the “refreshed” offer.

Tehran rejects allegations

of nuclear weapons designs, saying its enrichment work is for medical and energy purposes.

The six powers have used a mixture of diplomacy and economic sanctions for years to force Iran to comply with United Nations’ demands that it suspend all activities related to production of enriched uranium, a key component of nuclear weapons.

The Iranian Students’ News Agency reported this month that talks might resume on January 28 and 29 and Tehran had suggested Cairo as the venue, but the EU said there was no agreement.

The Chinese New Year holiday in early February could complicate China’s participation in talks then, possibly pushing back the talks further next month.

Separate but closely linked talks are being held between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to allow the U.N. agency to resume a longstalled investigation into suspected nuclear bomb research in Iran.

The IAEA signalled on Friday it would keep trying to secure Iran’s cooperation with its investigation, but a senior Iranian lawmaker suggested Tehran would only cooperate if it won sanctions relief in return.

From page 22 trapped in Homs’ western neighborhood of Kafar Aya and that the Free Syrian Army rebels had tried to negotiate a deal to evacuate them but failed.

Opposition sources blame shabbiha for the death of more than 100 Sunni men, women and children when they overran a nearby area 10 days ago.

Mostly Sunni Homs, a commercial and agricultural hub 140 km (90 miles) north of Damascus, has been at the

heart of the uprising and armed insurgency against Assad and his establishment, composed mostly of Alawites, who follow an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam and comprise about 10 percent of the population. There is a large Alawite minority in Homs.

Syrian authorities have not commented directly on the latest offensive, but official media have in the past referred to the need to ‘cleanse’ the city of what they described as terrorists who were terrorizing peaceful

neighborhoods.

Tareq, another activist, said the fall of Kafar Aya and the adjacent neighborhoods of Jobar and al-Sultaniya would make the position of Sunnis in the city untenable.

“These districts are the front line with Alawite areas from where rebels have been sometimes disrupting the road between Damascus and Tartous. If they fall the Assad army will have carved a big hole to proceed deep into Homs and secure the link to the capital.”

Catherine Ashton

Syrian troops and...

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Mazaruni River crash…

Questions are now being asked about the number of passengers who were actually on board the two vessels which collided in the Mazaruni River as search and rescue team fished out the ninth body.

According to reports the search and rescue team yesterday recovered the bodies of Kevon Ambrose of Vergenoegen, East Bank, Essequibo; Deon Moses, 33, of Norton Street, Georgetown; Keanu Amsterdam,17, of Barr Street, Kitty, and Francisco Alves, a Brazilian national.

Already the remains of Jermaine Calistro, 27, of Boodhoo Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo; Ulric Grimes, 39, of Salem, EBE; Christopher Narine, 21, of

Parika, EBE; and Zaheer Baksh, 34, of Kaneville, EBD, Christopher Narine and 52year-old Jewan Seeram have been recovered.

With the death toll reaching nine with Ricky Bobb missing; persons are wondering how many persons in all may have perished.

Initially there were reports that nine persons were missing following the deadly mishap. In the meantime the search for the other missing persons is continuing with the involvement of the Joint Services, Maritime Administration (MARAD), miners and public-spirited individuals of the community, among others.

Initial reports are that one boat carrying passengers was

Church partners with Linden school Harmony Secondary School is located on Burnham drive, Wismar, Linden. There is nothing extraordinary about this school, except perhaps for the fact that although deviant behaviour is prevalent at most of the schools across Region Ten, this particular institution has been stigmatized, as a result of negative reports on violence perpetrated amongst students.

Regional Member of Parliament, Rennis Morian, concerned about this negative perception, decided to do something about the situation by having his Church partner with the school.

Morian is adamant that with the Church and community intervention, the negativity with which this school is perceived could be turned around.

He was at the time formally committing the support and partnership of his Church, the Fruits of Calvary church on Burnham Drive.

He noted that Harmony Secondary School was one of three schools on the Wismar shore that have been identified by his church for support.

The other schools are the new Silver City Secondary and Wismar/ Christianburg Secondary Schools. All three schools were sent letters outlining ways in which the church was prepared to assist, but only Harmony had given an official response, Morian said.

He was however very optimistic about the other two schools, as both were in full support of the initiative by the church, he said.

At a school meeting to which he was invited to officially present his proposal on Tuesday, Morian told his

audience of parents and teachers about the numerous ways the church could assist.

He also highlighted the reason for the initiative, citing several instances where he was called to the Police Station to intervene in situations resulting from deviant behaviour among school children.

“The point I’m trying to make is that these things are not just happening at Wismar, these things are happening at schools all over the country, because I attended a meeting at St. Stanislaus College where my son goes, and there was this incident where some boys threw a squib, and burnt the pants of another student.

“There was another incident where a bottle was hurled and it hit my son- he had to get stitches.

There is sex going on in schools. So I think we have a national crisis; it’s not j u s t H a r m o n y, ” M o r i a n declared.

He added that because of his own past struggles as a youth with gangs and the ‘bad boy’ image; he was especially passionate about helping youths.

We are moving to support the parent teacher association (PTA) to help stamp out violence, and other deviant behaviour, not only through counseling, but by helping to enhance the work that the school is doing, through support in areas such as the arts and music, and even sports, by helping them to acquire the requisite equipment and gear.

Your beginning does not determine your destiny. We will have to work to help these young people to fashion their destiny,” Morian declared.

He noted that he has already spoken with a fellow Pastor, Leroy James, to have the initiative replicated at schools on Mackenzie.

Page 25

Death toll rises to nine, final count uncertain

Dead Kevon Ambrose. coming out from one location while another laden with fuel was heading in the opposite direction. The incident

Dead Ulric Grimes.

Dead Zaheer Baskh

occurred at a ‘blind turn’ in the vicinity of Crab Falls.

Transport Minister Robeson Benn had reported

that the two boats, one with 12 passengers and another with nine, collided at around 12:30 hours on Tuesday.

Several other persons were treated at the Bartica Regional Hospital for injuries. These included 40-year-old Francisca Helena Rodrigues, a Brazilian of Bartica; Marion Ferreira, 19, of Parika; Aubrey Bowen, 29, of Parika; Donita Daniels, 22, of Parika, and Devon Thomas, one of the boat captains. The other boat captain has been identified as Kobesh Persaud.

A senseless accident

The Toyota Premio was heading east along Thomas Road when it collided with the Toyota 212.

Reports are that the driver of the 212 failed to acknowledge the right of way utilized by the other driver and proceeded to drive across Thomas Road to enter the National Park. No one was injured.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

US donates Land Cruiser to NOC Guyana set to observe World

Leprosy Day tomorrow

U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt presented a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to be used by the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). The vehicle was handed over yesterday.

Ambassador Hardt said, “The donation complements U.S. assistance under the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) project.”

The USAID SKYE project focuses on expanding employment, education, and other opportunities for at-risk youth; re-integrating youth offenders into society; supporting diversion and alternative sentencing for youth within the justice system; and strengthening the environment for youth development in Guyana. The

NOC is one of the key partners that receive U.S. assistance under the SKYE project.

Through the USAID SKYE project, youths within the NOC receive support to facilitate reintegration into their communities, following their departure from correction facilities.

An employment coach resident at the facility guides youth in the development of Individual Employability Plans, which focus on employment and ongoing education goals, identifies the steps to reach these goals, and assists youth along the path to gaining and sustaining employment upon discharge from the detention centre.

To complement this coaching support, SKYE

partners with local organizations provide work readiness training so young Guyanese can learn the skills they need to secure and sustain employment.

After leaving the NOC, employment coaches at the community level are able to provide a continuity of support to participating youth, including support for placement into jobs.

Under the SKYE project, USAID partners with the private sector, government ministries, and nongovernment partners to develop and use materials, systems, and practices that demonstrate results during the life of the project and are adopted by our partners to deliver results beyond the life of the project.

As the world over prepares to celebrate World Leprosy Day tomorrow, local efforts are being intensified to raise awareness about leprosy. According to information emanating from the Leprosy Control programme “on this World Leprosy Day 2013 let us together work towards a world without leprosy.”

The programme is directed by Drs Mileidy and Heather Morris. Currently there are 14 dermatology clinics which are held in various regions around the country where persons can go for skin checks and access treatment.

Leprosy, it was noted is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic disease affecting the nerves and skin in human beings and if not treated persons with the disease can become blind, lose the sensations in their hands and feet and become prone to disability.

Leprosy is regarded by many as the numb spot disease, which can be mistaken for lata, a birthmark, ring worm or allergies. “The good news is that leprosy can be cured,” outlined a statement from the Leprosy Control Programme.

It is with this in mind that the local leprosy programme joins with the rest of the world in observance of the 60 th World Leprosy Day. World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on the last Sunday in January to increase the awareness of the Leprosy or Hansen’s disease.

This Sunday was chosen as the closest date to the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India, who understood the importance of leprosy.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) today, the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy and most endemic countries are striving to fully integrate leprosy services into existing general health services. This is especially important for those under-served and marginalised communities most at risk for leprosy, often the poorest of the poor.

Access to information, diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) remain key elements in the strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem, defined as reaching a prevalence of less than one leprosy case per 10,000 population, according to WHO.

MDT treatment has been made available by WHO free of charge to all patients worldwide since 1995, and provides a simple yet highly effective cure for all types of leprosy. According to official reports received during 2011 from 130 countries and territories, the global registered prevalence of leprosy at the beginning of 2011 stood at 192,246 cases, while the number of new cases detected during 2010 was 228,474 (excluding the small number of cases in Europe).

Most countries that were previously highly endemic for leprosy have achieved elimination at the national level and are intensifying their efforts at regional and district levels.

Moreover, information campaigns about leprosy in high risk areas are crucial so that patients and their families, who were historically ostracized from their communities, are encouraged to come forward and receive treatment.

The most effective way of preventing disabilities in leprosy, as well as preventing further transmission of the disease, lies in early diagnosis and treatment with MDT, says WHO.

Saturday January 26, 2013

MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 06:00 hrs - Living Word presentation 06:30 hrs - Peace Love & Harmony (live) 07:00 hrs - Dabi’s bhajan Hour 07:30 hrs - Times of Refreshing (live) 08:00 hrs - Full Life Broadcast with Pastor Findlay 08:30 hrs - News Update 09:30 hrs - Living the Life 10:00 hrs - Camille’s Institute Presentation 10:30 hrs - Children Movie: 12:30 hrs - Cartoon 13:00 hrs - Youth excel…with Ms. Diva 13:30 hrs - MTV School Quiz

Kaieteur News

with Ms. Diva 14:00 hrs - National Geographic: 15:00 hrs - National Geographic: 16:00 hrs - Sitcom 16:30 hrs - Alabama Trading Music break 17:00 hrs - Birthdays & other Greetings 17:15 hrs - Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30 hrs - Sitcom 18:00 hrs - Searching the Scriptures with Pastor Floyd 18:30 hrs - Cabinet Briefing 19:00 hrs - Apex Forum (Live)

20:15 hrs - MTV music break 20:30 hrs - Indian Movie: Ra-One 22:00 hrs - English Movie:

Taken 2 Sign off DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55 hrs. Sign On 09:00 hrs. Power Ranger Samurai 10:00 hrs. Supah Ninjas 11:00 hrs. Saved by the Bell 12:00 hrs. Prime News 12:30 hrs. Saved By the Bell 13:00 hrs. Movie: The Perfect Wife 15:00 hrs. Movie: The Perfect Nanny 17:00 hrs. The Baptist Hour 18:00 hrs. World News 18:30 hrs. Nightly News 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00 hrs. Alliance on the Move (Live) 21:00 hrs. Indian Movie 00:00 hrs. Sign Off

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Saturday January 26, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Love is on your mind today as the bighearted Leo Full Moon highlights your 5th House of Romance.

However, you may get lost in thinking about what others want, leaving you unable to balance their needs with yours.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You are an expert at making everyone else comfortable, especially with the playful Leo Full Moon shining in your 11th House of Friends. You’re naturally gracious, but if you’re provoked today, you may find it difficult to gloss over your anger.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today’s Leo Full Moon activates your 4th House of Security, inviting you to retreat into the emotional safety of your home and family.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your tendency is to constrain the waves of emotional intensity today because you fear what might happen if you tell the whole truth. You may be overly concerned about losing face as the dramatic Leo Full Moon lights up your 10th House of Status.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) It might feel as if you are under attack for your beliefs today, but you could be reacting to the intensity of the situation with a lack of understanding.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be clinging to unexpressed feelings today as if they are irreplaceable treasures. However, today’s Leo Full Moon brightens your 2nd House of Values, suggesting you might need to share what’s bothering you in order to raise your self-esteem.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today’s Full Moon in your expressive sign adds a sense of urgency to your life that could be tough to manage. You may think that you won’t have to share what’s in your heart as long as your intentions are good.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It’s a waste of time to blame yourself or anyone else today for a minor setback because nothing positive will come of your criticism at this time.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You may want the security of a personal relationship, yet you could be unwilling to give up your freedom today with the bodacious Leo Full Moon stimulating your 9th House of Adventure.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You can slip into denial when your emotions grow too strong unless you have the safety net of a stable relationship.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It feels as if your life is reaching a crescendo, yet you’re afraid that an important relationship is going to fall apart.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might be tempted to make a big deal out of doing your chores, especially if you’re feeling insecure now that the showy Leo Full Moon is rattling your 6th House of Daily Routine.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Zambia goalkeeper scores to deny Nigeria BBC Sport - Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scored a late penalty to rescue a point for the Africa Cup of Nations champions.

Mweene sent his spotkick into the top corner after Ogenyi Onanzi was harshly ruled to have fouled Emmanuel Mayuka. Earlier Nigeria had failed with a penalty when John Obi Mikel hit the post with the score at 0-0.

Emmanuel Emenike cut inside his man and slotted in to open the scoring for the Super Eagles but they were denied by a controversial penalty decision.

And it was another big slice of fortune for Zambia, who looked well short of the form that shocked the continent last year and took them all the way to the title.

Group C remains tight after three draws, with Burkina Faso taking on Ethiopia in Friday’s late game.

Zambia and Nigeria had each won five of the 16 previous their head-toheads, with six matches drawn, and it soon became o b v i o u s t h a t t h e y were going to be evenly matched.

Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene scored a late penalty to rescue a point.

A woeful pitch contributed to a lack of precise passing but it could not be blamed entirely as both sides struggled to produce any cohesion or consistency.

Zambia were first to threaten, Rainford Kalaba sending a drive just over the angle of the post and bar, and it seemed like the defending champions were in the mood to ignite their bid to retain the title.

Herve Renard’s side could

barely afford another lacklustre display but a display to match their performances of last year never materialised and Nigeria, who also drew their first match against Burkina Faso, fared little better.

Yet the Super Eagles were presented with an excellent chance to take the lead when Davies Nkausu tripped Ahmed Musa in the box and the referee rightly pointed to

the penalty spot.

Up stepped captain Mikel and he demonstrated why he has scored only five goals in his entire career by scuffing his shot, which bounced to safety off the foot of the left upright.

Zambia must have considered themselves lucky, as Ethiopia also missed a penalty against them in the first game.

However, if the omens

were in Chipolopolo’s favour, they were unable to capitalise on their good fortune as keeper Vincent Enyeama comfortably pushed away Chisamba Lungu’s free-kick and Stopilla Sunzu headed wide from another set-piece.

Zambia skipper Chris Katongo - the stand-out player of the last tournament - was also out of sorts, sending one 25-yard effort a long way wide after catching the turf with his foot before he connected with the ball.

There was an increased tempo about Nigeria’s play after the break and Victor Moses, making his first appearance in the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury started to look dangerous down the flank, while Emenike had also upped his work-rate.

Emenike might have opened the scoring had Musa played him in at the far post rather than selfishly firing in a shot. Pace was Nigeria’s main weapon now and Moses blazed down the wing but was unable to deliver an accurate centre. Then came the breakthrough as Mikel

slipped a pass into Emenike, who cut inside his man to make space and slotted home into the bottom left corner.

Zambia clearly need a change and captain Katongo was one of the men to make way.

At last there was some sense of urgency from Zambia and they might have equalised had Rainford Kalaba not hesitated and given the onrushing Enyeama a chance to block his shot.

Kalaba was the provider shortly after, cutting the ball back for substitute Collins Mbesuma, whose tame effort was easily saved by Enyeama.

It seemed Zambia were heading for a defeat that would have seriously damaged their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

But then they were awarded a penalty despite very little contact between Onanzi and Mayuka.

And Mweene showed Mikel how to convert with ease as he arrowed his shot into the top corner to deny Nigeria, who are developing a habit of failing to hold on to leads.

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Ja eyes Diamond League series bid for 2014 Jamaica Observer - THE Jamaican Government says it is committed to putting the structures in place to bid for a leg of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Samsung Diamond League athletic series, starting in August 2014.

Minister without portfolio with responsibility for Sport Natalie Neita-Headley and Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) vice-president Don Anderson made the revelation at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Thursday.

Anderson said the country, which already stages the Jamaica International Invitational Meet — an IAAF World Challenge event — on an annual basis, would be ideal to stage a Diamond League meet as it is currently the third-ranked country in terms of Diamond League winners over the last three years. Only the United States, with 24, and Kenya, with 18, have produced more than the

seven winners Jamaica has.

Olympic 100m champions Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 400m hurdler Kaliese Spencer and 200m specialist Nickel Ashmeade are all reigning Diamond League champions.

To make a bid to the IAAF, Jamaica would need to provide evidence it is able to fund the US$416,000 purse for a five-year period, while appearance fees for each athlete would also be provided.

As it relates to facilities for hosting the one-day meet, Anderson was confident both the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay and the National Stadium in Kingston would be suitable venues.

While the St James-based facility is much smaller, he said the compound itself is large enough that stands could be installed to accommodate the expected 20,000-plus spectators.

Neita-Headley said there are plans in place to make adjustments to the National Stadium, such as the

Minister without portfolio with responsibility for Sport, Natalie Neita-Headley (left) in discussion with Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) vicePresident Don Anderson at yesterday’s Jamaica Stock Exchange Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel. (Photo: Bryan Cummings) installation of covers over the bleachers section, which would also make the venue more attractive.

However, Kingston has only 2,500 hotel rooms, which

would not be enough for overnight visitors, but proper road infrastructure would make a journey from out of town easier for those who choose to stay outside the

capital.

Meanwhile, NeitaHeadley stated that the Government was prepared to make the area leading to the National Stadium into singlelane traffic to ease congestion on Diamond League day.

Arrangements would also be put in place to ensure ease of transit at the airports upon arrival and departure.

She said the Government was well prepared to support the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) to engage the Diamond League franchise owners with the aim of bringing the series of topclass one-day athletic events to Jamaica.

The minister added that the Government was making an appeal to the private sector, but also suggested that already, a number of parties were expressing keen interest in the idea.

“The Diamond League in Jamaica would give all athletes a fair chance to get exposure. They see Jamaica as the mecca and they want to experience first-hand the

adulation,” the minister said.

“We have a solid foundation in track and field.

We are the solid rock on which to hold a Diamond League,” Neita-Headley emphasised.

Jamaica’s location would also be ideal to attract visitors from the rest of the Caribbean, the United States, Central and South America.

“We would find no problem in attracting athletes from Europe, Asia, and Africa,” said Neita-Headley.

“The Diamond League in Jamaica would automatically become the Reggae Diamond League,” she said, adding that discussions with IAAF boss Lamine Diack had been positive.

“Through hosting a meeting in Jamaica, the Diamond League would have had a worldwide appeal,” she added.

Meanwhile, Anderson said it would now be left up to the JAAA to make an application. There are currently 14 IAAF Samsung Diamond League meetings held in Europe, Asia and the United States.

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Kaieteur News

Pakistan offer $2m life insurance deal ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan have offered an insurance policy of $2 million and tax-free income for foreign cricketers who are thinking of participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Pakistan have not hosted international cricket since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Since then they have had to play their “home” matches at offshore venues such as England and the UAE. The idea of having a PSL in the country is a strategic move by the PCB to win back the confidence of cricketing nations.

But the world professional cricketers’ union FICA has raised its concerns over the security situation in Pakistan and warned players against taking part in the PSL, citing it an unmanageable risk. “We understand their concerns and we can’t blame them,” Zaka Ashraf, PCB chairman, told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s the negative perception about Pakistan that has to be changed and people should understand that things are not so bad.

“But for their sense of security we are offering an optional insurance policy worth $2 million for the satisfaction of their families.

They will be our special guests and we are ensuring every possible step to give them security at a higher level and if they think this isn’t enough they can take the insurance option as well.”

Cricket operations in Pakistan aren’t tax exempted but the PCB is offering residential and non-residential players tax-free income from the PSL. Apart from the “emerging” players, they stand to earn between $25,000 and $100,000 for taking part in a 10-day tournament. The base price for the top category diamond player starts at $100,000.

“Government is ready to grant us the exemption on income of the PSL and it’s an

GAPF shortlists 18-member team for 3 Int. Championships - 3 reserves also named

Randolph Morgan

Players like Nasir Jamshed could earn over $100,000 tax free in the 10-day Pakistan Super League © BCCI added advantage of our product for the players to earn tax free income,” Ashraf said.

“We are offering the most money compared to the other leagues in the world. In ten days you can get the most out of it before going to the IPL starting in April.”

Trophy Stall / MYO Inter Jamaat Tapeball Cricket...

Registration closes on Feb. 5 Jamaats nationwide have until Tuesday February 5th to complete registration for the 2013 edition of the Trophy Stall sponsored Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) organised Inter Jamaat round-robin tapeball

Saturday January 26, 2013

competition.

Registration fee is $3,000 per team with rivalry set to get underway on Sunday February 10 at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue with a number of matches.

Attractive trophies and

other incentives will be on offer for the top performers as is the norm.

Interested Jamaats can make contact with Brother Imran Ally on 231 9822, 689 7425 or Brother Azad Ibrahim on 624 3362 for further details.

With a view of maintaining and improving their rating on the Caribbean, regional and International scenes, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) has shortlisted an 18-member team to compete at three International Championships simultaneously from July 1– 7 in Orlando Florida, USA. One of the other reasons for naming the team early is that the GAPF is aiming to successfully defend its Caribbean Men’s Team Title apart from challenging for North, Central and South American Countries in the Pan American segment of the championships.

According to the federation, they hope to take full advantage of the present good showing and form of Guyana’s athletes.

Also, those athletes not shortlisted will still have a chance to qualify if they turn in outstanding performances at the upcoming Novices and National Junior Championships set for New Amsterdam on March 10.

Those appearing as Guest Lifters at this event will also have the chance to make the Guyana Team. Female lifters who will compete at Novices will also be eligible for selection based on their performances.

The competitions the athletes are shortlisted for are: 14th Pan American Regional Championships; 11th North American Regional Championships and 7th Caribbean Championships.

Vijai Rahim

John Edwards

Dawn McCammon-Barker

Anis Ade-Thomas

Senior Men’s National Team Category Name 59.0kg Vijai Rahim Suraj Shewdas 66.0kg Kelvin Lewis 74.0kg Winston Stoby Paul Adams 83.0kg Randolph Morgan Anis Ade Thomas 93.0kg Mervin Richards Nigel Phillips 105.0kg Karel Mars 120.0kg John Edwards Farouk Abdool Reserves 74.0kg Ryan Williams Thyron Eusibio 120.0kg Owen Thomside

Area Berbice Berbice Berbice Georgetown Georgetown Georgetown Berbice Georgetown Berbice Georgetown Georgetown Berbice Georgetown Georgetown Georgetown

Senior Women’s Team 84.0kg Kimberley Mars – Loncke Georgetown 84.0+kg Dawn Mc Cammon Barker Linden Junior Men’s National Team Men Sub Juniors Under-18 53.0kg Gumendra Shewdas 59.0kg Suraj Shewdas 59.0kg Kevin Brijlall Juniors Under-23 59.0kg Vijai Rahim

Berbice Berbice Berbice Berbice

Injured Venus pulls out of Paris Open and Fed Cup match PARIS (Reuters) - Former world number one Venus Williams has pulled out of next week’s Paris Open and February’s Fed Cup match against Italy with a back injury.

The 32-year-old American, who has been struggling to get back to her best after suffering a serious autoimmune disease in 2011,

was one of the main attractions at the French event whose top seed will be Italian world number seven Sara Errani.

“This event was really important to me and to continue climbing up in the rankings,” Williams, 26th in the standings, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I’ve suffered a back pain

which has forced me to rest and miss both the Paris event and the Fed Cup the following week.”

Although Williams has pulled out, several big names will feature in Paris as the organizers handed wild cards to the 2009 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, now 48th in the world, and 2011 Wimbledon

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

CONCACAF hosts INTERPOLFIFA Integrity in Sport workshop

In photo left to right, Serge Dumortier, Senior Security Manager, FIFA; Shawn Bray, Head of the US National Central Bureau in Washington; Enrique Sanz, General Secretary, CONCACAF. New York - More than 30 delegates from football, government and law enforcement in Canada and the United States attended the INTERPOL-FIFA Integrity in Sport workshop co-hosted by CONCACAF, which was held in New York City on January 24th and 25th.

The purpose of the conference, titled ‘Tackling Match Fixing and Corruption in Soccer’, was to increase awareness and understand the key intrinsic issues of match fixing in soccer, as well as to examine the multitude of characteristics associated with such activity.

“It is an honor for me to open this session organized by Interpol and FIFA, and cohosted by CONCACAF, to emphasize the imminent priority this issue represents not only to the United States, Canada and the CONCACAF region but also to international football as a whole,” said CONCACAF General Secretary, Enrique Sanz.

“At CONCACAF we are determined to educating, identifying, preventing and providing appropriate disciplinary sanctions to all professionals involved in any unethical and unlawful behavior that would undermine the legitimate nature of the game.”

Over the two days, presentations were made by INTERPOL (the world’s largest police organization), FIFA and Early Warning System (a company established to monitor matches and to safeguard the integrity of football).

Additionally, each national association and other participants shared their experiences and concerns relating to match fixing.

“Match manipulation in football must be tackled in the strongest possible way and we are glad that CONCACAF is taking a proactive approach on this subject,” said Serge Dumortier, Senior Security Manager at FIFA. “We must take all the steps necessary to safeguard the integrity of our sport.”

In a bigger context and with the aid of technology, match fixing has unfortunately become a viral global matter affecting every imaginable sport across the globe. As the most widespread game in the world, attracting millions of fans and high volumes of financial resources, football has become a highly coveted target for unlawful business deals and a potential nesting ground of unfortunate illegitimate intentions. This has manifested in various creative ways throughout the history of football and currently, once and again, with a new ailment that will have to be treated with intelligence and strength.

“This workshop has the goal to raise awareness of the key contemporary matchfixing issues and threats in football, and to identify good practice and areas for development. The goal is to bring together players, referees, coaches, sports associations, betting regulators and law

enforcement to improve individuals’ awareness and understanding of corruption in football, understand the strategies used by its perpetrators and learn some methods to recognize, resist and report them,” said Shawn Bray, Head of the US National Central Bureau in Washington.

Over the two days, INTERPOL has conducted an extensive series of instructional sessions. Topics addressed include an overview of the betting industry, identification of match-fixing threats, governance, education and prevention. INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Its role is to enable police around the world to work together, using a high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support that helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime.

As part of CONCACAF’s continuous commitment to preserving the integrity of the game and in alignment with FIFA guidelines, the confederation is in the process of identifying the necessary measures on a caseby-case basis while setting several relevant preventive provisions in the form of courses and trainings. To counterbalance education and prevention efforts, CONCACAF is also working to explore appropriate legislation that will provide the context for parameters of sporting laws to exist.

To conclude, CONCACAF invited all other accountable stakeholders to integrate efforts toward finding an optimal solution for these intolerable crimes.

“The football family must certainly be an intrinsic part of the battle against match fixing through education, surveillance and sanction.

However, we mustn’t forget to work in partnership with all other affected sports, governments, media, fans and society as a whole,” concluded Sanz.

This is the second Interpol-FIFA Integrity in Sport workshop CONCACAF hosts in the region. The first one was held in August of 2012 in Guatemala City for all members of the Central American Football Union (UNCAF).

A third workshop for the confederation’s Caribbean members will take in Panama at their Congress in April.

WORKSHOP TOPICS What’s the problem – A Global Picture Corruption in Football: What’s the problem in your country and how do you address it?

Betting – how does it work?

Match-fixing – What’s the response?

FIFA – Legal operations and governance Establishing Good Governance Training, Education and Prevention – INTERPOL’s IST training programme What Do We Need to Do? Key issues & best practice

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Saturday January 26, 2013

West Indies to offer Gibson new deal ESPNcricinfo - Ottis Gibson is to be offered a renewed coaching contract by the West Indies as they try to tie up a new deal in the face of continued interest from Warwickshire.

The West Indies Board has approved a recommendation from the cricket committee to offer a new contract to Gibson and the team manager, Richie Richardson, following a meeting in St Lucia at the weekend.

He has yet to accept the deal and, although the West Indies Board said that the contract renewal was “pending completion of negotiations which are expected to be concluded shortly”, that could also depend on the outcome of a second interview with Warwickshire.

Gibson, who played at county level for Glamorgan, Leicestershire and Durham, was interviewed in Birmingham on Tuesday by Warwickshire who are seeking to appoint a replacement for Giles, England’s new one-day and Twenty20 coach.

It is likely that he is in a three-way contest for the Warwickshire job with two members of the current Edgbaston coaching staff, Graeme Welch and Dougie Brown, whose interviews were also due today.

Gibson’s work ethic and desire to foster unity in West Indies cricket has never been in doubt and his stock has risen following West Indies’ securing of the World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka in October.

He travelled with the West Indies squad which is due to arrive in Australia on Wednesday for their first international series of the year: a five-match ODI rubber in Australia.

The WICB is yet to reveal the details of their contract offer, but it is likely to be of a further period of three years.

Reports emerged that he was one of Warwickshire’s preferred candidates as replacement for Ashley Giles, who vacated the post shortly before Christmas to take charge of England’s one-day side. Warwickshire are about to embark upon a second round of interviews.

The WICB has routinely played down the

Ottis Gibson’s stock has risen since he coached West Indies to success in World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka © West Indies Cricket possibility that Gibson might yet reject the deal. But concern that he might be spirited away from Warwickshire could have quickened consideration of whether to offer him a new contract. Gibson was the bowling coach with England for two years before he took over the West Indies job. In addition he had having played for more than a decade at counties like Durham, Glamorgan and Leicestershire.

According to the Trinidad Guardian, Gibson was present in St Lucia last weekend and outlined his position to WICB directors.

Michael Singh is leading candidate for GABA Presidency Colts President, Michael Singh is expected to become the new President of the GeorgetownAmateur Basketball Association (GABA) when the association holds its AGM and Elections today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Following GABA Vice-President, Kester Gomes’ assertion last week in an interview with this newspaper that the future of the association is in the affiliated clubs’ hands, an AGM and Elections was called.

Gomes told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that a meeting was held among the clubs and it is decided that the new Executive will be elected at

3pm tentatively at the Mecca of local basketball which is the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The current only executive of the association following widespread resignations last year, which had also included former President, David Carto, had asked all fourteen affiliated clubs to submit the nomination for President, VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer/ Secretary before Wednesday.

Each club is required to have two representatives at the meeting.

The GABA last held elections in February of 2011 and the constitutional life of the

Executive is two years, which means that elections were due next month. “After the meeting on Sunday, there was a decision to bring forward the AGM and Elections,” Gomes said.

Carto had stepped down from the post, citing what others referred to as ‘personal reasons’ when contacted last year. His move came in the middle of an extensive and impressive GABA League, which was aimed at resuscitating interest in the sport in Georgetown. Carto had taken over the position in 2011 form popular local designer, Trevor Rose.

Shooters Club to stage Pools competition tomorrow Shooters Club will stage a Pools competition tomorrow at Grand Central Pool Bar located at Jerries in Grove East Bank Demerara starting at 3:00pm. The ‘Sharp shooting” competition is open to both Pros and amateur players and has attractive cash prizes on

offer. The winner takes home $100,000 and trophy, while the second place collects $40,000 and trophy and third $20,000 and trophy.

Among the sponsors lending support for this competition include: Agri Parts, Amrol and Sons, I.

Mohabir and Sons Cambio, K&Z Auto Sales and K&R Auto Spares, Trans Pacific Motor Spares, Devanand AC Repair Workshop, Jerries Pool Bar at Grove, Rent-a-Ride Car Rental and 4Princess Car Rental. Keen competition is anticipated.

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Score’s Even made tremendous gains on the racetrack, set for 2013 Another animal that had an outstanding 2012 and ended the year on a successful note was Score’s Even, owned and trained by Dennis DeRoop of the Simple Royal Stable of the Upper Corentyne Berbice.

The animal, a Kentucky Bred animal that was sourced

by DeRoop from the USA in 2012, might be considered the top performer for 2013 as the debate continues. In fact what might be certain is that it might have made the most gains for the year, since it campaigned in the C and B class category.

Its three wins from seven starts were all made running in the feature event. Coming in as a D class animal it has quickly climbed the ladder to B and is presently considered the animal to beat.

In fact some punters and turfites are saying that it should be given the title as the top animal of the year because its wins are in the feature event.

The racehorse took a little while to settle down and really came on in the second half of the year. It was always in the money and apart from its three wins the animal secured a number of seconds and thirds. Score’s is even will be mostly remembered because it was the horse that ended the year with a bang. Known

Score’s Even

for its tremendous finishing speed it rebounded twice to gain sweet revenge after two losses. Taking care of California Strike first after a loss and then defeating Settle In Seattle in the very next race after another loss.

Score’s Is Even took over from stable mates Champtress and Who So Ever that dominated the latter part of 2011 and the early 2012, to keep the Simple Royal stable in the forefront and make it

one of the dominant entities around.

As DeRoop puts it, Score’s Even is only now starting to blossom and will get with every race. He is looking to dominate the arena for 2013. He knows good horses when he sees them and as he says there will be nothing to stop Score’s Even from being undisputed champion for 2013 and his stable from dominating.

(Samuel Whyte)

ECB name committees The Essequibo Cricket Board at its first executive meeting in 2013 held on Saturday 19th January at Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo has named its respective committees.

Former President of the ECB, current manager of the Guyana 50 over and 4 day teams, Alvin Johnson heads the Cricket Development Committee with Andy Ramnarine as Secretary. The committee also includes Trevor Stewart and Mustapha Zaman. A representative each from Bartica, Pomeroon, Central

and North Essequibo are yet to be named. Virendra Chintamanie is the chairman of the Finance Committee which also includes Totaram Ramnarine, Aotto Christiani, Fizul Bacchus and Anthony Murray. Murray will serve as the chairman of the Marketing and Fundraising Committee that comprises Totaram Ramnarine, Virendra Chintamanie, Nazeer Mohamed, Andy Ramnarine, Aotto Christiani and Rawl Pearce. The other committees named are Competition, Verna D’Augiar (Chairman), Vickram Ramnarine, Harvey Gobin,

Sastri Mangal, Rohan Budhan and Andy Ramnarine.

Representatives from East Bank and North Essequibo are yet to be named.

Disciplinary: Fizul Bacchus (Chairman), Verna D’Augiar, Aotto Chritiani, Totaram Ramnarine and Virendra Chintamanie.

Selection: Virendra Chintamanie (Chairman), Aotto Christiani, Nazeer Mohamed, Andy Ramnarine and Vibert Johnson. The Executive also decided that Christiani will continue to serve as the Board’s Administrator.

Pakistan’s tour of West Indies split ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan will play two Tests in West Indies in July, while the limited-overs leg of the tour has been deferred to a later date in the Future Tours Programmes cycle for which the dates have not been decided yet.

The decision was taken by the WICB in a meeting held recently.

Pakistan were originally

scheduled to play the Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s in the Caribbean in June and July. The tour has been split because Pakistan plans to host India in August for a series that is yet to be confirmed, and West Indies are to host Sri Lanka and India for a one-day tri-series to be played immediately after the Champions Trophy.

In order to avoid a clash

in dates, the WICB had asked the PCB to reschedule their tour.

In order to accommodate the tri-series with Sri Lanka and India, West Indies also scrapped the two Tests they were scheduled to play with Sri Lanka in May, which was also clashing with the IPL. Pakistan last toured West Indies in 2011 for one Twenty 20, five ODIs and two Tests.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Fruta Conquerors FC/ NAMILCO One Love Football Classic...

Increased incentives promised as lucrative tournament looms

By Michael Benjamin In 2007 the Fruta Conquerors Football Club launched the inaugural edition of their premiere championship; then dubbed, ‘The Guyana Football Festival,’ with exclusive sponsorship from the National Milling Company (NAMILCO). At that time the teams competed for just over $1.6 million in cash and kind.

Since then, the tournament has grown in stature prompting the sponsors to increase the prize money even as the footballers, buoyed by the support, get ready to turn in masterful performances.

Indeed, 6 years after that historic launch, Managing Director of NAMILCO, Bert Sukhai, has acquiesced to a further increase in the prize

monies and the ballweavers now have the impetus to battle furiously following the announcement that they are now competing for more than $4.5 million dollars.

This much was revealed when the principals convened in the boardroom of NAMILCO’s Eccles ECD headquarters yesterday afternoon to launch the 7th edition of the tournament, to be contested under the theme, ‘The NAMILCO One Love Football Classic.’

The winning team will take home $1.2M while the runners up pockets half that amount. The third and fourth place finishers receive $400,000 and $200,000 respectively.

The forum was graced by Managing Director (NAMILCO) Bert Sukhai, President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF),

Officials of NAMILCO including Managing Director Bert Sukhai (3rd left), Fruta Conquerors, GFF and GFA officials at yesterday’s launch which saw the symbolic hand over of the sponsorship cheque.

Franklyn Wilson, President of Fruta Conquerors, Wayne Forde and his Secretary, D a n i e l T h o m a s , Vi c e President of the Guyana Football Association, Rawle Adams, Chief Engineer (NAMILCO), Ralph Hemsing and Financial Advisor (NAMILCO), Fitzroy McLeod.

Mr. McLeod, lauded the input of Fruta Conquerors President Wayne Forde in the successful staging of the tournament over the years even as he noted a similar contribution by past President, Marlon Cole. He said that while his superiors have unselfishly supported the tournament and while they are uninterested in monetary returns, their vested interest lies in the holistic development of the club, its players and those of the participating teams.

“We envisage a high quality of competitive play from all teams that will set a harmonious tone for players and fans alike,” exhorted Mr. McLeod.

He also lauded the input of the media even as he beseeched its continued support. He said that such support created the ambiance that’s critical to the success of the tournament.

“When this tournament would have concluded we would like to attest to its achievement of several

goals,” said the Financial Controller. Among those goals are measured benefits for the winning team and the Tucville community (where the venue resides), triumph for all other stakeholders and by extension a triumph for all Guyanese.”

The financial controller reminded that NAMILCO’s contribution was a reciprocal gesture bolstered by the support received from the very communities that purchase its products.

President of Fruta Conquerors FC, Wayne Forde, was equally grateful for the continued support and relayed such sentiments to the NAMILCO boss.

“Over the past five years NAMILCO has faithfully committed time, thought and enormous resources to a sport that has the potential to single handedly transform the lives of many individuals and their communities but too many times finds itself languishing in a tumultuous fog of contempt, lethargy and instigated division,” he lamented.

He said that this year’s provides the perfect opportunity for all football affiliates to proclaim the end of those dark days.

He said that the experience, though bitter, turned out to be rewarding.

“We have learnt and we have grown and are ready to give NAMILCO, our loyal fans

and the nation, a tournament that transcends the true spirit of the beautiful game of football,” concluded Mr. Forde.

Mr. Adams apologized for the absence of President of the GFA, Vernon Burnette due to pressing commitments elsewhere. He lauded the maturity that saw a favourable resolution to the recent impasse between the GFA and the GFF. He then congratulated the organizers even as he urged the footballers to aspire to give of their best.

His sentiments were echoed by Mr. Wilson who viewed the tournament as the perfect stage setter for future competitions over the year. “The GFF wishes all of the participating teams the best of luck and urge them to play fair; May the best team win,” advocated the GFF boss. Mr. Sukhai in very brief remarks urged the players to play hard and within the confines of the rules and fair play.

The tournament would encompass the involvement of teams from five sub associations competing in a knockout tournament over 8 competitive playing days.

The grand final and the 3rd place playoff are scheduled for one day after Mashramani day. Matches will be played at the Tucville Ground even as administrators mull other venues.

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Parasnath exhort T&T Schoolboys to be good ambassadors for the region

T

he Trinidad and T o b a g o Secondary School Cricket League (Powergen SSCL) national schoolboys team arrived in India Thursday and will participate in the International Schools Cricket Premier League ISCPLT20 tournament.

The City Montessori School based in Lucknow is the host of the biannual series which has also attracted school teams from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal for the five-day competition which got underway yesterday.

The Trinidad and Tobago schoolboys team will create history by becoming the first team outside of the Asian sub-continent to participate in the competition which started in 2011.

This is their inaugural outing and experienced West Indian sports Broadcaster Brij Parasnath assisted team coach Keshava Ramphal in their preparation and helped get the players fired up to return home triumphant.

Parasnath delivered a motivation/mental toughness lecture and also passed on valuable training and coaching tips during their intense training session at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre, NCC, Balmain and during their two successful T20 practice matches against a UWI St Augustine Campus selection at St Augustine and a University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) team at their

The T&T Schoolboys team prior to departure at the Piarco International Airport. (Caribbean Sports Specialists) O’meara Campus.

He called upon the players to take their training sessions and practice matches seriously with an aim to improve all areas of their game plan. He said: “Whatever you do in your training session will reflect and materialise in the actual g a m e s i t u a t i o n s . I t ’s important to be dedicated and learn from each workout as it will eventually help to raise everyone’s overall performance. Total team spirit is essential and eventually they will achieve the team goals.”

Parasnath also outlined some of the major benefits for the tour and attempted to get the players to be highly motivated and to perform at

their best.

The regional broadcaster advised the players that, “ …they will be seen not only as the Trinidad and Tobago team but as a West Indies schoolboys team and that they have a much bigger responsibility and strive to win the competition and create a positive legacy for other teams from the Caribbean region. Every member must be a very good ambassador for the region and the game.”

In the motivation session, Parasnath stressed that: “As the only team from the region, this Trinidad and Tobago schoolboys team will not only be seen and talked about as a T&T team but as a West Indies schoolboys team.

So it’s imperative that all team members conduct themselves in the best possible manner and fight hard to emerge victorious in the tournament.

Every player associated with the team must do everything to create a positive impression.” Parasnath also challenged them to return home triumphant and said: “The mission is to not only create a big impact, like the Daren Ganga-led T&T senior team in the 2009 Champions League; but to achieve a better overall result and win the tournament. This is a golden opportunity to showcase your talents and abilities and also enhance your chances of playing at the higher levels.”

He urged the players, “…to believe in themselves and to push hard to achieve the impossible and supersede all your previous performances.

Always maintain the positive mindset that you will be successful and never give up despite the odds and situation you will encounter during the tournament.

Believe in yourself and your teammates’ abilities and support one another at all times.” Parasnath also fired the players’ imagination of seeing themselves excelling and setting the stage for opportunities associated with playing for the West Indies teams (Test, ODIs and T20Is) and in the Indian domestic competitions.

He explained that: “The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) decided to allow their senior domestic teams in their Ranji and Duleep competitions to recruit players from other countries to play in their top level competitions. So playing in ISCPL T20 competition will open the pathway for T&T’s youthful outstanding performers to be noticed and be able to secure playing contracts in the future. “ SSCL’s president Sookoo Sonnylal is the Team leader while the other officials are Wesley Dookhoo (manager), Keshava Ramphal (coach), Ravi Ramnanan (trainer), and Germaine Gray (team liaison).

The full touring party includes Jovan Ali (Naparima College, Captain); Nicholas Pooran (Naparima College, ViceCaptain); Jesse Bootan (Hillview College); Jeremy Solozano (Hillview College); Bryan Charles (Presentation College, Chaguanas); Tion Webster (Barataria Secondary); Brian Christmas (Trinity College East); Dominic Nandlal (Siparia Secondary); Camillo Carimbocas (Fatima College); Shaquille McDavid (El Dorado East); Joshua Ramdoo (Fatima College); Justin Joseph (Carapichaima East Secondary); Miles Riley (Success Laventille Secondary); Matthew Hollingsworth (Fatima College) and Dejourn Charles (Signal Hill Secondary).

Page 36

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 26, 2013

Murray beats Federer to set up Djokovic final

Murray used every ounce of energy during his victory (Action Images)

M

ELBOURNE (Reuters) Andy Murray set up an enthralling Australian Open final against world number one Novak Djokovic after a

high-quality victory against Roger Federer on Friday.

The 25-year-old Briton, who had never beaten Federer in a grand slam previously despite being one of the few players to hold a

superior career record against the Swiss, advanced to the final with a 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-7 6-2 win in four hours.

Murray had looked the more likely to win the match from the outset with a

superior service game and aggressive shotmaking, but the 17-times grand slam winner proved he was still a force to be reckoned with by forcing a fifth set.

The U.S. Open champion, however, got off to a storming start in the fifth, racing out to a 3-0 lead and after being two points from the match in the fourth set was not prepared to let the opportunity slip again. “ I t ’s a l w a y s t o u g h against him. Slams are when he plays his best tennis,” Murray said in a courtside interview. “When I was serving for the match at 6-5 in the fourth, he came up with some unbelievable shots.

“I didn’t play the best tiebreak, it’s hard when you’re serving for a place in the final and a few minutes later you are into a fifth set.”

SUPERB SERVICE Murray produced a superb service game in the

first set, broke in the third game and gave Federer only one break opportunity to take the first set 6-4 in 45 minutes.

Neither player was prepared to give any quarter in the second set as they thrusted and parried, punched balls down the tramlines, produced delicate drop shots and running cross-court passing shots from amazing angles to force a tiebreak.

Murray was the first to blink when he allowed Federer to a 4-1 lead and while he battled back to 5-5, Federer seized the opportunity from a mistimed overhead from Murray to level. Murray quickly dismissed the disappointment of dropping the set, picking up his serve again and increasing the accuracy and power on his forehand. He set up three break points in the sixth game, sealing it on his second, to take a 4-2 lead

and then blasted through the next game to love to ensure he closed out the set two games later when he served his 16th ace of the match.

Federer jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set when he finally broke Murray’s serve for the first time in the fifth game, but the Scot stormed back, leveled at 5-5 and was two points away from the match while serving.

The Swiss, through sheer force of will, forced a tiebreak and deciding set, though Murray powered through it in just 30 minutes as he broke in the opening game and held his own serve to love twice to set up the final against the Serb.

“He (Djokovic) plays his best tennis here, it’s his third final in a row and I’ll have to play pretty well,” Murray said. “I hope it’s a painful match because that will mean it’s a good one.”

Saturday January 26, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 37

t r o Sp

Court action halts Demerara Cricket Board elections R

oger Harper and Davteerth Anandjit on behalf of the cricket authorities in Demerara moved to the High Court in front of Madame Justice Diana Insanally against a total 19 defendants who hold themelves to be the Demerara Cricket Board.

The writ effectively stopped the Demerara Cricket Board elections which were set for yesterday at the Guyana Cricket Board Office at Regent Street, Bourda.

The defendants named in the Court document are Rajendra Singh, Lalta Digamber, Anand Sanasie, Alfred Mentore, Anand Kalladeen, Ravindranauth Persaud, Ronald Sarjoo, Nazimul Drepaul, Colin Europe, Ray Persaud, Krishnchand Mangal, Chetram Singh, Lionel Jaikaran, Ramsey Ali, Fizul Bacchus, Dru Bahadur, Troy Mendonca, Terrence Holder and Rayon Griffith.

An interim injunction restrains the defendants “by themselves, their servants and or agents acting collectively or individually‌from convening or causing to be convened or holding an Annual General Meeting of the Demerara Cricket Board on

January 25, 2013 or any other date for the purpose of the election of office bearers to the Executive Committee of the Demerara Cricket Board for the period 2013 to 2015 term of office.

Notices were published in the Kaieteur News of December 24, 2012 and December 25, 2012.

The matter is set to return to court on Tuesday February 5, 2013 at 9:00am.

Kaieteur Sport has been informed that of the 19, Dru Bahadur, Chetram Singh, Raj Singh, Ronald Sarjoo, Ray Persaud, Lionel Jaikarran, Alfred Mentore and Terrence Holder were served with the injunction.

The injunction was filed because the Plaintiffs claim that the election on January 22, 2011 at Wales Community Centre was null, void and of no legal effect. The said meeting was not convened in accordance with the decision of the DCB meeting held on January 17, 2011, they argued.

It is also noted that the DCB constitution, which recognises the Georgetown Cricket Association President and Secretary as delegates on the DCB, was not adhered to in the January 22, 2011 meeting at Lusignan

Some of the Writs stuck on the gate of the GCB office on Regent Street yesterday.

when the other faction purporting to be the DCB also held elections.

An ex-parte interim injunction was filed on February 8, 2011 and granted by Justice James Bovell-Drakes restraining the defendants of the Lusignan meeting faction from representing the DCB. Both parties were allowed to function following another court hearing on April 21,

2011. It has been noted that under the current status none of the bodies, including the GCB, can call elections for the DCB. In fact the various stakeholders have signed a petition requesting Parliament to look into the whole operation of the sport and to put laws in place governing same, including elections which will include all personnel related to the sport.

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