Kaieteur News

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 3

APNU condemns Rohee’s Woman allegedly battered at “micromanagement” gunpoint by Govt. Official’s son - Backer says - “He’s a bolts and nuts man” Sticking to its position that Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee is not what is best for improved security in Guyana, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has now condemned the most recent allegation against the Minister—that he is micromanaging.

Just recently, senior officers of the Guyana Police Force accused Rohee of direct interference with the management of the force, while complaining of the continued implementation of reduced annual leave for senior officers.

In 2011, no leave was granted to Assistant Commissioners in order to facilitate the provision of proper security for General Elections that year.

The following year, the Home Affairs Minister advised that due to the political situation in the country following the elections, officers will only be granted 21 days leave.

However, when the officers applied for their leave this year, they were told that the position remains the same.

Kaieteur New understands that, although a part of the officers’ leave has been deferred, there is no attempt by the Ministry to pay them in lieu.

In was made clear by officers speaking to this newspaper that they prefer the leave than the money.

Commenting about the situation, APNU shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and former shadow Minister of Home Affairs, Debra Backer has labeled Rohee a “bolts and nuts man.”

Backer said that Rohee is supposed to be setting policies and dealing with the bigger issues but “chooses to look at the little things, because that is the level he is at.”

The Member of Parliament told media operatives at a recent APNU press conference that the party still, “sadly but genuinely”, feels that security in Guyana will never significantly improve under Minister Rohee.

She said that the APNU has been accused of “encouraging criminals,” just by taking the stance not to support Rohee and any legislation he takes before the assembly—despite its merit—but noted that the party will not budge from that position.

“Rohee really don’t know what he is doing; long ago— during the time when I was shadow Minister of Home Affairs—we were saying that

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee the name of the Guyana Police Force needs to be changed to the Guyana Police Service, since the organization is there to provide a service and not force; but years later, he brings the legislation,” noted Backer.

She said instead of doing the aforementioned, the Minister dabbles in “the smaller things like officers’ leave and the community policing group.”

In April last year, senior officers of the Force expressed a loss of confidence in the Minister over his remarks that he intends to “kick ass,” during this his second term as the political head of the country’s law enforcement agencies. Both The Association of Police Officers and the Police Association had expressed their intention to respond in writing to the Minister.

Rohee had told a gathering that included mainly members of Community Policing Groups that he has learnt a lot from his first term as minister which began in 2006.

He stated that his first term as Home Affairs Minister was more or less a feeling-out process.

“These five years, I intend to kick ass…to put it bluntly…because I know people waiting outside there to kick my ass,” the Home Affairs Minister stated.

He had issued a stern warning which was directly pointed at the Guyana Police Force.

“The police haven’t really seen me get upset as yet, but in this new term I intend to get upset…because after this new term, that’s it for me,” Rohee had declared.

Following the fallout, the two sides met and mended their differences after clarifications were made.

However, the situation seems to be resurfacing with recent moves by the Minister.

The officers cite his recent announcement that he has given specific instructions to the Commissioner on the question of dealing with two cases of noise nuisance.

According to one officer, the police have adequate and sufficient law enforcement powers under the music and dancing licences act and the summary jurisdiction offences act and therefore do not need the Minister to instruct anyone on the course of action to be taken.

Additionally, the police have benefitted from legal advice from the DPP on issues relating to entertainment places.

“What instruction has he given? Is he referring to another law?” one of the officers queried.

Following the Linden shooting tragedy last year, the Minister had also directed Acting Commissioner Leroy Brumell to effect changes at the command level of E& F Division.

Divisional Commander Clifton Hicken was summarily replaced.

“From an operational standpoint, it is the Commissioner’s call to decide where to place his Commanders, not the Minister,” an officer said.

By Latoya Giles Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell announced last night that he has launched an investigation into the alleged brutal assault of a 28year-old woman by the guntoting son of a senior government Minister.

The alleged victim said that the official’s son, who was brandishing a gun, repeatedly punched her in the face and stomach after forcing his way into her home at around 04:00 hrs yesterday.

But she also claimed that a senior officer at the Brickdam Police Station refused to take her statement when she went there to file a complaint.

Bruises were clearly visible on the woman’s face and upper body, and her eyes were bloodshot when she spoke to media operatives at her home yesterday.

“No one seems to understand what I go through …every time I try to start over fresh, he comes out of nowhere,” the alleged victim said. The woman had severed a relationship with the official’s son and had made several reports that he had abused her physically.

Kaieteur News managed to contact Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who is at present overseas.

After being informed about the incident, the Top Cop stated that he had ordered a Divisional Commander to investigate the woman’s complaint.

“We are investigating it…any complaint like this is serious,” he said.

A senior police official confirmed that the woman had filed a similar complaint of assault against the official’s son, with whom she had a relationship, but then asked that the matter be dropped. The official said that the accused individual had also filed a complaint against the woman and, like her, also asked the police not to proceed with the matter.

The woman said that she was in bed when she heard a

- Top Cop launches probe knock on the door. She said that she was expecting a relative who was spending time with her, so opened the door, only to be confronted by her ex-boyfriend.

The woman said she immediately tried to shut the door but the intruder, who had a gun, forced his way in.

She said that after she kept insisting for him to leave, the government official’s son became annoyed and began punching her to her face and about the body, leaving her entire face swollen and her upper body badly bruised.

The woman estimated that her ordeal lasted about 20 minutes before her exboyfriend left.

Afterwards the injured woman said that she contacted close friends who took her to the Alberttown Police Station. However, officers there told her that she should make a report at the Brickdam Police Station. But she alleged that when she attempted to file her complaint with an officer, the rank, whom she identified, left to go into a room and never came outside.

“We were waiting there for about an hour and a half and no one came to me so I left”.

According to the woman, she then returned home. She alleged that her attacker then called to find out how she was doing. “He called me later in the morning asking if I was ok and I hung up the phone.”

Later in the afternoon friends again encouraged her to get a medical report and return to the police station.

She said she then went to the Georgetown Hospital.

The woman had spoken to Kaieteur News some months ago about a similar beating she had allegedly received at the hands of the Government official’s son.

She had stated that the relationship started in July 2012 and the abuse started soon after. She said that she still stayed in the relationship, even though friends warned

her not to.

The woman was beaten severely last October and had to be taken to a private City hospital for medical treatment.

According to her she was required to take a CT scan.

Less than a month later, the woman said she suffered a more severe beating. At the time, she was in her early stages of pregnancy and was beaten so severely that she miscarried. That incident happened at her home, and she had stabbed him once in self defence.

That matter was reported, but her attacker never went ahead with pressing charges.

“He kicked me to my stomach …he kept saying that he was going to make me not be able to make other children”. This, according to her was her final straw, and she discontinued the relationship. However that still didn’t deter the official’s son from contacting her.

She told Kaieteur News that since last year she has been receiving threatening phone calls. The woman said that the man also shows up at her house and demands to be let in. A report has been made, but she claims that the police seem not to be interested in the matter.

She said that this may be due to her discontinuing prosecution on two previous occasions.

There was an attack in April of this year when she was having dinner with friends at a city restaurant.

She was attacked but luckily her friends intervened and the Minister’s relative went away.

Further, the woman said that she made contact with a government official who begged her not to go public with the story, but the official did not offer any support to her.

Page 4

Kaieteur News

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

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

Editorial

Where are the Youths?

It was Frantz Fanon who challenged that “every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.”

But part of the problem in Guyana today, is that there is not more than a handful of this new generation who may have heard of Fanon, much less read his classic “Wretched of the Earth”.

And it is most unlikely that this handful would be found at the University, which is usually the institution where more thoughtful youths use imparted analytical tools to critique the present and craft visions for the future.

The University of Guyana(UG) is so debilitated, and its denizens so accepting of the status quo, that they focus exclusively on obtaining the pieces of paper that will enable them to fit into the system or more likely exploit it as the present leaders in all sections of the society do.

The unsavoury episode involving the head of the Students Society “borrowing” hundreds of thousands from the students’ fund just illustrates how well the future leaders are learning the “tricks of the trade”. The intriguing silence and the lack of outrage over the incident by the rest of the student body are instructive.

We have just commemorated the thirty-third anniversary of the assassination of one of the greatest youths this country has produced - Walter Rodney.

It is an indictment of the passivity of the present generation and their refusal to “discover” their mission, much less fulfilling it, that only three men - all in their seventies - offered assessments of aspects of our situation.

Disjointed, passionate criticisms - but inevitably reflecting their old ossified orientations. The fault lies not with them but in those that refuse to pick up the baton from the older generation.

Was there not a Rodney Chair endowed at UG in 2005 after the 25th Commemoration of his assassination? Has this now also “lapsed” like every other institution in the land? Back in 1972, when Rodney was but thirty years old (let us not forget he received his PhD at the age of twenty-four) he said: “Most schoolboys would have heard the axiom that each generation rewrites its own history.” Rodney had studied Fanon intensely and was probably alluding to the quote above. Forty years later, we wonder how many “schoolboys” know of the Rodney aphorism, if not Fanon’s.

But Rodney developed the premise on the new generation rewriting its history in a somewhat different vein from Fanon, which reflected his training as a historian: “It does so not merely by giving different answers to the same questions but by posing entirely different questions based on the stage of development which the particular society has reached. Certain scholars will be among the first to raise the new and meaningful issue because of their sensitivity and connection with the most dynamic group in the society.”

In reference to the old men who delivered the “Rodney” lectures recently, they could not help “giving different answers to the same (old) questions”. It is not that the answers are “wrong” but they are probably irrelevant to the present realities.

One does not have to be a Hegelian to accept that structural changes in the last twenty years have created a new Geist or Weltanschauung and that the new generation needs new questions more than anything. For one, the question as to the effect of universal corruption on our everyday lives.

The “most dynamic group” that might trigger the early epiphany in “certain scholars” is the working class, the wretched of the earth, according to Rodney. Today, it is considered infra dig for the old scholars, much less the younger ones, wherever they might exist, to be “sensitive and connected” to the people whose labour sustain us all.

And it is because of this phenomenon that we continue to accept all the current excesses.

Over in Brazil, as our editorial in yesterday’s edition reminded us, it was a movement that called for “free transportation” that shook the country out of its wider apathy to similar excesses. Those young people were connected.

Monday June 24, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Clement Rohee is not qualified to administer a law Enforcement Agency DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to respond to the Minister of Home Affairs’ attempt to use me as an excuse for his dictatorial over-reaching in the operations of Law Enforcement in Guyana. The problem, as anyone with a modicum of intelligence will have discerned by now, is that Clement Rohee is not qualified to administer a law Enforcement Agency, and is only in that position because of his political and ethnic affiliation.

George Bernard Shaw opined that quote, “Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.” I surmise he probably had someone of Clement Rohee’s disposition in mind when he coined that observation.

Imagine if you will, a Minister of Home Affairs who responded to a question about the torturing of citizens with the quip that Guyanese are more interested in Christmas barrels than torture, attempting to convince this populace that he has an interest in the rule of law in Guyana. Apparently, according to the perspective shaped by his political experience, the rule of law is pliable, subjective, and applicable only on his say so.

Is it any wonder therefore that Law Enforcement in our nation is in the deplorable state it is.

Mr. Editor, the stability of nations are not threatened by citizens who agitate for democracy, for the rule of law, for due process and the presumption of innocence, for equality under the law regardless of race, position or status.

The stability of nations is threatened when the political servants of the people apportion unto themselves powers of majesty, powers of monarchy, and wield them as though the nation is their personal fiefdom. The stability of societies is threatened when those who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that justice is not only done, it manifestly appears to be done, morph their responsibility into a campaign that targets “just us”. Nothing in Mr Rohee’s tenure as Minister of Home Affairs provides evidence that his purpose and policies represent anything other than a partisan political agenda to use Law Enforcement to suppress and intimidate the voices of those who refuse to be silent in the face of the atrocities that have become endemic in our nation.

But I will not be silent. My

ancestors, from the enslaved and the indentured, have already paid the cost for me to have my say.

Mr. Editor there is a letter in your newspaper of 06/22/ 2013, coming from a member of Law Enforcement, who probably requested anonymity because of a history of the Minister of Home Affairs’ revenge actions against those who dare to challenge his hegemony. In this letter, complaints are laid that the Minister intercedes in the firearm licensing process to the benefit of people who are unqualified to own and carry firearms.

That he uses his office to discriminate who gets to go overseas on training trips.

That he boorishly threatens and coerce Police Officers into doing things his way.

Given these and other glaring evidence of the Minister’s obvious disdain for the rule of law and the professional operations of Law Enforcement, I will argue that when it comes to the potential for instability in our nation, there is no greater cause for concern than the lack of professionalism being exhibited by the Minister of Home Affairs in the discharge of his administrative functions, and the collateral damage being extrapolated

across the nation as a consequence.

Finally, let me assure the Minister that I will not be intimidated by his veiled threats and “cry wolf” alarms.

Guyana has had a history over the past several years of political intimidation and violence against those who do not carry water for the regime, or willingly peddle its propaganda.

The world is watching, and I would advise the international community to pay keen attention to what has transpired in Guyana, and what is transpiring today. I am keenly aware of the fate of Ronald Waddell, and the evidence revealed in a Federal Court in Brooklyn about the fact and circumstances surrounding his assassination.

That international community cannot continue to extol the virtues of democracy while exhibiting selective amnesia to hundreds murdered in vigilante and other politically motivated killings in Guyana.

Guyanese have as much right as Libyans, Syrians, Palestinians or Egyptians to have their concerns and existence occupy the attention of the international community.

Mark A. Benschop Political/Social Activist

Who is undermining the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission?

DEAR EDITOR, In many ways 2012 was a watershed year for Guyana.

Yet the post-Jagan PPP Government continues to not appoint the Ombudsman, the Public Service Appellant Tribunal and reconstitute the Integrity Commission and the Ethnic Relations Commission.

Guyana continues to function with an Acting Chancellor, Acting Chief Justice and Acting Commissioner of Police.

In such a situation, it is clear why a close friend of the post-Jagan PPP continues to get a G$3.4billion noncompetitive contract for the procurement of 80 per cent of the medical supplies in Guyana. To give the readers context to this concern, in 2002 the Office of the Auditor General stated that the Government purchased G$393 million in medical supplies and G$378 million (96%) of it was bought from a collection of over a dozen reputable medical suppliers.

In less than ten years, many of these suppliers were shut out from the system and replace by one company –

New GPC, owned by close associates of the post-Jagan PPP. The 2011 Auditor General Report revealed that the Government bought G$4,278 million in medical supplies and G$3,418 million (80%) was sole sourced from New GPC under a noobjection letter from the Cabinet of Guyana. Mind you, the procurement legislation provides no legal legitimacy for the Cabinet, only the Procurement Commission.

Can we understand why the post-Jagan PPP is so keenly interested in stifling the Public Procurement Commission? They are willing to break the law to feed their friends at the expense of the people. And Dr Luncheon wants to lecture the majority opposition about disrespectful and slothful?

Who is disrespecting the people by undermining the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission?

If Mr. Granger votes for this anti-money laundering bill without securing the full establishment of the Public

Procurement Commission, he shall be deemed a sell-out to the struggle. At least we are confident that the politician of principle in Guyana, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan will rally his troops to the cause of – no Procurement Commission; not vote for the anti-money laundering laws.

We also note a statement from the Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan demanding answers to queries on Government policies regarding procurement of medical

supplies and welcome such advocacy. We encourage that the AFC ask a list of question in Parliament requesting direct answers on the issues, especially on that issue where some drugs were purchased for six times the cost of the same drug in the corner pharmacy and the high rate of expiry of drugs bought by the government.

For how long more will be spend so little on cleaning up the garbage on the road and so much on expired drugs?

Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh

Freddie Kissoon replies to Hydar Ally DEAR EDITOR, Life plays strange tricks on human beings. Sometimes the Freudian playbacks are amusing as in the case of PPP propagandists, Hydar Ally. In his letter on me in yesterday’s edition of KN, the type-setter may have made a Freudian slip.

He set Mr. Ally’s first name as Hydra.

The word “Hydra” has become common in the English language. Always it is used in the hyphenated mode, “hydraheaded.” Hydra, in Greek mythology was a monster with nine heads.

Each time a head was cut off, two more heads replaced it.

Continued on page 5

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

There is nothing sinister in the way the Opposition Parties operate DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Harry Gill made some rather absurd assertions in his missive “Khemraj Ramjattan is allowing Granger to influence his behaviour” (KN 22 June, 2013). Mr. Gill concludes that Opposition Leader, Mr. David Granger is using PSYOP (psychological operations) against the Guyanese populace and against Mr. Ramjattan. Mr. Gill based his conclusions on his observations and reasoning, articulated in his letter. Please permit me to respond and address some of the flaws and fallacies in his arguments and reveal his assertions for what they are: nonsense.

Mr. Gill characterized Mr. Granger’s approach to governance as “passive” and Mr. Ramjattan as being the pit bull. This observation was used as evidence of PSYOP. I just don’t get it. There is absolutely no nexus between the two; the argument is a non sequitur. Apart from the characterizations being totally subjective, different people have different ways of doing things. Mr. Granger is a thoughtful, disciplined man.

Does Mr. Gill expect him to engage in a Jagdeo style cuss out?

Mr. Gill asserts that the Opposition cut the budget to disrupt the economy. No supporting arguments are offered, so are we supposed to just accept that? I think not.

Both the APNU and the

AFC are on record explaining the reasons for each cut in the budget: their reasons were clear, detailed and, in my opinion, consistent with their roles as Opposition Parties and their stated policies and positions. If Mr. Gill wishes to question the motives of the Opposition Parties he must advance arguments in support of his conclusion, not insult our intelligence with PPPC concocted dogma.

Mr. Gill raises several points: 1. After the elections APNU tried to force the PPPC to include the Opposition Parties in a government of national unity when APNU would not have considered doing the same. This articulation of Mr. Gill’s opinion is totally false. Mr. Granger made his position clear BEFORE the 2011 election: he supported a Government of National Unity regardless of the outcome of the polls. If Mr. Gill has evidence that Mr. Granger was not genuine then he should share it with us instead of misrepresenting the facts, or more bluntly: lying.

2. Mr. Gill claims that the salaries of public servants and benefits to pensioners were inadequate but fair. My question is: fair, by what standards?

The overburdened workers and pensioners cannot afford food and basic medicines

when the ruling elite live in palaces that could not be bought even with their super salaries and travel on taxpayer funded expense accounts. How is this fair?

Mr. Gill mentions the One Laptop Per Family program, the Amalia Falls Hydroelectric Project, The Marriott Hotel Project and the selling of house lots to Guyanese. Contrary to the falsehoods being peddled by Mr. Gill, I have not heard any Opposition Party say that any of these are bad ideas.

Instead, the Parliamentary Opposition Parties have highlighted the need for systemic transparency and accountability.

The OLPF program misplaced 100 laptops and no one was held accountable.

The Marriott is being built by imported foreign workers when far too many Guyanese are unemployed. The Amalia Project is behind schedule and over budget.

House lots are being sold to Guyanese at unaffordable prices, the list goes on.

Clearly, in light of these realities and numerous questions, the Opposition is obliged to demand answers on behalf of the Guyanese who elected them.

Mr. Gill advocates taxpayer subsidies to GPL instead of calling for a comprehensive change of management: the real problem. Why should poor

One can always find something puzzling or comical in printed observations about Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I did, when I read two sections of your newspaper recently. A resident columnist’s article was headed ‘No society like Guyana is worthy of existence’. I found the cases of the two youngsters being expelled from school for having cell phones in class puzzling. Although expulsion seemed a bit extreme confiscation for the day and a warning should have been enough - was there not a rule against cell phones in classrooms?

If there was such a rule, then ‘legal redress’ would hardly be an option.

Comical was the immediate expulsion of a girl found kissing a boy, presumably on school premises, and “that child” subsequently becoming pregnant. The head of the school seemed to have prescience and thought ‘not in my backyard’.

I think the truth is the Guyanese people have tried

hard to get those in authority to look, see and listen but have failed consistently. So the attitude now is “What’s the use, what can we do”?

That was my deduction while in Guyana almost two decades ago.

Also puzzling was the statement in a letter that “Guyana had made “considerable progress over the years and from the second poorest country in the western hemisphere during the 1970-1980 period, the country has advanced progressively along the

development continuum and is now ranked among the lower middle income countries”. From ‘second poorest’, where do we now stand in the Western Hemisphere?

I have often wondered about this. Please enlighten us - as a matter of pride.

Geralda Dennison

Guyanese have to foot the bill for a wasteful utility company when the GPL fat cats live in luxury?

There is nothing sinister in the way the Opposition Parties operate.

The functionaries of APNU and those of the AFC have different styles. Their policy positions are often different and their agendas may not always coincide. What could be more natural?

Mr. Granger is not Superman to exercise psychological control over people. This is reality not a comic book or a Stephen King novel.

Mr. Gill declares that we see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear and if we do not like what we perceive, we often distort or modify it. I agree. Mr. Gill is clearly seeing what he wants to see and distorting reality to fit his preconceptions and personal agenda. Facts do not change however, no matter how much people of his ilk may want them to. The house of cards of lies and misinformation can never stand up to the winds of truth and honest scrutiny.

Mark DaCosta

Freddie Kissoon...

From page 4 Perhaps the appropriate form of cynicism to describe the PPP is hydra-headed. It says it is communist but it wears a capitalist head. It says it is democratic but it has on an authoritarian head. It says it is multi-racial but its racist head is graphically visible.

It says it is a working class party but last Sunday in a Stabroek News column, Ralph Ramkarran described the head it wears; given to it by a wealthy cabal. It says it is an anticorruption party but all Guyanese see its ugly, kleptocratic head. Hydra had nine heads, the PPP has a million.

Hydar Ally’s role as a PPP propagandist is to hide the despicable heads on the shoulders of the PPP and present the ones that do not exist. He wants me to supply him with proof of the rigged 2011 elections. Why would I want to engage Mr. Ally on any proof-supplying process? Will PPP leaders like Ally and the Freedom House cabal accept any proof you show them?

My role in the Guyanese society is not to polemicize with people like Hydar Ally. To do that is to engage in an assault on one’s own dignity but to speak to my fellow citizens on the hydra-headed nature of the PPP and how those multiplicities of heads are destroying Guyana. I will ignore the comical deportment of people like Ally and continue my Aristotelian perambulations of trying to educate and liberate the country I belong to and love.

Frederick Kissoon

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Monday June 24, 2013

Unsterilized hazardous waste still entering Haags Bosch Landfill Site

By Keeran Danny Unsterilized hazardous waste is still being disposed at the Haags Bosch Landfill Site, East Bank Demerara, even though Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is equipped with a Hydroclave Sterilization System capable of sterilizing waste from all public and private health facilities in Region Four.

This is because several private health facilities in the Region are disposing their medical or hazardous waste instead of using GPHC’s facility.

This is according to Gordon Gilkes, Head of the Solid Waste Management Programme.

Gilkes, who visited GPHC to look at the operations of the Hydroclave Sterilization System over a month ago, told Kaieteur News that the equipment is being underutilized.

“Because of the size of the Hydroclave it is inefficient to operate on a daily basis so the waste is packed in a storage room and awaits the correct quantity to be sterilized,” he added.

T h e c o u n t r y ’s m a i n health facility installed the equipment with the intention of processing 300 kilogrammes of infectious waste daily.

The project was initiated in 2008 and the Hydroclave Sterilization System became operational in March 2012. As part of the sterilization programme, for a nominal fee GPHC collects hazardous waste from both public and private health facilities in Region Four.

The programme was developed for GPHC to sterilize hazardous waste produced by all health facilities in Region Four but not all private hospitals are on board.

- Some health care facilities not utilizing GPHC’s Hydroclave Sterilization System

GPHC’s Hydroclave Sterilization System

Gilkes said, “We rather suspect they are mixing domestic and medical waste and disposing them at the Landfill Site.”

He believes that the Environmental Protection Agency should be proactive in ensuring that medical facilities, including dental operations utilize the Hydroclave Sterilization System service for the safety of the humans and the environment.

In fact, many persons in the waste management sector, who do not wear protective garments are at risk of contracting dangerous and sometimes incurable diseases, since they come into contact with hazardous waste, including needles, almost daily.

According to Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, the

hospital does not accept certain kinds of medical waste such as limbs and fetuses from private hospitals.

However, GPHC is open for discussion as to the types of waste it is prepared to accept.

He noted that GPHC’s trucks uplift hazardous waste from several Ministry of Health’s centres on the East Bank and East Coast Demerara, Balwant Singh

Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital and Banks DIH (whenever necessary).

Khan related that other large private hospitals in Georgetown are aware of the service being offered but they have not come on board as yet. He added that a nominal fee of either $500 or $600 is attached to

uplifting one bag.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency ( E PA ) , the Environmental Protection (Hazardous Wa s t e Management) Regulation was enacted in 2000. It supports the Environmental Protection Act 1996 with regard to the streamlining and effective management of hazardous waste.

The EPA said that the growing industrialised sector in Guyana has created the need for the agency to increasingly address the implementation of the Hazardous Waste Regulations. As such, the EPA expanded its structure in 2011, to include a Hazardous Wa s t e s / Materials and Air Quality Management (HWM&AQ) Unit.

The Unit is intended to coordinate activities under the Environmental Protection (Hazardous Wa s t e s Management) Regulations, 2000.

H o w e v e r , environmental guidelines for the implementation of t h e H a z a r d o u s Wa s t e Regulation have been completed for the proper storage, transportation and occupational handing of biomedical waste.

These are guides to operators of medical-care facilities for the sound management of biomedical

waste.

The agency noted that at present, it is in the process of engaging GPHC “through the e n v i r o n m e n t a l authorization of the hydroclave being used to sterilize biomedical waste from that entity, private hospitals and health centres in Region Four.”

The EPA said that the Agenc y conducted awareness meetings on t h e H a z a r d o u s Wa s t e Regulations with entities, which generate biomedical waste and highlighted their obligations. Additionally, the Agency intends to publish in the newspapers the legislative obligations of g e nerators of these hazardous products.

According to the EPA, it has been made aware that private and public healthcare facilities utilize G P H C ’s Hydroclave Sterilization System to sterilize biomedical waste within Region Four, while other public medical-care entities incinerate their waste. “ H o w e v e r, t h e r e i s recognition that certain public health-care facilities have not been disposing of their medical waste in an environmentally-sound manner.

C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e Agency has been working with these facilities to rectify this situation.”

Trinidad diesel smuggling racket uncovered PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - A team of law enforcement officials Saturday arrested two people involved in a diesel smuggling racket in which the fuel is exchanged for guns and drugs.

Senior investigators uncovered the racket when they swooped down on a truck at a seafront compound Saturday morning.

According to the police they had been tracking the movements of the truck over the past week, and the vehicle’s occupants were caught in the act when they were returning to offload their second diesel trip from a San Fernando gas station.

They told police they had bought 25,000 gallons of diesel fuel at a gas station in San Fernando for TT$25,000

(One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents).

With diesel selling at National Petroleum (NP) stations at TT$1.50 per litre, this quantity of fuel would have cost upwards of TT$100,000 at pump prices.

Sources close to the investigation said the truck would usually arrive on the seafront, via a compound that has a steel gate before driving onto the seafront and parking near a huge mound of dirt, approximately 20-25 feet in height.

The police say they spotted the two men attaching an industrial marine hose to

the truck’s tank and making their way up the hill to place the hose into a hole in the ground.

Smugglers usually run a line from the diesel tank to smaller boats with configured tanks that take the diesel to larger vessels out at sea.

“What we know is that CARICOM boats would come to purchase diesel, especially Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and smaller boats would come up to this Sea Lots seafront, collecting fuel from them and in exchange, they would give them drugs and guns,” explained a senior police investigator.

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Monday June 24, 2013

Monday June 24, 2013

The Linden Commission of Inquiry was never asked to pronounce on the concept of ministerial responsibility. In any event, the Commission established to inquire into the events of July 18, 2012 in Linden was not the competent authority to make a pronouncement on this concept.

A Commission of Inquiry is a fact-finding mission. In the course of its work it can apply various legal concepts but it has never been in the remit of such bodies to determine and outline issues of common law, much less a political-legal concept such as ministerial responsibility.

The commission therefore could not have been asked to

Kaieteur News

address the issue of ministerial responsibility as it is politically and legally understood. However, the commission did indirectly address the concept in terms of the relationship between the Minister of Home Affairs and the police.

Commissions of Inquiry are concerned with determination of facts and these facts can then be used for judicial/ political pronouncement on concepts not just about ministerial responsibility but also about the vicarious liability of those who organized the protests.

The Commission was specifically asked to

“ I n q u i r e w h a t , i f a n y, general or specific instructions did the Minister of Home Affairs give to the Guyana Police Force to maintain law and order in Linden immediately before, during and immediately after the events on (sic) Wednesday July 18, 2012.”

The findings of the Commission of Inquiry in relation to this term of reference are as follows: 1.

In so far as instructions before July 18th are concerned, the evidence pointed only to the Minister giving a direction to the Commissioner of Police to take all lawful steps to maintain law and order. ( para. 118) 2. “There is no evidence

that the Minister gave instructions to anyone during the events of July 18, 2012.” ( para. 119) 3. “… no evidence emerged that the Minister gave any instructions to the police during the events of July 18, 2012 at Linden.” (para.123) 4. It was accepted by the Minister that he had ministerial responsibility to issue such orders and directions for the command and superintendence of the Guyana Police Force. In keeping with this responsibility he directed the Commissioner of Police to make changes at the command level after the events. Para 128)

Page 9

The COI also noted at para 129 that “Operations fell solely under the purview of the Commissioner.”

Yet throughout this entire episode, there have been calls for the minister to resign but there has been no such call for anyone in the Guyana Police Force to step down.

There seems a strange willingness on the part of many to absolve the Guyana Police Force from any responsibility for what took place at Linden close to one year ago, as well as to render blameless those who organized and supervised the protests. It should be recalled that during evidence led before the COI, one of the organizers said that it did not

More Suriname Cabinet Ministers to face the axe -Bouterse President Desiré Bouterse’s Cabinet may soon experience another “shakeup” as he is planning to dismiss more Cabinet Ministers.

This is according to a Surinamese news website,

recent weeks; Kromosoeto regarding irregularities with land issuance and Abrahams regarding concerns that he was granting lucrative Public Works contracts to friends and family. Abrahams has refuted the allegations; Kromosoeto told journalists he did not get fired, but rather tendered his resignation,”

more dismissals of other Cabi n e t M i n i s t e r s a r e coming. “We still need to finalize several issues”, he said. The other Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries shouldn’t feel safe as yet.

According to the website, the Head of State needs to finalize the “operation” with

follow. Education Minister Shirley Sitaldien is rumored to be among the next to be axed.

“The dismissals are the umpteenth “reevaluations” of the cabinet since Bouterse was sworn-in in 2010. No less than nine ministers have been sacked from the cabinet since.

For the opposition parliamentarians the

“Party interests are more important than friendship and the country’s interest is even more important than the party interest…” dwtonline.com, which interviewed Bouterse following the dismissal of Public Works Minister Ramon Abrahams and Forestry Minister Ginmardo Kromosoeto.

“Both are from the President’s National Democratic Party (NDP) and both made headlines in

another Suriname news website, devsur.com stated.

Bouterse was quoted on dwtonline.com as saying “Party interests are more important than friendship and the country’s interest is even more important than the party interest.”

The website stated that Bouterse made it clear that

his coalition colleague Paul Somohardjo (Pertjajah Luhur).

Bouterse said that since he forms a coalition government with other parties he isn’t taking the decisions singlehandedly.

According to devsur.com, Bouterse’s spokesman Cliff Limburg hinted that more dismissals would probably

Dem boys seh...

De thiefing Republic of Guyana Ralph is one of de people who been in de system and who now really talking about wha dem boys been saying all de time. Cheddi know bout de thiefing people he had to wuk wid suh he plan a thing he call community development council. Dem was de people who would look to see that all who get contract would do a proper job. Well that last till Cheddi dead and Bharrat tek over.

De community development council dead like Cheddi and thiefing really tek off like a rocket. De contractor talk how dem got to pay so much bribe that dem ain’t got money to finish de project.

Ralph talk bout dem big businessmen who decide to get involve because dem know wheh de money deh. He

even talk bout dem big politicians who collect either directly or through people who collecting de money and passing it over.

Dem boys know bout a man who carry a briefcase full of foreign currency to a big man who dem boys does call de King Bee. Ralph know these things but he ain’t calling name. He end up saying that Guyana could soon be called de Kleptocratic Republic of Guyana. That is a big word but what it mean is that de big ones picking up every cent that poor people wuk hard to collect fuh build de country.

In other words, Guyana gun be known as de country wheh every big one is thief and when dem stop another

one gun tek over.

Dem boys know this and when dem talk dem use to get cuss. Some of dem even get threaten. But dem continue to talk. But everybody know that when something is true dem who does do de thiefing does shut dem mouth. Nobody ain’t write a word about Ralph. De Hard Times paper use to cuss when people talk bout Barbie.

De time coming soon. De matter going to parliament and some people got to answer. But even some people got a plan. Dem planning to move de Minister who controlling de drugs and put in somebody who can’t talk because he don’t know nutten.

Talk half and report all who thiefing

dismissals serve as validations of their consistent criticism of Government’s performance,” devsur.com stated.

According to dwtonline.com, Suriname’s new Public Works Minister

President Desire Bouterse Rabin Parmessar told staff that he would only support transparent projects through public tenders, allowing entrepreneurs a fair chance in contending for contracts.

occur to him that blocking the bridge was in breach of the permission which was granted to hold a peaceful march.

This, the Commission found to be indicative of the attitude of the organizers of the protest who it said must accept some responsibility for what subsequently transpired.

It was also the view of the Commission that “had the protesters responded favorably to the withdrawal request made by the police the result would have been completely different.”

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Monday June 24, 2013

US $300M aid.....

2011 General Elections paved way for inclusiveness, transparency

By Zena Henry US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. D. Brent Hardt says that the 2011 elections provided the backdrop for political inclusiveness which would allow for the strengthening of democratic institutions, good governance and political awareness.

In an interview with Kaieteur News last week, Ambassador Hardt said that the 2011 elections provided a real opportunity for shared governance, and revealed the necessity to strengthen areas requiring cohesiveness. As a result the need for aid in the area of governance was recognized.

It was explained that the US has a long track record of supporting democratic institutions and good governance in Guyana. He noted that supporting these areas is merely a part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) overall duties, which includes the promotion of economic growth and development.

He explained that the USAID’s funding for democracy and good governance was shifted to Barbados, but when the last general elections facilitated shared governance, it was felt that funding in those areas could be returned.

“We thought; ‘we’ve been investing in democracy and governance in Guyana for

- US Ambassador decades, here’s a real opportunity to strengthen parliament as an institution, the National Assembly, and to hopefully move forward with local government elections,’” Hardt posited.

The idea, he said, was sold to USAID and the state department in Washington D.C. “The proposal was then reviewed and approved by the USAID panel which looks at projects all over the world where embassies make proposal through opportunities like these.”

Implementation While explaining that the US and its agencies do not provide funding to any party or political body, Hardt mentioned that the programme addresses specifically, capacity building. For this reason, an independent body, the International Republican Institute (IRI), has been contracted and is charged to work in the three identified areas.

IRI will encourage compromise, and work on local leaders’ abilities to work together in the name of national interest. Already, Hardt informed, members of IRI are in Guyana and have met with stakeholders from Office of the President, Leader of the Opposition, the speaker of the National Assembly,

Kaieteur News reporter Zena Henry conversing with US Ambassador D Brent Hardt and Programme Management Specialist, USAID Cloe Noble organizations and international donors. The project is however in its start up phase, Kaieteur News was told. In coming months, the country director would be identified and brought to Guyana to commence work.

As it relates to strengthening youth involvement in politics, Hardt said the IRI will have the major task of aiding leaders to reach young people and making them aware of the political system. The agency will be working to train, educate and provide support in this area since “after meeting with young people, they are not interested in the traditional political system; of ethnicity voting and are very concerned about things that matter to them. “ Hardt acknowledged the completion of four Select Committee Bills relevant to the holding of local polls, before noting that local elections would be prime priority, subsequent to their passage. He said it is hoped that the Bills would be passed before parliament’s summer recess thus giving the IRI time to effectively work in this area.

“I think a lot of people are not sure what this entails, since it’s different and broader education needs to take place,” Hardt added. He brought up the reality that local government elections have not been held since 1994 and pointed out that citizens need to be educated on the importance of this local body.

The passage of the Bills, he further mentioned, would allow for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to prepare itself and disseminate the necessary information for local polls.

Hardt expects the IRI to aid parliament in a way where they can cooperate.

“The parties will have their ideas and their way of doing things, but being able to compromise, that is the recipe for good governance and democracy.”

There will be seminars and direct engagement with stakeholders in the provision of technical and analytic support for parliament, ‘through diagnostic tools where entities can look at information gathering, prioritization, good policy making, strategic planning

and effective communication.

Challenges “We recognize that we are working in the area of democracy and governance, it is a sensitive area, it’s politics,” Hardt admitted, “and parties are generally concerned with how something is going to affect their prospects, but we intend to maintain active engagements and discourse with stakeholders so different views, policies and ideas are addressed.

“Our tradition has been to work impartially, in an open and transparent way making that commitment to all parties.

We are offering capacity building support in an equal way to all people interested in taking advantage of it.”

He agreed when asked, that in any society striving for democracy causes political bodies to bump heads. The hope however, is that the

programme will encourage a constructive interactive model for the parties, “which will be a win- win for the country.”

He highlighted that since there is a mixed scenario, where everyone has a seat at the table, the Assembly will be aided in figuring out how to encourage openness and transparency. Coupled with that, the programme will help build the Assembly’s legislation drafting capacity, research capacity, so as to provide vast information for those debating Bills, while providing grounds for better policy making.

Hardt noted that while the UNAID is working in this particular area, collaborating with other international agencies is imperative as to not clash with works that they might be providing. Rather, he said, it is making sure that what we are doing (the programme) is well coordinated and complimenting work in those civil areas. “All donors realize that this is the right time for Guyana and they are committed to making the Assembly a more effective institution and connecting between entities while building awareness in the country.” The United States, through its embassy here in Guyana will be helping the country to strengthen areas within the local political system. Some $300M (US$1.5M) was recently pledged to aid with parliament’s effectiveness, local government elections and the engagement of young people in the political system.

Fisheries Chairman slams police, Judiciary for not enforcing ...

From page 2 to “have the marines—our local army—patrol our water because it's affecting businesses and the people's investments are pretty big.

People don't want to go and work now.”

Jaichand stated that “We need to work along with the Suriname securities asking them to assist us in the patrol of the waters.”

“Some persons have been pulling out because the risks are not really worth it,” he added.

“I am not saying that the people should go by themselves out to the waters, the same way Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has worked with the Suriname authorities, the fisheries department needs to work along with them, and they are the hope

we can have in terms of really cracking this thing”, he opined.

Jaichand mentioned, too, that it is highly believed that some fishermen are the perpetrators of the hijackings.

“Fishermen are doing this thing, so it's kind of a difficult task; I think if Guyana patrols our waters and the Surinamese assist us there, maybe we can get some help.”

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

POLITICAL ANIMALS AND OTHER CATASTROPHES Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as Gods. They have never forgotten this and up to today, as every cat lover knows, nobody owns a cat.

As one wise man said, “There are many intelligent species in the universe.

They are all owned by cats.” Cats are smarter than dogs – you will never get eight of them to pull a heavy sled through deep snow. They have also infiltrated the English Language.

There are five hundred and sixteen words beginning with “cat’ including catalogue, cataclysm, catafalque, catastrophe and catnap. There are even abbreviations like the one in this joke. A woman brought a very limp parrot into a veterinary hospital. As she lay her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird’s chest.

After a moment or two, the Vet shook his head sadly and said, “I’m so sorry, Polly has passed away.” The distressed owner wailed, “Are you sure? I mean, you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something.”

The vet rolled his eyes, shrugged, turned and left the room returning a few moments later with beautiful black Labrador. As the bird’s owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front

paws on the examination table and sniffed the dead parrot from top to bottom. He then looked at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.

The vet led the dog out but returned a few moments later with a cat. The cat jumped up and also sniffed delicately at the ex-bird.

The cat sat back, shook its head, meowed and ran out of the room. The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry; but like I said, your parrot is most definitely, 100% certifiably ...dead.”

He then turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill which he handed to the woman. The parrot’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “$150!” she cried. “$150 just to tell me my bird is dead?!” The vet shrugged. “If you’d taken my word for it, the bill would only have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, what did you expect?”

If you think that CAT scan was costly consider the price some Mexican politicians are paying for their insistence on ignoring the needs of their constituents. Last week the BBC asked the question, “Could a black and white cat be the purrfect candidate for mayor of a town in eastern Mexico?”

The story is that Morris the cat has been nominated for mayor of Xalapa by a group of people unhappy

with their local politicians.

Since he was nominated with the slogan “Tired of Voting for Rats? Vote for a Cat”, more than 100,000 people have taken to the internet to support him. Morris’ campaign group is asking supporters to write his name or draw a cat’s face on the ballot.

The campaign seems to have inspired other people across Mexico as well, who have nominated other animal candidates in the country’s July elections. Chon the Donkey has been nominated in Ciudad Juarez, Tina the Chicken in Tepic, Tintan the dog in Oaxaca City and Maya the Cat in Puebla.”

Morris has his own Facebook page and has already got almost 200,000 “likes” while his nearest human rival, Americo Zunega, has only 35,000. In describing the rationale for nominating Morris, Sergio Chamorro who adopted the 10-month old cat last year explained, “He sleeps almost all day and does nothing, and that fits the profile of a politician.”

According to media reports, politicians repeatedly rank at the bottom of polls about citizens’ trust in institutions. A survey last year ranking the extent that Mexicans trust 15 selected institutions put politicians and government officials among the bottom five.

Universities and the Catholic

Tourism and Trade Expo for Toronto and New York An ongoing two-weekend Tourism and Trade Expo for Toronto and New York seeks to market Guyana as a tourism and investment destination to more than one million potential customers of Guyanese lineage.

Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali, during a press conference, on Friday, said that the first expo is being held next weekend in Toronto. The other is scheduled for the following weekend in New York. These expositions are expected to reach out to Guyanese, who would have migrated years ago and their off springs.

“Our average of persons in Toronto and New York of Guyanese lineage whether first generation migrant or off spring of first generation migrant you are targeting over one million potential customers,” he reasoned.

According to Ali, the event is well supported by the private sector and aims to expand established businesses and create new opportunities; and to access new and expand old markets.

He said that the Tourism and Trade Expo primarily targets the diaspora, which forms a

- Target one million potential customers of Guyanese lineage large market that is nationalistic in thinking. This market offers tremendous potential and opportunities for Guyanese at home, Ali added.

The Minister said, “We launched the Rediscover Home Campaign some time last year and that campaign would have brought tremendous benefits to us in terms of the increase in number of persons coming to Guyana.”

He said that a large team comprising 35 local companies, with a large contingent from the tourism sector, would be exposing their products to patrons in Toronto. He added, “In Toronto we would be having a meeting with all the tour operators and tour companies to further expand the relationship and develop packages specifically designed for Guyana.”

The concept of expanding opportunities would also be sold in New York, where over 30,000 Guyanese and 2,000 persons of other nationalities

are expected to attend. Over 40 local companies have registered to be part of the expo.

According to Ali, this is the first time Government is trying to bring the entire Guyanese community together in New York in a common auditorium to have an exhibition of the tourism and business opportunities available in Guyana.

Guyana Revenue Authority, Go-invest, a few financial institutions and Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana are part of the contingent for next weekend in New York. He said that while the Diaspora may not reside in Guyana they could invest in the various business opportunities available.

“If each one of these persons could have business connection in Guyana with a minimum of US$100 you could imagine the impact it would have on our economy. And, a lot of Guyanese there have of disposable income and they are looking at investment,” he said.

Church were the top two, respectively.

Animals and other nonhuman candidates are not new to elections and are nominated when the ordinary people lose trust in their politicians and rebel against the system. In fact, Stubbs, a cat that has been the honorary mayor for more than 15 years of the small Alaska town of Talkeetna, has endorsed Morris.

In 1938, Boston Curtis, a brown mule, won a precinct seat in Milton, Washington in 1938, winning 52 to zero. Cacareco, a rhinoceros at the São Paulo zoo, was a candidate for the 1958 city council elections with the intention of protesting against political corruption. He got 100,000 votes, more than any other party in that election.

The mayor of Sunol, California was, for ten years (1981–1990), a black Labrador-Rottweiler named Bosco. Another Morris, also a cat, ran as a candidate in the U.S. presidential election, 1988 and the U.S. presidential election, 1992. Hank the Cat, a racoon from Northern Virginia, ran against Tim Kaine and George Allen for Virginia’s Senate seat in 2012.

He earned third place in the state, with nearly 7,000 votes.

Tuxedo Stan, a cat from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was a mayoral candidate in the 2012 municipal elections and was endorsed by celebrities including Anderson Cooper.

I was thinking of this when I saw the disenchantment of people in Trinidad with the present ruling party and the fact that Jack Warner, who was the MP for the Chaguanas West Constituency and resigned after having to give up his Ministerial portfolio and his Party Chairmanship, is now the preferred candidate to contest the by-election caused by his resignation.

Many people see it as a colossal waste of time and money as well as the trivialization of politics especially when the Opposition party has already identified a candidate to fight Warner for the seat. The problem is that Opposition politics in Trinidad is dogdominated. The Leader of the Opposition Party, Dr. Keith Rowley, is known as the Rottweiler and another leader of the party, Colm Imbert is the “Pompek” – a word coined for the lapdog

produced by breeding a Pomeranian with a Pekingese.

The top members of the lead party in the Governing coalition are supposedly into goat in a big way, curried or otherwise. A poll among my friends about what would make a good candidate to show discontent with the political process came up with either a vulture (or corbeau as it is known in Trinidad) or a snake.

The argument is that these are creatures are honest and don’t pretend to be what they’re not. In fact, this fits with something that Jared Kintz (eMails From a Madman) wrote about Washington D.C. but I believe it is as relevant in the Caribbean, “I once saw a snake having sex with a vulture, and I thought, it’s just business as usual in Washington DC.” *Tony Deyal was last seen saying that the best nonhuman to fight Warner and other politicians would be a used-diaper because even though they have lots of Luvs and Huggies around election time, and Pamper their friends, they need to be changed regularly.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

US cardiology college denies Guyanese doctor’s membership claim

Dr Alfred Sparman, speaking last Tuesday from his office, with a framed document to substantiate his claim that he had been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. (Picture by Jameel Springer.)

Barbados Nation - An American professional organization has slammed Barbadian based, Guyanese doctor, Alfred Sparman, for purporting to be affiliated with it, and has told him to stop making the claim.

This is the latest twist in the saga about the

qualifications of Dr Alfred Sparman.

The day after he called a media briefing last Tuesday to respond to his registration as a cardiologist, the Am e r i c a n C o l l e g e o f Cardiology (ACC) wrote him, saying: “It has come to our attention that you are

representing yourself as a member, and specifically an FACC or Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. As you know from the college’s correspondence to you on February 2, 2013 (copy enclosed), your application has been denied.

“You are not a member or FACC of the American College of Cardiology and you may not represent yourself as such,” continued the letter, dated last June 19, which was signed by Rose Marie McMahon, the ACC’s associate director, Member Services. In the other letter referred to, which was dated last February, the ACC’s Credentialling & Membership Committee stated that it met on January 11 to “once again” review Sparman’s application for membership and denied it because the application did not meet the requirements for membership.

It was explained to Sparman in that letter that in January 2010 when he submitted the application for membership, he was asked to complete the process by responding to two requests, which he did not.

He was asked to give: “a detailed explanation for answering ‘yes’ to the four disclosure questions in 2010; [and an] explanation of suspension of the American Board of Internal Medicine board certification in 1998".

Monday June 24, 2013

New Haven Co-op withdraws 20-year injunction against government for Angoy’s Avenue The New Haven Co-op Society in New Amsterdam has moved to the High Court to withdraw the injunction it filed some 20 years ago against the Ministry of Housing & Water and Central Planning & Housing Authority (CH&PA) for the squatter settlement of Angoy’s Avenue, Guyana’s largest squatter settlement with a resident population of over 4,000.

This most welcome move by the government and Region Six Administration brings an end to years of battles between the government and the statutory body which was formed under the former People’s National Congress (PNC) government.

The New Haven Co-op Society was formed under the President Desmond Hoyte administration by a group of persons from Angoy’s Avenue to bring the community into a co-op society to share resources and promote development. When the present administration first assumed office in 1992, the society was very protective of the area and had asked the government to pay them for the lands in Angoy’s Avenue.

After the government refused, the society filed a High Court injunction preventing the government from going into the area and doing works there.

Uncontrolled squatting

became the order of the day in Angoy’s Avenue, which over the years has become Guyana’s largest squatting settlement.

However, even though the injunction was enforced, the water utility company, Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) still managed to reach into the area—after many requests by residents—to establish water and telephone services.

Electricity, on the other hand, has been a hot issue. Rampant stealing of electricity has been evident in the area over the years, even though some residents managed to acquire ‘legal’ connections (Continued on page 19)

Chinese contractor gets US$8.5M ...

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn (right) in discussion with APNU’s Joe Harmon during the site visit on Monday From page 14 will require significant blasting.

“Section seven remains a major challenge…it’s tough terrain with a lot of rocks.”

According to Harmon, during discussions with the Chinese contractor, they indicated that they are not optimistic about completing the section of the road within the stipulated six month deadline.

He said that even if China Rail were to be allowed an extra week to mobilize its equipment it will be extremely difficult to complete the task by December 30.

Speaking to the fact that the final cost of building the Amaila Falls road is yet to be determined, Harmon pointed out that the crossing for the Kuribrong River is still only at its design phase.

The Bridge across the Kuribrong River is included in the building of the access road to Amaila Falls.

That Contract has been awarded to Dynamic Engineering and is being done

under a ‘Build Own Operate Transfer’ model.

The site visit utilized the services of the two Bell 206 helicopters owned by the Guyana Defence Force and saw the personnel being taken to each of the seven sections.

According to Harmon, given the magnitude and complexity of the entire project it cannot be left up to the government and the contractors alone.

He said that stakeholders, along with parliamentary oversight, must be included, adding that it holds the potential to become “an albatross around the necks of our children and grandchildren.”

Harmon said that the officials, inclusive of Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn, provided an excellent overview of the works being undertaken.

He said that among the concerns on the road is the troubled section two, which has been plagued particularly as a result of the high water levels in the Essequibo River.

Harmon related to this publication that sections three, four, five and parts of six have gone a far way in terms of completion.

The Contract for Section Six had to be pulled from Hassan Pasha and given to Ivor Allen.

The 165MW Hydroelectric Power Plant is slated to be built at the base of the Amaila Falls.

Funding for the project comes from a variety of sources, including US$100M in equity from the Guyana Government.

The majority of the AFHEP funding (70 per cent) will be coming from the China Development Bank and the IDB. The IDB is being sought after for US$175M while China Development Bank will be providing some US$413.2M, and US$152.1M from Sithe Global, bringing the total project cost to US$840.3M. In terms of how the money will be used, the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) cost of the actual project will amount to some US$519.6M. The total capital cost for the project, according to the Sithe Global officials, will be US$652.5M, taking into consideration additional construction, development, startup, as well as a contingency.

The remaining US$187.8M will go towards financing costs, which include Interest during Construction (US$97.1M), Lenders Fee and Advisory Cost (US$34.9M), and Debt Political Risk Insurance (US$55.7M).

At a projected average tariff of US$101M, the plant is expected to rake in more than US$2B over the 20-year period on the Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) life of the project.

The plant is slated to last for at least 75 years.

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Page 18

Kaieteur News

FOR SALE

WANTED One qualified Cook, for East Bank area- call:614-4358

WANTED Contract Cars Wanted: City Taxi Service- Call:660-1100

Live In Live Out Babysitter Domestic - Call: 225-6070

Night Guard- Call:611-2706

One female to work in Shop in Interior: Age 25-35 $75,000- Call:664-5199/ 6862201 Receptionist- Call:225-3234 1 Nail Technician and 3 Barbers: Address: 1 Smyth & Durban St, Werk-en-Rust: Call: 674-8555 Office Clerk: CXC English/ Mathematics- Call:225-0188/ 225-6070 One experienced male cook for a home in Interior- Call: 697-6747

Boys to work in Interior as (handy man) age 19-30 $65,000- Call: 664-5199/ 6862201 Mangers to work in the Interior on Land Dredges: Mining Firm has own excavators & bulldozerscall:226-9768/ 629-0037 One live-in maid to work $50,000- Call: 664-5199 / 6862201 Diesel Mechanics: To work in the Interior: Knowledge of excavators and Perkins engines an asset. Call:2269768

Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 One experienced teacher to give private lesson to Grade 7 student- Call: 697-6747 Live- in domestic must know to cook & live-in waitress 1825yrs: $50,000 monthly.

Boarding & lodging freeTele:610-5043 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 Female workers needed: 3 CXC subjects or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1595 One Cleaner- 225-9223 Driver- Call: 225-0188/ 2256070 West Site Taxi service: Wanted experience dispatcher & contract carscall:613-0419/ 600-0699 Experienced Hairdresser/ must experienced in nail designing: West Side Shore Plaza Ruimzeight, W.C.D- Call:269-1525/ 6563561

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY M E R C U R Y (QUICK SILVER) 9 9 . 9 9 9 9 5 % PURITY - $20,000 PER POUND CALL:604-6108 Asphalt Roofing Shinglescall:266-2711/609-4594

Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138,6525800 specialized in everything for women & children Relax $2500, colour $2000, finger tips $2200, toes $600, pedicure $2500, facial $2500- Call:2258701/622-2643 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 644-5166,622-2872,6150964

Pig feed, Duck feed & Shrimp meal- call:266-2711/ 609-4594 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 R o t t w e i l e r, B r a z i l i a n , German Shepherd puppies: Hunting dogs (Pointers) fully vaccinated- Call: 6822148/655-8674

Male Enhancement Viagra: 4 in a Pack For $3000- Call: 642-6664/ 638-1627 3 Phase Induction Motor 10HP/460-V, 125 HP Yamaha Outboard engine: New Condition- Call:693-3747 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $55,000 Futuretech call: 2312206 New 03&05 Tacoma LightsCall:641-1127

Toyota RZ, BMM 3828 $1.6M- Call:679-3168

One 7 weeks male pure breed German Shepherd pupCall:638-5778 Sheep for sale- call:695-6139

Toyota Fielder $2.1M, Premio $2.6M, Axio $2.9M: Vehicles fully loaded & unregisteredcall: 617-2891 2000 Tundra 4×4 3.4L V6 excellent condition: black with off-road package- call: 651-6050

New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234

1 Flock sheep, goats and flock Rams- Call:696-8103

Toyota Hilux pickup, extra cab 2L engine $3.2M- Call: 264-2682/649-0707

6" & 8" Flood control pump with engine, tool sets, ploughs, chippers, slasher, massey ferguson loaderCall:675-9314 1- Xbox 360 video Game, 1PS3 Video Game, 1- A/C unit 12000 BTU- Call: 661-3128

New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234 Toyota Fielder (2004): PMM series: Excellent condition: Silver blue exterior/ dark cloth interior: $2.5M negotiable- Call:266-5283

Lexus, Pitbull never registered- Call:655-0800/ 263-5300

PROPERTY FOR SALE Tuschen Housing SchemeCall: 692-3454/616-7632 1 Business Property at Bloomfield public rd, BerbiceCall: 690-6520/ 642-0110 2 Bedrooms Concrete Flat: 12th Street Diamond Housing Scheme: $11M. Call:613-9085 Houses & Land for sale: www.spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768 1 Two Storey Business Property (Transported): Brickery Public Road, East Bank Demerara- Call: 6608128 (1) One House & Land: Samantha Point Grove: $27 million- Call:679-6952/ 6437125 House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B. Call: 6892973/698-3703

2- 2001 Carina & 1 Toyota IST: Price negotiable: Call 601-4971 (Between the hours of 5pm-7pm) 1997 Ford F350 Canter truck: 14 feet enclosed box with glass case & food warmersCall:641-4708/ 612-9999 Ivico Truck with Hyab $3.5M, Toyota Hilux $2.2M: Prices negotiable- Call:6097803 One Toyota Raum with automatic doors $2.1M and Ivico long base van $3M: Prices negotiable- Call:6097803 Toyota 4 Runner Jeep: 3000cc: Black & Grey, left hand drive $1.2M- Call:6742586 1 Toyota Land-cruiser Prado PMM series- call:225-0188/ 225-6070 2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call: 643-5249 / 2654979 110 Jailing Motor bike: Four month old $145,000: Owner migrating- Call:667-0585

VACANCY One fitter machinistTele:234-0780, Cell: 613-1588 or 694-8450 24 hour East Coast Guyoil needs day & night pump attendants, sales girl, Experienced Fuel Tanker Driver- Tele: 688-9611/6842838 One Club/ Entertainment manager to work at a Hotel in Charity, Essequibo CoastCall:226-9768/ 642-7963 One Female Clerk- Call:2315171 One security guard for day shift: West Side Shore Plaza public road Ruimzeight, W.C.D- Call:269-1525/ 6563561 Vacancies: Security Officers, Drivers, Dispatchers: Apply Monday-Friday: Security Alliance Barrack street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx)

1 F150 (Ford) XLT fully loaded: In Excellent condition - Call: 690-6520/ 642-0110 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, 212- Please Call: 609-8188 / 226-2689

One blue female pitbull puppy; Vaccinated and ears cropped- call: 692-3329

Used Massey Tractors- MF 165, 175, 275, 1100, 1130, Ford 5000, Yanmar Vegetable Tractors: Affordable PricesCall: 675-9314

Attractive Live-in waitressCall:228-5129

Cannon IR400 Photocopiers Call:649-0956

Promix starting at $7,500, green formula (growing mix)Call: 615-2346/263-5300

Security Guards to work in the Interior: Previous Interior experiences would be an asset- Call: 226-9768 (between 8am-5pm)

One Attractive waitresscall: 678-1481

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Nail Plates & Anchor Seal: 4×6, 3×6, 4×8- Call: 265-3541/ 695-4785

1 Handy-boy to work: Living accommodation freecall: 228-5655/628-1756

Nail Tech & Hair Stylist @ TJ’s Barber shop, Grove Public rd. Call: 642-9139/ 266-0864

VEHICLE FOR SALE

3 Piece Sofa Set: Very good condition $120,000- Call:6500814

B e d s , D i n i n g Ta b l e , Cabinets, Wall Divider, Wardrobe, Clothes Dryer, Sofas. Call:219-3732 (After 5pm) CAR RENTAL Premio, Vitz call: 689-6668 Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Progressive Auto Rental - cars from $4000 per day.

Call 643-5122, 225-8711; email www. progressive autorental. com Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827

FOR SALE

15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags, large quantity available- call: 266-2711/609-4594

Electric Snow cone machines- call: 266-2711/ 609-4594 SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

Monday June 24, 2013

EDUCATIONAL SUMMER CLASSES: July 15th – August 15th: Phonics, Mathematics, Language, Spanish, Craft, Tours & Fun day: Garnett St. KittyCall:654-8650 Princeton College: CXC classes for day and evening students: Register for summer classes 5-18 yearscall:690-5008 SUMMER CLASSES: Phonics, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & Fun day: (4-12 years)- July 15th- August 15th: Roxanne Burnham: Call 619-4355/ 2182076

Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Allion, IST, Premio, one registered ISTCall: 652-3820/ 665-4529 Toyota IST PLL 7683- Call: 639-9553 93 L.H.D Honda AccordCall: 623-8909/672-2002 1 RZ Toyota EFI, HH series: Good working condition: Price $775,000 (negotiable): Small Canter $325,000: Working condition- Call:6906327 Toyota Hilux 4×4, A/C, auto, leather seats, 3RZ engine: Asking $2.7M- Call:2250398/ 623-1299/ 658-5097 Unregistered To y o t a Sienta 7 seats: 1500cc- Call: 617-5536

TO LET Fully furnished short term apartments @ Eccles call: 689-6668 Secret Villa apartment, fully furnished apartments Landof-Canaan E.B.D- Call:2665243/266-5245 Houses to rent: www. spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768 3 Bedrooms concrete top & bottom flat (US $500 & US $450) in South Ruimveldt Gardens- Call: 218-1949 (Monday- Friday, 9:00am5:00pm) (Continued on page 19)

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Elderly fish vendor struck dead by cop’s car Seventy- one- year old fish vendor Chanderjit Sanichar of Better Hope, East Coast of Demerara became the country’s latest road fatality when he was struck down by a speeding car driven by a Police Cadet Officer.

The accident occurred around 04:30 hours on the Better Hope Public Road.

Police in a statement said that the Cadet Officer was driving his car along the roadway when it is alleged that Sanichar attempted to cross the road and was struck down.

“He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital

DEAD: Chanderjit Sanichar Corporation,” the police said.

Kaieteur News

understands that Sanichar was heading to the Better Hope foreshore, where he normally purchases fish to resell in his community, when he was struck down.

H i s s i s t e r, D r o o p a t i Singh, who lives in the upper flat of the house she shares with Sanichar, recalled that she was cooking when she received the tragic news of his death.

“He does buy load and sell. He was going to buy load,” she said.

She told this newspaper that around 5:30 hrs a girl who lives a short distance from the accident scene came to her house and told her that

Sanichar “get knock down and gone to the hospital”.

Singh said that since the girl did not indicate how serious the accident was, she continued her cooking with the intention of going to the hospital immediately after to see what had happened to her brother.

It was not too long after that the real truth of what had transpired was brought to her.

According to Singh, while gathering up some clothes to take to her brother at the hospital, a police vehicle pulled up in front of her house.

“They (police) said that

Women’s group honours 16 men for contributions to Linden Sixteen men were last Sunday presented with awards for their outstanding contributions in the Town of Linden, and even further afield by the group ‘Women in Promotion’.

The event was one of the major highlights in the mining Town for Father’s D a y, w h i c h w a s b e i n g celebrated that day, and was meant to bring much needed recognition to some prominent fathers, according to coordinator of the event Judy Gravesande- Noel.

The men were recognized for their contributions in the field of education, sports, music, religion and the social services. Recipients were Pastors Basil Smartt , Emile

Adams and Father Wagner in the field of religion, Eric Baird, Martin Porter and Cleveland Thomas in education, George Emmerson, Dennis Solomon and Abdul Hamid for sports, Joseph Proffitt, Carlton Jordan and Dennis Parkinson for music and Winslow Parris, Gladwin We b s t e r a n d M i c h a e l James in the social sector.

Noel emphasized that the gesture was one that was long overdue, as oftentimes, fathers are the last persons to be recognized, if, at all. She added that some of the recipients had served the community in their respective fields for more than forty years.

Topping the list with forty

years and more of service to the community were Pastor Basil smart and Father Joseph Wagner in the area of religion and Eric Baird and Martin Porter in the area of education.

Noel added that many of the men were not only fathers to their biological offspring, but played a father figure role and mentored many across the mining Town.

Pastor Basil Smartt, M a r t i n P o r t e r, F a t h e r Wagner and Eric Baird came in for special praise in this area.

“However, all of the men have led exemplary lives that are well worth emulating”, Noel acknowledged.

Major sponsors who played an integral role in making the event a success

were Harry’s Lumber yard, Bernard Moffat, Bernard’s Variety, Roger Hinds and Collis Menthis.

The event was the first promotion of the group.

Director of the group Gravesande Noel, said that the event will be an annual one where men will be awarded for all the hard work they have been putting in over the years in service to their community.

Noel is well known in the Linden community for her contributions in the area of sports, cancer awareness, and as one of the founder members of the Region 10 Tourism Association. She is the founder of the ‘Women on the Move’, which promotes cancer awareness in the community.

he died and they want me to go and identify the body at the hospital. That is when I know that he died,” Singh explained.

She said that no one told her what were the circumstances surrounding the accident. However, she managed to get a brief word with the driver of the car that struck down Sanichar.

“He said that he was going home and my brother was crossing the road. He did not say anything more,” Singh said.

A man who claimed to be an eyewitness told this newspaper that Sanichar was dragged several yards from the point of impact by the car which eventually stopped several yards away.

TOURS Rickey Tours: GuyanaSuriname: June 28th- June 30th: A complete package $50,000- Contact Nafeeza @690-0341/ Teddo @6611376

place regularized and give people their transports and once that happens there will be a greater level of development.”

Jaffarally noted, too, that the Mayor & Town Council (M&TC) of New Amsterdam stands to be a significant beneficiary of the newest development in this matter since the residents of Angoy’s Avenue will now be required under law to pay taxes to that council.

“Looking ahead, the town council can even cooperate… it is part of the township of New Amsterdam and the council can generate rates and taxes there right now.”

Pastor Philip Rose, a Region Six RDC Councilor and a community- minded person in New Amsterdam is very familiar with the entire issue and shared these words.

“The co-op wasn’t functioning as it should because a lot of persons had migrated, while some showed no interest in what

t h e y w e r e d o i n g , t h ey hadn’t the resources to develop the area”, he stated.

He noted, too, that he and a few others were adamant that the place be regularized and even made representation to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, “and he was the one who was instrumental in getting the roads because of our pleas.”

Rose is happy about the result today.

Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan, too, welcomed the move. He stated that ever since he became Regional Chairman, he was in negotiations with the co-op body. “The major contention there is electricity and GPL is not prepared to do work in there until it is properly regularized. He stated that the withdrawal of the injunction is the first step of the area becoming regularized.

Farmer dies in Timehri accident David Persaud, 54, of First Street Grove Housing Scheme on the East Bank of Demerara died last night after crashing his car in the vicinity of the South Dakota Circuit in Timehri.

Persaud’s relatives related that the man had gone to his farm located aback of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and was driving in his car, PCC 2084, when misfortune

struck.

“He left at around two O’ clock today and went to look after his farm…he does plant garden and look after ducks and so.

We ain’t too sure what happen exactly, but he was on his way home when he died.”

It is unclear as to what exactly caused the accident, but investigations are ongoing.

SERVICES First Choice Laundromat: $700 per load: Dry cleaning of Wedding Gowns, from $5000: Gents Suits $2500Tele: 225-6337 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves.

Ultra Cool. Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves, TV: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) House Plans, estimates and constructionContact T.Boodhoo 625-9883/ 6759296 WE FILL OUT VISA FORMS: USA, UK & CANADA & CREDIT CARD SERVICES CALL: 231-5789

MASSAGE The Gent’s spa: Come be pampered by beautiful sophisticated masseuses four hands special call:6575979

New Haven Co-op withdraws 20-year ...

From page 16 from the company, by submitting legally- acquired documents to the power company, which had no other option but to provide electricity to those persons.

Still, the G u y a n a Power& Light Inc. (GPL) wants to service the entire area with electricity, but was being prevented by the court order from doing so, since a whole lot of other residents do not have legal ownerships of land, as a result of them squatting, among other reasons.

Member of Parliament, Mr. Faizal M. Jaffarally welcomed the move by the co-op.

“I think it’s a good move taken by the co-op because they have been stagnating development.

That has been the main humbug of why we were not able to regularize the area.

Now that has been cleared, it gives the ministry an opportunity to get the

(From page 18)

FOR RENT Rooms - Call: 225-3234 Business property to rent (Georgetown)- Call:223-9727/ 673-0373/ 666-7001

ONLINE SHOPPING ZERO COMMISSION, WEEKLY SHIPMENTS,AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX.CALL:2315789, 225-9030 Shop your car online for the original price through D.North Auto Sales and save big- call:663-0584 Have a property/Land/ House/Apartment for sale or rent? Call: 223-8479 or 6473768 R o c o t s To o l R e n t a l : R a n s o m , Ta b l e S a w, Compactor, floor sander, Bobcat etc.- Call:675-0767 TransponderTV: No Monthly Fees, No Hidden Fees, No Additional Charges: 250 Channels + 50 HD ChannelsCall: 675-3201 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call:2310655, 683-8734 Omar

LAND FOR SALE House lots 50’×118’ New Hope E.B.D: Negotiable prices.

Call: 266-2711/ 609-4594 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika- Call:226-7968 Twelve House Lots in one block along Corriverton public road- Call:626-6245 Land for sale at Golden Grove, fully fenced with concrete: Please call 6105761 or 613-5873

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call: 225-6496, 662-6045, 223-8115 Technician specialized in repairs & servicing to washers, dryers, fridges, A/ C units & stoves: Home Servicing available- call:6615099 Professionally designed website at affordable prices: Get a free consultation & quoteEmail: trinidadbusiness@gmail.com or call:868-397-3589 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Spare the rod ... UNICEF partners with local churches to end the flogging of children Jamaica Gleaner - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is partnering with an unlikely ally in an effort to end the longstanding practice of the beating of children by Jamaican parents.

UNICEF’s unlikely partner is the Church, where many believers see flogging as a divine writ they hold dearly to based on the Biblical injunction that parents should not “spare the rod and spoil the child”.

Janet Cupidon Quallo, child protection specialist at UNICEF in Jamaica, told The Sunday Gleaner that her team

Janet Cupidon Quallo has been in talks with a major umbrella church organisation and other religious groups.

“We’ve been in dialogue with the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) and other religious group - nonChristian and Christian - to look at how, through their training programmes, they can influence (their) members and the communities they serve to consider alternative methods of discipline and to move away from corporal punishment,” said Cupidon Quallo.

“When people hear it from the pulpit they are more likely to be convinced. If pastor says it, then you know ... if pastor says stop beat up the pickney it makes a difference,” she added.

Monday June 24, 2013

PNM: Gordon did no wrong Trinidad Express People’s National Movement (PNM) chairman Franklin Khan said the party was clear that no wrongs were committed when Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley met Integrity Commission chairman Ken Gordon on May 15.

Khan addressed reporters Saturday following the party’s general council meeting at Balisier House, Port of Spain.

The meeting on May 15 has been described as “secret” by Government and took place at Gordon’s Glencoe home five days before Rowley’s noconfidence motion against the Government in the House of

Representatives.

Gordon announced on Friday that he will not be

resigning his position.

Khan said, “The General Council also views with favour that Mr Gordon did not resign his position as chairman of the Integrity Commission.”

Khan also said the PNM will be joining the labour movement in its march on July 5 to the Prime Minister’s office.

Khan said, “Based on a recommendation the political leader has endorsed the fact that the PNM will be joining the march on July 5 to protest against certain actions of the Government. We will be coming out in full force in full red attire. We will be coming out in our thousands on behalf of the People’s National Movement in joining that march against the government.”

SAO PAULO (AP) — After a week of protests at a frenetic pace, a restive calm settled over Brazil yesterday, though more people were expected to take to the streets in evening demonstrations against corruption.

The protests that began in Sao Paulo quickly enveloped Brazil; a survey from the National Counties Federation said that every state in the nation had a protest of some sort in 438 counties, with the apex on Thursday when 1 million went to the streets.

Small gatherings occurred Sunday in a few cities — no clashes were reported. On Saturday a quarter-million Brazilians protested in more than 100, but the gatherings were less violent than those

seen earlier in the week. The movement, which arose with a sea of complaints of everything that ails the nation, has coalesced around demands for political reform to attack widespread corruption.

The sudden explosion of discontent and the political awakening of Brazilians has left everyone from President Dilma Rousseff on down bewildered, creating uncertainty about what will come next in the nation that is now hosting the Confederations Cup football tournament and has a papal visit next month, the World Cup next year and the 2016 Olympics.

The Globo TV network reported yesterday that the Rousseff government was

expected to announce its first concrete response tomorrow: additional funds for a health care program that aims to train more doctors.

It’s clear that while the current fervor may calm down, Brazilians will use the big sports events as reasons to gather en masse and demand change.

“The protests will go on, the people have become politicized,” said Marcos Mahal, a 47-year-old economist, during a protest in Sao Paulo. “The violence that we saw this week was carried out by marginal groups attempting to demoralize this people’s movement, but it won’t be successful. The peaceful masses will carry on.”

- Franklin Khan speaks out

Ken Gordon

Brazil calm, but discontent simmers

US resumes migration talks with Cuba

WASHINGTON – CMC – The United States says it will resume migration talks with Cuba after a long suspension.

“Continuing to ensure secure migration between the US and Cuba is consistent with our interests in promoting greater freedoms and increased respect for human rights in Cuba,” said US Department of State spokesman William Ostick in a statement.

Ostick said that US and Cuban officials will meet in Washington next month.

“I can confirm that on July 17, representatives of the Department of State are scheduled to meet with representatives of the government of Cuba to discuss migration issues,” he

William Ostick said.

The twice-annual migration talks were suspended under President George Bush in 2003, but resumed by the Obama

administration in 2009.

They were again suspended last year after US defence sub-contractor, Alan Gross, was arrested and subsequently sentenced by a Cuban court on espionage charges.

Cuba jailed Gross for 15years for giving Cuban Jews “ s o p h i s t i c a t e d communications equipment” in an attempt to topple the communist regime.

The Obama administration has said that relations with Havana will not improve unless Gross is freed.

The administration has also rejected a Cuban offer to swap Gross’s release with the release of four Cubans currently serving prison terms for espionage.

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 21

WikiLeaks: Snowden going EU risks upsetting Turkey to Ecuador to seek asylum with threat to call off talks QUITO (Reuters) - Tiny Ecuador is once again at the center of an international diplomatic saga over U.S. data secrecy that will thrust the country’s leftist President Rafael Correa into the limelight and stir fresh controversy with Washington.

The government of the South American nation of just 15 million people, which has thumbed its nose at the West before, said yesterday that fugitive former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden had asked it for asylum.

Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino was due to give more details today during a visit to Vietnam.

Anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, whose founder Julian Assange has spent a year taking refuge in Ecuador’s embassy in London, said the American fugitive was bound for Quito via “a safe route” from his current location in Moscow.

He flew to Moscow from Hong Kong yesterday.

“They should give him (Snowden) political asylum

Edward Snowden because we all have the right to freedom and no country or government such as the United States can override that,” said Yolanda Acosta, 35, a small business owner in Quito.

If Correa’s administration does give sanctuary to Snowden, it would put a new strain on relations with the United States, which had appeared to be improving in recent weeks despite strong disagreement over the yearold Assange case.

“If they gave asylum to

Assange, in very complicated conditions, they have to give it to Snowden,” said Alberto Acosta, a former energy minister in Correa’s government.

Correa has said Assange is right to fear that if he leaves the embassy in London he might be sent from Sweden, where he is accused of sexual assault, to the United States to face charges over WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of secret U.S. cables in 2010.

Correa, 50, a vocal member of an alliance of left-wing Latin American presidents who was a close friend of Venezuela’s late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, is riding high after winning re-election in February with about 57 percent of the vote.

He has won broad support from Ecuador’s low-income majority thanks to heavy spending on welfare, health, education and infrastructure projects.

But the U.S.-trained economist also has irked investors with his anticapitalist rhetoric.

U.N. says Pakistan has food ‘emergency’, but donors look elsewhere PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Hunger in Pakistan is at emergency levels after years of conflict and floods, but funding has dwindled as new crises such as Syria grab donors’ attention, the United Nations food aid chief said yesterday. Fighting in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan compounded problems caused by three consecutive years of floods that destroyed crops and forced millions of people to temporarily abandon their homes.

Although most have now returned, about half of

Pakistan’s population still does not have secure access to enough food, up from a little over a third a decade ago, the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said.

Fifteen percent of children are severely malnourished, and some 40 percent suffer from stunted growth.

“This is an emergency situation, both from the food security side as well as from the malnutrition side,” WFP chief Ertharin Cousin told Reuters. “We need to raise the alarm.”

At a center for treating

acute malnutrition in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, visited

by Cousin yesterday, a young mother called Zainab clutched her underweight 2-month-old baby and waited for a highnutrition food ration.

There is growing concern that international donors will lose interest in the unstable border areas after the withdrawal next year of U.S.led foreign forces from Afghanistan.

Already, Cousin said, the rising cost of the refugee crisis in Syria meant it was harder to attract funds to Pakistan.

Canada’s oil capital Calgary could be without power for months after floods (Reuters) - Power outages in the Canadian oil capital of Calgary could last for weeks or even months, city authorities said yesterday, after record-breaking floods that killed three people and forced more than 100,000 to flee their homes swept across southern Alberta.

Some Calgary residents were able to return to sodden homes as river levels slowly dropped and some mandatory evacuations orders were lifted.

But Bruce Burrell, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, said

power restoration in the downtown core, where many of Canada’s oil companies have their headquarters, could take days, weeks or even months.

Many of oil companies were making plans for employees to work from home.

“This is an evolving situation and because of the volatility of electricity and water and the infrastructure that was damaged we have got a lot of issues with restoring power to different parts of the city of Calgary,” Alderman John Mar told CBC radio.

“We are facing an absolutely gargantuan task.”

Heavy rains were blamed for 750 barrels of synthetic oil spilling from a pipeline approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Fort McMurray in northern Alberta early on Saturday.

“We are still investigating the cause, however, we believe that unusually heavy rains in the area may have resulted in ground movement on the right-of way that may have impacted the pipeline,” Enbridge, Canada’s largest pipeline company, said in an emailed statement.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) The European Union is on the verge of scrapping a new round of membership talks with Turkey, a move that would further undermine Ankara’s already slim hopes of joining the bloc anytime soon and damage its relations with Brussels.

Germany, the EU’s biggest economic power, is blocking efforts to revive Turkey’s EU membership bid, partly because of its handling of anti-government protests that have swept the country in the last few weeks, EU sources say.

The Netherlands, too, has voiced reservations about the EU’s plan to open talks with Turkey next Wednesday on a new “chapter”, or policy area, the sources say.

EU officials had hoped that opening the new chapter, on regional policy, would

Angela Merkel breathe new life into Turkey’s deadlocked EU membership negotiations.

EU ambassadors, who failed to agree last week, were due to discuss the issue for a last time this morning.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who has been more positive on Turkey’s accession to the EU

than Chancellor Angela Merkel, said he still hoped for an agreement in the coming days.

“We are on a good path,” he told the broadcaster ARD, adding that there was still the possibility of a positive outcome, although he did not expect a decision today.

“We are working on this,” he said.

If there is no last-minute change of heart in Berlin, Ireland, currently holder of the EU presidency, will have to tell Turkey that Wednesday’s meeting has been postponed or canceled.

Turkey, already locked in a diplomatic row with Germany after Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was appalled by its crackdown on protesters, has made clear it would respond forcefully to any EU decision to scrap Wednesday’s talks.

Mandela’s condition now ‘critical’: South African government JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) Former South African president Nelson Mandela’s condition deteriorated to “critical” yesterday, the government said, two weeks after the 94-year-old antiapartheid leader was admitted to hospital with a lung infection.

President Jacob Zuma and the deputy leader of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), Cyril Ramaphosa, visited Mandela in his Pretoria hospital, where doctors said his condition had worsened in the last 24 hours, a statement said.

“The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well looked after and is comfortable,” it said, referring to Mandela by his clan name.

Mandela, who became

South Africa’s first black president, in 1994, was rushed to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 with a recurrence of a lung infection, his fourth hospitalisation in six months.

Until yesterday, official communiqués had described his condition has “serious but stable” although comments last week from Mandela family

members and his presidential successor, Thabo Mbeki, suggested he was on the mend.

The description of his condition as critical is bound to concern South Africa’s 53 million people, most of whom revere Mandela as the architect of the peaceful transition to democracy after three centuries of white domination.

However since stepping down in 1999 after one term in office he has played little role in public life. His last public appearance was at the final of the soccer World Cup in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium in July 2010.

Mandela’s history of lung problems dates back to his time at Robben Island prison near Cape Town. He was released in 1990 after 27 years and went on to serve as president from 1994 to 1999.

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s army chief warned yesterday that the military is ready to intervene to stop the nation from entering a “dark tunnel” of internal conflict.

Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi spoke a week ahead of mass protests planned by opponents of Islamist President Mohammed Mursi.

There are fears the demonstrations calling for Mursi’s ouster will descend into violence after some of the president’s hard-line

supporters vowed to “smash” them. Others declared protesters were infidels who deserve to be killed.

El-Sissi’s comments were his first in public on the planned June 30 protests.

Made to officers during a seminar, they reflected the military’s frustration with the rule of Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected president who completes one year in office on June 30.

His comments, posted on the military’s Facebook page,

could add pressure on Mursi as he braces for the protests after he spent his first year in office struggling with a host of problems that he is widely perceived to have failed to effectively tackle, like surging crime, rising prices, fuel shortages, power cuts and unemployment.

El-Sissi also appeared to lower the threshold for what warrants intervention by the military. Earlier he cited collapse or near collapse of the state.

Nelson Mandela

Egypt’s army says it’s ready to save nation

Page 22

Kaieteur News

MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign 05:30hrs Dharan Kai AwazThe Voice of Dharma 06:00hrs Islamic Perspective 06:30hrs The Diary 07:00hrs DAY BREAK (live) 08:00hrs Dabi’s Musical Hour 08:30hrs Avon Video & DVD music hour 09:00hrs Current affairs 09:15hrs Top Notch Music Break 09:30hrs Caribbean Temptation music break 10:00hrs Amanda’s music break 10:30hrs Comfort Sleep music break 11:00hrs Salvation Message with Pastor Kelvin 11:15hrs The View 12:00hrs Village Talk: Parfait

Harmony: 12:30hrs The Young and The Restless 13:30hrs Days of our lives 14:00hrs General Hospital 15:00hrs Katie Couric Show 16:00hrs The Bold and the Beautiful 16:30hrs Cartoons 17:00hrs Birthdays & other Greetings 17:15hrs Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30hrs Sitcom 18:00hrs Aracari Resort Hour 19:00hrs CNN News 19:30hrs News Update 20:30hrs Getting it Right 21:30hrs Sports Watch 22:00hrs Movie: John Q 23:00hrs News Update 23:30hrs English Movie: John Q Sign Off

Monday June 24, 2013

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:25 hrs. Sign On 08:30 hrs. This Morning 09:00 hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 10:00 hrs. Roseanne 11:00 hrs. The View 12:00 hrs. World News 12:30 hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30 hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00 hrs. The Talk 15:00 hrs. Without a Trace 16:00 hrs. Criminal Minds 17:00 hrs. Charmed 18:00 hrs. World News 18:30 hrs. Nightly News 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00 hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00 hrs. DTV'S Summer Movie Fest 23:00 hrs. Sign Off

Monday June 24, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You enjoy life yourself and you value enthusiasm in those around you. Your appetite for action is probably well known and well noted. Sports, outdoor activities and everything physical are high on your list of favorites. Sex is, no doubt, also important for tonight.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) This is certainly a busy day. You may be in the center of much activity. Perhaps some volunteer service or worship group activity is your choice for now. You have a wonderful way of working with others, helping them to sense and feel the unity of life.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You have great optimism, faith and a tendency to take chances at the deepest emotional levels. You feel a love of order and law--an appreciation for responsibilities and duty.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) There are insights into your dreams today. This is a good time to reshape and renew your philosophy or religion, during which your imagination is at full tilt. New ideas and new understandings are possible.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) When you love, you love with energy and passion. You value personal contact, cutting through all the externals and getting to the heart of things. You understand and appreciate vulnerability and have no qualm about presenting your own sensitive spots.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept.

23) Be open to the suggestions of others today. This is a day of exploring your feelings--a kind of restlessness for a new emotional experience. Your most essential quality has to do with the very real love and compassion you radiate.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) This is a good time for making amends, making peace with the past and meditating on things that you would like to understand better. Philosophy and religion are subjects that fascinate and occupy your mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Be satisfied with the ordinary and usual for now. Novel ideas or insights could be more damaging than useful.

There is hectic emotional energy prevailing. There is a greater appreciation for things of value and the idea of value itself is in order.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 Dec. 21) Anyone who tries to get you to play with words is in for a big surprise. Your mind cuts right through all the window dressing. Before anyone knows it, you have the important aspects out front for everyone to see.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.Jan. 20) There is optimism, hope and faith in what is yet to be experienced or accomplished. Family, home, relatives and real estate play a bigger part in your life now. You may decide on certain property or an area in which to move.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Don't be surprised if you are not in top mental gear today. You could be struggling to communicate so as to be easily understood. Hard words are possible with an older person today.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Much can be accomplished today. You are very creative when it comes to your home and surroundings. Ideas of decorating or redecorating may be on your mind. You may enjoy involvement in any mental efforts or like forms of discipline.

Visually impaired children do ...

From page 13 might be challenged in some way (healthwise).

Now Shivannie is short of about fifteen or so marks to meet the criteria of this particular scholarship donor- but she is not a child with normal vision.

She has already had surgeries to remove cataracts from both eyes, and she is presently due for laser surgery, to have her vision corrected, so I don't think that she should be judged by the same criteria as other applicants,” Featherstone declared.

Two of Shivannie's teachers, Shellon Swaving and Alstria Greaves, acknowledged that Shivannie is an exceptional student, in spite of her condition, and as such should be given every opportunity to further her dreamswhich is to become a doctor.

“I would really like to say to potential sponsors that here is a child with a lot of potential, who is also very eager to learn, but because of her family's prevailing economic position, could be robbed of acquiring the best possible education. So I'm

appealing to you all to revisit your criteria for selection, so that this child could have access to a scholarship, because she definitely should not be judged by the same yardstick used to judge children who have all their faculties intact', Teacher Shellon Swaving appealed.

RELON SUMNER The teachers reiterated the same call for Relon Sumner, who would be attending the Mackenzie High School come September.

But while Shivannie would be attending the St Rose's High School which has a low vision unit, there is no such facility at Mackenzie High.

And Relon, who was diagnosed with Congenital Toxoplasmosis, after he became blind in his left eye in March, of course needs the special attention that can only be accessed at a low vision unit.

But that is not the only problem facing Relon, as transportation to get to and from school would be a major challenge for his financially

challenged family.

His mother, Ronella, pointed out during a recent interview, that because Relon is visually impaired, he would definitely need a taxi to get to school every day, and she cannot afford that.

“The small salary I work for presently cannot cover the cost of a taxi to take Relon to school every day, and I have three other children to take care of, and his father's salary is also very small, so I'm really very concerned right now” Ronella acknowledged.

But one of his teacher's, Alstria Greaves has come up with an alternative- “Now I really wish persons out there would come forward and assist these children, because they really do have the potential to go far, but if that cannot happen then I'm prepared to work with them for the additional five years to take them through the Secondary level.

All I need is the necessary resources and facilities.”

In the meanwhile, both students and parents wait with bated breath- will these children be supported in their quest to pursue their dreams?

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Page 24

Kaieteur News

GCB\GTM 3-day inter county tourney

Monday June 24, 2013

Linden Secondary Schools U-19 Basketball C/ship

Rain stops play as Berbice, Penultimate set of matches planned for today at MSC hard court President’s XI draw

By Zaheer Mohamed Rain prevented a possible Berbice victory over the President’s XI yesterday when play their first round game of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)\Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life General Insurance Company (GTM) 3 day inter county tournament ended at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Set 78 to win in the last hour, the start of Berbice reply was delayed for a few minutes due to the rain, however when their second innings began moments later, openers Ashay Homraj (08) and Nick Ramsaroop (03) took their team to 17 in 2 overs before the rain sent the players off the field once again. After the rain which fell for just over 20 minutes ceased, the umpires made an inspection an ordered that play resume, with 11 minutes and a minimum of 4 minutes remaining, but both captain decided the game had little interest and in agreement with the match officials decided to call off the game at 17:19 hrs.

Trailing by 106, the President’s XI resumed on 27 without loss and were bowled out for 183 in 82 overs just after tea. Openers Ryan Shun and Martin Pestano Bell took the score to 65 before Bell

Weather permitting today, the penultimate round of the preliminary play in this year’s Linden Secondary Schools Basketball Championship should be played at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court with a double header feature.

In the first game expected at start at 2:30pm, Linden Foundation Secondary are to oppose unbeaten Wisburg, while the second should see the other unbeaten team Christianburg Wismar Secondary taking on New Silvercity Secondary at 4:00pm.

Tomorrow there is another planned double header where the first game at

Man-of-the-Match Dereck Narine (right) collects his award from chairman of the GCB competitions committee Colin Europe. missed a sweep shot and was leg before to Shawn Perreira for 40 (7x4). Shun and Aviskhar Sewkarran saw their team to lunch at 73-1.

After the interval, the pair added a further 24 runs before Shun went for 36(3x4).

The President’s XI then lost Sewkarran (18) and Anthony Buphdeo (00) in quick succession to be at 102-4.

Thereafter only Denesh Mangal with 36 (4x4,1x6) and Vishal Narayan 20 (2x4) offered any resistance as the

other batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away with poor shot selections.

Man of the match Dereck Narine was the pick of the bowlers for Berbice with 3-10 from 9 overs while Shawn Perreira grabbed 3-55 and Gudakesh Motie Kanhai 2-44.

Berbice ended the contest with 7 points (6 for taking first innings and one fast bowling bonus point) while the President’s XI gained 3.5 points (3 for the draw, .5 bonus).

India’s Dhawan named player of the tournament Opener Shikhar Dhawan was named player of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 after his run-fest in the competition.

Dhawan showed tremendous consistency with the bat and ended the tournament with 363 runs from five matches, including two centuries and one half-century. He averaged a staggering 90.75 with the bat at a stunning strike-rate of 101.39.

Dhawan announced his arrival on the global stage when he clubbed 12 fours and a six in his 94-ball 114 that helped India beat South Africa by 26 runs in the tournament opener in Cardiff. The 26-year old then hit an unbeaten 102 off 107 balls with 10 fours and a six in India’s eight wickets victory over the West Indies.

His successive centuries made him the first batsman in the history of the tournament to score back-to-back centuries.

Dhawan continued his fairy-tale run when he scored less than a run-a-ball 48 in India’s eight wickets victory over Pakistan, and then scored a 92-ball 68 to ensure India romped to a comfortable eight wickets victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final in Cardiff.

In the final against England, Dhawan scored 31 off 24 balls to help India to victory by five runs.

Dhawan, in association with Rohit Sharma, also featured in two century and two halfcentury opening wicket partnerships.

Dhawan was selected as the Player of the

Points Standing: TEAMS PLAYED WON CWSS 3 3 WISBUR 3 3 LTI 5 2 LFS 4 2 NSS 3 1 MHS 4 0

2:30pm is between New Silvercity Secondary and Mackenzie High with the other being the Christianburg Wismar S e c o n d a r y a n d Wi s b u rg S e c o n d a r y Schools at 4:00pm.

Should these matches be played as planned the semifinals will be staged on Wednesday and the final on Friday according to the organizers, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association.

It is hoped that the coaches and representatives of the schools involved try their best to ensure the completion of the matches once the weather holds.

LOST 0 0 3 2 2 4

TO PLAY 2 2 0 1 2 1

POINTS 6 6 7 6 4 4

Players ready for Wimbledon Tennis action but hopes for good weather Daily Mail – On the eve of the greatest tennis tournament in the world - and there was quite a buzz around Wimbledon ahead of the start of one of the most hotly anticipated Championships in recent years.

All the top players were at the All England Club to put in their final preparations ahead of a blockbuster opening day, which will see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in action, as well as a whole host of other British players.

As is traditional, defending champion Federer will open proceedings on Centre Court against Victor Hanescu at 1pm, while Murray is due on third

around 5pm as he kickstarts his bid for Wimbledon glory against Germany’s Benjamin Becker. Play on the outside courts begins at 11:30am.

Murray looked relaxed ahead of his opening match as he hit with fellow Scot Jamie Baker and was seen sharing a laugh with Heather Watson, while Federer practiced with Juan Martin Del Potro.

A sign of the excitement surrounding the first day came when Wimbledon officials urged fans not to turn up to queue on Sunday after there were more people in the queue than show court tickets available by 11am, more than 24 hours before the first ball of this year ’s

tournament is hit.

People who wish to gain general admission are advised to turn up early this morning.

Remarkably, a number of keen fans turned up on Saturday to queue but were forced to sleep on the pavements outside Wimbledon Park overnight after being told that the queue was not opening until 8am on Sunday morning due to health and safety reasons.

Rain forced the players to run for cover in the middle of their practice sessions but it is expected to be dry for the first few days, although the rain could force interruptions to play later in the week.

2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship

Four more matches scheduled for today Shikhar Dhawan Tournament by a five-person selection panel that comprised Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager – Cricket, and Chairman Event Technical Committee), Javagal Srinath (former India fast bowler and ICC elite panel match referee), Aleem Dar (ICC elite panel umpire), Scyld Berry (Wisden Editor from 2008-2011 and Sunday Telegraph correspondent) and Stephen Brenkley (correspondent of The Independent and Independent On Sunday).

Past winners: 1998 – Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 2000 – Not awarded 2002 – Not awarded 2004 – Ramnaresh Sarwan (West Indies) 2006 – Chris Gayle (West Indies) 2009 – Ricky Ponting (Australia) 2013 – Shikhar Dhawan (India)

After three matches, two in Bartica and one in Georgetown, the 2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship moves to the other regions today with four games scheduled for various venues.

At Ann’s Grove, Hope Secondary take on Shivita Business College in what is anticipated to be an exciting matchup, starting from 15:30 hrs.

Action continues at the #5 ground with #8 Secondary set to collide with Ash Educational College in a Region 5 Zone clash from 15:30 hrs.

Over in Region #6, Tagore take on J.C Chandisingh at the Skeldon Community Centre

ground and in the final game of the day, West Demerara play host to Endeavour with both matches set to start at 15:30 hrs.

Meanwhile, in results to date, Wa r a m a d o n g

defeated Three Miles 6-0 at the Bartica Secondary School ground and Leonora eased past St. John’s College 3-1, at the Ministry of Education ground.

Coach Richmond continues cricket programme at Ann’s Grove today Cricket clubs along the East Coast will continue to benefit from the national cricket coaching programme conducted

by Daniel Richmond and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission.

Mr. Richmond will be at Ann’s Grove from 4:30pm to work with youngsters in that area, teaching the finer points of the game.

While Richmond has dealt with clubs, emphasis has also be placed on young cricketers from the various schools in the areas visited.

Monday June 24, 2013

Kaieteur News

India beat England to win final BBC Sport - England’s search for a global one-day title goes on after they collapsed to a five-run defeat

by India in a pulsating Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston.

Chasing a modest 130 in a game reduced to 20 overs per side by rain, England were set for a historic triumph with 20 needed off 16 balls and Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara at the crease.

However, Morgan’s departure for 33 was the first of four wickets to fall for three runs in eight balls as the team were struck by nerves.

England finished on 1248 after James Tredwell missed the last ball of the innings with six required for victory.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 2-14 and slow left-armer Ravindra Jadeja took 2-24 to complement his vital unbeaten 33 off 25 balls in India’s 129-7.

England are left to reflect on a fifth defeat in a major final - and another agonising loss in the Champions Trophy showpiece after losing to West Indies in 2004 following the sort of woeful batting display that many thought had been consigned to the past.

A jubilant India, meanwhile, can add the Champions Trophy to the World Cup they won in 2011.

They - and the thousands of India fans among a sell-out crowd - also owe a debt of thanks to the International Cricket Council, which extended the finish time by more than an hour to allow the match to finish at 20:30 BST. The manner in which England floundered against spin - two batsmen were stumped, albeit one, in Ian Bell, despite replays suggesting otherwise - took the gloss off a fine

performance with the ball.

Bopara’s 3-20 was therefore in vain, while his dismissal for a punchy 30 - in what looked like being the game’s most pivotal innings - is likely to be remembered as part of a collapse that will be recalled for all the wrong reasons. A fifth-wicket stand of 64 between Morgan and Bopara aside, England were rarely comfortable during a pursuit that was undermined when Alastair Cook edged Umesh Yadav to first slip in the second over.

Jonathan Trott, criticised for his strike-rate in this tournament, batted like he had a point to prove in making 20 off 17 balls, only to over-balance as he attempted to work Ashwin into the on side and Mahendra Dhoni completed a smart stumping off a legside wide.

Joe Root swept Ashwin to short fine-leg and Bell was stumped - replays suggested his foot was grounded when he dragged his foot out pushing at man-of-thematch Jadeja, leaving England 46-4.

Bopara hit two huge leg-side sixes and Morgan one as they restored the balance of power, but the game changed in one remarkable over from the wayward Ishant Sharma.

He bowled two successive wides before Morgan, swiping across the line, found mid-wicket, and when Bopara pulled the next delivery to backward square-leg, England were reeling.

As if to illustrate the panic that had infested the dressing room, Jos Buttler was bowled first ball aiming an unsightly heave at Jadeja, then Tim Bresnan was run out after he went in search of an impossible single to point.

England’s precipitous slide put the contributions of Virat Kohli, who made 43, and

Jadeja into greater context, on a pitch that turned more as the evening progressed.

They helped repair a scorecard that read 66-5 after the loss of Suresh Raina and Dhoni in the space of five balls, with Jadeja leading a late assault that brought 33 ultimately crucial - runs off the last three overs.

England had to wait almost six hours to capitalise on overcast conditions were little different from when they won the toss.

However, Stuart Broad struck in the fourth over when he nipped one back to beat Rohit Sharma’s drive.

The scalp of Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was more highly prized, not least because he uppercut Broad for six and took successive fours off Tredwell before he drove a Bopara slower ball to short extra-cover to depart for 31.

Dinesh Karthik top-edged a sweep off Tredwell to short fine-leg, the first of three wickets to fall for two runs in 12 balls as Bopara had Suresh Raina taken at mid-on courtesy of a mistimed drive and Dhoni cut to third man.

Cue Kohli’s counterattack, which emboldened Jadeja and featured a mighty pulled six off Broad moments after he was dropped above his head by Trott at short third man.

Although Kohli fell when he lifted James Anderson to Bopara at long-off in the penultimate over, and Ashwin was run out by Ian Bell’s direct hit, India’s late wobble was nothing compared to England’s.

Scores: India 129 for 7 (Kohli 43, Jadeja 33*, Bopara 3-20) beat England 124 for 8 (Morgan 30, Ashwin 2-15, Jadeja 2-24) by 4 runs.

URUGUAY 8-0 TAHITI BBC Sport - Abel Hernandez scored a first-half hat-trick as 10-man Uruguay booked a place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a comprehensive win over Tahiti.

The striker scored a header and finished a Nicolas Lodeiro pass before Diego Perez and Hernandez made it four. Andres Scotti’s penalty was saved before the Uruguayan and Tahiti’s Teheivarii Ludivion were sent off.

Lodeiro scored a fifth and Hernandez converted from the spot before substitute Luis Suarez added two more.

Oscar Tabarez’s team will now face hosts Brazil in the last four on Wednesday.

Uruguay knew that a point would probably be enough to progress and Tabarez was confident enough to make 11 changes with the last four in mind.

That included leaving out Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan out of the starting line-up but Palermo’s Hernandez, who had only scored three international goals before the match,

provided plenty of cutting edge.

The amateurs of Tahiti have won plenty of praise for their efforts in Brazil and there were positives for them to take away from Recife, with striker Steevy Chong-Hue impressing and debutant Gilbert Meriel being able to celebrate his penalty save from Scotti.

But their prospects of claiming any more than flashes of pride were over after just one minute and 19 seconds, when Hernandez scored the quickest goal in the history of the competition.

Lodeiro’s corner was glanced on by Scotti and Hernandez had a simple finish at the far post and the striker showed similar composure when he raced on to a Lodeiro pass and beat Meriel.

Confederations Cup semi-finals Brazil v Uruguay (Wednesday 26 June, Belo Horizonte) Spain v Italy (Thursday 27 June, Fortaleza)

Page 25

WDFA/Stag Beer Senior League

Pereira’s 5 goals lead Den Amstel past De Kinderen 6-1; Bagotsville/Nismes 1, Jetty 0

THE RESCUE! Bagotsville/Nismes custodian gathers the ball to thwart a promising run by Jetty Gunners in their match yesterday.

By Franklin Wilson Den Amstel’s Jeffrey Pereira was ‘on song’ as he banged five goals past De Kinderen’s goalkeeper Albert Hodge in guiding his team to a compact 6-1 win when the Stag Beer sponsored West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Senior League continued at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground yesterday afternoon.

Despite heavy rainfall in the city and on the West Demerara, the Den Amstel Ground saw two entertaining matches that were witnessed by a fair sized and vociferous crowd.

It was the perfect setting for home boy Pereira who teamed up with Delon Lanferman formerly of Uitvlugt FC to guide their team to victory.

Working in tandem in the attacking third, the De Kinderen defence had no answer for the duo. Pereira set the goal scoring train in

motion seven minutes into the game. Both sides featured a number of young players but it was Den Amstel which took the fight to their opponents.

There was a period of solid resistance by the visitors after the opening goal but it was always going to be a matter of time as the host side dominated possession for the most part. Pereira was again on target in the 35th minute to double the advantage.

Against all odds, with five (5) minutes to the break, De Kinderen were able to reduce the lead when they were gifted a goal by Den Amstel defender Dwayne Charles who in trying to clear the ball sliced it past his goalkeeper, Ryan Hunte.

The goal brought loud cheers from the De Kinderen supporters and as it turned out, that was the first and last goal that came their way. The two goal advantage was

restored when Lanferman got his name on the score sheet in the 42nd minute.

The final half was again a fruitful one for the home team and in particular, Pereira as he blasted the nets on three more occasions. De Kinderen had some flashes of brilliance during the half but just was not able to penetrate the Den Amstel defence. Pereira netted in the 50th, 70th and 88th minute to seal De Kinderen’s fate.

Yesterday’s opening game produced a fierce battle between Bagotsville/Nismes and Jetty Gunners with the former prevailing by the lone goal of the game converted

by Glenvin Herzen in the 57th minute.

Jetty Gunners were just not able to fire on the day and perhaps might be blaming the rain which fell consistently during the second half.

Matches are slated to continue this weekend.

FIVB/GVF Beach Volleyball Course opens today The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) in collaboration with the World Governing Body for the sport (FIVB) will be staging a Grassroots Course for persons interested in Beach Volleyball at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, starting at 09:00 hrs.

According to a release from the GVF, the Couse is expected to run until June 29 and FIVB Instructor Mauro Hernandez of Venezuela was expected to arrive in Guyana yesterday to conduct the sessions along with two participants Johan Gutierres and Leonardo Ojeda.

The release added that the staging of the Course is in keeping with the direction that

FIVB suggested for Levels 1 and 2 Federations to develop Beach Volleyball, Schools Volleyball and Community Volleyball.

Beach Volleyball is gaining worldwide popularity and is included in the Olympics and the GVF is committed to developing this form of the game since being a twoperson format it is cost effective and can permit the Local Body to send teams to compete outside of Guyana, the release added.

A great number of participants male and female have signed up for the course and the GVF extended thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport for its support towards the Course.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Ryan Crawford Memorial, Port Mourant Turf Clubs meet set for July 21

By Samuel Whyte With this being the regular out of season racing period, the inclement weather is also putting a damper on pre-season preparations for the second half of the racing season. However two race clubs have banded together as they prepare for the restart of racing.

The Two Clubs – the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facilities (RCMTC&SF) of Alness Corentyne, Berbice and the Port Mourant Turf Club also of Corentyne, Berbice will be holding an eight race meet on Sunday July 21 at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

With the animals out of action for over two months, which was aided by a number of postponements due to the inclement weather, most of the animals have been fully rested and will be rearing to go.

Just over three weeks remains before the proposed start of the second half of the horseracing season which will see the introduction of the Two year old animals for the first time this year. This will also depend on the weather and the horses having enough time to prepare.

However the principals of the two clubs have begun and are pushing ahead with preparations for their one day mega race meet.

So far a number of sponsors have indicated their willingness to be on board including Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Banks DIH Limited, Omai Transportation and Delmur Shipping Company.

Nine events will be contested with over $6M up for grabs in cash, trophies and other incentives.

The lists of events are the B and lower 1200M event with a first prize of $700,000 and trophy up for grabs out of a total purse of over $1.5M. There will be a race for 3yrs old Guyana and West Indies Bred horses for a winning take of $350,000 over 1300M. The E and lower 1300M sprint will have a first prize of $400,000.

The race for Two Year Old Guyana and West Indies bred horses will have a winner’s purse of $300,000 over 1000M. The horses running in the G1 and lower class race will have an opportunity to race away with a first prize of $300,000 over 1300M. The G3 and lower event will see the animals racing for a $300,000 winners money over 1200M. The Two-year old

Guyana Bred horses will be competing for a $220,000 first prize over 1000M. The ‘I’ and lower race will be a 1200M affair with a first prize of $200,000 and the J and K class event will fetch a winning prize of $150,000 over 1200M. Outstanding individual performers including top Jockey, trainer and stable will be presented with accolades compliments of the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organisers. The race will be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA).

Interested persons can contact the club’s office at Number 13 Hermitage, East Coast Berbice (19 Road).

Bobby Vaughn can be contacted on telephone number 624-6788 or Loresa Mohabir on numbers 3330290 or 333-0301. Francis Chichester on Telephone numbers 233-2984 or 690-1943 or Kris Jagdeo (624-6123; 3220369), Rajendra 618-7278, Ramnauth 337-5311 or any member of the PMTC. According to one of the organisers, Colin Elcock, the race was originally scheduled for Sunday July 14th, but in an effort to facilitate another organiser who had also wanted to organise a race for the same 14th date the two clubs decided to push their meet back one week. However it has been reliably informed that the organiser has not been granted permission has yet by the GHRA. If no permission is granted soon the RCMTC&SF and the PMTC race meet will be held on the 14th.

Monday June 24, 2013

Badminton Association Olympic day tournament concludes today

From Left; GOA Vice President Charles Corbin, Open Doubles Champion Ambika Ramraj, Open Singles & Doubles Champion Priyanna Ramdhani, GOA President Mr. K.A. Juman-Yassin and GBA President-Gokarn Ramdhani after the presentation.

The Guyana Olympic Association Olympic Day Badminton Tournament started Saturday last at the Queens College Badminton Courts and is set to conclude today.

All Guyana’s top Badminton players came out in numbers along with several upcoming ones. This Annual tournament was part of a series of activities the Guyana Olympic Association was running off involving different sports.

Of the five events only three were completed as the players had to prepare for the Olympic Day Run which was held yesterday.

The remaining two events; Men Singles & Mix Doubles Finals will be played today starting

time 5:30pm.

The GOA President Mr. K.A. Juman-Yassin & Vice President Mr. Charles Corbin made the presentation to the winners of the events that were completed.

Winners so far: Ladies Singles: Priyanna Ramdhani Ladies Doubles: Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj Men Doubles: Narayan Ramdhani & Nicholas Ali The Results of Matches played are as follows: Men’s Singles First Round: Omari Joseph defeated Armand Ramdhani: 23-21, 217 Noel Shewjattan defeated Jonathan Mangra: 21-17, 1521, 21-12

Fruta Conquerors U-12 Football league

Fruta Conquerors enjoy fruitful weekend; Santos/Camptown play to a draw Last week Sunday morning, Renaissance FC trounced Fruta Conquerors ‘A’ 5-1 when the 2 days of football action in the Fruta Conquerors U12 Football league continued at the Tucville Ground. But that was the Fruta Conquerors second tiered team. Saturday morning last, Fruta Conquerors sent out their power team and those players avenged the lost with a clinical 3-1 victory, over the very Renaissance, when the action continued at that venue.

Simeon Hackett opened the account for the winners in the 4th minute and was ably supported by Jermain Garrett (59th) and Steve Stanton (60th). Teon Van Renic saved some face for the losers with a 30th minute strike.

Also on Saturday, Camptown FC failed to emulate their 2-1 victory over the GFC one week earlier and had to settle for a draw against Santos FC after both teams only managed one goal apiece. Darron Nikes opened the account for Santos in the 40th

minute but Joshua Ferreira struck the equalizer for Camptown in the 50th minute.

When the action continued yesterday morning, Fruta ‘A’ continued its winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Pele FC. Renaldo Williams breached the opposition’s goal in the 39th minute which held up to the final whistle.

The final match of the day saw Western Tigers and GFC playing to a nil all stalemate.

Activities continue next weekend with two other fixtures from 09:30hrs. The organizers are appealing to the members of the business community for support to make this tournament a success even as executives of Fruta Conquerors continue in the drive of nurturing the youngsters for future representation.

The winning team will receive a special prize, while there will be incentives for the Most Valuable player, Best Goalkeeper and the Most Disciplined Player among others.

Avinash Odit defeated Trevor Mokutnauth: 21-2, 218 Darrell Carpenay defeated Joshua Singh: 21-5, 21-12 Christopher Persaud defeated Hemraj Beharry: 215, 21-5 Cecil Abrams defeated Sachin Ramdhani: 21-10, 21-16 Men’s Singles QuarterFinals: Narayan Ramdhani defeated Omari Joseph: 21-6, 21-3 Avinash Odit defeated Noel Shewjattan: 21-15, 21-17 Darrell Carpenay defeated Christopher Persaud: 21-10, 18-21, 21-18 Nicholas Ali defeated Cecil Abrams: 21-14, 21-7 Men’s singles SemiFinals: Narayan Ramdhani defeated Avinash Odit: 21-11, 21-3 Nicholas Ali defeated Darrell Carpenay: 21-6, 21-13 Ladies Singles: QuarterFinals: Arian Kayume defeated Crystal Dey: 22-20, 19-21, 1321 Nadine Jairam defeated KaraAbrams: 21-13, 18-21, 19-21 Ladies Singles SemiFinals: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Arian Kayume: 217, 21-8 Ambika Ramraj defeated Nadine Jairam: 21-18, 22-24, 25-23 Ladies Singles Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Ambika Ramraj: 2118, 14-21, 10-21 Men’s Doubles Quarter Finals: Jonathan Mangra/Cecil Abram defeated Omari

Joseph/Sachin Ramdhani: 2117, 21-18 Noel Shewjattan/ Christopher Persaud defeated Armand Ramdhani/Hemwant Singh: 21-5, 21-2 Men Doubles SemiFinals: Narayan Ramdhani/ Nicholas Ali defeated Jonathan Mangra/Cecil Abram: 21-6, 21-17 Noel Shewjattan/ Christopher Persaud defeated Darrell Carpenay/ Ernesto Choo-A-Fat: 21-15/ 13-21, 21-19 Men Doubles Finals: Narayan Ramdhani/ Nicholas Ali defeated Noel Shewjattan/Christopher Persaud: 21-10, 21-8 Ladies Doubles SemiFinals: Nadine Jairam/Arian Kayume defeated Kara Abrams/Crystal Dey: 21-13, 21-9 Ladies Doubles Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani/ Ambika Ramraj defeated Nadine Jairam/Arian Kayume: 21-15, 9-21, 21-17 Mix Doubles QuarterFinals: Jonathan Mangra/Arian Kayume defeated Omari Joseph/Crystal Dey: 21-15, 21-17 Christopher Persaud/ Nadine Jairam defeated Cecil Abrams/Kara Abrams: 21-18, 21-12 Mix Doubles SemiFinals: Narayan Ramdhani/ Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Jonathan Mangra/Arian kayume:21-6, 21-9 Nicholas Ali/Ambika Ramraj defeated Christopher Persaud/Nadine Jairam: 21-5, 21-5